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Why ride? Free breakfast and more!
May is Bike Month!
That means the city’s updated Bike Plan heads to the Austin City Council. It also means opportunities to ride with local cycling advocates, learn more about commuting to work on a bike, tons of group rides, and, best of all, free breakfast on Bike to Work Day, May 15.
Austin is one of 23 communities in the United States that has earned silver status in the League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Community rankings. Nine others have gold status, and three — Davis, Calif., Portland, Ore., and Boulder, Colo. — have platinum status.
What do we need to bump up to gold or platinum status? A lot.
More bike infrastructure, more cyclists, and more plans for the future, says Meghan Cahill, director of communications for the League. We’ve been making progress on that last one. The city has been working on a new Bike Plan, last updated in 1998, will be presented to the Austin City Council in the next few weeks.
Besides plans for new bike routes, it includes provisions for training the entire Austin Police Department on bicycle laws to ensure consistent enforcement.
The plan will be presented to the City Council for possible action on Thursday, May 21. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. To speak at the council meeting, you must sign up in advance in the lobby of City Hall, 301 W. 2nd St.
For a full lineup of Bike Month activities, go to http://www.austincycling.org/bikemonth.
Here are some highlights:
- Political Pedal: 4:45 -7:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, City Hall Plaza. Ride bikes with mayoral and city council candidates, Police Chief Art Acevedo and local cycling advocates. The basic ride starts at Austin City Hall and finishes at Uncle Billy’s Brew and Que, 1530 Barton Springs Road. Bikes and helmets are available, but you must call Scott Johnson at 389-2250 in advance to reserve one.
- Shiner Ride: Saturday, May 2. Cyclists depart from Austin and ride 100 miles through small towns and scenic byways on the way to the historic Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas. Rest Stops every 12-20 miles will be stocked with food, drink and cheering volunteers. The ride is rain or shine. For more info, http://www.shinerbash.com/index.php?page=rideinfo.
- Bike Commuting 101: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, REI Austin Downtown. Learn the basics of commuting in Austin, from what kind of bike works, what clothes and tools you need and how to find a route that works for you. Free. Instructor Preston Tyree doesn’t own a car and after 100,000 miles of urban commuting hasn’t ever been hit by a car.
- Bike to Work Day: 7-9 p.m. Friday, May 15. The best-known event of the month! Stop for free breakfast at the following locations: Whole Foods (6th Street and Lamar Boulevard); One Texas Center (505 Barton Springs Road); City Hall Plaza; Bike Texas (1902 E. 6th St.); Mellow Johnny’s (4th and Nueces streets); Wheatsville Coop (3101 Guadalupe St.); Bicycle Sport Shop (517 S. Lamar) Blvd.; Freewheeling Bicycles (24th and San Gabriel streets); Orange Bike Project and Longhorn Po-boys (Speedway between Dean Keeton and 21st Street); The Peddler and Texas Culinary Academy (119 E. North Loop Blvd.); Shoal Creek Boulevard at Far West right of way; Music City Cycles (6301 W. Parmer Lane, #504); and El Chilito (2219 Manor Road). Additional locations may be added.
Get on your bike! It saves gas money, keeps cars off the street, whips you into shape, and makes it fun to get around.
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By NadiaB
April 28, 2009 2:02 PM | Link to this
The City Bike Program is also planning a huge kick-off event at City Hall Plaza on Friday, May 1st at noon. Come listen to live music, get recommendations on how to tune up your bike by a mechanic, learn how to protect yourself from bike theft, sign up for the Commuter Challenge, learn how to load your bike onto a bus and MORE. We’ll have prizes and freebies to hand out, hope to see y’all there! (Don’t forget to bring your bike.)
By Rooster
April 29, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the great post.
There is still time to register for the Austin Commuter Challenge beginning May 4th. www.austincommuterchallenge.com