News from BC
April 14, 2003
In this issue:
BASEBALL BAT ATTACKERS TO BE TRIED AS ADULTS
CONSERVE BY BIKE AMENDMENT ADOPTED
IMBA TRAIL CARE CREW COMES TO COLORADO
THUNDERHEAD SOUTHWEST
SAFETY FIRST ON THE ROADS
BASEBALL BAT ATTACKERS TO BE TRIED AS ADULTS
The Fort Collins District Attorney's Office reports that two 17-year old
men charged in the string of baseball bat attacks on cyclists in Fort
Collins will be tried as adults in court. Victims, Bicycle Colorado, and
the cycling community at large have encouraged the DA to prosecute as
extensively as evidence warrants and to try these individuals as adults,
particularly in light of the repetitiveness, and seriousness of the
offenses. The cases will be assigned to an adult court in the next few weeks.
CONSERVE BY BIKE AMENDMENT ADOPTED
The League of American Bicyclists reports that during Thursday's debate on
the House version of the federal energy bill (HR 6), the United States
House adopted an amendment that aims to promote energy conservation through
bicycling. The Conserve By Bike Amendment passed by unanimous consent!
The amendment establishes a Conserve By Bicycling pilot program within the
Department of Transportation. This program will oversee up to ten projects,
geographically dispersed across the country, designed to conserve energy
resources by providing education and marketing tools to convert car trips
to bike trips. In addition, the projects encourage partnerships between
transportation, law enforcement, education, public health, environment, and
energy fields.
The Department of Transportation is also authorized to conduct a study on
the feasibility and benefits on the conversion of car trips to bike trips.
The amendment authorizes $5.5 million for the pilot projects and the study.
The Senate's version of the energy bill is slowly making progress. Once the
bill passes in the Senate, it will go to conference with the House to work
out any differences prior to being sent to President Bush for signing.
Regardless, the amendment is a tremendous win for bicycling.
IMBA TRAIL CARE CREW TO VISIT COLORADO
For two weekends in a row, Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew will be teaching
Colorado mountain bikers and land managers sustainable trail building
techniques. The first stop is April 17-20 in the Grand Valley and the
following weekend, the Crew will be in Salida. You are invited to attend;
all events are free of charge but require pre-registration. This is a great
opportunity for Colorado mountain bike clubs to receive some free training
and prepare for summer projects. For more information, meeting locations,
and full schedule, visit
http://bicyclecolo.org/site/page.cfm?PageID=364
To sign up:
Grand Valley - April 17-20:
Karen Enenkel at
enenkel@... or 970-256-7463
Salida - April 24-27:
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Office at 719-539-7289
THUNDERHEAD SOUTHWEST
Several bicycle advocacy groups from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona
joined together in Santa Fe for a two-day training session last weekend,
April 4-5. Attendees discussed bicycle issues in the Southwest, covered
steps on building an advocacy organization, and then set 1-month, 3-month,
and 1-year action plans.
Colorado's contingent consisted of myself (Bicycle Colorado), Bob Lovejoy
of Bike Denver, Al Brody and Dave Vanderwege from Pikes Peak Area Bikeways
Coalition (Colorado Springs). Thunderhead Alliance is a coalition of
state, regional and local bicycle advocacy groups. The next retreat is
August 2-5 in Dubois, WY. If you would like more details or plan to
attend, please contact me or visit www.thunderheadalliance.org.
SAFETY FIRST ON THE ROADS
Warmer weather is coaxing bikes out of storage all around the
state! Remember to always ride safely, especially as motorists become
reacquainted with seeing so many cyclists on the roads. Here are a couple
of quick tips to serve as reminders for experienced cyclists and to share
with folks just starting out:
Always wear your helmet.
Be visible with bright clothing, reflectors, and lights.
Follow traffic laws-Yes, this includes stopping at stop signs, traffic
lights and using signals to show where you are going.
Make eye contact with motorists and always be alert
Always ride on the right, moving in the direction of traffic.
Now is great time to review Colorado's cycling laws and rules for multi-use
on and off-road trails. We have them conveniently posted along with other
spring riding tips at
http://bicyclecolo.org/site/page.cfm?PageID=27.
Dan Grunig
Executive Director
Bicycle Colorado
1701 Wynkoop Street, Suite 236
Denver, CO 80202-5924
303-417-1544 phone
303-825-1038 fax
www.bicyclecolo.org
Bicycle Colorado is working to improve conditions for cycling and your
membership makes it possible. Please join today on-line at
<
http://bicyclecolo.org/site/page.cfm?pageID=16>
Please let me know if you would like to be removed from this list.
Having problems with message search?
Fill out this form to ensure your group is one of the first to be migrated to the new message search system.
Send Email