Vote for a Mayor Based on His/Her Transit Mode?

We live in a beautiful city on the edge of lovely Lake Champlain. Population hovers between 40-50,000, depending on whether college students are in residence or not. The downtown core is a dense mix of brick buildings surrounding a pedestrian mall, within walkable distance to the waterfront. The city itself is 10 miles north to south and barely a mile wide so all inhabitants are a friendly distance to public beaches. It's a good place to raise a family with excellent schools, vibrant arts scenes, and neighborhoods.

Despite all this "goodness" and the accolades Burlington's received in the last ten years, it's not without it's inherent problems. On Tuesday we vote on an unprecedented 11% school tax increase. Our city owned telecommunications system is in serious debt. City employees pensions are underfunded. High paying jobs are hard to come by. Taxes are soaring in this state due to low population versus the amount of roads that we must maintain. And I just read somewhere that Vermont is one of the top ten worst places to retire (no surprise, high cost of living). All this beauty eats into our wallets.

Next week we also vote for a new mayor. There are 3 capable candidates, all business people, who could set the city on a new track, so this election promises to be close. Local Motion (our pedestrian/bike advocacy group) sent out a questionnaire to the 3 contenders, focusing on transportation issues. Two are of immediate concern: restoration of the waterfront path rendered decrepit in sections from last year's high waters, and working on a cohesive plan for walkers and cyclists to make the streets safer for all (there's been a rash of pedestrian/bicycle accidents). One last inquiry which piqued my interest, "If elected, would you commute by foot, bike or bus?" Two candidates flat out replied they didn't currently but might try if elected, though their responses seemed halfhearted. The third said "yes" as he already used car share and walked most places.

Photo credit: Local Motion

So I wonder, how much credence should I personally give to the above results? I should be voting for who I believe could get the city back on fiscal stability—which might be all three candidates—but as a cyclist, and a mother of two boys who I'm teaching to not rely on the automobile, I'm also highly concerned with transportation. How much seniority would a mayor give to these concerns if they don't personally regard them as viable options?

I might be spoiled, having lived for a time in Portland, Oregon during Earl Blumenaur's reign as Commissioner of Public Works. He now is in the House of Representatives, cycling everywhere, his personal commitment to alternative transportation. Or, maybe I'm looking for a candidate reminiscent of Peter Clavelle whose 14 terms as Burlington's mayor ushered in the waterfront bike path and spiffed up Church Street's business scene. Peter was a cyclist and I would often wave to him; once I led he and his wife on a circuit around Montreal.

I'm still undecided as to who gets my mayoral vote. Have you ever wrestled with this feeling regarding transportation during an election?

Breezer Uptown LS

Photo credit: Breezer website

This bike captured my fancy after a favorable review in Bicycling magazine (April 2012 issue). The classic two-toned color with matching fenders is attractive and a bit retro. 7-speeds, wide 26" tires, a stable rack, bell, curvy handlebars, and chain guard. All this for $500—what a deal! It's good to see that some manufacturers are thinking along the same lines: offer an affordable commuter bike with the same advantages as the 80s mountain bikes. With the dependable Breezer name,  I believe it offers a good solution for those seeking a wider wheeled all-in-one transportation bike.

Just the thing to replace my Ross. Though I enjoy the thrill of the hunt combing Craig's List or at garage sales, I am intrigued by the Breezer Uptown. While I hadn't intended to purchase a new bike (especially with my upcoming trip) the price is worth considering.

Or maybe I should stop swooning and enter Bicycling's Bike Give Away, conveniently offered in the same issue.

Speaking of French Cyclists...

He's rather clownish. Red shoes, red bike. The following photos are from the Solo Circus in the UK, though Mr. beret man looks pretty French to me. I dig his flowers.

I'd always wanted to ride a penny farthing and this rendition appears comfortable. A mountain high wheeler?

Tall man, tall bicycle. Check out the orange globe on his rack. Rather like a flashing police light. Hmmm. Imagine using one of those at night...lots of visibility and cars might even pull over to let you pass!

I hope these images put a smile on your face.

Bicycle Dreaming: France

Just so you know, it'll be a Frenchified week...

It's that time of year when the dreariness sets in; it's cold and I'm not riding my bike. Wheels turn in my mind. It's some sort of self-preservation I think, looking ahead. I crave forward momentum, to research and plan, to dream.

It's my 50th birthday this summer along with one of my best friend's. She and I go way back, an unlikely two-some that became close. Most of our adult lives have been opposite: she married and had her boys young while I played. Later we exchanged roles. Now she and her beau are outdoor fanatics, backpacking, rafting, and skiing. And through all our life changes and challenges we've kept in touch.

Five years ago I met her in Oregon for a week of bike travel. We slept outdoors without a tent while stars danced over our heads. That was her idea and I loved it. She even taught me how to build a fire.

She's game for almost anything. I suggested a 2012 cycling trip in France. She said yes.

A 10 year old copy of Fodor's France is keeping me company this winter.

And so it is that we are planning an adventure on wheels. We'll bring clothing, helmets, a small pack for hiking diversions, even a French/English dictionary, maybe tote a bit of camping gear, or not. The planning will unfold in the spring.

I'm thinking Provence. I've read so many Peter Mayle books (A Year in Provence, among others) that I've fallen in love with lavender fields, old men drinking at cafes, red wine, boules in the dirt, markets...and skinny French cyclists pumping up steep hills. I've recently tried foie gras and like it. I never imagined I'd like goose liver, for heavens sake!

Or some other region in France. After all, the country is filled with oh-so-many regions to satisfy our wanderlust.

Photo credit: SuperStock

For example: The Alps.

Photo credit: The Travels

Or exploring village bakeries. Pedal here, pedal there. Stop for wine and cheese. With my friend by my side.

Another thing, we'll be women on the loose, so-to-speak. We may stumble into Gerard Depardieu. (Let me help you with that baguette, monsieur.)

Photo credit: Rides a bike

Ahhh, it's Bicycle Dreaming...

France - Giverny and Entering Paris

Follow New Posts in the Around The World series on Mondays. Click here for the Introduction.

Photo credit: Cooking Weekends

30 miles, Tuesday, August 2

Breakfast was a lengthy affair, flipping crepes on a one burner stove to satisfy two touring cyclists, but Andy was in heaven. Instead of syrup, apricot jam and camembert provided a delicious and filling topping.

On the way to Vernon we purchased two more maps, enough to round out the journey to Paris and northward to Belgium. While it’s true that beauty lies in the journey the European facet of our adventure is limited to 6 months and we’re always looking ahead. Andy and I love to pour over maps in the evenings.

Admission to Monet's Garden and the fantastic American Museum.

I am fascinated with Impressionism. For that artistic period in the late 1800s Claude Monet was one of a handful of artists who became famous in his lifetime, culminating his work with the water lily series, done at his residence. His property in Giverny covers several acres, bordering the Seine and the center of town. Rightfully, this is a busy place so we attended the artist’s grave at a church before the crowds thinned at the garden. At the pond where his famous work was done, I was euphoric. Lily pads still float like islands in the water. The willows, oaks, and flowers filter the hot summer sun. It’s easy to imagine how the serenity and light in the garden influence the colors he portrays so well on canvas. After 150 years, thanks to gardeners, the preservation is a testament to the lasting memory of an incredible French painter.

1903 Water Lilies (clouds) Photo credit: Web Museum Paris

By late afternoon we leapfrogged over the Seine again and climbed through a hot landscape with few trees, passing in and out of small villages. At 8 pm. we pulled into a campground, ready for a hot shower. In our crude French we verbally confirm the price. Andy scribbles the number on paper, disbelieving the 130 Francs (25.00 USD). The cost was twice what we expected. Disgusted, we continue on.  We ate dinner on the road and dashed off the highway after dark to try fee camping, erecting the tent on the edge of a field. We were sticky, but soon fell asleep. I worried the camping fee was indicative of more to come.

 Bois de Boulogne park and camping. Photo credit: Reissen aus Leidenschaft

45 miles, Wednesday, August 3

I woke to the first glow of light. The crickets chirped softly, something I’d never noticed before. I stretched out a pain in my shoulder blades. We’d slept upon hard cracked earth, bordering a newly plowed field. We began packing, catching whiffs of something wretched. Finally, a thawed package of spinach was unearthed, something we’d originally hoped to include with dinner before plans had abruptly changed.

We loved pedaling in the cool, quiet dawn. The towns began to slowly waken. Women shuffled into the street in their bathrobes; roosters crowed; farm machinery chugged to life, and eventually automobiles sped down the narrow roads towards the city. The clear sky promised another muggy day as we cycled toward the hazy Paris skyline.

Entrance to Bois de Boulogne campground. Photo credit: Beers and Beans

A map was cinched onto Andy’s rear baggage. I followed and at crossroads had easy access to navigate the next stretch of highway. In this manner we managed to enter the west side of Paris without a hitch while cycling comfortable roads.

The Bois de Boulogne campground displayed a “full” sign and we’re initially troubled, but upon inquiry discovered they’ll take as many backpackers and cycle tourists as will fit. And, the fee fit our wallet. The site is ¾ of a mile long on the banks of the Seine River, clearly the largest campground we’d yet encountered. A supermarche, restaurant, bar, information center, and phone booths are sprinkled among the sea of campers. A literal wall to wall encampment of tents fills our corner and we squeeze in the yellow tent, nearly overlapping stakes with others. It’s a welcoming bunch of international bike riders. A profusion of languages fly on the hot air, mingling with noisy traffic. We quickly befriend Scottish and Dutch travelers, getting tips for tomorrow’s Parisian adventure.