Art

Car Free


by Tatsuro Kiuchi

First year highlights, pictures, and stats



These helmets were donated with the help of carfree American
by the Brain Injury Foundation

 Carfree American- the first year                   

CFA Blog views last month about 2,456 +
CFA Facebook views last month about 11,000+

There are about 300 fans signed up on the blog and Facebook page

Viewers:
People from all over the planet are looking at the sight –the top viewers are United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, Poland, South Korea, India, Russia, France, Argentina, Romania, and Portugal.

Top three viewed posts
http://carfreeamerican.blogspot.com/2010/12/kansas-cyclist-rolls-25000-miles-and.html
http://carfreeamerican.blogspot.com/2010/10/guest-post-how-to-pedal-toward.html
http://carfreeamerican.blogspot.com/2010/10/panniers-and-peanut-butter-book-review.html

People interviewed for Carfree American-all either carfree or carlite and all advocates for alterative transportation.

1. Mike Reiman-Retired musician

Mike Reiman

2. Ami Lamb-Geologist

3. James Osborne-blogger

4. Mia Birk- author, President of Alta Planning and Design, adjunct Professor
5. Abby-Lawyer in KC

6. Kat Marriner-Graphic Designer and travels world with husband Willie Weir

7. Max Poletto-cycling advocate



8. Elizabeth Kiker-VP of League of American Bicyclists

9. Julie VanMater-Graphic Designer



Andy Cline



10. Helen McConnell-Food and Beverage Manager

11. Brent Hugh-Director of the Missouri Bicycle Federation

12. Andy Cline- Professor of Journalism

13. Kelly Benjamin-Pro Cyclist

14. Bob- White collar gig

15. Darren Alff-Traveler and Online biz owner for bike touring

16. Clarence Eckerson, Jr-Director of Video Production for Streetfilms

17. Eric Rogers-Web Developer and transportation advocate

Tammy Strobel

18. Noah Dunker-blogger

19. Keith Gates-Systems Analyst, blogger

20. Tammy Strobel-blogger, author, consultant

21. Evan P. Schneider- Editor, Boneshaker: A Bicycling Almanac

22. Laurie Chipman-Illustrator and graphic designer


Community

 Guests posts:
Tammy Strobel-Writer and photgrapher

Corinna West-Writer, speaker, poet, photographer, mental health advocate.

Tamia Nelson-Writer and photographer


Me?
I learned a lot this year and I am thankful for the experience. I hope that people have enjoyed and found the site useful.




Thanks to people who helped and encouraged me along the way.




The streets of Kansas City

 

Special thanks to Randy Rasa of the website http://www.kansascyclist.com/ for his advice, friendship, and promotion of the site.

Thanks to Allan at http://www.ecovelo.info/ for their advice on blogging and writing.

Thanks to people who comment on the Facebook page on a regular basis http://www.facebook.com/#!/carfreeAmerican I really appreciate it-Don, Helen, Caroline, Rui, Aaron, Tim, Zeke, and all the rest!

Thanks to other sites or people who promote the site. Thank you for your help!



Good health and cleaner environment



The Future?

I have some cool projects planned will be announcing in the next few weeks, and I will be on the lookout for people who have stories to share with you all.

If you have any thoughts or comments about the blog or FB page I would love to hear them.



Logo Designer:

One last thanks to Jeanne Barnhill for the carfree American logo design, she did it pro bono for me and I really appreciate her help!!! Here is her email address is you would like some design work done amgrafx@earthlink.net and she can be found on Facebook too.


Thank you all!

Peace, Bill

The original first post one year ago today




 This is the first post I did on 2/11/10 and I still stand by the statement 100%:


walking to work

 To be clear, it is not that I hate cars, it is just that I feel better when they are not around.

I will not own another car until they come out with one that does not use Gas and one we can afford. I was told today by an auto industry insider( a sister in law of a top executive of a major auto company) that they have a Water based fuel engine, but cannot figure out how to make money from it. Wankers.

I have been carfree since June of '09. This is my second time carfree, first time was from 2001 to 2004. I then became carlite from 2004 until June of 2009.

I do believe the world would be a better place if everybody walked, used bicycles, and used mass transit for transportation. I am not going to try to sell you that idea, even a hamster knows the benefits of wheels and walking.


I am going tell you what it is like to be and feel a carfree American.



my preferred mode of transportation- the bicycle

 Generally cars and Americans go together like baseball and hot dogs, but carfree and American
that is sort of a oxymoron.

I know, if I lived in a big city or college town being carfree would not be a big deal .

