Michiana gears up for Bike Month

May is Bike Month, and cyclists are being encouraged with more than just fair weather to increase their miles and activity levels. Months of planning will culminate in two major cycling events. Publicity is being rolled out for Bike the Bend and Bike to Work Week.

Bike the Bend is an inaugural bike ride for Michiana. It is modeled after Bike the Drive in Chicago and organized rides in other cities where streets become car-free for a few hours: cyclists own the streets. This event, which is ideal family fun, takes place on Sunday, May 23.

Bike to Work Week is an annual event that has grown each year in Michiana. Riders are invited to join teams, usually organized around their workplaces, and enjoy friendly competition with other teams. The week features two special events where cyclist gather in downtown South Bend to enjoy camaraderie and some good eats. Bike to Work Week  takes place from Monday, May 24 through Friday, May 28.

Biking infrastructure is improving too, as South Bend Mayor Stephen Luecke has announced over 10 miles of new city bike routes in 2010. And the Bike Michiana Coalition has purchased new portable bike parking racks to be set up for special Michiana biking events.

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Wine, Women and Wellness night

On April 24th there will be a free night of health and wellness just for women! Free massages, wine and chocolate samples, helmet fitting, gait analysis, and special pricing on clothing and accessories. Raffles and giveaways for everyone! See presentations from local organizations and event organizers.

Participating organizations: Metro Run & Walk, Cafe Indulgence, D’Avella Winery, Triumph Fitness and Massage, St. Joseph Medical Center , PeakFast, Fit Stop, Sugoi, Cannondale, Kona, Hammer Nutrition, NIMBA, Urban Adventure Race, Bike Michiana Coalition, Pumpkinvine, TriAncilla, Susan G. Komen Foundation, YWCA of St. Joseph County.

Bike Michiana receives $5,500 for education

Bike education for third-graders

Judy Lee has been piloting safety classes for 3^rd graders and has been splitting her efforts between the pilot education program and a search for funding sources. The education program has been a resounding success, and now her search for funding is beginning to succeed.

 The Michiana Bicycle Association has donated $1,000 and Memorial Hospital’s Community Health Enhancement has granted $4,500. When added to the Bike Michiana Coalition’s internal funding of $1,000 the funds will go a long way towards safety education for kids. 

Lee has isued a plea for volunteers to help with the growing program. She said “This is a great opportunity for cyclists who want to volunteer.” It also is a great opportunity for folks who enjoy working with children, even though they have no special knowledge of cycling. Volunteers are encouraged to contact Lee at JudyALee@embarqmail.com.

Bike Michiana Coalition lends financial support for biking and walking

The coalition has earmarked $3,500 for support of bicycle advocacy, infrastructure and safety.

Three specific programs have been identified, and funding has been set aside to support them. The programs are Children’s Education, South Bend Bike Lanes, and the LaSalle Trail.

LA Times article “Bikes and cars: Can we share the road?”

Bikes and cars: Can we share the road? By Christie Aschwanden

Photo by Ken Kwok, LA Times

Ghost bikes in the news

I first saw ghost bikes in Seattle, WA some five years ago. I didn’t know they had a name, but I did know they made a statement. Then a couple of them sprung up here in Michiana. Today, they made news in the South Bend Tribune. Read the Tribune article here.

Door zone safety

Do you know anyone who has been ‘doored’? By that, I mean riding alongside parked cars, and having a driver or passenger open their door into the path of the bicyclist. It’s not uncommon, although I personally know of only one such crash. The experienced adult cyclist suffered a broken arm.

There have been cases where the cyclist has fallen under the wheels of an overtaking vehicle, resulting in serious injury or death. Here’s what the League of American Bicyclists has to say.

Bicyclist Fatality

A cyclist was killed by a collision with a motor vehicle at the St. Joseph / Elkhart county line on Ash road early this morning. Few details are available so far, but the South Bend Tribune has a preliminary report online: LINK.

Update @ 5:30 PM: The Tribune has posted additional information: LINK (this link was changed on 8/29; the previous Tribune link was no longer valid). Oddly, both the cyclist AND the motorist were traveling south in the northbound lane; the cyclist was hit from behind.