Critical Mass on the 26th!

We will be meeting at the same place (Riverfest Amphitheater) at 5:30, leaving at 6:00.

Metroplan - voice your biking concerns

http://metroplan.org/calendar/detail.asp?id=51

September 11th at 5pm to 7pm is a meeting to identify bicycle and pedestrian safety around the Little Rock metro area. There is a surveyavailable if you cannot make it.

Great start to a great event!

Little Rock's first (or second... or whatever) Critical Mass went swimmingly. Only 12 of us showed up, but it's a start. The rain stopped and evaporated so even though it was muggy (heat index over 100) it was dry... I'm not sure what I'd rather have though.

We followed our path with only 1-2 minor hitches and got some good pictures at the state capitol building. For those that went with, if you have any pictures/video from the event please feel free to share on flickr/Picasa and link to them in the comments.

No hassles to speak of but some people reacted strangely to us riding on Cantrell...

Can't wait to read about the other cities Critical Mass events. SEE YOU ALL (AND MORE!) NEXT MONTH!!!

When it rains it pours...

We are still on for the ride today despite the predicted rain....

We had an awesome writeup in this week's Arkansas Times.

Here is the path we'll be taking: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Critical-Mass-Little-Rock... and again, we are meeting at the Little Rock Amphitheater at 5:30pm today.

See you there!

1 week away!

Plans are go! We are going to follow this path: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Critical-Mass-Little-Rock.

We are meeting at the River Market Amphitheater at 5:30 and plan on rolling out at 6:00. Feel free to invite your friends!

This will be a safe LAW ABIDING ride through downtown. We will try to stay together but please do not block traffic and do not run through red lights. The Little Rock police department has a bike police force and they are more than welcome to join and help in keeping us from going under cars...

Please be respectful as their will be families riding with us. Let's make this first event something to remember!

When will we forget?

In the 70's after experiencing fuel shortages there was a wave of alternative fuel vehicles and alternative energy solutions... What happened to all this? Cheap fuel. That is the answer. We forgot when they lowered the prices and everyone started getting back to "normal" driving habits.

Here is a piece of interesting information. Way back when Jack Nicholson was hawking hydrogen cars... Here's video proof:



Seems it became unimportant after gas went below a dollar per gallon. Who cares about the environment once you can get around cheaply? Once the oil industry starts drilling in ANWR, starts drilling off our coasts, and converting oil from tar sands our gas will become cheap (in dollar figures but expensive in the environmental toll) again and maybe we can afford to drive that new Hummer we've been eying.

It seems this country forgets too easily...

Berkeley Bike Boulevards

Little Rock needs to add a few bike boulevards and implement traffic shaping. Cars have too much a free roam around this city.

Here is a great video about Bike Boulevards in Berkley. Very interesting...

Critcal Mass Flyers

Higher quality PDF available on demand. Email us at CriticalMassLR -at- gmail.com

Ditch your car...

...it can be done! BikeWhenever.com is a great starting point to know how to best accomplish this.



There is a wealth of knowledge on commuting tips as well as basic repairs to keep you self sufficient. It's a great beginner to intermediate resource guide to all things bicycle related.

Any help passing out flyers this weekend?

Anyone want to join us on a bike ride around the river market passing out flyers, talking to strangers? Make sure you take your anti-anxiety meds!

Digg this!

http://digg.com/arts_culture/Critical_Mass_in_Little_Rock We are on Digg

Less than 24 hours up...

We have 3 confirmed riders so far. Great start! Now the ball will be rolling. Make sure to tell your friends and subscribe to this blog for important updates!

So far we have someone who will be doing our printing :D We still need help creating a flyer and locations that will allow us to put them up!

Since the weekends are the busiest around the river trail I hope to get a first draft flyer to pass out.

Here is our proposed route: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Critical-Mass-Little-Rock

Critical Mass Little Rock

Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

Chainwheel.com - Merchant Highlight

The Coffee Ride
Bruce at Chainwheel offers a beginners ride along the Arkansas River trail. They meet up every Saturday @ 7:30am between Pavillions #2 and #3 along the Little Rock side of the river.

Chainwheel.com
Chainwheel offers a great selection of bikes and accessories, plus updates on the Tour de France. Also, they offer a full range of services including repairs and custom bike fittings. Check out their store and remember, SHOP LOCAL.



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(note, this site is not affiliated with any merchants or any groups. If you would like to be excluded from Critical Mass Little Rock, please email criticalmasslr-at-gmail.com)

Support the Arkansas Sustainability Network

The ReCycles Bike Co-Op refurbishes donated bikes and sells them to people in need of a cheap and healthy way of transportation. They also offer a workshop every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday between 3pm and 6pm (Tuesday starting at 4pm).

Here is a video of them hard at work:



They are located at the Arkansas Sustainability Network in downtown Little Rock.


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Add us on Myspace

http://www.myspace.com/criticalmasslr

If Wilmington, NC can do it... so can we

This is a call to... erm... bikes! We are planning the first Critical Mass assembly in Little Rock, Ark.
For those not familiar with the cause, Critical Mass is a bike ride (some call it a protest) on our city streets. It's part eco-friendly and part eco-activism. Share the road is the motto! For info on what Critical Mass is all about: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_mass

Little Rock does have a great bike trail, the Arkansas River Trail and a few bike routes there are many places that do not have dedicated bike paths.

Recently Wilmington, NC, population 100k, held a Critical Mass and over 100 people showed up for the event. 107 Cyclists Ride in Critical Mass Bike Ride in Wilmington

Little Rock has many bicyclists and I believe we can top that number. We are proposing to have our own Critical Mass the last Friday of every month starting August 29th @ 6pm. There is a tentative meetup at the Riverfront Amphitheater and a proposed twin city path starting in Little Rock and going into North Little Rock.

If you would like to participate we just ask that you follow the rules:

1. Yield to all emergency vehicles such as police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances.

2. Be aware of the type of ride. If riding in procession with a police escort blocking side traffic for the mass, you may pass through lights and stop signs. If riding without an escort, obey all stop signs, stop lights, and other rules of the road. When in doubt, obey the usual rules of the road.

3. Do not antagonize pedestrians or motorists, either verbally or physically. If a motorist is confronting you, do not escalate the situation. Speak softly and calmly, and explain that this is a peaceful protest.

4. Some accidents and arguments will happen. Don't join in confrontations with others. Try to defuse tension whenever possible.

5. Do not block any cars that in turn, block the mass. Letting these cars pass will lead to a smoother, safer ride. Please let trapped pedestrians pass. You might help them by escorting them across the road.

6. Talk to drivers. Explain why you participate in Critical Mass, and let them know others cycle for many reasons: to bring attention to everyday transportation problems such as steadily increasing congestion, to promote cycling and mass transit, to improve the environment, and for fun.

7. If you witness a crime by another rider or motorist, notify the police so they may deal with it accordingly.

8. Don't be a hero. You are not invincible, and an angry motorist in a car creates a dangerous situation for everyone.

9. Relax and enjoy the ride.

10. Encourage other riders to do the same.

We are also looking for volunteers to help us come up with some art/signs and people to pass out flyers and material. We do not need your donations! This is simply a ride through the city.

Feel free to contact us @ criticalmasslr-at-gmail.com ... we can shoot some ideas together over a bike ride :)