PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Bike Friendly Kalamazoo (BFK) has announced its 2020 Bike-Booster Mini-Grants Program, which has awards available from $200 to $2,000.
Officials say that in 2019, BFK awarded nearly $5,000 to programs aimed at bike skills education delivered through the Open Roads Bike Program and in the Portage Public Schools.
Applications are due September 1 and may be found at BFK’s website at https://bikefriendlykalamazoo.org/bike-booster-mini-grants/.
Though not limited to these areas, BFK’s intention is to support:
- Projects focused on bicycle safety, education and awareness-building
- Campaigns focused on efforts to increase ridership – especially among youth, women, and underserved communities
- On-the-ground advocacy efforts that stimulate community action and policy change
- Innovative projects that demonstrate creativity and that serve as a model for other bicycle advocates and communities across Michigan
Officials add that these areas are in accordance with three key programs BFK is encouraging in 2020, delivered by the cities of Kalamazoo and Portage with the help of bicycling stakeholders such as the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club:
- bike visibility,
- cycling instructor certification
- a public service education messaging campaigns.
Progress on implementing these innovative new programs has been delayed due to COVID-19, but are all on the drawing boards.
“I’m excited by the conversations I’m having with local civic leaders with great ideas,” BFK president Paul Selden said in a statement. “Ironically, COVID-19 has encouraged more people get out and ride bicycles than ever. We have a great opportunity to educate motorists and bike riders about how to ‘see and be seen,’ and the rules of the road. As the hours of darkness and traffic increase in the coming months, the need for awareness-building is going to grow as well.”
More information about Bike Friendly Kalamazoo is available at www.bikefriendlykalamazoo.org.
