Arkansas Bicycle Club News Archives 
BACA Meeting - Dec 1, 7PM Oyster Bar Posted Monday, November 28, 2011 by Sprokets
BACA Meeting - Thursday, December 1, 7 p.m. at the Oyster Bar.
"When Bad Things Happen...
Sometimes bad things happen to all of us...A crash on the bike, or even a crash or collision with a car. Or maybe your bike gets stolen...What are your legal options? What can be done? What are you supposed to do? Who's going to pay the costs?
Join us at this month's meeting when BACA members Sam Ledbetter and Carter Stein of the McMath Law Firm and local cycling attorneys,(or at least cycling local attorneys) will be present to cover these important issues for cyclists. Hopefully you won't find yourself in one of these situations, but it's always a good idea to Be Prepared."
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November 2011 meeting minutes Posted Tuesday, November 15, 2011 by Jim Britt
Arkansas Bicycle Club Meeting Minutes Nov. 10, 2011
The November meeting was held at American Pie in Maumelle. President Jim Britt called the meeting to order at 7 PM.
• Jim Britt gave a recap of the Oct. 9th Arky 100 ride in Sheridan. It was a successful event with approximately 290 riders. Jim thanked the many volunteers who helped with registration, rest stops and food and refreshments. Proceeds will go to help ABC continue our bicycle advocacy.
• Tanya Buys will be leading a beginners ride on Sundays at 2 p.m. Meeting place is the NLR Skateboard Park on River Road.
• Meet Jim Britt Friday, Nov. 11 at 11 am at Two Rivers Bridge to ride to lunch. Then meet Coreen to ride Harper’s Loop.
• Diane McConnell will lead a Three Bridges Ride from the Clinton Library at 8:30 am Saturday, Nov. 12.
• Annual Hot Springs Overnight ride & Spa Walk/Run is Nov. 18 & 19. Leave Ferndale at 9 am Friday for 50 mile ride to Hot Springs.
• Jim Britt will lead the annual Thanksgiving Ride on Nov. 24 at 9 am. Meet at the parking lot across the street from old Juanita’s on S. Main St. at 9 am.
• Kathy Stevens is planning a ride Friday, Nov. 25th in the Bryant area.
• Jim Britt discussed the Mt. View B&B ride scheduled for Jan. 14 & 15. The ride will ride from the Narrows at Greers Ferry to Mountain View. Contact Jim if you are interested.
• Jenny Rainwater announced that Union Station will be the destination for the December 2nd Sandwiching in History ride
Nominations for ABC President are open and being accepted. Contact Jim Britt or a Board member. The Board will hold the election before the regular January meeting.
Plans to have the ABC Christmas Party after the Holiday Parade on Dec. 3rd were discussed. Susan Linck will check out possible locations.
Jim McKenzie, Executive Director of Metroplan, presented a program on the proposed River Bluffs Segment of the Arkansas River Trail. Little Rock has applied for a $12 million TigerIII grant to complete the project. He expects to be notified by the end of 2011 if the grant will be awarded. $62.5 million has been spent so far on the Arkansas River Trail. If we don’t get the grant we will proceed with a bridge over the UP Railroad Bridge. Mr. McKenzie also discussed plans to replace the Broadway Bridge. He encouraged the bike community to weigh in on the plans for the replacement bridge. Metroplan is sponsoring a bridge design contest. Go to www.newbroadwaybridge.org to submit entries before the deadline of Nov. 21.
Submitted by Diane McConnell, Secretary
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More Christmas party info Posted Tuesday, November 15, 2011 by Jim Britt
The Annual ABC Christmas Party, December 3, 2011 at 5:00 PM.
This year we are partying at the River Trail Station Party Room (formerly River Trail Rentals) 140 Riverfront Park Drive, North Little Rock.
The annual Little Rock Christmas Parade & Lighting Ceremony will take place at 3:30 & we will get together around 5:00, right after the parade. If you are planning to participate in the parade, come as you are as soon as you are finished, otherwise, there is plenty of parking with a terrific river view.
ABC will provide Beer, Wine & Dinner plus music for dancing if you are so inclined. We may break for the lighting ceremony if you would like. RTS has a new fire pit on their patio, David suggests that we bring our own logs, so if you have some bring some, weather permitting, we can sit around the fire, maybe roast marshmallows.
Please contact Susan Linck at 501.231.6680 or Slinck@acxiom.com if you think you might attend so I can get an idea of how much food and drinks to buy…thanks
It’s been a great biking year for ABC, let’s get together, reminisce a bit & start thinking about rides in 2012, Hope to see you there!
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Petition to sign from Bike League Posted Friday, November 11, 2011 by Jim Britt
We are fighting now against a mandatory sidepath provision in the latest version of the Transportation Bill. We are gathering signatures on a petition, which we will soon present to key Senators. We would greatly appreciate you forwarding the link to your members. Here it is, with a little explanatory blub:
The draft of the Senate's transportation authorization bill, S. 1813 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, includes language that would introduce a mandatory sidepath law on roads in our National Parks and other Federal lands. It requires cyclists on Federal lands to use a path or trail, instead of roads, if the speed limit is over 30 MPH and a trail exists within 100 yards, regardless of the condition or utility of the path. The provision sets a terrible precedent. Passing it would send the wrong message to transportation agencies that these policies are acceptable. Laws like this have been taken off the books in states over the past 30 years. This takes us in the wrong direction.
Please sign the League of American Bicyclists’ petition here: http://www.bikeleague.org/petition/
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BÖIKZMÖIND...Nov 16th Posted Monday, November 7, 2011 by Sprokets
From Arkansas Outside
What the heck is BÖIKZMÖIND?
BÖIKZMÖIND, A short film about simple bikes and a unique community to be presented at the Capital Hotel. The film is being presented at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2011.
Before we had automobiles and highways we had bikes. As Little Rock’s “front porch” since 1876, the Capital Hotel is the perfect place to gather as a community…and learn about fixed gear bicycles.
Read more here...
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Mayor's Challenge, Nov. 5-11, 2011 Posted Thursday, November 3, 2011 by Jim Britt
Use alternate transportation this week. Get a scorecard at the link to keep up with how many times you bicycle, use the car, bus, etc. during the week. Turn in your scorecard for a leg band at McArthur Park at the party Sunday, Nov. 13. http://www.bikelr.com/scorecard.htm
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