The Evolution of Bike Share Technology

When it comes to your standard, tech-forward, membership-based bike share system, there are generally two primary models for the way the bicycles interface with the stations. The difference between these two models mostly comes down to where the computer systems are located that allow a user to checkout a bike. Around the virtual halls of Springfield Bike Share, we call these two types of systems 'Smart Dock/Dumb Bike' and 'Smart Bike/Dumb Dock.'

The Smart Dock/Dumb Bike model of bike share represents the more traditional type of system. You have a fleet of bikes that have integrated technology like GPS and hub power generation (usually for front and rear lights), but otherwise the bikes themselves are nothing more than fancy-looking step-through cruisers. The stations, on the other hand, are packed with technology. The station is often powered via a built-in solar panel or an underground electrical line and is connected to the internet via a hard line or wireless technology like 4G. The station consists of a computer, often with a touch screen, that acts as an on-site kiosk for users to check out bicycles. And the kiosk is connected with the individual bicycle docks, creating an integrated network of sensors, actuators, communications, and other technology working in concert to manage the checkout and return of bike share bicycles.

The Smart Bike/Dumb Dock model of bike share technology is the opposite of this more traditional approach. In this model, the station is nothing more than a brightly colored bike rack. And sometimes not even that. There is often no integrated technology in the rack itself. In fact, some bike share equipment providers allow any location to be considered a 'station' using the location of the bicycle, allowing municipal bike racks and other points of interest to be transformed into ad hoc bike share stations. Since there's no technology integrated into the station, all of the hardware is instead built into the bicycle itself. Normally this includes a small computer console on the back of the bike, which allows members to check out the bike. Once checked out, the bike essentially 'unlocks itself' from the dock. Power is provided by an on-board solar panel with an accompanying battery pack and the bicycle is networked via wireless technology - again, like 4G. Other than the small computer on the rear of the bike, the bicycle looks much the same as any other bike share bike, often with a GPS system and a hub generator to power the lights.

Years ago when bike share was in its infancy, a Smart Bike system would've been unthinkable. The cost to outfit each and every bike with a user interface and, even worse, to network each bicycle using cellular technology would've been unbelievably expensive. But as the cost of wireless connections continues to drop and powerful computers are made to fit into our pockets, integrating this technology onto tens, hundreds, or even thousands of bicycles is not only achievable, but quickly becoming the norm for bike share programs across the US. Just think of the flexibility a Smart Bike system provides over traditional systems. If you need to move a Smart Dock station, you have to disconnect it from the power line and/or network, remove it, then painstakingly transport it to the new location and reconnect it to power and the network. On the other hand, a Smart Bike station can simply be unbolted, trucked to the new location, and bolted down. And as I mentioned before, nearly any location can be transformed into a station to checkout or return a bicycle simply using that location's GPS coordinates in tandem with the integrated GPS system on the bike. While such a system may be cost-prohibitive for a bike share system with many hundreds or thousands of bicycles, for smaller communities it represents a very attractive and affordable option to implement a functional bike share program.

We're still many months from a launching bike share in Springfield, but I can say with confidence that our system will be a Smart Bike system. When it comes to flexibility, functionality, and cost, the Smart Bike model is hard to beat for a small community like ours.

Great Article on Bikes vs Cars

A quick update before I continue neglecting my blog: I was alerted to this article in Wired via Ozarks Greenways. I was particularly intrigued by item #6 in this listicle. I've not heard the argument that our current auto-oriented design of roadways is essentially a Ponzi scheme, in which the decreased population density outside of urban environments - the outcome of personal automobile use - results in costs for maintaining roadways that outpace all tax revenues dedicated for roadway infrastructure. Certainly I'm familiar with the idea that gas taxes do not cover all roadway infrastructure costs. This means that as a tax payer (income, sales, and personal property taxes, including taxes for an automobile), I'm likely paying more than my fair share of the costs of maintaining the roads that I'm biking on (and thereby causing less damage to). But it's an interesting idea that in certain suburban environments, essentially no one is paying their fair share and roadway maintenance is being subsidized by other revenues. This is definitely something to keep in mind for those, like me, who are involved in bicycle advocacy in their own communities.

How Do We Address Poor Cycling Habits?

There are a dizzying number of bicyclists here in Springfield who ride illegally and dangerously. Biking on the sidewalk is the norm, and riding against traffic - in the left lane or the wrong way on a one-way street - is not a rarity. Bicyclists who ride on the streets in the correct lane often don't yield at stop signs and almost never obey stop lights. Though it should be noted that in Missouri bicyclists are legally allowed to run a red light when the light fails to change for a bicycle and it is safe to cross.

