MassBike Update 5/21/07

11 th Annual Redbones Bike Party & Benefit was a HUGE SUCCESS!!!

This year’s kickoff for Bike to Work Week at Redbones BBQ in Davis Square, Somerville was a smashing success. The bike gods were in our favor with amazing weather, so the turn out was the biggest it has ever been in its history. The event raised $9,000, which will be split between the New England Mountain Biking Association (NEMBA) and us, MassBike.

We want to give a huge thanks to Redbones for hosting this great event year in and year out. We also want to thank all the vendors that contribute their time and goods during this night. So, thank you and see you next year!

MassBike Testifies for Safe Routes To Schools

On Thursday, May 17, MassBike voiced its support of H. 3539 (an Act to Establish Safe Routes to Schools Program) to the Massachusetts House of Committee on Transportation. Citing the increasing public health crisis facing America today, including childhood obesity and respiratory ailments, MassBike believes that this bill would certainly help alleviate many said issues in our towns and cities.

The current federally funded Safe Routes to School Program is not funded at a level sufficient to affect real change. While Massachusetts receives its fair share in proportion to other states, that share amounted to only $1.75M in FY06 and $2.29M in FY07. Of those amounts, no more than 30% can be spent on education, outreach, and other non-infrastructure programs. Actual on-the-ground training for kids will reach only 10 schools this year. And the remaining 70% does not go far: with a single traffic signal costing well into six figures, the current level of funding cannot possibly pay for meaningful changes to the infrastructure around schools.

If we want children to bicycle or walk to school, we must provide a safe way for them to get there, teach them how to bike and walk safely, and gain the support of the police, parents, and the public. The Safe Routes to School Program has the potential to accomplish those goals, but not at the current level of funding.

We sincerely hope that this Bill gains the support needed to provide a healthy and safe means for Massachusetts’ children to get to and from school.

MassBike Spins Ride Series – Upcoming Ride – DATE CORRECTION

Greenfield Tour de Farms: Sunday, May 27

Explore the local farming community in the Pioneer Valley by bike on the Greenfield Tour de Farms, led by Alden Booth of The Peoples Pint and Bob Perry of Bicycles Unlimited . This ride will feature shorter and longer routes, with several stops to sample produce and meet the farmers. Meet at The Peoples Pint, 24 Federal St., Greenfield, at 12:45pm; the ride will depart at 1:00pm. Join the first-ever MassBike Spins ride in the Valley! Helmets are required.

This ride is presented by The Peoples Pint and Bicycles Unlimited . Contact Bob or Alden for more information.

MassBike Is Hiring: Membership Coordinator

MassBike is seeking a Membership Coordinator. Our current Membership Coordinator, Nadav Carmel, has been doing a great job so we're promoting him to a full-time advocacy position. The Membership Coordinator position is half-time (roughly 20 hours/week) with some night and weekend commitments. Responsibilities include processing new and renewing memberships, recruiting volunteers to help us with administrative tasks and outreach, and creating new membership programs to strengthen, expand and diversify our incredibly important membership base. The Membership Coordinator will report to and work closely with the Executive Director.

For more information about this position, click here
http://www.massbike.org/news/MembershipCoord.htm

More Members = More Power for Change: Join MassBike Now

We proved it with our progress on the bike bill last year – a growing membership is a political force! If you ride a bike in Massachusetts, you should be a MassBike member. All year round, we are working across the state to improve bicycling conditions. Whether you’re a commuter, recreational rider, racer, or mountain biker, MassBike’s advocacy efforts help make riding safer and better for you. Please join our growing membership and support better bicycling.

Already a member? Please ask your cycling friends to join!

Click here to join MassBike
http://www.active.com/donations/campaign_public.cfm?key=massbike&CFID=7493593&CFTOKEN=34423737

MassBike in the Press

The Boston Phoenix 2007 Bicycle Bible, May 4, 2007

Worcester Telegram, May 6, 2007

UPCOMING: Commute with MassBike’s David Watson on NPR’s “Only A Game”, May 19, 2007