On the GO

News, updates and tips for promoting Boulder’s transportation options.

Posts tagged bikes

0 notes

The City of Boulder is putting together a feedback panel of “interested but concerned” cyclists, and would like you to participate! We want to hear from everyone, but we are especially interested in hearing from women of all ages. Be actively involved in making Boulder’s bike system more safe and complete. Please contact us today: Marni Ratzel Ratzelm@bouldercolorado.gov Anna Nord Norda@bouldercolorado.gov Visit www.BoulderTMP.net to learn more about the City of Boulder Transportation Master Plan Update and ways to get involved!

The City of Boulder is putting together a feedback panel of “interested but concerned” cyclists, and would like you to participate!

We want to hear from everyone, but we are especially interested in hearing from women of all ages.

Be actively involved in making Boulder’s bike system more safe and complete.

Please contact us today: Marni Ratzel Ratzelm@bouldercolorado.gov

Anna Nord Norda@bouldercolorado.gov

Visit www.BoulderTMP.net to learn more about the City of Boulder Transportation Master Plan Update and ways to get involved!

Filed under bikes Bike Lanes women boulder Colorado

0 notes

For those who want to learn to ride safely and comfortably, check out the Community Cycles Winter Riding Workshop on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013 from 9 to 11 a.m. To register and for more information, visit www.communitycycles.org. Check out additional winter cycling tips from Bicycle Colorado.  Winter Cycling WorkshopSaturday, Jan. 12, 20139 to 11 a.m.2805 Wilderness Pl., Suite 1000Boulder, CO 80301 Cost: $10 Cost for members: $5 Work-trade available: No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Reserve a spot at the Winter Cycling workshop. Winter poses special challenges to the utilitarian cyclist. If you ride purely for fun and fitness, you may tend not to ride when it’s dark, cold and snowy. If your bike is your primary transportation, you don’t necessarily have this option. After all, you’ll still need groceries in February! But don’t worry, 80 percent of cyclists in Copenhagen, Denmark keep on biking all winter long, and you can too, with a little bit of extra knowledge and experience. There are three main differences between fair weather and winter cycling: darkness, the cold, and snow and ice on the roads. In this workshop, we’ll cover what it takes to ride safely and comfortably in Boulder all winter long, from making sure you’ve got lights bright enough to see, not just be seen, to keeping your fingers, toes and nose from going numb. We’ll also talk about riding techniques to keep you upright on snowy and icy surfaces, and the additional maintenance your winter steed may require. Winter riding may be challenging sometimes, but you’ll never have to scrape a windshield, and occasionally it’s downright magical. There’s nothing quite like riding home through a silent, snow-clad night as the flakes slowly drift by, and discovering a fox bounding along beside the trail. This workshop will be led by Ann Haebig and Chris Ringer. For more info, check out the Winterbike Workshop Notes on the Flat Iron Bike blog.  

For those who want to learn to ride safely and comfortably, check out the Community Cycles Winter Riding Workshop on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013 from 9 to 11 a.m. To register and for more information, visit www.communitycycles.org.

Check out additional winter cycling tips from Bicycle Colorado. 

Winter Cycling Workshop
Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013
9 to 11 a.m.
2805 Wilderness Pl., Suite 1000
Boulder, CO 80301

  • Cost: $10
  • Cost for members: $5
  • Work-trade available: No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Reserve a spot at the Winter Cycling workshop.

Winter poses special challenges to the utilitarian cyclist. If you ride purely for fun and fitness, you may tend not to ride when it’s dark, cold and snowy. If your bike is your primary transportation, you don’t necessarily have this option. After all, you’ll still need groceries in February! But don’t worry, 80 percent of cyclists in Copenhagen, Denmark keep on biking all winter long, and you can too, with a little bit of extra knowledge and experience.

There are three main differences between fair weather and winter cycling: darkness, the cold, and snow and ice on the roads. In this workshop, we’ll cover what it takes to ride safely and comfortably in Boulder all winter long, from making sure you’ve got lights bright enough to see, not just be seen, to keeping your fingers, toes and nose from going numb. We’ll also talk about riding techniques to keep you upright on snowy and icy surfaces, and the additional maintenance your winter steed may require.

Winter riding may be challenging sometimes, but you’ll never have to scrape a windshield, and occasionally it’s downright magical. There’s nothing quite like riding home through a silent, snow-clad night as the flakes slowly drift by, and discovering a fox bounding along beside the trail.

This workshop will be led by Ann Haebig and Chris Ringer. For more info, check out the Winterbike Workshop Notes on the Flat Iron Bike blog.


