Letter: Bicyclists should ride facing traffic

The following letter to the editor was published in the Arizona Republic Jun. 1, 2010, under the heading “Bicyclists should ride facing traffic“:

Once again, it has happened – another bicyclist run down. This time an 8-year-old girl is in serious condition.

I want to know why the law hasn’t been changed to have bicyclists ride facing traffic so at least they can see if the car is being driven erratically, giving them a chance to avoid being hit. This type of accident will surely increase as warm weather approaches. I have lived here since 1959 and come from a state where this has always been the law – and I don’t remember any bicyclist being hit there.

This letter, of course, shows a profound misunderstanding of traffic safety, so Gene Holmerud, our VP of education, penned a short response letter that was published June 7:

Regarding Ms. Hilliard’s letter “Bicyclists should ride facing traffic”.

I am glad for the writer’s concern for the safety of cyclists and desire for cycling to be a legitimate mode of transportation in our state. The latest comprehensive study of bicycle crash and injury incidents shows only one-third involve a motor vehicle. Of those incidents that do involve a motor vehicle, the largest single category of causes is the error of riding against traffic, nearly five times the motorists’ error of being hit from behind.

The League of American Bicyclists and the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists present fact-based classes for cyclists and motorists on how to “Share the Road” safely and effectively. State laws are an important part of the program, none of which condone riding against traffic. We encourage participation in these classes.

Gene Holmerud
Educational Vice-President
Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists
League Cycling Instructor #1193

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Projects funded for Safe Routes

Bill Lazenby represents the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists on the Safe Routes To School (SRTS) Advisory Committee, and participates in funding and project selections.

The following projects and amounts were recommended by the SRTS Advisory Committee and approved by the State Transportation Board for funding in Cycle 4.
Infrastructure
Gilbert School Crossings and Sidewalk Safety Improvements
Gilbert
$300,000
Joe Carlson Safe Routes To School
Douglas
$300,000
Wilson Primary School Sidewalks
Phoenix
$298,724
CHAMP Sidewalk Improvement Program
Pinetop – Lakeside
$296,022
SRTS in Prescott — Lincoln Elementary School
Prescott
$285,515
Total Infrastructure Projects
$1,480,261
Non-Infrastructure
Apache Junction Safe and Fit: Year 2
Apache Junction
$34,175
Walk. Bike. Get Fit.
Flagstaff
$117,000
Wilson Walk-n-Rollers
Phoenix
$120,000
Cottonwood Safe Routes To School Program
Cottonwood
$45,000
Williams Safe Routes To School
Williams
$45,000
Nogales SRTS Initiative
Nogales
$45,000
Safe Routes To School in Prescott
Prescott
$44,004
Bringing Schools & Neighborhoods Together for Safety
Tucson
$42,682
Round Valley in Motion
Springerville
$14,196
Sells-Indian Oasis Baboquivari USD SRTS Project
Sells
$2,082
Walking Wednesdays / Crossing Guard Kits
Maricopa
$10,150
Casa Grande Walk-n and Roll-n
Casa Grande
$5,460
Total Non-Infrastructure
$524,749
Materials and Regional Support
Pima Region Safe Routes To Schools
Tucson
$27,300

Tour de Payson Revived

CAzBike Pres. Bob Beane (kneeling…or maybe ducking
because he know the hills the riders will soon confront)
with a mini-peloton of some of PMBC’s best riders
who have just refueled at SAG #1 on the outward
leg of Doll Baby Ranch Road.

CAzBike president, and Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club member Bob Beane recently organized a revival of the PMBC’s Tour de Payson ride, which took place on Saturday, May 8. This event had not been conducted since 2005. This year, the Payson community (Mayor Kenny Evans, Parks & Recreation champion Mary McMullen and local bike/multi-sport shop owner Mick Wolf) stepped up big time to support the event.
73 brave cyclists participated in this scenic but lung-busting adventure. Based on the positive feedback, 100+ riders are expected next year.

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.

Trek Bicycle Corporation joins Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists

April 5, 2010 – Phoenix Arizona – For Immediate Release

Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists’ president, Bob Beane, announced today that Trek Bicycle Corporation has joined the CAzB as a sponsoring business member. Beyond the initial financial contribution of their membership, the Coalition is extremely pleased that Trek is taking a sincere interest in bicycling advocacy at the state and local level through the CAzB. “Trek Territory Manager, Greg DeCori, and I had nearly an hour of meaningful discussions related to the Coalition’s role in Arizona advocacy, our goals, our expanding geographic representation and ways the Trek might assist in our efforts,” said Beane. “Greg is very focused on how he and Trek Bicycle Corporation might partner with us to help expand both individual membership and bike shop membership in order to help provide an ongoing base of financial support for advocacy in Arizona”.

Trek Bicycle Corporation is the leading brand of bicycles in the US , and is headquartered in Waterloo , Wisconsin . Among the other organizations and causes Trek supports are the League of American Bicyclists, IMBA, Safe Routes to School and Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin.

We are pleased to have Trek as a member of the advocacy team in Arizona , and look forward to partnering with Greg and other members of the Trek family in the months and years ahead.

ABOUT THE COALITION

The Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists is an all-volunteer registered 501(c)3 organization that offers education and advocacy for Arizona’s bicyclists. For more information, please visit our website www.cazbike.org

CAzBike Swap Meet: May 29, 2010

For 2010, we are returning our swap meet to the Phoenix Municipal Stadium parking lot on May 29 so as not to interfere with the numerous bike activities scheduled during the month of April.
Set ups will begin about 6am, and the venue will officially open at 7am, however there is much merchandise changing hands during and after setting up. We will be shutting
down somewhere around noon to 1pm.
The parking lot is at the South – West corner of Van Buren Street and Priest near the Phoenix / Tempe border. As previously, there are no costs involved to attend. Hope to see you there.