and … the new home of the US BICYCLE HALL OF FAME

For Immediate Release

CITY OF DAVIS LURES BICYCLING HALL OF FAME TO CALIFORNIA (SACRAMENTO, Calif.)

After fierce competition that rivaled the state’s famous Amgen Tour of California (ATOC) cycling race, the City of Davis nudged ahead of the pack of 11 cities across the nation to win the US Bicycling Hall of Fame Headquarters relocation from Somerville, New Jersey, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today.

“Without a doubt, California is the best location for this nationally prominent organization,” Schwarzenegger said. “No other state embraces the cycling, fitness and environmentally responsible lifestyle like the Golden State, which is why we host the ATOC of California here every year. Having the Hall of Fame here will provide a great way to educate existing and future generations to the benefits of cycling as part of a healthy lifestyle.”

The US Bicycling Hall of Fame Board of Directors, narrowed the field down to Greensboro, North Carolina and City of Davis before voting April 8 to begin exclusive negotiations with the Davis-based California Bicycle Museum.

“We’re very excited that the Bicycling Hall of Fame will move to Davis, host of the first ATOC stage this year” said Caroline Beteta, president & CEO of the California Travel & Tourism Commission and the U.S. Travel Association. “We believe it will be a wonderful new incentive for visitors to explore the Sacramento region, which has great museums, historical sites, sophisticated arts and entertainment, as well as access to outdoor recreation such as winery hopping, horseback riding, boating, and of course, biking our scenic roads.”

In a brief statement by President Dan Kehew, the California Bicycle Museum Board of Directors thanked the Davis community, the City of Davis, and the University of California, Davis for supporting the relocation proposal and the integration with the California Bicycle Museum and relocation to the larger facility in Davis.

City of Davis officials are still in negotiations with several local facilities and will announce the new location for the museums within the next several weeks. Dawn Wylong, president of the Hall of Fame, said that overwhelming Davis support for cycling tipped the scales.

“The Davis community is passionate about bicycles, at every level, in every aspect of cycling,” Wylong said. “In Davis, the Hall of Fame will be celebrated and appreciated for what it represents.”

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