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E-Bike Retrofit Workshop

We’re happy to announce that Doug Snyder of California E-Bike will guest host our first ever E-Bike Retrofit Workshop, at The Bike Kitchen in SLO on Wednesday October 29th from 5:30 – 9:00 PM. Doug will be installing a Bafang 750w crank-drive power assist motor, controller and battery on the bicycle we use to haul the Bicycle Coalition’s 400-pound bike valet set-up. This will make moving the Valet bike racks and the rest of the Valet equipment around SLO a lot easier!

According to Doug, “Bosch and Shimano now make crank-drive e-bike motors but Bafang has the advantage of being a retrofit. Crank-drives are a big improvement over hub drives as they integrate the bike’s transmission into the drive train.”

This workshop will cost $5.00 and is open to the first 15 people who sign up.  We’ll open the Bike Kitchen at 5:30 PM for complimentary pizza and soft drinks, then begin the demo which runs from 6 PM – 9 PM.

Sign up right here or by going to: https://bit.ly/sloebikeworkshop

 

Bike of The Week

This week’s featured bike is the GIANT Sedona DX.

This bicycle will fit someone range of 5′ 1″ to about 5′ 6″ tall. The Sedona DX includes an aluminum-alloy frame, 26 inch wheels and has front suspension for your riding comfort.  It’s built with the familiar, stable stance of a mountain bike, including the fat tires and upright position, but is equally comfortable just cruising the street. 

The V-brakes will provide you with great stopping power and and an excellent range of braking power (modulation).

The Bike of The Week is tuned up, ready to ride and can be yours for only $150.00!

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We’re open Friday, Saturday, Sunday from Noon – 5 PM. Come in to The Bike Kitchen at 860 Pacific St in SLO (Corner of Morro and Pacific) and take it or any of our other bikes for a test ride!

 

Bike of The Week

Today marks the start of a new feature on the SLO County Bicycle Coalition Blog: The Bike of The Week, highlighting some of the cool bikes we have available for purchase at The Bike Kitchen

Our very first bike of the week is the Raleigh Sports, produced in Nottingham, England in May of 1978. This coffee-colored vintage classic includes a Brooks saddle, fenders, 19″ (50cm) Mixte frame for easy on/off, 26″ wheels and a sweet Sturmey Archer 3-speed hub. For $150 this two-wheeled beauty comes tuned up and ready to ride.
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We’re open Friday, Saturday, Sunday from Noon – 5 PM. Come in to The Bike Kitchen at 860 Pacific St in SLO (Corner of Morro and Pacific) and take it or any of our other bikes for a test ride!
Advocacy Alert

Safety Wins: Wider Bike Lanes on Hwy 1

Today we’re excited to report a victory for the people of the Central Coast.

Nearly three miles of Highway 1 north of Piedras Blancas Lighthouse are due to be moved inland next year in response to coastal erosion. California Coastal Commission staff only recommended five foot wide paved shoulders for the new road, failing to fully utilize the opportunity to make this section of Highway 1 safe for riders of all abilities.

Screen Shot 2014-07-14 at 5.10.55 PM.pngThe Bicycle Coalition and our allies (including the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club, The Slabtown Rollers and even Caltrans) got involved, writing letters and testifying before the Commission about the many benefits of a wider paved shoulder:

  • increased safety for bicyclists
  • increased protection from distracted drivers
  • building an infrastructure that supports the local economy, attracting visitors who tour our county by bike
  • encouraging healthy lifestyle choices for local residents

In response to our efforts, the Commissioners voted against staff recommendation, approving a wider, safer, eight foot paved shoulder. We’re very excited about this result and will continue to keep an eye on this project which breaks ground in May 2015 and is expected to take three years to complete.

 

Kidical Mass 2014 is finally here!

We’re excited to announce that Kidical Mass kicks off the Summer season on June 21st at a new location for 2014, Sinsheimer Stadium. This month’s theme will be Heroes! What kind of heroes? Any kind of heroes! Super heroes? Sure! Sports heroes? Yeah! Brainiac scientists? Yuppers! Hero Sandwiches? Umm…..okay!

Arrive at 4 pm for a quick review of how kids and families can ride smart, followed by a safe, fun ride at 4:30.

After the ride, the Sinsheimer Stadium gates open at 5:00 for the Blues baseball game. All kids get in free and the first 50 Kidical Mass adults do too! Once inside we’ll set up our Family Biking Resources table, with helpful info about biking with kids in SLO County.

Check out our website for maps and information about other Kidical Mass events this summer.

Member Party 2014: Casino Night!

Bikes and Beauty gets Lucky!

Though we love Bike Month more than almost anything, we love our members even more and are wholeheartedly looking forward to June 7th, the night of our Third Annual “Bikes and Beauty” Members Only Party. Last year we had a full-blown fashion show and a great time was had by all. This year we’re hosting out first-ever Casino Night, with food, fun, games of chance and plenty of wonderful prizes!

Membership expired? You have plenty of time to renew online. We can’t wait to see you!

Saturday June 7th
6:00 – 10:00 PM
SLO Grange Hall

If your business or employer are interested in being involved, please take a look at our sponsorship document.

Bike Month Rolls On!

More great Bike Month events!

Rideshare’s Bike Month 2014 got off to a great start with the Bike Month Kick Off at Lincoln Street Deli on May 1st and shows no sign of stopping until….June! Missed a few events? Not to worry, there are plenty more to come!

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Here’s a selection of events happening over the next few weeks:

May 10th: Bikefest – Join us in Arroyo Grande as we celebrate all things Bike at Bikefest 2014! Ride and park your bike at our free Bike Valet to be eligible for discount beverages and loads of prizes. You can even win a cool New Belgium Cruiser! Meet at the bandstand on Nelson St (map) at 12:20 pm to take part in the 15 minute Bike Parade, then head over to Branch Street Deli (map) where live music begins at 1 pm.

