Bike Philly Pre-Registration Extended to August 5

The $40 pre-registration fee has been extended until August 5th which is a 33% savings over the $60 late registration fee, for more details about Bike Philly go to the Bike Philly Blog

You can register for BikePhilly or a Bike Philly/Scenic Schuylkill Century combo through the Bike Philly registration page.

Bike to Transit and Save 50%!

Photo by Tracey O Under a Creative Commons License

Well we would like announce this as a special deal, but the reality is that effective August 1 SEPTA will be eliminating transfers. So instead of taking two buses some bike savvy SEPTA riders will be pedaling for part their trip or maybe even ditching SEPTA for everyday transportation.

SEPTA transit riders without passes will face a 55% increase in fares. For example a one way fare (token+transfer) from the Northeast Philadelphia is currently $1.90 and that will increase to $2.60 a second transfer boosts the tab to $3.90 and up to $6 if you don't have a token.

Daypasses are also going away it will be replaced by a eight ride convenience and it will no longer be good on regional rail.

Perhaps this will spur more bike on transit activity, we'll be monitoring the bike racks at Frankford Terminal this week to see if that happens.

SEPTA Bike Policies

Update - A Court Order has put an injunction on the elimination of transfers through Sunday, a decision by the court is due by the end of the week.

Weekend Escape 4 - The Delaware Canals

Speaking of the Delaware Canal it is this week's Weekend Escape.



This weekend favorite has been diminished in recent years by seemingly annual "100 Year Floods" in 04,05 and 06. Global Warming, suburban sprawl, who knows? But you don't have to wait for the repairs to enjoy the middle Delaware River, the trail on the NJ side is just fine
and there are portions on the PA side that are still rideable.

Getting There - NJ TRANSIT discontinued there twice weekday 608 bus to Lambertville but the canals are still very accessible by Public Transportation. You can take the R3 to Yardley but the R7 and RiverLINE trains to Trenton Station allows you to explore the another 3
miles of the Delaware Canal from Morrisville and offer some unexpected tourists sites in Trenton and extra lodging option especially when the B&B's in Bucks County are full..

Hotels
As mentioned the Trenton Marriott is a full service hotel less than a mile from the Trenton Train station in Downtown Trenton. Across the River adjacent to the Canal is the Holiday Inn Express in Morrisville. Further upstream is The Inn at Lambertville Station. Inquire about bicycles before you make your reservation.

B&B's
Too numerous to mention here, the regions appeal to New Yorkers has created a huge market and best of all some of them are adjacent to the Canal. Look for B&B's in Lambertville, New Hope, Frenchtown, Upper Black Eddy and Milford. http://www.bbonline.com/

Camping - Due to flood damage the Bulls Island Campground has only a limited number of sites so it's important to reserve online

Large Groups can arrange for camping at Washington Crossing State Park at the above website.















From Doylestown you can ride the scenic twelve miles from the R5 Train Station or you can connect to Trans-Bridge bus NY to Bethlehem Service which stops in New Hope, Lambertville and even Frenchtown. Trans-Bridge supposedly charges $7 for an unboxed bicycle but I have not seen that levied on anyone that I know. But be prepared to pay or rejected if the luggage bay is full.).

Here is a review of a trip some of us took to the Canal via train and bus in 2004.

Delaware Canal repairs from Easton to Raubsville to begin in fall

The Associated Press NEW HOPE, Pa. - Repairs are expected to begin this fall on three years worth of flood damage to the Delaware Canal, starting with a stretch from Easton to Raubsville.

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has opened the only bid for the project, $10.7 million by Popple Construction, of Laflin, Luzerne County, and is awarding the contract, spokesman Chris Novak said.

Contracts are expected to be awarded in the fall for repairs from New Hope to Yardley in Bucks County, and early next year for stretches in between, with total repair costs expected to reach $35 million to $40 million.

