With a grant from the DALMAC Fund, support from KBC coffers, and donations from several bike-friendly supporters the “Give Them 5” education campaign is underway. Initiated and organized by Paul Wells, chair of the KBC Education Committee, the campaign is aimed at raising motorist and bicyclist awareness of recently approved five-foot passing ordinances in Kalamazoo, Portage, Kalamazoo Township, and Oshtemo Township. As a means of getting the word out, yard 
signs are already beginning to appear along streets and roads in the Kalamazoo area. Available to anyone willing to put the sign in their yard, these signs can be obtained by sending an email to Paul Wells educationchair@kalamazoobicycleclub.org, who will also happily accept donations to KBC in support of the education campaign.
Alamo Township Repaired West AB Avenue!!
The Alamo Township Board allocated funds to repair the nasty stretch of pavement on West AB Ave that has been a hazard (aka bicycle handling feature) on KBC Wednesday Nite Rides for many years. That stretch of road is now a short, but beautifully smooth, ribbon of new pavement.
Even though the gleeful cheers cannot be heard in the photo below, KBC members on a recent Wednesday Nite Ride expressed thanks to the powers-that-be for a job well done.
T H A N K Y O U!!
Five-foot passing ordinance in Kalamazoo Township
Kalamazoo Township joined Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo & Portage by enacting the very same 5-foot ordinance at its Board meeting on May 22. Supervisor Ron Reid and Trustee Steve Leuty were the key players responsible for getting it done.
Chain Gang Finish the Ride Memorial Ride
The Chain Gang’s first annual Finish the Ride Memorial ride, to remember the victims and honor the survivors of the 2016 Kalamazoo Cycling Tragedy, will take place on June 7, 2017. For more information about this ride please visit the Chain Gang website http://www.thechaingang.club/memorial-rides.html
Kalamazoo Area Bike Week – May 13th-20th
The sixth annual Kalamazoo Area Bike Week (KABW) is just around the corner. The week begins on Saturday, May 13th, with the Kal Haven Trailblazer and the Mayor’s City to City Ride, and it concludes on Saturday, May 20th, with the Bell’s to Bell’s Bike Ride followed by the Open Roads’ Bike-a-Palooza. See the KABW website for more information.
KBC picks up the trash
On Saturday, April 29th, several KBC members 
devoted a couple hours to picking up a boatload (well…trailerload) of trash along a half-mile stretch of 12th Street, just south of Parkview, in Oshtemo Township. Then, our trusty treasurer
deposited the loot at the Oshtemo Township Hall, as part of the Townships periodic trash drop-off day. Doug won the “best trash prize” when he found a discarded fire extinguisher. (Left to right in the group photo are John Hart, Paul and Pam Sotherland, Doug Kirk, Robin Sides, Barb Hart, and Kathy Kirk. And, Mike Boersma is poised on the right for the get-away.)