Powerful, peaceful, poignant, pedal parade

Riders arriving at the State Capitol

Yesterday evening, I had the great honor to take part in my first Greater Lansing Ride of Silence. One of more than 350 such events being held in all 50 states and 21 countries on May 15th, the Ride of Silence was initiated in 2003 by cycling advocates in Dallas, Texas after a local bicyclist was struck and killed by the side mirror of a passing bus. Since then the event has grown steadily in geographic reach and poignancy.

Here in Greater Lansing, the 2013 Ride of Silence took on even greater significance as a local cyclist was struck and killed by a hit and run driver Monday night, right in front of Sparrow Hospital. This tragic event clearly highlighted the dangers that both commuting and recreational bicyclists face each and every day. While it cast a pall over the celebratory events of Bike to Work Week, it did have the positive side effect of drawing much greater media coverage of the local Ride of Silence, as two television stations and two area newspapers covered the event, some participating in the ride and others providing live news feeds.

I would like to say that the efforts of the four of us who served on the organizing committee led to the impressive 70% increase in participation over 2012 (170 versus 103), but the notoriety from Monday’s tragedy probably had more to do with the terrific numbers than anything. Spectacular spring weather also helped draw more riders.

This year’s ride began at Wells Hall on the Michigan State University Campus and proceeded silently westward for 4.5 miles through parts of campus and then along Michigan Avenue from East Lansing to Lansing and the Michigan State Capitol. Aside from the powerful visual image of 170 brightly dressed bicyclists pedaling two abreast in formation, the ride took on a greater meaning as many riders displayed the peace sign while passing the scene of Monday’s tragedy and as a bouquet of flowers was laid at the street corner where the cyclist passed away. Rarely does one have the opportunity to participate in such a moving experience.

The Ride of Silence means exactly what it implies – all cyclists ride in silence to solemnly honor those killed or injured in accidents with motor vehicles. Throughout the entire ride, all that could be heard was the shifting of gears and the hum of tires rolling over the pavement. Otherwise, we were all left to reflect and remember…and that is exactly the way it should be.

States with highest pet ownership rates

Source: dumpydog.net

Some fascinating data gathered by the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2011 and published in the May 2013 edition of AARP Bulletin. Listed are those 15 states that exceed 60 percent. At the end of 2011, the national average was 56 percent.

Not surprisingly, the lowest rate of pet ownership was in the District of Columbia at 21.9 percent given its urban environment which tends to result in more rental housing (which often prohibit pets) versus owner-occupied housing.

1.     Vermont – 70.8 percent

2.     New Mexico – 67.6 percent

3.     South Dakota – 65.6 percent

4.     Oregon – 63.6 percent

5.     Maine – 62.9 percent

6.     Washington – 62.7 percent

7.     Arkansas – 62.4 percent

8.     West Virginia – 62.1 percent

9.     Idaho – 62.0 percent

10.  Wyoming – 61.8 percent

11.  Kentucky – 61.6 percent

12.  Missouri – 61.4 percent

13.  Colorado – 61.3 percent

14.  Montana – 61.3 percent

15.  Kansas – 61.0 percent

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association.

If hybrid/electric car owners ruled the planet…

Source: electricandhybridcars.com

Just some fun and hopeful thoughts on a better, safer, cleaner world. Many of these ideas are not as far-fetched as they sound (see weblinks). Enjoy!

