June
1995

Bike to Work Day was a spectacular success



De la Guerra Plaza, in the heart of Santa Barbara, overflows with 800 bicyclists on May 4th, our Bike to Work Day. Photo by Jay Hillje.

• A bicycling milestone was established in Santa Barbara County with Bike to Work Day on May 4th.
• About thirteen hundred bicyclists descended on four locations to celebrate the pleasures of bicycling to work. Events of different magnitude were held in Santa Maria, UCSB, Goleta and Santa Barbara. Attendance at Goleta and Santa Barbara blew away even the most optimistic expectations, with 400 appearing at the former, and 800 at the latter.
• Kudos go to Rob Dayton, planner for the City of Santa Barbara, who headed the Coalition's Bike to Work Day Committee. While his considerable energy was focused on the City's event, others from the County, the Association of Governments, Traffic Solutions, the Air Pollution Control District, UCSB, Santa Maria, and the American Lung Association tied together all the events Countywide. There were about 30 individuals actively involved in organization, too many to list here, but our congratulations go out to you all.
• In addition to those organizations, over 50 businesses donated money, food and raffle items for the events. Their support was essential to generate the enthusiasm that typified the events. Especially noteworthy was The Good Earth who supplied food at both Santa Barbara and Goleta; because we substantially underestimated participation at Goleta, they voluntarily rushed back not once, but twice, to get more lunch food for waiting bicyclists.
• In the aftermath of our great success, two Bike to Work Day Committee meetings were held on May 10th and 16th to assess what we did right and capture ideas for Bike to Work Day 1996. Since there was such an outpouring of response from bicyclists and our community, the basic sentiment was, "what we did works, don't change it much."
• For all locations, everybody believed that if the day were sunny rather than drizzly and rainy, attendance could have risen by 20%. And for 1996, people felt that we could have blockbuster events and attract up to twice as many. That means 2600 bicyclists in the County!
• We are extremely grateful to the following individuals, businesses and organizations who contributed to the overwhelming success of our Bike to Work Day 1995:
• Air Pollution Control District, Alternative Graphics, American Lung Association, American Silkscreen, Bagel Cafe, Barnes and Noble Bookstore, Be Bop Burgers, Bicycle Bob's, Bicycles Ltd., Body Therapy Institute, Carson Wollert, Cathedral Oaks Club, City of Santa Barbara, Coastline Cycles, County of Santa Barbara, Crispin Leather, Dallmeyer Physical Therapy, Inc., Emily K, Firestone Vineyard, Gold's Gym, Goleta Valley Athletic Club, Grande Affair Party Rents, Grant House Bernina-Pfaff, Great Electric Media Group, Hazards Cycle Sport, Hendry Telephone Products, Isla Vista Bakery Cafe, Isla Vista Bicycle Boutique, Jandd Mountaineering, Jordano's, Judith Geiger Gallery, Montecito Cafe, Naked Foods, Open Air Bicycles, Oysters, Paseo Nuevo, Patagonia, PowerBar, Price Party Design, Radisson Hotel, Rob Dayton, Santa Barbara Athletic Club, Santa Barbara Photographics, Scarab Graphics, Starbucks Coffee, State and A Bar and Grill, Sticks, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, The Family Jewels, The Good Earth, The Hourglass, The Idea Man, The Natural Cafe, Traffic Solutions, Tri-County Produce, and VeloPro Cyclery.

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Permanent Salinas roundabout is coming

• Back in December 1993, the temporary roundabout (traffic circle) in Santa Barbara at Salinas Street and Alameda Padre Serra was determined to be successful enough to proceed with a permanent, modified version. Construction will begin "within the next few weeks," according to planner Rob Dayton.
• Bicyclists and pedestrians have been concerned about safety there and at another proposed, much larger, much busier location at Highway 101 and Milpas Street. In Europe they have numerous roundabouts, but bicyclist safety statistics are infrequent and sometimes contradictory. Decades of statistics from the UK do show that bicyclist accidents at roundabouts are much more likely than at straight-through signaled intersections. New South Wales in Australia placed a moratorium on new roundabouts last year out of concern for cyclists' safety.
• We've been told that the new design for Salinas will improve safety conditions for bicyclists by increasing the deflection angle of entering traffic and preventing drivers from zipping across the center island as they do now. We will judge the success of roundabouts by how safe the revised design is.

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State EEMP funding may be lost

• The proposed California state budget may not only slash a very important funding source for bicycle projects, it may also redefine the application criteria to exclude bicycling altogether. It's the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program (EEMP), an annual $10 million fund that was established in 1989 as part of a gas tax made possible by voter approval of Proposition 111.
• The proposed 50% cut will eliminate $5 million, but worse, it will impose a new condition that the EEMP merge with the Habitat Conservation Fund, and only projects that satisfy both sets of requirements can be funded. This simply excludes bicycle facility funding.
• The Assembly and Senate are taking up this issue on May 23-24 as this is being written, so by the time you read this, we may have already lost an important funding source.

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Vote at Coalition election June 7th

• Nominations for Bicycle Coalition Officers and other Board of Directors member positions were made at the May 3rd meeting. Please get this ballot to us or come to our June 7th meeting to vote in person.
• BALLOT Vote for one person for each of the following:
• President
  Ralph Fertig
  Gary Wissman
  other ____________
• Vice President
  Robert Bernstein
  other ____________
• Treasurer
  Gary Wissman
  other ____________
• Secretary
  Sandra Wintermoss
  other ____________
• Board of Directors, choose three of the following:
  Rob Dayton
  Jean Thompson
  Benjamin Sawyer
  Bob Burgess
  other ____________

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Plans for El Capitan trail move forward

• A panic set in among Coalition watchdogs as we heard of letters from ranchers in opposition to the upcoming El Capitan Ranch bikepath along Highway 101. The path was selected in March 1994 for $360,000 funding as part of federal Transportation Enhancement Activities (TEA). Now at a May 16th hearing before the County's Planning Commission, we feared rejection of the project. According to County employee Wilson Hubbell who represented bicyclists at the hearing, the Commission listened to ranchers, but finally voted unanimously to approve it.
• Construction for the whole 1.2-mile project is hampered, explained Coleen Lund at the County Parks Department, because the State is holding up TEA money. TEA will actually fund only half of the project, with a matching $360,000 that has already come from state Proposition 70 funds. With the latter money in hand, the Parks Department will proceed this summer with the west half of the trail. Then, if and when the TEA money comes in, the east half will be built.

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Cyclist competes against cars in rally
by Tim Brummer

• An alternative vehicle rally was held on April 22 as part of the Earth Day activities. The goal was to show the feasibility of personal transportation choices other than gasoline powered autos.
• The rally included a 25-mile timed portion from Carpinteria to City College. The route included Highway 101, the foothill roads, and downtown Santa Barbara. After the timed portion, the vehicles were allowed two more hours of driving up and down Cabrillo Boulevard in order to determine maximun range.
• Seven vehicles participated in the event. Four entries were former gasoline cars reworked to run solely on electricity. Two others were experimental hybrid vehicles built to run on both gas and electricity. One was from UCSB and the other from the University of Redlands. Unfortunately, these hybrid vehicles pollute the air.
• The final vehicle was a Lightning F-40 streamlined recumbent bicycle fitted with a Chronos Hammer electric power assist. The power assist is a small 150 watt motor which is used only for climbing hills; at speed above 20 mph, it automatically disengages. The power source is a 3 pound cadmium battery. I rode this entry, which has been my daily commuting bicycle in Lompoc for five years.
• On the timed portion of the rally, the fastest electric car took 57 minutes; this was about the same time that a gas-powered car had done earlier. My time was 69 minutes, only 12 minutes behind.
• After the two-hour range test, first and second places were taken by the hybrid vehicles, with total distances of 69 and 67 miles. The Lightning F-40 bicycle came in third with 66 miles. The best pure electric car died at 57 miles. It should be noted, however, that the cars carried a passenger during the event, and another cyclist replaced me for 45 minutes.
• Two lessons can be learned from this rally: For individual, nonpolluting transportation, bicyclists can barely beat electric cars on speed and distance. But of course, when it comes to cost, the bicycle wins hands down.

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Eye-catching poster

• "The Bike to Work Day posterôis one of the most eye-catching I have seen. I love the design and the colors, and it is now on prominent display in our building. Congratulations to the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition for its efforts to improve bicycling."
• Richard Blunden, Chief
  Bicycle Facilities Unit, Caltrans

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Les Drake—world class cyclist in our midst
by Ralph Fertig

• On July 28th, Carpinteria cyclist Les Drake will get on his bike in Irvine and start pedaling east. Except for brief sleep each night, he will bicycle continuously for maybe 10 days to Savannah, Georgia, where he will dismount. It's part of the grueling Race Across America (RAAM), where Les will compete against the world's toughest ultramarathon cyclists.
• Les delivered papers on his bike as a kid, but before returning to bicycling in '83, he spent years competing in skiing, pole vaulting, track and cross country. What started him in marathon cycling was the realization that he liked it and was good at it. After completing a few 100-mile century rides, he thought, "well, that's nice, let's try something harder." It just grew.
• The challenging part about the RAAM for Les isn't bicycling 3000 nonstop miles as much as raising money, maintaining a harmonious support crew, and staying awake during the race. At the moment, he needs an artist to design his crew shirt, volunteers to crew training rides, and logistical help in ordering and tracking supplies for the RAAM itself. He also needs sponsorship, and would love borrowing an RV. [Phone Les at 805-684-2080 to help.]
• Four days out of five, Les bicycle commutes to his job at Special Technologies Lab in Goleta. The first day of each week, he drives to bring clean clothing. It's 41 miles round trip. Those commuting miles, however, are only half of his 12,000 to 15,000 annual total.
• In spite of hours on his bike, Les finds time for his wife Nancy and their two sons. Nancy, in fact, is a major supporter and understanding crew member. Having an active world-class athlete in the family is a source of pride and commitment.
• Watch how Les does on ESPN this summer. You'll have to cheer him on pretty quickly, though, as he zips on by.

