American Eagle Outfitters Tour of Pennsylvania - June 2008

There will be a new race in town next year:

The Tour of Pennsylvania:

The USA Cycling-sanctioned tour will begin with a Prologue Time Trial in Philadelphia and cover approximately 500 miles over six days (June 24-29, 2008), with finish-line events in Valley Forge, Harrisburg, Bedford and the Laurel Highlands, and a race grand finale in Pittsburgh to help celebrate the southwestern Pennsylvania region’s 250th anniversary. A total of $250,000 will be awarded in stage prizes, overall general classification and special competitions – the world’s largest-ever prize for U25 riders.

Winding through Pennsylvania from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, 120 cyclists (under the age of 25) from around the world will race approximately 500 miles over six days in June 2008. The tour is sanctioned by USA Cycling and will feature future stars of the Olympics and Tour de France. The race offers the world’s largest total purse ($250,000) for young cyclists and will be televised around the world. The tour is sponsored by American Eagle Outfitters and Highmark Healthy High 5 and organized by Tour of PA, LLC, a partnership between ISM-USA of Pittsburgh and Pro Cycling Tour, LLC of Norristown.

http://www.tourofpa.com

New Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby is a Scream

A highlight from Bike Week that somehow "flew" under the Bicycle Coalition's radar last week was Kinetic Sculpture Derby at the Trenton Ave Arts festival in Kensington. Check out Neighborhood Bike Works two headed eagle bike.

A Rainy Ride of Silence

Fifty to sixty hardy cyclists arrived in the pouring rain at the Art Museum steps to attend the Ride of Silence ceremony and police escorted ride. Because of the weather the ride was truncated to going down the Ben Franklin Parkway, around City Hall and back to the Art Museum. The ride commenced with a silent bike hoist.

Bike Week Activities May

Monday - Friday 5/14-5/18

• Ben Franklin Bridge South Walkway will be open until 11Pm

Wednesday 5/16

• Ride of Silence 6:45 PM Art Musuem Steps

Thursday 5/17

• Bike to Work Day:Delaware County - 8-10AM Delaware County Courthouse Center Plaza - Media
• Bike/Bus/Car commuter race 4:30PM City Hall NW Corner
• Bike and Urban Planning Movie Night 7:30 PM - Theatre N Wilmington, DE

Friday 5/18

• Bike to the Ballpark 6:00 PM Liberty Bell entrance 5th and Market. Camden Riversharks vs. Bridgeport Bluefish

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Eagles "Go Green" Campaign Could Do More

The Philadelphia Eagles have launched a "Go Green" Campaign. It encourages things like recycling and reimbursing employees who purchase wind power.

But could they be greener? A typical Eagles game probably generates up to 100,000 automobile trips (each trip is one way). Reducing the number of fans arriving by car would not only reduce greenhouse gases and traffic but you could conceivably "green" some that massive parking acreage.

Some ideas -

• A bike parking valet service, roll your bike up with no worries, Neighborhood Bike Works already operates one for special events and they could start up the service at a very low cost.
• Install bike racks at all gates.
• Work with the Streets Department and PENNDOT to install bike lanes on the approach roads to the stadium. Buffer these bike lanes with traffic cones on game day.
• Enhance transit access - by partnering with regional transit operators
• Provide a free shuttle to the Pattison Subway Stop,
  
• Make sure the SEPTA opens all available gates at the Pattison Station
  
• Offer free transfers from Regional Rail and PATCO to the Broad Street Subway
• Offer express bus service to outlying areas such as Delaware, the Suburbs, NE Philadelphia and New Jersey.

The Bicycle Coalition rides with Mayor Street

Last Thursday for Earth Week Mayor John Street hosted a bicycle commute ride from Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park to City Hall. Among the 35 participants included City Managing Director Pedro Ramos and Planning Commission Executive Director Janice Woodcock.

Ride with the Mayor April 26 2007

Among the Mayor's remarks was his continuing commitment to ride every single bike lane (220 centerline miles) in the city.

Did the Pope Endorse A Worldwide Car Boycott?

Last week at the Vatican Conference on Climate Change, Pope Benedict XVI in his remarks at te conference allegedly stated "...Replacing cars with bicycles and bicycle paths will be painful in the beginning but this is how we will save the world ourselves. Humans lived for 5 million years without cars until 100 years ago. This proves that we can all live without cars again."

That's an incredible statement, one not picked up by the mainstream media, so we cannot confirm it. We do know however that the Pope did indeed speak at the Conference.

Quoted News Piece in Od-Ed Media
Article in the Guardian

Audubon Cyclist Dies

A bicyclist who was airlifted to Hahnemann Hospital after she collided with a vehicle in Oaks last Tuesday has died from her injuries. Kelly J. Ronto, 42, of the 2000 block of Egypt Road, Audubon, had been in the intensive care unit since the crash.

According to the report in the Phoenix the driver traveling westbound on Black Rock Rd was attempting to make a left turn onto Caroline Drive from Black Rock Rd when he struck the cyclist traveling eastbound on Black Rock Rd. The article does state that Ronto was not wearing a helmet but does not question why the driver did not yield to the bicyclist who apparently was riding lawfully.