Comments on: Photos from a Platinum Bike City: Davis, CA

By: Christa

Christa — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:59:04 +0000

I went to UC Davis and lived in the town for five years. I didn't think about urban cycling at the time - I just did it because it was easy, convenient and cheap.

Now that I've moved away, I'm addicted to urban cycling! I can't imagine life without cycling and I expect other cities to be as bike-friendly.

I imagine a lot of students leave the city with a change in lifestyle.

I am so grateful to the city and it's fantastic design.

By: DaveRockwood

DaveRockwood — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 19:27:48 +0000

I understand that the long-time Davis cycling community should be concerned about the changing demographics and planning emphasis in their city. But for we in the midwest who are struggling to get any bike facilities and three percent of commuters to use bikes this sounds like a reason to celebrate rather than to lament: "The 15 percent of trips by bicycle refers to commuting only" You are so far ahead of most of the cities in this country, Davis, and you should'nt take it for granted. Keep pushing to make it better, but don't lament how good you've got it!

By: SelfPropelledDevo

SelfPropelledDevo — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 06:57:31 +0000

Uhhh...
I went to Embasy Suites here in Seaside, ca for deal about the Tour of California, seaside stage #4, and guess what?
no bike parking!
lol
there i am the only one that doesnt own a car.
i had to laff
peace...d

By: Chris in NYC

Chris in NYC — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 16:08:31 +0000

I'm a Davis native; I think Chris in Sacramento is right on--Davis is becoming more of a commuter suburb and bicycling is on the decline. The 15 percent of trips by bicycle refers to commuting only (according to the 2000 census). The percent of all trips by bicycle is presumbably lower. Maintaining a bicycle culture requires political commitment, not just physical infrastructure.

By: Chris in Sacramento

Chris in Sacramento — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 17:56:27 +0000

"One of my goals is to make New York City a larger version of Davis."

ONE of your goals??!!

Wow, I love that ambition!

After that, what's next, the easy stuff like curing cancer?

By: David Warren

David Warren — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:49:47 +0000

One of my goals is to make New York City a larger version of Davis. Then spread it to other urban cities

By: Chris in Sacramento

Chris in Sacramento — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:38:39 +0000

Davis, certainly a worthy Streetfilms subject, has been resting on its laurels for many years, and its standing as the undisputed US leader in bicycling is threatened.

In recent years, many suburbanites from the East Bay have discovered Davis's cuteness and outstanding public schools and have moved in with their housing cash-outs and SUV-oriented lifesyles. As the wealth of the city's full-time residents (and UC Davis students) has risen, bicycling's mode share has fallen. Also, plentiful free auto parking downtown incentivizes driving. After the retirement 7-8 years back of visionary city traffic engineer Dave Pelz, the city traffic bureaucracy has taken a more traditional approach to street (and community) design.

Still, however up-for-grabs the future may be, there is no question that Davis today remains a darn good place for bicycling for people of nearly all ages and abilities.

By: Eric Fredericks

Eric Fredericks — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:46:16 +0000

Hi Clarence,

I love your work and will be excited to see what you produce about Davis, my neighbor city. It's truly a fantastic place for bicycling.

If you get the chance, come visit us in Sacramento. I feel that, at least in the central core, we're more pedestrian-friendly than Davis in many rights. Drop me a line if you'd like a tour.

By: Streetsblog » Welcome to Davis, California: A Bicycle Friendly Town

Streetsblog » Welcome to Davis, California: A Bicycle Friendly Town — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:58:20 +0000

[...] Clarence has a preliminary report and some photos up on the web site with a StreetFilm yet to come. It's worth a quick look. Filed by Aaron Naparstek under Bicycling, Car Culture, Livable Streets, Out of Town Link [...]

By: Clarence Eckerson, Jr.

Clarence Eckerson, Jr. — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:48:21 +0000

And the saddest thing of all: that Staples had a long bike rack in front of the store when they first opened. Then they moved it to the side, then it disappeared. I once asked the store manager about it and he denied they ever had a bike rack.

By: Anne (www.sustainableflatbush.org)

Anne (www.sustainableflatbush.org) — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:46:58 +0000

i rode to staples on fourth avenue in brooklyn last week and there was NO WHERE to park my bike, in the midst of a very large (auto) parking lot. sigh... we have such a long way to go!