Month: December 2013

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)

Please visit www.cazbike.org/Contact.htm for a current complete list of board and advisors (officer elections have not yet been held; at this time the officers listed are those from previous term)

AGENDA

  • Introductions
  • Call for additional items
  • Treasure’s Reprot: as of Oct 31, 2013 available funds = $47,045.63
  • History and Purpose of CAzB; Founded circa 1991, Incorporated 1997, granted 501c(3) non-profit status in 2002… see corporate documents at  articles-of-incorporation-and-bylaws
  • Mission
  • 2013 Activities, Acheivments and Challenges
    • Supported “Ride on Tucson!” event
    • Supported AZ legislative attempt to introduce Vulnerable User Legislation
    • Donation/funding of Not One More Cyclist Foundation (outreach)
    • National Bike Summit attendance
    • Donated to Verde Valley Cyclists Coalitoin Hwy 179 sweeping fund “the Red Rock Road“
    • El Tour de Mesa booth
    • Review/consulting on numerous infrastructure projects in metro Phoenix
    • Hosted/funded turnaround sag stop at Chander Family Bicycle Ride (300+ riders)
    • Participated in Glendale Family Ride
    • MAG and other bicyclist education classes.
    • Drafted bicycle-related training materials for law enforcement use
    • Phoenix Bicycling Summit participation
    • MAG Bike/Ped and Phoenix Transportation Master Plan/Budget participation
    • ADOT Bicycle/Ped Safety Plan, Econimic Impact and Five Year Plan input
    • US Bicycle Route (Route 66) support
    • ADEQ, Phoenix City Council and other meetings
  • Current and near-term projects and opportunites
    • ADOT Strategic Highway Safety Plan Cycling Task Force participatoin
    • MAG Bicycle Count project — monitor and provide feedback
    • AZ Biccycle Friendly State application
    • Education programs: scheduling and staffing
    • State Parks bicycle program support; see e.g. better-mountain-biking-classes-offered
    • PBAA/El Tour de Tucson sponsorship/support
  • President’s Comments: Where do we go from here?
  • Elections
  • Adjournment