FABB Blog

 

Herndon bike light giveaway

There was a great turnout at yesterday's bike light giveaway. Trinity Presbyterian Church in cooperation with Iglesia Nueva Rivera Presbiteriana hosted the event. The church holds a lunch that is attended by local workers, many of whom use bicycles for transportation. In fact, bicycles are an important part of their lives, providing transportation to jobs, for shopping, and for recreation.

We installed around 50 sets of Planet Bike Blinky lights. Most of the cyclists rode to the lunch, and afterwards there was a long line of cyclists waiting for lights.

Thanks to the churches and to Reston Interfaith for helping coordinate the event.

Labels: bike lights, herndon

posted by Bruce Wright at 5:34 PM #

 

Bike light giveaway in Herndon Jan. 20

We're working with Reston Interfaith and Riverside Presbyterian Church (Iglesia Nueva Rivera Presbiteriana), which has a partnership with Trinity Presbyterian Church, to hand out free bike lights tomorrow, January 20 from 1-3 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church (map). If you need a light and are in the Reston/Herndon area, stop by and we'll install a set of Planet Bike blinky safety lights. Read the light giveaway flier.

Labels: bike lights

posted by Bruce Wright at 9:31 PM #

 

Successful bike light giveaway

Despite the cold, wet weather there was a good turnout for the FABB bike light giveaway at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in the Culmore area. Many service workers and others who depend on bikes for transportation live in the area. The church provides many services for the community and they spread the word that lights would be available.

Fortunately the rain was light and the wind didn't blow our tent away. Thanks to all the FABB volunteers for coming out, to Nohemy Miranda of the county bike program, to Spokes Etc. of Alexandria for use of the tent and the services Ryan one of the shop bike mechanics. Thanks also to St. Anthony's Catholic Church for hosting the event, to bikes@vienna for use of the tables and chairs and for help with purchasing the lights, and to Transurban/Fluor for the grant that allowed us to purchase the lights.

Labels: bike lights, culmore

posted by Bruce Wright at 10:39 AM #

 

Bike light giveway near Seven Corners today

FABB is doing our last scheduled bike light giveaway this afternoon, from 4-6pm at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in the Culmore area, just east of Seven Corners. Even though it will very likely be raining, we're hoping for a light rain. Bring your bike and get a free set of front and rear lights. Here's detailed info:

Thursday, November 12, 2009

St. Anthony's Catholic Church
3305 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA 22041 (map)
Time: 4:00-6:00pm—Flier

Labels: bike lights, culmore

posted by Bruce Wright at 2:03 PM #

 

Annandale bike light giveaway

FABB installed over 40 sets of bike lights yesterday at the Annandale United Methodist Church on Columbia Pike at Gallows Road. It was a beautiful Fall day. The first two hours were very busy and we had several volunteers there to help install the lights, which can take a few minutes given the variety of sizes of handlebars and seatposts/seatstays. Several people came in response to the WABA email alert. A few service workers who use bikes for their main transportation came as well.

Thanks to the church for letting us set up on their parking lot. And thanks to the FABB volunteers for coming out and to Nohemy Miranda of the county bike program, who also took the photos. A special thanks to Dale Ruhter, a church member and bike commuter who helped us throughout the afternoon.

Our next event is on Thursday at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in the Culmore area. The church is located on 3305 Glen Carlyn Road at Route 7, just west of Columbia Pike. We'll be there from 4-6 p.m.

Labels: annandale, bike lights

posted by Bruce Wright at 12:13 PM #

 

Bike light giveaway on W&OD Trail today

We installed about 45 sets of lights on bikes that stopped by the FABB bike light giveaway at Gallows Road and the W&OD Trail. We were installing lights non-stop for an hour and a half. Since it's getting dark an hour earlier than last week, several people were rushing home so they wouldn't have to ride on the trail in the dark. They were thankful that we had lights for them.

Michelle Holland and Jennifer Aument of Transurban helped out along with several FABB volunteers. It was through the Transurban and Fluor Community Grant Program for the Capital Beltway Project that we had funds to purchase the lights. Our next event will be in Annandale on Sunday:We've still got a lot of lights left to give away so stop by on Sunday with your bike and we'll install a front and rear Planet Bike Blinky Safety light.

Labels: bike lights

posted by Bruce Wright at 9:28 PM #

 

FABB Bike Light Giveaways

Daylight Savings Time ends on November 1, which means the sun will then set at 5:05 p.m. and it will be dark by 5:30 p.m. Riding at night without lights can be very dangerous. Reflectors are not enough, especially when two cyclists without lights meet on a trail. FABB recently received a grant from the Transurban and Fluor Community Grant Program for the Capital Beltway Project to purchase front and real lights for cyclists. We will be installing lights at the following dates and locations. Lights will only be available for those who show up with their bike. Limit 1 set per person.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
W&OD Trail and Gallows Road (map)
Time: 4:30-6:00pm

Sunday, November 8, 2009
Annandale United Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale (map)
Time: 1:00-4:00pm

We will also be out at random locations with lights for unlit cyclists riding after dark, much like Portland's Community Cycling Center's Get Lit program.

As you can see from the photo above, we've received some help from South Lakes High School students. They earned some service hours for the high school IB program by putting together the lights; installing batteries and putting the lights on the brackets.

Labels: bike lights

posted by Bruce Wright at 8:37 PM #

 

FABB receives grant for bike light giveaway

Many cyclists in Fairfax depend on bicycles for transportation. Some of these cyclists do not have bicycle lights, which are required by Virginia law on all bicycles ridden after dark. FABB recently applied for a grant from the Transurban and Fluor Community Grant Program for the Capital Beltway Project to purchase bike lights to be given to area bicyclists who cannot afford lights. We received funding and will hold events during the last week of October and first week of November to hand out the lights and safety information. If you would like to volunteer at one of these events, or have ideas about the giveaway events, please contact us at chairman (at) fabb-bikes (dot) org.

Labels: bike lights

posted by Bruce Wright at 7:55 PM #