April 2024 Newsletter
"Just breezing through life, one bicycle ride at a time." ~ Unknown
|
|
|
It's finally Valley Bike Month and we have everything you need to know to bike your way through April. Go big and glam up for PSP's Bike Prom: Biking with Barbie! This 21+ event at Walter Studios includes a PSP Bike Prom Parade! Scroll down for ticket information. April is also a big advocacy month. Phoenix holds its Community Budget Hearings throughout the city this month. We have the full schedule, background information and a talking points cheat sheet you can use to advocate for a bike-friendly Phoenix. And, as ever, our Linktree has links to additional public meetings, surveys and other ways to rabble rouse. If you still can't get enough PSP, try becoming a Phoenix Spokes People member. Membership is not required to join our monthly public meeting, which you are always warmly invited to attend.
|
|
|
|
PSP Bike Prom:
Biking with Barbie!
Tickets for the PSP Bike Prom are now available, and we couldn’t be more excited!
This year’s theme is Biking with Barbie, so get pretty in pink and join us on Saturday, April 27th, at Walter Studios. Don't forget to doll up your bike, too!
It's not a PSP event without a social ride! Show up early and join the Bike Prom Parade at 6:30 p.m. at Civic Space.
Dance the night away with DJ Bicycle Jesus! Early bird tickets for this over-21 event include a free drink ticket, so buy your ticket online now.
We’re going full prom with four prizes for a Royal Court and a prize for best bike decor! A Prom-exclusive raffle has prizes, including restaurant gift certificates, e-bike rentals, and more!
PSP is especially grateful to Walter Studios and Waymo for supporting this event. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect venue. And, if your legs are too tired from dancing to bike home, or you enjoyed a few adult beverages, you know Waymo can give you a lift home.
|
|
|
|
Valley Bike Month is Here At Last!
April is Valley Bike Month which means plenty of bike-related fun and activities to enjoy!
Thanks to Waymo, you can pick up awesome Valley Bike Month T-shirts at specific VBM events!
Still trying to figure out where to start? Here are just some ways to participate:
- Plan for fun bike-tivities using this calendar of events.
- Register for Bike to Work Day on April 17th! (Must register by April 12th.) Join PSP afterward at our Bike to Work Happy Hour!
- Log your rides to compete in a Valley Bike Month Challenge. This month-long contest has tons of great prizes up for grabs, including a Lectric E-Bike! Join PSP's team here!
- Join a social ride. We might be biased, but our friendly Second Saturday Ride is a great place to start. There are plenty more to choose from throughout the Valley, so you'll always have someone to ride with no matter where you are.
|
|
|
|
Phoenix Budget
Community Budget Hearings Kicked Off
Phoenix is holding its Community Budget Hearings this month.
It's your chance to directly advocate for better bicycle infrastructure, safer streets, and projects that make traveling around Phoenix better for all road users.
Nine in-person meetings are being held throughout the city in April, along with two virtual hearings that have already taken place. The full hearing schedule can be found here.
It's worth noting the two virtual budget hearings this month prove that speaking up at meetings works. These online meetings are the direct result of PSP's advocacy efforts last year.
Not sure what to say?
Use our PSP budget hearing template to get started. Customize it to address your district's specific needs. If you can't attend a meeting in person, you should still email or call your Phoenix City Council member and Mayor Kate Gallego.
|
|
|
|
Advocacy & Action
Whether you take a five-minute survey, attend a public meeting or email a Phoenix City Council member or administrative office, your voice matters. Here’s a quick list of opportunities to make Phoenix a friendlier place to ride a bike.
Meetings
City of Phoenix Community Budget Hearings
This month, Phoenix is holding 11 in-person budget hearings throughout the Valley. There will also be two virtual hearings.
The full hearing schedule can be found here.
Learn more about the city’s budget process here.
Surveys
Phoenix is taking suggestions on three paving options on Butler Drive between 7th Street and 12th Street. One option includes buffered bike lanes on either side of the street. Let Phoenix know your preference by taking the survey, which is open until Sunday, April 21, 2024.
A restriping project on 31st Ave. from Bethany Home Rd. to Glendale Ave. would potentially widen bike lanes by removing bike lane parking. You can see the rollplot here. The survey is open until Sunday, April 21, 2024.
Phoenix Connected Active Neighborhoods (PhxCAN), a coalition of active Phoenix neighborhoods in the South Mountain and Central Villages, is entering the second phase of a series of community surveys designed to gather input about better infrastructure for non-vehicle users. An online survey is open until Tuesday, April 30, 2024. A series of community engagement meetings are also being held this month.
|
|
|
|
April Second Saturday Ride
You don't need to wait for April to enjoy a fun, family-friendly social ride. PSP has a social Second Saturday Ride every month and Valley Bike Month is no exception!
Meet us on Saturday, April 13, at 8 a.m. at Short Leash Hotdogs, 4221 N. 7th Ave. After introductions and hellos, we'll roll out at 9 a.m.
We soak up Phoenix's legendary perfect bike weather during a ride that's about 12 to 14 miles long. At about the halfway point, we'll rest for a bit in a park. All fitness levels are welcome, and no one gets left behind.
We end up where we started at Short Leash Hot Dogs. They’ll be officially open, so feel free to grab some food, enjoy a beverage and hang out.
|
|
|
April PSP Monthly Public Meeting
Join our virtual meeting to learn how PSP organizes fun events like Bike Prom and impactful, coordinated advocacy efforts.
The virtual meeting is Saturday, April 27, at 10 a.m. Get a glimpse at what happens behind the scenes at our monthly Phoenix Spokes People meeting. We’ll strategize our advocacy, plan fun social bike-related events and manage to make administrative duties more fun, too.
We’re a friendly and welcoming bunch, so please come to this virtual meeting.
Join us online! You can always find the link to our meetings on Linktree.
|
|
|
Become a PSP Member
Are you:
- A fan of friendly, casual bike events?
- Wanting better bicycle infrastructure and safer streets?
- Looking for fun, impactful volunteer activities?
Then an annual Phoenix Spokes People membership is for you! We are a group of urban bicyclists dedicated to making Phoenix a friendlier, more welcoming place to ride bikes. We believe cycling should be an easily accessible form of transportation for people of all ages, incomes and abilities, and we're working hard to make that come true.
For $20 a year ($15 for students) you can support our advocacy and community building and help cover costs like this newsletter and ride insurance. Thanks for your support!
|
|
The Bulletin Board
Where we keep the handy bits of info.
|
|
- City of Phoenix’s new Bike Lane Projects website. Tracks all projects, even those that don't require a vote.
- Advocate often and easily with our handy-dandy advocacy cheat sheet.
- For $25 you can get a Share the Road license plate from the Arizona Department of Transportation. Proceeds from the plate benefit the Rob Dollar Foundation and Uphill Into the Wind, both nonprofit organizations that promote cycling for the greater good.
- City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department:
200 W. Washington St., 5th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: 602-262-6284 Fax: 602-495-2016 TTY: 711
Email: streetsp@phoenix.gov, www.phoenix.gov/bicycling
- Research Capital improvement projects. Includes links to meetings and email update sign-ups.
- Report a street maintenance issue or concern.
- View Planned street closures and restrictions.
- Use the PHX City Calendar to learn about upcoming city meetings, events, activities, and more.
- Report a collision, near-miss or bike hazard: Bikemaps.org.
- Report cars parked in bike lanes: call the Phoenix Police non-emergency line, 602.262.6151.
- Find a bike shop near you - anywhere in Maricopa County!
|
|
|
|
