News

Summary of Oct 4^th Ride with Mayor Goreham

Hi All,

Saturday morning began with a few rain sprinkles and a cool breeze, however that did not deter an enthusiastic group from enjoying a 7-mile ride through town with the State College Mayor, Elizabeth Goreham. Participants included CRBC members, school officials, a bike police officer, members of SCCC and Penn State Bicycle Club, and folks from the community.

After the ride, we enjoyed coffee & bagels in the Sidney FriedmanParklet and shared stories with the Mayor and her husband, Dr. Jack Matson. In spite of the weather, the event was a success and everyone had a good time. Mayor Goreham stated she’s looking forward to another similar ride next Fall.

So, why ride with the Mayor? In a recent edition of American Bicyclist magazine, there’s an article about Betsy Price, the Mayor of Fort Worth, Texas. Mayor Price has made it her goal to spearhead “a citywide initiative focused on promoting active lifestyles and healthy habits”. Mayor Price is a big supporter of bicycling as a form of alternative transportation, and is leading the charge to improve bicycling infrastructure, safety, and community acceptance. Under her tenure, the city has added miles of bike lanes, and dedicated $1.2 million for trails and signature events for cycling. She is convinced that improved bicycling is good for community economic development.

We are fortunate to have a Mayor who is supportive of our bicycle community. However, she will need our support when it comes to convincing other officials that improvements and events for bicyclists are worthy of government time and money. Only a strong bicycle organization like CRBC (which may soon be known as “CentreBike”), can make that happen. If you’re a current member of CRBC, thank you. If not, please consider joining today and help to support a more cycle-friendly Centre Region.

Hope to see you at our next event…

Jim Serene

President, CRBC

www.centrebike.org

https://www.facebook.com/centrebike

A voice for ALL cyclists in the Centre Region!

We would appreciate your comments and suggestions regarding changing the name of the Centre Region Bicycle Coalition (CRBC). At last week’s CRBC meeting it was agreed that a shorter more contemporary name would be more appealing and help to attract new membership. Reasons discussed in considering a name change included: 

• The local cycling community has evolved since the creation of CRBC in 2000, and CRBC is no longer an umbrella organization for various groups as it was in the beginning, although the vision of a more cycle-friendly Centre County remains unchanged.
• There are many who are comfortable with the CRBC name and don’t have second thoughts about ‘Coalition’ being in the name, however in speaking with potential new members some are unsure they want to belong to a Coalition, finding it intimidating.
• The name may easily be confused with the new Centre Region Bicycle Advisory Committee (CRBAC). 
• Many cycling groups around the country who once had longer names have shortened them – BikePGH and Bike Austin are examples. Although rather than follow these examples and use Bike State College, it was felt we should incorporate the wider region in the name. 
• The name change is only one part of a greater effort to breathe new life into this local bicycle advocacy organization. In 2001, CRBC had more than 150 members and 7 committees. Today, CRBC has only 38 members who have paid the $15 dues and there are no committees. For whatever reason, and with full appreciation for previous strong, dedicated leadership, our numbers have greatly diminished.
• CRBC past records show that one of the benefits of membership listed in 2001 was: “Bike rides and other outings to allow members to get to know one another and to perform service to the cycling community”. An appealing name may help to foster this social emphasis again.

After much discussion around possible names, it was suggested that we simply use our website address as the new name –CentreBike.org. There has been a very positive response to this logical suggestion, however we would like to hear additional input before the name change is put to a vote at the next meeting in October.

Please be assured that changing the name will not change the mission and goals of the organization. We will continue to be the “voice of slow and fast bicyclists for safe connected bike routes”.

Please send your comments and suggestions to: joan@videon-central.com.  All comments received will be summarized and shared prior to the next meeting on October 21^st.

Thank you for your consideration,

Joan Potter

Secretary

Centre Region Bicycle Coalition

May 1-31, 2014 – Bicycle Scavenger Hunt
21 places within the Centre Region will be posted on the below links on May 1. You may compete as an individual, with a partner, or as a team of 3 or more.  All riders or groups must take a photo with their bikes at the designated locations.  Some locations require you to leave your bikes parked nearby, however.  Pictures need to be submitted throughout the month to Clay Chiles, Environmental AmeriCorps Member at State College Borough: cchiles@statecollegepa.us. If pictures match the clues provided, you will get that location checked off. These pictures will randomly be shared and celebrated through CRBC, SCASD and State College Borough social media, including @BikeStCollege on twitter.

A top prize will be awarded in each category for the most locations ridden to between May 1 and May 30.  Also, a raffle ticket will be given to each individual for every 5 locations. Raffle tickets will be used for various other prizes.  Winners will be announced on May 31st at the Extravaganza! (see below — you may need to click on “read more” or here to see the full article)

Have fun exploring the SC area with your family and friends!

Get the clues here!

May 1-September 30, 2014 – National Bike Challenge

Join the CRBC team! The National Bike Challenge is a nationwide event uniting thousands of current bicyclists — and encouraging countless new riders. It is a free and easy way to challenge yourself, your colleagues and your community to ride more while competing on a local, state and national level. The NBC aims to unite 50,000 riders to pedal 30 million miles before September 30. If you have a MapMyRide or Endomondo account, you can link it and your workouts will be automatically logged.

May 1-31, 2014 – Elementary School Bicycling Activities
Elementary students were issued “Bicycle Calendars” at their schools.  They should color in a spoke for every day that they ride their bicycle at least 15 minutes.  If that accumulates to 20 days

or more during the month of May, they may bring their calendar to their PE teacher to join the “20 Days in May Club”.  A prize drawing will be held for eligible students.  Individual schools will be offering a variety of bicycling events during the month of May as well, like the “Tour de Corl Street” (see below).

May 12-23, 2014 – High School Bike to School Weeks
Students will be encouraged to ride to and from the high school during these two weeks.

Friday, May 16, 2014 – National Bike to Work Day
Join our crusade and ride to work!!! Full listing of activities: https://centrebike.org/national-bike-month-activities/

Wednesday, May 28, 2014- Tour de Corl Street
Supervised ride for students, faculty and interested family members. This will be about four mile ride through the Holmes-Foster and Greentree neighborhoods starting and ending at the school.

Wed & Thur May 28-29, 2014- Middle School Rides
Mt Nittany Middle May 28 – from Boalsburg Military Museum arrive 7:15 depart 7:30
Park Forest Middle School May 29 –  from Greenbriar Saybrook Park arrive 7:15 depart 7:30.

Saturday,May 31, 2014:
Bicycle Extravaganza at the State College Area High School
North Building Gym/Pool Courtyard  11am – 3pm

Community Bike Rides
10 miles – Organized and lead by the CRBC leaves at 12:30pm
4 miles – routes pre-arranged with maps available 11 – 2:30
2 miles– routes pre-arranged with maps available 11 – 2:30
Bicycle Family Friendly Cycle Search

Bicycle Safety Checks, Music, Food, Raffle Tickets and Prizes.
Month Bicycle Scavenger Hunt Check-In @ 2:30pm.  (See above)
Drawings and prizes @ 2:45

Discounts to Welch Pool after 2:30 for all attendees!

Please join us by linking into one of the following pages for further information:

www.centrebike.org/
http://www.scasd.org/Page/17616