The summer has been a scorcher so far.  FCBC has fewer group rides during the hottest months of the year, but the weekly Tuesday Rubber Soul rides to Sycamore Island continue in the morning when the temperatures are still bearable.  

In this month’s Newsletter:

• FCBC assisted Fresno State Transportation Institute with a one-week bike camp for middle school students.

• Several bills related to bicycling are working their way through the State Legislature.

• The next FCBC general membership meeting and FCBC Board meeting are scheduled for Thursday, July 18 at 6:30 and 7:00 pm, respectively.

Fresno State Transportation Institute Bike Camp

During the second week of July, the Fresno State Transportation Institute (FSTI) hosted a one-week bike camp for middle school students from Madera County.  Each student received a bike that was provided at cost by Rubber Soul Bicycles.  As with the bike camp last year, Several FCBC Board members assisted with the activities, which included hands-on maintenance with Julie Congi of The Bike Station, a Smart Cycling class with John Liu, helmet decorating with Edna Pedroza, and on-street and trail bike riding with Tony Molina.

Weekly FCBC Rides with Rubber Soul Bicycles

The weekly Tuesday morning 15-mile ride to Sycamore Island with FCBC and Rubber Soul Bicycles is led by Jon Stewart with the bike shop.  The ride is both on and off pavement, and it departs from the bike shop at the northwest corner of Blackstone and Nees Avenues at 8:00 am every Tuesday.  From the bike shop, the ride goes through residential streets into Woodward Park.  The ride proceeds on the old Highway 41 and along the San Joaquin River to Sycamore Island and then returns to the bike shop by 9:30 am.  Sign up here for the weekly series of rides.  After registering, you may attend any week of your choosing.

Kid’s Bike Rodeo with the Cub Scouts in Clovis

On July 6, FCBC collaborated with the Cub Scouts to hold a kid’s bike rodeo at Freedom Elementary School and neighborhood bike ride in Clovis.  A good time was had by all despite the heat.

Legislative Update

There are several bicycle-related bills working their way through the legislative process, as highlighted below:

• Senate Bill 961 requires new vehicles beginning in the 2030 model year to have a one-time alert when traveling 10 mph over the speed limit.  The bill passed has been referred to the Appropriations Committee.

• Assembly Bill 1774 would prohibit a person from selling a product or device that can modify the speed capability of an electric bicycle such that it no longer meets the definition of an electric bicycle.  This bill was signed by the Governor.

• AB-1778 would would establish the Marin Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program that would, until January 1, 2029, authorize Marin County or local authority within Marin County to adopt an ordinance or resolution that would prohibit a person under 16 years old from operating a class 2 electric bicycle or require a person operating a class 2 electric bicycle to wear a bicycle helmet.  The bill is in the Senate for a third reading.

• AB-2290 establishes the Bikeway Quick-Build Project Pilot Program that requires each Caltrans district to implement a low-cost bicycle facility as part of the Caltrans Maintenance Program by the end of 2027.  Projects funded by the SB-1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program that include a bicycle facility if identified by a bicycle plan or active transportation plan.  It would also prohibit funding from the Active Transportation Program for Class II bike routes unless on a residential street with a speed limit of 25 mph or less.  The bill is in the suspense file.

• AB-2234 establishes an electric bicycle enforcement pilot program in the County of San Diego allowing the county or local authorities to prohibit a person under 12 years of age from operating a class 1 or class 2 electric bicycle until January 1, 2029.  A report would be submitted to the Legislature by January 1, 2028 that details enforcement of the ordinance and changes, if any, in electric bicycle collisions and injuries. The bill is in the Senate Transportation Committee.

• AB-2259 would require the California Transportation Agency, which is over the DMV, the CHP, Caltrans, and the Office of Traffic Safety, upon appropriations to develop by September 1, 2025 a downloadable bicycle safety handbook.  A similar bill was vetoed last year over concerns of the cost of printing the handbook.  The bill is in the suspense file.

• SB-1216 would prohibit funds from the Active Transportation Program to place Class III bikeways on roadways with speed limits of 30 mph or higher beginning in 2025.  The bill is in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Next General Membership and Board Meetings

The next general membership meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 18 at 6:30 pm via Zoom.  The general membership meeting is for members and nonmembers to meet with the Board prior to the official Board meeting to ask questions or raise issues for the Board to consider.  After the meeting concludes, at 7:00 pm at the latest, the Board meeting will begin.  Board meetings are restricted to members only.

If you would like to participate in the meeting, register here, and you will immediately get the Zoom link.

Membership

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

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