Saturday, March 26, 2011

Livable Communities Coalition day at AZ Transit Assn Conference

The Livable Communities Coalition, of which CAzBike is a participant, is teaming up with the AZ Transit Association (AzTA) and ADOT for participation in their April Conference. We can attend one day for a reduced rate of $100. More info on the program for April 12 and how to register.

Velo-City2011 in Sevilla, España

See how the City of Sevilla, Spain is accomplishing an astounding increase in cycling.

Monday, March 21, 2011

ADOT 5-Year Program available online for review and comment

With limited funding and a need to identify the state’s top transportation priorities, the Arizona Department of Transportation is seeking public input on the Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program, a work plan outlining highway, transit and aeronautic projects from 2012 to 2016.
Transportation is funded by ALL OF US, so let our voice be heard!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Bike and Hike: Dead Horse Ranch State Park

Dead Horse Ranch State Park offers Saturday Mountain Bike Rides / Sunday Hikes

Ranger Randy Victory. Mountain
bike rides will include talks
on Maintenance, Bicycle Physics,
Turning/Braking, Climbing,
Descending, and Riding in Groups.
Beginning Saturday, March 26th and going on until Sunday, May 8th, Park Rangers at Dead Horse Ranch State Park (directions) in Cottonwood will offer guided mountain bike rides on Saturdays and ranger-led hikes on Sundays. The hikes & rides are free, however the regular entrance fees to the park will apply. Annual Passes will also be honored.
"Mountain Bike Basics" will take place every Saturday afternoon at 2:00, and go until 4:00, "or when everyone gets tired", according to Park Ranger Randy Victory. "These will be beginner trail rides on the dirt, with a little instruction on the pavement." Victory, a certified cycling instructor, will offer everything from basic riding techniques to trail etiquette.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Swap meet a success

Thanks to all those who came out and participated in the 13th annual CAzBike Swap Meet that was held last Saturday at the Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The weather was great, a picture-perfect mid-March Arizona morning. About 100 vendors, and several hundred swappers came out to find a great deal on bikes, parts, and anything else. The Coalition sponsors the event as a service to the bicycling community;

Monday, March 14, 2011

CAzBike Membership Meeting: Monday Mar 21st

next meeting: Monday Feb 21, 2011. 6:00PM.

Location: Boulders on Broadway Bar and Grill (map)
530 W. Broadway in Tempe AZ 85282, 480.921.9431

This will be a working session to establish priorities 

Thursday, March 10, 2011

CAzBike Swap Meet: March 12, 2011

The 13th Annual Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists bike swap meet is going to be held Saturday March 12, 2011, 7AM - Noon,  in the Phoenix Municipal Stadium parking lot.
The Bicycle Swap Meet will be a bargain hunter's paradise. This huge bike garage sale will have great deals on all types and sizes. The swap meet is FREE for buyers and sellers.
For more information please contact Bob or Peter (see flyer).
Link to .pdf for printing.

Sedona Fat Tire Festival: April 23, 24

Hosted by the Verde Valley Cyclist's Coalition. There are many types of bicycling to be experienced here, one of the most beautiful places in the country.
This grassroots event is focused on Mountain Biking. Many trails are found just off the city streets. The trail system here is world class, deserving care and thoughtful development, as many long time residents and many visitors experience daily. This is an event for the community to say in celebration that Mountain Biking belongs here. You need at least three days to get an idea of what Sedona offers in riding. Meet local and visiting riders to learn about bikes, places to ride, and the many types of riding opportunities found here. Meet the local riding club and riders who are passionate about what we do here. Chat with the US Forest Service about the future of MTB riding locally.... get all the details...

Monday, March 7, 2011

State of Arizona, Communities and Businesses Recognized by LAB

The League of American Bicyclists, in the January/February 2011 issue of American Bicyclist, specifically recognized Gilbert, AZ, for implementing a transportation policy requiring bicycle lanes on ALL arterial streets. The LAB also recognized Pima County for its Diversion/education program for ticketed bicyclists (including a
reference to our very own board member, Sheila Foraker, who is the Pima County Bike Ambassador Project Manager).
In addition, the January/February issue listed Arizona as 9th in the ranking of bicycle friendly states and listed the following as our Bicycle Friendly Communities:
  • Gold - Tucson, and East Pima Region
  • Silver - Flagstaff, Scottsdale and Tempe
  • Bronze - Chandler, Gilbert and Mesa
Listed among Bicycle Friendly Businesses were TriSports.com of Tucson and Banner Health of Mesa.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Success and Lessons Learned: the SCVBAC Story

by Bill Adamson, Co-Chair, Santa Cruz Valley Bicycle Advocate Committee

BACKGROUND
About six years ago our group of local bicyclists from the Santa Cruz Valley area concluded that cycling was becoming less pleasant and significantly less safe along our popular bicycle routes. Increased traffic congestion coupled with significant gaps in the available network of bike lanes caused us serious concern. This lack of safe routes led us to write letters to our government officials, where we received no response,

Thursday, March 3, 2011

CAzB Spring Update

by Bob Beane, President, Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists

As anyone knows who has crossed over from "simply" being a bicyclist to being a bicycling advocate, there are not enough hours in a day...The more you immerse yourself in this world, the more you find that needs to be done. Possibly, that's one of the reasons for the high rate of burnout among advocates.

Personally, I'm not there, yet... But, I can see how it can happen. So, from time-to-time I tell myself that one of the CAzB's biggest priorities should be to increase membership.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

ADOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program

Be sure to check out the web pages of the ADOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program, azbikeped.org . It contains an extensive array of information about bicycling (and walking, of course) in Arizona. Laws, tips, touring, maps, educational materials for young and old -- it's all there. Bicyclist advocates can find load of info in the Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan section including grant information, implementation plans.
Special mention should be made of the pamphlet Arizona Bicycling Street Smarts -- which explains both the laws and how to ride, under all conditions. It is in such great demand that supplies of the printed version, sometimes available at bikes shops, and libraries, etc. can be hard to find, but is always available on the website in its entirety.
In addition to AzBSS, there is additional materials, as well as educational curriculum for both childern and adults.