Stop by Tamales & Bike Fest before Concord tree lighting

Daylight Savings Time ended earlier this month, which means drivers and cyclists need to watch out for each other on the roads during the busy evening commute.

Bike Concord would like to remind cyclists to break out your neon, reflective or bright-colored safety gear, along with lights mounted to bicycle frames and helmets. And drivers, thank you for sharing the road. Please be extra vigilant for cyclists on the road and double-check your blind spots before making turns or changing lanes.

It may be getting dark and chilly as we move into winter, but there are plenty of cycling activities to keep you engaged – including the 5th annual Tamales & Bike Fest, a fundraiser for Bike Concord. Join us 3-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord.

Come early to purchase a tamale plate, snap a selfie in our holiday selfie booth with Santa, decorate your bike and purchase raffle tickets for some fun prizes. Santa will make his grand entrance at 4 p.m. on a fire truck, followed by entertainment and the city of Concord’s tree lighting celebration. There will also be some custom cruiser bicycles on display at Tamale Fest this year.

We’d love to have you join us to celebrate the holiday season. Bring your bikes, family and friends. The event is BART accessible, and we will host our free and secure Bike Valet service. Please email info@bikeconcord.org with questions.

Meanwhile, Contra Costa County is in the process of revising its General Plan, and your input is needed. The General Plan is the master document that guides zoning, transportation, development, conservation and other major decisions in our community.

The county’s “constitution” hasn’t been substantially updated since 1991, and zoning hasn’t had a major overhaul since 1947. You may pass through unincorporated county land daily without even knowing it – Pleasant Hill BART/Contra Costa Centre, for example.

Visit envisioncontracosta2040.org and click to the online Briefing Book to view detailed maps (such as Community Health). Imagine what you want the future of the county to be and leave your comments. This is your opportunity to provide input.

Roberts is a volunteer with Bike Concord.