August
1992

Bicycle Coalition to consider officers at August 5th meeting
by Ralph Fertig

• At the July Bicycle Coalition meeting, and in a few private conversations, the subject of Coalition officers has arisen. As you probably know, we are functioning without a formal structure. Coalition members have been simply volunteering for particular functions as they occur. This system can work up to a point, but to be more effective, a structure of individuals identified with particular functions will help.
• I have been publishing Quick Release for 10 months, and frankly enjoy it. I greatly appreciate the encouragement that others have given me, and I would like to continue authoring Quick Release if everybody is agreeable.
• Before the August 5th meeting, however, think seriously about volunteering yourself or nominating others to a Coalition position to promote the bicycling we all enjoy.

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Bike Doctor offers prescription for a cleaner environment

• Scott Jaffke, known as the Bike Doctor, has been experimenting with environmentally responsible approaches to bicycle maintenance.
• This entails buying products that are available in bulk refills, and those that contain no hydrocarbon, fluorocarbon, or other petroleum-based propellants. Further, only bio-degradable, non-toxic, non-petroleum solvents, cleaners, and lubricants are suggested. The following recommended list is supplied by Jaffke:
• SOLVENTS AND CLEANERS:
• Vegetable oil and dish soap, for removing grease and tar
• Hot water and vinegar, to clean frames
• Simple Green, all-purpose cleaner
• Citra-Solve, a citrus-based cleaner and degreaser
• Bio-Clean, a solvent for cleaning parts
• Clean It / Shine It, from DT Swiss Care
• Fast Orange, a citrus-based hand cleaner.
• LUBRICANTS:
• Samson S-Glide synthetic lube
• Lube It / Grease It, from DT Swiss Care.
• BULK REFILLS:
• Phil Wood Tenacious Oil
• Tri-Flow oil
• Finish Line, a dry type oil.
• Jaffke also recommends a Pump Spray that you pump up with your bicycle pump to pressurize with air any liquid you need sprayed.
• Jaffke feels that it's very important to respect our environment, and he uses only responsible products for his Goleta bicycle repair business that includes free pickup and delivery. If you have questions or need help, call the Bike Doctor at 968-6225.

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Bob Burgess to lead walking bicycle workshop

• Bob Burgess, long time bicycle enthusiast and writer for the Santa Barbara News-Press, thinks that Anapamu Street in downtown Santa Barbara is a microcosm of problems. Within a few blocks of the County Courthouse, Burgess feels, lurk a number of bicycle traps, obstacles, and dangerous situations that represent many of the difficulties that bicyclists face everywhere. And he wants to show us just what they are during an hour-long ambulatory workshop.
• Burgess' walk will take place Wednesday, August 5th at 5:15 pm. The starting point is under the entry arch at the County Courthouse. Come by bicycle if you wish, but realize that we will be moving slowly to appreciate the bicycling conditions in detail.

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John Thayer promoted to police PR position

• A local avid bicyclist, Lieutenant John Thayer, recently became the Santa Barbara city Police Department's public information officer.
• Thayer is a former bicycle racer who once dreamed of Olympic glory. Now, he likes nothing better than to take time out of the middle of the day to ride up old San Marcos Road to Camino Cielo. Along with Quentin Brown, Thayer recognized the potential of a police bicycle patrol in town, and transformed it into the fine unit it is today.
• According to a recent Santa Barbara News-Press article, Thayer said, "I don't think that policing is something you do to a community. I think you have to listen to the level of police work that a community wants and will support and try to meet that expectation."
• If you have some bicycling concern that relates with law enforcement, contact Thayer at 897-2394. John Thayer said that he hopes to attend some of our Coalition meetings.

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Poll finds 41 million may bicycle commute

• A recent Lou Harris poll conducted for Rodale Press determined that half of the 82 million US adult cyclists would commute to work by bicycle if there were safe bike lanes on roads or separate designated paths.
• They also determined that 59% adults want their government to spend more on bicycling and walking. The percentage was much higher among Hispanic, African-Americans, those 18-45 years old, and urban residents.

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Bicycle Coalition promotes bicycling

• From July 6-11, Earthling Bookstore on State Street in Santa Barbara volunteered window space for an exhibit sponsored by the Bicycle Coalition. Ralph Fertig made some graphics, Earthling loaned a group of bicycling books, and Jeff Wells loaned his mountain bike and posted some bicycling promotion. It's hard to measure the success of the exposure, but people were seen looking and reading the material during the week.

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Bicycle Ride Against Drinking Drivers is postponed

• Karin Roser, coordinator for the County's Victim Witness Assistance Program, recently announced that the Ride Against Drinking Drivers will not take place this year, but will return in 1993.
• The Ride, according to Roser, heightens public awareness about the danger drinking drivers pose to all of us using the roadways. We'll look forward to supporting the Ride and its important message next spring.

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Mountain biking to be featured on TV

• Bicycling magazine and ESPN have two more upcoming programs: On August 19 at 2:00 pm, the Mountain Bike World Cup from Mammoth Lakes, California will be featured. And on September 16th at 9:00 pm, they will cover the Jeep Mountain Bike Finals from Durango, Colorado. The times have been switched before, so check beforehand.

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Winning speed

• Miguel Indurain won 1992 Tour de France by bicycling the 2479-mile course at an average speed of 24.6 miles per hour.