Month: November 2010

MesaRides kickoff event

Today was a fantastic day for all cyclists in Mesa!

This morning at a Media Event Mayor Scott Smith, City Manager Chris Brady and Police Chief Frank Milstead (who is also an MTB cyclist) together with Dara Schulenberg and Sterling Baer representing “Not One More” and the Brumbys kicked off a major city wide cycling safety initiative called “MesaRides”.

Mesa PD Chief Milstead, Dara
and Sterling of NOM

The Mayor and Police Chief introduced “MesaRides”, committed their full support in dramatically improving safety for all cyclists in Mesa. Mayor Smith acknowledged that Mesa is “one of the best places to ride a bike in the country” and also committed that he will actually ride in the new Tour de Mesa in April along with City Manager and Chief Milstead. I presented each of them a “Not One More” jersey to ride with and I had previously given the Mayor a Brumbys jersey as well. I need to acknowledge Mark Venti (Mesa City Transportation), James Hash (Mesa City Bicycle Advocate), JD Dockstader (Assistant Parks & Rec Director) and Jean Destories (jason’s mom) (Mesa Transportation Safety Educator) for their constant support. These are Brumbys in our gang that help fight the good fight on our behalf daily as their vocations. Thank you!
It was a wonderful display of public support for cycling after many long hard efforts on behalf of Dara, myself and many others. Dara and I were both given time to address the press, telling our stories of the founding of the Brumbys and the terrible accidents we’ve seen over the years, including Dara’s, that led to our activism in founding “Not One More”.

Several of our local bike shops were also present representing the critical link of business partnership for cycling in Mesa as well (Global, Two Wheel, Paragon and DNA). We thank them for their support of our cycling advocacy as well. All of our Shops are wonderful contributers and supporters!!!

Click here for the “MesaRides” Campaign initiative press release, which as the Mayor says below is a “matter of life and death”. We appreciate and are thrilled with the support of Mesa. We believe that “MesaRides” will have an ongoing impact and help dramatically increase safety awareness of motor vehicles towards cyclists on our streets in our community. We also believe there will be improved enforcement and adherence to the existing laws and future revisions for both cars and cyclists.

Thank You Mayor Smith and Team Mesa for your support! Ride on and Ride Safe in Mesa!!!!

Sterling Baer & Dara Schulenberg
Not One More Cyclist Foundation

Mesa Mayor and Police Chief join forces to promote bike safety

The City of Mesa is a League of American Bicyclist “Bike Friendly Community.” While bicycling in Mesa is generally safe we can always do a better job educating motorist and bicyclists about traveling safely. Mayor Scott Smith and Police Chief Frank Milstead are putting City of Mesa resources into action to make streets as safe as possible for bicyclists. The timing is just right with the weather cooling down, days getting shorter and lots of new bikes on the road after the holidays.
“The City of Mesa is committed to making streets safe for bicyclists. This is a matter of life and death,” Mayor Smith said. “We will use whatever resources we have at our disposal to educate both motorists and bicyclists about how to safely share the road.”
The City of Mesa, several local Mesa bike shops, the Not One More Foundation and Mesa Brumbys cycling club are a part of the new campaign called MesaRides!
“The Mesa Police Department recently developed a training bulletin on State bicycle laws to keep our officers up-to-date on what is required of both motorists and bicyclists,” Chief Milstead said. “The bulletin included special focus on the three foot rule, which states that motorists must maintain a three foot separation from bicyclists while passing. This is law and our officers are trained to enforce it.”
MesaRides! is a multi-pronged education campaign that includes:

        Multiple Public Service Announcements running on Mesa Channel 11 and YouTube about the three foot rule and cycling safety equipment Articles in City newsletters including OpenLine, which goes out to 155,000 Mesa residents and 10,000 businesses Partnerships with local bike shops and non-profits to distribute safety information Participation in community events including City Hall at the Mall, Building Strong Neighborhoods and City Council Pancake Breakfast Growing Mesa’s Bike4Life and Bike2Work community bike events during Valley Bike Month in April

To emphasize the importance of bike safety, accident victim Dara Schulenberg shared her heroic story of being hit by a car while riding and how she overcame the physical, emotional and financial impacts of her recovery. Her experience led to her co-founding the Not One More Foundation with her friend and founder of the Mesa Brumbys Sterling Baer. The goal of Not One More is to have not one more cyclist killed or injured on Arizona roads.
“I was hit while riding midday less than five miles from my home in East Mesa,” Schulenberg said. “My inexpensive cycling helmet proved to be my life-saver, along with the amazing care of the City of Mesa Fire Department medics of Station 214.”
MesaRides! is a grassroots effort using existing resources and building community partnerships across the City. The safety of bicyclists is a City of Mesa priority and part of a successful, safe and livable community. For more information about cycling in Mesa visit http://www.notonemorecyclist.com , http://www.azbrumbys.com/index.php and http://mesaaz.gov/Transportation. Current State bicycle laws can be viewed at http://azbikelaw.org/excerpts.html

