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MARIN COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION (MCBC)
WEEKLY BULLETIN
August 4, 2010
1. Alameda del Prado bike lanes officially open
2. Marin Century rolls this Saturday
3. We matched Rocky’s $9,000 donation!
4. Bike Parking Coordinator needed by August 20
5. Bicycle models wanted!
6. Nokia offers bike-powered cell phone charger
7. The Bicycle Works One Year Celebration
8. Make your way to the Northern California Bicycle Expo, Sun, Aug 22
1. Alameda del Prado bike lanes officially open
Supervisor Judy Arnold cuts the Ribbon.
“I wish Mark was here today!” That’s what Marin County Board President Judy Arnold said as she prepared to cut the ribbon to officially open the new bike lanes along Alameda del Prado in north Marin. Judy was referring to MCBC member Mark Birnbaum of Novato, who’s been pressing for this bicycle improvement for over a decade. Mark was out of the county on business, but he was there in spirit and has already been using the new bicycle facility.
The bicycle lanes connect the existing bicycle lanes on Ignacio Boulevard to the Pacheco Pathway (near the Marin IJ building), closing a key one-mile gap in the North/South Bikeway. The project received $850,000 of federal Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program (NTPP) funds.
About 40 people gathered to celebrate the completion of the project, which provides 4 ft bike lanes on both sides of the road, narrower landscaped medians, underground utilities and a smooth surface to roll along. Check out the new bikes lanes the next time you’re traveling north: they’re very nice!
2. Marin Century rolls this Saturday
MCBC hosts Nicasio rest stop, with bicycle repair from Sunshine
It’s here: the biggest annual bike ride in Marin is just 3 days away! The Marin Century, organized by the Marin Cyclists, gets underway this Saturday morning. There are 6 different rides to choose from, ranging from 30 miles to 200 miles, and this year there’s a twist.
After many years of the course being the same, organizers decided to reverse course, so to speak. Event director Michael Sexton said, "The traditional century course has been the same for the last 10 to 15 years; we wanted to keep the course, but former event director Colin Lynch came up with the idea of reversing the northern part of the courses, so we can keep the same roads and enjoy the same scenery."
The Marin Century organizers, in association with MCBC, has produced a video titled Ride Right, which demonstrates how to safely ride single file in group riding situations. It also has some great safety tips for anyone riding the roads of Marin County. CycleTo’s Bob Cullinan narrates the safety PSA.
MCBC traditionally hosts the Nicasio rest station, serving food and drink to 2,500 riders. This year we’ll be providing a lounge area and Sunshine Bicycles of Fairfax will provide a bicycle repair station. So if you’re one of the 2,500 Marin Century riders this weekend be sure to stop by and say hello to MCBC – we’ll have PB&J sandwiches waiting for you!
3. We matched Rocky’s $9,000 donation!
MCBC thanks Rocky Birdsey and all matching donors
Thanks to the generosity of over 40 people and organizations, we have met (and beat!) our goal to match Rocky Birdsey’s $9,000 grant. Rocky generously donated $9,000 to MCBC to help finance our work to improve Marin County’s bike facilities in the wake of the horrific road rage incident in San Francisco in June, contingent on matching donations received by July 31. By deadline last weekend, we’ve received $9,165 in generous donations! You can read more about why Rocky supports safe cycling in the Ross Valley Reporter.
MCBC thanks Rocky for his fabulous donation, and the many contributors who donated matching funds. You are keeping MCBC focused on the bike advocacy that makes your streets safer!
4. Bike Parking Coordinator needed by August 20
Have fun at great events while you oversee the bike parking service
MCBC’s Bike Parking Coordinator has moved on and MCBC is looking for a replacement to manage our remaining 2010 events. The Coordinator needs to have a valid driver license and a truck with a trailer hitch. The pay is $15/hour with no taxes withheld, plus 50 cents per mile mileage reimbursement.
The following events remain this year:
Full-service events with setup/breakdown, and staffed by MCBC Coordinator and volunteers : 5-14 racks provided plus corral equipment; coordinator transports equipment to/from site, sets up equipment, supervises volunteers (recruited by MCBC), helps with bike parking, and breaks down equipment. Events may last part of a day, one day, or entire weekend.
- Sept. 4-6: Sausalito Art Festival
- Oct. 10: Marin Classic
- Oct. 16: Biketoberfest
- Nov. 25: Appetite seminar
Rack rental events with equipment delivery and pickup only : 5 racks - plus corral equipment if desired – provided. Equipment is transported to/from event site. Event volunteers are shown how to set up the equipment. Coordinator does not oversee service.
- Aug. 4 & 8: Marin Century (trailer drop-off on 8/4; pickup on 8/8)
- Oct. 9: Brookside School Octoberfest
- Nov. 13: Manor Winter Fair
Setup and breakdown take about 1-2 hours each, depending on size of event. The bike parking trailer is located in Fairfax near the MCBC office, so this is the start/end point of all bike trailer transporting.
Responsibilities and skills required:
- Outgoing, pleasant attitude and a sense of humor
- Ability to independently coordinate, train and inspire a staff of volunteers
- Valid CA driver license
- Vehicle owner with trailer hitch for towing equipment trailer
- Ability to lift and carry heavy equipment for set-up/break-down
- Oversee equipment loans and rentals
- Train volunteers on valet service and marketing MCBC
- Be present at events to interact with volunteers and community members
- Transport of bike parking equipment trailer to and from event locations
- Equipment set-up and break-down at events
- Equipment maintenance, repairs and purchases
- Event data reporting to MCBC office
- Excellent follow-through on assigned responsibilities
- A self-starter with organizational skills
- Professional written and verbal skills
- Good command of the English language
- Desire to clean, maintain and repair equipment
- A love of bicycling!
If you are interested in doing all or some of the events above, please contact Jo Ann Richards, MCBC Volunteer & Activities Coordinator, at 415-456-3469 x7# or joann@marinbike.org.
Have you noticed how fashionable cycling has become lately? MCBC has and we’re preparing to show off some of the new looks for our Fall Pedal Press issue. We’ll be doing three photo shoots in August, two on pathways and one on trails. We’re looking for some photo hams to come out and model bicycle clothing from Sheila Moon, NAU, Swrve, My Abili, Pedal Panties, Zoic and others. If you’d like to help us please contact Tom Boss at tom@marinbike.org. |
6. Nokia offers bike-powered cell phone charger
We’re happy to keep seeing refreshing new ways to stay green on a bike. The latest (for now) is a battery powered cell phone charger. The device attaches to your bike; charging starts at walking speed and is as effective as common chargers at 8 mph (at least according to the vendor). You can even listen to music from your phone’s speakers as you ride!
Here’s more from the Nokia website:
Use your own pedal power to charge your phone for free, efficiently and reliably, when you cycle. This durable charging kit is a convenient way to make sure you can stay in touch.
This charging kit is an effective way to generate power. Charging starts when you cycle at walking speed (6 km/h) or faster, and at 12 km/h it charges as efficiently as common Nokia mains chargers.
This dependable charger kit gives you a reliable electricity supply from your own pedal power. It's carefully designed to withstand dirt and weather, and both the phone and bicycle charger attach securely to bicycle….You can even listen to music from your phone's speakers as you cycle.
Click here for more info.
Source: Centerlines (newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking)
MESSAGES FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
7. The Bicycle Works One Year Celebration
THIS Sunday, August 8, 3-10 PM
Jelani Gardner and Spokey Godfrey of The Bicycle Works write:
Please join us for this wonderful celebration of a successful first year of Community Service! Thank you all for your support and business, this would not be possible without everyone!! We are excited about the prospects for the second year, and look forward to continuing to build out the project and serve the community.
Please feel free to bring a potluck dish to share, as well as your funky-cool bikes for show-and-tell!! See you on Sunday.
Click here for more information.
8. Make your way to the Northern California Bicycle Expo
Presented by the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, Sun, Aug 22, in Santa Rosa
Christine Culver of the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition writes:
Bikes and Music! Bikes and Food! Bikes and Brews and Wine! Bikes and Theater! Bikes and Kids Activities! Bikes for Sale! Bike Gear, Clothes, Parts! Bike Arts and Crafts!
Sound like a dream? Well, wake up, and mark your calendar…
On Sunday, August 22, 2010 from 10 am – 4 pm, Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition presents the first annual Northern California Bicycle Expo in Downtown Santa Rosa’s beautiful Juilliard Park.
A benefit for Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, the Northern California Bicycle Expo is part festival, and part bike “swap” (note: “Bike Swap” is a widely accepted misnomer for “gathering of people and companies selling super-great bike stuff”). The event features a range of vendors from hobbyist to major industry players and everyone in between. This is THE place for great finds and deals on new and used bikes, gear, parts, clothing, and bikey arts, crafts and more. Plus, there’s live music and theatrical performance, a plethora of specialty bike exhibits, kids activities, raffles, great food, drinks (including beer from Bear Republic Brewing in Healdsburg!!),of course free valet bicycle parking, and more!
The Northern California Bicycle Expo is the finish for the Nimble Break the Cycle Ride, which features a variety of routes from a great family ride to an ultra challenging climb in Sonoma. The Ride features a family ride on the Joe Rodota Trail, a 35-mile route, and a tough 55 mile route. is a benefit for Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition and the YWCA. Register here.
This is going to be a blast! Tell all your Northern California people and bring you and yours to Juilliard Park on August 22nd.
For more event info, click here.
Marin County Bicycle Coalition
P.O. Box 1115
Fairfax, CA 94978
Office Location: 733 Center Blvd., Fairfax, CA 94930
(415) 456-3469 – phone
(415) 456-9344 – fax
http://www.marinbike.org
The MCBC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
We are a membership-supported group. If you are not already a paying member, please join today. Printable membership forms are on our website, http://www.marinbike.org.
Thank you for being a part of the solution.
To reach the MCBC Staff:
- Kim Baenisch, Executive Director, 456-3469 x 1#, kim@marinbike.org
- Tom Boss, Membership Director, 272-2756, tom@marinbike.org
- Jo Ann Richards, Volunteer and Activities Coordinator, 456-3469 x 7#, joann@marinbike.org
- Bob Trigg, Administrator, 456-3469 x 3#, bob@marinbike.org
- Deb Hubsmith, Advocacy Director, 454-7430, deb@marinbike.org
- David Hoffman, Director of Planning, 456-3469 x 4#, david@marinbike.org
- Andy Peri, Advocacy Outreach Coordinator, 457-0802, andy@marinbike.org
- Wendi Kallins, Safe Routes to Schools Program Director, 488-4101, wendi@marinbike.org
- Laura Kelly, Safe Routes to Schools Project Coordinator, 456-3469 x 2#, laura@marinbike.org
- Peggy Clark, Share the Road Program Manager, Safe Routes to Schools Project Coordinator, 456-3469 x 8#, peggy@marinbike.org
- Aviva Joseph, Safe Routes to Schools Teen Coordinator, 456-3469 x 5#, aviva@marinbike.org
- Gwen Froh, Safe Routes to Schools Teen Coordinator, 456-3469 x 5#, gwen@marinbike.org
- Frances E. Barbour, Safe Routes to Schools Instructor, 577-4601, frances@marinbike.org
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