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Finding Aid for the BIKE WNY Records, 1990-2002

MS 91


University Archives
State University of New York at Buffalo

2006



BIKE WNY logo

Contact Information

University Archives, State University of New York at Buffalo
420 Capen Hall | Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: 716 645-2916 | Fax: 716 645-3714
Email: lib-archives@buffalo.edu

©2006. State University of New York at Buffalo. All rights reserved.


Collection Overview

Collection Title: BIKE WNY Records, 1990-2002
Collection Number: MS 91
Creator: BIKE WNY
Extent: 4 manuscript boxes, 1 half box (1.88 linear feet)
Repository: University Archives, State University of New York at Buffalo
Abstract: Records of BIKE WNY (Bicyclists Intent on a Kinder Environment in Western New York) document the bicycle club's activities and advocacy spanning the years from 1990 to 2002.

Processing Information

Encoded by: Jessica Tanny, February 2006

Processed by: Erin Verhoef, February 2006

Terms of Access and Use

BIKE WNY Records, 1990-2002 are open for research.

Copyright

Copyright is held by the State University of New York at Buffalo, University Archives. Copyright in other papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns. Researchers must obtain the written permission of the holder(s) of copyright and the University Archives before publishing quotations from materials in the collection. Most papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures unless otherwise specified.

Preferred Citation

[Description and dates], Box/folder number, MS 91, BIKE WNY Records, 1990-2002, University Archives, State University of New York at Buffalo.

See the Archives' preferred citations instructions for additional information.

Acquisition Information

Collection donated by Suzanne Toomey Spinks, executive chair of BIKE WNY, on November 13, 2003.

Historical Note

BIKE WNY (Bicyclists Intent on a Kinder Environment in Western New York) officially formed in 1990. The not-for-profit club was formed by a group of individuals interested in improving the bicycling environment in Western New York. Their primary goals were promoting bicycle safety and educational outreach, advocating for the bike-friendly design of roads, as well as parking facilities and encouraging bicycle use for both transportation and recreation. The group met monthly and issued a quarterly newsletter, Pedal Power.

Events coordinated include: New York Ride Across the State (NYRATS) in 1989 and 1995; Bike Buffalo in 1994-1995; Car-Free Earth Day in 1990 and in 2002. They also provided local trail and safety information to interested parties.

Local advocacy concerns include: "Road Hazard Report" forms, Greenway River Trail, Riverwalk Trail safety, Seaway Trail problems, and road construction projects in and around the Buffalo area.

Affiliated organizations include: American Youth Hostels, Bombay Bicycle Repair Club, Greater Buffalo Niagara Region Transportation Committee (G.B.N.R.T.), International Bicycling Coalition (I.B.C.), League of American Wheelmen (L.A.W.), New York Bicycle Coalition (N.Y.B.C.), Niagara Frontier Transportation Commission (N.F.T.C.), and Niagara Frontier Transportation Committee (N.F.T.C.).

Officers of the organization were co-chairs Emily H. Goodman and Suzanne Toomey Spinks, vice-chair Seth Kaiser, recording secretary Sally Metzger, treasurer Bruce Hoover, librarian Sue Allen, publicity committee Claude Welch, Jr., and executive committee member Roger Des Forges. Volunteers include Derek Bateman, Michele Carroll, Art Klein, Doug Munger, Jim Peck, Larry Reade, Joan Smith, Anne Strasburger, David Swift, John Szydlowski, Joan Van de Water, and Terry Wherry.

Scope and Content Note

The records of BIKE WNY, 1990-2002 were collected and maintained by Suzanne Toomey Spinks, one of the co-founders of the organization. This collection contains materials relevant to the advocacy organization. Materials include biking articles and newsletters, correspondence, promotional items, safety outreach, tour and trail guides, as well as information on related local advocacy groups and projects. Some of the research materials retained with the collection pre-date the organization.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in two series: Series I. Organizational records, Series II. General cycling information.

Container List

Series I. Organizational records

Scope and Content Note: Series I includes information directly relating to BIKE WNY's membership and mission of advocacy. Many collected articles predate the formation of the group.

Arrangement: Series I is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically.

Subseries A. Activism and legal issues of local concern
Scope and Content Note: Subseries A includes specific local advocacy issues in which BIKE WNY was involved.
Arrangement: Subseries A is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically.
1.1   General correspondence, 1990-1996; includes legislative correspondence, letters to the editor.
1.2   "Greenway Task Group," 1992-1995
1.3   "ISTEA" (Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act), 1991-1993
1.4   New York Department of Transportation plans, 1986, 1993-1995; includes Governor's Statewide Bicycle Advisory Council Report, 1986, draft of The Next Generation... Transportation Choices for the 21st Century, 1995.
1.5   Related local activism, 1973-2002; includes Niagara Heritage partnership and removal of Robert Moses Parkway, 1991, Niagara Street development concerns, 1993-1996, Peace Bridge Expansion, 2001, waterfront development (Local Waterfront Revitalization Project), 1990-1993.
1.6   Riverwalk safety and upkeep, 1990-2002
1.7   Riverwalk Spur Study, 1991
1.8   Road projects, 1973, 1989-2002; includes Town of Amherst road work, 1989-2002, Report of the Grand Island Bikeways Committee, 1973.
1.9   "Seaway Trail Problem," 1989-1994; includes Seaway Trail brochures.
 
Subseries B. Events
Scope and Content Note: Subseries B includes events that BIKE WNY either orchestrated or participated.
Arrangement: Subseries B is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically.
1.10   Bike Buffalo, 1994-1995; includes insurance information.
1.11   Car-Free Earth Day, 1979-2002; includes Bicycling to Work Seminar Information, 1983, How to Organize a Bike Day, 1985.
1.12   Event articles and press releases, 1990-2002
2.1   Local trail information and maps, 1989-2002 includes Niagara Frontier Bicycle Club maps and Suzanne Toomey Spinks' "Travel Tips for Bicycle Tour to Niagara Frontier," n.d.
2.2   "NYRATS" (New York Ride Across the State), 1989-1995
2.3   T-shirts, n.d.; includes two t-shirts for Bike Buffalo event and one BIKE WNY t-shirt.
 
Subseries C. Member business
Scope and Content Note: Subseries C includes club and meeting documentation about BIKE WNY.
Arrangement: Subseries C is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically.
2.4   General meeting notes, 1990-1993; includes BIKE WNY mailing list of members, bike shops and government officials.
2.5   Mailing requests and awards certificates, 1992-1995
2.6   "Meeting Minutes," 1990-1992
2.7   Organization information, 1990-1995; includes club pamphlet, financial information, logo development.
2.8   Pedal Power newsletter, 1990-1995
 
Subseries D. Safety outreach
Scope and Content Note: Subseries D includes elements of safety outreach. It includes pamphlets, manuals, correspondence, journal, and newspaper articles.
Arrangement: Subseries D is arranged chronologically within each folder.
3.1-3.2   Bike safety and road rules, 1985-2002; includes Bike Helmet and Bike Safety Awareness Campaign booklet, National Safe Kids Campaign, 1989.
3.3-3.5   Institute of Police Technology and Management Manual, 1988
   [disbound binder]
3.6-3.7   New York State 4H Bicycle Safety Education Program Resource, 1988
   [disbound binder]
3.8   Correspondence and local bike safety newspaper articles, 1990-2002; includes BIKE WNY "Road Hazard Forms," "All About Winter Bicycling" event flyer, 1991.
3.9   Magazine and journal safety articles, 1985-2002; includes bicycling injury management, prevention, statistics (1984-1990).

Series II. General cycling information

Scope and Content Note: Series II contains collected contextual information on BIKE WNY's affiliates and similar non-affiliate clubs. Included here is information useful to the organization but not part of the organization.

Arrangement: Series II is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically.

Subseries A. Affiliated organizations
Scope and Content Note: Subseries A includes information, newsletters from organizations affiliated with BIKE WNY, or affiliated with members of BIKE WNY.
Arrangement: Subseries A is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically.
4.1   Bombay Bicycle Repair Club, 1983-1990; includes article in last newsletter issue about creation of BIKE WNY, 1990.
4.2   General affiliations, 1989-2003; includes American Youth Hostelling, Burgwardt Bicycle Museum, Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council (G.B.N.R.T.C.), International Bicycling Foundation (I.B.F.), Partnership for a Better Buffalo.
4.3-4.4   League of American Wheelmen (L.A.W.), 1989-1994
4.5   New York Bicycling Coalition (N.Y.B.C), 1990-1995
4.6   Niagara Frontier Bicycle Club (N.F.B.C), 1987-1993
4.7   Niagara Frontier Transportation Committee (N.F.T.C.), 1992-1995
 
Subseries B. Bicycle accessories
4.8   Accessories, 1976-1991; includes advertising for bikes, lockers, racks.
 
Subseries C. Bicycles and urban planning
Scope and Content Note: Subseries C includes research on city design planning with consideration of bicyclists.
Arrangement: Subseries C is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically.
4.9   Bicycles and urban planning, 1974-1998
4.10   State of Florida Bicycle Facilities Planning and Design booklet, 1974
 
Subseries D. Environmental concerns
Scope and Content Note: Subseries D includes research on environmental concerns of bicycling advocacy groups.
Arrangement: Subseries D is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically.
4.11   Bicycles and environmental concerns, 1980-2000; includes "Bicycle Transportation for Energy Conservation", 1980.
5.1   Bicycling and Air Quality booklet, 1979
5.2   Tools for Life- New York City Bicycling and Recycling Program booklet, 1996
 
Subseries E. General bicycle club newsletters
Scope and Content Note: Subseries E contains newsletters from similar bicycling advocacy groups.
Arrangement: Subseries E is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically.
5.3   General bicycle club newsletters, 1978-2000; includes Pro Bike Conference information, 1990.
 
Subseries F. United States trail and tour information
Scope and Content Note: Subseries F includes general tour and trail information in the United States.
Arrangement: Subseries F is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically.
5.4   Erie Canal Tour, 2000
5.5   General tour, trail, and map information, 1978-1994

Search Terms

Contributors

Spinks, Suzanne Toomey

BIKE WNY

Bike Buffalo

New York Ride Across the State (NYRATS)

Subject Terms

Cycling--New York (State)--Buffalo

Cycling--Safety measures

Bicycle touring--New York (State)--Buffalo

Bicycle trails--New York (State)--Buffalo

Bicycles--United States--Transportation--Energy conservation