November
2002

Isla Vista plans for transportation



At one dormitory, hundreds of bicycles that carry students to campus and elsewhere indicate IV bicycle traffic conditions. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• On October 10, a public transportation meeting was held in Isla Vista. Presentations by the Santa Barbara County Planning staff and Berkeley consultant Opticos Design were heard by Isla Vista's Project Area and General Plan Advisory Committees. The committees discussed them, heard public comment (one minute limit), but took little action.
• Bicycling is a major issue because Isla Vista is essentially a student community for UCSB, and about 14,000 people bike to campus daily, most of them through IV. Parked cars are a problem. Nearly 1400 UCSB students drive and park in IV each school day to avoid paying campus fees.
• Opticos suggested traffic calming measures in IV:
• Roundabouts on El Colegio Avenue, Pardall Road at the Embarcaderos, and 3 other north-south roads
• Mid-block bump-outs to make street crossing easier
• Lots of street trees to create a sense of enclosure.
• A major change was proposed for El Colegio. It would have roundabouts, a landscaped median, two traffic lanes, bikelanes, parking, and sidewalks. Rob Eaton from County Public Works attended and described an alternate plan of five traffic lanes, saying that a consulting firm was hired to study traffic conditions. Roundabout specialist Michael Wallwork will help.
• Opticos offered other alternatives for Pardall Road and the Embarcadero loop. The PAC/GPAC discussed them, but didn't reach a consensus, although several members stressed bicyclist and pedestrian safety. The transportation discussions were to continue October 23, but at that meeting it was voted to delay further discussion. Thanks to our Bicycle Coalition officers Wilson Hubbell and Ralph Fertig for speaking out. More opportunities for input will occur in the future.

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Bicycle Coalition brings green parade to bicyclists



Bicyclists, with families in tow, prepare for a bike ride to visit sustainable buildings and gardens in the Santa Barbara area. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• For the first time, the Bicycle Coalition worked with The Sustainability Project to encourage people to combine responsible transportation with their third annual Parade of Green Buildings. The event's goal is to increase understanding of sustainable building practices. What better partnership could we have?
• Erika Lindemann and Ralph Fertig worked to incorporate bicycling into the event. Fertig designed three do-it-yourself bike trips that covered all South Coast locations, posted PDF files of them on our web site, and wrote a News-Press article encouraging people to bike instead of drive. At both the Parade lecture Friday night, and the Livingreen headquarters Saturday, we had a table with bicycling literature and the trip maps.
• There was a raffle contest for Parade participants with a Specialized hybrid bike donated by Bruce Davis at Hazard's CycleSport as a first prize. And Susan McLaughlin, a City planner, led bicyclists on a group ride to Downtown sites. Although the ride started with only a dozen cyclists, it gathered more on the way. Our Board member Dru van Hengel joined the ride, observing that, "Eight year old Raven was a trooper, completing the entire route under her own steam. Although her two sisters were younger, they had the advantage of being pulled along in the trailer."
• How successful was it? Our web site statistics show that 125 people looked at our Parade of Green Buildings' page, and over 100 downloaded the trip maps. Out of the 800 total Parade participants, that's a good representation. Next year? Maybe have bike riding education beforehand, and offer bike parking at the sites. It can only get better.

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Handling the Hassle
Word from the President, by Wilson Hubbell

