On Tuesday, May 20th, our 11-member Bike East Bay Climate Ride team rolled victoriously into California’s Capitol along with 140 other participants, after having completed a four-day, 250-mile journey by bike. This beautiful, fully-supported event led riders from San Francisco up to Petaluma, through Healdsburg and Calistoga, then on to Napa, over the hills to Davis, and into Sacramento for a welcome by East Bay Assembly member Nancy Skinner.
In addition to bringing attention to critical climate and sustainability issues, participants also raised half a million dollars, a record amount for Climate Ride, which will benefit non-profits such as Bike East Bay. Our team alone has raised an amazing total of $46,000, just short of our $50,000 goal. Donations are still being accepted, though, so please visit our team page online here to make a generous contribution and say “congratulations” to these Climate Riders for all their hard work:
Ethen Avery, Frank Castro, Evan Geer, Daniel Leaverton, Joseph Macken, Frankie Mansfield, Michael McCormick, Erica Nakamura, Robert Prinz, Maggie Smith, and Mimi Torres. (Also, special thanks to Bike East Bay Membership Coordinator Ginger Jui for participating as a Climate Ride Medical Team volunteer!)
Every one of our team members has a great story about why they decided to participate in the Climate Ride this year, but in particular we would like share the following two:
Dan Leaverton
As many may know, I am passionate about cycling and the environment. I started on two wheels at age 2 1/2 (really) and grew up in Davis, CA, one of the best bike towns in the US. In the 1970’s Davis had bike lanes everywhere and bike police, and I rode my bike to elementary school every day on safe streets, paths, and across bike bridges avoiding cars. I want everyone to feel safe cycling as I did growing up in Davis.
A few weeks ago I attended a VIP reception and panel discussion hosted by Bike East Bay. The local event in Oakland included the Directors of Transportation from NYC, Boston and Chicago as well as CalBike and the Mayor of Oakland. After learning of their incredibly successful nationwide efforts to increase the number of safe and complete streets for pedestrians and cyclists and hearing of the positive impact of our collective efforts I was urged to do more (fundraising). Safer streets in every city result in more pedestrians and cyclists. Fewer car trips equals reduced emissions and healthier people.
As a cyclist in Climate Ride California and member of Team Bike East Bay we are raising money to advance a host of issues affecting the health of our planet and economy, and bicycle safety and advocacy here in the East Bay. A great way that you can help do something meaningful, substantial, and concrete is to support my fundraising for Climate Ride. Your generous donations will help bring a better tomorrow in our community and beyond.
Frankie Mansfield
In 2013, I was hit by a car while on my bike commute home, badly breaking both bones in my lower leg. After reconstructive surgery, a few days in hospital, many weeks off work and several months of pain and distress during my recovery, I was desperate to get back on two wheels again and the Climate Ride was the perfect goal to work towards. I also felt duty-bound to raise money for the bike advocacy organizations who work tirelessly towards preventing these sorts of indicents.
I grew up in Europe and the UK where sustainability is a way of life and bicycling is an everyday mode of transport for normal people. By supporting bike advocacy and climate/sustainability education, we can raise awareness and acceptance of these important issues and lay the groundwork for policies designed to address our long-term climate predicament.
This fundraising campaign is not about me. This is about safer streets for everyone on bikes, and a more sustainable future for our loved ones the world over.
Click here to view photos from our training rides and the Climate Ride itself, and please contact us if you are interested in joining Team Bike East Bay for next year’s event, or go to BikeEastBay.org/ClimateRide for more info.