May 11th: Tweed Ride – Meet up at Triangle Park (map) at 1 pm then take a lively jaunt about town in your best turn-of-the-century attire and vintage velocipedes. We’ll end up back at Triangle Park for lawn games, iced tea and a great time.

May 12th: Bike Ed Workshop – All attendees to our Bike Month Workshops receive a free bike bell and free dinner from Chipotle Mexican Grill. Our popular workshops teach you to ride safe and smart, with emphasis on learning bicycle laws, debunking common myths and giving you the tools you need to feel safe on your bike. Workshops take place at Coalition Headquarters (map) from 6-8 pm.

May 16th: Bike to Work Day – Bike to Work Day is a national celebration to encourage people to try bicycle commuting as a healthy and safe alternative to driving. This year’s festivities, as part of Rideshare’s Bike Month, are being sponsored and organized by the SLO County APCD. Participants in Bike to Work Day are encouraged to make stops at Energizer Stations located around SLO County. Energizer Stations will provide bikers with the fuel they need to complete their commutes! The Coalition will be hosting an Energizer Station at our headquarters on the corner of Pacific and Chorro streets (map) from 7 – 9 am. Information about other locations can be found at Rideshare.

May 17th: World Bicycle Relief Poker Run –  SRAM and Rotaract of San Luis Obispo will be hosting a Poker Run to benefit World Bicycle Relief. Participants can walk or bike to local businesses to draw cards to complete their poker hand. The object is to have the best poker hand at the end of the run. The event has a time limit, however the participants are not timed—winning is purely a matter of chance. The Poker Run will start and finish at Central Coast Brewing, 1422 Monterey Street, concluding in an afternoon BBQ, games and music before announcing to see if your poker hand won you a prize for best hand. Cost is $5 per hand. Times and additional information at worldbicyclerelief.org

May 18th: 1st Annual Blessing of The Bicycles – The First Annual SLO Blessing of The Bicycles begins at 1 pm at Salon 544 (map). All faiths (or lack thereof) are welcome. There will be refreshments and face-painting for the kids (and young at heart).

May 19th: Women’s Bike Ed Workshop – Riding as a female on our roads presents unique challenges. Join us and our female instructors for our popular women only workshop. We teach you to ride safe and smart, with emphasis on learning bicycle laws, debunking common myths and giving you the tools you need to feel safe on your bike. All attendees to our Bike Month Workshops receive a free bike bell and free dinner from Chipotle Mexican Grill. Workshops take place at Coalition Headquarters (map) from 6-8 pm.

May 21st: Bike Happy Hour/Film Screening – Join us for the 3rd Annual Bicycle Happy Hour at Park Cinemas in Paso Robles (map). 6 pm social, followed by 7 pm screening of 1976 cycling classic A Sunday in Hell w/ $10 donation. $5 wine by the glass, beer and munchies. Best Bike Zone will be pre selling tickets at the store – 712 Paso Robles St. Paso Robles. All proceeds benefit REC Foundation and SLO Bicycle Coalition. Sponsored by REC Foundation, Best Bike Zone, SLO Bicycle Coalition, City of Paso Robles.

May 24th: Bicycle Swap Meet – Bicycle swap meet at Flanders Bicycle Shop (map). Buy – sell – trade, or just come with dreams of finding your perfect bike.

May 29th: Rideshare at Farmer’s Market – Bike Month isn’t over yet! Visit Rideshare at the Thursday Night SLO Farmer’s Market and vote for your favorite downtown bike-inspired window display, collect your Bike Month t-shirt and let them know how your month has been going.

May 30th: Bike-In Movie – Join the Bicycle Coalition for the 9th annual Bike-In Movie on Mission Plaza (map) in SLO! We’re showing Disney’s recent blockbuster hit, Frozen, at 7 pm. Our Bike Valet, hot drinks and popcorn will be available – everything you need to enjoy a movie under the stars with family and friends!

May 31st: Pedal to Paella VI– Pedal-to-Paella is a bike celebration. Ride starts in the Santa Margarita Park (map) at 5 pm and tours the back streets and alleys. Cruisers and junkers are best. It ends at The Educated Gardener Nursery (map) where paella will be served. Two bands, Death Bear and Black Friday Panty Brawl, will entertain all. BYOB, a paella ingredient, and a side dish to share. BYO plates, cups, etc.

June 3rd: Bike Month Blowout! – The Bike Month wrap-up party you’ve been waiting for! Music, food, beverages and the iRide Bike Challenge Awards. PLUS – turn in your tickets collected at Bike Month events for a chance to win a shiny new bicycle! 6 pm at The Creeky Tiki (map).

Want more? Head over to Rideshare.org for a look at their complete list of Bike Month events!

Concerts in the Park

Bikefest 2014!

Our free Bike Valet will be out in force at the 6th annual Bikefest this Saturday, May 10th from 12 – 4 PM at the Branch Street Deli in Arroyo Grande.

Amgen Tour of CA, 2011

Come join the fun at this biketastic event. A Bike Parade around the village starts at 12:20. Live music at the Deli begins at 1 pm. There will be discount beverages, great food and many free prizes (like a New Belgium Cruiser bike) for attending. This event is sponsored by New Belgium Brewery, Lezyne, SRAM, Rideshare and the SLO County Bike Coalition.

We’re still looking for a few more volunteers to help out at our Bikefest and Mini Maker Faire Bike Valets (both on May 10th). Interested? Sign up at our Volunteerhub page.

Bikefest 2014: Branch Street Deli, 203 E Branch St, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420