Here’s the group after the parade. Big thanks to everyone who came out to ride with us! It was great to see some new faces and old friends. 

Here’s the group again, but with Ben Franklin this time. 

Simultaneously in different locations across the metroplex cyclists were packing their panniers or clipping into their pedals. We would soon converge at the same location to do one thing and one thing only: party.

The Dallas and Arlington group slept in on Sunday morning, but clearly we are energized! Next time, we’ll get the group picture the night before.

Big thanks to Bike Friendly Midcities for putting the event together. The first — of hopefully many — one-day camping trips was a big hit with us. A S24HO (sub 24 hour overnighter) is meant to be an alternative to the state-line-crossing bike tours. It always last less than 24 hours so you can get back to your real life, in an out in time for laundry the next day.

Fueling up for the ride!

Two of us set out from Arlington a little after noon. Leaving from Fuzzy’s Tacos we had a tail wind just about the whole way, and in less than two hours we were setting up camp.

Some of the Dallas crew, some of the Arlington crew and some of the Mid-Cities crew pose for a picture with the delicious cupcakes. BFMC cyclist Lisa Tilley made a batch of “BFF,” butter finger forever and S240 s’mores just for the camping trip!

Later that afternoon the group from Dallas and Bike Friendly Midcities joined us. Big thanks to one BFMC’s cyclist who couldn’t make it, but had cupcakes waiting for us.

That night there was a bike ride, a campfire and all the typical campsite shenanigans. Early the next morning BFMC left, a little later that morning — after camping luxuries like coffee and eggs — the BFA and Dallas crew rolled out as well. 

Super cyclist Tony Tennant gives a big smile while he prepares the fire wood for the night. In the background the Bike Friendly Mid-cities group’s bikes rest on a pole (yes, that IS a cargo bike on the left).

Hit and run in Dallas

Sunday night two cyclists were struck in a hit and run when a driver ran a red light, while the two were on their way home. According to the Dallas Morning News Blog the couple did not receive medical attention at the scene, but later Sean Clancy, who works at the International Bowling Congress in Arlington, was admitted to the emergency room for symptoms of a concussion. Clancy’s fiance Malanie Jarrett told the Morning News that they are both lucky to be alive and probably will want to take action.

According to Dallas Police Spokeswoman Sherri Jeffrey said an arrest has not been made yet, even though police have the license plate number. She added that these things take time and an out of date registration could have an inaccurate address. Anyone with questions about the incident can call the communications office at 214-671-4065.

We are urging cycling advocates, and Dallas residents especially, to contact their representatives. Contact all of the city council here, the mayor here or your individual representative here. We’ve drafted a possible letter below, feel free to add comments or write your own.

I’m writing in regard to incident # 0051194-A. This was a hit and run at Gaston and Hall, March 3, 2013. I hope you have someone assigned to bring the driver to justice. This is not an issue of a motor-vehicle accident so much as it is an issue of assault. These two are lucky to be alive. Since you have a license number, then you have a name and address. There’s no good reason not to move forward with it. Thank you for keeping our city and city streets safe.

One a related note, the League of American Bicyclists is asking its members to write the Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and insist on a specific national goal to reduce the number of pedestrian and bicyclist injuries or deaths on public roads. The US Department of Transportation is required by law to establish national safety goals, but bikes and pedestrians are not included in those new safety goals. You can add your voice here.

News

The BBC takes a crack at why motorists hate cyclists.
Brooklyn bike lanes expand as long as support remains.
A recumbent cyclist left Gainesville, Florida last Monday to continue his inspirational 30,000 mile ride around the US.
Cycling and paddling the Trinity River and trails. Trinity Trails blog.

Events

Today join Bike-Friendly Mid-Cities on a short ride with Greek food. Facebook event. We’ll be joining them later this month for a sub 24 hour overnight bicycle camping event. Be sure to check back for more on that.

Tuesday night is our regular weekly night ride.

Wednesday the weekly rolling town hall meetings with Mayor Betsy Price continue. Full list of those events are on the Dallas city website.

Friday is Cycling Savvy DFW’s March workshop in Dallas.

Saturday is Frankenbike bike swap event in Fort Worth. Join other cyclists from the metroplex to swap bikes and bike stories. The event is at Avoca Coffee from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Also Saturday, ride to Austin from dallas next weekend for SXSFixed. A three-day, 230 mile ride to Austin traditionally only for fixed gear bikes, but all cycles are welcome.

Sunday afternoon join us for our weekly Sunday Funday ride.

As always feel free to point out any news or event we missed in our round up. We know these usually go out on Friday, but we’re going to try Mondays, so you know what to look for the rest of the week. Please, feel free to leave us a comment or send us an email at bikefriendlyarlington@gmail.com