QUEST Community Science Blog - KQED » cycling

Producer's Notes: Randy Davis on Your Photos on Quest

Jenny Oh — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:00:01 +0000

Cycling and photography are two passions of mine that I ardently pursue in my free time, so it was only natural that I felt an immediate kinship with Your Photo on QUEST's featured photographer Randy Davis. Randy explores remote locales in the Bay Area on his mountain bike, which allows him to access places that are tougher to reach by car or on foot. He's often accompanied by his dog Lucky, a Saluki mix whom he rescued from the streets; this requires some skillful maneuvering at times as he has to manage Lucky's leash and his heavy camera gear. We conducted our interview and took photos in the Castle Rock Recreation Area of Mt. Diablo State Park, with the help of fellow cycling enthusiast and sound person Bill Stefanacci. We wished that all of our work days could be outdoors in the sunshine and on the bike!

Randy has donated prints to Save Mount Diablo, an organization dedicated to preserving the land. They're also partners with the Mountain Diablo Interpretive Association, a "non-profit volunteer organization which assists the California Department of Parks and Recreation in maintaining and interpreting Mt. Diablo State Park for its 700,000 visitors each year."

Randy's currently working on a new series focusing on the bald eagles in the Bay Area. You can also see more of his work on his website.

Tags: bicycle, camera, cycling, del valle resional park, hiking, livermore, mdia, mt. diablo, photography, photos, ypoq

Reporter's Notes: Bike to Work

Andrea Kissack — Sat, 10 May 2008 01:26:25 +0000

Image Source: luxomediaSan Francisco's got lofty plans to improve safety and convenience for cyclists. And with gas prices rising, parking a headache, and a desire to reduce their carbon footprint, more and more San Franciscans are cycling in the city to work and to do errands. Cycling rose 15% between 2006 and 2007, and injuries from bicycle collisions are down over a 10-year period, according to municipal studies. But the city's been spinning its wheels to increase bike lanes because a 2006 injunction has barred their installation. And it's still an uphill climb, even here where environmental consciousness is high, to convince people to cut their car use.

Quest follows a recent convert as they negotiate the treacherous streets of S.F., guided by a member of the city's bicycle coalition. We add up the gas and carbon emissions they are saving and find out what has prevented would-be riders from commuting on bike. lastly, we talk with city traffic managers and find out what the most bike-friendly cities are doing. Marjorie Sun reports.

You may listen to the "Bike to Work" Radio report online, as well as find additional links and resources. And please share your San Francisco Bike Commute photos with us in our Bike to Work Day Flickr Pool.

Andrea Kissack is Senior Editor for QUEST at KQED Public Radio.

Tags: bicycle, bike, commute, cycling, flickr, KQED, kqed-fm, pbs, photos, QUEST, Radio, san francisco