FastCompany.com has done a survey to rate the best “Fast Cities” in a number of categories. Fast Cities are described as “cauldrons of creativity where the most important ideas and the organizations of tomorrow are centered. They attract the best and brightest. They are great places to work and live.” And where did our fair city rank? Well, see for yourself. Not even a City on the Verge. Take solace in knowing we’re not a slow city…Given the emphasis on Greenprint, Denver merits nary a mention. Maybe Denver’s “all talk, no action” policy is getting noticed, but not in a good way.
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Apologies for the late notice, but there will be an unveiling of the new Park Hill Bike Depot tonight (Tuesday, August 21) from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Denver Children’s Home, 1501 Albion Street. The Bike Depot is a collaborative project designed to increase opportunities to move more in Park Hill. For more information, contact Marlo Carillo at 720.865.5446 or Marlo.Carillo@ci.denver.co.us. View the website here.
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A couple of weeks ago, we asked you to send emails to your City Council Members and ask them to put the I25/Colorado Blvd Bike/Ped bridge project back on the bond issue project list for the November ballot. Your voices were heard.
So, here’s the deal, the bridge won’t be on the ballot; but the bridge will be built!
Monday night, members of BikeDenver addressed City Council about the need for the project. By the end of the evening, we walked out of Council Chambers with the commitment from Councilman Brown and the Mayor’s office that they would “come up with the $ for the bridge.”
The details of the funding for the bridge are being worked out; but Dianne Barrett, aide to Mayor Hickenlooper, shared with Council that The Mayor is personally involved in securing funding for this important bike/ped connection to the Colorado Light Rail Station. We will vigilantly track the progress of this project and update you at each major milestone along the way.
City Council members told us that they heard from the bike community and they are getting the message that bikes must be considered in all of our tranportation projects. Thank you for your overwhelming response.
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The 2nd annual Denver Film Cycle will premiere a collection of films from national and international directors. From fixed-gear riding in Seattle to romantic pedalers in Italy, this year’s festival hosts something for all cyclists.
Saturday, August 11th @The Bug Theatre (3654 Navajo St.) 1:00-10:00pm.
Tickets are $10 for the day, and are available at the door at 1:00pm. Night time Alley Cat Race open to all racers. Prizes for top three riders in general and womens division.
Civic Center Park. 8:00 pm. $10 (entry fee includes entry to DFC film festival)
View the film schedule.
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We hope you’re having a great summer full of bicycling adventures! We hope you enjoy our fresh newsletter format. Expect hear from us every couple of months as we get back into the newsletter swing of things.
BIKEDENVER NEWS
Bike to Work Day
BikeDenver President David Rapp led a delegation of bicyclists from various groups on a bicycle ride around downtown Denver with Mayor Hickenlooper. The group rode through several trouble spots around downtown where cyclists have historically had issues. The Mayor was very receptive to the group’s suggestions, especially when he was able to view them firsthand. After the ride, the Mayor was presented with a list of issues that were discussed during the ride, and BikeDenver will be following up to ensure that progress is made in resolving the problems at hand.
Tour de Fat
Saturday, July 7 was a lucky day for bicycle advocacy in Denver—promoting pedal power and celebrating sustainable energy—by attracting cycling crazies and commuters alike. New Belgium Brewing Company’s 7th annual cycling circus helped put Denver bicycle advocacy on the map among a dozen Western cities, and boosted better bicycling with proceeds from parade, beer sales and philanthropy at the City Park event.
A hot day saw a mellow crowd convene on the grass near 20th Ave. & York Street in City Park for a peaceful yet passionate demonstration of two-wheeled mobility and sustainability. A centrally-located corral boasted bikes of many mutations available to test-ride, with helmets provided. One in particular had wheels made of sneakers—a creative, if bumpy, alternative to tires.
Proceeds from beer sales and merchandise, along with generous donations from attendees, went to the non-profit groups to further their missions of promoting cycling safety and self-sufficient transportation in the Denver Metro area.
Next year, BikeDenver is expected to be the main beneficiary of this event, and New Belgium is forecasting the number of participants here to triple. So, if you missed this year’s event, be sure to join the fun at next year’s Tour de Fat!
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
Join BikeDenver! If you’re already on our mailing list, we encourage you to become a member with whatever time, money, and energy you can. Memberships start at $35 (Individual), and $50 (Supporter). Want to give more? Other membership levels are available at the $100.00 (Advocate), $250.00 (Champion) and $500.00 (Elite) levels.
What will membership get you?
› Better advocacy for bicyclists in our city. BikeDenver will corral volunteers and members and engage local government to promote the healthy bike lifestyle and get more cars off the road.
› Regular newsletters to keep you up-to-date and invite/remind you of events and important meetings and issues needing bicyclists’ input.
› Regular meetings with interesting presentations to mingle with other two-wheelers, prioritize, and plan.
› Events like organized [theme] rides, bike-in movies, repair clinics, and safety classes.
› Website that is up-to-date and useful.
› Bike Parking at more city-wide events.
Join online. Or, you can mail a check if you’re Paypal averse. Mailing instructions can be found on the webpage listed above.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We need volunteers for the following upcoming events:
Taste of Colorado, Labor Day weekend, Aug 31-Sept 3
Veloswap, Saturday, Oct 27
For more information on volunteering at these events, contact bikeparking@bikedenver.org.
MBAC NEWS
In June, members from the Mayor’s Bike Advisory Committee met with Bill Vidal, Denver’s Director of Public Works, and Lesley Thomas, City Engineer, to discuss bicycling conditions in Denver. The meeting was a positive one, and the MBAC is encouraged that there are opportunities for MBAC involvement in the planning process and for incorporating bicycling improvements into City projects. The City is already approaching Strategic Transportation Plan (STP) projects in a manner similar to Complete Streets policies—in other words, making our streets usable for ALL users, but there is still a need for incorporating bicycling culture into the way the City approaches projects. This is a cultural shift that has enjoyed much success in other cities such as Portland, OR and Tucson, AZ. The MBAC hopes to continue these meetings with Public Works on a quarterly basis.
CHAIN OF EVENTS
Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour, Gunnison - August 5 - 11, 2007
Moonlight Classic, Denver – August 18
MISCELLANEA and LINKS OF INTEREST
A couple of interesting cycling publications:
Momentum Magazine – from Canada, eh? It’s a magazine for self-propelled people.
UrbanVelo – download issue #2 for free. It’s a pdf file, and it’s big. Print it if you must, but be sure to pass it around!
Be sure to check out BikeDenver’s new and improved website!
From your friends at BikeDenver…
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