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FCBC Newsletter

August 2020



Group Rides in a Pandemic


The COVID-19 pandemic is not showing signs of abating in the Central Valley, which has been declared one of the national hotspots for the virus.  This year most of the major local bicycling events, such as the California Classic, Climb to Kaiser, and Tour de Fresno, were canceled due to the pandemic.


Bicycling remains a safe and healthy activity if appropriate safety precautions are followed.  Guidance from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) includes for cyclists to socially distance by six feet, wear masks, avoid touching surfaces such as traffic signal push buttons, and wash hands frequently.  There have been studies that suggest greater distances are needed between cyclists during strenuous cycling.  USA Cycling, which governs bicycle racing in the U.S., recommends a minimum distance of 20 feet behind other cyclists for group rides.


Group rides should ideally be limited to the members of a household, as adding riders from outside the household increases the potential exposure to the virus.  If including members outside a household, groups should be limited to a maximum of ten riders, or even better, to a maximum of five riders.  The riders should be part of a regular riding group to limit exposure from others.  All riders should be free of any COVID-19 symptoms.



Where to Ride


There are many great places, often off the beaten path, in the Fresno-Clovis metropolitan area to ride your bike.  FCBC will be posting these rides on the PeopleForBikes Ride Spot website.  The first two rides posted are the Locan Canal bank trail ride and the Kearney Park and community garden ride.



video by FCBC Board Member Jeremy Doyel gives a narrated tour of the Locan Canal ride so that you can get a preview before riding it.



Stay tuned for additional rides.  These and other resources can also be found on the FCBC website under Resources.  If you have any suggestions for other great local rides, let us know at info@fresnobike.org.



Bike to Work Day is September 22


Bike to Work Day was rescheduled from May 14 to September 22, which coincides with World Car-Free Day.  As the pandemic has not let up, there are currently no planned locally organized activities, such as the Corporate Challenge, or energy stations, for the date.  As many people are working or attending classes from home now, you can still ditch your car for the day and ride your bike when you run your errands.



Next Board Meeting


The next Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 20, at 7:30 pm via Zoom.  Topics include providing virtual bicycle education at upcoming events with the U.S. Green Building Council Central California, a future #Lift Every Voice Mural Virtual Bike Tour with Dulce Up Front, and World Car-Free Bike to Work Day.  Everyone is welcome to join the web conference.  If you would like to participate, please send an email to info@fresnobike.org, and the login information and call-in number will be sent to you.



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

Fresno County Bicycle Coalition

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