 

Filed under cyclists biking bikes bikers winter bike to work day Bike to Work Day bike to work fun winter fitness options transportation travel transportation options boulder colorado on the go Community Cycles workshops commute cycling Be Prepared prepare cold warm snow ice paths

0 notes

League of American Bicyclists visit Boulder, Colorado The Pursuit of Diamond Status: Boulder and Davis Say “I Do” Earlier this month League President, Andy Clark, and I traveled to Boulder, Colo., and Davis, Calif. — but I was transported back to my college years in Germany. Bicycling along the network of paths and bike lanes in these two Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Communities, I was able to comfortably ride for miles and miles without the need to bike on a high-speed road to meet up with city staff at the town hall, grab some food with local bike advocates at a downtown restaurant or attend an evening function at a museum. In Davis, I got nearly run over by a large group of junior high school students on bikes, trying to pedal to class in time. In Boulder, we witnessed a frolicking group of young men riding around town in the evening with a boom box on the rack and lights in their wheels. These two Platinum BFCs really seem to have it all — the infrastructure, the bike culture and a compact and mixed land use that allow destinations to be quickly reached by bike. Can it get any better than this? Well, though a good number of people bike in Davis and Boulder, more than half of the residents in cities like Copenhagen in Denmark or Utrecht in the Netherlands have adopted the bicycle as their main form of transportation. To challenge our own top cycling cities to move beyond Platinum and compete with world-class cycling cities, the League developed a new Diamond-designation. Andy and I traveled to Boulder and Davis to kick off their Diamond challenge. (Next month, we’ll pedal that challenge in the third Platinum city: Portland, Ore. Boulder received us with overcast skies but heart-felt enthusiasm. We checked out two bright red B-cycle bikes for the duration of our stay and got quite a few miles out of them. We met with local government officials and staff, community and advocacy representatives and were treated to a three-hour tour of the city. The Diamond challenge will require the local government and the community to work together to address any remaining obstacles to cycling to encourage an additional 5 percent of commuters to bike to work or school — for Diamond designation, a 15 percent bicycle mode share among the minimum requirements. Go Boulder Manager Kathleen Bracke is confident the city is ready to step up: “The City of Boulder/GO Boulder is excited to continue our partnership with the League and the Boulder community to advance bicycling as a way of life and look forward to working together to achieve the new Diamond level Bike Friendly Community designation.” Mayor Matt Appelbaum agreed: “Recognition by the League energizes us to aim even higher. Boulder is looking forward to celebrating as the first Diamond-level Bicycle Friendly community in the future.” One of the highlights of our visit in Boulder was a tour of the newly constructed 42-acre Valmont Bike Park, which is a one-of-a-kind natural-surface facility that allows residents and visitors of all ages and abilities to practice their mountain biking, BMX and cyclocross-skills. Our B-cycle bikes were unfortunately not made for this type of facility (though some have tried!), otherwise I would have taken a spin on the inviting singletrack course. Davis greeted us with a bike light in our hotel room from Davis Bicycles! and two shiny, black city-owned bicycles. Since I arrived a day early, I got the chance to witness the installation of a new bike corral downtown, which featured a prominently displayed QR code that, when scanned with a smart phone app, takes you to the city’s bicycle website. During our stay we got to meet with Mayor Joe Krovoza, council member Brett Lee and city staff. We also caught up with local bicycle advocates, and representatives from the business community, the University of California at Davis and the Capital Corridor Joint Powers Authority. And got a great tour of the city’s bike infrastructure from Davis Bicycles! members and active transportation coordinator David Kemp. Fortunately our rather packed schedule allowed us to stop by a city council meeting to present the City of Davis with a Silver Bicycle Friendly Business award on our way from the Bicycle Advisory Commission meeting to the holiday festivities of the Davis Bike Club. But hands down the highlight of our visit in Davis was to see the Active 4 Me program in action at a local elementary school that tracks children that walk or bike to school through bar code technology. The system also automatically informs parents that their child has arrived safely at school, addressing a real or perceived parental safety concern. “The League’s trip to Davis truly complemented a new renaissance of pro-bicycle energy in Davis,” Kemp said. “After meeting with our elected officials, the business community, city staff, UC Davis, and bicycle advocacy groups, Andy and Nicole provided our community the positive charge and constructive feedback we needed to advance our city to the next level: Diamond! Pair this with the new, Beyond Platinum – Bicycle Action Plan and we’ll strategically propel our community, over the next five years, to work together to make Davis a world-class Bicycle Friendly Community.” The next step for Boulder and Davis toward Diamond status will be a public survey to allow the community to chime in on the comfort and convenience of the bicycle network, perceived safety and other issues that influence people’s daily transportation and recreation choices. “Given the City of Boulder’s ethic of ‘continuous improvement,’ we appreciate the League’s challenge for communities like Boulder to reach beyond Platinum Level to the new Diamond designation,” said Director of Public Works for Transportation Tracy Winfree. “Diamonds aren’t a girl’s best friend; Diamond Designation is.” Click here to learn more about the Beyond Platinum program.

League of American Bicyclists visit Boulder, Colorado

The Pursuit of Diamond Status: Boulder and Davis Say “I Do”

Earlier this month League President, Andy Clark, and I traveled to Boulder, Colo., and Davis, Calif. — but I was transported back to my college years in Germany.

Bicycling along the network of paths and bike lanes in these two Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Communities, I was able to comfortably ride for miles and miles without the need to bike on a high-speed road to meet up with city staff at the town hall, grab some food with local bike advocates at a downtown restaurant or attend an evening function at a museum.

