Albany Strollers & Rollers Newsletter
May 2020
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SPECIAL VIRTUAL ZOOM AS&R Bi-Monthly Membership Meeting on Bike to Work Day 2020
TOMORROW - Thursday, May 14th, 7-9:00pm
 Beginning 2020, we moved our regular meeting at St. Alban's to the Second Thursday of odd numbered months. The next meeting for this new time is Thursday, May 14. However, while our community is still under Shelter-In-Place guidelines, this month's meeting will be held as a Virtual/Zoom meeting.
Join us online to talk about walking and biking during the Pandemic on what would have been Bike to Work Day 2020. We can discuss what Albany might do to encourage active transportation with social distancing and other Albany issues. It would be great to see folks and get a chance to talk. Bring your questions and comments. Let's keep walkin' and rollin' while staying safe!
Zoom Invite: (make sure to copy the password before clicking the meeting link)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 820 4342 8189
Password: 124235
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Meeting ID: 820 4342 8189
Password: 124235
When the world returns closer to normal, these bi-monthly (odd-numbered months) regular AS&R meetings will resume at the usual location, at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington Avenue (at Curtis), Albany, CA 94706.
If you have anything you'd like to add to the Agenda, please send your requested items to contactus@albanystrollroll.org.
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Transportation Commission Meeting - Special Virtual Meeting
Thursday, May 21st, 2020
Transportation Commission Meeting - 7:00-9:30pm, City Hall - 1000 San Pablo Avenue, Albany
 Transportation Commission Meetings are normally held: 4th Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM, Albany City Hall-Council Chambers, 1000 San Pablo Ave., Albany CA.
The Transportation Commission will hold a special virtual meeting, Thursday May 21st at 7:30 PM. Agenda and instructions on how to participate will be posted here no later than Friday, May 15th.
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AS&R Virtual Happy Hour Before 6/25 Transportation Commission Meeting
Thursday, June 25th, 2020
5:30-6:30pm, Virtually on Zoom, details to follow
On even-numbered months when the Transportation Commission meets, AS&R gathers for Happy Hour beforehand. It's a good way to review TC agenda items together. While dining rooms are closed, including our normal Happy Hour meeting place (Everest Kitchen), we encourage you to help support our other restaurants by buying food to go or getting food delivered. Their survival may depend on it! The Chamber of Commerce has a list of Albany restaurants open during shelter in place, and the Solano Avenue Association has a list of businesses open on the avenue, in Albany and Berkeley.
 Since we can't gather this week, AS&R Core would like to host a 1hr Zoom gathering instead. This will give us a chance to check-in, chat about the TC Agenda, and share the usual chat about biking in and around Albany. Ken McCroskey will host, and the gathering can continue after 6:30 if someone else is willing to take on hosting the meeting at that point, which is when Commissioners need to prepare for the TC meeting. Email contactus@albanystrollroll.org to get Zoom links and phone numbers.
Details will be sent out on the day of the event by email to the same list as this GREENways and posted to AS&R's Facebook page. If you are on the commission, please RSVP to Ken so we can maintain proper "collusion distancing" as per state law. We hope to see you there!
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CALENDAR
May:
June:
July
- 9, Thursday: AS&R Regular Meeting
7-9pm, St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington Ave, Albany
- 23, Thursday: Transportation Commission
7-9:30pm, City Hall, 1000 San Pablo Avenue, Albany
August
- The Transportation Commission usually takes its August meeting off, and so does AS&R. We will still be preparing for the Solano Stroll, though.
September
- All Month, Bay Area Bicycle Challenge
Register now with Team Albany Strollers and Rollers
- 10, Thursday: AS&R Regular Meeting
7-9pm, St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington Ave, Albany
- 13, Sunday: Solano Avenue Stroll
AS&R provides bike valet parking in two locations
- 24, Thursday: Albany Transportation Commission
7-9:30pm - Virtual Meeting
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Biking During Shelter in Place
A Brief Pandemic Primer with Links
Most folks are aware that cycling is allowed for transportation and exercise. It can be a great way to exercise with your family and get out of the house! Please remember that you may not ride with anyone who is not in your household (Alameda County Public Health Dpt. Covid-19 Page, Shelter in Place FAQs). Face coverings are now recommended while exercising outdoors, and you should at least have a face-covering ready and visible for when you encounter a situation where it is difficult to maintain six feet of physical distance (Alameda County Order of April 17, section 7). All group rides are canceled for now, and cycling events are postponed for the foreseeable future.
