Fellow cyclists, next Wednesday, we have a unique opportunity to begin improving the cycling environment in the Natchez area.  Please make plans to attend the workshop described below.

If you know of any specific problem areas, please email or call me with details and possibly pictures to be discussed during the workshop.

The following was sent to David Gardener and the Natchez Trails Committee.  Please forward this email to anyone that may be interested in attending and encourage all elected officials to participate.  Thanks to David Gardener for scheduling use of the Council Chamber.
Allen Richard
601 597-5744 cell

Natchez as a Cycling Destination
Every year untold numbers of cyclists pass through Natchez while on a bicycling related trip.  Some are beginning or completing a trek on the Natchez Trace, and others may be following a cross country bicycle route that intersects Natchez.  No matter their path, Natchez is at a bicycling crossroads.  If we as a community will recognize and build upon this advantage, the area can benefit from the increased traffic of these bicycling tourists.  Those that take bicycling vacations are generally affluent, middle to upper class travelers looking for a new adventure. 

Making Natchez a designated Bicycle Friendly Community will make our area that much more attractive to adventure cyclists and give us and our children a safer and healthier place to ride and live.  Please join us at the workshop described below to see how we can make this happen.

Purpose:  To investigate the requirements for Natchez to achieve Bicycle Community Friendly designation.
Workshop:  Natchez as a Bicycle Friendly Community
Date:  Wednesday, December 17, 2008,
Time:  9:00 - 11:00 AM
Location:  City Council Chambers, S Pearl St
Presenters:  Jeff Peel, Program Specialist, League of American Bicyclists, Washington, D.C.
Karen Mogridge, Executive Director, Bike Walk Mississippi, Oxford, MS
Audience:  Members of the planning and engineering staff, elected officials, Chamber of Commerce and business leaders, local school representatives, bike club members and bicycling advocates, interested public