But are these sidewalk bicyclists and cycling salmon even aware of what is safe, appropriate, and legal? In many cases, I'd say no. Many of these people likely haven't been on a bicycle since they were children, when they were urged to stay out of traffic and to ride on the sidewalk by concerned parents. Then they become adults and decide to try out cycling again. They swing a leg over a cheap bike, get out on the sidewalk to ride, and largely see other bicyclists not obeying traffic laws. This only affirms continued incorrect and unsafe behavior.

So how do we address this type of behavior? Certainly formal classes are an option. Ginger and I signed up for a Safe City Cycling class in Columbia, MO years ago, but didn't come back after the first night because of how boring the class was and how much time it took up (if I remember correctly, the class included three sessions that were three hours each). Does a 19 year old college student who is taking classes full-time and working 30 hours a week really have time to take a class like this? Doubtful. What about a working parent who is putting in 16-hour days at work and caring for kids? I don't think so. Or a teen whose parents are practically absent (or actually absent), and who is struggling to stay enrolled in school and is sometimes sleeping on the streets? Definitely not. This is a great option for fledgling bike commuters who are sufficiently motivated and have the time, but for everyone else, it's not a feasible option.

An alternative that would cast a wider net would be marketing campaigns, media, and/or public service announcements. I was lucky enough to be involved with one such campaign several years ago, when Ginger and I were working closely with the Healthy Living Alliance. We made a video that covered the key rules for the road for bicyclists, which was then circulated broadly on social media and television. These methods are limited, as it's hard to convey much information in these types of short sound bites, but it's a good way to get a quick message or two out to a broad audience.

Boots on the ground campaigns are probably the most impactful. When we lived in Columbia, MO, the police launched a program in which they would stop bicyclists who were riding after dark without lights, explain the city ordinance on bicycle light and reflector requirements, then give the bicyclist free front and rear bike lights. Not a bad idea. I've also often considered making a "No Bicycles on Sidewalk" stencil and painting it on sidewalks throughout downtown as a constant reminder for sidewalk cyclists. After all, if I'm rolling over that sign with onlookers glancing from the stencil to me openly ignoring it, I'm going to feel pretty sheepish.

In reality, educating cyclists on appropriate, safe, and lawful bicycle use likely requires a combination of all of the above, plus other methods I haven't thought of. Unfortunately, the police in Springfield don't seem to have much of an interest in bicyclists who are riding incorrectly and illegally. What's more, the Healthy Living Alliance no longer operates as the functional entity that it was when we first moved to Springfield, and most of the other bicycling and transportation organizations in the area largely ignore downtown and Springfield's central core, which is where inexperienced bicyclists seem to be most highly concentrated. As of right now, the best I can do is keep riding legally and appropriately and act as an example to others. So that's what I'll do.

The Road Warrior Ramble

Got to go on today's Mother's ride with @mirda_inc. So glad I went. Kudos to ride organizers and the random photobomber.

Just when I thought our favorite brewery couldn't get any better, it went and started hosting some Sunday rides. Weekends are pretty busy for us, and I'm coming off a particularly busy season at the office so really all I want to do on my days off are laundry, grocery shopping and be with our kids.

Apparently I've done that every weekend for months because Cody conspired with Miranda, his sister, to get me out of the house "because I never do anything."

I'm so glad I went. I met up with Miranda at the brewery with just enough time to have a beer (a super nice guy put the first $100 on his tab so we got a couple for free!) and hit the road. We opted for the 10-miler since she was recovering from a couple of longer rides and I haven't been on my bike in forever. It was a beautiful day, a friendly crowd, a leisurely pace and an all-around excellent experience. I'll do it again, no arm twisting necessary.

The Bikes We Meet

We see cool bikes around town every once in a while. I had the presence of mind to snap a quick picture of this Panasonic Touring Deluxe that I spotted chained up to the racks at Walnut and Jefferson. Later in the afternoon, I happened to walk past this bike again with my son. Even from across the street, he noticed this machine (he asked if it was mine; I told him "I wish."). I've developed a fondness for these old touring rigs, and the Panasonics are among my favorites. I have no particular reason for this affinity...they're just so cool. These bikes can still be sold for decent prices if they're in good shape. This particular specimen is probably an early-to-mid 80s model, and I'd guess it could fetch $300 or more on the open market. I also wanted to check out what other restorers were doing with these bikes and came across this very fine resto-mod at N+1 Cycle. And while it's not the same model, this Pro Touring resto-mod is also very handsome.

