At Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, we have been very fortunate to not only have the support of great corporate sponsors that allow us to fund programs such as Bike to Work Day, Share the Road campaigns, bicycle education, and other advocacy efforts, but we also receive tremendous support from several local merchants that want to see bicycling grown in Silicon Valley and the Peninsula.
Well over one hundred cyclists convened at Las Palmas Park on Saturday, May 21 to take part in the celebratory kickoff ride promoting Safe Routes to Schools in Sunnyvale. The easy three mile ride that looped around two elementary schools allowed families to ride together and discover how fun bicycling around the neighborhood can be.
We would like to congratulate new SVBC member Shawn Fernandez for winning the $100 Sports Basement gift certificate that was up for grabs during the latest membership drawing . As you all may recall, anyone who joined between March 31 – May 21 would be entered to win a $100 gift certificate, and if he listed a referral while joining, his friend would have won one as well.
On the morning of May 12 I decided to take the scenic route to work and visit several Energizer Stations located near my home and office in San Jose. On the way I met the volunteers who I’ve been working with for months to make it all happen, many who I’ve never met in person. It was great to see all the enthusiasm I encountered along the way from first time riders, from experienced cyclists, and from volunteers who were cheering on all Bike to Work Day Participants.
Well, its been a busy week as we approach May 12 -- the biggest day is the Bay Area during this National Bike Month.
We've been working along with over 100 Energizer Station lead volunteers who will be hosting nearly 70 Energizer Stations in Santa Clara County and another 23 in San Mateo County. We'll be stuffing a couple of thousand bags tomorrow, Saturday, May 7 at Sports Basement in Sunnyvale.
For many, Bike to Work Day begins on May 12, 2011. For others, Bike to Work Day is almost everyday. What's your motivation?
Are you and SVBC member? If the answer is no, then, why not? Did you know that as a member you receive special discounts with our partner bike shops, access to members-only SVBC events, and the amazing satisfaction of helping a non-profit organization further cycling in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties? Not to mention that your membership is tax deductible and bike-enhanceable.
We would like to thank all of the great new and long-time volunteers who came out to last night's Volunteer Night. Thanks to all of your amazing help, we assembled hundreds of Bike to Work Day employer toolkits that will help us spread the word about this great event, and the countless benefits of cycling, to Silicon Valley companies.
Stay tuned for more volunteer opportunities coming up soon.
Our 2011 Bike to Work Day poster is ready to be seen and help spread the word about Bike to Work Day! Download a copy and hang it in your cubicle wall, above the water cooler, in the break room, around campus, at a parking lot, in the elevator, over the sink, or on your living room wall… anywhere and everywhere will do. Be creative. And feel free to post pictures if you're proud of your display.
A lot of meetings today. First, met with CommUniverCity and SJSU Urban Planning professor to talk about efforts to promote biking and walking to schools located in the Five Wounds/Brookwood Terrace neighborhood in San José. As of now, we are planning a kids bike rodeo at Anne Darling Elementary School sometime in May, and also working on having students and volunteers host an Energizer Station at San Jose High for Bike to Work (School) Day. More details coming soon.
Did you know that SVBC can benefit from every mile you ride your bike, every step you run, every stroke you swim, every hoop you make, every slope you ski? Basically almost any physical activity that promotes health, helps us. Plus 3 Network is an organization that partners private companies with causes and non-profit organizations like SVBC that seek to promote healthy, fun, and thriving lifestyles. The great thing about it is that it’s free!
While participating at the Children's Discovery Museum's Biking in the City event last week, I got flashbacks of when I first acquired my first bicycle. It was a green Ninja Turtles bike with black training wheels. I remember the joy and freedom I experienced while riding on the sidewalks, in my back yard and at the park. As I grew out of it, I always shopped around for new bikes wondering if they still made Ninja Turtles bicycles in my size.
It’s official, SVBC will be moving to a new office in San Jose on Saturday, September 4, and we'd love to do a bike move to show the community how fun this can be. In order to accomplish this, we'll need a lot of volunteers (we have a lot of stuff!). We will need folks with bikes and trailers who can help transport our things for about 3 miles. If you don't have a trailer (or can't borrow one) we'll still need your help to load and unload. Plus, this can be your chance to get your hands on a trailer of your own.