In Davis, I got nearly run over by a large group of junior high school students on bikes, trying to pedal to class in time. In Boulder, we witnessed a frolicking group of young men riding around town in the evening with a boom box on the rack and lights in their wheels. These two Platinum BFCs really seem to have it all — the infrastructure, the bike culture and a compact and mixed land use that allow destinations to be quickly reached by bike.

Can it get any better than this? Well, though a good number of people bike in Davis and Boulder, more than half of the residents in cities like Copenhagen in Denmark or Utrecht in the Netherlands have adopted the bicycle as their main form of transportation. To challenge our own top cycling cities to move beyond Platinum and compete with world-class cycling cities, the League developed a new Diamond-designation. Andy and I traveled to Boulder and Davis to kick off their Diamond challenge. (Next month, we’ll pedal that challenge in the third Platinum city: Portland, Ore.

Boulder received us with overcast skies but heart-felt enthusiasm. We checked out two bright red B-cycle bikes for the duration of our stay and got quite a few miles out of them. We met with local government officials and staff, community and advocacy representatives and were treated to a three-hour tour of the city. The Diamond challenge will require the local government and the community to work together to address any remaining obstacles to cycling to encourage an additional 5 percent of commuters to bike to work or school — for Diamond designation, a 15 percent bicycle mode share among the minimum requirements.

Go Boulder Manager Kathleen Bracke is confident the city is ready to step up: “The City of Boulder/GO Boulder is excited to continue our partnership with the League and the Boulder community to advance bicycling as a way of life and look forward to working together to achieve the new Diamond level Bike Friendly Community designation.”

Mayor Matt Appelbaum agreed: “Recognition by the League energizes us to aim even higher. Boulder is looking forward to celebrating as the first Diamond-level Bicycle Friendly community in the future.”

One of the highlights of our visit in Boulder was a tour of the newly constructed 42-acre Valmont Bike Park, which is a one-of-a-kind natural-surface facility that allows residents and visitors of all ages and abilities to practice their mountain biking, BMX and cyclocross-skills. Our B-cycle bikes were unfortunately not made for this type of facility (though some have tried!), otherwise I would have taken a spin on the inviting singletrack course.

Davis greeted us with a bike light in our hotel room from Davis Bicycles! and two shiny, black city-owned bicycles. Since I arrived a day early, I got the chance to witness the installation of a new bike corral downtown, which featured a prominently displayed QR code that, when scanned with a smart phone app, takes you to the city’s bicycle website. During our stay we got to meet with Mayor Joe Krovoza, council member Brett Lee and city staff. We also caught up with local bicycle advocates, and representatives from the business community, the University of California at Davis and the Capital Corridor Joint Powers Authority. And got a great tour of the city’s bike infrastructure from Davis Bicycles! members and active transportation coordinator David Kemp.

Fortunately our rather packed schedule allowed us to stop by a city council meeting to present the City of Davis with a Silver Bicycle Friendly Business award on our way from the Bicycle Advisory Commission meeting to the holiday festivities of the Davis Bike Club. But hands down the highlight of our visit in Davis was to see the Active 4 Me program in action at a local elementary school that tracks children that walk or bike to school through bar code technology. The system also automatically informs parents that their child has arrived safely at school, addressing a real or perceived parental safety concern.

“The League’s trip to Davis truly complemented a new renaissance of pro-bicycle energy in Davis,” Kemp said. “After meeting with our elected officials, the business community, city staff, UC Davis, and bicycle advocacy groups, Andy and Nicole provided our community the positive charge and constructive feedback we needed to advance our city to the next level: Diamond! Pair this with the new, Beyond Platinum – Bicycle Action Plan and we’ll strategically propel our community, over the next five years, to work together to make Davis a world-class Bicycle Friendly Community.”

The next step for Boulder and Davis toward Diamond status will be a public survey to allow the community to chime in on the comfort and convenience of the bicycle network, perceived safety and other issues that influence people’s daily transportation and recreation choices.

“Given the City of Boulder’s ethic of ‘continuous improvement,’ we appreciate the League’s challenge for communities like Boulder to reach beyond Platinum Level to the new Diamond designation,” said Director of Public Works for Transportation Tracy Winfree. “Diamonds aren’t a girl’s best friend; Diamond Designation is.”

Click here to learn more about the Beyond Platinum program.

