Advocacy Alert: $2.5B Funding Rescission Looms

Your state DOT may be getting ready to take away millions of dollars in bicycle and pedestrian funding.
In the latest budget deal between the Republicans and Democrats, the two parties agreed to rescind (read: take back) $2.5 billion in unspent federal transportation funds. Your state DOT has the power to decide which funds they send back. And based upon history we know what happens next.

Your state DOT may try to empty out the funds that pay for your sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, and education programs.

You can learn more and fill out a form that will send a message to Governor Brewer via the LAB’s Time To Take Action page.

Our littlest riders

DSC01031Coalition of Arizona Bicyclist’s Kathy Mills offered a class in bike safety to over 50 pre-school students of the Horizon Presbyterian Church, located in the Ahwatukee Foothills of Phoenix, Arizona. The early basics were stressed — stopping at stop signs, looking both ways, and helmet fit.

DSC01020Kathy is an LCI, a League Cycling Instructor, certified by the LAB. She’s more usually training youth and adult cyclists. Watch for more education events at www.cazbike.org/category/education/

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ABC member killed on organized ride in Florida

Sad, tragic news from ABC:
Bob King, a long-time member of ABC, was killed last Wednesday, March 30th, after being struck from behind by a fast-moving pick-up truck. Bob was on a week-long Bike Florida Spring Tour. The driver, a young man, was said to be distracted using his cell phone when his vehicle drifted into the marked shoulder where Bob had been cycling. We are all saddened and shocked by the passing of Bob! He had many friends in the club. He always seemed to be smiling!


Bob’s funeral will be this Saturday, April 9, at the Shadow Mountain Mortuary (2350 East Greenway Road in Phoenix) at 11 AM. Shadow Mountain Mortuary is just east of Cave Creek Road on Greenway. Visitation will be Saturday before the funeral service from 9 AM -11 AM. There will be a reception following the service at the Best Western on Northern and 16th St.
A burial service will be held Monday at 10:30 AM at the National Cemetery on Cave Creek Road.

This is a blog about Bob by BikeFlorida the saftey ride Bob was participating in.

There is a forum page at Bob King memory book. Please visit this forum and write your condolences, comments, memories. Pictures can also be posted there and are encouraged. If you are not currently an ABC member you can read this page and email any information you would like to post to azbikeclub@gmail.com.

The board is starting a memorial project and will now be connected to the Ghostbikes.org. We plan to have a ghostbike for Bob in phoenix and maybe a second in Florida. The memorial page is Memorial Page . If you would like to work with on the Ghost bike for Bob send us an email and we will keep you in the loop.

News articles about the incident here and here.
Here is a very thoughtful article from commuteorlando.com about Bob’s death and inattention / distracted driving.

Safe Routes to School Project Approvals

Coalition representative Bill Lazenby reports that on March 24 the SRTS Review Committee met and the following projects were approved. For more info about SRTS, visit saferoutesinfo.org.

Infrastructure Projects
1. City of Apache Junction–Safe Bicycle/Ped Routes ——— $399,598.
2. Pima County–Coronado Cougars–Walkway/Bike path —- $399,382.
3. Town of Springerville–Round Valley in Motion ————– $399,728.
4. City of Tucson—Liberty Ave School —————————- $399,880.
5. Yuma Proving Grounds–Price Elementary School ————-$104,904.
6. Apache County–St Johns SRTS———————————– $327,600.
7. City of Flagstaff–Pine Knoll FUTS / Bike Lanes————— $385,128.
8. City of Tucson-Gila Panthers Tracks —————————– $352,177.

The next step is for Brian Fellows to present these approved applications to the State Transportation Board this summer and the monies will be available for the projects by the start of school in September,2011.

Cycle # 6 will start by September and all applications need to be into Brian at ADOT by December 31, 2011

SanTan Wheelie Jam : April 23

Get ready for a new bike festival on April 23rd at Steele Indian School Park in downtown Phoenix, the SanTan Wheelie Jam. EVERYONE should be there, and bring all your friends too.
This is an all local festival, local bike groups, local beer (SanTan brewing), local food, local bands, local bike shops. TBAG is getting it going, and all beer sales proceeds will go to Phoenix groups.
Event info on facebook.
More info at T.B.A.G.

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.