November
2001

Quick Release begins second decade
by Ralph Fertig, Quick Release editor

• Time often seems to pass quickly, but to me it seems that the Bicycle Coalition's monthly newsletter has been around forever. As the originator of the idea, the name "Quick Release," and as editor since the November 1991 issue was published, I see that the 120 issues represent a vast collection of information. About 350,000 words.
• When I first came to the Bicycle Coalition meetings in the summer of 1991, I saw that a means of conveying our message to everybody—members and non-members alike—would strengthen us. So, armed with my background in writing, graphics, and computers, I wrote and published one. And one led to another. And on it went.
• Our timing was right, with money from California's Proposition 116 and the Federal ISTEA program fueling bicycling facilities. Looking back, it's been a joy tracking our history and progress. And looking ahead, the prospects look even better. My thanks to all who have written and supported our efforts.

---

Kinetic Sculpture Race



Four cyclists pump away on two tandem bicycles to propel "The Wizard's Revenge." Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• On October 27, the fourth Ventura Kinetic Sculpture Race was held. The Kinetic Sculpture races were begun 30 years ago when Ferndale artist Hobart Brown turned his son's tricycle into a mobile sculpture and raced a friend down the main street. From that beginning, races have grown in size, ingenuity and locations around the US.
• The object of it all is to have fun. The racers and hundreds of viewers in Ventura were cheering and shouting and being appropriately boisterous. The vehicles have to be pedaled on ground, mud, sand, and water. Bicycle Coalition members enjoying the event this year include Ralph Fertig, Don Lubach, David Madajian, and their applicable families.

---

SB Middle School students return from bike tour



Santa Barbara Middle School students circle on the playing field upon returning from their tour. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• For good reasons, the Santa Barbara Middle School calls itself "the bikingest school in the country." Their school logo has a bicycle wheel in it, and their active bike tour program that has been part of their core curriculum from their start in 1976.
• On October 20, there was a ceremony at the school when all the students returned from a six-day bike trip. Hundreds of parents, family and friends were there to cheer the riders. Over a hundred welcoming signs were posted along the approach road and entry drive to the school. The student support was apparent and touching.
• Santa Barbara Middle school has fall and spring bicycle trips that range from one to two weeks in time, and cover 100-200 miles. The students are responsible for their own gear and bike maintenance. As a group, they share cooking, mapping, campfires and peer support. Participation in the bike trips is mandatory for all students.
• For all cyclists, it's heart warming to see hundreds of students bicycling with assurance—and pleasure. For more information about the school (grades 6-9), visit their web site www.sbms.org.

---

Safe Routes to School includes walking

• The Bicycle Coalition sponsors a local Safe Routes to School group that promotes biking and walking to schools. They recently had an outstanding success in promoting a Walk to School Day on October 2nd.
• This year, 17 schools participated with over 4500 students walking or biking. In addition, many parents joined their children in the commute to school. Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson and Representative Lois Capps joined the activities at Mountain View and Vieja Valley Schools. Each student received a reflective star from our group.
• As an example of activities, Brandon School children got our star, a sneaker key chain, stickers about healthy eating, a bottle of water, a breakfast bar, and sunscreen. Students were given pledge sheets to take home for parents to commit their children to bike, walk or carpool to school every day. The kids would then be in a drawing for a new bike at the end of the school year.
• Vieja Valley principal Barbara LaCorte concluded, "I hope that many of our families rediscovered one of the pleasures of a neighborhood school—being able to walk or ride a bike to and fro." Our thanks to Ann Lawler, Dru van Hengel, and all others who helped stage this high-profile event.

---

Two election candidates bike to work

• In the upcoming November 6th election, a wonderful thing is happening: two of the candidates bike to their jobs every day! They are Robert Bernstein who is running for a City Council position in the proposed city of Goleta, and David Esparza who is running for a seat on the Santa Barbara City Council. An additional contender for the Santa Barbara Council is Dan Secord, an avid cyclist who bicycles about 20 miles a week. We asked the everyday bike commuters what they thought. Here are their responses:
• Robert Bernstein
• How can the government best encourage more bicycling to work?
• Safer routes is the main request I get from would-be bicycle commuters. More freeway crossings, bike lanes and Class I paths. We need to be creative and aggressive at creating new routes and taking a long-range vision for future possible routes even where no routes are available today. We have earthquakes, fires and floods which re-shape the landscape and we should be prepared to turn these disasters into opportunities to re-shape our communities to be more bicycle friendly.
• Government can also take an active role in raising awareness of the social benefits to bicycling to work. Everyone knows the social benefits of recycling and we need to achieve that same level of universal awareness for bicycling to work.
• Why do you personally bike to work?
• Twenty two years ago the Unites States was getting involved in conflicts in Iran and in a then-obscure place called Afghanistan. And the issue was oil. I helped organize many protests and teach-ins about the connection of oil and global conflicts at that time, and we warned against U.S. funding of religious terrorists in those conflicts. Unfortunately, our worst warnings came true.
• It was at that time that I first got involved with the Boston Area Bicycle Coalition and first started making the connection between global human rights issues and promoting sustainable transportation here at home. When I ride my bike, I am always thinking of the global issues of human rights and the environment.
• David Esparza
• How can the government best encourage more bicycling to work?
• As I have said in several of the many candidate forums that have been held, it is important to lead by example. If we are to encourage the use of alternative forms of travel, like bicycling, our leaders should be the ones who commit to these alternative forms of travel first. An ad campaign encouraging this at times other than near "Bike to Work Day" would also help to change many people's feelings about bicycling. Further creation of bicycle lanes and more efficient paving of many of our City's streets would make it easier and safer to ride a bike.
• Why do you personally bike to work?
• I bike to work for several reasons. First, is to help the environment. The 4,000 miles in the past year that I have put on my bike saved a lot of pollutants, whether exhaust or other chemicals associated with cars, from entering our environment. The second is for my health. The 13.5 mile round trip to and from work has both short term and long term positive effects on my health. The third reason is simple: I don't have a car.

---

New SBCAG newsletter

• The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments that oversees many of our transportation projects has started a newsletter Regional Review. It's edited by Melody Cannon and free to all. Just phone 961-8900 to subscribe, or email Cannon at mcannon@sbcag.org with your name, phone, and address.

---

IMBA Epic Ride Nov 3-4

• The Buckhorn Trail ride has been designated as one of 12 national "epics" by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), but they are restricting participation for their upcoming two-day event to 50 IMBA members. The idea is to limit impact on the National Forest Service trail, and on other users who are enjoying the trail.
• IMBA is limiting participation to volunteers who are willing to do trail maintenance on Saturday in order to join in the Epic Ride on Sunday. It might be filled up by the time you read this, but you still might be able to register online at: www.imba.com/epics/registration.html.

---

Coalition promotes bicycling at Festival



Here's our booth to the left of Goleta Lemon Festival entry road. Bicycle parking was located to our left. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Although the Goleta Lemon Festival has been taking place for years, this was the first time the Bicycle Coalition has had a booth there. The festival attracts thousands and automobile parking is limited, so bicycling is an ideal means of travel to this local event.
• Our booth was located at the main entrance to the Festival area, so most visitors had to see us. Adjacent bicycle parking was provided by folding barricades from County Public Works, and at times the space was filled with 30 or so bikes. The County also provided orange cones all along adjacent Los Carneros Road between the bike lanes and traffic lanes. The cones served to slow traffic, make drivers aware of bicyclists, and keep motorists from driving over the new asphalt curbs onto adjacent undeveloped land to park.

Vie and George Obern rode their tandem to the Festival to help as booth staff. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• We gave away a box of Santa Barbara County Bike Maps, lots of Quick Release copies, and other literature. The Santa Barbara Bicycle Club raffled off a child's Bell helmet—the winner was Roland Lewin from Goleta. Dru van Hengel from the City of Santa Barbara brought lots of children's helmets supplied by the County Health Care Services, and they quickly sold at their discounted price. A petition in favor of the San Jose Creek bikepath extension to Goleta Beach and UCSB got 183 signatures.
• Our thanks certainly go to all our booth volunteers: Pierre Delong, Ralph Fertig, Mike Hecker, Wilson Hubbell, Drew Hunter, Vie & George Obern, Owen & Doris Patmor, Dru van Hengel, and Gary Wissman.

---

Thanks for County’s cameras

• "Thanks to everyone involved in getting [video] cameras at the intersection of Los Carneros and Hollister. I decided to finally test out the camera at this busy intersection and it worked great. I really appreciate all those involved!"
• — David Madajian

---

Local bike rides grow substantially



Riders await the start of the MS Bike Tour's metric century at Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Two recent bike rides attracted over 2400 riders to our County.
• The Goleta Valley Cycling Club's People Powered Ride on October 13 brought 324 riders to the Santa Ynez Valley. They rode up to 100 miles and feasted on home-baked goods supplied by members. It was "a treasure of a ride," according to one of many participants who emailed messages of thanks. This year experienced a 26% increase over last year's ridership, with cyclists coming from as far away as Massachusetts to ride. Contratulations to ride coordinator Rosie Thompson and all her volunteer helpers.
• A week later, the Multiple Sclerosis Society held it's MS Bike Tour and Fest that attracted 2100 riders. That represents an increase of 20% over the year 2000 ridership, according to coordinator Jeff Hobert. Rides ranged from 12-100 miles in length in an attempt to attract a wide range of capabilities, especially from the 85 different corporate groups riding for the cause. Like the PPR ride, participants came from all over California and other Western states.
• We're delighted that both local rides experienced such gratifying success. What's up for 2002? Even better rides !

---

North Jameson bikelanes attacked

• Over the past few months, an alarm has rung over the bikelanes that were proposed years ago for North Jameson Lane in Montecito. Questions emerged when residents along the road realized that some trees and shrubs would have to be removed or pruned for the new lanes. Others then suggested that sidewalks should also be installed, requiring the removal of even more. Next, residents on parallel San Leandro Lane became incensed over the suggestion that trees could be saved on North Jameson if it were made one way. All this has led some to suggest that nothing be done to North Jameson, the site of high-speed motorists and a cyclist's death a few years back.
• What you can do is tell people that bikelanes are important and the project should move ahead. Email your thoughts to:
• Montecito Journal
  journaljim@aol.com
• Santa Barbara News-Press
  bsnpedit@newspress.com
• Supervisor Naomi Schwartz
  Nschwar@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
• Public Works Director Phillip Demery
  PDEMERY@co.santa-barbara.ca.us