Bike Library Repair Class

Have you ever wished you knew a little more about bicycle repair and adjustment? Well, so have we!

The Iowa City Bike Library is once again offering a course in basic bicycle repair. This course will provide you with an overview of all of the major systems on your bicycle, as well as familiarize you with the tools and procedures used to adjust those systems. Braking, shifting, bearing overhauls and adjustments, wheel truing, tire and tube installation, lubrication, inspection: we'll cover all of these in some depth. Ideally, you will learn enough to think your way through a mishap or repair, and not be intimidated by it.

Our next course will run on consecutive Saturdays from September 7 through October 5, inclusive. Five class sessions total, each running from 4:00-6:30 pm (please be on time). Please plan to attend ALL of the classes in the session, as there is some building upon previous content, and there will be no make-up sessions.

Cost is $100 per person (current Bike Library volunteers may be eligible for a discount), payable in advance, in person, at the Bike Library. This is the only way we are currently able to accept payments. You may register and pay any time there are volunteers at the Bike Library: see the website for the hours when people are there (M-Th evenings between 6 and 8 pm are generally pretty safe, as well as much of the day Saturday; Tuesday and Thursday 6-8 pm, I am almost always there). Preregistration and prepayment are REQUIRED for this class. Enrollment is limited to six, so hurry and claim a spot (don't worry if you can't make this one: more classes are planned).

If you have any questions about the class, please send them to iowacitybikelibrary@gmail.com.

Hope to see you soon.

- James

Sharrows & Bike Lanes in IC

Johnson County residents and bicycling enthusiasts are invited to join Iowa City Mayor Regenia Bailey on Thursday, July 2^nd at 5:15 p.m. in College Green Park to see the most recent improvements to the local bicycle network – shared lane arrows, or “sharrows.”

In an effort to become more bicycle-friendly, some Johnson County communities are installing new sharrow pavement markings and bike lanes on streets this summer. The sharrows, which are an alternative to bike lanes, can be found on 5^th Street in Coralville, and on Market, Jefferson, and College Streets in Iowa City, beginning this week. Bike lanes will be painted on segments of Market and Jefferson Streets.

A sharrow does not demarcate a separate bicycle lane, but it does direct the bicyclist to travel in the proper lane position to avoid being hit by opening doors of parked cars. The sharrow markings also remind roadway users where the travel lane is too narrow to be safely shared side-by-side by cyclists and passing motorists.

Many cyclists know that when there is no bike lane present, cyclists are expected to ride on the right. Some sharrows and bike lanes, however, are located in the left lane. Why? In a word, safety:

1. Bicycle lanes and sharrows on the left side of some one-way streets are gaining popularity to help reduce the number of bicyclists being struck by opening car doors;
2. This location removes bicyclists from the path of buses pulling into bus stops;
3. The left curb lane is most clear of snow on streets where vehicles park along the right curb; and
4. The design helps increase visibility, as the rear-right blind spot is eliminated and drivers can more easily see a bicyclist in the driver’s side mirror.

For more information on sharrows and bike lanes or other improvements to the local bicycling network, contact Kristopher Ackerson, JCCOG Assistant Transportation Planner, at 319.356.5247.

*All content above reposted from JCCOG press release vis Kris Ackerson

Bike Commuters' Roadside Breakfast

The bike commuter breakfast is back!  Stop by this Friday, August 1, between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. for some fresh coffee, fruit, and baked goods (vegan-friendly options available).  Rain or shine--we'll be there!

ROADSIDE BREAKFAST: TOMORROW

Attention all bicycle commuters!  Join us in front of the BL tomorrow (May 2nd) morning between 7:30 and 9:30 for some breakfast & coffee & conversation.  No need to RSVP—just roll on up on your own two wheels!

Cheers!

VOLUNTEER PARTY!

WHEN: Friday, January 11th at 7:00 pm.

WHERE: At the Sanctuary.  (We might migrate to Sam's Pizza?)

WHY: Come raise a glass to celebrate the BL's great success in 2007 and to gear up for 2008!  Viva la BL!

Jingle Cross is taking place at the Johnson County Fairgrounds next weekend (Nov 24th and 25th). Come on out and ring your cowbells for the racers participating in this UCI cyclo-cross race. Maybe if we all bug G-Pickle enough he'll race :-)

Yaaaaaaaard Sale!

BIKE LIBRARY YARD SALE

Saturday May 12th 10:00-1:00
Frames, project bikes, parts...
Come check it out.

Thanks BIC, World of Bikes and Geoff's!!!

The generous members of Bicyclists of Iowa City donated a dozen bikes to children that are part of Big Brothers/Big Sister of Johnson County. The Bike Library donated helmets and World of Bikes and Geoff’s Bike and Ski donated the labor to assemble the bikes and gave all the kids locks. The shops also purchased the bikes a cost. WE LOVE OUR LOCAL BIKE SHOPS!!! Please give them your patronage!

Bike Giveaway : This Saturday 12/9

The massive Mark Twain Elementary bicycle hoo-ha is set to take place from 9am until 12pm. Two hundred bikes will be distributed at three locations: Twain, Lake Ridge, and Broadway Neighborhood Center. It sounds like they will mostly need help making sure kids get the right size bike as well as a properly fitting helmet.

They will need all the help they can get. If you are willing/able, please, let me know here under Comments or via email.

Mark Twain Elementary Bike Giveaway

Another event happening this Saturday, December 9 is the massive bike giveaway at Mark Twain Elementary. Over 200 bikes will be given to students, so they need help matching kids to bikes of the right size. I'll be there with a couple other BL volunteers, if anyone else wants to help. It will mostly be looking at height and having kids sit on prospective bicycles. When I find out the time, I'll post it here.

Party this Saturday, December 9th at 7pm!

This end-of-year party is for all those involved with the Bike Library. If you're a volunteer or an EA boardmember, please, join us for food and drink at Sam's Pizza, 441 S Gilbert St (their new location) at 7:00pm.

Bike Club @ Neighborhood Centers

Here are some very fun pics from the Bike Club at Pheasant Ridge Neighborhood Center. The IC Bike Library organized a Bike Club for children participating in the summer camp at the Neighborhood Centers. We brought out bikes and helmets and organized group rides on neighborhood trails. It was a big hit!

-Brian

Bikes on Broadway

Here are a couple of great pics from an event we'll call "Bike's on Broadway." This past spring, Cody G. took a few bikes out to the Broadway neighborhood in Iowa City for a satellite checkout.

-Brian