17560 Roberts Rd, Hockley,
Hockley, TX

Saturday, June 08, 2013

Online Registration Closes Friday, June 07, 2013 at 8:00 AM, Central Standard Time
Follow this link to the registration page

Northwest Cycling Club in conjunction with League of American Bicyclists is offering a class designed to teach adult cyclists how to use a bicycle with confidence and competence for pleasure, utility, and sport under various highway, climate, terrain, and traffic conditions.

There is a pre-requisite for this hands-on course – you must complete the free online ‘classroom’ portion. This is available at www.bikeed.org. Once you get to the site you will need to register and complete the four chapters as this will prepare your for the ‘on the bike’ portion of the course. Deadline for completing the online course is Thursday, June 6, 2013 at midnight Central Standard Time. Failure to complete the online course will prevent you from being able to complete the hands-on course.

Upon completion of the course NWCC members will receive a $20 gift certificate from Northwest Cyclery.

The class is organized into three levels:

1. The Basics
a. The Bicycle
b. Maintenance
c. Clothing and Equipment
d. Bicycle Handling

2. Bicycling in Traffic
a. Your Role in Traffic
b. Avoiding Crashes
c. Hazard Avoidance Maneuvers

3. Enjoying the Ride
a. Riding Enjoyment
b. Ride Etiquette
c. Helping Motorists Share the Road

Bring your bike, helmet, water bottle(s) and wear comfortable riding clothes. We will ride out onto the roads and put into practice skills learned. The on-the-bike course is approximately 6 miles.

Register early! Class size is limited to 20.
Cost is $45.00 including Registration fees (NWCC members will receive a $20 gift certificate to Northwest Cyclery Bike Shop)

Date: Saturday, June 8^th
Time: 8:00 a.m. until 12:30 pm
Place: Zube Park (back parking lot), 17560 Roberts Rd, Hockley, TX 77447

Online registration closes
Friday, June 7, 2013 at 8:00 AM, Central Standard Time

Sorry, No refunds.
If we have inclement weather, class will be rescheduled.

Questions may be addressed to Suzie Mason, LCI at suzie_mason_29@yahoo.com

The Continental Club, Shoeshine Charlie’s Big Top, Tacos A Go-Go, Sig’s Lagoon, My Flaming Heart, The Tinderbox, Double Trouble and Natachee’s are all donating 5% of their sales that evening to make Houston a better place for all types of cyclists! Come by the Art Garden to learn more about BikeHouston, test drive a B-cycle, compete in Gold Sprints, check out awesome vendors in the bike market AND enjoy FREE bar bites at Sparrow Bar and Cookshop when you buy a raffle ticket!

• GOLD SPRINTS and Deep Eddy Vodka Cocktails @ the Art Garden, 6 pm to 9 pm
• Main Street Projects presents Praxis by three artists participating in the U of H Photo Club: Brenda Cruz, Richard Custer, Elisa Garcia
• Grand Old Grizzly @ Natachee’s, 6:30 pm
• Beetle Happy Hour @ The Continental Club, 7:30 pm
• Lukrative Film Cycle @ The Pachinko Hut, 9 pm
• Elephant Yard @ the Alley Kat, 9:30 pm
• Nick Gaitan and the Umbrellaman @ the Big Top, 10 pm
• CHANGO MAN @ The Continental Club, 10:30 pm

BikeHouston is a 100% volunteer group dedicated to making Houston a better place for all types of cyclists. BikeHouston works to secure equitable access to regional facilities, lands and roads; educate the public about rights and responsibilities of bicyclists; and promote public awareness of the personal and community benefits of cycling.

Please RSVP by going to the Facebook event page here:

This Wednesday, May 15th, BikeHouston will host the Tenth Annual Ride of Silence from Memorial Park to City Hall.

On May 15, 2013 at 7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence will begin in North America and roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn’t aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.

In 2003, Chris Phelan organized the first Ride of Silence in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and was killed. (Read the full history here: http://www.rideofsilence.org/history.php)

The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph, wear helmets, follow the rules of the road and remain silent during the ride. There are no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride, which is held during National Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for and honor the lives of those who have been killed or injured.

Riders are asked to wear a white jersey or shirt. Helmet and lights (front and rear) are required after dark. Riders will gather in Memorial Park just in the parking area just west of the picnic loop starting at 6:30pm. The ride will start promptly at 7:00pm and will be assisted/escorted by HPD and two Ride of Silence trucks. The ride will proceed through Memorial Park and Washington Avenue into Downtown for a brief presentation in front of City Hall.

To r.s.v.p. for this ride, or to find out more information, please visit the event page on Facebook here.

View 10th Annual Ride of Silence in a larger map

Mayor Annise Parker and Houston City Council unanimously pass ordinance to protect cyclists and other vulnerable road users by requiring motor vehicle to keep a separation of more than three feet when passing.

