With the input of Albany residents, the “Complete Streets process” of this past week has been identifying ways that the streets could be changed to better accommodate alternative modes of travel, including walking, bicycling, and public transit, while still effectively serving drivers. Its result will be a set of plans that the City can use for future project ideas and grant applications.
This Wednesday evening the consultants will present their plan concepts, the results of the work by members of the community. Come on down and have a peek at the future!
More information
Join Wheels of Justice Cyclery in Albany to learn about this summer’s AIDS/LifeCycle ride, a fully supported, 7-day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise money and awareness in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Representatives from the event will be on hand to show a video and explain how make the most of your time on the road, whether you’re a trepid beginner or seasoned expert. They’ll answer any questions and offer the chance to sign up or receive more information.
If you’re not planning on signing up for the ride, please stop by and chat, meet the staff of our shop, and pick our brain about bikes!
Google Maps insists that we’re in Berkeley, but we are in Albany – trust us!
The family that rides together thrives together! Safe road bicycling takes a lot more than balance, a helmet and a good attitude. Join the East Bay Bicycle Coalition’s League Certified safety instructors for a day of fun games, safety drills, skills building, and a neighborhood ride.
This workshop is for kids who are able to ride a bike and ready to ride on the roadways with their parents. Parents and kids must attend together and should bring their own bikes and helmets. Each child receives a free red blinky light for participating!
This is perfect timing for Bike to School Day, Bike to School Day and all the activities we’ll have in Albany during May, “Bike Month!”
They can sign up in advance at http://bit.ly/EBBCAlbanyFCW or just show up.
The annual Bike to School Day celebration in the Bay Area is today!
It’s a party on wheels for the kids!
Check with your kids for the time and place at their school!
For more info: http://www.alamedacountysr2s.org/programs/walk-and-roll/
Tonight’s Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting will include the first look at the newest proposal for the University Village Mixed-Use Project, including a Sprouts Farmers Market as anchor tenant and a two-way cycle track for excellent bicycle access.
More details about the project are here.
Discussion of and recommendations for the San Pablo Complete Streets project is also on the agenda.
Look here for the full meeting agenda.
Please come to the meeting to ask questions or speak, or send a message to the Commission care of cityhall@albanyca.org celebrating and supporting the proposed the cycle track.
It’s the 20th Annual Bike to Work Day in the Bay Area, a party on wheels!!
As usual, there will be coffee, snacks, swag, bike goodies, the famous Bike to Work Day musette bags, fun and lots of good conversation & information so come on down on your way to work!
New this year, the owners and staff of Blue Heron Bikes , Wheels of Justice and Berkeley Bikes & Skateboards have volunteered to be there with work stations checking your bicycles for safety and road-worthiness.
We need help at our Energizer Station (back at its usual location of the Ohlone Greenway and Marin) and preparing for a big celebration.
If you’d like to help out, please contact Nick at nicky@mindspring.com or leave a comment on this post.
Thanks!!
More info at http://ebbc.org/btwd
Join us at our special meeting for Bike Month (every other month – odd-numbered months) where we discuss policy and projects and talk about what’s going on in Active Transportation in Albany.
Note special date because normal date conflicts with Arts & Green Festival.
Tonight we will talk about our busy Bike Month – the APAL Bike Rodeo, Arts & Green Festival, the return of Bike About Town rides, among other things.
Have something you want to talk about? Request an Agenda Item in “comments.”
Location varies so check back here or email Angela at the above address.
Look forward to seeing you!
Ken McCroskey, AS&R’s master helmet adjuster and children’s brain guardian, tirelessly applies his craft.
courtesy Francesco Papalia
Bring your kids to Albany Police Activity League’s annual Bike Rodeo!
Use pedal power to blend a smoothie!
photo courtesy Peggy McQuaid
Free bicycle helmets will be given to youth participants. Rodeo activities will include bike inspections, safety information, and a bicycle safety course. The goal of the bicycle rodeo is to encourage riders to wear helmets on every ride, to give young cyclists basic skills for on-road riding, and to teach them the rules of the road to help keep them safe. This event focuses on young riders in elementary and middle school.
AS&R will again be working with kids, showing them how to ride their bikes safely and responsibly.
We’ll also have our “Check for Bikes” clings on hand for parents…and the famous Bicycle Blender so everyone can pedal-power a delicious smoothie!
We could still use some help running the bike blender station and talking to parents and kids. Any takers, please? If so, please contact Amy Smolens or Ken McCroskey.
School kids learn how to cycle safely and have fun doing it, while following the rules of the road.
courtesy Peggy McQuaid
There are lots of items on the agenda that affect cyclists and pedestrians here in Albany.
Those include the following:
*7-1, City Council Strategic Planning Follow Up
Part of what City Council Members recommended in its recent planning session was an emphasis on parks, including the long-awaited Pierce Street Park, and a more bikeable and walkable Albany.
Please speak in support of these plans and concepts!
*7-2, Update on “Complete Streets” planning for Buchanan Street and San Pablo Avenue to improve safety for walking, biking, and other modes of travel. The Staff recommendation is for Council to provide direction to staff and the Traffic and Safety Commission.
Show up and speak to let Council hear that a more bike and pedestrian friendly San Pablo Avenue should be a priority and a reality!
It may also be a good time to speak about your vision for Bike Boulevards on Kains and Adams, making up for the fact that many people will not feel safe riding on San Pablo in the sections without bike lanes.
*8-1, Albany Wayfinding Plan for Bicyclists and Pedestrians
Whenever I ride around Berkeley I marvel at the signage that directs me to the best and safest roads to cycle. I am also fully convinced that motorists on or crossing roads with signage for bicyclists are more courteous to their two-wheeled friends sharing the road.
Show up and tell Council that we all need wayfinding signage for our convenience and safety!
If you can’t attend, please consider writing a brief letter in support of any of these items to cityhall@albanyca.org requesting specifically that your letter be sent to all the City Council Members.
Thanks! Feel free to email the Discussion List or any of the Core Group with any questions or thoughts.
The Major Taylor Bike Fiesta will occur on June 1st from 10am-3pm at Lincoln Elementary School located at 29 6th Street, Richmond, California. This will be a celebration of the life and accomplishments of Marshall “Major” Taylor, the first African American professional cyclist. Born in 1878, Major Taylor had a professional racing career that spanned 13 years and included the world one-mile track cycling championship in 1899. He remained committed to his passion in the face of adversity and is a source of inspiration.
At the Bike Fiesta event, Fix the Cycle aims to spread awareness of the health benefits associated with safe bike riding. The fun educational activities for youth and adults will take place in a family friendly environment that encourages cycling. Activities include yoga, Zumba, the Cyclecide bike circus, and entertainment by Raw Talent and Earth Amplified powered by Rock the Bike. The Richmond Police Department and Cycles of Change will be running bike rodeo courses for youth throughout the day. The event will also include helmet giveaways and Fix the Cycle will be raffling free bicycles, bicycling gear, and other great prizes gear for youth and adults. There will be free healthy food, health screenings, educational booths, and simple bike maintenance repairs while supplies last. Of course, bicycle parking will be available.
If anyone wants to ride from Albany, please make a suggested meeting time and place in “comments.”
