Texas Bicycling News Digest January 20th 2018

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Ride or comply: Council to vote on new bike sharing ordinance

Kelsey Samuels | starlocalmedia.com


t’s hard to ignore the bikes in Downtown Plano, mainly because these bikes aren’t just in that area anymore. After a few months of testing the waters, LimeBikes, VBikes and OFO bikes are scattered across street corners and sidewalks in Plano.

Though several residents have responded positively, several residents have also expressed concerns with bikes blocking sidewalks or left abandoned for weeks at a time. …

City of Dallas Tell Bike-Share Companies to Clean Up Their Act

www.wbap.com


DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – The City of Dallas put bike share companies on notice to clean up their act by February 9th or the city will do it for them.

City Manager T.C. Broadnax sent a letter to the five companies, such as Lyme and Ofo, that operate in Dallas… telling them if they don’t meet the deadline, the city will start …

For the disabled, rent-a-bikes are more than an annoyance, but do they violate the ADA?

www.dallasnews.com

An accident destroyed most of Melody Townsel’s ability to balance on her left leg. She tried to get around on crutches, a scooter, and eventually chose to use a motorized wheelchair because it can run over just about any obstacle.

Anything, she said, except the colorful rent-a-bikes that have been clogging sidewalks and DART trains around Dallas since they first made their appearance last summer.

“I think it’s a great idea. I’m not anti-bike, I’m anti-current bike practice,” said Townsel, a teacher at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. “What happens is that quite often I find the bikes lying on their side across the entirety of a sidewalk.” …

LimeBike Sawed in Half, Bolted to Deep Ellum Telephone Pole

www.nbcdfw.com


Bikeshare provider LimeBike says they are proud to serve the people and city of Dallas — even after someone sawed one of their bikes in half and bolted it to a telephone pole overnight Thursday.

Via Twitter, the company said Friday they had sent operational leads to Deep Ellum to retrieve the bike. …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/AndarooWillis/status/954836100589244419

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

First Road Bike Ride of 2018, Wet Streets and All!

Texbiker.net Posted on by

First bike ride of 2018 but I had to work at it. The weather was wet with several showers before I started biking but I was optimistic and wanted to take advantage of the 66 degrees at the start. I planned to ride to Huffman but instead ended up riding the Kingwood streets south to Atascocita and back.

The first time I left was 12:06 pm but when the Wahoo Speed sensor would not work I circled back home and replaced the battery. Then the PowerPod would not connect to the Elemnt so no power readings for the ride. While I was doing that the rain started a couple of times but I was determined to ride some miles even on wet streets and in the rain. With the new battery the speed sensor connected and I was off. The PowerPod still would not connect even after pushing the start button about every way I could think of. Also while I was at home I left the short sleeve jersey leaving leg warmers (probably not needed), a thermal long jersey, shorts and a jacket. I wore new red Pearl Izumi Elite Gel gloves to get the year off to a good start.

Wet streets and some drizzle tested my determination but as I rode south the drizzle stopped leaving wet streets but no rain.

I decided to ride at least 15 miles to register something towards my 300 mile goal for the month and ended up biking 18.37 miles. When I finished at 1:59 pm the temperature was 68. Once I was inside the sun actually peeked out a few times as I wrote this. Maybe Sunday will be drier and just as warm.

SportTracks Ride Summary

Bike ride Kingwood Texas bicycling

Texas Bicycling News Digest January 19th 2018

Texbiker.net Posted on by

City manager warns bike share companies to clean up mess

Alisha Ebrahimji and Matt Howerton | www.wfaa.com

The City of Dallas is taking action against bike share companies across the town and warning them if they don’t clean up the eyesore their bikes leave, they’ll have no choice but to take control.

