Township Bike Ride Event Sub-Committee
November 18, 2003
Attendees:
Contact list below with the
exceptions of Daryl McMillian, Newell Benedict, and Frank Hillman.
The meeting opened with
introductions of new volunteers. Myra invited her neighbor Kelvin Werth,
and Dan invited Sue
Levine a Recreation
Commissioner, DJ Varner a fellow rider, Sam Dyson a member of our Township Police
whose role includes running Bike Rodeos and patrolling by bicycle.
Dan updated the members of
progress since the last meeting; summary of presentation to the Bike/Ped Committee, discussions with WW Police Sgt Hillman,
status of mayoral support (read email from Mayor’s Office.)
Patrolman Dyson presented relevant
background, i.e., WW Police run Bike Rodeo’s, community programs, and
relationship with Ski Barn.
Ken Leon reported that his search showed no conflicting bike
events on Memorial Day weekend. He also
suggested that we choose Saturday for the event. The issue of a “rain date’ was raised. Sunday
of the same weekend was chosen.
The group discussed the
three rides. The in-park ride was
suggested as around the macadam path.
The 15-mile ride was taken from Community Park
across 571, on Slayback to New Edinburg Road to the East Entrance to Mercer County Park thru the Park on the macadam path to and around Mercer County Community College. The return
is back along the same route.
In discussing the 8-mile
route the prior township ride route was suggested. Comparisons to the event run two years ago
also surfaced.
- The group revisited the concept of event fees
with the suggestion that the event be run on township and volunteer funds.
The prior event had volunteers commit their own funds for signage. There was no information regarding the
townships ability or desire to designate any funds. In creating this event it was envisioned
that this event would be self-supporting.
Relying on user fees and township business donations to create a
fun with no on-site out of pocket costs.
Hamilton has run this event for 10 years charging $15
per rider and with the event growing to over 600 participants this year.
- The group discussed having an age minimum to participate
on the out of park rides. There was concern that it was the organizers
role to determine who should be able to ride on the road. Others felt that the event should be
presented as is and parents should decide which ride was appropriate as
they would know their family’s physical abilities and experience.
- Another ideas was
presented, that being the concept to take the kids on rides to Aljohn’s and other sites they would likely want to
access versus a ride in the style that bike clubs run? Dan reiterated the vision determined at
our first meeting of creating an event similar to the very successful Hamilton Township ride.
The focus of this event was to allow families to get on their
bikes, get outside together and enjoy riding around town. Supporting events would provide the
education element; safety training, suggested bike routes, news on
township biking developments (bike lanes, bike trails), and bike
maintenance.
As a result of the time
taken discussing the above events the 8-mile route was not identified. Sam Dyson agreed to take a ride and measure
several route distances and Kelvin Werth agreed to
work with him in putting together a suggested route for our next meeting.
Dan agreed to contact EMS
for their support for the event and Mercer County Park to obtain permission/cooperation for the event.