Filed under bike bikes bicycling bicycles bicyclists bicycle friendly communities boulder colorado davis league of american bicyclists bike league blog diamond platinum community b-cycle valmont bike park go boulder on the go getting around portland

0 notes

Winter Cycling WorkshopSaturday, Jan. 12 9 to 11 a.m.2805 Wilderness Pl., Suite 1000Boulder, CO 80301 Cost: $10Cost for members: $5Work-trade available: No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Reserve a spot in the Winter Cycling workshop. Winter poses special challenges to the utilitarian cyclist. If you ride purely for fun and fitness, you may tend not to ride when it’s dark, cold and snowy. If your bike is your primary transportation, you don’t necessarily have this option. After all, you’ll still need groceries in February! But don’t worry, 80 percent of cyclists in Copenhagen, Denmark keep on biking all winter long, and you can too, with a little bit of extra knowledge and experience. There are three main differences between fair weather and winter cycling: darkness, the cold, and snow and ice on the roads. In this workshop, we’ll cover what it takes to ride safely and comfortably in Boulder all winter long, from making sure you’ve got lights bright enough to see, not just be seen, to keeping your fingers, toes and nose from going numb. We’ll also talk about riding techniques to keep you upright on snowy and icy surfaces, and the additional maintenance your winter steed may require. Winter riding may be challenging sometimes, but you’ll never have to scrape a windshield, and occasionally it’s downright magical. There’s nothing quite like riding home through a silent, snow-clad night as the flakes slowly drift by, and discovering a fox bounding along beside the trail. This workshop will be led by Ann Haebig and Chris Ringer. For more info, check out the Winterbike Workshop Notes on the Flat Iron Bike blog.

Winter Cycling Workshop
Saturday, Jan. 12 
9 to 11 a.m.
2805 Wilderness Pl., Suite 1000
Boulder, CO 80301

Cost: $10
Cost for members: $5
Work-trade available: No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Reserve a spot in the Winter Cycling workshop.

Winter poses special challenges to the utilitarian cyclist. If you ride purely for fun and fitness, you may tend not to ride when it’s dark, cold and snowy. If your bike is your primary transportation, you don’t necessarily have this option. After all, you’ll still need groceries in February! But don’t worry, 80 percent of cyclists in Copenhagen, Denmark keep on biking all winter long, and you can too, with a little bit of extra knowledge and experience.

There are three main differences between fair weather and winter cycling: darkness, the cold, and snow and ice on the roads. In this workshop, we’ll cover what it takes to ride safely and comfortably in Boulder all winter long, from making sure you’ve got lights bright enough to see, not just be seen, to keeping your fingers, toes and nose from going numb. We’ll also talk about riding techniques to keep you upright on snowy and icy surfaces, and the additional maintenance your winter steed may require.

Winter riding may be challenging sometimes, but you’ll never have to scrape a windshield, and occasionally it’s downright magical. There’s nothing quite like riding home through a silent, snow-clad night as the flakes slowly drift by, and discovering a fox bounding along beside the trail.

This workshop will be led by Ann Haebig and Chris Ringer. For more info, check out the Winterbike Workshop Notes on the Flat Iron Bike blog.

Filed under cyclists biking bikes bikers fun fitness winter conditions options transportation options travel boulder on the go Community Cycles workshops commute cycling prepare be prepared cold snow ice

2 notes

Most of Valmont Bike Park reopened following weather-related trail closures  City requests cooperation in staying off portions that remain closed. Most of the trails at Valmont Bike Park have been reopened, following closures earlier this week due to ground moisture and nighttime cold temperatures. All of the cross country trails, except for Corkscrew, are open, as well as the lower Creekside pump track and the XL, Large, and Medium Dirt Jump lines. The only remaining closures are the Slopestyle, Dual Slalom, Mesa Pump track and the Small and XS Dirt Jump lines. Staff continues performing activities on-site in order to get these sections open. The Parks and Recreation Department closes Valmont Bike Park to protect the trails when there is too much moisture from precipitation or groundwater. Precipitation, coupled with cold temperatures, can maintain these conditions for some time. Riding or walking on the trails in this condition can destroy trails, causing damage that would take days or weeks to repair, and causing delays in reopening. “We really appreciate everyone respecting the trail closures, so that our staff can maintain and reopen the trails again as soon as they dry out,” said Callie Hayden, Boulder Parks and Recreation parks supervisor. “Sometimes, it seems as if sun and warmer temperatures should mean that trails are dry, but that is not always the case due to colder nighttime temperatures, the daily freeze and thaw cycles, and melting precipitation from the entire site.” You can stay up-to-date on park closures and trail conditions on the Valmont Bike Park website at www.ValmontBikePark.org or the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ValmontBikePark. If you are interested in helping with trail maintenace or other volunteer activities at the park, please send an email to valmontbikepark@bouldercolorado.gov.                                              

Most of Valmont Bike Park reopened following weather-related trail closures 

City requests cooperation in staying off portions that remain closed.

Most of the trails at Valmont Bike Park have been reopened, following closures earlier this week due to ground moisture and nighttime cold temperatures. All of the cross country trails, except for Corkscrew, are open, as well as the lower Creekside pump track and the XL, Large, and Medium Dirt Jump lines. The only remaining closures are the Slopestyle, Dual Slalom, Mesa Pump track and the Small and XS Dirt Jump lines. Staff continues performing activities on-site in order to get these sections open.

The Parks and Recreation Department closes Valmont Bike Park to protect the trails when there is too much moisture from precipitation or groundwater. Precipitation, coupled with cold temperatures, can maintain these conditions for some time. Riding or walking on the trails in this condition can destroy trails, causing damage that would take days or weeks to repair, and causing delays in reopening.

