Transit ridership reaches 57-year high

At 10.7 billion trips, public transit ridership was at its highest in 57 years during 2013, according to a report released March 10 by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

In the words of APTA President and CEO Michael Melaniphy, “There is a fundamental shift going on in the way we move about our communities. People in record numbers are demanding more public transit services and communities are benefiting with strong economic growth.”

Crossing I-5’s Exit 14 with bicycle traffic signal

For beginning cyclists’ edification, here's my “review” of Oregon Department of Transportation's I-5 Exit 14 overpass south of Ashland, Oregon.

Yesterday’s trip marked my first experience with a bicycle traffic signal. It resembles the traffic signals commonly used by motorists but with a cut-out bicycle emblem.

Rogue Valley Transit during Dec. 6 snowfall (animated gif)

Here’s a picture of the Rogue Valley Transportation District’s Route 10 in Ashland, Oregon during the Dec. 6 snowfall. Something called “Google + Auto Awesome” added an animated snowfall effect to an image in my photo bucket. (As of 11:30 a.m. Dec. 17, by the way, RVTD reported that it had resumed regular service).

Rogue Valley Transit: Snow affects Routes 10 and 60

Image credit: Rogue Valley Transportation District

Rogue Valley Transportation District (RVTD) was not in service on Saturday because of inclement weather and dangerous conditions related to Friday’s snow. On Monday, RVTD made temporary changes to Route 10 between Medford and Ashland.

‘Crunch’ by Leslie Connor

In Crunch by Leslie Connor (Katherine Tegan Books, 2010) a family’s bicycle repair business is the only thing keeping people on the road when gas supplies dry up.

A long-distance truck driver and his wife are stranded several hundred miles from home when gasoline supplies abruptly disappear. Fourteen-year-old Dewey and his siblings must manage the “Marriss Bike Barn” while meeting family responsibilities.

With no cars on the highway, cyclists take to the lanes. Suddenly, everyone is turning to the Marrisses for much-needed bicycle repairs.

Oregon ranked No. 1 for bicycle commuting

Oregon is ranked No. 1 among U.S. states for its percentage of bicycle commuters, 2.5 percent, according to a community survey data report issued by the League of American Bicyclists.

Easier to walk when I shelve every day

For years I worked in a job that involved sitting at a desk. I really wanted the kind of job I have now: physically active at a library.