Every Month is a Bicycling Month, but MAY IS BIKE MONTH!
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magine a community that is bicycle friendly, where children go to school by bike and lots of adults commute to work, run errands, and bike for recreation—where streets are less congested, the sky is blue, and the Sierra is visible every day!
Since 2000, the Fresno County Bicycle Coalition (FCBC) has been advocating these distant but not impossible goals. Their mission has been to make Fresno County bicycle friendly and this is done in many ways.
by Cassie Ellis and Louise Colbert-Mar lot more to be done. “We need to educate bicyclists, children and adults, and drivers alike that bicycles are vehicles and have the same rights and responsibilities as automobiles. Riding on the wrong side of the street and disregarding stop signs and red lights are both illegal and are two of the main reasons for bicycle/car collisions.”
Begun an annual bicycling Corporate Challenge. Ed Smith, Coalition board member: “Since starting the Corporate Challenge in 2006, we have improved the process and have made it easier to participate by using online team registration. Now “Throughout the teams can go to our web site year, we talk with city and at www.fresnobike.org to county planners, transportainput their information and tion staff, and elected offisee how other teams are cials about providing, maindoing, which builds some taining and improving bike lanes, trails, and other cycling friendly community competifacilities that will encourage tion.” Worked with other local bicycling and healthy agencies to promote safe lifestyles,” said David Lighthall, the chairman of the bicycling with cycling specific Public Service Fresno County Bicycle Announcements Coalition. “We’d love to catch up to bicycle friendly Facilitated ‘Share the cities like Portland and Road” signage on area streets Davis.” Worked (through memberIn the past few ship on Fresno’s Bicycle years, the FCBC has: Pedestrian Advisory Council) to provide input and guidance Encouraged and facilitated in the City of Fresno’s bike lane construction. There Bicycle Transportation Plan, are more lanes in Fresno and now in process. Clovis, and one of the three Friant Road widening phases was completed last year.
Had one of our Coalition board members become the area’s first League of American Bicyclists, League Cycling Instructor (LCI). Louise Colbert-Mar, LCI and FCBC Board member, has taught several bicycle safety classes to adults in the past year and says that there’s a
Sponsored and promoted cycling events during the month of May—Bike Month.
events to motivate communities to get out and bike.
“We would love to see either Fresno or Clovis be awarded the designation of LAB “Bicycle Friendly Community’ sometime in the future, and we really highlight cycling during Bike Month,” said Coalition board member, Tony Molina.
Fresno have been increasing in popularity and attendance.
“This year we anticipate surpassing 2008’s amazing turnout of more than 700 cyclists who bike to work as part of the Corporate Challenge, our effort to get area employers involved as catalysts for expanding bike commuting,” said Lori This year, May 11 – Cherry, the FCBC director of Corporate Challenge Bike to
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Bike Month Events Preface by Jessi Hafer he League of American Bicyclists held the first Bike to Work Day event in 1956. Now, over 50 years later, May brings a month of events all over the U.S. The Fresno County Bicycle Coalition is promoting several events as part of “Bike Month,” including their 4th Annual “Bike to Work Day Corporate Challenge” on Thursday, May 14, 2009. You can recruit your
The Week Before: lDetermine your route to work—your bike route might not be the same as your automobile route. Choose roads with bike lanes, wide outside lanes, or paved shoulders (also consider traffic level and speed). Consider driving the route in your car during your normal commuting time to determine potential traffic problems (like school drop off areas). Lastly, bicycle the route on a weekend to examine the road surface for potential problem intersections and the approximate time it will take you. lInform your employer that you will be commuting by bicycle. Ask where the bicycle can be parked during working hours and what, if any, advance arrangements need to be made.
lMake sure your bicycle is in proper working order. Check for necessary mechanical repairs (such as brakes, tires, and gears) and also check adjustments like seat height, handlebars, etc. If you do not have a helmet, borrow or buy one. If you’ll be riding at night, get a light.
15 is Bike to Work week and FCBC is proud to be partnering with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to promote bicycling as a health alternative to driving cars.
Work Day. “Last year, we had over 100 bicyclists riding in our Downtown Ride from Manchester to Fulton Mall, coming from all over Clovis and Fresno.”
In summary, “The streets become safer for bicy“Riding a bike is a clists every time a person great way to reduce emischooses to ride their bike sions and clean up our air, instead of driving their car,” and is a key component in the FCBC works to proNancy Ellis, the secretary of mote cycling all year; but in Healthy Air Living initiative. FCBC. We’re very happy to partner spring they concentrate on ______ one month, May. In 1956, the with the Bicycle Coalition in Cassie Ellis & Louise encouraging this alternative League of American Colbert-Mar are members of Bicyclists (LAB) established to driving,” said Janelle the Fresno County Bicycle Schneider, Air District Public May as National Bike Month, Coalition. Information Representative. encouraging cities all over the United States to host Bike Week events in
The Day Before lThe day before you bike to work, you may want to bring things you’ll need for work on the day you bike that you would rather not carry with you on the bike (work clothes, toiletries, etc).
coworkers as teammates and “compete” against other Fresno employers lMake sure your tires are for miles bicycled. Even properly inflated. If they are the noncompetitive can get riding will be more diffilow, involved, though.
The California Bicycle Coalition offers several tips for those interested in taking part in California Bike Commute Week, May 11 – May 15 this year. To summarize (and, in some cases, add to) their points, they recommend the following (www.californiabikecommute.com/):
cult.
Day of the Ride lDon’t cycle on an empty stomach. You’ll need energy, so consider breakfast and/or a snack. lRemember water and sunscreen
lGet an early start. The first time you bike to work,
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