Meet Lloyd Thomas

Lloyd Thomas

Lloyd is the Coalition's newest member of the Board of Directors. 

I'm Lloyd Thomas. I've always had medical issues. But riding a single speed bike as a child gave me a sense of freedom and a great way to exercise the family dog. A bike was my main source of transportation while home-ported at Pearl Harbor, and later at NAU and ASU.
As a former Deputy County Attorney I've seen numerous 'collisions' and 'accidents.' As a driver I've lost consciousness and crashed. At times MVD and MDs have said 'you can't drive.' Finally a decade later, thanks to a knee replacement, I'm riding a bike again. Thanks to a bike I can transport myself. I don't have to rely on others. Bikes give mobility, freedom, options, to many. While cyclists are sometimes viewed the public and by drivers as obstacles, riding for recreation, that's an incomplete picture. People ride for a variety of reasons. People ride a variety of 'bikes.' Cyclists are a diverse group. We should represent all of them. We should protect all of them. We should encourage all of them.

Call for Fiesta Bowl bike-security volunteers

Message from Sharon Matt, the new chair of Bicycling Security for the Fiesta Bowl Parade.

The parade is held on Saturday, December 28, 2013. I need your help. I need cyclists (road and mountain bikers) who would be willing to volunteer their time from about 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM. They would get a chance to get a behind the scenes look at the parade. They would patrol in groups of two or three, the equestrian, balloons, floats and celebrity cars areas and the de staging area. No experience necessary. You are an extra set of eyes and ears for the professional police officers. It’s fun. Volunteers receive a free event t shirt and breakfast that morning, and are also invited to the post parade Thank You Party in April.

Interested cyclists should go to: fiestabowlparade.org. Click on volunteer opportunities, scroll down to the parade and fill out a background check. If you have any questions I am available at: rrtmatt@aol.com or 480-244-5264
Thank you,
Sharon Newman-Matt

2013 Annual meeting wrapup

It was a lovely November afternoon on Aunt Chilada's patio... thanks to all of those who came out for the meeting!

BOARD ELECTIONS

Over the past year, Mary Kay Black, and Sheryl Keeme have resigned their board seats -- the Coalition wishes to thank them for their service.

The entire existing slate of directors was re-elected; and in addition two new directors, Lloyd Thomas, and Warren Smock, were elected.

In addition, the following volunteered and were appointed to the Advisory board: Brenda Currier (at-large), Scott Walters (representing T.B.A.G), Gene Dalbey (representing the Yuma and Southwesterern Arizona region), and Sharon Matt (at-large)

Read more »

CAzBike Membership ANNUAL Meeting: Sat Nov 9, 2013

When: Nov 9, 2013 at 1PM
Where: Aunt Chilada's  2021 West Baseline Road, Tempe, AZ [map/directions]; (it's part of the the Arizona Grand Resort)

The Coalition will be springing for appetizers and softdrinks (cash bar available)!

All members are cordially invited and encouraged to attend. The meeting is open to the public.
For space planning purposes, please drop us a line if you can attend;
you can respond to the Event on Facebook.

Want to get involved? Check out are-you-new-face-of-bicycling-in-arizona for more info...

Meeting Agenda: to be supplied

Are YOU the new face of bicycling in Arizona?

Are YOU the new face of bicycling in Arizona? Do you have a vision of the future of bicycling in our state and would like to share talents and contribute ideas on making it a reality? Just want to get involved?

The Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists is now accepting nominations for  Board of Directors positions to be filled at our annual meeting in November.  Directors are elected by the membership bi-annually, elections will be held at our upcoming Annual Membership Meeting. Nominees do NOT need to be present at the meeting to be elected. 

Directors' duties include regularly attending a Director's meeting . Since directors can (and should!) reside all around Arizona, meetings are routinely held via via tele-conference.

Please contact us at cazbike@cazbike.org and (623)252-0931 with a brief bio/background; or with the nomination of someone you think would be a good candidate. As always we are looking for volunteers in any capacity, not just directorial; please drop us a line, or better yet come out to the annual meeting.

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The Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists; providing education and advocacy to Arizona's bicyclists.

Better Mountain Biking Classes offered: Oct 29 or 30th

Randy "Ranger Randy" Victory will be offering a couple of Better Mountain Biking sessions later this month. Get away and improve your bike-handling skills (yes, this stuff translates beautifully to the road), or take those MTB skills to a new level and get inspired to wear those knobbies down, here's your chance. (Except for Daniel Paduchowski. He already kicks my butt thoroughly enough as it is.)

While the weather's still awesome, here are the dates:

• October 29th (Tuesday), 9:00 am
• October 30th  (Wednesday), Noon

... in the vicinity of Cottonwood, AZ

Read more »

Next "Fun, Safe and Worry Free Cycling" class downtown: Nov 20, 23

Having fun cycling? We all do. Knowing how to make your ride safer adds to that fun and enjoyment. Yes, you can learn more about making your ride better from expert instructors certified by the League of American Cyclists, the country's premier cycling advocacy and safety education association... Read the rest here.

