A number of instances of cyclist harassment have been reported to Asheville on Bikes and law enforcement this summer, most notably Buncombe County resident Bill Miller’s hit and run experience. Due to this rise in cyclist harassment and the growing aggression surrounding these events, it’s more important than ever for Asheville cyclists to stay safe and vigilant while biking our city’s roads.

Harassment is defined as “aggressive pressure or intimidation.”

Cyclist harassment by the numbers

In 2014, North Carolina was ranked one of the top 10 most dangerous states for cyclists. And though Asheville has gained a reputation as a cycling mecca, harassment of cyclists has been increasing in Asheville and Buncombe County over the past decade. Consider the following events:

North Carolina has been ranked one of the top 10 most dangerous states for cyclists.

You may remember in 2018 when an Asheville cyclist was forced off the road by a motorist who was trying to pass her in oncoming traffic. The driver, who was charged with a misdemeanor, verbally threatened the cyclist through the window of his pickup truck as he forced her into the grass. 

You may also recall the Asheville cyclist who was punched in the face at the intersection of Sand Hill Road and Sardis Road back in 2017. Thankfully, the incident was caught on camera by another driver, although the assailant was merely charged with simple assault. 

Then there was the 2009 incident where a former Asheville firefighter shot and nearly killed an Asheville cyclist because he thought the child bike seat his son was riding in was unsafe. The assailant got away with serving just 4 months in prison and paying $1,200 in medical expenses.

Most recently, we were informed of a few other incidences of harassment towards cyclists, including the following story:

Abby and Austin’s story

Just after 11 am on July 31, 2021, AoB’s Executive Assistant, Abby Walker, and her husband Austin were riding single file up a long stretch of hill on Turkey Creek Road, when a man driving a Honda CR-V began screaming at the group out of his car window. The man and his young child proceeded to follow Abby and Austin, berating them with obscenities as they climbed. 

The driver cursed at Abby and Austin, and prevented them from escaping by refusing to move his vehicle from the road.

When the pair eventually found a driveway to pull into, the driver got out of his car and proceeded to tell Abby and Austin that they were “creating a dangerous situation” and being “disrespectful” because they were cycling. The man told them that biking was not considered “transportation” but rather “a hobby.” When another vehicle stopped to make sure the cyclists were okay, the man told her she should mind her own business and leave them alone. He continued cursing at Abby and Austin and prevented them from escaping by refusing to move his vehicle from the road.

Warning: This video contains explicit language and aggression.

It is clear that aggression and violence towards cyclists is a serious problem in the Asheville area, and dangerous motorists aren’t always prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Migration to Buncombe County, coupled with urban expansion into previously rural areas, has created a growing tension between motorists and cyclists. 

What to do if you’re harassed 

The unfortunate truth is that if you ride a bike in the Asheville area, you may experience harassment. While you may not be able to avoid confrontation with motorists, there are a few actions you can take if you are harassed:

1. Contact local law enforcement. If you are threatened by a motorist in any way while biking, immediately call 911. While this may feel like overreacting (and the driver very well may tell you it is), you never know when a situation is going to escalate out of control and necessitate a police officer.
2. Keep yourself safe. If you are threatened by an aggressive motorist, maintain your physical safety by being prepared to get off your bike and away from the aggressor, or biking away to a safe distance (unless you are injured). Do not engage the motorist, and use concise, neutral language (like Austin’s responses in the above video) to diffuse a situation, or say nothing at all.
3. Document as much as you can. Make a concerted effort to get the motorist’s license plate, vehicle make and model, and his or her physical description. If you’re unable to get this information yourself, ask a bystander to record this information. If you have a smartphone or other recording device, take video and/or photos of the incident to share with authorities. Also, try to collect the names and phone numbers of any witnesses present.
4. File a report with law enforcement. Once the authorities have arrived and you are safe, file a police report.
5. Fill out our Road Violence Report. Help AoB gather information about aggressive interactions between motorists and cyclists in Asheville by filling out our Road Violence Report. This data will help us raise awareness around bike safety and prosecute irresponsible motorists.

Take these steps to stay safe on the road

Practicing proper bike safety, like fitting your bike with lights and riding responsibly, can help prevent and mitigate some (but not all) dangerous motorist-cyclist interactions. To ensure your safety during every ride, make sure you:

• Wear protective equipment. More cyclists are starting to wear a combination of front and rear lights and video cameras to make themselves seen, and to record any adverse events with motor vehicles. And, of course, always wear a helmet!
• Claim your space. If you don’t have a bike lane, bike advocacy organization Bike Law suggests in their Ride Guide that you should ride far enough towards the center of the lane to make it clear to motorists that they must move into the next lane to pass you. If you’re not used to road biking, this may seem dangerous; however, a motorist is more likely to try to pass you when they shouldn’t (resulting in you getting hit or run off the road) if you try to ride on the shoulder or in the gutter. Riding closer to the center of the lane also makes you more visible to motorists, which is especially important when crossing driveways and intersections.
  
  Remember, cyclists have the right to the full width of the road (except interstates and highways) as long as they follow traffic laws, and drivers are legally required to give you 3 feet of room when passing.

For more bike safety information, read up on our tips for developing safe bike riding habits, and consider signing up for Buncombe County’s Cycle Smart bike safety course.

Asheville on Bikes is dedicated to increasing bike safety

Asheville on Bikes has been advocating for safe biking conditions and bike infrastructure for over 15 years. Learn more about our mission and how to get involved on our website. As always, stay safe and enjoy the ride!

The post Harassment Against Cyclists is on the Rise in Asheville. Here’s What You Need to Know. appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

When an SUV collides with a cyclist, the result is never pretty. Such was the case on May 13th, 2021 when Candler resident Bill Miller was going for his daily bike ride and was broadsided by a Ford Explorer. The driver, 67-year-old Paul Bork, who witnesses say was speeding, made no effort to avoid him despite the absence of any other traffic on the straightaway section of road. To make matters worse, Bork didn’t even make an effort to help Bill. Instead, witnesses saw Bork stop briefly to survey the damage before fleeing the scene.

Bill’s story

Bill’s solo bike rides into the lower Hominy Valley were more than a daily exercise routine—they were critical to his mental well-being. The 70-year-old regularly rode 25- to 45-mile loops to clear his mind, connect with his neighbors, and experience his beloved ecosystem.

Biltmore Lake, the community Bill calls home, is a suburban neighborhood located just outside the Asheville city limits in Buncombe County. With its beautiful lake, extensive trail system, and slow speed limit, the community is cherished for its pedestrian friendliness. Joggers, cyclists, children, and the elderly regularly enjoy the mountain enclave by navigating its well-kept roads and trails.

But the Biltmore Lake area is growing faster than infrastructure can keep pace with, which has led to increased congestion and reckless driving. To emphasize this point, the road where Bill was hit was a straightaway with a crosswalk. In fact, the driver was merely a quarter mile from a stop sign when he hit Bill at a speed fast enough to shatter his femur and destroy his bike.

The aftermath of the “accident”

Following the “accident,” Bill was placed in an ambulance and rushed to the hospital trauma bay. In shock and excruciating pain, he underwent multiple x-rays and CT scans. According to his wife, Susan, a Nurse Practitioner, “I saw his x-ray and felt sick. His left femur was in pieces. He had to have a procedure in the ER where holes were bored into his femur and metal rods were inserted for traction. He had to spend the night that way and in the morning underwent extensive surgery to reassemble his femur with rods, plates, and screws. He also had a fractured rib and later developed deep vein thrombosis in his lower left leg.”

One of the most difficult things for Bill following the accident was telling his 9-month-pregnant daughter he wouldn’t be able to help her and her husband with their new baby. Bill and his daughter are very close, and he and Susan had planned on being extremely involved with their new grandson.

Despite Bill’s remarkable health, recovering from the accident hasn’t been easy. Bill hasn’t been able to climb the multiple flights of stairs in their house, so Susan set up a bedroom and makeshift shower on the first floor for him to use while he heals. He is going to physical therapy twice a week, and can now use a cane and walker to get around his house. Susan says it’s devastating seeing her husband, who was so healthy and strong just a month ago, now barely able to walk on his own. Normally this time of year, Bill would be enjoying group bike rides, volunteering with bike races and environmental organizations, hiking with friends, and swimming in nearby rivers; now he is unable to tend to his own garden.

After a lifetime of biking, Bill says he probably won’t ride his bike on public roads again. The physical and psychological toll the accident took is too overwhelming, and he’s concerned he could be hit again. He laments the fact that he doesn’t even feel safe biking to the nearby grocery store just a mile from his house because that stretch of Sandhill Road doesn’t have a bike lane, shoulder, or sidewalk. “It’s a shame that bike and pedestrian infrastructure in Buncombe County is so limited. The City of Asheville has made some great improvements in infrastructure over the years, but we’re still far from being a bikeable community.”

Making western North Carolina more bike-friendly

One factor that may have been at play in Bill’s accident is the design speed of the road on which he was hit. Design speed refers to the speed a road is designed to be traveled, and is often much higher than its posted speed. For example, Reeves Coves Road, the street on which Bill was hit, has a speed limit of 35 mph, but as a main artery through Biltmore Lake and nearby Reeves Cove, it may have been designed for vehicles to travel much faster. Motorists will often follow a road’s design speed over its posted speed.

As Bill’s story shows, it’s important that states are designing roads that are safe for multiple modes of travel. This may include installing roundabouts, stop signs, pedestrian crosswalks, or other traffic-calming features, which can also help reduce a road’s design speed.

Another way to increase bike and pedestrian safety is through transportation education. Many drivers don’t understand that a road’s “right of way” applies to all its users, and that all people—regardless of their mode of transportation—have a right to the safe and predictable use of public roads.

Road rage is a serious problem

With more cars on the road than ever, especially around his community, Bill says he thinks drivers are more irritable and on edge. Incidences of road rage have continued to increase over the past several decades, with a staggering 66% of all traffic fatalities caused by aggressive driving. Unfortunately, this road rage is also afflicted on bikers: Bill says he’s had drivers force him off the road and yell at him, and his friend had a bottle thrown at her while biking in Biltmore Lake. “People typically don’t get angry with one another when they’re at a busy grocery store, but when they have to share the road with a biker, they sure do,” he says. “I think there’s a lot of assumptions and privilege driving this aggression.”

Investing in active transportation

As people increasingly migrate to western North Carolina, it’s critical we make the investment into active transportation. Instead of widening roads by adding more vehicle lanes (which actually increases congestion, as seen in Atlanta in Los Angeles), our cities must install more bike lanes, shoulders, crosswalks, stop signs, and roundabouts. As Bill can attest, peoples’ lives literally depend on it.

“The City of Asheville has made some great improvements in infrastructure over the years, but we’re far from being a bikeable community.” – Bill Miller

Justice for Bill

Bill wants Paul Bork to be held accountable for his actions, and he says he thinks his community feels the same way. Thankfully, Bill wasn’t killed, but he did suffer extreme pain, immobility, and medical bills—not to mention the terror and grief his family has had to endure. The egregious harm Bork has done to Bill and his family is only made worse by the fact that as Bill’s neighbor, Bork may be able to continue to drive through the Biltmore Lake and Candler communities where children play, walk, and bike to school, and residents recreate.

Insurance for cyclists

Like many motorists who commit hit and runs, Paul Bork is most likely an underinsured driver, therefore Bill may face an uphill battle getting him to help pay his medical bills. Bill wants cyclists to know that you can help defend yourself against uninsured and underinsured motorists by purchasing uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This insurance provides compensation when the at-fault driver’s coverage isn’t enough to pay for all the damages you incur, or when the at-fault driver is uninsured. Most auto insurance comes with UM/UIM; however, UM/UIM typically only covers up to $30,000 in damages, so you should consider adding additional UM/UIM coverage. Check with your auto insurance provider to make sure your plan includes adequate UM/UIM coverage.*

*Unfortunately, health care insurers, by law, can and will demand reimbursement of their medical payments from any liability settlement, so maximizing your auto coverage is important. BikeLaw attorney Ann Groninger has written a very informative article on this subject, which Bill and Susan recommend to cyclists.

Asheville on Bikes supports Bill

Asheville on Bikes wants motorists to know that they will be held accountable for harming or intimidating cyclists in Buncombe County. Paul Bork has been charged with Felony Hit and Run—Serious Injury, and our organization is working with the local District Attorney to make sure that he is convicted and receives the maximum penalty available. Driving is a privilege, not a right, and when that privilege is abused, that right should be revoked. We hope Bill’s story makes people think twice about how they operate their motor vehicles.

Words of thanks from Bill:

“Susan and I are so very grateful for all the help and support we have received. From the people at the scene who stayed at my side and protected me, to those who came forward as witnesses, went to my home to get my wife, and to all the dear friends and neighbors who cooked meals, sent cards, visited, mowed, moved furniture and more, and kept my spirits up by staying in touch: we are forever in your debt. Thank you doesn’t begin to cover it.”

The post Asheville Cyclist Hospitalized After Hit and Run appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

Fortunately for kids (and adults), cycling is very conducive to social distancing! Asheville on Bikes has taken advantage of that fact and, through a partnership with Youth Transformed For Life (YTL), has been able to extend their after-school bike program for Asheville Middle School students into the summer months.

AoB instructors and volunteers meet up with YTL students at Carrier Park for pop-up bicycle programming

Even before COVID-19 hit, AoB was looking for a way to take their youth cycling program beyond the school year so they could continue teaching kids new skills and taking them on rides around their city. After the realities of COVID-19 ended our usual after-school program in early March, AoB instructors were really excited to get on their bikes again and make up for lost time with students. Their collaboration with YTL started with a pop-up program at Carrier Park.

Here’s what some our students had to say about the experience:

“We loved riding bikes and the best part was that AoB took time to teach us the gears and help us get comfortable using them. It was a ton of fun!”

• Tyron, Jamarri and Haydn, YTL students

“It was a great experience to learn how to put the chains back on the bikes.”

• Tyla, YTL student

The Beauty of Collaboration

AoB volunteers are also loving this new collaboration with YTL. While life during the pandemic creates unprecedented challenges for nearly all of us, our team is finding creative ways to push our mission forward and continue inspiring tomorrow’s cyclists today. Here’s what they had to say:

“This is the first time Asheville on Bikes has done summer programming. After the first two days, Youth Transformed For Life (YTL) wanted us to plan more afternoons with students on bikes so we did that—we are currently working on one last afternoon together. The more we collaborate, the more rewarding it is. The relationships grow stronger, the students grow more confident, and the thrill of riding bikes is longer lasting. I felt it was important to make this collaboration happen so local youth could feel the joy of just being a kid on a bike and enjoy themselves in this carefree way during COVID-19. The most impactful moment was when one of the students, Khavi, asked me what he should do if he couldn’t ride a bike—an impressive declaration for an 8th grader! On his second day, I paired him with Pisgah Rage Coach Murphy and he did two laps around the Mellowdrome on his own. He was determined, never gave up, and remains an inspiration!”

