Bike Awareness & Infrastructure Proposal

Presented to Albuquerque City Council

By GROUP3

Introduction
Cycling is an excellent way to improve or maintain good health,
enjoy the outdoors, and to help the environment. Additionally, riding a
bike to work can save money. The purpose of this proposal is to
encourage the city council to consider taking measures and allocating
money from the budget for educating new drivers and students about
bicycle safety, and to continue to reinforce safety measures by
creating a PSA campaign that is current and lasting. However, currently
Albuquerque is not a safe city for cyclists. The City of Albuquerque has
recorded an annual average of 8 deaths as a result of collisions with a
car in 2015 (Uyttebrouck). In order to better serve the people of
Albuquerque, improvements need to be made and education systems
need to be implemented. GROUP3 is a consulting firm with experience
in curriculum design, training, marketing, and public relations.
The Problem
Albuquerque has a high rate of cyclist death, as evidenced by the
many roadside ghost-bikes (stationary bikes that are painted white
and placed in memory of cyclists who have died as a result of being hit
by a car). In fact, according to The Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico
is the 2nd_ deadliest state in the for bicyclists(Uyttebrouck). Most of the
cyclists killed in these accidents are abiding by the rules of the road.
Busy streets with narrow or non-existent bike lines make it difficult for
motorists and cyclists to share the road. Many people who would
normally use a bike to commute to work are discouraged by the lack of
safe bike paths or crossings.
Cycling is an easy way for people of all ages to get exercise. New
Mexico, as a state, has one of the highest rates of obesity in the
country (CDC). A variety of health issues arise from a lack of aerobic
exercise such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Cycling is a
relatively affordable way to change these disturbing statistics. Benefits
of cycling include reduction in chances of type 2 diabetes, improved
cardiovascular health, and even reduction in mental health conditions

such as anxiety and depression (Better Health). In addition to many

health benefits, commuting to work by bicycle can save an average
person up to $8,750 in car related expenses (Sierra Club).

Solutions
Cycling is a relatively affordable way to change these disturbing
statistics. Benefits of cycling include reduction in chances of type 2
diabetes, improved cardiovascular health, and even reduction in
mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression (Better
Health). In addition to many health benefits, commuting to work by
bicycle can save an average person up to $8,750 in car related
expenses (Sierra Club).
In addition to the many health benefits related to cycling for
adults and kids, studies have show that bike safety education is an
effective way to curb some of the road safety issues connected to
cycling. Group3 proposes viable solutions to all of these problems.

Cycling

BENEF IT S

$8,750

47%

Cities such as Portland, Oregon and Copenhagen, Denmark have

had remarkable success with similar programs. Portland has seen a
sharp drop in cyclist accidents and injuries since creating a connected
bike path throughout the city. The residents of Copenhagen report
health and happiness, as well as pride limiting the emission of
greenhouse gasses by riding bikes.
GROUP3 is proposing a two sided approach to addressing this
problem and making lasting improvements. We believe that both parts
of this proposal need to be implemented simultaneously to achieve
success.
Educate

Implement specialized bicycle safety curriculum for

school age groups.
Include bicycle safety courses in PE classes for
children in elementary through high school.
Send information home with school age children to
inform and educate parents as well as reinforce
material taught in bicycle safety courses.
Include bicycle awareness material in drivers
education courses.

Relate

Develop and run ad campaign using radio, TV, and

print as well as social media. #nomoreghostbikes
geared towards cureent and future cyclists of all
ages.
Feature stories of people who have changed health,
saved money, or spent quality time with family as a
result of cycling.

Qualifications
Group3 is a consulting firm that specializes in bike safety and
advocacy. We are educators and public relations experts who have
specific experience in designing bike safety/awareness curriculum as
well training educators in schools and parks and recreation
departments across the country. We have worked closely with the city
of Eugene, Oregon to improve bike safety programs. Eugene currently
uses Bike Safe Curriculum in all public middle schools. We are
passionate, hard working, cycling enthusiasts!
Rachel Patton

Rachel is a public relations and marketing specialist. In addition

to handling many successful campaigns such as Ryde and
BeeIke, she is an experienced graphic designer. She has a
background in education and has helped create and innovate our
patented Bike Safe Curriculum.
Lance Armstrong
Lance is the biking guru at Group3. He is an experienced and
well-known cyclist. He is a skilled and passionate public speaker
and he has great success engaging communities in meaningful
discussions about cycling benefits, safety, and
Cost
The base-line costs of starting to implement Bike Safe are detailed in
the table below. Text includes original copies of all instructional
materials as well as training text and important bike safety tips to be
sent home. Training denotes educators from Group3 conducting
training sessions with staff from the city of Albuquerque and
Albuquerque Public Schools. This is typically done in 3 hour-long
sessions. Our Ad campaign is geared towards paper and print media.
We plan on placing advertisements in ABQ the Magazine, The
Albuquerque Journal, and The Albuquerque Alibi.

Educate

Cost

Curriculum
Development
Text (printing)
Training

$12,000

Total
Cost
Relate
Ad Campaign
Design
Marketing
Consultation
Print Media

$3,000
$23,000
$38,000
Cost
$15,000
$15,000

Total
Cost
Educate

$8,000
$38,000

& Relate
$76,000

Benefit
Albuquerque could be a leader in the nation with a program like
the one presented and enjoy positive publicity as a result. Cycling is
currently the 2nd most popular outdoor activity and has many proven
benefitshealth, environmental and economic. An added benefit would
be creating something that has a positive impact on future
generations. Healthy, happy children riding bikes safely!
Thank you for considering our proposal. If any further information
is needed, please do not hesitate to contact us at (505) 266-2222 or
group3@group3.com.

Works Cited
Better Health Channel. Victoria State Government. Web. 2014.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of Nutrition,
Physical Activity, and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease
Prevention and Health Promotion. Web. 2104.
Daily, Rachel. Map My Ride. Wheels Up: National Bike to Work Week
2015. Web. 2015.
Sierra Club. Peddling Prosperity. Web. 2012.
Uyttebrouvk, Olivier New Mexico is 2nd-Deadliest State for Bicyclists.
Albuquerque Journal. Web. 11 February, 2015.