VeloRaptors have been supporting Bike East Bay and its predecessor East Bay Bicycle Coalition for many years. Moreover, for the last two years our fundraising has been used by Bike East Bay as a matching fund to solicit end-of-year donations from the public. Last year, Velos donated $20,119 and Bike East Bay parlayed our gifts to raise an additional $24,532. We’re hoping for an even better response this year.
When I joined the VeloRaptors in 2010, several members were already donating generously to Bike East Bay. Last year’s contributions represents amazing growth since that time. My wish and hope is that all 100+ VeloRaptors and other cyclists would see the value of Bike East Bay’s contributions to improving cycling infrastructure and safety; to educating cyclists and the public about road safety; and to enhancing the joy of cycling by hosting rides and special events like Biketopia and Session Fest. For more information about Bike East Bay, go to https://bikeeastbay.org/
We all benefit from this established (50+ years) yet growing organization. If you haven’t already done so, please join us in building a sustainable cycling community throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Think of Bike East Bay as our union or trade association, Together we can make our cycling world a far better place.
To donate online via a special VeloRaptor donation form go to https://bikeeastbay.org/veloraptors-donate/
RideOn,
Tom Willging
VeloRaptor Liaison to Bike East Bay
Pauline Fox
President, VeloRaptors Cycling Club
On Sunday – Sept 29, VeloRaptors and Bike East Bay celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Bay Bridge Trail by riding the trail out to Yerba Buena Island, then riding back and continuing on north to Richmond. Over 60 riders representing the wide demographics of the Bay Area came to mark the occassion.
Amanda Carson from Bike East Bay was the primary organizer, and Steve Blair from the VeloRaptors led the motley group over the route. Amanda gave a HUGE shout out to Corey, Jan, Steve, Walden, Dani and Robert for helping out with the ride! These rides would not be possible without the help of volunteers, so thank you so much for your support!
Also, Gavin from MTC (Metropolitan Transit Commission) for shared information on future plans for the Bay Bridge East Span Path. Implementation of the plan over the next few years will make it possible to bike from Oakland to San Francisco!
Sunday (7/27) was the first VeloRaptor Swim Party. Most folks came to eat and socialize, but there were a few swimmers. Thanks to Chris and Chris Kolm for hosting and a whole team of others who put on a fun party – complete with bagpipes. Photos below!
🙂
Overflow seating at Teatro during the Wednesday Ride!
This club like to ride bikes and do some socializing as well. So this summer we will have our First…our very first pool party is Sunday, July 27, hosted by one of our members in Moraga. There is also a hot tub, basketball pad, etc…so even if you do not want to swim, come for the fun. The Board will be serving hamburgers, hot dogs and all the fix-ins. Drinks provided. !
Second .. after the Saturday ride on Aug 23, a group of members will be going to a Ballers game to support our local baseball team.
Third, we have arranged a joint ride with the folks at/members of Bike East Bay on Sunday, September 28th
Route and time to be announced.
Finally, plans are underway for our Holiday Party – an event not to be missed!
On Saturday May 17, Twelve VeloRaptors participated in the BORP Revolution Ride, taking in the beautiful scenery of Marin County along a 40 mile loop that started and ended at the Mill Valley Community Center, and included a climb up the Marin Headlands as well as a loop around Tiburon.
While these riders pedaled their way around Marin, many other VeloRaptors actively supported the BORP campaign and in all we raised over $20,000.
This year we rode in honor of Steve Goldenberg, an avid BORP supporter for many years and who passed away way too soon in January of this year.
Here are a few pics of the VeloRaptors at the ride taken by the official ride photographer, Scot Goodman at Scot Goodman Photography.
Hello Fellow Velos!
Once again we will have a BIKE WASH in support of the BORP Revolution Ride.
Moreover, this year’s BORP ride is dedicated to Steve Goldenberg (Goldy).
In his honor, Pauline will be sponsoring the bike wash on Saturday, May 10, commencing at 3:00 pm.
Location: 5389 Hilltop Crescent in Oakland.
