Girls and Bicycles

"You Must Really Want to Ride."

2012-03-09T00:08:00.003-07:00

Last weekend we had more snow. It was the sort of drifty and pretty kind, and means that we're living in a winter wonderland again.

When I arrived over at the playschool for teaching, one of the recess supervisors looked at me like I was insane and said, "You must REALLY want to ride your bike if you do it in weather like this!"

To which I replied, "It's so much faster than walking."

And that's the main reason why I ride instead of walk. It accelerates my pedestrianism!

So when I get "YOU'RE CRAZY" looks from people, I just remember that I'm efficient. Why walk and slip on the sidewalk when I can just barrel through the snow and roll up to work?

Road Rash - Grassroots Advocacy

2012-03-07T10:30:00.002-07:00

This is part of a series of posts featuring parts of my paper, Road Rash.

Grassroots Bicycle Advocacy

Alternatives to traditional bicycling literature and an emerging grassroots approach to bicycle advocacy in North America exist in the form of web logs, known more commonly as “blogs”. These are platforms where bicycle enthusiasts can self-publish their own stories, questions, research, and experiences with cycling so as to initiate discussion amongst those who are interested in daily bicycle commuting or bicycle and transit oriented lifestyles. Web logs come in many different styles, ranging anywhere from digital photo scrapbooks, to diary and journal entries. There are blogs that focus on reviewing certain kinds of bikes, others that focus on technical how-tos when it comes to fixing and maintaining bikes, and many that reinforce the recreational, “sporty” side of bicycle use. The Internet has become a great source of information on all things bike related and it has also provided a forum where communities of bike advocates can congregate. Some bike advocacy blogs are focusing on the joy of cycling without specialized equipment or expensive gear of any sort. Others may document somebody’s bike touring, and illustrate the planning and special circumstances of those sorts of bike excursions. These personal testimonials on what has worked and what has proved less successful offer insight and encouragement to those who may be new to bicycle commuting. Most importantly, many of these bike advocacy blogs document cycling from the perspective of the every day cyclist, which is in counterpoint against the bike messenger daredevil image that has been so pervasive to the masses. At the very least, a bicycle blog will generally provide an account of cycling that is unique to its author, a normal person. For example, Mikael Colville-Andersen, a photographer, journalist, and film director, began taking photos of stylish cyclists in his city of Copenhagen and posting them on his blog, Copenhagen Cycle Chic (Colville-Andersen, Copenhagen Cycle Chic). If a picture is reportedly worth a thousand words, then Colville-Andersen’s images of cyclists from Copenhagen speak volumes. Since his blog debuted in 2006, scores of inspired would-be cyclists have been subscribing to the idea that cycling can indeed be practical and chic. With almost daily fresh photos of every demographic out on bicycles conducting normal, every day activities, the original Copenhagen Cycle Chic has given rise to many “cycle chic” blogs all over the world, including Barcelona, Italy, Bordeaux, Los Angeles, Sydney, New York, Lisbon, Dublin, Mexico, Vancouver, and Hungary, just to name a few. Blogs in the Copenhagen Cycle Chic style work together to craft a new image of the urban cyclist, one that does not involve bicycles weaving in and out of traffic while the riders tempt the traffic fates Instead, it is one where cyclists exist harmoniously as citizens engaging in active transportation.

North American versions of blogs uniting fashion, bikes, and advocacy have sprung up in all corners of the continent. They take on various forms, but all tend to focus on discussing how sustainable bicycle transportation can be whilst sharing helpful tips, stories, and creating a community to share in North American cycling trials and tribulations. Dorothy Brackett from the popular blog Let’s Go Ride A Bike writes about her experiences with bicycle commuting in Chicago. In addition to how-to posts about dressing for inclement weather, Brackett expounds about bicycle use as a fun social activity, and a healthy, environmentally conscious form of transportation that has the merits of being efficient, easy, enjoyable, and affordable.

Riding a bicycle as daily transportation can radically shift both how you feel and how you feel about yourself. The benefits are the same that make sports so good for adolescents, especially girls. Transportation bicycling is even better than sports, as there is no competition or pressure to perform, and cycling fits seamlessly into every day life. Free of the need to carve out time in your day to work out, you are simultaneously free of the self-loathing that accompanies the failure to do so […] Bicycling is not a wonder drug or a total solution to the deeply entrenched problem of body image and self-esteem, but it is a small change that individuals can make to live a healthier and happier life. Plus, riding a bike is fun! (Brackett, Bicycling and Self-Esteem)

Brackett points out that having an active lifestyle may be more effective in maintaining health on a day to day basis instead of the extra trips required to go to and from the gym. Furthermore, she suggests that a lifestyle-integrated form of activity is likely to lead to better self image because the activity itself makes one mindful of their body’s energy output. Her daily commute to and from work becomes a story about fitness and self-care intermingled with a story of life without a car in one of America’s greatest cities. Grassroots writing such as this represents one voice in the much larger conversation about transportation, health, and activity. Bloggers such as Brackett try to emphasize the positives of biking as transportation while being measured about the challenges. In bicycle literature of this genre, the general conclusion is that despite the pitfalls of cycling in cities that are dominated by cars, the positives still far outweigh the negatives. One of the challenges for bicycle blog advocacy is attempting to initiate a cultural shift in North American thinking on bicycle transportation, though, the addition of commentary and discourse on the matter surely adds to the overall issue. Blogs can provide supplementary perspectives on cycling and transportation while representing the interests of every day cyclists, and with the unique voice of that citizen.

Pediatrician Julian Davies of the blog, Totcycle, writes about his family’s life using bikes in Seattle. He takes part in a regular organized bike ride called Kidical Mass, a ride that is devoted to bringing families out to ride with their children in tow. He features reviews of various cargo bikes used to transport children who are too young to ride by themselves, and also shares his experience with retrofits on bikes in order to better equip them for the every day transportation of kids of all ages, including infants. Davies’ blog features subjects ranging from finding the correct sized helmet for a young one, various devices and methods for protecting the kids from the elements, to brief biographies on other cycling families that have made the decision to transport their kids as bike cargo.

If you like to ride bikes for the wind on your face, swoopy turns, the sensation of self-powered speed, and getting to experience the world around you with all of your senses ... then so will your kids! If you're a reasonably confident & careful rider, don't miss the delightful conversations and shared delight that comes with riding together on a family bike. (Davies, Family Biking Ages and Stages)

Because of his professional vocation coupled with his love for cycling, Davies offers a unique perspective for readers who are curious about what family cycling would entail. It stands to reason that many people who would write cycling off as dangerous and foolish, would think it even more dangerous if children were involved. Many of the reasons why people choose to drive over biking is also attributed to the child factor. The child’s school, day care, and extracurricular activities are often cited as the reasons why parents feel that driving is absolutely necessary in order to accomplish the family’s comprehensive schedule. Davies dispels many myths about the risks of cycling as a family by offering experience and insight from his perspective as a doctor and as a father. Like Brackett, he focuses his message on education and the positive side to riding bikes, so people can feel confident and prepared for cycling. The critical mass required for levels of government to feel as though radical changes in infrastructure are necessary, may only be achieved if enough people feel as though biking is not merely a consequence of socioeconomic status, but if people begin to value the benefits of a lifestyle that incorporates active transportation.

On the topic of grassroots advocacy in North America, there are also some newer bicycling magazines, such as Momentum Magazine and Urban Velo, that highlight cities on the rise in terms of bicycle commuting culture, have features on certain cyclists, and publish reviews and news about bicycles and other reports on developing bicycle cultures. The tagline for Momentum states that it is “the magazine for self-propelled people” and grassroots bike magazines like Urban Velo have the tagline, “bicycle culture on the skids”. The latter has an entire section of its publication entitled, “I Love Riding in the City”, featuring cyclists from all over North America with photos and a Q&A. Lydia Brownfield of Columbus, OH, says of cycling in her city, “I have lived in New York, Atlanta, and Columbus, but spend a ton of time in Los Angeles as well. The city is just so alive, and the battle between good and evil lies around every turn” (Urban Velo 30). Natalie Newberry of Mufreesboro, TN says of cycling, “It makes me feel free. It makes me feel like I’m actually doing something. It raises awareness to motorists saying, ‘We’re not blocking traffic, we ARE traffic’” (Ibid 32). Personal testimonials of this variety add to the growing collection of every day bicycle commuters and slowly begin rebrand cycling as logical, joyful, and convenient.

__________________________________________________
Works Cited

Basset, David Rowland., John Pucher, Ralph Buehler, Dixie L. Thompson, and Scott E. Crouter. "Walking, Cycling, and Obesity Rates in Europe, North America, and Australia." Journal of Physical Activity and Health 5 (2008): 795-814. Print.

Brackett, Dorothy. "Bicycling and Self Esteem." Weblog post. Let's Go Ride A Bike. 18 May 2010. Web. 18 May 2010. .

Burgueño, Meli. Bikes and The City. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Byrne, David. Bicycle Diaries. New York: Viking, 2009. Print.

Chan, Sarah. Web log post. Girls and Bicycles. Web. 15 May 2010.
.

Colville-Andersen, Mikael. "Bike Helmet Protest in Melbourne." Web log post. Copenhagenize. 3 Aug. 2010. Web. 28 Aug. 2010. .

Colville-Andersen, Mikael. "Cycle Chic Origins." Cycle Chic™ - The Original from Copenhagen. Web. 16 Aug. 2010. .

"Cycling in the Netherlands." Ministerie Van Verkeer En Waterstaat. Web. 24 May 2010.
.

Davies, Julian. "Family Biking Ages & Stages." Web log post. Totcycle. 26 June 2009. Web. 21 May 2010. .

Dennis, J., B. Potter, T. Ramsay, and R. Zarychanski. "The Effects of Provincial Bicycle Helmet Legislation on Helmet Use and Bicycle Ridership in Canada." Injury Prevention. 2010. Web. 02 Mar. 2011. .

Feucht, Dave. "Portland Bicycle Plan 2010." Web log post. Portlandize. 4 Feb. 2010.
Web. 27 May 2010. .

Fincham, Ben. "Bicycle Messengers: Image, Identity and Community." Cycling and Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Gill, M., and M. Goldacre. "Seasonal Variation in Hospital Admission for Road Traffic Injuries in England: Analysis of Hospital Statistics." Injury Preventon. 2009. Web. 2 Mar. 2011. .

Gotschi, Thomas, and Kevin Mills. "Active Transportation for America." Rails to Trails
Conservatory. Web. 24 May 2010. .

North Carolina School of Public Health. "Active Living by Design and Public Health." 8-80 Cities. Web. 27 May 2010. .

Halbur, Tim. "Women, Transit, and the Perception of Safety | Planetizen." Planetizen |
Urban Planning, Design and Development Network. 11 Feb. 2010. Web. 27 May
2010. .

Horton, Dave. "Fear of Cycling." Cycling and Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

"I Love Riding in the City." Urban Velo May 2010: 14-34. Print.

Kay, Jane Holtz. Asphalt Nation. New York: Crown, 1997. Print.

Looft, Sandra. Simply Bike. Web. 04 Mar. 2011. .

Mackintosh, Philip G., and Glen Norcliffe. "Men, Women and the Bicycle: Gender and
Social Geography of Cycling in the Late Nineteenth Century." Cycling and
Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England:
Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Maples, Jeff. Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State UP, 2009. Print.

Martinelli, Deandria. Los Angeles Cycle Chic. Web. 04 Mar. 2011. .

Masoner, Richard. "Q&A with Eben Oliver Weiss Aka Bike Snob
NYC." Momentum May 2010: 26-27. Print.

O'Brien, Catherine. "A Footprint of Delight, Exploring Sustainable Happiness." NCBW
Forum Article (2006). Web. 25 May 2010.
.

Parkin, John, Tim Ryley, and Tim Jones. "Barriers to Cycling: An Exploration of Quantitative Analyses." Ed. Paul Rosen and Peter Cox. Cycling and Society. Ed. Dave Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Pucher, John, and Ralph Buehler. "Making Cycling Irresistible: Lessons from The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany." Transport Reviews 28.4 (2008): 495-528. Web.

Scott, Todd. "Detroit." Momentum May 2010. Print.
Skinner, David, and Paul Rosen. "Hell Is Other Cyclists: Rethinking Transport and Identity." Cycling and Society. By Peter Cox and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Spinner, Justin. "Cycling the City: Non-Place and the Sensory Construction of Meaning
in a Mobile Practice." Ed. Dave Horton. Cycling and Society. Ed. Peter Cox and
David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Vanderbilt, Tom. Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says about Us). New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2008. Print.

Wesson, D., D. Stephens, K. Lam, D. Parsons, L. Spence, and P. Parkin. "Trends in Pediatric and Adult Bicycling Deaths Before and After Passage of a Bicycle Helmet Law -- Wesson Et Al. 122 (3): 605 -- Pediatrics." Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation. 2008. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Williams, Martha. Bike Fancy. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Wilson, David Gordon, Jim Papadopoulos, and Frank Rowland. Whitt. Bicycling
Science. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT, 2004. Print.

Wilson, Mighk. "Bicycling Is Better » Which Cycling Politics: Doom or Possibility?"
Bicycling Is Better. 1 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 May 2010. .

Wood, Daniel B. "On the Rise in American Cities: the Car-free Zone / The Christian
Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com." The Christian Science Monitor –
CSMonitor.com. 2 May 2007. Web. 27 May 2010. .

The Belgravian.

2012-03-06T02:53:00.001-07:00

This past fall, I took over the neighbourhood community league newsletter as a local-volunteer opportunity. So far it's been a learning curve! Laying things out, getting acquainted with various contacts, invoicing for ads, printing, etc. Though they're not perfect, I'm happy to be part of the communications team for Belgravia Community League!

Usually after I pick up our print job, I drop off my boxes at the sweet sweet lady 2 blocks away, and she sorts and distributes the newsletter for our various circulation volunteers. This month she is away on vacation so I am distribution lady too!

I make my deliveries by bike.

I had to come home a few times to re-load, but it was still better than trying to drive around reading addresses on houses.

Brought Dougal along so he could get some exercise too.

He was a nice little delivery companion.

Community leagues are so vital to a neighbourhood, they really provide a support network for facing challenges (for us, it has been recent parking issues with the opening of the LRT station near our place, and Belgravia's proximity to the University hospital and campus). Also, the community league is the entity that organizes events that connect us to our neighbours.

And it's all run by volunteers!

So here's to strong community leagues - get involved in yours so the fine people on the board don't get burnt out and eventually have to quit. Everybody has more fun and lasts longer when the work is divided among many.

Guest Post by Simply Bike: Cycling in the 2nd Trimester

2012-03-05T01:33:00.002-07:00

{19 weeks pregnant, heading to work on my bike}

Hi, I'm S. and I'm the author behind Simply Bike and an avid reader of Girls and Bicycles. So when Miss Sarah asked me to contribute a series of guests posts on the subject of cycling while pregnant, I was thrilled. I biked until my 38th week of pregnancy, albeit increasingly slower and for much shorter distances towards the end. But even with those amendments to my daily routine, I still was happy to get on my bike and ride to work or to my doctor's appointments, moving my legs and keeping my body feeling healthy and strong.

The second trimester in particular was wonderful for cycling. I was done with the dehabilitating fatigue that put a cloud over the first trimester and I wasn't yet so unbearably huge that I needed to ajust my stance to keep my knees from hitting my belly as was the case in the third trimester. Like everyone always says, the second trimester is the honeymoon period.

And honeymoon we did, my bike and I.

During the second trimester, I was still comfortably riding both of my bikes (a more upright vintage Raleigh and a more forward-leaning Peugeot mixte). I was still easily making my daily commute (just under 2 miles each way) to work and back home. I was also still able to throw in some longer bike rides or tackle days of errands, biking to yoga, and meeting friends for lunch, as long as I was careful to stay hydrated and to give myself breaks when needed.

In preparation for writing this post, I searched my blog archives for all my 'cycling while pregnant' posts to see what I had to say about the subject back then, when I was actually going through it. I was almost dissapointed to see how little I touched on the pregnancy part during the posts on cycling. In one post, typical of so many others composed during that time, I wrote:

"That ride back home is all I need to decompress: the brisk pedaling, the sounds of the city and nature, the crisp sting of the winter air. Nothing makes me shake off office stress and switch to home mode more easily than that transition bike ride between campus and home. It’s just not the same by car."

This tells you just how little the pregnancy was affecting my riding at the time. It was insignificant enough to my daily commute that it rarely factored into my writings; rather, the joy and everyday bliss of getting on my bike dominated those entries.

I'm well aware that the sight of a pregnant woman on a bike is somewhat of a rarity in our North American culture but there is nothing to be afraid of, if certain precautions are taken. The pregnant body is not an incapacitated body and a woman should be free to continue what was previsouly routine activity for as long as she feels good and the baby is doing well. In my case, getting on my bike and continuing to ride gave me that much needed psychological boost that was especially important while pregnant and caring for another life inside of me.

Thanks S, for continuing to share your thoughts on baby-bump riding! We're looking forward to your post about the 3rd and final trimester!

-Miss Sarah

Big Snow.

2012-03-02T00:29:00.000-07:00

We had a big snowfall last weekend, which gave me a good 4 consecutive days of "NO" when it came to bicycling. I am not a fan of the oatmeal snow.

The graters have now been through so things are starting to look civilized again, albeit a little chilly. It's really no big thing if you're wearing a proper coat. Kona and I rode on bumpy Belgravian roads (praise to mountain bikes in this context) in around -12C/9F. The only pregnancy precaution to take in this case was making sure to go pee before leaving the house (heavy emphasis on the all-terrain nature of some winter riding).

And hey, today was the first day in YEARS that I have had to fix a loose chain! I am very proud that I was able to get the chain back on in record time, with my mitts on.

For those of you who are into bike-details - check out the little rusty bits on my winter ride! Signs of love and use, I say. Admittedly, I don't wipe down my bike after each ride. I just roll it into the garage and leave it for next time.

Oh, and here is a glimpse of a Belgravian windrow.

And yes, the parka is back. Good thing it still zips up over the baby bump.

Snowfall in the end of February? No probs. Bring it on. I'll still be pedaling.

Road Rash - Fear: The Great Obstacle

2012-02-29T10:23:00.001-07:00

This is part of a series of posts featuring parts of my paper, Road Rash.

Fear: The Great Obstacle

North American attitudes towards cycling seem to be founded on a perception of fear associated with the activity. Common criticisms of cycling routes include:
 Conflict with pedestrians on shared-use paths, particularly those that take space away from existing footways;  Lack of continuity of routes, resulting, for example, from ‘give way’ and  ‘cyclist dismount’ signs;  Street furniture that creates obstacles;  Poor surfaces on off-road routes; and  Off-road paths that take inconvenient routes (Ibid 78).

