Earth Day

Come down to the Botanic Gardens this Saturday, April 23rd, for Earth Day.
The first ten people to arrive by bike at the GVB booth will receive DT Swiss schwag!
Join in a bike ride along the Riverfront Trail from 9:30 - 10:30am.
Booths open 8am – 3pm, music 3-11pm.
Check out the full itinerary at www.gjearthday.com

AASHTO wants to weaken US DOT bicycle accommodation policy

Take Action!

Contact Your State Department of Transportation

On Friday, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) released a letter and supplemental document, which asked the US Department of Transportation to weaken their guidance on accommodating bicyclists and pedestrians. The supplemental document, submitted as part of a formal review of regulations, asks that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) withdraw their guidance on the meaning of “due consideration” of bicyclists and pedestrians to make it easier for states to ignore the needs of non-motorized travelers. AASHTO prefers the weaker “consider where appropriate” to allow states to avoid having to justify failure to accommodate bicycling and walking.

This request is misguided. At a time when cities are building entire bicycling networks for the cost of one mile of urban four-lane freeway, bike projects are putting people to work, and benefiting business, this is not the time to move backwards. When more and more states – 23 and counting – are embracing Complete Streets policies, AASHTO should be a leading voice in shaping holistic and comprehensive transportation systems, not resisting them. In fact, AASHTO’s own 12 year-old Bicycle Guide, due to be up dated this year, says that bicyclists and pedestrians can be expected on any roadway they are legally allowed to operate and therefore should be accommodated.

Grand Valley bikes Officially a 501(c)3 Non Profit !!

In a letter to Grand Valley Bikes (GVB) dated March 22, 2011, the IRS determined that Grand Valley Bikes is "exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code ", and has cladssified us as a Public Charity under section 170 (b) (1) (A) (vi). Contributions to GVB are deductible under section 170 of the Code. We are also now qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devices, transfers and gifts under sections 2055, 2106 and 2522 of the Code.

Thanks for Coming Out !!!

A big shout out and Thank You to all who came out to support Grand Valley Bikes for the Worst Day of the Year Ride. Costumes were creative and diverse, weather was dissappointingly good, and a fun time was had by all ! How often do we get to ride with Zebras, Smurfs, Wicked Witches and Chickens ?

Thanks also to all the event sponsors: Brown Cycles, Single Tracks, LTR, Board andBuckle, The Bike Shop, Grass Roots Cycles, Bicycle Outfitters, the Free Press, and Dos Hombres, and the Media who covered the event.

Stay tuned for more fun events this spring and summer !

Bicycle Colorado Action Alert

http://co108w.col108.mail.live.com/mail/InboxLight.aspx?n=1006036670: "Action Alert:
Colorado Open Roads Act

Please Contact Your State Representative!

Please contact your Colorado Representative and ask them to support House Bill 1092 for Open Roads. Voicemails and emails are great, and be sure to include your home address so they know you are from their district. The House vote may be any day this week, so please call today.

Step 1: Find your Colorado House District (1 through 65)

Enter your home address at this linked website.

Click the 'Find Your Districts' button and see your 'CO House ##' on the right

Step 2: Talking Points (please be polite)

I am asking for your support of House Bill 1092 (Kerr-Brophy)
-This bill will give people the freedom to travel the state by bicycle.
-Banning bikes gives Colorado's bicycle and tourism industries a black eye.
-Bicycles simply need an alternate route if a road is closed.

Step 3: Call or Email the Representative from Your House District

Contact information for each Representative can be found on our website. Please spread the word and share this with other friends of cycling.

Thanks for your help keeping roads open to bicycling!

Learn more about House Bill 1092

email: info@bicyclecolorado.org
phone: 303-417-1544
web: http://www.BicycleColorado.org"

February Events!

Grand Valley Bikes Maintenance Social - February Meeting!

Brown Cycles, 549 Main Street

5:45pm-8pm, Tuesday February 1^st

Do you have a bike in slight disrepair, and with the cold weather have delayed fixing it?

Bring your fix-it project to Brown Cycles at 5:45pm this Tuesday, February 1^st. Repair materials can be purchased from 5:45-6pm, then the doors close and the fixing begins! Two mechanic stations will be available: Basic and Advanced.

Don’t have a project? Learn about GVB doings and bike maintenance or meet and help others.

Pablo’s Pizza buy-in $5, BYO beverages, bikes and repair tools.

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“Worst Day of the Year” Ride--- Support GVB!

Sunday February 27^th 11am – 2pm

Register now at 254-FUNN (3866)

This 10 mile path loop ride is fashioned after the ‘Worst Day Ride’ in Portland, Oregon. It will start and end at Dos Hombres on the Redlands; a ‘Big Eat’ awaits you at the finish line! Dress up in your cheeriest costume to fight off the winter frost; prizes offered for best dressed person and best dressed bike.

Fee: $25 adults, $10 children 12 & under (Admission includes a burrito, a margarita or beer for those 21+, and all the fun of the ride!)

Proceeds to Benefit Grand Valley Bikes!!!!!!!!

Grist.org 2011 in bikes!

Check out this link for a fun article that can give us GJ residents some hope and ideas for the future.