 There are fewer cars on the roads, making for great cycling on city streets. In fact, we recommend cycling on the street as they're often less congested than our trails and it's easier to maintain appropriate social distance. Most bike/ped trails remain open, but some parking lots have closed due to overcrowding. You can often walk or bike in even if the lots are closed. Check websites before heading to a park. The Bay Trail is mostly open, but the Bay Trail connector project in Albany remains blocked and incomplete. Golden Gate Fields has some gates, but walkers and cyclists can get up and over Fleming Point behind the clubhouse.
Albany Bulb at the end of Buchanan remains popular, in part because Point Isabel and other dog parks are closed, and there are many folks out walking. The bathrooms and other East Bay Regional Park District portions of the Bulb area are now open. Social distancing may be hard to maintain at the Bulb due to the crowds, and parking is difficult.
 Biking With Kids
Biking as a family can be a great break from being inside. With playgrounds closed, it's also one of the few ways for kids to get the workout they need. Take advantage of fewer cars on the roads to introduce younger kids on two wheels to ride on the road. A Bike East Bay class is a great introduction to the rules of the road (see below). Choose calmer streets, like our Most Relaxed Cycling Routes, and model helmet use for your kids. This is a great time to practice riding to their school and even practicing locking their bike if the racks are available. See our training item, below, for specific classes for kids.
More Information
Bike shops are considered essential for repair and service. See our note, below. Bike East Bay, our Fiscal Sponsor, has a Covid-19 biking page that offers even more information. Their page is updated as East Bay health orders are modified. Got a question you don't see answered by any of these resources? Post your question on the AS&R Discussion List and someone is sure to have more information (email if you are already a member, or join the discussion list).
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Bike Shops
Which Shops Are Open
 Alameda and Contra Costa Counties have affirmed that bike shops and bike repair are essential services. They may open for business as long as social distancing is maintained. Here is a snapshot of local shop status as of this week. We recommend that you call or check their websites before visiting. Listed in alphabetical order.
BIKES ON SOLANO
1554 Solano Ave. Albany, Ca. 94707 (off the Ohlone Greenway @ Curtis St.)
(510) 524-1094
Open by appointment, please call.
BLUE HERON BIKES
1306 Gilman St. Berkeley (off the Ohlone Greenway @ Curtis St.)
510-524-1937
Open by 9am-6pm, Monday-Saturday (ENTER THROUGH BACK DOOR!)
RICH CITY RIDES
1500 MacDonald Ave, Richmond (across the street from Richmond BART)
(510) 255-0625
Back open with regular hours, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 12-5pm
Closed Tuesday and Sunday
STREET LEVEL CYCLES
84/90 Bolivar Drive, Berkeley
(510) 644-2577
Open for online sales and curbsite pick-up only 11am-6pm, 7 days a week! Accepting bicycle donation drop-offs by appointment only. Check the website for updates.
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Online Bike Training
Raise Your Skill Level From Home
 Anyone who has time should consider one of these classes. There are offerings for all ages and abilities over a wide range of biking topics. Kids and adults who haven't had driver training will especially benefit from Urban Cycling or Drive Your Bike. All classes are free to attend (a helmet is not required during webinars).
Bike East Bay Online Bike Education
Award-winning program offers webinars, blog posts, and resources to help you have fun on every bike trip! This program will be virtual while shelter in place is required. Full class schedule. Please register in advance.
One hour Workshops:
- Bike Theft Prevention
- Biking After Dark
- Bike Commuting Basics
- Bike-Friendly Driver Training
Urban Cycling 101 Day 1, 2-Hour Class
This 2-part series starts with a 2-hour “Day 1” session online, then continues with an optional “Day 2” on-the-bike class (outdoor, bike and helmet required) that will be offered at a later date. Learn the rules of the road, crash avoidance maneuvers, and tips you can use on every bike ride.
Safe Routes to Schools Alameda County
Hosting a number of webinars on bike maintenance as well as biking and walking safety. These webinars are offered in April to bring the program to students while kids are away from school. Webinar schedule.
Topics:
- Drive your bike: Navigating Streets Safely. Geared to middle school, all ages welcome.
- Virtual BikeMobile: Bike Types, Selection, and Fit. 10 to adult.
- Virtual BikeMobile: Lock Up Your Bike! 10 to adult.
- Virtual BikeMobile: Flat Tire Repair Clinic. 10 to adult.
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