The general design of many North American cities does not incorporate cycling as a method of transportation for the masses. Because of this lack of planning, people who choose to cycle then integrate themselves into motor vehicle traffic since dedicated spaces to cyclists are not common. Despite the geographical or infrastructural dissuasions from cycling, one of the paramount barriers to North American cycling is fear.

The car is experienced as an extension of the home for people (mainly women) who are fearful of public space. In contrast, the bicycle affords no shield from the (masculine) gaze. There is surely an existential vulnerability attached to performing physical activity in public space… Then there is fear of using one’s body, of sensing one’s body, of getting sweaty of experiencing ‘hard work’, of hills. Other fears are more connected to issues of identity and include the fear or ridicule, of losing status, of riding a gendered, classed, raced and stigmatised vehicle, of undermining one’s existing sense of identity; fear […] of becoming ‘strange’ (Horton 134-145).

The issue of fear presents a feedback loop. The fewer bikes that are seen on the road the more dangerous and risky cycling as transportation seems. On the other hand, the more dangerous cycling seems, the less likely new cyclists are to try using bicycles as a viable mode of alternative transportation. Horton claims that fear of cycling is a symptom of living in an established fearful culture. “We have never been so safe, yet never have we been so fearful” (Ibid 137). Within these constructions of fear with regard to cycling Horton points to three areas where this fear might manifest. One is the area of road safety education, the second is helmet promotion campaigns, and thirdly we have new cycling spaces.

With road safety education we examine how roads have overwhelmingly become car-centric. I doubt many people now think of a road with children playing on it or with bicycles breezing past. It would appear that gone are the days when kids would just push their hockey nets onto the road for street hockey, and move them on occasion when a car needed to pass. Roads have been annexed by a bevy of cars. They dominate streets, and the people who endeavour to wander into the realm of cars are cautioned against doing so. “Motoring organisations such as the Automobile Association and the Royal Automobile Club argued that children should be taught to keep out of the car’s way, and road safety education was born, as an alternative to preserving streets for people” (Ibid 138). So instead of impressing upon drivers how much responsibility they have operating a vehicle that weighs several tons, the onus is on children and pedestrians to stay out of a car’s path. This well-established notion that cars are dangerous has translated to the notion that roads are dangerous. All other attempts to reclaim roads for the movement of people via bicycle, therefore, require mindfulness that the roads and cars are dangerous. Ironically, instead of the lesson being that cars are dangerous and operators of motor vehicles should always exercise extreme caution while driving, the emphasis is placed on the individual who willingly chooses to interact with the vehicles, making the notion of riding a bike a risky endeavour as opposed to educating road users about traffic safety in general. Riding a bicycle is not inherently dangerous. However, riding a bicycle amidst cars is perceived as undoubtedly dangerous. And somehow the breadth of responsibility for such risk and danger falls upon the cyclist.

Road safety educators inculcate ‘safety-consciousness’ in various ways: they provide children with a variety of reflective gadgets; children are encouraged to wear high visibility clothing and cycle helmets; and exercises in road safety literature teach children to walk or cycle by convoluted routes because they are ‘safer’. The road safety industry thus strike to reduce casualties by inculcating fear in children, and giving them not incentives but disincentives to walk and cycle”. (Ibid 139)

The fear of road use by non-motorists is heightened by lack of non-motorists. This refers back to the aforementioned feedback loop, where the cyclist or pedestrian is expected to take safety measures before occupying road space, but the necessary preparations for biking in traffic render the experience intimidating in its complexity. The perceived risk of cycling in traffic has been so naturally crafted that it has become a real fear for those who may not even have attempted it. Consequently, drivers may not feel the imperative to drive more carefully or understand the concept of sharing the road since there are not many occasions where this is necessary. Roads have been prematurely declared for cars. This ultimately acts as a deterrent for bicycle transportation, because of the fear of motor vehicle traffic and the lack of examples of ordinary people on ordinary bicycles amidst cars. A fear of the road exists largely because general North American transportation seems to have been branded and designed for the car

This extension of risk management on the part of the cyclist continues with Horton’s second category of fear construction with cycling: the Helmet Promotion Campaigns. “Like road safety education, campaigns to promote the wearing of cycle helmets effectively construct cycling as a dangerous practice about which to be fearful” (Ibid 140). There are varying degrees of severity where helmet promotion is concerned. Some camps encourage people to decide for themselves and to wear or not wear a helmet as their own personal choice. Others feel that helmet usage needs to be compulsory for all ages, at all times. Rarely asked in this controversy is whether wearing a helmet actually reduces or increases the risk of sustaining a head injury (Ibid). Several factors contribute to a helmet’s effectiveness, including the angle and speed of collision, in addition to how well the helmet fits and is affixed to the head, and also what material the helmet is made of.

Cycle helmet programmes and legislation have never been justified by evidence that cycling is particularly hazardous or a major cause of head injury. All such programmes rest for their credibility upon a deep-seated stereotype that cycling is "dangerous". In fact, risk assessments show that cyclists face everyday risks comparable to pedestrians and drivers. In Canada, the rate of child head injury admission due to cycling accidents is exceedingly low. (Wesson)

A subsequent concern is whether the militant lobbying for helmet use casts an overall shadow over bicycle safety. “There is evidence that cycling levels decline when helmets are promoted and collapse when they become compulsory” (Ibid). On the contrary, the Netherlands and Denmark experience very high levels of ridership where the cycling demographic does not favour helmet usage (Ibid, 141). If one of the main fears of cycling is contending with traffic and potential collisions, then wearing a helmet sends a few messages. It confirms that traffic is indeed dangerous and that wearing a helmet may safeguard against head injury. It also shows responsibility on the part of the cyclist and reinforces the expectation that cyclists should prepare themselves for travel in motor vehicle traffic. At the best of times it relays to observers that the cyclist is having an enjoyable and safe journey via bicycle, while being mindful that the cyclist is participating in a potentially dangerous activity. Taking these scenarios into consideration, it is not all that surprising that the mandatory use of helmets sends a message of warning to would-be cyclists. Such an example of a jurisdiction with highly reinforced bike helmet laws would be Melbourne, Australia.

The fine for cycling without a helmet in Melbourne is a whopping $160. Not exactly encouraging people to cycle, now is it. Fining them for contributing to lower pollution levels, better public health, etc etc. is hardly the way to build the foundations of a bicycle culture. In contrast, Sydney is experiencing a greater boom in cycling, despite having less infrastructure, largely because they don't bother punishing cyclists for riding bicycles without helmets. (Colville-Anderson, Bike Helmet Protest in Melbourne)

An important thing to keep in mind is that “cyclists are at lower risk of head injury than motorists, pedestrians and children at play, yet none of those groups is encouraged to wear helmets” (Horton 141). So although wearing a helmet while cycling can send some discouraging messages about bicycling and safety, the context of this perceived danger in cycling is also very important. A helmet may safeguard against the eventuality of a head injury sustained while cycling, however, the instances of such occurrences are even less than the likelihood of a similar injury for motorists and pedestrians. Therefore, it is rather illogical for the emphasis of danger and fear to be associated specifically with cycling when travel by car and by foot has recorded higher instances of head injury. The greatest irony is the lack of measures taken to ensure that motorists and pedestrians protect themselves from head injury the same way cyclists are generally expected to. In North American cycling literature, the context of these discussions is most often marred by the established fear that cycling is dangerous with little mention of the more terrifying statistics related to head injury and fatality via travel in motor vehicles. Most subsequent debate of the issue cannot avoid reinforcing this fear as the discussion itself continues to steer the topic back into the same frame of personal safety when cycling. In some ways the discussion about what makes cycling safe becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, with the proposed danger of cycling being reiterated ironically, through the debate about its safety.

Horton argues this reinforcement of safety is also fed by the discussion around bicycle lanes. If the prevailing agreement is that roadways are for cars and bicycles should operate elsewhere, it becomes more difficult to legitimize the practice of cycling as transportation as opposed to a fun, recreational activity. Although, separated bike lanes may be a realistic solution in many North American cities based on the general perception of the roads being dangerous. “The road safety industry, helmet promotion campaigns and anyone responsible for marketing off-road cycling facilities all have a vested interest in constructing cycling – particularly cycling on the road – as a dangerous practice. Cycling, in other words, becomes ‘dangerous’ because of these attempts to render it ‘safe’” (Ibid 144). The North American cycling dilemma is characterized by the negative relationship between perceived safety and ridership numbers. Some feel as though riding is risky and unsuitable for their lifestyle because the types of cyclists they have witnessed fall under the bike messenger cliché or perhaps the recreational sportsman category. A potential rider may be discouraged to try bicycle commuting due to a lack of affinity with either of these stereotypes.

So cycling advocates face a dilemma. Safety is probably the biggest barrier that discourages people who would otherwise be more willing to cycle. And clearly cycling is more dangerous in this country than in European countries that have done more to encourage cycling and gain safety in numbers. One study, for example, calculates that the fatality rate of America cyclists is at least three times greater than in the Netherlands, even though virtually no Dutch cyclist wears a helmet (Maples 24)

My analysis of North American bike culture has revealed that safety is among the most frequent topics. Most writing tends to be research exploring the risks and how to manage those risks, or a discussion of how this culture of fear has now come to dominate the discourse. In contrast, much of the literature refers to European bike culture (that of the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark) as a model for what has driven the cultural shift in transportation in those countries. Inquiries are made as to what motivates the increase in ridership and how those initiatives could be implemented in North American municipalities to yield similar results. In essence, it is quite common for North American cycling literature to focus on European models of cycling as a point of discussion. These texts tend to give the impression that average North American cities are doomed to oscillate in the vicious cycle of wanting more infrastructure to promote ridership, but lacking the critical mass to shift the paradigm due to fear of cycling.

__________________________________________________
Works Cited

Basset, David Rowland., John Pucher, Ralph Buehler, Dixie L. Thompson, and Scott E. Crouter. "Walking, Cycling, and Obesity Rates in Europe, North America, and Australia." Journal of Physical Activity and Health 5 (2008): 795-814. Print.

Brackett, Dorothy. "Bicycling and Self Esteem." Weblog post. Let's Go Ride A Bike. 18 May 2010. Web. 18 May 2010. .

Burgueño, Meli. Bikes and The City. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Byrne, David. Bicycle Diaries. New York: Viking, 2009. Print.

Chan, Sarah. Web log post. Girls and Bicycles. Web. 15 May 2010.
.

Colville-Andersen, Mikael. "Bike Helmet Protest in Melbourne." Web log post. Copenhagenize. 3 Aug. 2010. Web. 28 Aug. 2010. .

Colville-Andersen, Mikael. "Cycle Chic Origins." Cycle Chic™ - The Original from Copenhagen. Web. 16 Aug. 2010. .

"Cycling in the Netherlands." Ministerie Van Verkeer En Waterstaat. Web. 24 May 2010.
.

Davies, Julian. "Family Biking Ages & Stages." Web log post. Totcycle. 26 June 2009. Web. 21 May 2010. .

Dennis, J., B. Potter, T. Ramsay, and R. Zarychanski. "The Effects of Provincial Bicycle Helmet Legislation on Helmet Use and Bicycle Ridership in Canada." Injury Prevention. 2010. Web. 02 Mar. 2011. .

Feucht, Dave. "Portland Bicycle Plan 2010." Web log post. Portlandize. 4 Feb. 2010.
Web. 27 May 2010. .

Fincham, Ben. "Bicycle Messengers: Image, Identity and Community." Cycling and Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Gill, M., and M. Goldacre. "Seasonal Variation in Hospital Admission for Road Traffic Injuries in England: Analysis of Hospital Statistics." Injury Preventon. 2009. Web. 2 Mar. 2011. .

Gotschi, Thomas, and Kevin Mills. "Active Transportation for America." Rails to Trails
Conservatory. Web. 24 May 2010. .

North Carolina School of Public Health. "Active Living by Design and Public Health." 8-80 Cities. Web. 27 May 2010. .

Halbur, Tim. "Women, Transit, and the Perception of Safety | Planetizen." Planetizen |
Urban Planning, Design and Development Network. 11 Feb. 2010. Web. 27 May
2010. .

Horton, Dave. "Fear of Cycling." Cycling and Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

"I Love Riding in the City." Urban Velo May 2010: 14-34. Print.

Kay, Jane Holtz. Asphalt Nation. New York: Crown, 1997. Print.

Looft, Sandra. Simply Bike. Web. 04 Mar. 2011. .

Mackintosh, Philip G., and Glen Norcliffe. "Men, Women and the Bicycle: Gender and
Social Geography of Cycling in the Late Nineteenth Century." Cycling and
Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England:
Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Maples, Jeff. Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State UP, 2009. Print.

Martinelli, Deandria. Los Angeles Cycle Chic. Web. 04 Mar. 2011. .

Masoner, Richard. "Q&A with Eben Oliver Weiss Aka Bike Snob
NYC." Momentum May 2010: 26-27. Print.

O'Brien, Catherine. "A Footprint of Delight, Exploring Sustainable Happiness." NCBW
Forum Article (2006). Web. 25 May 2010.
.

Parkin, John, Tim Ryley, and Tim Jones. "Barriers to Cycling: An Exploration of Quantitative Analyses." Ed. Paul Rosen and Peter Cox. Cycling and Society. Ed. Dave Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Pucher, John, and Ralph Buehler. "Making Cycling Irresistible: Lessons from The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany." Transport Reviews 28.4 (2008): 495-528. Web.

Scott, Todd. "Detroit." Momentum May 2010. Print.
Skinner, David, and Paul Rosen. "Hell Is Other Cyclists: Rethinking Transport and Identity." Cycling and Society. By Peter Cox and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Spinner, Justin. "Cycling the City: Non-Place and the Sensory Construction of Meaning
in a Mobile Practice." Ed. Dave Horton. Cycling and Society. Ed. Peter Cox and
David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Vanderbilt, Tom. Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says about Us). New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2008. Print.

Wesson, D., D. Stephens, K. Lam, D. Parsons, L. Spence, and P. Parkin. "Trends in Pediatric and Adult Bicycling Deaths Before and After Passage of a Bicycle Helmet Law -- Wesson Et Al. 122 (3): 605 -- Pediatrics." Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation. 2008. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Williams, Martha. Bike Fancy. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Wilson, David Gordon, Jim Papadopoulos, and Frank Rowland. Whitt. Bicycling
Science. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT, 2004. Print.

Wilson, Mighk. "Bicycling Is Better » Which Cycling Politics: Doom or Possibility?"
Bicycling Is Better. 1 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 May 2010. .

Wood, Daniel B. "On the Rise in American Cities: the Car-free Zone / The Christian
Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com." The Christian Science Monitor –
CSMonitor.com. 2 May 2007. Web. 27 May 2010. .

Cycling While Pregnant: Q&A with Juliet

2012-02-27T09:53:00.000-07:00

Juliet with her bike, at 39 weeks pregnant!

Name: Juliet

Age: 34

Location: London, UK

Cycling for how many years: Regularly as an adult for about 15 years
(learnt to ride as a child).

Favorite part about cycling: The freedom and flexibility of moving
yourself around under your own power. And the fact that it's just *fun*!

Bike(s) you ride: Around town I mostly ride my self-built fixie; it’s an
old (70s/80s) road-bike-style skinny steel frame with mudguards and
rack. I also have a Hewitt Cheviot light tourer with gears which I use
for longer rides, Audaxing (though I haven’t ridden an Audax for a
couple of years), and touring. We now have a Christiania trike, too,
bought very recently for carrying the small-person around in once he
arrives!

What three words sum up your cycling experience while being pregnant:
Slower, still great!

How did being pregnant affect your approach to cycling or your daily
commute:

I work from home so no longer have a daily commute, but use my bike for
transport wherever I do happen to be going. During my first trimester I
felt really ill for several weeks so although if I did need to go
anywhere I’d cycle just as usual, I wasn’t leaving the house that much
so I rode less. Happily that wore off at 12 weeks, after which it was
fine again. Over the last couple of weeks (I’m 39 weeks pregnant now)
I’ve started getting the tube for distances longer than 3-4 miles as I’m
getting much more tired more easily. In general, though, I’ve cycled in
pretty much exactly the same way. Just more slowly, especially
uphill...

What (if anything) surprised you about cycling while pregnant?
Don’t think anything did. I was expecting that I might get the odd
comment on the street (as other pregnant cycling friends have), but as
it’s been winter (so lots of layers) & my bump has never actually gotten
that huge, I don’t think it’s been at all obvious & no one has said
anything.

How did your family and friends react to you cycling while pregnant?
Complete lack of surprise -- I don’t think anyone would have expected me
to do anything other than keep cycling!

What (if any) special accommodations did you require to continue cycling
throughout your pregnancy?
I raised the handlebars on both bikes a few months in, which made it
much comfier. Since about 6-7 months I’ve been riding the fixie
exclusively as the bars on that went significantly higher, and the
geared bike just isn’t comfortable (I knee myself in the bump).
The only other ‘accommodation’ is more of a mental one -- accepting that
(especially as of about the last 2 months) I’m just a lot slower than
‘usual’, and I need to allow more time and take things a bit more
easily.

What would you say to another woman interested in cycling while
pregnant? What have you taken away from the experience?
Do it! Absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t, and it’s just as much the
best way to get around when you’re pregnant as it is when you’re not
pregnant.

For me I think it was simply not an option that I wouldn’t cycle -- just
wouldn’t have occurred to me. That’s how I get around the place! (And
public transport doesn’t become free when you get pregnant...) So I’m
not sure I’ve taken much away from it, as it just seems like a normal
thing to have done.

In addition to cycling, what other activities helped you stay fit and
active during your pregnancy?
Walking the dog; climbing (which I seem to have finally stopped at about
36 weeks though will not rule out another little go on the wall before
the baby gets here...), going out dancing.

Family Day.

2012-02-24T00:17:00.000-07:00

I'm usually blogging about biking and how it fits into the regular everyday stuff that we get up to here in the land of Chivesons (Chan + Iveson), but I don't often blog about how challenging it is for us to spend time together as a family.

Being self-employed, I went back to work 3 months after Dexter was born. Don generally works a more-than-full-time (I won't scare you with the hours) week, and we both work well into the evening. This means on most nights we don't eat dinner together. So when we do have the very rare family time when all three of us are around and available at the same time - it's a real treat!

Hence my enthusiasm for some family winter riding and hibernation this past holiday Monday.

We do "normal" people stuff, like bake blueberry muffins.

