Just top this thread when there's a new poll.
Can you ask for just a number? Example: "What's the ideal number of gear ratios?" with a drop-down of 1 through oh-I-dunno-maybe-40. Or just a blank.
All- I'm playing around with a little polling feature on the front page. check it out and let me know what you think!
I'm toying with the idea of leaving it up for a week and posting the results in the "Week's Links" weekly feature on the blog.
Feel free to leave requests and ideas for future polls in this thread.
"Vikings or Pirates or Ninjas?" may be a future poll topic
Just top this thread when there's a new poll.
Can you ask for just a number? Example: "What's the ideal number of gear ratios?" with a drop-down of 1 through oh-I-dunno-maybe-40. Or just a blank.
we can do anything stu. the future is yours
panniers are killing it over baskets
Basket or Panniers
Both is not an option. I can't vote!
you can vote on what you like to see other people using. think outside the box, man
I am a programmer. Outside the box is wrong.
i am making it my personal goal to have baskets win
that's the spirit!
I like this!
No messenger bag button?
how about trailers?
btw - jane, i think i saw you going to HD the other day with a trailer? i was coming out the exit with a load of plywood and tried to wave but i don't think you saw me. i would have said hi but the zipcar clock was ticking and i always seem to run out of time and have to extend (although i made it this time!). i guess if i had a trailer i wouldn't have needed the zipcar (maybe).
oddly enough, i passed someone else with a (single-wheel) cargo trailer going up shady on the way home. i guess it's a good sign.
I definitely voted more than once.
Did all yinz move to Chicago where everyone votes early and often?
@salty: I didn't see you, Todd--Sorry! That was me. I was picking up some masonite for a friend which I could have done more easily with my car, but it was a good experience and I shall do it again. I too passed someone with a single wheeled trailer that day and they had a blue storage container on it..made me happy to see!
Man, I really want a basket for my bike! Panniers + Basket would rule.
my MIL bought me panniers for our 6 month anniversary. I can't figure out how to attach my basket to the new bike, the new handlebars have many many curves and no straight bits... and then I'd have no place to put the light.
Until last weekend, I'da voted crate, bungeed on with old tubes, and I'm very happy that is still compatible with my panniers.
I am a programmer. Outside the box is wrong.
i am an object oriented programmer. inside the box is off limits.
New poll is up. this week's topic: How old are you?
last week's results were published in the week's links: http://bike-pgh.org/blog/2011/03/18/weeks-links-3-18-11/
erok - could you tweak it to have two polls running at the same time? One for chronological, or physical age, the other for mental or emotional age?
My guess is the former would be 2X the latter.
I can't seem to find the poll.
it should be in the left sidebar up top
of the main bikepgh page, that is
I didn't see it, but I found it when I searched for "quick poll" using the search site function.
Also, I must seem older/younger than I am, because when I selected the 22-29 and hit "vote," it said, "You must select a valid poll option."
Can you keep the results in age-order? Reordering by popularity isn't good for this application
i agree, but it does it's own thing. there aren't alot of options with embeddable wordpress polling plugins
alright, here are last week's poll results:
16 or younger (1%, 5 Votes)
17-21 (7%, 23 Votes)
22-29 (38%, 130 Votes)
30-39 (23%, 77 Votes)
40-49 (14%, 47 Votes)
50-59 (13%, 44 Votes)
60-69 (3%, 11 Votes)
70 or older (0%, 1 Votes)
Total voters: 338
be sure to take the latest poll: Have you ever ridden your bike naked?
alright, here are last week's poll results:
16 or younger (1%, 5 Votes)
17-21 (7%, 23 Votes)
22-29 (38%, 130 Votes)
30-39 (23%, 77 Votes)
40-49 (14%, 47 Votes)
50-59 (13%, 44 Votes)
60-69 (3%, 11 Votes)
70 or older (0%, 1 Votes)
Total voters: 338
be sure to take the latest poll: Have you ever ridden your bike naked?
Is it true that you can ride or be topless if you are female in new York state still ?
(Concurring opinion written by Justice Titone.)
Ok, last week's poll results can be seen here: http://bike-pgh.org/blog/2011/04/01/weeks-links-4-1-11/
Looks like 84% (125 Votes) of you never rode a bike naked, while only 16% (24 votes) had.
The front page of the site has a new poll: How many bikes do you own?
I'm going with "number of personal bikes that can currently be ridden".
If I include spouse/kid bikes and partially assembled ones, the number jumps a bit.
I like the above definition. I do have a lot of rescue bikes (trash day in Squirrel Hill is a wonderous thing) that I cannot ride and will get donated somewhere eventually.
Voted! I'm glad you just went with "7+", so I don't have to actually figure it out.
I looked at the poll and thought, "The highest number listed is only 7?" I blame my husband for my warped views.
We blame him too!
I pushed the 7+ button. While I have 10 bikes and BSOs, at least 7 of them are rideable now or can be with a couple hours and a few dollars. I think only two are more parts than recognizable as a bicycle.
This topic might be worth revisiting with choices of a) Can ride right now; b) Can be made rideable with a little work; c) Parts or worse.
Yeah I nearly have 5 and I share yet another with the husband, but I answered 4 that are rideable.
Based on the fact that, one of the things I like to do in the winter is tinker in the garage and tune up the bikes, this year, every bike is tuned to within an inch of it's life. I don't have anything else left to do. If winter lasts much longer I'll have to start undoing stuff just to fix it.
"# of bikes that can be ridden" is temporarily 0. I'll wait till I get mine back from the shop before I answer
"If winter lasts much longer I'll have to start undoing stuff just to fix it."
I suspect some of us would be willing to drop some bikes by to work on.
we have a new poll up.
we have another one up.
You forgot the option "I'm a registered independent."
you mean unaffiliated. it's different in pa. or at least it was when i registered.
Non-Aligned.
Poll-curious?
I stand corrected. (I also didn't know that Green Party wasn't on the form, although it can be written in.)
First place I registered to vote was actually Wisconsin, where you do not have to declare affiliation or lack thereof!
Non-Aligned.
i think you mean True Neutral.
oh god, it's starting again!
^ Ack!
I had to look that one up. Definitely not what I meant, but thanks for expanding my vocabulary
TOP! The polls are back. Sorry, I forgot about it after BikeFest
It felt good to vote nothing stopes me.
super hero!
