As a bike commuter, I get awfully tired of seeing stupid cyclists. As a social scientist, I am amazed at how people use space. This picture is a classic example of a stupid bike rider, and an interesting example of how Boiseans differ from Portland residents.
So what is happening here is that this guy has just come barreling down the sidewalk off of Crescent Rim. Mind you he is 1) on the wrong side of the street; 2) on the sidewalk which is for PEDESTRIANS; 3) not wearing a helmet (I too often am guilty of this as well). But the big problem for me here is that that sidewalk gets a lot of pedestrian use, and it is SO DANGEROUS when bike riders come hauling ass down that hill yelling ON YOUR LEFT ON YOUR LEFT ON YOUR LEFT and scaring the hell out of pedestrians who are trying to walk to the park, school, Papa Joes, or one of the other businesses down there. Don’t be that guy.
It’s also really interesting to note that you NEVER see this in Portland. Not once in the year that I have been living between Boise and Portland have I seen a bicycle on the sidewalk. Not once. Portlanders have a very well-defined sense of space - cars stay where they should, as do bikes and pedestrians.
Saw a story last week that said Portland just passed a $613 plan to improve bike infrastructure over the next 20 years. I know it’s apples and oranges, but $60 million for a streetcar downtown seems like a bargain by comparison. Full story in the Portland Business Journal.
A bunch of people have asked me about the New Belgium bicycle bar hop through Boise this weekend, so here are the details from Mulligan’s owner Alicia Wagner:
Saturday (July 25, 2009) starting at noon at The Dutch Goose, also going to Emerald Club, Graineys, Parilla, Mack & Charlies and ending at Mulligans from 5:45 to 7:00 New Belgium Brewery is having a 6 bar bike tour. We will ride from bar to bar and each bar will have specials on a different New Belgium Brewery product and games etc. and then you have a chance to win a New Belgium Cruiser bike and prizes at Mulligans at the awards ceremony. Some bars are decorating and we will pick up people along the way. Feel free to dress up or just dress casually in order to stay cool (it is going to be hot!!!) and meet us at Dutch goose or if you just want to join us at Mulligans for some mini bike races we will be there at 5:45!
Sunday at Noon at Legends (the old “sports” next to Edwards) Kris and Matt (New Belgium rep) are having a sand volleyball tournament. It is 4 man teams. Come sign your team up or just show up and they will put you on a team. If you don’t want to play come visit them and have a beer! Prizes and giveaways will be given away!
If you are looking to partake in more beverages afterwards we will also be having our Mulligans end of season pool tournament all day Sunday. Come visit us!!!
Social Science, Transportation | admin July 26, 2010 | 
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