Dexter makes me do a photo shoot with his trains (Hiro and Gordon).

I drink a leisurely coffee, as opposed to the coffee I just inhale on my way out.

Dexter and aforementioned trains.

We bake up a bread and eat lunch, picnic-style. Dexter has discovered that he loves Dubliner cheese.

Then it's time to get saddled up to take Dougal to the river valley for family exercise!

We have some snow, but also lots of sun and sky.

And the rest of family day is spent, though not-so-exciting to some, blissfully chilling out.

However, Don DID manage to finish a bunch of reading for work amidst the down time:) We're always sort of working... that's just how we roll, so to speak.

Hope your holiday Monday had a bit of sun too!

Road Rash - Transportation and Identity

2012-02-22T10:14:00.001-07:00

This is part of a series of posts featuring parts of my paper, Road Rash.

Transportation and Identity

North American bicycle writing also makes several links between transportation and identity. “For most people, their transport choices permeate their identities not in the sense of them being ‘a cyclist’ or ‘a motorist’ to the exclusion of other options; rather, transport informs identity through its interaction with other aspects of people’s lives” (Skinner 91). Skinner asserts that choosing a bicycle over a car, or vice versa, is dependent on more than just the ecological or economical impacts of such a choice. The issue of safety, much like the image of cycling overall, is a question of perceptions derived from the greater cultural milieu surrounding North American bicycle usage. “Whilst there are factors that prevent individuals from cycling, these are fluid and vary according to somebody’s personal circumstances: not just how experienced they are at cycling on the road but also their age, gender, employment situation, geographical location and so on” (Ibid 85). Skinner argues that understanding how people think of themselves as mobile creatures encourages a more realistic view of how transportation habits can be altered and changed. “The notion of identity can help us move beyond a ‘rational choice’ model of transport behaviour posited on an abstract universal individual, and replace it with an account of the differences in perspective and action that emerge from cultural variations between social groups” (Ibid). Before cycling can be made attractive to the average citizen, the activity has to be marketed effectively. It is this focus on identity that arguably makes car manufacturers very successful at promoting the use of motor vehicles. Marketing of lifestyle, status, and amusement in car commercials over the last several decades has fully formed positive associations with driving, and I would argue that those associations spill over to one’s sense of identity. Cars have been offered up as the solution to protection from the elements, transporting cargo, and safely ferrying one’s children about. It is no wonder that people have developed a reliance on cars and an attitude towards motor vehicles that renders them indispensable.

Many see bicycling as too dangerous, too sweaty, unreliable in bad weather, rough on clothes, and a bane to carefully coiffed hair. People live on steep hills, are too far away from work and stores, have to drop their kid off at school, need to carry too much, have to get to daycare after work, use their car for work, enjoy driving anyway because it’s easy, and—let’s not forget this, even though it usually goes unstated—we drive because our cars are so wrapped up in our personal identity. Most of us buy as much car as we can afford, and maybe even a little more, in part because it sends a message about our status to the rest of the world. Who isn’t a little more muscular or beautiful or stylish behind the wheel of that curvaceous new vehicle? (Maples 25-26).

The seemingly unique complexities of average North American life appear dependent on driving, as does the identity that is constructed through the scheduling of these activities and how people get there and back. Therefore, changing transportation habits in North America is all the more challenging based on these constructs. Asking a person to try cycling is not simply convincing people of making a choice that seems to be more sensible overall, and it is inevitably a request for somebody to question their lifestyle and what their transportation habits say about who they are. In this way, North American cycling literature has been occupied with discussing the why behind reasons people bike or not as opposed to the how.

Investigations into North American cycling literature also tend to lead the researcher in the direction of texts dedicated to the study and analysis of traffic and driving behaviour on the road. As indicated, many of the European cities that have adopted measures to promote and improve bicycle use did so out of a need to ease congestion. Another interesting revelation is that women make many of the trips taken by car.

Women make roughly double the number of what are called “serve-passenger” trips – that is, they’re taking someone somewhere that they themselves do not need to be. All these trips are squeezed together to and from work in a process called “trip chaining.” And because women, as a whole, leave later for work than men, they tend to travel right smack-dab in the peak hours of congestion (and even more so in the afternoon peak hours, which is partially why those tend to be worse). What’s more, these kinds of trips are made on the kinds of local streets, with lots of signals and required turning movements, that are least equipped to handle heavy traffic flows. (Vanderbilt 135)

The driving that women have to do would arguably be considered a necessity. The education, childcare, and earning potential associated with mobility, are likely something a family would defend vehemently, often as a right. From what we have gathered about the reason people drive, it can be assumed that use of motor vehicles symbolizes freedom of mobility and choice.

Traffic, Pisarski emphasizes, is the expression of human purpose. Another huge way in which those purposes have changed is due to rising affluence. It’s not just that American households have more cars, it is that they are finding new places to take them. And once you have shelled out for a car, the comparatively marginal cost of another trip is barely noticeable – in other words, there is little incentive not to drive. (Ibid 137)

Aside from being unable to steer away from mentions of European bike culture, it is also difficult to do any reading on North American bike culture without stumbling upon arguments and research into the relationship of bicycles with cars. In many instances the use of bicycles or the character of a city’s bicycle culture will be a result of, or reaction to car culture. This cause and effect relationship between personal mobility, identity, and transportation choices becomes inextricably linked. When delving into the writing on bicycle commuting in North America, many other issues surface that at first seem peripheral to the overall discussion on bikes. It goes beyond what bicycles are on the market and where to get them. The discussion often spills over to why people would choose to ride over drive, the precautions and methods they employ to protect themselves while riding, and what riding (or not riding) says about them. Particularly when we look at bicycling as transportation, the comparison to the experience of getting somewhere via bike versus car is inevitable. In short, North American bicycle commuting writing tends to deal with the struggle of making cycling normal and logical for most citizens.

If the decision to choose cycling and transit over a car seemed more logical, easy, and convenient, perhaps a higher percentage of average people would consider adopting cycling as part of their transportation routine. The more riders there are on the road, the less stigma there is attached to the daily bicycle commuting riding for average people. Though, without more people expressing an interest and imperative for investments in cycling infrastructure, there is little pressure for municipalities to move forward with plans that place importance on cycling infrastructure.

Networks for cycle traffic should extend from significant trip attractors, such as town centres, at least to 2 km and as far as 5 km, as over these distances the flexibility and freedoms of the bicycle are evident without undue exertion. It cannot be assumed that use of the bicycle for leisure purposes will follow through into use for utilitarian purposes, but promotion of the bicycle for utilitarian trips should recognise that the market comprises principally car-owning households” (Parkin et al 80).

Essentially, in order for a community to be bicycle oriented, several orders of organization would be required. Amenities and trips would have to be incorporated into a daily routine; such as getting to and from work, child-care, and school, would have to be located conveniently so that driving would not seem the sole practical choice. Sadly, it seems as though many average North American municipalities and their citizens have already made the mental and financial investment into owning and operating cars, and living too far away from such amenities. Once that investment has been made the geographical radius of what seems convenient and local changes greatly, thus pushing away from the need to create localized services and amenities that are easily reachable by bike.

________________________________________________
Works Cited

Basset, David Rowland., John Pucher, Ralph Buehler, Dixie L. Thompson, and Scott E. Crouter. "Walking, Cycling, and Obesity Rates in Europe, North America, and Australia." Journal of Physical Activity and Health 5 (2008): 795-814. Print.

Brackett, Dorothy. "Bicycling and Self Esteem." Weblog post. Let's Go Ride A Bike. 18 May 2010. Web. 18 May 2010. .

Burgueño, Meli. Bikes and The City. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Byrne, David. Bicycle Diaries. New York: Viking, 2009. Print.

Chan, Sarah. Web log post. Girls and Bicycles. Web. 15 May 2010.
.

Colville-Andersen, Mikael. "Bike Helmet Protest in Melbourne." Web log post. Copenhagenize. 3 Aug. 2010. Web. 28 Aug. 2010. .

Colville-Andersen, Mikael. "Cycle Chic Origins." Cycle Chic™ - The Original from Copenhagen. Web. 16 Aug. 2010. .

"Cycling in the Netherlands." Ministerie Van Verkeer En Waterstaat. Web. 24 May 2010.
.

Davies, Julian. "Family Biking Ages & Stages." Web log post. Totcycle. 26 June 2009. Web. 21 May 2010. .

Dennis, J., B. Potter, T. Ramsay, and R. Zarychanski. "The Effects of Provincial Bicycle Helmet Legislation on Helmet Use and Bicycle Ridership in Canada." Injury Prevention. 2010. Web. 02 Mar. 2011. .

Feucht, Dave. "Portland Bicycle Plan 2010." Web log post. Portlandize. 4 Feb. 2010.
Web. 27 May 2010. .

Fincham, Ben. "Bicycle Messengers: Image, Identity and Community." Cycling and Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Gill, M., and M. Goldacre. "Seasonal Variation in Hospital Admission for Road Traffic Injuries in England: Analysis of Hospital Statistics." Injury Preventon. 2009. Web. 2 Mar. 2011. .

Gotschi, Thomas, and Kevin Mills. "Active Transportation for America." Rails to Trails
Conservatory. Web. 24 May 2010. .

North Carolina School of Public Health. "Active Living by Design and Public Health." 8-80 Cities. Web. 27 May 2010. .

Halbur, Tim. "Women, Transit, and the Perception of Safety | Planetizen." Planetizen |
Urban Planning, Design and Development Network. 11 Feb. 2010. Web. 27 May
2010. .

Horton, Dave. "Fear of Cycling." Cycling and Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

"I Love Riding in the City." Urban Velo May 2010: 14-34. Print.

Kay, Jane Holtz. Asphalt Nation. New York: Crown, 1997. Print.

Looft, Sandra. Simply Bike. Web. 04 Mar. 2011. .

Mackintosh, Philip G., and Glen Norcliffe. "Men, Women and the Bicycle: Gender and
Social Geography of Cycling in the Late Nineteenth Century." Cycling and
Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England:
Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Maples, Jeff. Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State UP, 2009. Print.

Martinelli, Deandria. Los Angeles Cycle Chic. Web. 04 Mar. 2011. .

Masoner, Richard. "Q&A with Eben Oliver Weiss Aka Bike Snob
NYC." Momentum May 2010: 26-27. Print.

O'Brien, Catherine. "A Footprint of Delight, Exploring Sustainable Happiness." NCBW
Forum Article (2006). Web. 25 May 2010.
.

Parkin, John, Tim Ryley, and Tim Jones. "Barriers to Cycling: An Exploration of Quantitative Analyses." Ed. Paul Rosen and Peter Cox. Cycling and Society. Ed. Dave Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Pucher, John, and Ralph Buehler. "Making Cycling Irresistible: Lessons from The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany." Transport Reviews 28.4 (2008): 495-528. Web.

Scott, Todd. "Detroit." Momentum May 2010. Print.
Skinner, David, and Paul Rosen. "Hell Is Other Cyclists: Rethinking Transport and Identity." Cycling and Society. By Peter Cox and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Spinner, Justin. "Cycling the City: Non-Place and the Sensory Construction of Meaning
in a Mobile Practice." Ed. Dave Horton. Cycling and Society. Ed. Peter Cox and
David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Vanderbilt, Tom. Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says about Us). New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2008. Print.

Wesson, D., D. Stephens, K. Lam, D. Parsons, L. Spence, and P. Parkin. "Trends in Pediatric and Adult Bicycling Deaths Before and After Passage of a Bicycle Helmet Law -- Wesson Et Al. 122 (3): 605 -- Pediatrics." Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation. 2008. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Williams, Martha. Bike Fancy. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Wilson, David Gordon, Jim Papadopoulos, and Frank Rowland. Whitt. Bicycling
Science. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT, 2004. Print.

Wilson, Mighk. "Bicycling Is Better » Which Cycling Politics: Doom or Possibility?"
Bicycling Is Better. 1 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 May 2010. .

Wood, Daniel B. "On the Rise in American Cities: the Car-free Zone / The Christian
Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com." The Christian Science Monitor –
CSMonitor.com. 2 May 2007. Web. 27 May 2010. .

dandyhorse!

2012-02-21T11:42:00.003-07:00

photo by Raffaella Loro

Looking for inspiration to become a winter rider? Check out the feature that dandyhorse did on a few of us winter cyclists!

I'm the third profile down.

I like how the profiled Vancouver ladies are featured with overcast skies, and the dude from Winnepeg and I are featured with snow. Had it been a more severe winter, I'd be wearing my goggles too!

Three fist pumps to winter riding!

On most days, it's a piece of cake. It's not too late (in Edmonton) to give it a try...

A Day in the Week.

2012-02-17T02:10:00.001-07:00

Let us all pay tribute to my patience, and celebrate the upgrade of my phone this week! Amidst my peers I was one of the last people standing using the first generation iPhone. I was stubborn, and didn't want to pay for a newer one until I qualified with my mobile provider.

The day finally came - new phone. It's so much faster. And I am most excited about the better camera. PRAISE!

I am now better able to show you the sorts of things I get up to on the bike when I am sans big camera.

Like how I ride winter Kona over to the Belgravia Playschool where I am teaching music classes.

And how I ride the bike over the train afterwards to go downtown for lunch.

The view of brown Edmonton in this pre-spring era.

Enhanced new ability to take self portraits.

And after lunch, it's riding back to the house and picking up Dougal for a bike ride along the river valley.

Can't imagine my winter world without a beater of a winter bike. Very handy these days with the gravel-y pavement and proliferation of bumps due to semi-thaw.

How have you guys been dealing with the "dark" time of the year? It's supposed to be over soon!

Road Rash - "Normal" Cyclists and the "Maverick"

2012-02-15T10:11:00.003-07:00

This is part of a series of posts featuring parts of my paper, Road Rash.

“Normal” Cyclists and the “Maverick”

Where Europe seems to have a cycling demographic that includes normal citizens conducting everyday business, North American cycle writing seems to focus on a few specific demographics, such as bike messengers, who are depicted as thrill-seekers and risk-takers. The thought of such cyclists usually brings to mind images of an athletic male on a road bike with cycling shoes and a bike bag strapped across his chest. “Part of the image propagated by messengers is that of the ‘maverick’, an individualistic, unorthodox, independently minded person working in a hostile environment and adapting to situations as they arise” (Fincham 190). Because these sorts of cyclists make such an impression, whether positive of negative, the overall view of cycling as dangerous is thusly reinforced. These references also play into the stereotype that cycling is for a demographic of people who cannot find conventional, gainful employment, and that they live a marginalized, bohemian life. Unfortunately, this stereotype seems to be continually perpetuated in the culture of bike messengers. “Talk of maverick status in bicycle messenger circles transmits the narrative to be adopted by the rookie, the novice and the uninitiated” (Ibid 191). Where this image of cyclists exists, the prospect of a potential “normal” cyclist withers. Those who ride bikes without the visible identity of a bike messenger may go unnoticed or still maintain the image of the maverick, regardless. Rebranding an image associated with a marginalized activity such as cycling is no small feat. “There are, of course, the ever-present bike messengers, fuelled by pure adrenaline and their own private code of survival” (Maples 7). Due to the stereotypes of cyclists in North America, it is difficult for the general public to change its perception of cyclists as athletic and bold. In fact, this strong reputation has a way of perpetuating itself because its roots are so pervasive. “Finally, it is interesting to note that the attractions of cycling to messengers are the very things identified as disincentives to cycling in conventional accounts of the reasons for declining cycle use – danger, alienation, difficulty and effort” (Ibid 193). The bike messenger has become a crystallized image in the North American cycling world. As a result, the link between cycling, speed, and safety gains greater credence when referring to bikes, since the messengers have garnered such a reputation for perceived lawlessness.

___________________________________________________
Works Cited

Basset, David Rowland., John Pucher, Ralph Buehler, Dixie L. Thompson, and Scott E. Crouter. "Walking, Cycling, and Obesity Rates in Europe, North America, and Australia." Journal of Physical Activity and Health 5 (2008): 795-814. Print.

Brackett, Dorothy. "Bicycling and Self Esteem." Weblog post. Let's Go Ride A Bike. 18 May 2010. Web. 18 May 2010. .

Burgueño, Meli. Bikes and The City. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Byrne, David. Bicycle Diaries. New York: Viking, 2009. Print.

Chan, Sarah. Web log post. Girls and Bicycles. Web. 15 May 2010.
.

Colville-Andersen, Mikael. "Bike Helmet Protest in Melbourne." Web log post. Copenhagenize. 3 Aug. 2010. Web. 28 Aug. 2010. .

Colville-Andersen, Mikael. "Cycle Chic Origins." Cycle Chic™ - The Original from Copenhagen. Web. 16 Aug. 2010. .

"Cycling in the Netherlands." Ministerie Van Verkeer En Waterstaat. Web. 24 May 2010.
.

Davies, Julian. "Family Biking Ages & Stages." Web log post. Totcycle. 26 June 2009. Web. 21 May 2010. .

Dennis, J., B. Potter, T. Ramsay, and R. Zarychanski. "The Effects of Provincial Bicycle Helmet Legislation on Helmet Use and Bicycle Ridership in Canada." Injury Prevention. 2010. Web. 02 Mar. 2011. .

Feucht, Dave. "Portland Bicycle Plan 2010." Web log post. Portlandize. 4 Feb. 2010.
Web. 27 May 2010. .

Fincham, Ben. "Bicycle Messengers: Image, Identity and Community." Cycling and Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Gill, M., and M. Goldacre. "Seasonal Variation in Hospital Admission for Road Traffic Injuries in England: Analysis of Hospital Statistics." Injury Preventon. 2009. Web. 2 Mar. 2011. .

Gotschi, Thomas, and Kevin Mills. "Active Transportation for America." Rails to Trails
Conservatory. Web. 24 May 2010. .

North Carolina School of Public Health. "Active Living by Design and Public Health." 8-80 Cities. Web. 27 May 2010. .

Halbur, Tim. "Women, Transit, and the Perception of Safety | Planetizen." Planetizen |
Urban Planning, Design and Development Network. 11 Feb. 2010. Web. 27 May
2010. .

Horton, Dave. "Fear of Cycling." Cycling and Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

"I Love Riding in the City." Urban Velo May 2010: 14-34. Print.

Kay, Jane Holtz. Asphalt Nation. New York: Crown, 1997. Print.

Looft, Sandra. Simply Bike. Web. 04 Mar. 2011. .

Mackintosh, Philip G., and Glen Norcliffe. "Men, Women and the Bicycle: Gender and
Social Geography of Cycling in the Late Nineteenth Century." Cycling and
Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England:
Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Maples, Jeff. Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State UP, 2009. Print.