In other cool-bikes-around-town news, props to my employer, Mercy, for these badass emergency services bikes that Ginger spotted at Rock n' Ribs on Friday. It's hard to tell in the picture above, but these rigs have front-facing emergency lights. If I had to guess, I'd say they may also have rear-facing lights as well. The Star of Life on the forks is also a nice touch.

Spring is Here and so is C4B

Spring is here and, for me, that means two things: 1) tune-ups and 2) Cruisin' for a Brewsin. With regard to C4B, the March installment - the first of the year - was rainy and cold, but predictably awesome. The ride included Mother's tasting room and J.O.B., which were both a blast. And of course the usual kick-off and finale at Dugout. My buddy KC came along on his trike and passed out Park tire levers to all the other riders. Just talked to a couple people who've already used theirs.

As fun as last month's C4B was, this month's is looking to be even better. The April ride is scheduled for this coming Thursday and is slated to include stops at Lindberg's, University Plaza hotel, and as always, the Dugout. Lindberg's is one of my favorite regular stops on C4B nights. I'm also looking forward to seeing what happens when a bunch of bike geeks with skid lids crash the U.P. Anyways, be at the Dugout at 6:30 on Thursday for a good time.

Are Bicycles the New Motorcycles?

Throughout history, bicycling has had a radical, scofflaw sub-culture. In the early years of the modern safety bicycle, machines were expensive and their use was primarily limited to the affluent. But over time, things changed. Bicycles became less expensive and were eventually available to the working class. When the bicycle was made available to the masses, a culture of scorchers and drags were born. It was this class of crazed speed addicts that gave rise to the adrenaline-fueled, danger-seeking sub-culture that would continue throughout the history of bicycling.

The 1970s saw the birth of klunkers and early mountain bikers. BMX was all the rage in the 80s. Bike messengers ruled the 1980s and early 90s. And let's not forget about the fixed gear resurgence of the last decade. For over a century, the bicycle scene has had an undercurrent whose members were considered frightening lunatics to the more genteel members of society.

When you compare the history of bicycle culture to that of motorcycle culture, the two paths are surprisingly similar. Motorcycling has also had a sub-culture of lawlessness and rebellion. Rockers and tons, motorcycle clubs, and modern street bike racing are not so different from early scorchers, bicycle clubs, and alleycats. And like bicyclists, motorcyclists have been consistently pushed into the margins of society.

At the most basic level, both bicycles and motorcycles are modes of transportation that provide their riders with feelings of freedom and independence. And both have a rich past that is closely tied to counterculture. As a bike commuter and general bicycle geek, I tend to feel a certain camaraderie with motorcyclists. We face many of the same dangers and harassment out on the road. But more and more often I see motorcyclists joining the ranks of those who find it entertaining to harass and maliciously endanger bicyclists. It seems almost ironic, given that motorcyclists have historically been subjected to the same types of persecution by motorists.

Is this really all that surprising, though? The average motorcycle rider in the U.S. has an average age of nearly 50 and, here in southwest Missouri, is almost invariably a white male. Add to this demographic a prevailing culture of machismo and - at times - violence, and the resulting population doesn't exactly have a track record of tolerance and courtesy.

I have no intention of generalizing here. I've certainly gotten plenty of respect - both on and off the bike - from motorcycle riders. But it's so easy for a handful of experiences with rude people to ruin the reputation of the entire group. Preying on more vulnerable road users is certainly grounds for tainting the well. For someone who's on a bicycle everyday, that makes it easy to put motorcycles in the same category as cars: larger vehicles to be regarded with caution and fear, whose operators can be malicious and dangerous. This is completely antithetical to the freewheeling counterculture that has traditionally been associated with motorcycling. On the other hand, bicycling continues to represent the very thesis of counterculture: freedom, individuality, environmentalism, and minimalism. I'm not arguing that the bicycle is some type of modern-day freak flag, but I am certainly arguing that bikes are cool. They always have been. They always will be.

Fun With the Guys From Queen City Cycles

Queen City Cycles - my LBS - was celebrating their 10th birthday party on Sunday with a leisurely ride around town followed by a private party at Mother's. I was pretty excited about celebrating with the awesome guys from QCC, so the boy and I loaded up and braved the cool drizzly morning to go join the ride. We were running a few minutes late, but I figured they'd be running behind with the nasty weather. But then I flatted on my way across downtown. The little dude was a big helper getting the flat changed, but it still took around 20 minutes. Totally missed the start of the ride, and had no idea where they were going.

