Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Which club should I join and what are the dues?

I recently received an email from a local cyclist who was asking about ABC and said he was up in the air as to what club he should join. What follows is an edited version of my response to him.

ABC membership is currently only $25 per year and applies to any and all ABC chapters that you might choose to ride with. Fees vary for special events, such as the Desert Classic in the spring, or McDowell Mtn in the fall. For special events, a discount is typically given to ABC members. We also typically honor Greater Arizona Bicycle Association (GABA) membership for such special events and vice versa. All ABC chapters are based on a weekly riding schedule, with an established starting time and location (mostly public parks). Geographically, our [insert chapter name here] Chapter might be the closest chapter to you. Of course guests are always welcomed by any chapter. Giving several of them a "test ride" might be very instructive. Seek out the ride leader, sign-in before the ride, and let them know it is your first ride with them as a guest.

ABC is organized under the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) and riders in ABC events are covered by our insurance which is provided through the LAB. Event and mechandise discounts, our monthly electronic newsletter, as well as ride insurance are just some of the many benefits of ABC membership. In my experience, what an individual gets out of belonging to a cycling club is directly related to what they put in. Because of our organizational structure, you can get involved at any level you're comfortable with from the chapter on up to the national organization. The more people get involved in a constructive way, the better it is for the club. But even if all you do is show up for an occasional ride, you can know that a portion of your ABC membership will go to support safe and enjoyable cycling and advocacy in a wide range of ways. ABC board meetings are always public, so we are a very transparent organization. As an ABC member, you will always have an opportunity to be heard.

As club president, I am interested in seeing new members join ABC. As a cyclist, I'm interested in seeing that anyone with an interest in cycling is able to pursue it to their greatest satisfaction. No matter what your goals, or how you choose to pursue your interest in cycling, I'm happy to share my thoughts with you, and I am always interested in hearing your thoughts on the subject. Thanks for your interest in ABC.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

National Bike Summit 2009

Photo by MoBikeFed







From March 10th to the 13th, hundreds of bike entusiasts attended the League of American Bicyclists National Bike Summit in Washington D.C. Kristi Felts Moore represented ABC and I showed up in time to ride in the Congressional Bike Ride which is the final event of the conference. This was the ninth National Bike Summit, and each year the event gets bigger and better. This year many opportunities lie ahead. With the inauguration of a new President and the swearing in of a new Congress just months ago, the political climate has changed. There is a tremendous sense of hope that we are entering a new era of transformative policy change, even as we face challenging economic issues.



As our country contemplates how to spend billions of dollars to stimulate the economy, we have clear choices. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood addressed the summit, noting that the DOT will be "a full partner in working toward livable communities". But Federal money is trickling down to state and local governments and opportunities abound for local spending on infrastructure supporting bicycling. Bicyclists appreciate the positive impacts that cycling can have on health, the environment, and the economy. But we need to promote this view so that those who are making decisions about our future consider all users of the transportation system, particularly bicyclists and pedestrians. I encourage everyone to take some time to think about how you can influence those in government, at all levels, to support bicycling.


On a more personal note, I feel compelled to confess that my inner Boy Scout failed me, and I showed up for the Congressional Bike Ride woefully under prepared. I've often said, "Its difficult to justify good cold-and-wet weather riding gear when you live in Phoenix, but it's impossible to test it." Maybe I've just been living here too long, but I dismissed the need for full-finger gloves. It's Spring! Right? The daffodils are just about to bloom. Right? It was almost 90 degrees when I left Phoenix, but it started snowing on me during the ride. It was just flurries and the roads weren't slippery, but I was cold. I don't know if my blood really is any thinner for living in the desert but my fingers and toes were really complaining. On a more postive note, it was a treat to ride in our nation's capitol among some of the most iconic landmarks in the world.

Locally, the spring equinox is behind us and for those who avoid riding with lights, it's getting lighter earlier and staying lighter longer so there are more opportunities to ride. If you've been hybernating and haven't yet emerged for the Spring, hesitate no longer.
















Wednesday, March 11, 2009

National Bike Summit

Tim, Larry, Kathy,Gene, and Kristi

Congressional Ride Start