Reader submitted news by Lydia Tanner

Bike riders are weird; we’re a demographic characterized by tan lines, small carbon footprints, and unusual shaving habits. We also act largely alone, and unless we’re racing (or riding in costume) we rarely see each other in large groups. Yet this weekend The Rocky Mountain Bike Show provided an opportunity to really mingle with our own kind, sans chamois.

The bike show included everything from innovation to art, with a healthy dose of green thinking thrown in. I was amazed at the positive atmosphere, and of course all the shiny toys. Familiar names like Moots, DEAN, Campagnolo, and Maverick were all represented, but it was the beautifully customized work from the booths of Zinn, Ground Up, and Yipsan Bicycles that caught my eye most. Dave Hill of Victoria Cycles even gave me the basics of frame welding (I’m such a poser, he had to tell me what a “lug” is) while I drooled over his cool cruiser-inspired mountain bike.
Conventional bikes aside, there was plenty of alternative two-wheeled transportation represented as well. There were abundant recumbents, pedal-less bikes for toddlers, as well as one quiet motor-powered machine. Yet if I had to pick a favorite bike for the day it would probably be the Renovo Hardwood. That’s right, a bike made of wood. A Renovo bike weighs 16.5-20lbs, and supposedly provides a stiff, eco-friendly frame. I’d bite just for looks though- with graceful curves and that gorgeous polished-wood look, the bike is truly a work of art.

This week Boulder Valley School District starts up and what better time to start you and family down the path of healthier way to get to school then by ditching the car and hoping on your bikes! Both Denver and especially Boulder are very dedicated to this new movement. Some area schools like my neighborhood one is in the process or using Federal Safe Routes to Schools to promote more walking and biking. Here are some resources and tips for biking to school this year.

Resources

• Bike Path Map in Boulder
• Boulder's Safe Routes to Schools website and Denver's
• Dated, but still valid, fun guides for kids riding to school, What every Parent should know and Kids Activity booklet and tips for parents

Below is the information that we have received

Seeing the big picture on controversial transportation project
There has been much debate over the underpass and multi-use trail near
the intersection of 30th and Pearl Streets. We believe this project,
which has been on multiple city plans for many years, is important in
maintaining the vision for Boulder as a city with fully integrated
transportation options where people of all abilities can choose to
safely bicycle and walk. Thankfully, city council chose to look
forward and embrace that vision.
Unfortunately, many of the facts around this project have been either
poorly articulated or misstated. We hope to clear this up here.
Installation of the underpass is part of a larger project that
includes replacing a failing bridge, adding bike lanes and wider
sidewalks and creating a connection to the Goose Creek Path on the
east side of 30th Street. The underpass path is part of a plan for a

Last week a 7year old boy was seriously injured while riding his bike in a crosswalk 28th Street and Iris Avenue in Boulder. It is assumed that this happened at the new crosswalk in front of Safeway and not the intersection crosswalk. Luckily the boy was wearing his helmet. Ever since this tragic incident many residents have been writing into Daily Camera complaining about bikes in crosswalks and the blinking light crosswalks. Apparently it is legal for cyclist to ride through a crosswalk as long as they travel at pedestrian speeds. While I've never crossed this crosswalk I have very often used the "blinking lights" at the Walnut and Folsom and have always ridden across and mostly at pedrestrian speeds mostly because it took time until a car actually stopped for me while I was waiting.

Are they dangerous? IMO that is depandant on the care of the cyclist/pedestrian and the drivers combined, so it depends. What's your take?

Letters to the Editor

• Bike Laws need to be changed
• Dismount at Crosswalks
• Ineffective signals
• Blinking cross walks bad idea
• Replace the cross flashing crosswalks