NUVO Year in Review

Monday morning, I got a call from Jim at NUVO asking me if I could crank out a few hundred words about cycling in Indy over the past year. It just dropped today!

Over beers the other night, a good friend exclaimed, “2009 has been a great year for bikes. Even the press has started pay attention to cycling.” To which I replied, “I’m not so sure the press wasn’t paying attention before — just that Indy has actually made cycling press-worthy this past year.”

We then sat, like two old men rehashing youthful days, discussing some of the highlights that made cycling a buzz word in 2009:

Full story here.

I had to cram tons of info into about 400 words, and I apologize if I missed anyone in my highlights of the year--namely Pedal and Park had an awesome year, not to mention the awesome efforts of the Tour de Cure, Pedal for Peace, and all the other awesome cycling related charity rides this past year. So much happened regarding cycling in Indianapolis!

I want to personally say thanks to everyone out there making cycling something news-worthy to Indy, and to NUVO for giving me the opportunity to write for them, and that's to say nothing of the awesome work Daniel Lee has been doing at the IndyStar to promote cycling in the local media in 2009. Here's to 2010!

Joe Cox voted as one of the Top 50 Most Influential people in Indy

Even though Metromix is a cluster**** of conglomerate media, I can't fault them for including Joe Cox of Joe's Cycles as one of the 50 most influential people in Indianapolis.

Since opening Joe’s Cycles two years ago, Joe Cox has helped make Fountain Square one of Indy’s main cycling hubs. At any given moment, riders (many on fixed-gear bikes) roll down Virginia Avenue from Downtown, stopping in for a cup of coffee, an accessory or a tune-up. “A few years ago, when people thought of Fountain Square, they thought of the Murphy Art Center or the Fountain Square Theatre,” he said. “Now cyclists and a lot of other people are associating it with a bike.”

Follow the link above to read more and see a sweet picture of Joe. Congrats, Joe!

INDYSTAR: Monon Trail Section Closing

Northsiders Beware!

Carmel -- Many Central Indiana runners and bikers might have to find an alternative exercise venue for several months when a section of a popular pathway temporarily closes to the public.

A section of the Monon Trail, just north of 96th Street to I-465, will be mostly closed to pedestrian traffic until March while a highway overpass is reconstructed, according to a news release from Indiana Department of Transportation spokeswoman Ashley Hungate. The rest of the Monon Trail and Greenway shouldn't be affected.

The trail will be open during the holiday weekends of Thursday through Sunday and Dec. 31 to Jan. 3.

Hungate said the trail likely would be open for use on Sundays through March, but that could change depending on the construction schedule.

Original Article

What's your swag?

Well, Christmas is over, presents are opened and day-after-christmas sales are mostly over. aA anyone who loves bikes knows, this is the time of year you can get some pretty sweet bike swag from people who know your obsessives, and if you're a regular here at INDYCOG, chances are you're obsessed with bikes on some level.

So, what'd you get? I didn't actually get much for riding this year--just a thermal base layer and some cash that could become bike gear, but will actually probably go toward college debt. Woot.

Tell us some of your favorite gifts this year in the comments!

INDYCOG wants to know..

Where do you want to see future bike lanes?

Sure there is a plan in place, but to our knowledge, this plan is not set in stone. We want to know where our readers think bike lanes should exist in the fine city of Indianapolis.

So let's hear it.. or read it? Weigh in with your thoughts through the handy comment section below... Believe it or not, your input could actually put paint on the pavement, so don't be shy.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

It's cold, but it's been colder.

Winter commuters rejoice! We successfully got through the darkest day of the year, and even though it'll be another month or so before the thermometers bottom out for the winter, it sure seems that it's all downhill from here. From here, the days grow longer--mornings brighter and evening shadows shorter on the homeward bound.

So, how is everyone holding up? What are your breaking points? For me, it doesn't matter the temp, so long as it's dry. Snow is okay and even welcome in my book. Commuting in snow actually might be a favorite winter past time, but give me wintry mixes or 35 degree rain, and I turn to slush and my Toyota.

