Category: News

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

Though it was a hard winter, the weather is clearing. Lots of things happening locally on the cycling front. Read on for info about rumble strips, local rides and charity rides and advocacy activities.

1. Penn State Cycling Nittany Cycling Classic: The Penn State Cycling Club still needs volunteers for its bike race this Saturday out at Black Moshannon from 11:30am-1:10pm.  If you or anyone else you know would be willing to marshal a corner of the race course it would be a huge help to them.  Contact Andy Artz at ada5145@psu.edu or Cici Cruz-Uribe at amc472@psu.edu. You can also ride the race! Come out and strut your stuff up Black Moshannon for the chance to win prizes and glory!  The winner of the Cat 4 race will also receive a free one-month membership to Fitology.
   INFO: http://collegiatecycling.org/eccc/wiki/uploads/Calendar/2014-Road-PennState.pdf
   REGISTER: https://www.bikereg.com/nittany-cycling-classic  
2. Bike Month – May is bike month. CRBC is not currently planning any major events due to volunteer shortages, but the School district will be holding many events including a photo scavenger hunt, school challenge rides, and bike fair and group rides on May 31^st. Stay tuned for more details.
3. A Centre Region Bicycle Advisory Committee (CRBAC) has been formed from CRBC members, local bike club leaders, COG planners, police, and others. The committee’s purpose is to promote a safe bicycle experience through awareness, proper enforcement, intelligent planning and effective education in the Centre Region. This is part of our next steps in taking the region from Bronze to a Silver Bicycle Friendly Community!
4. State College Cycling Club’s Tuesday evening road rides have resumed for the season:
   INFO: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/statecollegecycling/info
5. RUMBLE STRIPS: PENNDOT District 2 announced at the State College Transportation Commission meeting that the district adopted a policy of no new side rumble strips unless the road shoulders are at least 6 feet wide. This exceeds PENNDOTs criteria of 4 feet and should be welcome news to area cyclists.
6. Charity Ride season starts early this year. Here’s the lineup of local charity rides
   1. April 27 – Bestwick Spring Ride 36 and 74 mile rides with world champions.  
      INFO: http://www.bestwickfoundation.org/event/spring-ride-2014/
      REGISTER: http://www.sagepayments.net/eftcart/additem.asp?M_id=383539475157&P_id=193546
   2. May 4 – The Linden Loop  5 and 28 mile bike rides, 5 mile run, 5 mile walk.
      INFO: http://rockhillschoolatlindenhall.blogspot.com/2013/02/2013-linden-loop-registration-form.html
      REGISTER:  https://endurancecui.active.com/event-reg/select-race?e=7540154
   3. May 17 – Tour for Dyslexia 35 and 75 mile rides.
      INFO: http://tourfordyslexia.org/
      REGISTER: http://tourfordyslexia.org/register/
   4. June 28 – CVIM Cycling for Care
   5. August 3: PASA Bike Fresh Bike Local  25, 50, 75 mile rides (and Elk Creek brews for those over 21)
      INFO: https://www.pasafarming.org/events/pasa-events/bike-fresh-centre-county
      REGISTER: https://endurancecui.active.com/event-reg/select-race?e=7435553