LATEST NEWS:

Ride for Reading is an amazing program that promotes literacy and cycling by distributing books via bicycle to low income children. Did you know there is only 1 age appropriate book for every 300 kids in low income neighborhoods? RfR has distributed hundreds of books in the Nashville area, but in order to continue their work, a new space for their headquarters is in immediate need.

Ride for Reading needs a space between 650-1,000 square feet where they can store, sort and distribute books. Their budget is very limited, but they may be able to pay a small amount in rent. However, if the space is donated, it is a tax-deductible write off for the landlord. Please help this amazing program if you or someone you know may be able to contribute. Email info@rideforreading.com – thanks!

Once again, another large installment of Proud New Parents of Halcyon Bike! Long overdue. SORRY Y’ALL.

Toks Omishakin, Nashville's Bike Czar

There is a great article from this weekend’s City Paper on Mayor Karl Dean’s initiatives to make Nashville a more bikeable city. At the forefront of this mission is Toks Omishakin, who for years has worked to make Nashville a bike friendly city. Mayor Dean recently created a new position for Omishakin- to oversee the Bicycle and Pedestrian Activity Committee (BPAC), which has made him Nashville’s own “Bike Czar.” Pretty rad job, if you ask me.

Omishakin’s main goals for the city?  That every Nashvillian lives within one mile to a sidewalk, two miles to a bikeway and four miles to a greenway. To reach this goal, Nashville is planning to add 50 additional miles of bike lanes and sidewalks, and 20-25 miles of greenways.

Bigger than this, though, is Omishakin’s goal to change the mindsets of Nashvillians. We all have a friend, family member or coworker who thinks it is ‘crazy’ to ride your bike to work when you could drive. As a city, we need to educate our friends and neighbors that cycling and walking aren’t for crazy people- it is a conscious choice to live healthier and happier.

GO NASHVILLE 2010

As you probably know, the May flood was especially rough on the city’s Greenways, but thanks to the combined efforts of several groups and many volunteers, as well as city workers, Nashville’s pedestrian only Greenways are restored and reopen.

This Saturday, July 17, Mayor Dean host a ride/walk celebration of our beautiful greenways! From the Mayor’s office:

The bike ride and walk will start on the “hill” in Shelby Park (green star on map attached) next to the Cumberland River Bike/Ped bridge.  The 2-mile walk will be lead by Anne Davis and the 6-mile bike ride will be lead by Mayor Dean. Participants are encouraged to walk or ride to the event and to the start location.  All bike riders are encouraged to wear helmets. Vehicle parking is available at 2 locations:  Shelby Bottoms-Forrest Green Trail Head (off of Forrest Green Drive) , and Wave Country in Two Rivers Park.

The Bike Workshop has started the new schedule for July- please let us know if you would like to volunteer or donate to the program!

JULY