KTOC

Thanks to following some links suggested by that most-prolific of commenters in the blogosphere, Anonymous, this morning I learned for the first time of the Kansas Transportation Online Community, a service of KDOT. KTOC has been up since January of this year (here is the press release); as you'll see, its intention is to bring together anyone and everyone, whether or not you're a Kansas resident, with an interest in transportation issues. Even ordinary mortals can join it, and--despite the fairly lengthy sign-up process--I want to encourage you to at least go have a look.

The Bike and Pedestrian section of the forum is in need of some conversation: before I posted something there this morning, the most recent post had been back in January. However, if the combination of increased traffic here at this blog and the more-numerous bike-commuters in my neighborhood that I've been seeing of late mean anything, it's that there's growing interest in discussions of securing a more prominent place for cycling-as-legitimate-transportation in discussions and planning for infrastructure. Maybe we collectively can begin to shape things in that direction.

"Choosing a Bike"

The site Commute by Bike has a list of over 40 articles in a section called Commuting 101. Since the subject came up in my friend Cordelia's comment on this post, I thought I'd direct your attention to their article on choosing a bike. It lists all the variables the commuter-cyclist-to-be should consider when shopping: the terrain of your route, traffic, your physical condition, the types of bikes, whether to buy a new or used bike, and where to buy it, and more.

It's a thorough list--and the list of articles is thorough as well. Go have a look.