“BikeHouston is pleased to see this ordinance pass and proud of the Mayor’s continued efforts on helping Houston become a more bicycle-friendly city,” says Kathryn Baumeister, Chair of BikeHouston. “Houston is a city of cars, but also has a big population of people who rely on cycling for transportation and recreation. We feel it is important for cyclists and drivers of automobiles to respect one another on the road. This ordinance will help provide a measure of safety for the vulnerable road users.”

BikeHouston and BikeTexas were key advocates for the passage of the law. In addition to BikeHouston, several state and local leaders and groups advocated and/or voiced support for this ordinance, including: Senator Rodney Ellis, BikeTexas, AARP, Better Houston, Bikin’ Babes, Citizen Transportation Coalition, Houston Access to Urban Sustainability Project, Houston Tomorrow, Northwest Cycling Club and Richmond Rail.

For more information, see press release at http://www.houstongovnewsroom.org/go/doc/2155/1768139/

Northwest Cycling Club and the League of American Bicyclists are offering a one-day class on Saturday May 11, designed to teach adult cyclists how to safely use a bicycle with confidence and competence for pleasure, utility, and sport under various highway, climate, terrain, and traffic conditions.

This class is for new and experienced cyclists. There is a pre-requisite for this hands-on course – you must complete the free online ‘classroom’ portion. This is available at www.bikeed.org. Once you get to the site you will need to register and complete the four chapters as this will prepare your for the ‘on the bike’ portion of the course. Deadline for completing the online course is Thursday, May 9, 2013 at midnight Central Standard Time. Failure to complete the online course will prevent you from being able to complete the hands-on course.

The City of Houston is proud to be a partner with the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) in the development of this online course to represent the classroom portion of the League’s Traffic Skills 101 course. The BikeEd program is designed to develop the craft and science of bicycling, the ability to use a bicycle with confidence and competence for pleasure, utility and sport under various roadway, climate and traffic conditions.

With this convenient on-line course, we hope that you will find valuable tools to provide you with knowledge and confidence to ride safely and in a commendable manner. By completing the online portion of Traffic Skills 101, you are on your way towards becoming a bicycle ambassador. Your example will demonstrate to your co-workers and to our residents your bicycling initiative. We hope that your positive example and endeavor motivates Houstonians to recognize the value of bicycling and they consider riding themselves.

Upon completion of the course NWCC members will receive a $20 gift certificate from Northwest Cyclery.

Click here to register: Deadline to register is Thursday night May 9.

If class fills up you may want to register for our other class in June. Click here to direct you to the registration page for our Saturday, June 8th class.

Bike Safety Poll – Vote Today!

City Council will consider Mayor Annise Parker’s proposed safe-passing ordinance this week. This new law would require motorists to share the road and maintain a safe distance from cyclists. Houston is the only major city in Texas without these protections for bicycle riders.

What do you think? Follow this link and cast your vote in the online poll and we will keep you posted on the proposed ordinance’s progress!

You can learn more about the proposal by clicking here.

Dear Houston,

As National Bike Month begins, we’d like to ask you to make a promise.

A promise that applies no matter if you are a bicyclist, a driver, or both. A promise that could transform our streets. A promise that can turn every trip into a better one. A promise that will help us see our fellow travelers as the people we all are—whether we are behind the steering wheel or the handlebars.

A promise to travel with compassion.

Watch our National Bike Month video, and then join us in promising to Roll Together at http://peopleforbikes.org/better.

Let the bike celebration begin!

-The PeopleForBikes crew

BikeHouston members will be there to answer your questions about our organization and what we are doing to help make Houston into a safe and vibrant place to ride. If you’re thinking about becoming involved with BikeHouston, this is a great way to get your feet wet! To RSVP, send us an email or join our Facebook event.

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Join us as we celebrate mothers, bicycles, and National Women’s Health Week in a fun, healthy way! Bring your friends, mothers, daughters and sisters. Bring the woman you want to inspire to ride!

WE BELIEVE: That strong communities are built around strong women. That being on a bike brings you closer to your community, to nature, and to yourself. That from action comes change, and from visibility comes reality. And that independence, self-empowerment and personal strength are things we need every day.
We’ll enjoy a casual, social pace ride of approximately 15 miles, welcome to all levels of female riders. The route will take us through the scenic Heights and into downtown for a quick stop at Discovery Green before returning to Happy Fatz. Arrive early to enjoy their delicious menu of coffee, pastries, and other breakfast items before the ride, or refuel after the ride with new friends.

We look forward to seeing you on two wheels!

Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, Empower the Future of Women in Cycling. www.cyclofemme.com

This ride is free and open to women of all riding ability. If you wish to attend this ride, please visit the CycloFemme event page on Facebook and click the “JOIN” button. If you have any questions, please send an email to Nicole Caldwell.