With the ride no longer an option, we decided to pop into the Bistro Market for some ice cream (for the boy) and a beer (for me). Then we went over to Mother's to join the party. The beer was excellent, of course. But they had Maria's cater lunch, which was also excellent. And the guys from QCC had some awesome swag, so I loaded up before we headed home.

Also, I'm not much of a fixed gear kind of guy, but there were a couple pretty sweet rigs locked up next to mine outside the Bistro Market. I snapped some pictures before moving on. Not too bad, eh?

You Don't Need Fancy Equipment

Via Cycle Love, a trio of dudes are riding from London to Paris on bikeshare bicycles. Is this a bit silly? Yes, I think so. Is it pretty much pointless? Definitely. But I must say, I really liked this particular line:

"A reminder that you don’t need fancy equipment or clothing to enjoy the simple pleasure of riding a bike."

This is a point that Ginger and I proselytize regularly. We agree.

Stay Informed. Stay Safe. Ride Your Bike.

What a fantastic article from Carl Alviani on Medium earlier this month. To say that all bicyclists should read this piece would be an understatement. In truth, everyone should read it; especially after the idiocy involved in the whole Santa Paula / Laura Weintraub situation out in California this weekend. The article says more about the realities of urban cycling than any other article I've read to-date, and is valuable information for anyone who uses the road with any form of transportation...ever.

In other news, the image above shows the bike rack that I normally use at Mercy Springfield. It's usually mostly empty. During Bike To Work Week it was a bit more heavily used, but it was definitely not as full as it was last week. I had to lock my bike up at the very end because there was hardly enough room for it. This is great news. Good work, coworkers!

Cyclists Are People Too

This picture was taken on the Jordan Creek Greenway. The graffiti is on the backside of the STD Central flea market across the bridge from Jordan Valley Park. I'm not sure what the thing painted in blue on the brick is supposed to be. Happy Anarchy Kitty, perhaps?

Cyclists are people too. It's a simple phrase, but it's packed with meaning. I'm thinking it needs to be disseminated widely - preferably in the same style as on the wall of STD Central. I'm talking same color, same font, everything. Maybe we can have it printed on t-shirts? Messenger bags? Street signs? Billboards? That's it. Definitely billboards.

We cruised, we brewsed

We finally had a nice, hot summer night for a Cruisin' for a Brewsin. Cody is less than thrilled about the weather, but I couldn't be happier. Bonus: Cody's parents joined us for this ride, making it 100% more fun.

Anyway, we did Dugout>Lindbergs>Mudlounge and then had to get home to relieve the sitter before we could get back to Dugout. A predictably great time. Made some new friends. Had some delicious adult beverages. It was a truly beautiful evening with some absolutely lovely people, and I can't wait to go again next month.

Bambino's For Bikes!

"Cyclists of Springfield Unite! (and eat pasta, and drink beer)" is the tagline for Bambino's For Bikes, a fundraiser for the Ozark Greenways. On the evening of June 18th, Bambino's on Delmar will be giving 20% of all proceeds to the Greenways. If you want to help make a difference in our community by drinking beer and munching on some toasted ravioli, be at Bambino's on Wednesday evening between 4:00 and 10:00.

My first Cruisin' for a Brewsin

Finally! I got to go on the Cruisin' for a Brewsin', and it was even more fun than advertised.

I hadn't been able to go until now because I either worked on the evening of the third Thursday of the month, or we hadn't booked a sitter in time. At last, though, the stars aligned, and I got to see what everyone was talking about.

To say it was fun would be the biggest understatement in town. It's a friendly crew; I knew a bunch of the people who went, but met a few new people as well. Everyone was really nice, and riding in a group in town is always weirdly empowering.

We started out at the Dugout, then took a few laps around the square before heading over to Ebbet's Field, and then popping in to Skinny Slim's for an unscheduled visit before heading into Patton Alley. Cody and I peeled off at that point and headed home, but everyone else went back to the Dugout to finish the night off.

It was extra awesome, you guys. I'm definitely going again, and you should, too.

Cruisin' For a Brewsin' Is Back, Baby!

Holy shit! Turnout for the Cruisin' for a Brewsin' Bike Pub Crawl was a little weak by the end of the summer last year, so I had some concerns about whether they'd reboot it for 2014. It's hard to communicate my sheer delight when I got the invitation via Facebook for the kickoff event, which is taking place this coming Thursday, March 20th.

