Cycling

Be part of the discussion “Breaking The Bubble: Re-Humanizing Rochester: The Past, Present, and Future of Rochester’s Transportation System”, 5 December, 7:30-8:30 at Brue Coffee downtown. Reconnect Rochester founder Mike Governale and City of Rochester Transportation Specialist Erik Frisch will speak about getting around by bike, light rail, Lyft, Uber, and more. It’s the first in a series of events soon to include presentations from Joshua Dubler and Mayor Lovely Warren. Come on out!

by Harvey Botzman
The League of American Bicyclists continues to cite Rochester for its success as a Bicycle Friendly City. In its most recent Fall, 2016, rankings, Rochester once again achieved a Bronze rating. More than 140 cities applied for this prestigious award this year. More than 404 cities throughout the USA have ranked for their bicycling infrastructure.
Of Rochester’s nearest municipal neighbors, Buffalo is ranked as an Honorable Mention city; Ithaca as a Bronze city; and Syracuse is unranked.
Being ranked as a Bicycle Friendly City has important tourism ramifications. Not only do leisure bicycle tourists traveling in the United States seek out cities ranked by the League to bicycle the infrastructure but also corporate location officials seek to site their offices, factories, and warehouses in cities with excellent bicycling infrastructure.
These corporate location officials continually cite bicycling infrastructure as an important accoutrement wanted by their employees. Their employees want to commute to and from the work place as part of their healthy living life style. This type of commuting is not limited only to the newest employees (the 20 & 30-year-old demographic) but also by employees in their 40s, 50s, and even 60s.
Members of the Rochester Cycling Alliance and the City of Rochester’s Environmental Services Department, will review the League’s comments in an effort to achieve Silver Bicycle Friendly City status.
The Rochester Cycling Alliance meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:00 P. M., usually in room 116, Wilmot Hall, University of Rochester, as listed on the RCA calendar. Free bike parking & automobile parking.

Conkey Cruisers, founded by RCA board member Theresa Bowick, will host Olympic medalist and cycling advocate Nelson “Nelly” Vails in Rochester 25-27 September. You can join him to see Cheetah: The Nelson Vails Story, attend a lunch & learn panel about the health benefits of legalizing electric bikes, ride with Nelly on a Slow Roll in Buffalo, hear Nelly on WDKX, see a Celebrity Tricycle Race, and ride again on a Family Fun Ride. Get more details here!

As part of the first annual ‘Bike Your Park Day’ happening across the United States, Genesee Land Trust will be leading a City to Nature ride, happening Saturday, 24 September at 10:00. We will begin the ride on El Camino at Conkey Corner Park and ride north to Turning Point Park and Lake Ontario, and back. After the ride, any and all are welcome to join us at the Genesee Brew House for a late lunch, as Genesee Land Trust will be the featured charity and 10% of your bill will go to Genesee Land Trusts mission of preserving open space and connecting nature to the City of Rochester.

This essay by Paul Winkeller, Executive Director of the New York Bicycling Coalition, originally appeared in the Buffalo News on 6 September 2016.
In 2002, federal law was amended to distinguish bicycles with low-power electric motors capable of reaching speeds of 20 mph or less, known as electric bicycles, from motorcycles, mopeds, and motor vehicles.
The New York State Legislature never changed state law to conform to this federal standard.
Although it is completely legal to sell and purchase electric bicycles in New York, it is illegal to operate them on public roadways. This creates confusion for manufacturers and consumers in this fast-growing market. It is time for New York to clarify where and how electric bicycles can be used.
Electric bicycles operate nearly identically to a traditional human-powered bicycle, but are easier to pedal with assistance from an electric motor that is activated when pedaling. Electric bicycles do not compromise consumer safety.
While research shows that the average speed of electric bicycle users on roadways is slightly faster than that of regular bicycle users, there have not been any significant increases in bike collisions, trail user conflicts, safety complaints or litigation with the growth in popularity of electric bicycles.
Electric bicycles benefit senior citizens, parents with children and people with disabilities by providing freedom of transportation and mobility. These bicycles also appeal to people who want to bike but do not because of physical limitations and other personal barriers. Encouraging bicycle ridership by any means benefits the environment and improves the state’s air quality, traffic congestion and quality of life.
Legalizing the use of electric bicycles will bring bicycle-based dollars to New York’s tourism destinations, and will bring increased business to New York’s local bicycle shops and bicycle and accessory manufacturers. Electric bicycles also benefit the environment and local economies by using green battery technology, and will add to New York’s growing energy-efficient transportation system.
In the United States, the bike industry estimates more than 200,000 e-bikes will be sold in 2015, and this number is set to increase by 10 percent annually. New York State could benefit from the sale of electric bicycles with their legalization, and it is estimated by industry sources that annual electric bicycle sales could exceed 10,000 units per year in the state.
Legalizing e-bike use in New York is a benefit to both riders and to the state. Many states already allow e-bikes to be used and California just expanded its e-bike authorization.
Encouraging bicycle use is a safe way to help the environment by limiting congestion, supporting healthy living, promoting New York’s robust and diverse tourism industry and helping local economies.

