Aboard SMART Train during preview ride

At Santa Rosa North Station

“Easy to use,” was the pronouncement by one cyclist, securing his bicycle during a preview ride aboard SMART Train. As a cyclist I’d wanted to observe these conditions for myself after reading a review by another SMART Train rider. ​

Nantucket Bike Basket Co., small-animal carrier

Starfire inspects a special carrier from Nantucket Bike Basket Co. When its sides are folded up, the carrier attaches to a bicycle rack. Its removable, washable, fleece pad surrounds the cat with plush comfort.
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SMART Train: Blogger describes bike-transport concerns

After a recent preview ride aboard Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit: passenger Anet Dunne raises concerns about the usability of onboard bicycle storage.
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‘Bicycling Rules of the Road’

Devin's mother gives him rules for safely riding his bicycle, but once on his bike, he tries but fails to remember what he should and should not do.

He agrees to give his friend Betsy a ride on his handlebars — with immediate loss of visibility and bicycle maneuverability.

Things go from bad to worse as, one by one, Devin acts counter to another bicycling safety rule and soon an entire basketball team, their goat mascot and a rescued cat are all precariously balanced with him and Betsy on his bicycle.

Kelly Pulley relates an entertaining story that carries a serious message in Bicycling Rules of the Road (Schiffer Publishing, November 2017). Brightly colored illustrations, rhyming text and humorous storyline make this book ideal when reinforcing for children, the importance of safely riding a bicycle.

The rules can all be found in a note to Devin from his mother, making them easy to reference and reinforce with children when reading the story aloud. Nothing is ambiguous; each choice by Devin has a consequence and the text makes cause-and-effect clear.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinion expressed is my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Preview rides aboard SMART Train

Source of image: Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit on Facebook

If it works out with our schedules, I hope that Jonathan and I can take a preview ride during coming weeks aboard Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit. Current emphasis for the holiday is bringing people down to attend the Marin County Fair, then returning them after the fireworks — but I simply look forward to straightforward round-trips that let us preview this new passenger rail system in California’s North Bay.

Sonoma, Marin counties: Bike-share grant application pursued

Exciting project in the works: Transportation planners from Sonoma and Marin counties are pursuing a grant to build a bike-share network of about 180 rentable bicycles.
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Paris Agreement: Sonoma County and city governments ‘are still in’

Sonoma County and local city governments are part of a national movement, declaring that they “will continue to support climate action to meet the Paris Agreement.” (“We Are Still In,” http://wearestillin.com/).