Martinelli, Deandria. Los Angeles Cycle Chic. Web. 04 Mar. 2011. .

Masoner, Richard. "Q&A with Eben Oliver Weiss Aka Bike Snob
NYC." Momentum May 2010: 26-27. Print.

O'Brien, Catherine. "A Footprint of Delight, Exploring Sustainable Happiness." NCBW
Forum Article (2006). Web. 25 May 2010.
.

Parkin, John, Tim Ryley, and Tim Jones. "Barriers to Cycling: An Exploration of Quantitative Analyses." Ed. Paul Rosen and Peter Cox. Cycling and Society. Ed. Dave Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Pucher, John, and Ralph Buehler. "Making Cycling Irresistible: Lessons from The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany." Transport Reviews 28.4 (2008): 495-528. Web.

Scott, Todd. "Detroit." Momentum May 2010. Print.
Skinner, David, and Paul Rosen. "Hell Is Other Cyclists: Rethinking Transport and Identity." Cycling and Society. By Peter Cox and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Spinner, Justin. "Cycling the City: Non-Place and the Sensory Construction of Meaning
in a Mobile Practice." Ed. Dave Horton. Cycling and Society. Ed. Peter Cox and
David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Vanderbilt, Tom. Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says about Us). New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2008. Print.

Wesson, D., D. Stephens, K. Lam, D. Parsons, L. Spence, and P. Parkin. "Trends in Pediatric and Adult Bicycling Deaths Before and After Passage of a Bicycle Helmet Law -- Wesson Et Al. 122 (3): 605 -- Pediatrics." Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation. 2008. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Williams, Martha. Bike Fancy. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Wilson, David Gordon, Jim Papadopoulos, and Frank Rowland. Whitt. Bicycling
Science. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT, 2004. Print.

Wilson, Mighk. "Bicycling Is Better » Which Cycling Politics: Doom or Possibility?"
Bicycling Is Better. 1 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 May 2010. .

Wood, Daniel B. "On the Rise in American Cities: the Car-free Zone / The Christian
Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com." The Christian Science Monitor –
CSMonitor.com. 2 May 2007. Web. 27 May 2010. .

Cycling While Pregnant: Q&A with Anna

2012-02-13T01:30:00.004-07:00

Name: Anna

Age: 31

Location: Chicago

Cycling for how many years: I learned how to ride a bike when I was 6, so 25 years.

Favorite part about cycling: I love cycling because there is something so fun about being able to move yourself faster than you can walk or run. We deliberately chose to live close to Chicago’s lakeshore path, which means that my commute is approximately 90% on the path and 10% on streets. Riding home along the lake in the summer is a wonderful way to decompress. On days when I don’t commute by bicycle, I take the train or bus, which takes just about as long as riding my bike round trip. Doubling up my commute and exercise leaves me lots of evening free time.

Bike(s) you ride: I ride a purple Cannondale. I have a rack on the back where I can put a bag with my work gear on one side and I have cargo space on the other side for summer stops to the farmers market or other errands. I’m looking forward to adding a co-pilot or chariot in the summer months to take the baby out with me.

What three words sum up your cycling experience while being pregnant: Comfort, exercise, and fun

How did being pregnant affect your approach to cycling or your daily commute: I had “morning” sickness at the beginning of my pregnancy, and it corresponded with Chicago’s snowy 2011 winter months, so I didn’t ride for the first couple months of pregnancy. When the morning sickness was easing up, but still in effect, it actually motivated me to get on my bike the days the weather wasn’t terrible. Cold weather biking in the fresh air was better for my stomach than the normal smells of the bus and trains, and kept me from judging my fellow commuters for having garlicky lunches. Once spring hit, I biked to work almost every day until my 31st week of pregnancy. At that point the 13 mile (21km) round trip got to be too much for me, but prior to that I had logged 614 commuting miles (987km) while pregnant. From 31 to 40 weeks when I had my beautiful baby, I continued to bike to the beach, grocery store, and farmers market since those are shorter trips.

What (if anything) surprised you about cycling while pregnant? I kept on expecting to feel wobbly or off balance at some point and it never happened. I also expected that at some point I just wouldn’t want to bike anymore, but as my belly grew it became much more comfortable to bike than walk. I was also surprised by the reaction of strangers to seeing me bike with a belly. Chicago’s lakeshore path gets pretty crowded in the summer, and most people walking or running were just putting it together that I was riding pregnant before I was past them, but I did get the occasional big smile, and one “Go Momma!”

How did your family and friends react to you cycling while pregnant? My husband was supportive of my choice to continue biking, as were most of my friends and family. A few expressed concern, but after I explained I had the support of my midwife, and that I don’t consider biking any more dangerous than my other choices for transportation, they were respectful of my decision. When my mother asked about it, I reminded her that we were Dutch and that the Dutch bike everywhere. That reminder and the fact that the vast majority of my rides are on the lakeshore path were enough to convince her.

What (if any) special accommodations did you require to continue cycling throughout your pregnancy? When I was pregnant, I switched out the handlebars on my Cannondale for cruiser style handlebars, and got a wider seat. This allowed me to sit up straight, which is great for my back and made room for my growing belly.

What would you say to another woman interested in cycling while pregnant? What have you taken away from the experience? I would tell another pregnant woman to keep riding as long as she felt comfortable. I am so glad I kept riding throughout my pregnancy because at the end when it was uncomfortable to walk, I still felt good on the bike. It allowed me mobility that I may otherwise not have had.

In addition to cycling, what other activities helped you stay fit and active during your pregnancy? When I was pregnant I mainly biked and walked for exercise, with the occasional pre-natal yoga session.

Thanks Anna, for sharing your cycling-with-bump story with us!

Road Rash - Europe Versus North America

2012-02-08T10:07:00.000-07:00

This is part of a series of posts featuring parts of my paper, Road Rash.

Europe Versus North America

The Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany have already made great strides in building their cycling cultures. These countries now act as models for other budding cycling cultures looking to emulate increases in citizen health, efficiency of transportation, and reduction of dependence on motor vehicles. The chief motivator for these model European cities adopting alternate forms of transportation was traffic congestion and the inefficient movement of people through the city. As Kay says in Asphalt Nation, you are “not stuck in a traffic jam, you are the jam” (13). Changes were made in these countries to encourage bicycling as a viable transportation alternative because traffic congestion was at a limit. The realistic solution was to reduce the number of motor vehicles on the roads so that people could move more efficiently from point A to B to lessen ongoing stress on the city’s infrastructure. The need to find a solution to traffic congestion is commonly the origin of these thriving cycling cultures. If the critical mass of motor vehicles motivated earlier investigations into transportation alternatives in the form of cycling for these European countries, then it seems logical that some North American municipalities are now following suit. Many North American cities, after all, have their share of cycling challenges. Seasoned cyclist David Byrne has had many experiences cycling in numerous North America cities and around the world. This is his impression of North American cycling.

I try to explore some of these towns—Dallas, Detroit, Phoenix, Atlanta—by bike, and it’s frustrating. The various parts of town are often “connected”—if one can call it that—mainly by freeways, massive awe-inspiring concrete ribbons that usually kill the neighbourhoods they pass through, and often the ones they are supposed to connect as well. The areas bordering expressways inevitably become dead zones. There may be, near the edges of town, an exit ramp leading to a KFC or a Red Lobster, but that’s not a neighborhood. What remains of these severed communities is eventually replaced by shopping malls and big-box stores isolated in vast deserts of parking. These are strung along the highways that have killed the towns that the highways were meant to connect. The roads, housing developments with no focus, and shopping centers eventually sprawl as far as the eye can see as the highways inch farther and farther out. Monotonous, tedious, exhausting… and soon to be gone, I suspect. (8)

Because of the space and sprawl in North America, the impetus to develop cycling may be less because the solution instead seems to be continuing to build more roads in order to ease traffic congestion. As a result, bicycle commuting in North American trails behind the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany.

When discussing new bicycle commuting cultures, two other countries that often get grouped in with North America (Canada and the US) are the United Kingdom and Australia. These listed countries are all limited in their cycling infrastructure and share the challenges of urban sprawl, traffic congestion, and poor population health due to a lack of investment in active transportation.

Walking and bicycling are much more common in European nations than in the United States, Canada, and Australia […] there is an inverse association between active transportation and obesity rates in these countries. These results do not necessarily indicate a causal relationship. However, given the fact that physically active individuals gain less weight over time, it is possible that active transportation is one of the factors responsible for international differences in obesity rates. (Bassett et al 811)

One of the greatest differences between cycling in North America versus cycling in some European countries is the active participation of government in Europe in promoting cycling to their citizens, and the additional extension of this active participation with making the prospect of driving unpalatable. Over time, choosing the bicycle over the car in these European countries seems normal and preferred because of the intervention from the top down.
The genesis of much cycle design guidance that is now adopted in the UK and elsewhere is the Dutch cycling design guidance, which identifies the following fundamental infrastructure requirements for cycling:
 Coherent/comprehensive: a comprehensive network linked to where cyclists begin and end their journeys;  Direct: a system of connections which is as direct as possible and avoids detours;  Attractive: design and integration with surroundings should make it pleasant to cycle;  Safe: facilities that guarantee safety from other road users and take account of personal security as well as road safety;  Comfortable: facilities that allow for rapid and comfortable flow of bicycle traffic. (Parkin et al 70)

These design guidelines encourage the vibrant masses of cyclists in European cycling countries. As a result of high ridership numbers, a cultural shift where bicycle commuting is normal has been successfully implemented.

Cycling in North America has not reached a level of normality for the majority of people because guidelines, such as the examples given, have not had the full support of government to be put into play. Instead, the dialogue around cycling in North America seems to orbit tediously around, and often ends with, the issue of safety. This frames the discussion around bicycles as dangerous and risky, which often deters those who would consider making a change in their transportation habits. On the other hand, European cycling seems to focus more directly on efficient and easy transportation, and less on the need for specialized gear and clothing as measurements of safety and protection from the elements. The pragmatic approach to promoting bicycle culture in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany is an example of how a city or country can become successful in these cycling endeavours. Much of the discussion in current cycling literature in North America has to do with what initiatives have proven successful in the promotion of bicycle commuting elsewhere and how a given city or cycling culture compares and contrasts with current working model cities.

In Making Cycling Irresistible: Lessons from The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, we see how successful cycling cultures were shaped with a strategic plan and concerted effort to re-imagine a city’s streets.
Not only do these countries implement far more of the pro-bike measures, but they greatly reinforce their overall impact with highly restrictive policies that make car use less convenient as well as more expensive. It is precisely that double-barrelled combination of ‘carrot’ and ‘stick’ policies that make cycling so irresistible. (Pucher 525)

The findings of Pucher’s paper on European cycling are enlightening. When comparing the North American to European cities we see greater overall numbers in Europe and a greater percentage of women riders. Trips made by bicycle are reported to be ten times higher in the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark than in North America with a diverse selection of riders ranging from men, women, children, and the elderly (Ibid 496). Here we see how cycling is distributed evenly over gender and age. One of the main reasons this may be the case is because:
Cycling in those countries is not viewed as requiring expensive equipment, advanced training, or a high degree of physical fitness. Nor are the cyclists forced to muster the courage and willingness to battle motorists on streets without separate bike lanes or paths. On the contrary, Dutch, German and Danish cyclists ride on simple, inexpensive bikes, almost never wear special cycling outfits, and rarely use safety helmets. (Ibid 496)
I suggest that cycling in the United States and Canada is still viewed as a largely recreational activity as opposed to a viable mode of transportation. Biking in North America continues to be perceived as an activity for a minority of thrill seeking sportsmen or a pleasant recreational activity. Pucher indicates that “transport policies, land-use policies, urban development policies, housing policies, environmental policies, taxation policies and parking policies” are the seeds for a successful cycling culture (Ibid 496). These are likely the same measures North American cities will have to implement in order for bicycle commuting to become attractive to the masses.

______________________________________________________
Works Cited

Basset, David Rowland., John Pucher, Ralph Buehler, Dixie L. Thompson, and Scott E. Crouter. "Walking, Cycling, and Obesity Rates in Europe, North America, and Australia." Journal of Physical Activity and Health 5 (2008): 795-814. Print.

Brackett, Dorothy. "Bicycling and Self Esteem." Weblog post. Let's Go Ride A Bike. 18 May 2010. Web. 18 May 2010. .

Burgueño, Meli. Bikes and The City. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Byrne, David. Bicycle Diaries. New York: Viking, 2009. Print.

Chan, Sarah. Web log post. Girls and Bicycles. Web. 15 May 2010.
.

Colville-Andersen, Mikael. "Bike Helmet Protest in Melbourne." Web log post. Copenhagenize. 3 Aug. 2010. Web. 28 Aug. 2010. .

Colville-Andersen, Mikael. "Cycle Chic Origins." Cycle Chic™ - The Original from Copenhagen. Web. 16 Aug. 2010. .

"Cycling in the Netherlands." Ministerie Van Verkeer En Waterstaat. Web. 24 May 2010.
.

Davies, Julian. "Family Biking Ages & Stages." Web log post. Totcycle. 26 June 2009. Web. 21 May 2010. .

Dennis, J., B. Potter, T. Ramsay, and R. Zarychanski. "The Effects of Provincial Bicycle Helmet Legislation on Helmet Use and Bicycle Ridership in Canada." Injury Prevention. 2010. Web. 02 Mar. 2011. .

Feucht, Dave. "Portland Bicycle Plan 2010." Web log post. Portlandize. 4 Feb. 2010.
Web. 27 May 2010. .

Fincham, Ben. "Bicycle Messengers: Image, Identity and Community." Cycling and Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Gill, M., and M. Goldacre. "Seasonal Variation in Hospital Admission for Road Traffic Injuries in England: Analysis of Hospital Statistics." Injury Preventon. 2009. Web. 2 Mar. 2011. .

Gotschi, Thomas, and Kevin Mills. "Active Transportation for America." Rails to Trails
Conservatory. Web. 24 May 2010. .

North Carolina School of Public Health. "Active Living by Design and Public Health." 8-80 Cities. Web. 27 May 2010. .

Halbur, Tim. "Women, Transit, and the Perception of Safety | Planetizen." Planetizen |
Urban Planning, Design and Development Network. 11 Feb. 2010. Web. 27 May
2010. .

Horton, Dave. "Fear of Cycling." Cycling and Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

"I Love Riding in the City." Urban Velo May 2010: 14-34. Print.

Kay, Jane Holtz. Asphalt Nation. New York: Crown, 1997. Print.

Looft, Sandra. Simply Bike. Web. 04 Mar. 2011. .

Mackintosh, Philip G., and Glen Norcliffe. "Men, Women and the Bicycle: Gender and
Social Geography of Cycling in the Late Nineteenth Century." Cycling and
Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England:
Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Maples, Jeff. Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State UP, 2009. Print.

Martinelli, Deandria. Los Angeles Cycle Chic. Web. 04 Mar. 2011. .

Masoner, Richard. "Q&A with Eben Oliver Weiss Aka Bike Snob
NYC." Momentum May 2010: 26-27. Print.

O'Brien, Catherine. "A Footprint of Delight, Exploring Sustainable Happiness." NCBW
Forum Article (2006). Web. 25 May 2010.
.

Parkin, John, Tim Ryley, and Tim Jones. "Barriers to Cycling: An Exploration of Quantitative Analyses." Ed. Paul Rosen and Peter Cox. Cycling and Society. Ed. Dave Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Pucher, John, and Ralph Buehler. "Making Cycling Irresistible: Lessons from The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany." Transport Reviews 28.4 (2008): 495-528. Web.

Scott, Todd. "Detroit." Momentum May 2010. Print.
Skinner, David, and Paul Rosen. "Hell Is Other Cyclists: Rethinking Transport and Identity." Cycling and Society. By Peter Cox and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Spinner, Justin. "Cycling the City: Non-Place and the Sensory Construction of Meaning
in a Mobile Practice." Ed. Dave Horton. Cycling and Society. Ed. Peter Cox and
David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Vanderbilt, Tom. Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says about Us). New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2008. Print.

Wesson, D., D. Stephens, K. Lam, D. Parsons, L. Spence, and P. Parkin. "Trends in Pediatric and Adult Bicycling Deaths Before and After Passage of a Bicycle Helmet Law -- Wesson Et Al. 122 (3): 605 -- Pediatrics." Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation. 2008. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Williams, Martha. Bike Fancy. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Wilson, David Gordon, Jim Papadopoulos, and Frank Rowland. Whitt. Bicycling
Science. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT, 2004. Print.

Wilson, Mighk. "Bicycling Is Better » Which Cycling Politics: Doom or Possibility?"
Bicycling Is Better. 1 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 May 2010. .

Wood, Daniel B. "On the Rise in American Cities: the Car-free Zone / The Christian
Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com." The Christian Science Monitor –
CSMonitor.com. 2 May 2007. Web. 27 May 2010. .

Dexter & His Trains.

2012-02-07T03:03:00.000-07:00

This week I managed to get Dexter down to the library in his stroller, but he was pretty keen on going home on foot. Very cute and all... though SO SLOW. He really knows how to stop and smell the roses.

He refused to sit down on the train and was a show off about standing and holding onto the poles like a grown up. He also insisted on holding his Thomas & Friends DVD the entire time.

I ended up being the mommy that pushed her handbag home in a stroller.

I love how Dexter never seems to require my "help" anymore, unless it is in the evening when he wants to snuggle and there is nobody around to see. Bah!

Cycling While Pregnant: Q&A with Melissa

2012-02-06T08:47:00.001-07:00

As part of my collaboration with S from Simply Bike, we have been gathering some Q&A's from other cycling ladies out there. Ladies, thanks for sharing!

Name: Melissa

Age: 28

Location: St. Louis, MO

Cycling for how many years: Going on seven years

Favorite part about cycling: Being part of the streets I ride through – really experiencing my surroundings. Getting around without a car. Knowing I’m doing something good for my health and for the environment

Bike(s) you ride: Kona Jake and Schwinn Voyager

What three words sum up your cycling experience while being pregnant: Normal, fun, empowering

How did being pregnant affect your approach to cycling or your daily commute: Due to a job change prior to becoming pregnant, a daily [bicycle] commute was no longer part of the picture. To make up for this, I tried to use my bike as much as possible on the weekends to make sure that I could gradually adjust to my changing body.

For awhile, I mostly rode the Schwinn, which is a hybrid, because it seemed more stable, plus I thought the more upright posture would be more comfortable for my growing belly. Toward the end, I ended up on the Kona again – enjoying the advantages of a lighter and faster bike (to make up for my slower pace).

Weather also played a role. In the winter months, I was extra cautious about biking when the roads were icy, and once the heat of the summer hit (the last weeks of my pregnancy), I limited my rides to the cooler part of the day.

What (if anything) surprised you about cycling while pregnant: Although I went into it with the goal of cycling up until the end, the fact that I did so was a bit of a surprise (a pleasant one) since I’d never been pregnant before and didn’t really know what to expect or how I would feel at various points.

At 34 weeks, I completed a rather intense 2-day cycling instructor training, involving hours of on-bike time in hot summer weather. Going into the weekend, I was pretty nervous, but we rode at an easy pace, and I not only completed the training, I felt great at the end!

How did your family and friends react to you cycling while pregnant: My husband, who also bikes, was very supportive. Since cycling for transportation was so much a part of my lifestyle already, I made my intentions to cycle throughout the pregnancy pretty clear from the beginning. Perhaps because of this (?), I did not hear anything negative from family or friends. I always wondered what strangers were thinking, especially toward the end, and I kept expecting to have to defend my decisions, but those situations never materialized.

What (if any) special accommodations did you require to continue cycling throughout your pregnancy: The main “accommodation” was relaxing the pace and intensity of my riding. Both of my bikes have straight top tubes (AKA “male” bicycle frames), and I considered getting a step-through frame to make getting on and off the bicycle easier. Toward the end, it was a little tricky, but both bikes I already had worked fine.

I did stop using my clip-less shoes/pedals to eliminate the risk of a silly fall.

What would you say to another woman interested in cycling while pregnant? What have you taken away from the experience: Go for it! If you were already cycling before you were pregnant, you’re in a great position to continue throughout your pregnancy (of course, you should consult your midwife or doctor, but if they’re not supportive, consider getting a second opinion).

If you continue a regular cycling routine, you adjust to your new, changing body gradually, which eliminates or minimizes balance and discomfort issues.

Cycling throughout the pregnancy was very empowering. Toward the end, each ride felt like a fun accomplishment. I was proud of my body and its abilities, even while in such a different state!

In addition to cycling, what other activities helped you stay fit and active during your pregnancy: I lifted weights 2-3 times/week, modifying as necessary throughout the pregnancy. Early on, I would jog to the gym for lifting; later, I switched to walking. In general, I walked and moved as much as possible.

Biking with Baby.

2012-02-03T02:37:00.001-07:00

In anticipation for biking with an infant - I wanted to share a few thoughts.

There has been a lot of talk on G&B about biking while pregnant lately, and so far everybody has been playing nice. There are occasional comments from others, about us pregnant ladies being careful and not overexerting ourselves when we're not feeling up to the task, but otherwise, biking while pregnant seems like business as usual to those of us who do it.

I would like to add that it would appear that naysayers should be mindful that most of us pregnant ladies don't seem to seek strenuous physical activity when we're not feeling well. It doesn't seem logical to need to be reminded not to... you know... do something that makes you hurt or feel ill.

This brings me to my gripe with biking with infants. We cycling moms seem to put on a smiley face and sort of avoid the topic because it brings forth all these opinions and possible judgment. But, the fact remains that most of the moms I know, even the ones who cycle, just sort of accept that you can't easily bike with an infant. We go on walks (oftentimes just to walk, not as transportation) or we wait until there is somebody else around so we can run away for a quick ride before we have to be back and nurse the infant. Doesn't sound easy and liberating, huh? Well, if you're used to biking almost everywhere - it isn't!

I'm not talking about cycling with a 1 yr old (which seems to be the general recommendation from trailer manufacturers and helmet companies). I'm talking about infants. I've seen it done in other countries before, where putting a baby in a front mounted basket is no big thing, but riding around with an infant isn't really a socially accepted activity here in North America.

Alright, so I understand that an infant is certainly not strong enough to sit upright and their necks are really wobbly. I'm not advocating for anybody to go out there and shake their baby through the power of pot holes and off-road racing. However, securing your baby's car seat in some sort of towing device, on a familiar residential route with little traffic, shouldn't be the end of the world. Obviously there are many variables to consider, such as the condition of the pavement, how fast you're riding, the experience of the rider, etc. I just think it feels rather limiting as a cyclist to be restricted from one of the ways I get around. The only reason I survive is because I live so very close to the train, and will have twice had the luxury of giving birth in time for summer. This all makes being a transit-oriented pedestrian much friendlier.

I've seen some cycling mamas and papas out there who are back on the bike with their infants as soon as possible, but it's still the sort of thing that appears to be for "alternative" people. My point is simply this: It doesn't seem very fair that a new parent's mobility is limited to such an extent when you use cycling as transportation. If we follow the logic laid out to us by helmet companies and child-cargo manufacturers, then, if you cycle and you happen to have a baby... you're not allowed to bike again for about a year.

This line of reasoning doesn't just strike me as odd. It makes me angry!

It seems to support the notion that having a baby is somehow an illness of sorts, or a burden. I am happy to make accommodations for a little one in the family. I don't think that has to mean we can't even go see mama's friend for lunch or get some groceries sans car. Having a baby shouldn't have to mean having a sedentary lifestyle, even if it's temporary.

So I don't have some sort of ultimate solution here. I'm not saying helmets have to be made for babies that are 4 weeks old. I'm not saying that all new moms should get back in the saddle and pedal around 100% of the time. I'm just saying I wish there were more options and more tolerance for those of us who don't like to think of having a baby as automatically having a ball and chain to one's car.

Meaet!

2012-02-02T09:55:00.001-07:00

Forgive the weird biking-in-snow photos, the shutter speed on auto was being ridiculously slow and frankly, it was too cold to fiddle around with. So here we are!

Don and I biked to the train and went downtown to check out MEAET. It's a micro-fundraiser put on by Nextgen, as a part of the city's METROPOLIS winter festival. There are a bunch of wicked pavilions in the middle of the big square downtown, where Edmontonians can get-together and hang out semi-outdoors.

We were in the community pavilion, designed by Gene Dub, the architect behind our city hall.

I like how the light is constantly changing.

Though the pavilions are heated to a degree, it was still a coat-on sort of environment.

I liked going up on the gangplank.

We all gathered about and waited for the pitches.

How it works is people who are looking for some funding for their start-up project can make a 5 minute pitch. At the end of the evening, everybody in attendance votes on the idea they liked best, and the winner takes all the proceeds from the ticket sales that evening. Winners come back at the next MEAET to update the audience on how the project is proceeding.

Last time's winners were two teen moms from the terra centre. They used their start-up funds to begin filming an awareness video for teen parents!

We were fed a delicious comfort-food meal by Nomad. Very yummy - thanks!

After the meal, we heard the pitches!

They were all really good, featuring pitches to share local music on the Edmonton Queen, funding for a co-op of fashion designers-run boutique here in Edmonton, Edmonton's best kept secrets, local organic farming, and people-powered (read: bike powered) parties.

The winner took home over $800 for a concrete sculpture project that will be featured in a downtown park on the weekend of February 25th.

On our way home, it began to snow.

Just dust off that saddle and hop on.

When the roads are gross, I usually ride in a car's tire track.

Wee!

Have I mentioned? Love my winter bike.

Road Rash - Introduction

2012-02-01T10:08:00.001-07:00

This is part of a series of posts featuring parts of my paper, Road Rash.

Road Rash: A Literature Review of Cycling on a Car-Continent

The first understanding I had when doing a literature review of North American bicycle transportation is that such texts, scholarly or otherwise, are sparse. This is in contrast to literature on sport or recreational cycling, of which there is plenty, but which is not our subject. Only in the last three to four years have texts related to cycling lifestyle become more pronounced. Academic writing on bicycling culture is sparse, and this is all the more apparent when looking for a specifically North American perspective on bicycling. However, the writing that is available on life with bicycles reveals an interesting divide between the success of cycling in some European countries and the struggle for some North American cities to likewise transform their car-oriented habits. In short, it proved difficult to do a literature review on North American writing on cycling culture without continually being brought back to texts that referred to European bike culture. Much of the North American writing on cycling is either on the topic of European models of cycling (such as some choice cities in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany) or commentary on how North American bike culture compares to or is different from European models. Of course there are exceptions to the rule. There are flourishing biking cities in North America such as Vancouver and Portland, and there are also some cities in the aforementioned European countries that have challenges with their cycling goals. This literature review will refer to the general rule as opposed to the exceptions in an effort to highlight the current overall status of bicycle transportation in North America.

Help With Motivation.

2012-01-31T03:23:00.000-07:00

Sometimes on my day off, and especially when Dexter is off having fun at grandma & grandpa Chan's (their house is so fun we refer to it as Chateau Chan), I don't feel like doing anything. I just want to laze about and watch some shows and not get dressed.

But life is too busy and there are things that must be done! I was having trouble mustering up the motivation to go out and complete a few mundane tasks, so I texted Don to see if he would have a gap in his afternoon to go on a bike date with me. Sometimes it's just more fun to bike with company.

Don did indeed have a little gap in his schedule! He passed through the bungalow in between meetings and we both got the winter bikes out of the garage. After taking Dougal for some exercise via bike, we continued to ride to the high level bridge area.

Don came along with me to satisfy my craving for poutine at La Poutine. I get the "Canadian" one, which is basically poutine with bacon.

Then it was off to see the printers and pick up a consignment cheque from Red Pony. Did some browsing while I was there and spotted a really fantastic Calvin Klein LBD (size 4) for a steal. There was also a "grandpa" cardigan by Maison Scotch for a fraction of the retail price. If you live in Edmonton, you should go and get your hands on those before somebody else does.

On my way home, I also stopped by Flirt cupcakes to get a little something for afternoon tea.

Rush hour was just beginning when I was heading back, and even with the gross road conditions and patchy dirty/sand mixed with ice chunks, it was easy to ride in traffic. Things are a little tighter than usual in the winter, but generally speaking, our roads are very wide in comparison to the kind you would see in Europe. There really is plenty of room for everybody, even without marked bike lanes. I just took it slow to ensure that I didn't run into any doors, and went in a nice straight line so the traffic beside me didn't feel the need to freak out.

All in all, it was a producive, active, and calorie-ridden day!

All made possible with ease and convenience, by the bicycle.

Cycling While Pregnant: Q&A with Jamie

2012-01-30T08:39:00.003-07:00

As part of my collaboration with S from Simply Bike, we have been gathering some Q&A's from other cycling ladies out there. Ladies, thanks for sharing!

Here is Jamie, cycling at 25 weeks pregnant with Teto the dog.

Name: Jaime

Age: 34

Location: San Francisco

Cycling for how many years: 13

Favorite part about cycling: When I bike, I am a part of my surroundings, a part of the environment. But when I am in a car, I feel more like a disconnected observer.

Bike(s) you ride: Specialized Sirrus for around town and Specialized Roubaix for distance cycling

What three words sum up your cycling experience while being pregnant: Slowly by slowly

How did being pregnant affect your approach to cycling or your daily commute: I rode much slower and with more caution. I also tried to avoid extremely busy streets in favor of less trafficked roads.

What (if anything) surprised you about cycling while pregnant: I kept expecting at some point to find that it would be uncomfortable to bike, especially since my bike is not an upright step through, but I never reached that point. I even biked the day I went into labor, at 41 weeks.

How did your family and friends react to you cycling while pregnant? They thought I was crazy to keep biking, especially as my belly got bigger. However, they couldn’t really raise too many red flags as my midwife fully supported my biking.

What (if any) special accommodations did you require to continue cycling throughout your pregnancy: I didn’t really have to change much; towards the end of my pregnancy I had to stick my knees out a bit more to make room for my belly.

What would you say to another woman interested in cycling while pregnant: What have you taken away from the experience? I would say – “Go for it!” Growing up, people always treated pregnant woman like they were extremely fragile. Pregnant women weren’t supposed to do much, just sit around and be miserable. But that was not my experience, I felt great most of the time. I realized that pregnant women are strong and powerful.

In addition to cycling, what other activities helped you stay fit and active during your pregnancy: I ran until week 33. Then I switched to walking 5km a couple of times a week until the end of my pregnancy. I also did Bikram yoga until week 38.

Here is Jamie again, this time cycling to a mid-wife's appointment at 40 weeks.

Public Transit Fosters Personality.

2012-01-27T01:54:00.000-07:00

Public transit fostering personality... at least that's what I think!

Dexter and I motored on foot down to the train station where we caught the LRT downtown to the library for some singing and signing. Fun times! Dexter plays in the kids area afterward and we take out books to enjoy for the rest of the week. Did I mention that it's all free?

The train ride is an integral part of the outing. D likes to announce each stop and to imitate other passengers on the train (today it was somebody who was napping with a scrunchy face). On the way back home we even ran into our friend, Jason! The train was crowded so I stuck the stroller in an empty space behind my seat, where Dexter proceeded to show some ladies his Thomas book from the library while I got caught up with my gentleman friend.

Whether it's somebody you know or some random interaction, the train is always more social than when we have to drive. I like that Dexter is learning how to get around the city on his own two feet (or in this case, 4-wheels of his stroller). I am also happy for the low-impact cardio for me at the same time, and the unexpected social visits are equally welcome.

Road Rash - Abstract

2012-01-25T09:18:00.004-07:00

Some of you may know that I finally completed my Masters degree last year, after several years of hacking away at it part-time while working full-time and more recently, having had Dexter. Phew!

It was a relief to get my final paper completed and out of the way. I suppose it's what most grad programs would refer to as a thesis, but Athabasca University has things structured differently, which meant my paper was classified as a "project". As a result, I believe the length of my work is much shorter than average.

I figured since the winter here is so cold and dismal, I could publish bits of it at a time up here since I am not out on the bike on a daily basis like I am in the warmer months.

I'm not entirely sure how to divide the work up in a way that makes sense in a non-academic context. It's in MLA format, so I figure I will just include the Works Cited with every post, and at the end of the series of posts I can include the Bibliography as well. My academic writing voice isn't actually all that academic in tone, but hopefully it reads alright. I like to use large quotations, and because of the formatting limitations from my document to blogger, I've just dealt with my large quotations by putting them in italics. They're originally supposed to be indented.

The pictures featured in the posts were not originally included in my submitted work, they're just included here to make the posts look bikey.

So without further ado, here is the abstract for Road Rash: A Literature Review of Cycling on a Car-Continent, by yours truly. I'll publish a new section weekly until we've wrapped it all up.

Abstract:

There is a general North American characterization of bicycling as dangerous and cyclists as daredevils, or at the very least there is a perception that bicycling is widespread as a recreational activity but not so popular as transportation. The pervasive car culture in North America also marginalizes cyclists, making the shift in how we think about transportation all the more difficult. However, there is also a new school of bicycle advocacy emerging in various blogs and urban cycling magazines focusing on every day biking. These are helping push the agenda of bicycle commuting by portraying the activity as normal, modern, and fun, on a continent where the norm is usually travel via car for the large majority who can afford it.

Winter Bike at 22 Weeks.

2012-01-24T01:14:00.004-07:00

We finally had a break in the icy weather, which meant the perfect opportunity to bike out to lady brunch! After the cold snap, -13C (which I think is approximately 7F) felt perfectly balmy. By the time I got to the Sugarbowl, I had my parka unzipped to help regulate my internal temperature.

No particularly special gear. Boots, leggings, sleeveless top, chunky cardigan, winter bike and winter helmet.

My winter bike's studded tires make getting to brunch super easy. There isn't much in the way of needing to correct the way I ride on ice and snow, the studs offer excellent traction.

Worked up an appetite for my french toast, and ate my Sunday brunch amidst other Sugarbowl regulars.

I've been wearing my little glove liners.

Underneath my edit mitts.

I have zero finger-frost!

To make sure the toes stay cozy, I also wear wooly socks.

Inside my boots.

Once I arrived home, Dougal and I went out for some additional cardio.

He doesn't fancy boots.

Other than the crazy cold week, being out on the bike feels much like it did before. Obviously at this point in the pregnancy people always assume I have stopped riding because of my growing bump. I usually just remind them that sitting on a saddle and pedaling is way faster and less cumbersome than walking. It's super low impact and I like that I can go my own pace, it's easy to ramp it up or scale it down depending on how I'm feeling and my energy levels.

Balance still feels fine and swinging a leg over the saddle remains unproblematic. So, it's pedaling and coasting as usual!

Cycling While Pregnant: Q&A with Hannah

2012-01-23T08:29:00.001-07:00

As part of my collaboration with S from Simply Bike, we have been gathering some Q&A's from other cycling ladies out there. Ladies, thanks for sharing!

Here is Hannah, on her Brompton at around 24 weeks pregnant

Name: Hannah K

Age: 33

Location: Philadelphia (and Baltimore)

Cycling for how many years: Six and a half in Baltimore

Favorite part about cycling: I love not being beholden to bus timetables! I decide when I’m leaving the house and I don’t have to wait to transfer. Also, parking a bike is so easy, as opposed to when I would drive to work (and it’s free!). I also love the exercise I get as an added benefit.

Bike(s) you ride: Right now I mostly ride my new Brompton; in Philly I recently switched from my Surly Traveler’s Check to my mom’s old Peugeot that I converted to a 3 speed a couple years ago since it’s more upright.

What three words sum up your cycling experience while being pregnant: Independence, healthy, easy.

How did being pregnant affect your approach to cycling or your daily commute: We found out I was pregnant the weekend that we moved from Baltimore to Philadelphia. I had already planned on using the Brompton and Amtrak to get to and from the office and to get around while in Baltimore 3 days a week. Fortunately during the first trimester I was feeling great and the commute was easy – 15 minutes from my house in Philly to the train station, just over an hour on the train, and then another 15 minutes to the office. I really like that the Philly portion is 95% on the Schuylkill bike path – it feels quite safe since there are no cars, but I found myself worrying a little bit about traffic in Baltimore. In the end cycling is the fastest and most convenient way to get around and my route in Baltimore is one that I’ve been doing for the last five years, so it feels familiar and relatively safe. I’d say that other than making sure I take the lane and making myself highly visible (yellow jacket, extra blinky) I use the same level of caution as before.

What (if anything) surprised you about cycling while pregnant: How easy it’s been!

How did your family and friends react to you cycling while pregnant: My husband is an avid cyclist and very supportive, but he’s been good about helping me think through alternative strategies if conditions aren’t great or once I get quite big. My family as well – both my parents bike to their university jobs in a very-flat Midwestern college town, so while I’m sure they have concerns, they trust me. Now that I’m showing, a few people at work keep asking if I’m still biking – one woman even said “isn’t your balance off?” and while that may be true, it’s not in the side-to-side axis!

What (if any) special accommodations did you require to continue cycling throughout your pregnancy: I did stop riding my ‘racing’ style bike to my appointments and around Philly once my belly got in the way; now I take the mixte or the Brompton.

What would you say to another woman interested in cycling while pregnant? What have you taken away from the experience: So far, cycling has been the best option for me to be mobile in my new commute – much faster than waiting for the bus! As long as you’re confident about your cycling ability and your road safety precautions there’s no reason not to try it. But go with what is comfortable for you – not everyone I know is comfortable cycling in Baltimore even when they’re not pregnant, but knowing which routes tend to have the fewest cars or where there are protected lanes or plenty of room can do wonders for your sense of security. Also, take the lane, signal and stay out of the door zone!

In addition to cycling, what other activities helped you stay fit and active during your pregnancy: I was running a bit at the beginning, and now at 23 weeks I’m doing weekly prenatal yoga. I walk our dog around a large park on most of the days that I’m home which is a great excuse to be outside and roaming.

The Man That Got Away

2012-01-20T14:36:00.005-07:00

THE MAN THAT GOT AWAY movie trailer from Trevor Anderson on Vimeo.

In the weeks after getting back from winter vacation, all Chiveson family members have been hunkering down to get caught up with all things work and house-related. Then, just as we're starting to get back on track, we get hit with a chilly week of -20C and colder weather. Brrr!

The cold spell really isn't so bad, if it weren't for having zero time to do anything extracurricular.

After this lull in activity and general hibernation, I was excited to receive some exciting news regarding my dear Bryce Kulak's movie premiere! It will actually be premiering (and the only Canadian short accepted) at the 62nd Berlinale Film Festival! It's crazy to think that Bryce was just here this past summer working on this project with director and producer, Trevor Anderson.

So if you want to come and see the Edmonton premiere, you can help the project out by purchasing the soundtrack, and receive an invite. You'll get to hear the 6 original songs that Bryce was rehearsing over and over again here at the bungalow.

Also, Bryce is paying his own way to the festival (indie movie budgets don't stretch that far) and will be performing in a fundraiser concert in Toronto, on Thursday January 26th. Go enjoy the show and help out a home-grown artist if you're in the neighbourhood!

In other event-related local stuff, I was also pleased to see that Latitude 53 is hosting a winter rooftop party in February. See you there in your outerwear?

And finally, if you're a fan of Gilbert and Sullivan, you should join me at The Mikado!

We'll see if I can find something both formal, pregnancy-friendly, cold-friendly, and bicycle-friendly to wear.

Stay warm for now, and I'll see you out on the town soon enough!

Guest Post by Simply Bike: Cycling While Pregnant!

2012-01-18T13:45:00.004-07:00

We cycling Mamas have gotta stick together, so when S offered to help contribute some thoughts on cycling while pregnant I jumped at the opportunity to have her featured here on G&B.

I am now hanging out in week 21 of pregnancy, and you will hopefully see more posts of me cycling with my bump as soon as the weather goes back under -20C. At this point in time my chain is actually stuck to its gear!

For now, thanks to S for providing G&B with a much needed infusion of cycling.

{Dec. 2010, cycling at 8 weeks pregnant}

Hi! I'm S. and I am the author behind Simply Bike. I was thrilled when Miss Sarah asked me to contribute a regular series of guest posts on cycling while pregnant as the subject is near and dear to me: I was cycling with my own little bun in the oven not that long ago. My daughter just turned five months old this January and it often feels like it was just yesterday that I was riding my bike with her still in my bourgeoning baby belly, excitedly awaiting her arrival.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Miss Sarah asked me to reflect on some of the thoughts I had while cycling as a pregnant woman and I think I will start at the beginning; the first trimester.

{Jan. 2011, cycling at 12 weeks pregnant}

The first trimester was a wonderful time for cycling for me. My body was still relatively unmarked by the pregnancy and I only suffered from mild nausea mostly in the evenings. It was winter and cold, and the fresh, crisp air felt good. I was often tired but cycling offered me a way to stay active and fit in spite of that since it felt less strenuous than running. Looking back on that first trimester, I can only remember feeling able and excited.

As my body changed and my belly grew, I had to increasingly make accommodations to stay comfortable and safe on the road. But that first trimester was unmarked by those concerns: I was ecstatic to be growing new life inside of me and I relished each day on my bike, in my changing yet still very much familiar body.

{Feb. 2011, cycling at 3.5 months pregnant}

My advice for new moms-to-be who are interested in cycling or continuing with an exercise regime during pregnancy is as follows: First, check with your health care provider to make sure you are cleared for exercising, and second, listen to your gut. I heard from so many people who either cheered me on and lauded my efforts to stay active, or expressed concern at best and scorn in the more extreme cases. The pregnant body is a public body in our culture and even strangers feel comfortable giving pregnant women their unsolicited advice. But here is my unsolicited advice for you: don’t get bogged down by the myriad of opinions expressed by others who are not you and who do not know how you. Staying fit and active is healthy for both you and the baby and if your body is giving you the green light to walk, run, cycle, swim, etc, then listen to it and do what feels good to you and the baby.

I’m thankful that I had a very supportive husband and some wonderful midwives who encouraged me to stay active and fit. And if I’d only known then, in those first couple of months, that I would be propelling my pregnant body forward with an extra 20, 30, and ultimately, 40 lbs by the end of it, I think I would have relished those first unencumbered weeks even more. First trimester cycling = a great way to set the stage for a healthy and happy pregnancy.

Happy cycling!
S.

When in Cuba...

2012-01-12T21:30:00.005-07:00

You go on fun catamaran rides on the ocean.

Then you chill out on the beach at Cayo Blanco.

And in the evenings after dinner, you continue to relax with other indulgences.

It was sad to stay away from all the mojitos, but I was happy to leave the cigar smoking to the gentlemen. I got by with virgin pions coladas, fizzy water, and cinnamon coffees!

Cuban.

2012-01-12T01:39:00.003-07:00

More photo-blogging!

Being from the prairies, I am very appreciative of pretty skies. It's always weird to be somewhere that is constantly overcast and grey. Although Edmonton can get pretty cold and snowy at times, we are often treated to nice sky.

This made me especially appreciate the sun when it came out halfway through our vacation. The first couple of days were surprisingly cold!

Off the resort and into town we saw bikes.

And in the fields, there were more bikes.

I rode a horse for the first time.

This is the uncommonly relaxed vacation Don.

And vacation Miss Sarah!

We took a little speed boat out on the Canimar river.

Had a tasty local lunch and spotted a teeny tiny lizard.

These are some houses we spotted in Matanzas.

And we also went swimming in a cave!

Even though it was super duper fun to be hanging out doing adventurous things in a sunny location, there is something equally sweet about making french toast and having breakfast with my little Dexter on a Thursday morning.

Havana.

2012-01-10T21:16:00.007-07:00

I am going to be super lazy and let these photos speak for themselves. I'll leave the details of Havana to you and Wikipedia! Lots of work, childcare, and getting caught up leave me little time to spin fun narratives - so you just get a photo journal.

It was my second time in Havana and it was great! It's a wonderfully old city with tons of history and lots of vintage cars.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T13:02:00.005-07:00

Oh my, there has been a lapse in blogging!

Right after new years I ran away to Cuba for a week so I've been MIA in general, but it's definitely time to get back in the saddle. I'll have more pictures of vacation in a few days, where my eco-friendly form of transit came in the form of a sail boat. Ironically, there are no pictures of the sail boat since the small contraption we were sailing was no place for a regular camera.

Let's rewind, however, to new years eve!

We had a small and leisurely dinner with a few friends.

Dexter and Leanne iced a cake together.

Then we got to work on some gougeres.

Dexter initiated a dance party.

More snacks came out of the kitchen, in the form of asparagus and mushroom crostini with quail eggs.

Sable showed up.

And Crystal too.

And now from the UK, Charlie and Emma.

After a soup and salad, I delegated a team to do ravioli.

From scratch.

There was milling about and lots cell phone new years wishes.

And of course, lots of chatting about what was notable in 2011 and what we're looking forward to in 2012.

Happy New Year!

Road Rash - Introduction

2012-01-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

Road Rash: A Literature Review of Cycling on a Car-Continent

The first understanding I had when doing a literature review of North American bicycle transportation is that such texts, scholarly or otherwise, are sparse. This is in contrast to literature on sport or recreational cycling, of which there is plenty, but which is not our subject.

Only in the last three to four years have texts related to cycling lifestyle become more pronounced. Academic writing on bicycling culture is sparse, and this is all the more apparent when looking for a specifically North American perspective on bicycling. However, the writing that is available on life with bicycles reveals an interesting divide between the success of cycling in some European countries and the struggle for some North American cities to likewise transform their car-oriented habits. In short, it proved difficult to do a literature review on North American writing on cycling culture without continually being brought back to texts that referred to European bike culture. Much of the North American writing on cycling is either on the topic of European models of cycling (such as some choice cities in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany) or commentary on how North American bike culture compares to or is different from European models. Of course there are exceptions to the rule.

There are flourishing biking cities in North America such as Vancouver and Portland, and there are also some cities in the aforementioned European countries that have challenges with their cycling goals. This literature review will refer to the general rule as opposed to the exceptions in an effort to highlight the current overall status of bicycle transportation in North America.

______________________________________________________

Works Cited

Basset, David Rowland., John Pucher, Ralph Buehler, Dixie L. Thompson, and Scott E. Crouter. "Walking, Cycling, and Obesity Rates in Europe, North America, and Australia." Journal of Physical Activity and Health 5 (2008): 795-814. Print.

Brackett, Dorothy. "Bicycling and Self Esteem." Weblog post. Let's Go Ride A Bike. 18 May 2010. Web. 18 May 2010. .

Burgueño, Meli. Bikes and The City. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Byrne, David. Bicycle Diaries. New York: Viking, 2009. Print.

Chan, Sarah. Web log post. Girls and Bicycles. Web. 15 May 2010.
.

Colville-Andersen, Mikael. "Bike Helmet Protest in Melbourne." Web log post. Copenhagenize. 3 Aug. 2010. Web. 28 Aug. 2010. .

Colville-Andersen, Mikael. "Cycle Chic Origins." Cycle Chic™ - The Original from Copenhagen. Web. 16 Aug. 2010. .

"Cycling in the Netherlands." Ministerie Van Verkeer En Waterstaat. Web. 24 May 2010.
.

Davies, Julian. "Family Biking Ages & Stages." Web log post. Totcycle. 26 June 2009. Web. 21 May 2010. .

Dennis, J., B. Potter, T. Ramsay, and R. Zarychanski. "The Effects of Provincial Bicycle Helmet Legislation on Helmet Use and Bicycle Ridership in Canada." Injury Prevention. 2010. Web. 02 Mar. 2011. .

Feucht, Dave. "Portland Bicycle Plan 2010." Web log post. Portlandize. 4 Feb. 2010.
Web. 27 May 2010. .

Fincham, Ben. "Bicycle Messengers: Image, Identity and Community." Cycling and Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Gill, M., and M. Goldacre. "Seasonal Variation in Hospital Admission for Road Traffic Injuries in England: Analysis of Hospital Statistics." Injury Preventon. 2009. Web. 2 Mar. 2011. .

Gotschi, Thomas, and Kevin Mills. "Active Transportation for America." Rails to Trails
Conservatory. Web. 24 May 2010. .

North Carolina School of Public Health. "Active Living by Design and Public Health." 8-80 Cities. Web. 27 May 2010. .

Halbur, Tim. "Women, Transit, and the Perception of Safety | Planetizen." Planetizen |
Urban Planning, Design and Development Network. 11 Feb. 2010. Web. 27 May
2010. .

Horton, Dave. "Fear of Cycling." Cycling and Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

"I Love Riding in the City." Urban Velo May 2010: 14-34. Print.

Kay, Jane Holtz. Asphalt Nation. New York: Crown, 1997. Print.

Looft, Sandra. Simply Bike. Web. 04 Mar. 2011. .

Mackintosh, Philip G., and Glen Norcliffe. "Men, Women and the Bicycle: Gender and
Social Geography of Cycling in the Late Nineteenth Century." Cycling and
Society. Ed. Paul Rosen, Peter Cox, and David Horton. Aldershot, England:
Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Maples, Jeff. Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State UP, 2009. Print.

Martinelli, Deandria. Los Angeles Cycle Chic. Web. 04 Mar. 2011. .

Masoner, Richard. "Q&A with Eben Oliver Weiss Aka Bike Snob
NYC." Momentum May 2010: 26-27. Print.

O'Brien, Catherine. "A Footprint of Delight, Exploring Sustainable Happiness." NCBW
Forum Article (2006). Web. 25 May 2010.
.

Parkin, John, Tim Ryley, and Tim Jones. "Barriers to Cycling: An Exploration of Quantitative Analyses." Ed. Paul Rosen and Peter Cox. Cycling and Society. Ed. Dave Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Pucher, John, and Ralph Buehler. "Making Cycling Irresistible: Lessons from The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany." Transport Reviews 28.4 (2008): 495-528. Web.

Scott, Todd. "Detroit." Momentum May 2010. Print.
Skinner, David, and Paul Rosen. "Hell Is Other Cyclists: Rethinking Transport and Identity." Cycling and Society. By Peter Cox and David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Spinner, Justin. "Cycling the City: Non-Place and the Sensory Construction of Meaning
in a Mobile Practice." Ed. Dave Horton. Cycling and Society. Ed. Peter Cox and
David Horton. Aldershot, England: Ashgate, 2007. Print.

Vanderbilt, Tom. Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says about Us). New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2008. Print.

Wesson, D., D. Stephens, K. Lam, D. Parsons, L. Spence, and P. Parkin. "Trends in Pediatric and Adult Bicycling Deaths Before and After Passage of a Bicycle Helmet Law -- Wesson Et Al. 122 (3): 605 -- Pediatrics." Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation. 2008. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Williams, Martha. Bike Fancy. Web. 03 Mar. 2011. .

Wilson, David Gordon, Jim Papadopoulos, and Frank Rowland. Whitt. Bicycling
Science. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT, 2004. Print.

Wilson, Mighk. "Bicycling Is Better » Which Cycling Politics: Doom or Possibility?"
Bicycling Is Better. 1 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 May 2010. .

Wood, Daniel B. "On the Rise in American Cities: the Car-free Zone / The Christian
Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com." The Christian Science Monitor –
CSMonitor.com. 2 May 2007. Web. 27 May 2010. .

NYE Family Bike.

2011-12-31T15:19:00.003-07:00

These days if you want to bike while there is still sun out, you had better go around noon. We wanted to take advantage of the light and take the whole family on a Dougal off leash excursion (that is 3 minutes away on bike, but there is lots of fun off-roading you can do once you reach the off leash area).

So Dexter went into his Chariot.

Don insisted on installing his Chariot hitch onto his new winter bike so that I would not have to tow in the heavy wind (what a gentleman).

Speaking of which, here is his new winter ride! I don't get all excited about technical stuff, and I generally don't get too excited about mountain bikes either. However, Don is much more likely to go into the river valley and on trails with the dog than I am. And he rides a lot harder too. I am more of a super-leisurely, flat-surface cyclist myself. Just goes to show that cycling can be as high or low impact as you want it to be.

He is rocking a Karate Monkey by Surly.

The guys at redbike really pimped his ride, with a black & white colour scheme.

I'd love to tell you more details about the brakes, shifters, handlebars, studded tires, rims, etc... but like I said, I would have no clue what I am talking about. I'm sure I can get Don to recite me these facts at a later date.

For now, it turns Don into a winter biking machine!

All ready to take scruffy Dougal out.

The roads are still pretty non-snowy. Though, they are plenty icy (that is all the shiny stuff).

When we get to the park, we unleash the beast.

And after a bunch of off-road for Don and on-road for me (the Chariot seems to fare very well off-road), Dougal gets put back on the leash for more neighbourhood riding.

I wore my new coat from L.L. Bean.

It's a little big on me, which suits me fine during pregnancy and for layering. The sleeves are a bit long, but that also means it's ideal for biking because I get zero draft. It's wind-proof, warm, and has pockets to boot! Basically, it's a step down in warmth from my parka, but a step up from some of my more fashionable winter coats. And it's super casual, which is perfect for grocery runs or taking the dog out.

Is it specialized winter cycling wear? Nope. Do I wear it while cycling? Yes.

So now we're back at the house preparing for dinner tonight. Hope you all have a wonderful NYE filled with celebration and hopefully a little biking. It's the tried and true Miss Sarah combo for a successful day!

NYE Preparations.

2011-12-30T16:52:00.003-07:00

Haven't been biking or blogging too much, since we have been wholly consumed with house projects. This is what happens when you already have no time. Vacation time becomes get 'er done time.

We are hoping that this is our last holiday embarking on big and time consuming indoor projects. I think the normal thing to do is actually hire people and pay them to do the work. We're just so handy dandy around here. We really ask for it. Yay for us.

Now, the good news is the end is in sight! And we're super excited to have a very low key new year's eve around here, with just a few friends over for a late supper.

I took time this afternoon to do a trial run of this non-alcoholic Mandarin Punch in the NY Times. It was really easy and TASTY.

Just make an infused simple syrup.

Add juice.

And more citrus!

I use the mix with club soda, but I've got several bottles of bubbles on hand for spiked Mandarin Punch.

I also dug out all the stuffs required to set the table.

A mixture of antique Limoges, and both new and old wine glasses.

Ta da!

Leanne and I will be busy in the kitchen tomorrow, with other friends bringing in apps and drinks. I am looking forward to making my guests give their thoughts and accounts on the past year, and eager to hear what everybody is thinking about looking forward to in 2012.

Open Bungalow.

2011-12-27T04:32:00.002-07:00

My doctor told me that last time I was pregnant with Dexter (Dexter and baby no-name have almost the exact same timing) I gained 8 pounds in one month.

It was over Christmas time.

But who can deny oneself all the treats? I love treats.

We had lots of treats at our open bungalow last week, where people drop by to say Merry Christmas and have a drink.

Like Tom here.

At one point Larissa (right) taught Dexter how to use tongs to get the ice out of the bucket.

It made him feel incredibly accomplished.

Even though he was super modest about it all. Classic auntie Leanne & Dexter moment there, btw.

And ever charming, Dexter's ice bucket skills capture the hearts of many.

I am so pleased to report that having a kid doesn't always have to cramp one's party-style. In fact, having the little dude around just adds a new element of entertainment to our gatherings. I think the bungalow is now more fun than ever.

Holiday Family Time.

2011-12-26T04:29:00.001-07:00

The day before Christmas we went out for groceries. Since there is so much entertaining it always feels like I am buying groceries. The fridge is full, but soon after it's empty again.

I was also given a little jar of caramel bourbon vanilla sauce, which I have discovered, is crazy delicious with oatmeal. I have approximately a week to consume it all and we were out of oatmeal. Clearly, getting hot cereal was a priority of mine. I didn't feel like eating honey nut cheerios for Christmas breakfast.

I told Don of my grocery intentions, and he suggested we all ride together as a family. Dougal too!

We hitched up the trailer to winter Kona. Don just had a new winter bike built up, but his trailer hitch hasn't been put on yet, so I was left with the towing duties.

It was a good work out! Plus, I was super over dressed. It wasn't even cold.

When we reached the Sunterra, we ran into Oliver.

He and Don were all excited about Don's winter ride, and Oliver took it for a spin.

Nothing like spending some quality time doing ordinary things with my boys.

Oliver happened to finish shopping the same time as us, and he lives in our neighbourhood too, so we all biked home together! That's what I love about biking, the quality family time, and also the unexpected friend-time you often stumble upon.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T15:01:00.002-07:00

Hello readers, Merry Christmas!

Things here at the bungalow are low key and festive.

We opened presents.

Dexter got down to business too.

I made the mistake of giving Dexter LEGO to unwrap too soon. After the LEGO, we had to stop opening presents altogether so that he and Don could build it and play with it.

He is a lucky little dude, with all his new toys and treats. We also built up a gigantic train track for him. And we've all be obsessed with playing with the Zoob building toy that Dan & Leanne got for the little man.

Fun!

After Dexter gets up from his nap we're meeting up with the rest of the Chan clan for some too-loud English/Chinese bantering, and my dad going gaga over the grand kids:)

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve.

2011-12-24T16:27:00.003-07:00

T'was a few days before Christmas when I was out with winter Kona. We had to pick up a few groceries and meet Chrissy for lunch.

There were presents I had to exchange with aforementioned lady friend.

Chrissy and I have been best friends for 26 years:) And not just the "for old times sake" kind of friends, we're talking the real deal!

In lieu of all the turkey and such we knew lay in our futures, we had some bento box lunch.

Later on, Dexter got to open up some early Christmas presents from Grandma & Grandpa Iveson.

Presents make the little guy pretty happy.

OMG - a new passenger train!

And lots of new tracks too, with fun switches and stuff.

These days we have been packed with cleaning, home-improvement projects (we always seem to be scrambling with this stuff before entertaining - mostly because we never have time when we're in full swing with work), hosting, and Dextering.

Yes, I sometimes use Dexter's name as a verb.

Usually I am 100% into holiday mode, but I think my pregnancy induced lack of immune system is definitely casting a shadow on things. I can't have a prolonged conversation without my sinuses filling up with fluids, and I can't get any of my house chores done without the accompaniment of a dull throbbing in my head. Not being accustomed to being sick, this most certainly cramps my style.

I am hopeful that a few more good sleeps will remedy this situation!

It's been amazing to spend some time together as a family, even if I'm sick and we're super busy. Don, Dexter, and I are actually eating meals together! It's pretty rare and I am not taking it for granted.

So I hope you guys have some family time and relaxation time in store for today and tomorrow. T'is definitely the season to take it easy, and I'll try my best to take my own advice:)

Happy Holidays!

Party {Stretch} Party {Yawn} Party {Smile}

2011-12-19T15:21:00.003-07:00

Oh my, it's that time of year again. So many parties! Don't get me wrong. I love myself a party. It's just that all this stuff always lands around budget time for Don. In addition to the extra work hours, we have a whole bunch of boring house stuff to do. And on top of it all, Don and I are both sick.

But, we're working away and hopefully that will mean more rest... next week?

In any case, even when tired and sick, it's still nice to celebrate a birthday that features Reese Peanut Butter Cupcakes! Luckily, my taste buds are still alive and working.

Chris' birthday was casual and fun. I found myself a nice spot on the couch and admired the rest of the apartment from there. It's the opposite of circulating, but it works!

After a while, it was time to head over to red star to drop in on a Next Gen Party. It was semi-work related for Don.

For a bunch of us, we just needed some supper!

Hey, Thomas!

Dan stole my camera, which meant I got to see surprise photos of myself when I did my import today. The blue light illuminating my face is from my phone.

See?

That's my new necklace from Kiko.

And here is Alex and his bow tie.

There was a third party too, but by that point I was so tired that my camera stayed in the bag. It was a nice Christmas-y affair where Don sampled a bit of scotch and I somehow missed out on some epic samosas:(

In any case, t'is definitely the season for being overworked and over-scheduled. But, each day we're getting closer and closer to house projects wrapping up and I am super duper looking forward to the parties that we're hosting here at the bungalow!

Is Christmas time crazy for you guys too?

Belgravian Caroling.

2011-12-11T22:08:00.004-07:00

On the weekend we had the pleasure of attending the most amazing brunch in the neighbourhood, which also doubled as a carolling party led by yours truly.

The benefits to having brunch 3 blocks away, is that the walk is short.

We actually had to look twice to see the address of the place, because there were no cars parked out front despite there being tons of families in attendance. Everybody walked.

So much care was put into the occasion.

Dexter was a big fan of this fantastic little ornament. There are these little candles and it spins round and round.

Our hosts were amazing and laid out a delicious spread of turkey (best I have ever had), smoked salmon, quiches, croissants, roasty potatoes, salads... YUM. Writing about it now is giving me cravings.

What a festive house!

I got to meet a lot of new (to me) neighbours and put a lot of parents to kids I have seen at the park. Here is Glenn, the child-wrangler (you can sort of see Dexter hanging out on the couch in the back).

The carolling went swimmingly. Never having played for that crowd before, or on that piano, I wasn't sure what to expect. Everybody sang loud and happy, and it was so much fun I am quite convinced that this needs to become an annual tradition.

I know I harp on my neighbourhood a lot, about how it's awesome and my neighbours are rad? Well, I came home from brunch to find these goodies on my porch!

So I made up a tea tray.

New and beautiful tea set was a birthday gift from my friend, Rosie.

The cat creamer I bought at Henry's here in Edmonton. I seriously love this thing.

So I had some super Belgravian times! Some of it out with the neighbours and some of it here at home. It was local to the max. No car required.

Unit B.

2011-12-11T08:12:00.000-07:00

On Friday night Leanne and I took the train downtown to crash the Unit B open house party. Lisa (who you've all seen on this blog a bunch of times) has recently moved into a new office space on 104 Street (my favourite street in Edmonton since I was 16). She and her co-office habitants were throwing a little party to celebrate the new space - Yay!

On the train, we all had different things on our laps. Leanne had a tin of her super brownies (with cardamon and pistachios on top).

I had my purse (my own tin of cookies was on the floor, sandwiched between my feet).

The guy beside us was holding this (cutting board?):

At the party, things were busy and hoppin'

Crowded! But I managed to circulate my cookies, anyway.

I like a challenge.

Oh, and here is Justin looking really serious. He's one of the Unit B mates, running his show on 104 Street.

Don actually got to stop by after council! It's been budget time lately, so we haven't been seeing much of him in general. Why he is giving Alex and Leanne a thumbs up, I do not know...

Speaking of Leanne, here she is chatting it up with Dave and Kyla.

The view outside, from inside Lisa's office.

And the view inside, from outside. That's Erin there, hanging out at Lisa's desk.

Speaking of which, her desk is made out of an old door from her 1949 bungalow!

R-A-D.

Here is the lady herself, taking a break from all the mingles.

Oh, and another Miss Sarah (Jackson) stopped by too. She is a designer and illustrator.

Lookin' good! Especially that calendar by Gabe Wong over there.

Congrats to the occupants of Unit B - may the new year bring you much fun and business!

Butterdome Craft Sale!

2011-12-10T11:30:00.004-07:00

I was very sad to miss the Butterdome Craft sale last year - but made a point to schedule a visit into the calendar this year. There is a very different demographic from this craft fair to the other more indie ones I've been visiting, but frankly, I find the moms & pops (literally) quality of the Butterdome really novel and charming.

So what if I'm not buying the fleece vests with cartoon cows on them? Or the paintings with mystical wolves in lush landscapes? I'm still absolutely down with the different food stuffs, the jewelry, wooden toys for kids, and there is this leather stall that is pretty awesome too!

In fact, I bought Leanne and I these name necklaces, with a the very Albertan touch of a lasso. Now when she is hanging out in the streets of New York in the new year, she will always have a touch of Alberta with her. Think of it as a modern spin on the friendship necklace!

We purchased them in irony (the papa of the couple can make any name, on the spot), but they actually look pretty fly.

I made out with lots of other purchases which I can't show you. But three full bags and my purse all fit into my rear basket.

We threw Lisa's lap top case in the back too when we were walking over to the other side of campus for lunch. Lisa had taken the bus and Leanne had walked. Although both methods of transport are low-impact (environment-wise), the bike still has the virtue of comfortably transporting one's cargo without straining back or shoulders.

What I'm trying to say is although many think of biking as a big commitment, it's actually very easy and conducive to us lazy people who don't like to carry things long distances, and who don't like sitting around in traffic and dealing with parking.

As always, the trusty parka was out in full glory, even though it wasn't super cold. Something about the down in a parka is just light enough while undone, and also heavy enough when done up.

Cycling into the heart of the University area was actually slightly treacherous, since I forgot that lots of non-University and non-hospital craft patrons were heading there in their cars. This meant people were confused about where to turn for parking, which lane ends, watching out for the masses of pedestrians (very student-heavy traffic), and uh... general motor-vehicle operation confusion.

So I took up a whole lane (was moving the same speed as traffic anyway), and rang my bell a lot, and made sure I was visible. The sweetest part was when I was past the befuddled traffic, and just locked up right near the entrance.

And I wasn't even the only winter cyclist out there, I biked past several fellow cyclists both on my way there and back!

Musicians on LRT.

2011-12-09T06:09:00.001-07:00

Several weeks ago I was on my way downtown for a dinner. Sable happened to take the train too since she had a choir performance. We decided to catch the ride downtown together.

She had to carry her choir uniform with her.

And it was cute, because on my way home later I saw another group of musicians on the platform.

Lots of musicians taking the train. Myself included!

It's nice to have company.

Treats!

2011-12-08T20:20:00.003-07:00

Oh, I love this time of year!

Twinkly lights and sparkly things always make me happy, and it's even sweeter when my fantastic little students show up to lessons with beautiful homemade treats.

With my name on it.

Why buy your teacher a box of truffles from the store?

When you can make your own!

Yummy.

Buying presents local is definitely fab, but making your own is simply the best. What a lovely gesture, full of flavour and love.

Light Flurries.

2011-12-07T03:11:00.002-07:00

Temperatures continue to be quite fair, despite the snow, and I am (again) ever-thankful for studded tires on the mountain bike. When it comes to changing terrain (bare pavement, weird hidden icy bumps and ruts, crunchy and slushy snow piles) the mountain bike isn't just comfy, it's also super fun to ride!

My studs aren't the ones that are all over the tires, they're mostly on the outer edges, so they're the kind that just catch you if you're slipping a little.

I had a fantastic tea time with my neighbour, and got to see her amazingly tiny and adorable new baby! Walking just around the corner to see a lady friend was pretty fly. My travel time by foot was under a minute.

Afterward, I came home to whip up a latté and go see another lady friend on her coffee break at work. I was very proud at my genius travel mug contraption.

At this point it had started snowing a little. Big flakes!

After lots of lady visiting, it was time to come home and take the scruffy Dougal for a bike ride-run around the 'hood.

The snow doesn't seem to phase him either.

So far this winter has been very kind. Today I wore little glove liners like these under my Edit Mittens. It did the trick! Though, I've seen some SUPER puffy down ones that look crazy warm, but they're so huge they don't really play nice with the sleeves on my parka, so I had to pass.

And always, I've got the essential winter-cycling footwear.

On Monday.

2011-12-05T22:11:00.004-07:00

On Monday Miss Sarah wears a sweater with a bow on it.

When she goes out, she always puts a parka over top.

It's very warm. Especially with the fuzzy hood that goes over top.

Perfect for riding around in the snow, though it wasn't even that cold.

When Miss Sarah meets up with a friend for lunch, she sees that he has his own winter-wear. Pedestrians have to keep their extremities toasty.

Miss Sarah's own mitts get stuffed into her purse.

But the mitts go back on when it's time to crunch some snow with studded tires.

So Miss Sarah bikes, and lunches, and picks up groceries for dinner. That's the sort of thing that Miss Sarah does on a Monday. On a bike. Even when in the winter.

Life doesn't stop because of a little ice on the road!

Memory of Summer.

2011-11-30T00:22:00.000-07:00

Raffaella recently posted these photos of me & Pashley this past summer. I believe we were wandering around Whyte ave, during SOS Fest.

I am so glad this picture with Justin Bieber turned out.

Cheese!

The days of no coats and Pashley riding are over for now. All hail parka and winter kona!

First Winter Bike Ride!

2011-11-28T14:20:00.002-07:00

Nothing earth shattering to report, just took winter Kona out for her first spin this year. We haven't had too much snow, but with the wacky rain we had yesterday (which is generally all frozen today), I was very thankful for the studded tires.

Temperatures weren't cold, so that wasn't really an issue. Just put on the parka and started pedaling.

Today's bike ride is brought to you by Don, who very kindly pumped up my tires for me.

One other thing to note: I really keep my winter saddle low! Low enough so that I can get a solid toe down to deploy the tripod, in the event of bailing out. Riding that way on my Pashley would be super weird, but on the winter bike (mountain bike) it's very comfortable.

Had lunch with a lady friend, picked up a bag of groceries. All that normal stuff.

How is winter riding treating you guys?

The Royal Bison.

2011-11-26T18:10:00.002-07:00

I heard the Royal Bison was superb fun today, and super busy too.

I didn't arrive to represent at our little table until later in the afternoon, but it was fun to chat bikes and food with those of you I met!

There were tons of other excellent offerings too, so I will go on my shopping rounds tomorrow.

Come visit!

Velo Fare + Royal Bison

2011-11-23T21:29:00.002-07:00

Remember the cookbook project Leanne and I were working on over the summer? It's finally done and in print!

If you're in Edmonton this weekend (26th and 27th), come by our table at the Royal Bison Craft & Art Fair and say hello! Velo Fare is retailing at $25 and Leanne's own cookbook, From Scratch, will also be available at $30. It's at 8426 Gateway Blvd and promises to have tons of unique gift ideas for you and yours.

I'll be teaching piano until around 3 pm on Saturday, so I'll only catch you if you come later. But, Leanne and friends will be representing our table on my behalf. I'll be there all day Sunday. Hope to see you there!

About a block away (on Saturday the 26th) the Handmade Mafia craft sale is happening too, so you can do double duty in the shop local department.

I know a lot of you readers aren't in Edmonton, so if you want a hard copy of the book, you can order your own right here.

And, here is also a full PDF, as an early Xmas gift from Miss Sarah & Leanne to you! We never set out to do this as a money making scheme. It was all out of love for food, friends, and bikes. Whether you buy a hard copy and want an additional digital version, or you live faraway and this is just easier for you, the most important thing for us is that you enjoy what we have created and share it with those you love. Enjoy!

Reflections on Young Motherhood.

2011-11-22T10:07:00.005-07:00

I know what you're thinking, "28 is young to have a baby?!"

It really isn't. But I got to thinking about this whole mom thing after reading S's recent post about life with a new baby.

I had Dexter when I was 28 and although biologically that's a perfectly fine age to have a baby, I told most people that amongst my peers, it felt like being a much younger pregnant lady. Of course, I met lots of moms after Dexter was born, but I never felt like I fit in there either.

So on the one hand I was this big pregnant girl with the moving alien bump, having to fend off repeated comments about how massive everybody thought I was (people would double-take several times a day, every day). Again, I think this might have had something to do with the masses of parents I would see on a weekly basis, back when I was teaching at a music school.

Among my close friends, nobody really stopped to notice I was pregnant, and it was business as usual - which is a good thing!

On the other hand, once I had the baby and I was around other new parents, I didn't feel the same degree of connection that I could see the other ladies forming. I think a lot of that had to do with work and other circumstances. I went back to work after 3 months of summer off and all the other ladies had a year of mat leave. So that meant lots of fun classes and excursions, while I was coordinating child-care and teaching over 60 students a week. My wacky schedule made it difficult to participate in lots of the mommy things that were going on. That, and my disinterest in certain sorts of activities that require several different mommies driving halfway across town to meet up somewhere. Also, I was generally too caught up with day to day stuff like getting groceries or doing laundry in and around my students.

For a long time I felt like a weird hybrid. Still hanging out with the same friends and going and doing the same things, but always arriving late and leaving early, depending on Dexter's disposition. Then I found normal baby-talk really boring too. Do I worry that Dexter isn't developing properly? No. Have I purchased this super duper make-your-kid-smarter toy yet? No. Is the breastfeeding and waking and changes making me insane? No.

I often found lots of the mom talk to be sort of negative. Lots of complaining! And I realize that it's probably a result of being alone with a baby much of the time, and obviously one would seek to find comfort in others who are experiencing the same thing. And don't get me wrong, I am often complaining about stuff too, but usually not baby stuff.

I found that taking care of Dexter wasn't very difficult. It helps that he is really chilled out, and he slept a lot and would also sleep in his stroller on-the-go. That gave me a lot of freedom and mobility. Plus, living along a convenient bus route and close the train made it easy to take him out without missing my bike. I wasn't just left with the option of taking Dougal out and enjoying nature walks, I could get groceries and visit friends on foot! Makes a big difference when you can conveniently coordinate being out in the city.

But, I didn't absolutely fit in with all my peers either. Time management has always been something I am really into. It has always been difficult to make plans with people who aren't very organized, because I never had too much flexibility. This became even more apparent when Dexter arrived. Now it's even more unlikely that I am able to attend a party when issued an invite via text the day before. Sorry! And dinner parties where you arrive at 6 pm with the baby, but dinner isn't served until 9 pm? Not so good for us anymore.

Since those early days of feeling sort of displaced, I have since come to embrace having a diverse set of friends to share my new young-mom life with.

There are great advantages to having people hang out with you, who aren't scheduled to the same degree that you are. We host a lot of friends over at the bungalow because it's very convenient for us. It was not uncommon for a friend to be sitting on a step stool in the bathroom, with a glass of wine, while I give Dexter a bath. Actually, my friends are so well-trained with Dexter-care that oftentimes THEY just administer the bath themselves!

