Share the Road Campaign -
Funding was unanimously approved for the purchase of 15 more signs. These will be the 18'x24" signs for inside the city to be bolted to existing sign-posts. Signs will be made by Crenshaw Sign Co. Several ideas for increasing the number of signs purchased were discussed including the possibility of setting up booths at local cycling events (eg. Ride for a Better Life on Oct. 10th) and offering special $25 "day of" pricing. Sally Broadaway is exploring this, and if you have any ideas/thoughts they are welcome.
 
Downtown Jonesboro Bike Parking -
Jeff Graham has been in contact with Michael Barrett with the JHS Votech program about his classes building racks for downtown bike parking. Initial discussions were positive - we are awaiting further word from him on the cost of materials and completion times.
 
Grant news -
Our initial application for the Alliance for Biking and Walking Start-Up Grant was denied. There were applications totaling $1.2 million and only $130,000 available. We currently have an application out with Jonesboro Parks and Rec for a grant through Bikes Belong to help fund Phase 1 of the Greenway. We should have word on that in November.
 
Other News-
Funds were unanimously approved to cover the registration fee for an advocacy training weekend in North Little Rock hosted by the Alliance for Biking and Walking and the Bicycle Advocates of Central Arkansas on Oct. 16-18. The weekend is designed to help advocacy leaders form a plan of action for a specific problem/program. Sally Broadaway will be attending and bringing with me a list of things to work on.
The idea of hosting a bike awareness weekend is currently being explored. The vision for this is to have one day of clinics (safety, skills, mechanics, nutrition, fitness, speakers...) and then have one day of rides and/or race events. If you would be interested in helping out with this in any way conceivable, just let us know through the Contact Us link above! This could be a great legacy event for us that would be beneficial for cycling in NEA and would bring in folks from neighboring areas.
 
Volunteer Opportunity-
Oct. 8th - The St. Bernard's Center on Aging, AARP, and East Area Planning and Development are hosting a walkability survey of Jonesboro and volunteers are needed. The survey will last from about 9:30 - 2 and lunch will be provided. What does this have to do with cycling? We will be looking closely at the safety/functionality of our intersections and roadways as well as sidewalks. This information will go to the city to help in developing smarter design/construction policies. If you can volunteer or pass the word around please use the Contact Us link so we can get you concrete details about the day.
 
As always, your participation and financial support is greatly appreciated! Ideas/comments/concerns are always welcome! If you would like to make a monetary contribution, you may do so through the Paypal link on the right or by sending a check to (Please include name, address, and email):
NEABC, PO Box 892,  Jonesboro, AR 72403