• Rachel Reeser, After School Bike Program Coordinator

“AoB has the staff, the volunteers, and the equipment so we decided to put all of them to use to welcome more young students to cycling this summer. While many activities aren’t an option with the current COVID restrictions, cycling has social distancing built-in! Beyond getting more kids on bikes, we’re excited about the cross-section of community partnerships that we’ve built to support youth cycling including with Industry Nine, the local NICA Pisgah Rage Team as well as YTL. The current restrictions have inspired us to be creative and give us the opportunity to pivot and collaborate in new ways. We’re building new relationships that will foster new youth programming. I’m excited, for sure.”

• Mike Sule, Executive Director, Asheville on Bikes

“AoB’s youth cycling program is beyond inspiring. We’ve been teaching some kids how to ride a bike for the first time. What a treat to be a part of that and to watch them overcome their fears and celebrate their accomplishment with them. I hope AoB can continue their relationship with organizations like YTL and give kids even more opportunities to ride bikes.”

• Abby Walker, AoB Board member

“We are beyond grateful to AoB for providing physical activity for the kids (which is especially therapeutic during the time we’re living in). I feel genuine support and togetherness. The moment when a pre-teen learns to ride is triumphant. That accomplishment raised self-esteem, self-worth, and can counteract life trauma— truly a blessing! Like Maya Angelou said, ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

– Youth Transformed for Life Director, Thomas Priester

Get involved!

If you would like to be part of AoB’s Youth Program we are always looking for enthusiastic instructors who have prior experience working with youth, strong cycling skills, and a commitment to safe riding habits. Asheville on Bikes also welcomes volunteers, as well as tax-deductible donations to help cover our expenses for research, events, and lobbying for a more bike-friendly Asheville

The post Asheville on Bike’s Youth Programming Update appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

In a study of 250,000 commuters, the British Medical Journal found that:

…cycling regularly reduced the incidence of cancer in the study group by 45%, heart disease by 46% and of death by any cause by 41%.

This winter, can you get out more on the bike?

News coverage of this study:
http://www.bikeradar.com/commuting/news/article/commuting-by-bike-can-cut-cancer-risk-by-half-49719/
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-39641122

British Medical Journal study of active commuters:
https://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j1456

Help us build make these health benefits yours for the taking

Asheville on Bikes is working to build a community where these benefits are easy for each of us to attain. That means putting the right types of infrastructure right outside your door at home and at work. We want protected bike lanes, sidewalks, greenways, and trails within easy reach of our entire City, functioning as connected grid of multi-modal transportation options.

The post If cycling were a pill, we’d all be taking it appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

Bike theft is on the rise in Asheville, according to the Asheville Police Department. Lieutenant Jackie Stepp issued this bulletin to City of Asheville officials via email last week, and we thank Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Barb Mee for sending it along to us:

“The Asheville Police Department saw a significant increase in bicycle theft during the month of July and apprehending those involved is a priority. As you know, replacing a stolen bicycle can be costly. The bikes that have been reported stolen range from average bikes to very high-end expensive bikes. These bikes are being stolen from bike racks on the sidewalk, bikes from residences (both left secured and not secured), and bike racks on the back of vehicles across the city.”

What To Do If Your Bike is Stolen

1. File a police report. Make sure the bike description and serial number (if you have it) are in the report so the police can include that information in their database of stolen goods. This database is shared with local pawn shops and they check serial numbers against the database when goods are offered to them.
2. Contact your insurer. Your homeowners, renter, auto, or bicycle insurance may cover you against theft, depending on the facts of your case and what coverage you carry. You want to find out if the bicycle is covered and, if it is, if you should make a claim against your own insurance.
3. Alert Asheville Bicycle forums on Facebook, especially if it is an expensive or very personalized bicycle. Local cyclists can help you spot the bike if it shows up in a public place.
4. Monitor Craigslist in Asheville and surrounding towns. For very high end bicycles, it might also show up on PinkBike.com. If your bike turns up, alert APD.

How To Avoid Having Your Bike Stolen

Here are some tips from Lt. Stepp that the APD has found to be effective in preventing bike theft (we’ve added to his list a bit, including the parts in italics). Following these tips makes it less likely that you will have a bike stolen:

1. 1. Write down your serial number, save a good photo of your bicycle, and consider joining a free bicycle registry. These steps, taken in advance, increase the likelihood you will recover a stolen bike.
   2. Use a U-Lock instead of a cable lock. Cable locks are easier to cut; U-Locks are more difficult for thieves to remove.
   3. Don’t secure your bike with a cheap lock. It’s worth an extra $20 or so for a sturdy lock to protect your investment of $100s or more, especially if it’s your primary form of transportation.
   4. Always secure your bike to a bike rack or solid object. Also, remember to run the lock through the frame and the front wheel, or you risk finding just your front wheel. For an entertaining video series, watch NYC bike mechanic Hal Ruzal grade people’s bike locks.
   5. Remember that locks are only a deterrent. But a locked bike is far less enticing to would-be thieves than an unlocked bike.
   6. Bikes should be stored inside when not in use. Many employers are accommodating if you just ask!
   7. Report all suspicious persons loitering around bikes and bike racks by calling the police. The non-emergency number is 828-252-1110, but call 911 if it’s warranted.
   8. If it can be removed, it can be stolen! When you lock up your bike outside, take detachable lights, seat bags, water bottles, etc. with you.

We sincerely thank the Asheville Police Department for taking bicycle theft seriously and taking steps to help prevent and reduce it.