I live in a suburb of Kansas City where being carfree is a oddity.  Few bike lanes, crap sidewalks, no/ or little public transportation.

I am alone on the streets and sidewalks most of the time. Alone in my carfree lifestyle, alone in walking and cycling for transportation. I am to most people an oddity, but I feel strong and healthy.

I am a carfree American. Join us in the carlite/ carfree lifestyle.


2/08/11 note: Thank you for taking the time to read, share, and be aware of Carfree American.

The highlights of the blog will be posted this afternoon,  and you will have a chance to meet some other people who choose to live a life where they use alternate transportation for most or all of their needs and for different reasons. Peace!

Vanessa's story-no helmet

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A woman on a bicycle was struck by a truck near the Country Club Plaza on Tuesday morning.

Witnesses told police the woman on the bike had the right of way on the busy street near West 46th Terrace and J.C. Nichols Parkway.
She was pedaling north on J.C. Nicols Parkway when a truck travelling south made a left turn and struck her.
Witnesses said she was hurt badly but looked conscious when medics took her by ambulance to an area hospital.

"One year ago today(September 16th, 2008), I was in a bicycle accident during my bike ride to work (as I mentioned in my previous post). I was riding my bike 0.9 miles from my apartment to work when a couple in their 70's made a left turn in front of me with their Chevy Silverado pickup. I hit the truck broadside, with my head hitting the passenger side window. I then hit the pavement and was briefly unconscious. When the ambulance arrived they noted finding me in a small pool of blood, I was intermittently agitated and confused with a Glasgow coma scale of 14 (whatever that means)."

"I don't recall the accident or the ambulance arriving to take me to the hospital (which was less than half a mile away) but I do remember lying on the emergency room table as my clothes were cut off of me and a nurse talked to me. She asked me general head trauma questions, like "Do you know what year it is?" and "Do you know who the President is?" I suffered from a fractured skull with a small amount of brain hemorrhaging. I couldn't move on the emergency room table, and I remember having a really difficult time answering the nurse's questions. I was able to answer them correctly, and to my amazement even rattle off the phone number to my mother's work so the hospital could notify her of the accident. X-rays showed I had broken my jaw and right clavicle and fractured my left clavicle. I was also suffering from a bad case of double vision, whirling vertigo (a.k.a. room spins) and was temporarily paralyzed on the left side of my face."

"I always wear a helmet now.....even a short ride can go horribly wrong and change your life forever."

 

Read the rest of Vanessa's amazing story on her blog and find out more about her recovery and some of the positive things that came form the experience back in 2008.

 

I talked to Vanessa a couple of weeks ago to ask her if I could share her story, and if, after 2 1/2 years after the accident if she still wears a helmet?

 

She said, "Of course you can share my story - yes I still wear a helmet all the time. :) "

 



Vanessa and her husband Brian



 

 

Wear a helmet or not?

 

I have heard all the arguements for and against. I have found personally it comes down to two things: personal choice for adults, and responsible adults teaching their children bicycle safety. I personally always wear a helmet and always will.

 

Vanessa's story speaks for itself so I will end this post here.

Let me know your thoughts.

 

Peace.

First Anniverary is Feb. 8th for carfree American

In celebration, Carfree American is asking all people of the world to come together for one day of carfree awareness.

We are calling Feb 8th

Carfree American Day

Walk, bicycle, or use mass trasit for transportation on Feb 8th!

The benefits of a carfree/ carlite lifestyle are: good health, cleaner environment, and better sense of community. And save some money.

If you live carfree for 21 days (if you do anything for 21 days it becomes a habit), and find out what thousands of people are so excited about.

More posts up to and on the 9th are coming!

and...

Here is the facebook event page post:

The carfree American blog is having its first anniversary on Feb 8th. In celebration we are asking followers, friends, and fellow carfree/carlite folk to share in, share, and promote this event.


Winter is usually not associated with carfree, but thousands of us still live the lifestyle even in frigid temps. With all the unrest in the world, maybe a little exercise is what people need to settle their differences peacefully.

So on the 8th-please walk, bike, ski, snow shoe, sled, ice skate, surf, crawl, take mass transit, or whatever is your favorite way to travel in winter when you are going to work, or the store, or roaming around your community.

Carfree American is about promoting: better health, cleaner environment, and community well-being.

We are committed to pormote this lifestyle 365 days a year.

Thanks and Peace!

Bill

Kansas City, Missouri- Adopts Livable Streets resolution

Kansas City adopts Livable Streets resolution.


