July
2005

GVCC supports bicycling community

• The Goleta Valley Cycling Club has for years returned to the community what it has gained from dedicated volunteer work for its annual People Powered Ride each October. This year, club members voted to support community projects at their Annual Meeting on June 19th. We are very grateful that again our Bicycle Coalition has been the recipient of their funding to support our projects. GVCC members gave money this year to:
• $1000 for partial funding for a laptop computer and projector for our CycleSmart program instructors to use.
• $903 for 288 flashing LED lights for us to distribute to low-income residents who bike to South Coast jobs.
• $800 to purchase two bicycles, locks and helmets for children selected by the Goleta Boys and Girls Club.
• $1500 to the Santa Barbara Mountain Bike Trail Volunteers to purchase items from their wish list of trail maintenance tools, GPS systems, BOB trailers and bike bells.
• Separate donations totalling $1181 to four organizations with no specific project designations: the League of American Bicyclists, Rails to Trails Conservancy, California Association of Bicycling Organizations—and to us too!
• If you want to learn more about the GVCC, possibly join members on their rides, or participate in their award-winning People Powered Ride on October 9th, go to www.goletabike.org. Or look for their newsletter South Coast Breeze in bike shops.

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Santa Barbara experiments with traffic calming



Larry Good (right) interviews the City's Tully Clifford at the Olive/Sola intersection as videographer Chris Bell captures it for the July edition of "Inside Santa Barbara" TV show. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Are Santa Barbara's "interim traffic calming" approaches beneficial to bicyclists, or do they create conflicts as motorists share the narrowed roadway space with them? Dru van Hengel, Mobility Coordinator for the City of Santa Barbara, asked for our help in evaluating temporary set-ups at four intersections during the last weeks of June.
• These temporary arrangements have emerged from the Saint Francis Neighborhood Traffic Management program that community residents have been crafting for months. They target intersections that people have identified as problem areas where motorists endanger others.
• One bicyclist reported being squeezed by motorists as he passed through a test narrowing section at Garden and Islay Streets. It's possible that the proposed arrangement doesn't slow motorists down to bicyclist speeds, or that the bicyclist does not take the lane as he approaches the constrictions. City engineer Tully Clifford explained that, if adopted, the final "bulb-out" version will consist of low curbs that bicyclists can travel closer to than the current folding barricades.
• There are many advantages of traffic calming measures if they are applied correctly: slower motorists, less pollution, and less noise. Current trial measures consist of small roundabouts, curb bulb-outs, and center islands.
• If you have any thoughts or recommendations on bicyclist safety, contact van Hengel at 564-5544 or DVANHENGEL@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.

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SB designated “Bicycle Friendly Community”

• The League of American Bicyclists has renewed its designation of the City of Santa Barbara as a Bicycle Friendly Community at the silver award level. It resulted from a renewal application from the City's Dru van Hengel, and corroborating comments from local bicyclists.
• Santa Barbara was one of 16 cities that were recognized last May for their superior bicycling conditions and programs. Currently, there are 49 communities designated as "Bicycle Friendly."

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Bicyclist data suggests need for change

• For two weeks in mid-June, Bicycle Coalition members and other volunteers gathered data on bicyclist behavior at 25 intersections in the City of Santa Barbara. This was the seventh June that we have performed this service, essentially to find out what might be changing within our community, and to provide the City government with useful data that can help them make transportation decisions.
• Volunteers collected data between 4:00-6:00 PM on bicyclists' directions through the intersections and whether they were wearing helmets, riding against traffic on the street, or riding on the sidewalk.
• Looking at the data, perhaps the main impression is that there is substantial variation from year to year. We have counted an average of 2722 bicyclists per year for eight years, and even with that many, the totals vary notably from one year to the next. Even the busiest intersection, State at Canon Perdido, numbers vary by up 30% from one year to the next. At quieter intersections, the numbers can vary year-to-year by a factor of three. The point is that you cannot extrapolate a trend with just a few hours of counting—indeed, even with our 352 hours of data, trends are barely discernible.
• Nevertheless, mathematical analysis of the data suggests that bicycle helmet use, on the average 26%, is declining by 0.4% a year—as can be seen in the first chart. Lower helmet use was observed on the Westside and Eastside of the City. Helmet use has been shown to reduce severity of head injury in collisions.
• Biking on sidewalks, on the average 17%, is increasing by 0.6% a year, as can be noted in the second chart. Biking on sidewalks took place more on arterials like Carrillo and Mission, where bikelanes are missing and traffic is heavy. Biking on sidewalks not only endangers pedestrians, it also increases bicyclists' probability of collisions with motor vehicles at driveways and intersections.
• Both of these potential trends call for greater information for people who bicycle—through our CycleSmart program, for example—and safer facilities on our streets. When asked what the greatest need in our area, bicyclists always reply "more bikelanes and bikepaths."
• Our thanks to all those who volunteered time for the 2005 data collection: Matt Dobberteen, Ann Lawler, Jim Marshall, Kathleen Boehm, Mark McClure, Ralph Fertig, Drew Hunter, Erika Lindemann, Bob Cooper, Dru van Hengel, Pierre Delong, Bob Burgess, and Gastón Renjel.