Floods in 2004, 2005 and 2006 devastated the canal, caving in walls and washing out large stretches of the walking path along the nearly 60 miles from Easton in Northampton County to Bristol in lower Bucks County.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has agreed to pay for 75 percent of the repairs if the state supplies a 25 percent match, said Joe Szafran, executive director of Friends of the Delaware Canal."Ultimately, we want to see the canal (filled with water) and fully walkable all 60 miles," Szafran said.,,,

Information from:
The Morning Call, http://www.mcall.com

Philly Bike Polo

Another piece of urban bike culture in the US - Bike Polo! In Philadelphia they meet every Wednesday at 7PM in Schuylkill River Park (Don't ask me where, if anyone can be more specific please post on the comments).

Here is their My Space Page

Anti Violence Ride on Saturday

Please come out to this if you have time, whatever neighborhood you live
in. It is a chance to ride and show solidarity with neighbors who are
working to stop the violence in certain areas of the city. Any and all adults and
supervised youth are welcome. The ride will be escorted by a patrol car
from the 18th district. The ride is on Saturday July 28th, starting at
9am from the Enterprise Center at 45th and Ludlow. The ride will go for
about an hour through West Philly.

A flier with contact information are available at www.malcolmxpark.org

(direct link:
http://malcolmxpark.org/?p=219)

Download the flier and come on out and be counted for peace on the streets.

Another Fatality By Bus

For the third time in a row the victim of a fatal Philadelphia Bicycle Crash involved a bus. According to the Inquirer a 26 Year Old bicyclist was killed last night at 6:50 pm while riding in the bike lane on Delaware Avenue near Fairmount when a Greyhound Bus turned in front of him.

The victim stopped suddenly and flipped over the handlebars and was crushed by the bus.

Coatesville Kids Earn Bikes

July 20, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Doug and Lesa Franz
Telephone: 610-383-4349
E-mail: hitrim@yahoo.com

Crystal Lowery
Regency Park Apartments
Telephone 610-383-4624

Coatesville Kids Earn Bikes
Police Athletic League program benefits youth

Coatesville Community Bike Works, in partnership with the City of Coatesville's Police Athletic League, announces the first graduation from its Earn-A-Bike program. The first class is composed of 7 students from Regency Park Apartments. Graduation will be held on Saturday August 4, 2007 at 2pm at the Regency Park Apartments Community Center, 101 Victoria Drive, Coatesville PA 19320

The Earn-A-Bike program teaches comprehensive bicycle repair to young people ages 10 to 17. Students choose a used bike that has been donated or possibly recovered from an abandoned lot or back alley, and over a series of fourteen classes they disassemble it, renew every piece, and rebuild it from the ground up. Once the bike is safe to ride the focus is expanded to include riding skills, best practices for bicycling in the urban environment, and fitness and nutrition. The "Earn-A-Bike" program is not a new idea; it is used in several major cities within the United States. In Pennsylvania alone there are programs in Pittsburgh, Allentown, Bethlehem, and Philadelphia.

Coatesville Community Bike Works (CCBW) is a volunteer organization created and staffed by Coatesville area bicycle enthusiasts to enrich their community. We recognize bicycling as a constructive activity that promotes physical fitness, a means of transportation, and a competitive sport.

If you would like more information or to schedule an interview contact Crystal Lowery at 610-383-4624 or Doug and Lesa Franz at 610-383-4349

West Schuylkill River Trail Workdays

Friday (Today!) 4PM - 7PM AND Saturday 10AM - 1PM
At Belmont Avenue at the River (Green Lane Bridge, easy walk from Main St Manayunk)

Sunday 10 AM -1 PM down from Flat Rock Dam (Hollow & River Rds-Exp off ramp)

For more information contact
Harry Olson
6l0 539-8728
harryo01@comcast.net

The West Schuylkill River Trail is a planned trail indentified in the Lower Merion Township Open Space Plan which will be a paved and extend from MLK Drive in Fairmount Park to Valley Forge. Volunteers are working in the interim to make the trail suitable for hiking and easy mountain biking.

Weekend Escape 3 - Monmouth Heritage Trail and Sandy Hook

Sun, Sand, Hills, Water and Suburbs. Who can ask for anything more. This mostly off road trek takes you through Monmouth County, NJ with views of Raritan Bay, the Highlands (nearly 300 feet about the sea) and the windswept beaches of Sandy Hook with it's views of New York City.

The trail is incomplete with 3 on road sections. The last section between Atlantic Highlands and Sandy Hook has some steep hills and traffic is busy at peak times on Summer weekends. Be extra cautious when exiting the park. See this website for advice on visiting Sandy Hook by bicycle.










