Author: RideCoordinator

GEARs Board Endorses Betty Taylor for City Council

Posted on by RideCoordinator

Incumbent councilor Betty Taylor and challenger, Juan Carlos Valle were asked the following questions as proposed by the GEARs Board regarding bicycling. Following each question is Councilor Taylor’s reply. Her opponent Juan Carlos Valle did not respond to the questionnaire.

GEARs: Explain the level of funding for the projects in the Ped/Bike Plan which you support, and where would the funds come from to support these projects?

Taylor: Any transportation funding should include 10% for bike and ped. The money should come from tax levies, SDC’s and any other legal source. We need more off street bike paths.

GEARs: In what way would you promote bicycling for fun, recreation and fitness in our community?

Taylor: Regular closures of streets to cars, if widely advertised would be a good incentive.

City sponsored bike rides and walking tours, with guides (and refreshments at the end), could attract participants and inform citizens of easy and safe ways to get to destinations without automobiles. I remember a city sponsored bike ride which included a safe route to Armitage Park.

Loaner bikes–adult and child sizes–could introduce people who can’t currently afford bikes to the pleasures of cycling.

GEARs: How would you promote mutual respect and safety between the bicycling and non-bicycling citizens of Eugene?

Taylor: If the city treated bike theft as a crime equal to automobile theft, it would encourage respect for bicycle owners. More places to park bikes safely would be another sign of respect. We need signs warning motorists to look for pedestrians and cyclists before turning.
Bicyclists and pedestrians need to be informed about the need to wear light clothing and use lights after dark.

Down the Drain Brevet

Posted on by RideCoordinator

Active GEARs member Michal Young is organizing a Brevet. Here’s the info:

‎”On Saturday, September 8, I am organizing a 200 kilometer brevet (timed, unsupported ride) starting in Eugene and passing through Lorane, Drain, and Cottage Grove. If you are curious about randonneuring, I have posted a few notes on how a 200km brevet differs from a supported century ride here: http://goo.gl/4GgZ4 If you think you might be interested in trying a brevet, you can find my notes on the Down the Drain route here: http://goo.gl/HHNHI

You do not need to be a member of Randonneurs USA or Oregon Randonneurs to participate in Down the Drain on September 8. Expect a ride fee of $15 (possibly less, definitely not more).

Pre-register here: http://www.orrandonneurs.org/bin/brevet_register .
(Rider or robot: Robots might not know that Paris-Brest-Paris is 1200 kilometers. Randonneurs daydream about it.)

We’ll start at Skinner’s Butte Park (just across the river from Alton Baker Park) at 7am, and you should be there 15 minutes early to register. I expect a small group, maybe 6 to 12 riders. You’ll find the veteran randonneurs friendly and welcoming, and happy to mentor rookies in our slightly wacky sport. I hope to some of you will give it a try, but in fairness I must warn you that randonneuring is addicting.”

Cargo Bike Roll Call- Eugene

Posted on by RideCoordinator

This Saturday was the first Cargo Bike Roll Call (CBRC) in Eugene. It was held in conjunction with Kidical Mass, where several families use cargo bikes everyday to haul their kids around. Cargo bikes range from these everyday family vehicles to job specific work bikes. Over 100 people showed up to the CBRC to both show off and admire utility bikes of all types. What stood out was the diversity!  There were all sorts of bikes (and people) from the funky to the polished and everything in-between. From simple bikes with baskets to an electric assist trike & trailer that can haul over 700 pounds there was something for everyone to marvel at.  There was some great networking going on as well as general ogling and talk has already begun about the next event!

KVAL did a nice story about the event:

 

 

There are also some pictures posted here.

Arriving by Bike was the main sponsor of the event. They hosted us at the Hideaway Bakery with a yummy spread of food; wood-fired oven pizzas, cookies, bread, strawberry lemonade and more. Oakshire Brewing provided some excellent Line Dry Rye Pale Ale and several other sponsors helped fund the food and beverages as well.  Thanks to everyone who helped make the event happen, it was such a success we look forward to doing it again!

Blackberry bRamble is Almost Here!

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Lots of last minute organization going on by volunteers to get this years Blackberry bRamble ready for another great event this Sunday! If you haven’t registered yet you only have a few more hours today to do before the price goes up and you have to wait in longer lines Sunday morning to sign up. Register NOW.

Wanted to share information about a lot of other great things going on around the rides. From camping and dinner the night before to breakfast on Sunday morning and great music and events after the rides.

It’s going to be a GREAT weekend!!

