More Halloween Bike Fun

I just found this over Dan Kaufman's Crank My Chain and just I thought it perfect halloween fun.

While Cross racing is pretty unheard of around North Florida. It's a fairly popular end of season pastime in both the Northeast and Northwest portions of the county.
And of course those wacky Oregonians infuse what is normally a test of mental and physical endurance with pure unadulterated (maybe a little adulterated) bike fun. This is what riding a bike is about.

Video description:
"ASTORIA, Ore. – If you didn’t bring a costume to last Sunday’s Cross Crusade race you may have placed better but you also got heckled. The weather was perfect for camping, outrageous outfits and two days of racing at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds."

Happy Halloween!!

Also make sure you stop by Urban Jacksonville and pick up the Halloween Mixtape R2TII. Thanks Joey, and you really do need two Thriller remixes.

Bike The Vote & Bikes Aren't Rocket Science

Bike To Vote info:
We are just going to try to meet up and try to vote as a group, makes waiting in line and getting out and voting easier. We are going to meet at Zombie Bikes around 3pm (try to be there on time the election office closes at 5pm) and we're going to walk, drive, preferably bike 1.1miles to the Supervisors of Election Office on Monroe and vote. You will need a drivers license or photo id.

Directions from Zombie to Elections Office.

Why Early Vote?

1. By voting early you help out yourself. There will be no need for inordinate amounts of stress if something goes wrong on election day. Car trouble? Lost wallet? Extra work? Well, if you've voted early it's no worse than any other day. And, you avoid the long lines (and oh, will they be long)! This also frees up your time on election day if you must work/pick up the kids/anything at all.

2. By voting early you help other people out. Every election year democrats are forced to go to court to keep voting places open because lines are long and there just never seem to be enough poll workers. Or the republicans seem to have devoted too few resources to large democratic counties. By voting early, you can alleviate some of the strain on your polling place.

3.You can help the campaign out. If you vote early, you can spend election day volunteering (if you have the time). Making calls to GOTV, driving people to polling places, being a poll worker, etc.. Your work on election day will have a huge return on investment.

4.It's a lot harder for corrupt politicians to magic your vote away.

What do I need to vote early?

All you need to do is show up with your current photo and signature ID.

More info on early voting in Duval.

Above Reposted From Jax Scene


Bikes Aren't Rocket Science

Photo by Madeleine

An excerpt from a recent post on Art Isn't Rocket Science a local blog by Madeleine that is worth the read if you don't already have in your feeds.

"More and more, I find myself obsessed with bikes. Perhaps it is because of the change in weather, because instead of bolting from house to air-conditioned car, I find myself making up excuses to lug out my bike"

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Commuter Rail Study Update From Metro Jax

Metro Jacksonville has been fighting the good fight for some time in trying bring light and commuter rail to North Florida. If it had not been for the gang over at the Metro, JTA would still be shoving their idiotic BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system down our throats. But because of the work done by these guys JTA has been forced to go back to the planning board and do feasibly and cost studies for rail systems prior to moving ahead with their current plans to move Jacksonville yet another 20 years behind the rest of nation.



I'm posting this here so that you the cyclist can stay not only informed. But also so that you can speak up and hopefully will get involved to make sure that any and all transportation plans include bikes. It is vital that we make certain all rail and any other transportation plans include bike paths to and from the planned stations, along with secure bike storage lockers at those same stations and most importantly require bikes be allowed those on the trains or buses.

You can read the update from Metro Jacksonville Here.

We are a long way from actually seeing any train system come to fruition. But you can do your part right now by taking a few seconds to help secure the funding needed. Sign this petition from Walk Score and Transportation America asking Congress to allocate more money for alternative transportation which will also include cycling infrastructure into the new 2009 Transportation Bill.
The Petition reads:

"Help reduce our vulnerability to oil prices by tripling—or more—the share of funding for walking, biking and public transit.
Build a world-class rail network—both between cities and within them—that links our communities and transports people and goods more efficiently.
Require that roads are safe for everyone using them—including pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users, as well as motorists."

While we are on the subject Transportation, NPR's program NOW has an outstanding video titled, Driven To Despair. It is the first installment in "Blueprint America," a year-long, PBS-wide series focusing on the nation's infrastructure. It is truly worth viewing.

