Author Archive: Paul Rito

Time to ride! Check out all the bike month event details on the Centre Region Council of Governments’ Bike Event Page!

From CentreBike, Winter-Bike-Anywhere-Friday, and from the International Winter-Bike-To-Work organization, WinterBikeALoopza:

The 20th Anniversary of the Bicycle Film Festival is going virtual and coming to State College!

Hosted by Nittany Mountain Bike Association, NMBA, BFF is arriving in State College virtually on December 10th. Available to stream 12/10 6pm (EST) – 12/17 midnight (EST). A portion of ticket sales will benefit NMBA!

Tickets here: https://btt.boldtypetickets.com/events/109369138/bicycle-film-festival-state-college
About the festival: https://www.bicyclefilmfestival.com/

Bicycle Film Festival – State College is a celebration of bicycle films and advocacy. Bringing advocacy and the arts together, the BFF believes it is essential to the momentum of our mission to use the bicycle as a tool for lasting social change. This virtual event will include a speakers’ panel hosted and directed by Gordon Kauffman of the Nittany Mountain Bike Association, a compilation of films from the Bicycle Film Festival, and short videos from Dronediculous of Rothrock and the community at large.

Nittany Mountain Bike Association Speakers’ Panel:

• Kids/Beginners on Bicycles – Advocacy leaders have embraced the opportunity to pass down their passion of riding to the next generation and others. This panel discussion will focus on the projects and people that strive to teach and create a safe, fun environment for kids and beginners to ride! Panel members include Scott Sheeder of NMBA, Mary Ann Hanlon of Happy Valley Women’s Cycling, and Josh Stapleton of the Centre County Crows, NMBA, and Harvest Fields Community Church.
• Diversity and Inclusion – Many individuals and organizations in our community have fostered the notion that everybody should have equal access to organizational and informal activities on bicycles. In this panel discussion, leadership and cycling enthusiasts will discuss strategies and personal stories that have propelled diversity and inclusion for cyclists in our community! Panel members include Tanya Hampton of Happy Valley Women’s Cycling, Adam Schram of the Penn State Cycling Club, Willard Jackson of NMBA, and Sage McKeand of the Penn State Cycling Club.
• Bicycle Safety and Infrastructure – What is a strong cycling community without a safe and well connected place to ride? This panel discussion brings together a diverse group of local leaders to address bicycle safety and connectivity and provide valuable information about our biggest challenges and success stories! Panel members include Trish Meek of Centre Regional Planning Agency, Brett Hollern of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Paul Rito of CentreBike, and Ryan Hendrick of Ferguson Township Police.
• BFF Select Shorts: Film fans and bicycle fans alike will absolutely enjoy this program. Select Shorts takes us on a journey with a charismatic Ghanian immigrant in Amsterdam who teaches refugee adult women to ride bikes, a BLM bicycle protest ride from New York to DC, a father coping with the loss of his son, a young woman riding in Iran, and cycle sport as relief from genocide (90 minutes).