Members of the Centre Region Bike Coalition are working to connect the area's existing bike paths in an effort to increase use and awareness.

The group was created only a few months ago and is known as "the voice of slow and fast bicyclists for connected, safe bike routes."

"We're a group of riders of all kinds," said Bob Crum, CRBC member, "We're one of the first groups for general interest biking."

The main goal of the group is to address the safety issues of existing bike paths by working with municipalities to mark and maintain the routes for easy access, said Brian Dempsey, spokesman for CRBC.

"We're trying to get a coordinated, connected set of bike paths in this area," Dempsey said. "The issue is money and inertia."

The decline in use and awareness of the paths is a result of the paths not being connected to one another, Dempsey said.

Other goals of the group include creating a municipal policy to put bike lanes on all arterial roads whenever the roads are upgraded or under construction, he said.

The group also wants to connect the existing bikeways to create continuous and safe paths throughout the area as well as mark them so people know where they are and how they connect, Dempsey said.

Another main issue of the members is to create awareness that bike paths are an alternative form of transportation.

Crum said the group encourages its members to work with the State College Borough Council to promote biking as an alternative to driving.

The group wants to provide bike-friendly facilities at municipal, campus and other community locations such as libraries, schools and municipal buildings, according to a press release.

In order to keep these issues on the public agenda, the group is trying to assemble a polite but vocal group of bike advocates. They hope to educate bikers and the community about bike safety issues, according to the release.

The group expects these actions to greatly increase the safety and enjoyment for the commuter and recreational bicyclists in the Centre Region, according to the release.

"We're committed to do something," Crum said. "We are going to do the most good with the money we have."

The organization wants the Centre Region Parks and Recreation Department to maintain the paths and provide the budget to do so. Much of the funding comes from the federal government under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, said Dempsey, adding other funding for the paths comes from Penn State, State College and other surrounding communities.