“We really appreciate everyone respecting the trail closures, so that our staff can maintain and reopen the trails again as soon as they dry out,” said Callie Hayden, Boulder Parks and Recreation parks supervisor. “Sometimes, it seems as if sun and warmer temperatures should mean that trails are dry, but that is not always the case due to colder nighttime temperatures, the daily freeze and thaw cycles, and melting precipitation from the entire site.”

You can stay up-to-date on park closures and trail conditions on the Valmont Bike Park website at www.ValmontBikePark.org or the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ValmontBikePark. If you are interested in helping with trail maintenace or other volunteer activities at the park, please send an email to valmontbikepark@bouldercolorado.gov.                                              

Filed under valmont bike park valmont bike park biking mountain biking bikes trails closures mud cold conditions

0 notes

Join us for lunch tomorrow! 2012 GO Boulder Appreciation LuncheonLooking Back and Looking AheadThursday, Dec. 611:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.Charlotte Houston RoomBoulder County Clerk and Recorder’s Office1750 33rd St. in Boulder Join us in sharing our 2012 accomplishments and opportunities for 2013! Special guest Andy Clarke from the League of American Bicyclists. Official update on US 36 Express Lanes and other construction projects! Lunch catered by Spice of Life. Door Prizes ~  Networking ~  Community Take the JUMP or HOP or B-cycle (new station at 33rd Street and Fisher Drive)!

Join us for lunch tomorrow!

2012 GO Boulder Appreciation Luncheon
Looking Back and Looking Ahead
Thursday, Dec. 6
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Charlotte Houston Room
Boulder County Clerk and Recorder’s Office
1750 33rd St. in Boulder

Join us in sharing our 2012 accomplishments and opportunities for 2013!

  • Special guest Andy Clarke from the League of American Bicyclists.
  • Official update on US 36 Express Lanes and other construction projects!
  • Lunch catered by Spice of Life.

Door Prizes ~  Networking ~  Community

Take the JUMP or HOP or B-cycle (new station at 33rd Street and Fisher Drive)!

Filed under go boulder getting around on the go go boulder colorado transportation transportation options transportation master plan transportation demand management transit traffic travel travel options door prizes networking community commuting bikes league of american bicyclists b-cycle jump hop us 36 commuting solutions us 36 express lanes construction projects plans accomplishments lunch

0 notes

City to host Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community award ceremony Boulder celebrates current rank; strives to become the nation’s first Diamond-level BFC With hundreds of miles of bike lanes and a bike-commute rate more than 20 times the national average, Boulder once again achieved Platinum Bicycle Friendly status from the League of American Bicyclists earlier this year. The city was one of only three to earn this honor nationwide. Now Boulder is aiming even higher, meeting with league staff to potentially become the very first Diamond-level Bicycle Friendly Community and the nation’s top cycling city.  The public is invited to attend a community cycling celebration and award ceremony in honor of Boulder’s recent renewal as a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The celebration will be held at West Flanders Brewing Company at 1125 Pearl St. League of American Bicyclists President, Andy Clark and League Bicycle Friendly Community Specialist, Nicole Wynands, will present Boulder’s award to city representative and local cycling partners. Appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided, along with a no-host bar. Please RSVP by Monday, Dec. 3. At 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, city and league representatives (along with local non-profit Community Cycles) will lead a bike tour of Boulder’s bicycling system.  The public is encouraged to join; the ride will depart from the Municipal Building Sister City Plaza (east side of Municipal Building, 1777 Canyon Blvd). Email Marni Ratzel with questions and to RSVP. During their visit, league representatives will unveil the new ‘Diamond’ BFC challenge.  Working with city staff and the local cycling community, Clarke and Wynands will audit the current bicycling network, plans, and bike-friendly policies and programs to identify what measurements and goals would need to be set over the next five years to move the city toward Diamond status.   For the first decade, the BFC program ranked communities at the Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. But cities like Boulder have made such tremendous progress that the league has raised the bar. Only three cities are currently working toward this new Diamond status, including Boulder. “The fact that Boulder could be the first Diamond-level Bicycle Friendly Community is an incredible testament to the city’s commitment to bicycling and its unique leadership for the rest of the country,” said League President Andy Clarke. “We are excited and honored to be working with Boulder to take the Bicycle Friendly Community program to new heights!”  Securing a Diamond designation will involve an individualized challenge tailored to each community. The league will conduct a detailed audit for each city and work with community leaders to create clear five, 10, and 15-year goals for important factors like bicycle mode share, land use, crashes, network connectivity and bike culture.  Learn more about the Beyond Platinum program at www.bikeleague.org/bfa and about bicycling in Boulder at www.goboulder.net. 

