Momentum USA Nov/Dec 2011
ROLLING OUT BOOKS FOR THE PEOPLE Rolling library serves Portlands homeless population BRYNA HALLAM Laura Moulton has a new job title street librarian The Portland OR artist has been setting up her portable library housed in a cargo bike and lending out books twice per week to people who live outside As Moulton points out getting a card for the regular library requires an address An old fashioned card system remember those helps Moulton keep track of who has which book She also photographs patrons with their chosen books and users can submit book reviews and share their own stories The portraits help Moulton keep track of who is using her library and the books that have come and gone They also offer a compelling look at the people using this service STREETBOOKS ORG bells whistles arts culture top 5 2011 newsmakers 1 Carmageddon When construction halted tra c on Los Angeless 405 Freeway for 53 hours this past July Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa forgot to suggest cycling as a viable transportation alternative is prompted a commuter challenge to see what was faster riding a bike total travel time of one hour 34 minutes taking the metro 1 44 rollerblading 2 40 or taking a plane 2 54 But the best recommendations are often the least obvious 2 Toronto BIXI On May 3 BIXI Toronto o cially launched 1000 bikes at 80 stations in Canadas most populous city Despite political support for cycling being at an all time low car drenched Toronto ON actually got some new bike infrastructure Our best guess is that staunchly anti bike Mayor Rob Ford must have been asleep at the wheel 3 SF Bicycle Plan After being put on hold for four years because of a court injunction San Franciscos Bicycle Plan is nally being realized in all of its new bike lanes new bike corrals new bike boxes glory Since August 2010 the city has created 14 new miles 23 kilometers of bike lanes installed 500 additional bike racks and improved signage And more people are spotted smiling as they bike through the city or so we assume 4 Mikael Colville Andersen Against Bicycle Helmets Who can forget Mikael Colville Andersens TEDx talk that explains Why We Shouldnt Bike with a Helmet I mean we all like the feeling of the wind blowing through our hair dont we e ultimate freedom In case you missed it momentumplanet com videos mikael colville andersenwhy we shouldnt wear bike helmets 5 Skirtgate As was recently reported on the pages of Momentum Issue 53 Skirtgate is the incident in which visiting Dutch rider and VANMOOF marketing director Jasmijn Rijcken was reportedly stopped by a New York City Police o cer for cycling in too short a shirk e altercation received international press this past June and spawned several we can bike in short skirts if we want to protest rides Might we also suggest the skirt weight p 51 BOOKS WE LIKE ON BICYCLES 50 Ways the New Bike Culture Can Change Your Life Edited by Amy Walker New World Library 2011 372 pages 1695 USD 1850 CAD A book that takes the reader on a spin along the cultural path of commuter cycling in North America Edited by Momentum co founder Amy Walker JOYRIDE Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet 2nd Edition By Mia Birk Cadence Press 2011 225 pages 1995 USD Available through Amazon or miabirk com Embedded throughout and summarized at the end are 50 keys to transforming your community For Joyride tour dates and info check miabirk com THE URBAN BIKING HANDBOOK The DIY Guide to Building Rebuilding Tinkering with and Repairing Your Bicycle for City Living By Charles Haine Quarry Books 2011 207 pages 2499 USD 2799 CAD REVIEW BY BRYNA HALLAM i nk of e Ur ban Bi ki ng Handbook as an initiation to what Ive taken to calling the Tribe that group of city riders who look super cool riding in a pack and think nothing of greasy chainring imprints on their calves and possibly have a matching tattoo e book starts you o easy with choosing a bike and navigating city streets exploring a car free lifestyle and getting down and dirty maintaining your bike right up to building your own scraper bike or chopper If youre really into DIY it might not give you all the information you need but thats what your new bike friends who you met through the group you organized thanks to the book are for Mechanic Charles Haine has written a sharp looking book chock full of helpful advice and illustrations that gives a great overview of city cycling BICYCLING A Reintroduction By Karen Ruth Creative Publishing International 2011 128 pages 1699 USD 1899 CAD REVIEW BY BRYNA HALLAM When I moved from my small hometown to a city about 10 years ago I felt like I had to learn to ride all over again If only Id had Bicycling A Reintroduction to ease my transition With its glossy pages 100 color photos illustrations and clear straightforward writing this is a book for anyone whose last bike had a banana seat or who just wants a few pointers before heading out It covers everything from choosing a bike with an impressive range of options to basic riding skills including braking negotiating intersections and climbing hills and posture ere is information about bike maintenance and common sense advice that wont intimidate beginners CYCLEBABBLE Bloggers on Biking Edited by James Randerson Peter Walker Guardian Books UK 2011 258 pages 1295 USD 1995 CAD REVIEW BY RICH GUNN A compilation of articles and comments posted on the bike blog section of the UK based Guardian newspapers website guardianbookshop co uk want more Visit momentumplanet com arts and culture for extended book reviews NOV DEC 11 MOMENTUMPLANET COM 14
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