Handlebar Happy Hour at Velo + on December 18th
Join us for December's Handlebar Happy Hour and Ugly Sweater Christmas Party at Velo Plus, KC's newest bike shop located in Old Town Lenexa, Kansas. Velo Plus will be serving up home brewed beer they've been crafting at the shop after-hours.
For more details, check out the event page.
KC Map Jerseys almost sold out
We still have limited quantities of the official BikeWalkKC Map of KC jerseys available for purchase. The jerseys have all the KC landmarks on them, from Boulevard Brewery to Oklahoma Joe's. Sport some KC pride at RAGBRAI, riding at next year's Tour de Brew, or for an evening spin around the neighborhood. Women's and men's full zip, short-sleeve sport cuts are available for $75. (Sport cut fits looser than a race cut).
Pre-order now before we sell out again.
Spokespeople update
The KC Spokespeople blog has welcomed two new bloggers, Sara Ramirez and Michael James Harris, to write about urban cycling and commuting in Kansas City.
Ramirez, a librarian, has been commuting by bike for two years. “Over the years of biking, whether on my own or with a group, I've learned that biking can extend beyond fitness or fun; biking, I feel, can become a lifestyle that brings a healthy, valid way to grow relationships with others and one's surrounding,” writes Ramirez.
Michael grew up in Lee’s Summit and now lives on the West Plaza. He gave up his truck two years ago in order to save money. “Although I grew up just 30 minutes from the city I hadn’t begun to really see its beauty or complexity until recently,” Harris writes. “Biking has changed the way I see my world.”
The Spokespeople blog is dedicated to talking about issues and topics concerning bike commuters and urban cyclists. If you would like to be a future blogger contact info@bikewalkkc.org.
More local businesses win national bike friendly designation
Two local businesses, Bike America in Lee’s Summit and the City of Shawnee, were recognized by the League of American Bicyclists on its 2013 list of Bicycle Friendly Businesses. Bike America in Lee's Summit was recognized at the Bronze Level, and the City of Shawnee was awarded the Silver Level.
Learn more about local Bike Friendly Busineses, and find out how BikeWalkKC can help your business attain this coveted national designation.
Brush Creek Trail nears completion
The last phase of the Troost Avenue bridge replacement over Brush Creek has been completed, finally filling a big gap in the Brush Creek Trail. The trail is now completely separated from the street from the Madison Avenue on the Country Club Plaza all the way to Elmwood Avenue on the East Side. This final piece is the culmination of much hard work by the City's Parks and Public Works Departments, the Mayor and City Council, the Brush Creek Community Partners, and the leadership of Congressman Emanual Cleaver.
First streetcar tracks installed in Downtown KC
KC Downtown Streetcar construction doesn't begin until 2014, but the City has already installed the first piece of track on the newly-replaced Main Street bridge over I-670 (South Loop). This is a great opportunity for cyclists to get some practice riding with streetcar tracks.
Supports BikeWalkKC's year end fundraising campaign
Do you want to: support the local economy, decrease the city’s obesity rates, decrease the amount of cars on the road, and improve KC's air quality? Join the movement to improve walking and bicycling in Kansas City. Become a member of BikeWalkKC or consider making a donation in your end of year giving.
Now hiring BLAST instructors for BikeWalkKC's youth education program
We are currently accepting applications for BLAST instructors. The Bicycle Lesson and Safety Training program encourages 4th-8th graders to bike safely, engage in physical activity, and learn valuable traffic skills. BLAST instills confidence, safety, and skills in young bicyclists through active learning and real-life traffic scenarios. BLAST has served over 3,000 students at eleven schools in the KCMO, North Kansas City, Hickman Mills, and KCK school districts.
Email info@bikewalkkc.org to learn more.
Local Spokes Earn-a-Bike program kicks off in the HIckman Mills School District
The Earn-a-Bike program is in full swing at Johnson Elementary in the Hickman Mills School District. Many fifth grade students have been learning about bike maintenance, safety, and advocacy after school. Johnson is the first school in the district to participate in the program. Three more are on the schedule for this spring.
Earn-a-Bike is part of BikeWalkKC's Local Spokes program, a comprehensive education, youth development, and policy reform program increases