INDYSTAR: B&O trail group buys 16 miles of former line

Some Rails-to-Trails news from the STAR.

Brownsburg -- A group of trail enthusiasts announced last week that 16 miles of the abandoned B&O rail corridor has been purchased from CSX in Hendricks County.

The announcement was a major milestone for the B&O Trail Association, which has worked for two decades to provide a rail trail to residents.
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A federal Transportation Enhancement Funds grant paid for 80 percent of the purchase, and an Indiana Heritage Trust grant covered the rest, said Diana Virgil, president of the association.

More than 19 miles of abandoned CSX corridor runs through Hendricks County from south of Clermont to North Salem. The association already owned more than a mile of the corridor before last week's purchase.

Construction on three miles in the east section of the county will begin in 2010 with an asphalt walking and biking trail and a separate equestrian trail, Virgil said.

Her group is in the middle of a $50,000 campaign to pay for design work for the trail. More information may be found online at www.botrail.org.

Full Article Here

Cultural Trail Gifts Exceed $1 Million in 2009

From indyculturaltrail.info:

December 15, 2009 -- Despite a tough economy, generous individuals, foundations and corporations have donated more than $1 million this year to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick. To date, $43 million of the $55 million budget has been raised by both private and public funding for the eight-mile trail connecting downtown cultural districts and greenway trails. This does not include local tax-payer funding; $15 million in federal transportation grants were secured that must be used specifically for such alternative transportation enhancements.

The following individuals, foundations and businesses made new gifts or pledges of $1,000 or more this year:

Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation $250,000
Christel DeHaan Family Foundation $250,000
Anonymous $100,000
Citizens Energy Group $100,000
Indiana Pacers $100,000
W.C. Griffith Foundation $85,000
Rollie and Cheri Dick $50,000
Larry and Lee Glasscock $30,000
Anonymous $25,000
Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation, Inc. $25,000
United Water Green Infrastructure Grant $20,000
Charles and Peggy Sutphin $10,000
Hulman and Company Foundation $10,000
The Clowes Fund $5,000
Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival (The Longest Dinner) $2,500
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Blanton $1,000
Mark Zwoyer and Peggy McDonald $1,000

"We are very grateful to everyone who continues to support this project," said Cultural Trail founder and president of Central Indiana Community Foundation, Brian Payne. "It has been a tough year for everyone. This tremendous support in such a difficult year tells us that even in down times, investing in our city's future remains an important priority in this community."

There is still a $12 million gap to complete the Cultural Trail in time for the Super Bowl in February 2012 in Indianapolis. Make a gift or learn more about how to support the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.

INDYSTAR: Velocabs in Bloomington?

I'm a fan, wish we could see these in Downtown or Broad Ripple, but from what I've heard it's been attempted but some obscure law stifled it from flourishing.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Bicycle-powered cabs similar to rickshaws could soon be legal on Bloomington streets, with some seeing them as a possible downtown attraction.

A city councilman has introduced an ordinance regulating the velocabs, setting rules on the type of equipment used, insurance and licensing.

Talisha Coppock, executive director of Downtown Bloomington Inc., said she looked forward to seeing the cabs.

"Any time you can add an attraction and an amenity to an area is going to be helpful," Coppock said. "I think it's very interesting and fun and adds one more element to making it an exciting and interesting area."

City Councilman Michael Satterfield told other council members the velocabs were an environmentally friendly form of transportation and that the ordinance provides regulations to ensure safe operation.

Chris Waggoner, the owner of Fresh Air Taxi, who first proposed starting the velocab service for Bloomington and the Indiana University campus last year, said he was happy with the proposed ordinance.

"I guess the biggest positive thing is now it's sort of been hanging over my head for the entire 20 months (the issue's been debated) that they might come up with a really discriminatory law," Waggoner said.

