Expect –A-Bike Signs
In September of 2016, Gaby O’Shea was struck by a vehicle while riding her bicycle near New Paltz and suffered life-threatening injuries. Local artist Ryan Cronin created the ‘Expect A Bike Ahead’ painting as a fundraiser to aid in Gaby’s recovery. Subsequently, yard signs were made using the image and have been distributed throughout Ulster County.
The YMCA is continuing this campaign to increase drivers’ awareness of people on bikes. Thanks to funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through a grant from the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, the YMCA has a limited number of signs available for pickup at the Y. The signs are free and are intended to be placed alongside roads in Ulster County. If you are interested, please click on the link below.
“The power of the ‘Expect A Bike’ painting lies in the act of collaboration with the community and the social by-product more than in the physical work itself— in essence, the social interaction is the art and the impact of the project goes beyond the original piece,” said Melanie Cronin, CEO of CronArtUSA. “We didn’t set out to create a sign but this, like all of Ryan’s work is intended to strike a dialogue and conversation. We are very happy with the power of this piece to do just that.”
Programs
Community Bike Repair
The Y and Bike Friendly Kingston will be offering monthly free bike repair clinics starting in March. If your bike is making noises, or you have a flat tire, or if you just want to get it checked over, bring it to the Repair Clinic. Our volunteer mechanics will diagnose, and if possible, repair your bike. No advance registration required. The events are free, but donations are welcome! You must bring your bike!
The clinics will be Saturdays, outdoors in the YMCA Parking Lot, 507 Broadway (entrance on Pine Grove Avenue):
March 25, 11am – 3pm (last bike at 2:30pm). Rain date March 26, 11am – 3pm (last bike at 2:30pm).
April 22, 1 – 4pm (last bike at 3:30pm). Rain date: April 29, 1 – 4pm.
May 13, 1 – 4pm (last bike at 3:30pm). Rain date: May 20, 1 – 4pm.
June 17, 11am – 3pm (last bike at 2:30pm). Rain date: June 18, 11am – 3pm (last bike at 2:30pm).
July 18, 3pm – 6pm (last bike at 5:30pm). Rain date: July 19, 3pm –6pm (last bike at 5:30pm).
August 19, 11am – 3pm (last bike at 2:30pm). Rain date: August 20, 11am – 3pm (last bike at 2:30pm).
September 19, 3pm – 6pm (last bike 5:30pm). Rain date: September 20, 3 – 6pm (last bike at 5:30pm).
October 21, 1 – 4pm (last bike 3:30). Rain date: October 22, 1 – 4pm (last bike at 3:30pm).
We will also have free helmets, bike locks, safety vests, bells and lights to give out while supplies last.
Lend-A-Wheel Bicycle Donation and Reuse Program
GOT A BIKE?
Then check out the Lend-A-Wheel Program!
The YMCA accepts donated adult bikes and recycles them! If an old bike is cluttering up your garage, the Y could use it. Your bike will make a difference in the life of an adult in our community! Bikes may also be sold to support the program
OR NEED A BIKE?
Then check out the Lend-A-Wheel Program!
If you need a bike to get to work, school, appointments or errands, you can request one. As bikes get donated and fixed, we will contact you with just the right one!
Bike It! Youth Bicycle Education Program
Bike It! is open to kids aged 10 and up, and will be held on Saturdays, from 9am to noon over the duration of eight weeks. Each session includes instruction and a bike ride. All participants receive a T-shirt, water bottle, patch kit and bike multi-tool. Bring your own. Our Fall 2023 season will start on September 23rd and run through November 11th. Registration is $50 for YMCA Members and $75 for non-members. Financial assistance is available. Online registration will open in August, 2023 open.
Midtown Mechanics Bike Repair Class
Midtown Mechanics is a program that offers youth from 14 to 24 the opportunity to learn bike mechanics and earn their own bicycle. The eight week program is led by professional bike mechanics and each session will focus on a different bike component so that by the end of the course, the whole bike will be completely rebuilt and ready to ride.
