Frederick Bicycle Coalition

The Frederick Bicycle Coalition turns 1 year old this month. In that short time we have gotten a lot accomplished. Many thanks to our members and sponsors for the support to make this happen. We hope to make 2011 an even more successful year. In the meantime, let’s take a look at all the great things FBC got done and participated in this year:

• Participated in and promoted Frederick’s Bike to Work Day 2010
• Led road and mountain bike rides including ones at the inaugural Tour de Frederick , a series of Introduction to the Watershed MTB rides and women’s rides.
• Conducted a Bicycle Usage Survey focused on Frederick City and County
• Contributed to Frederick’s annual ALTA bike count and synthesized two years of data
• Worked with Frederick City elected officials and staff to sign the Bicycle Friendly Action Plan and work to become a designated Bicycle Friendly Community
• Participated in the Maryland Trails Summit
• Helped craft a Maryland Trails Vision document for mountain biking in MD
• Hosted the first Ride with the Mayor to the Frederick Keys game
• Worked with Frederick’s Mayor McClement to establish Frederick’s first Bicycle Advisory Committee
• Held the first FBC BBQ and bike rides
• Provided housing for musician Ben Sollee and his crew on their bicycle powered tour of the Mid-Atlantic
• Held a fundraiser dinner at Agro Dolce, partnering with Heavy Seas Beer
• Helped an FBC member recover his stolen bike by getting the word out through our vast electronic network
• Contributed to and promoted the Frederick County Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning meetings.
• Assisted with Frederick bicycle rodeos promoting safe riding for children
• Hosted the IMBA Trail Care Crew visit in Frederick which included presentations to government officials and land managers, a trail building school and mountain bike rides (shout out to local MTB advocacy group MORE who partnered with us on this effort)
• Organized a pre-winter bicycle tune up Community Outreach Event
• Achieved 501(c)3 non-profit status
• Purchased an FBC branded bike rack for downtown Frederick

People are noticing not just the Frederick Bicycle Coalition, but bicycling in general in the Frederick area. Take a look at the coverage FBC and local cycling had this year:

• Aldermen take steps to make Frederick more bicycle-friendly
• Frederick Plans to Pursue Bicycle Friendly Designation
• FBC members tackle Snowpocalypse 2010
• Bicycle-friendliness could bring benefits to Frederick
• Cyclists hope to attract more bicycle commuters
• Aldermen hear Bicycle Ad Hoc Committee’s suggestions to boost biking on Frederick city streets
• Bike group prepares for presentation
• Local pastor, cyclist combines passions to help other people
• Pro mountain biker enjoys downtime at home before training begins
• Bicyclist pedals friendliness
• Golden Mile’s future gets mapped out
• Frederick Bicycle Coalition plans ride to ‘Sunday Funday’ Keys game
• Brunswick Bicycle Festival a thank you to cyclists
• Study plans for more traffic by car, foot, bike
• MacFawn’s pedals passengers along downtown streets
• Traveling Through – Mayor seeks input for bicycle
• Frederick aldermen, mayor ‘fully support’ bicycle committee’s ideas

The December newsletter is out. If you don’t subscribe, you can read it online here. If you want to subscribe for future newsletters, check the right column of this page and scroll the bottom. Only takes one minute and we won’t sell your email or bombard you with junk, just an occasional bit of news delivered to your inbox so you can keep up with what is going on.

Please keep an eye out for this bike that was stolen from the downtown Frederick Marc station. You can contact the owner at (240) 344-0936 or the FPD dispatch at (301) 600-2102.

The bike is a Bluish/silver Austro-Daimler frame, single-speed, front wire basket, hammered fenders, butchered leather saddle, brass bell, cork grips, city bars. Pretty unique looking, it should stand out.

– Update: This bike was located, recovered and returned to its owner thanks to the FBC rider network! Chalk one up for the good guys.

From the Rails to Trails Conservancy:

The president of AAA Mid-Atlantic recently advocated for the elimination of existing federal dollars that help build bicycle and pedestrian trails and sidewalks. These funds have helped create more than 19,000 miles of trails, walking and bicycling facilities across the country—likely including your favorite nearby trail.

AAA encourages its members to get outdoors and explore the country—including by bicycle—so why do they support cutting programs that help their members do precisely that?

On September 1, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy President Keith Laughlin sent a letter asking this question to AAA. Robert Darbelnet, president and CEO of AAA, was quick to respond yet he did not address our central concern.

AAA Mid-Atlantic suggests that an $89 billion annual highway fund shortfall can be blamed on investments in walking and bicycling. But those investments total less than $1 billion annually and produce tremendous benefits for everyone, including drivers.

The reality is that many bicyclists drive, support AAA, pay gas taxes and want balanced transportation systems that provide the choice to get around in a variety of ways—for commuting or daily errands, or for fun and exercise.

If AAA’s false ideas take root, America’s transportation future—one where communities are more livable and people have safe and convenient choices for getting around—is in jeopardy.

Help us show AAA that trail, walking and bicycling programs actually benefit everyone, very much including their own members!

Sign the petition

Don’t forget, this Sunday, August 29th, is the Frederick Bicycle Coalition’s ride to the Keys game and participants get free admission. Full details here!

Myersville will be having a ribbon cutting Saturday for some new paved trails they are opening. The trails connect the town to nearby Doub’s Meadow Park. As part of the celebration there will also be a free Band Jam featuring local music. Details at the Gazette.

This one is for kids and adults alike. Baseball, bicycles and free tickets to the baseball game? Yes, we are leading a ride to the Frederick Keys game in August. Mayor McClement will be coming along and participating riders will get free admission thanks to the Frederick Keys. That’s a deal that’s hard to pass up. Full details here. Hope to see you there!

A big thanks to Spokes magazine for donating ad space for the event!

It’s summertime, get on your bike and ride!

Check the Frederick Bicycle Coaliton calendar, there are several great bicycle events happening in Frederick County this month.