NBG Mountain Movers

Mr. Greenway, Ray Irvin, to Help Build National Bicycle Greenway!!

Published on August 19, 2013

Ray Irvin (podcast interview with Martin Krieg and pictured at left above with NBG TransAm Scout, Scott Campbell), the man… read more

OAKLAND BIKE MAYOR, RON BISHOP, THE REAL FACE OF OCCUPY OAKLAND, DIES

On December 11, 2011, the City of Oakland lost a man who did so much to raise the profile of cycling in it that he was honored by its council as its unofficial Bike Mayor. Ron Bishop succumbed to a cancer that could not be treated because lesions discovered on his brain made him too weak for any kind of surgical procedure to take place.

The lesions were caused by being exposed to Agent Orange during the Viet Nam war. These were wounds he carried for over 40 years as he established himself as a much in demand architect. A brilliant man, with creativity oozing from his pores, he raised a family of two girls and even took them to school in a bike trailer long before it was an accepted practice. He helped the region to see Oakland as the beautiful biking city it is becoming.

Mayor Quan presenting two 2014 proclamations honoring Ron

Then the bubble that all of us lived in burst. Unable to find work designing homes, a League of American Bicyclists certified instructor, in 2009, he dedicated his creativity to bicycling. As he was starting the Easy Riders Bicycle Touring Group, for example, when he was not taking whatever paying work he could find along the way, he even found time to help me ride a thousand miles on the Eagle HiWheel to Salt Lake City. All this as Ron’s world kept crashing all around him. The real face of the Occupy Oakland movement, as he and I had agreed when we spoke recently, even his good friend Oakland Mayor Jean Quan (the three of us are pictured below) and for that matter the US Govt, for whom he had fought in the war that exposed him to Agent Orange as he affirmed the American Way, had to sit back and watch as he was evicted from his home of 30 years this last summer.

Ron with his friend, Oakland Mayor, Jean Quan and Martin Krieg

As he then lost the security and safety of a home, as well as the community and all the memories he had built around it, corporate executives all over America were pulling down million dollar bonuses. And as the corporate state still reigns supreme in many countries all over the world, countless dreams and lives like Ron’s continue to be shattered. Nor was it long before Ron, succumbed to the foreign agent in his body that had given him varying degrees of trouble all of his adult years. A such, Ron is yet another casualty of the greed that benefits so few at the expense of so many.

Ron’s passing leaves a huge hole in my heart. It makes me so sad to know that one of my activist comrades will no longer be there to help me to keep the National Bicycle Greenway dream out there.

Besides myself and bike activists everywhere, we are all diminished by Ron’s passing. All of us suffer because the odds were stacked so high against Ron. Or as John Donne famously said,

Never send to know for whom the bell tolls;

it tolls for thee.

THX for your life Ron!

In the Spring of 2011, I was lucky enough to learn more about him in this podcast interview

THX 4 all of U!!

At the December 16, 2011 Oakland Celebration of 18 miles of new bikeways in 2011, Mayor Jean Quan dedicated Oakland’s newest bike lane on Webster Street in Ron’s honor. Ron would have ridden this new bike lane often from his house in the Temescal to Downtown Oakland. We are sure Ron is smiling somewhere knowing that he helped make this happen. At East Bay Bike Coalition tribute

From BishopArchitects.com:

– Hales from South Carolina
– Father of two young women
– Vietnam Veteran
– UC Berkeley Grad in Env. Design/Architecture 1981
– Very involved in energy efficiency, permaculture and green aspects of building.
– Contracted as space planner for AT&T Western Region 10 years
– Berkeley Unified School District Architect 5 years.
– Sacramento Regional Transit architect for extension to Folsom
– I became green in 1976 and continue to strive to produce projects that are energy efficient.
– Sierra Club Northern Alameda County Executive Committee in 2007
co-founder Regional Urban Design Forum Committee of the American Institute of Architects – East Bay [AIAEB].
– Metropolitan Transportation Commission Pedestrian Safety Committee,
– East Bay Bicycle Coalition [EBBC]
– Oakland Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee [BPAC]
– Oakland Measure DD Committee
– League Certified Instructor [LCI] of bicycle safety for the League of American Bicyclist [LAB].Post

The last ride Ron led –

Max Chen, NBG Scout, San Francisco Metal Artist

[sc_embed_player fileurl=”http://nbg.bikeroute.com/Podcasts/MaxChen11-25-05.mp3″ title=”Max Chen Interview”] Max Chen Interview

San Francisco Mechanical Engineer and Metal Artist, Max Chen, talks about his bicycle art, his long involvement with the NBG including the TransAmerica ride he did for us in 2000 and the on line mapping project he worked with us on in 2006.

