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May
15
Radical Bikers Take Over Freeway
Filed Under bike riding, commuters | 2 Comments
The Crimanimalz take over a LA Freeway during a recent commute.
Reports Chuck Squatriglia for Wired in “Radical Cyclists Take To LA Freeways To Say Bikes Are Better“:
For the second time in two months, a bunch of Los Angeles bike advocates calling themselves Crimanimalz took to one of the busiest freeways in the world to make the case that, when your freeways are gridlocked, bikes are better.
About 30 cyclists rode onto the Santa Monica Freeway (I-10) at the height of Friday’s rush-hour commute and went east to the San Diego Freeway (I-405), where they rode north to the Santa Monica Boulevard exit, moving easily through traffic. In all, they rode more than two miles.
“There’s thousands of cars and you’re just flying by,” said one of the group, called RichToTheIE, by phone on Wednesday. “It’s an amazing feeling.”
I’m planning to ride my bike to work to get into better shape and to save on some energy expenses, but I don’t think I’m planning on trying to take I-65 or I-80 / I-94 anytime soon! I’m actually going to ride a little out of my way to avoid traffic — it might take a little longer and a few more miles, but it will make the bike ride more enjoyable.
I’m also not planning to get all radicalized in support of bike riding. Biking will just be a utilitarian exercise to improve my health, burn off some stress, save some E85, and get a better sense of the surrounding area that one can’t get while zooming by at 45MPH.
If you watch the video below showing Crimanimalz take over the LA Freeway, make sure to keep an eye out for the guy on the bike that made of three or four stacked bike frames rolling in between cars stuck in the traffic jam. I’d be afraid of tipping over and falling off of an overpass if I was riding a bike that extended 10+ feet into the air.
Video: Radical Biker Crimanimalz take over LA Freeway May 9
May
12
Ride Bikes to Beat High Gas Prices
Filed Under bike riding, commuters | 5 Comments
I’ve been thinking about ways to save money on fuel costs. I’ve been trying to fill up with E85 as much as I can — I have a flex fuel van — but the savings might not be adding up as the difference between E85 and regular unleaded isn’t really that great and is less than 15% in this area because ethanol prices rise along with gasoline prices. Add the small price differential and the reduction in miles per gallon obtained from E85 and it might not really be the best choice.
So, I’ve been thinking about the alternative to driving as summer approaches and the weather turns from rainy spring time to sunny summer — riding my bike to work if I don’t have to go anywhere away from the office.
When I was young, riding my bike wouldn’t have been a problem. My brother and my friends rode anywhere and everywhere.
Now, I live not too far from work — I’m about 5 miles or so away from my office — not too far away while riding on a bike. There are a few tricky areas where I might have to ride near higher speed traffic on the main drag, but I might be able to avoid most of the heavily traveled roadway if I plan my route carefully. The office has a shower, so if I left early I could get cleaned up so I wouldn’t be sweaty all day.
I’m going to try bike riding sometime soon. If it rains, my wife who works nearby can pick me up!
If I decide to try to get in shape and save some money by riding to work, I’ll be sure to make some posts about my bike riding experiences.
Video: Bike Riding Increasing With Higher Fuel Prices