If you're a regular reader of this blog, you might wonder how I manage to have the time to get out and do... all that stuff. It's only possible because I am comfortable delegating Dexter duty to others. It's a conscious choice that we live in Edmonton and didn't move away to a bigger city. We wanted to be near grandparents, who are a great help to us. And it's not uncommon for Dexter to get babysitting from our friends too (I work Saturdays). So you don't have to do it all yourself, if you have options. I think living in the same city as my parents has done immeasurable good for my balance of work and life with Dexter. Life would be very different if I didn't have the massive support system that I've created.

No matter which way a mom chooses to get it all done, my advice is always to do whatever works for you. Everybody's life is different, and the same goes for expectations. It took me a while to figure out where I stood with managing the various aspects of being a self-employed new mom married to a guy with a 60-80 hr a week job, and a good friend too. But I'm feeling much more comfortable and at home with my not-really-fitting-in perfectly in any one place. In fact, I have come to enjoy it. Most importantly, it's my life. And I like it!

Life with a new baby is... new. Every new mama will find her stride and her peers (regardless of whether it's the sort of thing that would work for me or not), and it's important to put the pieces in place to create whatever balance new mama needs. I think one of the best pieces of advice I got was: happy mommy, happy baby. It's true!

I've learned not to fret so much about what I'm doing the same or not the same as other moms. Dexter is growing up to be such a fine little gentleman, and I'm feeling great too. It might be a work in progress and things are always changing (adaptation is the name of the game), but having a little dude around is a wonderful opportunity, lots of fun, and the best life-enrichment program I could have imagined.

Being a "young" 28 yr old new mom? It was the best decision I've ever made. Even if it made me feel like a weirdo for a while. I've come to realize, it wasn't Dexter who made me a weirdo. I've always been a bit off the beaten path. And that's okay!

Refinery.

2011-11-20T21:42:00.005-07:00

Though I have been to exhibit opening parties at the AGA, I had yet to attend one of their Refinery late night art parties... until this past Saturday. It was an absolute blast! Drinks, snow cones, burlesque performances, temporary installations in addition to the regular exhibits, DJs, and lots of people ready for a fun time.

The dress code for the evening was "Lumberjack Formal". This basically meant that nobody really knew what was going on. Though, a general theme of The North seemed to prevail amongst the attendees, resulting in the general proliferation of plaids and furs in attire.

Since none of my plaid currently fits, I decided to go as a fancy arctic fox, with that crazy hat I have.

The evening's artistic director, Fish Griwkowsky, was very fine in a top hat.

And we saw these amazing bearded folks (now I am dying for one of those crochet beards)!

Amidst all the mixing and mingling, we did end up spending a considerable amount of time in Ragnar Kjartansson's installation, The End.

But then it was back to the northern ladies and gents.

And my fancy shoes.

The music was dance inducing.

Though people were crawling all over every floor.

And I got selected to participate in the costume competition! I didn't win, but it was fun to get chosen.

Ran into lots of friends.

Enjoyed girly chit chat while chomping on bags of popcorn.

People-watched.

Dancing in the stairwell.

And finally it was time to take the elevator down into the LRT station, where we got back to our parked car, piled our friends in, and I (designated pregnant driver) gave folks a lift home to the south side. Late late at night, in dresses and heels, in -20C weather... the carpool makes a lot of sense.

The next Refinery party should be some time in the new year. Perhaps I'll see you there? Next time I have to wear flats, for extended dance opportunities.

Stay warm!

Make It!

2011-11-18T21:39:00.002-07:00

I missed last year's Make It! craft show, so I made sure to hit it this year.

Even though I got a few gifts for friends, I basically ended up getting a bunch of gifts for myself. Oops.

If you're in Edmonton over the weekend, please try to make it out! It's great to meet the vendors themselves and I feel like the whole shopping experience is so much more authentic. All your money goes to the vendor's little business. It's a good thing!

Like those adorable cards up there from A La Carte. She has a fantastic collection of stationary. There was a pack of cards that featured print-pressed bicycles from India.

I also picked up a pair of edit mittens too, since all three paris of mitts I currently own have been orphaned (only 1 left from each pair). I figured these purposefully mismatched mitts made out of recycled sweaters would do the trick. I'm not sure if you guys know, but Edmonton is currently very COLD.

Now that my bangs are long enough, I'm rarely without a bobby pin to keep it all off my face. This Whimsical Elements bobbies are made of vintage buttons and fabric!

And I was happy to add to my Toodlebunny collection.

I also picked up some gifts from Bang Bang Bijoux too.

The Make It! show is faraway, but we took the edge off by carpooling. So grab a friend and go get some holiday prezzies for you and those you love.

Remember When...

2011-11-18T01:40:00.002-07:00

I was large and in charge while pregnant with Dexter? Well prepare yourself for Miss Sarah with baby bump the sequel, since I am currently pregnant with baby #2.

So every post you have read about me riding in the last 12 weeks? That's right, riding while pregnant. I can't say I'm looking forward to some of the quirks of being pregnant, which is the vast array of advice you get. What I've learned from the first time around is that you really have to take it all with a grain of salt, boil it down to the lowest common denominator, and just take the helpful stuff.

Now, I'll preface my stories by saying I probably have more exposure to moms than most people, since I teach so many kids.

I remember this one mom who found out I rode my bike while I was 20ish weeks, and she flicked me on my forehead. Like, flicked her finger... ON MY FACE. It was not cool.

And there was another mom who advised me to go to the mall more often, so I could walk around and get cardio. What?!

The first time I was pregnant, it was always surprising to hear from people what they thought I could do to stay healthy for 40 weeks. Most people suggest walking and swimming as safe activities. And although swimming sounds awful nice, getting to a pool and getting changed and processed, really doesn't fit into my busy schedule.

I do walk, almost every day, with Dougal. And of course there is the riding.

Like most cycling mamas will tell you, you've really got to talk to your own doctor and know your own body before you do any strenuous exercise (though I don't fine biking very strenuous) while pregnant. If it doesn't feel good, then stop.

Luckily, other than more rapid weight gain this time around, I feel much the same as with Dexter - which is absolutely normal.

That means I'll be riding until it no longer feels fine. Last time, it was until the day before my water broke and I went to the hospital. This time... who knows?

So here's to another 28ish weeks of riding with the bump!

Pashley + Snow.

2011-11-15T20:32:00.004-07:00

Yes, it's cold. But there are a few precious hours in the afternoon that are filled with sunshine!

I had initially planned to take the winter bike out today, but after a failed attempt at pumping up the tires (this seems to be something I am perennially bad at), I was running late and faced the choice of driving or riding a non-winter bike.

I took the Pashley.

We ran some errands in Old Strathcona, and I went to my acupuncture appointment (seriously, my guy does wonders).

Afterward, I biked a few blocks over to Leanne's and picked her up for our bento lunch date (we walked).

Post lunch, I cycled over to the Cross Cancer institute to meet another fine lady friend for her late lunch break at work. I had already eaten, but I still make fine company.

Anybody who hangs out with me over the winter will get used to the sight of my gloves and stuff in an overturned helmet whenever we are indoors.

It breaks my heart a little when pretty Pashley gets all gummed up with snow like this.

C'est la vie! Bikes are for riding. So we should ride them, even if there is sticky snow on the ground.

Though, the Pashley does have lovely brakes for winter.

Afterward, I came home and walked the dog and shovelled our walk. Lots of exercise, no gym. It's the Miss Sarah way!

Winter Helmet.

2011-11-14T22:02:00.002-07:00

I've been getting lots of inquiries about my winter helmet! It's not much different than wearing a toque underneath your normal helmet, but I like the tight seal around my head and ears. Plus, the back of the helmet has this clip that keeps my goggles in place when I am riding in severe cold.

I bought mine online, and was reminded of the site when a reader sent me a link to Empire. That's where Don and I got ours from! Though, I do believe they carry Bern at MEC as well (I don't think they had my size with the liner back when I was looking).

Thought I would let you know, since I see they are on sale too. Mine has a brim and an air vent on top (some of them don't have a vent).

Happy winter riding!

2 Coats, Nice Ride.

2011-11-12T21:25:00.005-07:00

Don and I were toying with the idea of riding our winter bikes the other night, since the freezing rain meant potential yucky ice. Still, it wasn't super snowy so we just took the regular bikes. I have been biding time with bringing out the parka by layering up underneath one of my fall coats. I am happy to report that I enjoyed very cozy evening riding with one jacket on underneath my heavier jacket. Perfect!

I can't say I have the same warm and fuzzy feelings about how early it is when the sun goes down now:(

We rode over to the Bothy for some food and fun.

Nice mix of fizzy.

But the boys decided to get into the sampling of scotch.

The Bothy may be a sort of scotch and wine bar, but the food is YUMMY.

Every time I get out on the bike in the cold weather I feel amazing. Both because I love the fresh air and exercise, and because I am continually surprised at how it doesn't feel that cold once I get going.

A few extra layers and some body heat generated from locomotion really make me stop and think about how lucky I am to be mobile and healthy enough to get where I need to go with my own energy. It puts things into perspective! And it feels oh-so-nice. We may live in a winter city, but it's still way to soon to hang up the pedals.

Winter is Here.

2011-11-05T12:11:00.004-06:00

Last night, I spent a good portion of time tearing apart our front closet, looking for the ear flap insert for my Bern helmet. We are finally having temperatures below freezing, and my ears needed protection!

Luckily, warm head and ears are only a few snaps away.

Other cold weather preparations included finding my slightly heavier insulated gloves (though I'll just need to upgrade to mitts very soon).

I unearthed a heavier coat.

Found my old faithful books. This is our 6th winter together!

And put on a sparkly sweater over my winter staple of long-sleeved t-shirts.

Wrapped it all up with a heavy shawl that I fold into a thick scarf.

Rode during our 5ish pm sunset, to dinner at Corso32.

Admittedly, I had hesitations about riding. Relatively speaking, it was cold. But thinking about it the other way, I reminded myself that -20C is usually my cut off. There was no wind or snow... so really, not riding was sort of a lost opportunity. I just need to ensure I had time to dig out all my winter stuff! And I'm really happy I did it. The ride was really crisp and invigorating, which was a pick-me-up after my usual Friday afternoon fatigue.

I also saw lots of other cyclists too, all sporting face and neck warmers, and balaclavas too! Everybody is bundled up, but that doesn't stop us from doing the courteous nod when we pass each other.

I dined with my lady friends.

We had snacks and treats and I threw down on some ravioli which photographed very poorly.

Raffaella was kind enough to snap a photo. I haven't been in much of a mood for self-photography lately, which is why you haven't seen any pictures of me and the bike for a long time.

It may be freezing, but a few extra layers and items keep me on the bike... for now.

Halloweeny Lunch.

2011-11-01T14:10:00.001-06:00

Earlier this week, before all the evening Halloweeny action, Pashley and I went out to lunch at Leva.

I was impressed by their pumpkin!

And it was great to get caught up with my lady friend... who is also featured on page 62 of this month's Avenue magazine!

These days are growing colder, but when you live so close to "stuff", it's not a big deal to take a chilly 12 minute bike ride. In fact, it's a great way to enjoy fall! You spend about 2 minutes feeling cold and pedaling along, then you're all warm and happy that you made it out.

It also makes you hungry, so you end up eating a whole margherita pizza by yourself.

Trick or Treat!

2011-10-31T21:24:00.004-06:00

Oh yeah, that's Fireman Dexter up there, ready to go!

I tried to prevail upon him that wearing a toque and his firefighter's hat would be in keeping with his costume, but he refused me and insisted on wearing the lumberjack hat instead. A very Canadian firefighter!

Before we could hit up some houses for candy, we first had to get daddy from the garage. Dexter always tries to ring the bike bell when he is in there.

Our house has a few happy touches of Halloween cheer - there is an adorable origami Halloween tree hanging out in the dining room. My student's mom made it as a gift for Dexter. So cute!

Since we don't get hundreds of kids on Halloween night, I decided we were going to become the house that gives out full-sized candy bars. Remember how awesome those houses were when you were kids? I want the awesome rep.

And there were no-nuts options too.

Once we starting making the rounds, I was thoroughly impressed at some of the stellar pumpkins out there!

Don did the guided trick or treating, and I took the photos.

This was our simple pumpkin. I didn't have a lot of time so it's a little lame, but it does look like Dexter when he says, "Ohhh YEAH."

So Dexter was totally into the whole experience.

He was particularly into the lights in all the pumpkins.

Light! Light! Light!

Our neighbours do a wicked job with decorations.

Some even used their own gargoyle children as house decorations.

Death Star pumpkin, anyone?

My two boys.

Dexter admires Halloween lights (he finally consented to wearing the hat).

And on the way home he waves at some friends.

So great to see kids and parents prowling around our neighbourhood.

That's community, right there!

Double Date!

2011-10-30T04:38:00.002-06:00

I am turning into a big baby, and all I feel is cold cold cold! I love the sunny days we've been treated to, but the wind. The wind is rough for me. These days I don't step outside of the house without a the old faithful biggie scarf and gloves. Insulated gloves.

This photo was actually taken on our way home when we transferred from the train to the bikes. Earlier in the day I had actually just walked the same distance, but I was wearing flats and not heels. For those instances with mobility impairing footwear, the bike is perfect for me.

We met up with Jason and Leisha for a double dinner date at MRKT! A very suitable end to a very busy week. The dining room is a warm oasis of wood and shiny lights, which is a fine accompaniment to wine and cheese.

Yum yum yummy yum.

I knew we were planning to have dinner at MRKT all week, and all I craved was beef brisket.

Though I stole a fair portion of Don's pork pasta.

It turns out our date companions also took the train, so after dinner we all strolled over to the station, found some seats together, and chatted the whole way home.

Leisha hated every photo I took of her, so you only get to see a photo of her gloves and knits.

Don and I tried to inspire them by cheesing it up smiles-style.

See? We all have those pictures out there where are faces look all bumpy and weird. C'est la vie.

Hope you guys had your own yummy week-end meals with a nice unwind. Stay warm!

Street Car Lunch.

2011-10-29T05:40:00.001-06:00

Today, Dexter and I rode our neighbourhood bus over to Old Strathcona, to meet Don and some colleagues for a special street car ride and luncheon! I decided to be a bold mommy and not take a stroller. Dexter kept a pretty good walking pace from the bus stop to the street car - I just kept telling him we were going to see his daddy and he came running.

Once we arrived and boarded the street car, Dexter got himself a seat, and positioned his favourite gorilla toy.

Generous volunteers of the Edmonton Radial Railway Society gave some information on the history of street cars in Edmonton. Plus, they conducted our ride!

Dexter was making a little too much noise. This is what his face looks like when mama deals out a little discipline.

But soon enough we were on our way! Thumbs up, gorilla friend.

Our street car stopped in the middle of the high level bridge. Good thing nobody had a phobia of heights.

Then it was time to get up and party!

We ate delicious sandwiches and cookies from elm café. Dexter likes the BLT and the roasted beet sammies, and ginger snap cookies.

What a wonderful way to spend the lunch hour! And it was a treat for Dexter to ride both new and old forms of Edmonton's public transport.

Ding ding!

Dexter's New Hat.

2011-10-28T18:06:00.002-06:00

Winters are a pretty serious thing here in Edmonton, that's why I didn't hesitate to get Dexter this rad new hat with ear flaps!

I think the lumberjack look suits the little D very well. Too bad he won't be attending the AGA Refinery party in November.

The new hat also lends itself well to keeping a little head warm on a windy day, waiting for the train to arrive.

Don had a very busy week at work and as a result, didn't get a chance to see the little D for a few days. So Dexter and I decided to crash city hall and go have lunch with dad at the office!

Little D was very pleased to provide entertainment.

And I'm so lucky that I don't have to use the elevators with the stroller anymore. I just fold up the umbrella stroller and Dexter can slowly handle the stairs himself. This new toddler independence suits me very well. Generally, I feel as though increased mobility just makes life so much more convenient.

I hope Dexter will stay quick and mobile, with all this early training. There is a certain joy to getting somewhere yourself, and I am happy the little D enjoys active transportation as much as I do. I mean, who is going to give up the chance to ride trains with their mama?

Lazy Photographer.

2011-10-26T02:41:00.001-06:00

I've been super lazy with taking photos lately. Sort of a waste, when I go through the trouble of lugging the camera around everywhere. I just keep forgetting that I have it. Or I think to take a photo, but I'm on my way somewhere and am too busy. So... you get two really boring photos!

Up above is when I was locked up near Planet Organic to meet Zoe for a delicious lunch of vermicelli the other day. She and I were delighted to discover we are both wearing very 1960s coats these days. Mine is navy, from MUJI. Hers is camel, from Oak + Fort.

Down below is my seasoned travel mug full of home-pulled latté with honey. I haven't ridden around with this Xmas themed travel mug since school days! I've still yet to install my cup holder on the Pashley, so what I usually do is not fill the mug up all the way, and squish it into the basket with my purse. The reason I use this Xmas mug is because it's the most spill-proof of all the go-cups I own. Very festive. And practical.

And yes, back in the day it was not uncommon to have some coffee gurgles on my bag and books. Luckily, zero leakage today.

I rode with a ferocious head wind over to the Cross Cancer institute, where my best friend is finally off mat leave and back at work. I was happy to visit with her while she took her lunch and I had coffee and cookies.

Nice thing about the head wind is that it became a wicked tail wind on the way home. Very welcome after my previous huffing and puffing.

These days, biking requires scarf and gloves, but I am really enjoying the crispy sunshiny days!

Carpool-O-Rama

2011-10-24T10:11:00.006-06:00

Admittedly, there are certain destinations that I don't like biking to. And I also tend to stay away from cycling with Dexter if we're farther away from home and we are guaranteed to be out past his bedtime. So the other night, we carpooled! Picked up two of our dinner companions on the way to Chinatown for a fundraiser dinner for Edmonton's Chinese Garden.

At a red light I stared longingly out the car window at the fine lady above, on what looked like her Devinci Paris. She and I are helmet and saddle sisters too!

Then I looked out the other window and saw another cycling dude who was eager to be photographed.

I haven't been to a Chinese banquet in a while, so I was eager for all 11ish courses. The key is to pace yourself.

We were lucky enough to be treated to lion dance!

Dexter was very fun and charming, even though he kept wanting to go hang out with the seafood in the aquarium.

The many courses of food were paraded out, one by one.

And Dexter helped his dad deliver greetings.

If I'm going to drive the car on an evening out, I'd rather it be filled with 5 people instead of 2. The bike would have been a better post-meal constitutional, but with an expiring Dexter at the end of the evening, it was nice to just whiz home and put the dude to bed.

I promised him we will bike tomorrow!