May 2019 Braking News
from the Rockland Bicycling Club

1. May 15 Ride of Silence: Please join the Rockland Bicycling Club on Wed May 15 at 6:30p at the Rockland County Courthouse for our annual Ride of Silence. Each May RBC joins cyclists across the country and around the world to cycle slowly and quietly in a Ride of Silence to raise awareness of bike safety issues. 
   
   In 2018, there were 40 crashes involving a car and a cyclist in Rockland County. Please join us on May 15 as we ride in silence around New City to draw attention to the issue of cycling safety.
    
2. Ride Right: The club has scheduled a Ride Leader Training on Wed May 8 at 7p lead by an outside facilitator. Please sign up at RocklandBicyclingClub.org, or emailRocklandBike@gmail.com for more information.
    
3. Advocacy news: 

• Greenbush Bypass: It's paved! But it's still a work in progress. Orangetown says look for a May/June opening for this short bypass through Blauvelt State Park adjacent to Rt 303 north.
   
• The RBC joined sustainability advocates and e-bike owners at a meeting with NYS Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski last month to make the case for 24/7 access on the Mario Cuomo Tappan Zee Bridge Shared Use Path. Also, the Village of Nyack Sustainability Committee has endorsed 24/7 access to the SUP because bicycle commuting is a green sustainable behavior that should be encouraged.
   

4. Spring Rides in the NY Metro Area

• Bike New York's TD 5 Boro Bike Tour: NYC, May 5.
• Gran Fondo NY May 19: GWB to Bear Mountain and back 
• Hudson Valley Ride the Ridge Bike Challenge: 12 miles, 30 miles, 50 miles, 80 miles. Stone Ridge, NY, June 1.

5. Save This Date for "Rolling By The River:" On Sun June 2 at 2p, the Rockland Bicycling Club will partner with Nyack, Upper Nyack and Piermont for a "slow roll" community cycling event. It's an opportunity to meet your neighbors, teach kids/parents/drivers about cycling safety, and encourage all ages to discover the joy of riding again! This family friendly ride starts at Nyack Memorial Park and proceeds north to Nyack Beach State Park. For more info and to volunteer to be a Ride Marshall, email RocklandBike@gmail.com. 

Help Wanted! The RBC is seeking volunteers to help us with this newsletter and our website. Also, we are always looking for new ride leaders and new rides and routes, too! Email rocklandbike@gmail.com to get involved. Until then, Ride Safe!

Mike Hays, President

Board members: Stephen Brehl, Iris Cognevich, Ernie DiGiacomo, Rita Joachim, Paul Langus, Lynwood Law, Ramon Lopez, Ed Molina, Lila Moreno, Roseanne Schwartz, Dave Zornow