BikeAthens Update

March 22, 2006

• Still seeking board members
• Earth Fare and BikeAthens: Fair weather friends
• Official GreenFest launch this weekend
• Volunteers needed!
• Rubbage: Fun word, fun ride!
• BikeAthens in the news
• Transportation in the news

STILL SEEKING BOARD MEMBERS

BikeAthens is still accepting applications for membership to the 2006-2007 Board of Directors.

From Safe Routes to School to Bike Recycling and local issue education, BikeAthens programs are growing and serving more Athenians. To ensure continued expansion and service to the Athens community, the organization's leadership should reflect the broadest constituency possible.

Board positions are volunteer but do require a sincere commitment to involvement in the organization's direction and programs. One-year terms will begin May 15, 2006.

For more information, and to download an application form, visit www.bikeathens.com.

EARTH FARE & BIKEATHENS: FAIR WEATHER FRIENDS

Each month, Earth Fare in Five Points selects a local non-profit organization for its “Friends of Earth Fare” program. We are happy to announce that BikeAthens is Earth Fare’s “Friend” for April.

On select days throughout the month, BikeAthens will be tabling at Earth Fare, answering questions about transportation issues, giving away bike maps and other materials, and signing up new and renewing members. Best of all, for every recycled or cloth grocery bag you use during the entire month of April, Earth Fare will donate 10 cents to BikeAthens.

Many thanks to the folks at Earth Fare for their generosity. We invite everyone to stop by and see us - and don’t forget those bags!

OFFICIAL GREENFEST LAUNCH THIS WEEKEND

Celebrate the start of GreenFest 2006 this Sunday. The official kickoff party is March 26 from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. at Big City Bread, 393 North Finley Street. Many of the groups participating, including BikeAthens, will offer activities and information about their organizations. There will be door prizes and live music by Nate Nelson (www.myspace.com/natenelson).

The kickoff party is open to all ages. See www.athensgreenfest.org for more information about the party as well as GreenFest events being held throughout April.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

BikeAthens has several volunteer opportunities on the horizon. Take your pick!

Twilight Criterium: BikeAthens has been invited to get involved in this year’s Criterium, coming up on April 28-29. We need volunteers to help staff our tent during the races, as well as help out with general membership tabling and bike safety demonstrations. Contact Brad Aaron through the BikeAthens web site (www.bikeathens.com).

GreenFest Bike Rodeo: This event will take place at Dudley Park from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 1. Volunteers are needed to arrive at 12:30 and hand out information, help with an obstacle course, teach hand signals, operate a video, and help in other miscellaneous ways. No experience or bike knowledge is necessary. Contact Krista Mullins at klodawg@uga.edu.

UGA Transportation: BikeAthens is working with UGA Parking Services on a committee to handle various campus transportation issues, including pedestrian access and safety, bike parking and the Alternative Transportation Pass Program. Contact Brad Aaron through the BikeAthens web site (www.bikeathens.com).\

RUBBAGE: FUN WORD, FUN RIDE!

Join us for the second annual Rubbage Ride mountain bike event, sponsored by BikeAthens, Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful (KACCB) and Southern Off-road Bicycle Association (SORBA). Experience the surprising beauty of the Athens-Clarke County Landfill while taking a fun ride on a cross-country trail. Although times will be recorded, this will not be a race. The ride is designed for beginner to intermediate riders who prefer casual paced fun rides to the traditional competitive mountain bike races.

The ride will be held Saturday, April 8, at 11:30 a.m. (following the Junkyard Jog) at the Landfill - 5700 Lexington Road. Day-of registration begins at 10:30 a.m. All registrants will be entered into raffles for items from local merchants.

Rubbage Ride is a part of Greenfest, a community wide celebration providing citizens with the opportunity to increase their awareness of and interest in improving the environment of their home, yard, business, and community. Profits will benefit efforts to educate citizens about litter reduction, recycling solutions and proper solid waste practices, to improve alternative transportation options for all citizens of ACC, and to support local off-road bicycle options in and around ACC.

For additional info, please contact rubbage_ride@bikeathens.com.

BIKEATHENS IN THE NEWS

“Hawthorne lanes back in question,” Athens Banner-Herald, 3/15/06: http://onlineathens.com/stories/031506/news_20060315062.shtml

TRANSPORTATION IN THE NEWS

“Push Or Say 1 For Yes,” Flagpole, 3/15/06: http://flagpole.com/articles.php?fp=PubNotes&ISSUE=2006-03-15

“Parkway plan rises in priority,” Athens Banner-Herald, 3/3/06: http://onlineathens.com/stories/030306/news_20060303055.shtml

“Bicyclist struck by car on Poplar,” Athens Banner-Herald, 3/4/06: http://onlineathens.com/stories/030406/cops_20060304059.shtml

“Medians out on Baxter...,” Athens Banner-Herald, 3/5/06: http://onlineathens.com/stories/030506/business_20060305042.shtml

“Spin through quad lands student in jail,” Athens Banner-Herald, 3/7/06: http://onlineathens.com/stories/030706/cops_20060307026.shtml

“Jennings Mill project given the go-ahead,” Athens Banner-Herald, 3/8/06: http://onlineathens.com/stories/030806/news_20060308055.shtml

“Eastside intersection proposal put on hold,” Athens Banner-Herald, 3/9/06: http://onlineathens.com/stories/030906/news_20060309062.shtml

“Committee formed to promote rail plan,” Athens Banner-Herald, 3/17/06: http://onlineathens.com/stories/031706/news_20060317020.shtml

“Police hope plan will slow down speeders in Watkinsville,” Athens Banner-Herald, 3/21/06: http://onlineathens.com/stories/032106/news_20060321041.shtml

“Will 23 lanes be enough?” Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 3/10/06: http://www.ajc.com/friday/content/epaper/editions/friday/news_441172a0111250e700df.html