Meeting Minutes

PSU Master Plan for Bike Routes and Facility Improvements

Tom Flynn presented an illustration of Penn State’s master plan of routes and facility improvements for bicycles.  He asked for audience input on facility improvements and agreed to take it into consideration.

Cycling Events

CVIM Cycling for Care:  Sue Forster gave a brief overview of CVIM’s mission and Bob Eisenbraun talked about the upcoming ride on June 28^th. Bob asked to consider a liaison from CRBC to participate on the planning committee next year.

PASA Bike Fresh Bike Local:  Ray Najjar announced the ride is scheduled for August 3^rd.

PSU Kinesiology Project

Dr. Melissa Bopp announced the student project which is offering assistance to local businesses interested in applying for “Bike Friendly Business” status with the League of American Bicyclists. She also gave an update on the smart phone app being developed to promote active travel to campus. The app is scheduled for completion August 1^st and will offer route planning, bike parking locations, time management, goal setting/encouragement, etc.  CRBC members in attendance offered to be beta testers and asked Melissa to come to the September meeting to give a demonstration.

Memberships

Discussion to change the CRBC membership year from a January start to May in order to coincide with Bike Month.  Brian Dempsey moved to accept this change; Sue Barsom second; all in favor.  Further discussion followed on adding a free membership option to those who volunteer a certain number of hours for CRBC activities. Brian Dempsey moved to add the option to exchange volunteer hours for dues payment; details will be determined. Jean Bemis second; all in favor.  Brian Dempsey further moved to amend the Bylaws to be consistent with these motions; Sue Barsom second; all in favor.

National Bike Challenge

The CRBC team is currently listed 16^th in the country. A suggestion was made to contact the CDT to see if they might do a community interest story.

Officers

Jim Serene noted that officers should be considered for the next year.  All current officers expressed willingness to continue in current roles. Sue Barsom stated that Lydia Vandenburg may be interested in the Treasurer position if Lynda desires to resign.  Tinamarie Illar who was attending her first meeting said she may consider a position in the future after she learns more about the organization.

There being no further business to come before the meeting, it adjourned at 7:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Potter, Secretary

MINUTES of CRBC General Meeting

August 21, 2013

Meeting held at the State College Borough building.

Present:
• Jim Serene, President
• Brian Dempsey, Vice President
• Joan Potter, Secretary
• Paul Rito, ex officio
• Jean Bemis
• Roy Greenfield
• Geoff Wilson

The meeting was called to order by Jim Serene at 6:00 pm.  A quorum was present, and the meeting was ready to proceed with business.

Can CRBC Become a Dynamic Force for Bicycling in the Centre Region:
Jim Serene referenced a recent article from Bicycle Times describing how the Central New Hampshire Bicycling Coalition went about inspiring their community to get involved to improve cycling conditions.  The Coalition organized a “Biketoberfest” event that enticed 150 people to come together and become civically engaged – a fun event where cyclists connected, enjoyed some entertainment and food, and their voices were heard by city planners.  Jim would like to further discuss what CRBC can do to inspire more cyclists in our community to get involved. The State College Cycling group has a very large following, but they do not appear to be particularly interested in CRBC activities. How do we capture their attention and promote CRBC’s accomplishments?  Without the concerted efforts of CRBC members, roads in this area would still have rumble strips, bike paths and bike lanes would not exist, and the Centre Region would not be a recognized Bike Friendly Community. There is so much more to accomplish, but it requires the efforts of many, not just the few that have been actively involved in recent years.  Proposed asking SC Cycling if CRBC can post messages to their list serve.

Suggestion made to have more speakers at CRBC meetings to encourage attendance – perhaps a presentation of the Master Plan by Trish Meek and Tom Flynn; Rail Trail information; or Melissa Bopp from Penn State’s Kinesiology Dept about her study of biking for transportation.

The 4’ rule needs to be messaged to the community. One suggestion was leasing a billboard, and another was contacting PennDOT to request the lighted message boards on the outskirts of town be used to remind motorists.

Glass on Fox Hollow Road was reported to cause several flat bike tires recently. A request to sweep the roadside will be made to College Township.

Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC):
Formation of a BAC received a “vote of confidence” from the Transportation Land Use (TLU) committee. COG agreed to dedicate some of Trish Meek’s time to the BAC, which is great news.  Forming a BAC was the number one improvement recommendation that came with the Bike Friendly Community award. The BAC will serve as a liaison to bicyclists, businesses and the community, and will meet quarterly to discuss biking issues.

National Bicycle Summit representative:
The NBS will be held in March 2014 in Washington, DC, and FreezeThaw has offered to subsidize the cost of a CRBC member to attend. This must be someone who is passionate about bike advocacy and willing to share information from NBS when they return.

September 13th Bike To Work Day:
CRBC will have a table set up on the Allen Street mall to dispense information about cycling in Centre County. Volunteers are needed by the hour to staff the table.

There being no further business to come before the meeting, it adjourned at 7:05 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Potter, Secretary

MINUTES of CRBC General Meeting

Written by Joan Potter

May 7, 2013

Meeting held at the State College Borough building.

Present:  

• Jim Serene, President
• Brian Dempsey, Vice President
  • Lynda Crow, Treasurer 
  • Joan Potter, Secretary 
  • Paul Rito, ex officio  
  • Sue Barsom 
  • Jean Bemis 
  • Joyce Eveleth 
  • Sue Forster 
  • Bob Ford
  • Roger Greene
  • Jean & Ray Najjar

The meeting was called to order by Jim Serene at 6:00 pm.  A quorum was present, and the meeting was ready to proceed with business.

The proposed list of Executive Committee members was finalized with an all-in-favor vote:

• James Serene, President
• Brian Dempsey, Vice President
• Lynda Crow, Treasurer
• Joan Potter, Secretary
• Paul Rito
• Sue Barsom
• Eric Scott
• Jordyn Drayton
• Frank Maguire

Bike Month Activities

Joyce Eveleth from Bicycle Ambassadors announced the Mayor Ride scheduled for May 15^th at 5:30. The ride will start at the Borough building and follow bike lanes and paths for 5-7 miles, ending back at the Borough building.

Review of other bike month activities as posted on the CRBC website.

Centre Volunteers in Medicine

Bob Ford, Sue Forster and Roger Greene each talked about CVIM, its mission, and the history of the “Cycling for Care” fundraising event scheduled for Saturday, June 29^th.  Requested CRBC support in publicizing the event.

Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture

Jean Najjar presented information on the PASA “Bike Fresh Bike Local” Centre County event planned for Sunday, August 4^th. Requested CRBC support in publicizing the event.

There being no further business to come before the meeting, it adjourned at 6:55 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Joan Potter, Secretary