The Raritan Bay Shoreline from Atlantic Highlands

Lodging (not reviewed)

Holly Hill Motel - West Keansburg
Seascape Manor Bed and Breakfast - Highlands
Sandy Hook Cottage Bed and Breakfast - Highlands

Bike Shop - The Bicycle Hub - Wickatunk

Public Transportation - Nothing direct, but service is reliable and the ferry to or from NY is an adventure.

From the Greyhound Bus Terminal - NJ TRANSIT Route 317 to the Lakewood Terminal then buy a ticket to Freehold and take either Route 139 and 67 to the Freehold Center Bus Terminal. Trail is one mile northeast on Route 537. Bikes are stored in the luggage bay.

From Market East Station - Take the SEPTA R7 to Trenton, buy a ticket to Aberdeen-Matawan Station board the Northeast Corridor Train to Rahway, transfer to a southbound North Jersey Coast Line Train (Long Branch Local) and get off at Aberdeen-Matawan Station.

Via the Seastreak Ferry - Take the R7+NJ TRANSIT or the P2P circulator to Penn Station. The Ferry departs from two terminals on the East River. 34th St and Pier 11. For a leisurely ride to the ferry head west on 33rd to the end and then turn left on the Hudson River Greenway. (allow at least 30-45 minutes)

Speedy Videos of MLK Drivers

If you don't think that speeding is a problem on MLK Drive (A Fairmount Park Road) then watch these two videos.

"Out of the Starting Gate" a crossing pedestrian waits for the Indy Car paceline to blow by at the entrance to MLK Drive.



Retired Traffic Engineer Gihon Jordan risks life to explain possible trail improvements

Speeding on MLK Drive

I sat inconspicuously on the grass on MLK Drive between the Fish Ladder Overlook and Sweet Briar Dr. with our Handy Dandy Radar Gun from Radio Shack and took speed readings for 30 cars in each direction between 2 and 3 in the afternoon.

What was interesting is that some people have radar detectors turn on, I would see people hit the brakes as I pulled the trigger. One guy slowed a platoon of cars that followed him by putting his flashers on and slowing down to 35 MPH. What fun!

Northbound MLK 2-2:15PM single lane with small shoulder

Average Speed - 49.76 MPH
Median Speed - 51 MPH
Minimum Speed 39 MPH
Maximum Speed 57 MPH

Southbound MLK 2:50 - 3:00 PM Double lane with no shoulder

Average Speed - 52.76 MPH
Median Speed - 52.5 MPH
Minimum Speed 39 MPH
Maximum Speed 64 MPH

Pedestrian Survival Rates
50 MPH - <5%
40 MPH - 20%
30 MPH - 60%
20 MPH - 95%

The Spreadsheet can be viewed here

Bicycle Coalition Statement on the Death of Tykeem Law

On Saturday July 14, a 14 year old child, Tykeem Law, was murdered while riding his bike on a small city street in South Philadelphia because his presence on a bicycle forced an 18 year old child / driver / gunman to slow. It does not matter if the papers and pundits attribute this murder to Road Rage or to Gun Violence. At least two young lives are lost with Philadelphia’s 220th homicide of 2007. One to a bullet and the other to pulling the trigger.

Members of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia are horrified by this violence and we mourn with Tykeem Law’s family. We are frightened because we know that any of us could have been cycling on city streets at 9th and Federal on Saturday morning. And yet, we remain hopeful because the Coalition is committed to promoting calm, safe and respectful behavior by all road users in Philadelphia and surrounding counties through education and by example.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia urges all road users to peacefully coexist. Road use violence simply has to stop! If you care about these issues, please consider joining our campaign for safer streets and more livable neighborhoods

14YO Bicyclist Killed by a Raging Motorist

From KYW1060.com

14-Year-Old South Phila. Boy Shot Dead

by KYW’s Jim Melwert

A 14-year-old boy was shot and killed Saturday in broad daylight in South Philadelphia. Police have charged 18-year-old Charles Meyers of South Philadelphia with his murder.