Original Article

Southwestway Park trail grand opening cancelled

From Paula Freund just now:

MEDIA BLAST: Grand Opening of Southwestway Park Mountain Bike Trail CANCELED Due to Inclement Weather Forecast

Good morning all,

Due to inclement weather forecast for this weekend, the grand opening of the new 1.2-mile soft loop mountain bike trail at Southwestway Park is canceled. The celebration of Indy Parks’ newest trail system will be rescheduled to a date in Spring 2010.

Thank you,
Paula

I got word from one of the trailbuilders, too--the trail is open and rideable; it's just the grand hooplah that has been postponed. So feel free to head out anytime and enjoy the new dirt!

Cardinal carbon touring frame--not even joking.

Over on the RadSkids blog, Shawn is doing something of an unveiling of the new Cardinal carbon touring frame from Joe's Cycles, and it's a freaking beauty:



I mean, just look at that thing. Even mostly built up and loaded with fenders, Shawn says it weighs in at 15 pounds. Anna, think you can comment about how carbon might feel loaded down with touring gear, as opposed to the standard steel touring frame?

New Year's First Fridays Bike Polo Event

A team is supposed to come up from Bloomington to get in on this as well. I'm excited about the things I've heard for the upcoming polo "season" in 2010. It seems like Keith and the Naptown Hardcore Bike Polo crew are going to be doing more with the Bloomington polo players and heading to some regional tournaments. If you want to be a part of it, you should get in on it. They're a welcoming crowd and always looking for more players. Great dudes and -ettes, the lot of 'em.

Southwestway Park MTB trail grand opening this Saturday!

We blogged this last week, but here's the official press release just released today from Paula Freund at IndyParks:

JET TO SOUTHWESTWAY PARK FOR THE GRAND OPENING OF NEW MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL
City’s Newest Trail System Built on Contour Using Sustainable Grades, Features 9 Unique Bridges

INDIANAPOLIS – (Dec. 16, 2009) Bring your mountain bike and helmet and join Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, Indy Parks & Recreation and the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association at the grand opening of the new 1.2-mile soft loop mountain bike trail at Southwestway Park this weekend!

The grand opening will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009, at Southwestway Park, 8400 Mann Road. The trail is unique in its sustainability: It is the first soft-surface trail in the City of Indianapolis that has been built on contour using sustainable grades to achieve both a fantastic user experience and longevity by working with the environment. The trail is the second mountain bike trail in the City of Indianapolis parks system; Town Run Trail Park on the City’s Northside opened in 2000.

The Hoosier Mountain Bike Association worked with Indy Parks planning staff to design the trail. Thanks to them and the many volunteers who spent many hours to build the trail, the loop is now open for use during regular park hours from dawn to dusk. The trail features nine wooden bridges made of materials provided by the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association and area businesses including Gray Goat Sports, Bicycle Garage Indy and DINOseries. See you at Southwestway Park on Dec. 19!

WHAT: Grand Opening of Southwestway Park Loop Trail
WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009
WHERE: Southwestway Park, 8400 Mann Road
COST: Free and open to the public

Bike Indy. Swim Indy. Run Indy.
PLAY INDY!

New Cycling Policies in Effect!

Just got word from Andy Lutz at DPW that the new cycling laws we posted about last week have gone into effect!

I put together a quick PDF documenting the specifics, please enjoy!

Why We Ride: Jamison Hutchins

Name: Jamison Hutchins

Age: 26

Bike: Surly LHT

Local shop: Bike Line

Why: Its fun.
That should be first and foremost. I love being out among the people, not secluded in a little box on wheels. I get everywhere faster in the city. I care about the environment. I always get the best parking spot...and its free. Talking to people at stoplights. I can always have one extra pint before I head home. I fill my gas tank about once every month and a half. Keeps me from moving to the suburbs.

Indy: Potential

Submit your Why We Ride!

Great new policy on Mayor Ballard's desk

I received a couple of awesome emails this morning from Andy Lutz at the DPW--the City Council has passed some ordinances regarding bike parking, bike lanes, and even included a 3-foot passing provision! It is currently heading to Mayor Ballard hopefully to be signed into official policy.

Some highlights:

* "The driver or operator of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle must pass the bicycle at a safe distance of not less than three (3) feet between the vehicle and the bicycle."

