Outreach Coordinators Durwood Mayfield and Sherman Phillips met with members of the Dunbar-Manhattan Neighborhood Association of Lubbock the evening of February 23. The previous March, Durwood met with the President, Ms. Billie Russell, and informed her that he would be working with the BikeTexas Safe Routes to School Program. She was interested in learning more about Safe Routes to School and, therefore, invited us to speak at this, their latest meeting.

We briefly explained the program and told them about Texas Bike & Walk to School Day. We also explained our need for volunteers. Three elementary schools are within a mile radius of the neighborhood, and we will be working with at least one of the schools this year. Most of the attendees at last night’s meeting were older, retired citizens with no children in school but said they knew people in the neighborhood who would be willing to help. We asked the association to let them know of our needs and to explain to them how we could assist their neighborhood and the children. Information was handed out pertaining to BikeTexas Safe Routes to School and Texas Bike & Walk to School Day. The presentation was well received, and the audience was attentive.

The mountain bike trail system for Lubbock is located within this neighborhood, and many road bike riders train on these streets. As a member and director of advocacy for two local bicycle clubs, Mayfield presented a check for $100 to the association as a gesture of appreciation to the citizens of the Dunbar-Manhattan Neighborhood Association. Both Durwood and Sherman were invited to stay for refreshments after the meeting and to visit with members. We were also introduced to Eddie Dixon, world renowned sculptor. Mr. Dixon has art pieces in every major museum in the United States including the Smithsonian, and in more than one hundred countries.