February
1996

Public invited to Feb 17th-18th CABO ride and meeting

• Two events during the upcoming Santa Barbara meeting of the California Association of Bicycling Organizations (CABO) will be open to the public. Join us at the following:
• Bicycle facilities tour, Sat Feb 17, 1:00 p.m. Meet at the Dolphin Fountain, at State Street and Cabrillo Boulevard. A 20-25 mile easy ride.
• CABO meeting, Sun Feb 18, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM. Meet at Community Environmental Center, 930 Miramonte Drive, Santa Barbara. Catered lunch for $5, RSVP Ralph Fertig by email RHFertig@aol.com or phone 962-1479 evenings.
• Founded in 1972, CABO is the older of the two statewide bicycling advocacy organizations. It is a volunteer organization that represents the interests of bicycling clubs, individuals, and other groups. It has four meetings a year, two each in Northern and Southern California.
• Come chat with experts from all over the state on the ride or at the meeting, or both. Have a chance to see what's happening elsewhere and what they think of our South Coast. The meetings are usually far away, but this one is nearby, so take advantage of it.
• If you come to the meeting, keep in mind that parking for cars is limited at the CEC, so bike or carpool. Remember, the bike climb up to Miramonte is a challenging one, but the views are absolutely spectacular!

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What does CABO do?
by Alan Wachtel, Legislative Liaison for CABO

• We must understand the importance of government and politics to bicycling. The roads we ride on are almost all designed, built, and maintained by public agencies; so are special facilities such as bike lanes, off-road paths, or parkland trails.
• In California, most vehicle laws are enacted by the state legislature in Sacramento, not by city councils. Most of the funding for roads comes from the state or through regional agencies. Finally, the state has so many people and so many cyclists, plus it's so vast geographically, that no local club can keep track of what is happening everywhere.
• CABO was formed to protect bicyclists' interests statewide. In addition to its ongoing political activities, CABO publishes a periodic calendar of bicycling events, acts as a clearinghouse of cycling information, distributes a bibliography of California bicycle touring literature, and serves as a liaison to local individuals and clubs. The directors are constantly working on a variety of issues.
• Organizing grassroots support from affected bicyclists is a challenge. Most bicyclists, of course, just want to ride their bikes; they don't want to write letters, attend meetings, or serve on committees. When there is an imminent threat, however, the response has been immediate and gratifying.
• CABO officers have been successful because they are experienced and knowledgeable bicyclists who are determined to stand up for bicyclists' rights. They do their homework, present arguments carefully and calmly, and try to be reasonable and fair to all other involved parties.
• — excerpted from Bicycle USA

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Middle School students teach bike repair



Middle School students working on bikes. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• On Saturday, January 18, students at Santa Barbara Middle School held a public bike workshop called "Make Your Bike Your Friend." The event was supervised by instructor John Siegel-Boettner.
• A bike maintenance, safety and touring program has been part of the school curriculum for 18 years. The students go around to local schools to teach bike skills to others. They also are planning to actively participate in Bike to Work Day.

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CREF funding results

• The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors finally determined on December 19 which projects would receive funding from the countywide Coastal Resources Enhancement Fund (CREF).
• The County staff had recommended that three bicycling projects (worth $103,000) be funded, but the Supervisors chose only two:
• Feasibility/planning study of Santa Claus Lane-Carpinteria Avenue bikepath, $50,000.
• Change of Santa Maria-Guadalupe bikepath plans from paved to unpaved, $3,000.
• The reason for the reduction is because $280,000 of Coastal Enhancement money went to secure the purchase of 900 acres near La Purisima Mission. At least we'll receive some benefit.

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Bikeway sign program

• The committee that is assessing five applicants for a South Coast bikeway sign program met January 26. Three applicants were asked to come before the committee in early February to discuss possibilities. After that, one will be selected and work should be completed in six months.
• It's anticipated that 400 signs will be installed along 80 miles of bikeways to help all bicyclists—commuters, tourists, school children, recreational cyclists, and casual bicyclists. A public workshop will probably be held in March.

