Biking in the Rubble, Reflections around the Halfway Point - Weeks 26 and 27

 "Demolition Detail, Windsor Raceway" by Patrick Firth

With the amount of construction and demolition going on it is surprising the the cyclists out there aren't running into more rubble. The twisted girders of the Windsor Raceway seem to grasp at the flow of traffic like a drowning hand. The bricks and mortar of the Tunnel BBQ and other downtown buildings press up against chain link fencing, as if ready to burst onto the street.

Unfortunately, there is a lot you have to avoid on your bike, and not just sinister looking buildings in the process of demolition. One of the pictures from week 27 brings a solemn reminder of how dangerous it can be on a bike in Windsor and other towns in Essex. Paul took a picture of what he later discovered was a "Ghost Bicycle," "a memorial to a fallen bicyclist" in Lasalle. 

"White Bicycle, Lasalle, ON" by Paul Thibodeau

There are many conversations happening right now about making Windsor - an automotive city historically designed for the movement of automobile traffic - more pedestrian friendly. Check out the links following the featured photos for ways that you can join in and share your opinion, or talk to the experts on bike safety. 

I will say it again. It is a very exciting time to be in Windsor - Essex. The city is being reshaped. I hope that the old and the contemporary can exist in harmony, where retrofitting and renovation are prioritized over slash and burn, while the streets and streetscapes are harmonized with the many ways we choose to move around our cities. We have to get out and eat at all of our fancy markets, restaurants, and cafes, right? Sorry, I have our current theme on my mind, "Gastronomy 101."

Without further ado:

Here is the description for week 26:

We are at the halfway point in the year, and the last few weeks have seen a lot of changes to the bricks and mortar of Windsor. The Tunnel Barbecue and the Windsor Raceway are coming down. The Welcome Centre at the University of Windsor is going up, not to mention the new college and university campuses springing up in the downtown core. You may even be one of the Herb Gray Parkway trailblazers to burn rubber down newborn asphalt. Capture demolition and construction this week, and be part of the changing face of Windsor – Essex.

"Past the Post, Windsor, ON" by Paul Thibodeau

Untitled by April Particelli

 Here is the description for week 27:
Like many things in my life, my bicycle is currently in pieces buried in the detritus of unsorted furniture and Rubbermaid bins in my garage. However, I hear that bicycles are wonderful things. Not only are they good exercise and a “green” means of transportation, there has been a lot of conversation in Windsor about being a bike friendly city. Take pictures of unique bikes and bicycle friendly infrastructure this week. I will also accept photos of motorcycles, but my whole “good exercise” and “green” conversation goes right out the window then.

"Untitled" by Shari

"this bike has been ticketed!!!!!" by Laura Arce

"TheTreeAndBicycle" by April Particelli

"'Cylces wheel detail" by Patrick Firth

As promised, here are some links.

City Cyclery 

City of Windsor Downtown Transportation Strategy 

Bike Friendly Windsor

As always, check out the Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr page for other shots from the week, plus other random updates and musings. Also, join in! Just saying.