I have volunteered with CAT for over a decade. It has taught me a lot about community organizing and outreach, let alone bicycles. It has been an inspiration to me and I carry my lessons learned outside of their walls to wherever I am in life.
As a bicycle commuter for many years I appreciate having a support network, in addition to the great local bike shops, where I can get expert advice and training in mechanical knowledge, use of a well outfitted shop with tools, and local savvy for using the bus, trails, and legal and safe road riding skills.
I always feel welcome, respected, and included here. Great people sharing their love of riding with all ages, with an accent on safe fun.
I have been a member of the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation for about ten years, and as a bicyclist I've benefited primarily from their cycling programs: I have taken nationally recognized cycling courses (Cycling Savvy, Road 101) provided by CAT, and have availed myself of expert repair advice and professional-level equipment at their Bicycle Co-Op. Now I occasionally volunteer at the shop and at educational events myself. So, I've seen CAT provide guidance and support for cyclists.
I have also seen them provide positive, constructive advocacy in our local communities, working with local police, government officials and organizations like the local health networks to provide safe cycling opportunities (bike-to-work programs, youth bicycling education) and infrastructure (like shared use markings and bike parking).
I feel that the people in our community, and the community as a whole, would benefit if more people turned from cars to other forms of transportation (like bicycling, or walking or taking public transportation) for their day to day needs, and I see CAT as an effective force to help make that happen.
CAT LV helped us organize an incredible bike ride with our group (Afros in Nature) recently and the CAT team made the experience seamless & welcoming, providing those without bikes what they needed in order to join us!
Yes Scott , i enjoyed working there as a mechanic, and will still come to help people fix their bikes it is to great satisfaction to volunteer . I have known scott for about a year or so he is a professional bike mechanic, and is willing to help anyone who has a problem with their bike . i have learned alot to with some of there mechanics classes that they offer for free, check the place out you will not be dissapointed. Thanks Scott for all of your help
CAT is the greatest advocate the bicycling community could have. Scott is a patient and skilled director. We are fortunate to have CAT in our town. We need more like it.
CAT is an incredible organization that not only promotes low carbon footprint transportation but also teaches children and adults safe and effective bike riding.
They repair bikes and donate them to needy and appreciative children and adults for recreation and basic transportation.
They are a wonderful group of thoughtful folks. Two thumps up!!
I am a volunteer mechanic and board member at CAT. I have been working with the organization for the past 2+ years. Over this time it is amazing how many people CAT has helped. CAT provides alternative transportation needs for people in the Lehigh Valley. Over the holidays in 2019 CAT donated over 50 bicycles to underprivileged children. This year CAT anticipates donated over 75 bikes. This is a great organization which provides a much needed service in the Valley.
I came to know CAT 10 years ago because I enjoyed riding and fixing bikes, but also because I really enjoy not using a car to get around. As a community resource, CAT mentors anyone interested to live without a car, promoting pedestrian access, and public transit as a cadre of modes. I really enjoy working with CAT because we serve all ages from 3-103, and all types of people, including necessity bicyclists without $$$ and fitness bicyclists who ride for all reasons. At CAT we have fun mitigating climate change caused by transportation.
Predo Nisic
I am volunteer and board member at LVCAT.I have joined the “party” at LVCAT after I retired and I think that it is one of the best decisions in my life.To work together with :Scott,Anne,Bill,Shari,Gary,Julie,Ed... is unbelievable expierence.It is a big pleasure to be part of that team who is ready to work with people and for people.
At the end of year we are working on kids bikes and we give it away.I did it for the first time last year and it was something unforgettable when you donate a bike to kid and when you see this beautiful,wide open eyes and kid is asking “Is this my bike....thank you,thank you”.That is the best “pay”you can get
I am not only a board member but a long time volunteer that has seem the benefits that this organization provides to the greater Lehigh Valley area. We are always looking for ways to expand our services to all those who walk, ride - both bikes and buses - and any other underserved portion of the community. Our doors are always open to those in need even during this most challenging year. Please feel free to get involved and become a part of this amazing organization.
When I moved to the Lehigh Valley, the folks at CAT gave me a warm welcome as they helped me get my bike back in shape. I've never left. Volunteers and the skeletal staff do a tremendous about of good in the community. On any given day you can walk into the shop and feel the positive energy. Young people are being taught how to repair their own bicycles and the key elements of bicycle safety. Members of the board, of which I am now proudly one, participate in county planning conversations, urging community leaders to think broadly and inclusively about transportation options, quality of life issues, and the economic benefits of diminished reliance on cars. If you work at a small business or large one that wants to encourage your employees to bike to work, CAT can help you do that. It also hosts bicycle safety workshops at schools, empowers new riders and experienced riders alike to be able to manage their own bicycle repairs, and is an excellent community partner.
CAT is full of friendly experienced enthusiasts who promote and practice the use of alternate forms of transportation - reducing the necessity to rely on the most obvious and damaging form - the automobile.
I am a board member and co-founder of the Lehigh Valley Coalition for Appropriate Transportation.
The volunteers at CAT have worked to solve important transportation issues that are rarely visible, but are still transportation issues and still important. Last week a passerby stopped in the CAT office for help for his effort to get different wheels for his wife’s wheelchair. The original wheels did not allow for headroom in the fellow’s van. We couldn’t solve his issue with bicycle parts. But recent experience with an online general purpose tool supplier allowed us to zero in on an appropriate and easy and inexpensive solution.
Two days ago, a CAT member witnessed 2 citizens crossing a roadway in electric wheelchairs in order to visit a nearby shopping mall. They used a pedestrian crossing. But they knew they could not get their wheelchairs up the pedestrian ramp to the sidewalk. They instead made a 90-degree turn and proceeded to roll 180-feet along the curb to the mall’s vehicle entrance which was much smoother. CAT investigates such situations and lobbies for improvement.
I work with CAT and serve on its board. We have contributed significantly to the surrounding community in numerous ways. We have a program where individuals can earn a bike by putting hours into bike maintenance, our volunteers spend hours fixing donated children's bikes and then donate them to the kids in the local community. We work with the authorities in the Lehigh Valley (Bethlehem, Allentown, and Easton) to improve their signage and educate their officers about bike safety. We have educated hundreds of children in bike safety and provided helmets.
And last but not least we have been working with Lanta to improve transportation and ensure that the bathroom at the Bethlehem transportation center is clean for the patrons.
I may be biased, since I'm the board president of CAT. But I think we are an exemplary organization. We help thousands of children and a good many adults every year with bicycle safety education. We provide bikes for people who need them -- Christmas presents for children, get-to-work bikes for adult. We have two Cycling Savvy instructors on board. We have good success at getting grants from government organizations, because they investigate us and they know we use the money well.
It's our role to make bicycling, public transportation use, trail use and walking all safer and more pleasant for everyone. We're proud of what we do and we want to do more of it. -- John Schubert