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Is Trek Walking The Talk?

Let me get you bike jax'ers up to speed here. At the beginning of this year the following 30 minute video of Trek's president John Burke at the Taipei bike trade show was released. It is him giving a speech to other industry leaders concerning the future of bicycle as transportation. It was posted and discussed at length on just about every bike related blog and forum you could find and all the while John Burke was being hailed as "the Al Gore of the biking industry" with his talk of creating a bicycle friendly world.



Recently I found this link about how Trek is using Macs on the Apple site.

The Apple video titled, "Trek Bicycle Corporation. Communicating their message." had me all ah twitter recalling all the good vibes and verbiage given by the president of Trek in the video above during the Taipei show. When I searched I found that that release date on the Apple video was the early part of July. A little over a full month before Trek World '09 where Trek shows off its 2009 line up of bikes to it dealers and reps. Imagine my surprise when in this video John Burke takes us on a tour of the Trek faculties and most importantly, the marketing department. And the Apple video is showing nothing but the same old stuff they have been producing for years. Trek is handed a golden opportunity to reach people outside of the biking community and what do they show them? Road bikes and mountain bikes, which are either going really fast or getting some big air. What happened to the bikes as transportation message, John? It looks like Treks true message is, "More of the same."

Warning: Rant to follow. 

First let me point out that I am all for any type of advocacy for bicycles. I spend countless hours working for the cause and I believe we'd be a lot further down the road if every cyclist put in a few hours of work a month for the cause. I also think it's great that Trek is committing large sums of cash to advocacy programs.

But how much further down the road would we be if they (Trek) did some simple marketing for the cause? I have to say that I think Trek's marketing dept. are bunch of lame ass corporate check cashers. They are presented with the opportunity for free marketing via Apple. They could have used images of their new line of urban bikes (which fail completely) and let the video gone viral creating wide and varied interest prior to Trek World. Bike bloggers and forums would have gone wild with speculation over what they are and "is that a belt drive" or "what is this" hoopla. But no, they stick with the tried and true fast road images and big air off road. Yawn.

To John Burke and the marketing folks over at Trek, if you really want 1 world 2 wheels? How about images of real everyday people doing real everyday things on bikes. And showing those images repeatedly. The same repetition that you have been using in you marketing to sell road and mountain bikes will work for selling the american public on bikes as transportation. Just show real people doing everyday things with their bikes.

And as long as I'm ranting at and about Trek... is there no steel tubing to be found in China? How about making some real bikes Trek. That right I said it. Steel is real as the saying goes. A bike made out of any material other than steel is kind of like the American Baseball League. They play a form of baseball. But it's not really baseball is it. I know that last statement is bound to get me some negative reaction from both the carbon set and ABL'ers and I'm sorry to my Tampa brethren. But sometimes the truth just has to be told and just be happy I didn't go into my patented "teams that play in domes rant."

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How To Properly Use SPD Pedals

With the influx of all the new cyclists and seeing how as it's Friday for all you veteran bikers. I thought I would share this little instructional video with you. SPD (Shimano Pedaling Dynamics) pedals or clipless pedals have been around now since the early 90's. There is however a bit of learning curve to them, but once you master the the technique shown in this video. No matter where you ride you will be accepted as a bonafide biker.

Have a great weekend.


Bikerumor.com's Guide to Using SPD Pedals from Bike Rumor on Vimeo.

Does a Bike Make You Think "Financial Crisis?"

Tonight I was reading an article on Spiegel, (a German news agency) when I noticed a link titled, Photo Gallery: Images of a Crisis? With the following paragraph:
It's not easy to photograph a news event that takes place primarily on the balance sheets of banks. But photographers have to try. What they come up with is often quite creative. Pretty much every stock market story is illustrated with some trader pulling out his hair. This time around, given the global nature of the story, things got a bit more interesting...

As an artist and photographer, my curiosity is of course peeked. So how could I not click over to see how interesting these images really are? I am well aware that an image by itself can or will relay a completely different message than it will when placed in the context of a written story. But I was curious to see if these images were strong enough to tell the story without the written word. I clicked through the images one by one, wrinkling my nose at the ones I judged as failures and giving my patented nod of approval for those I felt that did. When I reach number 19 of the set, I was stopped dead in my tracks. I have posted the image above and ask you, does this image convey financial crisis? It apparently does in Iceland.

