2014 Spring Newsletter
After 8 years and 25,000+ bumper stickers, our all volunteer organization just filled its first paid position! Please Be Kind to Cyclists (PBKTC) had a busy 2013 and our 2014 programs are in full swing!
THANK YOU to all of our members, volunteers, sponsors and contributors!
Your support is essential to achieving safer communities for everyone.
Making A Difference: 2013 In Review
With your help, PBKTC was able to share our vision with more people than ever before and here is how we did it...
Membership
Our new Membership Program was launched in 2013 and has already empowered hundreds to support our efforts through one-time and recurring membership options. Congratulations and thanks to David Walker for being our first official member! (learn more) 
Awareness and Outreach
PBKTC promoted action by organizing rides, supporting events and providing outreach materials to thousands of people. The One Lap Around Lake Travis and Fall Classic fundraising rides have continued to establish themselves as a staple for cyclists looking for a challenging ride that also benefits a worthy cause. Our Social Soiree event featured live music, drinks, food, a silent auction and a raffle for a brand new bike. 
Education
Our message is strong and in demand! Have you seen our safe passing graphic on police cruisers? PBKTC was also asked to present at events around Texas as well as travel out of state to help neighboring communities address growing concerns of road safety. Can you guess where we went? Click here to find out. 
Victim Relief
When a cyclist is injured or killed we work to aid victims, families and friends by providing guidance and consolation. 2013 ended with a Memorial Ride for Joseph Holan, a husband and father of four who was killed while commuting to work. (read more) 
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Racing Forward: 2014 In Focus
TxDOT Traffic Safety Video Grant
This spring, Please Be Kind to Cyclists is poised to take our education and grassroots outreach activities to a new level. We are happy to announce that PBKTC is the recipient of a federally-funded Traffic Safety grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). With this funding, we will produce and market a 12-15 minute educational video to promote bicycle awareness and safety for cyclists and motorists through driver’s education, defensive driving and law enforcement classes! (read more) Dialogue With The DA
Once again we are engaging the District Attorney in an open dialogue to speak about how we can all work together to improve cycling safety. This year's event is Tuesday, April 8th. Follow our calendar or Facebook page for more details. 
New BE KIND T-Shirts, Jerseys and Stickers
We've updated our online store with T's, jerseys and bumper stickers for purchase. We want to feature you! Please send us photos of you in your BE KIND gear or post them to your Facebook page and tag us! Send your photos to [email protected] and tell her what you like best about riding your bike. Represent Your State Please Be Kind to Cyclists' membership base is growing and we’re excited to build toward having active members in all 50 states. Be the first person in your state to become a member and we’ll upgrade your membership for free! (view memberships) |
Fundraising RidesThanks to BE KIND Board Member Bryce Hendrix who organized two important fundraiser rides where we pumped out the information and education, the Be Kind Fall Classic and One Lap Around Lake Travis. At the Fall Classic participants enjoyed spending time cruising the hill country. Riders at the One Lap Around Lake Travis event gathered into teams or rode solo on a 130 jaunt that encircled the entire lake.
Social Soiree Annual GalaOur Board member, Ashley Endler, organized a successful Gala and Silent Auction in October at a beautiful home overlooking Lady Bird Lake. Attendees enjoyed unhindered views of downtown Austin while socializing over delicious food and drinks, listening to live music and raising money through a silent auction and raffle. The winner of the raffle brought home a brand new commuter bike! The night would never have been as delightful if it weren't for our many sponsors and contributors.
