Help Build Statewide Bicycle Plan
Nevada Department of Transportation is developing a statewide bicycle plan and is seeking your input. You can help inform and shape the plan by completing a survey on or before Dec. 6, 2011. To access the survey, go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NevadaStatewideBicyclePlan.
Coalition's Success Reported Nationally
Last month's approval of Measure R - which unlocked bond funds for South Tahoe's bike paths maintenance is reported this month by the Alliance for Biking and Walking - a national bike/ped advocacy organization (formerly called Thunderhead Alliance). To read about the Coalition's efforts with Measure R and other advocacy groups producing significant change in America go to: http://www.peoplepowermovement.org/site/index.php/site/blog.
Measure R Victory Party
Pictured here are some members of the Committee for Community Recreation (absent is Charles Leonard) and Team members who helped organized the Measure R campaign. Seated here enjoying a relaxing moment in appreciation for a campaign well done are: (from left to right) Curtis Fong, Karen Fink, Tim Rowe, Charles Nelson, Mrs. & Mr. John Upton, Steve Noll, Tara Pielaet, and Alice Jones.
Bicycle Achievement Awards Ceremony Being Planned
The Lake Tahoe Bicycle Achievement Award recipients are being decided as of this publication. This year, there will be two annual awards given in four categories (Individual, Business, Agency and Organization). Awards will be given for the years 2010 and 2011. The delay for the 2010 Awards occurred when the Coalition got extensively commitment to a number of mutually occurring projects. Now, this will be corrected by the granting of 2010 and 2011 Awards during the same Awards Ceremony Event being planned and announced soon.
The Awards Ceremony Event will be announced in a Special Edition of Tahoe Cycling News and sent to all subscribers as well as noticed on the Coalition's Facebook page. Stay tuned and plan on attending.
California Department of Transportation Rocks
This past construction season saw many new bikeway improvements on the California side of Lake Tahoe. Yes, the construction was inconvenient, but there is a big pay off - more bike lanes in South Lake Tahoe, West Shore and North Shore - now and in the future. While the bicycle community has not be pleased with Caltran's past performances at the Lake, there is a renewed interest in and commitment by Caltrans for community collaboration with agencies and bicycle advocacy groups to help build and maintain a more robust and connected bikeway network surrounding the Lake.
Over the next couple of years, people can expect more road construction projects on Highways 50, 89, and 267. Please be patient and continue your efforts and communications with Caltrans and your local agencies to help us build a world class bicycle destination. Thank you Caltrans and the local agencies for understanding and joining with us as we move toward our vision - together.
Mountain Bike Organization Awakens with Energy and Results
The Tahoe Area Mountain Bike Association (TAMBA) arose from a seven year hiatus this past year with a new Board of Directors and renewed energy and commitment to bring together mountain bike riders to become a unified voice in the region. Helped by the invitation of the USFS, who funded a workshop bringing together the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) and local mountain bike advocates, TAMBA reformed to work with the land manager in building and maintaining multi-use trails in the Basin.
TAMBA took the Forest Service's invitation seriously by organizing volunteer trail building and maintenance days on the mountain, building a web-site (www.mountainbiketahoe.org), and envisioning new events and projects to improve mountain biking in the region. Good Work!
Coalition Building Cyclists Lodging Network
Just as the Bike Coalition believed it was necessary to get and install bike racks to stimulate more cycling use, it also believes lodging properties inviting and supporting the special needs of cyclists will also stimulate more cycling visitors and thus the bottom line. To that end, the Coalition is encouraging lodging properties to join its efforts in making their properties more bicyclist-friendly and helping it promote Tahoe cycling tourism by becoming a TLC property. To learn more about the program go to www.TahoeBike.org and click on the TLC logo. You may also contact Ty Polastri at BikeTahoe@aol.com.
Tahoe Bike Trail Map Being Revised.
The Coalition's popular trail map will be undergoing a significant revision in 2012 by updating new bikeway installations, including more mountain bike trails, improving accuracy and making the online version more readable upon downloading and printing. Additionally, a new marketing campaign will distribute the maps throughout Northern California and Nevada at bike shops, health clubs, cafes, and leading bicycling events.
Companies and organizations interested in becoming a sponsor of the map and receiving valuable branding benefits may contact Ty Polastri at BikeTahoe@aol.com for a packet and or discuss collaborative proposals to increase a sponsor's benefits.
