Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "bikefest"

Spandex and helmets take over Capitol at BikeFest

2009-05-22T07:55:51Z

Spandex and helmet-wearing cyclists dominated the Capitol as they circulated from booth to booth after valeting their bikes at BikeFest 2009.

As part of a monthlong celebration of bicyclists and Bike to Work Day on Thursday, bike vendors, transit companies and biking teams from around the area set up shop on the steps of the Capitol to inform and encourage both avid and potential cyclists of the benefits of biking and how to get involved in Sacramento's growing bike scene.

"Bike Fest is a great way to promote health and wellness in the community and I'm always happy to see so many cyclists adding up their miles...," said Jennifer Lemos, a representative for Sacramento County Parks and Recreation who attended BikeFest.

To hydrate and cool down hot and hungry bikers that rode to the festival, Hagen's Orange Freeze and an ice cream station were on hand to give out treats in exchange for printouts of miles logged on bike during May. Cyclists were able to rack up miles by registering at mayisbikemonth.com.

Davis Mayor Pro Tem Don Saylor and Roseville City Councilmember Jim Gray (pictured at podium above), the public faces of Sacramento's month-long bike campaign, presided over the festivities and encouraged Sacramentans to keep on biking.

Natomas Bike Shop provided free bike safety checks, tested brakes, pedals and filled tires with air if needed. Cycle shops, the Bikes and Bites rental company and Trek bike company booth along with more than 40 other vendors hawked the latest and greatest products to fulfill a cyclist’s every whim.

Walking organizations got in on the action too, with organizations like WalkSacramento spreading the message that transportation via bike or foot is not only better for the environment, but is a much healthier alternative as well.

"Forty years ago, around 40 percent of children walked or rode their bikes to school. Now it's only 12 percent," said Terry Preston, the streets project coordinator for WalkSacramento.

The organizers of May is Bike Month set a goal of individual cyclists logging 1 million miles. Schools and employers have been challenged to set goals and exceed them, and awards will be handed out to those who've achieved and surpassed their goals by month's end.

Sacramento is not the first or only city with residents opting to leave their cars at home. There have been been Bike to Work Days for more than 50 years in different parts of the country, according to Erik Johnson, the Public Information Coordinator for the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG).

SACOG organized Bike Month and all the surrounding events along with the help of the region’s transportation organizations.

As of Thursday, 6,808 registered cyclists in the Sacramento region have logged more than 740,000 miles with 10 days left in the month to reach the goal of 1 million.

Those who attended went home with complimentary bicycle lights from Spare the Air, maps of local bike routes and, perhaps most importantly, a feeling of camaraderie among fellow bicyclists coming together for a greater Sacramento.

All images taken by Jonathan Mendick

What's happening at the Capitol: May 20, 21, 22

2009-05-20T03:45:13Z

Wednesday, May 20

8 a.m.-4 p.m. California Hunger Action Coalition will be holding a Hunger Action Day on the north steps of the Capitol. "Each May, hundreds of anti-hunger advocates from all over the state meet in Sacramento to educate their legislators about hunger and support anti-hunger legislation. Low-income advocates, soup kitchen volunteers, nutritionists, food bank supporters and others concerned about the 3.1 million Californians experiencing hunger travel by bus, car and airplane once each year to participate in this important event," says the event's webpage. 350 people are expected.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. American Heart Association will be holding an educational California Lobby Day on the south steps of the Capitol for a crowd of approximately 150 people. "Come out and voice your support against stroke, heart disease, childhood obesity, and [for] tobacco tax increase," says a Craigslist flyer for the event.

9 a.m.-5 p.m. California Department of Toxic Substance Control will be displaying a boat made from recycled plastic on the lawn north of the traffic circle to an expected audience of 20 people.

10 a.m.-1 p.m. California Association of Professional Scientists will be holding their annual State Scientist Day on the west steps of the Capitol. With an expected turnout of 3,000 participants, third, fourth, fifth and sixth graders are all invited to participate in the hands-on science fair with booths from the California Coastal Commission, Department of Fish and Game and the Department of Conservation (Recycle Rex will appear at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.). Teachers can still register their classes by calling (916) 441-2629, according to the event's website.

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Two fuel-cell vehicles will be displayed on the east steps of the Capitol, followed by a press conference.

Noon-1:30 p.m. Natural Products Association West will be holding its seventh annual advocacy event, "Health Matters," just south of the fish pond. 100 people are expected.

