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8/21/07 E-Newsletter

VEncouraging more bicycle use is a key factor in VCCool's strategy for lowing our communities carbon emissions.

September 8th, 2007
Ventura's 1st Annual
Bicycle Summit

Kids Bike Rodeo
Bicycle Film Festival
Ventura's Master Bikeway Workshop
Giant Thank You's
Dinner Break

Ventura's 1st Annual Bicycle Summit - A Success!

On Saturday, September 8, 2007, VCCool, in collaboration with the city of Ventura, hosted the 1st Annual Ventura Bicycle Summit! (More information)

It was a fantastic all-day event, with hundreds of people of different ages and different cultures, coming together to talk about, learn about, and plan about bicycles in Ventura. All-together we were in the local newspapers four times, with articles in both the Ventura Star and the VCReporter. Over 150 questionnaires were filled out concerning the new master bikeway plan, many in Spanish.

We will continue to work with the city, and post information about the status of Ventura's new Master Bikeway Plan, as well as information that was gleaned from the bicycle summit, as we receive it.

Kid's Bicycle Rodeo

What is a bike rodeo?
It’s an event where kids get to do lots of fun activities and learn about bikes and bicycling. Parents are encouraged to accompany their kids. We’d like to hear from both youth and their families, how to improve Ventura for bicycles!
(For Kids Ages 5 – 14)

What should kids bring?
• Your bicycle, close-toed shoes, your helmet.
• If your bike isn't working, bring it. We’ll try to fix simple stuff.
• If you don’t have a bike, come anyway and borrow one.
• If you don’t have a helmet, come anyway – we’ll give you one.

Bicycle Stations at the Rodeo:
Bicycle safety check and minor repair
Helmet safety and adjustment
Learn Bicycle Arm Signals
Bicycle Skill Course.
What bicycle lane improvements would YOU like? (+free helmet to kids who need one)
How do I take care of my bicycle?
Cool bikes from history, and bicycle equipment.

Fantastic bicycle puppet show! (showing 10:30 and 11:30)
Enter the raffle to win one of two free kids bicycles. Must be present to win!

What if kids get there at 11:00 instead of 10:00?
No problem. Folks will be coming and going the whole time because there are different stations and you just rotate through the ones you’re interested in. Just remember, it ends at 1 pm.

HopeDance Bicycle Film Festival

1 pm to 4:30 pm • Bell Arts Factory • 432 N Ventura Ave., Ventura • $5.00

The Coastal newspaper, HopeDance, brings you an afternoon of exciting, inspirational, funny, artistic films all about bicyclists!! Bob Banner, editor of HopeDance will lead discussions of some of the films. This will be a real treat!

CONTESTED STREETS: the European solution portion. (a film cut)
BIKE HAPPENING: very cool art and bike film with cool music.
EVEN THE GIRLS: a short film about girl bike messengers in LA
MEMORIAL RIDE: remembering bikers who were hit on the road.
NYC PEDICABS: a great film about pedicabs in NYC.
HOLLAND TUNNEL: a guy rides his bike through the NY Holland tunnel.
GODS CHILDREN: when kids try to deal with bike theft themselves.
TRY THE PATCH: hybrid cars are still just a “fix.” Get a bike!
WE AREN'T BLOCKING TRAFFIC, WE ARE TRAFFIC: the title says it all.

Ventura's Master Bikeway Workshop - Talk with City Staff

5 pm • Bell Arts Factory • 432 N Ventura Ave., Ventura • FREE

The important thing here is to really be prepared with details. Go on a bike ride. Jot down difficult intersections and places where bicyclists are inconvenienced or endangered. What about kids on bikes? Think about what it would take to make getting there by bicycle safer for you.

Then, come share your ideas with the city about all the things that could make our city great for bicyclists. They’ll tell you about the BikeWay Plan so far, and get your input. Together, we can make this place rock!

Giant Thank You's

People - you KNOW you don't get something this cool, without a lot of people generously sharing their talents and resources. This is what it looks like when a town comes together to make a real shift for the better. Ride on!!

So a Giant Thank You to:

VCCool members
Tom Mericle (traffic engineer) and the City of Ventura
The Bell Arts Factory
Uncle Tren's Races
Bike Depot
Channel Islands Bicycle Club
Westside Community Council and Joanne Zivich
Odie the Fantastic Puppeteer
HopeDance Films & Bob Banner
The Boys and Girl's Club
Trek Bikes
Oak Grove Cycles
Lalo's Fast (and yummy) Food
Our Local Media - Ventura Star, VCReporter, HopeDance, CAPPS, and more
Velo Bike Club
De Anza Middle School, Sheridan Way, and E.P. Foster Schools
Ventura Unified School District

And many other new friends and supporters!!

Dinner Break

There will be a short dinner break at 4:30 after the films. People can relax, network, and order great burritos from Lalo's. There will also be tables and displays by bicycle clubs, bike events, and shops.

Please be sure to order your burritos (vegetarian or chicken) when you purchase your film ticket, so they will be there when you come out.

Remember - the city workshop starts after the dinner break, so stick around!! We need your ideas and your vocal support for bikeway changes.