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Walk/Bike California Conference

• A number of local people will be presenting papers at the upcoming biennial Walk/Bike California Conference this September 14-16th in Ventura. Those whose papers were accepted include:
• Erika Lindemann, on our CycleSmart program.
• Wilson Hubbell, on grant funding sources, project engineering, and support letters.
• Dru van Hengel, on Safe Routes to School and separately, on pedestrian access.
• Eva Inbar, on AB 1886, the school zone double fine program.
• Ralph Fertig, on marketing of bicycling and other car-free programs.
• The last Walk/Bike California conference, held in Oakland in 2003, attracted over 200 participants, and this one is expected to do as well. Being so close to us, it provides an ideal opportunity to hear what's happening in California for bicyclists and pedestrians. We encourage local elected officials, government staff members, consultants, health advocates, and others to take advantage of this nearby opportunity. The conference is the regional counterpart of the North American Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference that takes place on alternate years. Learn more at www.walkbikecalifornia.net.
• Following the conference, we're offering a "Santa Barbara Recharge" weekend for participants. It consists of either a bike facilities tour led by Ralph Fertig, or a walking tour led by Eva Inbar. The Recharge weekend is described at this location: www.sbbike.org/recharge/SB.pdf.
• Consider taking advantage of these regional opportunities that may not come our way again for years or decades.

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Andy Singer speaks in Santa Barbara

• Sponsored by HopeDance newspaper, cartoonist and transportation activist Andy Singer delighted his Santa Barbara audience on June 20th with charming and edgy cartoons, historical photographs, and sharp observations about transportation in the US. Here is a sample cartoon. You'll find lots more on his site www.andysinger.com.
• "Andy's a terrific person," noted Bicycle Coalition president Ralph Fertig, after taking him on a bike tour the next morning. "He and is wife have no car, they get around by bike, foot and bus. They set an excellent example for the rest of us."

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“Restorative Justice”

• Following the bike impound at UCSB near the Biology Sciences II building on May 18th, there was a flurry of accusations and complaints from all sides. In an attempt to clarify and resolve residual questions, the University is initiating a process called "Restorative Justice." Its intent to gather all parties at one place in an attempt to foster understanding. Bicycle Coalition president Ralph Fertig has agreed to participate in the process in late July.

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CycleSmart bicyclist education news



Nancy Mulholland, rear, conducted an excellent Street Skills Adult Ed class on May 7th. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• July Street Skills class
• Feel vulnerable on the road? You're not alone. Join others at our Street Skills for Cyclists class. Learn vehicular cycling principles and bike handling skills for safe riding on roads. The class will take place on Thursday, July 7th from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. An optional 6-hour follow-up will be offered on July 9th for those desiring instruction and practice of on-road bicycling.
• The Street Skills class is open to those 16 years of age and older. It costs $30 and will take place in the David Gebhard Public Meeting room in the Community Development and Public Works Building, 630 Garden Street in Santa Barbara. League Cycling Instructors Dru van Hengel and Bob Zimels will lead this class. Registration is required. A form is online at www.sbbike.org/docs/Street-Skills.pdf. Class size is limited. The optional follow up on-bike, on-road session on July 9th from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM is open at no charge to those who have completed previous Street Skills classes. Any questions? Contact us at CycleSmart@sbbike.org.
• LCI Training course in SLO
• A League Cycling Instructor's (LCI) certification course will be held August 12-14 in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy a weekend in San Luis Obispo with other bicycle riders while learning how to share important information on safe vehicular cycling. Trainers for this course will be Jim Baross (San Diego) and Christopher Quint (Long Beach).
• We especially need LCIs who live in the North County and those who are bilingual (English/Spanish). To register for the course or to get details about it, you can email the coordinator, Jean Anderson, at slopver@charter.net or 545-9003.
• For information on possible grant funding to cover the $175 registration fee, contact Dru van Hengel at 564-5544 or at DVANHENGEL@SantaBarbaraCA.gov. Registration deadline is July 1st.

