There are four bicycle coalition’s in Caltrans District 10: Bike Lodi, California Alps Cycling, San Joaquin Bike Coalition and the Modesto Bike Advisory. These bike advocacy organizations all have a common goal to promote safe, healthy and accessible bike riding.
The Motherlode Bicycle Coalition represents Amador, Apline, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa Counties. Jack Becker, former Bakersfield Bike Coalition Executive Director is the MLBC Executive Director. The MLBC Board Members are Carl Baker, Nikki Grimes, Dwight Follen, Robert Leibold, Carolyn Ryder, and Holly Azevedo.
The Motherlode Bicycle Coalition is an educational project of the California Bicycle Coalition. https://www.calbike.org/
Our affiliation with CalBike includes advocating and promoting cycling tourism in our five Motherlode Counties. Our Board Members have suggested bike routes for Bike Valley to Sierra, participated in conversations with local civic leaders, business owners, and government officials about the economic benefits of promoting our region as a cycling destination.
The 2020 End of Year MLBC Newsletter is below and highlights our accomplishments and plans for 2021.
The bicycle coalition’s in Caltrans District 10 recently requested to meet with the newly appointed Deputy District Director for Planning, Marlon Regisford. We hope to form a partnership that insures that all Highway and Caltrans road improvements support safe bicycle travel.
CalBike, Bike Davis, Chico Velo, Motherlode Bicycle Coalition and Sacramento Area Bike Advocates speaking with Congressman John Garamendi about The Invest In America Act, a Federal Transportation Infrastructure Plan, including making roads safe for all users pedestrians and bicyclist.
December 12, 2020
Dear Motherlode Bicycle Coalition Members,
Thanks for being a member!
We hope this newsletter finds you safe, outside, riding and healthy. The MLBC Board Members are optimistic about the new year. We are committed to making our roads safe for bike riding and being a public partner in all Caltrans District 10 and county public work road projects.
Our 2021 scheduled bike ride plans include Covid safety procedures in place and a continued commitment to exploring the Gold Rush Towns in the Motherlode.
The new year is looking better than March 2020 when all things bike related were cancelled: RideandWalk4Art, Monthly Pop Up bike rides in Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties and MLBC in person board meetings.
We did meet as a Board using Zoom to discuss advocacy actions that would support safe bike routes. Also, we shared our collective voice with Caltrans and county transportation agencies.
Active Transportation Plans were updated with your comments and suggestions.
We held our holiday party on Zoom which included a presentation from Youth Bike America. Our special guests included SFUSD Teacher Andy Padlo, a Senior Projects Teacher from the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts and three recent graduates: Emmet Forde, Dasha Yurkevich and Julian Jordan. They shared their Bike Ride Across America during the summer of 2020!
2020 Highlights
Provided comments to improve the Active Transportation Plans in Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties.
Provided comments to Caltrans District 10 SHOPP Improvements
Conducted summer Bike Event Director’s Meetings, co-sponsored by Cycle California Magazine, to plan bike events post Covid 19.
Submitted Caltrans and county road maintenance requests on Murphys Grade, Highway 4, and Highway 108.
Supported CalBike Cycling Tourism Study to improve and encourage recreational biking in the Motherlode. https://www.bikevalleytosierra.com/about
2021 Agenda
Advocate for the formation of a Caltrans District 10 Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
Reschedule Monthly Pop up Bike Rides led by MLBC Board Members featuring our favorite Gold Rush rides.
Organize youth bikes rodeos in the Motherlode.
Take an active role in supporting the California Bicycle Coalition 2021 Advocacy Agenda.
Come ride with us! Become a MLBC Member in 2021.
With your energy, experience, and membership, we can work together to:
● Build bicycle-friendly communities
● Break down barriers to cycling
● Improve air quality and public health
● Educate cyclists and motorists on Sharing the Road
● Promote bike rides and routes in the Motherlode
● Organize more bicycle events to promote cycling, increase public awareness, and have fun.
Safe riding in the California Foothills in 2021
Motherlode Bicycle Coalition Board Members
Rob Williams
Carl Baker
Jack Becker
Nikki Grimes
Robert Leibold
Dwight Follen
Carolyn Ryder