East-Valley Map Volunteers needed

Many of you may not know it, but volunteers from the Coalition, led by Peter Mather, endeavor to deliver and keep stocked all Maricopa County bike shops with MAG (Maricopa Association of Gov’ts) Bikeways Maps. This is a huge task.

Peter needs your help — in particularly he is seeking 2 to 3 new volunteers to deliver maps to shops in the the east valley – Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek area; you would be assigned 8-10 shops closeby your residence; or perhaps by your work.  It’s best if the volunteer can go to the MAG ( office in the Valley Metro building in downtown Phoenix to pick up the boxes of maps, but if not we may be able to make alternate arrangements.  The volunteer with then visit  the shops about once every two months to restock them.

It’s a great opportunity to help you your fellow cyclists (and would-be cyclists!) and get to know and interact with the bike-shop community as well.

Please contact Peter if you can help at peterm@cazbike.org

Bike Master Plan Aims To Boost Ridership, Increase Safety

City of Phx Bike Coord Joe Perez
in front of the new green bike
 lane on Grand Avenue.

(Photo by Nick Blumberg-KJZZ)

The city of Phoenix is in the last stages of putting together a huge document, outlining its plans to make getting around on a bicycle easier and safer. It will address infrastructure for bikers and the relationship between bikes and cars….
“Admittedly, I’m a bit biased, but there aren’t a lot of things I can see that are really negative about bicycling,” said Bob Beane, president of the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists, “and I think Arizona is just kind of lagging.”
Still, Beane sees opportunities. He said several of Arizona’s cities have been ranked by a national group as being bike-friendly and that Phoenix and Glendale got honorable mentions. Beane said if those two cities improve, Arizona would become the state with the highest percentage of the population living in a bicycle-friendly community.  read the rest of the storty on 91.5 Continue reading Bike Master Plan Aims To Boost Ridership, Increase Safety

CAzBike Activites and Achievements

National Level
  • Primary AZ liaison to the League of American Bicyclists (attended National Summits, host visits by LAB staff, responded to/participated in BFS, BFC, BFB, BFU evaluations, wrote article for American Bicyclist covering Hwy 179 improvements, etc.).
  • Represented LAB in awarding BFC designation to several communities (Chandler, Cottonwood).
  • Membership in national organizations: LAB, IMBA, Alliance for Biking & Walking, Adventure Cycling. 
State Level 
  • Primary (sole?) statewide bicycling advocacy organization that is on-road (commuting, recreational/fitness) oriented and also supports all forms of bicycling.
  • Frequent ADOT planning, safety plans/public comment participant.
  • Pushed to get bicycle-related questions back on AZ drivers test.
  • BFS application participant.
  • Supported 3 foot safe passing distance bill.
  • Supported multiple efforts to enact vulnerable roadway user bills.
  • Drafted bicycle-related training materials for potential law enforcement use (project in process).
  • Working with Adventure Cycling and ADOT to determine, establish and sign a portion of the national bikeway network (northern AZ/Route 66).
  • Provided or supported outreach to injured bicyclists and survivor families.
  • Numerous letters in support of various bicycle-related issues around the state (shoulder pavement projects, bike lane projects, citations of drivers at fault, etc.).
  • Held an AZ Advocacy Summit in Casa Grande.
  • Resource for MS ride in relocating to Verde Valley and publicizing their event.
Regional/County
  • Attended meeting in Cottonwood to support paved shoulders on Cornville Road (county). Four foot paved shoulders were added between 89A and Cornville.
  • Participate in monthly MAG Bike/Ped Committee meetings (where federal infrastructure funds are allocated)
  • Created an abbreviated bicycle education course for MAG for use by member communities and taught several courses in 2013.
  • Put on Ride for Safety in Maricopa County for 15 years.
  • Several annual radio interviews on bicycling safety, riding opportunities, etc., on Clear Channel stations.
  • Resource for training LCIs and individual bicyclists in Maricopa County.
  • Attended several conferences and bicycle action group meetings in Pima County.
  • MAG Bike Map vetting and regular distribution to bike shops.
Local
  • Community bicycle ride/event support and participation (Glendale, Chandler, Tempe).
  • Education programs at school events.
  • Support for “Bike to BOB” (Bank One Ballpark) event.
  • Participation in Bike to Work mayor rides.
  • Phoenix Bicycle Summit participation.
  • Participation in community bicycle advisory groups (e.g. Glendale).
  • Television interview/show on bicycling in Chandler.
In addition to continuing and improving efforts in the above areas, here are other opportunities for our board, advisors and volunteers:
  • Membership Development – Meet with clubs and groups of cyclists, visit bike shops, put together marketing materials and drive a campaign to get the general bicycling community in AZ engaged and interested in joining the CAzB.
  • Fundraising – Help us complete the Arizona Community Foundation application (they connect community-oriented non-profits to potential donors) and pursue other funding opportunities so that we can financially support an executive director and potentially some staff to ramp up advocacy to the level of other first class state organizations.
  • Represent a community – Be the lead advocate in a community, or help find that person, especially outside metro-Phoenix and Tucson.
  • Organize an event – Be it resurrecting the “Ride for Safety” or coming up with a community event that gets more people on bikes and spreads word of the CAzB and our mission, this is something more people need to do (Gene D is doing this in Yuma this spring…talk to him about why and how to get this done).
  • Outreach to law enforcement – We want AZ law enforcement to be better informed about bicycling related laws and safe cycling practices. Be that person in your community who gets to know your local PD leaders and helps get appropriate education/awareness in place.
  • Organize a state bicycling conference – We have attractive times of the year and major events around which to schedule an advocacy summit or conference in AZ. We just need someone to take the lead in organizing it.
  • Reach out to AZ Tourism – AZ is a year-round gem of a place to ride (weather, scenery, strong local support for visitors in terms of maps, clubs, riding buddies, etc.). Be that person who becomes the connection to the AZ Office of Tourism…get more bike venues listed on their web site. Convince them to fund some bike tourism video and post it there.
  • Become a LCI and teach classes to adults and school kids in your community – Self-explanatory…
  • Get to know a city council member, mayor, state legislator, etc., and get bicycling accommodation on their agenda. Explain the health, environmental, property value enhancement and fun benefits of bicycling with enough gusto and data that they can’t not support bicycling.
  • Meet with Parks and Recreation to discuss the idea of a bicycle park (like Valmont in Boulder and/or what Mesa is building this year). Ask them to consider a park with MTB skills areas, paved paths, and a basketball court-sized “mock streets” area for bike education classes, etc. Tell them that bicyclists, walkers, runner/joggers could all enjoy a park such as this. It could be a venue for weekly charity events, and it could have adjoining retail (bike shop, running/walking shoes/clothing retail and café) that could benefit the community and be a “destination” for active community members and visitors.
  • Reach out to an underserved community: Low income, Spanish speaking, older adults and so forth. Be a champion of expanding the “City of Lights” (Los Angeles) program to Phoenix, or something of similar impact.

