There Is Change Blow'n In The Wind

"I will open the doors of government and ask you to be involved in your own democracy again." - President-Elect Barack Obama

In just a few short weeks we will have a leader that firmly believes that our nation is, and should be "by the people and for people."

Now is the time to make your voice heard and let our new administration know that Bicycles are an important form of transportation and should be included at the top of any and all transportation funding.

Take a second and let your voice be heard with a simple click on the vote now below. Voting has closed.

Ideas for Change in America is a citizen-driven effort to identify and create momentum around the best ideas for how the Obama Administration and Congress can turn the broad call for "change" across the country into specific policies. You can help by submitting an idea for how you would change America, discussing ideas with others, and/or voting for your favorites.

Bicyclist Struck And Killed By Police Car On 8th Street

At around 11 p.m. Sunday evening a Jacksonville Sheriff's Officer was traveling South on Myrtle Ave. with blue lights flashing when a cyclist rode into the path of the JSO car at the intersection of 8th St.

Florida Highway Patrol has not released the name of the cyclist or officer involved. I'll update you as more information is released.

Update:

The victim was 62-year-old Eddie Roosevelt Odom and the officer involved was Nathan Barry Long. First Coast News has video of the unfortunate accident and reports the locations as 9th and Myrtle. The Times Union reports that the accident took place at 8th and Myrtle. Once again the faithful T-U readers happily post their highly insightful and educated opinions. Pay particular attention to those sporting an icon of local pro and college teams.

Bike Jax With A Side Of Bacon.

Here is wishing all of you a grand holiday. I hope Santa brings you all the bike goodness you can handle. Thank you for all for your support this past year.

Once you have finished unwrapping the last of your Huey Lewis And The News action figures. Nothing says Christmas morning breakfast like bacon. Get your Bike Jax read on with a side of Bacon here. I have my fingers crossed that Santa has heard my pleas and will bring me something Dashing to wear on my vintage Schwinn.

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UPS Delivers

I recently found this great video on PacificPedding of UPS Bike Rider Tina Brubaker delivering her packages via bike.

From PacificPedding:
“I’m thrilled that UPS is on board with the bike thing, and really hope it might extend beyond just the holidays,” Tina said. She admitted that getting paid to ride a bike all day long is a bit of a dream-come-true type of job.


UPS Delivery By Bike! Salem, Oregon from nwduffer on Vimeo.

I love that she is using her home as the hub for the packages. And did you check out that weather? Do you wonder why UPS would choose some place with such extremes in the weather? Why don't they do the same here in Florida or Jax where we have a reasonably stable climate?

You can read more about the UPS Bike program in a previous post here.

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BBB Warehouse Art Show & Auction Recap

The Gang over at Burro Bags, Zombie Bikes, and Royal Treatment Records put together a great event this past Saturday. Local artists stepped up and created some really interesting painted bike frames. And not to be out done still more local artists created fantastic designs for the hand made Burro Bags.

What was the purpose of all this? To consume some Bold City style fermented hops of course. And to also raise funds for Zombie Bikes Co-Op. That's right folks, The fine guys and gals that so freely volunteer their time for the Co-Op still have bills to pay. The Co-Op needs to pay rent, lights and water just like rest of us.

The day started off with lots of friendly games of polo and morphed into more fun to watch but abusive games like whiplash, foot down, and a round of tall bike jousting. Overall, there was a lot art made, lots of stuff raffled, old friends hugged and new friends made. If things keep going the way they are, Jacksonville might just find itself with a sprawling case of bike culture.

More pictures of the event can be found over at Jaxscene and Jack's Jax.

Video by Tom P. At JaxScene

The Luminaria Ride

After all of Saturday nights shenanigans during the BBB Complex Art Show. We are all going need to take it a little slow. And nothing could fit that bill better than you, your friends and family out Sunday evening for a fun and festive ride during the Riverside/Avondale Luminaria.

We will meet at 6PM in Riverside Park at the corner of Park St. and Post St. (map)

From the RAP website: Sundown on the 21st of December marks the beginning of our 24th Annual Luminaria, or Festival of Lights. The oldest and grandest of Jacksonville’s luminaria celebrations, this regional event has become a holiday tradition that helps sustain our sense of community.

Riverside & Avondale residents are proud to continue this tradition, and will be lining our streets with more than 40,000 bagged candles, and hosting numerous other events. Luminaria night events include Christmas musical concerts at the churches and parks, a live Nativity scene, a bike ride, and carriage rides for a truly traditional touring of the Historic District’s candle-lit streets on this special holiday night.

If you have any questions email them to me at [email protected]

Want to make your bike more festive for the event? Instructables has a great DIY on running christmas lights on you bike.

Jax #23 in 2008 US City Sustainability Rankings

It's that time of year folks. It's the time for endless best and worst of lists for all that 2008 had to offer. And this time it's good news for Jacksonville. The 2008 US City Sustainability Rankings has Jacksonville listed as number 23 (up from #36 in 2006) city out of the largest 50 cities in the country. For once we are in the top 50% for something positive. Oh, yeah! We gonna party like it's 2009!

What are the US City Sustainability Rankings and how are they determined? From the Sustain Lane website:
"The SustainLane 2008 US City Rankings of the 50 most-populous cities is the nation’s most complete report card on urban sustainability. The rankings explain how people's quality of life and city economic and management preparedness are likely to fare in the face of an uncertain future.

These indicators gauge, for instance, which cities’ public transit, renewable energy, local food, and development approaches are most likely to either limit or intensify the negative economic and environmental impacts of fossil fuel dependence."

For a more in-depth explanation of the hows and wherefores click here.

The ranking are broken into 16 categories and you can see how Jax ranked in all of them by clicking on the chart below.

Jacksonville finished 38th and in the challenged column for City Commuting. Washington D.C. finished first with New York right behind.
Another thing I couldn't help but notice is the N/A under Energy & Climate Change Policy, City Innovation and Knowledge Base & communications. The chart lists the reason for the N/A as "Not enough information provided."

Anyone that has been in Jax for more than a few months knows that the N/A really means Not Applicable. It's something we see and hear a lot of when it comes to information from our city. The leaders of Jacksonville I'm sure would reply with a solid "huh?" when it comes to any questions or statements that would pertain or include anything to do with the words, terms or phrases that contain, Energy Policy, Innovation, Knowledge or Communication.

Check the top 10 cities and see how they are ranked for those categories and I think you'll see why Jacksonville falls short when compared.

But as everyone here is so fond of saying, "it's getting better."

Bikes Bags and Beats Art Show This Saturday the 20th

(Click For Larger)

Guess what your doing this Saturday the 20th. Yep, you are coming to the BBB Complex Art Show. Zombie Bikes, Burro Bags and Royal Treatment Records are hosting this hoedown of art and music local hand made products.

Here is just a partial list of the happenings:

Bike Polo starting at 1pm ending at 6pm. Teams will be 3 on 3 and includes teams from throughout the state.

Bike and Bag Art Show starts at 7pm - Midnight

• Zombie Bikes worked with local artists and friends to showcase some frames that were not salvageable and transformed them into wall art. The frames will auctioned as a fund raiser to ensure another great year of our only not for profit volunteer run bike shop.
• We've collaborated on our first run of truly limited bags with local friends and artists to sell at the auction as well.
• The auction will be silent, one or two people will taking bids and the current price will be listed on each item. The auction ends at 10:30. Bring your card, check and cash.
  
• Each participating will have their work on display for sale.

Good Karma Raffle: Tickets are available all day and are $10 each or 3 for $20
The raffle will include tons of locally made goods from Hot Life, Arturo Clothing, Heart of Gold, Robyn Crews, Burrito Gallery, The Trek Store, Aerospoke and Burro.
Tickets are $10 or 3 for $20. They can be bought all day and night, the raffle's drawing at 10:30.

• Custom Messenger Roll Top Backpack
• Custom Messenger Bag
• 3 Hip Bags
• 1 AEROSPOKE!
• Lots of T-Shirts!
• Grocery Bags
• 3 Recycled Backpacks
• 4 Frame Pads
• Burrito Gallery Gift Cards
• Arturo Clothing - Beanies and Tees

Entertainment:

• 74 SoundSystem. - Great rocksteady, dub and ska. Catch them on their other nights at Burrito Gallery, Steamworks and Paco's.
• Bold City Brewery - Jacksonville's best micro brewery located on Roselle St. in Riverside, home to many of Jacksonville's biggest beer drinkers.
• Royal Treatment - Triclops I and Tough Junkie DJ during the day for the polo match.

Participating Artists:

• Mark George
• Big Dunn
• John O’Brian
• Clay Doran
• Crystal Floyd
• Bert No Shirt
• Adam Pondozzi
• Jared Scheurer
• John Arvin
• Chad Landenberger
• Lauren Chester
• Tom Pennington
• Joe Gaskins
• Richard Reichstadter
• Danilo Quilaton
• Tony Rodrigues

Venders:

• Heart of Gold - Clothing from Ft. LauderdaleHot Life - Clothing from Orlando
• Arturo - Clothing from Jacksonville
• Bold City Beer- Vending and Free Beer Tasting
• Robyn Crews - Pillowcases from recycled materials
• Burro - Bags and Tees
• All Artists Included - Their personal collection
• Royal Treatment Records - Open ALL day. Huge Vinyl Selection.
• Bert No Shirt - Cold Line Foods
• Burro - Hot Dogs and junk in the day

Pick you poison, bikes, music, art, clothes, or just plain old fun in Jax, this is the place to be this weekend. Come check out some local flavor in the from of art, music and hand made products. Hope to see you there and if you do attend, hunt me down and say hi.

