Please join us there – it will be essential for cyclists’ concerns to be heard.

METRO invites you to attend a public meeting to review and comment on the Urban Design Guidelines (UDG) for the 2.6-mile Tempe Streetcar project that will serve the downtown and Central Tempe community.

The UDG is a document that will provide the future project designers with guidelines for how the streetcar stops should look, including concepts for seating, lighting, platform paving treatments, canopies, etc.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012
6 – 8 p.m.; presentation at 6:15 p.m.
Tempe Transportation Center, Don Cassano Room
200 E. 5th St., Tempe, 85281

For more information, see: http://www.valleymetro.org/metro_projects_planning/tempe_streetcar/

and http://www.tempe.gov/tim/TempeStreetcar.htm

Banish the spandex and don your most dapper casuals for the return of the Tweed Ride, an evening adventure of woolen skirts, bucket hats, and sport coats on Saturday Feb. 11 at 5:30 p.m. starting at Tempe Beach Park.

Tempe Bicycle Action Group welcomes riders of all types and skill levels to wear their favorite woolens skirts, capes, shawls, tweed jackets, caps, and knickers on this fine night of cycling and style. Cyclists will meet at the entrance to Tempe Beach Park for photos and to show off their style at 5:30 p.m. Following the meet and greet, riders will be off to show off their herringbone, twill, plaid and checkered styles with class at the finest Tempe drinking constabularies.

• Where: Tempe Beach Park on the northwest corner of Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway.
• When: Saturday Feb. 11 at 5:30 p.m. Ride at 6 p.m.
• What: A fine night of cycling and style at the classiest public houses of Tempe.
• Cost: The ride is free!

TBAG’s monthly social bike rides will now be held on the Second Saturday of every month.

Sign up and see who else is rollin’ with the crew via Facebook.

New! To get text message alerts for this ride, text TWEED to 719-355-TBAG (8224)

This nighttime ride is hosted by Tempe Bicycle Action Group, a nonprofit organization working to make bicycling a prominent, safe and convenient form of transportation and recreation in Tempe, Arizona and surrounding areas through education, grassroots events, and civic participation.

Out friends from Arizona Bike Polo are hosting the Desert Polo Invite 4 this Saturday and Sunday in Tempe.

This year will be bigger than ever!!! 40+ teams, 4 courts, SERIOUS POLO!!! Round Robin on Saturday, Double elimination on Sunday. Come by and see some of the worlds best polo. Anyone can come by, there will be food, shirts for sale, and a raffle anyone can participate in!!

• Who: Arizona Bike Polo: http://www.azbikepolo.com/
• When: Saturday, January 28th 7:00am until Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 7:00pm
• Where: Grace Community Church 1200 E Southern Ave, Tempe, AZ 85282

T.B.A.G. is hosting the 3rd Annual Winter Games Sunday, February 26 at Clark Park in Tempe.

The Winter Games are a celebration of bikes, community, fun, and a great reason to let loose with your friends and strangers on bipedal machines.

Before the celebrating and stunts begin, Boulders on Broadway is hosting a Bike and Gear Swap Meet in their parking lot starting at 9 a.m. and is having breakfast specials and live music throughout the meet.

After the meet head on over to Clark Park for The Games and see returning this year – The Huffy Toss, Princess Bike Death Races, Tall Bike & Small Bike Jousting, and Bike Polo.

Winter Games 3 is sponsored in part by New Belgium Brewing and Boulders on Broadway.

Please RSVP to the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/224139287673886/

New! To get text message alerts for this event, text TBAG to 719-355-TBAG (8224)

TBAG and the Mitchell Park Neighborhood are moving forward with an exciting bicycle public art project for 2012.  In the fall of 2011 a committee made up of a public artist, Mitchell Park neighbors and TBAG board members conducted a competitive artist and concept selection process.  More than 15 fifteen Arizona public artists were considered.  A Tempe-based artist team by the name of coLAB was selected in December.