Stay safe, and happy riding!

The post Bicycle Thefts Increasing in Asheville: How To Avoid Having Your Bike Stolen appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

Cyclists tend to be a data-loving crowd. We’ve got our Strava personal bests, gear ratios, and grams saved by wearing red vs. black socks (only half-kidding on this one). This type of bragging-rights data is part of the fun, but what really matters is the data that shows how bikes are making a difference in people’s lives. Taking a look at what people in different places are doing is a great way to learn what we might do to improve cycling in Asheville, so we decided to put together a fun little quiz on cycling statistics from around the world.

Take your best shot—some of the answers might surprise you!

Which country has the most bikes per person?

1. Netherlands
2. China
3. United States
4. Denmark

The answer is…A! According to research gathered by Bicycle Dutch, the 17 million people in the Netherlands own a whopping 22.5 million bicycles; that’s 1.3 per resident. When you look at the incredible cycling infrastructure in the Netherlands, their top ranking comes as no surprise: the Dutch have 33,000 kilometers (that’s over 20,000 miles) of dedicated cycle paths nationwide, and that’s not including bike lanes on the road—they have another 55,000 km of that!

The U.S. actually ranks sixth among the countries surveyed (and last on our list), with 0.3 bicycles per person. The latest figures from the Adventure Cycling Association show that there are only 13,000 miles of approved U.S. Bicycle Routes nationwide, and many of those miles are shared with motorized traffic. People for Bikes reports that we have only 496 protected bike lanes in 116 cities across the entire country. While we have some catching up to do, there is good news: this protected bike lane tally is quadruple what is was a decade ago, and keeps increasing every month.

How much did bike commuting increase in North Carolina between 2006 and 2016?

1. 33%
2. 12%
3. 5%
4. -10%

Unfortunately, the answer is D 🙁 In an analysis of U.S. Census data by the League of American Bicyclists, North Carolina ranked 45th out of 50 states for bicycle mode share. Charlotte barely made the list of the 70 largest cities with the highest share of bike commuters—it came in 70th place (yes, DFL). The fact Charlotte even made the list is amazing, given the city saw a 65% decline in bike commuters in the decade measured.

It’s difficult to pinpoint an exact reason why NC is so low on the commuter list. A combination of lacking infrastructure, longer distance commutes, culture, and terrain may be contributing factors, as well as access to safe roads for riding.

The silver lining is that Asheville ranks 3rd among U.S. cities with a population between 65,000 and 100,000, with an increase of 1.6% in bike commuting since 2006—which happens to be the year Asheville on Bikes was founded. Coincidence? We like to think not. 🙂

Which is the #1 bike friendly state in the U.S.?

1. California
2. Florida
3. North Carolina
4. Washington

The answer is…D! Washington is currently ranked #1 among bicycle-friendly states by the American League of Bicyclists, a title it has held since 2008. Boasting 17 bicycle friendly communities, 40 bicycle friendly businesses, and 1 bicycle-friendly university, Washington has consistently ranked in the top 7 of all states in infrastructure, planning, advocacy, education, policy, and bicycle law enforcement for over a decade. Well done, Washington!

Where does North Carolina rank? We’re currently #20. While we do well in evaluation and planning, we’re near the bottom when it comes to funding of bicycle-friendly infrastructure and legislation and enforcement for bike and pedestrian safety.

Which of these cities cycles the most?

1. New York
2. Beijing
3. Copenhagen
4. Amsterdam

The answer is….C! In what is known by some as the City of Cyclists, anywhere from 35% to 52% of the population of Copenhagen, Denmark are estimated to use a bike as their main form of daily transportation. With flat terrain, dedicated bike lanes lining nearly every street, and cycle paths worming around the city, it’s easier to ride a bike than drive in Copenhagen (53% of residents actually said they ride a bike because it’s faster). But it wasn’t always this way—according to the City of Copenhagen website, Copenhagen was as congested with motor traffic as any other major city as recently as the 1960s. It was through a concerted effort and desire for a healthier, more livable city among public leaders, transportation authorities, and the community that Copenhagen transformed its infrastructure—and that kind of transformation is possible anywhere if we commit to change.

By comparison, the U.S. city with the highest percentage of bicycle commuters is the university town of Davis, CA. Davis has been investing in protected bike paths and mutlimodal infrastructure for many years. Depending on the year, between 17% and 25% of trips in Davis are made on a bicycle.

Many other U.S. cities are working to build bicycle facilities and protected bike lanes. As these facilities are built, it encourages a new segment of the population to travel by bicycle. Portland, for example, changed it’s bicycle mode share from 1.8% to 7% between 2010 and 2015. Their current goal is to reach 25% of commuter trips by bike. In New York City cycling and other forms of non-car transit have grown dramatically since 2010, during a time period when NYC started putting in many bicycle lanes and multi-modal street designs. Over that time period cycling grew from 250,000 annual trips to 460,000 (page 10, NYC 2018 Annual Mobility Report).

Did you enjoy our quiz? You can learn more about the facts and figures of bicycling in Asheville by exploring our site. You can also make a difference in improving our cycling stats and making our city a safer, more practical place to ride by joining Asheville on Bikes. We can’t wait to welcome you to the team!

