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ARTCRANK: Austin
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ARTCRANK is coming to the Texas bike Mecca of Austin for the first time. The show will open on Friday, February 24 at Austin's famous
Pine Street Station. ARTCRANK ATX will feature hand-made, bike-inspired posters created by 30 Austin-area artists. Admission is free, and limited edition, signed and numbered copies of all posters will be available for $40 each.
For more information, visit artcrank.com/austin
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Austin Cycling Association
E-News
February 2012
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Greetings!
Only in Texas will you find snow on the weekend followed by temperatures in the 70s - almost 80! - just a few days later. But we'll take it because we know this presents more opportunities to ride our bikes! We hope you're taking advantage of this very bike-friendly weather.
We also hope you're as excited as we are about our upcoming meetings and programs. For the fourth consecutive year, we're hosting the cycling community's meeting with Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo in March, registration is up for the Armadillo Hill Country Classic in May, and we're kicking off a new initiative - Beyond Bike Lanes - to encourage Austin residents to ride their bikes, regardless of their skill levels.
We also will soon unveil a new design of our website.
We've got a lot to look forward to. We hope you're along for the ride!
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Chat with the Chief
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Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo's annual public forum with cyclists returns for a fourth year on March 5.
The chief has more than two decades of law enforcement experience and a long history of community outreach, and the cycling community has benefited from this commitment to coalition building.
Soon after Chief Acevedo arrived in Austin, he agreed to take part in a public forum in which he would answer for issues, real and perceived, between cyclists and the police department. All topics were open for discussion, including ticket stings, untrained patrol officers and response at crash sites. The first forum, in 2009, was a watershed in relations with the APD, and the following annual events have proved to be the public catalyst for implementing a variety of initiatives.
The 2012 forum format will be changing to reflect the community partnership as it stands today. It will begin with a meet-and-greet social time before the formal presentation. APD will present updates on several projects including statistics of interest, bike registration program, bike light giveaways and ticket remediation classes. The question and answer portion will follow.
In order to get researched answers, please submit questions in advance to forum@austincycling.org
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Chat With the Chief
What: Annual APD public forum with the cycling community
When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 5
Where: Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St.
Light appetizers and drinks will be served
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Registration for Armadillo 2012 Now Open!
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On Saturday May 12th, 2012 join the 18th Annual Armadillo Hill Country Classic 2012. Enjoy one of seven different courses that wander through the Texas Hill Country and the National Wildlife Refuge. See quaint towns like Bertram, Oatmeal & Burnet. Enjoy the beautiful rolling scenery, get a great ride in & do something good for the Austin cycling community at the same time.
The Armadillo Hill Country Classic acts as ACA's annual fundraiser for our rapidly growing Helmet Grant Program, which put lids on the heads of nearly 1,500 Central Texas youth in 2011 - an astounding 25% increase in demand from 2010!
In addition to supporting the Boltage and Safe Routes To Schools initiatives, the Helmet Grant program has also allowed us to educate and connect with countless adults working in hospitals, municipalities, police departments, elementary and middle schools, and the YMCA of Austin.
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'Beyond Bike Lanes' Premieres to a Packed House at The Peddler
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Dozens of North Loop & Hyde Park area neighbors attended ACA's pilot Beyond Bike Lanes meeting on Wednesday
After months of planning and research, the feeling inside the cleared area of the Peddler Bike Shop was contrarily organic on Wednesday evening. The lines of blue painter's tape on the ground seemed to serve as a stage for the presenters, though their formal intention was a visualization of lane width. The freshest edition of bicycle maps, reflective tags, and lists of rider resources for newbies covered the glass counter.
Despite the initial shyness among the attendees, the conversation got rolling quickly with constructive dialogue and we witnessed several 'A ha!' moments throughout the room. One representative from LOBV made a beautiful argument on the importance for proper education and community involvement for all riders. A League Cycling Instructor was on hand to go over the ABC Quick Check and proper locking, and Please Be Kind to Cyclists founder Al Bastidas discussed courtesy behind the wheel and safety factors in choosing routes.
