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Austin Cycling Association Commits $5000, Challenges Other Texas Clubs to Match |
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Community Successes
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Monday, 10 November 2008 |
 Great news, and a challenge, from the Austin Cycling Association! In their most recent budget meeting, ACA pledged a year's commitment of $5,000 to BikeTexas. We are thrilled by their support and confidence in our shared mission, and by their leadership challenge to other Texas bicycle clubs to match or exceed. So don't let them keep the bragging rights for long - club members, talk about how much more your club can do! We will need every penny available for the upcoming legislative session to ensure the success of the new Safe Passing bill. So don't wait, the time is now! Email
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to make your commitment!
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Join "Cyclists in Suits" to Fight for Bikes at the Texas Legislature |
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Advocacy
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Sunday, 09 November 2008 |
April 20, 2009, 8:00 am, at the State Capitol in Austin
Every two years during the Texas legislative session, BikeTexas members take off the biking gear and put on a suit to lobby our elected officials in Austin. First-time BikeTexas Cyclists in Suits participants are often struck by how easy it is to walk unannounced into the office of a State Senator or Representative at the Capitol and talk with staff (and occasionally with the elected official) about Safe Passing and other key cycling issues.
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Read more . . .
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Bus It to the Capitol for Cyclists in Suits Lobby Day |
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Advocacy
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Monday, 10 November 2008 |
Cyclists in Suits Texas Bike Lobby Day will be April 20, 2009. Mark your calendars!
[If you were planning to make the trek to Austin for our biennial Cyclists in Suits lobby day, consider getting a few - or more than a few - friends to join you! BikeTexas member Michelle Holcomb did this in 2007, and here she shares with us how she did it.]
Step One:
4 to 6 months out (that's now) - Call bus company you have chosen and reserve the estimated number of seats, driver and other things (for instance we have reserved 2 buses, 2 drivers and a hotel room for each of the drivers during the 8 hour split - the bus company has handled all of this just by virtue of us calling them and telling them what we needed).
The bus company we use is very flexible and will add or drop buses based on event demand right up the week of the trip. You want a bus company who will work with you! A local company is more likely to do this. Pick one with a good safety record and verifiable insurance.
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Read more . . .
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A Week's Groceries on Your Bike? No Problem! |
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Community Successes
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Monday, 10 November 2008 |
If you think your bike trailer can really haul a load, check this out! Submitted by cyclist Mickey Miller of Dallas, this cool trailer really impressed us and we just had to share the photo with you. Thanks Mickey!
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Education
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Monday, 10 November 2008 |
With the end of daylight savings time many more bicycle commuters, and cyclists in general, will be biking home in the dark. So be sure you are well-lit - check to make sure your front and rear lights are working, and if you don't have lights, get some! Many cyclist/motorist crashes occur because the motorist could not see the cyclist in low light conditions. The more visible you are, the safer your ride will be, so light up your ride! (Check out this article on the website of Bicycle Victoria, an Australian bicycle club.)
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Community Successes
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Monday, 10 November 2008 |
Have you heard about the Tour des Trees? If not, check out this great video! The Tour des Trees is a five to seven day cycling event, covering distances of up to 500 miles, put on by the Tree Research and Education Endowment (TREE) Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to funding projects in urban forestry and arboriculture to benefit people, trees, and the environment.
Tour des Trees riders contribute to community awareness of the importance of urban trees and forests by participating in tree plantings and public education programs, as well as raising money. The next Tour des Trees is in July 2009 - click here to find out how to participate!
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International Bike & Walk to School Day, Oct. 8 |
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Education
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Monday, 10 November 2008 |
Murchison Elementary, Pflugerville, TX
Bike and Walk to School Day PflugervilleDocia Craft and Melissa Malinowski are the energetic Physical and Heath Educators at Murchison Elementary in Pflugerville, Texas. They are movers and shakers in the classroom and in the community. Docia is also a SuperCyclist Certified Teacher and a champion for bicycle safety education. So when they invited Texas Bicycle Coalition to participate in their International Walk to School Day celebration, we jumped at the chance! We arrived at Murchison Elementary on the morning of October 8, ready to fit helmets to the children.
The event was a great success! Judging by the steady stream of walkers and biker passing our helmet fitting station, the estimate of 500 students walking or biking to school became a reality.
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Read more . . .
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