The post What City Cycles the Most? And More Cycling Stats That May Surprise You appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

A British researcher recently posed this question to nearly 1,000 men and women of various cycling abilities; the results (available here on Streetsblog USA) reveal some interesting insights into what cyclists, especially female cyclists, need to feel safe and confident riding their bikes.

Protected bike lanes and paths are the preferred option

While all respondents preferred off-road cycling routes to riding on the road, women expressed a stronger preference for bike infrastructure separated from motorized traffic (i.e., park paths or protected bike lanes). This preference remained high regardless of women’s experience level with cycling. In contrast, men with more experience were more likely to favor cycling on the road.

As the Streetsblog article suggests, data like this give clues as to why a gender gap in the cycling community still exists. Fewer women than men are okay with the idea of riding on unprotected on-road routes—the only available option for bike riding in most urban areas—so fewer women ride. It follows that providing more protected bike lanes and other safe off-road routes would start to close this gender gap.

How does this research help us when it comes to improving Asheville cycling infrastructure?

Like in most cities, those we see riding in Asheville are most often adult men. Perhaps it is no coincidence given that our cycling options remain limited to roadways; we would likely see more women and kids riding if they felt they had safer places to ride. In other words, this research indicates that improving our cycling infrastructure could help increase diversity in our cycling community.

The benefits of protected bike lanes go beyond safety—although that is certainly important. Protected bike routes encourage more people of all ages and experience levels to get outside and ride, leading to healthier families, stronger communities, and reduced motorized traffic as more people choose to ride their bikes instead of getting in their cars.

How you can help get more protected bike lanes in Asheville

First, join Asheville on Bikes! Becoming a member is the single most effective way you can help, as the more members we have, the stronger our voice is to affect real change in our cycling infrastructure. Second, come to our events. It’s a great way to get to know other cyclists and build community, not to mention ride your bike! Finally, consider making a donation. Our proceeds go directly to advocacy and education. Thank you for your support!

The post Research Finds Most Women Prefer Separated Bike Infrastructure appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

For answers, check out this story from NPR’s All Tech Considered. Reporter Margaret Krauss talked to industry experts about the unique challenges bicycles pose—and face—when it comes to sharing the road with self-driving cars. What she found was encouraging:

• Self-driving cars can already recognize and respond specifically to bikes. For instance, the company Waymo has been tracking cyclists to collect movement data for years. Their cars can identify bikes and maintain a safe space cushion. Waymo is now working on software to help their cars better predict how a cyclist might move in any given situation.
• We may soon have technology to allow bikes to “talk” to cars. Bicyclists often have to make unpredictable movements, such as hopping off and walking their bike on a sidewalk for a little while. One solution would be to have bikes communicate with self-driving cars to help them react accordingly. This tech is in prototype stages at the moment, but engineers believe it’s a matter of time before phones have built-in apps to conduct bike-car communication. This technology is welcome, but it should not substitute for rigorous work to improve how a self-driving car detects and reacts to a cyclist on a “plain” bicycle.

Could self-driving cars actually make cycling safer?

One point in the article that does give us hope: a paradigm shift towards driverless cars could actually make streets safer than ever for cyclists by reducing driver error, road rage, and ignorance of the law.

For instance, Waymo’s self-driving cars are programmed to pass cyclists in accordance with state laws—that’s 4 feet of clearance in North Carolina. If the car cannot safely pass with the minimum amount of clearance, it’s programmed wait until it is safe to pass legally—something every human driver should already be doing, yet too few are even aware of the law.

Additionally, cyclists in Pittsburgh, where Uber is testing a fleet of self-driving Volvos, said they felt safer when riding around these vehicles than they did riding alongside human drivers.

An important caution: Car companies may have to be forced to make their cars accommodate cyclists.

Biking may be one of the most difficult use cases for the software and sensors in a self-driving car. We are the quietest, most efficient, lightest, most maneuverable user of the road. As much as we love to see new technology improving transport, we don’t want car companies to cut corners as they work to build a safer autonomous car. And building that car means taking the time to get bike detection and response figured out.

In December of 2016 Uber rolled out a test of autonomous cars in San Francisco – and ultimately was forced to halt the test, after it was proven that the cars could not safely turn right across a bike lane, and that Uber launched the test aware of this shortcoming.

Here’s more detail on why Uber’s test was inappropriate.

Contrary to the enthusiasm of the engineer in the NPR article, we think the solution for self-driving cars should not be based on requiring cyclists to add things to their bikes. Instead, the solution is to improve the self-driving car technology until it can work reasonably safely with all road users. What might this entail? The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) issued a comprehensive policy statement that not only outlines how self-driving technology should be shaped to ensure our roads are safe for all users, but also how we will need to rethink city streets and highways to safely accommodate self-driving vehicles along with bicycles and pedestrians. Read NACTO’s statement here, or get to know NACTO’s role in shaping Asheville’s transportation future.

Let’s not wait for self-driving cars to make Asheville safer for bikes.

We’re encouraged that companies are prioritizing bicycle safety in plans for the future of self-driving cars. In the meantime, it’s up to us as a community to educate and persuade drivers, law enforcement, and city planners to make our streets safer to ride. One of the most effective (and easiest) steps you can take right now? Become an Asheville on Bikes member, business sponsor, or volunteer.