 Kansas City, Missouri, January 27, 2011 - The Missouri Bicycle And Pedestrian Federation proudly announces a giant step forward for bicyclist, pedestrians and motorists today as the Kansas City Council adopts the city's first Livable Streets resolution 110069.

http://cityclerk.kcmo.org/liveweb/Documents/Document.aspx?q=NqJpNXtnk1JvB%2fxWC5843a%2f8iRslPm%2b%2fRgAgRmcSSA4tznDk%2fcMjkkg0ymAfSFJL

4th District Councilmember Beth Gottstein initiated the resolution, stating “This resolution will provide safe access to public roads for all users by encouraging transportation improvement plans consider the safety, access and mobility needs of all travelers, regardless of age or ability”
"Councilmember Gottstein has been a tireless supporter of Complete Streets efforts. From her work on the back-in angle parking demonstration to her participation in the annual Car Free Challenge, she has supported the bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit users in Kansas City, MO and across the metro area” states Eric Rogers, Vice President of the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation.

 This resolution, together with policy changes recently adopted by the city, helps to ensure that more Kansas City streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities will be able to safely move along and across a complete street.  Kansas City is moving to the forefront of transportation parity in Missouri following the adoption of similar Complete Streets policies in Columbia, De Soto, Ferguson, Crystal City, Festus, Herculaneum, St. Louis, and Lee’s Summit.  There are over 200 jurisdictions formally committed to Complete Streets according to Barbara McCann, the Executive Director of the National Complete Streets Coalition.

Brent Hugh, Executive Director of the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation states, "A Complete Streets policy means our roads and streets are designed for everyone--the old, the young, people with a disability, people who walk, bicycle, take the bus, or drive. Complete Streets improve safety for all road users and may improve adjacent property values. This resolution is a great step forward for pedestrians in Kansas City – what a remarkable way to start the New Year."

For more information on complete streets visit
www.mobikefed.org/completestreets.
The Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation is a statewide, not-for-profit, membership organization that advocates advancement of bicycling access, safety and education in Missouri under section 501(c)(4) of the IRS code. mobikefed.org


RESOLUTION NO. 110069
Expressing the Council’s support for the concept of “Livable Streets” as a means to promote great neighborhoods, healthy and active people, and a thriving community.


WHEREAS, active living is a way of life that integrates physical activity into
daily routines, and the goal of active living is to accumulate at least 30
minutes of activity each day; and

 WHEREAS, active living promotes walking and bicycling for transportation,
recreation and physical activity; and

 WHEREAS, streets and sidewalks are an important part of our community that serve
transportation needs and are also a part of the public realm where people live,
shop, interact, and travel; and

 WHEREAS, the built environment influences residents’ choices to be physically
active and may be designed to provide a variety of opportunities for physical
activity; and

 WHEREAS, “Livable Streets” safely facilitate movement of people of all ages and
abilities from destination to destination along and across a continuous travel
network; and

 WHEREAS, the design of each Livable Street differs based on the context of each
street; and

 WHEREAS, a “Livable Street” is safe and inviting to pedestrians, bicyclists,
transit riders, the disabled, children, senior citizens, automobiles,
motorcycles and buses; and

WHEREAS, Livable Streets can be beautiful places built to pedestrian scale; and

 WHEREAS, a Livable Street can be the focal point of tight-knit communities where
neighbors enjoy spending time; and

 WHEREAS, Livable Streets are environmentally sustainable; and

 WHEREAS, Livable Streets are economically thriving; NOW, THEREFORE,

 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

 Section 1. That Kansas City is committed to providing safe and livable
neighborhoods for residents to build community and be physically active.

Section 2. That Kansas City supports the concept of Livable Streets as a means
to promote great neighborhoods, healthy and active people, and a thriving
community.

Section 3. That the Livable Streets concept is consistent and complies with the
City’s efforts to develop a bike and pedestrian friendly, multi-modal and
sustainable community, promoted in several City initiatives including the FOCUS
Kansas City Plan, adopted under Committee Substitute for Resolution No. 971268
on October 30, 1997; the Bike KC Plan, adopted under Committee Substitute for

Ordinance No. 011288 on August 15, 2002; the Walkability Plan, adopted under

Resolution No. 030211 on March 20, 2 003; the Green Solutions Policy, adopted

under Resolution No. 070830 on August 9, 2007; the Climate Protection Plan,

adopted under Resolution No. 080754 on July 24, 2008; the Trails KC Plan,

adopted under Ordinance No. 081052 on November 20, 2008; and the Zoning and

Development Code, adopted under Ordinance No. 100394 on June 10, 2010.