• How do you deal with the obnoxious motorist? Most of us have encountered motorists who act in an obnoxious manner toward bicyclists. For some of us, our first reaction to this type of behavior is verbal confrontation. Too often, however, this reaction can lead to a non-productive shouting match between the motorist and the bicyclistÕwith the motorist coming out on top because they irritated the bicyclist as they originally intended. How else can we handle these situations? The following are some examples of effective and non-confrontational ways:
• Ignore them: The obnoxious motorist is usually trying to let you know that they are not happy with you, and most of the time they use their horn to convey this message. They want you to react so that they know their message is getting through to you, but if you can ignore them you deny them the recognition they seek. While the ignorance method can be very effective it must be used with caution: Sometimes it can lead to more honking and more aggressive obnoxious behavior.
• The friendly wave: This one takes a little practice but I use it and it works great most of the timeÎ If you encounter an obnoxious motorist make eye contact (if and when it is safe to do so), give them a sincere looking smile and wave as if you know them. This reaction confuses the obnoxious motorist and is exactly the opposite of what they expect: The motorist wants to irritate you and yet you react as if they are trying to be friendly. This tactic is also an ambiguous, subtle and non-confrontational criticism of their obnoxious behavior. When it works, you ride away feeling good and they drive away wondering what happened.
• Ditch them: If you have an aggressively obnoxious motorist that you want to get away from, slam on the brakes and quietly let them pass. Rarely will an obnoxious motorist stop or come after youÕunless their behavior and/or your response to it has graduated to the confrontation stage. If an obnoxious or confrontational motorist does stop, turn your bike around and ride away until you are clear of the sceneÕyou are way more maneuverable than they are and can ride against traffic if necessary. If you can, get a description of the vehicle, the motorist and/or a license number. Aggressively obnoxious or confrontational behavior should be reported to your local law enforcement agency.

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Davis vetoes and signs

• On September 29, Governor Gray Davis vetoed Senate Bill 1555, the Pedestrian and Bicyclist Mobility and Safety Fund bill. It would have established a fund through a $5 assessment on drivers' license renewal fees for drivers who have two or more points on their records.
• The governor, in a statement upon veto, stated, "...given the state's $24 billion deficit, I do not believe that this is the appropriate time to implement new programs."
• In other bills that might effect us, the governor signed legislation that will allow communities to regulate the use of "personal mobile transportation devices" such as the Segway. It takes effect next March. Local cities can decide individually whether to ban the things, allow them everywhere, or regulate when and where and with what controls they could be used. For the time being, it seems that they are being accepted on sidewalks, but not on bikelanes, roads, or bikepaths.

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Bicycling promoted at Goleta festival



Jim Marshall and Chuck Anderson discuss bicycling at our Goleta Lemon Festival booth. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• The Bicycle Coalition, for the third year in a row, participated in the annual Goleta Lemon Festival. This year's Festival was sponsored by the new City of Goleta, not the unincorporated area that it was last year. It was moved this year to Gersh Park, which has more room than the previous location, Stow House.
• We passed out newsletters, brochures, bike maps, information about safe biking, safety reflectors and flashing LED lights. We also sold bike helmets and chatted with lots of people passing by our centrally-located booth. Everybody seemed to be making the rounds of the Festival area, so we had a chance to nab all interested people.
• Our thanks to Gary Wissman and Ralph Fertig for organizing things, to Wilson Hubbell for borrowing folding barricades for bike parking, and to all those who volunteered time to staff our booth: Bob Cooper, Doris Phinney, Owen Patmor, Pierre Delong, Jim Marshall, and Chuck Anderson. And special thanks to the Lemon Festival coordinators for donating space for us.

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New sign proposed by Ralph Fertig

• The East Bay Bicycle Coalition is proposing a new traffic sign that says "PASS BICYCLISTS WITH CARE." I personally like it. It grants those drivers with superiority feelings the recognition that they have the power to pass as they wish, as long as they do it with care. The caution is implied for their sake, the sake of oncoming traffic, and the sake of all bicyclists they're leaving behind in a show of both power and compassion. If they feel good, they're more likely to repeat their behavior.
• By contrast, the "SHARE THE ROAD WITH BICYCLISTS" tells drivers that they are equal to bicyclists. Strapped within their expensive symbols of success, motorists don't want to be downgraded to a status equal to poor bikers. The message is degrading to them and their lifestyle choices. If the drivers feel demeaned by it, bicyclists could become symbols of that degradation.

