Dallas Cycle Chic features a week of bike-centric activities in April

The guys and gals at Dallas Cycle Chic are ramping up for a week full of bicycle fun.  Here’s the full schedule:

Dallas Cycle Chic Week April 9th – 17th

Saturday 9th
12pm-6pm Be counted in the 2011 Cyclist Census and be entered to represent as the new Face of Biking in Dallas. We want to see – who are Dallas cyclists? Young, old, students, parents, business professionals, entrepreneurs, athletes, and bike messengers – come tell us what inspires you to cycle, and be entered to become the new Face of Cycling in Dallas. We want to see you and your personal cycling style.
Find your closest location where photographers will be capturing the unique style of the people who ride their bikes around our town. Also, check with your local Bike Friendly neighborhood group to see if they’ve organized a ride to your photo spot.
Locations:

 
North Dallas (Valley View Park – NE corner of 635 and Hillcrest)
North Oak Cliff (Bishop Arts District- at Bishop and 7th)
Deep Ellum (on Main at Walton between the taco joint and cafe)
Highland Park (Bicycles Plus)
SMU campus
Uptown (Transit Bicycle Co)
Downtown Dallas (Pegasus Plaza at Main and Akard)
White Rock Lake (NE side of the lake, near E. Lawther and Northcliff
Main Street in McKinney (location to come…)

Sunday 10th
7pm-10pm “Dallas Rides” Photo Exhibit upstairs at Eno’s Pizza Tavern
 

Tuesday 12th
6pm Bike to the Texas Theatre for a Bike Friendly Happy Hour (sponsored by Bike Friendly Oak Cliff)
8pm Stay for the showing of the 1948 award-winning Italian film “The Bicycle Thief”

Wednesday 13th – Saturday 16th
Online public voting for the Face of Dallas winners

 

Saturday 16th
12-4pm Dallas Photo Scavenger Hunt by Bike
beginning at Eno’s Pizza Tavern
(Sponsored by Bike Friendly Oak Cliff and photopol.us)
9pm Bike-in movie on the lawn at Main Street Gardens Park

 

Sunday 17th
12-6pm Bike Polo
Beginner’s Training followed by a Tournament

Updates from Day 4 at the Velo-City Conference in Spain

Dallas bike coordinator, Max Kalhammer, speaking with one of many rental bike makers

 

Gil Penalosa, of 8-80Cities, discussing implementation strategies with Max Kalhammer, Pauline Medrano, & Delia Jasso.

 

Council member Jasso and Deputy Pro Tem Medrano at the conference reception in Seville's historic 'Casino' venue.

Updates from Day 3 at Velo-City Conference in Seville, Spain

We’re getting more updates from the Dallas delegation to Seville, Spain from the Velo-City bike conference. Something heartening to note is that Seville has only adopted major bicycle infrastructure within the last 6 years and that their rate of cycling has gone from 0.2% (Same as Dallas) to 6.6%. That translates from 2,500 people to 70,000 in less than a decade! Another important fact is that Seville’s temperatures mirror Dallas in regards to heat in summers. They regularly tip the 100 mark, yet people still walk and bicycle in large numbers.

Here’s an update from Councilwoman, Delia Jasso:

“The conference has been eye opening on the many opportunitties other countries have used to increase bike ridership for such important things as improving air quality, improving health and impacts on economic development.
 
I have great information to bring back and share with everyone. the Dallas delegation is already talking about a cyclovia in Dallas and a potential route. see you all soon!”

-Delia

Dallas Bike Coordinator and Oak Cliff resident, Max Kalhammer, checks out a bicycle from a city bike rental station.

A two-way cycle track with curb seperation from the road. These are typical in Seville, Spain.

Two-way bollard seperated cycle track. Notice the parking along the opposite side.

Traffic calmed roundabout intersection. Intersections are where most accidents occur for all modes of transit (car, bike, train, etc.).  In this image, the traffic circle intersection has been thinned so that all vehicles pass slowly through the space. These slower speeds minimize the severity of injuries and cause all users to be more aware of their surroundings. Though the speeds have been slowed, the traffic circle itself allows vehicles to yield rather than stop.

A bridge in Spain with both pedestrian and bicycle facilities. The Calatrava bridge in Dallas has no bike facilities added.

The Dallas delegation preparing to rent bicycles from the city’s bike share program.

Mother with child riding comfortably in a two way bike lane…notice the bridge in the background.

