Monday, March 06, 2006

Green Corps

(click on pictures to enlarge)

At the 2006 "State of the Union" (February 2, 2006), Bush spoke, for what has been reported to be, the first time, his opinion, that "America is addicted to oil".

Some people think this new form of thought from Bush is a result of overwhelming, undeniable public opinion, and outcry, that George W. Bush took America to war with Iraq to access Iraqi oil, for America's use.

Perhaps he hinted at this "oil addiction" when he made his first official comment about the "Katrina" disaster, in which he stated, "Don't buy gas if you don't need it"(MP3 file)

However, another interpretation of that comment, "Don't buy gas if you don't need it", may indicate, perhaps, an unintentional expression of the idea of something that was not spoken, yet silently thought, "don't buy gas if you don't need it... just take it, if you want it". Because, this is what many people, Americans, think he has initiated a war with Iraq to do.

That kind of action, just taking it if you want it, even if it is not yours, is very similar to what some addicts do, especially when they are in desperate need for a "fix", and don't have the resource to pay for it.

Perhaps like a drug addict, the secret spying operation conducted by the whitehouse is a way to hide the addiction, and prolong the continued addictive behaviour.

When an addict does not have money to pay for their addiction, they just go out and steal, con, dupe, threaten, lie, borrow... beyond their means, etc, for whatever they need, to get their "high", next "hit" or "fix".

And perhaps, America needs, like drug addicts, to be confronted with an intervention by its friends and family members, to stop the cycle of addiction and dysfunction that active addiction can bring. And once America can no longer deny this addiction to family and friends, because they no longer will allow this secret con continue, America can be put into an addiction recovery program.

Perhaps the whitehouse may help America "find sobriety" from its "addition" to oil, by joining a 12 step anonymous program.

This program - perhaps the White House can call it the "War on Oil Addiction" - could be like Kennedy's Peace Corp and Clinton's Americorps, in terms of helping people, communities meet needs, get back on their feet, their national volunteer service programs did.

This one will provide opportunities for U.S. citizens volunteers to be paid to help America find recovery from its addiction in communities all over America.

As it is now, many volunteers, such as this writer, receive no pay. This work is literally unpaid and done as a result of passion for what is right and good for my community, in all aspects.

This new "Corps" of American volunteers, perhaps it could be called the "Green Corps", could provide paying jobs for this corp of volunteers whom have needed skilsl, passion, just like Americorps and peace corp volunteers to help communities, to help America find recover from its "oil addiction".

The skill and experience needed may include teaching people about alternative modes of transportation, mentoring people on things such as how to ride a bicycle as a means of practical transportation for basic needs, such as shopping, running errands, getting back and for to work, and other things, and many other things.

It may model successful programs such as the "Green Team Project" in Santa Monica, California (now called "Sustainable Works"), in which volunteer teach and provide support to members of the community skills on how to live "green". They would also teach local business owners, and thier employees skills to run their businesses greener.

The Green Team Project was a 9 week initial program that covered areas such as energy, water, air, trash, food, transportation, etc. After graduating from the initial 9 program, all members were invited to join the alumni program, where graduates could continue thier skills building and sharing and receiving of support.

Perhaps an American National Service corp like that would not only help communities brake addictions to their use of petroleum, which is critical. It may also provide paying jobs to folks around the country who find themselves in poverty because of the american economy taking a nose dive. And most importantly, it will be likely to spread much more good will around the world, AND within the USA, among Americans and citizens of foreign countries, for America, Americans. And hopefully it can repair the regard and trust people have for the White house.

Sustainable Transport Club



For more information about Environmentally Friendly Sustainable Transportation options in Santa Monica and the westside, along with other resources, See the Cycle Santa Monica Transportation Alternatives resource web page

Editor's note, this page has been corrected to reflect new information.

Keep posted to the Cycle Santa Monica! blog for new information.

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Helen's Cycles 70 years...

Helen's Cycles has been serving Santa Monican's for 70 years.

According to The Cycling Dude, Helen's Cycles was founded in Santa Monica in 1936 by Helen and Ted Throckmarton.

That was 70 years ago.

I think that is probably one of the oldest existing bicycle shops in the USA. And it is probably one of the oldest existing businesses in Santa Monica.

The 1930's was during the years of the depression, when many people had little money, and on the cusp of a time that the car began to take over many California communities streets and roadways.

I believe it is also near the time when the Red Car began to lose favor with residents, over the car, as their choice of transportation to and from the Santa Monica beach.

It is not to long after the 1930's that the Big Blue Bus began its operations, under the name "Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines.

It is my understanding, that service was formed to take over for the loss of the service the redcar provided to Santa Monicans.(The picture of the Santa Monica bus was taken at the now gone, Ocean Park Pier in Santa Monica. You can find a public mural memorializing the old Ocean Park Pier (located at Ocean Park Blvd and Main street).

I believe it was also during that spurt when bicycles began to grow in popularity.

Here is the applicable quote from The Cycling Dude's website:

Helen'’s Cycles was created in 1936 by Helen and Ted Throckmarton. They built the Santa Monica Broadway location in mid 1960. The current owner Duane and Karen Stier purchased this location in 1975. The other Helen's stores were purchased on the following years in an effort of being the market leader in Southern California.
Well, Happy 70th Birthday Helen's Cycles. You guys are certainly one of the oldest businesses serving Santa Monicans and Westsiders, especially those that need supplies for their two wheel human powered lifestyles. And I wish you many, many more b-days to come and lots of success.

And I hope that, in the future, Helen's Cycles may consider offering more for the needs of commuter cyclists.

Air Power Hybrid


Compressed Air vehicles is not just a lot of hot air anymore.

The Korean company, Energine Corp., has one upped MDI company (France) that introduced the "C.A.T. car", (CAT stands for Compressed Air Technology), by not only using a compressed air engine. They are blending the technology with the highly successful hybrid electric technology, to produce the Pneumatic Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).

The PHEV uses compressed air with a two cylinder pneumatic engine, in place of gasoline combustion engine, to bring the vehicle up to cruising speed. Once at cruising speed, the electric motor kicks in.

I highly recommend taking a look at the Energine Corp. Website to get more details of the technology and the applications it can be used in. I vote for Energine to include mopeds or motorcycles into the mix of applications of this technology.

Additionally, you may want to join the world wide discussion forum on Compressed Air Vehicle technology. Stories about technology, like this, debut there before they hit the mainstream news. And many stories about technology like this and other Compressed air energy/transportation get debute'd there, and do not make to the mainstream news. Or it may hit main stream news months or maybe years later. By joining that yahoogroup, you will be in the info loop to get the latest from subscribers around the world who share your interest in this fascinating technology and subject.

The power of air is amazing.

See the United States Patent for the PHEV (US Patents and Trademarks patent #7,028,482

Engadget relayed a story, which apparently was originally released by slashdot.

Engadget says:

Move over, Prius. There's a new hybrid in town. Korean company Energine Corp. has produced a prototype hybrid car that runs on an electric motor and compressed air. The pneumatic-hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is designed to run on compressed air until it reaches a cruising speed of about 15 mph, at which point the electric motor kicks in. This isn't the first attempt to produce an air-powered car; France's MDI has been developing a compressed-air car since 2000, and currently expects its cars to be available by 2006 for about €10,000. All of these cars suffer from a problem that has hobbled other electric vehicles: they need to be recharged (MDI's car needs about 6 hours for a full charge). However, they could be effective in environments where range isn't an issue, such as for short commutes. And if they caught on, compressed-air stations could fill them much more quickly. But we're pretty confident that the industry behind the world's filling stations isn't about to let that happen.
Related Posts:
- Air Powered Bicycle
- Pneumatic Bike
- Vintage Compressed Air Bike

Recommended Links:
- Air-Powered-Vehicles community forum
- Cycle Santa Monica! community forum

Magical Two Feet...



Check out the "Kintaro Walks Japan" video(see it below). It is is a magical and whimsical video, that documents, in an artistic and creative way, the 2000 mile journey of walking from one end of Japan to the other. For more detailed info, take a look at the "Kintaro Walks Japan" website.



The Google Video description says:

Kintaro Walks Japan is the meticulously filmed and edited story of Tyler MacNiven's 2,000 mile trek from the bottom of Japan to the very top. His five-month odyssey was meant to impress a girl and to find his American father's Japanese birthplace. Tyler arm wrestled 100-year old ladies, dodged trains in tunnels and walked into the hearts of the Japanese people, quickly becoming a celebrity.
This video may inspire you and your imagination on the possibilities of where your two feet may carry you. And the joy and magic you can attain along the way.

This film discusses other famous walking journeys, including George Meegan's book "The Longest Walk". That is the story of his trek from the southern tip of South American to the northern tip of Alaska (over 19,000 miles).

NOTE: Also recommend seeing "Car Free L.A.", a video about one angelino who is more "care free" by being "car free".

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Helen's Cycles 80 years...

Correction, Helen's is 70 years old this year.

Thanks James (smile)

Here is the corrected webpage post:
Helen's Cycles 70 years...

Revenge of the Ped


(3/7/2006 - see editor's news flash update on the Ped video)



The pictures on the right do not do this video justice. (click on picture to enlarge)

Google Video is calling it "The Power of OLD people". Another title for this might be "The Wisdom of OLD people".

How did she knew where the airbag detonator g-spot was? OUCH!

I wonder what the driver of that car will be feeling the next time he thinks about pressing on his horn or reving his car engine to scare a pedestrian in front of him, perhaps a pavlovian-esque, sudden, sharp, sting of pain in the face, that appears from no where, perhaps? (OUCH!) (wink)

This lady is helping make our bike/skate/walk paths safe, one car at a time. (wink)

Related Posts:
- Every Thirty Seconds (Funny)

Recommended Links:
- Cycle Santa Monica! community forum

Friday, March 03, 2006

Skate/Bike/Walk Freeway



Have you every Ever thought of bicycling down the freeway?
How about, have you ever thought about skating down the freeway?... yah baby, on those three inch wheels.

Check out the "110 Freeway Skate" video (2003)(20 mb Quicktime file). And see the skaters and cyclists take the "fast lane" on the 110 freeway one weekend morning in 2003.

(pictures on the right are from the video)

"The day Cars were banned from the freeway..."

The Music/Sound on this video are awesome. This video is intense and fun. The video gives a sense like you are rolling with them on their taboo journey/adventure... skating the 110 freeway.



DOWNLOAD Video(.MOV 3mb)

To see some more wild exploits on tiny wheels by the same producer, see Tim's website.

For more info about the festivities of that day, check out the ArroyoFest Walk and Bike Ride website

If you want to skate the Streets of Santa Monica and other parts of Los Angeles on tiny wheels, check out the LA Friday Skate website.

They have a mailing list that you can join and a yahoogroup. They have been meeting around 8:15pm at the top of the Santa Monica Pier(near the pier sign) every Friday (except one Friday every month they meet in downtown L.A. or Hollywood for some skating variety).(more info)

More info also at the Cycle Santa Monica Geocities site.

Related Posts:
- Critical Mass Origin
- Santa Monica Critical Mass
- We Are Traffic

Recommended Links:
- Friday Night Skates (Santa Monica and Hollywood)
- Cycle Santa Monica! community forum

SFV Bike Culture





If you liked Urban Testing Ground's videos on Midnight Ridazz, you might enjoy taking a peek at the "Shot Callers Bike Club" video (16 mb QuickTime) they did. It is a little expose on a "low rider" bike club called "Shot Callers" in the SFV (San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, CA) .

The pictures to the right are of bikes from the crew of another "low rider" bike club called "West Side Impressions" based in Venice, CA. They were taken at the 100th Independence Day Parade(Venice, Calif - July 4, 2005). Member of the club were showing their bikes along with others after the parade at the Venice Circle. Check out the video clip "Riding the Venice Circle/Carousel"(2 mb AVI file - Hosted by the LA Indy Media Center). It is a short video clip of riders from the Santa Monica Critical Mass ride(May 2005) riding around the Venice Circle, with their lights blinking like a christmas tree at the twilight hour, accompanied by some choice music to fit the occassion.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

C The Skate 2005


See the video C The Skate 2005 on "Our Media". Nice sound and video clips of some guys learning to skate. Plus some U.S. Climbing shots.

And if you like this video, I highly recommend the "Russian Climbing" video(hosted by Google Video). It's Wild!




Midnight Ridazz


Check out this new "Midnight Ridazz" video (Los Angeles, CA).


(Continue to - Midnight Ridazz - Part 2)

This video (Part 1) is about 3 minutes long, 18 MB Quicktime video, with a nice added soundtrack. This is a well made video with some nice video clips, well edited, from the Midnight Ridazz's two year aniversary ride.

Midnight Ridazz is a once a month bike ride in Los Angeles. It is reported that thier most recent rides have seen between 500-1000 riders.

See the producers blog, Urban Testing Ground, for episode two of "Midnight Ridazz!".

If you liked the "Midnight Ridaz" video, you may also want to check out another video by Urban Testing Ground titled "Shot Callers". Its an expose on a "low rider" bike club in the SFV.

NOTE: If you enjoyed this video, you may also enjoy seeing "Car Free" in L.A. - The Real Deal.

People Mural



Although this mural (picture to the right) is located in Santa Monica, you won't be able to see while driving a car.

This guerilla art can only be seen while walking, skating, or cycling around Santa Monica.

Well, I suppose you might be able to see it from a spy satellite through a high power zoom lense when the chemtrail clouds clear.

For a deeper appreciation of this piece of public art you might want to listen to the history of the "F" word.

Monday, February 27, 2006

Canine Power!

Sometimes on two wheels, sometimes on four, wheels help them achive more mobility.

Trixxy was spotted (picture on the right), apparently enjoying the experience of visiting WorldFest(Los Angeles, 2005)

If dog's could smile, I think Trixxy is smilling. And I am sure she appreciates the curb cuts, a result of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), at sidewalk intersections, just like many skaters, cyclists, and other peds do.

Dog powered vehicles. These are a kind of manual wheelchair for dogs that for some reason loose ability to walk with their hind legs. There are variations that let animals get around on wheeled prosthetics with as little as one paw power.

And for for your interest there are some dogs that climb trees, learned how to walk on thier hind legs, skateboard, and even ride bicycles. These are amazing creatures.

"Faith" The Biped Dog! was born with some deformities in her front two paws. And as a puppy she, it is reported that out of necesity, she learned how to walk on her rear two legs.

At the links you will find videos of these amazing living animals in action.

Perhaps the next step is help get our four legged friends access to the public bus system so they can travel with us so we don't have to drive a car.

Bicycle Workshop

Dave Snyder, one of the pioneers of the San Francisco Critical Mass movement was the guest speaker at the Santa Monica Bicycle Workshop(Feb. 2005) You can download the audio file (35mb MP3 file). The audio clip is 45 minutes.

LISTEN NOW



Note about recording quality:
first couple minute the recording is fair to poor, then the quality is much better throughout the end.


Also, check out the Santa Monica Bicycle Workshop web page on the City of Santa Monica's website.

If you want to hear Dave talk some more, listen to his interview on bikescape podcast. In that interview he talks about the history of bicycle advocacy and the birth of the world wide Critical Mass movement in San Francisco from the early 90's through 2005.

He also was interviewed for an article in the San Francisco Chronicle(1997).

You can also catch him on some video interviews on the "We Are Traffic", a documentary film about the history of Critical Mass in San Francisco. You can also download it or watch it online at Google Video.

Related Links:
- Santa Monica Critical Mass video(May 2006)

Recommended Links:
- Cycle Santa Monica! community forum
- Santa Monica/West L.A./Venice critical mass community forum

Sunday, February 26, 2006

SUV City

"SUV City, The Friendliest Place to Drive your Big SUV" is the slogan for a fairly new mockumentary film released in 2005.



"SUV City was inspired by sitting at Peet's Coffee in Santa Monica every morning and watching the parade of mammoth SUVs rolling by on their way to work or day care. I thought how totally ridiculous they look and had to find a way to mock them." says Michael Kelley, SUV City writer/director/producer. Kelley is also an avid cyclist.

