January 2025

Happy New Year!  A new year can mean a fresh start, with an opportunity to make new healthy choices, which of course could mean bicycling more.  FCBC has exciting events planned for the New Year, and there will be more on that in the Newsletter next month.

In this month’s Newsletter:

• We take a look back at what FCBC accomplished in 2024.

• The City of Fresno is taking comments for the Vision Zero Action Plan until January 31.

• Bicycling should not be a pain in the wrist.  If you experience pain or tingling in the wrists after riding a bike, that may be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome.

• The next FCBC general membership meeting and FCBC Board meeting are scheduled for Tuesday, January 21 at 6:30 and 7:00 pm, respectively.

A Look Back at 2024

Last year was another productive year for FCBC.  Here are some of the highlights:

• The BIke Station continued to hold monthly bike clinic events to help hundreds of bike owners repair their bikes.  Dozens of bikes were refurbished and given away at events.

• FCBC hosted several Bike Cafes and Coffee Outside meetups.

• FCBC jerseys and Tee shirts became available for purchase.

• Bike rodeos were held at Millbrook Mobile Home Village, in Reedley with the Lions Club and Teens That Care, at Freedom Elementary School in Clovis with the Cub Scouts, and at Caltrans Kid’s Day.

• There were numerous group rides, including the infrastructure rides organized by Sean Zeifler, a weekly series of bike rides to Sycamore Island in collaboration with Rubber Soul Bicycles, a Farmer’s Market Ride, and other group rides associated with events as described below.

• During Bike Month in May, FCBC collaborated with the City of Fresno Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC) to put on the second annual Ride with the Mayor event, Ride Through History to see historical houses in the Tower District, and a community ride with REI to Woodward Park.  On Bike to Work Day, FCBC set up an energy station at the customary location at the Tower Theatre.

• Several FCBC Board members assisted the Fresno State Transportation Institute (FSTI) with putting on a one-week bike camp in August for middle school students from Madera County.

• Bike Prom was held for the second time since the pandemic.

• FCBC collaborated with ATAC on the World Day of Remembrance event, including a bike ride of some of the improved bicycle infrastructure near the Tower District.

• FCBC assisted Toole Design on the Fresno Vision Zero Action Plan outreach event at Woodward Park, which included a group bike ride to nearby locations with safety concerns for bike riders and pedestrians.

Fresno Vision Zero Action Plan

Last month FCBC helped kick off the outreach for the City of Fresno Vision Zero Action Plan, which has the goal of eliminating all traffic fatalities and serious injuries.  Make your voice heard by taking the online survey by January 31 to share your concerns and suggestions.

The next Vision Zero outreach event is scheduled for Saturday, February 22.  The Bike Station will be there to help bike owners repair their own bikes with help from experienced mechanics.

Bicycling and Wrist Pain

When you’re riding your bike, nothing is more important than your physical or personal safety.  Your well-being includes being free of injury, and riding a bike should not cause any undue aches or pains.  Wrist pain may be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which is typically associated with using a computer keyboard or mice.  CTS occurs when the median nerve, which runs from your forearm and through your wrist into the palm of your hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist.  Numbness in the wrists during a bike ride or soreness after a bike ride may be a sign of CTS.

Some potential causes and solutions to CTS may be the following:

• Proper fitting for a bicycle is critical to prevent injuries. Purchasing a bicycle from a local bicycle shop usually has the benefit of a professional bike fitting to make sure that the frame size, seat height and tilt, and handlebar reach are appropriate.  Once you already have a bike, you can’t do anything about the frame size, but you can make adjustments with the handlebar height and reach, and seat height and tilt.  If you’re shopping for a bike, a bike that provides a less aggressive, more upright position may also help.

• Pay attention to your hand positioning, particularly with your wrist angle so that it is flatter rather than bent.  Ease off the palms, and adjust the position of your hands frequently.  Wear padded gloves, and replace them when they become worn.

• Consult with your physician, who may suggest taking anti-inflammatory medication or other treatments to address CTS or to see if there is another cause of the pain.

Next General Membership and Board Meetings

The next general membership and Board meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, January 21 at 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm, respectively, via Zoom.  To accommodate the schedules of the new Board, meetings are being moved from the third Thursday of the month to the third Tuesday.  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.  Board meetings are restricted to members only.

If you would like to participate in either or both meetings, 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/join to become a member or renew your membership.

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