Page 95 of 173

Did you know Chicago has a full-size wind turbine?

August 2, 2011 / / 0 Comments

I bet you didn’t know that a produce distribution company in a tiny warehouse in Pilsen (eh, Blue Island Avenue and 14th Street) moved to a huge, sustainable warehouse in Back of the Yards with a wind turbine and big solar panels.

Epstein Engineering has more information on their website:

Epstein provided architectural design, civil engineering and LEED consulting services for the new 91,300 square foot headquarters and produce distribution facility for Testa Produce, Inc. located in the old Union Stockyards complex in Chicago, Illinois. The 12.86-acre project includes 20,000 square feet of Class A office space and a distribution center containing a 7,600 square foot 0° freezer, 24,700 square feet of cooler space, approximately 39,000 square feet of dry warehouse and 40 truck dock positions on two refrigerated cross docks.

The building aims to achieve LEED Platinum, but is not yet certified.

Text messaging and bicycling: Is it dangerous?

August 1, 2011 / / 0 Comments

Garret, a Moving Design participant, talked about his friend in the Netherlands who was text messaging while bicycling and ran into a parked car. This was during the conversation about the homework assignment: talk to someone who’s been hit, and who’s hit. Text messaging while bicycling is extremely common in the Netherlands. Take a look at this photo featuring a father riding a bakfiets with his baby in the front cargo bay, and text messaging.

Click through to the photo and you’ll read my caption:

He couldn’t be safer. Driving cars and cycling is safer in the Netherlands than in any other country in the world (at least amongst the ones that have detailed and comprehensive statistics and record keeping). This dad is riding a bakfiets with a baby (facing dad in a car seat) while text messaging (or just looking at his phone).

Another photo:

While we’re on the subject, here’s a photo of a guy riding a Segway in the bike lane, going the wrong direction, and using his cellphone.

Cross-posted to Moving Design. 

What it’s like to Amtrak it with a bike

August 1, 2011 / / 0 Comments

Update: This post has been widely shared. I suspect other people have blogged about their experiences of taking bikes on Amtrak. Leave a comment with the link, or tweet or email me, and I will include a link to your blog on this page. 

My friend, Will Vanlue, from Portland describes his experience taking a bicycle on Amtrak to Seattle. He bought a bicycle ticket even though he was pretty sure folding bikes could be brought on as carry-on luggage. It was true and the Amtrak staff refunded him.

Like some light rail trains, Amtrak Cascades cars have vertical storage for full-size bicycles. Travis was able to get his Bullitt “Long John” cargo bike on the train with assistance from the staff. 

The Amtrak Cascades train spoils their passengers compared to those on the Hiawatha or Wolverine, offering a power outlet for every seat, and free wifi. I took the train in April 2010 on my trip with Brandon to Portland and Seattle.

This is a good time to bring up, again, that Michigan trains will soon offer “roll on” bicycle service to passengers in 2012.

Cap contest over – We have a winner

July 31, 2011 / / 0 Comments

Jennifer Davis of Chicago won the cycling cap contest by coming up with a good slogan, making it into the top 10, and being randomly selected.

Her slogan: “See a whole new world everyday – go by bike.”

It reminds me of the signs in Portland, Oregon, that say “Go by train,” “Go by streetcar,” and “Go by cab.”

See the rest of the slogans.

Lawyer Jim’s bike light recommendation

July 27, 2011 / / 0 Comments

At Monday’s Moving Design meeting, Lawyer Jim Freeman spoke about bicycling, bike crashes, and the law.

“Be conspicuous” is half his motto. (I forgot the other half.)

During Q&A, I asked Jim, “If I had $20 to buy a bike light, which one should I buy?”

Jim had no trouble answering that bicyclists should have something at least as capable as the Planet Bike Beamer 3. I agree. It has three LEDs, comes with batteries, has a flashing mode, is easy to mount on your handlebars, and really costs just $20. Ride legally at night in the State of Illinois with it!

I’m a huge fan of Planet Bike products, as you’ll see on my bicycle product reviews page.

More information