For me, seeing a bike, whether standing up or laying on its side has always invoked just the opposite message. For me a bike speaks of freedom. Financial and every other way possible. What does the above image say to you?

The Night Ride a Success?

The Night Ride 2008 is done and gone. And I think it's fair to say, history was made. Jacksonville had never before this past Saturday night, witnessed the total domination of it's streets by bicycles. The Night Ride has changed that forever. It was well worth the price admission to witness the total look of shock and awe from any and everyone walking or driving (well attempting to drive) through Downtown. It was the first of what I hope will become a yearly icon for Jacksonville and Jacksonville cyclists. It was also the first event of any kind I personally have conceived and planned from beginning to end. Had I any idea of just how hard it was going to be to pull this off, there most likely would never have been a Night Ride.

The Night Ride began is an idea I had 3 months ago. Plan an event that put what I have been preaching, "style over speed, make riding a bike fun and remove the barriers (no prostilitizing about safety or helmets)" into practice. The concept was simple, plan a day of different events that were spread out over an area that could be easily biked to and from. Make the event about the bike and not the rider. Get people on their bikes and let them find out for themselves just how easy and fun it is to get around on a bike. And you know what? They did. I cannot tell you how many people told me they had never rode a bike in the street before Saturday. How many people had never visited, let alone rode a bike through Riverside, or Downtown. How many people I met during and after The Night Ride that had never experienced the sheer beauty of the St. Johns River and our skyline from the Riverwalk. And what was the one verb they all used? Fun! "It was fun!". People tend to repeat things that are fun.



But the truth of the matter is that The Night Ride was never about me or Bike Jax. It was about the community. It was about the communities that make up the Urban Core and it was also about building a community of cyclists that understand what a bike is and how to use it in their daily lives. I am very proud to state that this entire event was planned and executed with a budget of zero dollars. None of this however would have happened if it were not for the over whelming support given by the community of merchants and business owners of Riverside, Springfield and Downtown along with Jacksonville's local bike shops. Not one of them upon being approached by me with this wacky idea ever asked, "what's in it for me?". No, their only response was, "what can I do to help?". You can keep your Chain Stores. That "what can I do to help?" attitude is the very reason I am so happy to spend my money with my friends and neighbors that make up the independent merchants and retailers of Jacksonville.

So the big question is how many people attended the night ride? I have to admit that I really don't know. I was late arriving at the 6:30 start time for the ride due to having deal with other event activities. I did arrive as the last hundred or so riders queued for the approach on the Riverwalk. The only glimpse of the lead group I got was as they turned the corner of Riverwalk around the CSX Building which is just under a mile away from where I stood. I do have to tell you fine folks that I got a little misty at the sight of a solid stream of bikes 3 and 4 wide that streched from the Acosta Bridge all the way back to the Fuller Warren Bridge. It was without a doubt one of the most beautiful sights I have seen in Jacksonville.

See full map.

I have heard estimates of rider numbers from others that ranged anywhere from 300 to 800. I feel that judging from the numbers I saw from my vantage point along the Riverwalk, I'll split the difference and go with 500 to 600. I was happy to ride most of the length of the Riverwalk at the back of the group with Councilman Don Redman (a staunch supporter of cyclists) who like everyone else on the ride sported an ear to ear grin of joy at the sight and sounds of so many bikes and their riders.

All the sponsors can found listed on The Night Ride site. But I would like to personally personally thank everyone helped pull this event off.

First is Jim for the use of Fuel and Raglands. Jim provided use of Fuel for the Films and as a central location for the event. Raglands provided all the beverages for the opening of The Bike Art show.

Shea and Tim owners of Flux Gallery, despite some well hidden (unlike me) fears and concerns of the uncertainty about the art to be displayed, did a fantastic job with the Bike Art Show. Thank you both.

And while we are on the subject of bike art. I want to thank all of the artists that participated in the show. You guys and gals had less than 2 months from concept to show and all of you stepped up with amazing results. I thank each and everyone of you. Also consider this your official call for next years show. You have a full year. I'm not accepting any of that slack-ass "this is all I had time for" excuse next year.

