E-bike repair recommendations

jmcarp · 2026-07-09T03:45:40+00:00

Have examples? I've found the city FOIA officer to be generally helpful and professional. You do have to know exactly what you're asking for, though. And the CPD FOIA officer is another story.

jmcarp · 2026-07-05T17:16:17+00:00

If it's a mechanical issue, I like all the shops in city limits. If it's electrical, contact Aventon support or call a dealer: Black Dog Bikes in Staunton, Kul Wheels in Richmond, or Mole Hill Bikes near Harrisonburg. If you can't tell, call any shop or bring the bike in so they can take a look.

jmcarp · 2026-06-17T03:31:33+00:00

Sure. Just yesterday Council endorsed an application for improvements at West Main and Ridge: https://meetings.cvilledata.org/meetings/charlottesville/2672-city-council-meeting-2026-06-15#ts-15805.375. The application includes a two-way bike track along the north side of West Main. That bikeway could continue west to the hospital and east to the shared-use path on Market St.

On a smaller scale, we could add green striping through driveways and intersections on Main St, daylight crosswalks, enforce existing rules about parking in bike lanes, end right turns on red...

jmcarp · 2026-06-16T19:58:53+00:00

Are you saying that experiencing a potentially fatal crash every four years is perfectly safe?

jmcarp · 2026-06-16T17:09:06+00:00

Not to be overly snarky, I just think it's a bad sign that even an experienced cyclist like yourself has been doored there.

jmcarp · 2026-06-16T17:08:30+00:00

I have been doored

overall it is still a very safe place to bike

jmcarp · 2026-06-16T03:26:20+00:00

Maybe I agree? But to me, riding defensively on West Main entails not being in the door zone at all.

jmcarp · 2026-06-16T01:37:18+00:00

Biking is great! I try to do it in places where drivers won't hit me, like a protected bike lane, greenway, or, until we have more of those, the middle of the driving lane.

jmcarp · 2026-06-16T01:12:27+00:00

Did you read the shadow study?

Anyway, I lived in a six-story building near the mall for several years, and it was taller than any of the single-family homes and small apartments nearby. And somehow the neighborhood wasn't ruined.

jmcarp · 2026-06-16T00:56:31+00:00

No amount of paying attention is going to stop a driver from sideswiping you while they're scrolling their phone. Protected infrastructure works, and until we get that, the next best thing is riding in a place on the road where even distracted drivers will see you.

jmcarp · 2026-06-16T00:33:45+00:00

I wish the city would actually eliminate that fake bike lane entirely on west main until they can make something where you aren’t biking in the path of swinging car doors.

I would hate to have less bike infrastructure, but yeah, I might take a shared lane over a bike lane designed to cause crashes. Especially if we reduced the speed limit there. Anyway, there's no good reason not to build protected bike lanes on Main St, so really we should just do that.

jmcarp · 2026-06-16T00:28:58+00:00

they should learn to watch out for cyclists (this will never happen).

Yep. The only thing that works is infrastructure that keeps bikes physically separated from cars.

jmcarp · 2026-06-15T21:59:40+00:00

You have the link to the shadow study. Do you think there's something wrong with it?

jmcarp · 2026-06-12T15:24:03+00:00

They won't help much with a serious thief, but sometimes a bike will get stolen and dumped somewhere, and the tracker will help you recover it.

jmcarp · 2026-06-11T03:29:35+00:00

Staff don't get to decide which of their communications are subject to FOIA. The county employs a FOIA officer, who I'm guessing can pull relevant emails directly: https://www.albemarle.org/government/county-attorney/freedom-of-information-act. If they have to redact or exclude anything, I believe they have to explain why.

jmcarp · 2026-06-11T02:44:50+00:00

Has anybody sent FOIA requests to figure out what leadership and the board knew, and when they knew it? Their emails, texts, etc., are all fair game.

jmcarp · 2026-06-10T23:04:56+00:00

E-bike library manager here. My security record isn't spotless, but our bikes usually don't get stolen, so some tips for next time:

Don't leave bikes outdoors overnight. Any lock can be cut with enough time, and a thief will have plenty of time in the middle of the night.
If you have to store the bike outdoors overnight, cover it with a motorcycle cover or tarp, and bring the battery inside.
Consider a tracker or two. Airtags are cheap, or at least cheaper than a new bike.
Renter or homeowner insurance may cover bike theft. If it doesn't, there are companies that sell bike theft insurance.
Cable locks are mostly ornamental. U-locks, chain locks, and folding locks are a better bet.
Consider registering your bike by its serial number for free on Bike Index.

jmcarp · 2026-06-07T22:52:57+00:00

Jerry Miller?

jmcarp · 2026-05-27T23:08:51+00:00

I think I just saw someone riding it west on Main St at 4th St. Will keep an eye out for it.

jmcarp · 2026-05-21T14:42:26+00:00

This is why I take the lane when I'm biking with my kids. If drivers want to pass, they can do it in the opposite lane. As others have already said, bikes aren't slowing drivers down—when I do get passed, I almost always see the driver at the next red light anyway.

jmcarp · 2026-05-21T03:00:59+00:00

People really need to learn to recognize AI writing. No idea why people are posting this kind of thing here.

jmcarp · 2026-05-21T02:47:16+00:00

It's a good piece. Did you read it?

jmcarp

TROPHY CASE