Our next session session will start in Feb/March 2024. More information will become available as we get closer. All classes start at 6pm with a pizza dinner and end at 9pm. Registration is $25 and is available online at https://tinyurl.com/midm2023
The 18th Annual Tour de Kingston and Ulster
Join Us in Kingston, Sunday September 10th
The 2023 Tour de Kingston will be back in the fall of 2023! With the Forsyth Park Pavilion as our base, we invite you to roll up for one of our six awesome cycling routes:
The Free Family Fun Ride is a flat, five-mile course that starts at 10 a.m. and travels through Uptown and Midtown Kingston. Riders are escorted by volunteer Ride Marshals and the Kingston Police Department.
The Hurley Rail Trail is the centerpiece of the Road and Trail Rides, which start at 9:30 a.m. and offer beginning and intermediate riders distances of 8 to 16 miles on roads and the flat, paved Hurley trail.
Starting at 9 a.m. are the ever-popular 25- and 50-mile road rides for intermediate and experienced riders.
The mostly off-road Gravel Grinder Ride, suitable only for the most experienced riders, will start at 8:30 a.m. The route features dirt roads, rail trails and some pavement riding with challenging terrain and lots of hills.
Registration information will be available in March, so check back to sign up!.
Sponsorships are available at the TDK website https://www.tourdekingston.com/sponsors Sponsors and riders support community bike repair, safety education for youth and the Tour De Kingston Community Scholarships. Scholarship applications are available by contacting Tom Polk at tpolk@ymcaulster.org
Bicycle Education Programs
Smart Cycling Bike Safety Class for Adults
With Kingston’s burgeoning network of bike lanes and rail trails, there have never been more opportunities to ride a bike for fun, health, or to get around town. Want to know how to navigate safely in traffic? Or where do those trails lead to? Need advice on the kind of bike that’s right for you? Then sign up for our Smart Cycling class. It’s been designed for those who have been riding for years as well as those who are just thinking about getting on (or back on) a bike. Ages 16 and up are invited to join the class.
Smart Cycling is the leading national bicycle education curriculum developed by the League of American Bicyclists http://bikeleague.org/ and has taught thousands of people across the county for over 40 years. It will develop your confidence and competence to ride a bike, whatever your level of ability. You’ll learn about choosing a bicycle, basic parts of a bike, essential equipment, as well as how to safely and comfortably ride in various traffic conditions, terrain and climates.
Smart Cycling includes four hours of online instruction and five hours of on-bike activities. The class will be taught by Tom Polk, certified League Cycling Instructor (LCI).
Bike and helmet required; participants may bring their own or use the Y’s.
Our next class will be to be determined.
Learn To Ride Private Bicycle Education Lessons
For kids and adults who never learned to ride a bike, we offer one-on-one private lessons with Bicycle Educator Justin Ledoux! With our safe, easy, effective method, you’ll learn how to balance, start, stop and steer a bike, as well as adjust a helmet for proper fit. Cost: $30.00/hour. Location: YMCA. Contact us to schedule your lesson!
School and Summer Programs
The Y Bike Education staff work with schools and summer camps across Ulster County. We have programs for kids in grades K – 8. Contact us for more details, or to start a program at your location.
Meet Bicycle Educator, Justin Ledoux
Community Biking Events
Bike Friendly Kingston Slow Rides
The YMCA partners with our local bike advocacy and education group, Bike Friendly Kingston, to hold regular “Slow Rides,” which are great for families and beginner riders. For ride details and possible cancellations due to weather, check the Bike Friendly Kingston Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/bikefriendlykingstonny/
O+ Festival
Details have not been announced for the 2023 Festival, but we hope there will be bike rides again! Look for updates here or on the O+ website https://opositivefestival.org/kingston/
Other Community Bicycling Activities
We also participate in public events such as farmers’ markets, street fairs and outdoor festivals. Depending on the setting and audience, education activities can include helmet fitting and giveaways, presentations on traffic safety, distribution of safety literature, bike skills demonstrations, bike rodeos, bicycle safety checks and repairs. The focus is on underserved and disadvantaged populations, who are also some of the most vulnerable to traffic injuries and fatalities. Contact us with details of your event!
Justin Ledoux
845.338.3810, x 102
845.338.0423 (Fax)