You’ll not only be joining a group of bike-minded people who do really fun things year-round, but each additional name on our roster tells city, state, and county transportation officials to pay attention to bicyclists and pedestrians. See the difference we’ve made, or join now. Thanks for your support!

The post What Innovators Are Doing to Make Self-Driving Cars Bike Friendly appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

We don’t think “stuff” should stand between you and riding your bike. Truthfully, you need very little to safely and successfully get from point A to point B. Here are the essentials.

A helmet that fits you

A helmet is a no-compromise piece of cycling safety gear. If you’re under 16, it’s the law to wear a helmet. If you’re over 16, it’s stupid to ride without one. Plus, helmets work.

Walk into any Asheville bike shop, and you’ll see helmets ranging from about $40 to $250 and up. With few exceptions, a cheaper bike helmet will protect your head as well as a top-dollar helmet. What matters is that your helmet fits you properly (a good test is to shake your head side to side with straps unbuckled; your helmet should not move) and is in good working order. Just be sure to replace your helmet after a crash if you have one; they are designed to take a serious impact only once.

Roadside flat repair kit

New riders are often reluctant to immediately buy a basket of stuff that they may not use for months, thinking “I’ll deal with it later.” But trust us, as soon as you’re stuck 10 miles from home in the hot sun waiting until your friend gets off work in 2 hours to pick you up, you’ll wish you had something to repair a flat tire. Save yourself from inevitable grief and get the following:

• Patch kit and/or a spare tube. Patches create less waste, but only work really well on punctures in a tube (as opposed to tire sidewalls) and may not be adequate for larger punctures. The tube costs a little more, but is the most convenient option. Make sure you get the right size for your bike tires—it’s written on the sidewall in terms of wheel diameter x tube width (i.e., “700 x 38c” or “29 x 2.25”). Tubes come in size ranges, so if your tire says 700 x 38c, a tube that’s sized 700 x 35-40c will fit.
• Tire levers. These little metal or plastic wedges can be a time and thumb-saver when removing tires from the rim.
• Air in the form of a mini-pump or CO2 cartridge. Mini-pumps fit in your pocket or wedge under the top of your bike frame. They are the bulkier, slower option (it takes several minutes of pumping to get good pressure) and require a larger up-front investment, but you’ll never run out of air. CO2 is a compact, convenient, and faster option, but there is a slight learning curve, and each cartridge is good for only one inflation.
• Think of a Swiss Army knife for bikes. Multitools are compact and contain the essentials for most on-the-fly adjustments. Look for one with at least a 4, 5, and 6 mm allen wrenches, a Phillips head, and a flat head screwdriver. Here are some examples.
• A dollar bill (or two). Did you know that a dollar bill can serve as a makeshift patch if you have a tear in your tire sidewall? Having emergency cash for drinks, bus fare, etc. is also a smart idea on any ride.

Side wall repair hacks: the dollar bill wins!

You can keep your fix-it kit in a backpack, but many riders choose to buy a seat bag to stash it and forget it. (For more info on what to put in your bike kit, read this).

Front and rear bicycle lights

North Carolina law requires cyclists on the road to have front and rear powered lights if they ride at night.

If you’re only riding in daytime in good weather, or off-road during the day, you can get away without lights, but it’s inadvisable—lights make you more visible to motorists, pedestrians and other cyclists, potentially avoiding injury to you or them. If you’re commuting or riding on the road in the early morning or late evening, they are essential for your safety.

Also, if you are riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a rear light is required due to the tunnels. We strongly recommend a front light too. Although this rule is not always enforced, it is not fun and quite dangerous to be stuck in a tunnel without lights.

Lights range from cheap clip-ons that are just bright enough to be seen (fine for daytime city riding) to lighting systems for off-road night riding that cost $100s. Get a white light for the front and a red light for the back—this follows the conventions of cars, helping drivers recognize what direction you are moving in. Also, buy a light that can switch between steady beam and flashing—the former is great for helping illuminate your way in low light, while the flash setting is ideal for daytime riding.

A bike lock

Sadly, bikes do get stolen, and it can happen in the blink of an eye. Even if you’re just stopping at the food truck for a quick taco, it’s smart to lock your bike up so you don’t risk being stranded without transportation or losing such a valuable item!

Bike locks don’t have to be fancy to work. A $10 cable and padlock setup will suffice in most situations; however, U-locks are a little more tamper-proof. Whether you choose a key or combo lock is up to you—choose the option you’re most likely to remember.

If you want to learn the best ways to lock, watch “Hal grades your bike locking” and learn from a veteran New York City bike shop guy.

Gloves & eyewear

These two articles are often overlooked by beginners, but gloves and glasses are important for both safety and comfort. Gloves help save the skin on your hands if you take a spill, they provide padding for a more comfortable ride, and they make a convenient sweat or snot wiper. Eyewear keeps low-hanging branches and bugs from hitting your eyeballs.

Again, fancy is not necessary. Cycling gloves start at about $15, and eyewear can be as simple as gas-station sunglasses. Pricier options are often more durable, and offer features such as gel padding in gloves or interchangeable lenses in sunglasses.

