| Our view: Topsfield should get on rail-trail bandwagon
Wonder whether those who proposed laying down the first street grids had to deal with the same fears that arise anytime someone proposes turning an abandoned rail line into a bike trail? Probably not, or else we'd all still be walking everywhere. Topsfield is the latest focal point in the debate over rail trails. Creating such pathways makes sense for several reasons — encouraging people to ride their bicycles rather than get in their car whenever they need to get someplace, is good for the environment; providing people with a place to ride, run or walk is good for their health. Yet inevitably the cry goes out that such trails will attract hooligans and predators. Such protests usually come from those whose homes abut the abandoned rights-of-way. They certainly wouldn't want trains running along those old tracks again, but they'd prefer they not be used for any other purpose either.
Researchers Try To Film Migration Of Lone Predator
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, Colo. (AP) ― Winds estimated at 30 mph froze the air to 23 below and pierced through layers of clothing straight to the bone. Gusts roared strong and loud like a jet flying just feet above the ground and pushed against one's body, an awesome, otherworldly force. And even where patches of trees offered a small respite, a frigid cold lingered. Crouched in a small windbreak, Dr. Dave Augeri peeled off his gloves. More important than the cold biting the researcher's fingers was the exact placement of a camera attached to the tree with old bicycle tire tubes. He ripped duct tape from rolls around his water bottle and taped the camera in place. It wasn't perfect, so he tried again. And a third time. Finally, he adjusted the camera just right to capture a variety of predators that might trip its infrared sensor -- mountain lions, coyotes, foxes and maybe even a lone wolf.
Global Network Helps Tucson Man Give Bikes To Kids In Need
"We've got bikes of all ages and shapes," says Weldon Irby. At first glance, Weldon's backyard looks like a bicycle graveyard but Weldon brings these bikes here to give them new life. "See the seat, I'll put another seat on it. I've got the front end working." The 98-year-old retired master mechanic spends hours on end repairing bikes, everything from putting in new pedals to fixing flat tires. "I saw bikes being thrown away and I said, I can fix them." Weldon has repaired more than 200 bikes but he doesn't keep them for himself. Weldon gives the almost-new bikes to children in need. "You ought to see the looks on some of these kids that never had anything. That's the pay I get. It just makes me feel good doing it." But Weldon doesn't have to rummage through junk yards to find the broken bikes.
No rest for road sweepers in Nanjing
The heavy snow that has blanketed much of the country in the past three days has become a real headache for sanitation workers in this southern city.
You can see them, clad in orange outfits, with brooms and spades in hand, on every main street, sweeping the snow even as it continues to fall.
"We're working much longer hours these days because of the nonstop snow," 50-year-old Xu Chunzhen, a sanitation worker in Xuanwu district, said.
The snow started early on Saturday morning and has not let up.
Xu and her team of four workers start their day at 4 am and do not finish until 6 pm. It is their duty to keep a 1-km-long street that runs from Xinjiekou to Daxinggong, the city's downtown, free of snow.
"We can't really stop sweeping or the snow will pile up, and it is very dangerous for people to walk and ride bicycles on the snow," Xu said.
Bicycle Lover Starts Bicycles 365 Blog
The Bicycles 365 Blog readers can stay abreast with the latest news on all kinds of specialized bicycle news and topics like custom bicycles about the new and exciting hybrid bicycles.
Phoenix, AZ, Jan,07,2008--Bicycle lover, Linda Riggins has partnered with Neekam company to create the Bicycle 365 Blog. This blog will act as a source of information and networking for the wide world of bicycles including vintage bicycles, folding bicycles and more!
Ms. Riggins says, "Whether you are a professional cyclist or a recreational rider, there is so much to learn and see at this blog. It does not matter whether you commute to work on your bicycle or if you ride it down nature trails with family on the weekends, this is the place for all things bicycle related."
This blog seeks to add to the publicity surrounding the wide world of bicycles and all of the sports and hobbies that are related to the cyclist lifestyle.
Big-ticket bikes: Why buy a Chevette when you can have a Ferrari?
Sandro doesn't want you to know where he lives, where he works or even what his last name is. He has a secret - a lie, some might call it - that mustn't get out. But here it is anyway: Sandro paid $7,000 for a bicycle. Why the cloak-and-dagger act? "My wife would probably kill me if she knew," he says discreetly from work. "I told her I bought it with my sister." Like many big-spending weekend warriors, he fell for Cannondale Bicycle, a company whose bikes have been ridden to stage victories at the Tour de France and world championships in mountain biking. "Why have a Chevette when you can have a Ferrari?" says Sandro, who rides a few hours a week during the warmer months to keep in shape. On Monday, Montreal-based Dorel Industries announced a deal to buy Cannondale for about $200-million (U.S.).
Bicyclist fined $1,050 for traffic infraction
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) -- Kajuan Cornish didn't know he was such a danger on his bicycle, and now he's facing hefty fees that could have paid for him to have a car. One day after Gov. Timothy M. Kaine admitted the state's so-called abusive driver fees had failed and called for them to be repealed, Cornish was ordered to pay a fee of $1,050 for recklessly operating his 18-speed Huffy in an intersection during rush hour. "A bike with pedals -- a 4-year-old can ride a bike," Cornish said Thursday. "I could see it happen if I'm riding the wrong way down the expressway -- that's dumb." Cornish, 19, doesn't drive and was convicted of reckless driving in Newport News traffic court for a ticket he received after riding his bike across Warwick Boulevard.
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