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SB City enforces auto impound law

• On January 1st, a new law aimed at reducing traffic deaths and injuries took effect. It's the California Safe Streets Act, and the City of Santa Barbara has been especially aggressive in enforcing it, according to Police spokesman John Thayer. Motorists caught driving without valid licenses have their vehicles impounded for 30 days and if caught a second time, the cars are confiscated and sold.
• As of May 15, the City has impounded 694 vehicles. Most were held for a month, but 46 were auctioned off. Of the total, 55% had drivers with no driver's license, and the remaining 45% were driving with suspended licenses. One driver had his license suspended five times for DUI—driving under the influence—but just kept on drinking and driving.
• The Coalition is convinced that this means safer road conditions for bicyclists. Thayer said they expect accidents to drop here as a result of their enforcement. Statistics should prove that later this year. Since bicycle-auto crashes are less frequent than other car-related ones, it will take longer for significant figures to emerge, but we'll be watching.

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Memorial run and walk will benefit cyclists

• A memorial walk/run is being organized by Judy Babcock in honor of her husband, Phillip Babcock, who was killed while bicycling last year. The intent of the memorial is to increase awareness of public safety and to raise money to fund a designated bike lane in the Santa Barbara area.
• The event will take place on July 22 at 8:30 a.m. Volunteers are needed to help with registration, logistics, and refreshment service. To volunteer, contact Babcock at 565-0603. To participate, look for an application that will be available around town.

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Notes from May 3rd Bicycle Coalition meeting
by Sandra Wintermoss

• In attendance: Ralph Fertig, Owen Patmor, Alan Bergquist, Lori Risque, Gary Wissman, Benjamin Sawyer, Robert Bernstein, Dennis Whelan, Sandra Wintermoss.
• Ralph Fertig: We have beautiful Bike to Work Day posters and "Share the road with bicyclists" bumper stickers in English and Spanish.
• Lori Risque: Sustained funding from Caltrans for the Traffic Solutions program may continue.
• Ralph Fertig: Mail Movers can no longer supply $90 worth of free newsletter handling and posting. We now pay 3rd Class postage of $55 an issue.
• Alan Bergquist: Will find out from the Postal Service what bulk mail and non-profit services entail.
• Lori Risque: Traffic Solutions knows all about bulk mail sorting and can help us.
• Ralph Fertig: Nominations for 4 officers and 3 additional Board of Directors positions were taken.
• — A discussion followed about expanding the Board. Benjamin Sawyer felt that the Board is stronger if people are involved in cycling. Lori Risque suggested an "honorary board" with "names" on it to help fund-raising. Robert Bernstein suggested an "advisory board" in the same vein.
• — There was a discussion of conflict of interest for government employees on the Board.
• Bike to Work Day: Volunteers are needed at Santa Barbara and Goleta locations.
• Dennis Whelan: UCSB Bike to Work Day will have food from UCEN dining services, raffle prizes and lots of volunteers. About 50 cyclists are expected.
• Alan Bergquist: Send thank-you letters to the participants after. Capture all names.
• Ralph Fertig: The Coalition will send letters to vendors thanking them for donations.
• Gary Wissman: Money for Bike to Work Day is passing through the Coalition account. The County owes $2000, SBCAG owes $1600, we received $1000 from the City.
• Ralph Fertig: Our Earth Day booth was great. Cielo Velo and Goleta Valley Cycling Club shared the space. We got $32 in donations. Three people—Chris Jones, Scott Cecchi, Rob Anderson—worked all day on bike check-ups. We signed up 72 for Bike to Work Day. We could have sold posters.
• Robert Bernstein: We now have seven 2-bike lockers at Transit Center. Upcoming sites are K-Mart plaza, Goleta Valley Community Center and Arrellaga Street.
• Steve Morris: We're in contact with Dave Gonzales at the City Police about Bicycle Offender's Program. He misunderstood who would teach the course; we will contact them shortly to clarify things.
• — A bike repair program: The Coalition may get involved in fixing up bikes and giving them away to kids. It's a major undertaking in time and money.
• Robert Bernstein: About Coalition Web presence on the Internet, we can get a year on local RAIN.