Table of Contents From the President Bardstown Awaits Cookies! Cookies! Let's Talk Bikes “Labor Day Live!” World of Thanks Letter LBC Picnic STR Success

From the President
The Shape of Things to Come

As most LBC members know, we trace our origins as a club to 1897, when 10,000 cyclists came to town to participate in the League of American Wheelmen rally. We may look back one day and see Mayor Abramson's Healthy Hometown bicycle rides — one was held on Memorial Day and one is set for Labor Day — as just as significant to our development.

More than 1,000 riders took part in the Memorial Day ride, which followed the route from Slugger Field along city streets to Shawnee Park and back along the RiverWalk. Riders of every age, on every kind of bike — including some with training wheels — from every part of the community participated. The ride was so successful that the Mayor's office has scheduled the next community ride for Labor Day, September 5. As many as 2,000 riders are expected to take part. The LBC helped select the route, which will go from Slugger Field to Iroquois Park.

These events present great challenges and opportunities for the LBC.

A goal of 5,000 riders for these rides is very realistic. Mayor Abramson is committed to the concept and Louisvillians love any kind of party. Time and better publicity will make it happen.

This means that the LBC has barely scratched the surface of the rider potential in the Louisville area. If we redouble our efforts to reach out to novice riders, membership growth will explode.

But the success of these events, which participants believe will be held in a safe environment, also is evidence that typical LBC road riding will never be an option for most riders. We have to accept this reality and increase our advocacy for separated recreational facilities. That's a real Catch-22: Fighting to protect experienced riders' rights to the road as we insist that the city build shared and off-road facilities. And a challenge to club leaders and other advocates.

Finally, as cycling gets bigger and takes a larger share of public investment, our conduct on the road will come under greater scrutiny. There will always be more jerks in cars than on bikes ... and electoral politics will continue to reflect that reality. That's why we must continue to oppose excesses like the scofflaw conduct on the Tuesday night ride caught on tape by WLKY-32.

Volunteers are needed as ride marshals, bike doctors, to provide safety education and to staff the LBC and OKHT information booth. Please email me at or call me at 895-4850 to sign up.