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Winter/Spring Cycling Classes

Centre Region Parks and Recreation, along with CentreBike and Freeze-Thaw Cycles, will be offering these cycling classes in Winter and Spring 2017:


Bike Maintenance (two separate sessions), Saturday, January 14, 5:30-7:30pm or Saturday, February 11, 5:30-7:30pm If you are new to cycling or just want to learn more about caring for your bike, then this class is for you! Learn how to fix flats, clean and lube a chain, go over maintenance tips and answer mechanical questions. These skills will save you time, money and give you a much better understanding, and appreciation, of your bike. If time permits we will cover additional topics. Light refreshments will be provided by Freeze Thaw. Please note: The deadline to register is January 9. No need to bring your bike to this educational class.

January Class Registration: https://apm.activecommunities.com/crpr/Activity_Search/bike-maintenance-101-january/6866
February Class Registration: https://apm.activecommunities.com/crpr/Activity_Search/bike-maintenance-101-february/6867


Basics of Bike Touring March 16, 6-8pm Have you ever wanted to tour by bike, but don’t know where to start? If so, this class is for you! We will review the laws and touring etiquette; suggest what to take and how to pack it; and teach you how to make the basic repairs while on the road. Also, if you want to ship your bike and ride one way, we have information on which shipping method is most effective. This is a classroom workshop; attendees do not need to bring a bike. Please note: The deadline to register is March 10.

https://apm.activecommunities.com/crpr/Activity_Search/basics-of-bike-touring/6868


Street Skills for Cyclists, Saturday April 29 9am-4pm This League of American Cyclists Certified class is designed for participants of all abilities who want to increase their comfort and confidence when cycling on city streets. We start in the classroom, where we learn the rules of the road including where to ride, basic traffic principles, how to safely change lanes, how to avoid common road hazards, and more. Then we move outside to work with a certified instructor in a short open-road session on skill drills in a traffic-free environment to employ the strategies we just learned. Bring your own working bike and helmet (required). Bikes should have air in the tires, functioning brakes, etc. Please note: The deadline to register is April 24.

https://apm.activecommunities.com/crpr/Activity_Search/bicycle-street-skills-course/6864



Biking in the Centre Region, May 11 6-7:45pm Do you want to start biking or feel more confident navigating local routes? Join us and learn more about the Centre Region’s bike paths/routes, PA & local laws, how to pick a bike, and other biking-around-town tips. Get answers to your bike-related questions from regional planning staff and CentreBike members. Attendees will receive a copy of the PA Bicycle Driver’s Manual and an awesome bike pin. Please note: this is a classroom workshop so attendees do not need to bring a bike. Please note: The deadline to register is May 5.

https://apm.activecommunities.com/crpr/Activity_Search/biking-in-the-centre-region-101/6865


MINUTES of CentreBike General Membership Meeting

December 12, 2016

Meeting held at the State College Borough Building

Present:

  • Anna Nelson, President
  • Joan Potter, Secretary/Treasurer
  • Tristan Avelis
  • Andrew Artz
  • Jean Bemis
  • Melissa Bopp
  • Lynda Crow
  • Brian Dempsey
  • Nathan Geiger
  • Mark Higgins
  • Ed Jenkins
  • Cliff Kanz
  • Brucie Serene
  • Jim Serene
  • Allan Stoekl
  • Lydia Vandenbergh
  • Cecily Zhu

The meeting was called to order by Anna Nelson at 5:35 pm.

Treasurers Report

The cash balance is $7,220.62. One new membership received; no expenses paid out.

Executive Committee Election

The election of CentreBike Executive Committee members and Officers occurred as follows. A ballot was distributed with the slate of 9 nominees and the membership unanimously voted to approve:

  • Tristan Avelis
  • Mark Davison
  • Brian Dempsey
  • Courtney Hayden
  • Cliff Kanz
  • Joan Potter, Secretary/Treasurer
  • James Read
  • Paul Rito, Vice President
  • Jim Serene

Bike Rack Project

Four used bicycle racks are available for pick up this week from Penn State Lion Surplus. The cost is $10/each, and they will be donated to these local businesses: Childspace, the COG building, Gigi’s, and Way Fruit Farm.  Dennis Bender volunteered to pick up and deliver the racks. Additional racks may be available in January. Other businesses who have expressed interest include West Side Stadium Bar & Grill and Toftrees Golf Club.

Drive With Care – Walk Aware Campaign

Lydia Vandenbergh presented posters created by a Penn State Communications class for the State College Borough. This public safety campaign reminds drivers and pedestrians to obey traffic safety laws.

Bike Parking Survey

Melissa Bopp shared the results of a November Bike Parking Survey conducted by Penn State’s Physical Activity & Public Health Lab. Students collected data at various campus entry points during morning & afternoon rush hours. The majority reported commuting less than 20 minutes and parked their bikes outside of their destination building, with a few who noted they bring their bikes inside. Most respondents believe Penn State has adequate bike parking.

CATA Guaranteed Ride Home Program

Starting in Januay, CATA will offer free Guaranteed Ride Home to bicycle commuters who are registered on their website. Their new ridematching software will also allow bicyclists to find others who want to commute together in a safe group travel mode.

Feasibility Study Support

In June, CentreBike sent a letter of support for Centre County to apply for grant funding through PA Dept of Community & Economic Development – Greenways, Trails & Recreation Program to study the feasibility of a shared use path from Milesburg to Bellefonte, and CentreBike committed $500 toward the required 15% match needed for the application. Mark Higgins confirmed that the application has been approved. CentreBike will send the $500 for matching grant funds by the January due date.

Meeting Schedule

Discussed whether or not to continue monthly meetings throughout the year. Suggestions included not having a meeting in the same month as CRBAC quarterly meetings. Will re-visit this discussion at the next meeting on Jan 9th.

2016 Highlights

Adding a summary of 2016 CentreBike highlights to the website was suggested, i.e.:

  • Bike to Work Days
  • Bicycling Information Tables
  • Community Ride
  • Bike Friendly Business promotion
  • Bike Rack Donations

2017 Potential Projects Discussed

  • Public Awareness Campaign
  • Bike Lights Giveaway in February and August
  • Grants for local schools for bike safety programs
  • May Bike Month activities
  • “Four Townships and a Borough” community ride
  • Education classes:
    • Biking 101
    • Bicycle Touring
    • Safety 101
    • Bicycle Maintenance

Farewell Poster

A poster commemorating Anna Nelson’s tenure with CentreBike (created by Brian Dempsey & Paul Rito and signed by everyone attending the meeting) was presented to Anna to acknowledge our gratitude for the significant impact she’s made. She will be missed!

 

There being no further business to come before the meeting, it adjourned at 6:40 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Potter, Secretary

State College named Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community

BFC BronzeState College – Centre Region named a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.
Press Release from Centre Region COG:

State College, PA – On November 17, 2016, the League of American Bicyclists recognized the State College – Centre Region by renewing the area’s designation as a Bronze level Bicycle Friendly CommunitySM (BFC). The State College – Centre Region area was part of the largest application round in the BFC program’s 13-year history. In total, 140 communities nationwide applied for recognition, a 62 percent increase from the previous largest round of applicants.

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