At the end of the evening, a prominent feeling of community filled the shop, and the Beyond Bike Lanes series had officially launched. The next meeting is scheduled for the end of March in the dense and family friendly central and central-east area.
The intention of Beyond Bike Lanes is to alleviate the common hesitation and fears that new or potential riders may feel by way of interactive discussion on personal barriers to cycling, intimidation factors, and practical guidance on issues such as route planning and basic safety practices.
It also gives riders of widely varying levels a chance to connect with their geographic neighbors, introducing potential new riding partners to each other :)
Many, many thanks to AJ, Tim, Tom, Becca, Anna, Sasha, and all the wonderful volunteers and Peddler staff - this evening would not have been possible without you!
Programs like this and our Helmet Grant Fund are made possible by your membership dues. Please keep the open discussion going.
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Major Taylor Austin : Growing the Movement
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The National Brotherhood of Cyclists will be convening in Austin February 23rd - 26th for a weekend themed "Growing the Movement" to help launch Major Taylor Austin, a new minority-focused cycling club. Free public events throughout the weekend highlight the role of African Americans throughout the history of cycling from 1899 World Champion Marshall "Major" Taylor to featured guest 1984 Olympian Nelson Vails to everyday transportation cyclists. Full weekend schedule at majortayloraustin.org
Featured events
Thursday Feb 23rd
7:00pm Opening party with cycling historian Andrew Ritchie and Nelson Vails.
Saturday Feb 25th
11:00am Family friendly History Tour Ride
6:30pm Sneak Peek Ride: In Living Color documentary with panel discussion
The Major Taylor Club of Austin TX focuses on inspiring a love of cycling in minority communities, as a healthy alternative mode of transportation, a competitive sport, a way of staying fit and as a way of building community through subculture.
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Community Bulletin: Burleson Heights
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A condominium development in southeast Austin will soon ask the city to block the public from a key east-west route. ACA learned of this from a neighborhood resident who is concerned that the gating will reduce safe cycling and walking in and through the neighborhood near Oltorf Street and Parker Lane.The Austin Planning Commission is scheduled to hear the request on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at city hall, and the issue may be considered by the Austin City Council as soon as March 8. For more information, please click here.
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Alert from BikeTexas
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MAP-21 in the Senate and H.R.7 in the House - as they stand now - represent the forces that want to spend all our tax money to build expensive highways and leave biking and walking in the dust.
Across the country, groups are mobilizing to ensure Americans have the freedom to choose healthy and economically beneficial transportation options. Your help is needed RIGHT NOW.
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Pedal Thru the Pines Moves Start / Finish
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Due to recent flooding in Bastrop County and damage to the roads in Bastrop and Buescher State Parks, the Start/Finish location of the 10th Annual Pedal Thru the Pines ride scheduled for Saturday, March 3, has been moved to the Vernon L. Richards Riverbend Park, 107 Hwy 71W, Smithville, TX, 78957.
The ride is still scheduled for March 3 and starts at 9:00 a.m. It will feature routes of 22, 40, and 70 miles. These routes will take cyclists along roads surrounding the pine forest in Bastrop, Fayette, and Lee Counties. These changes were made in order to ensure the quality and safety of this year's event. Recovery efforts continue in the Bastrop and Buescher State Parks, and we hope to return to a ride through the parks in the near future.
Pedal Thru The Pines is organized and directed by the Family Crisis Center , its board members, volunteers and community partners who volunteer their time, provide donations and serve as event sponsors. All proceeds support the programs and services of the agency.
Pedal Thru the Pines is also a recommended training ride for the BP MS150.
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Touring advice from a well traveled author:
If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, and avoid the people, you might better stay home."
-- James A. Michener, 1907-1997
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Sincerely,
Gilbert D. Martinez, President Austin Cycling Association
president@austincycling.org
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