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New TDM director

• A new program administrator for Traffic Solutions, the County's "traffic demand management" (TDM) program has been selected. He's Kent Epperson who recently moved here from Denver where he worked as a planner for their bus system. One of his recent projects was planning and funding a "bikestation" for the city, similar to one coming to Santa Barbara.
• SBCAG director Jim Kemp, in announcing the appointment, commented, "Kent is bright, energetic, passionate about alternative transportation." He is also a bicyclist. We welcome Epperson and look forward to a long, congenial, and beneficial association.

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Cross-America bicyclists return home



From the steps of Santa Barbara Middle School, Councilman Dan Secord reads a City proclamation extolling the cyclists. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• If you've been following John and Lynn Seigel-Boettner with their crew of six kids on their trip across America by bike, you know that their return to Santa Barbara on October 18 was a mixed experience for them all. After four months and 5000 miles of new people, new adventures, and biking each day, they would teach or attend school in buildings, not on open roads of our country.
• Their return was celebrated by triumphal music, banners, speeches, press attention, cheering by Santa Barbara Middle School classmates, and hugs from parents.
• The "Corps of ReDiscovery" followed the original Lewis and Clark expedition trail, reading historic journal entries as they went. Their trip adventures can be read online at www.AmericanRediscovery.com.
• Our congratulations to the Seigel-Boettners, helper Bret Suding, and the six young cyclists. May others follow and likewise learn about our country, our people, and our aspirations.

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Best bicycle shops

• October issues of both the Santa Barbara News-Press and Independent had results of public polls on numerous "best of" categories. For the "Best Bicycle Shop" category, Bicycle Bob's was selected, with Hazard's CycleSport getting the honorable mention. Congratulations!

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Caltrans at meeting

• At our regular November 5 meeting, Caltrans' project manager Rob Miller will show us proposed changes near the Highway 101 corridor that effect bicyclists. There are several options being considered, and they will effect us on Milpas Street at 101, and Cabrillo Boulevard at 101. Please attend and comment.

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New SB Airport racks



Bike Track racks with pull-up arms were installed at Santa Barbara Airport. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Last June, Bicycle Coalition member David Madajian bicycled to the Santa Barbara Airport for a short trip. As reported in July Quick Release, he was so dismayed to find abandoned bikes and a rusting rack that he complained to airport director Karen Ramsdell.
• Soon afterwards, notices appeared on abandoned bikes, and those not moved by their owners were removed by the airport. Madajian put Ramsdell in touch with Bicycle Coalition VP Ralph Fertig who recommended new bike racks. Now, they're installedÕand being used. In fact, all six were occupied during a recent check, four of the six using the pull-up arm to lock the bike with either a cable or U-lock.
• The moral is that you have to call problems to people's attention to get them corrected.

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Donovan to be fixed

• Because of complaints by the Bicycle Coalition about non-standard bikelane design, Santa Maria city engineer Rick Sweet took action and has told SBCAG to change their roadway stripings. The situation, described in October issue of Quick Release, involves the new Donovan Road overcrossing of Highway 101 in Santa Maria.
• Sweet said that Caltrans' Highway Design Manual standards have to replace the current ones. Our thanks to Sweet and the City of Santa Maria for acting on this safety measure.

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Rincon project review

• The only bikeway project submitted for Coastal Resource Enhancement Funds (CREF) is the study of a several alternative bikepath locations that might connect Rincon Beach with Carpinteria. The County Board of Supervisors will hold a hearing on November 18 to hear project descriptions and listen to public comments on them. This is your chance to speak in favor of this connecting path.
• Otherwise letters can be submitted to the Supervisors before December 3 when they will vote on project funding. There will probably be no other public comments allowed before they vote on the awards.

