Bi•opic - Flagstaff Biking

Volume #1, Issue #5 Bi•opic : A semi-regular publication of Flagstaff Biking Organization Page 5
Developing Safe Kids
Flagstaff Biking Organization was once again privileged
to continue the Safekids’s Helmet and Bicycle Rodeo
Program. While the helmet program continued to grow,
we felt that children needed to know rules of the road
to ride safely in their own neighborhood. To that end,
we shifted our focus from presenting Bicycle Rodeos
on weekends and changed them to where we knew we
would have their attention, their own school.
During the spring of 2006,
eight elementary schools
in Flagstaff welcomed
SafeKids into their
classrooms for a unique
teaching experience, a
Bicycle Rodeo. So what
is a Bicycle Rodeo? At the elementary school we would
set up a mock road course outside, usually on their
playground, complete with street signs and pedestrian
cross walks. After the children had viewed a short safety
video in their classroom and taught the correct way to
wear a helmet (and the importance of wearing one!),
the children would come outside and learn first hand
the rules of the road. SafeKids and FBO provided the
bikes for the event, as well as helmets. In addition, FBO
and SafeKids also did four Bicycle Safety Presentations
at other elementary schools where facilities prohibited
us setting up the actual rodeo. This Bicycle Safety
Education Program has exposed over 1800 children to
bike riding safety in 2006!
Meanwhile, the helmet program continued to grow.
As always, the main mission for this program was
simple; get helmets on kid’s heads. This year, FBO and
SafeKids sold over 900 helmets to elementary students
at below cost and 100 helmets were also sold at below
cost or given away free to children at the Bike Bazaar
during Bike to Work Week. Also, over fifty helmets
were also given away through our Referral Program
where teachers and/or social workers can identify
children whose financial situation would prohibit them
from purchasing one.
Flagstaff Biking Organization was able to subsidize this
growing program due to a generous donation from Kyle
Norris, M.D. of the Summit Center. Our goal for the
2006-2007 school year is to go to even more elementary
schools and present Bicycle Rodeos to even more kids
in addition to increasing the number of helmets on the
heads of Flagstaff’s youth.
If you would like to be involved in this program or would
like to schedule a Bicycle Rodeo at your school, please
contact Melissa Grimes at (928) 606-1533 or
melissa@flagstaffbiking.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the Loop Trail?
A. When finished The Loop Trail will be an
approximately 42 mile long trail circumnavigating
Flagstaff. The loop will utilize a variety of Forest
System trails, abandoned roads, the FUTS system,
The Arizona Trail and county trails.
Q. How do I access The Loop Trail?
A. The Loop Trail is divided into 8 segments with
each segment having at least 1 trailhead. Each
passage is no longer than 15 miles making it
possible to complete individual sections. Please
visit Flagstaffbiking.org to view a map or pick one
up free of charge at city hall.
Q. When will The Loop Trail be completed?
A. The majority of The Loop Trail is laid out and
planned, the next step is to complete the N.E.P.A.
process and then the build the trails. The funding of
The Loop Trail will be a large factor as to when the
trail will be finished.
Q. What is N.E.P.A. and how much will it
cost to complete the process for The Loop
Trail?
A. N.E.P.A. is the National Environmental Policy Act.
Please read the following section to learn more
about the N.E.P.A. process
The National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969
The purposes of this act are: To declare a
national policy which will encourage productive
and enjoyable harmony between man and his
environment; to promote efforts which will
prevent or eliminate damage to the environment
and biosphere and stimulate the health and
welfare of man; to enrich the understanding of
Flagstaff’s Amazing
Loop Trail Explained
the ecological systems and natural resources
important to the Nation; and to establish a Council
on Environmental Quality.
The congress recognizes that each person should
enjoy a healthful environment and that each person
has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation
and enhancement of the environment.
Q. What does this federal process require?
A. To provide a direction of use that considers some
of the following aspects:
* Beneficial use with the least amount of impact
to the environment
* Input from a number of specialist not limited
to wildlife biologist, watershed planners,
archeologist and the Forest Service recreation
planner etc.
* Preservation of historical and cultural values.
* To find a balance between population and the
resource.
* A timeline for each aspect of the project from
planning to building.
Q. How much will the NEPA process cost
for The Loop Trail?
A. The current estimate as prepared by the Forest
Service is $34,375
Q. How is Flagstaff Biking Organization
assisting the Forest Service with the NEPA
process?
A. FBO is working in conjunction with a number
of entities to raise the funds needed as well as
contributing a large portion itself.
For more information on the Loop Trail project,
Visit: www.looptrail.org or contact the
Project Manager: Dave McKee.
Contact: david@flagstaffbiking.org
David McKee
is a local artist, biker demon
and trail runner.