Mayor Ballard Bike Safety PSA

Sustain Indy recently released a bike safety PSA featuring Mayor Ballard over at their site. It doesn't have any embed code unfortunately, but you can view it here. It's very "PSA'ish" quality, but it's nice to see how much the Mayor is getting behind cycling in Indy. Between this video, his unveiling of the BikeWays plan, and the Mayor's Bike Ride, I'm starting to feel a little warm and fuzzy inside.

There's actually a good bit of activity going on over at Sustain Indy's site. It's great to see some updates on their site, especially in the BikeWays sections. I was starting to feel like there was some foot-dragging going on, but it looks like things are getting moving.

Ben and I both think that there should be a link on the site that would allow individuals and organizations to donate directly to the BikeWays fund. I've been meaning to call them to see if something like this is in the works, but I've not been able to get around to it due to a hectic life. I'll try to get that done soon and let everyone know what I hear.

On your mark, get set...rain!

My girlfriend Cheryl and I as well as 500+ citizens of Indianapolis ventured out on a dreary Saturday to take a ride with Mayor Ballard and his team of tactical bike cops! It wasn't the best day for a ride, but this being such a unique event for the city there wasn't a chance that we would miss this.

As soon as the PA announcer signaled the start of the ride it obviously started to rain. There wasn't a mass exodus nor did Mayor Ballard bail to get into the comfort of his SUV escort. We rode on... for 10 miles into the steadily increasing rain. It wasn't miserable.. hell, I think the rain lifted the spirits of some the cyclists. (maybe it was just me) it was also pretty entertaining to see Mayor Ballard with mudbutt all the way up to his neck. (In all seriousness, Mayor Ballard, MASSIVE respect for sticking this one out.)

The near East Side of Indianapolis was definitely entertained by the cyclists as well. People were on their porches and sidewalks cheering, mocking and generally in awe of the amount of cyclist that had taken over their streets... On the other hand, I don't think the motorist were very happy about the situation. This ride had basically taken shape into a city/corporate sponsored Critical Mass. There were police escorts at every intersection ensuring that cyclists got through and blocked traffic quite a bit on North/South corridors. Michigan & New York Streets were almost completely Bike Avenue for a few hours that day!

In congruence with Indiana Weather Laws, as soon as we rolled back up to the Veteran's Memorial Plaza to conclude the ride the rain stopped and the clouds even let the sun peak through. We weathered the storm and the bicycle gods were smiling on us.. you know, if you're glass half full type.

Official Indy.Gov Recap

Bike To Work Day keeping us busy!

It's going to be a busy day here at Indy Cog with Bike-to-Work Day posts, so I hope you guys don't mind your RSS feeds blowing up. First off, we'll get you started with a press release from the Mayor's office and a great photogallery of today's festivities at the circle by Joshua Clement.

Also, we reached a record for page hits yesterday at 1350 hits, and it looks like today is shaping up to even demolish that one. Ben and I got a lot of kind words and support today at the Circle for and about Indy Cog, and I just wanted to say thanks to all of you for reading and coming back day after day. It means a lot to us as people as well as cyclists to see so much love and support for what we're trying to do here.

Without further ado, some words from the Mayor's office:

INDIANAPOLIS -- Mayor Greg Ballard was joined today by Mike Terry, President and CEO of IndyGo, Nancy Tibbett, Executive Director of Bicycle Indiana, and Joshua Gonzales, with INShape Indiana, to welcome the hundreds of cyclists who participated in the Sixth Annual Bike to Work Day in Indianapolis.

“There is no question that more bicycle traffic on Indy streets means healthier people, cleaner air and less congestion,” said Mayor Ballard. “It is a great opportunity to showcase the steps the City has taken to make Indianapolis a more bicycle-friendly, pedestrian-friendly and a more sustainable city overall. We are committed to continuing these improvements throughout Indianapolis” Bike to Work Day has seen a significant increase in participation over the past few years, with over 500 residents cycling to work on this day last year. The largest group that traveled together to work today was 100 cyclists who traveled to downtown Indianapolis from Carmel, Ind.