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Bike “Parade” attracts green cyclists



Bicyclists take off from the Hayward Design Center for their own "Parade" on April 30th. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• They could have driven to sites of the Sustainabilty Project's "Parade of Green Buildings," but a group of bicyclists chose appropriately green transportation. The 10-mile ride was crafted by Ralph Fertig, and led by Susan McLaughlin and Erika Lindemann. It took riders to nine of the residential, commercial and garden sites to view environmentally-sound practices.

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Bikes for the World: can we copy it here?

• "Put your old bike to good use" is a phrase used by Bikes for the World, a DC-area project whose mission is to collect unwanted local bicycles and parts. They then work in association with overseas organizations and deliver them to community programs that assist poor people in developing countries. For details on the program, check out www.bikesfortheworld.org.
• We have a great opportunity to learn more about this on July 16th when program advisor Craig Annear will visit Santa Barbara. He is a life-long bicyclist, supporter of a similar East Coast program "Pedals for Progress," and a member of Washington Area Bicyclist Association, an advocacy group like ours.
• Annear retired as a legal counsel from the Environmental Protection Agency last January. Previously, he held attorney positions at FEMA, HUD, and the FTC. He has a long-standing interest in Africa, having first visited in 1966 with Operation Crossroads Africa. He lives with his wife in Virginia, and their three sons are currently in Zambia, Chicago, and Charlottesville.
• If you want to learn more, come to our meeting at Alameda Park's Kids World in Downtown Santa Barbara, 10:00 AM. Look for fellow bicyclists at the picnic tables.

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Our member BBQ

• Each summer, our Bicycle Coalition has a Member Appreciation BBQ in gratitude to our members and their families. This year it's on July 31st at Arroyo Burro Beach in Santa Barbara in the grassy area between the Watershed Resource Center and Brown Pelican Restaurant. Members are receiving an invitation with their July Quick Release.

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First Bicycle Festival a fine success



BMX bikers try out the course before actual races; the Santa Barbara course is the only BMX track in the county. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• On June 11th, the first annual Santa Barbara Bicycle Festival featured BMX, downhill, kids, and cross-country racing. It took place in Elings Park thanks to the cooperation of Park Director Mike Warren. If racing or watching others race wasn't enough, you could relax at the beer garden, listen to live music, or check out the vendors and bicycle swap-meet areas.
• Mountain Bike Action magazine commented, "The course, at almost 5 miles in length, has nearly 1000 feet of climbing per lap. Its combination of road, fire road and single track climbing, coupled with steep bermed descents, turns Elings Park into the perfect mountain bike racing venue."
• Thanks go to Ed Brown, Dave Phreaner, Mike Hecker, Chris Orr, John Martin, and others for a super biking event!

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We thank our active members

• Please thank and support the following Bicycle Coalition business members:
• Bicycle Bob's, Santa Barbara & Goleta
• Commuter Bicycles, Santa Barbara
• Jeffrey Stoutenborough, Architect, Santa Barbara
• King Cycle Group, Portland, Oregon
• Nett & Champion Insurance Services, Santa Barbara
• Open Air Bicycles, Santa Barbara
• Pedal Power Bicycles, Santa Maria
• Piekert Group Architects, Santa Barbara
• We welcome our newest Bicycle Coalition member Randy Scott Clark, and we certainly thank those who renewed their memberships: Amy Frease, Lindsey Webster, Tom Towle, Mary Byrd & John Fisher, Pierre Delong, and Lynn Pearl.

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Bike to Work Day ‘05
by Erika Lindemann



Bike to Work Day in Downtown Santa Barbara again attracted hundreds. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Bike to Work Day 2005 included several significant changes. For the first time since 2001, SBCAG Traffic Solutions did not organize the event. Instead it organized the Team Bike Challenge, a highly successful month-long promotion that took place for the entire month of June. Agencies and local businesses including the City of Santa Barbara, Venoco, Yardi Systems, Citrix Online and Marian Medical Center (Santa Maria) funded and hosted their own sites.
• Traffic Solutions provided $200 mini-grants to groups interested in hosting Bike to Work Day sites. These grants were used by several groups, including the City of Lompoc, Cutting Edge Hair Salon in Goleta and the Goleta Valley Water District. COAST received a $500 Traffic Solutions' grant for Bike to School Day at multiple schools across the South Coast. Thanks to the hard work of organizers, sponsors and volunteers, Bike to Work Day, now in its twelve year, had eight public sites throughout Santa Barbara county. Participants were treated to free food, drinks and prizes.
• Although there were no Bike to Work Day shirts this year, Traffic Solutions produced a 100% organic and colorful Team Bike Challenge t-shirt with the slogan, "Bike to School, Bike to Work, Bike to Life." It's available for $10, just call 963-SAVE or email tsolutions@sbcag.org.

