Press Release 03.02.2006

Report on Bike Awareness Day at the West Virginia Legislature

Charleston, WV – State Capitol

by Amy Dunkin

Well today, March 1, 2006, was Bike Awareness Day at the Legislature. A time for all of us cyclists to come out in front of our representatives to show them that the cyclists in West Virginia are great in number and a group that deserves recognition and support from our governing bodies. Maybe that would help keep trails open and provide more funding to make more trails and have laws enforced for offenders that interfere with road cyclists. This was a great idea.

So I got to work early and had my bike gear. I wore last year’s team uniform and all my gear. Took a few phone calls and e-mailed out a report before leaving my office in Charleston. I got on my bike and headed up Kanawha Boulevard to the state Capitol. Thinking to my self, “I wonder who all will be there, how many booths will be set up, this is going to be cool.”

I pull up to the capitol and ask the security guard if I am at the right location. She was very friendly and advised me that I was in the right location.

I then ride right up to the Capitol stairs, pull over, take off my bike shoes and slip on some sneakers. Then off I go in full bike gear and road bike and camera in hand.

I head up the stairs to the second floor where all of the cyclists would be gathered.

Well apparently a tobacco prevention thing was going on for the youth too. That is cool,  but where are the bikes. I asked one after another child if they have seen any bikes.  Nope.   At this point I start to question did I have the right date and location. Then I spot Matt Marcus, the president of the West Virginia Mountain Bike Association. Whew, that must be where we are all gathered.

I walk over to Matt who is standing by the table and presentation that Trish Clay and Mike McGrew of the West Virginia Mountain Bike organization www.wvmountainbike.com . They had a nice table set up with brochures and a projection screen and some bikes.

Unfortunately that was it. Only one display set up. Where are the bike stores and other cycling clubs and teams in West Virginia. Everyone wants support and promotion of cycling but nobody was there.

Well I stood with Matt and talked with him some. Then a gentleman in a suit stoped by , I guess a representative. So I spoke with him for quite sometime about cycling, racing, the website and he shared a story of his friend who went over to France for the tour last year. It was quite pleasant conversation.  Too bad there were not more cyclists there.

I know you guys are out there and yeah we all have to work and stuff but you got to make a effort to get to some of these functions, especillay if you live close by. I know it is hard when you live far away and work or go to school. So how about all the local clubs and cyclists there are a ton of us in Charleston. and close by.

I don’t know if any other cyclists showed up later in the day. Maybe some of you did, if so good for you.

Let’s try our best next time to show support and maybe then we won’t have to travel out of state for races and worry about trail closures, and getting permission to have races and organized rides, etc.

So, get out there and ride and talk your sport up whenever you can. Trust me it will only help you to enjoy the sport more and better.