Effective this Friday, SpokeFest Association is accepting applications for its Bicycle Education and Safety Grant Fund, a very successful and inspiring program. Grants will be awarded to schools and 501(c)3 non-profit organizations that have a project which the organization can complete in a defined period of time. All projects must promote bicycle safety and education.

SR photo by Dan Pelle. That's Micah Reed, 10, and other Broadway Elementary School students testing out their bikes during the Central Valley School District’s Elementary Bicycle Safety Program at Broadway, Aug. 30 2012. The school’s PE teacher, Katie Ferris, secured a grant for $6,100 from SpokeFest to purchase the bikes.

The've supported some great programs with their grant funds since 2010. A few examples:  

2010 – SpokeFest purchased 30 bikes and provided teacher training for the 4th through 6th grade physical education program for the East Valley School District.

2011-SpokeFest provided a grant to the East Kiwanis bicycle helmet giveaway (free) to all children in the area.

2012 –SpokeFest purchased 30 bikes and helmets for the Central Valley School District’s 4th and 5th grade bicycle education program to benefit 13 elementary schools. 

Here's a snapshot of the grant criteria: 

-A project that helps people become familiar with bicycling and enables them to feel more comfortable participating in the activity.

-Projects that educate motorists about rules of the road in regard to bicyclists.

-Educational programs that promote bicycle commuting.

-Putting together bike routes for different fitness levels and providing necessary information about access and support facilities along the way.

Funds could be used for buying necessary equipment, publications and promotion of an educational event. The application is available at www.spokefest.org. Submit the completed electronic application to spokefest.grant@gmail.com. The grant committee will review the application and make recommendations to the Board of Directors. All applications are due by April 1st, 2013. Applicants will be notified by mail of the status of their request. All grantees will be required to submit a “Grant Completion Report” summarizing the accomplishments of the project and the total cost including receipts for expenses.

The 2012 SpokeFest event nearly doubled the 1,200 participants that rallied in 2008, the event’s first year. Starting in downtown Spokane, riders set off on one of four bike routes, each one geared towards a slightly different level of ability but all offering some of the most Spokane's best views.

Save the date: SpokFest 2013 is September 8th. 

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