Updates from the Dallas’s delegation to the Velo-City conference in Spain

Gil Penalosa, Delia Jasso, Pauline Medrano, and Max Kalhammer

Just received the first update from the Dallas delegation that headed to the Velo-City bike conference in Seville, Spain. Above, my personal hero Gil Penalosa, is holding up a Bike Friendly Oak Cliff shirt! Gil has instituted some of the most amazing public space and bike infrastructure in Bogota, Colombia that has led to major increases in the region’s economic develoment, quality of life and safety. Check out this video where Gil tours Bogota with NY’s Streetfilms team: 

The conference is in day two. Below, Penalosa introduces Pilar Vega, Eva Willumsen and Enrique Jacoby. The latter is one of the founders of the Network of Ciclovias (Car-Free Sundays) of the Americas and promoter of the Active Cities, Healthy Cities Contest.

Below, Pauline Medrano and Delia Jasso are shown with L.A. city council member, Ed Reyes:

Week 11&12: 1 Day 52 Week No Car Challenge

A proud sponsor of the One Day 52 Week No Car Challenge

A proud sponsor of the One Day 52 Week No Car Challenge

 

Week 11 & 12: Playing catch up!

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I apologize for missing a post last week.  Too many things, not enough time.  This post counts for both last week and this week.  Several of you have posted again to Week 10 for Week 11 and that is fine.  You’re counted for that week.

Moving forward, if you have already posted for Week 12 on Week 10, that’s fine too.  If you haven’t, please post here.  Also, I’ll tally up where everyone stands to this point in the challenge.  I also need to schedule a beer, boy do I need one!

Thanks for your patience!

Jonathan

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Bike Bingo Adventure Race | Sun, April 3 @ 12

The Oak Cliff Bicycle Company BikeMS team is raising money to ride from Frisco to Fort Worth April 30–May 1.

Join them for their Bike Bingo Adventure Race fundraiser on Sunday, April 3, from 12 to 2 at Eno’s. Show up and register at 12. Get your bike bingo card at 12:45. Ride to local Oak Cliff spots, look for clues, and text in the secret phrase. Be back by 2. Prizes will be given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-place winners. Minimum suggested donation to support our MS cause: $10 per rider. This is a family-friendly event. It’s not just about speed—it’s about strategy, wit, enjoying Oak Cliff, supporting a good cause, and just getting on a bike and having fun. Wear a helmet. You can ride as a team or an individual. The bike shop is also raffling a 53cm or 55cm 2011 Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Sora road bike. Here’s those details.

RSVP

Thursday Night Crit Races in Fair Park!

Two Oak Cliff residents, Josh Kalina and Matthew Martinez. took a spot on the podium this past Thursday. Team Oak Cliff Bicycle Company had a nice showing at the first King Racing Club weekly Fair Park Crits with seven racers in two categories, fast or slow these guys looked great in their pretty little outfits.

If you’ve never been to a criterium race, you’ll have a chance every Thursday now through September 15th to witness these short track rally car style races. FREE to watch or $15 to race. Race starts are 5:30P.M , 6:05P.M., & 6:55P.M.. Southwest side of Fair Park at gate 5.

More details here, or if you want to follow them on facebook here

 

Two Dallas Council Members Heading to Spain for Velo-City Bike Conference

Oak Cliff Councilwoman Delia Jasso

Dallas city councilmembers Delia Jasso and Pauline Medrano received scholarships from Bike Texas to attend  the 2011 Velo City Conference in Seville, Spain.  Only ten councilmembers from around the nation received scholarships so it’s very exciting to see Dallas earning two spots.  They arrive Tuesday and will get a chance to hear a favorite speaker of BFOC, Gil Penalosa, who led some of the most pivotal changes in public space/bike infrastructure in Bogota, Colombia.

We got a chance to meet up with Mrs. Jasso before she was heading out and she’s agreed to send us images and updates from  the conference so that we can post to the blog. Stay tuned!

Political season ramping up

Several cyclists were out in full force this weekend ramping up for a local campaign. Below, community gardner and area cycling activist, Jonathan Braddick, was seen heading out with a campaign sign in support of fellow cyclist, Scott Griggs.

Spring Cleaning…A list of Dallas Ordinances that Should be Overturned in 2011

Since it’s almost springtime, we thought it was time to share a list of ordinances that were highlighted in our Better Block projects that we feel should be overturned in order to reactivate our city’s streetlife.

