May 2023

It’s Bike Month!  Bike month activities have already started, but there are plenty of additional activities in the coming weeks.

In this month’s Newsletter:

 

• There will be no Bike Café in May, but there will be a Coffee Outside gathering on Wednesday, May 10 from 6:45 am to 7:30 am in Radio Park.

• A bike ride with Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer in Downtown Fresno is on Wednesday, May 10 at 3:00 pm beginning at Fresno City Hall.

• The Ride of Silence is on Wednesday, May 17.

• Bike to Work Day is on Thursday, May 18.

• The next Bike Station Fix Your Own Bike Event is on Saturday, May 27 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm in the Tower District.

• Registration for the LCI (League Cycling Instructor) Seminar in Visalia on June 23-25 is open until June 2.

Coffee Outside

All across the U.S. and in a few other countries, Coffee Outside gatherings have taken hold to build community among bicyclists.  Join the movement by meeting at Radio Park in Fresno at First and Clinton Avenues on Wednesday, May 10 between 6:45 am and 7:30 am.  Bring your coffee in a thermos, buy a coffee from a nearby store, or bring your backpacking stove and coffee gear for maximum coffee.  Enjoy casual conversation as you start the day.

Ride with the Mayor

Instead of the traditional annual Mall to Mall or Mall to Hall Ride, which was a large group ride from Manchester to Downtown Fresno, this year FCBC is co-hosting with the Fresno Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) the first ever “Ride with the Mayor” bike ride with Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and Fresno City Councilmembers Karbassi and Luis Chavez to celebrate Bike Month. The event will begin on Wednesday, May 10 at 3 pm in front of Fresno City Hall, located at 2600 Fresno Street.  There will be a May is Bike Proclamation and an update on recent progress making Fresno a more bicycle-friendly city.  The bike ride will travel a few blocks in Downtown Fresno on mostly low-stress streets. Registration is required for the ride.

The Ride of Silence

The Ride of Silence is a global event that honors bicyclists who have been killed or injured.  Locally, the ride is organized by the Fresno Cycling Club and will be on Wednesday, May 17.  The ride is a 7.8 mile loop beginning and ending at Clovis West High School in northeast Fresno.  The gathering time is at 6:30 pm, with ride-off at 7:00 pm.  The ride is silent and travels at a maximum speed of 12 miles per hour, making it suitable for riders of all skills.

Bike to Work Day

If you don’t typically ride your bike to work or school, try it out on Bike to Work Day on Thursday, May 18.  Make sure your bike is in good working order, and remember to do the ABC Quick Check before leaving home.  The League of American Bicyclists provides the following guidance:

• Air - Be sure you have enough air in your tires 

• Brakes - Look to see that your brake pads are not worn 

• Chain and Cranks - Pull on your cranks to see that they are not loose and look to see that the chain is not rusted and it is free of gunk 

• Quick Release - Make sure all quick releases are closed

• Check - Take a slow brief ride to check that your bike is working properly

 

Plan your route ahead of time.  Wear a helmet and bright clothing so that you are conspicuous.  Bring water, obey all traffic laws, and then lock up at a secure place.  Don’t forget your lights if you will be riding at night.

As in years past, FCBC will be setting up an energy station at the Tower Theater located at the intersection of Olive and Wishon Avenues in the Tower District from 6:30 am to 8:30 am.  At an energy station you can take a break, get a snack, and rehydrate.

Caltrans will be setting up their customary energy station at Manchester Center behind the Starbucks from 7:00 am to 8:00 am.  

The Bike Station

The Bike Station was at the Earth Day event on April 23 at Fresno City College and not only helped people to fix their bikes, but also provided bike valet.

The next fix your own bike (FYOB) event is scheduled on May 27 between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm 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.

Upcoming League Cycling Instructor Seminar

The registration is live for the LCI Seminar being organized by the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) in Visalia on June 23-25.  LCIs teach Smart Cycling classes to adults and children, and the LCI Seminar provides the prospective instructors with the necessary tools and knowledge.  The LCI Seminar includes 23 hours of instruction and practice in the classroom and on the road over a weekend, beginning Friday afternoon at 3:00 pm and then concluding Sunday afternoon.  LCIs from FCBC will be supporting the effort.  The registration fee is $500 until May 26 and then rises to $575.  Registration closes on June 2.  More information on becoming an LCI can be found on the LAB website.

A prerequisite for the LCI Seminar is completing a Smart Cycling class and passing an exam.  FCBC Board members and LCIs John Liu and Ed Smith taught a virtual classroom session on May 6 and an on-bike session in Visalia on May 7 to prepare the prospective LCI candidates.  FCBC is pleased to partner with TCAG and Southern Sierra Cyclists to develop LCIs and promote bicycle education in the Central Valley.

Next Board Meeting

There is no Board meeting in the month of May.  The next Board meeting is scheduled for June 15.

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.