Ray Irvin – Mr Greenway, speaks with NBG!!

Ray Irvin, world renowned Mr. Greenway of Indianapolis, talks about how his greenway work has changed the landscape and social-economic structure of a town once known mostly for its motor-speedway. Here he is pictured with National Bicycle Greenway scout, Scott Campbell who helped plot our bike route across America per this amazing video.

Transcript for above interview

Acknowledged by Governor O’Bannon with the Distinguished Hoosier award for his work on Greenways and his leadership in transforming the Indianapolis riverfront, an award has recently been named after Ray Irvin for young people reenvisioning cities.

“Yes, I had the vision, but there were thousands of people that shared that vision, that cleaned up our White River and streams, that helped plan, work to raise money, volunteered countless hours and followed the plan we all created with something very special for our City that became a model for the nation.

Success has a thousand mothers and fathers and I’m so proud of each of them whom I have known, worked with and yes even argued with but the belief in the vision was always greater than the minor bumps in the trails and Greenway development.

My grateful Thank You to All, it was my honor to serve the cause with each of you. Now we must all work to keep it.”

“How America Can Bike and Grow Rich,
the National Bicycle Greenway in Action”
Chapter Excerpt

July 2023: I do lots of things, I sail, I invent, I build, I repair, read and study, serve on the city planning commission. I still have an FAA A&P Lic. and a Commercial Pilots Lic., a Marine Surveyor and USCG Captain Lic., FCC Amateur radio Lic., but love Greenways development most of all.

Irvin on How to Pay for Greenways | How to Find New Trail Turf

Here is what Ray, the man who wrote the Indy Greenway master plan, started Indy Greenways and led much of the charge that rebuilt what was once a dying Rust Belt city had to say about Indianapolis now being seen as. a top tourist destination:

“Let’s never forget that thousands and thousands of people joined that effort (to resurrect Indy) removing over a million tons of trash from the White River and the streams and old rail corridors that make up the Indy Greenway System. From school children, churches, clubs, families to mayors, councilors, legislators, congressmen, Senators and Corporations, they all joined the effort. The Greenways systems belongs to everyone that shares a love of urban nature, healthy environments steps away from their homes. It challenges everyone to put on those sneakers, rollerblades, hop on that bike of get that old canoe out and join with the place we all built from scraps of discarded land that we became so ashamed of that Indy turned its backs on it for a century and left it to rot and decay.

But take heart friends, the things that destroyed its value also saved it. Had it been left in good condition the beautiful pieces now connecting the entire region would have been so broken up developed, destroyed or blocked, what’s there today would never have happened.

“I saw beyond the trash, piles of debris that contained every thing from toxic materials to the dead family pets, thousands of old tires, it was a disgusting, filthy and terrible sight to see” (my quote in the Indy Star 3-21-88). But I saw life, animals, birds, native trees and native plants and a place to grow more if only the trash was removed. I saw a safe place to see and enjoy that could be created and I dedicated myself to see that happen and you and so so many others joined that vision and the possibilities it held. Indy Greenways is there today because you believed and joined that effort and it’s yours and don’t ever let it be taken from you and yours again. It’s a treasure that was always there just waiting to be rediscovered and recreated.

Thank You for Believing it was possible. Ray”

Ray’s Greenway Resume

NY Times on Fruit of Ray’s Efforts in Indianapolis

Some of the part Ray played in Resurrecting Indianapolis

Polaris, Ray’s Sailboat

Ray and wife Marni Reed, a marketing professor and consultant

DON LOOMIS: WHY HE BICYCLED AMERICA

January 29 2011, 3:05 PM by Martin Krieg

Don Loomis, an 18 year IBM veteran, present day Apple engineer, and father of four, talks about why his 2004 bike trip across America was cause for renewal.

Podcast

Mayors’ Ride Bios -Don Loomis

1. Which Relay link do you want to ride?

San Jose to Chicago (then to Washington DC on my own)

2. How you found us

I first heard Martin speak at Almaden Cycle Touring Club in 1998. Went on the first part of the ride in 2000, crossing most of Califonia. Attended the Santa Cruz NBNG Bikefests.

3. Why you want to do this ride

I enjoy cycle touring and will enjoy experiencing and promoting it with others.

