more children on bicycles in Paris

Likewise, here's more support of my statement about more children riding on bicycles in Paris.
 

Contra-flow

Here, my sister has stopped to admire one of the City's contra-flow bike lanes. See how it says "Do Not Enter. Except Bicycles." It's a quick and lovely way into Golden Gate Park.

Happy Birthday, little sister!

(Doesn't she look like a movie star?) Her birthday was yesterday.

CM: Socks!

I was quite taken with this guy in his cap, corduroy sports coat, jeans, snazy striped socks, and brown leather shoes texting his pals: "Are you here yet?" or "I'll meet you after the ride..."

I caught up with him later in the life of Critical Mass for a bit more quality time with those magnificant socks....

Anchorage: Bike More / Drive Less

Today, I'm writing from the far north: Anchorage, Alaska, where I can tell you with absolute certainty that people are breathing and riding their bikes.

That said, I haven't seen a while lot of Chic on two wheels here. I've seen people on bikes, and I've seen well-dressed people, but the two have not definitively come together in front of me.

The style for biking ladies seems to be skinny jeans and a cute girl T, and I don't have a problem with that.

I went to the Ocean's festival on Saturday, and coincidentally it was also the first time they were providing valet bicycle parking at the event.

The festival has a few stalls, but the main attraction was the bands. I enjoyed watching Last Train.

Of course, Alaskan beer is delicious. Everyone at the event seemed to be healthy and youthful with kids and dogs crawling around the grass, more love than you could shack a stick at, my friends.

DFF: Hot dudes

Last week, KT kicked off our photo summary of the Disposable Film Festival. Now that I've set the stage, I'm presenting a series of photos of the event this week starting with some of the hot guys who attended.

You probably already know Steve from the SFBGuardian and his bright red bike. (I have a vague recollection that it used to be pink and fuzzy.) With him is Carlton, one of the event organizers.

Here, KT is shooting a cutie on suped-up beach bike with monkey bars. The classic dress shirt and slacks suggest he just came from work.

I don't know about you, ladies, but when I look at this face, a little voice in my head calls out "will you be the father of my babies?"

OK, ditto for the next two. If they get cuter, I probably can't take it.

Also, love the sports coat, dress shirt, tie and jeans....
*
* Today, I am the most in love with this one.

Hello, James Dean (again -- KT found a different one in her photo stream)....

17th Street Plaza

Last Wednesday, the City unveiled 17th Street Plaza, a new public park made from an under-used street in the pedestrian-overwhelmed Castro District.
The instillation is simple: some old curb stones, paint and planters define the space.

Now, cars whiz by on Market Street while residents and visitors alike lounge on the movable chairs with coffee, books and good conversation. (The movable chairs concept is made famous in Paris' Luxembourg Garden.)

The new Plaza caters to pedestrians and transit riders (the classic F-Line trolley cars stop right here)...

...but I saw two chic cyclists:
This lady sporting turquoise jeans and flaunting her mobility in front of gas prices and carshare cars...

...and myself, in new Nutcase helmet with orange flames (Yes!), Coach sunglasses, little black dress and floral basket....

Stop by our City's youngest park next time you're in the neighborhood, bring a friend or a book and catch some rays. Enjoy!

Visiting NYC this summer?

Have we got an idea for you!

Governors Island is a carfree Oasis.

Free bikes on Fridays

More coolness from Nantes

One of the reasons the system works so well in Nantes is that it has good bicycle and transit infrastructure to help people get around. The city is also a manageable size.

Riding on the sidewalk isn't forbidden like it is here. On a side note, the transit system also includes ferryboats on their canal system.


Here, a woman rides past a bus rapid transit (BRT) stop. One of the advantages of BRT is that, in a highly multimodal city, bicycle wheels don't get caught in the tracks required for light rail while transit service quality is comparable.


Not everyone rides bicloo -- some people even have their own bikes. Maybe it's because they need to carry more than can be carried on a bicloo bike.... This view makes me wonder if a pro-cycling, family-friendly city needs to provide baby seats on some of the bikeshare bikes...?

Profile: Doug Johnson

Meet Doug. I did in grad school, but we didn't get to be friends until a year later when we worked together. When he applied for that job, he addressed his cover letter "Dear Ms." (name withheld). When I called him for an interview, I asked "Do you remember studying for the Transportation Finance final at my house?"

Last fall, he attended the wedding of some mutual friends on his bike. These photos show him looking especially dapper in his sports coat and jeans.


Occupation: Transport Planner
Hometown: Oaklandish
Favorite bike ride: Fruitvale for Tacos
Helmet or no helmet: Hellmut
Describe your bike: Which one?
Describe your personal style: uh, style?
Describe your cycling experience: Started with the bmx ride to school, rediscovered at UCSB and never stopped. Now I'm involved with WOBO. Come join us!
Favorite artist: Mother Hips

Vogue Mamma

I shot this woman once before, but I don't remember when. I love repeat impressers!

She reminds of Elle Macpherson.

purple shoes/pink purse

Another photo from earlier in the year. This woman either has a liberal sense of color (which I applaud) or this is some kind of hybrid outfit based on something else before/after her ride.

Market and Octavia again

The intersection of Market and Octavia is dangerous for cyclists. But this woman seemed completely un-phased as she biked through the bike lane and chatted on her phone. She looked cool in hip white helmet and black clothes.

She's pretty.

Is it wrong to post a photo of a pretty girl on a bicycle just because I like how she looks? This one's wearing jeans and a t-shirt; so, I think I was taken with her scarf and trendy glasses. She's also riding in the rain.

Homemade Boots

People often ask why I am taking their pictures. Sometimes, they don't like it, but usually they're flattered while still wanting an explanation. I told this woman in explanation, "I love your boots."

She replied, "Oh, I made them."

Which got me to thinking... Wouldn't it be amazing if we could all make our own clothes? It was all I could do to keep from yelling "I love you" as she rode away.

I tried to learn to sew years ago. I've tried to learn to knit... and paint. I have no talent for manual dexterity, and I regret it. Worse than no talent, my fingers have a poison for details. But I can fix my own bike, edit my own photos and type up words that are sometimes even spelled correctly. Having this incredibly talented woman bike past me made me hope all over again for a new set of talents in my next lifetime.

Or whatever.

You know what I mean.