Dutch Reach now Illinois Law

 Club News, Safety
Sep 132018
 

Illustration of Dutch Reach method to avoid dooring cyclistsThe MC Wheelers are members of RIde Illinois, our state bicycle advocacy group. Of interest recently is a technique called the Dutch Reach that State Rep. Theresa Mah is trying to make part of Illinois driver training. The Dutch Reach is a way for motorists leaving parallel-parked cars to avoid “dooring” cyclists coming from behind – by opening their car doors with their right (not left) hand. This method results in a torso twist where you are better positioned to see cyclists and limits the speed with which the vehicle door opens. Read more at Dutch Reach Project… RB

Updated Aug 23, 2018: Now Law in Illinois. A new law requires the Illinois secretary of state to include in the ‘Rules of the Road’ information on the ‘Dutch Reach‘ method of opening a vehicle door to avoid injuries to bicyclists. It also requires that the term be included in the pool of questions to obtain a driver’s license.  Aug 23, 2018

Bike Friendly Community Survey

 Announcements, Bicycle advocacy
Aug 232018
 

Bike Friendly Community Survey BannerThe Town of Normal recently submitted an application to be re-designated as a “Bike Friendly Community” by the League of American Bicyclists.  The League requires the Town to solicit feedback from local bicycle enthusiasts and stakeholders. Please consider taking 10 minutes (yes, it is a little long, but worth it) to contribute your thoughts.

To understand the BFC requirements and benefits, it is helpful to review what the Normal is already doing as well as the BFC award criteria (some excellent ideas here!).

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/app_BFC_FA18

Deadline for submissions is Sept. 20, 2018.

If you have any questions about the BFC process, please contact Mercy Davison, Normal Town Planner, at mdavison@normal.org or (309) 454-9590. Thanks for your support of making bikeable Normal! RB

Hope on for Hope

 Club News
Aug 042018
 

Hop on for Hope Logo15 Wheelers participated in the 6th Annual Hop on for Hope Ride on Aug. 4. The charity ride is sponsored by the First United Methodist Church in LeRoy, and benefits an orphanage in Guatemala. It was a sunny warm day with most riders opting for the 25 mile route around Moraine View State Park. Good roads, food and comradery. See group photo on our Facebook page.

2018 Spring Metric Ride Feedback

 Club News, Group rides
Jul 312018
 
Wheeler Metric t-shirt design

Although anecdotally, and by the smiling faces index, we think that the Spring Metric is a success and that we are doing the right things, this year we did a follow-up with Survey Monkey to see if the participant data agreed with our organizers’ observations. And indeed there does appear to be some correlation.

Of the approximately 200 riders, there were 151 usable emails, each of whom received the 10 question, one-minute Survey Monkey questionnaire. With only one reminder, we received responses from 42 riders. All rating averages were > 4.3 on the 5.0-scale. You can see a summary of the results at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-TPYQ73NRL/

Thanks again to all riders, survey respondents, and our volunteers who make the event possible. We appreciate your support and feedback and look forward to seeing everyone next June for the 2019 Metric!  RB

What is the “Dutch Reach?”

 Club News, Safety
Jul 282018
 

Illustration of Dutch Reach method to avoid dooring cyclistsThe MC Wheelers are members of RIde Illinois, our state bicycle advocacy group. Their latest e-Newsletter can be found <here>. Of interest is a technique called the Dutch Reach that State Rep. Theresa Mah is trying to make part of Illinois driver training. The Dutch Reach is a way for motorists leaving parallel-parked cars to avoid “dooring” cyclists coming from behind – by opening their car doors with their right (not left) hand. This method results in a torso twist where you are better positioned to see cyclists and limits the speed with which the vehicle door opens. Read more at Dutch Reach Project… RB

Updated 9/13/18: Now Law in Illinois. A new law requires the Illinois secretary of state to include in the ‘Rules of the Road’ information on the ‘Dutch Reach‘ method of opening a vehicle door to avoid injuries to bicyclists. It also requires that the term be included in the pool of questions to obtain a driver’s license.Aug 23, 2018

RAIN Ride in One Day

 Club News
Jul 262018
 

3 MCW riders on RAIN rideThere were only three McLean County Wheelers in the Ride Across Indiana (RAIN) this year, Saturday, July 21, 2018. The photo was taken a few minutes before the start of about 1,400 bikers. Notice how happy Tanya, Allan and Chuck look at the start!  No after photo? Our riders traveled the 160 miles from the Illinois border to the Ohio border in about 11 hours. Congrats on completing this one day endurance ride!

Dorothy & Toto in Bloomington, oh my!

 Club News
Jul 112018
 
Wheeler riders with Dorothy & Toto carving

Tuesday mellow riders captured with Dorothy & Toto.

Another beautiful Tuesday summer evening and another great mellow mostly-trail ride. About a dozen of us headed into south and west Bloomington for a leisurely 12+ mile  loop that included the CT along Hamilton Road, a bit of Route 66 history on Springfield Rd., once around Miller Park to check on the Canada Geese, a Gene’s Dairy Delight stop – yum, and a serendipitous viewing of the new Dorothy and Toto carving in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. More adventures next Tuesday…. RB

 

 

 

July 4, 2018 Pancake Breakfast Ride to Downs

 Club News  Comments Off on July 4, 2018 Pancake Breakfast Ride to Downs
Jul 062018
 
Riders heading for Downs

Riders heading for DownsGroup photo of riders4th of July Pancake Breakfast Ride to Downs

One of the many area 4th of July community events is the Downs Volunteer Fire Department Pancake Breakfast fundraiser. Traditionally one of our club’s largest group rides, we met at Rollingbrook Park (on Hershey Rd.) at 7:00 am to beat the heat and proceed to the Fire Station in Downs, IL.  Many riders then proceed to Towanda to catch the annual 4th of July parade.

 

July 4, 2018 Pancake Breakfast Ride to DownsJuly 4, 2018 Pancake Breakfast Ride to Downs
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