I also want to thank Cindy Jones of Genesis Cafe for the finest and highest quality food that has ever been put out for any local art event. Upon learning about The Night Ride, Cindy insisted on catering the event as a way of thanking Zombie Bikes and Bike Jax for the Ghost Bike that was placed for her late husband. Cindy while we still grieve for you and your families loss. We also find joy in the new friend and the wonderful person we have found in you. Thank you.

I want to thank the gang over at Zombie Bikes for all of their help. You guys and Cheri took a load off my back. Thank you for all of your help.

I want to thank everyone that contributed to the Rafflle. You all gave way more than what was asked or expected. The event would not have been near as successful with out your support. Again, Thank You. I'm going to single out Dylan Phillips of Jax ebikes. When he heard that the planned grand prize of a bike wasn't going to happen at the last minute. He didn't even hesitate and without ever being asked, donated a $1000 dollar bike. Please re-read what I wrote above the generosity of the Urban Core Merchants.

Those who contributed, I and I'm certain the raffle winners thank you.

Anomaly Five Points
Bicycles Etc.
Burrito Gallery
Cycdelic-Fixity
Cycle Spectrum (Beaches)
Jax eBikes
Klutho Clothing
Lakeshore Bicycle
Nicotine
And to the donor that wished to stay anonymous, Thank you.

I need to thank Chris and Matt of Burro Bags for the donation of their hand made messenger bags for the costume contest. And also for doing a limited run of The Night Ride event t-shirts. If you didn't get one during The Night Ride and would like to pick one up. You can pick one up at Burro Bags for the unbelievable low price of $5.

I want to thank all the film makers for use of their features and shorts during The Night Ride. I want to send special thanks to film maker Billy Savage and his distributors for the help in locating an additional copy of the his film Klunkerz when it wasn't delivered as expected. I also want to thank Mike and Sean of Bicycles Etc. for helping Bike Jax get ahold of a copy of that film.

I would also like to thank Joey of Urban Jacksonville for the use his personal copy of the film Pedal when other planned feature films arrived damaged and unplayable. Thanks also goes to the US postal system for their complete and total ineptness at their job.

I already mentioned Urban Jacksonville above, but I need to thank them along with Tony at The Urban Core, Brian and Ed at The Outer box, Byron over at Globatron, Jacksonville Confidential, and Tommy at JaxScene for spreading the word with the call for artists and all they did in promoting the event.

See more Pictures by Tom P. and Jenny K. at JaxScene.

I also need to thank certain individuals for all that they contributed. First is Anna Berken. The first task I needed done for this event was graphics in the way of a poster. Without Anna's designs this event would have never even gotten off the ground. Anna, you rock.

Next I would like to thank those that volunteered their time during The Night Ride. Linda and Joe who spent the day guiding bikes to Bold City Brewery for the Tours. Jack for hawking raffle tickets and taking pictures and Abhishek for his support and anything else asked of him. And finally Roxanne. You know that your help leaves me forever grateful. Thank you all so very much. You took a major amount of pressure off of me.

I would like thank Lex and Joe from Villin Cycle Works for bringing their amazingly beautiful bikes to the event.

Video from Globatron

I know there are a lot of links above. But I did mention this event was about community. And the people listed above make one hell of a community I am proud to be part of. While not everything went as planned for event. I think that for an event that was thrown together in under three months, it was overall a huge success and I'm already planning and looking forward to the next Night Ride.

PS. If you have or know anyone that has pictures or video from The Night Ride. Please email them to me at [email protected].

The Night Ride 10/11/08

Video by Jenny K. at JaxScene

Bike Art

The Bike Art show opening was a great way to kick off the The Night Ride. I spent the entire night in complete amazement of not only the wonderful art that is displayed. But also the number of people that filed through Flux Gallery all night.

Make sure you put visiting the show on your to-do-list during The Night Ride.



We have had to up date and change some of the films that will be showing both during the and the evening schedule. Three of the films arrived damaged. They have been replaced with the help Joey over at Urban Jacksonville and we are happy to showing "Pedal".

The film Klunkerz never arrived. Bu thanks to the guys over at Bicycles Etc., I was able to borrow a copy from them. Thank you to both Urban Jacksonville and Bicycle Etc. for al your help.

For a complete film listing and times, go HERE.

