Community Corner

Supporters Dig Deep for Bike Safety

Members of the community have raised $76,000 for the Newport Beach Bike Safety Improvement Fund.

Members of the community have come together to generate nearly $76,000 to help improve bike safety in Newport Beach, but more donations are still needed.

The Newport Beach Bike Safety Fund was created following the September deaths of cyclists Sarah Leaf, 29, and Catherine "Kit" Campion-Ritz, 57, in separate bicycle-related accidents. Last week's silent auction raised $10,000, and, with the help of other fundraisers including the Share the Road Memorial Ride 2012,  the total amount raised so far for the Newport Beach Bike Safety Improvement Fund is at $76,000.

"The totals have far exceeded my expectations," April Morris, a bike safety fund event organizer, said. "I am honored that the entire community has come together in such a meaningful way."

Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In October the City Council pledged three additional dollars in bike safety expenditures for every dollar raised by the community up to $450,000. The community's support is still needed to keep collecting money into the bike safety fund.

Anyone who shops on  Amazon.com are encouraged to access the online site through the newportbeachmemorialbikeride.com. Morris said the Amazon contribution will be anywhere between four and 10 percent of the purchase price.

Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Residents can also contribute to the bike safety improvement fund at donation jars located at the Zinc Cafe and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Corona del Mar, Kean Coffee on Westcliff Drive,  Newport Beach Training Zone on 17th Street in Costa Mesa, Sea Schwinn on 17th Street, Haute Cakes on Westcliff Drive and Hershey's Market on Balboa Island.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here