The Commuter Contest
Willem Heydendael won the contest last year.
The New York Bicycling Coalition is holding its annual Commuter Contest this Thursday. From the org's press release:
This exciting competition pits bicyclists against motorists and transit riders during rush-hour traffic to determine the most efficient means of transportation. This friendly contest is designed to highlight the merits of a bicycle as a form of clean, low-cost, zero-carbon form of transportation. For the past 5 years, the bicyclist has been the winner--join us this year to see if we can make it 6 in a row!
(Results from last year's competition.)
The first 50 people to enter this year's competition will get a free safety light.
The dash starts at the Starbucks on North Pearl in downtown Albany at 5 pm and ends at the Stuyvesant Plaza Starbucks (that's 5.2 miles, according to Google).
Bonus bike fun: There's a showing of Veer, a documentary about Portland's thriving bike culture, at the Madison Theater Thursday night.
Bonus alternate transportation item: that commuter cruise between Albany and Troy is on Wednesday this week.
Say Something!
We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.
Comments
This is great. I walk to work myself and find it so funny when I beat the cars that are stuck in traffic. I know they get irritated with it too so that's an extra bonus!
... said KiMelodic on May 12, 2009 at 1:23 PM | link
If only Albany had a subway system...
... said James Cronen on May 12, 2009 at 2:26 PM | link
I'll be there, sans tall-bike.
If you're an AOA reader come say whats up.
I'll be on a color changing Land Shark bike!
... said Andrew on May 12, 2009 at 2:30 PM | link
I would like to know, for real, just how closely traffic rules were followed by the cyclists. To go 19 mph on average during the trip between the Starbucks, even while hitting an average number of stoplights, that bike must be flying. Nevertheless, here's for making Albany a more bike-tolerant, and bike-friendly city!!!
... said Anne on May 12, 2009 at 2:42 PM | link
I just started riding my bike (purchased at the currywurst meet-up from a friend) to and from work. I have to say that I wish I'd been doing it years ago. I just wish the streets of Troy were laid out to be a bit more bike-friendly.
... said Kevin Marshall on May 12, 2009 at 3:08 PM | link
@ Kevin - I agree. The roads would be safer if everything was clearly marked (is it one lane? two? three?). The hills make great exercise but if you hit a pot hole on the way down, be ready to go flying.
On the route from Troy to Schenectady, I SWEAR the semis on route 7 are TRYING to ride the shoulder and run the commuting bicyclists off the road.
... said Madeline on May 12, 2009 at 4:20 PM | link
@ Anne- a casual cyclist would probably have different results than a serious racer such as Willem.
... said kerosena on May 12, 2009 at 4:45 PM | link
Afterwards, ride with us to The Madison Theatre for a special one-night screening of Veer, a new documentary of the Portland, OR cycling community. Two showings! 7:30 and 9:15 p.m.
http://www.veerthemovie.com/
http://albanybicyclecoalition.com/bike-month/
... said Rohan on May 13, 2009 at 4:07 PM | link
I wish I'd looked at this yesterday 'cause my uncle might have been interested. This is what happens if you don't keep checking AOA throughout the day.
... said mirdreams on May 14, 2009 at 11:25 AM | link