Welcome to the website of the New York Bicycling Coalition, the premier resource for bicycling information in New York State.

The website offers access to information on a number of programs including NYBC’s current efforts to promote Share the Road material, our annual Events Calendar and links to cycling clubs and other bicycling related sites.  Check our News page often to stay informed on current issues concerning bicycling & pedestrian advocates in NYS.

UPCOMING NYBC-SPONSORED EVENTS:

Inspirational Cross-Country Bicycle Ride To Encourage Safer Roads Journeys to NY’s Capital Saturday, September 27th (NOTE:  Rain or Shine Event)

Friday, 9/26:
NYBC has received a number of calls and inquiries re: the LONG BIKE Back event tomorrow (Saturday, September 27th). Like trusty mail carriers, Pearson & Pete have ridden through heavy rain, fierce winds, blistering sun, and treacherous road conditions (16 flats & counting) since their journey began early this summer to deliver the Share the Road message to communities across the country. Our event is on rain or shine! If the weather is inclement tomorrow afternoon and you opt not to ride, we still encourage you to show your support and attend the Welcome Reception and Talk from 5:30-6:30pm, happening in the warm dry space of the UAG Gallery on Lark St.

For those wishing to ride the last 15 miles in with Pearson, Pete, and Julia, meet at 4:00 P.M. at the corner of Dunnesville Rd. & Route 20 (Western Ave), Dunnesville, NY. If you’re looking to ride a shorter distance, two alternate locations that are easily accessible on Western Ave. are the Twenty Mall (intersection of Routes 20 & 155) and in front of the Bank of America (across from Stuyvesant Plaza/Fuller Rd.) Claire Nolan, NYBC Board member, will be accompanying our cyclists and will pick up individuals at all 3 of these locations.

5:30pm-6:30pm: “The Long Bike Back” Reception/Preview Screening at the Upstate Artists Guild Gallery, 247 Lark Street Albany NY 12210, co-sponsored by NYBC and the Upstate Artists Guild. Join us for a warm welcoming reception and early preview screening of a segment of “The Long Bike Back,” after which our featured guests will speak briefly about their journey, including Pearson’s recovery, and the need for motorists to be aware of vulnerable road-users. $10 donation ($5 student/low-income); proceeds for the event would benefit NYBC’s Share the Road campaign to increase bicycle safety awareness.

See article published in Thursday’s Times Union: “Life-changing crash sparks ride for awareness: Message is that cyclists, drivers must share road”:  http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=723674

NOTE: Care to ride only partway?  Utilize CDTA’s “Bikeable Buses.”  Consult the  (#10) Western Ave.  bus schedule for times.   Bicycle parking is available in front of UAG Gallery and Lark St. BID.

BACKGROUND:

After two years of agonizing recovery from a life altering hit-and-run accident, cyclist Pearson Constantino and his brother Pete are riding across America to make our roads safer and inspire more bicycling. A documentary film, THE LONG BIKE BACK, is being made about Pearson’s inspirational comeback and the brothers’ epic ride.

On a beautiful morning in late June 2006, lifelong cyclist Pearson Constantino was riding on a suburban road when he was struck from behind by an SUV. He suffered multiple severe injuries including a shattered hip, a crushed lumbar vertebra and severe head trauma; his helmet saved his life. In what is an all too common phenomenon, the driver fled the scene. Pearson was one of 44,000 cyclists to be injured by a motor vehicle in the United States in 2006; an additional 68,000 pedestrians were injured in traffic crashes.

Although Pearson is still plagued by constant pain in his back and hip and lingering memory loss, he has returned to his bicycle and is riding across America to encourage road safety and inspire others to cycle. On August 12th, brothers Pearson and Pete set out from Newport, Oregon, and will continue their cross-continental journey all the way to Cape Cod, Massachusetts along US Route 20, Main Street America.  Track their journey on blog.longbikeback.com .