Dinner will follow.
Cost will be the same as last year: $25 for the bike wash and $25 for the dinner.
Total contribution of $50, all of which will go to BORP.
Payment and other details will follow. As of now . . . just save the date!
Many thanks,
-Pauline, and
Randy and Chris (VeloRaptor Team co-captains)
Disabled children and their advocates rejoiced Wednesday as more than $42,000 in donations flooded in to replace 30 specially crafted bicycles stolen last week from a Berkeley storeroom.
Businesses, foundations and the public have swamped the Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program with donations, from a $25,000 donation by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. to $5 and $10 gifts from individuals.
“All of us were so bummed out on Monday, but then all these people started calling and offering to help, and all these donations started pouring in,” said Rick Spittler, the program’s executive director. “We feel so much better, knowing there are so many people out there who want to help. It’s so heartening.”
One man walked in the BORP office on Bancroft Way and handed over his $1,000 Christmas bonus. Another stopped by with more than $1,000 he had collected from co-workers. Another called from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to replace one of the stolen bikes. Kristi Yamaguchi’s foundation chipped in $5,000.
It’s been nonstop,” Spittler said. “It seems every 10 minutes we’re getting more donations.” Thieves took the bikes from a locked storeroom at the north end of Aquatic Park, where the children ride with their able-bodied family and friends. BORP discovered the theft Friday.
The bikes, worth about $80,000, are customized for children with cerebral palsy, brain injuries, blindness, paralysis and other disabilities. Some of the bikes have three wheels, or are hand-powered, or have two seats.
“When we learned about the bikes’ being taken away from these young people, we wanted to help BORP get back to doing what it does so well for our community,” said Mike Billeci, Bay Area president of Wells Fargo, which gave BORP $10,000. “We hope our donation will encourage others to take action.”
The outpouring has been a comfort to the kids. “It just shows that something good can come out of all this evil stuff,” said Antonia De Michiel, 15, of Albany, who has cerebral palsy and used one of the hand-powered bicycles to train for a
25-mile ride in October.
“That someone stole our bikes is just so wrong on so many levels. It’s totally incomprehensible,” she said. “Without bikes, we don’t have a bike program. It’s just really sad.” De Michiel said the program allowed her to meet other teens who share her disability and athletic goals. She also enjoyed training most of the year for BORP’s annual fundraiser, the 25-mile October ride called Revolution.
Should anyone see one of BORP’s bikes for sale at a flea market, on Craigslist or in another venue, Spittler asks that they buy it, and BORP will reimburse them. Most are labeled with the names of the children who ride them.
“Somewhere out there is a bike with my name on it,” De Michiel said. “Hopefully I’ll get it back.”
Berkeley police are pursuing several leads in the case, said Officer Joe Okies.
To help:
— BORP can be reached at (510) 849-4663 or at www.borp.org.
— Anyone with leads should call Berkeley police at (510) 981-5900
The VeloRaptors are long-time supporters of Bike East Bay, and this year we mounted a campaign to raise money for Bike East Bay to use as a ‘Matching Gift.’ The results of the campaign were quite successful as noted in the letter below from Rebecca Saltzman the Bike East Bay Development Director.
Jan 6, 2025
VeloRaptors: Thanks so much to members of the VeloRaptors Cycling Club of Oakland. The contributions of your members formed a matching gift $20,118.60!
I’m happy to report that in just 4 days, from December 27-31, Bike East Bay raised $24,532 online from 152 donors, exceeding our matching gift goal by more than $4,000! With the match amount, we raised a total of $44,650.60 for Bike East Bay through the VeloRaptors campaign.
The generosity of VeloRaptors members inspired so many people to give additional gifts and/or give more generously. This was the second year that members of the VeloRaptors joined together to provide a year end match for Bike East Bay, and the joint effort again was so impactful.
Your gifts and all of the funds we raised helps us mobilize by bike to build communities that are joyful, safe, and inclusive.Thanks and happy new year!
– Rebecca
Rebecca Saltzman (she/her)
Development Director
Bike East Bay