Register at: http://SOARPhx.eventbrite.com/

Bike Safety Class offered: downtown Phx Oct 9 & 12

Having fun cycling? We all do. Knowing how to make your ride safer adds to that fun and enjoyment. Yes, you can learn more about making your ride better from expert instructors certified by the League of American Cyclists, the country's premier cycling advocacy and safety education association... Read the rest here.

Register at: http://phoenixbikelabclasses.eventbrite.com

Tour de France 2013 – Twelve Tips for Viewing

By Bob Beane, Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists

Whether you are an experienced bicyclist, new to the sport or a curious spectator, you probably “only have so much time” in your life for TV viewing of sporting events. For the uninitiated, Le Tour de France is a 3-week odyssey, pain-fest and festival of sport that happens every July (Note: This year, it starts on Saturday, June 29). It will be broadcast in the USA on the NBC Sports Network (formerly OLN, Versus). Broadcasts will be both live and repeat each day. Here are my Twelve Tips for getting the most out of limited time for following Le Tour 2013:

Read more »

Lunch and Learn about Bike Safety

League Certified Instructor Kathy Mills recently gave lunchtime presentation on bike safety for six Lovitt and Touche employees in Tempe during National Bike Month.

Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Church group, Singles group, clubs of any kind, business, any group at all!...
The Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists can provide speakers and customized presentations for any group; Brief presentations in the Phoenix metro area can generally be provided free-of-charge.
 Please contact Coalition Vice President of Education, Kathy Mills at kathym@cazbike.org for more info.

League Announces Spring 2013 Bicycle Friendly Communities

League Announces Spring 2013 Bicycle Friendly Communities

Gilbert's bronze status was renewed; Glendale garners an honorable mention on their application.

Read more »

Arizona back in top-ten in LAB Bike Friendly States Ranking

The League of American Bicyclists released their Bicycle Friendly State rankings for 2013 last week. Arizona was ranked as the 10th most bike friendly state, after having fallen to 16th spot in the 2011 rankings.


"...In the Southwest, Arizona moved back into the top 10. Among other strides, the state completed its Bicycle Safety Action plan to improve bicyclist safety on Arizona's highways.
 'The goal is to reduce the number of bicyclist fatalities and injury crashes with motor vehicles,' said Michael Sanders, Arizona Department of Transportation's bicycle and pedestrian program coordinator. "We 'crash-typed' nearly 750 reported crashes that occurred over a five-year period to better define the sequence of actions leading to the collision. For example, we found that over half of all crashes occurred while a motorist was making a right turn. The Plan consists of action items addressing potential changes to policies and education programs, or new tools, such as bicycle road safety audit guidelines, to improve bicyclist safety.'


More info and links to the LAB rankings and report card at tucsonvelo.com.

Traffic Skills 101 Yuma, June 1, 2013

League-certified instructors from the Coalition will be traveling to Yuma to offer Traffic Skills 101 on June 1, 2013. Time and specific location will be announced later. Registration is now open, and the class is offered without charge -- HURRY -- class size is limited to 12 students.

Register instantly online

Traffic Skills 101 is our nation's premiere street bicycling program taught by instructors certified by the League of American Bicyclists. Learn the basics of bicycle and helmet fit. Learn state bicycle laws. Learn how to predict and prevent crashes, and how to bail out as a last resort! Learn how to operate your bicycle in a skillful and confident manner, in any traffic -- any time!


For more info contact Kathy Mills kmills@cazbike.org.

Better Mountain Biking? : Dead Horse Ranch State Park

March 23, 30; April 6, 13, 20, 27; May 4: Better Mountain Biking
If you ...

• Have a mountain bike, and want to try taking it off-road.
• Are nervous riding with friends or significant others because they ride "those hard trails".
• Don't want to slow your friends down, because "they're a lot better than me".
• Have tried to teach friends how to mountain bike, but find it hard to explain things.
• Have been riding for a few years and would like to take it to the next level.
• Are experienced and want to refine your technique ... then check out this workshop!

