Here’s a recent article about reaching out to lower-income riders, based on survey data collected in two lower-income neighborhoods in Washington, D.C.. The writers conclude that

Cycling just isn’t popular among the urban poor (yet). In 2012, respondents ranked cycling seventh out of nine transport modes, ahead of only taxis and bike sharing. Cycling barriers included poor road safety, poor or lacking infrastructure (e.g. bike lanes, racks, or storage), distance, and physical exertion. In 2013, respondents reported more than 30 barriers to cycling or walking. Physical safety (32.6 percent), distance (30 percent) and comfort/cold/sweating (25.4 percent) were the most common objections. Other barriers included the difficulty of carrying bulky items, work attire, not knowing how to ride, theft risk, poor health or disability, the slower speed, “laziness,” and a lack of desire. One respondent said, simply, “I just want a car.”

The article continues with some thoughtful approaches to addressing the different transportation priorities of people of different socioeconomic status as well. What do you think this could all mean for the sake of promoting bicycling and other forms of alternative transportation in places like College Station and Bryan?

We just received a note that the Northwest Cycling Club, in conjunction with League of American Bicyclists, is offering a class designed to teach adult cyclists how to use a bicycle with confidence and competence for pleasure, utility, and sport under various highway, climate, terrain, and traffic conditions.

The class is organized into three levels:
A. The Basics

1. The Bicycle
2. Maintenance
3. Clothing and Equipment
4. Bicycle Handling

B. Bicycling in Traffic

1. Your Role in Traffic
2. Avoiding Crashes
3. Hazard Avoidance Maneuvers

C. Enjoying the Ride

1. Riding Enjoyment
2. Ride Etiquette
3. Helping Motorists Share the Road

You will need your bike, helmet and comfortable riding clothes. At the end of the course is a brief ride for practicing skills learned.

There is a pre-requisite for this hands-on course – you must complete the online ‘classroom’ portion. This is available at www.bikeed.org.

REGISTER EARLY! Class size is limited to 12.

Date: Saturday, July 26th
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Place: Zube Park (back parking lot), 17560 Roberts Rd, Hockley, TX 77447

Click here to register! Registration closes Thursday, July 24th at 11:45 p.m.

Sad news to report today – The Eagle has reported that another bicyclist has died from injuries after being hit by a pickup truck along San Jacinto Way, also known as Highway 21.

At the Bryan/College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting earlier this month, one of the items provided to attendants was a map of accidents and fatalities in the Bryan/College Station area. Highway 21 stood out as a major problem in that regard, with 5 bicycle or pedestrian accidents over the previous five years, plus two fatal car accidents.

This raises several important questions:

1. Why so many accidents along this stretch?
2. What can, and should, be done to reverse this trend?