MORGAN HILL, CA (BRAIN)—Specialized Bicycle Components has pledged $4,000 to the Marin County Bicycle Coalition following the arrest of a man accused of running down four cyclists in San Francisco June 2.
The donation will not only help take advantage of the awareness of bicycle safety brought by the event, but will also be doubled by the generous matching grant made by MCBC member and longtime advocacy supporter Rocky Birdsey, according to a press release.
At the start of the year, Birdsey pledged his usually generous $1,000 to support MCBC’s work that helps support a number of MCBC projects, including the fall opening of the traffic-free Cal Park Tunnel, providing the first ever safe pedestrian and cycling route linking San Rafael and Corte Madera.
After the events of that tragic Wednesday night, however, his resulting frustration inspired him to do more, by committing an additional $9,000 matching donation offer to keep MCBC working projects that are making Marin streets safer every day.
“I was already considering it before [the events of June 2], and I wanted to take the opportunity to turn a negative into a positive,” he said. “More work is needed to complete the North-South pathway system, and we need to make the most out of every opportunity we’re given. I’m really not happy about what happened, but it has bicycle safety and awareness on everybody’s mind, so it’s the best time to do the most good for the MCBC.”
Upon hearing of Birdsey’s generosity through the coalition’s newsletter, Specialized Bicycles employee Matt Jesperson put the coalition in touch with Mike’s Bikes and Specialized’s Bicycle Advocacy team, leading to the enthusiastic approval of a $4,000 Dealer Grant.
“The Dealer Grant Program is designed to help our dealers get involved with local advocacy organizations and help with new or ongoing projects.” said Ian Dewar, Specialized advocacy manager. “We’re always happy to see an opportunity that allows the money we donate to grow and do more than just what the number on the check says. Mr. Birdsey’s matching grant was the perfect opportunity for us to do that and help keep the cyclists in Marin safe.”
The matching donation offer lasts until July 31, 2010, so others interested in helping support the efforts of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition are encouraged to contact the group as soon as possible to ensure the full potential of this opportunity is met.
Donations continue to be accepted via Paypal at https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=73Q... (click on link) or by check, made out to “MCBC” and writing “Rocky Matching Offer” in the subject line. Mail your check to MCBC, P.O. Box 1115, Fairfax, CA 94978. www.marinbike.org.