Win an Electric Bike at The Night Ride

Win an iZip Urban Cruiser Electric Bike from Jax Ebikes as the grand prize of The Night Ride Raffle tomorrow. We also have a lot of great stuff from merchants in and around Five Points and Downtown along with stuff to give away from area Bike Shops.

The Night Ride - Bike Art Show Tonight!

Painting by Josh Hoye

Well it's finally here folks. The Night Ride kick off celebration is tonight at Flux Gallery starting at 6 PM with the Bike Art Show.

And as usual, our local artists with less than two months notice have stepped up and created some amazing art work. If can't make it by tonight for the opening, you should make Flux Gallery a priority visit during The Night Ride tomorrow.

Bikes, Bags and Beats

The 3b's (Bikes, Bags and Beats) Market otherwise known as Burro Bags, Zombie Bikes CoOp and Royal Treatment Records has a really nice article by Matt Soergel in the Times Union today. Read it here.



Also keep an eye out for another article in the T-U's Metro section Thursday or Friday about The Night Ride. Things are getting busy with prep for The Night Ride so posts on Bike Jax will most likely not happen until after Saturday. I hope you all are going to make it out for this event. It's going to be historic.

Is a Bike-Friendly Train In our Future?

For years I have on occasion written to Amtrak questioning why there are no bike accessible cars in our region. When and if they bothered to write back I always received the same canned response. "Federal funding prohibited Amtrak from spending funds that would allow for bicycle accessibility." Of course I always queried back asking who paid for and authorized the inclusion of the bike accessibility on the trains that run in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest. And as expected, I never received an answer to that question.

The five-year Amtrak authorization that Congress passed last week puts an end to any doubt of whether or not federal funding covered bikes on the trains. The new Amtrak authorization bill now clearly states:
"NONMOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION ACCESS AND STORAGE. -- Grants under this chapter may be used to provide access to rolling stock for nonmotorized transportation, including bicycles, and recreational equipment, and to provide storage capacity in trains for such transportation, equipment, and other luggage, to ensure passenger safety."

I don't know about you guys and gals, but I would love to be able to plan trips to Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Melbourne, St. Augustine, Savannah, Brunswick and many other towns and cites using a mix of mass transit in the way of trains and busses and of course my bike.

The new language however exciting it may potentially be for our future train travel. It does not go so far as to mandate that Amtrak provide bicycle accessibility. We still need to contact Amtrak to attain those bike-friendly cars.

I've added a poll to this post. I'm curious as to what you think. Am I the only one that thinks bikes and trains are a near perfect way to travel?

6 Days Until The NIght Ride - Volunteers Needed

Well folks we only have 6 more days before Jacksonville gets all funked 70's style up with its first bicycle festival, The Night Ride. And can you bet your last tube it's going to be some big time fun. I've seen a few pieces of what our local artists have created for The Bike Art Show and am in awe of what I have already seen. Make sure you check it out at Flux Gallery. I have also heard about few of the costumes and they sound down right funktastic. I have even heard of a possible appearance by Dirk Diggler. There is going to be some stiff competition for those Burro Bags. We have confirmations from cyclists as far way as Tallahassee, Orlando, and Gainesville not to mention the hoards of wonderful Jax cyclists we are expecting for the ride.

If you have not done so, visit The Night Ride site for the details of what is happening where and when.

I do have admit I am tired. It has been a long and exhausting (but fun) three months since I first pitched the idea of a free festival to celebrate the bicycle and its riders. I am now asking some of you fellow Bike Jax'ers for some help during the day of the festival. Just an hour or two of your time is all that is required and most of it can be done while you are out enjoying the different festival happenings. None it requires anything in the way of labor or heavy lifting.

I need a couple of people to split time and help out at Fuel (festival central)
I need a couple of people to hawk raffle tickets throughout the day. (Can be done while out enjoying the fest.)
I am going to need several ride guides for The Night Ride itself.
I am in need of a couple of people with digital video cameras that would be willing to document the event in all of it's glory.

If you can help out email me at [email protected]

Let's make this a party Jacksonville won't soon forget. That is until next years The Night Ride 2.0

Bike Commuters Benefit From Pork

Well, it seems after the Bail out bill failed the first time and despite the publics outcry against it. The House and Senate did what any reasonable legislative body would do. Repackage it by tacking on lots of incentives in the way of other projects that have been lingering on the bench just waiting for the right time to don a helmet and get in the game.

