May 2021

It’s Bike Month!

Get out and ride!  The weather has been perfect for getting on your bike and riding to school, work, the corner store, or anywhere just to get some exercise.  Hydrate, grab your helmet, do the ABC quick check (air, brakes, crank/chain/cassette, quick releases, check all over), and then hit the road or trail. 

MOTHERLOAD Screening and Panel Discussion

FCBC normally begins Bike Month with the Mall to Mall Ride from Manchester Center to Downtown Fresno.  This year FCBC instead hosted a screening and panel discussion of the MOTHERLOAD film.  Over 120 people signed up to view the inspirational film dealing with not just cargo bikes, but also empowerment, social connections, environmental stewardship, and change.  A one-hour panel discussion on May 2 included filmmaker Liz Canning, Cultiva La Salud founder Genoveva Islas, and U.S. Green Building Council Central California Executive Director Laura Groomis.  The discussion covered varied topics including infrastructure, social equity, Kidical Mass, and financing cargo bikes.

For those who missed the film, it is available on Vimeo.  A recording of the panel discussion can be viewed here.

Fare-Free FAX Rides

Since March 1, rides on Fresno FAX buses have been free.  If you think your ride across town is too long solely by pedal power, consider hopping on the bus and using the bike racks in front of the bus while saving on the $1.25 fare.  Here are the steps to use the bike racks:

1. Remove accessories from your bike
2. Notify the bus driver
3. Pull the lever and fold down the bike rack
4. Place bike wheels in slots
5. Pull support arm over front tire
6. Optional - secure your bike to the rack with a U-lock

Bike to Work (or Anywhere) Week and Bike to Work Day

The national Bike to Work Week is May 17 to 23, and Bike to Work Day is on Friday, May 21.  Submit your pictures riding your bike during this week, especially if you use your bike for an everyday utility activity along the lines of this year's cargo bike theme featured in the MOTHERLOAD movie, and we’ll post them on Facebook and Instagram.  

Smart Cycling Class Webinar on May 19

Learn basic bike safety from several FCBC League Cycling Instructors in a one-hour Smart Cycling webinar on May 19 at 6:00 pm presented in conjunction with the U.S. Green Building Council Central California and their Bike Safe Fresno program.  More details and registration information can be found here: https://www.usgbccc.org/BikeSafeFresno

Ride of Silence on May 19

The Ride of Silence is a global event that honors cyclists who have been killed or injured.  It takes place on the third Wednesday in May with a ride-off time of 7:00 pm.  This year, the event will be on May 19, and the ride in Fresno will begin at The Bike Shop at Woodward, with bicyclists gathering at 6:30 pm.  The route includes Fort Washington Road, Copper Avenue, Maple Avenue, Shepherd Avenue, and Champlain Drive.  More details can be found at https://fb.me/e/gWTlyR70b

Legislative Update

Assembly Bill 122, which brings the “Idaho stop” to California and allows bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs.  It was approved in the Assembly and has gone to the Senate.

Assembly Bill 117 would establish incentives for electric bicycles.  The bill passed the Assembly Transportation Committee and will go to the full Assembly for a vote.  Then it will go to the Senate for hearings and votes.

Assembly Bill 43 modifies the method that speed limits are set and gives more guidance as to when speed limits can be reduced an additional 5 mph from the 5 mph increment below the 85th percentile speed and explicitly mentions that land or facilities along the roadway generate high concentrations of pedestrians or bicyclists.  There is also greater flexibility in setting 15 mph or 20 mph speed limits in business activity districts or residential areas without a need to do an engineering and traffic survey.  The bill was approved by the Assembly and has gone to the Senate.

Next Board Meeting

The next Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 20 at 7:30 pm via Zoom.  There will be a debriefing of the MOTHERLOAD event and other Bike Month activities.  Everyone is welcome to join the virtual meeting.  If you would like to participate, please send an email to info@fresnobike.org, and the login information and call-in number will be sent to you.

Membership

If you are not yet a member of FCBC or need to renew, please visit https://fresnobike.org/join to become a member or renew your membership.

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