​For the past two years you might be able to feel better that something might be done about all those cars and trucks blocking bike lanes, that there is a chance for traffic justice—reporting them to the Bike Lane Uprising platform and knowing that each incident is recorded and analyzed.  Christina Whitehouse, founder of Bike Lane Uprising, spoke at the August 20, 2019 meeting of the Evanston Bicycle Club and talked about why the platform was created and how the data are being used.   

Streetsblog Chicago is the daily news source and advocacy organization for sustainable transportation that addresses transit, walking, cycling, commuter railroad, ride share, and scooters.  John Greenfield co-founded it in 2013 and it has expanded with additional staff and free lancers.  John was the featured speaker at the August 14, 2019 Chicago Cycling Club meeting and provided an update on the following transportation issues related to cycling. ​

• Riverwalk bike ban – When the City of Chicago expanded riverfront access from the West Loop to the lake front, they claimed it would be a biking and walking facility when securing federal funds.  Due to congestion there are some that would like to prohibit biking on the Riverwalk.  Compromises are being discussed to require dismounting bikes and walking them in certain sections at certain times.  Other options are to convert a lane on upper Wacker Drive to a protected bike lane and redesigning portions of the Riverwalk to reduce the sharp turns and separate bike and pedestrian traffic.   

Before closing out the 106th edition of the Tour de France, wanted to share some of the trivia learned in listening to coverage:
*  The Tour is the world's only major sporting event free to spectators.
​*  Another nickname for the Tour is La Grande Boucle, the big loop.
*  Each rider is assigned a number, with last year's winner having number one.  We can easily see the numbers they pin to their jerseys, still with safety pins.  But each rider has a number plate on their seat post which includes a small number representing the number of Tour career stage wins

The 2019 Tour de France has ended, but we are at the start of the Egan Bernal era of cycling.  At only 22 years old, he is expected to be a strong competitor for years to come.  The final stage to Paris is largely ceremonial but an opportunity for one final sprint,  This year it was won by Caleb Ewan, his third stage win in this Tour.  Now we experience Tour withdrawal while we wait for next year.  

Stage 20 was shorted due to the threat of bad weather again today, so the peleton started strong in the Alps.  The stage was won by a previous Tour champion, Vincezo Nibali and the overall victory by Egan Bernal was solidified.  Many significant stats with Bernal's upcoming win tomorrow: first rider from Columbia to ever win, the youngest rider this year at age 22, and only the 5th rider to win the yellow and white jersey (for best young rider) at the same time.   

As if the Tour does not have enough surprises, today the stage race was cut short due to weather for the safety of the riders.  Egan Bernal was declared the winner of the stage due to his time at the top of the  mountain before the race was halted.   Alaphilippe lost the yellow jersey he wore for 14 days, a disappointment for the French who were hoping a countryman would win for the first time in 34 years.  There is one more mountain stage and then the ride into Paris.  

The Alps in France are harder than the Pyrenees mountains were earlier because they have steeper grades and higher altitudes but there was only a small shake up in the overall standings.  Alaphilippe retained the yellow jersey by making up time descending the mountain and with assistance from a team mate.  Nairo Quintana was the winner of the stage, but with only 3 more days to go, the race is still up for grabs.  

Teams that have not yet won a stage were all competing for this one while at the same time other riders were trying to save energy for the next 3 days in the Alps that will be brutal between the elevation and the heat.  Matteo Trentin prevailed by breaking away after the 2nd category climb and riding solo for the win.  

Cabel Ewan won his 2nd stage coming out on top of a field of the best sprinters in the world.  At 200 meters out from the finish, he was not in the best position but by deploying team work, patience, power, and aerodynamics he rolled across the fishing in the primo position.   He will need to hang on in the mountain stages the next few days, and will have an opportunity for another sprint finish on the Champs de Elysee on Sunday.  

This was another hard mountain stage won by one of the contenders, Simon Yates. Everyone is tired including the wearer of the yellow jersey who is showing signs of cracking.  This is where a strong team is valuable to assist, but Julian Alaphilippe's team is not considered the strongest and his lead was reduced.  With a Frenchman in the lead and the race in France, the crowds do not get any better than this anywhere in sports.  Tomorrow is a rest day.