According to an ad I heard on the radio, Summer is the perfect time to buy a new Toyota Corolla or RAV4.
I wholeheartedly disagree. Summer is the perfect time to have an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, closing beaches and damaging Gulf economies.
Take a ride to an un-oiled beach with your friends [...]
According to an ad I heard on the radio, Summer is the perfect time to buy a new Toyota Corolla or RAV4.
I wholeheartedly disagree. Summer is the perfect time to have an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, closing beaches and damaging Gulf economies.
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Take a ride to an un-oiled beach with your friends and your bikes.
I mean…wait. It’s the perfect time to get a new or used bicycle for yourself, a neighbor or a friend!
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Blue City Cycles, along with the 100+ other local bike shops in Chicagoland, are ready and willing to help you select or build a new or used bike.
About Steven Can Plan
I started this blog in 2007 as the writing assignment for an introductory urban planning class at UIC. It's about cities (mainly Chicago), GIS oftentimes, and transportation (mainly bicycling). Learn more about me, Steven Vance. I also write for Streetsblog Chicago.
Steven Can Plan is hosted on Dreamhost.
Chicago Bike Map App

The Chicago Bike Map app is a bike and street map stored entirely in your iOS device – no data connection required. The map is designed to look much like the City of Chicago's official printed and online bike map. The app works on iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.
- Download from the iTunes Store
- Demo the app online
- On iOS, search for "chicago bike map" in the App Store app
Highly Recommended Bike Products

So far I haven't had a flat with this tire. I've used Continental Gatorskin and Panaracer T-Serv, both of which have had flats (same Chicago streets). The Gatorskin has less tread than both, and wears to a slick surface faster.

Bells can be quite useful, especially to tell people in front that you're passing them. I like the ding-dong bell the best. It makes a solid DING and then DONG on the spring's return.

Brooks B67 leather sprung saddle
So far my longest trip was 40 miles on this saddle. It molds to your butt like Birkenstock sandals mold to your feet. The springs make the bike ride a little more comfortable and more fun (weird, because you bounce up and down on them). It also looks gorgeous. Comes in 3 colors - I got black.
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Books

The Death and Life of Great American Cities (50th Anniversary Edition) (Modern Library) by Jane Jacobs

Sustainable Transportation Planning: Tools for Creating Vibrant, Healthy, and Resilient Communities (Wiley Series in Sustainable Design) by Jeffrey Tumlin
I was sent a review copy. I'm really excited to open it up and start reading because I've been disappointed with textbooks in the past that don't focus on bicycle and pedestrian planning.

Joyride: Pedaling Toward A Healthier Planet by Mia Birk, With Joe (Metal Cowboy) Kurmaskie, Joe Kurmaskie, Jim Moore
I met Mia Birk in October 2011.

The Practice of Local Government Planning (Municipal Management Series) by
You could basically design and administer a new town kind of effectively after reading this huge and boring textbook.

Instant City: Life and Death in Karachi by Steve Inskeep
I reviewed this book that the publisher sent to me.
Transit & Transportation

