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Greensboro one of finalists for Bicycling Hall of Fame

Tuesday, March 24, 2009
(Updated Wednesday, March 25 - 5:19 am)

GREENSBORO — The race to land the U.S Bicycling Hall of Fame has entered the final lap.

A representative of the Somerville, N.J., institution today identified Greensboro and Davis, Calif., as the finalists for the new home for the biking shrine.

“We are very excited about what Greensboro has put together to get them to the top of the list,” said Bill Brunner, the head of the organization’s search committee. “They have really done a great job.”

A contingent from the hall will visit Greensboro Monday and Tuesday.

“That tells us we are getting down to the end,” said Neil Belenky, chair of a task force that has pushed Greensboro’s candidacy since November. “I think it speaks extremely well for (the city) regardless of the outcome.”

During the Greensboro visit, Brunner said, his group will tour possible sites, all of which are in close proximity to the proposed Downtown Greenway, a recreational loop for walking, running and biking around the center city.

Hall officials have already visited Davis, a university town with a rich bicycling history.

Brunner said his group has no timetable for making a decision.

“There is a sense of urgency,” he said. “(But) we want to do it right.”

About a year ago, officials at the hall announced they wanted wanted to find a new home after their original facility was sold for redevelopment.

The hall of fame preserves the history of cycling and recognizes those who have had a positive impact on the sport. The organization also collects historical artifacts for research and public display.

Belenky would not discuss the details of Greensboro’s offer.

Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 or don.patterson@news-record.com

Accompanying Photos

John Newsom (News & Record)

Comments

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bookish1

March 24, 2009 - 2:39 pm EDT

I find this hilarious considering how NOT bike friendly Greensboro is. I don't think people even understand the concept that a bike lane is for bicycles--not for passing on the right when someone is waiting to turn left. Ridiculous.

theravada

March 24, 2009 - 3:32 pm EDT

Agreed. Homeless people riding stolen bikes does not make GSO a bike-friendly town. Perhaps the hall of fame officials will actually ride through the city and get attacked by groups of homeless people in one of our beautiful parks.

histrion

March 24, 2009 - 4:30 pm EDT

Hmmmm... I've yet to be -- or to hear of someone being -- attacked by any of our homeless population. I've been approached *once* for a hand-out and politely explained that a.) don't give money to panhandlers but do give to local shelters and b.) didn't have any money to give them anyway, and this particular individual accepted my explanation and moved on. I think most of these folks are used to disappointment.

At any rate, Greensboro is neither pedestrian nor bike friendly -- but then few modern southern cities are. Perhaps this is just the thing we need to help draw attention to that sad truth. Gas prices are likely to shoot back up to last year's shocking levels before too long, and cities like Greensboro need to get to work providing safe alternatives to folks including sidewalks, walking paths, and bike lanes.

tledford

March 24, 2009 - 6:59 pm EDT

Having provided an intelligent, reasoned and thoughtful response to the bizarre comment above, be prepared for a merciless onslaught of semi-coherent, moronic, protesting responses. Mostly enraged-by-the-repudiation-of-the-voting-public right-wing lunatics post comments on the N&R these days.

jeffic_fail

March 25, 2009 - 2:14 am EDT

Wow. I am amazed by all the negative comments on this story. Are you people really from Davis, CA?

Get Real

March 25, 2009 - 1:07 pm EDT

I mean, I hope we get it but, I couldn't agree more with the first comment. There are a lot of cyclists in Greensboro but that doesn't mean it's very "bike friendly."

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