The month of May marks National Bicycle Month and Mayor Ballard will follow up today’s event on Saturday with the inaugural Mayor’s Bike Ride. The ride, which will start at 1 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park, will showcase both the downtown Cultural Trail and the new bike lanes on Michigan and New York Streets. For more information on the Mayor’s Bike Ride, visit www.sustainindy.org.

Bike to Work Day would not be possible without the support of IndyGo, the Central Indiana Bicycling Association, the Central Indiana Commuter Services, the Central Indiana Community Foundation, and Bicycle Garage of Indy. In addition to the City of Indianapolis, INDOT and INShape Indiana served as partnering government sponsors.

Mayor's Bike Ride Officially NOT Canceled

We heard a rumor through our comments section that the Mayor's Bike Ride had been canceled due to inclement weather forecasts, so I got an email out for more information before I posted anything.

I just received a reply from Kim Irwin over at Health By Design who confirmed that the Mayor's Bike Ride is still a go, and they wouldn't actually make a decision to cancel probably until that morning.

So, no worries. As of right now, you can still plan on seeing Ballard out on his bike braving the bike lanes on Saturday. Please let anyone who might have heard the rumor of its being canceled know that they should still show up Saturday.

If you haven't yet registered for the ride, you should go here and sign up. It'd be great to see a huge mass of cyclists show up in support of the Mayor's.. um.. support for cyclists.

Saturday, May 16th - Mayor's Bike Ride

The Marion County Health Department, the City of Indianapolis, and Health by Design invite you to join the Mayor's Bike Ride!

Led by Mayor Greg Ballard, this inaugural bike ride is along the new bike lanes on Michigan and New York Streets. Bring the whole family to participate in either the 10 mile or 3 mile bike routes. More bicycle traffic on Indy streets creates healthier people, cleaner air and less congestion.

Saturday, May 16, 2009
1- 3 p.m. registration at NOON
Veterans Memorial Plaza
(Michigan St. just north of the Indiana War Memorial)

Register Online

A Little More about the Cultural Trail

From the Indy Star:

A groundbreaking took place last week on the second of seven phases of what will eventually be a $55 million Cultural Trail that city leaders hope will become a unique tourist attraction.

Brian Payne, president of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and the trail's founder, said fundraising for the trail has reached $42 million.

The one-mile Northeast Corridor section will run from the end of the Monon Trail at 10th Street along Massachusetts Avenue to Walnut and North streets. It will connect to the first completed section of the trail on Alabama Street and should be done by summer.

Elizabeth Garber, owner of a chocolate shop on Massachusetts Avenue, said she is excited that the trail could bring thousands of people into the area. She created a "cultural trail mix" that contributes $1 per bag sold to the project.

Payne said a third trail section, along North and Walnut streets from Massachusetts to the Downtown Canal, will be announced in about six weeks.

The Arts Council of Indianapolis also revealed plans for three public art projects along the trail. The projects feature solar-powered sculptures, an alley beautified with lighting and scent, and a crossing signal that changes from "Care" to "Don't Care."

"The Cultural Trail is a tremendous asset that can transform Downtown," Ballard said. "When we get this all connected, people are going to say, 'Wow.' "

Read the full story here, and then go buy some chocolate!

WTHR: Mayor Ballard shares vision for city bike lanes

Marion County - Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard said he wants to see all parts of the city eventually connected by bike lanes. He said he wants to see cycling to work and elsewhere become "more mainstream."

The mayor shared comments during a news conference Friday morning at Michigan and Meridian in front of downtown's first continuous bike lane.

This week the city finished striping new lanes along Michigan and New York Streets. The lanes each run five and a half miles.

"More bicycle traffic on Indy streets means healthier people, cleaner air and less congestion," Ballard said.

Full Article

Register for the Mayor's Bike Ride