“Bikeonomics”

BikeCDA’s founder, former Coeur d’Alene police officer John Kelly, had a vision. It was just over a year ago when he sought out my husband Tom and me while we were at the Fort Ground Grill waiting for other members of our Lake City Flyers cycling group to arrive. John, in uniform, came in asking for us by name.

I remember thinking, “What did we do?” John was in the middle of creating BikeCDA to promote a safe and active cycling culture in Coeur d’Alene and was checking to see if we wanted to join in. Since that day, BikeCDA has grown. The Facebook group has nearly 1,200 members, and in November it became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

BikeCDA’s mission is to be a collective voice promoting and fostering a safe and active cycling culture in our community. It is a central hub to unify the many diverse individuals, groups, teams and organizations that are involved in local bicycling. Part of how this is accomplished is with the monthly Bike Talks meetings at Calypsos Coffee Shop. The number of participants grows monthly as the meetings are open to everyone.

Bike Talks is one of the many “spokes in the wheel” that connects people with bike shops, trails and bike-related events. It also connects cycling advocates with government agencies, other charitable organizations, colleges and universities.

People who attend learn the status of BikeCDA projects plus contribute in one way or another. Many of the people in the room are simply just bike riders. Their input and participation is really the most valuable. They are the ones who are out there are on the streets every day. It is a great place to find out about upcoming bicycle events, exchange ideas or volunteer for a BikeCDA project.

BikeCDA currently has three projects they are focusing on. One of those projects, “Lights for Life,” came about last fall when people pointed out to the group that a lot of children were riding in the dark without lights. To further the safety of those children, there were generous donations which enabled BikeCDA to purchase 50 front and rear combo light sets at cost. Those lights were then given out at various North Idaho schools to children who were identified by need. Since this is an ongoing project, BikeCDA is always accepting donations of cash or lights as there are still more children who need them.

The second project is a bike giveaway program that started in December. Bikes are donated by the community, then Aaron Young and Tom Morgan tune them up, repair them or dismantle them for parts. These bicycles then go to adults and children who need them. Many of the recipients have no other form of transportation. Sixteen bicycles were given away the week before Christmas with over thirty bikes given out to date. The goal is to give out 200 bikes by the end of 2015. They currently have about 20 bicycles that are ready to go to those in need, but are finding they have a shortage of children’s bicycles. The organization encourages anyone who is thinking of donating their old bicycles — particularly children’s — to one of the thrift shops or to the landfill to consider contacting BikeCDA first, insuring the bike makes it into the hands of someone in need.

Along with the bike giveaway program, the very first “Build a Bike & Bike Repair Series” for at risk youth was started at Lakes Middle School. To date they have had five Tuesday morning classes with the Pathways Program. This series of classes was specific to the young people in that class. They have since added a Tuesday after school program where anyone in the community can come and learn basic bicycle maintenance. Since starting at Lakes, requests have come in from other schools and the Kroc Center to create a similar programs. This is where more volunteer trained bike mechanics is needed. With more volunteers, we can expand this program beyond Lakes Middle School and reach out to other organizations wanting to implement it at their locations.

The last project BikeCDA is working on is bike rodeos for kids within the Coeur d’Alene area. Bike rodeos teach road safety, proper signaling and the rules of the road. It also teaches children the proper way to wear a bicycle helmet, and in some cases provides helmets to those without one. An added bonus is that it helps to promote an active lifestyle via cycling. With warmer weather on the horizon, this project should start to see some momentum, and the first BikeCDA bike rodeo will soon take place.

Bike culture in North Idaho is growing; now it needs to be recognized as a viable transportation alternative. This will take connectivity, creating commuting corridors and providing more bicycles racks and corrals around town. The challenge is getting everyone on the same page. That is what BikeCDA is trying to accomplish by being the “hub to the wheel.” Ways others in the community can be one of the “spokes” is by drivers being more aware they are sharing the road, and cyclists need be considerate and follow the local cycling rules.

The long-term vision of BikeCDA is to support the City of Coeur d’Alene in becoming a League of American Bicyclists platinum level bike friendly community. Coeur d'Alene is filled with diverse cycling enthusiasts, and a developed trail system encourages locals and tourists alike to get out and ride, but not all of the roads provide the same enjoyment and safety. Encouraging a vibrant cycling community provides an opportunity to build bicycle infrastructure that benefits bike tourism and everyday cyclists.

Learn more about BikeCDA at www.bikecda.com.

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