ZIPP to expand operations

ZIPP made an announcement yesterday that they will be expanding operations in Indy and moving from their Speedway location to a space on the northwest side at 54th and Guion. The expansion is slated to open up 105 jobs in the *cough*local!*cough* cycling industry (Huzzah!).

From the Indiana Business Journal:

Zipp Speed Weaponry, a maker of high-end bicycle components, said Wednesday that it will invest $12.4 million in a new manufacturing and customer service center in Indianapolis, creating 105 jobs by 2013.

The company will begin hiring by June, prior to the expected July completion of the 70,000-square-foot plant on Indianapolis’ northwest side near 54th Street and Guion Road. The company will leave its current location at 1180 Main St. in Speedway.

Full story here.

Austin Dickson - Indy via iPhone via Bike

Indy via iPhone via Bike from Austin Dickson on Vimeo.

"One simple take of a quick trip through the park behind school. I ended up using my 2G iPhone and the cycorder app to capture the view from my rear wheel."

Austin is a cyclist attending the Herron School of Art & Design.

Opportunity

In Indianapolis right now we are in an exceptional situation regarding bicycles. This may sound crazy, but hear me out. I just finished reading a great book called Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists are Changing American Cities by Jeffery Mapes. Two ideas that Mapes revisits are the importance of a strong champion who has influence on policy, and having a well-organized and accepted culture within the city. I think that both of these ideas are important very relevant to the situation Indianapolis finds itself in now.

Mayor Ballard has been an integral part of many bicycle-related initiatives in the last year that have been aimed at making Indianapolis a more friendly place for bicycles (see Chris’s NUVO article). So putting any political gripes aside, we have to realize and leverage the opportunity that we have. This has really become a personal point of pride for Mayor Ballard, and we should welcome, encourage, and nurture this.

Last week, I attended the Mayor’s night out and submitted a question about the past, present, and future of bicycling. I just wanted to hear him talk about the issue off the top of his head and let him know that people are interested in biking around Indianapolis. Two things stick with me from his answer:

First, out of all his answers, he dedicated the most time addressing the issue of making Indy a more bike-friendly community. He talked about himself riding in the Little 5, the Mayor’s bike ride, and the idea of incorporating a bike hub into the City Market. I could really tell that there was a personal connection, which is important. Don’t forget that our “government” is made up of real people who have real emotions and interests.

The second thing is that he talked about it; he didn’t pass the question off to one of his representatives who answered the majority of the other questions. The point is that right now Indianapolis has a mayor who embraces the idea of more bikes in the city, and he has proven that he is willing to take steps to make it happen.

So what?

We need to give him the support he needs to do even more. I am not saying that we need to all campaign for him next year. However, he is up for reelection next year, so we need to make sure our interests are represented. We need to have an organized voice that makes it clear to all the candidates that cyclists represent a significant group of people.

I encourage everyone to write, call, or email your elected officials and tell them that you appreciate the progress that has been made, and not to stop. I am tired of reading comments on articles relating to bike lanes in Indianapolis blasting them --saying nobody uses them and are a waste of money. We have some good people in DPW and throughout the city trying to move forward on some exciting things. We need to let them know that we are here to applaud and support progress, but also to criticize stagnation.

We need to start these conversations, so when the opportunity arises, we don't let it pass us by. It's up to us to create that sense of culture here in Indy. I encourage and plead for comments on how we do it.

Find your legislator here: http://www.in.gov/apps/sos/legislator/search/

IBJ: Bicycle Hub at the City Market?

Over at the IBJ Property Lines blog, Cory Schouten posted 6 proposals for reviving the City Market, located downtown at the corner of Market & Alabama.

One proposal includes a bicycle hub:

Columbus, Ohio-based planning firm Kinzelman Kline Gossman proposes replacing the market’s wings with mixed-use “green” buildings and an outdoor performance venue, with a bike hub/shop, a "green” grocer, a microbrewery and wine bar. Kinzelman would tear down both wings. On the west side, it would build a three- to four-story building with a ground-floor retail or food anchor. On the east side, it proposes a public plaza with an 8,000-square-foot bicycle hub facility connected to the Cultural Trail.

Check out the original article to see all of the re-development proposals.

2010: Indianapolis Cultural Trail

This year will be the busiest and most exciting year for the Cultural Trail to date. Here's what you can expect in 2010:

February/March: the three poems and poets chosen for the "Moving Forward" public art bus shelters will be announced.

May: construction will begin on Alabama St. connecting Market St. to Washington St. plus construction on the Capitol Ave. Corridor in conjunction with the new Indiana Convention Center from Washington St. to South St.

May/June: construction will begin on the Southeast Corridor connecting Washington St. and Pennsylvania St. down Virginia Ave. to the fountain. (Photo: Brian Payne leading bike tour in Fountain Square.)

July: North Corridor ribbon-cutting (including a special celebration to unveil the Glick Peace Walk).

