The Daily Texan had some people out at bike polo a week or so back with video cameras, and they just posted the results online. I can't embed it so go to their site to see some locals eat shit and play polo. Good stuff.

Update: I was forwarded an email from Rebecca Stark that casts some doubt over what Lee told me last night. Check this out:

Just to clarify, fines are set by the Presiding Judge for specific violations. A bicycle “red light” violation doesn’t necessarily have to match motor vehicle “red light” violations. Some of the fines for violations for bicycles do not match the fines for motor vehicles, but they don’t have to. The fines posted on the WEB site that specifically say “bicycle” are correct. The violations that do not include the word “bicycle” are for motor vehicles. There are thousands of violations in our system so they cannot all be placed on our WEB site at this time. These are only selected violations.

I sent a list of violations for bicycles that have been set up in our court to Leander. These fines/costs/fees are correct and complete for what is in our system. Is there some concern over the fines? I’m not understanding where the concern is if there is one. What are you responding to or researching? Maybe I can further assist.

Anyway, (1) the WEB site is correct but not all inclusive; (2) bicycle fines and motor vehicles fines for the same violations do not have to be exactly the same and many are not.

Have a great 4th of July.

Rebecca

According to this the higher fines for bicycling offenses are CORRECT. I think my favorite quote from her message is: "Some of the fines for violations for bicycles do not match the fines for motor vehicles, but they don’t have to."

Awesome. This really seems to illustrate how the City of Austin and specifically the Municipal Court views the local cycling community as a segment of the population worth penalizing heavier than it's automobile driving residents. Wonder why this is? All this confusion has been very interesting, and rather distressing if you ask me. Or I guess you can ask Rebecca Stark, who can be reached through the main court number: (512) 974-4800. Let me know if you find anything out.

I have it from a very good source (namely Lee Davila, the APD's Liaison to City Hall) that the currently posted fine schedule is INCORRECT. The bicycle fines should not be higher than the similar car fines, and this information came directly from Rebecca Stark, Clerk of the Court. Lee is looking into who incorrectly modified the online fine schedule, but so far this errant schedule has not shown up in the tickets the APD have been issuing. Rebecca also sent Lee the most recent CORRECT fine schedule, which he's going to forward me as soon as he can find a reader to view it with.

Keep an eye out for more information as I get it. I'll also post an in-depth report on this evenings' meeting later, but I'm going to take it easy right now as I'm currently in a food-induced coma.

Cafe Mundi JUST announced the movie for this coming Monday's bike-in movie event: REPO MAN! Fuck yeah! I don't care if you don't like punk rock music, come anyway and bask in the glory of the god amongst men that is Harry Dean Stanton. You may think I'm joking but I'm 100% convinced that Harry will pass away in the year 2012, at which point this world he's created will also fade into nonexistence. These truths were foretold by the ancients and passed on to the early mesoamericans, and who am I to argue with them. Go ahead and doubt me but just wait until Harry comes back to claim his faithful and see who's right and who gets left...

According to their event calendar things start around 8pm, but since that's probably not dark enough for the film expect things to get underway more like 9ish. Bring a blanket or something, since I'm not sure on the parking lot seating arrangements.

Update: KEYE ran a story about this incident last night, and included a video interview with the victim. According to the story the victim was 27-year-old Jarrod Marfin, who currently has his jaw wired shut due to it being broken in the collision. Though there hasn't been any information forthcoming YET, I did JUST get a phone call from someone who has the witnesses contact information. They're passing it on to the police, and hopefully with that information we'll get to see some resolution over this incident. Get better Jarrod, and I hope y'all catch the asshole that hit you.

The APD just posted the following request for witnesses to The Blotter:

Police seek car that hit cyclist downtown

Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 03:41 PM

Austin police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a person who was driving a car that hit a 27-year-old bicyclist at Lavaca and Fifth streets about 2:30 a.m. June 23, police said in a statement.

The cyclist was hit from behind by a car that fled the scene, the statement said. Witnesses told a friend of the cyclist that the suspect vehicle was a taxi cab, the document said.

The cyclist’s friend took him to an area hospital with serious injuries that are not considered life-threatening, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Vehicular Homicide Detectives at 974-4761.

Good to know they're actually looking out for hit-and-runs on cyclists. I've been a victim of a few myself (not anytime recently), and they never put an APB out for me. I've also had several close calls with those ubiquitous yellow cabs and though I've never been taken out by one, they don't always exactly look where they're going when hurrying for a fare. Watch your asses, kiddos.

Here's the word from the boys at Clown Dog:

All single speed wheelsets half price. All single speed cranks half price. All colored handlebars half price. Panasonic T-servs 25 bucks. Track pedals half price. Top tube pads half price. All Soma saddles half price. We're clearing out old stuff and getting ready for the fall. Several Schwinn cruisers left at 150bucks. 2821 san jacinto 477-4221

DAMN! Get on it y'all, that's a screaming discount no matter how you look at it, and at half off the good shit won't last long.

I just got word of the following Yellow Bike Project event happening in Woolridge PArk this Saturday. I don't have a lot of info yet but here's what Pete's told me so far:

July 4th, starting at 1pm, in Wooldridge Square Park (9th and Guadalupe),

-Invincible Czars perform Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture (www.invincibleczars.com)

-Rebecca Havemeyer does an (probably pretty randy) Ode to America with the Little Stolen Moments (http://rebeccahavemeyer.com)

-The Yellow Bike Project will be there to help you decorate your bike and make your own flag. They'll also be releasing a small fleet of their famous Yellow Bikes. (www.austinyellowbike.com)

I'm JUST hearing about this myself so I don't know anything beyond what I was just told, but if you've got a bicycle and you love the YBP you should swing by after 1pm and see what's happening! Hell, if you don't have a bike show up anyways and grab a yellow bike for a spin around town!

According to the UT peeps 24th Street from Speedway to Inner Campus Drive is going to be closed to ALL traffic for a little over a month according to this page. Here's a map to let you know where to avoid:

Now you know. You'll get to ride it again mid-August, so don't fret.

Tubes for $2.50, all day Tuesday at Fast Folks. Get on it.

Just got word on this Sunday's weekly fixed gear RIDE! They're meeting at Posse East at EARLY AS FUCK and then leaving shortly afterwards at 8:20am. Remember your water and bring shit to fix your bike, no one likes to be stranded. These rides are fixed gear SUGGESTED, which means they'll be rolling at a fixed gear pace so if you have a wider band of gears you're more than welcome, but you'll be in the minority...

MEA CULPA, PATRIE….

Wow. I really put my foot in the poo with the comment about Amy’s classic Bianchi. To all sensibilities that were offended by that comment, my apologies. I wouldn’t really butcher a classic bike. What kind of idiot do you people think I am? OK, never mind about that….

Last week’s ride was joined by several first-timers. Fixies totally ruled on this one; Alex was our lone multi-gear rider. We did a loop north central and back down the east side by way of Walnut Creek Park. MAJOR trail-riding scene out there on Sunday AM. Despite the blazing heat (yeah, it was a hundred degrees by the time we rolled into El Chilito at 11:00), everyone survived; no shriveled, dried-out husks were left by the roadside.

This week’s ride will roll (as usual) from the Posse East at 8:20 on Sunday morning. (That’s the day after July 4th. Remember, a recent study shows that hangovers are no longer a valid excuse for a no-show.) This week’s route isn’t decided yet. Maybe we’ll just roll and flip a coin every time we come to an intersection.

Those of you who have ridden with us before know how we roll. For those who haven’t, please read the blah-blah below. It’s important. Really.

• A lot of us are down with the fixed gear deal, but mostly we’re just about riding. Bring whatcha got and ride with us.

• Every cyclist is responsible for his or her own safety and well-being. We assume that everyone is familiar with basic rules of cycling safety and has enough hours in the saddle to feel comfortable with his or her ride. Use of helmets is optional (but highly recommended). Use of headphones, earbuds, Blue Tooth headsets or any other form of electronic distraction is discouraged. All traffic laws and rules of right-of-way will be observed. Here’s the deal:

SAFETY FIRST!!!!!

If someone gets killed, it ruins the ride for everybody.

• This ride is 25-30 miles long through mostly urban and suburban areas. There will be plenty of opportunities to refill liquids and obtain calories.

• IT’S HOT OUT THERE!!!!! Bring a water bottle. Bring two water bottles.

• There is no SAG support on this ride. Bring a spare tube and something that will inflate it.

• The purpose of this ride is for everyone to have a good time and (we hope) to become better cyclists. We ride at a social pace, and all skill levels are welcome. This is a 25-30 mile ride over flat to moderately-rolling terrain. If this is consistent with your riding experience, or is perhaps slightly more challenging than what you’re accustomed to, you should have no problem going the distance.

Come on out and ride with us.

Sorry guys, I know I keep promising I'll make it out there one of these days, but I'm still trying to come to grips with this 8:20am on a Sunday thing. It's definitely the way to beat the heat, but in my world it's all about the S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y! Sunday is for recovering. And bike polo.

Update: Rumor confirmed. Bring a helmet if you've got one, and here's what it's all about...

Okay, I decided to host the ladies ride for this Friday!!!!! I was holding out for the fixxxed friday flyer/race and hadn't heard anything? Dancakes...still doing it?!

Meet at the Lamar Ped. bridge at 6pm, leaving at 6:3pm. (most of us aren't working so, this should work okay).

we will hit a free swimming hole, grab refreshments and then decide the next course for the night. I really want to see the Music Man at Zilker Park @ 8pm, but we can always head that way and split off along the way like last time.

bring plenty of water, lights and a swimsuit. should be a good time. i also know of a pool party nearby we can crash if we get bored!

see you all there, bring a lady friend!

-Jessica

PS: my birthday is coming up...bring some party ideas to the ride!

Sounds awesome Jessica, thanks for the info!

Rumor has it that there's a Ladies' Ride tomorrow night, meeting on the Lamar Pedestrian Bridge around 6pm. Bike riding, free swimming, tasty refreshments and The Music Man at Zilker Park around 8pm were also brought up. If you're a lady then you should check it out. Make sure to bring flashies and LOTS of water, as it's been scorchingly hot lately.

If y'all haven't yet, you should check out the ATX Babes on Bikes Facebook group. They typically organize socially-paced women only bike rides and outings, and if you've been looking for a badass group of girls to cruise around and raise hell with, you definitely want to meet these chicks.

Of course they're not the only game in town, as the local womens' mountain bike group Ride Like a Girl have their 5-month long weekly ride season in full swing. Check out their schedule (pdf) for all the dates and times, but they typically start at a different location every week at 6pm, and as they're a SERIOUS bike club they require helmets, and request that you show up 15 minutes BEFORE the start time, not AFTER.

If fitness and speed are more your style, you should check out Erin O'Neill's Weekly Ladies Ride, hosted by Mellow Johnny's and Team Hotel San Jose. The ladies meet at Mellow Johnny's around 5:30pm and leave at 5:45. These rides cruise along at a 14-16mph pace, and last for 1 1/2-2 hours. They also request that you bring a helmet since this is more of a fitness ride than a social ride, and that you also bring plenty of hydration and have a bike in good working order. After the ride they hit up Royal Blue Grocery and drink $3.50 Sophia's champagne. Nice! If you want more info about this weekly ride, talk to Erin.

It's really nice to see rides, races and events specifically geared towards women, a section of the community oftentimes marginalized and made to feel uncomfortable in the testosterone-dominated world of bicycles and bike racing. Hopefully these types of rides and events will help bring in more women into the regular events and alleycats, and balance out the ratio a bit.

Hell, I'm all for anything that turns the Austin bike scene into less of a sausage fest.