Police say at about 4pm, 10 kids -- including 14-year-old Tykeem Law -- were on five bikes on the 900 block of Federal Street, near the Italian Market.

A car coming down the street honked the horn and yelled at the kids to move out the street. Four of the five bikes got out of the way. One didn't move fast enough ridden by 14-year-old Tykeem Law. Police say words may have been exchanged, and the driver of the car pulled a gun and shot Tykeem. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Family friend Amanda Savage:

"I'm a mother myself, so I can't even imagine what his mother and father and his whole family are going through right now."

Police were able to stop the car and catch the alleged shooter a few blocks away.

Philadelphia Weakly

The Philadelphia Weekly does not comment often on bicycling and transportation but when does it has been on the right side of bicycle issues. But a first glance at this week's cover story Trans Splats makes you wonder if the paper is caught in the lull created by the Philadelphia summer exodus.

The cover story was really a series of short pieces by different writers with opinions as to who is to blame for the cities gridlock and perceived road rage. The writers' myopic viewpoints offer plenty of suggestions as to what the other guy should do, no one suggested that they might be a part of the problem. Motorists are angry speedofiles who wouldn't yield to their own grandmother, cyclists are self-obsessed, sidewalk-riding, spandex-clad
lunatics, pedestrians are ipod wearing zombies walking into cars.

This is exactly what we don't need to make our streets safer. Since none of us plan on changing the way we get around anytime soon we need to find ways to co-exist. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians could start by simply followiing the rules of the road and obeying all traffic control devices. Give Respect and Get Respect. And the Philadelphia Police Department needs to step up to the plate and enforce the law to put the bad actors on notice.

Philadelphia has a wonderful bike culture that only thrives in America's most progressive cities, it's part of the reason why it's livelier here than in places such as Allentown, Harrisburg or Wilmington. It's too bad that we are invisible to such a large slice of the general public.

Weekend Escape 2 - The Perkiomen Trail

Imagine bicycling out of town on Saturday via the Schuylkill River Trail and taking it beyond Valley Forge, then turning north on the Perkiomen Trail - 45 miles to Green Lane! Then staying overnight and coming back on Sunday.



At Green Lane Park you can swim or if you arrive by mountain bike tour the Park Trail around the Green Lane Reservoir. Spring Mountain Ski Area offers Rock Climbing and Canopy Tours and the Philadelphia Folk Festival happens right next to the trail in August.

Note there will be a detour to the Perkiomen Trail through September. The route will follow the parallel Audubon Trail through the Mill Grove Estate, home of John Audubon.











A post and rail fence frames a rural scene along the trail in Salford

Lodging
The Inn at Perkiomen Creek
Hampton Inn Valley Forge Oaks PA near Lower Perkiomen Park
The Globe Inn - East Greenville via Route 29

Camping
Green Lane Park

Public Transportation
SEPTA R6 and Norristown High Speed Line offer frequent service to the Norristown Transportation Center which intersects the Schuylkill River Trail.

From Norristown you can connect to bus routes that will take you further uptrail. Route 93 stops at the trail in Collegeville and Route 99 stops near the trail in Oaks 7 days a week.

The Route 91 to Graterford runs 4 round trips on Saturday only to the trail crossing near the prison.

Oberstar Steps Up To The Plate Again

One of our two favorite Congressmen Rep. Jim Oberstar D-MN has done it again, according to an article in Today's Washington Post:

On page 13 of the 168-page bill needed to fund the Federal Aviation Administration and its next-generation air traffic control system, Oberstar ensured that bicyclists and their rides were being represented.

The bill would allow airports to use federal funds -- which are usually tapped to build terminals and parking garages -- to construct bicycle storage facilities for passengers.

As you may know the Philadelphia Parking Authority and Airport Security have unofficially banned bicycles from being parked at the Airport. Currently the Airport is looking at a feasibility study for bicycle parking. If the language in the bill holds up, they will have a ready available source to pay for secure bicycle parking.

South Street Bridge Proposed Detour

This is a video of a proposed detour through the parking area of the Penn and Drexel Campus parking areas. It is the old alignment for 32nd St behind Franklin Field in Philadelphia's University City from Spruce/South going underneath Walnut St to Chestnut St.