• New SUVs would be outlawed and the owners of existing ones forced to enlist in the military so they can go fight for the stupid oil they are addicted to.
• Semis, delivery vehicles, transit buses, farm machinery, and intercity buses would be required to convert their entire fleet to hybrid and/or electric models within 10 years.
• Hybrid/electric lawn mowers, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles, boats, and wave riders would be commonplace, affordable, and required.
• All driver’s education training would be done using hybrid/electric vehicles.
• All new homes would be constructed with a minimum 440 amp plug in the garage for quicker vehicle recharging.
• Apartments and condos would be required to provide recharging stations at no extra cost to tenants.
• Alternative fuel vehicles would receive preferential parking places, discounts on toll roads, and automatic allowance in HOV lanes.
• All remaining SUVs and other gas guzzlers not getting a minimum of 40 mpg on the highway would pay at least 50 cents more per gallon for gasoline.
• An artist will create a “Hummer Heaven” monument akin to “Cadillac Ranch” along a lonely stretch of highway to remind us of our past wasteful sins.
• Big Oil would be broken up into smaller entities (and hopefully fade away into the dustbin of history).
• Only non-utilities and non-oil companies would be allowed to provide the recharging infrastructure – preferably through non-profit entities or electric cooperatives.
• Coal-fired power plants would be prohibited as a source of electricity for motor vehicles.
• Electric recharging stations will be required to be powered by solar, wind, biomass, tides, or other clean energy option.
• All highway rest areas would include at charging stations like is being employed along Interstate 5 in Washington State.
• We would all be San Diego Chargers’ fans. : )

Source: westcoastgreenhighway.com

Greetings from Amalgam, USA!

Source: betterworldbooks.com

Any of you who are Bill Bryson fans will know what I am referring to in the blog post title. In his engaging book, The Lost Continent, author Bill Bryson wanders about 38 of the United States in search of the idyllic community so often captured in our collective minds. While Mr. Bryson grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, he had been living in England for many years. This book offered him a chance to relive and re-experience many of his childhood memories, while also making new ones.

During his journey, Mr. Bryson quickly discovered that not one single community contains all the best parts of Americana, despite efforts in Dislandia and other “manufactured” places to do so. Instead the idyllic American community was a sum of the best parts of many places across the country. Below, is a list Mr. Bryson’s favorite communities, portions of which compose his perfect community of Amalgam.

• Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
• Charleston, South Carolina
• Chestertown, Maryland
• Columbus, Mississippi
• Cooperstown, New York
• Des Moines, Iowa
• Jackson Hole, Wyoming
• Pella, Iowa
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Savannah, Georgia
• Storm Lake, Iowa
• Traverse City, Michigan

Source: flickriver.com

Let the good word on bicycles be heard!

This graphic shown below was produced by the League of Michigan Bicyclists and pretty much says it all about the benefits of bicycling to the State of Michigan.  Similar examples can be found nationwide and across the globe.

Source: League of Michigan Bicyclists

Wednesday, May 22nd is Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day. Here are the key issues for 2013, include:

“Protecting vulnerable roadway users by establishing enhanced penalties for injuring or killing cyclists.”

“Establishing a standard for safe passing of bicyclists on Michigan roads.”

“Revising the right turn hand signal to make an extended right arm legal in Michigan.”

“Allowing bicyclists to bypass malfunctioning traffic lights.”

“Supporting a new Michigan trails and greenways license plate to fund local trail projects.”

“Preventing the Raid on Natural Resources Trust Fund Dollars Available for Trails Projects.”

“Adequately funding safe transportation infrastructure that supports multi-modal use.”

Please consider contacting your local, state, and national representatives and express to them that you want more money spent on bicycle infrastructure and not roads (twice as many jobs are produced as highway projects is one excellent reason, let alone the health and environmental benefits). Let the good word on bicycles be heard!

Ranking states on bicycle friendliness

Below are a new map and chart prepared by the League of American Bicyclists and the Alliance for Biking and Walking which ranks the 50 states on their bicycle friendliness in 2013.

As is evident from the map, the Western states, the Upper Great Lakes, the Middle Atlantic states, and New England rank best, while the Lower Great Lakes, South Central, and Great Plains states rank the poorest in bicycle friendliness.

Source: bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/bicyclefriendlystate/

Source: bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/bicyclefriendlystate/

It’s the only way to fly!

Source: beerstreetjournal.com

Kudos to Gerald Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan, who announced this past Thursday that Bell’s Brewery will be opening a new brewpub in the Great Hall pre-security shopping/dining portion of the airport terminal. With fantastic beers like Oberon, Lager of the Lakes, Two Hearted Ale, Third Coast, Amber Ale, Christmas Ale, and Kalamazoo Stout, this is a terrific idea to promote and market West Michigan’s amazing beer culture to travelers from around the globe.

