Bicycle Friendly Fort Wayne

Logo courtesy of Austin Brooks Graphic Design and Photography

Hello All.
As you know, Fort Wayne was recognized last year by the League of American Bicyclists as a Bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community.  Obviously this is a huge step for our community and one that all of us in the cycling community are proud of.
The feedback that was received from the League gave us some helpful hints as to what we need to do as a community in order to continue the momentum and get to Silver and beyond.  One of the important items was the fact that Fort Wayne does not have a pure Bicycle Advocacy Organization.  That is not to say that there haven't been a host of people and organizations that advocate for cycling, but we need a group that's sole mission is to further the cause.
A group of us decided to do something about it.  We have been meeting for the last few months trying to sort it out.  If you don't know, forming a not-for-profit group from scratch is hard.  Especially when you have no money and no lawyer on your Board.  Administratively it has been a long road already but we are going to get there.  We are not official yet but we feel that it is time to start the campaign,  For what you ask?  Why do we need an Advocacy Group anyway?  The 5 E's

• Engineering

• Encouragement

• Education

• Enforcement

• (Planning &)Evaluation

Heck, it took us a long time to come up with our name!  We finally decided that our name should specify our mission.
Bicycle Friendly Fort Wayne
Mission Statement:
Through citizen’s advocacy, the mission of the Bicycle Friendly Fort Wayne is to educate, promote, and encourage bicycling in the Fort Wayne area
Goals
1. Enforcement: Our goal will be to establish a working relationship between the cycling community and Fort Wayne law enforcement.
2. Evaluation: Generate interest in obtaining a local economic impact study ton bicycling in our community.
3. Engineering: Promote adoption of a Complete Streets policy
4. Education: Ensure cyclists of all ages and motorists have the knowledge and resources to coexist harmoniously.
5. Encouragement: To promote, host, sponsor or encourage bicycle themed and community events.


Our plan is to move forward advocating for the 5 E's in order to make Fort Wayne a Silver Bicycle Friendly Community in 2 years time.  We cannot strictly by satisfied that we have been recognized and sit back.  We have to keep pushing to make sure that Fort Wayne continues to make cycling for ALL riders safer, easier and more enjoyable!

Please join us in making Fort Wayne better and more livable.
We will be the Tin Caps Community Organization of the Game on May 14th at 7PM.  Come on out and chat us up, hopefully show your support by joining Bicycle Friendly Fort Wayne.

Then come out and ride to raise awareness of cyclists in the Worldwide Ride of Silence.
We will meet up in front of the Arts United Performing Arts Center at 6:30 pm on Wednesday May 15.  Ride at 7 Sharp!  Helmets are required.  It is about an 8 mile course through town.

We all want Fort Wayne to be better!  We can get there together.

Fort Wayne 2012 Ride of Silence recap

And here are a few stills from the Journal Gazette.
http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=JG&Date=20120516&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=516009998&Ref=PH

Thanks so much to all who came out, those who got the word out, Officer Griffin for the escort and the Journal Gazette for getting us some press.

Ready for the ride of silence

Worldwide Ride of Silence Wednesday 7PM Friemann Square Fort Wayne

As we all have been basking in the glory of the League of American Bicyclist Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community for the Fort, let us not forget that we are not through!  Work still needs to be done to raise awareness of Bicycles.  Help us do that by participating tomorrow night.  Hope to see you there. 

Ghost Bike

Last November, Brian A. Craig, 15 years old, was struck and killed by a motorist on Clinton in Fort Wayne.

This "Ghost Bike" represents him and will be placed near the scene of the accident.  You can read about the fateful night HERE

Be careful out there everyone.

Brian's name will be one of many that will be read prior to a moment of silence at the Ride of Silence on May 16th, 7PM, at Friemann Square in Fort Wayne.

Consider joining us in raising awareness for vulnerable road users that have been injured or killed.

2012 Bike Month Activities in Fort Wayne!

2012 NATIONAL BIKE MONTH

ACTIVITIES IN FORT WAYNE

May 1^st          Trek the Trails by Heel or Wheel @ 6PM

Join in on the fun at this FREE community ride/walk on our great trail network!  Meet at Salomon Farm at 817 W. Dupont Rd to ride 8 miles on our trails.  The ride will also follow some low-volume residential streets. (Helmets are recommended for cyclists)

For more information, call the Greenway office at 427-6228

May 1^st          Inaugural Trek the Trails Mixer from 7-9PM

Celebrate the beginning of bike month by attending the first ever Trail Mixer event brought to you by Fort Wayne Trails and the City of Fort Wayne!  Mix and mingle with our Fort Wayne Trails enthusiasts while enjoying dinner, music and Bent Rim Black Lager from Mad Anthony’s. 

$10 suggested donation per person.

May 6^th         Sonntag Biken! (Sunday Biking)           ALL DAY 

Enjoy the day where traffic is lighter, the air is cleaner, and sun is (hopefully) shining. Celebrate your mobility and visit our public spaces!

May 8^th         Trek the Trails Bike Ride @ 6PM

Join in on the fun at this FREE community ride on our great trail network!  Meet at Deer Ridge Elementary School at 1515 Scott Road to ride 6 miles on the trails in southwest Fort Wayne. (Helmets are recommended for cyclists)

For more information, call the Greenway office at 427-6228

May 9^th         National Bike To School Day

The first-ever National Bike to School Day takes place as part of National Bike Month. Local events across the U.S. will encourage children to safely bicycle or walk to school. Check with your school for participation.

May 12^th       Ladies Only Mountain Bike Workshop from 10AM-3PM @ Franke Park

A skills clinic will be conducted by Lindsay Sherman with Trek WSD Bicycles.  Contact Summit City Bicycles & Fitness for more information about this free workshop.  Registration is required.

For more information call 484-0182

May 13^th       Sonntag Biken! (Sunday Biking)           ALL DAY 

Enjoy the day where traffic is lighter, the air is cleaner, and sun is (hopefully) shining. Celebrate your mobility and visit our public spaces!

May 14-18^th     Bike to Work Week: FREE COFFEE!

Take your helmet into these local coffee shops between 7AM-9AM for a free small coffee:    Pembroke Bakery ~ Dash In ~ Downtown Grind

May 15^th       Trek the Trails Bike Ride @ 6PM

Join in on the fun at this FREE community ride on our great trail network!  Meet at Rockhill Park at 1400 Catalpa Street which is just southeast from the intersection of W. Jefferson Blvd and Freeman St to explore the Towpath Trail.  (Helmets are recommended for cyclists)

For more information, call the Greenway office at 427-6228

May 16^th       World Wide Ride of Silence @ 7:00 PM

To HONOR those killed or injured – To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here – To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD 

LOCATION: Downtown, Freimann Square (Free Vehicle Parking after 5 PM)

May 18^th       Bike to Work Day Breakfast from 6:30-8AM

Bike Commuters Unite!  Meet up at Headwaters Park West with other bike commuters to celebrate National Bike to Work Day.  There will be free coffee, bagels and other treats available for bike commuters. RAIN or SHINE

May 18^th       Bike to Work Day After Party from 4 to 8PM

Once again Bike Commuters Unite!  Meet up at Fort Wayne Outfitters & Bike Depot (near the Historic Wells Street Bridge) to celebrate your biking successes.

May 20^th       Bike To The Ballpark @ 3:05

The TinCaps are in town against the Bowling Green (KY) Hot Rods. Hop on your bike and head on down! It’s Sunday; take advantage of the lighter traffic, get some exercise, continue this tradition with friends and family! Plenty of FREE bike parking is available at the entrances. And don’t forget, Sundays are AUTOGRAPH days!

May 20^th       Sonntag Biken! (Sunday Biking)           ALL DAY 

Enjoy the day where traffic is lighter, the air is cleaner, and sun is (hopefully) shining. Celebrate your mobility and visit our public spaces!

May 20^th       3RVS May Madness Bike Tour @ 9AM

This is a scenic tour of Huntington County from Roanoke to Huntington and beyond. Choose from routes of 14, 32 and 54 miles. Maps are provided.  Rides start at Roanoke Elementary School at 423 W. Vine Street Roanoke, IN. 

$10 for adults and $5 for children under 15. 

Visit www.3RVS.com for additional details.

May 22^nd        Breaking Away at the Downtown Library @ 6:30PM

Ride on down to the library during National Bike Month to view this Hoosier classic bicycling film. Dennis Christopher stars as a recent high school graduate in Bloomington, Indiana, who is caught with his friends drifting between high school and adulthood. Filmed entirely on location, it was named one of the American Film Institute's most inspiring films of all time.  Rated PG; 100 minutes; 1979 

May 22^nd      Trek the Trails Bike Ride @ 6PM

Join in on the fun at this FREE community ride on our great trail network!  Meet at IPFW at 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd near the Venderly Family Pedestrian Bridge on the east side of the St. Joseph River to explore the St. Joseph Pathway. (Helmets are recommended for cyclists)

For more information, call the Greenway office at 427-6228.

May 24^th       Introduction To Safe Cycling   6:30 to 8:30

If you are going to ride a bike, please do it safely. Learn the rules of the road, how to dress, how to fit a helmet and how to equip your bicycle for safety. Most importantly, learn how to ride predictably and visibly while communicating with motorists by your signals and actions. Bicycles are not required for this FREE 2-hour workshop. Ages 50+. Held at Fort Wayne Community Center, 233 W. Main St.

For more information, call the Greenway office at 427-6228

May 26^th       Fort-4-Fitness Spring Cycle Events:

20/35/45 mile Tour de Fort Wayne, Bike the Fort, Twilight Criterium, Family activities at Headwaters Park.  Check for times and lengths at website.

Visit www.fort4fitness.org/spring-cycle.asp for additional information.

May 26^th         Bike-It! Art Show  7 to 11PM

The Lotus Gallery will be filled with bike art from many of Fort Wayne's talented artists. Enjoy the creativity and some eats and drinks, including Mad Anthony's Bent Rim Black Lager on tap. Bonus points for arriving on bike!  

Visit www.oneluckyguitar.com/dial/bike-it-art-show for additional information

May 27^th       Sonntag Biken! (Sunday Biking)           ALL DAY 

Enjoy the day where traffic is lighter, the air is cleaner, and sun is (hopefully) shining. Celebrate your mobility and visit our public spaces!

May 29^th       Trek the Trails Bike Ride @ 6PM

Join in on the fun at the FREE community ride on our great trail network!  Meet at Foster Park, at the trailhead parking lot just beyond the golf course entrance at 3900 Old Mill Rd, to explore the St. Marys Pathway. (Helmets are recommended for cyclists)

For more information, call the Greenway office at 427-6228.

OTHER TENTATIVE EVENTS (Check back for date, locations and times)

CINEMA CENTER PRESENTS: BIKE FILM FESTIVAL

                         

                         

Story from News Sentinel on the Ride of Silence

Bicyclists to ride in silence as tribute | The News-Sentinel - Fort Wayne IN

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