March 2019

Did you know that you can shop online and support FCBC?  Instead of shopping at the regular Amazon website, log on to the Amazon Smile website where you will find all the same products at the same prices as the regular Amazon website.  The only difference is that Amazon will donate half a percent of the purchase price to the charitable organization of your choice.

As a nonprofit, FCBC depends on membership dues and donations to support our work.  There is no paid staff.  Board members and active members volunteer hundreds of hours every year to further our mission to promote safe bicycling for everyday transportation and recreation in Fresno County through advocacy and education.  Occasionally, FCBC is able to receive funding through grants for conducting bicycle education activities, and any such funding goes back to support the FCBC mission.  Thank you for your support! 

Smart Cycling Classes in Full Swing 

Now that spring is here, FCBC is conducting free monthly Smart Cycling classes taught by our certified League Cycling Instructors.  This year, we are offering basic and advanced classes.  Each class typically includes an hour of classroom instruction and then an hour of on-bike instruction.  The basic class will cover types of bikes and proper fit, "ABC Quick Check," rules of the road, lane positioning, and types of bike facilities. The on-bike portion includes emergency exercises conducted in a parking lot.  The advanced class will cover group riding, sharing trails, riding in inclement weather, night riding, and rural riding.  The on-bike portion includes bike riding on trails or in the street.  Regular locations for the classes include Steven’s Bicycles in Clovis at Willow and Nees Avenues and at the Ted C. Wills Community Center in the Tower District on San Pablo Avenue north of Belmont Avenue. FCBC also offers classes to groups by request. 

Chinese New Year 

On March 2, FCBC set up a booth and participated in the annual Chinese New Year parade to usher in the Year of the Pig.  Events such as this allow FCBC to interact with the greater community, raise awareness of cycling, promote bicycle safety to all walks of life, and recruit new members.  FCBC provided bike valet and gave out helmets and lights. 

California Bicycle Summit

The California Bicycle Coalition organizes the California Bicycle Summit every two years.  While there was talk of it possibly taking place in Fresno this year, it will actually be in Los Angeles, October 15 to 17.  The past two summits were held in Sacramento and San Diego, with presentations and workshops on topics such as social equity, open streets events, and cycle tracks.  Attendees include bicycle advocates, consultants, vendors, and government officials.  Early bird registration costs $325.  More information can be found at https://www.calbike.org/events/california_bicycle_summit.

Upcoming Events

• Advanced Smart Cycling Class at Steven’s Bicycles, March 28 at 5:30 p.m.
• Earth Day Fresno, Radio Park (First Street and Clinton Avenue), April 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Smack in da Middle Bike Polo Tournament, Rotary East Park (Cedar and Sierra Avenues), April 20-21 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Mall to Mall Ride, May 1 or 2, to be determined
• Bike Prom, May 13
• Bike to Work Day, May 17

Next Board Meeting

Join us at the Ted C. Wills Community Center on Thursday, March 21 at 5:30 p.m. for the next FCBC Board meeting.  Everyone is welcome, and topics to be discussed include Earth Day and Bike Month activities.

Have a comment or suggestion?  Contact us at info@fresnobike.org