Office of the Mayor

For Immediate Release: November 29, 2010
Contact: Melissa Randazzo
Public Information and Communications Specialist
480.644.3219

melissa.randazzo@mesaaz.gov

Donation Received from Gage Safer Streets Foundation

The Coaltion of Arizona Bicyclists is pleased to announce a recent $2,500.00 donation from the Gage Safer Streets Foundation gagesaferstreets.org. This donation will be directed toward increasing awareness of Arizona laws intended to provide safe riding conditions for bicyclists (such as A.R.S. 28-735, commonly known as the “3 foot safe passing distance” law).

The CAzB is currently working on media and educational opportunities to increase both law enforcement and public awareness of the three foot safe passing distance law. We also are supporting efforts to create “vulnerable user” status
for non-auto/truck users of Arizona highways, roads and streets, with related safety responsibilities required of non-vulnerable users. This donation will specifically be put to use in a significant way to support one or more of these initiatives.

We greatly appreciate the support of the Gage Safer Streets Foundation, especially knowing that George himself was hit by a motor vehicle while on a training ride and has had a long and challenging road to recovery.

Biking Historic Route 66 in AZ

Get Your Bike Travel Fix on Route 66
Adventure Cycling’s planned 2,400-mile bicycle-friendly route will revitalize the “Main Street of America” — this time with touring cyclists
Missoula, Montana — Adventure Cycling Association today announced that its next long-distance cycling route will be Bicycle Route 66. Embracing the spirit of “The Mother Road,” the new route will follow the famous corridor… According to the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, there are over 200 miles of the original Route remaining in Arizona today and 70+ miles of wide-shouldered road is maintained by the Arizona Department of Transportation http://www.azbikeped.org/images/Map2009_v12%20_0409_side1.pdf 

The Route is also designated as a National Scenic Byway (see map; and highlights by segment:  Topock to Ash Fork  and Ash Fork to Lupton ; also see “Historic US 66 Signing in Arizona” at ).  
I’ve had numerous inquiries from cyclists planning to ride Route 66.  Clubs and individuals have posted their rides and journeys on the web (see a sampling at:  http://www.luffman.us/route66/ 
As Michael Wallis has said, “Arizona is one of the Route 66 states where tourists can gorge themselves with attractions” (p. 179) including these places along the corridor:  Oatman – Kingman – Hackberry – Valentine – Truxton – Peach Springs (not far from “Radiator Springs”) – Grand Canyon Caverns – Seligman – Ash Fork – Williams – Bellemont (highest altitude along the entire Route) – Flagstaff – Winona (Don’t Forget!) – (“Standing on the Corner” in) Winslow – Joseph City – Holbrook – Petrified Forest National Park – Lupton
We look forward to working with you to establish a US Bike route along the corridor in the future.
Best,
Michael N. Sanders
Bicycle and Pedestrian Program
Multimodal Planning Division
Arizona Department of Transportation

AAA Mid-Atlantic Proposes Federal Gas Tax Revenues Only for Highways

According to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, AAA Mid-Atlantic has proposed that Federal gas tax revenues only be used on highways, eliminating any share that has historically gone to trails, walking and biking programs. This is an example of what we should expect from the “I don’t care about anything but cars” community, given the current budget climate.
AAA National claims to support bicycling, but has allowed the above position to get public and political traction. They should not be allowed to have it both ways.

Bicyclists may register their feelings with AAA National by adding their name to a petition at www.railstotrails.org/AAA.

Bob Beane, President
Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists

19th Av & Greenway Multi-use bridge Meeting

There may be another Community Meeting with Councilman Gates regarding the 19th Avenue & Greenway Bike/Ped Bridge to link Cave Creek Wash paths on Dec 13. This project needs the support of our members, customers and other bicyclists and pedestrians. Stay tuned for location and time (date, too if it changes). This is probably the last time we can make our voices heard.

Valley of the Sun Bike Rack Finder

The City of Phoenix Bicycle Initiatives Committee has joined with CAzBike to map the locations of bicycle racks throughout the Valley of the Sun. CLICK HERE to view map. This is a participation project for the benefit of all cyclists in the Valley. Please submit additions and corrections by email to ValleyRacks@cazbike.org Please include location, name of business (if applicable) and, optionally, a description of accessibility and usefulness.