City to host Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community award ceremony 
Boulder celebrates current rank; strives to become the nation’s first Diamond-level BFC

With hundreds of miles of bike lanes and a bike-commute rate more than 20 times the national average, Boulder once again achieved Platinum Bicycle Friendly status from the League of American Bicyclists earlier this year. The city was one of only three to earn this honor nationwide. Now Boulder is aiming even higher, meeting with league staff to potentially become the very first Diamond-level Bicycle Friendly Community and the nation’s top cycling city. 

The public is invited to attend a community cycling celebration and award ceremony in honor of Boulder’s recent renewal as a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The celebration will be held at West Flanders Brewing Company at 1125 Pearl St.

League of American Bicyclists President, Andy Clark and League Bicycle Friendly Community Specialist, Nicole Wynands, will present Boulder’s award to city representative and local cycling partners. Appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided, along with a no-host bar. Please RSVP by Monday, Dec. 3.

At 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, city and league representatives (along with local non-profit Community Cycles) will lead a bike tour of Boulder’s bicycling system.  The public is encouraged to join; the ride will depart from the Municipal Building Sister City Plaza (east side of Municipal Building, 1777 Canyon Blvd). Email Marni Ratzel with questions and to RSVP.

During their visit, league representatives will unveil the new ‘Diamond’ BFC challenge.  Working with city staff and the local cycling community, Clarke and Wynands will audit the current bicycling network, plans, and bike-friendly policies and programs to identify what measurements and goals would need to be set over the next five years to move the city toward Diamond status.  

For the first decade, the BFC program ranked communities at the Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. But cities like Boulder have made such tremendous progress that the league has raised the bar. Only three cities are currently working toward this new Diamond status, including Boulder.

“The fact that Boulder could be the first Diamond-level Bicycle Friendly Community is an incredible testament to the city’s commitment to bicycling and its unique leadership for the rest of the country,” said League President Andy Clarke. “We are excited and honored to be working with Boulder to take the Bicycle Friendly Community program to new heights!” 

Securing a Diamond designation will involve an individualized challenge tailored to each community. The league will conduct a detailed audit for each city and work with community leaders to create clear five, 10, and 15-year goals for important factors like bicycle mode share, land use, crashes, network connectivity and bike culture. 

Learn more about the Beyond Platinum program at www.bikeleague.org/bfa and about bicycling in Boulder at www.goboulder.net. 

Filed under go boulder on the go boulder colorado bicycle friendly communities league of american bicyclists platinum diamond bike lanes bikes bike to work Bike to Work Day cyclists awards community ceremont celebration cities cycling bicycles bicyclists bicycling biking leaders

0 notes

Join us next week! You are cordially invited to attend the: 2012 GO Boulder Appreciation LuncheonLooking Back and Looking Ahead Thursday, Dec. 611:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.Charlotte Houston RoomClerk and Recorder’s Office1750 33rd St. in Boulder Join us in sharing our 2012 accomplishments and opportunities for 2013! Special guest Andy Clarke from the League of American Bicyclists. Official update on US 36 Express Lanes and other construction projects! Lunch catered by Spice of Life. Door Prizes ~  Networking ~  Community Please RSVP by Monday, Dec. 3, to orleansel@bouldercolorado.gov. Take the JUMP or HOP or B-cycle (new station at 33rd Street and Fisher Drive)!

Join us next week!

You are cordially invited to attend the:

2012 GO Boulder Appreciation Luncheon
Looking Back and Looking Ahead 
Thursday, Dec. 6
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Charlotte Houston Room
Clerk and Recorder’s Office
1750 33rd St. in Boulder

Join us in sharing our 2012 accomplishments and opportunities for 2013!

  • Special guest Andy Clarke from the League of American Bicyclists.
  • Official update on US 36 Express Lanes and other construction projects!
  • Lunch catered by Spice of Life.

Door Prizes ~  Networking ~  Community

Please RSVP by Monday, Dec. 3, to orleansel@bouldercolorado.gov.

Take the JUMP or HOP or B-cycle (new station at 33rd Street and Fisher Drive)!

Filed under go boulder getting around on the go go boulder colorado transportation transportation options transit traffic travel travel options door prizes networking community commuting bikes league of american bicyclists b-cycle jump hop construction projects plans accomplishments lunch

0 notes

Help us improve downtown bike parking to better serve your needs! Take the Boulder Transit Center Bike Parking Survey by Friday, Dec. 7, for a chance to win a bike pump! http://svy.mk/TspTWk Do you currently (or want to) park your bike at the Boulder Transit Center at 14th & Walnut streets?  The City of Boulder, Boulder County and Regional Transit District (RTD) are working to improve the downtown Boulder Transit Center area.  The project goals include improving the transit riding experience, bicycle access and parking.  The Bike Parking Survey only takes a few minutes to complete and your input will help improve bike parking and the overall downtown transit rider experience.   Take the survey online at http://svy.mk/TspTWk.     Complete the survey on or before Dec. 7 to enter for a chance to win one of 10 Topeak mini morph frame bike pumps.   The project team is considering a design that would provide a secure mass bike parking solution: an enclosed bike storage cage that would protect bikes from theft and weather. This bike parking area would be fenced-in and equipped with a keycard pass only available to members.  Within the shared bicycle parking storage area, patrons would be able to individually lock their bicycles to racks. This proposed design would remove some of the individual lockers for the construction of the cage. It would provide a greater number of patrons with access to secured and covered long-term bicycle parking. Bike parking racks and lockers will still be available outside of the bike cage, as well. 

