Arctic Bicycle Club
A Non-Profit Corporation
P. O. Box 230130
Anchorage, AK 99523
Hotline: 566-0177
Web Site: www.arcticbike.org
Feb 25, 2010
Anchorage Assembly
C/O Municipal Clerk
P.O. Box 196650
Anchorage, AK 99519-6650
Re: Anchorage Bicycle Plan
Dear Members of the Assembly:
The Arctic Bicycle Club submits these comments in support of the Anchorage Bicycle Plan (the “Plan”). The Arctic Bicycle Club is the oldest and largest cycling organization in Alaska. Formed in 1982, The Arctic Bicycle Club averages over 400 members annually. The Club organizes and supports a variety of cycling events in South Central Alaska each year, including over 35 road bike races, 20 mountain bike races, and 70 touring events. The Club organizes Alaska’s largest bicycle event — the Fireweed 400, and the largest women’s bike event 
in Alaska — the Bike for Women. Our members are dedicated to enjoying the sport of cycling, and supporting every effort to make cycling a safe, accessible activity in our community. The proposed Plan promotes these same goals.
The Plan will promote bicycle safety and encourage a healthy lifestyle through recreational and utility (commuting) cycling. A primary goal of the Plan is to increase the number of bike lanes, and join together the “gaps” in the existing bike infrastructure. Cyclist are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident while riding on a sidewalk or multi-use path than in a bike lane. Other safety measures in the Plan - including education, improved signage, and maintenance - will help reduce bicycle and pedestrian/traffic encounters, and make bike routs safer for everyone.
The Plan will encourage a healthier lifestyle for many Alaskans by increasing the number of, and access to, bike routes. There are several obstacles currently facing Anchorage residents when they consider riding their bike to work, or riding around the neighborhood for exercise. It is difficult to get from some parts of Anchorage to midtown and downtown locations because cyclists are often forced to ride in heavy traffic, often with no shoulders, and endure scowls and profanity from motorists. In spring, cycling is discouraged because existing bike lanes and trails are not swept of winter gravel (very hazardous to cyclists) until late June or July! By creating clearly marked bike lanes and providing easy access to them, and maintaining bike routes, more residents are likely to ride their bikes.
Several of our members have been involved in the drafting of the Plan. We appreciate the opportunity to provide input on the Plan, and encourage the Assembly to give it full support.
Arctic Bicycle Club
Board of Directors
by
Ed Sniffen
President