Wouldn't there be reason to celebrate the 4th of July if there were adequate transportation in our country?  We think so, and for inspiration we turn to allies like Christopher Swan of the Suntrain railway renaissance project, whose portrayal of the Golden Gate Bridge with solar rail running underneath (left) offers us endless pragmatic delight and whose work showcases solutions to problems most cannot even conceive of mending. This month UAS features a Swan article on the Return of Railway, a luminous inside account of the famed Trunk Boiz of Scraper Bike fame, a community sponsored Bay Area bike resource map, and two personal reflections of non-auto transportation.  For this 4th of July we suggest to read up, comment on articles, particpate in our bike map, join us at this month's Green Movie Night and Forum and Unite!

UAS Green Movie Night & Forum - Still We Ride & Velorution

Still We Ride and Velorution

Still We Ride: Photo: Peter Meitzler On Friday August 27, 2004 just days before the start of the Republican National Convention, a massive police operation was underway. By the end of the night 264 people were arrested. It marked one of the largest mass arrests in New York City's history - and the arrested had done nothing illegal. For many New Yorkers, August was the first time they heard of what has become a monthly ritual for New York City's bike community; a free-forming ride called Critical Mass. Still We Ride is a documentary that captures the joyous atmosphere of this August ride before the arrests began and the chaos that followed. It recounts how this ride first started in San Francisco over 10 years ago and chronicles the police crackdown and resulting court battles in New York over the last twelve months. The movie takes on issues of civil liberties, surveillance, the power of mainstream media, and the benefits of alternative means of transportation.

More...

Railways Return: On the implications of the global railway renaissance

By Christopher Swan

The Railway Returns

Railway investments are growing because trains are popular. In the US trains are popular even where service is minimal and everyone is supposed to love their cars. Contrary to the mass media story only about half of all Americans live in suburbs, the rest live in cities and small towns; roughly 15% do not drive, and if truth be known many others probably shouldn't be; and about 30% of the population will not get on any airplane. Where frequent and high quality service is available Americans are as likely as any other group to get out of their cars, but they're more likely to do it for a train than a bus.

More...

"If Everybody Rode a Scraper Bike, Gas Would Go From Like $4.50 a Gallon to $2.50... For Real."

By Hillary Strobel

Straight outta Oakland- Have you been seeing this group of highly inspired kids riding around the East Bay on bikes that are hand built, colorful, engaging, and exciting? If you haven't, meet the Trunk Boiz, who spawned the world-wide trend known as Scraper Bikes, all while maintaining an active musical career, holding down day jobs, setting up non-profits, being community leaders, and having a great time.

More...

The Walk