Better Mountain Biking sessions start at Noon on Saturdays and go until 4:00, "or when everyone gets tired", according to Ranger Randy Victory. "These will be trail rides on the dirt, with some instruction on the pavement." Victory, a certified cycling instructor (a mountain biker since 1977), will offer everything from basic riding techniques, to physics, to trail etiquette. The rides are fun and educational for beginners, but even experienced bikers ride away with new skills & knowledge. "There's always a certain amount of interaction between riders," explains Victory. "Group rides where the beginners are supportive of each other, and more experienced riders can offer their insight are an excellent way to build skills, and have a great time doing it. The focus is on fun!" Riders will be REQUIRED to wear a helmet and complete an Acknowledgment of Risk Form (parents must sign for riders under 18 years old, minimum age 14-16). They should also bring water and make sure their bike is in good working order. Flat protection (Slime tire sealant, for example) and riding gloves are strongly recommended. The rides will start at the Raptor Trailhead at the top of Roadrunner Road in the park. For more information, call Ranger Victory at 928-301-1190 or email rvictory(at)azstateparks.gov. The Day use fee of $7.00 applies, or Annual Passes are accepted. In addition there will be a program fee of $5.00 per rider collected at the time of the session.

visit www.pr.state.az.us/parks/DEHO/ for forms and more info.

2013 Ride of Silence: May 15

Hundreds of events are scheduled worldwide on May 15, 2013 in the annual Ride of Silence. (always the third Wednesday in May).

Details of other Arizona rides as they are announced (check back often) can be found at rideofsilence.org.... events are currently planned around Arizona for Flagstaff, Phoenix (multiple), Mesa, Santa Cruz Valley / Green Valley, Tucson, and Kingman.

More info about the Santa Cruz Valley / Green Valley / Sahuarita area ride can be found at Santa Cruz Valley Bicycle Advocacy Committee scvbac.org . View event flyer.

Wayne Cullop of Tucson Appointed to CAzBike Advisory Board

The Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists is pleased to announce that Wayne Cullop of Tucson has joined the CAzB as an Advisory Board member effective March 19, 2013.

Wayne has been very active cyclist in the Tucson area for 18 years. He has served on Tucson's GABA Board for more than 15 years holding such positions as web master and advocacy coordinator. He is currently GABA President and had served in that position in the past. Wayne was selected to serve as the bike and pedestrian representative on the Grant Road Task Force, a major road improvement in Tucson. He is currently representing Pima County on the the Tucson/Pima County Bicycle Advisor Board, and is an active LCI instructor. To get in touch with Wayne, or any other board or advisory member, visit CAzBike's contact page.

Chandler Family Bike Ride

The annual Chandler Family Bike Ride is back!  The 7.4-mile ride is free, but pre-registration is recommended.  The first 100 people to pre-register will receive a free t-shirt.  The ride starts and ends at the Chandler Park and Ride (2100 S. Hamilton St.)

City of Chandler Family Bike Ride
Saturday, April 13, 2013
7.4-mile ride along the Paseo Canal (click here for map)
Registration 8:00 - 8:45AM; Ride begins at 9:00AM
Chandler Park and Ride (2100 S. Hamilton St.)
FREE!!!!

Pre-Registration is encouraged.  Pre-register now to reserve your free t-shirt.  Click here to access the on-line pre-registration form.
For more information, contact Ann Marie Riley at 480-782-3442 or annmarie.riley@chandleraz.gov.

City of Phoenix Bike Summits

This year, the City of Phoenix will be holding a bike summit in each of the eight city council districts. Bike summits will be localized to districts and villages to better serve local bike communities.

• Learn what the city is doing to improve its bikeability.
• Join a forum of fellow cyclists to express needs in you neighborhoods or on your commutes.
• Meet fellow cyclists and city employees who share the common goal of making Phoenix an excellent bike-able destination.

City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department
Bike Program phoenix.gov/bicycling
Questions/Comments: Joseph Perez 602-534-9529 Joseph.Perez@phoenix.gov

BELOW IS SCHEDULE AS OF 3/4 -- please check city website for any last minute updates at 
http://www.phoenix.gov/news/030413bikesummit.html

2013 City Council District Bike Summit Schedule

10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 2, District 8, at the Rio Salado Community College Downtown, 619 N. Seventh Ave., room 1007

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 9, District 3, at Shea Wellness, 10401 N. 32nd St.
(additionally, there will be a community bike ride BEFORE the summit -- details below in the comment) 

10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 16, District 7, at Desert Meadows Elementary School Library, 6855 W. Meadows Loop East

11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 23, District 1, at Goelet A. Beuf Community Center, 3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, room 101

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 30, District 6, at Pecos Park Community Center, 17010 S. 48th St., room 3

10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 6, District 5, at Washington Park Activity Center, 2240 W. Citrus Way

11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 13, District 2, at Paradise Valley Community Center, 17402 N. 40th St., multi-purpose room

10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 20, District 4, at Longview Recreation Center, 4040 N. 14th St.

7611 W Thomas Rd  Desert Sky Mall, New Community Room

Great Arizona Bike Swap 2013: April 6

GREAT ARIZONA BIKE SWAP

Mesa Convention Center [map]
8AM to 3PM, April 6, 2013

-- FREE EVENT --

Sponsored By CAzB and We-Cycle USA.

Sell, show or just ride your bike to the The Great Arizona Bicycle Festival. Where we will have a bike swap, live music, games for the kids and fun for the whole family.