How the Dutch Got Good Bike Paths

Hey readers, I heartily recommend watching this short video regarding bike paths in the Netherlands, and the history behind them.  (Note, if you go to You Tube, at this link, you can see it in a larger square.) 

Regrettably for us, it probably won’t be for another forty years from now, until Milwaukee will have a major harbor bridge that accommodates cyclists and pedestrians. Then there will be a video like this as to Milwaukee, and everyone watching it will be shaking their heads, asking themselves “how could Wisconsin government officials in the 1970′s, and in 2012 have been so, so stupid? How could they have been so blind to the beauty and value of a major signature bridge with walkers, runners and bikers streaming over it?  Just so some morning commuters in cars could save 30 seconds?” The saddest words ever spoken: “if only.”

The Dutch have shown that good bike infrastructure save lives, and build better and more beautiful communities.  As Shorewood develops its bike plan, we are doing something that is vital for the long term health and vitality of our community.  (Kahuna)

Milwaukee Winter Bike to Work Week

What a great winter it has been for biking!  I finally broke down (actually, fell down) and purchased a set of studded tires (and a spare set of wheels) for my trusty Trek Mountain Bike.  Love 'em.  They do take a little getting used to (on dry pavement, the rolling resistance is significantly greater than regular bike tires), but man, are they great on snow and ice.  And they've got the great "cracklin fire" sound effect, and "Mad Max" look to them.  Are you old enough to remember the old "Uniroyal Tiger Paw" tire commercials from the 60's and 70's?  I always liked those as a kid, and I've never, ever been excited about a set of tires I've purchased for a car, but I tell ya, studded tires on snow or ice are fun.  Thanks to Jerry Pierce at Rainbow Jersey for getting me all squared away with those.

But to the topic of this post, February 12th through 18th is Winter Bike to Work Week in Milwaukee.  Here is a link to a list of Winter BTWW events in Milwaukee and other places around the state, posted by the venerable Dave Schlabowske at his very informative and always entertaining BFW blog.  So GSB officially encourages its members and all others to bike to work that week.  That's hardly a revolutionary proclamation, as GSB officially encourages everybody to bike to work every week (to the extent you can swing that with your job and life).  Life's better on the OLT!

Watch this blog for an announcement in the near future about the GSB Winter BTWW event (probably at Harry's, probably on Wednesday, February 15th, probably at 8, al fresco on the deck; winter weather don't phase us)!  (Kahuna)