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June Coalition meeting topics

• Our June 7th Bicycle Coalition attracted 14 people to discuss these topics:
• Everybody agreed that the SB Bank & Trust meeting room was perfect for our future meetings.
• Ralph Fertig passed out copies of our petition to SBCAG asking for bicycling in Measure D tax renewal.
• Ralph Fertig described upcoming closure of Castillo Street for construction, and procedures for bicyclists and pedestrians to pass through during construction.
• Dru van Hengel described upcoming CycleSmart activities.
• Dru van Hengel and Ralph Fertig described our two applications to the Goleta Valley Cycling Club for funding.
• Mike Hecker described new trails and events at the Santa Barbara Bicycle Festival at Elings Park on June 11th.
• Matt Dobberteen said we should not ask at this time to have the Supervisors fill Wilson Hubbell's vacant position.
• Ralph Fertig asked for help with a 2005 bicyclist count at 25 Santa Barbara locations, June 7-16.
• Successful Bike Week events were described÷particularly our Bike Week Celebration, "What Matters Most" with Willie Weir, and an evening of "Touring by Bike."
• Ralph Fertig described the possible route of the 2006 Tour of California stage race through our county.
• Mike Hecker discussed plans, costs and possibilities for a South Coast velodrome in Goleta.
• Ralph Fertig described the implications for bicycling in the recent Economic Community Project survey of the South Coast.
• Erika Lindemann described Traffic Solutions' Team Bike Challenge that takes place during the entire month of June.
• Don Lubach and Jamey Wagner described a "Restorative Justice" process that will consider the Bio II bike impound at UCSB.

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Team Bike Challenge exceeding expectations

Art by David Bramsen.

• Traffic Solutions, a program that's part of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, came up the idea of having a bicycling contest during the month of June. They had no idea how successful it would be.
• The "Team Bike Challenge" consisted of self-organized five-person teams of bicyclists who competed for prizes based on utility trips done by bike instead of car. Traffic Solutions' Erika Lindemann has been delighted with the results so far as Quick Release goes to press: "we thought we'd have a raging success if 50 teams signed up. Well, by June 22nd we have over 100 teams competing!"
• Team names illustrate their creativity: Carpinteria Sprocket Rockets, Cinco Ciclistas, Dako Spinners, Pedaling Planners, Rehab Rollers, Road Kill, Smog Busters, Squeaky Wheels, Street Peddler, Switchin' Gears, Team Ding Bell, The Coasters, The Cycling Cheetahs, The Pedal Smashers, The Rusty Chain, The Shifters, Tortoise Brigade, Two-Wheeled Travelers, WaterWheels, and Yardi PedalHeads.
• Perhaps best of all, Lindemann reports, "we've heard again and again that this contest has helped you bike more often for everyday transportation." Watch for final results in the August Quick Release.

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DOD technology to dry Castillo Street



Castillo Street is under intense construction and installation of electo-osmosis technology. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Who would have thought that our Department of Defense's missile silo technology could be used to keep bicyclists safe? Called "electro-osmosis," the technique will be applied to the Castillo Street undercrossing of Highway 101 in Santa Barbara, a roadway that has long plagued us with slippery surfaces. The 1962 undercrossing contains reactive aggregate in the concrete and contends with pressure from a nine-foot water table, resulting in ongoing seepage.
• The current $3 million project was explained in generous engineering detail at a Caltrans meeting attended by Bicycle Coalition president Ralph Fertig in early June. This is the first time that electo-osmosis is being used on a state or federal highway project. It consists of embedding electrical anodes and cathodes into the roadway. A low-voltage current then pulls water molecules away from the wet areas, and sends them into Mission Creek. In theory at least, that means a dry road surface for all of us.
• Construction started June 20, and will continue in four phases that will last into August. Castillo and freeway ramps will be closed to motorists, but bicyclists and pedestrians will be directed through the construction zone during work—just obey the traffic control people and envision how good it will be when finished.