I've been wondering if the polls would come back. It's a great regular feature to check out other cyclists viewpoints - thanks erok, for starting them up again.
If "oversleeping" was one of the choices, I'd have picked it.
[x] Equipment issues.
Too Cold and Too Hot should be separate categories. I definitely don't like the heat, but cold doesn't bug me.
haha. we had the cold/hot argument in the office.
there's no gear to help you ride in the heat!
[x] More stuff to transport than can be carried safely & comfortably.
[x] Dang family that always needs me to do something. Gah.
[x] New motorcycle
[X] eating too much Kale
equipment to help ride in the heat include friendly en-route gardeners with hoses, poorly set sprinklers, and those water spray things at various playgrounds. And you don't have to carry them with you
[X] Unreasonable fear of transporting work laptop and ipad.
[X] rear ended by a rocket.
I know that was a cheap shot.
+1 on Pseudacris!!!! But only sometimes.....
New poll up today.
Here's the results from last week's:
What will stop you from riding? (Select all that apply)
Snow 110
Icy roads 159
Rain 53
Too Cold/Hot 34
Too dark out 38
Streets too busy 41
No one to ride with 8
Nothing stops me 66
Total Votes:509
Total Voters:242
Hmm, it appears that I can take the poll more than once. Does that mean I can also vote more than once?
@jeg - First place I registered to vote was also Wisconsin. After many, many years here in PA, I still think it is weird that I have to declare a party affiliation in order to vote in the primary.
swalfoort, that was explained to me this way: if you don't register an affiliation for all voters, one party can organize and vote for the least electable candidate of the opposite party. So it ensures that only "party members" have a say in which candidates their party puts forward. Easily foiled by simply registering for the wrong party, but for some reason nobody does.
That could all be made up. I had some very creative teachers who tired quickly of my "well that's dumb" opining in civics and history classes.
Easily foiled by simply registering for the wrong party, but for some reason nobody does.
I registered as "R" long, long ago. Since then, the party has moved so far away from my views that I now qualify for that statement. Certain races are decided in the primary (Pittsburgh mayoral is the most notable), so sometimes it does matter.
Last week's:
Do you plan to vote on Tuesday, November 8?
Yes (83%, 80 Votes)
No (17%, 16 Votes)
this week's: How old were you when you learned to ride a bicycle?
[x] 29+
[x] still don't know how to ride a bike.
[x] Don't remember when I couldn't. But many things I don't remember. What was the question?
I occasionally try to teach a mid-20's friend who still doesn't know how to ride a bike. I'm very interested in hearing from folks who learned as adults.
also, i'm open for ideas for future polls.
Favorite BikePGH staffer of all time.
Future Poll question..... message board member who makes the most posts but doesn't know anything.....
[x] mr marvelous
^ [x] mr marvelous
I would probably win that one.
I don't rememeber- maybe I can ask my older brother? Does this mean bicycle or do tricycles count?
Future question- How much does your bike weigh? (when you ride it- you need to count tools, bags, bells, and other accouterments)
trikes don't count. i'm talking balance here
I do remember when the Big Wheel(TM) became popular. I viewed them with disdain.
Poll Idea:
Most Inspiring Message Board Member
My candidates would be RubberFactory, Dbacklover, Stuinmccandless and ejwme (just off the top of my head)
Another poll idea: who taught you to ride a bike
sibling, parent, neighborhood kid, self-taught, babysitter, woolves, etc.
Poll idea - I'm always curious, especially at the end of the year...
Approximately how many miles do you ride in a year? A range of miles, something like this:
<100
100 - 500
500 - 1,000
1,500 -2,000
2,000+
favorite hours to ride!
I prefer the wee hours of the morning (I actually feel safer riding at 4am). But I know that most people prefer different times of day to ride.
Future poll question:
How many times in the last 60 days have you used a bus bike rack?
[] Don't know how / Never tried
[] Zero, but have used one in the past
[] 1-2
[] 3-5
[] 6-10
[] 11-20
[] Over 20
@ALMKLM - Thanks!
Ok, I voted, but I might have lied. I can't really distinguish, in my memory, whether I was 5 or I was six. I suspect it was younger than 6, and I definitely required training wheels. I vaguely remember learning to ride, my Dad pushing my bike and running along side. But I was from a big family, and I might be remembering him teaching someone else to ride. Like Edmonds, bikes were a part of our lives from the moment we learned to ride. I can almost not remember a time when I wasn't riding SOMETHING. The first bike most of us learned on was a 16 inch two wheeler than our neighbors had. I think most of us were more or less riding that by kindergarten. It had those weird permanently inflated (aka hard rubber) tires. I think it was indestructable. Moving up to a 24 inch bike required differnt skill sets - like braking. I am not certain the little green bike even had brakes. When I think of "learning to ride" a bike, I think of the 24 inch bike -- not the tiny near toy version.
I remember having a gravel driveway that was a hill, and trying to ride my bike down it while wearing a dress (I was 7), and scraping up my whole side.
I know I learned to ride before I learned to swim...
by the time the training wheels got down to me, they were so bent out of shape if I landed on one of them I was going to continue the rest of the way over, so they didn't do me much good.
I figured I'd win MrM's lowest content poll, good to know my hot air fills some sails along the way
future polls:
- least/favorite maintenance to perform
- top criteria for purchasing a bike
- favorite trail (including option to not like them)
- favorite bike lane (including option to not like them)
- favorite cold-weather accessory
- favorite hauling accessory
- favorite bike riding myth to dispell (hills, weather, dangerous, dark, whatever)
- favorite type of ride (solo, race, group, A-B, alley cat, etc)
you could turn almost any discussion thread into a poll, just ask people what they're talking about
what is the myth about hills?
i learned to ride on a he-man bike, but unfortunately i can't find it anywhere on the internets. i received a huffy bmx for my fourth birthday. january first is a famously cold day for bicycle riding, so i had it put together with training wheels, and i rode it around my basement during the winter. when i actually learned to ride without training wheels, though, i was at my cousin's place, with the he-man bike. it truly was a wonder of modern machinery, i have no doubt. i remember trying on the grass in case of a fall, but that not working well. i think we started with my cousin, who is two years older than me, pushing. i may not actually have had an adult help me, i don't remember.
i have since been the one to teach my two nieces how to ride. one on her seventh birthday, the other when she was 5 (and a half). really proud of that fact.
