Check out the great new site for bicycle sales just launched.
The site features Dutch bicycles and is run by a Dutch partnership based in Dublin
We particularly like the high vis vests!
They bring visibility to a whole new fashion level
http://www.bear-bicycles.
Great to see the revolution in bike related commerce!
I met the guys from Dublin City Bike Tours having their photo taken beside the James Joyce monument in North Earl Street today.
Equipped with their new bikes they are ready to cycle & entertain as they go!
We wish them well with this new venture
Bikes used include the Latest Dahon Urban Bikes
Check out www.dublincitybiketours.com for further details
Tour times
March 1st – April 30th
10AM
May 1st – October 1st
10AM 2PM and 6PM
October 2nd – November 30th
10AM and 2PM
Bike tour prices:
€24 per person, €20 per student
Distance:
7.5 kilometers.
Duration:
2-3 hours.
Difficulty:
Easy.
Meeting Point:
Meet in the lobby of Isaac’s Hostel, 2-5 Frenchmans Lane, Dublin 1.
Please arrive 30 minutes before your bike tour time.
Happy Cycling
Paul Tracey 18/08/2010
The scheme comes with its own terms and conditions which we’ve set out for you to read.
Check out the helmet requirement………no choice it’s a must!
Initial reaction seems to be negative to the requirement time will tell whether it is a requirement too far!
Bike Helmets
The rider of a bicycle must wear an approved bicycle helmet securely fitted and fastened on their head.
Signs and Signals
Cyclists must obey traffic control signs and signals applicable to them including red lights, stop and give way signs. Use arm signals to indicate when turning or stopping.
Riding two Abreast
Riders may not ride more than two abreast unless overtaking and then no more than 1.5 metres from each other.
Bicycle Lanes
Riders must use the bicycle lane if there is one on a length of road going in the same direction. On shared pathways, keep to the left and give way to pedestrians.
Pedestrian Crossings
Do not ride across a road on a children’s crossing, marked foot crossing or pedestrian crossing. If crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing or pedestrian lights a rider must dismount, unless bicycle lights are provided, allowing riders to cycles across the road.
Causing a Traffic Hazard
The rider of a bicycle must not cause a traffic hazard by moving into the path of a car driver or pedestrian without warning or looking.
Following behind a Motor Vehicle
Riders must not ride within two metres of the rear of a moving vehicle continuously for more than 200 metres.
Use hook turns
Cyclists are allowed to make hook turns at all intersections, unless signs say otherwise. It can be safer for cyclists to make these hook turns from the side of the road, rather than waiting to turn in the intersection. Always use a hand signal when turning right.
Safety
Be predictable
Give a clear indication of where you are going and take the guess work out of it for others. Signal in the direction you intend to travel. Sudden changes in direction or behaviour can cause a hazard.
Positioning in traffic
Keep to the left, watch out for car doors opening and be part of the traffic stream. Don’t weave in and out of traffic.
Portable Audio devices and mobile phones
Do not use when riding. You need to be aware of your environment.
Other vehicles
Be alert for vehicles approaching from behind or pulling out in front of you. Be aware of car doors opening by looking out for occupants inside stopped vehicles.
Riding in the wet
Watch out for slippery tram tracks, grates and metal covers, especially when turning. Beware of puddles as they may be deeper than they seem. It will take longer to stop in the wet so leave additional space.
Cross tram and train tracks at wide angles
Paul Tracey
28/07/2010
There are reportedly only 70 trips a day being made on Melbourne’s new public bike hire facility.
The scheme which has 600 bikes and 50 docking stations, faces a real challenge to beat the compulsory cycle helmet-wearing laws.
Supporters of the bike share scheme who blame low usage on the helmet laws recently protested without helmets, and were fined.
A spokesman for the Melbourne Bike Share says that: “Those using the scheme will need to bring their own helmet, or purchase one from a handy location near the bike station.’’
The scheme is in sharp contast with the Dublin Bikes scheme which has been a resounding success without Helmets!!
There are no reports of injuries in Dublin despite initial concerns about the need for helmets.
Official opinion on helmet wearing remains as divided as ever. Few countries have any national laws and some, such as the USA leave it to local jurisdiction. Requirements for young people to wear a helmet seem more popular than ones covering all ages.
Public bike hire schemes continue to be introduced all across the globe, and appear to be going from strength to strength:
UK: London’s scheme begins on Friday and 3000 people have already registered as users
USA: Nice Ride Minnesota in Minneapolis reported 25,000 trips in its first 40 days.