September: Northeast Corridor ribbon-cutting, celebrating complete connectivity from the Monon Trail at 10th St. to the Canal and IUPUI and three new public art installations.

Original Newsletter

CAR FREE FRIDAYS!?

Hello INDYCOG readers!

Just a friendly reminder that if you're not on your bike as much this winter that you can still make every Friday or any day for that matter car free.

Obviously the easiest way to do this is to ride your bike or walk to work/school/etc.

However, we are fortunate enough in this city to have another option that could be viable to many city dwellers... IndyGo! Yeah yeah yeah, it's not the most efficient or reliable bus system in the world, but it does work for some. Almost 5 million trips were made in 2008, and I would imagine that 2009 wasn't too far off from that either.

After the New Year, IndyGo released an online trip planner. This basically saves you from deciphering schedules by giving you step by step directions on how/when/where to catch the bus. I was fortunately able to test the trip planner in its BETA and I found it to be very useful. It can be a little clunky at times, but the information it provides is legit.

Personally I use the trip planner combined with www.whereisindygo.com as it offers an iPhone/mobile version that is very handy on the go.

Also, if you're an IUPUI student you can pick up an S-Pass at the Jag Tag Office, which allows you to ride the bus for free until August 31st, 2010. Click here for more information.

If you're looking for another option, don't forget about the Central Indiana Commuter Services. CICS offers information on car/van pools as well as benefits to citizens who bike and take the bus.

What can we do better?

Some of you may know that the comments section of Jamison's welcome post has blown up due to some grammarian concerns, and has segued into some critique of how we're doing here at INDYCOG. Which makes me realize that we often times ask the question of how Indy can be a better city for its cyclists, but haven't pointed the question at ourselves in some time.

So, I want to know what we can do better here. Keep in mind we're just 3 guys volunteering our time, so we might not be able to address all concerns, but we really do want to make this site something of real value to our readers. We've already covered better editing for grammar and such, and woodward gave some great feedback about wanting more photos.

What else is there? Is there any content you'd like to see here that we're overlooking or not posting enough of? Are there any site features you'd like to see incorporated? This is your time to push us, and we thank you for it, but ask that you remain positive and constructive in your requests/critique.

Positive news from D.C.

Today the Obama administration, via Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood, announced that there would be a change in how federal funding for transportation projects would be allotted. He spoke of ideas like the environment, community and economic development, and just livability in general. Whoa. So to an optimist, this means that federal transportation dollars will no longer be dangled in front of the highway lobby, saying "here, tell us how to spend this on mega-projects that look pretty and are cheap." We all know how this ends, more lanes on 465, months of roadwork that results in little to no change, or really anything that is believed to make it easier to get around by car. But when we start talking about what will truly benefit the people in the communities and their quality of life we get oh I don't know...the Cultural Trail and mass transit. Weird.

“Our new policy for selecting major transit projects will work to promote livability rather than hinder it,” said Secretary LaHood. “We want to base our decisions on how much transit helps the environment, how much it improves development opportunities and how it makes our communities better places to live.”

So this is good for humans. And yes, humans on bikes.

We need to plan our cities around people. We need to stop planning for cars, not excluding them...yet, but making sure that people on bikes and feet get at least equal consideration in the process. This is an important idea that needs support, not only on the federal level, but on the state, city, and local levels as well. So talk about...to everyone.

ATTN: CITY OF INDPLS

People still ride their bikes and walk in the winter!

Sure, it's not a lot of people, but they are still citizens who want to use the infrastructure that the city has provided for them.

The Monon Trail has been unusable for days, the bike lanes are invisible with tar from crack sealing, and our sidewalks are covered in snow from plow overflow. Cyclists and pedestrians are at serious risk because somehow motorists find it deep within themselves to drive more like assholes when the weather is at its worst. They seem to become more impatient and care less about their fellow citizens.

While I can't lay the blame all on DPW or Mayor Ballard, it's tough not to call out this so called "Snow Force." Homeowners and businesses are at fault as well, but they get away with not clearing their sidewalks because you won't enforce the existing policy that would fine them.

Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. Section 431-106 (Clearing Snow And Ice From Sidewalks) of the Revised Code of the Consolidated City and County addresses this issue, stating that it is the property owner's responsibility for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalk.

This section does provide time parameters for snow removal; however, it does not address the various types of sidewalks, clear expectations for the clearing of sidewalks, and anticipates there will be times where it will not be practical or reasonable to clean the sidewalks. For example, a property owner may have cleaned a sidewalk, only to have it covered later by snow from a street snowplow. Since the property owner had previously cleared the sidewalk, the ordinance clearly states that the property owner would be in compliance with the ordinance.

Luckily for you, most will forget about this in a few days when all the snow melts away and we are back to "normal," but I won't. I won't forget seeing the countless pedestrians walking in the street and the two Indianapolis pedestrians who lost their lives due to the inclement weather or the cars buzzing me because I was taking up one of the two tire tracks in middle of the street due to street not being plowed.

