The wheels of change in San Gabriel Valley spin faster and faster. Bike SGV has been invited to present at two separate SGV Council of Governments (COG) meetings.  The first meeting will consist of city planners and will take place on Thursday, May 30, 2012 @ 12:00 noon @ the Monrovia Community Center.  The second meeting will involve all participating public works directors and will take place on Monday, June 25, 2012 @ 12:00 noon in Arcadia (location to be determined). 

As the nation moves toward improving the economy, infrastructure and overall health of America, it is critical to unite as a region to bring further capitol and resources to our beloved San Gabriel Valley.  It is important that like minded people and organizations meet in an effort to identify the greatest needs in our communities and ultimately develop a plan to improve upon them.  

Bike SGV is committed to partnering and supporting local community stakeholders with similar visions of a healthier and safer San Gabriel Valley.  As a result of these meetings, we are hoping to improve upon the built environment by embracing a very viable and healthy transportation option, the bicycle.

Please stay tuned as we report on the outcomes of our presentations to the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments.

Sunday, May 27th, Memorial weekend made for an awesome day for a ride-along with good friends, old and new.  Approximately 30 people met at the Santa Fe Dam to kick off the 3rd edition of the SGV River Loop.  The San Gabriel mountains provided a picturesque back drop and the weather was perfect for all occasions.   We headed Southbound on the San Gabriel River path at 10am sharp and picked up additional riders at La Primaria and Thienes Ave. check points.

Knowing full well how one can work up an appetite on a fun filled bike ride, Bike SGV surprised participants with an appreciation BBQ at Legg Lake. Thanks to amazing supporters we were able to offer chicken and veggie tacos along with some delicious home made salsa and lemonade. The positive vibes, full bellies and smiling faces was a sure sign of satisfaction.

After eating our fill and stretching for the 2nd leg of the loop we departed the beautiful scenery of Whittier Narrows.  Riders began to peel off the ride as we headed North on the Rio Hondo River path making brief stops at Pioneer Park and Peck Rd Park.  By 230pm, we completed our full loop and ended up right back at the Santa Fe Dam where we all high-fived, hugged and shared our experiences from the ride. It was an amazing ride with amazing people!  Thank you everyone that participated...you are the reason we do what we do.  

Bike SGV would also like to thank Baldwin Park council member Marlen Garcia and South El Monte council member Joe Gonzalez for supporting us, our efforts and this movement toward a healthier and more active San Gabriel Valley.  Another special pound-pound goes out to our good friends of the Pomona Valley and Puente Hills Bike Coalition for joining us.  Lastly, a BIG WARM FUZZY HUG goes out to all our volunteers...Bike SGV wouldn't be what it is without YOU!  We love you and appreciate your support!

The SGV River Loop is a family friendly bike ride that takes place the last Sunday of each month.  Be sure to join us for our next ride on June 24, 2012.  See you then.

Several months back Javier Hernandez of Bike SGV was selected by Kaiser Permanente and HBO Documentary Films to participate in the filming of "The Weight of the Nation."  Javier hauled both a camera-man and microphone operator on a custom built wagon as they filmed the Baldwin Park Cycler Program in action.  The program was created for the California Center for Public Health Advocacy specifically to support the Baldwin Park Complete Street policy.  HBO was able to capture youth leaders advocating for safer streets while learning about city planning, traffic calming, bicycle safety, rules of the road and basic mechanics. Unfortunately, in a sad letter from HBO staff, we did not make the final cut.  

THE WEIGHT OF THE NATION is a presentation of HBO and the Institute of Medicine (IOM), in association with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and in partnership with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and Kaiser Permanente.

The centerpiece of THE WEIGHT OF THE NATION campaign is the four-part documentary series, each featuring case studies, interviews with our nation’s leading experts, and individuals and their families struggling with obesity. The first film, CONSEQUENCES, examines the scope of the obesity epidemic and explores the serious health consequences of being overweight or obese. The second, CHOICES, offers viewers the skinny on fat, revealing what science has shown about how to lose weight, maintain weight loss and prevent weight gain. The third, CHILDREN IN CRISIS, documents the damage obesity is doing to our nation’s children. Through individual stories, this film describes how the strong forces at work in our society are causing children to consume too many calories and expend too little energy; tackling subjects from school lunches to the decline of physical education, the demise of school recess and the marketing of unhealthy food to children. The fourth film, CHALLENGES, examines the major driving forces causing the obesity epidemic, including agriculture, economics, evolutionary biology, food marketing, racial and socioeconomic disparities, physical inactivity, American food culture, and the strong influence of the food and beverage industry.

Similar to that of a drive-in theater, Bike SGV will host ride-in screenings of the documentary at your local REI and parks all around the San Gabriel Valley. Dates, times and more details to follow shortly. We are very excited about this opportunity to reduce the health disparities in our communities by simply raising awareness in a fun way, the Bike SGV way!  :)

Stay tuned for more details. 

As the monthly SGV River Loop gains momentum and popularity, Bike SGV has taken initiative to participate in the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. CERT was created by the County of Los Angeles Fire Department to provide basic training in safety and life saving skills in case of a disaster or accident. 

The seven week course covers fire suppression, hazard materials, medical, search & rescue, terrorism awareness and much more. For   more information or to find the nearest CERT training near you please visit http://www.fire.lacounty.gov/programsevents/PECERT.asp.  

Mil thanks to our good friends at REI Arcadia that have been able to equip our first official ride marshal bicycle. The gracious donation included a set of Novara panniers, trunk and first aid kit. Additional stuffing includes a basic tool set, an assortment of tubes, a pump and a whole bunch of free give away's.  Bike SGV will use this bicycle as a "caboose" to support bike rides throughout LA County especially the San Gabriel Valley.  "We look forward to qualifying future Marshals as we grow our Bike Marshal fleet of bicycles." -Javier Hernandez

A couple of Azusa community members met today with Bike SGV to brainstorm ideas and strategize a plan to really create a healthier Azusa.  As a result, Azusanites will coordinate a feeder ride into the SGV River Loop on Sunday, May 27th. Additional details coming soon.

 As we move forward in partnering on raising health awareness, educational outreach efforts, bike safety training and workshops, we can only hope to some day soon implement the Gang of Goodness: Youth Leadership & Empowerment Program. Kudos to the many residents in Azusa that are really making an effort to develop a healthier lifestyle culture in the city of Azusa.

Over the past couple of months Bike SGV has been in the process of seeking new partners to assist in more effectively serving our communities.  Based on a very similar passion for the outdoors and our commitment to improving our environment Bike SGV will be partnering with Recreation Equipment Inc.(REI) in Arcadia. Get excited!

On May 2nd and 3rd, REI hosted their internal 3rd annual Tour de SoCal at the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center.  The mini conference was intended to educate the bicycle department staff from the REI Southern California  region about building relationships, partnering with local non-profits, new bicycles, accessories and apparel. 

Our very own Javier Hernandez was invited as a guest speaker to present on the topic of "How Cycling Changed my Life."  The crowed of REI-ers were engaged throughout the presentation while sharing some laughs and learning about current efforts to improve bike-ability in the San Gabriel Valley.  

Bike SGV is proud to be working along side REI.  We only hope to be more effective in improving our outdoors.