This special Memorial Bike Ride paid tribute to the cyclists recently killed in Newport Beach and was sponsored by the City of Newport Beach.  The cycling community, including those from So. California and as far as Iowa are contributing to help raise $150,000 by the end of December, 2012. **The City of Newport Beach has agreed to continue match all funds raised through March 31, 2013 on a $3 to $1 basis**.  The funds raised and matched are segregated into a special Bicycle Safety Improvement Fund.  T-shirts, wrist bands, a Memorial Ride Raffle, corporate donations and individual donations are coming together to donate to this special fund.  At the ride, a call to each of the cyclists attending to help achieve the goal by each person raising $150 by the end of the year.  Some commemorative T-shirts are still availalbe at Surf City Cyclery in Costa Mesa on a first-come, first-served basis.  All proceeds go to the Bicycle Safety Improvement Fund.  The purpose of the Bike Safety Improvement Fund is to kickstart needed safety improvements for bicycling in the City of Newport Beach, CA.

Unofficial Ride
Many thanks to Malcom Hill and the OCWheelmen for putting together the route and the route slip for the unofficial ride which took place after the Memorial Ride.  The unofficial ride took riders by areas where cyclists had been killed in prior years, from Newport Beach to Long Beach.  

Background:
In September 2012, two cyclists were killed and one severely injured in 3 separate collisions involving motorists - all in 3 consecutive days. These horrible events have become a call to action for all cyclists to get involved to make change happen.

Fund Raising
Money raised with your help through these fundraising efforts will go directly into a dedicated city account for the sole purpose of funding bicycle safety improvements throughout the city - consisting of Caltrans and City Council-approved projects on state routes and Council-approved projects on local streets.  These improvements will need to be consistent with modern traffic engineering manuals.  

Bicycle Safety Instruction
If you or someone you know would like to have additional safety and riding instructions, every Saturday the Orange County Wheelmen holds a free "ride like a pro" class near John Wayne Airport. 

As of January 12, 2013, the City will be accepting Donations by check. The credit card processing element has been discontinued.  **The City of Newport Beach has agreed to continue match all funds raised through March 31, 2013 on a $3 to $1 basis**

To make Donations by check: 

Make checks payable to:  City of Newport Beach
Memo line on the check MUST INCLUDE: Bike Safety Improvement Fund

Mail your Bike Safety Improvement Fund donation to:  

City of Newport Beach
Finance Department
ATTN: Cashiering
3300 Newport Blvd.
Newport Beach, CA  92663


City of Newport Beach Matching Contribution:

On October 9, 2012 the Newport Beach City Council unanimously approved a $3 to $1 matching funds program for all funds raised for the Bicycle Safety Improvement Fund through March 31, 2013 up to a maximum of $450,000.  As of January 8, we've raised about $78,000 after expenses.  That means the City will Match with $234,000 bringing our total funds available to $312,000.  

Thank you for your generous donation and support!
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The City of Newport Beach, as a municipal government, is a political subdivision of the State of California. As such, the City qualifies as a charitable organization as defined by §170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code(IRC). Donations made to the City of Newport Beach exclusively for public purposes are considered to be tax deductible in accordance with IRC §170(c)(1).