Help us improve downtown bike parking to better serve your needs! Take the Boulder Transit Center Bike Parking Survey by Friday, Dec. 7, for a chance to win a bike pump! http://svy.mk/TspTWk

Do you currently (or want to) park your bike at the Boulder Transit Center at 14th & Walnut streets?  The City of Boulder, Boulder County and Regional Transit District (RTD) are working to improve the downtown Boulder Transit Center area.  The project goals include improving the transit riding experience, bicycle access and parking.  The Bike Parking Survey only takes a few minutes to complete and your input will help improve bike parking and the overall downtown transit rider experience.  

Take the survey online at http://svy.mk/TspTWk.    

Complete the survey on or before Dec. 7 to enter for a chance to win one of 10 Topeak mini morph frame bike pumps.  

The project team is considering a design that would provide a secure mass bike parking solution: an enclosed bike storage cage that would protect bikes from theft and weather. This bike parking area would be fenced-in and equipped with a keycard pass only available to members.  Within the shared bicycle parking storage area, patrons would be able to individually lock their bicycles to racks. This proposed design would remove some of the individual lockers for the construction of the cage. It would provide a greater number of patrons with access to secured and covered long-term bicycle parking. Bike parking racks and lockers will still be available outside of the bike cage, as well. 

Filed under boulder downtown rtd transit center transit mass transit bus busing buses bus rides public transportation public space racks lockers bicycles bike bikes bike parking parking design planning survey topeak security storage bike pumps online survey regional transportation district boulder county city of boulder

0 notes

Today is the last day to take advantage of bike light discounts! The City of Boulder, Community Cycles, the University of Colorado Boulder and local businesses are teaming up for the fifth annual Lighten Up Boulder safety campaign to encourage the use of bike lights for nighttime riding.  The campaign offers 10 to 20 percent discounts on select bike light accessories at participating Boulder businesses. http://bit.ly/RLrIwx

Today is the last day to take advantage of bike light discounts!

The City of Boulder, Community Cycles, the University of Colorado Boulder and local businesses are teaming up for the fifth annual Lighten Up Boulder safety campaign to encourage the use of bike lights for nighttime riding. 

The campaign offers 10 to 20 percent discounts on select bike light accessories at participating Boulder businesses. http://bit.ly/RLrIwx

Filed under bikes biking night riding boulder go boulder Safe Streets bike lights lights safety discounts accessories businesses lighten up annual today last call

0 notes

Two New Boulder B-cycle Stations!  Your bike-sharing system continues to grow with two new B-stations that will open in early November: Broadway & Iris and 33rd & Fisher (next to the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder’s Office).   The new stations are supported by Boulder County for their employees and visitors and bring the total station count to 21. Boulder B-cycle launched in May 2011 with twelve B-stations.  “We are very excited and proud to be opening new B-stations at two of our busiest public service locations,” Boulder County Commissioner Will Toor said. “Thousands of residents and county employees travel to these locations every week, and thanks to an excellent partnership with Boulder B-cycle, we are able to provide a fun, healthy and efficient way to get there.”  The County Commissioners will host ribbon-cutting ceremonies at each of the locations and the public is invited: • Broadway & Iris Avenue: Thursday November 8th at 1:30 p.m.   • 33rd Street & Fisher Drive: Thursday, November 15th at 1:30 p.m. 

Two New Boulder B-cycle Stations! 

Your bike-sharing system continues to grow with two new B-stations that will open in early November: Broadway & Iris and 33rd & Fisher (next to the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder’s Office).  

The new stations are supported by Boulder County for their employees and visitors and bring the total station count to 21. Boulder B-cycle launched in May 2011 with twelve B-stations. 

“We are very excited and proud to be opening new B-stations at two of our busiest public service locations,” Boulder County Commissioner Will Toor said. “Thousands of residents and county employees travel to these locations every week, and thanks to an excellent partnership with Boulder B-cycle, we are able to provide a fun, healthy and efficient way to get there.” 

The County Commissioners will host ribbon-cutting ceremonies at each of the locations and the public is invited:

• Broadway & Iris Avenue: Thursday November 8th at 1:30 p.m.  

• 33rd Street & Fisher Drive: Thursday, November 15th at 1:30 p.m. 

Filed under boulder colorado bike share bike bikes bicycle bicycles bicycling bicyclists bicycle friendly communities cyclists cycling rent Bike Sharing broadway stations travel transportation travel options transportation options

2 notes

Boulder B-cycle Update The city continues its partnership with Boulder B-cycle, a local nonprofit formed to own and operate the public bike-sharing system serving the Boulder community. Launched in May 2011 with 12 stations, the system has grown to 20 stations with one more station scheduled to be installed this month and another by the end of 2012. An additional 10 stations will be installed in 2013 as part of the Federal Transportation, Community, and System Preservation (TCSP) program grant awarded to the City of Boulder. Recent happenings of interest include:   Last week, Boulder B-cycle announced that the system will stay open through the winter months this season to better serve patrons as well as provide on-going opportunities for sponsorships and other local fundraising efforts. Last year, Boulder B-cycle joined Denver B-cycle in shutting down for the winter season with the exception of two stations near UCAR.  On Tuesday, Nov. 13, the city and Boulder B-cycle are co-hosting a community workshop from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at BJ’s Restaurant at 1690 28th St. (at Canyon Boulevard).  The workshop will be a chance to work with the community on a master plan for future B-cycle station locations.   Boulder B-cycle is in the final stage of a national search for a new executive director to replace Elizabeth Train, who accepted another position last month.  A new executive director is anticipated to be on board by Dec. 1, 2012.   With two peak-cycling seasons of operation complete, the city will work with Boulder B-cycle to review and refine ongoing performance measures and develop a business plan to inform the long-term, sustainable business model for Boulder B-cycle. An information packet will be provided to City Council in the second quarter of 2013 on this topic.    For more information about the city’s partnership with Boulder B-cycle, go to boulder.bcycle.com.   

Boulder B-cycle Update

The city continues its partnership with Boulder B-cycle, a local nonprofit formed to own and operate the public bike-sharing system serving the Boulder community. Launched in May 2011 with 12 stations, the system has grown to 20 stations with one more station scheduled to be installed this month and another by the end of 2012. An additional 10 stations will be installed in 2013 as part of the Federal Transportation, Community, and System Preservation (TCSP) program grant awarded to the City of Boulder. Recent happenings of interest include:  

  • Last week, Boulder B-cycle announced that the system will stay open through the winter months this season to better serve patrons as well as provide on-going opportunities for sponsorships and other local fundraising efforts. Last year, Boulder B-cycle joined Denver B-cycle in shutting down for the winter season with the exception of two stations near UCAR. 
  • On Tuesday, Nov. 13, the city and Boulder B-cycle are co-hosting a community workshop from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at BJ’s Restaurant at 1690 28th St. (at Canyon Boulevard).  The workshop will be a chance to work with the community on a master plan for future B-cycle station locations.  
  • Boulder B-cycle is in the final stage of a national search for a new executive director to replace Elizabeth Train, who accepted another position last month.  A new executive director is anticipated to be on board by Dec. 1, 2012.  
  • With two peak-cycling seasons of operation complete, the city will work with Boulder B-cycle to review and refine ongoing performance measures and develop a business plan to inform the long-term, sustainable business model for Boulder B-cycle. An information packet will be provided to City Council in the second quarter of 2013 on this topic.   

For more information about the city’s partnership with Boulder B-cycle, go to boulder.bcycle.com.   

Filed under boulder b-cycle bicycle cyclists bike share bike sharing rent bike bikes biking colorado city council grants city of boulder executive director bj's restaurant nonprofits stations winter

0 notes

Where do you want to see new B-cycle stations?  If you haven’t RSVP’d yet, this is your chance to join Boulder B-cycle and the City of Boulder on Tuesday, Nov. 13, for a community workshop to determine the locations for future B-stations!    Workshop Details Tuesday, Nov.13, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (presentation starts at 5 p.m.); BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse (28th Street and Canyon Boulevard) Appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided, along with a no-host bar. Please RSVP (Yes or No) by 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9, so that we can plan accordingly. If you can’t make it, please RSVP “No” to enter your station location ideas on our online form. The workshop schedule includes:  An informational presentation about Boulder B-cycle, including guiding principles and criteria for determining bike-sharing station locations; and  Focus group break-out sessions concentrating on geographical areas in the City of Boulder. We hope you can join us on Nov.13!   Thanks, Amy BreunissenBoulder B-cycle Station Planneramy@boulderbcycle.com 

Where do you want to see new B-cycle stations? 

If you haven’t RSVP’d yet, this is your chance to join Boulder B-cycle and the City of Boulder on Tuesday, Nov. 13, for a community workshop to determine the locations for future B-stations!   

Workshop Details

  • Tuesday, Nov.13, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (presentation starts at 5 p.m.);
  • BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse (28th Street and Canyon Boulevard)
  • Appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided, along with a no-host bar.
  • Please RSVP (Yes or No) by 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9, so that we can plan accordingly. If you can’t make it, please RSVP “No” to enter your station location ideas on our online form.

The workshop schedule includes: 

  • An informational presentation about Boulder B-cycle, including guiding principles and criteria for determining bike-sharing station locations; and 
  • Focus group break-out sessions concentrating on geographical areas in the City of Boulder.

We hope you can join us on Nov.13!  

Thanks,

Amy Breunissen
Boulder B-cycle Station Planner
amy@boulderbcycle.com 

Filed under boulder b-cycle bike share share rent bikes biking transit transportation options transportation getting around colorado stations locations cycling cyclists rsvp