* The bill prohibits cars from parking or standing in a bike lane, and even calls for "immediate removal" of the vehicle. Not even a parking ticket--the offending vehicle just gets straight towed.

* The bill clarifies usage of bike lanes, strictly for bikes, "unless signage specifies joint use with pedestrians." Also, that vehicles are only permitted to drive in a bike lane "for the limited purpose of making a turn, entering or leaving an alley, private road, or driveway," and in doing so, must yield right-of-way to cyclists.

* As for bike parking, it basically says cyclists can't obstruct vehicle or pedestrian traffic or obstruct access to parking meters, newsracks, or building entrances; cyclists lock up to fire hydrants or police/fire call boxes or private property without consent of the owner. Also, bikes left on public property or rights-of-way over 72 hours are considered abandoned.

As I said, these are going to Mayor Ballard's desk. The City Council has already done their part, which is awesome and commendable. If I were you, I'd hop over to Mayor Ballard's website and voice support for these new policies. Just fill out the form choosing "Bike Lanes" in the Select a Topic field, and say, "Hello Mayor Ballard, I hope you show your support for the new policies drafted by the City Council in respect to cyclists and the city's new bike lanes. These would be great strides for the city in recognizing the rights of cyclists on the roadways!" or something to that effect.

Thanks to Andy Lutz and the members of the City Council. Hopefully Mayor Ballard approves their efforts of making Indy a more bike-friendly city!

Major Taylor rides in the Daily Peloton today

Good, informative bio of Major Taylor in Daily Peloton today:

Marshall `Major` Taylor was the World One-Mile Champion in 1899, and a rider so dominant on the track that he not only set numerous world records, but often did so by lapping the entire field. He was a rider renowned for his speed, power, and tactical intelligence, yet the most remarkable thing about Marshall Taylor was that he achieved all that he did whilst struggling against social and institutional discrimination - for Mr. Marshall Taylor was a black man in a white man's sport.

Taylor was born in small-town Indiana on the 26th of November, 1878, and began cycling from an early age, after he was given an old bicycle by a family friend. By the age of 13, the young boy was working as an entertainer, doing tricks on the bicycle outside of a cycle shop in Indianapolis. Whilst performing, bringing in curious passers-by, he wore an old army uniform – hence the nickname Major.

Full story here.

Why We Ride: Andrew Korty

Name: Andrew Korty

Age: 35

Bike: >10-year-old Schwinn mountain bike

Local shop: Bicycle Hospital

Why: I commute by bike to avoid owning more than one car, for fitness, and for enjoyment. We'll see how long I last through the winter, but so far it's great.

If you see Andrew out and about with his daughter, give him a high five for being awesome!

Submit your Why We Ride!

Good morning and good winter, everyone!

I keep hearing everyone in the office talking about how horrible their drives to work were this morning, how slick the roads and annoying the other drivers. For me, other than a couple of slippery turns, I was whistling and singing, "White Christmas," on the way in today. People think I'm crazy for riding in the snow, people ask where I live, if I'd like a ride to work.

But, I'm the one with the dumb grin on my face on a Monday morning. I'm the one who got to stop at the Monon Bridge over the White River and just gaze at the world for 5 minutes before continuing on to work, for no other reason that it was stunning in its serenity.

So, who all rode today despite the snow? What was it like for you? I'll admit, I'm probably spoiled as a good 90% of my commute is on the Monon, but I'd love to hear some other reactions.

Safe Routes to School grants flow into Indiana

From IBJ, looks like a handful of Indy schools are getting some funds to do the good work:

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana students will soon find it safer to walk or bike to 51 schools thanks to $3.35 million in federal awards the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announced today. Safe Routes to School funds awarded to cities, towns and schools increased nearly 20 percent, allowing a larger proportion of applications to be approved this year.

“INDOT is responding to growing childhood health and safety concerns with increasing investments promoting walking and bicycling among Indiana’s youngest commuters,” said INDOT Commissioner Michael W. Reed.