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Bus bike racks

• What happened to the California Omnibus Transportation bill that contains an adjustment in Vehicle Code language to allow bikes to protrude beyond 36 inches on bus bike racks? We were told last fall that it didn't make it through the Legislature before recess. Now however, John Mann at the office of Senator Jack O'Connell informs us that it did pass and was signed into law last October 11.
• The Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) favorably tested a rack system in August 1994, and in June 1995 obtained funding to buy and install 19 racks on four of their express bus lines. Because of liability concerns, they have been waiting for the Omnibus bill to pass, according to MTD transit management director Chuck McQuary.
• Santa Maria Area Transit (SMAT), on the other hand, has forged ahead and now has Sportworks two-bike racks on all their buses, says Lee Diaz, transportation planning engineer for the City.
• They have yet to officially publicize the service, but have printed an informational flyer and are currently making arrangements for a festive inauguration. In addition, they are placing bike lockers at strategic bus-transfer locations around town. We certainly congratulate SMAT for its progressive and timely action.

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UCSB program success

• According to Mindy Norris at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Parking Services, their new Bicycle Program has been very successful so far. They currently have way over a hundred participants and new people are signing up nearly every day.
• Norris comments, "The Program has been very well received by the campus community and we've had lots of positive feedback about it. I expect this program will continue to grow and will shortly become our most popular (as far as number of participants) alternative transportation program."
• The new program was described in the League of American Bicyclists' publication, Bicycle USA, as a significant new pro-bicycling undertaking. Main benefits—besides personal fitness and reduced air pollution—are up to 6 days free car parking per quarter and free emergency weekday rides home.
• For a program packet, email Norris at po03norr@ucsbvm.ucsb.edu or phone her at 805-893-2917.

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Notes from January 3 Bicycle Coalition meeting
by Robert Bernstein

• In attendance: Ralph Fertig, Robert Bernstein, Rob Dayton, Arnie Schildhaus, Bob Burgess, Pat Maurice, Jean Thomson, Steve Morris, Lori Risque, Gary Wissman, Benjamin Sawyer, Alan Bergquist, Bill Grzyboloski (SB Police Dept)
• Ralph: National Highway Bill was passed and it's generally good news. ISTEA is still intact. 1996 is the reauthorization year for ISTEA.
• — New advocacy group started in Ojai, the Ojai Bicycle Coalition, by Suza Francina. She has been getting lots of local press for bicycle issues.v --SBBC Memberships coming in well; most are $25 single memberships. Robert Bernstein is first lifetime member. We will do mailing to Bike to Work Day list for membership drive. Rob pledges to do membership drive of his own.
• Rob: We need to start soon on Bike to Work Day. We may be losing money from City, County, and Traffic Solutions. Last year's budget was $6,000. May 16 is our tentative date to match California Bike Commute date. First meeting: Wed Jan 17 at 630 Garden.
• Arnie: Bike Rehabilitation and ride program is meeting weekly. We have a possible workshop/warehouse on East Gutierrez Street. Things are coming together over the next month or so.
• Rob: Committee is still choosing contractors for bike route signs.
• — New SB City Bicycle Master Plan need 3 Bicycle Coalition people on committee; Ralph, Benjamin, Gary, Bob are interested.
• Robert: Santa Barbara's City Council considered Milpas/101 traffic mitigation including roundabout. Rob gave excellent presentation of various options. I raised issue of pedestrian and cyclist safety of any plan selected; the future perception by pedestrians and cyclists of plan hostility; and since it is sales tax money being used, pedestrians and cyclists should get priority for being accommodated.
• — Grant House tried to make Voluntario Street pedestrian bridge a part of the project. $4 million was allocated for the project and the roundabout plan would cost $3 million, leaving $1 million for this project.
• — Mayor Harriet Miller said it's not up to the City Council to decide. It's up to the Association of Governments (SBCAG) and that's very unlikely: no new Measure D projects have been added.
• — Benjamin and Robert think it is good to write an official Bicycle Coalition letter to SBCAG to make them aware of our existence and our concerns anyway. Robert already wrote a letter as representative of Digital Instruments (one of the largest employers in the neighborhood) so it would be inappropriate for him to write the Bicycle Coalition letter as well. Ralph will write the Bicycle Coalition letter.
• Ralph: Santa Maria Area Transit bus system now has bicycle racks on its buses.

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Westside bikepath dropped by SBCAG

• On January 18, the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) Directors altered the recommended committee priorities for federal TEA "transportation enhancement" funding. Although their final vote will be on February 15, the consensus was that the Westside Santa Barbara bicycle path should be dropped and the Wilcox property acquisition be elevated in priority.
• The good news is that three recommended bicycling projects were retained: outer State Street bikelanes (Santa Barbara), Alamo Pintado/Grand Avenue bikelanes (Ballard), and Allan Hancock College Extension (Lompoc) bikepath.
• Representative Andrea Seastrand put in an unprecedented appearance at the meeting and spoke in favor of funding the Wilcox acquisition, as did representatives for Assemblyman Brooks Firestone and State Senator Jack O'Connell.
• The issue is not so simple. The funding of $3.5 million for the Wilcox property must be arranged by February 29. If it isn't attained, the $500,000 from TEA might be lost to our County. It might be possible, however, to arrange a contingency funding, so if the Wilcox property fails, the money will revert to both the Westside Bikepath and UCSB's Lagoon Island restoration.
• If you feel that the Westside Bikepath is more fitting for transportation enhancement funding than buying the Wilcox property, write or call your county supervisor and/or city representative on the SBCAG board. So many people have been trying so hard for years to obtain safer bicycle access to Santa Barbara's neglected Westside, it seems unfortunate to lose this perfect funding source.

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Bike to Work Day events set for May 16th

• Two committee meetings in January got countywide Bike to Work Day events off to a racing start. Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 16, a date chosen to coincide with the statewide California Bike Commute. It's later this year to lessen the likelihood of rain. Three events are currently scheduled:
• Santa Barbara, 7:30-8:30 a.m
• Goleta, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
• UCSB (Goleta Beach), 5:00-6:00 p.m.
• Cox Cable is generously mailing 65,000 inserts in its bill, and underwriting most printing costs. The next committee meeting is February 21. To get involved, call Lori Risque at 568-3293.

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Coalition Membership

• The Bicycle Coalition's 1996 membership drive has resulted in 15 paid memberships, including our first lifetime membership. We are extremely grateful to the following individuals for their support in making bicycling safer and better for us all: Darcy Aston, Alan Bergquist, Robert Bernstein, Lee Carter, Ralph Fertig, Jill Gass, Michael Goldkamp, Barry Kroepelin, Richard Lambert, Gail Lowenstine, Doris Phinney and Owen Patmor, Lori Risque, Jean Thomson, Woody Wilde, and Gary Wissman.
• Please consider becoming a member so we can continue to push for finer bicycling conditions throughout Santa Barbara County.

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March start targeted for bike rehab/ride program

• Plans are quickly moving forward to start a pilot bicycle program for South Coast children. Aimed at underprivileged and at-risk youngsters, this new program is currently backed by the Bicycle Coalition, Girls Inc, and Santa Barbara BMX. Increasing interest is being expressed by other groups, schools and businesses.
• A warehouse currently used by Girls Inc at 812 East Gutierrez Street is available. It has 730 square feet and a 20-foot ceiling. Weekly meetings are being held by a core committee, and an initial letter of proposal has been submitted to the Santa Barbara Foundation for funding.
• The program is envisioned as having five aspects:
• Public education and promotion
• Bicycling safety
• Bicycle repair
• Bike day trips and tours
• Child supervision and development.
• The Bicycle Coalition will actively pursue old bikes, tools and components, plus volunteers to help with rides and education. Start thinking about what bicycles and tools you can donate for the kids to work on. Smaller frames are desirable.
• If you wish to find out more or volunteer for any aspect of the project, call Michael Figueroa at Girls Inc 805-963-4017 or Steve Morris, Bicycle Coalition's chair of Safety and Education, 805-965-7979.

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Windstorm downs trees and electric wires



Channel Drive bikepath is thankfully open. Besides the path are a crushed fence and broken tree limbs. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• The year 1995 just wouldn't slip away with only two disasters—the January 10 and March 10 rainstorms. No, it had to deliver another reminder of its power with a windstorm on New Years Eve, with gusts over 60 MPH. It hit the South Coast communities of Santa Barbara and Montecito, downing hundreds of trees and putting households in the dark for up to two days.
• The Channel Drive bikepath near the Biltmore Hotel was closed by big fallen trees until January 9 when the local residents and the County cleared the scenic path. Several streets were closed by downed power lines until crews restored them. Bicyclists, however, could begin 1996 by scooting around the trees and limbs and continuing on their way. With most TVs out of commission, it was a fine day for cycling.

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Help your Bicycle Coalition

• The Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition needs your help to move forward with many projects that will increase bicycling awareness, promote education, reduce accidents, and in general make it easier and more fun for us all to bicycle.
• With your support, we'll be able to proceed faster with projects like an educational safety video, bicycle info on the Internet's Web, the bike rehab/ride program, Bike to Work Day, periodic bike advocacy awards, selling us as the site for the ProBike '98 international conference, and a bike photo and video library.
• To join, just fill out the coupon. You'll get Quick Release mailed to you monthly. The Coalition is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, so donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.