Today we wrap up our notes on the success of the 2024 Speaker Series, brought to you by Community Cycles and Mirrycle. We achieved our goal: to invite and engage the greater Boulder community to get together over common interests, goals and passions centered around bicycles.
Our overall takeaway from all three events is to keep a mainstream perspective in our communications around cycling. While our focus as a bike shop, education, and advocacy nonprofit comes from the cyclist standpoint, keeping an eye on how our work benefits the greater Boulder community will carry through the year.
June: E-Bikes
The June theme was e-bikes. Our panel of e-bike experts talked about ideas and issues like safety, infrastructure, access, etiquette and education.
Panelists:
- Ash Lovell, PeopleForBikes
- Nat Campbell, Yeti Cycles
- Aaron Brockett, Boulder Mayor
The discussion evolved around what e-bikes are doing and not doing for Boulder: teen riders, the definition of an e-bike, speeding and safety on multi-use paths, new transit connectors, e-bikes on open space and battery safety.
Aaron brought a local perspective and experience as an e-bike commuter, Ash a national perspective, and bike industry insights from Nat.
View the full recording:
July: Mountain Bikes
The July theme was mountain bikes. Our panel of local and national mountain bike experts talked about ideas and issues around funding and permission, accessibility, e-mountain bikes, developing or retrofitting new mountain bike trails and more.
Panelists:
- Dave Wiens, IMBA
- Wendy Sweet, BMA
- Lester Binegar, University Bicycles
The discussion evolved about keeping a balance between recreation and nature as more people join mountain biking and other outdoor hobbies. Our panelists each brought decades of local, regional and national perspectives with audience members also giving opinions on where it’s done right.
View the full recording:
August: Advocacy
The August theme was advocacy. Our panel shared their observations and perspectives on progress, policy and possibilities.
Panelists:
- Natalie Stiffler, City of Boulder Transportation and Mobility
- Jordan Trout, PeopleForBikes
- John Simmerman, Active Towns
Focusing on cycling, the panel talked about the Boulder-to-Lyons, Boulder-to-Longmont and Boulder-to-Erie proposed bike paths that will help move people from place to place without a vehicle. The discussion evolved to bringing communities together in general. We can build a better City by improving ways for all residents to get from place to place, not limiting it to cyclists. They also talked specifically about the cost and time of making improvements in Boulder, as opposed to other places in the US and around the world.
We appreciate panelists bring their opinions and experience, from the local to global.
View the full recording:
Looking Ahead to 2025
With the Speaker Series success for two years running, we are looking ahead to hosting a series in 2025.
Got ideas for the 2025 Speaker Series? Let us know.