Last polling results:
How old were you when you learned to ride a bicycle?
5 or younger (53%, 137 Votes)
6-8 (39%, 101 Votes)
9-12 (5%, 12 Votes)
13-18 (1%, 3 Votes)
19+ (1%, 2 Votes)
I never learned (1%, 2 Votes)
Total Voters: 257
Check out the latest poll on the front of the site:
What is the most amount of miles that you've ridden in one day?
next poll: What is the least amount of miles you've ridden in one day (greater than zero):
1. 0.00001 - 0.00009
2. 0.00010 - 0.00019
3. 0.00020 - 0.00029
etc.
OK here's last week's results:
What is the most amount of miles that you've ridden in one day?
Less than 10 (3%, 9 Votes)
10-29 (10%, 29 Votes)
30-49 (17%, 51 Votes)
50-79 (23%, 70 Votes)
80-99 (13%, 39 Votes)
100-119 (21%, 64 Votes)
120-149 (8%, 23 Votes)
150-199 (3%, 9 Votes)
200+ (4%, 11 Votes)
Total Voters: 305
and next week's:
What's your favorite Pedal Pittsburgh route?
6 miles
15 miles
25 miles
35 miles
50 miles
60 miles
I've never participated in Pedal Pittsburgh
Pedal Pittsburgh is my favorite event, it's a great way to kick off the cycling season and I love being on the road with so many other cyclist but not needing to keep pace with a group. mrs. marvelous and myself do the 60 mile but at a relaxed social pace.
Here's last weeks:
What's your favorite Pedal Pittsburgh route?
6 miles (0%, 0 Votes)
15 miles (6%, 8 Votes)
25 miles (11%, 14 Votes)
35 miles (24%, 31 Votes)
50 miles (10%, 13 Votes)
60 miles (16%, 21 Votes)
I've never participated in Pedal Pittsburgh (33%, 42 Votes)
Total Voters: 129
Aaaaaand the new one:
Did you ask Santa or Hanukkah Harry for a bicycle this year?
Yes
No
I don't know what to vote on this do I vote yes because I ask mrs. marvelous for a bike for Christmas
"I've never participated in Pedal Pittsburgh (33%, 42 Votes)"
The largest block, that's rather surprising.
@ mr marv -- Sure you vote yes. She has to go ask Santa and becomes your agent/go-between to do it. Right?
I don't find the never participated vote surprising. It seems that many folks on the forums do a lot of riding on their own and don't feel the need to pay to ride with a bunch of others.
I think it would be safe to assume that everyone except people on the 6 and 15 milers (which got very low votes) also do a lot of riding on their own, but also enjoy the opportunity to ride with others.
So, especially since Bike Pgh! is now in charge, I think the poll needs to be "If you've never participtated in Pedal Pittsburgh before, why not?
_Wasn't aware of it.
_New in town
_Couldn't afford it
_Not interested in riding with a group
or something
__Plenty of group rides in town for free and I can pick my own charitable cause.
_ Nothing special about paying to ride with cars on the same streets I ride every day
we hope to change that.
In the past, I didn't care much either way for the charity that was supported.
Now, I imagine some of the bux will go for cycling advocacy.
_ intimidated by the length of the ride
and by that, I mean that I'd feel like I wasted the day by only riding 5 or 15 miles, but anything longer than that and I worry about embarrassing myself.
I don't ask either for a bike
Edit: I am buying myself a trainer. I already got 2 bikes this year
i just said screw all you imaginary friend types and bought myself a bike. does that count? its a nice bike.
I guess I still find some of the comments regarding Pedal Pittsburgh surprising. I have always viewed PP -AS- cycling advocacy. The mission of CDCP is healthy Pgh neighborhoods, and I think they recognized way ahead of the curve that biking is a component of safe streets and healthy neighborhoods, so I have always participated whenever possible. I never really viewed it as a "charity" ride. It just seemed like an opportunity to get as many bikes on Pgh streets at one time on one day as possible. Sort of a scattered "critical mass".
I actually have a thing against "charity" rides. I have never done an MS150 or any of those because I find it a bit odd to single out and support research regarding one disease over another. We should have a f'king national health care system for that. Plus I can ride out in the countryside on my own whenever I want.
I completely agree with you re: getting as many bikes on the streets as possible. it has been very successful for that. i'm sure it's also empowered A LOT of people to try riding on their own afterward as well. and that's great. but it wasn't for me. i'm glad there are so many people on the streets that day, and i'm just one more because i'd be riding anyway.
i've only done one "traditional" charity ride, and to be honest, there was something nice about the value added part of it where you get rest breaks, you don't have to worry about the route on unfamiliar streets, there's a place to sleep at the end, and all of your food, gear, and friends are there.
To me, it never felt like there was enough of a "special" component to ride it. and from the comments above, the few value added parts, like water and snack stops, and even the food at the end, weren't even pulled off well.
also, i hope no one is implying that santa or hanukkah harry don't exist
To me the biggest missed opportunity about PP was always that as soon as their ride was done, all the "serious" cyclists pack their junk back in the suv's and run back out to the burbs. Probably because they got up at 4:30 am to check their VO2 max and get out on their serious ride. Whatever.
After a ride, I want an afterparty. After a ride I want hang around, have some adult beverages, chit chat, and party like a bike geek. Maybe that would be the "special" aspect I would expect. Keep that in mind.
I think the whole thing starts too early too.
I completely agree. a fun social gathering would be a nice incentive.
One of the coolest post-ride get-togethers was after the Oct 2010 Tweed Ride, where we hung out at that little gallery caddycorner from Bike-Pgh's offices. It had all the great social aspects but w/o the huge background noise of an OTB-like venue. A bunch of Flock rides have ended at a park, where we just laid out blankets and talked and ate and drank. Those are cool, too.
^+n
People like to complain. Some random bitching and a few "bah humbug" comments doesn't prove that PP wasn't "pulled off well".
i didn't say the event wasn't pulled off well. not having water at a stop is kinda a big deal.
oh, that might have been in another thread, not "above"
Last time I did PP, the Highland Park stop was also notable for bananas so green that they were almost inedible.
That said, one good reason to do an event like this (or most charity events, really) is to meet a lot of people who normally don't ride in the same venues you do...great opportunities for conversation, education, and cross-pollination of cycling interests.
