Bike Bakersfield is a non-profit bicycle advocacy group. Our mission is to promote bicycling as a safe, fun and environmentally friendly means of everyday transportation.
Third Thursday on June 20 once again features Free Bicycle Valet Parking and Roller Races, so ride out to Central Park at Mill Creek starting at 5:30pm. We'll keep an eye on your bikes and you can hop on ours and challenge a friend to a race.
Join the event and invite your friends on Facebook.
Join a casual group of riders as we ride from Beach Park to the Marketplace at a pace of around 10-12 miles per hour. The ride out is organized and kept together as much as possible. Once at the Marketplace, riders enjoy the fountain and various shops, then head home or back to the park in smaller, unsupported groups.
Lights, helmets and locks recommended. (Lights and reflectors for all, and helmets for those under 18 are required by California Vehicle Code.)
Join the event and invite your friends on Facebook.
Download the flyer to distribute:.
On Saturday, July 13, from 3-6pm, we're hosting a Basic Bicycle Maintenance class at Bike Bakersfield. Learn basic skills to keep your bicycle functioning smoothly, and to get you going again quickly if you have a mechanical issue during a ride. During this three hour hands-on workshop, we'll cover:
A bike in good condition is required. Basic Bicycle Maintenance is an adult level class for people age 16 and up. Class size is limited to 6 participants to ensure adequate one-on-one instruction.
Cost is $25 for non-members and includes a Bike Bakersfield membership. Class is free for members at the Basic ($25) level or higher (limit of two classes per year for Basic members). Membership can be purchased online, or you can pay at the time of the class.
Pre-register by emailing brad@bikebakersfield.org.
Many people are intimidated and discouraged by the way motorists dominate the roadway. Through education and practice, Confident City Cycling builds your personal confidence for riding a bicycle on city streets.
The course includes a review of state and local laws, on-bike skill development, and more to help you become a more confident cyclist.
A bike in good condition with at least one functioning handbrake or coaster brake is required. Confident City Cycling is an adult level class for people age 16 and up. Class size is limited to 12 participants to ensure adequate one-on-one instruction.
Cost is $25 for non-members and includes a Bike Bakersfield membership. Class is free for members at the Basic ($25) level or higher (limit of two classes per year for Basic members). Membership can be purchased online, or you can pay at the time of the class.
Pre-register by emailing brad@bikebakersfield.org.
May is National Bike Month and that means it's time to roll out those bicycles hidden in your garage, strap on a helmet and leave your car keys at home. The open road is calling and now is the opportunity to get out and experience what riding a bike can do for you and your community, according to Davis Foley of the student club Team CSUB Cycling.
Continue reading at http://therunneronline.com.
On April 17, 2013, the Bakersfield City Council adopted a complete streets policy designed to give equal consideration to bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists and transit users for all transportation projects within the City's "sphere of influence."
The resolution defines "Complete Streets" as "transportation facilities that are planned, designed, operated, and maintained to provide safe mobility for all users, including motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders appropriate to the function and context of the facility," and it recognizes that special accommodations are required for children, seniors and persons with disabilities.
The complete text of the resolution is included below.
Read the complete text of the resolution.
Last month, the Community Services Committee of the Bakersfield City Council adopted standards for acceptable bicycle parking in the city of Bakersfield. The required bicycle parking will be both safer and more convenient. These end-of-trip facilities are an important part of the infrastructure required for a complete bicycle transportation system. This is one of many steps the city is now taking in order to become a more bicycle-friendly city and thereby improve our quality of life. These are the things that not only make life more pleasant for those of us already here, but have been shown to be an important consideration when people and businesses are considering relocation.
Continue reading at bakersfieldcalifornian.com.
April 15 the California Legislature made a strong move in support of Safe Routes to School. The Assembly Transportation Committee unanimously passed AB-1194 (Ammiano), the Safe Routes to School bill, with an 11-0 vote to maintain dedicated and level state and federal funding to continue the highly successful program at its current rate of $46 million/year.
Continue reading at Safe Routes to School California.
On March 12, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors took the first step towards adopting the Vulnerable Road Users Ordinance. Without any further objections, the ordinance becomes law on April 11. Bicyclists and pedestrians who are assaulted and harassed on the road in Sonoma County will soon be able to bring civil suit, providing a new tool to confront dangerous road users and reinforce our right to the road.
Continue reading at calbike.org.
Note: This is not a rant against "Spandex-wearing Scofflaws." Rather, it's a look at perceptions versus reality.
I can't tell you how many times people complain about "cyclists" who run red lights, blow through stop signs, ride without lights at night or and don't pay for the roads. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me that cyclists should be taught the rules of the road and given a test like motorists, I could retire and move to Copenhagen where those things actually happen.
Continue reading at The Bicycle Blog of Wisconsin.
Sixty-nine members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asking the U.S. Department of Transportation to set a national goal to reduce bicyclist deaths. The bi-partisan letter, led by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Howard Coble (R-NC), was signed by one-third of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and represents members from 26 states and the District of Columbia.
Continue reading at bikeleague.org.
OK, I'm not going to use cuss words in this essay. This is a family site. But there is WAY too much cussing going in transportation, be it motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and every other road user. Can you imagine if we brought the attitudes that have become—almost celebrated—on roads to restaurants or theaters or supermarkets?
Continue reading at peopleforbikes.org.
It's always a pleasure when scientific studies confirm your own long-held opinions, especially when what you think flies in the face of all conventional wisdom...Biking for transportation appears more helpful in losing weight and promoting health than working out at the gym.
Continue reading at peopleforbikes.org.