bike to work day | 511 Contra Costa - Part 3

This Week's Headlines in Transportation & Transit: May 8-14, 2010

Upcoming Events & Meetings

Local News (Contra Costa County & East Bay)

Bay Area & California News

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Bike to Work Day: Thursday May 13, 2010

Bike to Work Day

Come help celebrate National Bike Month and California Bike Commute Week in May with Bike to Work Day. The Bay Area’s 16th annual Bike to Work Day will take place on Thursday, May 13th, 2010.  Bike to Work Day is an event that helps to promote commuting by bicycle. Bike to Work Day in the San Francisco Bay Area is primarily funded by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission with the help of financial donations from event sponsors and volunteers.   There are over 100 energizer stations throughout the region on Bike to Work Day where cyclists can stop by for refreshments and promotional items.
511 Contra Costa has supported cyclists and Energizer Station hosts  throughout  Contra Costa County since 2001 using  Bay Area Air Quality Management District funds and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority’s half-cent sales tax for transportation funds.

Bike to Work Day Pre-Events

Hank and Frank’s Bike Shop Lafayette
Free bike safety checks – discount on commuter accessories!
Pre-event dates: May 3rd – May 7th
Store hours: Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5
3377 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette
Encina Bike Shop Walnut Creek
15% discount on bikes and accessories not already on sale. May 1st – May 14th
Free bike safety checks May 1st & 2nd and May 8th & 9th
Store hours: Mon-Sat 10-7, Sun 12-6
2901 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek
Sports Basement Walnut Creek
Bike Clinic Tues. May 4th and Thurs. May 6th 6:30 – 7:30pm
Free bike safety checks April 26th – May 7th
1881 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek
REI Brentwood
Free bike safety checks Sat. May 1st and Sat. May 8th 10am – 2pm
2475 Sand Creek Road, Brentwood
REI Concord
Free bike safety checks May 5 – May 12
Store hours: Mon-Fri 10-9, Sat 10-7, Sun 10-6
1975 Diamond Boulevard, Concord

Local Partners

Thanks to the following Public Agencies and Companies who are sponsoring Energizer Stations. We now have 36 Energizer Stations.

Bike to Work Day 2010 Energizer Stations in Contra Costa

Morning Stations


Alamo

  • Iron Horse Trail / Hemme Ave, 7:00am-9am,  San Ramon Valley Street Smarts Program

Antioch

Brentwood

Concord

Danville

  • Iron Horse Trail/Hemme Ave 6:30-9 a.m., Town of Danville Police Dept and the San Ramon Valley Street Smarts Program
  • Iron Horse Trail /Paraiso Drive , 6:30am-9am, Town of Danville and the San Ramon Valley Street Smarts Program

El Cerrito

  • Bike Station on the Ohlone Greenway (across the path from the El Cerrito Plaza BART), 7am-9am, City of El Cerrito

El Sobrante

Hercules

  • Hercules Park and Ride Lot (by eLockers), 6am-9am, WestCAT, City of Hercules, 511 Contra Costa

Lafayette

Martinez

Orinda

Pittsburg

Richmond

San Pablo

San Ramon

Walnut Creek

Evening Stations

Antioch

Danville

El Sobrante

Lafayette

Pleasant Hill

  • Pleasant Hill BART, 4pm-6:30pm, REI Concord
  • Contra Costa Canal Trail / Golf Club Road, 4:30pm-6:30pm, DVC

San Ramon

Walnut Creek

Evening on the Trails: An After-Hours Family Bicycling Event

Join us on the evening of Bike to Work Day for an after-hours bicyling event!  Evening on the Trails will take place at four energizer stations: 1st and Buena Vista, Iron Horse Canal Trail Crossing, Contra Costa Canal Trail at Heather Farms and Civic Park at Ball Fields from 4pm – 6:30pm.
Not only will you have a chance to explore the trails and learn how to navigate through different neighborhoods and towns on your bike, but at each of the participating Evening on the Trails energizer stations you’ll be able to fill out a raffle ticket and have a chance to win a free kid’s bike.
Read more about this event in the Contra Costa Times article, Evening on the Trails offers family fun after hours, or click below the image to download the event flyer.

 

This year’s winner from Evening on the Trails was Emmett Lutz. Congratulations!



Download the full resolution version of the Evening on the Trails promotional materials.

Energizer Stations and Bike Maps

The Bike to Work Day website has google maps of energizer stations all over the bay area. Click here for a map of Contra Costa County energizer stations. A list of all energizer station region maps is available here.
Need help with your route? Check out our selection of free paper and on-line bike maps.

