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Jerry Brown E-Bike Proposal Wins Support From Governor's Inner Circle

by Cassidy Castleman, published on January 17, 2011 at 12:55 PM

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During the Inauguration Reception across the street from us at the California Railroad Museum, we had many Jerry Brown insiders come check out Practical Cycle. We seized the opportunity to gain support for our proposal to present the Governor with a limited edition Styriette electric bicycle. Attorney Brian Oxman, counsel and longtime friend to Jerry Brown, was so intrigued and impressed with the idea that he took the time to send a letter to the Governor in support of our proposal. He was even so thoughtful as to send us a copy which can be seen in the images above.

In the letter, he writes:

Dear Jerry,

It was so great to see you at the Inauguration and Reunion Party. After so many years, the thrill of watching you take the oath of office, with Anne by your side, was spectacular.

While I was waiting for the Inauguration Reception, I saw an extraordinary bicycle at Electric & Made in USA Bicycle and Tricycles near the Railroad Museum,. Tim Castleman, the owner of the shop, told me he wanted you to have the bicycle while you are Governor an would like to present it to you. It is a beautiful piece of equipment, and it is so unusual that I think you would be fascinated.

Enclosed is a brochure on the BionX bicycle and a card from Tim Castleman. He is a fine fellow. Give him a call because I think you will really enjoy this special "green" technologically advanced bicycle.

Sincereley,
Brian Oxman

Brian Oxman is a LA Defense Attorney and has practiced law for over 30 years. He is a professor of Law at Irvine University, and was a trusted adviser to Governor Jerry Brown during his last term in office . He was also counsel for Michael Jackson in one of the most widely publicized criminal trials in American history in 2005.

There has still been no official word, yes or no, from the Governor on our offer. We are very grateful for the support of Brian Oxman and many others, including Cody Stark from Good Day Sacramento, to help spread the word and move this proposal forward.

 

Disclosure:  Cassidy Castleman is part owner of Practical Cycle

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January 17, 2011 | 6:39 PM
Haha, that's pretty clever.
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January 18, 2011 | 11:03 AM
Nice Bike Cassidy... Don't pay any attention to the likes of TWRL...You guys are great and your dedication to encouraging alternative forms of transportation is commendable.
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January 18, 2011 | 2:18 PM
Is that your position, or that of the Sac Press?
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January 18, 2011 | 5:41 PM
Thanks Denise! Your dedication to USING alternative forms of transportation is commendable!!!
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January 18, 2011 | 5:46 PM
And lighten up thsas! I think its safe to say that is her personal position...
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January 19, 2011 | 8:40 AM
Sorry-no questions allowed....
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January 19, 2011 | 3:38 PM
thsas... I've got 4 bikes and I ride them! I've used bikes for transportation, competition and fun a lot longer then The Sacramento Press has been around :)
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January 18, 2011 | 1:04 PM
I recently visited The Electric Bike Shop on 36&J and got a chance to ride one of the electirc bikes. They are really cool and zip right along. Best of all you can pedel like a regular bike when you want to.
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January 18, 2011 | 5:47 PM
see below
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January 18, 2011 | 1:12 PM
I think this is a great idea to give a USA made bicycle to the govenor but the bike mentioned above sends you to a German MFG. How about a HEBB bike made in the USA. Perhaps there is a local electric bike shop that sell the American made bike.
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January 18, 2011 | 5:40 PM
Its pretty clear to me that both of the preceding posts were made by people associated with a new business called The Electric Bike Shop. Neither of your profiles have ever posted ANYTHING on this website in the past. Not that there is anything wrong with that, or with your desire to promote your business, but I feel like its a bit misleading to disguise your identity...

That said, it is my understanding that Hebb e-bikes are NOT made in USA as you seem to believe. Their website doesn't explicitly say where they are manufactured, but it does reference, "Hebb’s expertise in Asian manufacturing, sourcing and quality assurance of motors."

As you may know, Practical Cycle specializes in products that actually are Made in USA. In fact, the sign outside our shop says Electric & Made in USA Bicycles & Tricycles. We stock many American made product lines including Worksman Cycles (Made in New York City), Marty May Press and Stitchery (Made in Sacramento), Po Campo Handbags (Made in Chicago), and Peterboro Baskets (Made in New Hampshire).

However, The Styriette Electric Bike that we are offering to loan the Governor (and maintain) is a very special machine. It is number 468 of 500 ever produced and one of only 120 to make it to North America. It is worth about $5,000!!! Furthermore, it is powered by a BionX motor which is produced in North America (Canada). Frankly, it is far superior to any cycle I have ever seen, and it was the extraordinary nature of the bike that captured Brian Oxman's attention and prompted him to write his letter to the Governor.

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond to my article, even if it was a slightly underhanded attempt to promote your own agenda. No hard feelings... My dad and I wish you all the best!
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January 20, 2011 | 9:17 AM
So your article is written by someone who works for and is related to practicle cycle?? And you're worried about someone who prefers bikes at a competitor? And you are presenting a public official with a gift worth over $5000 and advertising it?
Come on man!
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January 20, 2011 | 10:25 AM
Well so much for Sacramentopress.com, I read in the Sacramento Bee column by Bob Shallit, that Cassiidy Castleman is actually the son of the owner of that bike shop that is "loaning" the governor the $5k bike. That is the same person who has the byline on this story. It explains also the use of the pronoun "we" in the article. As a journalist, I am shocked that any editor allows it's staff to self promote a business they are involved in and call it news. Shame on Sacpress!
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January 20, 2011 | 12:14 PM
Hi Dan, thanks for sharing your concerns with this article. If you click on Cassidy's profile, he discloses his affiliation with Practical Cycle.

I assumed it was implied that he is at least employed there because of his last name (same as Tim's) and when he wrote the following

"WE had many Jerry Brown insiders come check out Practical Cycle."

We do not allow blatant advertising or self-promotion and ask that anyone writing an article about a business or issue they are affiliated with disclose that in either their profile"about me" section or in a disclosure line at the bottom.

Since it seems that it might not be completely clear despite his efforts to be transparent, we will go ahead and add a disclosure line.

Thanks again for keeping an eye out!
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January 20, 2011 | 10:27 AM
I saw your article and took my son with me to visit your shop to check out the "govenor" bike. I find $5000.00 for an electric bike to be out of our budget. I checked out the HEBB bike at Sacramento electric bike shop as well, my son liked the HEBB and so did I because it was less than 1/2 the price of the "govenor" bike you are offering. Needless to say the HEBB was within our budget and we ordered one. What my son and I found most interesting was your shop was counting on the govenor's security having to purchase bikes from your shop. I guess you should all include flak jackets as well as free bullet proof helmets.
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January 20, 2011 | 10:45 AM
I just read Cassidy Castleman's reply to another poster. He accused the other poster of fronting for another bike shop. That is odd since Castleman is fronting for his dad's shop. I reread Castleman's article and he does not disclose his connection to the bike shop in old Sacramento. I do not know if the other poster was fronting, if he was he got his facts wrong on who makes what in the USA. FYI, just because something is made in North America "Canada" it is still not made in the USA either. In looking for an electric bike I have shopped at both stores and the internet. My first interest in such a bike came years ago when Swift Chrysler in Davis sold them. The electric bike has come a long way since then. I mention this as a matter of "full disclosure".
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