The video starts at 33rd St on the north side of Franklin Field then briefly views the South Spruce route under the columns of Franklin Field then proceeds north to Chestnut, where you can turn right to get on the Chestnut St Bridge to Center City or continue on Drexels 32nd St Walk which can bring you closer to 30th St Station.

Youth Bicycling/Literacy program touring East Coast

Books on Wheels is based in Richmond Va and they are currently touring the East Coast fixing bikes and providing books to read while they wait.

These guys visited Neighborhood Bike Works and took part in four events
over the weekend.

From Andy Dyson at NBW "Yes, kids were sitting in the shade reading on the sidewalk--that is not a posed shot! Perhaps it's not that hard to fight against PlayStation after all."

Tour De England?

Today, 7-7-07 marks the start of the Tour De France. This year the first two stages start in London. While the end point never changes (Champs-Élysées in Paris) the Prologue starts in different locations.

Most Americans know very little about the event. The teams, the stars, the tactics and the convoluted scoring of a multi-day tour.

Fortunately the internet can set you straight;

• Start with reading some excerpts from Tour de France for Dummies,
• For a little more depth you can continue on to Wikipedia's Tour De France Entry.

You should be then be ready to go on to the English version of the Tour De France website
where you can explore ins and outs of this year's tour. The website is a bit confusing but I found the riders list to be an useful page to visit.

To view the Tour on TV you need to be subscribed to Versus which for most cable and satellite companies is on the high end of the package list. Why can't we pick and choose our channels? If you find a website on the internet with a live feed please a leave a comment with the link, meanwhile this site offers some links to some foreign feeds.

Independent Film Bike Shoot

Email from Nicole Vergalla:
I'm the production coordinator on a
local film shooting in Philadelphia July 12- 16th. The final scene of
the film calls for bike messengers to come to the rescue to help our
'hero' Henry get the girl. We need as many cyclists as possible from
3am to 7am on the morning of Saturday, July 14th around 2nd and
Washington.

Spread the word, it'll be fun!
(All participants receive a copy of the finished film.)

Please respond to nicole.vergalla@gmail.com with any inquiries.

Unfortunately I don't have more details but I am sure Nicole will answer your questions. My guess is that anyone showing up wearing a messenger bag will qualify to be in the film.

SPARK of Controversy

SPARK an online magazine aimed at young adult Delawareans ignited the local bicycling community with a scathing lash at bicyclists.

An article written by Kelly Housen "Road Rules thou shalt livith by"
listed 10 "commandments" for how to behave on the road was intended to be a tongue in cheek response to the Vatican's driving directive.

Then I read her fourth "commandment" of the road:

'. . .Thou shalt keep thy bicycle on neighborhood streets, bike paths or bike lanes. "Share the road" is bull. Roads are for cars. This isn't France, we're not running the Tour de France and you aren't Lance Armstrong. When you're in my traffic lane I have to go around you, and when I'm going around you, my brain comes up with all kinds of bad scenarios in which you suddenly fall off your bike and fall onto or under my car. That stresses me out, and I don't like it. That wouldn't happen if you were on a bike path. . .'

Although that is the line that has set off a tsunami of angry emails there are some other comments that are equally disturbing such as her first Commandment "Thou shalt not goeth under the speed limit" I wonder if Ms. Housen understands the definition of "limit". Speed Kills and this is obviously advice from someone who has a very myopic view of traffic convenience (as opposed to traffic safety).

How about this suggestion of a rewrite of her fourth commandment
"Thou shalt drive with due care to protect the safety of all road users. Especially our most vulnerable users; bicyclists, pedestrians, children, the elderly and disabled."


Maybe Ms. Housen can pull over to the side of the road and text message that to her friends.

Second Community Workshop: Improving Bicycle and Pedestrian Access to the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum

As a follow-up to the community workshop held in late March, consultants Campbell Thomas & Company have further developed several alternatives to improve bicycle and pedestrian access to the Heinz Refuge.

WHEN: Monday, July 30, 2007

6:00-8:00 pm (open house format)

WHERE: Cusano Environmental Education Center
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
86th Street & Lindbergh Blvd.

The three alternatives being examined are:

• Creating an off-road, bicycle and pedestrian connection between SEPTA’s Eastwick R1 Regional Rail station and the Refuge’s Visitor’s Center (Cusano Center at 86th St. and Lindbergh Blvd.).
• Improving conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians on Route 420, both north and south of the Delaware County entrance to the Refuge.
• Opening up the abandoned trolley right-of-way that passes underneath both I-95 and Route 291 to bicyclists and pedestrians as a new entrance to the Refuge.

Come to view and discuss these alternatives.

This workshop will be held in an open house format. Please feel free to come for the entire time or stop by when you can. Refreshments provided!

Sponsored by Clean Air Council.

For more information, contact Emily Linn at Clean Air Council at 215-567-4004 extension 103 or by e-mail at elinn@cleanair.org.

Weekend Escape 1 - Cape May to Rehoboth Beach

On June 4 2007 a 30 year dream came true that changed the dynamics of recreational cycling at the Delaware Beaches. The Junction and Breakwater Trail linked the quaint City of Lewes (pr. lewis) with busy Rehoboth Beach with a fine gravel trail.
















Wolfe Glade - Junction and Breakwater Trail

Connecting the Dots

Cape May of course is known globally for its architecture and famous BnB's. The loop ride goes out out to Cape May Point. It's a small town with a lighthouse and quiet beaches. Cape May Point is the end of the road and has very little automobile traffic but lots of bicycles. It feels like you are closer to Nantucket than Atlantic City here.

Adjacent to the Delaware Ferry Terminal is Cape Henlopen State Park. Accessible from the terminal via bike lanes is a paved path that winds past sand dunes, WWII lookout towers and Fort Miles. In the southern section of the park lies Gordon's Pond, which is inaccessible from the main section of the Park because a large segment of the park is set aside as a nesting area for Piping Plovers and Terns. The Junction and Breakwater Trail which is a part of Cape Henlopen SP serves as the missing link between the north and south sections of the park.

Getting There By Transit
NJ TRANSIT route 316 runs every 90 minutes or so during the summer from the Greyhound Terminal at to Cape May. Travel time is about 3 hours. If you're adventurous you can return from Delaware on DART to Wilmington then connect with SEPTA back to Philadelphia, note that there is no Sunday SEPTA service from Wilmington and weekday connections involve 2 transfers via Georgetown and Dover. During the off season the only reliable way to Cape May is via NJ TRANSIT's Route 552 bus which connects to Philly bound trains and buses in Atlantic City.

More Information
For th Cape May Region go to http://www.njcapemay.com/
For the Delaware Beaches go to http://www.visitsoutherndelaware.com/
For the Cape May Lewes Ferry go to http://capemaylewesferry.com

Weekend Escapes

Every Thursday this summer we'll be looking at bicycling getaways around the region. These will not be challenging long distance road rides, instead the focus will be on small towns, quiet streets and rail trails.

For the most part these escapes will be accessible by public transportation. However be prepared though to deal with the quirks of taking your bike on SEPTA and NJ TRANSIT. If you have never taken your bicycle on a bus or train before then you may want to look at the Bicycle Coalitions bike on transit page.

If you are looking for speed and convenience you may want to look at car sharing options such as PhillyCarShare. Each escape will be depicted on a Google Map which automatically provides a driving directions option.

Finally if you have any concerns, tips or suggestions please leave your comments.

Glimpses of Philadelphia Bike Culture

Yes, I really saw a pedi-cab in Center City Philadelphia, a hired Philadelphia Pedi-Cab passes a Crescent cab at 5th and Market in front of Independance Mall



And a few minutes later this cargo bike was spotted traveling south on 2nd St as seen from the Ben Franklin Bridge Walkway.

4th of July Bike Parades

If you have the urge craze up your bike with red white and blue then head for the nearest old fashioned bike parade. Or start one up on your own with your friends, it's safer than blasting M80's.

Collingswood NJ - Bike Parade in Knight Park
Sponsored by the Collingswood Junior Women’s Club

The day will start with the annual bike parade in Knight Park at the Grant Avenue entrance. Registration will be at 9 AM by the Gazebo. The bike parade will be at 10 AM. Prizes from Comcast and Collingswood Cash gift certificates will be awarded after the parade in various categories. The Collingswood Junior Women’s Club is sponsoring and overseeing the event. For information, contact Val Piper at 854-1973 or email at valpiper@hotmail.com


Doylestown -
Fonthill’s Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration
Wednesday, July 4
Noon-5 p.m., Fonthill Museum
Experience "the good-old days" at an early 20th century July Fourth Celebration. Enjoy a decorated bike parade, a town ball game (19th-century baseball), a watermelon eating contest, old-time games and live music. Admission is $3 for adults ($2 BCHS members), $1 for children ages 6-17, under 6- free. For information, call 215-348-9461, ext. 10.

Down the Shore -
North Wildwood - Participants entering the bike parade should check in between 8 and 8:45 a.m. at 16th and Atlantic avenues. Call 609) 522-2955 for bicycle parade information.

There is direct bicycle friendly bus service to Wildwood via the NJ TRANSIT Rt 316. www.njtransit.com

Ocean City — Two bike parades will be held at 10 a.m. The South Ocean City Parade will begin at 40th and Asbury Avenue. The Ocean City Gardens Civic Association Bike Parade will start at the end of Longport Bridge at East Newcastle Road and Gardens Parkway. Registration for both events starts 9 a.m. Call (609) 525-9300 for information.

Stone Harbor — The Stone Harbor Recreation Department will sponsor Independence Day activities starting with an opening ceremony at 9:50 a.m. at the 81st Street Recreation Field and beach. Events include slow bike races,and a decorated bike parade at 11:45 a.m. in the Second Avenue parking lot, For information, see

www.stone-harbor.nj.us

Broad Street The Way It Should Be

South Broad Street between Chestnut and Locust St was closed to cars on Monday due to the Arts in The Avenue Jazz Concert. Outside of the Mummers Parade and the Broad St run (where spectators are relegated to the sidewalk) Philadelphia's Main St is rarely closed to vehicles.

And that other Tour De France Winner was also nearby

Lancaster County native Floyd Landis led 70-80 cyclists on a non-competitive ride in northern Montgomery County on Friday to promote the opening of a new Landis Market and the Univest Grand Prix pro race in September.

But enough of the shaved leg celebrity gossip for now.

How about some other B-C-D list celebrity cyclists

David Byrne- The former lead singer for the Talking Heads has been a bicycle advocate in New York City for 30 Years.
Ed Begley Jr. - Electric car guy also likes bicycle, he briefly was the trails coordinator for LA County, appeared at bike to work day this year in Los Angeles.
The Ditty Bops - In 2006 this Folksy female duo toured cross country via bicycle
David Lee Roth -According to the Howard Stern show the Ex Van Halen lead singer requested a bike rack so he could commute to his DJ Job at K-Rock in NY
Matthew Broderick - Ferris Buehler has had at least 11 bikes stolen in NYC
Conan O'Brien - His late night show intro shows him riding a bike all over Manhattan and has occasionally mentioned it on his show.
Robin Williams - Serious Cyclist probably shaves his legs Nanu-Nanu
Robin Mattson - There are not too many female Soap Divas who bicycle commute but she apparently did during her stint with "All My Children"
Val Kilmer - Per a 2005 Post about bicycling in London - "It's so easy to get round this town on a bike, but the traffic can be really hectic, and your bus drivers are definitely on crack."
Ben Stiller - Also in 2005 was reportedly bike jacked in NY while commuting to a play he was starring in.
Tom Hanks - Apparently is a big fan of the Trek Lime


Locally
Cecily Tynan - Triathlete - Was the winner of the NY-Philly Liberty to Liberty Triathlon in 2003
Jerry Blavat? - Yep the Geator's photo is in last month's Philadelphia Magazine, pannier rack and all in Center City.
Mayor John Street - Hizzoner loves to ride his bicycle, and bicycling is included in Philadelphia's Action Plan for Climate Change
Lisa Nutter - Mike Nutter doesn't ride a bicycle but his wife does. Lisa is a member of the Sturdy Girl Bicycle Club.
Jennifer Weiner - She has been known to ride with the Bicycle Club of Philadelphia

And Finally our Real Bicycling Heroes in Congress

MN Congressman James Oberstar
OR Congressman Earl Blumenaur Jr.
And our own PA Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz