April 11, 2016
Meeting held at the State College Borough Building
Present:
- Anna Nelson, President
- Paul Rito, Vice President
- Kelly Doyle, Treasurer
- Joan Potter, Secretary
- Andrew Artz
- Thomas Wilson
- Betsey Howell
- Catherine Grigor
- Dennis Bender
- Barbara Fleischer
- Lynn Carpenter
- Jeff DeLatto
- Rick Gilmore
- Alan Daum
- Jean Bemis
- Melissa Bopp
- Brian Dempsey
- Lynda Crow
- Jim Serene
- Katie Dutt
- Nate Geiger
The meeting was called to order by Anna Nelson at 5:35 pm.
Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau
Betsey Howell, Director of the Visitors Bureau, brought in a collection of mountain and road bike cue sheets they’ve had on file and asked if CentreBike is interested in updating them. This would be a good project for local bike groups to review and update the maps. Funding may be available to print new maps for the Visitors Bureau, and they could also be shared online.
CentreBike is also in the process of creating a new map of Centre Region bike routes, and will coordinate efforts with COG, CATA and the Visitors Bureau.
Bellefonte Central Rail Trail
Tom Wilson, the Bellefonte Mayor, gave an update on the rekindled efforts to complete the Bellefonte to State College Rail Trail. The proposed sections include:
- Milesburg to Bellefonte
- Bellefonte to Spring Creek Canyon
- Shiloh Road to Rock Road
- Rock Road to Houserville
The project has support from the Centre County Planners, PA Fish & Boat Commission, DCNR and PennDOT. A matching grant was received from the Bellefonte Borough for a feasibility study. The path has been included in the waterfront development plan along Spring Creek in Bellefonte. For grant purposes, they’re seeking letters of support from the State College Borough and Townships, and CentreBike will also provide a letter of support.
May Bike Month Activity Planning
- Bike Month kick-off: information table at Allen Street Gates scheduled for Friday, April 29th. Brian Dempsey will organize volunteers.
- Commuter Coffee Fridays will be organized by Anna Nelson:
- May 6 – Old Main Steps
- May 13 – Freeze Thaw Cycles
- May 20 – The Bicycle Shop
- May 27 – State College Borough Building
- Bike to School Day initiative – May 4th. Melissa Bopp, the Coordinator of Exercise is Medicine on Campus Initiative at Penn State, and her interns will send information to Phys Ed teachers and disseminate information to parents via PTO Facebook pages.
- Community Bike Ride on May 21st – although Mayor Goreham is unable to ride due to recovering from a broken ankle, she’d like to participate in some capacity.
- A public town hall meeting is being planned with local government officials to provide an update on the Regional Bike Plan.
- Paul Rito will offer an introduction to the Streets Skills training class prior to the town hall meeting, and plans to hold the full length program at a later date.
CentreGives Campaign
Discussed using funds raised through CentreGives for a creative ad campaign to bring awareness to biking called “Travel with Care”. The campaign started in Pittsburgh and is spreading nationwide. Photos of local celebrities and their bikes are used to create a powerful message on billboards, buses, posters, and social media. Cost estimates will be presented at a future meeting.
Bike Donations
Jim Serene suggested a campaign to donate used bikes which could be given to underprivileged children in the area. CentreBike could provide donors with a receipt for tax purposes. Warehouse storage space for donated bikes may be available.
Membership Dues
The annual dues notice will be sent to the listserv in May and will include a summary of CentreBike’s accomplishments.
There being no further business to come before the meeting, it adjourned at 6:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Joan Potter, Secretary
