After the February announcement of departure of Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition’s long term executive director Christine Culver, many Sonoma County cyclists were concerned about the future of the organization. Staff members say they needn’t worry. The group continues to sponsor many of the community events that came to fruition during Culver’s seven years as its head.
“Our staff and board have done well transitioning,” says Development and Outreach Director Sandra Lupien. “We’re in such a strong place right now.”
Known best for bicycle valet parking at the downtown Santa Rosa farmers market, the annual Bike Expo at Santa Rosa’s Juilliard Park and other public events, the group brings a variety of projects to the community.
Street Skills clinics, for example, are workshops that teach basic bike commuter safety. Other programs include bicycle repair clinics, Safe Routes to School and outreach about general safety and traffic issues.
With talk of a new executive director joining them later this spring when Culver, who remains on staff part-time takes her leave, the three full-time and six part-time staff members are working full speed on one of their busiest seasons.
The sunny bike riding season kicks off April 30, with “We Love Bikes Day” and a “Haul Stuff by Bike” clinic at the Santa Rosa Farmer’s Market.
Throughout the month of May, the Coalition will offer bike repair clinics and run more than 30 Energizer stations throughout Sonoma County on Bike to Work Day, May 12.
“We really want to promote a multimodal transportation community,” says Lupien. In other other words, they want to see more people on bikes this spring.
For more information about Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, visit www.bikesonoma.org. To register for the Team Bike Challenge, and to qualify for prizes, visit www.youcanbikethere.com.
