The Baton Rouge Bicycle Club promotes cycling, safety, education, and fitness for recreational and touring cyclists. The club organizes weekly rides both in town and out of town, for beginning and experienced riders. The club also participates in local cycling advocacy for the benefit of members and public alike. The club sponsors two annual events, the Baton Rouge Bike Club Spring Century, held in May, and the Baton Rouge Bike Club Fall Century, held in October.
Secretary LeBas strengthens commitment to bicycling and walking
Louisiana Secretary of Transportation Sherri LeBas spoke Tuesday about the need for designing and building roads that are safe for all users.
Secretary LeBas was the keynote speaker at a workshop for local transportation leaders hosted at the Louisiana State Museum. Presented by the Center for Planning Excellence, the Capital Region Planning Commission, and Bike Baton Rouge, the day included trainings from national experts on how to fund local biking and walking projects.
With baby boomers aging in place and young people driving less, demand for infrastructure that supports biking and walking is on the rise according to Peter Lagerwey of Toole Design group. Louisiana communities are welcoming more sidewalks, bike facilities, and connectivity – hallmarks of Complete Streets.
In 2010 the State Department of Transportation and Development developed and adopted a Complete Streets policy. This policy makes sure that all state transportation projects will consider biking and walking.
Early efforts included accommodating bikes on the Audubon Bridge linking St. Francisville and New Roads. Secretary LeBas described how the department ensured reflective road buttons on the bridge’s shoulders were installed in a way to provide a path for bicycles.
LeBas also described how the widening of Highway 42 in Ascension is the first major project to include both biking and walking amenities making it a Complete Street. Sidewalks, a shared path, and a raised median will provide safe facilities for walking and biking. The design will also increase safety for motorists.
According to the DOTD’s Destination Zero Deaths program, Louisiana has one of the highest fatality rates in the country. The program aims to reduce fatalities on Louisiana roads at least 50 percent by 2030. LeBas said so far deaths are down 32 percent since the program was introduced.
While car fatalities are declining nationwide bicycle, pedestrian, and motorcycle fatalities are up. Darren Flusche, Policy Director for the League of American Bicyclists cautions that these numbers may be increasing as the numbers of bikers and walkers increase, but that roads designed with bike riders and pedestrians in mind will help these numbers.
Secretary LeBas said she is aware of the need to improve Louisiana’s transportation infrastructure for biking and walking to make roads safer for all users adding, “One death on our roads is too many.”
Get Ready to Cruise Capital Heights
There’s a new ride in town!
Every Thursday at 7pm this summer come out to BREC’s Webb park at Country Club Dr. and Broussard for a laid back, fun, and safe ride around the area.
The Capital Heights Cruiser Ride will take riders around the Capital Heights neighborhood and a little beyond at a pace easy enough to bring the kids along and chat with the neighbors.
Each week will have a different theme for dressing up bike and riders as well as pre- and post-ride optional happy hour.
All bike types are welcome. For more info and this week’s theme, check out the ride Facebook page or website!
Red Bug Hill Challenge is ON
As some of you may have noticed, we’ve had a little rain. Ok, a LOT of rain, lightning, and thunder. More is forecast for Saturday so I’m sure you’re all wondering, “How are the wet roads going to impact my time up Red Bug Hill, and what can I do to get an advantage over my buddy?!?” Well, let a little air out of your skinny tires for a little more traction and plan to make it up to West Fel because the event will happen rain or shine!
Rain or Shine Red Bug Hill is a GO. Mike and Marie are making worst-case-scenario preparations so no excuses. If the weather is too bad to ride there’s plenty of room in the barn.
Support Spina Bifida and enjoy the food, music, and fun that always comes with this great event. You aren’t going to be riding in the rain in Baton Rouge so don’t just sit inside by yourself, come enjoy the rainy day with friends while supporting a good cause.
You can always ride the trainer when you get home 
Directions
Events and registration are located at 13918 Hwy 421, St Francisville, LA 70775.
PLEASE NOTE, the address is rural and GPS and Google maps do not always accurately portray the location on Hwy 421.
Directions from downtown Baton Rouge:
Take 1-110 NORTH all the way to the end. Turn RIGHT at the end of the exit ramp and go NORTH on Hwy 61. Continue on Hwy 61 for approximately 30 miles. Proceed THROUGH the town of St. Francisville. Approximately 8 miles NORTH of town, turn RIGHT on Hwy. 421. 13918 Hwy 421 is 3 miles down on your left.
Ride Indigo: Hotel Indigo’s Community Bike Ride
When: Saturday, February 16, 2013
Where: Hotel Indigo, 200 Convention Street, Downtown Baton Rouge
Registration: 7:30am
Free for everyone
Ride begins at 8:30am in Town Square
5 mile / 10 mile / 15 mile
Post Ride Street Party: Face Painting, Zumba w/ Southern University Gold and Bluez Dancers,
Bring Canned foods for registration fee.
Registration and Ride begin at Town Square in Downtown Baton Rouge.
For more information and to RVSP, please checkout: https://www.facebook.com/events/571787479513520/
FALL CENTURY – October 21, 2012
Join the Baton Rouge Bicycle Club for its annual Fall Century to be held on Sunday, October 21st. EVENT DAY REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE STARTING @ 6:30am.
This year the club is partnering with the American Cancer Society. All proceeds after expenses will be donated to the American Cancer Society Louisiana Chapter.
There will be four routes to choose from: 100-mile, 60-mile, 30-mile, and 10-mile. Each route takes you through beautiful, shady, tree-lined, country roads. The terrian is slightly hilly and there is little traffic. The ride starts and ends at 13918 Hwy 421, north of Saint Francisville.
Driving directions from Baton Rouge: Take 1-110 NORTH all the way to the end. Turn RIGHT at the end of the exit ramp and go NORTH on Hwy 61. Continue on Hwy 61 for approximately 30 miles. Proceed THROUGH the town of St. Francisville. Approximately 8 miles NORTH of town, turn RIGHT on Hwy. 421. 13918 Hwy 421 is 3 miles down on your left.
Event schedule and times:
Additional details are on the active.com event page (click green button below). Ride starting times are to be determined and will be posted before October 1st. Registration the day of the ride will open at 6:30 am. Ride times: 100mi – 7:30am, 60mi – 8am, 30mi – 8:30am, 10mi – 9am.
Routes via GPS:
10 Mile Ride is really 12 Miles — http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1541791
30 Mile Ride is really 27 Miles — http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1541780
60 Mile Ride is really 54 Miles — http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1541811
100 Mile Ride is 100 miles — http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1541877
All riders pre-registered before Oct 7 will be guaranteed an event t-shirt. BRBC will provide to participants on the day of the ride: lunch (11:00 am til 3:30 pm), full SAG support, maps, road markings, pre-ride announcements, and rest stops with restroom facilities, snacks, water, and sport drinks.
Online Registration Closing Date:
Friday, October 19, 2012 @ 11:59 PM US/Central. Event Day Registration is available.
PHOTOS
If you would like to download ALL of the photos from the 2012 Fall Century, Here you go:
Hi-Resolution JPG Format — 509 MB Download
Nikon NEF RAW Format — 1.3 GB Download (Un-edited)
Please remember, These ZIP files are fairly large — They could take some time to download.
If you are wanting to just download a single file from the FLICKR.COM site:
1) Go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsellers/sets/72157631829520436/
2) Click on one of the photos you want to download.
3) Click on the photo once it’s in the forefront… You see a magnifying glass…. just click.
4) On the top right, you see a link to “View All Sizes” — click it.
5) Now, you bee able to click on the link that says, “Download this photo in [whatever] size” — click that and it’ll start downloading.