1:30-3 p.m. The Association of California Water Agencies will be holding a rally near the fish pond. In attendance will be around 1500 representatives of public water agencies, other water organizations, and their supporters. "The purpose of the rally is to press for action on a comprehensive water solution. The event is intended to raise the visibility of the state’s water challenges and keep the water issue before state leaders and the public," says the event's website.

Those who register here, can check in at the west lobby of the Convention Center starting at 8:30 a.m., before attending a luncheon at 11:45 a.m., and march from the Sheraton Hotel to the Capitol at 1 p.m.

Thursday, May 21

9 a.m.-5 p.m. California Department of Toxic Substance Control will be displaying a boat made from recycled plastic on the lawn north of the traffic circle to an expected audience of 20 people.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Sacramento Transportation Management Association will be holding a carpooling, bicycling and transit information rally on the west steps of the Capitol as a part of May Is Bike Month's Bikefest. 500 participants are expected.

11 a.m.-4 p.m. The Office of First Lady of California Maria Shriver has scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony for a new garden. It can be found at 13th Street between L and N (the east side of the Capitol) according to one political blog.

6:30 p.m.- all night? If the California Supreme Court decides to uphold Prop 8, Equality Action NOW will hold a march at 6:30 p.m. from the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center to the State Capitol's west steps. Says a press release, "a second rally with speakers and entertainment will take place, followed by a march around the Capitol grounds. On return to the West Capitol Steps, participants will be invited to speak at an open mic. Speakers of all ages, all walks of life, gay, straight, children of gay couples, parents of gay individuals, students and couples who were married and who want to marry will be invited to tell their stories. If crowd interest remains high, Enrique Manjarrez, Youth program Coordinator, Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center will lead an all-night youth rally."

Friday, May 22

4-7:30 p.m. A private wedding will be held near the old rose garden at the Capitol in front of an audience of 100 people.

Sacramento to honor the bicyclist Thursday

2009-05-19T22:21:23Z

On Wednesday, May 14, Hot Italian gave out free slices of pizza. On Sunday, May 17, Chipotle gave out free burritos during a four-hour period. And through the end of the month, Lucca Restaurant and Bar is giving out dessert with a purchase of any entree and Morgan's Bar & Grill will be selling Pabst Blue Ribbon for only a buck and pitchers for $5.

But wait...there's a catch. All of these offers are only valid if you arrive at the eatery or bar via bicycle.

As part of Bike Month, local businesses have come together to encourage riding on two wheels instead of driving on four. The month is about to end but cyclists still have a chance to don their helmets and partake in the festivities; on Thursday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., BikeFest will be held on the West Steps of the State Capitol in a huge celebration of Bike to Work Day.

"Biking to work, school or just around town helps you save money and time, stay fit, and improve our air quality. Even better, bicycling is a fun way to travel, and a lot easier for many different types of trips," said Erik Johnson, the Public Information Coordinator for the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACC).

SACC, along with Sacramento's transportation associations such as the Sacramento County Department of Transportation, Caltrans and Regional Transit along with many others have come together to organize and sponsor not only BikeFest but an entire month of honoring bicyclists.

On the morning of BikeFest, the Department of Regional Parks will be waiving parking fees along four entrances to American River Parkway. There will be energizer stations set up along the parkway with free coffee, juice and bagels for cyclists on their way to work from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The capitol's BikeFest will have over 40 exhibitor tables manned by bike shops, bike groups and public transit providers. There will be complimentary safe valet bicycle parking so that people are free to walk around as well as free bike safety checks. Any biker registered withmayisbikemonth.com who brings their printout of miles will receive a fruit freeze and raffle entry for a bike.

The six-county Sacramento region has set a month-long goal of its residents logging one million miles during May and as of Tuesday, May 19, close to 600,000 miles have been logged by 6,455 individuals with the numbers increasing every hour.

As part of a challenge posed to groups and organizations in the region, close to 900 businesses, over 80 schools and 250 bike clubs/teams have registered and set goals for the month.

In the large employer category (500 or more employees) Caltrans is leading with over 26,000 miles logged. The medium-sized employers (101-499 employees) are only a few miles apart with Department of Fish and Game leading over Sacramento's U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District is leading the small employer category (one to 100 employees).

Those that have reached their goals will be announced at the end of May along with recognition of outstanding Commuters, Advocates, Employers and Students that will receive awards at both local and regional levels.

To track the progress of businesses and schools participating in the challenge and a list of organizations that will be at BikeFest visit mayisbikemonth.com.