Rosemont Elementary School’s Second Bike to School Week see a 40% increase in ridership
April 25th, 2011 § 2 Comments
In the Fall, we held our first official Bike to School week event at Rosemont. By only using punch cards, and giving prizes to kids who ride all week, BFOC was able to show ridership increases of 0 to 100 bikes within five days time. Thanks to that event, we just finished our second Bike to School week and this time saw a 40% increase in ridership, with 140 kids total taking part. The amazing thing about these rides are that we’re seeing more and more kids bicycle throughout the neighborhood now. Also, we’re hearing stories of kids asking for bicycles as presents for birthdays and Christmas and seeing more families ride to school together now. Keep up the great work, Rosemont and we hope to see more schools take up the charge soon!
Pumped Over
April 19th, 2011 § 7 Comments
With the gas light on in my car, I stopped at the Valero on Sylvan at I-30 last week and was stunned to pay $4.09 a gallon! Wow! At least buy me dinner before you bend me over. Since we all know gas boycotts don’t work, here’s an realistic alternative to combat rising fuel prices: buy a bike instead. Here. We’ll take three commuters Oak Cliff Bicycle Company can special order and show you that it pays to pedal. The inspiration for this post came from Bike Rumor’s pic of the day.
All pricing is based on my $4.09 per gallon experience and the average gas tank being 20 gallons (range: Mini Cooper to a small SUV). 20 Gallons x $4.09 = $81.80. So let’s do the math:
6 fill-ups = $490.80. Or a Bianchi Milano Parco at $499.
5.5 fill-ups = $449.90. Or a Kona Dew at $429.
5.5 fill-ups = $449.90. Or a Torker T-300 at $449.
Don’t forget: To make commuting easier, every DART bus has a bike rack on the front and there’s bike spaces reserved on the light rail. Looking for a different bike? OCBC has more styles in store and can special order one from any of the brands they carry.
Week 15 and 16: 1 Day 52 Week No Car Challenge
April 15th, 2011 § 14 Comments
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 15 & 16: Gas? oh, I haven’t noticed
The other day, my wife and I were driving and catching up on a few errands. We’d just gotten back from a trip and the car was low on gas. I pumped, she cleaned the windows. When the final total popped up, she got the sticker shock. She paid $3.95 for roughly 12 gallons of gas; which totaled about $47. My reaction was a bit different. Not being as in-tune with the most recent gas prices, I felt somewhat indifferent. We both split all of the costs of our one car, with exception of tolls and gas. I will fill up the tank a couple times a month, but she pays the majority. I rarely use the vehicle for my own use, and we balance it out with other expenses.
So, the raise in gas prices is affecting everyone, however the choice of moving to one car has minimized the impact of a volatile oil market. We heard the stories in late winter of the impending increases, but haven’t felt them as much in our pocket books. I recognize that everyone doesn’t have this choice, but simple behavior changes like walking or riding your bicycle for short trips do make long term changes for the future.
Welcome the newest BF member to the group, Farmers Branch!
April 14th, 2011 § 3 Comments
Bike Friendly Farmers Branch is the newest member of the BF family. Welcome, guys!
Who says people don’t change?
April 11th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Spotted this video on copenhagenize.com and thought it did a good job of tackling the notion that people can’t change. After viewing, it’s incredible to see just how much we’ve moved forward in so short a time.
BrewRiot Homebrew Beer Festival Taking Entries
April 5th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
It’s almost time again for the Third Annual BrewRiot Homebrew Beer Competition and Festival in Oak Cliff! The event takes place on Sunday, May 22nd, from 3pm to 7pm. If you’re a homebrewer, this is your chance to sign up to show the world your mad hoppy skills. More info at brewriot.com.
Week 13 and 14: 1 Day 52 Week No Car Challenge
April 5th, 2011 § 10 Comments
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 13 & 14: Attention: Posting every 2 weeks
As many of you may have noticed, my postings have thinned out a bit over the past several weeks. While my time has been taken in other areas at the moment, I’m getting married this weekend 
, I’m very committed to this challenge and this lifestyle. After things settle down, I’ll have more focus on adding better content to these posts and managing the challenge. My apologies for letting it slip a bit.
Moving forward, it’s appropriate to reconsider a weekly posting. So, starting from the previous post you’ll see one every two weeks. Now this doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for a weekly comment and getting in your one day of car free. Simply reply to the same posting twice. If you didn’t post for last week (week 13) go ahead and post here.
Cheers!
Jonathan
OCBC Pints to Pedal Fundraiser
April 1st, 2011 § Leave a Comment
We are requesting a $20 donation from all who attend our BikeMS fundraiser. You’ll receive samples of micro-brewed beer and happy hour prices on special pizzas.
Win a 2011 Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Sora road bike ($924 retail).
$10 per raffle ticket.
Get yours at OCBC or at Eno’s during the fundraiser.
FREE
for everyone who pays the $20 door donation
RSVP
BFOC’er Bringing Innovative Infill Housing to South Dallas
April 1st, 2011 § 1 Comment
Co-founder of BFOC, Zac Lytle, left Oak Cliff in 2009 and began working with North Carolina based non-profit, Builders of Hope (unrelated to Dallas based BoH). In 2010, Zac returned to the Cliff and began setting up a local branch of the NC office with the help of builder-philanthropist, Bennett Miller. The organization’s mission is to “Increase the availability of high-quality, safe, Affordable and Workforce housing options” and to date, they’ve begun two projects in the region.
In South Dallas, Zac and his team are taking DISD portable buildings that were set to be discarded, and using them to infill blighted neighborhoods around Bexar Street with new housing stock. Once they’ve acquired the buildings, they’re completely stripping the insides and installing new floors, walls, bathrooms, roofs, adding front porches and more to give the structures a new lease on life. The ultimate in recycling!
The public will get a chance to walk-through the first home at the official ribbon cutting on Thursday, April 7th, at 10AM Starks Avenue and Bexer. Stay tuned for more details!
