Bike Walk Alliance for Missoula

The Missoula bike lane infrastructure continues to improve but there are still significant gaps in the system. This summer, chip and seal maintenance will be performed on Bancroft Street from Brooks Street to SW Higgins Avenue. Bike lanes were installed on Bancroft St. from South Ave. to SW Higgins in 2011 but are missing from Brooks St. to South Ave leaving a significant gap.

On Wednesday, 6/4, Bob Wachtel, BWAM Treasurer and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board Chair, presented a recommendation to the Missoula Public Works Committee requesting installation of bike lanes on the section of Bancroft from Brooks to South. A significant issue to be addressed to accomplish this installation will be the removal of parking on one side of Bancroft St. The discussion at Public Works Committee can be viewed on the City website beginning 13 minutes into the meeting. Follow these links to the full recommendation from BPAB and the Addendum to the recommendation.

We anticipate that this issue will come before at least one public forum due to the significant issue of removal of parking on one side of Bancroft. We encourage everyone interested in safe biking infrastructure to watch for further developments on this 7 block segment of Bancroft Street.

On a sunny and pleasant Missoula evening Missoula Mayor John Engen joined the preride gathering to proclaim May 21, 2014 as Ride of Silence day in Missoula Montana. After the Mayor’s proclamation we shared remembrances of those who have been killed in bicycle motor-vehicle crashes in the Missoula area in the past. Missoula has been fortunate to have had no bike rider fatalities in at least 2 years. After a reading of the Ride of Silence poem 8 bike riders proceeded to ride the 6.5 mile route and returned to the Missoula County Courthouse.

Thanks to KPAX for media coverage.

BWAM will be hosting the 8th Annual Missoula Ride of Silence on May 21, 2014 beginning at the Missoula County Courthouse on Broadway. Please plan to arrive by 6:00pm for the 7:00pm ride that will travel approximately 6.5 miles. See the worldwide Ride of Silence website for more information  about this 11th anniversary ride and background about this important worldwide event.

We ride in silence to commemorate those bicyclists killed or injured in a crash with a motor vehicle and to promote safe, legal, and courteous travel in the greater Missoula area.

Helmets will be required and while we invite riders of all levels, only bicycles and adult tricycles will be permitted and all riders must be comfortable riding for at least 1 hour at 12 miles per hour.

In addition to the Ride of Silence, BWAM will be organizing a simultaneous Walk of Silence. If you are not comfortable biking the 6.5 miles on busy streets, please consider joining others for a 1.6 mile walk to remember those pedestrians who have been killed or injured due to a motor vehicle crash.

Link to our Contact Form and select Ride of Silence to ask a question about how you can participate or help with the event.

Ride map. ROS Map 2014

A Cycling Saavy adult traffic cycling workshop will be in Missoula May 30 & 31, sponsored by Journeys From Home. See the information poster for more information.

Cycling Savvy is an adult traffic cycling course that teaches the principles of Mindful Bicycling:

• empowerment to act as confident, equal road users;
• strategies for safe, stress-free integrated cycling;
• tools to read and problem-solve any traffic situation or road configuration.

This adult cycling course is offered in three 3-hour components: a classroom session, a bikehandling session, and on-road experience session. The classroom and bike-handling sessions may be taken individually; the road tour experience requires the first two as pre-requisite. The purpose of the course is build confidence through education and guided practice.

A limited number of scholarships are available, apply today!

Women Bike Missoula (MizzBs) invites all mothers, all  who appreciate a mother in their lives,  or anyone who wants to accompany a mother on a nice bike ride around town to meet at Currents Aquatic Center Sunday, May 11 at 1 p.m.   This is an inclusive, all ages and genders family-friendly ride around town  with a choice of routes and distances depending on interests and abilities.  We’ll plan to all meet back together at McCormick or Silver Park (to be determined by group) between 2 and 3 pm for a casual picnic — bring your own non-alcoholic beverage  and picnic lunch or snack to share if you wish.  Sundresses encouraged.

Meet at the bike racks at Currents Aquatic Center, 600 Cregg Lane at 1PM. Questions? Submit your questions in the comments section on the registration form.

Please note:  BWAM’s insurance mandates that non-members may not participate in more than one ride.  All participants must sign a release form and helmets are required.  We encourage you to register for this ride on the MizzBs page and to join  BWAM,  a 501c3 non-profit group which for seven years has worked to improve bicycling and walking in the Missoula area.

Want to explore new cycling routes in Missoula, meet some cool women, learn how to maintain your bike and discover resources to help you upgrade your cycling equipment? At the same time, you will stay in shape and meet new women biking partners! The MizzB’s have an event planned to get you started. We would love to have you join us!

• Who:  MizzBs and women friends you want to come along! Women of all ages and abilities – beginners are highly encouraged to attend.
• What:  Meet new biking buddies!
  • Learn to change a flat tire.
  • 12 mile easy pace bike around Missoula on safe, flat routes (see map).
  • Celebrate the completion of our first ride at Holiday Inn’s Brooks and Browns.
• Cost:  Our insurance requires you to be a member of BWAM click to our  “Join Us” page to participate.
• When:  Friday, April 25 at 5:15. Presentation will start at 5:30 sharp.
  • Get there early to buy bike supplies or rent a bike at a discount prices:
  • 20% off rentals and accessories – 10% off a new bike Read the rest of this entry »

BWAM’s new committee, Women Bike Missoula, (MizzBs) will have a kickoff social event Friday, March 14, 5:15-7 pm at Adventure Cycling conference room, 150 E. Pine Street.   All interested women and girls are invited, but in order to be sure of having plenty of food and drink we are asking that you sign up on the MizzBs page.

So what is this committee all about?  Women are a distinct minority when it comes to bicycling, and many of us in BWAM have talked for a long time about how we could encourage more women to use the bicycle for transportation. A sign-up list at the BWAM annual meeting began the process to form a committee, and through e-news and sharing, the e-mail list grew to 15 names. Since February a core group of seven has been meeting every Tuesday at 7:45 a.m. at the Adventure Cycling Association conference room, 150 E. Pine Street. We have a mission statement, a page on the BWAM site (click on MizzBs above), lots of ideas for reaching more women with fun activities and information to encourage them to bike, or if they bike now for recreation, to also bike for their daily commutes to work or errands.  We look forward to engaging many women of all ages, abilities, economic, social and employment groups.  We welcome those who are already committed bicyclists to join us to help by sharing their experiences, expertise, and ideas.