BikeNet brought a diverse audience together and set a venue for discussion about active transportation is an indicator of success at our Annual Meeting which took place Feb. 13, 2014.

More than 55 people came to learn about the state of the Billings trail system and hear about BikeNet’s plans for the future.

There were lively conversations around the large conference room at the Billings Clinic’s Fortin Health Conference Center- both before and after the program- and one group stayed well after closing to talk about street improvements for cyclists.

Attendees learned about new projects from Alternate Modes Coordinator, Jeffrey Butts. Two and a half miles of off-street facilities will be added in 2014, including the Aronson Bypass trail along Alkali Creek, Arrowhead trail, Ponderosa trail (near Cabela’s), a mile and a half at the Shiloh Conservation Area, and the 25th Street Bridge.

Lanes or sharrows will be added in 2014, including:

• .74 miles on 13th Street West, from Poly Drive to Grand Ave
• a half mile on Governor’s Blvd., from Babcock to Bazaar Exchange
• .79 miles on Calhoun Ln, from Underpass Ave. to King Avenue East

BikeNet elected Scott Walker as this year’s Trail Champion. Scott is a Transportation Planner with the City-County Planning Department and in that role Scott has helped bring about a change in the vision of transportation in Billings. Scott was active in developing all three city-wide bike-ped plans and has helped shift the discussion of transportation in Billings to include alternate modes, including the creation of the Alternate Modes Coordinator position. He has been active in BikeNet since its formation and a consistent BikeNet supporter.
Laura Estes received a well-earned BikeNet’s President’s award. Laura is BikeNet’s vice president, and serves on five different committees, and continues to learn about nonprofit best practices.

The Annual Meeting also gave people the opportunity to become members of BikeNet and buy BikeNet items to show their support.

Corporate members were awarded hand-thrown mugs created by Cassy Crafton Kramer, of 504 Square Feet. The Trail Champion awards were also unique platters created by Cassy. Mugs and BikeNet Sport-Tek shirts will be available on this website soon.

Both KULR8 and Q2 were there and aired the story in their news broadcasts. KULR8’s broadcast is available here: https://www.kulr8.com/video?clipId=9840508&autostart=true.