Berkeley Bike Month 2006 - Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Dave Campbell, 510-701-5971
Bicycle-Friendly Berkeley Coalition
P.O. Box 13357
Berkeley, California 94712
510-549-RIDE (549-7433)
www.bfbc.org

DATE: 2006-04-10
(corrections, 2006-04-26)

CYCLING FOR COMMUTERS, BERKELEY RESIDENTS CELEBRATE BIKE MONTH IN BERKELEY, MAY 2006

Berkeley, CA - May 1, 2006 - Berkeley's 4th annual Bike Month invites all bicyclists, and those interested in cycling, to find a reason to celebrate cycling in one of many fun event this May. Whether cycling for sport, as an easy way to commute to work, or as a cheap alternative way of transportation ... cyclists will be improving their health, saving money, and -- best of all -- riding together for fun throughout Berkeley during the month of May.

If you are considering dusting off your old bike in the garage or are already a bike commuter, you can benefit from the many events planned for this year's Bike Month in Berkeley. The big day event of course is Bike to Work Day, May 18th -- where bike commuters get the royal treatment with energizer stations dotting the city's Bicycle Boulevards. Throughout May there will also be fun rides such as the ever popular Hidden Gems of Berkeley Bicycle Tour May 21, where cyclists will tour the historic and quirky landmarks around town. Bike Day at Farmer's Market, May 13, will help you gear-up for your commute with workshops on such topics as bike security, on-the-road repairs, how to carry all the essentials (for touring, commuting and grocery shopping.) The Kid's Bicycle Rodeo, May 13 returns again this year at San Pablo Park. For a complete schedule of all these events and many more visit www.bfbc.org.

The Team Bike Challenge is a new regional event this year that encourages bicycle commuters to recruit their colleagues, friends, and neighbors, form teams of five individuals, register at 511.org, and track each day they make a trip by bicycle. Nominations are also being accepted for Bike Commuter of the Year, until April 16. Go to 511.org to register teams and nominate bike commuters.

Berkeley Bike Month celebrates cycling for those who use their bikes as the primary form of transportation and those who don't but want to do so. For these participants, the benefits of cycling could not be greater. When Edward Pais moved to Berkeley, he needed to find the cheapest and most efficient route to work in San Francisco. "... Biking and BART offer a commute that is low cost, fast and convenient," said Pais. Like many others that commute, cycling gradually becomes a way of life.

Glen Wolf, a graduate student, finds cycling has become his favorite form of both exercise and transportation. "Cycling is an efficient non-boring way to incorporate exercise into my daily routine." Wolf also saves time using his bike for errands and commute. "It doesn't take that much more time than a car and once you consider the scheduling time and gumption you would have used to job for the equivalent amount of exercise, I think most will find it actually saves time."

"Bikes are how our family gets around town as much as possible. We look at Berkeley's bike map the way other people look at freeway maps: ... quick, direct way to get around." Martha Crusius, a Berkeley parent, told us.

Whether it be for errands or exercise, Susan Kegley, another Berkeley cyclist, said it best - "Biking is good for the heart, good for the environment and most importantly, good for the soul."

(To see the complete text of the quotes, go to www.bfbc.org/about/quotes.php)

Join us during Bike Month, and find your reason to celebrate cycling.

The Bicycle-Friendly Berkeley Coalition (BFBC), which sponsors Bike Month, was founded in 1995 and has played a leading role in planning Berkeley's bikeway system and network of bike boulevards bicycle-priority streets. During the month of May, BFBC designed the Bike Month's activities and events to help the community-at-large experience for itself the ways bicycling is important to many Bay Area residents.

For a schedule of events visit www.bfbc.org

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES, DIGITAL PHOTOS, AND INTERVIEW SUBJECTS AVAILABLE

BERKELEY BIKE MONTH - MAY 2006
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Note: Rain may cancel any outdoor event. If you are in doubt because of inclement weather, please check the BFBC hotline 510-549-RIDE (549-7433).

Nominations for Bike Commuter of the Year 2006:
Do you know someone in your county who is committed to making every day a "Bike to Work Day"? Does this person epitomize and actualize the health, environmental, social, and economic benefits of bicycling? Please share his or her story with us! We are seeking nominations for the 2006 Bike Commuter of the Year Awards, and the nomination form will only take you a few minutes to fill out. One person from each of the nine Bay Area counties will receive an award for Bike Commuter of the Year. Nominations are due on April 16th, 2006; visit www.511.org to get your nomination in today!

May (all month) TEAM BIKE CHALLENGE
Up for a challenge? As a fun twist to national Bike Month, the Team Bike Challenge encourages existing bicycle commuters to recruit colleagues, friends, and neighbors to bicycle to work, school, errands and play during the month of May. Novice cyclists receive double points for participating.

You and your team members will log and track your trips on a personalized calendar at 511.org. Teams from Berkeley will be competing against teams from all over the Bay Area. To get more information or register your team go to 511.org. Teams will be competing for a grand prize, but everyone will enjoy the benefits of bike riding.

Sat May 13 BIKE DAY AT THE FARMER'S MARKET
10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Center Street between Milvia and MLK Way. A full day of bicycle outreach, education and safety, as you shop for goods and enjoy Berkeley's unique farmer's market. Event takes place rain or shine.

10:30: ON THE ROAD BICYCLE REPAIR: It's a simple machine, much easier to understand than those pesky cars! Let a League of American Bicyclists instructor help empower you to confidently embark on that errand to the store or that ambitious tour you've been dreaming of. On the road tools, flat repair, tire repair, bearing adjustment, chain installation, wheel truing, and pre-ride inspection will be covered. Presenter: Mike Cobb, an American League of Cyclists Instructor

11:30: GET READY FOR YOUR COMMUTE: Would you like to ride your bicycle to work, to run your errands, or to get to San Francisco's Ocean Beach? Do you already commute to work but hesitate to ride in the rain or would like to carry your gear better? In this workshop we will consider the following topics for your commute:

• choice of route, clothing, bicycle accessories, safe riding
• a basic tool kit and basic bicycle maintenance
• bicycles on public transit and parking

Come with your questions, comments and experiences. Presenter: Kurt Abrams, longtime Berkeley resident and 42 year cyclist

12:30: HOW TO LOCK YOUR BIKE: You have two choices and only two choices. Choice A: Lock up your bike correctly and keep it. Choice B:Don't lock your bike correctly and kiss it goodbye. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon. So, if you don't know how to lock up your bike correctly, this is for you. Learn everything from good places to lock your bike, what to lock it up to, and how to lock it up. Presenter: Marian Hunting of the Missing Link bike shop.

1:30: HUMAN POWERED HAULING - GROCERIES, KIDS, ETC.: Use your car less, ride your bike more. Want to figure out how to drop the kids off at school, go to the store, pick up your dry cleaning, and still get to work on time? There are ways! Find the solution to fit your needs. Bring your problems and we'll try to find solutions. Presenter: Keeeth, Cooperative Owner, Pedal Express.

We will also have an engraver available to help you to inscribe a unique identification mark on your bicycle - a useful thing to help recover your bike should it ever be stolen (heaven forbid!)

Sat May 15 KIDS' BIKE RODEO AT SAN PABLO PARK
11 a.m.-3 p.m. at San Pablo Park in south Berkeley. The Bike Rodeo is an event geared to increase awareness in the community about bicycle safety and healthy living. The rodeo team has developed an exciting list of activities for the day including a "mock city" for young children to learn the rules of the road, obstacle courses for older kids, local rides, bicycle maintenance, a poster contest, carnival games, and much more! Entrance is free. For more information call Tasha Tervalon, City of Berkeley Injury Prevention Program, at 510-981-5347. Partners: City of Berkeley Chronic Disease Prevention and Injury Prevention Programs, BFBC, a collaborative partner

Thurs May 18th BIKE TO WORK DAY
This is the Bay Area's 12th annual Bike to Work Day, a celebration that promotes bicycling as a healthy, fun and viable form of transportation. This year there are seven energizer stations located throughout Berkeley where you can get refreshments and information during the morning commute hours. It is a must for all commute cyclist and those who are making their first commute.

This event is sponsored by Mike's Bike and 511.org as well as the Bicycle-Friendly Berkeley Coalition. For more information on the location of Berkley's energizer stations go to BFBC.org. For more information regarding all Bike to Work Day activities or the location of all energizer stations in the Bay area, go to 511.org.

Thurs May 18th BICYCLE ADVOCACY RIDE UP TELEGRAPH
It's time to figure out the future of the Telegraph Avenue bikeway once and for all. Bicycle advocates and enthusiasts who ride on the street will ride up Telegraph to discuss the challenges of completing the most important bikeway in the East Bay.

Meet us at Frank Ogawa Plaza in downtown Oakland at 6:00p.m. or you can also join us later at MacArthur BART bike parking area at 6:45pm to meet up with the ride. We'll finish in Berkeley and recoup at Blake's on Telegraph for refreshments after the ride. A fitting way to end Bike to Work Day. Event takes place rain or shine.

Sun May 21 HIDDEN GEMS OF BERKELEY, A MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR OF BERKELEY'S PRIVATE AND PUBLIC VERNACULAR TREASURES
10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Starts at Halcyon Commons, next to Prince Street, one block west of Telegraph. Hidden Gems of Berkeley is a ride that will explore a side of Berkeley most people never notice. This is a family-oriented ride that will feature a treasure-trove of unusual natural and domestic public and private sites throughout Berkeley. Riders will see hidden gardens fanciful sculpture, daylighted creeks, unique architecture, murals and historic streetcar and creek lines.

The ride will be led by John Steere and Judith Reich on this 8-10 mile route, which will be easy and without hills. This is the fourth year of the popular ride and will feature a new route and a revised "Hidden Gems" map (that will be available for sale). The ride will begin at Halcyon Commons, next to Prince Street, one block west of Telegraph. Bring lunch and water. The ride is co-sponsored by Livable Berkeley and Berkeley Partners for Parks. For information or to join the tour after it begins, call John Steere at 510-847-0575.