Other not quite essential additions: Bells & whistles

There are some cycling accessories that we can’t justify as essential but sure do make riding more pleasant. Here are some of the creature comforts we think are worth the dough:

• A bell. A bike bell is a nice thing to have to make your presence known on a greenway, bike path, or road without yelling out. If you’re a mountain biker, a jingle-bell can help create a constant noise so that you don’t scare hikers (or startle a bear)!
• Wet roads can quickly result in wet, dirty legs, butt, and face. Fenders can keep you clean and prevent annoying spray hitting you between the eyes. Your local bike shop can help you find a set that will fit your bike.
• Chain lube. Like any moving part, your chain and sprockets need to stay clean and lubricated to work properly. Chain lube costs around $10 a bottle and will last several months. Ask a local bike shop for recommendations based on your style and frequency of riding.
• Bottle cage/water bottle. If you’re planning to be out for more than 30 minutes, it’s nice to have water with you. A basic bottle cage + bike bottle will set you back less than $20.
• Take a bicycle maintenance class. For a small fee, you can take a basic 2-hour class at Asheville bike shop (and AoB member) Liberty Bikes. It’s a great way to learn the essentials like changing a flat, and just for getting to know the parts of your bike. (Compare a $25 class to the $10 you’ll pay for labor each time a shop has to fix a flat).

If you want to save cash on these extras, check out Second Gear. They have a constantly changing inventory of gently used bikes, accessories and clothing, and you can get some great deals. Plus, they’re an Asheville on Bikes sponsor, so you’ll also be helping us out when you shop there!

Now, you’re ready to ride! Want more great tips on bike commuting in Asheville? Check out our info for bike riders, or better yet, join Asheville on Bikes or attend one of our upcoming events!

The post Essential Gear for a Safe, Happy Bike Journey appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

What would you do: try a lot of different recipes and decoration schemes on small bike cakes ahead of time, so you can see what works and what doesn’t, or just wait and bake the big cake using a recipe you haven’t tried before, hoping everything turns out fine? To most of us, the answer is obvious. We’d rather test out options on a smaller scale to minimize the impact of failure, learn what’s worth implementing on a larger scale, and reap the benefits of smaller successes in the meantime.

This approach makes sense any time we have a huge goal in mind—say, making all of Asheville’s streets, sidewalks, and infrastructure safer and more accessible for cyclists and pedestrians—and it’s the philosophy behind “tactical urbanism,” a newer approach to infrastructure planning, which this booklet from People for Bikes does a good job of explaining.

Tactical Urbanism = Small Changes + Smart Long-Term Strategy

Basically, tactical urbanism allows a city to make widespread, lasting improvements by funding and completing a variety of smaller, cheaper, quick-turnaround projects, so they can see what works and what doesn’t without investing too much time or money and with minimal disruption to people’s lives.

And it works. Towns and cities that have embraced tactical urbanism, including New York, Portland, and Memphis, have seen small-scale or even temporary improvements evolve into more expansive, permanent plans for more (and safer) bike lanes and sidewalks and more green spaces.

One of the more exciting things about tactical urbanism is that it’s helping urban areas overcome the catch 22 of infrastructure planning. For instance, city officials may be reluctant to sign off on a large-scale bicycle-friendly infrastructure project without proof of its benefits—so start small and show them how bike-friendly areas improve safety and create economic benefits. Watch this great video to see Tactical Urbanism in action (and the difference it makes!):

Transform Your City With Tactical Urbanism from STREETFILMS on Vimeo.

If a small project fails for whatever reason, it may sting a bit—but better to find out on a smaller scale and adjust as needed to until you have success and can work towards larger goals.

Coxe Avenue: In early November 2018, we installed our first Asheville project

A coalition of nonprofits (AARP, Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, AoB) worked together to plan and install a tactical urbanism project on south Coxe Avenue in November 2018. This project has been left in place at the request of the City of Asheville. The project balances the needs of businesses, auto traffic, pedestrians, bicycle riders, transit users, and people with disabilities. The project includes:

• Two new stop signs
• Six new cross walks
• Asheville’s first parking-protected multi-use path, effectively widening pedestrian areas to nearly 10 feet
• A temporary street mural
• Armadillos and bollards as delineators of non-auto spaces
• Asheville’s first use of bicycle boxes
• Ongoing feedback through informational signs on the corridor

You can read more here:

• Project Home Page: All about the Street Tweaks team
• Why Coxe Avenue?
• Letter: Other things Asheville City Council can do to make streets safer

WestWayne neighborhood traffic circle in West Asheville

In June 2021, we installed our second project, a neighborhood traffic circle in West Asheville. You can read all about it here.

Like what you’ve read? Here’s an easy tactic you can apply now

Thanks to the efforts of the Street Tweaks Team, including Asheville on Bikes members and sponsors, Asheville is poised to embrace tactical urbanism, and with your help, we can make it our city’s M.O. By joining Asheville on Bikes, you’re telling our elected officials and city planners that having safe, accessible multi-modal infrastructure is important to you. It takes just a few minutes to become a member. Join now!

The post What the Heck is Tactical Urbanism? appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.