Source: wkzo.com

I am only amazed that the Grand Rapids-centered breweries didn’t think of this idea first. While close by, Bell’s is based in Kalamazoo about 50 miles to the south. It will be interesting to see if Bell’s does the same thing at Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport at some point in the future.

Source: blogs.riverfronttimes.com

Finally, superbly crafted beer choices while traveling, rather than being stuck with the hum-drum national brews that are blander than bland and leave a lot to be desired. Hat’s off to both Bell’s and Gerald Ford International Airport for a great idea whose time has come. It will the only way to fly!

Two EPic EPs by Kitten

Source: clichemag.com

While attending the Joy Formidable concert several Monday’s ago, one of the opening acts, Kitten, put on such a stellar and energetic performance that I bought a copy of each of their two EPs, entitled Sunday School and Cut it Out. Both are tremendous mini-albums, the first containing five tracks and the second containing six. Out of the 11 song discography, only one song didn’t ring well with me – “Kitten With a Whip.”

Here is the list of my five favorite tracks from the two EPs:

• “Kill the Light”
• “Christina”
• “Cut it Out”
• “Chinatown”
• “G#”

At $5.00 each, both of these EPs are a great deal. Based on these releases and the set played here at The Loft, I am very much looking forward to hearing and buying Kitten’s debut full-length album which is due to be released soon. Check this band out, they are definitely going places.

Unscientific hybrid/electric observations

C-Max – source: mashable.com

I counted 23 hybrid and/or plug-in electric cars on the trip between Lansing and Grand Rapids Thursday afternoon – 17 eastbound and six westbound, while a total of 26 were counted on Friday evening along the same route – 21 eastbound and 5 westbound.  Two Smart cars were also observed headed westbound Friday evening.

I am certain there were more, but those that do not have a unique body styling are impossible to observe when going in the opposite direction. Models such as Toyota Prius, Ford C-Max, Chevy Volt, and Honda Insight are easily distinguishable, but hybrid versions of Camry, Fusion, Sonata, Highlander, etc. are impossible to distinguish from their standard version.

Just a little unscientific count, but hoping the numbers will increase over time to the point where Michigan is competing with states along the Pacific Coast for most hybrid/plug-in/EV cars on the highways and byways.

UPDATE – On Monday morning (4/22), I observed a total 29 hybrid/plug-in/EVs between Grand Rapids and Lansing.

UPDATE – On Friday evening (5/10), I observed a total of 30 hybrid/plug-in/EVs between Lansing and Grand Rapids – new record.

If Yogi Bear named national parks

Source: last.fm

Given his home in Jellystone Park (Yellowstone), I thought it might be fun to give new names to national parks that Yogi Bear and Boo-Boo would prefer given their taste for “pic-a-nic” baskets.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Remember, he’s smarter than the average bear. Here’s the list:

• Archway Cookies National Park – Arches National Park, Utah
• A River of Raisins National Battlefield – River Raisin National Battlefield
• Baked Cod National Seashore – Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts
• Bisque and Sugar Cane National Park – Biscayne National Park, Florida
• Channel Catfish National Park – Channel Islands National Park, California
• Chipped Beef National Park – Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
• Feeding Bears Dunes National Lakeshore – Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
• Everglutton National Park – Everglades National Park, Florida
• Grand Eaten National Park – Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
• Great Sandwiches National Park – Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
• Great Smoked Salmons National Park – Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Hot Onion Rings National Park – Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
• Painted Dessert National Park – Painted Desert National Park, Arizona
• Potater Lake National Park – Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
• Olympic Portions National Park – Olympic National Park, Washington
• Taters on the Moon National Park – Craters of the Moon National Park, Idaho
• Valley Gorge National Park – Valley Forge National Park, Pennsylvania
• Pinto Beanie National Park – Point Pelee National Park, Ontario
• Cheddar Velvetta National Park – Teddy Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
• Omlette National Battlefield – Chalmette National Battlefield, Louisiana
• Peapod National Battlefield – Pea Ridge National Battlefield, Arkansas
• Scott’s Muffin National Monument – Scottsbluff National Monument, Nebraska
• Harpers Dairy National Park – Harpers Ferry National Park, West Virginia
• Tacos National Historic Park – Pecos National Historic Park, Texas