Bike to Work Day Team Challenge

In the Team Bike Challenge, groups of up to 5 cyclists competed to ride their bikes for transportation as many days as possible in the month of may. Points were given out based on the type of cyclist each team member was. Novices receive the most points (5 per trip) as the competition tried to encourage new bike commuters to ride together with more experienced cyclists for support and encouragement.
Read more about the Bike to Work Day Team Challenge

Nominate a Bike Commuter of the Year

Do you know someone in your community who is committed to making every day a “Bike to Work Day”? Does this person epitomize and actualize the health, environmental, social and economic benefits of bicycling? Share his or her story with You Can Bike There.

Bike to Work Day Materials

Download 11″ x 17″ Bike to Work Day Poster
Download 8 1/2″ x 11″ Bike to Work Day Poster

Bike to Work Day Photos

Our flickr stream is chock full of Bike to Work Day photos from years past. You can check out our photos from Bike to Work Day 2009 here. We are also compiling an archive of pre-2009 Bike to Work Day photos, which you can check out here.
Submit your photos and/or videos of Bike to Work Day to enter for a chance to win $25 Peet’s Coffee & Tea! Submissions must be sent by May 14, 2010 5pm PST to be eligible for the prize drawing. Send your photos and/or videos via Twitter or email them to bike@511contracosta.org.
[flickr-gallery mode=”photoset” photoset=”72157623794002109″]

Happy Bike to Work Day!

From everyone at 511CC, we wish you a happy and safe day as you bike your way to and from work or school.
But there’s more! The Bike to Work Day celebration doesn’t quite stop after the end of the day today:

  • From 4-6:30 pm, 511CC is hosting an Evening on the Trails. Check our Bike to Work Day page for more information.
  • Submit your photos and/or videos of Bike to Work Day to enter for a chance to win $25 Peet’s Coffee & Tea! Submissions must be sent by May 14, 2010 at 5pm PST to be eligible for the prize drawing. Enter by tagging your tweets with #btwd511cc or email them to: bike@511contracosta.org.
  • Earn Bike Buck$ with 511CC by riding your bike to work through the month of May.
  • On our Bike to Work Day page, leave a comment about your experience with the event.

Spend an evening exploring the Iron Horse and Contra Costa Canal trails with 511CC on May 13, 2010

To celebrate Bike to Work Day, 511 Contra Costa will host an Evening on the Trails from 4-6:30 PM on May 13th, 2010.

Families and area residents are encouraged to climb aboard their bikes to explore the Iron Horse and Contra Costa Canal trails, visiting energizer stations for complimentary refreshments, giveaways, bicycling safety tips and a raffle for a new bike. The stops include Civic, Heather Farm, Larkey and Walden parks.

For more information:

2010 Bicycle Commuter Assistance Program Begins

511 Contra Costa is proud to announce the start of its 2010 Bicycle Commuter Assistance Program class for 2010. For the past two Saturdays, 15 Contra Costa residents have been taking the League of American Bicyclists‘ “Traffic Skills 101” class. Each Saturday, students learned basic bicycle mechanics, riding skills and the experience needed to ride their bicycle safely in traffic. Emphasis was placed on students becoming good ambassadors for the cycling community.
Graduates of the bicycle program have committed to trying to ride their bicycles to work about two days a week for three months. The Bicycle Commuter Assistance Program is the only program of its kind in the nation, sponsored by 511CC. Through this program, 511 Contra Costa not only provides League of American Bicyclist’s training, but also incentivizes participants to ride their bicycle to work with free transit tickets.
Interested in participating? Unfortunately, the deadline has passed for the 2010 511CC BCAP registration, but we have other events and resources for both novice and experienced bikers:

This Week's Headlines in Transportation & Transit: Apr. 17-23, 2010

What’s the haps on transit news in and around Contra Costa County? Every Friday, we’ve got you covered with the most important news, both on and under the radar. Just click on each link for more deets.
Upcoming Events & Meetings

Local News (Contra Costa County & East Bay)

Bay Area & California News

This Week's Headlines in Transportation & Transit: Apr. 10-16, 2010

Upcoming Events & Meetings

Local News (Contra Costa County & East Bay)

Bay Area & California News

This Week’s Headlines in Transportation & Transit: Apr. 3-9, 2010

Events & Meetings

Continue reading “This Week’s Headlines in Transportation & Transit: Apr. 3-9, 2010”

