Leaders create new coalition to forge a bike-friendly RVA

Residents, businesses, and organizations have come together to make biking in RVA easier and safer.

May 28, 2013; 6:44 AM • by Nathan Cushing

Leaders in the Richmond Region bicycle community have launched the Greater Richmond Bicycle Coalition, a partnership of organizations and people that will help coordinate and encourage bicycle infrastructure projects in the region.

“We have a great dirt trail system and a thriving racing culture in the Richmond region. But we also want our kids, parents, and grandparents to safely and comfortably bike to school, the grocery store, and the park,” said Max Hepp-Buchanan, director of Bike Walk RVA for the Sports Backers. “Richmond should be bikeable for everyone, from an eight-year-old child to her eighty-year-old grandfather.”

With a reported membership total already in the thousands (see sidebar), the coalition will actively promote bike-friendly plans, policies, and funding by encouraging local elected officials to prioritize development of a connected network of shared-use paths, protected bike lanes, bicycle boulevards, and other bicycle infrastructure needs.

The head of Richmond 2015 thinks the upcoming international attention that the region will receive makes these things all the more important.

“Richmond officials have been talking about bike infrastructure for years, and now is the time to act,” said Tim Miller of Richmond 2015. “With just two-and-a-half years until the entire cycling world will be focused on the Richmond region as the host of the 2015 UCI Road World Championships, we have more reason than ever to become a bike-friendly city.”

Local residents, businesses, and organizations can learn how to join the Greater Richmond Bicycle Coalition by visiting its website. The coalition will host a Bike Month Wrap Party at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery on Friday, May 31st from 5:00 – 8:00 PM. Ten percent of beer sales will benefit the Greater Richmond Bicycle Coalition.