The concept for the public art (see attached images) involves bicycle sculptures and large boulders that will be placed in 4 locations along Farmer Avenue (between University Drive and 13^th Street) that will serve as a permanent monument to the importance of bicycling in Tempe, the contributions of TBAG to the community, and help deepen the emphasis of creating bikeable, sustainable corridors for our town and to serve as a model for land use and transportation.  In the words on the artist team, coLAB: “The people-powered vehicle (bicycle) is immensely efficient and useful, and can drastically change the outlook for future balance between man and nature.”

The city of Tempe and TBAG is currently working with the artist team to finalize designs.  Construction of the artwork is expected to happen late Spring/early Summer 2012, with a dedication ceremony anticipated soon thereafter.  This important project will help transform the street and further emphasize TBAG’s role in shaping Tempe and beyond as a bicycle region.

Eric Iwersen

e...@biketempe.org

eric...@tempe.gov

480-239-9593

Check out the concept pdf: TBAGbicycleART.pdf

Bicycle Dreams, the award-winning feature-length documentary about the Race Across America (RAAM), will premiere in Tempe at the Madcap Theaters in Tempe on Wednesday, February 22 at 7 p.m. as part of the film’s ongoing nationwide winter tour. The screening is presented as a benefit for the Tempe Bicycle Action Group.

The event is co-sponsored by State Bicycle Co a local fixed-gear bicycle company. State Bicycle hosts a weekly LOOPS ride every Wednesday, and on the night of the show the group will meet at Madcap, check out the movie, and then head out on the ride after the movie. Keep an eye on the State Bicycle Facebook page for more ride details: http://www.facebook.com/statebicycle

Tickets will be $11 in advance and $15 at the door the night of the show. To purchase advance tickets, order online at http://www.imathlete.com/events/bicycledreams. Madcap Theaters is located at 730 South Mill St. in Tempe.

The film, which has won numerous awards at film festivals all over the world, “is an up-close look at what RAAM riders go through,” says Stephen Auerbach, the director and producer of Bicycle Dreams. “They deal with searing desert heat, agonizing mountain climbs, and endless stretches of open road. And they do it all while battling extreme exhaustion and sleep deprivation. It’s a great subject for a film.”

Find out more information and RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/270766196321442/

The city of Tempe is soliciting feedback from residents, businesses and organizations about a project to improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities, enhance the streetscape and calm traffic on University Drive

between the Union Pacific Railroad just east of Farmer Avenue and Priest Drive. This project is funded with $1.1 million in federal grant money. If you would like to add your comments and/or see the current project status please visit: http://www.tempe.gov/tim/Traffic/UniversityDr.htm

Some TBAG board members attended the initial meeting on January 12th, and we are very excited about this project and its positive impact on the downtown Tempe area. Let us and the City of Tempe know your ideas. The next public meeting is in March where City officials will present design concepts based on the feedback they have received.

Thursday 1/12 – 6pm @ Westside Multi-Gen Center at 715 W. Fifth Street, Tempe.  http://www.tempe.gov/tim/Traffic/UniversityDr.htm

“The city of Tempe is holding an open house to talk with residents, businesses and organizations about a project to improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities, enhance the streetscape, and calm traffic on University Drive between Farmer and Priest”

TBAG has been a long time supporter of this project. We’re excited about the possibilities for bike and pedestrian improvements along this very important route. Please make your comments on the online form at the link above, and attend the meeting on Thursday.

The Tempe Tour de Fat raised nearly $70,000 for seven different local cycling non-profits.

Thanks to everyone who came out to the event, to New Belgium Brewing for your amazing sponsorship, and thanks especially to our 400 volunteers and staff for making this happen. You all make Tempe a great place to ride a bicycle!

Check out tons of videos and photos on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/biketempe

See you on the next ride!

The new Tempe Town Lake Pedestrian Bridge is opening on Tuesday morning! The festivities start at 6:30am. TBAG will lead a bike ride across the bridge at 7am, and then on a short route around the lake and surrounding area. Check out more details at AZ Central: http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/2011/10/16/20111016tempe-town-lake-bridge.html

Image Courtesy of KTAR