Arizona back in top-ten in LAB Bike Friendly States Ranking

The League of American Bicyclists released their Bicycle Friendly State rankings for 2013 last week. Arizona was ranked as the 10th most bike friendly state, after having fallen to 16th spot in the 2011 rankings.


“…In the Southwest, Arizona moved back into the top 10. Among other strides, the state completed its Bicycle Safety Action plan to improve bicyclist safety on Arizona’s highways.
 ‘The goal is to reduce the number of bicyclist fatalities and injury crashes with motor vehicles,’ said Michael Sanders, Arizona Department of Transportation’s bicycle and pedestrian program coordinator. “We ‘crash-typed’ nearly 750 reported crashes that occurred over a five-year period to better define the sequence of actions leading to the collision. For example, we found that over half of all crashes occurred while a motorist was making a right turn. The Plan consists of action items addressing potential changes to policies and education programs, or new tools, such as bicycle road safety audit guidelines, to improve bicyclist safety.’

More info and links to the LAB rankings and report card at tucsonvelo.com.

Traffic Skills 101 Yuma, June 1, 2013

League-certified instructors from the Coalition will be traveling to Yuma to offer Traffic Skills 101 on June 1, 2013. Time and specific location will be announced later. Registration is now open, and the class is offered without charge — HURRY — class size is limited to 12 students.

Register instantly online

Traffic Skills 101 is our nation’s premiere street bicycling program taught by instructors certified by the League of American Bicyclists. Learn the basics of bicycle and helmet fit. Learn state bicycle laws. Learn how to predict and prevent crashes, and how to bail out as a last resort! Learn how to operate your bicycle in a skillful and confident manner, in any traffic — any time!

For more info contact Kathy Mills kmills@cazbike.org.

Better Mountain Biking? : Dead Horse Ranch State Park

March 23, 30; April 6, 13, 20, 27; May 4: Better Mountain Biking
If you …

  • Have a mountain bike, and want to try taking it off-road.
  • Are nervous riding with friends or significant others because they ride “those hard trails”.
  • Don’t want to slow your friends down, because “they’re a lot better than me”.
  • Have tried to teach friends how to mountain bike, but find it hard to explain things.
  • Have been riding for a few years and would like to take it to the next level.
  • Are experienced and want to refine your technique … then check out this workshop!

Better Mountain Biking sessions start at Noon on Saturdays and go until 4:00, “or when everyone gets tired”, according to Ranger Randy Victory. “These will be trail rides on the dirt, with some instruction on the pavement.” Victory, a certified cycling instructor (a mountain biker since 1977), will offer everything from basic riding techniques, to physics, to trail etiquette. The rides are fun and educational for beginners, but even experienced bikers ride away with new skills & knowledge. “There’s always a certain amount of interaction between riders,” explains Victory. “Group rides where the beginners are supportive of each other, and more experienced riders can offer their insight are an excellent way to build skills, and have a great time doing it. The focus is on fun!” Riders will be REQUIRED to wear a helmet and complete an Acknowledgment of Risk Form (parents must sign for riders under 18 years old, minimum age 14-16). They should also bring water and make sure their bike is in good working order. Flat protection (Slime tire sealant, for example) and riding gloves are strongly recommended. The rides will start at the Raptor Trailhead at the top of Roadrunner Road in the park. For more information, call Ranger Victory at 928-301-1190 or email rvictory(at)azstateparks.gov. The Day use fee of $7.00 applies, or Annual Passes are accepted. In addition there will be a program fee of $5.00 per rider collected at the time of the session.

visit www.pr.state.az.us/parks/DEHO/ for forms and more info.

2013 Ride of Silence: May 15

Hundreds of events are scheduled worldwide on May 15, 2013 in the annual Ride of Silence. (always the third Wednesday in May).

Details of other Arizona rides as they are announced (check back often) can be found at rideofsilence.org…. events are currently planned around Arizona for Flagstaff, Phoenix (multiple), Mesa, Santa Cruz Valley / Green Valley, Tucson, and Kingman.

More info about the Santa Cruz Valley / Green Valley / Sahuarita area ride can be found at Santa Cruz Valley Bicycle Advocacy Committee scvbac.org . View event flyer.

Wayne Cullop of Tucson Appointed to CAzBike Advisory Board

The Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists is pleased to announce that Wayne Cullop of Tucson has joined the CAzB as an Advisory Board member effective March 19, 2013.

Wayne has been very active cyclist in the Tucson area for 18 years. He has served on Tucson’s GABA Board for more than 15 years holding such positions as web master and advocacy coordinator. He is currently GABA President and had served in that position in the past. Wayne was selected to serve as the bike and pedestrian representative on the Grant Road Task Force, a major road improvement in Tucson. He is currently representing Pima County on the the Tucson/Pima County Bicycle Advisor Board, and is an active LCI instructor. To get in touch with Wayne, or any other board or advisory member, visit CAzBike’s contact page.

Chandler Family Bike Ride

The annual Chandler Family Bike Ride is back!  The 7.4-mile ride is free, but pre-registration is recommended.  The first 100 people to pre-register will receive a free t-shirt.  The ride starts and ends at the Chandler Park and Ride (2100 S. Hamilton St.)

City of Chandler Family Bike Ride
Saturday, April 13, 2013
7.4-mile ride along the Paseo Canal (click here for map)
Registration 8:00 – 8:45AM; Ride begins at 9:00AM
Chandler Park and Ride (2100 S. Hamilton St.)
FREE!!!!

Pre-Registration is encouraged.  Pre-register now to reserve your free t-shirt.  Click here to access the on-line pre-registration form.
For more information, contact Ann Marie Riley at 480-782-3442 or annmarie.riley@chandleraz.gov.

City of Phoenix Bike Summits

This year, the City of Phoenix will be holding a bike summit in each of the eight city council districts. Bike summits will be localized to districts and villages to better serve local bike communities.

  • Learn what the city is doing to improve its bikeability.
  • Join a forum of fellow cyclists to express needs in you neighborhoods or on your commutes.
  • Meet fellow cyclists and city employees who share the common goal of making Phoenix an excellent bike-able destination.

City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department
Bike Program phoenix.gov/bicycling
Questions/Comments: Joseph Perez 602-534-9529 Joseph.Perez@phoenix.gov

BELOW IS SCHEDULE AS OF 3/4 — please check city website for any last minute updates at 
http://www.phoenix.gov/news/030413bikesummit.html

2013 City Council District Bike Summit Schedule

10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 2, District 8, at the Rio Salado Community College Downtown, 619 N. Seventh Ave., room 1007

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 9, District 3, at Shea Wellness, 10401 N. 32nd St.
(additionally, there will be a community bike ride BEFORE the summit — details below in the comment) 

10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 16, District 7, at Desert Meadows Elementary School Library, 6855 W. Meadows Loop East

11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 23, District 1, at Goelet A. Beuf Community Center, 3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, room 101

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 30, District 6, at Pecos Park Community Center, 17010 S. 48th St., room 3

10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 6, District 5, at Washington Park Activity Center, 2240 W. Citrus Way

11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 13, District 2, at Paradise Valley Community Center, 17402 N. 40th St., multi-purpose room

10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 20, District 4, at Longview Recreation Center, 4040 N. 14th St.

7611 W Thomas Rd  Desert Sky Mall, New Community Room

LCI Instructor class Jan 25-27: Phoenix

There will be an LCI Instructor Class held January 25-27, 2013. This is the class to take to become a certified LCI (League Cycling Instructor). Event info and registration via LAB website.

General information about LCI and other educational programs from the LAB.

Note the TS101 is a prerequiste. For those in the Phoenix area who need the class –
I am looking at the calendar to schedule a class at Global Bikes in  Gilbert or another location.  If you are interested, which of these dates will work? Sat. Jan. 5th / Sun. Jan. 6th / Sat. Jan. 12th
There is an online portion at bikeed.org run by the City of Houston that students can start any time.

Contact Kathy Mills at kathym@cazbike.org