Bicycle Rodeo

Frisco Cycling Club members Jeff Ellis and Jaason Hatfield work a bicycle rodeo this weekend held in the Home Depot parking lot in partnership with Richardson Bike Mart. 

Frisco Cycling Plan

The below article is one my cycling club wrote and I wanted to share with you:

The City of Frisco has been following a Hike & Bike Master Plan that was developed in 2002. In 2007, the Frisco Cycling Club (FCC) heard that the Master Plan was being amended and that there was a possibility that designated roadways might be eliminated.  This was a major concern for members of the Frisco Cycling Club.

 

While researching the Master Plan, members of the Frisco Cycling Club found that the bike lanes provided in the plan were not cohesive or destination oriented. They did not allow for the establishment of logical bike routes of 5 mile, 10 mile etc. throughout the city and surrounding area. There was also a concern with the development of the Panther Creek roadway and the city recommendation to eliminate the designated street path.

 

This lead to members of the Frisco Cycling Club attending the City Council meeting that had this item on the agenda. During that meeting the FCC agreed with the city on the issue of the street path on Panther Creek because it would not have segued into a roadway due to the right of way access that was available.  Also at that meeting, George Purefoy, City Manager of Frisco, asked city staff to include members of the Frisco Cycling Club as advisors on the re-working of the 2002 Hike & Bike Master Plan.

 

Members of the FCC developed a comprehensive plan for the establishment of bike routes throughout the city and submitted it to the Parks and Recreation Department. Subsequently, they worked with the Parks and Rec staff to refine the plan and submitted it to the Zoning Commission which approved it and sent it to the City Council. The Council also approved the final plan.

 

One component of the new plan is a 5 year implementation period. The first part of the plan to be implemented has been the 300 Share the Road signs that you see on the roadways today. The FCC members are very appreciative of the interest and quick action of the Parks & Rec staff and the members of the City Council for all they have done to make the signage a reality.

 

When asked about the effectiveness of the signs, Geoffrey Davis, President of the Frisco Cycling Club, asked members of the club if they felt safer with the signs. Jeanne Patterson answered: “The signs are a great way to remind motorists that cyclists have a right to be on the roads. Plus, with so many new people moving to Frisco, this is a great way to introduce the best roads for cycling to the many cyclists moving here.” Matt Vonderahe replied: “Do I feel safer when riding? Absolutely. Those roads feel like sort of a safe zone where drivers and cyclists both receive a ‘public service announcement’ in the form of the signs. Sharing the road means just that and we as cyclists must hold up our end of the relationship and be courteous, safe and obey the laws.” The note from Clint Richardson said, “Having the signs posted provides a visual reinforcement to the driving public of the rights of cyclists to use the roadways and a sense of legitimacy when cyclists are encountered by motorists on these roadways.

 

Frisco is a great city to live in but to also get involved with,  city staff is eager to have opinions and help from the citizens.  I am looking forward to the next 4 years of the implementation of the redesigned Hike and Bike master plan.  It will be great to have the family all out for a ride soon!

Frisco Family Fun Ride

Luke and I went to the Frisco Family Fun Ride this weekend at Frisco Square.  He and I set up the booth for the Frisco Cycling Club and then heading out for a ride.  Great event with only one scare.  My buddy’s son had a crash that saw him taken away in an ambulance but he is back at home and resting up with a few new Spiderman Action figures from the Frisco Cycling Club!

 

What is Fatherhood?

To the men of Tankard, I have been thinking a lot about Fatherhood recently.  In just a few days we will have child numbers 3 and 4 when the twin girls get here.  My wife is at 35 weeks now and our doc says be ready at any time.  I searched Wikipedia to see what it had to say and confirmed my suspicion.  Staying involved with our kids is the right way to go.  “children who experience significant father involvement tend to exhibit higher scores on assessments of cognitive development, enhanced social skills and fewer behavior problems”
 
But what to do with our kids aside from all the sports or music events we take them to.  How about a free bike ride around City Hall?  Below is what is going on this Saturday from 10am till noon at Frisco Square.  Load up the SUV with the bikes and come on over and join us.  Stop by the Frisco Cycling Club booth for a great coupon that you can use that day at a nice place called Lochrann’s right around the corner!
 
Don’t miss the biggest family event of the year!  Especially since it’s FREE!!!!!!
 
The 3rd Annual Frisco Family Fun Ride is THIS Saturday!!!  Bring your family and meet your friends and neighbors at Frisco Square on July 25, 2009, from 10am – Noon and ride your bike around a ½ mile loop that is closed to all vehicular traffic.  As in years past, the Frisco Family Fun Ride is a FREE event. 