The BBB Warehouse is at:

1520 N. Main St. (map)

Email for more info: [email protected]

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Women's 2nd Sunday Ride

Yesterday was the maiden 2nd Sunday Women's Ride and about 14 ladies showed up for a sunny but crisp sunday afternoon. When I got there I was pleased to see every type of bike and rider from cruiser to fixie staging for the ride. The ladies took off from Five Points for a leisurely paced ride through Downtown and back. While the ride is billed as a women's ride, they do however want it to be all inclusive. So the ladies welcome the guys to join in on the ride. The guys just have to be willing to wear a skirt.

Joe style'n a white with black trim calf length ensemble.

The ride takes place every 2nd Sunday of the month.
Meet at the Cross Walk in Five Points at 1 PM.
Ladies of every skill level are invited and encouraged to participate.
Questions or additional information: [email protected]

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For The Ladies Only

This Sunday Dec. 7th at Noon, The fabulous ladies of Zombie Bikes (Amiee and Cherri) are hosting a fun and festive afternoon of riding, food and drinks at Raglands. All ladies of any riding style and skill level are invited to join in the shenanigans.

I'm don't know if this is a one time ride or if it is planned to become a regular event. But rest assured my fellow Bike Jax'ers, I'm on the case. You can bet you last tire patch if women on bikes are gathering in large numbers (any numbers actually) on a regular basis. I'll be there to bring you the news that matters. Film at eleven.
For more information about the ride contact [email protected]

Raglands:
1023 Park Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204
(904) 598-5271
Map

Bike Jax Local Gift Guide

We are very lucky here in Jax that we have an abundance of those wacky creative types known as artists and crafters. Why not pick up something unique and original for that favorite cyclist in you life for this holiday season and at the same time help support local art and business.


Arturo Clothing Co:
Arturo Clothing has exploded on the scene this year with their lovable and happy to meet everyone icon, Bean the dog-wonder.
They have a wide selection of shirts and bags that can be found at Anomaly in Five Points, Kona Skatepark's Pro Shop, and at Downtown Art Walk every first Wednesday of the Month.
myspace.com/arturoclothing
arturoclothing.blogspot.com
Shirts are $15 and Bags will only set you back $10.








Anna Berken is the local graphic designer who graciously did all the design work for The Night Ride event. Her "You Sproke To My Heart" Shirts and posters were a huge hit during the event itself. If you didn't get chance to pick one up at the event drop her line and grab one while you can. Contact Anna by e-mail to order: [email protected]



Burro Bags & Tee's:
You know no list of locally made bike stuff is complete without these guys. If you don't want to spend a fortune on that special gift give these guys a ring. They have everything from Tee's, u-lock holsters, tube pads, and hand made bags in every size. Prices range from $5 and goes up to $250 so you're sure to find something that fits within your budget.

Burro Bags is located at:
1520 N. Main St.
Jacksonville, Florida
32206
904.982.5422







Cycdelic Fixity:
Need some super flash Deep V's built for that special someone? How about a quick single speed conversion for the frame that's been sitting in the garage forever. Brooklyn at Cycdelic Fixity is your guy. This guy works unbelievably fast and has the best prices in town for wheels and just about anything else your bike needs. He also has selection of ready to ride fixed gear conversions ready to roll for Christmas morning.
Cycledelic Fixity
1012 King St. 32204
904-389-5002




Zombie Bike Co-Op is your one stop Co-Op for bike parts and complete builds. Don't have the funds for a new bike. Why not recycle an older bike and at the the sametime get satisfaction that you put it together yourself with the direction of the zombie guys and gals.

Zombie Bike Co-Op is located at:
1520 N. Main St.
Jacksonville, Florida
32206


Don't need a new bike or more parts? Already got the tee's and bags? How about some bike art from local artists for you walls. You know it is way past time for you to grow up and replace that cheesy ass PBR poster. Check out some bike art and if anything catches you fancy email me at bikejax at gmail.com and I'll put you in contact with the artist.



Not in the market for locally made bike stuff? Fine. Not a problem. Just make sure you purchase your bike related stuff at Local Bike Shops. While not supporting local art, you are still at least support local business and putting food on local tables. A complete list of local bike shops is located on the right hand of this page. And don't forget to tell them that Bike Jax sent ya.

Art Walk Hipster Bingo

Tomorrow is 1st Wednesday Downtown Art Walk. Check out lots of cool local art and do some Christmas shopping. There is a lot happening and a lot to be seen. Tony A. has the 411 and the official map here.

And to just make sure you're not bored during the Art Walk, let's play a game. How about a nice game of Art Walk Hipster Bingo. If you know where to look you should be able to score bingo in a mater of minutes. First 10 people to get bingo get a free beer. Once you have bingo head over to The Library and trade your Bingo Card for a free beer.

Click on Image for Full Size and to Print

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