County Government Month, April 2012
Healthy Counties, Healthy Families
Nevada County
Subject: Bike Rider Safety
Nevada County offers exceptional opportunities for bicycling and such recreational
pleasure must combine proper rider safety.
Subject Matter Expert:
Duane Stawser, Owner, Tour of Nevada City Shop and City
of Nevada City Vice Mayor
Bike Rider Safety:
With Nevada City roots dating back four (4) generations, Duane Strawser and wife
Connie returned in 1996, buying the established (1969) Tour of Nevada City Bicycle
Shop and settling down to raise their two children in a healthy, active environment.
High School and Collegiate athletic backgrounds in football, basketball, baseball, track,
skiing and tennis lead to twelve (12) years (1984-1996) as a competitive cyclist in both
the U.S. and Europe, racing in the Spring, Summer and Fall with the Winter off-season
spent working in the Motion Picture and Television industries as a cinematographer.
After re-locating to Nevada City in 1996, Duane was elected to the Nevada City
Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, serving thirteen (13) years, three (3) as
President, while also serving on many committees, focusing on eco-tourism and the
many world-class recreational opportunities that abound in Nevada and Sierra Counties,
nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada foothill range. Over the years he has sat on
BOD’s and/or volunteered to assist various organizations including Xtra-cycle©
(promoting the use of bicycles as transportation world-wide), The President’s Council on
Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, Big Brothers/Sisters, NC Air Quality Coalition, BONC
(Bicyclists of Nevada County), SEBC/SERT (Sierra Express Bicycle Club and Racing
Team) and YBONC (Youth Bicyclists of Nevada County).
In 2001 Duane and Connie stepped forward as the volunteer race promoters of the
Nevada City Bicycle Classic, the 2nd oldest Pro/Am race in the U.S., building the event
back to a premiere National race that attracted Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer and
Chris Horner in 2009. This success lead to the opportunity to pursue and successfully
bring the Amgen Tour of California into Nevada City/County for the opening stage of this
International event in both 2010 and 2011, drawing tens of thousands of spectators to
the region, exposing the quality road cycling routes and off-road mountain biking trails to
outdoor enthusiasts from around the world.
Currently serving as Vice Mayor on the NC City Council, Duane continues to focus his
energies on promoting existing activities and developing new recreational opportunities
for sports/fitness enthusiast of all disciplines, biking, hiking/walking/running, skiing, and
water sports, among others.
Talking Points:
Quality bike riding opportunities: We have a wealth of trails/roads in our county, in all
types of geography (hiking/running, biking, & access to swimming/fishing/camping, etc.)
Quality biking trails: The trails are well built and are very scenic with forest, mountain,
rivers, and lake views (South Yuba, Truckee's rocky vistas, western county oak
woodlands) Roads are receiving safe shoulder-widening upgrades on a regular basis.
Gateway Park/PV cycling path, safe cycling shoulder improvements on-going to many
popular cycling road routes throughout the county.
Ideal weather: The weather is great for trail use 11+/- months of the year (above the fog,
below snowline in winter, above the valley heat in summer)
Youth programs: We have great school (public, private & charter) athletic programs for
youth of all ages including organized cycling at the middle school level (Union Hill bike
racing club, Seven Hills racing club w/new bike trail, YBONC events, etc.)
Variety of biking opportunities: We have trails in-town (such as Tribute) and we have
trails high up but in close driving proximity (such as Donner Rim Trail), youth Ski
programs (XC, Alpine, Snowboard), youth swim programs, soccer, volleyball, baseball,
track, tennis, skateboard facilities, etc. Nevada County provides a variety and unique
trails to explore.
Visuals for television spots:
Duane can obtain and receive for youth models to demonstrate proper use of bike
safety equipment.