Portland, Oregon hosted the second annual Safe Routes to Schools conference in August.  It was truly an amazing event to participate in, learning from others throughout the US solutions on how to improve safety for cyclists, reduce traffic congestion, fuel consumption and air pollution in and around our schools. Established in 2005 the Federal Safe Routes to Schools was authorized by Congress to get children back to walking and cycling to schools by reducing the need for parents to drive their children to school.The mission of Chico Velo fits well with the Federal Highway Administration recommendations that the Safe Routes to School programs incorporates what is called the five “E’s” in finding solutions.

As you are aware, August and September are two of the worst months of the dreaded "puncture vine" weed - aka. Goathead weed. There are quite a few roads and bike paths in Butte County that have goathead problems at the moment - almost too many to count. Last week, 3 local cyclists - David Albrecht, Caryn Jones and Margaret Jones - spent the afternoon pulling over 100 pounds of puncture vine from the Durham Bike Path.

If you are in an accident while on your bike and you have extra medical related expenses that go beyond what you can't afford to pay the Chico Cyclist Care Fund is here to help In order for the Fund to grow participation in the Tour De Ed or by personal donation throughout the year has been our means of contributing to the Fund.