Well done to all the activist and advocates in Kansas City to help make this possible!!!

Mike's ride



Mike

 “I knew I had it as early as 1999.” Mike Reiman told me in one of our interviews as he sipped his coffee. “I had symptoms, mainly the oscillating hand movements.” He seemed almost indifferent, telling me. One could see he has fully accepted the grasp of the disease, eleven years, after the first signs.

I first saw Mike on a weekly organized group ride in 2009, called the Brookside Ride, in Kansas City. The group was moving slowly up a long hill, and I noticed a rider solo rider ahead of me.

The rider seemed focused on the road ahead, but seemed overly careful and cautious, I could tell there was something going on even though his line was true.

Uncertain what his issue was, I chose to ignore him on that first ride together. The second time on the ride I passed him and made some silly comment about the weather. The third time, I saw him after the ride with a group of cyclists who went for food and drink at a local pub. I sat at another table, and later that night the Brookside Ride leader told me, after I inquired about this man's story, that his name was Mike, he had Parkinson’s and that he use to play with the Chicago Symphony, then moved back to KC after he retired and was living in Brookside with a relative.

Mike's story was worth telling. But I did not do anymore group rides that year and did not see him again.

A year later I saw him in the grocery store in Prairie Village and introduced myself. Then, a few months later, he was at a coffee shop in Brookside and we had the first of many long and interesting conversations.

Getting ready for a downhill ride in the Rocky
Mountain National Forest

 “I grew up in Waldo, in Kansas City.” He said with a smile, “I got my first bike in 1968.” Staring out the window I could see he was thinking about the past.

Mike moved from KC to Chicago, and back to KC. He is living with a relative in Brookside. He lived in Chicago for a number of years, going there to study music at Northwestern. He played Trombone and the bass guitar. He studied with the Chicago Symphony and worked at golf course for his career.


“I started commuting to work and for errands in the 1980s; riding my bike  for transportation made more sense than using my car.” He said with a serious tone, “By the time I got in my car, dealt with traffic, and parking, I found I could already be inside the store if I had ridden my bicycle.”

I asked him about the Chicago winters.

“I still rode in winter when I could.” He smiled, “I remember one time, when it was snowing heavily, I got on my mountain bike and rode to a restaurant to meet friends for dinner. There I was, fully bundled up, wearing a ski mask,  rolling up on my bike. My friends just laughed.”

Mike developed symptoms of Parkinson’s and self diagnosed in 1999. “I wasn’t officially diagnosed with Parkinson’s until 2003” He stated as he looked me square in the eye, not seeking any recognition .



Mike and I in PV

“Did you slow down your bicycling?” I asked.

“No!” He said with conviction, “I rode more!” He told me he did not want the disease to get the better of him and the more he rode his bike the better he felt.

And ride he did. Eventually, he moved back to Kansas City to live with a relative in Brookside. Bicycling became a life style and a way to keep the disease at bay.

Mike rides with a passion and unassuming peaceful quality. Over that last couple of years the disease has caused him to ride less. But he rolls on, and with the help of physical therapy, massage, chiropractor, and acupuncture, he has been able to continue riding and keep the pain at a manageable level.

“I am not able to get the 15-20 miles a day I was doing the last few years, but I am able to ride.” He said, then he told me about riding down to the Plaza and back from his home the day before we met for the interview, it was 25f degrees. He grinned "Just like anything else in life, I have my good days and bad days."

I asked what adventures he had lately and he excitedly told me he was able to ride the Katy Trail over the last two years.



Mike staying in a hotel caboose on the Katy

 “In 2009, I rode from Clinton, MO to Jefferson City.” He said proudly. “It was hot, July, and like a lot of people, I ran out of water. Luckily I met someone who shared some with me.” He said and he laughed, “Then I got caught in a four day rain and decided to stop at Jefferson City.”

In 2010 he finished the trail riding from Jefferson City, Missouri to St. Louis. “Last year was harder, there was more pain.” He said solemnly. “I finished though, and made a video.”

Mike is doing well, winter is here, and for someone with Parkinson’s winter is no fun. On our last interview in November, he told me he had been hiking on some mountain bike trails, yes, hiking. He is as active as he can be. Still riding when he feels up to it, no matter what the weather and staying active.





If you are lucky and in Brookside, you may just bump into Mike. Be sure to chat with him.
Mike you are truly and inspiration and I appreciate the opportunity to get to know you. You have a disease that is tough to live with, but your inner fire is stoked and I am excited for your future adventures. I look forward to riding with you soon!


Mikes Katy Trail video: