Jake Spidle of the Las Vegas Bike Co-Op tells us how to pick the right bike for riding around Vegas.

I got wind of a pilot electric bike share program the RTC may be starting in 2010. This an email I received from Allison Blankenship at RTC. They haven't gotten their's up yet, but nothing is stopping a local Las Vegan from starting his/her own bike share business.

Email #1

Hi Aisha,

 

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is currently working on the development of a pilot Electric Bicycle Program.  We expect the program to launch in 2010.   Once it does, RTC employees will be able to check out electric bikes for use in traveling to meetings in nearby buildings.  The goal of the program is to help eliminate single-occupancy vehicles from our roadways.  Before employees can check out the bikes they will go through a safety orientation.  Also, safety equipment such as helmets and safety vests will be provided to employees using the bikes.

Email #2

Hi Aisha,

 

Because we're still in the planning stage for this program we're still unsure about how many bikes we'll have and what specific brand of bike we'll be utilizing.  We'll continue to research different types of electric bikes before we make a final decision.  When the program launches the charging stations will be located at the RTC's offices (600 S. Grand Central Pkwy.).  The bikes will be picked up and returned to our offices as well.  It's important to note that the program is designed for RTC employees only.  The goal of the program is to reduce emissions from vehicle trips made by RTC employees as they travel in the area to meetings and appointments. 

 

During the pilot portion of the program we hope to measure its success in terms of the number of vehicle trips removed from the roadways.  We also plan to track employee participation.  Eventually, this program could be expanded to include employees at neighboring entities. 

 

I hope this is helpful.  Feel free to quote any of this.  Also – feel free to call me if you have any additional questions.

 

Thanks!
Allison

 

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Finally, I am able to upload the Flash game Liz and I made last semester. Play it and let us know what you think.

It was chilly at 6:30 in the morning when some 400 cyclists took off for century rides around the valley. I couldn't get a camera on one of the bikers, so I can only imagine what they saw and what it was like.

Instead, I hung out with Jake Spidle and his girlfriend Kassey of the Las Vegas Bicycle Cooperative. They are trying to start up their co-op repairing and reselling donated bikes. They're still looking for bikes and donations. So if you have a bike you don't use anymore, send it their way.

The festival did open my eyes to the problems facing Vegas commuters.

The biggest problem facing cyclists isn't the roads or lack of bike lanes, but aggressive drivers. Smart Car drivers and motorcyclists experience the same kind of discrimination. Anything seen as "different" than a car is treated with animosity. Almost deadly animosity.

There is huge lack of education among drivers and even cyclists. Those who bike out of necessity ride unsafely: against traffic, no helmet, on the sidewalks, etc. Drivers coming in contact with bikers don't know how to act. Either they give too wide a berth or cut cyclists off.

NDOT is focusing its efforts on educating school children and parents on biking, but little is being done to get the adults on board. Two major groups of cyclists are university students and casino workers. But not much is going towards these groups of people.

Yes, it's important to educate children. But there are people out there now who need support for their efforts in being green.

How could NDOT reach you or your friends who cycle?

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The most interesting thing about this video is the number of cars that go beyond the crosswalk line. About seven feet behind the striped crosswalk, is the line where cars are supposed to stop. Half the time cars would stop there, and the other half they would come dangerously close to pedestrians.

Neurological and psychological studies have shown that when people drive, the car becomes an extension of themselves. Despite being behind the wheel of a 3,000 pound machine, they inch close to pedestrians about as far as it would be socially acceptable in person. It's one of the dangers of becoming too familiar with driving and unfamiliar with what it's really like to walk around the city.

Remember folks: your car is massive compared to people. Keep your distance.

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I'll be at Coffee Bean in the afternoon and Einstein's for lunch today if you want to stop by say hi, record a video, song, photo, or conversation. Oh yeah, they're across from UNLV.

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Landed in Vegas a few hours ago and my first stop was the buffet.

Friday is the last day to register for the bikeathon we call Viva Bike Vegas. Proceeds go to the Nevada Cancer Institute and After-School All-Stars.

I'll be there with bike bells on and a camera if you want to tell me your commuter story…or ring my bell

Here's the event schedule:

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