Before I did pedal pittsburgh I never rode more than 10 miles in a day, so completing the 60 mile was a HUGE deal to me. After PP I took on lots of group rides and hills that I would never have considered before. I think PP is a great way of riding in a safer setting with lots and lots of other cyclist.
^ what Mr Marvelous said.
Plus, I'm not from here so on the first few rides it was an interesting way to check out some neighborhoods & architecture that I probably wouldn't have seen otherwise...which I believe was one of the main reasons cdcp started the ride.
I think it could be a great touristic draw for Pittsburgh, kind of like the 5 Boros Ride in New York or various marathons.
no doubt. i was giving my personal reasons
One thing I will say for it is that with there being loads of cyclists out on the roads, drivers can't help but notice them all, which makes it easier (i.e. less scary) for any lone wolves out there to
I haven't done PP yet because of timing/scheduling issues.
Last poll:
Did you ask Santa or Hanukkah Harry for a bicycle this year?
Yes (30%, 28 Votes)
No (70%, 66 Votes)
---
The new one:
Did you make a cycling New Year's resolution?
Yes
No
Last poll:
Did you make a cycling New Year's resolution?
Yes (59%, 64 Votes)
No (41%, 45 Votes)
Total Voters: 109
The new one:
Has the unusually warm winter changed how much you ride?
I've been riding more
No change - I ride regardless
No change - I don't really ride in the winter
Last Poll:
Has the unusually warm winter changed how much you ride?
I've been riding more
(35%, 60 Votes)
No change - I ride regardless
(39%, 67 Votes)
No change - I don't really ride in the winter
(26%, 44 Votes)
Total Voters: 171
I'm assuming that this is with regard to lights?
Solid on my helmet, blinking everywhere else.
Unless it was referring to eyeballs- I am thinking that fake eyeballs do not have the need to blink, but don't really know.
Anyone?
^ I don't know the answer to that, but your question brought to mind one of my all time favorite headlines from the Weekly World News.
"Don't shoot marbles with your glass eye," wife tells husband. "You need it to look for work."
Last week:
Solid or Blinking?
Solid (11%, 21 Votes)
Blinking (48%, 87 Votes)
Both (39%, 72 Votes)
Neither (2%, 3 Votes)
Total Voters: 183
Yes
No
I'm not old enough
I don't even know how to drive. looks like I'm the only "no" so far.
my guess: 95% yes, 5% no
Another No here. I've been not driving my whole life.
WE ARE THE 9%.
[x] I have a license, but I also have a family member who is old enough to drive and does not have a license (and does not use this message board).
My younger brother does not
have a license. He says he did drive a car a short distance one time, but the whole time he was behind the wheel he felt a deep seated internal pain.
My Aunt lives in Sharpsburg, works in Fox Chapel, and hasn't had a license in about 25 years. She didn't like the hassle of car ownership, and saw no reason to keep a license without a car. She's a bus taker.
My dad's GF also doesn't have one. She's a hard core walker, but lives in BC not Pgh.
My daughter doesn't have a license, she has never driven in her life. Ironically today is her birthday.
My cat does not have a license. He is not tall enough to drive.
@ mm - your daughter is what? like 4 or 5 years old?
@ Pseudacris - get a cat booster seat at Kittys R Us
My dog is tall enough to drive, but he is not old enough. And he is a dog.
She turned 5 yesterday.
Hey, sorry, been on vacation. This was one of our most replied to polls. next time someone says: Bikes need to get licenses to use the road, you now have the answer that just about every cyclist already has a PA driver's license, which i assume since it allows you to operate a ton of metal at high speeds, should allow you to operate 25 lbs of it at really low speeds as well.
Do you have a valid driver's license?
Yes (93%, 352 Votes)
No (6%, 23 Votes)
I'm not old enough (1%, 2 Votes)
Total Voters: 377
New poll:
Have you ever taken a bicycle on a plane?
Yes
No
Aircraft carrier... yes. Plane, no.
misread, my version has better visual: "Have you ever ridden a bicycle on a plane?"
I'd imagine unicycles to be perfectly doable, recumbents would need to stick to first class or business with the roomier aisles.
I once rode in a dry-dock around a carrier (and a sub). Never on-board, too chicken to test the people with guns.
While they place guns in the hands of idiots, we don't allow them to have ammunition unless there is a threat; you're pretty much safe if you are already on the dry-dock side of the fence. You can't ride a bike on a carrier in dry dock anyways, too many obstacles for there to be any point... so you didn't miss out on anything.
When I worked on great lakes frieghters, there was one boat where I guys would ride a bike down the deck.
Now, sailors on freighters are like suicide cowboys, but even those guys thought this guy was teasing death.
I thought he was pretty cool.
wait, so those were all empty? man, biggest con EVAR.
My favorite Adm. Rickover story was when he drove through the gate onto a naval base or shipyard without stopping to see if the guards would shoot at or stop his car. They did (both shoot at him and stop him), and he was encouraged never to test them again. I don't remember which base/yard it was. Sad thing is, his stories were so crazy, in another generation or two I think everybody will assume they're tall tales.
Wait a minute - I've seen people jump out of planes with bikes. THEY'VE ridden bikes on planes. I wouldn't do that, but I feel better knowing it's been done
The guys at the gates are most likely armed and loaded LOL
Most of the guys on security detail on the ship itself also cut hair and serve food... i.e. not the brightest. When we were over seas, it was a different story.
Yeah, Rickover was something else. He'll always be famous in certain circles but I doubt the name means anything to most people which is a shame. If I haven't already admitted to it, I was a nuke (CVN 74 USS JC Stennis).
Cool beans, I worked on the Stennis when it was in drydock at Bremerton back in '05. Bremerton is my favorite shipyard, by a long shot - just a hop, skip, and a jump from the ferry
Crazy... we may have crossed paths. I was usually stuck in #2 Reactor Room.
It's a shame we didn't know each other then, we could have gone on rides together!
I miss the ferrys! The best was the Southworth-Fauntleroy ferry which had amazing views of Mnt. Rainier. I lived in Seattle but commuted, so lots of time was spent on those ferrys. One of my daily habits was to dig a newspaper out of the recycling bin and read it. LOL
I'm just now realizing that you have a Nimitz hat in your gravitar pic... how funny.