Germany: Metroradruhr is bringing bike sharing to ten industrial Ruhr valley cities, a bit of a departure as most schemes up to now have been for one city – this is a single system connecting nearby cities.
Canada: Montreal’s scheme registered more than a million rides in its first month of operation, and Toronto launches its facility in May 2011.
UK: Blackpool were happy enough with the performance of their initial 60 bike scheme to be expanding it to a 500 bike one over the rest of this year.
Cyprus: 285 bicycles and 24 docking stations should be in place in Nicosia by early autumn.
China: There are reports that Beijing will have 50,000 bikes for public hire by 2015.
Dublin calling what’s your view helmet or not?
Paul Tracey
28/07/2010
Spotted a nifty idea in a recent Irish Times article called Clean Bottle
The idea is simple a leak proof screw off bottle that allows for easy cleaning of
water bottles in your washing machine.
The bottles are high quality plastic and they make a contribution to eco charity from each sale
Checkout www.cleanbottle.com
Phone number: 650.281.7681
Fax number: 650.230.1409
Email address: info@cleanbottle.com
It sounds like a fancy name and if the website is anything to go by this should be a great cycling event.
Check it out at http://www.etapehibernia.com/index.html
The ride of just over 80 miles in Clare promises somthing for everyone.
If the weather is good it could be a weekend for your diary!
Safe cycling
Paul Tracey
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Meath Heritage Cycle Tour 25th July see www.meathlocalsportspartnership.ie
Sky Ride Etape Hibernia International Cycling event Clare 22nd August see www.etapehibernia.com
The Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford 28th August see www.theseankellytour.com
The Rebel Tour Cork 11th September see www.corksports.ie
The Beast of Ballyhoura Adventure Weekend 30th July to 2nd August see www.ballyhourabeast.com
Enjoy
Paul Tracey
Once a feature of the cycling calendar the Garda Bike auction has recently moved out of town to Naas, county Kildare.
The Auction is now conducted by Merlin Auction room the car sales specialists.
This year’s crop compromises of just short of 80 bikes or all sorts and shapes along with a strange mix of other items such as hairdryers and golf clubs.
BMX, mountain, and racers all get a look in !
The auction kicks off on Saturday the 17th of July at 11amsharp.
Details of the auction are set out for those interested
Happy hunting!
Cycling has been equated with many things but poor parenting or amounting to child neglect is a novel suggestion.
The issue raised its head last week in the UK when a family came in for criticism for allowing their 8 year old daughter and 5 year of old cycle to their local school.
The parents were apparently reported by fellow parents to the school headmaster and were told that it was ‘inappropriate to let children so young make their way to school alone’!
The story sparked controversy between those who favoured children being independent and the zero risk brigade.
I can certainly remember as a youngster that cycling to school was the norm in Dublin in the 1970’s, as a child I was ‘welded’ to my bike!
The sharp rise in car numbers on the road certainly poses threats but when ‘social services’ are being called in we have to ask what is this all about?
At a time when childhood obesity is on the rise we need to examine issues like this in a more balanced way!
Paul Tracey pwt@traceysolicitors.ie
A town in the US has banned cyclists from its streets, with fines for cyclists of up to €68. The town called Black Hawk in Colorado, (yes believe it or not) which has a population of just above 100, is thought to be the first town in the US to make cycling illegal.
The new law has been introduced for “health and safety” reasons, said administrators of the former gold mining town, which in the 1990s decided to develop gambling to prevent the place vanishing altogether.
Apparently the decision is to prevent collisions between cars and bicycles on 19th-century streets that were designed for horses and carriages.
The town started enforcing the ban on 5 June 2010, five months after it passed the law requiring cyclists to dismount and wheel their bikes through the town.
Whilst the rule may seem little more than a version of our pedestrian street here in Dublin a number of American cycling groups are up in arms.
Is this a case of ‘Blackhawk Down on cyclists!!? ?’
Sorry couldn’t resist that!
A copy of the notification is attached.
BICYCLES PROHIBITED
City of Black Hawk Ordinances 2009-20 and 2010-3 states bicycles are prohibited within the City on certain streets. Signs are posted on Gregory Street, Main Street, Richman Street, Mill Street, Miner’s Mesa Road, Bobtail Street, and Selak Street prohibiting bicycles.
City Police Officers will ticket anyone caught riding on these streets.
Bad Behavior has blocked 13 access attempts in the last 7 days.