CIBA History

A Brief History

CIBA began in 1965 with a few dedicated people. Several rides were organized but the interest died down. In 1968 the interest was again generated and several rides were held mostly in parks around the Indianapolis area. This continued into 1970 where attendance at rides was anywhere between 18 to 70 riders. During this year the first century was held and much to everyone's surprise, ninety-nine riders registered.

The CIBA we know today was officially organized in January 1971 with 245 members. Sixty persons attended the first meeting. Officers were selected, membership was taken, and a club emblem was designed. Catherine Dusing was elected the first president.

1971 was the first full year of organized rides and events. The main event was a 150-mile ride spread over a two-day weekend. This was a momentous task considering that 1971 was the beginning of the bike boom. Most people only rode in their neighborhoods, let alone 150 miles.

In 1972 the membership increased to 458. Several rides were organized with special time trials being held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In 1973 membership increased again to 646. The highlight of that year was a 500 mile ride to light the torch at the 1973 Indianapolis-Scarborough Peace Games held in Ontario, Canada.

The membership climbed to 973 in 1973. However, attendance changed. Analysis showed that many members were from the ages of 8 to 14. Parents thought bicycling was for children and thus, thought children should be members. Consequently, leading a CIBA campaign explaining that bicycling is not child's play. Several task forces were implemented educating the public about ride safety. One task force created the Bicycle User Map, a map of Indianapolis indicating good roads for cycling.

Want to learn more? We are lucky enough to have a board president who is also a historian and she has and continues to take her time learning and writing about the history of CIBA. Check out her monthly installments below: