Spring has sprung!

Earth Day Bike Events This Weekend!

Saturday April 21, 11:30 am^:KIDICAL MASS RIDE
Bring your bikes, your helmets and join us on a KIDical Mass Bicycle Ride to Santa Rosa’s Earth Day Celebration in Courthouse Square. We’ll meet up in the parking lot at Franklin Park, 2095 Franklin Avenue, and form a pedalling parade through the JC neighborhood into downtown. Park your bikes at SCBC’s free Valet Bicycle Parking and enjoy the Earth Day festivities with your family and friends. KIDical mass is a venue for families to learn how to ride safely on the road. The bike ride is open to all ages, and children must be accompanied by an adult. For questions, contact Tina Panza.

Sunday April 22, 10 am: BIKE TRAIL CLEANUP
Let's celebrate Earth Day by beautifying one of our local bike paths! We'll meet at the parking lot where the Joe Rodota Trail intersects Sebastopol Road, just west of Wright Road. (Parking is limited, you are encouraged to carpool or bike! We will NOT have valet parking, so bring a lock.) Sonoma County Regional Parks staff will provide trash bags & gloves; coffee & snacks will also be provided. We'll pick up trash from our meeting point west to Sebastopol. RSVP to Eris or just show up!

May is Bike to Work Month!

Do you need a little encouragement to get started? Drop by our office at 750 Mendocino Avenue between 10 am and 1 pm on Saturday, April 28 for a FREE bike clinic. Our certified instructors will provide free bike safety inspections and minor adjustments, and help fit your helmet correctly. You can test bikes from the Coalition’s Bike Lending Library, practice safety drills and get advice on route planning and gear. Coffee, snacks, and free bicycle maps will be available.

Do you enjoy a little friendly competition? Does having teammates spur you to action? Join the Bay Area Bike Challenge! Create or join a team to compete for the most miles ridden throughout the month. A handy smartphone app will automatically track your rides.

Or simply sign the online Pledge to Ride on Bike to Work Day – you’ll receive helpful tips by email weekly AND be entered in a drawing to win cool prizes!

On Bike to Work Day, May 10, Energizer Stations are set up during the morning commute (6-9 am) along cycling routes throughout the county, offering riders snacks, swag, and encouragement. It’s a party on two wheels! Check out our interactive map for the station nearest your home or workplace. Then, celebrate your achievement after work with an after-party at 2Tread Brewing in the Santa Rosa Plaza Mall.

Major funding and support for Bike to Work Month activities comes from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Measure M, GoSonoma, Marin Bikes, and Santa Rosa Cycling Club. Station hosts and bag sponsors include the cities of Cotati, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, and Windsor; BikePartners.net, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Mudroom Backpacks, Olivers Market, Trek, Community Market, Performance Bicycles, Camelbak, Amy's Kitchen, Kaiser Permanente, Keysight Technologies, Sports Basement, SMART, Lagunitas, White Industries, and Mikes Bikes.

I Love Walk & Roll to School Day!

Why do we love walking and rolling to school? This is the question we asked students across Sonoma County with our 2018 “I Love Walk and Roll to School” Essay and Art contest this past February. Sonoma County 2^nd-6^th graders participated, and grand prizes and honorable mentions were awarded in each category for grades 2-3, 4-5 and 6-8. On the evening of Tuesday, April 10^th, our Safe Routes to School program recognized the 27 winning students at a celebratory reception hosted by the Trek Store of Santa Rosa. Winning and honorable mention Art & Essays were on display for all students, parents, siblings, and teachers to admire. Over 50 attendees enjoyed refreshments, conversation, readings of the grand prize essays, and a raffle of prizes donated by Copperfield’s Books and The Trek Store. The winning entries inspired us all to think about why it’s healthy, good for the environment, and most of all FUN to walk and roll to school. As 6^th Grade essay winner Raymond Wang reminded us: “Life is short, so we need to make our time on this earth count by doing things that will make an impact on the world.”

To see a list of winners for each grade level/category and view or read the winning art and essays, visit www.sonomasaferoutes.org.

Caltrans District 4 Bike Plan Final Report

The Caltrans District 4 Bike Plan final report has just been released. The report summarizes the process in developing the Plan, which builds on the 2017 California State Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, Toward an Active California, evaluates bicycle needs on and across the State Transportation Network in District 4, and prioritizes improvements to develop and support an integrated bicycle network for the Bay Area. Download the plan here.

Upcoming SCBC Events

4/21: KIDical Mass family bike ride to Santa Rosa Earth Day celebration

4/21: Valet bike parking at Santa Rosa Earth Day celebration

4/22: Earth Day cleanup on Joe Rodota Trail

4/22: Safe Routes to School Education Station at Windsor Earth Day & Wellness Expo

4/28: Free pre-Bike to Work Month clinic, SCBC office

4/28: Biker Chick Ride, Sebastopol Bike Center

4/29: Valet bike parking at OutThere Exposition

5/10: Bike to Work Day - various locations

5/12: Family Bike Workshop - Proctor Terrace School

5/16: Ride of Silence - meet at SCBC office

5/19: Smart Cycling 101A, SCBC office

5/20: Safe Routes to School Education Station and FREE HELMET Giveaway at Windsor Farmers Market