 

Register on-line for your free goody-bag and ride number.  The event is for all skill levels – from trailers to tricycles and training wheels to advanced riders, the Frisco Family Fun Ride has something for everyone.  Enjoy the expo which will feature local family friendly businesses and don’t forget the silent auction that is always a huge hit and full of amazing items to bid on.  We have everything from autographed sports memorabilia to art pieces to family outings. 

 

This year the event will also host a BMX demo that will feature local BMX talent.  Don’t miss out on all the fun and remember its FREE!
 

Frisco Family Fun Ride

Frisco Family Fun Ride.  July 25th, this Saturday from 10am to Noon at Frisco Square.  The ride is FREE, held on a very safe route with lots of vendors and attractions.  Myself and other members of the Frisco Cycling Club will be on hand offering helmet fit and other safety tips.  Come join us.

See the Tour de France

See the Tour de France on the big screen.  Come to Lochrann’s this Saturday, right after the Fun Ride and see the riders of the Tour on the big screen at Lochrann’s from Noon to 2pm.  An event of the Frisco Cycling Club

 

A Great Day for Sure

Yesterday was my birthday- a young 41 I am (but with twin girls on the way, young is not what I feel).  Instead of sleeping in I was up at 6am and on the road bicycle by 6:45 for a group ride with a few of my Frisco Cycling Club teammates.  My folks made the trip down from Lawrence, KS and that made it all the better as they could tend to our “angel” boys and let Julie sleep in!  That is a win/win– well, unless you are Gana and Papa who spent the morning taking requests and orders from the boys.  Home from the ride, a bite to eat, a 3 hour nap followed by a quiet dinner with the triplets and their families.  (Since a few of us at St. Philip’s have the same hair cut, Father Clay calls Eric, Todd and I the triplets.)  It is so great when mom and dad drive down and bring a few Growlers of Free State Brewing Company beer with them. This time was Ad Astra, Copperhead Pale Ale and Oatmeal Stout.  (Chuck, I need to connect you with Dave, the owner of Lochrann’s, and find a way to get kegs of your beer shipped down here so he can have it on tap!).  Some of the best birthday news was that the Fallon baby had arrived early! Please welcome Patrick Mclain Fallon to the world. What a blessing he will be to us all.

2009 Wild Ride! Against Cancer

Saturday May 16th at 8am

Ever wonder what Secretary of Transportation Thinks About Bicycles?

I was happy to read an article on their web site as a follow up to a talk that Ray LaHood, the Secretary of Transportation gave at the National Bike Summit.  Points like; “Cyclists are important users of America’s transportation systems,” and ” Earth Day is today, but we’ll need the sustained engagement of bicycle commuters and their advocates in the weeks and months to come to help keep the wheels of bicycle-friendly legislation on the road.”  Please read more here about his ideas of how States and Cities should begin using Federal monies for their local bicycle projects.  Heck- with all the good work we have done here is Frisco, maybe it is time we hire a person to be the City’s bicycle coordinator?  Might be time for a lunch with Pippa Couvillion, Frisco’s Environmental Services Manager.  Hers is a great story, moved to Frisco and wanted the City to do a better job with recycling.  Instead of just complaining about it, she offered solutions and here we sit today- one of the State and Countries leaders in City recycling programs.
 
The State of Texas is close to making history- giving cyclist a mandatory 3 feet of room when passing on the roadways.  Read more about that Bill here and maybe connect with your representative with your support!

Earth Day was GREAT! Did you get out and pick up?

Two of the clubs I am a member of adopt and clean streets here in the City of Frisco.  Frisco Cycling Club has John Hickman Parkway and Frisco Sunrise Rotary has Coit Road.  When Earth Day came around and both clubs were set to clean, some organization was needed.  So that the bike riders could make the 9am Richardson Bike Mart rides, we started that cleaning at 7:45am.  Then, to stay on target for the official Earth Day times, Rotary cleaned at 9:30am.  My boys came and joined me as we did both streets (Seth not in photo- on my back in backpack). We still made it to Luke’s 10am soccer game- just a hair late.  Here is my challenge to all of you in power- shut down the other events on this day!  This is a great opportunity of us to come together and change the way the City looks.  If all City and club-run sporting events were canceled or at least postponed to start later in the day, think of the overwhelming turnout of families we would have.  Make a difference next year! Plan your events around your City’s Earth Day!  And if your City does not do an Earth Day event, come to Frisco! As our Earth Day event is like none you have ever participated inand I always give credit back to Pippa Couvillion and her amazing group!