The Hub Archive - 1998
Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists December Update
Added December 22, 1998
as reported by Keith Miles
The December meeting had several guests in attendance and the history of the Coalition was reviewed for them.
The Coalition began years ago, when Bill Heimann found a bike lane striped in the wrong direction to traffic flow on a one way street. After two years of effort with local government, he was successful in getting the lane restriped. From this beginning, the Coalition has accomplished many positive changes to improve bicycling in this state and educate local government as to the needs of bicyclists. Space would not permit listing these here.
Presently, the Coalition is in the process of putting together a state-wide planning meeting, bringing together city, county and state coordinators with the objective of establishing a planned effort to improve bicycling facilities statewide.
We are also petitioning the State to draft and adopt a statewide bicycle policy.
The next meeting will be held Jan. 25th at the following location. Monthly meetings are held at the Los Olivos Senior Center just north of Indian School on 28th Street in Phoenix, the 3rd Monday of every month, 7 PM. All are welcome, whether you are a Coalition member or not. If your club is not presently sending a representative, we invite you to do so!
Coalition address:
Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists
P.O. Box 54488
Phoenix, AZ 85078-4488
Club annual membership is $150, individual annual is $25.
The Ride To Remember
Added November 25, 1998
by Debbie Davis
Winston Benson's Memorial Ride for Safety on November 15 lived up to its billing: all 150 cyclists rode safely while enjoying spectacular weather, desert scenery and the camaraderie that Winston so dearly loved.
Lois and the Benson family pronounced the event absolutely perfect, a fitting tribute to Winston. They deeply appreciate all the volunteers who cheerfully pitched in to make the memorial ride possible, recognizing their efforts were a labor of love. Lois said seeing so many of Winston's friends and their enthusiasm for the ride truly made it a joyous occasion.
To continue Winston's dedication to safety, proceeds from the ride were donated to the Coalition for Arizona Bicyclists and the Christopher Reeve Foundation (for spinal chord injury research). Lois stressed the importance of riding safely at the start of both rides: a metric-century to Bartlett Lake and a 30-miler. A carefully marked route, ride marshalls, mechanical support, roving sag service and great sag stops helped to keep it that way.
Cyclists received a commemorative t-shirt that featured Winston's National Senior Olympics championship medal ("Always a Champion") on the front, and a cyclist's helping hand on the back since Winston was reknowned for helping others make it "over the top." A poignant moment occurred as Lois spotted a ride marshal pushing another cyclist up the long climb out of Bartlett Lake. "That's just what Winston would have done!" she exclaimed and rushed to capture the familiar image with her camera.
Back at Pinnacle Peak Patio, cyclists enjoyed a BBQ and Marty Negri's famous ice cream treats, a Winston trivia contest with prizes supplied by Cycle Ranch and line dancing lessons. Jack Spikes set the pace as he showed off both new knees and dancing prowess.
Although Winston's family and friends still miss him dearly, we all know he would want us to enjoy every mile we can. With warm memories and comical stories replacing sadness, this memorial ride was truly a rolling celebration of the man whose love of life and cycling still inspire us to get back on and ride the over next hill, to share a laugh, share a beer, help a friend. Thanks for the ride.
--debbie davis
NOTE: Although the Winston Benson Memorial Ride was a one-time event, due to its popularity, it may evolve into an annual ride for safety.
Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists November Update
Added November 20, 1998
as reported by Keith Miles
The Coalition has elected new officers for the next year, beginning Jan. 1999. They are:
- President: Bill Lazenby
- Vice President: Tom Culp
- Secretary: Rich Rumer
- Treasurer: John Burg
- Membership and Promotional Chairperson: Ingrid McCarty
- Government Liason: Doug Banfelder
Bill Heimann will be retiring from President effective Dec. 31st after many years of tireless service on behalf of Arizona Bicyclists. Bill will continue in the background to assist. We all owe Bill thanks for a job well done!
This month's meeting was represented by many cyclists which included members of ABC, GABA West, Bullshifters, Pinnacle Peak Pedalers, Team Cycle Ranch, Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club. There's still other clubs not being represented- where are you?
The Coalition is currently addressing the ADOT policy of building parallel multi-use paths with new road construction. This may seem acceptable, but statistics indicate otherwise. They are more dangerous than riding on the roadway. The rumble strip issue is still being addressed, and reassignment of the person in the state bicycle coordinator position to someone more in tune with serious bicyclists.
January 9th at 7:30 AM the Coalition will be running a road instructional course originated by L.A.B. called the Road One Course. This will be free to all Coalition members, and $30 to non-members. The course teaches you how to handle yourself in traffic, laws, and defensive ridership. Bill Heimann said he even learned a lot from it when he took it. Location to be announced in next month's article.
Work is continuing on the Coalition website.
The statewide planning meeting is being set back a couple of months to give those putting it together time to get everyone of significance in government and bicycling to be in attendance. We'd really like to make this a significant event for bicycling in Arizona.
Thanks to Lois Benson and those who rode the Winston Benson Memorial Ride. The funds donated to the Coalition through Louis' benevolence are much needed and will be put to the use of benefiting Arizona bicycling.
The Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists is a non-profit organization devoted to advancing bicycling as a sport and mode of transportation through cooperation with local and state government, by being active in government where it concerns bicycling.
Monthly meetings are held at the Los Olivos Senior Center just north of Indian School on 28th Street in Phoenix, the 3rd Monday of every month, 7 PM. All are welcome, whether you are a Coalition member or not. If your club is not presently sending a representative, we invite you to do so!
Road hazards? Report them to the Hazard Hotline.
New Coalition address:
Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists
P.O. Box 54488
Phoenix, AZ 85078-4488
Club annual membership is $150, individual annual is $25
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