Safe Routes to School aims to influence a new generation of healthy, sustainable travel behavior. The federally funded program recognizes traffic congestion, fuel consumption and air pollution near our schools—coupled with growing health and childhood obesity concerns—makes walking and bicycling to school an attractive and convenient solution. Examples of eligible projects and activities include new sidewalks, motor vehicle speed reduction techniques and bicycle and pedestrian skills training.

$250,000 to the St. Thomas Aquinas School in Indianapolis for sidewalks, medians, flashers, pedestrian countdown signals, bike parking and curb ramps

· $75,000 to The Project School in Indianapolis for a Comprehensive Safe Route plan, encouragement, outreach, education, enforcement, equipment and incentives

· $56,000 to the St. Joan of Arc School in Indianapolis for a Comprehensive Safe Route plan, outreach, education, equipment and incentives

· $75,000 for a Comprehensive Safe Route plan, encouragement, outreach, education, enforcement, equipment and incentives at five schools within the City of Carmel

Full story here.

Indy pro cyclist breaking into crazy awesome French cycling sport

After the hit that was Steve "Tool" Allen a couple weeks ago, Daniel Lee showcased another brand of cyclist this week in the IndyStar:

Guy East tries to do something even Ernest Hemingway couldn't quite accomplish -- describe the high-speed spectacle of Europe's "six-day" bicycle races.

"It's mysterious," said Indianapolis native East, 22, who is a pro cyclist with a budding six-day career. He searches for more words: "It's almost romantic."

Six-days are a different scene, all right. "Sixes," as they're called, feature racing from roughly 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. for six straight nights on indoor velodromes that, at times, take on the feel of a discotheque or circus.

At the Grenoble Six Jours, from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3 in France, East completed his second pro six-day amid a raucous atmosphere. Music pulsated. Beer flowed. Cabaret dancers (topless at times) performed. Cyclists whirled elbow-to-elbow around highly banked tracks at speeds reaching 40 mph.

East, who spent his first pro season with Lance Armstrong's Trek-Livestrong team for riders younger than 23 years old, is a rare American to break into Europe's six-day circuit.

Full story here.

My question: why don't these six-days happen here at MTV? I mean, I get it--weather. But, this sounds freaking amazing.

Speedway getting bike lanes

I'd heard something about this a bit ago, but this is the first I've seen it in print anywhere, and I didn't have the time to confirm it and get something valid written about it. (Imagine that, a media source who actually wants to confirm infomation before going live with it?!)

At any rate, new construction for Speedway is including bike lanes!

Speedway - Development in Speedway is racing right along. It is a transformation to attract more people and more business in two parts of town.

First: In the heart of town near the Motor Speedway, the Main Street revitalization project broke ground a little more than a week ago.

The first phase to be completed by the end of April. The entire Main Street revitalization is scheduled to finish in 18 months, resulting in a more vibrant retail and commercial corridor, with pedestrian and bike paths, dining and gardens.

Full story here.

I can imagine the people at ZIPP, along with Don Walker, are pretty happy about the lanes. I've ridden out to Don's shop a couple of times, and it's not anything that I would describe as enjoyable or nerve-settling. I'm not sure how far the lanes are extending toward downtown, if at all, but hopefully these lanes might offer some incentive to the city to provide connections and protections to cycling on the westside.

Grand opening for new MTB Trail, December 19th

Though the trail had a soft opening on Nov. 21st, HMBA along with Mayor Ballard are having a grand opening of the new Southwestway Park Mountain Bike/Hiking Trail on December 19th. Here's the schedule as it stands:

1 p.m. to 1:20 p.m.: Remarks and Ribbon-cutting
1:20 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Hiking the 1.2 mile loop trail
2 p.m.: Mountain biking on the trail begins

HMBA has been hard at work on this trail, and there's a good buzz about it over on their forums. I'd suggest getting some knobs dirty soon.

Check out the HMBA forum for more info on the trail and the efforts the HMBA have put into opening up this trail.

Or, check out the Facebook group to connect with some of the people already working and riding the trail.