2013 Social Soiree Supporters: |
Other Events and Organizations We Supported
PBKTC provided information, educational materials and outreach to thousands of people at bike rides and events in 2013. Here are some of the events we supported and places you might have seen us: Austin’s second Viva Streets, Hill Country Ride for AIDS, Mamma Jamma ride for Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas, MS150 in Houston, Bike To Work Day, Bike Month, RunTex Foundation, Whole Foods, TxDOT conferences, Circuit Of The Americas, Velo Texas and Austin Cycling Association. |
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Sponsors:
Jack & Adams Tito's Vodka El Meson JuiceLand NXNW Perfect Fit Protein Cookie Boundless Nutrition Glazers Whitehusrt, Harkness, Brees & Cheng, P.C. Jumpshot Paul Raila Photography Helms Workshop Alan B. Moore, DDS Arts & Recreation Little Deli |
Contributors:
Majaco Bicycles Pure Austin State Wheels B&B Mountain Vacations-Colorado Austin Pizza Omni Hotel Oakley Barton Springs Bike Rentals Road ID ABGB Pure Ryde Milk & Honey Austin Tri Cyclists Round Rock Express Austin Rowing Club Beets Cafe Frank Restaurant Z-Tejas Maria's Taco Express Phil's Ice House Pro Cali Nails Tuk-Tuk Thai Restaurant |
Bicycle Sport Shop Livestrong Foundation Rogue Running Trace @ the W Coffee Bean Rack Outfitters Hotel San Jose Castle Hill Fitness Eden East Torchy's Tacos Zachary Scott Theater Austin Bikes Mecca Gym & Spa The Winflo Osteria Kung Fu Saloon Benji's Cantina Restaurant Freedom Aviary Taco Deli Burro Cheese Kitchen Salt and Time |
Connecting With Lake Charles
This past December, Al and Adrian Lipscomb traveled to Lake Charles, Louisiana to address community leaders about the high number of bicycle and pedestrian fatalities there. When Lake Charles resident, Michelle Horak contacted Please Be Kind to Cyclists, we learned the city has, what Adrian calls, “an astounding number” of pedestrian and cyclist deaths and injuries compared to other communities its size. Between 2007 to 2012 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, there were 127 cyclists injured and 4 killed; plus 240 pedestrians injured and 12 killed.
Here's why Michelle Horak reached out to Please Be Kind to Cyclists: "What got me interested in having a progressive change in Lake Charles is this. I am an avid walker and decided I would like to extend that to bike riding. I made payments on that bicycle! I mean like 15. The first time I rode my bike, I realized the hostility that people have toward people who are doing anything outside -- whether it be walking, running, or cycling. Ironically the state of Louisianas motto or saying is “Sportsmans Paradise”." "The second time I took my bike out, I had to lay it down in the middle of the intersection so I would not be hit by a car. I busted my shin; my handle bars were knocked to a 90 degree angle. Not only did the driver not ask me if I was ok, she didn't roll down her window. Nothing! And…neither did the seven people behind her. It then became my mission to change this attitude and behavior in Lake Charles towards people who are enjoying the outdoors." Michelle organized the meeting that Al and Adrian attended at Central School in Lake Charles. There were officials from the State, including the State Public Information Officer, the City, including Mayor Randy Roach and City Council President John leyoub, the Community Foundation, IMCAL the economic development organization for the Imperial-Calcasieu region of southwestern Louisiana, parish officials, the director of Healthier Southwest Louisiana, and at least one person from each branch of law enforcement. Adrian Lipscombe noted, "The talk with Lake Charles was a chance to open up the conversation about safety and awareness for all types of road users. This was a chance for city and parish officials to convene and address issues regarding pedestrian and bicycle safety." |
VIP ClassesIn 2013, Al Bastidas and Katie Anderson presented VIP classes at Campbell Elementary School (with our partners Boneshaker), at software company ARM, for Taco Deli’s MS150 team and at Lifestyle Fitness. These classes encourage riders to be Visible, In the Moment and Predictable in order to stay safe when sharing the road.
Safe Passing Awareness Grows
In May 2013, PBKTC partnered with the Austin Police Department to produce a safe-passing Public Service Announcement and we strengthened our partnership with APD who are now carrying our Safe Passing message on their cars.
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Joe Holan Memorial Ride
Other Relief Recipients:
Colin Camp Giovani Ortiz Jennifer Yager Evan Baird Our condolences also go out to the family and friends of fallen cyclist, Morgan Marold. (read more) |
Joseph “Joe” Eugene Holan of Georgetown was killed in a tragic car and cyclist crash on Tuesday, December 17, 2013, as he traveled to work on his bicycle.
Joe documented his love for cycling on his blog, "Advantage Bike," where he expressed his concerns about safety, "The longer my concerns go unheard, the more I feel like I'm in a race against time. I've been targeted by a few motorists over the past month," and he expressed his frustrations over the lack of bike infrastructure, "It's been several weeks since I've posted...lots of reasons why, mostly discouraged by recent attempts to advocate for safer roads along my commute route." It's difficult to express the sadness felt by everyone who attended his Memorial Ride and the struggle his wife of 21 years and 4 children are now facing. Memorial Rides are just one way to show support for fallen members of the cycling community and their families and friends. As of yet, the driver has not been issued a ticket or held responsible for this crash despite Joe having years of bike commuting experience, wearing reflective clothing, having all the lighting required by law and following the rules of the road. We will continue to work for safer roads, improved awareness, equal enforcement and harmony between motorists and cyclists to honor the efforts of Joe and those like him. A special thanks goes out to Joe Chase who was inspired by this incident to step up and volunteer to organize the Memorial Ride, the Round Rock Police Department for escorting, REI for providing a meeting location, all our volunteers and most of all the Holan family for staying strong through this tough time. |
PBKTC hired our first employee to manage our TxDOT grant. Donna Hoffman comes to us from a career in nonprofit communications and education. She produced and marketed the College Active Transportation Safety (CATS) program for a similar Traffic Safety grant with our coalition partners BikeTexas in 2012. After her first day on the job, two cyclists affirmed Please Be Kind to Cyclists' mission for Hoffman as she rode her bike north on Comal St. approaching the E. 6th Street intersection in downtown Austin.
"A lot of cyclists use Comal. Two people on bikes behind me shouted out as a car veered into their pathway. A human being was busy texting at the wheel as the automobile -- apparently driving itself, began to cross in front of the cyclists. Luckily these two were on top of it -- present in the moment and aware of what was happening around them. At the next light, I had a chance to talk to them. One was already a PBKTC member. He said he was glad we’re doing the education work we’re doing -- 'We need more of it for sure!'
Pat Bastidas and Herb Keirstead are working part-time on administration of the grant. Al Bastidas is working pro-bono. Thanks, Al, Donna, Pat, and Herb!
Watch for the launch of the TxDOT website and video this coming summer.
We encourage all qualified applicants to review our Requests for Proposals and apply to contract with PBKTC to create this program.
"A lot of cyclists use Comal. Two people on bikes behind me shouted out as a car veered into their pathway. A human being was busy texting at the wheel as the automobile -- apparently driving itself, began to cross in front of the cyclists. Luckily these two were on top of it -- present in the moment and aware of what was happening around them. At the next light, I had a chance to talk to them. One was already a PBKTC member. He said he was glad we’re doing the education work we’re doing -- 'We need more of it for sure!'
Pat Bastidas and Herb Keirstead are working part-time on administration of the grant. Al Bastidas is working pro-bono. Thanks, Al, Donna, Pat, and Herb!
Watch for the launch of the TxDOT website and video this coming summer.
We encourage all qualified applicants to review our Requests for Proposals and apply to contract with PBKTC to create this program.
Meet A Board Member: Garret Nick
Garret has been cycling his entire life and joined the Board of Directors in December of 2012 in an effort to get more involved in the cycling community and road safety. After having met Al Bastidas through their mutual interest in vintage Volkswagens and learning of the origins of the PBKTC bumper sticker it was an easy decision to join forces and support the cause. "I had known Al for years without ever knowing about his life-altering wreck or realizing his role as the founder of the organization." Garret describes himself as more of a utilitarian cyclist and can be found pedaling around South Austin with lots of stuff strapped to his Surly Cross-Check. "For every time I make up an excuse to not ride my bike I see others on the road in the heat, cold and rain and that motivates me."
