From BicycleCollective.org:

“On Saturday, March 24th, dozens of children lined up to receive a free bicycle from Provo Bicycle Collective.

Within one hour, PBC had given all 53 bikes to children for free.

Our hope is that each bike recipient uses his or her bike to get to school each day and continues that habit into adulthood. This way, we can reduce traffic, clean Utah’s air, and create a healthier population.

We need your support in this cause!

Donate money or bikes today. $30 provides a bike for a child in need! Please give today!“

Parking was a hot topic in local politics during 2017.  Some citizens feel they can never park their cars close enough to their destination.  Frustrated residents of dense neighborhoods feel they don’t have enough on-street space to park their cars.  Small business owners feel that they need more parking to attract clients.  Provo has taken a step in the right direction by hiring Matthew Taylor as the city’s parking administrator to help solve these issues.

Instead of debating these points, we’d like to point out that bicycle parking costs much less than car parking.

By choosing to ride, we decrease the need for more car parking spaces.  This means businesses and governments can spend less on parking.  What does this mean for you?  Lower prices at the grocery store, lower tuition cost, lower taxes; etc.

As demand for bike parking increases, organizations will have to invest in quality bike parking.  What makes ideal bike parking?

Along with a trusted lock, good bike parking keeps your bike safe.

A good bike racks will have the following characteristics:

Let’s all resolve to do the following to advocate for good bike parking throughout Provo:

1. Ask for bike parking where you shop.
2. Ask for bike parking where you work.
3. Ask for bike parking where you live.
4. Draw attention to businesses with attractive bike parking.

Cycling is one of the safest ways to get from A to B. Not only do you reduce your environmental footprint, but it’s also a great form of exercise. Unfortunately, even the safest cyclist could be involved in a crash.  There’s no way to prevent a careless motorist, but there are some techniques you can utilize to reduce your chances of getting involved in a crash.

Situation #1: Getting Doored

This is one of the most dangerous situations for any cyclist, as there is very little time to react quickly enough to get out of the way of the motorist, and if you do swerve out of the way of a door, you may go into oncoming traffic. How can you avoid this?

You must ride at least 4’ away from any parked cars that you think may be opening their doors. If you can touch the car’s mirror, you’re too close. Obvious culprits include a line of parked cars and taxis, but you should also be cautious around any cars parked in the middle of the street with their hazards on. It’s likely they’re stopping to pick up or drop off a passenger.

Don’t be tempted to ring your bike’s bell when approaching cars. It does nothing. If a motorist hears it (they won’t), they still won’t realize that you’re behind the car in time. Fortunately, the law is on your site: In nearly every state, motorists have an obligation to check to make sure the coast is clear before opening their car doors. If you break a bone due to their carelessness, it’ll be paid for by their insurance.

Situation #2: Busses & Trucks

This isn’t a situation per se, but it’s something to look out for.  So, what can you do to avoid an incident with a bus? Never ride to the right of busses. They often pull to the side and make stops, so it’s easy for you to be sideswiped or forced onto the sidewalk, if you’re lucky.

Trucks and busses also have the issue of blind spots: They won’t see you approaching from the side as a motorist would. Finally: It’s not like our odds are great against cars, but a mash-up between a cyclist and a truck is even worse. Give them their space and stay far behind them to stay out of their blind spot.

Situation #3: The Left Cross

This collision occurs when you’re riding straight and a car turns left at an intersection. A cyclist is significantly smaller than a car, so motorists may not be as apt to see you as they would another vehicle. There are a few ways you can make yourself more visible to motorists so they won’t turn into you:

Dress appropriately and have the required reflectors and headlights on your bicycle at the very least. You can also add reflective stickers and decals to your helmet, which you should wear at all times!

Don’t pass anyone on the right. If you’re to the right of a car, another vehicle turning left will have no hope of seeing you.

Situation #4: Pedestrians

Much like trucks or busses, this is not a “situation,” itself, but pedestrians can cause a lot of trouble, especially if you live in a busy city. My commute home from work involves passing around 5,000 people, all trying to get to the major train station in the city. Pedestrians will peek out around a parked car, see there’s no other cars approaching, and step directly in front of me.

You should ride in the center of your lane whenever you’re in an area with heavy foot traffic. This way, if they “peek out” in front of cars, you won’t crash into them. If you do see someone stroll in front of you: Bells are a solid idea, and investing in a loud bell (such as a SpurCycle) may help you get your point across.

Situation #5: Potholes and Loose Gravel

As dangerous as motorists are, many crashes are caused by poor terrain or simply falling off your bike. Be sure to take note of your environment as you ride, which includes the ground as well as the other cars. Only ride roads you know well at night if you can, as it’ll be much harder to navigate. Finally, and it seems obvious, but you should only ride at a speed that’s safe for your ability. It’s possible to stay loose and ride through a monster pothole, but only if you’re riding at a safe speed.

A wealth of information, tips, and videos related to Smart Cycling can be found on the Ride Smart page on the League of American Bicyclists’ website.

This article was provided by www.personalinjury-law.com, an organization dedicated to providing the public with information about personal injury and safety information. Nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice, and it is intended for informational use only. Be sure to review your local cycling ordinances to ensure you ride safe and legally.

Provo Bicycle Collective had a huge year.  They refurbished and gave away more than twice the number of bikes as last year.  Check out the numbers below.

To similar growth for next year, please donate today!

From Bike Utah:

“UDOT recently opened this position that is primarily focused on Safe Routes to School, SNAP, and bicycle and pedestrian safety. If you know of anyone who would be a great fit for this position, please send it along to them. This is one of only four statewide people in Utah focused on AT so a great person in this position would be a huge help in moving things forward more quickly. Please share the posting. Deadline is January 3rd.”

Check out the description and apply here.

From BicycleCollective.org:

“Provo Bicycle Collective is proud to announce a newly-formed partnership with BYU police who will now donate bikes abandoned on BYU campus.  BYU Police joins Provo and Springville police departments in donating abandoned bikes to charity.

Each semester, between 200-300 bikes are bikes are left on BYU campus; 3-5% of all bikes on campus during warmer months.  BYU Police has agreed to donate these bikes to Provo Bicycle Collective who will refurbish and send the bikes back on the road; giving many away and selling others at low cost.

In 2016, Bicycle Collective’s statewide operations received 5,552 donated bicycles and sent 3,089 repaired bikes back into the community, giving away 1,609 to underprivileged individuals.

With increased donations, Provo Bicycle Collective hopes to increase its output, putting hundreds more bikes on the road and encouraging Provo citizens to drive cars less.”

On the evening of October 27^th, about 80 people gathered at the Provo Bicycle Collective to ride their bikes.  However, instead of dressing in casual clothing or athletic gear, this group decked themselves out in tuxedos and gowns.  It was Prom night in Provo; Bike Prom, that is!

Bike Prom is an annual fundraising event consisting of a casual ride around town and a dance.  All proceeds go to the Bicycle Collective to be used for their charitable programs.

This year’s event featured a 5-mile ride around downtown and the pioneer neighborhoods and ended at the Startup Building were the dance was held.

The event drew nearly 100 participants and raised $340 dollars, enough to provide six underprivileged people with a free Goodwill Bike from Provo Bicycle Collective.

Check out all the photos here. 

Thanks to all who attended and we hope to see more people next year!