The Revolution will Arrive by Bicycle

Comrades and Friends.
The OWS movement has redirected the public discourse back from talk of deficits to jobs and unequal representation in government. As an individual I support this but I have been considering how the bicycle plays a role in bringing about positive change.
Einstein said he thought of the theory of relativity while riding a bicycle. HG Wells did not despair for the human race when he saw people riding bicycles. One of my favorites that should get the Tea Party behind cycling; “Government must help to eliminate cars so that bicycles can help to eliminate government.” ~ Advocacy slogan in Holland. Or how about this; “The bicycle is the vehicle of a new mentality. It quietly challenges a system of values which condones dependency, waste, inequality of mobility, and daily carnage. . . There is every reason why cycling should be helped to enjoy another Golden Age.”
It would seem that some big thinkers saw the bicycle as a equalizing force for good. It would almost follow that it is impossible to NOT be progressive and use a bike. Not to say we do not have conservative and republican customers, while they may approach things differently the bicycle gives us a common ground and a starting point for a conversation. That conversation is something that has been sorely lacking today.
Yes, we are a bike shop, yes we are here to sell fun (aka bicycles) yes we like to see our mission as more than just profit making. That said, I really feel that the more people we can get on bikes the more progressive and open our community will become; its hard to hate on anybody when you are smiling! Take it for what its worth, but the revolution will arrive on a bicycle!

City considers cell phone ban for cyclists

I will be the first to say we as cyclists need to be responsible travelers of the road. This means stopping at red lights and stop signs (for now, more later) and holding to speed limits when they get posted. If we want to see our city get the bike infrastructure we desire then we are going to have to play by the rules. That said, this cell phone ban sounds like easy revenue and pointing the finger at cyclists. The times I have almost been a statistic while riding because some driver thought, “I need to call her/him RIGHT NOW.” I have even seen CPD on cell phones while driving, I know they may need to take that call for our greater safety but I did not make the rule, and whatever god you believe in help you if you choose to point that fact out to the officer in question. Never have I seen or heard of a motorist getting ticketed or pulled over for being on thier cell, if you have please let me know. I can almost garuntee that if they pass this new ord. you WILL see cyclists getting tickets.  There is still a large education gap with motorist understanding that cyclists have the right to use the road too.  We need to have the city protect the safety of cylists and pedestrians, not single us out. We will be follwing this story and listenting to Active Trans to see what they say. So far while I agree with the sentiment I fear the implementation.

As the Wheel Turns

Comrades.
May just flew by and now we are in the heart of spring? It feels more like August with the heat but we never did get the seasons in order here in Chicago. I spent some time listening to our alderman Joe Moreno and others talk about plans for the cities cycling infrastructure and musing on their trip to Seville Spain for a cycling conference. It is amazing what they were able to do in 5 short years, from under 1% ridership to over 7%! They were behind Chicago when they started and now have miles of protected bike lanes, share use space and a much more “user friendly” city! They had all the same gripes that we hear in Chicago; “it will hurt business to take away car parking and traffic”, not so, it actually increased business to the effected areas. Think about it, why can’t Chicago be there and more? Seville is an old city with narrower streets and less “grid” then we have. There is NO way we cannot get there. In fact I heard commitments from our local government leaders (and word that Rham our new Mayor is behind it too) that we would put in 100+ miles of new protected bike lanes! It takes political will and people pushing, so if you are reading this and support a more bike and pedestrian friendly infrastructure in Chicago call or write your alderman and tell them, and then do it again next week.
On the new bike front I am happy to report that a new gaggle of Velorbis bicycles is due to touch down in the USA sometime later this month, and boy howdy are you going to want to stop by and take one home. There are new Abici bikes arriving from Italy, I am really pleased with the build spec on these machines, simple, pure riding enjoyment. AAAANNNNNDDDD
Bike to Work Week is about to kick off! Next Thursday at Daley Plaza is a bike fashion show with bikes from Copenhagen Cyclery, Boulevard Bikes, cloths from new designers as well as gear from Connect Chicago, take a lunch break and come down to the plaza and check out the future!
Thats not all, there are new PoCampo bags in stock and … duhn duhn duhn, CHPC is about to take delivery of a boat load of Brooks England lifestyle gear, the Devon Ride pannier, rucksack and more, nearly every Brooks bag will be represented and if we don’t have it we will order it for you! Oh and there will be a smattering of Brooks saddles of course.
Met some great cats from Equilibrium Bags, a great story about this company, I am going to update you more down the road, I am hoping that we will see these in the shop this summer. What I can say is, modular, customizable, bike or person mountable and multiple size storage options. This bag kills my personal Ortleib pro messenger by a long shot and the prices are GREAT! Dig this, have you ever bought a bag that sized you to the harness? Really, they have different size harnesses so big guys like me arn’t trying to wear the “one size fits all” crap. If you are smaller, no more worries about a bag that you swim in, really? Really. Well I get ahead of myself, I hope to post soon that the bags are available here in the shop.
Just so I am not blogging all about the shop and salesy type stuff, I had a great riding day this memorial day. I was visiting my bro in Madtown WI, started the day practicing with the Madison Aikido Club, great group of aikidoka and great instruction, after sufficiently dehydrating myself on the mat we were off to pick up his wife and ride. I am very proud to report that Liz, the bro’s wife has put in 50+ miles in here first 3 days back on the bike in 5 some years! Really proud of here, not to say our ride was fast. It was great to see so many people out on the path, and racers keeping to the streets so they could fly without scaring the pants off mom and pop. If they can figure a way to get over the lakes that city will be great for riding, as it stands it is a bit hard to get to someplace’s easily as you have to go around the lakes.
I am sure I have more stories but the shop is getting busy today so I will bother you with tales another time.
Ride safe!

Happy Pay for your Government Day!

Friends and Comrades.
Some people call it tax day, I prefer pay for your government day. We need to change the attitude that says taxes are evil and remember what those taxes pay for. In various forms taxes pay for our schools, police, fire, social services and bike infrastructure. So before you moan and gripe about paying taxes remember that civil society in part depends on them. Whether you believe that it needs to happen top down or bottom up (I think we need both) pushing for a safer more bike friendly city may ultimately require paying more taxes. As long as those monies are spent wisely and in the best interest of the people of the city I think the folk can get behind it. Do you think that people in Copenhagen and Amsterdam enjoy life less because they have an extremely high tax burden? Not a chance.
So when you see friends and family tonight, wish them a happy pay for your government day and help change the dynamic.
At the very least get out and ride your bike.

Good day fellow travelers along the pedal powered path

Good day to all of you surfing the web this fine Chicago morning.  This is the new blog site for Copenhagen Cyclery, or CHPC for short.  Thats CHP for Copenhagen and C for,,, you guessed it, Cyclery.  We are going to be doing our best to share why we think Chicago is such a great city to live and bike in.  Along with keeping you updated about what is happening at and around the shop.  We are expecting a fleet of Velorbis in May and more baskets and helmets galore soon.  We are also newly on the Twitter machine where we will update you on just how silly we really are.  So, great to meet you, thanks for stopping by and we will see you soon!

Keep your shorts on and hold those horses, more to come in the very near future and pictures too!