What you should know about cycling

EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY

The BBC places an emphasis on safe, enjoyable cycling, on the peaceful coexistence of bicyclists and motorists on the roads, and on cooperation with land managers and other trail users off the road. We promote courteous, responsible and predictable bicycling, including obeying all traffic rules and off-road regulations. The BBC's pamphlet, Riding in a Group, will help new members learn the techniques and attitudes of safe and effective bicycling. The BBC also has guidelines for safely leading club rides.

A Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge Across SR-37

SR-37 serves as a bicycle barrier separating the west side of Bloomington from the rest of the city. The solution to connecting central Bloomington to this region west of Bloomington is a properly placed bicycle trail and bridge. Here is the plan.

A Resolution In Support of Bicycle/Pedestrian Crossing Points for I-69

RESOLVED that the Indiana Department of Transportation shall accommodate the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians with infrastructure suitable for crossing I-69 and urge that these overpasses/underpasses be engineered to safely accommodate bicycles and pedestrians. Here is the resolution.   Link for pdf

Dangerous Storm Water Grates
Ron Brown maintains a map of dangerous storm water inlet grates. We urge extreme caution when riding on these roads, and encourage county and city officials to replace all dangerous grates with "cycle-safe" infrastructure.

A Resolution Calling on the City and County to Recognize Vulnerable Road Users
The Board of Directors of the Bloomington Bicycle Club recently adopted a resolution calling on city and county legislative bodies to recognize Vulnerable Road Users. In addition to those traveling on bicycles, Vulnerable Road Users include pedestrians, utility workers, persons on horseback, tow truck operators, stranded motorists, and others in need of special considerations as we share public space with passing motor vehicles. Here is the resolution.   Link for pdf

The Bloomington Community Bike Project
The Bloomington Community Bike Project, located at 214 N. Madison St., is sponsored by the Center for Sustainable Living. It provides the opportunity for community members to fix up an old bike that they can then have to ride, as well as a facility for cyclists to learn to work on their own bicycles. The Bike Project provides a fully equipped shop with tools, a bike stand, and recycled bike parts. The goal is to encourage bicycling as a more environmentally responsible mode of transportation. Volunteers strip donated bikes for parts and help interested people work on their bikes.

Earn a Bike Program
The Bike Project also sponsors a unique Earn a Bike Program in which adults and older children volunteer their time to help recycle old bicycle parts and bikes. After volunteering a set number of hours, participants then repair a bicycle to keep for themselves. See the Community Bike Project site for more details.