Commuting to Work is Recreation for Clayton Cyclist

A Clayton commuter once believed that cycling was for recreation and weekends, but now his commute to work IS recreation.
Meet Steve Biggs of Clayton. He began cycling to work on Bike to Work Day (May 14th, 2009) and has continued bicycle commuting  ever since.  Although Steve is a trained road cyclist he didn’t commute by bike because he was a bit unsure of the route, how to clean up after the ride, and with a new job he didn’t want to risk being late.    Steve threw caution to the wind and cycled to work on Bike to Work Day.   Read Steve’s updates  below to see how things are going.
June 2, 2009-  “There was a little bit of a learning curve on the logistics.  Now I have enough clothes at work to last a week or so and the local health club gave me a” shower” membership.  The first week I almost threw my back out by carrying too much stuff with me and managed to cover a pair of slacks in grease. ”
July 2,  2009 – “Cycling to work is going great.  I rode all four days this week.  I have been getting a little more comfortable doing errands or stopping for other meetings on the way home, so that has helped increase the number of  days I ride.  I also found out that there are showers in our building after meeting another cyclist that works in the complex.  Monday had been a driving day because I was always tired, but now when I cycle to work Monday I feel more energetic all day.  With all the road miles that I’ve logged I decided to sign up for the 100-mile Livestrong Challenge and raise some money for cancer.”
November 11, 2009 —  Steve Biggs has been cycling to work since Bike To Work Day six months ago.  He’s cycling to work three to four days a week and says it feels strange to drive into work.   “I wasn’t sure if I would ride as frequently once the days started getting shorter and it meant riding in the dark.  The route I was originally taking had some sections with heavy traffic so I adjusted the route to make the trip a little safer.  I use a mountain biking headlight that provides more than enough light for the road, and I bought a bright blinking tail light and lights for the wheels. I actually find that cars have no trouble seeing me, and are a little more careful in the dark when passing. The nice part is that I only get home 15 minutes later than I would if I had driven.”
Biggs says his weekday riding makes a huge difference on weekend rides with friends.  He  found that he is a much stronger rider (than last year) with all the mid-week mileage he is doing, which makes his recreational riding more fun.

BTWD 2009 Energizer Stations in Contra Costa

There are currently over 35 Energizer Stations in Contra Costa  to help support your ride to work on May 14, 2009.  Get your bicycle ready for a safe  and fun commute and be sure to map out which Energizer Stations are located on your route.  Stop by for some free shwag and refreshments.  
The Energizer Stations in Contra Costa are made possible by the following volunteers: the Cities of San Ramon, Walnut Creek, Antioch, Pittsburg, Richmond, El Cerrito; Town of Danville; Bishop Ranch Transportation Centre,  Lafayette Bike/Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Walnut Creek Bicycle Advisory Committee, Lafayette Chamber /Green Committee, Whole Foods Market, Fresenius Medical Care, Bank of America, Diablo Valley College, Los Medanos College, The Delta Pedalers, The County Connection, REI Concord and Brentwood, Parkmead School,  Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, Renaissance Club Sport, Kaiser Permanente Antioch, The Pedaler Bike Shop, CARS (Complete Auto Repair Service),  Sports Basement, and SunPower Corporation. 

Bike to Work Day 2009 Community Outreach Interns Wanted – Spanish and Chinese Speaking

img_0071BABC is hiring Spanish and Chinese Speaking Outreach Interns for Bike to Work Day 2009
The Bay Area Bicycle Coalition is looking for two bilingual interns one fluent in Spanish and the other fluent in Chinese to help promote this year’s Bike to Work Day within the Bay Area’s vibrant Latino and Chinese communities. Interns will work 2-3 hours/week from March 16- May 14, 2009. $500 stipend provided at conclusion of internship and travel is reimbursed.
We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic about bicycling and wishes to gain exposure to various players in the implementation process of the Bay Area wide Bike to Work Day event. Interns must have strong organizational and communication skills, both written and verbal and in both English and Spanish/Chinese; excellent time management and multi-tasking skills are also necessary. Self-starter, with positive attitude, ability to work in a team environment and able to communicate difficulties to supervisor and overcome challenges presented. Basic computer skills also required.
Potential internship duties may include but are not limited to:
• Working closely with Bike to Work Day (BTWD) coordinators to develop and implement an outreach plan to promote the event in the Chinese/Latino communities.
• Serve as a liaison between the Regional event coordinators and the local communities
• Serve as spokesperson to Latino/Chinese media (Media Training provided)
• Translation of BTWD media from English to Spanish/Chinese
Qualifications and experience:
• Must be bilingual and fluent in Spanish or Chinese
• Familiarity with the Bay Area and its diverse communities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Enthusiasm for bicycling
• Organizing/outreach experience a plus
This internship is an excellent opportunity for students or individuals who are interested in event planning, community organizing, and/or media outreach.
Please send resume and cover letter to the Bay Area Bicycle Coalition’s Executive Director, Andrew Casteel at andrew(at)bayareabikes.org. Deadline for applicants is March 2. Interviews take place on March 5.