The Bicycle – a Gift of Independence

Mike Craver is a developmentally disabled employee at the Cottonwood Safeway that volunteers identified as needing a bicycle for transportation. I sent out a request, and Jimmy at Bike & Bean immediately stepped up and offered a BRAND NEW BIKE to help Mike out. Bike and Bean, led by Jimmy and helped out by his employees, pitched in and donated the bike to the VVCC (Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition), who in turn donated it to Mike.
Mike and his brother Larry came over on Monday night. I showed ’em how the gears work, got the bike adjusted, and gave ’em a safety presentation.
You wouldn’t believe how grateful they are!!
Just shows what can happen when we all work together… You Guys Rock!!

CAzBike working for you! 2010 accomplishments; year in review

The Coalition works hard all year round to improve conditions for Arizona’s cyclists. Our year conceptually ends in September, President Bob Beane noted these Activities & Accomplishments of the past year

Organizational/Membership:

  • Drafted the first written set of annual goals and objectives for the CAzB.
  • Added Sterling Baer and Wayne Cullop to Advisory Board.
  • Added or renewed these organizations as members: PBAA, PMBC, ABC, Bullshifters, Bicycle Vibe, Bike Barn, Bike Den, Fair Wheel Bikes, Trek Bicycles, and Parrish Insurance.

Fundraising/Events:

  • Received $72,392 from donations, including the Gorter Family of The Netherlands, the Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign, United Way and several individuals. 
  • Received $2,895 from memberships and events (Ride for Safety, Bike Swap Meet). 
  • Received support from Trek Bicycle Corporation for membership drive. 
  • Received sufficient funds to hire an Executive Director for a year. 

Advocacy:

  • Pima, Pinal and Maricopa County advocates meeting, February, 2010.
  • Met with Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition leaders and participated in “Celebrate the Red Rock Road” event in August, 2010.
  • Established initial connection with Flagstaff bicycle advocates.
  • MAG Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee and City of Phoenix Environmental Quality Commission participation (monthly).
  • Participated in the national bicycling summit in Washington, D.C., in March, 2010.
  • El Tour de Phoenix Expo booth, April, 2010.
  • Meeting with new ADOT District Engineer, Todd Emory, and Pima County bicycling advocates, December, 2009.
  • Letter to Pima County Sheriff’s Department regarding enforcement in Saguaro National Park (Gates Pass area) west of Tucson.
  • Presentation, letters and e-mails in District 3 (Phoenix) in defense of multi-modal bridge over 19th Avenue near Greenway.
  • Provided feedback on Pinal County and City of Chandler transportation master plans.
  • Multiple letters in giving feedback on designs and/or supporting TIP projects in various Valley communities (e.g. Highline Canal in Phoenix, planned Chandler multi-use bridge over Hwy 101 at Galveston St. and new path in Glendale).
  • Presentation of LAB Bicycle Friendly Community award to the City of Chandler, December, 2009.
  • Communication with Somerton PD regarding need to cite motorist in head-on collision with bicyclist.
  • Partnered with Mesa cyclists to help have an offensive display removed from a business.
  • Participated in evaluation of Arizona for LAB Bicycle Friendly State program.

Education:

  • Regular bicyclist education classes throughout the year.
  • Participation in City of Chandler TV program regarding Bicycle Friendly Community status, places to ride and safe bicycling techniques in February, 2010.
  • Program of distributing educational and bike safety materials to bike shops for Valley Metro and ADOT.
  • Proposal is pending at MAG to implement a law enforcement education program for Valley communities with CAzB having a pivotal role in development of curriculum and providing course materials and instruction.

Media/Public Relations:

  • Clear Channel radio interview/PSAs regarding Bike Month and bicycle safety.
  • Publication in Arizona Republic, Tailwinds and Ahwatukee Foothills News regarding AZ laws, motorist education and defense of bicycling and bicyclists’ right to the road.
  • Article for League of American Bicyclists’ American Bicyclist magazine covering the Red Rock Road (Sedona/Village of Oak Creek) advocacy effort and completion celebration.
  • Participated in MAG’s “I Ride” video production, speaking about ARS 28-735 (safe passing distance law) and safe driving around bicyclists.
  • Nominated Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club for LAB regional Club of the Year, for which they were a co-winner in our region with the New Mexico Touring Society.

Outreach:

  • Assistance to family of James Parsons who was hit/killed on Hunt Highway.
  • Partnership with Sterling Baer’s Not One More Cyclist on outreach.

Legislative/Legal:

  • Vulnerable user proposals are in development, as is a list of potential allies in the AZ Legislature.