I am skeptical, but hope springs eternal that we may be seeing the first signs of Spring here in Minnesota. I want this to be so, because cabin fever has hit hard in our household. My kids and I are dying to bike. There are so many beautiful places to take a bike ride in our area and we all need the fresh air and exercise after the never-ending winter. This Grant Gazing is for everyone who loves the bicycling experience and appreciates the good things that come from leaving the car at home.

This week’s pick: The Bikes Belong Grants Program of the Bikes Belong Coalition. The Coalition “welcomes grant applications from organizations and agencies within the United States that are committed to putting more people on bicycles more often.” Possible projects include bike trails, lanes, routes, Mountain Bike Areas and BMX facilities. The grant application areas are facilities and advocacy projects.

Bikes Belong aims their grants at nonprofits that support bicycle advocacy and public agencies and departments with this same goal. Groups that encourage support and growth of bicycling can receive grants that generally range from $5,000 to $10,000. Grant rounds are in cycles through the year and the next three are May 26, August 25 and November 24, 2008. Submission is through online application.