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Active members

• Please thank and support the following businesses that are Bicycle Coalition members:
• MarBorg Industries, Santa Barbara
• Oasis Design, Santa Barbara
• Santa Barbara Infrared, Santa Barbara
• Rincon Cycles, Carpinteria
• Lightning Cycle Dynamics, Lompoc
• We're pleased to welcome new Bicycle Coalition members Melinda Goodman and Mark McClure, both of Santa Barbara. And we're grateful to the following who renewed their memberships: Tony Johansen, Drew Hunter, Cecilia Brown, and Doug Allard.

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Progress as promised



Bicycling on State Street is now safer due to the repaved surface and wider bikelanes. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Last July, the City's Derek Rapp promised improvements to three rough downtown State Street blocks. He said last July, "... the 700-to-900 blocks will be overlaid this Fall and re-striped with the same dimensions as the 1000-to-1200 blocks."
• Sure enough, new paving and striping were installed in October. The improved bikelane striping gives us more room than before while narrowing the traffic lanes. And the surface is dreamy smooth! Thanks to Rapp and everybody else involved.

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Goleta “livability” projects proposed

• On September 25, the Goleta Old Town Project Area Committee (PAC) met and finalized infrastructure recommendations for the Goleta City Council. Their goals have been defined as:
• Improve the livability of Old Town for those who live and work there
• Support economic viability of existing and future development
• Provide regional and environmental benefits.
• The PAC selected three project alternatives that the Council can accept, alter, or pick their own for an environmental impact report and construction. The three alternatives are:
• Traffic signals or a roundabout at Ekwill Street on the Highway 217 freeway
• A full "diamond" interchange at Ekwill and 217, with a depressed 217 and an Ekwill extension over the 217 freeway
• Off and on ramps to Ekwill at the west side of 217, a high "fly-over" from Ekwill for north-bound traffic onto 217, plus a "hook" entry to north-bound 217 from Hollister.
• Several times during the discussion, concerns for pedestrian and bicyclist safety in the area were expressed, including ones from Bicycle Coalition member Jessie Altstatt and Goleta Mayor Margaret Connell. Stay tuned for more.

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Coalition earns compliment

• Members of the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition keep working away, making things better and safer and more enjoyable for kids and adults to bicycle in our County. We often hear complaints, not about what we're doing, but about things that need attentionÕand we hop right on them. So it comes as a warm surprise to receive compliments, like this letter:
• "Enclosed is a small donation in support of the good things you do. Other than an acknowledgment of this donation, we would appreciate your not sending us newsletters, reports or any other mailings; we want our contribution put directly to use without adding to your administrative expense. We know your organization is there; we know what your organization does; and your organization will be considered by our Donation Committee next year."
• It's from Toyon Research Corporation in Goleta, whom we promptly thanked and promised to continue our work with their help. If your employer has a similar public service program, maybe you could put in a good word for us? Or note if they have a matching grant for nonprofit donations like membership in the Bicycle Coalition. We can all benefit.

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UCSB program praised

• Jamey Wagner, director of the University's Transportation Alternatives Program recently received this email from a happy bicyclist:
• "Inspired by your TAP and bike to work programs, I bought a new bicycle in June and I've been biking in to UCSB ever since. I've lost weight, feel fabulous and lowered my blood pressure and cholesterol. And, I've contributed that much less to pollution and global warming. If there were more people like you, the world would be a better place."
• — Howard J. Rathbun

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Our own bike courier
by Ralph Fertig



Jay Forbes, Santa Barbara's only bike courier, loves his healthy job. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• If you spend time around Downtown Santa Barbara, you've seen him. Laden with a shoulder bag and panniers, Jay Forbes is the only bike courier in town. People see him and say, "You've got the perfect job." He shoots back, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, it's totally cool."
• Raised in Northern California, Jay visited relatives in Santa Barbara during vacation time, and when he finished high school, he just moved here. A job delivering documents opened up, and he used his skateboard to get around for pickups and deliveries. Later, to carry more, he switched to a bicycle.
• In 1988, Jay joined his brother Geoff Forbes to found a new courier business called "Urgent Express." The two work with Geoff's wife and a handful of others. Jay is the only bicycle courier because he loves it and it's the best way to get around Downtown. The others have to travel longer distances, so use cars.
• Business has been booming lately for Jay because of all the real estate transactions. People are refinancing their homes, and the signed documents need to move quickly.
• What does a bike courier do on weekends? "I used to mountain bike a lot," says Jay. "But recently, I've been hiking on the local trails with friends." When asked whether downhill bikers are a problem, he said no, the bells warn them of descending bikers, and they're usually very courteous.
• For biking around Downtown traffic, Jay's words of advice are "be careful." He has had only one minor incident with a car door opening in his years of biking here. He always uses a helmet, and stops at the State Street mid-block pedestrian signals. "Years ago, I used to blow the signals, but now I don't even think about it, I just stop. It's cool."

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October meeting topics

• Our October 1st meeting was our first evening meeting, and intended to be more social than business. It was a success in terms of attracting people whom we rarely seeÕup to 30 people showed up. Maybe it was the pizza, but hopefully the evening time was the main reason for attending. Anyway, only one topic was discussedÕthe possibility of bikepaths along the Union Pacific Railroad on the South Coast.
• Erika Lindemann and Chuck Anderson described railroad bikepath projects being considered: Rincon Beach to Carpinteria, Olive Mill Road to Hammonds Meadow, and Maria Ygnacia Creek to Fairview Avenue. This needs a long-term view, but commuter rail might reserve or occupy the space before we get to it.

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SB City ranks projects

• Every two years, the City of Santa Barbara reviews its list of "Capital Improvement Projects" like bikepaths. It's a time to add new projects and change the priorities of both those funded and unfunded.
• New projects were added by City Transportation staff members, the Planning Commission, and the Transportation and Circulation Committee. What currently exists are five funded projects, five older unfunded ones, and five new ones just added this year. The three groups individually ranked the projects, and came up with nearly identical priorities.
• The five already-funded projects are the following:
• Bicycle improvements program
• Citywide bicycle amenities
• Bicycling improvements at Mission Street/101
• Bikelanes at Garden Street/101
• Pershing Park bikepath.
• They additionally ended up with the following unfunded projects ranked, from most important to least important, as follows:
• Arroyo Burro bikepath
• Cliff Drive bikelanes
• San Andres Street bikelanes
• Milpas Street bikelanes
• Carrillo Street/101 bikelanes
• Gutierrez/Haley bikelanes
• Mid-State Street bikelanes
• Bikepath along railroad study
• Outer State Street/101 bikelanes
• Bicycle Master Plan update.
• At this time, probably not much will change because the three groups agreed so closely, and final priorities will be shortly set.

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Bike rides up and down



Bike Tour and Fest riders relax and refuel at Leadbetter Beach at the end of their rides. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• It's difficult to know why bicyclists choose one ride or another, but this year two local rides on the same day had different participation.
• The Bike Tour and Fest that benefits people with multiple sclerosis took place in Santa Barbara on October 12. The turnout was down 43% from 2001, although enthusiasm was high and 1200 bicyclists still turned out to ride for the charity. "It's the economy," explained a sponsor, hoping that 2003 will be better.
• The sluggish economy doesn't explain the increase of 8% from 2001 for the People Powered Ride. Sponsored by the Goleta Valley Cycling Club, their annual century ride had 350 cyclists and was held at Brooks Firestone's meadow near Los Olivos. Being held on the same day as the MS ride, the PPR may have taken some riders away, but not very many.
• This year's PPR coordinator, Doris Phinney, recalls using the Meadow "when it was nothing but a dirt field and the only improvement was a pole with electricity available for our coffee pot. We camped overnight at the site in order to be up bright and early to prepare for the riders." Firestone has since upgraded the facility with public restrooms, a large covered space, and tables and chairs. The Goleta Valley Cycling Club is so pleased to use this wonderful space, they've reserved it for their People Powered Ride 2003.