At its February 15 meeting, the Executive Committee voted unanimously to increase membership fees by five dollars effective April 1, 2024. This date was chosen because many long-time members are still on an annual Springtime renewal cycle that predates the current rolling join/renewal system. The new membership rates will be $30 for individuals and $40 for families.

It’s been a long time since the club last increased its membership fees, certainly not since I joined SCU in 2006. A lot of change has occurred within the club since that time. Most notably, there is only one annual fund-raising event since dropping the Lake Nockamixon Century about a dozen years ago. The loss of revenue from “The Nock” has been somewhat offset by discontinuation of the printed-and-mailed newsletter and other cost saving measures. However, over the years general inflation for all goods and services seems to have caught up with us. There has also been a recent dramatic increase in the cost of insurance for all bike clubs in the region. 

The Executive Committee did some homework before making this decision. We reviewed our annual budget carefully, taking extra time to consider how future budgets will look after we are done absorbing the impact of last year’s cancellation of the Summer Century due to unsafe weather conditions. We also confirmed that we have an insurance plan that is less costly than most bike clubs’ in the region. The ultimate conclusion was that while SCU is financially sound at this point, we could not sustain our program of rides and social events at the current membership rates without eroding our ‘rainy day fund’.

Even with this increase, SCU membership still costs less than a new tire for your bike and remains one of the best bargains around. There are hundreds of weekday and weekend rides in the Philly suburbs available throughout the year plus the Round-up Ride, the Annual Picnic, Happy Hours, Member Appreciation Tailgates, and the Annual Celebration -- more ways to enjoy cycling with friends than you can shake a spoke at!

Hope to see you at a ride or social event soon.

Steve Muth

SCU President