Bikes Donated to AmeriSchools Academy

Words and photo by Sheila Foraker, CAzBike Southern Arizona Representative

Stealing from kids is among the lowest form of crime. Stealing from kids who have nothing is even worse. Consider the plight of KarmaRacer, supporter of Arizona Bicycle Club (ABC) and AmeriSchools Academy. KarmaRacer is a bicycle re-cycler that serves youth, families and adults with low income. Not once, but twice their donated bicycles were stolen from a storage facility.

Gary LeBlanc, Superintendent of AmeriSchools, loads donated bikes for transport to Phoenix
Gary LeBlanc, Superintendent of
AmeriSchools, loads donated
bikes for transport to Phoenix

“I am so frustrated,” reported Luis from KarmaRacer. “I went to storage to bring the bikes and 25 [were] missing.”
Gary LeBlanc, Superintendent of AmeriSchools charter school has been working for months with ABC and the families of the students. The plan is to provide these youth with an opportunity to improve their lives thought active participation, specifically in cycling.
AmeriSchools, through a tax donation, and ABC provides the youth, mostly middle school students, with jerseys, ABC Family Membership, helmets, socks, water bottles and bikes at no charge to the families.

A bike safety rodeo was planned for the students to learn traffic concepts in a safe and fun environment. Then the bikes were stolen.- twice! And mother nature brought welcomed rain thus canceling the rodeos.

“We have 4 bikes [that can be repaired] and need 6 more to completely outfit the kids,” said Gary LeBlanc, Superintendent of AmeriSchools.. “Unless there’s an angel out there I’m afraid the bike club is a club without bikes and this event will, once again, not get off the ground.”

The Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists stepped in as the rescuing angel providing 10 used bicycles that were donated from the City of Tucson surplus property.
While loading the bikes for transport back to Phoenix, Gary said, “This donation of bikes is greatly appreciated. Thanks to the Coalition we can have our bike rodeo and get the kids riding.”
The bike rodeo is sponsored by Valley Metro and the bike club is being sponsored by AmeriSchools Academy and ABC.

Scottsdale cyclist’s death shows problems with law

Thanks to PMBC member and Arizona Republic reporter, Jane Larson, for connecting us and allowing the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists to contribute to this article.

But Arizona bicycle advocates are concerned that the state law mandating that motorists give bicyclists 3 feet of safe passing distance is inconsistently enforced.

“It seems more law-enforcement officers are aware of the law, but I think there is still some confusion on what the law is and how to apply it,” said Bob Beane, president of the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists.

The group would like to see increased awareness of the law, increased penalties and a clarification of how the law applies if designated bike lanes are not suitable for riding, he said.

Scottsdale cyclist’s death shows problems with law,4/23/2010, The Arizona Republic

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CAzBike Membership Meeting: April 19, 2010

Next meeting: Monday April 19th, 2010. 6:30PM.Location: The loft at the Boulders on Broadway Bar and Grill (map)530 W. Broadway in Tempe AZ 85282, 480.921.9431

  • Membership programs
  • Mesa PD training topics/program
  • Bicyclist classes (free or charge fee/rebate when attended?)
  • Draft “CAzB Role/Organization Structure” in response to central/southern AZ advocates request
  • Executive Director selection process
  • General meeting frequency, location and purposes
  • Other items proposed by board/officers/advisory members
  • Other items as proposed by any members in attendance

CAzBike membership meetings are regularly held the 3rd Monday of each month except August.

Bicycle Riders as Disciples of Progress

With smooth, paved roads and motor vehicles seemingly everywhere, it’s easy to forget that bicyclists advocated for road progress first. The League of American Wheelman (now called the League of Amerinca Bicyclists) was founded in 1880 and became the umbrella organization for the good roads movement. “The 1890s popular movement for Good Roads, pushed most ardently by bicyclists, is of note for several reasons.Primarily the fight for better conditions for bicycling unknowingly set the stage…”. The Great Bicycle Protest of 1896, Processed Magazine vol.2 no.1. [direct link to full .pdf article]

Glendale Ball Park Blvd Letter of Support

The following letter of support was sent to Felipe Andres Zubia, Chair, ADOT Transportation Enhancement Review Committee:

Dear Mr. Zubia:
The Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists would like to register our support for the Ball Park Boulevard Connection Project in Glendale. This project will benefit bicyclists from all over the Valley as it will create a significant connection, controlled crossing and access parking integral to a developing path network that will be used by all types of cyclists.
We know that the New River pathway in Glendale will connect to Peoria’s path on New River that goes all the way north of Happy Valley Rd. We also know that the Grand Canal pathway in Glendale connects to the Phoenix Grand Canal path that also reaches far into Phoenix.
Having this connection between the two paths at Ball Park Boulevard will allow cyclists to travel to work, go to local places of business and local schools and go to the Cardinal games at the stadium and Coyote games at the arena. The completion of this path network, including this project, will make it both a transportation corridor and a “destination” for recreational bicyclists, providing a safe place to ride/commute as well as generating health and economic benefits to the community.
For all these reasons, the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists fully endorses this project.
Cordially Yours,
Robert A. Beane, President
Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists

Southern Arizona Report: April

Perimeter Bicycling was awarded the grant to administrate the Pima Regional Middle School Bicycle and Pedestrian Program. I will be the manager much like I do for our current Bike Ambassador program. This is a Safe Routes to Schools curriculum model, much like the elementary school program already in existence, but with middle school students as the target age.
We will hire more LCI’s to teach the classes in the school day, in after school programs or on weekends, depending on the school’s needs and schedule.

We are ready to package the diversion program to use as a model for other cities. I will be happy to present to any group with a power point and hand outs.

Tucson is going to have its first Ciclovia on April 18. I have been invited to send some bike patrol to the event, and will be sending 5 or so to help out during the day. SafeKids Tucson is providing helmets for the event and we will have helmet fitters on hand to make sure helmets are worn properly.

El Tour de Phoenix was a great success. 1400 riders, a new record.

Sheila Foraker
CAzBike Southern Arizona Representative