Pasadena: a city that loves bikes

Bicycling was much in discussion at the City Council meeting last night. That was mainly due to the council remembering Dennis Crowley, a city biking advocate who died over the weekend.

Vice-Mayor Steve Haderlein suggested that to honor Crowley, the city council and city staff should ride their bikes to next week's meeting. I can't say that the idea received a lot of visibly enthusiastic support. We'll see what happens.

Additionally, a bike advocate who was ticketed for biking in the left lane on Walnut Avenue lobbied the city to instruct the Police Department on the traffic rules for cyclists (he claims he was in the right, and is appealing the ticket after losing the case in local court).

Finally, after the meeting I met the city's assistant Public Information Officer Linda Centell face-to-face for the first time. Centell, who I have to say is just an incredibly friendly person, apparently reads my blog, or has read it at least once, and commiserated with me about my stolen bike.

And then she went a step further and asked me if I wanted to borrow one of her husband's bikes, at least until I buy a new bike of my own (perusing craigslist has become a daily habit for me).

On the way home I started to wonder if it would be a breach of journalistic ethics to borrow the bike. Usually we have a written or unwritten code (depending where you work) on not accepting gifts from anyone related to work. But in my time at journalism school, both learning and teaching, I can't say anyone has ever mentioned the ethics of borrowing something.

I think it may be a moot point, however, because I am focusing my energy on nailing down a bike purchase, and I have a feeling by next Monday's meeting I may be able to join Steve Haderlein on a ride to the meeting (although not in the left lane on Walnut Avenue).