One of those items added and passed was bill H.R. 1424 by Congressman Earl Blumenauer of Oregon. Which mean that bike commuters can now get a tax break and start benefiting from the current economic crisis a little more more than we already do. Before you start making plans for that fully carbon ride you've been eyeing however. The break only pays out $20 a month or $240 for the year. Not much I know, but it's a start.

I'm not sure how the implementation process will work. I suggest you keep an eye on Bikes Belong and The League of American Bicyclists for more information.

A complete breakdown of the whole package can found here.

Section 211 of the Senate Bailout bill states:

“(a) In General- Paragraph (1) of section 132(f) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(D) Any qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement.’.

(b) Limitation on Exclusion- Paragraph (2) of section 132(f) is amended by striking `and’ at the end of subparagraph (A), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting `, and’, and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

`(C) the applicable annual limitation in the case of any qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement.’.

(c) Definitions- Paragraph (5) of section 132(f) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(F) DEFINITIONS RELATED TO BICYCLE COMMUTING REIMBURSEMENT-
`(i) QUALIFIED BICYCLE COMMUTING REIMBURSEMENT- The term `qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement’ means, with respect to any calendar year, any employer reimbursement during the 15-month period beginning with the first day of such calendar year for reasonable expenses incurred by the employee during such calendar year for the purchase of a bicycle and bicycle improvements, repair, and storage, if such bicycle is regularly used for travel between the employee’s residence and place of employment.

`(ii) APPLICABLE ANNUAL LIMITATION- The term `applicable annual limitation’ means, with respect to any employee for any calendar year, the product of $20 multiplied by the number of qualified bicycle commuting months during such year.

`(iii) QUALIFIED BICYCLE COMMUTING MONTH- The term `qualified bicycle commuting month’ means, with respect to any employee, any month during which such employee–
`(I) regularly uses the bicycle for a substantial portion of the travel between the employee’s residence and place of employment, and

`(II) does not receive any benefit described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1).’.

(d) Constructive Receipt of Benefit- Paragraph (4) of section 132(f) is amended by inserting `(other than a qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement)’ after `qualified transportation fringe’.

(e) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.”

pension protection act, ppa, senate, bailout, HR 1424, bicycle commuting, qualified transportation, 132(f), ERISA

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Commuter Mentor Needed for Beaches Area.

Back in June I posted about a Bike Jax program called Commuters Mentors. The program is pretty simple in theory. Bike Jax would match experienced cyclist and commuters with those in their area that would like a little help with the transition from single car driver to bike commuter.

I received the following email today:

I have been riding for about 5 months now. Even before I started riding I have been dying to try riding into work! I think I am finally ready, but I would like some advice. I plan to ride from Jax Beach to Southside. I have been trying to research which bridge would be best to cross and which roads would be best to take. Do you have any opinions or know of anyone I could ask for advice from?
I mapped out a route I plan to try out. Please let me know what you think.


View Larger Map

I have to admit that I rarely travel to or through the beaches area and am not completely familiar the best cycling routes into or out of the area. I couldn't really offer any advice other than to do some test rides on the weekends. Just looking at the map, it would appear that crossing the intercostal on Beach Blvd. would shave a few miles off of this commute. But that may not be the case and since I don't live out that way, I'm asking if any of you faithful Bike Jax'ers are willing help this individual out. Can you spare a weekend ride or two to help this person gain a certain level of comfort with their route? Can you help them find a more friendly route? Maybe provide practical tips that can only be gained from the experience of commuting?

If you would like to help them out, please email [email protected] with your contact information and I'll forward it along and let them get in contact with you.

CSX - How Tomorrow Moves

Here is a new commercial from CSX.



Ummm CSX, that bicycle thing is exactly how the majority of world moves it's goods and services around it's city centers. In fact, even though you are headquartered here in Jax, I've not seen you move a single good or service through our streets.

And while we're on the topic of service. How about providing something in the way of lite or commuter rail seeing as you own all the track. I'm thinking that local and state governments would fall all over themselves to build stations and terminals if you announced that you were going to start adding passenger service. Being as you are already in the rail business, you could get passenger rail up and running for a fraction of the cost it would take to create one from scratch.

I'm just throwing that out there CSX. Chew it over and have your people get ahold of me if you really want to serve the community.