The ABC
Chainletter
The information on this page will change monthly, weekly or even daily as new and old information comes and goes.
Last updated April May 4th, 2008
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Sitka is Alaska’s first Bicycle Friendly CommunitySITKA, May 1, 2008 — The SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) is pleased to have played a role in Sitka’s becoming an official Bicycle Friendly Community. On May 1, the League of American Bicyclists honored Sitka as the first community from Alaska to earn its Bicycle Friendly Community designation. Sitka received a Bronze award, which is the lowest of the four Bicycle Friendly Community designations — Bronze (57 communities), Silver (19), Gold (6) and Platinum (2). Sitka has the fourth smallest population of any community honored, and is at the same level as Denver, Louisville, Sacramento, Milwaukee, New York City and Washington, D.C. According to the League of American Bicyclists, a Bicycle Friendly Community designation is good for four years, but communities have to file annual updates. According to the League of American Bicyclists’ Web site, “Sitka joins the ranks of Bicycle Friendly Communities as the northernmost designated community and the only in Alaska. Nearly half of Sitka’s roads provide accommodations for cyclists, such as bike lanes, and bicycle ridership is nine times the national average. At the 2007 Sitka Health Summit, participants (a large and diverse group of Sitkans) were asked to pick the top four areas to focus on that would make the greatest impact to the wellness of Sitkans. The top choice, to great applause, was to make Sitka a bicycle and pedestrian friendly community. The initiative was propelled from that moment and gained incredible momentum. The commitment has been clearly demonstrated in the recent proclamation signed in March of 2008 by Mayor Marko Dapcevich to work to become a Bicycle Friendly Community.” “Very cool, I think this is great news,” Sitka Mayor Marko Dapcevich said when informed of Sitka’s honor. “Kudos to all those who helped on this project. It’s really exciting to see Sitka designated a Bicycle Friendly Community. This was a good project for health and awareness, and I was happy to get behind this one.” Charles Bingham |
Click here to see more: http://www.alaskadigitalvisions.com/photos.htm |
| BICYCLE COMMUTERS UNITE There’s a new cycling organization in town, one that advocates for safe bicycle use and sharing the road. The Bicycle Commuters Alliance of Anchorage solicits members to give voice to the scores of cyclists forsaking the high price of gas for the practical and recreation benefits of commuting to work. Learn more about BCAA at www.anchoragebicyclealliance.org. Janice Tower ABOUT BCAA: The BCAA envisions a sustainable and green city that promotes and protects bicycle use. We envision a community that supports bicycle use and shares the road, where bicyclists feel safe, can enjoy a healthy and pleasant means of commuting to work or recreating, and where the streets and trails of Anchorage are safely filled with people choosing transportation that creates healthy lifestyles, reduces damage to the environment and cultivates communities. We seek to encourage bicycle use through education and advocacy: Education and Outreach · Educate communities in Anchorage to become bicycle-friendly and embrace a Share the Road philosophy · Promote bicycle awareness, safety and educational programs, annual Bike Week, charity rides and other special events, bike maintenance classes, and learn-to-ride clinics in schools and elsewhere · Teach safe cycling practices · Educate motor vehicle operators & bicyclists about their respective rights and responsibilities Advocacy Advocate for bicyclist safety & promote share the road principles: Increase bicyclist safety. Give cyclists the tools, confidence and knowledge they need to be safe and accepted on the road. Open minds and roads to bicycling. Advocate for better urban planning that incorporates bicycle use: Promote smart growth with planning and design that is not auto-centric., Support local bicycle advisory boards., Build optimum infrastructure - advocate for bike lanes, greenways, bicycle master plans, bicycle design guidelines, bike racks, neighborhood connectivity, traffic calming, safe routes to schools, and access to mass transit. Advocate for greater bike use for a more healthy and sustainable city: Build a movement around bicycling. Work in partnership with citizens, businesses, community groups, government agencies and elected officials to create communities where people can meet their daily transportation needs on a bike. Create a strong sense of community identity among people who ride bikes. Provide a clearinghouse for bicycle education and advocacy. Increase the percentage of all types of bicycle ridership in Anchorage. Ensure that bicycles are recognized as a reasonable and mainstream transportation option. Promote bicycling for clean air, healthy living & wellness. End our oil addiction through bicycling. Promote bicycling for fun. Advocate for better laws that protect cyclists and promote bicycle use: Lobby for share-the road bike-friendly ordinances, laws and law enforcement, court decisions to uphold bicyclists’ rights, and appropriate tax mechanisms at all levels of government which affirm bicycling as an economic benefit. |
Tank Trail WARNING Fort Richardson MPs are issuing citations to unregistered users of the Tank Trail. A couple of weekends ago they set up a post and wrote tickets to recreational users one by one. These folks got off with a warning, but according to military police, the penalties are as follows: |
Anchorage Waterways Council It would be extremely helpful for all Anchorage bikers that are currently out riding around – especially on the Chester Creek and Campbell trails – to inform us of any and all trash they may see sticking out |
Singletrack Advocates Open House Please join us for a presentation of NEW singletrack trail construction in Far North Bicentennial Park |
Greetings Singletrack Advocates! The Anchorage Park Foundation has awarded us $7,500 for the Hillside Singletrack Project. This wouldn’t have been possible without your donations to the project. There will be a congratulatory celebration this Thursday, April 24th at 11:00 a.m. at the Elizabeth and Roy Peratrovich Park, Corner of 4th and E Streets. Please join us! Thanks again for your support of STA and this project. Janice Tower |
Lekisch Loop and Mize Loop to be affected this summer Kincaid Project Group will be constructing soccer fields beginning April 14 in Kincaid Park. Work will be ongoing throughout the summer with completion of the soccer field work scheduled for August. Clearing will be completed in April with earthwork primarily occurring in June. The work components include the following: |
Singletrack Advocates - Phase I approved! |
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"Classifieds" Hey there ABC members did you miss the last Ski or Bike Swap...and still have some bike gear you want to get rid of? Well, clean out that garage and make room for more toys. Send us a photo or a description of the item for sell, the price, and your contact information at richabike@gci.net and we'll advertise it here for FREE! Ads will stay posted for one month and then removed. Giant TCR Advanced 2005 Team Telekom model; 58 cm carbon frame, Dura-ace 10 speed compact gear set; handbuilt tubular wheels; absolutely like new, all top of the line and ready to race/ride. Too many bikes and I usually ride my one-speed anyway. $2500. Call Bruce at 338-8280 or bruwoods@acsalaska.net posted April 7th |
of the creeks! I am in charge of Creek Cleanup, and as I was commuting home last night, I saw a group biking behind Potter Marsh. It would be great to pass on the information about Creek Cleanup, as that marsh needs help, and the biking community uses the Potter March parking area quite a bit.
