May 2019

It’s Bike Month!

Bike Month had a great start on May 1st with the annual Mall to Mall ride organized by FCBC.  Traditionally, the ride has been from Manchester Mall to the Fulton Mall.   With the Fulton Mall open to automobile traffic again, the final destination this year was instead Fresno City Hall.  Hence the 18th annual edition of the ride was called the Mall to Hall Ride.  Speakers at Manchester Mall and City Hall included Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig and Fresno Councilmembers Esmeralda Soria and Miguel Arias, and representatives from Councilmember Nelson Esparza.  There was a great turnout with about 100 cyclists.  Many thanks to the Fresno Police Department for their assistance with the traffic control.

Bicycle Education

FCBC is focusing on bicycle education this year, and this month FCBC held two Smart Cycling classes at Caltrans, attended by about 40 people, and also partnered with Fresno Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Department for a bicycle safety rodeo at Tower Blendz on May 11.  After attending a safety class, attendees were given helmets, and lights were installed on bikes, thanks to a $250 donation from Fresno Cycling Club.  Additional helmet giveaways and light installations will be scheduled in the coming weeks.

Ride of Silence

The Fresno Cycling Club is organizing the Ride of Silence to be held on Wednesday, May 15.  The Ride of Silence is a yearly international bicycle ride to commemorate cyclists killed or injured while riding on public roads.  It helps to raise awareness among the motoring public of the dangers they pose to cyclists.  Meet at Steven’s Bicycles at Willow and Nees Avenues in Clovis at 6:30 pm.  Ride off will be at 7:00 pm.  The ride will be 6 miles long and will be at an easy pace of 12 mph.

Bike to Work Day

Bike to Work Day is Thursday, May 16.  The Central Valley Bike Month website has been updated and can be used for to record your bicycle mileage for the entire month.  There is an Employer Challenge so that employers of various sizes can have the bragging rights of most miles traveled on Bike to Work Day.  FCBC will once again sponsor an energy station with snacks and drinks at the Tower Theater at Olive and Wishon Avenues between 6:30 am and 8:30 am.  Caltrans employees will be sponsoring an energy station at Manchester Center behind Starbucks between 7:00 am and 8:00 am.

Bike Prom

Bike prom on May 31 will close out Bike Month.  This will be a family-friendly event at Gazebo Gardens and will begin with a group ride from Fresno High School at 6:30 p.m.  There will be a photobooth at Gazebo Gardens, and you will be able to enjoy the music and food trucks there.  Boutonnieres are optional, but helmets and bike lights are required.  

Bike Valet

FCBC provided bike valet for Grizzly Fest at Woodward Park on May 4 and 5.  The bike racks were full, used by nearly 60 bikes over both days.  Thanks to the many FCBC members who volunteered for making this a success.

Next Board Meeting

The FCBC Board will be meeting on Bike to Work Day, May 16 at 5:30 pm at the Ted C. Wills Community Center.  We will be having a debriefing of the various bike events held so far this month and discussing the remaining events for the month.   Everyone is welcome to attend.

Have a comment or suggestion?  Contact us at info@fresnobike.org