BED, BUFFET, BREAKFAST, & BIKE at the Blackberry bRamble Bundle

Are you riding in the Blackbery bRamble?  Do you need camping, dinner and breakfast before the big Ride? Just wanna hang out at a bike-centric event Saturday or Sunday?  Then sign up for all three events under the bRamble Bundle for just $20  (Course # 100871). Want to sign up separately for different option?! You can do that too:

bRamble Camping: Are you riding in the Blackberry bRamble and want to be the first on the ride? They pick a camping spot at Amazon Center and enjoy the night skies before hitting the road in the morning.August 4 & 5 ,   5:30pm – 8:30 am  $6.00 (Course #100872)

bRamble Dinner: Join other bRamble riders for dinner before the big ride.  Pasta dinner includes pasta, salad, breadstick, dessert and drink.  Share your stories on the patio with others.     BREW available extra cost. August 4 5:30-7:30pm Hilyard Community Center, 2580 Hilyard St. $10.00 per person. Family dinner meal deal   – Family of 4 – dinner   = $25.00      – $3 for extra children (Course # 100873)

bRamble Breakfast: Get your bRamble breakfast before the big ride. Pancakes, bacon, fresh fruit and OJ will get your energy up.   August 5th ,  6:30am- 8:30am Amazon Center, 2700 Hilyard $6.00 adult $3.00 child up to 12 years of age $15 family of 4     $2.00 for extra children  (Course # 100874)

To register for any of the events or for more information call Hilyard Community Center, 541-682-5311. Tell them you want to register for the Blackberry bRamble adaptive recreation events on Saturday and Sunday.  All proceeds from these events help support the adaptive biking program through the city of Eugene’s Adaptive Recreation program.

Then on Sunday, right after the ride,  join us for the Blackberry bRamble Bike Celebration

When you roll in after your ride you can park at the CAT Valet Bike Parking area and head over to get your Blackberry Pie and Ice Cream reward. Find a nice spot in the grass and take a break before checking out the rest of the event. Some of the things to do at the celebration include:

  • Register your bike with the Eugene Police
  • Have a beer in the Ninkasi/Oakshire beer garden
  • Pedal the Music!!
  • Sample great local food
  • Compete in a “flat fix competition”
  • Try the Disciples of Dirt obstacle course
  • Take the Paperboy/girl Challenge
  • Decorate your helmet
  • Cool off with a swim at Amazon Pool for only $1.
  • Get your Blackberry bRamble T-Shirt
  • Visit all the booths and with other cyclists and community members

The hub of the event is the Pedal Powered Music Stage which will have competitions, announcements, and some GREAT performers including Grey Matter Jugglers at 12:30, Stephan Nance at 1:30 and headliner Marv Ellis performing at 3pm!

We’ll see you on Sunday!

 

Breakfast At The Bike Bridges

Posted on by RideCoordinator

It’s time for the July 27th edition of “Breakfast At The Bike Bridges” at the Greenway Bike Bridge (Across the River from the Valley River Center) from 7 to 9:30 AM this Friday morning. It is sponsored by:

Enjoy free bagels from Bagel Sphere, free coffee from Full City Roasters, free Toby’s Tofu Pate and Genesis Juice, free bike bells, bike tune ups, bike registration with the Eugene Police and many other bike riders to greet the morning with.

And while we’re talking bicycles please, please consider becoming a member of GEARS (Greater Eugene Area Riders) Eugene’s premier bicycle group. If you are a member, thank you so much and if you’d like to become a member here is a link to do so:  www.eugenegears.org/membership

GEARS maintains an active schedule of bike rides for riders of all skill levels and works actively in the community promoting cycling.GEARS members receive discounts at many area businesses including many bike shops.      www.eugenegears.org/programs/bikerewards

Coming up, the big Eugene bicycle event of the summer:

The Blackberry bRamble has long been known for its scenic route, extraordinary food at rest stops, reliable support and free blackberry pie and ice cream at the finish.  The night before the ride, meet other riders at a community dinner ($10.00) in support of  Eugene’s Adaptive Cycling program.   All are welcome to reserve a  campsite overnight in Amazon Park, and purchase a pancake breakfast on the morning of the ride.

Whether you’ve chosen the 100-mile Century, the 62-mile Metric Century, the 39-mile Crow Loop, or the 10/20 mile Community Ride, you’ll arrive back at Amazon Park to find a bike celebration in progress with: bike-powered music (with headliners Stephan Nance & Marv Ellis), local vendors community booths, bike obstacle course, tricycle race for kids, great food, and a beer garden!

If you’re hot and tired, cool off with a swim at Amazon Pool for only $1.  It’s a wonderful time to be on a bike.

Here’s a link to easily sign up for the bRamble: blackberrybramble.eventbrite.com

I look forward to seeing you at the Bicycle Breakfast this Friday.

David Gizara
GEARS
City of Eugene Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee

Scofflaw Cyclists?

Posted on by RideCoordinator

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition did a nice piece in their monthly “Tube Times” titled “What About Scofflaw? Perception, Reality and What We’re Doing About It.”

Though it’s SF based it highlights some of the issues all bike advocacy organizations face, especially in communities where cycling is increasing and more attention is being drawn to “cyclists behavior”. I think it touches on some good points.

GEARs is working on some of the same issues locally and is doing positive work for change, including working with the police and courts on the bike education diversion program as well as our normal Bike Education course.
If you haven’t taken a Traffic Skills 101 course yet sign up now: http://edu.eugenegears.org/classes
Also, don’t forget to renew your membership:  http://eugenegears.org/membership 

Finally: “On a daily basis, be a bicycle ambassador by being a great representative of Eugene’s amazing, diverse and growing community of people who bicycle. Stop behind the crosswalk, give pedestrians the right-of-way and others will follow.”