Baker Loves Bikes (BLB) might be a simple name, but this group has big plans for the local community. Their mission is big: “to educate and support greater access and safe opportunity for all cyclists in Baker County.”

BLB formed several months ago, and members have been meeting two or three times each month to work on the group’s plans. They are also in the process of becoming a non-profit, which will open up opportunities for grants. The organization is for everyone, from those who cruise around town to serious cyclists.

“It’s for kids, it’s for families, adults, racers, those who want to be racers,” said Jackie Taylor, BLB’s champion.

BLB is working with the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) to help achieve their goals for the community, and Jackie Taylor recently attended a BTA bike safety education instructor course in Ontario.

“What I learned was how to bring this into the classrooms of Baker City” she said.

The course curriculum covers classroom discussion for rules of the road, safety checks and bicycle equipment. The on-bike session covers road hazards, right-of-way rules, lane positioning, intersection etiquette and hand signals.

The BTA’s Pedestrian Safety Instructor course was also taught. With both these programs, students from grades 2-6 are covered. Traffic safety everywhere!

BLB hopes to take bike safety into the schools beginning next fall. But they have plans for this summer, too — a sort of co-op maintenance shop that will repair bicycles recovered by the police that go un-claimed.

“The bikes ultimately become city property,” said Police Chief Wyn Lohner.

The plan is to fix the bikes, then bring children in for the bike safety curriculum. After completion, the kids get to adopt a bike and a helmet.

“These bikes are theirs, and we’d teach them how to take care of them,” Taylor said.

“Bike safety is huge,” Lohner said. “If we can provide bikes to those who might not otherwise afford it, that’s a plus. And along with bike safety, that’s a bigger plus.”

BLB took their mission statewide when Taylor and City Planner, Mike Peña attended the Oregon Bike Summit held April 21-22 in Salem. The Baker County Marketing Committee sponsored their trip.

While there, the two set up an exhibit about Baker County and talked to Sen. Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day) and Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) to share the news about BLB’s plans to make Eastern Oregon more bike-friendly.

“They love the idea,” Taylor said.

Elkhorn Classic

Another BLB project is helping with the Elkhorn Classic Bicycle Stage Race, set this year for June 19-21. The race will be a bit different this year with more spectator-friendly events, and along with that comes a greater need for volunteers.

“Safety is the big issue — we do this entire race with the roads open,” said BLB member Beverly Calder.

“It’s a great race to watch, if we put it where people can watch it,” Calder said. By the way, Baker County may have as many as 10 bicyclists in the race, which draws more than 500 racers professional bike racers.

Bike lanes and mountain trails

Another BLB project is to get grant funds to add bike lanes to Baker City streets — a mission the BTA supports along with in-school training for pedestrian and bicycle safety- with a program called Safe Routes to Schools. The safe routes to schools would connect to safe routes to trails. And the mountain bike trails throughout Baker City and County are incredible and there are many trials for all abilities!

This article was adapted from the article written by LISA BRITTON Baker City Herald May 04, 2009

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