From the Desk of Jamison Hutchins

First of all sorry that I am what Ben had you holding your breath about on Twitter; you were probably hoping that it was some monumental news about bicycling in Indy. Maybe it was just a clever way of setting the bar high for me, being the new guy and all.

Anyway, I thought I would show myself and perhaps offer a glimpse of how I think Indy can become a great city to pedal in, measured not by the sheer number of bikes on the roads but by the quality of the culture that surrounds the numbers--something that will remain, regardless of who comes and goes. If I have realized one thing since I have been living back in the city it is that people really want to define Indy; they want something to take pride in, and this has been especially evident within the biking community.

There are plenty of cool things going on right now on many different levels, people in high places who recognize that bikes are going to be a big part of the future. It's up to us to help make it happen. So hello! I didn’t want this “introduction” to be about me, but instead about some of the opportunities that I get excited about here in Indy.

More to follow…

Launching of the Indiana Complete Streets Campaign

A number of associations from across the state have joined together to launch the Indiana Complete Streets Campaign today. Here's a quick bit of info from the site, and I figure Jamison can sound off on this with more details a bit later, since he's an inside guy at Health By Design, one of the primary associations pushing this campaign.

What are Complete Streets?

Complete streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users; pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users of all ages and abilities are able to safely move along and across a complete street.

Proposed Indiana Complete Streets Policy

Statewide legislation has been proposed to the current Indiana General Assembly session with the purpose of ensuring that the entire right of way is consistently designed and operated to enable safe access for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users of all ages and abilities. More specifically, the bill requires accommodations for all users (pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users) to be a routine part of the planning, design, development, construction, and operation of any transportation projects, facilities, plans and/or programs that use state and/or federal funds.

Click here for more info, and to see how you can voice support for the campaign and join in on the shenanigans.

Great winter commuting article in recent Urban Velo

For those considering testing your grit in the snow and cold, or even for those already out there doing it, there is a really informative tip-sheet sort of article in the latest Urban Velo:

For many people, the cold temperatures and slippery conditions make winter cycling a daunting proposition. For other people, it’s an exciting opportunity to test their meddle [sic]. And yet some people simply have no choice but to do it. The following tips are primarily aimed at beginners, but may be of use to more seasoned cyclists.

Full article here.

New contributor here at INDYCOG!

Everyone please welcome Jamison Hutchins to the "staff" here at INDYCOG!

We met Jamison at the Bike Advisory Council meetings and were fast pals. His attitude towards cycling and Indy along with his work at Health By Design and his drive to create a positive and thriving cycling community here in Indy made him a perfect match with INDYCOG when we decided to look for another contributor. Over beers last Friday, we talked about 2010, and what we'd love to see in Indy and from INDYCOG in the coming year. We're excited to see what Jamison brings to the table here, and are glad also to have some new energy and perspective here at INDYCOG, to give us that extra push through the cold months to have some awesome things in place for the Indy cycling community come warmer weather when more people will be dusting off their bikes.

Gas prices slated to rise which means so is the number of cyclists!

From the IndyStar recently, it looks like gas prices are expected to raise:

Only a few days into the new year and gasoline prices are headed up again around Indianapolis, probably flirting with $3 a gallon in a few days and potentially rising close to $4 by summer.

Many analysts are blaming the recent rise in the commodities markets, where traders are gushing cash to buy oil futures and sending the price of a barrel of oil to levels not seen in more than 15 months.

Full story here.

Though this means higher energy bills and higher prices at the pump, this also means people will have more incentive to use alternative methods of commuting--public transport or bikes! Though I know it might be hard to gloat and wear "0 mpg" t-shirts (I catch myself doing this sometimes [the gloating, not the 0 mpg shirts, and I want to shake myself), remember to be mindful about encouraging others to ride, and careful not to come off as condescending. Help co-workers and friends learn to ride responsibly, recommend local bike shops, give advice on good routes around town. Between the rising gas prices and Indy's new bike infrastructure, I am optimistic, to say the least.

CIBA 2010 Lecture Series

2010 CIBA.IMCPL Lecture Series starts January 13th at the Marion County Public Library, 7 p.m.. Willie Weir will be sharing more fantastical tales of his adventures on two wheels from his new book Travels with Willie. If you've seen him before, we know you wouldn't want to miss him for almost anything. If you haven't, Willie really fills the room with his energy and enthusiasm, his passion for adventure, and the charm and hospitality of the many people he has met in the course of his journeys. "Lecture" hardly seems the right word. We may want to re-title this series!

For a little more about Willie, click on his website, http://www.willieweir.com. Download a pdf of the entire series here

Original Article

First Friday Polo event last Friday

Looks like the New Years First Friday polo game was a hit. Some cats came up from Bloomington to fill out the teams, and a good time was had by all.



Check out these Bloomington polo blogs for more photos and run-downs of the night!

Polo-Velo-Bloomington

Bloomington Bike Polo