A few notes on the event: 1) The weather is going to be fucking perfect - current forecast calling for a high of 67 with sunny skies. 2) The route is fantastic, and is as follows:

1. Depart Dugout at 6:30pm
2. Lindberg's on C-Street
3. Trolley's on the Square
4. Back to Dugout

Each stop usually lasts about an hour, which means we'll be back at the Dugout and beginning to disperse by around 9:30pm. And I absolutely love it when Lindberg's is on the agenda - the trip between downtown and Commercial Street never disappoints.

I hope to see you all there, because it's guaranteed to be a great time.

Ghost Bike

A few images from last weekend. The bicycle was assembled from parts donated by fellow cyclists. It was carefully assembled and painted on Saturday, then placed on-site late Saturday night. Zac Gibson's name is written across the top tube.

A Death in Springfield

In Springfield last weekend a young man was killed on his bicycle when he was stuck by a car. I don't have much to say about this. It's a terrible tragedy, and I can't even begin to imagine the pain that his loved ones are feeling.

After reading the story linked above, I made the mistake of scrolling down to read the comments. And that's where I found a couple of commenters using the article (in which the victim's name was released, no less) as a sounding board to advocate for bicycles to be on the sidewalks where they belong.

Here's Kelli Jones Hodges, showing her keen intellect and insight on bicycle safety:

Nothing to do with the accident indeed. I particularly enjoyed that this dumbass comment received a 'Like' from some other idiot.

And Kelli was followed a few hours later by Laura Stitt with this gem:

See what Laura does there? She doesn't come right out and blame the victim. Instead she indicates that the motorist's only fault was leaving the scene. That's just disgusting.

I was glad to see other commenters noting that bicycles are much safer on the roadways acting predictably as a part of traffic than they are on the sidewalk. But even so, the above comments are prime examples of some pretty disgraceful shit.

My Ride to the Frisco Highline Trail

Yesterday my most recent post for HLA went live on their blog. In this post, I discussed my ride up to the Frisco Highline trailhead on west Kearney. I wanted to follow up with a couple of thoughts that weren't really pertinent for the purposes of the HLA blog.

As I mentioned in the original post, I left home just before dusk, and much of my 18 mile round trip was in darkness. I used to be a little freaked out when riding at night. But lately, I've realized that I really enjoy it. In the warmer months, the air is cooler and less muggy at night. And in an odd sort of way, I feel safer sharing the roadways with motorists after dark than I do during the day; something about my bright blinking lights seems to grab the attention of motorists in a way that the sight of a bicyclist in the daylight does not. So even though I spent quite a bit of time anxiously making my way down major roadways like Kearney, West Bypass, and Division, it was a great ride and I never felt like I was in any real danger.

This is a bit of a tangent, but I left home for my ride without eating dinner. On my way back into downtown,  my legs were definitely starting to feel the effects of low blood sugar. So I stopped in to Coyote's Sports Cafe for some wings with a side of fries and a big ass margarita. No, it wasn't health food, but it was delicious as hell. And if you haven't tried their twice-fried Cajun wings, you're seriously missing out on something special.

Cruisin' for a Brewsin': September Edition!

I know it's the 11th hour (I meant to post this earlier in the week), but the 4th ever Cruisin' for a Brewsin' bicycle pub crawl is tonight. The plan is to gather and grease the shoot at The Dugout between 6:15 and 6:30, and then hit Billiards, Harbell's, and The Flea before returning to The Dugout. As usual, I expect it will be pretty bitchin', and it looks like the weather will hold out until after the bars close.

Cruisin' for a Brewsin' in August

Last night was the fourth Cruisin' for a Brewsin' bicycle pub crawl. The mild weather brought out a decent crowd - I'd guess there were 25-30 riders altogether, with a special appearance by a group of dudes on pennyfarthings. The evening started out at The Dugout, which I skipped so that I could spend a little extra time with the family. I met up with the pub-crawlers at the second stop, Lindberg's. After a couple beers up on C-street, we headed back into downtown for some fun at Dublin's Pass, and then on to Bugsy Malone's for some drinks and karaoke. The night was scheduled to wrap up back at The Dugout, but I went ahead and split for home after Bugsy's.

The weather couldn't possibly have been better last night, and it was a great crew that turned out. As a bonus, we happened to catch the lighting ceremony for the new history museum's big rooftop sign on the square on our way to Bugsy's. Since the trip between Dublin's and Bugsy's was short, we took a few hot laps around the square, with the lighting ceremony attendees gawking at us.