Here’s a great way to enjoy summer on two wheels: a bike-in movie! On 11 August, after Richard Fries’ talk, you can roll over to the Public Market to see the 1983 feature film BMX Bandits. Music and socializing start at 8:00 pm, then the movie starts at 9:00. The event is jointly sponsored by Rochester Cycling Alliance and the City of Rochester. Find out more here and sign up for the Facebook event.

Richard Fries, Executive Director of MassBike, will lead a discussion 11 August about cycling, urban development and revitalization, and attracting and retaining the millennial generation. Join in! The event will start with a reception at 5:30, continue with Richard’s presentation at 6:00, and wrap up with a question and answer session at 7:30, all at the Strong National Museum of Play. Find more information here, and email Shana at Full Moon Vista if you plan to attend.

Saturday, 13 August 2016 will be a great day to get involved in cycling! First, the Eastside YMCA Charity Ride will offer routes of 50, 20, and 10 miles starting from the Y at 8:00 am, 9:30, and 10:00, respectively. Post-ride festivities will continue until 1:00, and all proceeds benefit the YMCA. Register here. Second, the Rochester Twilight Criterium will bring top-ranked professional cyclists to a fast-paced race through downtown Rochester. The first of many amateur races starts at 3:15, the pros start at 6:25, and awards will be presented at 10:15 pm. Expect high-intensity racing, vendors, food trucks, and a big, electrified crowd. What a day!

There’s great news for the thousands of people who come and go from University of Rochester Medical Center every day: new bike lanes on Crittenden Boulevard! The bike lanes run the entire length of Crittenden in both directions, from Mt. Hope Avenue to Kendrick Road, and are separated from motor traffic by a painted margin.
Do you know of other improvements and upgrades to bike infrastructure around Rochester? Drop us a line.

Good conversations about bike infrastructure, involving RCA members, have been on the radio twice this month.
First, Evan Dawson recently led a discussion of the Bicycle Master Plan of the City of Rochester on his show Connections on WXXI. RCA’s own Scott MacRae, Karen Lankeshofer, John Lam, and Theresa Bowick were all part of the conversation. You can listen here.
Second, Dan Lill recently led a discussion of bike infrastructure at the University of Rochester on his show Spokes and Folks on WAYO. Featured guests included Bruce Bashwiner, Associate Vice President of University Facilities and Services; Hugh Kierig, Director of Parking and Transportation; and RCA’s own Glenn Cerosaletti. Dan himself also sits on the RCA board and does great work with R Community Bikes. You can listen here.

The Western New York Bike Festival will take place 4 & 5 June at Dryer Road Park in Victor. At least 10 regional bike organizations — including RCA — will be there, as well as bike shops from the region, with bikes for test rides. The event is for “celebrating, uniting, and growing the cycling community”, and you can learn more on the event website.

Planning to ride the Canalway Trail? Bridge construction will block the trail at West Henrietta Road for most of 2016, so detour routes are in effect. Heading east, you’ll leave the canal at West Henrietta and ride Westfall Road, returning to the canal just before I-390. Heading west, you’ll leave the canal just past I-390 and ride Westfall Road, returning at Kendrick Road. Here’s a map. Don’t forget to leave a few extra minutes for your ride!