January 2023

Happy New Year!  The start of a new year gives an opportunity for a fresh start.  Is there something that you would want to do more of or differently on your bike in the New Year?  One obvious thing could be to ride more.  Or perhaps it could be venturing out on gravel trails or learning to maintain your bike with help from the experts at The Bike Station.  Maybe you would like to volunteer in various bike activities to help spread the joy of riding your bike.

In this month’s Newsletter:

• Bike Café is on Tuesday, January 10 at 7:00 pm with an open forum to discuss what you would like FCBC to do in the New Year.

• The next Bike Station Fix Your Own Bike Event is on Saturday, January 14 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm in the Tower District.

• We take a look back at what FCBC accomplished in 2022.

• The results of the FCBC Board elections are announced.

• The next FCBC Board meeting is on Thursday, December 19 at 7:30 pm.

FCBC Bike Café

The monthly virtual Bike Café allows FCBC members and others to socialize and discuss bike-related topics of interest.

As part of FCBC's 2023 annual activity and event planning process, the first Bike Café of the year is an open member forum to get input prior to the Board members gathering for the Annual Strategic Planning/Board Retreat on January 15.  We'd like to discuss your thoughts on what FCBC's strengths and weaknesses as an organization are, and what opportunities and potential challenges you might see for FCBC to take on in the coming year or longer.  If you have ideas you've thought of that you'd like to share, or if you've ever considered volunteering for an FCBC event or activity, here is a chance to chime in!  Some examples of possible topics include Bike Month, Smart Cycling, The Bike Station, the 2023 Fresno Bike Summit, Bike Café topics, other member events benefits, and themed rides.

Register here to get the Zoom link.  If you have questions about using Zoom, registration for the event, or any other questions, email us events@fresnobike.org.

Fresno Bike Station

The next Fix Your Own Bike event is scheduled for Saturday, January 14 between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm at the Van Ness Village Vendor Fair, located at 1440 N. Van Ness Avenue.  The BikeStation is sponsored by FCBC and allows bike owners to learn how to repair their own bikes with help from experienced mechanics, including FCBC member Julie Congi and Tower Velo owner Chris Eacock.

A Look Back at 2022

Last year, things were starting to get a little bit more back to normal post pandemic, but not all the way back to normal.  Here are some of the highlights of the year:

• The Bike Station had a growing number of users.  FCBC received a $4,000 grant from New Belgium Brewery to support the Bike Station.  The grant will fund new tools and parts.

• For Bike Month in May, FCBC paused the Mall the Mall/Hall Ride for another year and instead held the second annual screening of a bike film with the Soul of a Cyclist and virtual discussion with the director and filmmaker, Nuno Tavares.  The Bike Through History returned in conjunction with the City of Fresno Historic Preservation Commission and a tour of hitching posts throughout Central Fresno.

• In November, FCBC held a Smart Cycling class including a virtual classroom session and on-bike session in conjunction with Southern Sierra Cyclists.  This was the first in-person Smart Cycling class since the beginning of the pandemic.

FCBC Board Election Results

Board elections were held last month, and reelected in their positions were Tony Molina as Board Chair, Jeremy Doyel as Vice Chair, Ed Smith as Secretary, Juan Flores as Membership Coordinator, Jack Nelson as Treasurer, and John Liu and Thor Smith as At Large Directors.  Newly elected to the Board is Julie Congi as an At Large Director.

Next Board Meeting

The next Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 19 at 7:30 pm via Zoom. Everyone is welcome to join the virtual meeting.

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.