Meet Scott Walters

Scott Walters

Scott is providing liaison between the Coalition and the Tempe Bicycle Action Group. 

Scott Walters is a transplant from bicycle friendly Minneapolis.  As a kid, he delivered the daily paper by bicycle but now he writes software.  In 2011, he completed his first and hopefully last Paris Brest Paris.
Scott also serves on the Tempe Bicycle Action Group
board as the Advocacy Director.  He found traveling by bike to be a great way to make friends in a city where that’s often hard and he hopes to see more people on bikes for more of their trips.

“Tour of Arizona”?

I wrote this partly because the ATOC (Amgen Tour of California) is one of the few major racing events in the USA and it is (from personal experience) a great event to witness. Linda and I have been to several stages of four of these events. If you cannot, or do not wish to, travel to France, Italy or Spain for a Grand Tour, this (along with the US Pro Challenge in CO and Tour of Utah) is the next best thing to experience the speed, athleticism and adrenaline of pro road bike racing.

It’s also a great example of bicycling being visible at a state and local level. CA gets it, and a lot of people have worked together to build this impactful event.

Linda and I actually attended the first stage of the first ever ATOC in San Francisco. It was a TT from our hotel near Fisherman’s Wharf up to Coit Tower. The climb to the Tower was lined about 4-5 deep with cycling fans. It was a ”Superbowl” of cycling…crazy fun and exciting to see such great cyclist athletes competing on American soil.

Whether you ride to commute, for fitness, as a conscious choice in transportation mode or any other reason, it is insightful to note that many of the technology changes that make riding easier, faster and more enjoyable have come from the racing world. That’s just one reason to support a pro cycling event such as this.

More “selfishly”, there have been past rumors and attempts to organize a major pro cycling race in AZ. None of these have succeeded, to date. But, I haven’t given up on that possibility. My attitude is “watch and learn from successful events” and then eventually help plan a world class event that creates buzz and more interest in bicycling in our state. For example, think about an event that would include a stage from the Grand Canyon to Flagstaff, a “Red Rock Road Race” stage (Sedona), a Mount Graham or Mount Lemmon TT, a stage around Tucson using the El Tour route…and an uphill finish on South Mountain (with 200,000 spectators lining the road). Wouldn’t something like that be amazing and bring major attention to AZ bicycling opportunities?!

In 2014, the CAzB needs to reach out to ADOT, the AZ Office of Tourism, various chambers of commerce and community and state leaders to advocate and make the case for the benefits of bicycling.  We also need to be creative in our thinking and vocal in our support of new projects (Hey!!! Mesa is building a mountain bike park! Let’s go ride it, photograph and take video and make some noise!). Let’s meet with Phoenix Parks and Recreation and propose a combination bike, running and walking park near the Light Rail and along the Salt River (instead of more softball diamonds, etc.). Let’s get out to Yuma, Sierra Vista, Show Low, Cottonwood, Lake Havasu and Kingman and put on and/or participate in visible events!

It’s a new year, and it’s full of opportunities. Our success will be determined by our ideas, our energy, our ability to engage members and volunteers and our ability to connect with the public and our elected officials. Saddle up, team…it’s time to take our organization and efforts to the next level. It is everyone’s chance to step up and make a difference…what can you contribute this year?

Ride safely and tell  people how great it is to ride a bike,

Bob Beane

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

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

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

Anyone who’s interested, come to one, or both… Bring a friend… If those days don’t work, let me know. I can schedule another session.
Sessions run 3-4 hours, but that’s really flexible. As some of you know, I’ll cut folks loose if they’ve gotta get going or whatever. Every group’s different. Think of it as a group ride where you actually get to stop, share & learn, instead of just trying to keep up.
This is not a business, so there are no fees. However, folks have offered donations in the past, and since I live on “ranger pay”, they’re definitely appreciated.
Remember, I have a few guidelines I adhere to, but more than anything, I have two rules I demand that everyone observe:
1) You MUST have fun.. No exceptions! Every session starts out with a “smile check”. If you’re not having a good time, get with me and I’ll do whatever I can to fix the situation. Unhappy riders don’t learn, and they tend to bring the group down. If there’s one thing I’m serious about, it’s not getting too serious. Seriously. 😉
2) If something scares you or makes you too nervous, you don’t have to do it. In fact, I WILL NOT LET YOU DO IT! So if you’re a little sketchy on the dirt, no worries. Hardly anyone dies on my rides!
Call me for directions or specific questions. Calling’s better – for me, typing emails is right up there with getting a colonoscopy.
The testimonials below are a lot better than having to read any of my overblown descriptions.
Randy Victory 928-301-1190 (voice/text)

Dear Sirs,
I participated in Randy Victory’s Bike Skills class on March 29, 2013. This was to continue my certification in the National Mountain Bike Patrol so that I could continue to patrol here in the Village of Oak Creek area.
I just want you to know that this class, and Randy’s instruction, was a truly remarkable learning experience. Yes, I learned some things I did not know (I’ve been riding for 54 years) and I feel more confident out on the trail. The real thing I want you to know is what an articulate, knowledgeable and compassionate instructor Randy is. At one point in the first part of the class, before we went out on the trail, I noticed a lot of play in the front part of my bike. I locked the brakes and rocked the bike back and forth a bit. There seemed to be more movement than I thought there should be. Randy was nearby and not busy with anyone else so I asked him if my headset was loose. I just wanted to know. He whipped an all-purpose tool from the little holster on his belt and proceeded to, not only fix, but explained how the headset was constructed, how to adjust it, line it up and tighten it all back down. He fixed it on the spot.. Now I can perform this adjustment myself. Anyone else would have just told me to take it to a shop. This 90-second slice of time out of the 6 hours of the class just demonstrates how Randy takes a personal interest in each student he has in his class. I saw him giving individual, pertinent and kind attention to everyone who needed it. He is a bicycle geek, psych counselor and friend all at once. He genuinely wants everyone to learn something, to take away new confidence with them and be a better rider as a result of his class.
In short, Randy and the class are outstanding. I am recommending this class to everyone I talk to who rides a bike on the trails around here. Randy is a precious resource and I hope this class continues.
Thanks,
-Rick Riedel
Village of Oak Creek

Hi Randy,
Thanks for the great training day!!! You put on a great course.. I have heard many of the students mention things that they learned at the class, believe it or not!! Even though so many of them are experienced, they still learned important things about riding. I think it is a perfect addition to the patrollers training!
Thanks again for working with us and Marty to get everyone this training,
Jennifer
Jennifer M. Burns
Recreation Staff Officer
Red Rock Ranger District

Hi Randy,
Just a quick thank you note for the class yesterday. It was great to meet you and learn from you. My wife also enjoyed the experience (who’d of thought a broad her age could descend over a step 2 railroad ties tall on a hard tail 26 incher………..lol). The approach you take presenting the material makes the class educational for all levels. Thanks again and look forward to seeing you on the trails in the years ahead. BTW…..we live around the corner from the Soldier’s Pass trail head so if you are ever heading this way for a ride……….let me know.
Cheers,
Del + Michele
Sedona

Dear Randy
I wanted to write this letter to thank you for the mountain bike classes we took from you at Dead Horse Ranch State Park this past spring.
We learned a lot in the class and had a lot of fun in the process. As you may remember, we brought several of our friends with us to the class over a couple of weeks. Our friends from Phoenix also had a great time and were motivated to go and buy their own mountain bikes. Our friends from Flagstaff have told other friends, and now they too want to attend a class in the future.
That is why I am writing this letter, I am hoping there are more classes scheduled for this fall when those hot Cottonwood temperatures come back down to human level. I don’t want to exaggerate, but seriously I think I have about 10 – 12 people, guys and girls, who want to come down to the class this fall. Some from Phoenix and some from Flagstaff. They will be camping at the Park for the weekend, I might have to start making reservations now for our group. I just need the dates when the class starts again. I will also be watching the website for more information.
I would like to promote your class by posting some information up here in Flagstaff at the local bike shops. I think it will be a big draw, hopefully not too big…haha
Thanks again, and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Joe Lang and Annie Tatham
Flagstaff

Randy –
In May of 2011 I had the pleasure of taking one of your instruction classes at the park. It really peaked my interest in wanting to learn how to mountain bike ride. I live in CO and come to Cottonwood usually once a month for about week at a time through out the winter. I was wanting to know if you are having any more instructional classes this year. If so when they might be. Or can you recommend someone or a business in the area I could hire to teach me the basics. Do you give private lessons?

Thank You
Anthony Ricciardi
Colorado

Dear Randy,

Thank you for the great class today! I felt like I got 30 years of experience in one day–well, almost anyway! I really appreciate the way you explain everything about mountain biking, from physics to courage!

We appreciate the program you lead and hope we can get a group of Scouts there after the first of the year!

Tom, Diane and Daniel Mobley

Phoenix



Dear Randy,

We are sorry that we haven’t been able to attend any of your Fall Mountain Bike classes. We really enjoyed the classes we attended in the Spring and we learned a lot, which has greatly enhanced our overall riding enjoyment. We have ridden many of the trails closer to home, including some that seemed impossible before your class. We even entered and finished a race!

Even more than our personal enjoyment, however, was the pleasure of introducing several of our local youth to the joys and intricacies of mountain bike riding. The kids we have brought to the class uniformly
loved it. Regardless of their initial skill, they all came away better riders and with more confidence in their own capabilities and respect for others. We take every opportunity to encourage bike riding, both road and mountain, among the youth in our little town. As a result of word-of-mouth from the kids we brought down in the Spring, there is now a waiting list of kids who would like to make the trip.

We had hoped to bring groups from our church youth group and neighborhood down this Fall, but the logistics fail. If we left Winslow immediately after Sunday School we still wouldn’t get to the park until after 2:00. We don’t have the resources to bring them down on Saturday so they could attend church in Cottonwood and still make the class on Sunday. Needless to say, neither we nor their parents want to encourage substitution of anything else for church, so we’re stymied.

If you have any questions or if you would care to discuss this with me personally, you may reach me at …
Thanks,

Fran & Nanette McHugh
Winslow, AZ


I recently attended the “mt Bike basics ” class given by Randy VIctory. He is such a great instructor! The class was varied from expert, adv. beginners to real Beginners….he was patient, fun, and a clear communicator. I felt like my time was very well spent and that I may sometime in the future upgrade equipment if I spend some time on the “trails”…..ThankYou to RANDY and the State Parks system! KEEP up the great work !!!
Terri Tarango
Flagstaff
Thanks for all the info today, Randy! Believe it or not, I definitely picked up a few new things and to avoid even 2 seconds of that horrible COW noise that brake was making I tried your lil’ jump turn on the way back down! Yikes! I ended up going w/the brand new (2013) Avid X9s…hopefully they’ll last as long as my Maguras did..
Separately, I’d love to come tag along behind you sometime on a ride. You’re friggin fast…and smooth! I’m thinking you and I should put some stuff together…you for the skills part, me for getting people in shape (and a ‘training/playing’ plan).
I’ll be in Phx/Tucson for the week but back next week and hopefully for a few weeks to follow (unless Uncle Sam calls me). Later,
Laura