Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition

October
2001

Terrorism
Fourteen bike projects seek funding
SBCAG Board contacts
Ralph's gets racks
Reclaiming Buckhorn
Montecito cyclist dies
Board meeting
Lesson from San Francisco
Drivers endanger cyclists
Bike flag sales
Can this sign help?

Quick Release Newsletter

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Terrorism



American flags appeared not only along State Street in Santa Barbara as seen here, but throughout our County. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

  • The inhuman attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have horrified, saddened, angered, and challenged us. Our sympathy goes out to all who have suffered from these despicable acts.
  • It was disconcerting to read that two terrorists in Florida had bicycled to their flight training classes. On the other hand, in Washington DC on September 11, executive director Adam Spey of the Thunderhead Alliance biked home in 20 minutes from work, while a neighbor who drove her car was instead stuck in gridlock for an hour and a half. Bicyclists can often manage in emergency situations where motorists fail.
  • Our world shifted a notch on September 11th. People will now travel less, will tend their own gardens more, will seek simpler lifestyles, and will cherish life, family and friends more than ever. We're privileged to live in a free society where we can devote ourselves to improving the quality of life of everyone.

Fourteen bike projects seek funding



This photo looks south along Kellogg Road in Goleta where the County seeks funding for bikelanes and a bikepath to connect the Atascadero Creek bikepath with Hollister Photo by Ralph Fertig.

  • Bicycling improvement projects were submitted in August by Santa Barbara County and four regional cities to contend for funding in an upcoming two-year cycle. Sponsors for the fourteen projects are seeking $7.45 million.
  • The funding process was recently revised. Previously, there were several independent cycles of applications and funding. Now, these programs have been combined into one "Regional Flexible Funds" cycle in order to view all needs at once. Overall, there is about $59 million available, and there are 80 projects requesting $68 million.
  • The timetable is short. Project selection must be done by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) Board by December 20. We have an opportunity to speak during the October 18th SBCAG meeting in Santa Barbara, although letters supporting bicycling projects can be sent, faxed, or emailed any time.
  • The 14 projects are described here, along with the amount of money being requested; it's not the total project cost, although it could be close.
  • Carpinteria Bluffs Park Bikepath, Carpinteria, $310,000. Construct a bikepath along the ocean side of Carpinteria Avenue between the City Hall and Bailard Road.
  • Riverbend Park Bikeway, Lompoc, $713,000. Construct a 2.3-mile bikepath 8-feet wide along the Santa Ynez River between Highway 246 and Riverbend Park.
  • San Jose Creek Bikeway study, Goleta, $200,000. Study construction of a 1.4-mile bikeway (bikelanes and a bikepath) along the San Jose Creek channel between Hollister Avenue and Atascadero Creek.
  • Orcutt Creek Bikepath, Orcutt, $301,000. Construct a quarter-mile bikepath to connect segments along Orcutt Creek to create a continuous path between Bradley and Stillwell Roads.
  • Santa Maria Levee Multipurpose Trail, between Santa Maria and Guadalupe, $886,000. Construct a 7.8-mile unpaved trail along the south levee of the Santa Maria River, between the City of Santa Maria and Guadalupe Street in Guadalupe.
  • Cathedral Oaks Bikepath, Goleta, $302,000. Fill in a missing gap in the bikepath along the north side of Cathedral Oaks between Placer and Northgate Drives.
  • Refugio/Roblar Roads Bikelanes, Santa Ynez Valley, $1,610,000. Widen existing Refugio and Roblar ds for construction of 3-miles of 5-foot wide bikelanes, completing a 16-mile bikeway loop in the Valley.
  • Shoreline Drive Park Expansion, Santa Barbara, $320,000. Construct an 11-foot wide bikepath and separate pedestrian "promenade" between Shoreline and Leadbetter Parks in space that is currently used for a downhill traffic lane and bikelane.
  • Mission Street Bikeway at 101, Santa Barbara, $1,061,000. Widen and alter Mission Street between Modoc Road and Castillo Street to allow bikelanes, curb-face drains, and wider sidewalks.
  • Citywide Bicycling Improvements, Santa Barbara, $350,000. This is a package of bikelanes (especially through the Garden Street/101 intersection), parking, signs, bike detectors, and a maintenance hotline.
  • Santa Maria Valley Railroad Bikeway, Santa Maria, $736,000. Construct an additional part between Jones Street and Main Street for the 3.7-mile, 10-feet wide multipurpose path next to the SMV railroad, separated from the railroad with a 42" high chain-link fence.
  • Airport Bikeway Connection, Santa Maria, $116,000. Construct a 0.5-mile, 10-feet wide multipurpose trail along Skyway Drive between Hagerman Drive and Auto Park Drive.
  • Santa Maria/Guadalupe Levee Bikeway, Santa Maria, $300,000. Construct a 1-mile continuation of the existing Santa Maria River levee bikeway, 10-feet wide unpaved, between Preisker Lane and Blosser Road.
  • Battles Road Bikeway landscaping, Santa Maria, $241,000. Install landscaping and irrigation along the 1.5-mile multipurpose trail along Battles Road between Depot Street and Highway 101.
  • If you wish to learn more about these projects, there is a copy of them available for public viewing at the SBCAG office, 26 Castilian Drive in Goleta. In addition, there were project presentations made by the sponsoring agencies, and they may be able to mail or email you copies if you ask.
  • Most important is to speak out, either at the October 18 SBCAG meeting, or by phoning, writing, emailing, or faxing your opinions to the individual SBCAG Board members listed below.
  • This is an opportunity to really make a difference for bicycling. If projects don't get funded now, it might be never or years later. Act now.