1. Remove Prohibitive Fees for Awnings:

Dallas Development Code. SEC. 43-115. ANNUAL FEE FOR USE OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY.
(a) Except as provided in Section 43-115.1, the annual fee for a license to use a public right-of-way for the following uses is:
(4) Fee for awnings and canopies: $1,000 per awning or canopy.

First of all, it gets hot in Dallas…putting a heavy cost on cooling a sidewalk is inhumane and akin to saying “it will cost you extra to install air-conditioning”. That cost may seem nominal, but remember, if a business has two sides, and multiple windows, you start looking at an annual fee of $4,000…that’s a big chunk for a small business that’s selling $2 cups of coffee.  Awnings also invite people to sit under them, allow a business an opportunity to place their logo on them, and encourage street life. They’re found in cities around the world, but here, they’re taxed with prohibitive fees.

2. Remove ordinance restricting merchants from placing their products on the street

Dallas Development Code.  SEC. 43-133.  USE OF SIDEWALK FOR DISPLAY OF MERCHANDISE. 

     No merchant or owner of a building, fronting on any street, shall be allowed the use of any portion of any sidewalk for the display of goods, wares or merchandise.  (Code 1941, Art. 143-12; Ord. 3707)

Now imagine that amazing street that you’ve been to in New York, Paris, or San Francisco. You’re walking along it, and stroll past a bookstore that has a small cart out front with a number of classic beatnick novels. Next, you stroll along and see the art shop with rolled up copies of impressionist classics and maybe the shop purveyor is out painting beside the shop. Beyond that, the baker has a beautiful arrangement of artisian baguettes just below his window.  These small items are invitations that keep you strolling and invite you into the shop to discover. You can find this in cities around the world…in Dallas, it’s outlawed.

3. Remove prohibitive fees that allow flowers on the sidewalk

Dallas Development Code. SEC. 43-115. ANNUAL FEE FOR USE OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY.
(a) Except as provided in Section 43-115.1, the annual fee for a license to use a public right-of-way for the following uses is:
(3) Fee for landscaping and appurtenant irrigation systems: $1,000.

If you wanted to put a small flowerbox filled with daisies outside your business in Dallas, it will cost you $1,000…per year.

 4. Remove prohibitive costs for allowing sidewalk cafes

Dallas Development Code. SEC. 43-115. ANNUAL FEE FOR USE OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY.
(b) Except as provided in Section 43-115.1, the annual fee for a license to use a public right-of-way for uses other than those listed in Subsection (a) is $1,000 or is calculated in accordance with one of the following formulas, whichever is greater:
(1) Fee for use of public right-of-way, including but not limited to sidewalk cafes: area X market value X 85% X 12%.

In Copenhagen, they’ve begun measuring the increases in their quality of life year over year by detailing the increase in the number of cafe seating occuring. We all know that the great cities are filled with life spilling out onto wide sidewalks with people eating, drinking, and enjoying their community.   Even in Dallas, the places we put on our visitor’s guides show images of McKinney Avenue, or Westend Marketplace with people sitting outside at a cafe. Unfortunately, the cost associated with adding this amenity is overly prohibitive. Retailers in Oak Cliff have noted being cited so many times that they’ve eventually given up trying to promote a street cafe culture. We know that outdoor cafes invite people and encourage street life, but beyond that, they increase city tax revenues as area businesses are able to generate extra revenue on increased real estate.  With this in mind, we should be removing every hurdle that exists for a business that wants to open a patio.

5. Remove ordinance that disallows crowds on sidewalks

Dallas Development Code. SEC. 43-129. CAUSING CROWD TO CONGREGATE ON SIDEWALK.
No person shall occupy any space on the sidewalk or any space near the sidewalk where the same attracts any crowd or causes any crowd to congregate on the sidewalk or where the patrons or customers must remain on the sidewalk, for the purpose of carrying on any kind of business whether for amusement or profit. (Code 1941, Art. 143-8) 

One of the things I love about cities like New Orleans is that at any given moment, someone might break into tap dancing on the sidewalk, or a ragtag group of musicians will trumpet out a hot jazz classic. People stop and form a circle, and for a moment everyone enjoys a small slice of street entertainment that brings the sidwalk to life.  Afterward, a hat gets passed around and those interested can drop a dollar in. It’s simple, small, but memorable, and is the mark of a great city. It should be encouraged, not outlawed.