February 2015 - In This Issue:
CASTLE  FOUNDERS MONTH RAFFLE

In honor and memory of Castle Hill Founder, Paolo Minissi, a month of promotions and a fundraiser. Benefits go to Bike Austin. Drawing held on March 1st. Raffle open to non members.

See Prizes & Purchase Tickets
NEW PARTNER - AUSTIN AZTEX

The Austin Aztex - our hometown soccer team recently turned professional, and they're hosting several top-ranked teams from around the country for a tournament on February 13-15 at UT's Myers Stadium.

Get better/discounted Tickets
JERSEYS ARE HERE - HOW TO PICK-UP

Our Jerseys have finally arrived!  Thanks to everyone for your patience as we had them re-printed.  

 

You can pick up your jersey at Bicycle Sport Shop (517 S. Lamar) on the following days and times:

 

Thursday, February 5th, 4-7pm

Wednesday, February 11th, 4-7pm


Please email carol@bikeaustin.org, if you can't make either time and we'll arrange to get yours to you.
Image: KXAN
2014 CITY COUNCIL RACE RECAP

2014 was a watershed year for bicycle advocacy in Austin and Bike Austin led the way in creating a new environment for cycling with its leadership in developing a unified voice for cycling.  With the historic change in how Austin's City Council is elected in ten single-member districts across the city there are new opportunities to educate our political leaders on why bicycles are important to Austin's quality of life and how the cycling lifestyle promotes health, connectivity and an efficient transportation system. 

 

Bike Austin members mobilized to gather signatures from over 5000 registered Austin voters to join our "I Bike-I Walk-I Vote" campaign and to help elect a bicycle-friendly City Council. We met with City Council candidates to help them understand bicycling issues in Austin and ask them to support our mission of making Austin the best cycling city in the United States. The next step in our campaign was to get out the vote to support the City Council members who share our vision and we were successful in electing a pro-bike City Council!  

 

Our network of bicycling and walking voters is now a political force in Austin.  But the real work to transform Austin into a true bicycle-friendly community has just begun. Over the coming months we'll be rolling out campaigns for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in every district of Austin, and we'll need the continued support of our new Council Members to make that happen. This is your opportunity to help Bike Austin continue to grow the effectiveness of our advocacy by contacting your newly elected Council Member to let them know that bicycling and pedestrian safety must be priority issues in 2015. You can contact your Council Member or email the entire Council and tell them why safe infrastructure for walking and bicycling matters to you and your family.  

 

A quick email to your Council Member congratulating them on their election and telling them you appreciate their support for cycling and walking facilities in your community will help us to create the city we can all be proud of. Bike Austin is leading the way in making Austin a great place to live and we thank you for joining the ride!  
WELCOME SPINLISTER
Image: Patricia Schaub

Bike Austin is excited to welcome our newest sponsor: Spinlister.  Spinlister is a peer-to-peer bike rental company that enables you to rent your bike to anyone looking for an extra set of wheels.   Want to make some money off those extra 3, 4 or 10 bikes in your garage? Looking for a convenient way to rent a bike while you're on vacation?  They've got you covered.  

 

In the months ahead, Spinlister will be sponsoring Bike Austin's bike valet program at premier events all over town. So next time you find free bike parking at one of our bike valet stations, make sure to give the Spinlister folks a hi-five!  

 

To learn more, register your bike or to download the app go to spinlister.com. To get $20 towards your first rental, use the code BIKEAUSTIN.
Image: St. David's
ST. DAVID'S  MAKES BIKE
COMMUTING EASIER

Want one more reason to fulfill that New Years resolution to start biking to work?  St. David's Episcopal Church, located downtown on 8th Street, is now offering secure indoor and outdoor bike parking in their garage.  Commuters can rent an outdoor bike locker ($40/month) or indoor space ($20/month), both of which include a free shower and $1 towel rental. Learn more/sign up
HELP WANTED

 

Bike Austin is hiring for two critical positions to help us grow this year.  Please help us spread the word!

 

Executive Director

 

Bike Austin seeks a compelling leader with outstanding organization-building skills and a solid general management background. The successful candidate will be the key spokesperson for the organization, and will develop and maintain relationships with members, donors, elected politicians and governmental staff.  He or she must be a clear communicator, a skilled and effective consensus builder, and must be comfortable in all aspects of community outreach.

 

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will be responsible for the general management of Bike Austin and will provide leadership in financial development, planning, and program implementation. This will include implementation of a strategic business plan, creating and retaining revenue streams from grants, sponsorships, and memberships, and leading the organization to meet and exceed its goals. We seek a highly motivated, goal-oriented candidate with excellent leadership skills and an entrepreneurial spirit. Interested candidates can visit www.bikeaustin.org/jobs to learn more and apply. 

 

Database and Technology Consultant

 

Bike Austin seeks a talented database/programming expert to help consolidate two websites and a database The right candidate will be familiar with database management, CiviCRM in particular, Wordpress, and Drupal. An affinity for our mission, and providing top-notch technical consulting to small but scrappy non-profits are major pluses.  Email your resume to carol@bikeaustin.org to apply.