4. Tell us about your touring experience- if little or none, indicate many miles have you ridden over the last year:

Bought a 10 speed in 1974 with the goal of someday going across the country. Have been on many weekend and longer trips. Took a trip with the family 9 years ago down the west coast, biking with them until Oregon and the rest of the way by myself.

5. Tell us about your bike

I plan to get a recumbent bike before this trip. Currently I have a 21 speed touring bike and two Bike Fridays. I have a B.O.B. trailer which I plan to take.

6. Describe your training regimen

I usually commute and take a bus to work, biking 8 miles per day. Haven’t done that for a while but will get back into it. As it gets closer to the trip I plan to bike the entire way to work (about 20 miles each way), and take weekend trips. After I purchase a new bike I want to take it on overnight trips with the camping gear.

7. How are you making time for this

Using vacation time from work and taking a couple weeks extra off.

8. What are your fears about doing this ride

I have no doubts that I can do the ride and know that I will enjoy it. I have learned through experience the importance of drinking plenty of water and eating well.

9. Do you have any special skills that you feel would benefit the Mayors’ Ride?

I will be bringing my camcorder to take pictures of the ride. I’ve had experience planning routes and logistics for a bike trip. I also use a computer for notes and communicating.

10. Do you have any personal contacts that you feel could help the National Bicycle Greenway or the Mayors’ Ride? If so, please list them here.

I am telling friends and relatives about it, and inviting them to join me on parts of it.

11. If you are involved with other non-profit organizations, please tell us about them:

Almaden Cycle Touring Club (ACTC)

11. Anything else you’d like to share with us?

I am really looking forward to the ride and I think this will be a great experience. This will also be a good time to reflect on things.

Name: Don Loomis

E-mail: dloomis@mac.com

Follow Don’s adventures at Bikepacker.org

LAUGHTER FILLED PODCAST WITH RIDE SPONSOR, BICYCLE MAN, ONE OF NATION’S BIGGEST BENT DEALERS

February 26 2011, 3:42 AM by Martin & Virginia Krieg

Listen as we have great fun with Peter Stull at his huge bike shop in Alfred Station, NY. In the words ahead you will hear how Peter wanted to be a bike shop owner from the time he was 11 years old. And about Willy, the harmonica player pictured in the slide show below, who inadvertently helped him make his dream real. Along the way, Peter will also tell you about the odds he overcame to become the owner of one of the nation’s biggest recumbent dealers, the Bicycle Man, as well as the manufacturer of the Linear Recumbent!

Here is his LinkedIn profile:

“I founded Pedal Pusher with two donated relics in 1969. Using a buy-repair-resell business model I established production facilities in my parents basement with a sales office in their front yard. I grew Pedal Pusher into a powerhouse that dominated a 5 mile square market area encompassing a population of over 500. I relocated the business to a dorm room in 1974 and again in 1975 to a rent free (and utility free) house that had last been painted in 1920. I managed a staff of myself and overcame challenges like reading by kerosene lamp, rebuilding decrepit chimneys and transporting firewood 1/2 mile on an old Schwinn. My capstone project here was building “Bikezila.” With 5 speeds and a rear disk brake it was one of the first mountain bikes outside Marin County Ca. In the fall of 1976 I was recruited by Social Services for position “recipient” but refused because their offer to pay my rent if I moved to an apartment with plumbing required that I give up and close Pedal Pusher. I was evicted from the rent free location at the insistence of a building inspector in early 1977 and founded Bicycle Man that spring with rent subsidy from my parents. Thanks Mom and Dad!”

[audio http://www.radio4all.net/files/NBG@bikeroute.com/1680-1-BicycleMan2-06-06.mp3]

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MORE SPEED – WHY LIGHTNING BIKES SUPPORTS OUR RIDE AND NBG!!

We visited with Tim Brummer, the former aerospace engineer who builds bikes so fast that even a middle of the pack roadie can blow the doors off Lance Armstrong on one. In his quest to go even faster, you will hear why his company, Lightning Bikes, supports the National Bicycle Greenway and our upcoming the ride across the US .

Podcast

Rod Miner – From Bikes for Amputees to the Lightfoot Cycles Miracle

March 23 2011, 7:01 AM by Martin Krieg

We spent some time visiting with a new sponsor of our ride and the man who used to build bikes for third world victims of land mine explosions. Rod Miner of Lightfoot Cycles, one of this nation’s greatest bike builders, thanks to the Internet has been able to keep the purity of his purpose alive. From a tiny Montana town of 1500 people Rod has been able to flourish in satisfying his goal of supplying people all over America and the world with transportation that is reliable, highly efficient and highly capable.