I would like to point out that this film also illustrates the inequity played out on joggers, pedestrians who use the roads and sidewalks in SUV City (Santa Monica).

Its a hilarious film. And cyclists, skaters, and other peds will probably get a little giggle at the way this film ends.


You can watch it online or read more info
about it at the official SUV City website

Also, if you want a T-shirt with the SUV City logo or pictures, I found some available at
Cafe Express. They also apparently put the design on coffee mugs, calendars, baseball hats, and other misc items too.

Saturday, February 25, 2006

Dinosaur Spotting...

Nascar promotion exhibit spotted at 3rd Street Promenade last Wednesday. They were there during the time of the Farmers Market.

Ironically, they have the but end of the car adjacent to the but end of one of the dinosaur bushes at the Promenade.

Is it perhaps a symbol of two beasts that became extinct?

In the early days of Santa Monica's citihood, it was popular to race cars. See the book to the right, "Real Road Racing: Santa Monica Road Races".

You will see some shots taken between 1910-20, along roads like "Ocean Ave", "San Vicente", and "Wilshire". It was an 8.4 mile course.

You would think that some folks think they are still racing on those roads, even with the heavy traffic we see on those roads today.

Perhaps the Nascar display is a kind of an unintentional last hurrah and tribute to the next addition to the extinct in Santa Monica.

(wink)(smile)

Friday, February 24, 2006

L A Critical Mass


The LA Bike Tour is probably the biggest Critical Mass of cyclists in the United States. It's happening in Los Angeles. It is officially known as the "Acura L.A. Bike Tour". The next one is on Sunday March 19, 2006. It is a 22.6 mile bicycle ride(thank you Stephen and an anonymous reader for milage correction) in the early morning, on the same day as the Los Angeles Marathon. Several Thousand cyclists ride. Most are registered, and some not. In previous years some folks have resented that the LA Bike tour was sponsored by a car company. So some refused to pay a registration fee as a form of boycott. And some didn't register because they could not afford the high registration cost.

The roads are blocked off to motor vehicle traffic. It is a day where cyclists have priority, quietest, and cleanest air on these streets. It is one of the best opportunities to see the buildings and other things while riding your bicycle down these roads. There are some Photos taken from the 2005 ride.

Think about it, 22 miles of riding a bicycle in Los Angeles without being bullied by car, trucks, and vans that want you our of their way or who use the road as their personal speed test track. Intersections blocked off to motor vehicle traffic.

It is virtually a care free, car free, day to enjoy the air, the pleasure of enjoy the city scape, sharing time with others on two wheels, on your bicycle.

Friday, February 10, 2006

Siesta time

Sometimes a bicycle is just a bicycle. Sometimes it is a vehicle to get you from point A to point B. And sometimes its a place to take an afternoon nap.

(picture taken an in West L.A.)

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Cyclist Accosted by Public Bus Rider








(Click on images to enlarge)

The picture to the right is of an unidentified Tri-met (Portland, OR) rider who went alight of a trimet bus on the Hawthorne Bridge on January 22, 2005 at an unauthorized stop. He proceeded to the front of the bus and and began to push and slug the cyclist in front of the bus. He then got back on the bus and the bus drove off.

The Operator of the Tri-met bus is reported to have died in a boating incident. A Tri-met representative reports that they have opened a file on the incident and are seeking the identity of the assailent. It is reported that the Portland Police are also seeking the identity and where-abouts of the assailent.

The cyclist, Randy Albright, has filed a lawsuit against Tri-met for $48,000 in damages. He claims that the bus operator opened the door to allow the rider to alight the bus,assault the cyclist, then opened the door and allowed the rider back on the bus after the rider had accosted the cyclists. The bus operator, additionally, did not report this incident to authorities, and continued driving the bus off after the cyclist had been injured.

If you have information about the identity of this person, you areencouraged to notify the Portland Police, Tri-Met authorities, and Randy Albright.

For more info, see the following reports, picturs, videos, and analysis: