Call me vain, but I really enjoy getting on the video camera and putting out a little facetime to the followers of Loving the Bike.

I took a minute to capture my thoughts in response to the question I seem to be getting asked a whole lot lately….Why Are You In Grenada?

Here’s the links to some of the things mentioned in the video:

Please Be Kind to Cyclists

Create Your Own Culture Part 1

Create Your Own Culture Part 2

We need safer streets for cycling worldwide, and my Austin friends over at the Please Be Kind to Cyclists organization is rising up and taking a stand on the issue.

But this post is not only to inform Austin cyclists to take part in the upcoming Pedaling for Safer Roads event, it’s for cyclists around the planet to stand up for safer roads everywhere.

Here’s a word from Please Be Kind to Cyclists founder (and my very good friend) Al Bastidas:

As you know, we have had many fatalities this year on the road where several people on bicycles have lost their lives and about a dozen more have been badly injured.  Our community is very upset and are demanding answers and solutions. Visit links bellow for News stories.

Pedaling for Safer Roads Part II, is a peaceful demonstration ride that will be taking place on November 29th.  We will start from City Hall and ride to the Capitol Grounds arriving at 7:00 PM.  We are expecting between 700 – 1,000 people on bicycles. So far we have 400 confirmed on our Facebook page.  If you haven’t yet confirmed your attendance, please visit our page to join:

Pedaling for Safer Roads II Facebook Page

The plan is to keep alive the message that was sent at our first demonstration ride back in May.  Chief Acevedo has confirmed to be one of speakers.  I hope you can support my efforts to bring peace to the streets of Austin.  Would you please invite your friends and post on your social networks.

If You Aren’t in Austin

Even though this event takes place in Austin, you don’t have to be there to show your support.  Spread what they are doing through you social media channels.  If you’re a blogger, post an article about this.  Think about putting on a gathering like this in your own community.

We’re all in this together and it’s up to all of us to be the change we wish to bring about in the world.  Let’s keep on educating people (drivers and cyclists) who are on the roads and protect all of us who use them.

Like many of you, I have a ton of cycling T-shirts….but one of my favorites has got to be my Viva la Bicicleta.  Not only does it feel good and look great, but the philosophy behind the company is one that I totally believe in and support:

“Our philosophy is simple: get everyone out on a bike and riding.”

Amen to that one, right?  I can also tell you that the feeling and passion behind this company is truly legit. I just so happen to personally know the good man who started Viva la Bicicleta and he is one of the most genuine people in the world.  His name is Al Bastidas, and he’s also the founder of the Austin based, Please Be Kind to Cyclists organization.  Viva donates 10% of every purchase to Be Kind’s, Victim Relief Fund (a program that helps uninsured bicycle riding victims of traffic accidents).

Okay, so if you don’t know Spanish and haven’t yet figured out what this name translates to, it is “Long Live the Bicycle” and was inspired by the idea that all the world’s problems can be solved simply by riding a bike.  Amen, once again.

One last comment and then I’ll give you the details on how you can win your very own Viva la Bicicleta shirt.  I don’t know about you, but I’m quite particular about my t-shirts and only end up wearing the ones that really feel good.  I can honestly tell you that one of these is going to be the best fitting shirt you’ve ever put on.  My friend Al is a quality guy, and the Viva la Bicicleta products are definitely quality made as well.

Win a Viva la Bicicleta Shirt

This Contest is now Closed.  Congratulations to @jeremyridesbike and J B who win the Viva la Bicicleta shirt of their choice.  Thanks to everyone who entered and told us what Viva la Bicicleta means to you.  Be sure to head over to www.vivalabicicleta.com to get a shirt of your own.

We’re giving away two T-shirts and here’s what you need to do in order to get in and win one.

Head over to the Viva la Bicicleta shopping page and see all the designs they have available, and then leave us a comment including two pieces of information:

1. Which design you like best.
2.  What the phrase “Viva la Bicicleta” means to you.

Get your comments in by Noon EST on Friday and we’ll announce the winner Friday afternoon.

Viva la Bicicleta is only able to ship within the US so unfortunately this one is only open to someone within the States.

I’m very honored to provide the blog content for the organization, Please BE KIND to Cyclists.  If you don’t know about them yet, please have a look at all the great things they are doing to support all of us cyclists.  Being involved with them has made me much more aware of the safety and prevention side of our sport, and since we don’t really tap into that area here at Loving the Bike…I’m able to learn a whole lot.

So it is with this Please BE KIND to Cyclists connection that inspired today’s post….and it goes out to all drivers and cyclists out there.

Okay, here the deal I’d like to make with y’all.  It’s really simple actually….you agree to our terms and we’ll deliver on what we pledge to do.  Is it a Deal?

As a Driver I Pledge:

• Not to drive while under the influence of alcohal or drugs
• Not to text, tweet, e-mail, talk, or do anything else with my phone while driving
• To give all cyclists at least 3 feet of space
• Not to drive while drowsy, tired, or sleepy
• Not to throw garbage and other items out of my car
• To follow the rules of the road

As a Cyclist I Pledge:

• To continue to do my part for the environment by riding instead of driving
• To bring down the cost of national health care by keeping my body in top health
• To spread my positive vibes and attitude that comes through cycling and exercise
• To encourage my fellow cyclists to show respect and be safe on the road
• To follow the rules of the road
• To be street smart on the road and make sure I make it home safely to my family and loved ones

You just can’t beat the phrase, “Please BE KIND to Cyclists” when it comes to conveying our feelings towards motorists.  It’s a message that all of us cyclists would like to pass along to our machine powered friends….and our spouses, children, and friends feel the same way.

On a beautiful Austin morning in September 2002, Al Bastidas was pedalling along on his way to a local bike shop ride.  He never made it, due to a lack of attention and concentration from the driver of an oncoming vehicle.  The collision caused severe damage to his head, and after immediate brain surgery the doctors gave Al a 50% chance of survival.

Miraculously, after 2 days in a coma and 11 days in intensive care, Al looked to be coming around.  He spent another month in the hospital and over three years in rehab before getting himself on the mend.  Being on the bike was the factor that put him through this, but his cycling athleticism was also the thing that pulled him through.

In 2006, just as Al was getting his speaking, balance, and memory somewhere back to normal, another Austin cycling tragedy occurred.  In April 2006, Gay Simmonds-Posey was training for the MS150 ride when she collided with a hit-and-run driver.  Gay wasn’t as fortunate as Al.

Al couldn’t take it any longer…he had to stand up for the safety of cyclists.  The result was the creation of a non-profit organization “committed to raising awareness and increasing the harmony and tolerance between drivers and cyclists”.  Please BE KIND to Cyclists has the mission:

To promote safe cycling for all and to contribute to a global social change by making stronger and healthier communities and providing resources to all: communities, drivers and cyclist; so they can educate themselves and learn to coexist and share the road safely and with respect.

I first heard about Please BE KIND to Cyclists a couple years ago when shopping in one of the local Austin bike shops.  I learned the basics of the story and bought a pumper sticker to support the cause.  I drove with it proudly on my vehicle until recently selling it and driving something different.  I’ve been meaning to get another one and show my support, but in the meantime I crossed paths with the marketing company for Please BE KIND to Cyclists and am on board to do more than simply wear the sticker.

If you’d like to help support their cause as well, there are a bunch of ways to get involved:

• Purchase a bumper sticker, shirt, or jersey.
• Intern or Volunteer for their organization.
• Adopt a Sign
• Ride:  In April 2011, Jack and Adam’s Bicycle Shop is putting together the largest fundraiser yet for Please BE KIND to Cyclists.  The first annual Round Rock Express Ride at the Dell Diamond will take place with 100 percent of the profits benefiting the organization.
• Bike Shops – If you own a bike business or just have a favorite local shop, get some of their bumper stickers and start selling them.  Spread the word……save a cyclist.