The Seattle and BC ferries have given me the hope that some day, Pgh with all its wonderful rivers and river communities can have an amazing ferry system. With roll on/roll off service, like all good ferries
We very likely crossed paths, as I always had to wait for you guys to tell me that I could start working, usually at 3AM!
I love my Nimitz gear, it was my first field service trip. Usually we never managed to get to (or find) the ship's store when it was open, but when we did, my favorite souvenirs are the belt buckles, which is silly because I rarely wear belts.
I think you should give up on your hope of a river ferry system in Pgh. For a system like that to work you would have to have some kind of very mobile and responsive intermodal system, with some kind of land routes right along the rivers to connect people to their final inland destinations. Ideally this "theoretical" intermodal vehicle would have to also be small enough to go right on a reasonably sized ferry. Oh, (sigh) if only.
edmonds, you mean like bicycles on bike trails?
see, Ferries aren't totally OT. the dream will live on.
FerryPGH
Shepherd Ferry
Lamb Bake
Sheep Ship
Punny, very punny. But hey, throw in a few Steeler's jerseys and it might work!
@Edmonds, I disagree about the ferries. Baltimore has a fantastic boat based shuttle system going on in and around their inner harbor. The shuttles run about every twenty minutes or less and usually you have to walk a few blocks to get to where you are going.
I can see a similar shuttle service running in loops from the casino, pnc park, a few spots on the south side, the point, mon wharf, convention center, mid-Strip, Laryvile, Verona (?).
I think the thing that has sunk previous attempts at this in Pgh is that they were thinking about people getting to work, with fixed schedules. Baltimore’s runs more like a continuous service, so people use it to bar-hop, go to the stadiums, or just for a boat ride. Over time they will also use it to commute just like in Baltimore, but they need to know that it works first. Their system used to run on a daily fare basis too, so you pay once and ride all day.
Buddy of mine looked into setting up ferries for sports events and such.
Evidently there are licensing issues. There are people that own the exclusive licensing to ferrying folks around.
Kinda like taxis here I guess.
I actually like THAT shepard ferry.
THE GOOD SHIP LOLLYPOP FOR THE WIN!
Dude, totally doable. Have one boat route running the Allegheny, out to Oakmont (maybe back and forth across too). One boat route runs the Ohio (maybe to Sewickley? I don't know west). One boat route runs the Mon to kennywood. They could connect at the point for poly-river trips.
Whoever owns those licenses needs to step it up, or else whoever issues those licenses needs to open it up. This would be so epic, dare I say even more epic than the trail systems. This would be the coolest thing ever.
To Oakmont or Sewickley would have to go through a lock, which I imagine could be time consuming, or may even cost something, don't know.
Hmmm....Now I wish I lived up-river so I could canoe in with bike strapped in, then bike out towing canoe. (Guess it could work in the opposite direction too)
Everything has me convinced Millvale really is the limits of civilization along the Allegheny (no offence ALMKLM et eastern al.).
In France, the locks are an *attraction*. They put park benches and paths near them. People go to look at them and speak french near them and smoke and drink and take mass transit for granted. It's not a problem, it's a FEATURE. sigh.
Once I thought it might be interesting to take the kids to watch boats go through the locks at Emsworth, see how that works. Poked around a side road until I found what looked like an entrance. 10 foot high chain link fence with razor wire, security cameras and NO YOU! signs everywhere. Apparently an 18th century transportation system is a big target for terrorists. Homeboy Security strikes again.
see? it's a FEATURE, even Seattle gets it. Thank you headloss
Most pittsburghers don't even know we have locks, and if we don't even know about them, why would they be terrorist targets? Also - We just spent how much refurbishing the locks? Yet the public isn't allowed enjoy them unless they're physically inside a boat?
The things that slow us down in life and force us to pause should be celebrated and cherished as community assets. NOT locked up behind razor wire.
FREE THE LOCKS!
Unlock the locks! (I hesitated to write this as it may have appeared a gratuitous post in an attempt to boost my numbers.)
have we acquired any sizeable new green spaces since the bad old Robber Baron Frick/Schenley days? honest question. Everything I can think of is like a single lot of a house torn down that the residents reclaimed, or dates from some robber baron endowment.
Does tearing down a steel plant and putting a bunch of office buildings on it, with requisite parking garages, with an equivalent amount of grass for 1,000 geese to crap on, count? If so, consider Technology Drive off Second Avenue. Because of the geese, you're pretty much restricted to the sidewalks (again, watch for goose droppings everywhere), but it's sizable, it's green, and wasn't 30 years ago.
seems to me the "geenways" are from the 90's. Not sure exactly what they are, though
Last week:
Have you ever taken a bicycle on a plane?
Yes (20%, 30 Votes)
No (80%, 123 Votes)
Total Voters: 153
Yes
No
my estimate was fairly close. i let this one go longer because i wanted to see a good sample size.
Are you registered to vote?
Yes (94%, 332 Votes)
No (6%, 21 Votes)
Total Voters: 353
New poll:
How long does it take you to bike to work or school?
less than 10 minutes
11-20 minutes
21-30 minutes
31-40 minutes
41+ minutes
I never ride to work/school
I don't have a commute
D'oh, my vote isn't listed: "Not Long Enough"
My commute to work is around 15 minutes. My commute to school its a little over 45 minutes. Do I pick one or add them together.
man, the one you do more. dunno.
add them., that's the total time you spend "commuting" right?
Sounds good to me
interesting results.
How long does it take you to bike to work or school?
less than 10 minutes (10%, 53 Votes)
11-20 minutes (22%, 113 Votes)
21-30 minutes (20%, 105 Votes)
31-40 minutes (9%, 47 Votes)
41+ minutes (20%, 101 Votes)
I never ride to work/school (13%, 68 Votes)
I don't have a commute (5%, 26 Votes)
Total Voters: 513
New poll:
Have you ever used a trailer attached to the back of a bicycle?
Yes
No
last poll:
Have you ever used a trailer attached to the back of a bicycle?
Yes (32%, 143 Votes)
No (68%, 299 Votes)
Total Voters: 442
New one:
What best describes your usage of the Port Authority's bike racks on the front of buses?
I didn't know that there were bike racks on buses
I know they are there, but never used them
A handful of times
Occasionally
Frequently
All the time
Is once a "handful"?
I'd've labeled it "Daily", "weekly or better", "couple times a month", "less often", "never tried", "never knew about them" ... or some such.
But what's there is acceptable.
I don't know if I'm "frequently" or "all the time."
If you average it out over the past few years, It's probably "all the time," because I used to live right at the top of Arlington/Elanor. Now, I only bus once in a couple times per month, though.
just go with what feels right
What best describes your usage of the Port Authority's bike racks on the front of buses?
I didn't know that there were bike racks on buses (6%, 19 Votes)
I know they are there, but never used them (61%, 192 Votes)
A handful of times (13%, 41 Votes)
Occasionally (11%, 36 Votes)
Frequently (6%, 18 Votes)
All the time (3%, 8 Votes)
Total Voters: 314
2011:
What best describes your usage of the Port Authority's bike racks on the front of buses?
I didn't know that there were bike racks on buses (8%, 15 Votes)
I know they are there, but never used them (63%, 121 Votes)
A handful of times (18%, 34 Votes)
Occasionally (7%, 14 Votes)
Frequently (3%, 6 Votes)
All the time (2%, 3 Votes)
Total Voters: 193
New Poll:
How many BikeFest Kickoff Parties have you attended?
All 7 of them!
5-6
3-4
1-2
Never
f) uh, my memories are a little hazy for some reason...
On the bus racks question, looks like the shape of the bell curve is about the same. Not surprising, though I am heartened by the huge increase, almost double, in the number who responded.
I am not good at parties.
I have attended "never" Bikefest Kickoff Parties
I work the wrong days or I would attend. Oh, well
If cleaning up AFTER a BikeFest party counts, then 2. All the still slightly cold beer I wanted, and all I had to do was take down all the decorations, including 20 bikes hung on the ceiling, and push a broom for about six hours.
How many BikeFest Kickoff Parties have you attended?
All 7 of them! (3%, 5 Votes)
5-6 (4%, 7 Votes)
3-4 (6%, 11 Votes)
1-2 (19%, 34 Votes)
Never (69%, 126 Votes)
Total Voters: 183
New Poll:
How often does your ride include somewhere on Forbes Ave?
Just about every day
A few times per week
A few times per month
Every month or so
A few times per year
Never
don't know whether to be disappointed or excited about the results of the bikefest party poll
@erok don't know whether to be disappointed or excited about the results of the bikefest party poll
There are a lot of people that come to the Bikefest party that, evidently, don't post here and/or don't take polls. No Surprise. But still , there were hundreds of people at the parties.
There are plenty of people here - most of them, it appears, that haven't been to a BikeFest party. Surprises me.
But that means you have a easy target for some pre-aprty publicity.
How often does your ride include somewhere on Forbes Ave?
I am going to assume that this does not mean crossing Forbes at Grant twice a day.
I wonder about where on Forbes one rides. I'm on the piece between Ross and Stanwix once or twice a week, Downtown and Oakland once or twice a month, beyond Morewood once or twice a year.
That might be an interesting poll question too, Stu.
(My commute includes the lanes from Regent Square to Squirrel Hill, then up & down Squirrel Hill on the sharrows, and into Oakland.)
i rode a block of forbes twice daily until about two months ago. now i ride it probably once or twice a week. maybe i should split the difference?
How often does your ride include somewhere on Forbes Ave?
Just about every day (24%, 61 Votes)
A few times per week (17%, 43 Votes)
A few times per month (17%, 42 Votes)
Every month or so (10%, 24 Votes)
A few times per year (15%, 37 Votes)
Never (17%, 42 Votes)
Total Voters: 249
Have you ever taken your bike on one of Pittsburgh's inclines?
Yes
Never tried
Tried, but they didn't let me on
I didn't know you can take your bike on the inclines
I have! I would more often, but I never really need to go up that way.
I took a rented tandem up the Monongehela incline once - IIRC, we took it in the compartment where bikes really are NOT allowed and if the space had been two inches smaller, it would not have fit.
PS. Note to those concerned with personal safety: do not ride a rented tandem down Sycamore Street. That is all.
Have you ever taken your bike on one of Pittsburgh's inclines?
Yes (13%, 27 Votes)
Never tried (55%, 113 Votes)
Tried, but they didn't let me on (0%, 1 Votes)
I didn't know you can take your bike on the inclines (31%, 63 Votes)
Total Voters: 205
New Poll:
What percentage of your bike parts and gear do you purchase online?
none
1-25
26-50
51-75
76-99
All
What percentage of your bike parts and gear do you purchase online?
none (28%, 59 Votes)
1-25 (29%, 62 Votes)
26-50 (13%, 28 Votes)
51-75 (13%, 27 Votes)
76-99 (7%, 15 Votes)
All (9%, 18 Votes)
Total Voters: 211
Occasionally
A few times per month
A few times per week
As much as I possibly can
Never tried
Why is there no "daily" option? As much as possible could mean a whole lot of dirt, or very little.
fair enough. I was going for something more than a few times per week. if i put daily, then there'd be someone who would be a stickler and be like, "well, i ride daily, except fridays, should i still put daily?"
alright, it was early enough in the poll that i changed it to "Pretty much daily"
btw, i'm taking requests for poll ideas. please keep 'em coming
How about something concerning staircases?
"Do you ever carry your bike up/down staircases?"
* Daily
* Weekly
* Never had reason to try
* Afraid to try
...something like that.
I'm always curious about the number of miles other Bike Pittsburghers put on their bikes... How many miles do you put on your bike in one year:
<200
200 - 500
500 -1,000
1,000 - 2,000
>2,000
Having looked around at many of the group rides I'm always amazed at the variety of body types . How about BMI? (with a link to a calculator)
Treehugger has an article on the four types of cyclists. maybe a poll?
Fixed the link.
http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/what-type-cyclist-are-you.html
a question about visibility might be interesting, like what people think makes them most visible: reflectors, solid lights, blinking lights, reflective clothing, etc. I can't figure out how to word it, it might be multiple questions.
I am curious what sort of weight we all lug around on our machines. I would like to see the type of bike, and what it weighs with a normal load (tools, lights, bags, lock, etc.).
How about "how many other cyclists are in your household?"
wow, so busy i forgot about this.
here's the breakdown:
How often do you go mountain biking?
Occasionally(27%, 157 Votes)
A few times per month(15%, 88 Votes)
A few times per week(17%, 98 Votes)
Pretty much daily(6%, 37 Votes)
Never tried(34%, 200 Votes)
Total Voters: 582
New poll:
Did you participate in Sunday's Pedal PGH?
Yes
No
Registered, but didn't ride
Volunteered
I've participated and have volunteered. Where do I go?
this is for last sunday's pedalpgh. if you volunteered and rode as well, just say volunteer
No. But only b/c I'm currently out of state.
Did you participate in Sunday's Pedal PGH?
Yes (41%, 96 Votes)
No (44%, 102 Votes)
Registered, but didn't ride (3%, 7 Votes)
Volunteered (12%, 27 Votes)
Total Voters: 233
New:
How many events on the BikeFest Calendar did you participate in?
none
1-2
3-4
5-6
7-8
9+
Old:
How many events on the 2012 BikeFest Calendar did you participate in?
none
(32%, 82 Votes)
1-2
(31%, 79 Votes)
3-4
(8%, 21 Votes)
5-6
(4%, 11 Votes)
7-8
(2%, 6 Votes)
9+
(20%, 50 Votes)
Total Voters: 256
New:
Did you participate in the National Bike Challenge?
Yes
No
Didn't know about it
pretty impressive that 70% of website users attended at least one event. even more impressive are the 50 people that participated in 9+ events. i'm guessing it's many of ya'll
Did you participate in the National Bike Challenge?
Yes (44%, 62 Votes)
No (16%, 23 Votes)
Didn't know about it (38%, 53 Votes)
Total Voters: 141
WOW, kinda surprised there's been so many bikes stolen.
Have you ever had a bike stolen?
Yes (43%, 95 Votes)
No (53%, 115 Votes)
Yes, but I got it back (4%, 9 Votes)
Total Voters: 219
Yes
No
^It's probably people whose bike was stolen in NYC or Portland and they got miffed and moved to Pittsburgh.
I'd've included 4 options,
a) Ridden a bike in NYC in last 5 years
b) Rode nothing but public transit in NYC in last 5 years
c) Have been in NYC in last 5 years but got around by car/taxi
d) Have not been to NYC in last 5 years
I would have answered (b).
Have you ridden a bicycle in New York City within the past 5 years?
Yes (22%, 21 Votes)
No (78%, 75 Votes)
Total Voters: 96
Barack Obama (D)
Mitt Romney (R)
Jill Stein (G)
Gary Johnson (L)
None of the above
Not voting
Undecided
just curious if anyone is following the presidential race on our front page
You misspelled "Ron Paul" and I'm surprised on how few Gary Johnson votes there are. Doesn't he race Ironman or some such?
3 undecided votes...really?
I am hoping the people not voting are not eligible. I certainly understand not wanting to support any candidates, but sometimes the lesser of two undesirables (I do not feel this way, but think some might) makes sense. And remember, if you don't vote, you have no right to complain in the next four years.
It's not a right. It's a responsibility. Don't like the "two" choices? Guess what? THERE'S MORE!
I wish Rocky Anderson was on the poll
@helen
I don't see why not; voting isn't going to make ones complaints any more or less valid. My vote isn't going to magically transform the nation into what I want it to be
I'm going to admit something juvenile I do when voting. I always write myself in for Sheriff. Just because.
Please carry on with mature political discussion
i only put the people on the poll who are on the PA ballot. Ole Rocky didn't make the PA ballot
@cburch Don't like the "two" choices? Guess what? THERE'S MORE!
+1
Some people say that if you don't vote for a major party candidate, your vote is wasted.
So, that means if I don't vote for someone who has been lying to me, my vote is "wasted"? (Both major party candidates have been demonstrably dishonest. I beleive one more so than the other, but still...)
If I dont' vote for someone who doesn't support any of the issue positions I consider important, then my vote is is "wasted"?
Seems to me the opposite.
(My positions: For Bikes. Against indefinite imprisonment without a fair trial. Against all terrorism, including war crimes by major nations - bombing civilians doesn't stop being terrorism when the bomb is dropped using high-tech aeronautics. For legalized pot. For a more balanced budget using a reasonable, progressive, but simplified tax code. Some others that don't seem to be supported by either major party. A few others that are only partly supported by one or more major parties.
When third party candidates start winning states there tends to be massive change. I dont' believe that change would happen if choices were limited to two candidates.
The people who wrote our constitution tried to prevent a party system. That was one of their failures.
Pierce- Imperfect analogy- we both see a cigarette butt on the sidewalk next to a trash can. You walk past, I put it in the trash, then we both comment on the irresponsibility of people who litter and wish everyone kept public places cleaner. We both have legitimate points, but I feel I carry more weight in my statement.
I recognize out need for multiple parties and also realize it will take a huge turnout of dedicated individuals to make that happen. The current financing of our two party system will make that near impossible unless some very deep pocked individuals get behind it. We can only hope.
Bring your voting stub to Market District for a free cup of coffee. No ID required. Tea drinkers, you may be s.o.l., which is a little bit funny. Still, the free coffee is a nice touch.
@ pseudacris No ID required.
A poll worker asked me if I had ID.
I asked if I needed it and she said no, but I think I should of registered my discomfort mroe stongly "Since we're asking personal questions with no bearing on the issue at hand, How much money do you have in your wallet?"
Is there someplace I complain to without having to make too big deal of it?
My borough council president posted on Facebook that poll workers in Crafton were asking for ID. Though they ask, you don't have to show it.
She had hers on her and made a point of loudly clarifying that it wasn't needed - to make the point to the line behind her.
Complaints are filed according to this page (all of the way at the bottom): http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/elect/index.aspx
Hi Mick, poll workers are allowed to ask you for ID, but if you don't have it or decline to show it, they may not turn you away if you're registered. If it is your first time at a new polling place, you do need to bring identifying paperwork, but a utility bill can work as well.
If you were given a hard time, you can call the ACLU hotline 1-866-OUR-VOTE.
If you want to complain about the new Voter ID laws (which are somewhat suspended right now), that would be at the state level. The congress.org web site can generate a list of your reps.
@pseudacris & Pinky - I wasn't given a hard time, but I was surprized by the question.
I guess complaining to my state legislator is the way to go on this one.
@helen s
I actually picked up a trash bag or two of cigarette butts in Friendship Park; I'd definitely consider Obama being the one to comment on the trash, but then fail to actually do anything about it; he'd also probably praise the spirit of the hardworking smokers of America, himself one of them
@Mick
Marakay Rogers seems like a candidate that might have been up your alley:
https://www.facebook.com/Rogers4PAAttorneyGeneral?ref=stream
Why did the Post Gazette choose David Freed? From his site: "David will preserve our right to keep and bear arms, protect the sanctity of human life and defend the sacred institution of traditional marriage."
+1 @Pseudacris, they asked me for id, I respectfully declined to provide (been voting at the same place for 6 years), no problem, no provisional ballot.
Our poll predicted the winner better than gallup.
Who do you plan to vote for in the upcoming election?
Barack Obama (D) (59%, 162 Votes)
Mitt Romney (R) (17%, 46 Votes)
Jill Stein (G) (8%, 23 Votes)
Gary Johnson (L) (5%, 15 Votes)
None of the above (0%, 1 Votes)
Not voting (7%, 18 Votes)
Undecided (3%, 8 Votes)
Total Voters: 273
Bike
Walk
Drove
Transit
Other
Absentee
I didn't vote
I love my precinct, because I'm easy to find. I tell them to just search for me by my affiliation (Independent) rather than by name.
Lady still asked for ID...
this website predicted allegheny county's Barack Obama vote within 2 percentage points
The Voter ID thing will be in effect for the May primary. While I do hate the rule, as a pollworker, I will say it really helped make the line go faster. Just hand the worker your ID, s/he finds your index card in the file, hands your ID and index card to the pollworker who finds your name in the book. Your signature on the card, his/her initial in the book, and into the booth you go. It can be done in 30-45 seconds. Prior to this, easily a minute-plus by the time we get the name spelled right.
I didn't have to show my ID, actually I didn't even have to tell them my name. I know my poll ladies and one was pulling my card out as I walked up. My poll ladies are it.
stu, i gave them my registration card this time, and I've given them my licence in the past, and it doesn't help. i still have to wait as they slowly flip through the book. My last name starts with SW, but they still look through the SA... SE... this has been at multiple precincts across the city, btw.
I just showed them my voter registration card
As for the new poll, I walked to the poll, but was walking in cycling shoes
I wasn't even asked for my ID.
I walked up with my ID in hand. I'm not sure what the issue is, to be honest.
For me, it was mainly that I thought the whole voter ID thing was overturned in PA.
Thatn and the particualr poll worker is a woman that works with various neighborhood groups - she's the one who changes meeting times if they think a renter will show up.
So I started with a bad attitude, and we were working from there.
It wasn't overturned, just delayed. There was no requirement to show ID for this election - but it's pretty obvious from the responses above that the FUD abounds.
Then of course there were these despicable pricks attempting to enforce the non-law themselves until they were ordered to stop.
The law is intended to disenfranchise voters - preventing (virtually nonexistent) voter fraud is just a pretext. You don't even have to believe me, listen to one of the supporters of this crap who was dumb enough to admit the true purpose of the law in public.
I am involved in a frivolous discussion with a former coworker in a comment portion of a current co-worker's Facebook account. I should have just not responded, but I know that she is a teabagger and i couldn't ignore comments such as: "Anyone who doesn't live an "underground" type of life needs an I.D. for something. Hell, you can't even open a bank account without one. Who are these people living in the shadows? I don't know any." I told her of elderly and working poor who may have had an ID at some point but don't have (a valid) one anymore, and that there is virtually nonexistent in-person voter fraud as per FACTS and she responded with " You're right, it wasn't an issue before, but it is now. Voter fraud is rampant. There are orginizations bussing people from poll to poll to vote & revote. Some of them have dementia & don't even know their own names. Some may be illegal aliens. What do you propose to do to eliminate fraud?" And this horrible link: http://www.truethevote.org/news/how-widespread-is-voter-fraud-2012-facts-figures
So I ended up being asked for ID, and despite having it on me, I asked, "Do I need it?"
They checked my name and said, "No, but you will next time."
My understanding is that the voter ID law was not overturned - it was just postponed until the next election to give people that Stef mentions (elderly, working poor, etc) more time to get valid IDs.
As it originally stood, people would have had from mid-September to early November to get IDs, which is hard in a state where some counties do not have a drivers license center.
*Edited to add:
My poll workers were not requiring it, they were just getting people used to the question.
For right wing assholes who claim to espouse smaller govt to generate this false need for an additional layer of beauracracy would be ironic, if it wasn't simply hypocritical and despicable. The bastards got hosed regardless.
How did you get to your polling location?
Bike (22%, 69 Votes)
Walk (41%, 127 Votes)
Drove (22%, 69 Votes)
Transit (1%, 4 Votes)
Other (1%, 3 Votes)
Absentee (6%, 19 Votes)
I didn't vote (7%, 22 Votes)
Total Voters: 313
Yes
No
I wonder what the other methods of transportation were
skateboard, segway
Dang it, I should have unicycled to my polling location
how's that been going for you?
wheelchair, surrey
trebuchet
flew (rocket, prop, glider, large bird, self propelled), pogo stick, swam (NY/NJ), boat (same- motor or paddle), I suggest hopping or skipping or running is different than walking, crawl, scooter, .........
i think a trebuchet is one of my favorite machines ever. i believe i once tried to use a trebuchet to solve each of these puzzles.
Watched a unicyclist make his way up Centre Avenue from Ephihany Church (Washington Place) up towards St. Benedict the Moor the other day. He was making pretty good time, given the grade.
He took the lane!
@Swalfoort mechanically unicycle would be equivalent to bicycle with 32/32 crank/cog (or 50/50, or 35/35) -- the ratio is 1. And wheel is a little bit less than 700c-23 (23-622 in ISO terms) so with the same crank length ratio wheel radius to crank length is better in the sense that it's easier to go (but at speed expense). The only problem for me would be balance.
Having beaten the crap out of two unicycles at SUNY Geneseo in four years, I can assure you there's no hill below a 10% grade that someone on a 24" wheel or smaller would have any trouble with, assuming they could ride at all. (I couldn't climb Federal from the lower Perrysville corner to Mercy Street, in 2002; haven't tried recently.)
As with a fixie, which a unicycle essentially is, there's a limit to how fast you can have the pedals go, and unlike a fixie, you can't take your feet off. For me, top sprinting speed is about 15 mph on my 24".