City Manager T.C. Broadnax sent a letter to …

UPDATED Construction of Abram Street, Phase 1 – Street Improvements (cooper Street To Collins Street) and Phase 2 – Abram Area Bicycle & Pedestrian District

www.texasbids.net

Bid Date & Time: 01/24/18 2:00 PM Prebid: 01/03/18 2:00 PM
Solicitation Title: UPDATED Construction of Abram Street, Phase 1 – Street Improvements (cooper Street To Collins Street) and Phase 2 – Abram Area Bicycle & Pedestrian District
Owner Solic Number: 0902-90-035, PWST10009 Status: bidding Report: 8246513
Country : United States State: TX County: Tarrant Location: Arlington
Set Aside Types: MBE/DBE (Minority / Disadvantaged), WBE (Woman Biz Enterprise)
Scope: Phase 1 of this project consists of street improvements and appurtenances of Abram Street from Cooper Street to Collins Street and will be funded by the City. Phase 2 of this project, entitled Abram Area Bicycle & Pedestrian District (Cooper Street Center Street) is for the enhancement of the parkway and will be federally funded, hence subjected to federal requirements.
Notes: This solicitation has some or all federal funding, additional requirements may apply. This project has a “prevailing wage” requirement. A PRE-BID MEETING will be held for this project on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 2:00 PM in the Public Works and Transportation Conference Room, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 101 W. Abram Street, Arlington, TX 76010. If you have any questions concerning this project, please contact Andrea Ruales, P.E., at 817-459-6368 or at Andrea.Ruales@arlingtontx.gov.
Plans: From Owner.
Bond: 5% bid bond
Update Notes: Addendum #1 attached.
Owner Type: Public …

EDITORIAL: Get ready to run this weekend RGV

THE MONITOR EDITORIAL BOARD | www.themonitor.com

One of the best attributes of the Rio Grande Valley — one that many up North envy — is our climate. Yes, it may be cold and drizzly today but the sun and warmth is supposed to return this weekend (seriously) just in time for the McAllen Kids Marathon on Saturday, and the McAllen Marathon Scott Crane Memorial Run on Sunday. …

… The first 200 children into the Expo can get a free bicycle helmet from the UTRGV School of Medicine. There will be free asthma screenings for children and free blood pressure checks for adults by Rio Grande Regional Hospital, as well as runner education. …

Light Distribution Ride: A Rewarding Experience For Volunteers

bikehouston.org


Meet Randall Ard, Our Volunteer Bringing Light to the Third Ward

Have you thought about going on a light distribution ride but figure it would be one or all of these: scary, unfamiliar, dangerous?

Volunteer Randall Ard wants you to know that the ride is one of BikeHouston’s best regular events, and the rewards are great.

“My favorite thing about LDR is seeing smiles on faces when they get them lights put on,” said …

This weekend’s rides: Bee Creek! Red Horn!

by Thomas | steinerranchcycling.com

It looks like we are finally getting a break and should have a nice weekend! Let’s once again celebrate on the beautiful Bee Creek route. It is a super easy 62 miles and the route can be found here: …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Electronics Unite for Indoor Bike Trainer Workout

Texbiker.net Posted on by

More indoor training today though the temperature is starting to return to January “normal”; mid 50’s while I worked out. Yesterday was an off day while we went to the medical center for my wife’s new cancer treatment.

All the electronics started up perfectly when I began the ride today. I think this is a first. A new speed sensor is on the way from Wahoo Fitness. Intervals for today’s workout. Seven at 23+ mph for 10 seconds or there about. Breathing was heavy after the exertion so I pedaled easy for the remainder of the mile. The routine: warm up to 4 miles, each mile would start with the interval and then recover to the next mile. Cool down after the last interval for 1 1/2 miles. When I was much younger I would do 15 intervals. I will need to work up to that but hopefully the weather will get better before I get there. The dip in the charts below at the 3 mile point is when I got off the bike to turn the fan on.

I was thinking about doing the ride in Coldspring tomorrow but looking at the forecast I will stay home and try to ride outdoors. It will be warmer here and I don’t need to get up so early. Sunday looks warmer if the rain doesn’t come here.

SportTracks Indoor Workout Summary

SportTracks Indoor Bike Trainer Summary