RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - During the Feb 3. City Council meeting, members of the Cordova High School Velo Lancers and the American River Bike Patrol (ARBP) were invited to present and celebrate the success of the patrol’s Junior Bike Program.

Funded by the City’s Community Enhancement & Investment Fund, which provides grants to individuals, organizations, and community partners focused on enhancing the Rancho Cordova community, the program aimed to teach young cyclists bike safety, maintenance and the benefits of healthy outdoor recreation.

Rich Fowler, a member of both the American River Bike Patrol and the Cordova High School Velo Lancer program, expressed gratitude to the City Council, staff and the Rancho Cordova community for their support in making the program a success.

“We are here to say thank you to the staff for their support and help, to the mayor and council for your support and funding of the program and thank you to the people of Rancho Cordova who make this fund possible,” Fowler said.

The program culminated on Nov. 9 with 29 Cordova High School students completing a 32-mile bike ride from Folsom Lake to Discovery Park. Over the course of 10 weeks, the students gradually built up their endurance, starting with short rides and progressing to longer distances. In addition to cycling skills, participants learned bicycle maintenance, basic first aid and how to ride safely on city streets.

JB, a graduate of the program, shared how the experience impacted his life.

“I would like to say thank you that this program was funded,” JB said. “It’s more than just going out and riding a bike; you build a lot of relationships with people and I met a lot of people who I care about. It taught me that riding my bike is more than just going out, it’s learning so much, and I really enjoyed it. It made me find a love for riding my bike and I really love going out and helping people. It inspired something in me that I don’t think I would have ever had access to.”

To mark their achievement, each graduate received a new Trek FX 1 bicycle, generously provided by the American River Bike Patrol and set up with help from Trek and the City of Rancho Cordova.

“When we asked what they wanted and expected from the program, they all mentioned the new bike. But it was so much more than they ever anticipated, the experience, the challenge, and the things they accomplished that they never thought possible,” said Vic Massenkoff, American River Bike Patrol Public Information Office. “A bike like this was a huge thing for them. If it weren’t for the city and the program, they wouldn’t have this bike, which they can now use to go to school, work and after-school activities”

In other business, City Council addressed the member vacancies for the Planning Commission. With several terms expiring and one regular member removed, the Council reviewed four nominations to fill these vacancies.

The city had opened the application process for five weeks and received 10 applications in total. All applicants met the minimum qualifications, including being at least 18 years of age, residing within Rancho Cordova’s boundaries, and not being an elected official of another public entity.

Councilmember Joe Little nominated Rehana S. Rehman, councilmember David Sander nominated Lee Frechette and Mayor Siri Pulipati nominated Surender Devarapalli.

Vice Mayor Garret Gatewood, who was absent from the session, will reschedule his nomination for a future meeting.