SBCAG Board contacts

Ralph’s gets racks



Several posts for locking bikes have been installed at the new Ralph's Santa Barbara market. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

  • It was reported in the August issue of Quick Release that Ralph's Fresh Fare supermarket had opened on July 25 with everything but bike racks. We're pleased to report that they have installed several bike "hitching posts" for shopping bicyclists and workers who commute by bike. Now we know that we're welcome to visit there too.

Reclaiming Buckhorn

  • On August 18th, a group of volunteers from both the Santa Barbara Mountain Bike Trail Volunteers and Volunteer Wilderness Rangers, braved summer heat to clear brush along the upper section of the 34-mile Buckhorn Trail. The volunteers augmented a Sierra National Forest professional trail crew who spent a week clearing the thickest part of the trail with chainsaws.
  • Buckhorn Trail received publicity when it was selected as one of eight national Epic Rides for 2001. There will be a major IMBA work day and ride there in early November. Before then, there is still clearing to do. Additional volunteer events are planned. Call Chuck Anderson at the Santa Barbara Mountain Bike Trail Volunteers 565-7511 for information or email smbtv@home.com.

Montecito cyclist dies

  • On September 1, Artie Cameron died after a serious bicycle collision two days before. Known more for his polo activities than bicycling, Cameron was descending Toro Canyon Road with a friend when he clipped a parked truck and went down. The 53-year old Cameron was apparently not wearing a bike helmet, and died from massive head injuries.

Board meeting

  • On September 19, the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition Board of Directors met to discuss a number of issues. Their main considerations and actions were these:
  • We would like to consider a countywide newspaper with news about all biking activities and clubs. Conceivable, it could eventually replace the five current newsletters—including Quick Release—that are now published.
  • We will support four broad bicycling advocacy groups: California Bicycle Coalition, International Mountain Bike Association, Thunderhead Alliance, and League of American Bicyclists.
  • We will consider buying and renting bike racks to organizations that need them for regional festivals. Maybe operate bike parking and security as well.
  • We will encourage greater participation by North County bicyclists in issues that concern us all.
  • We will consider a banquet that will kick off Bike Week activities.
  • We will increase association with all bicycling activities—mountain biking, racing, BMX—especially those that support youth.

Lesson from SF



Lance Armstrong and other racers are cheered by spectators during the San Francisco Grand Prix. Photo by Mike Hecker.

  • The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, always looking for ways to promote bicycling, sponsored a 5-mile ride before the San Francisco Grand Prix race on September 9. Over 800 participated, helping to raise money for the SFBC's CoExist Campaign which promotes safer streets for bicycles and cars.
  • The race itself, according to local event promoter Mike Hecker, attracted 300,000 spectators, many arriving by bike and using the SFBC's bike parking service. The presence of Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong was a big draw. Hecker hopes to hold a similar race in Santa Barbara in September 2002.

Drivers endanger cyclists



The motorist in the right-turn-only lane continued straight through the intersection after this photo was taken, potentially endangering cyclists traveling straight. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

  • Santa Barbara County government continues to contend with traffic control on Cathedral Oaks Road in Goleta. A few months ago, they created two right-turn-only lanes before consecutive intersections with Carlo and Santa Marguerita Drives. They did this by pavement stripes and arrows, plus signs.
  • If drivers obeyed the markings and signs, bicycling there would be fine. However, many drivers illegally travel straight in the right-turn-only lane. This leaves straight-ahead cyclists who obey the law and ride in the bikelane slot between the travel lanes suddenly trapped after the intersections with motorists on both sides.
  • The Bicycle Coalition's VP Ralph Fertig sent a letter on September 9th to Public Works director Phillip Demery. He called attention to the compromised effectiveness of the current roadway striping and suggested solutions. In the long run, construction of permanent narrowing before right- turn pockets is desirable. However, two short-term solutions are possible: install flexible "paddles" where the lanes narrow before the right-turn pockets, or return the roadway to its original four-lane state.
  • To express your thoughts, please contact:
  • Mr. Phillip Demery, Public Works Director
    123 East Anapamu Street
    Santa Barbara, CA 93101
    phone 568-3000
    email PDEMERY@co.santa-barbara.ca.us

Bike flag sales

  • So far, we've sold 50 of our Bike Week flags to people all over the country. Bicycling advocate Ellen Fletcher reports from Palo Alto that six of them are being used at the Stanford University stadium to designate the bike parking area for football games.

Can this sign help?

  • The Federal Highway Administration publishes a document Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices that describes traffic control devices. Inside is sign R4-4, shown here. Can it help Santa Barbara County bicyclists? Very likely.
  • The R4-4 sign is currently used in many communities in California. Traffic engineer Richard Moeur says, "In my opinion the R4-4 does a decent job of advising road users that right-turning traffic needs to look out for and yield to conflicting traffic as they weave across the path of traffic in the bike lane."
  • This seems ideal not only for freeway entrances from crossing roads, but also for any right-turn pocket. The sign alerts motorists that bicyclists share the roadway system, whether they're turning or not. It also emphasizes that they must yield to bicyclists, rather than cut them off.
  • Although each regional community gets to determine what signs to put where, the Bicycle Coalition is encouraging them to install R4-4s for our safety.
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