March
2006

Tax proposal promising for bicyclists

• As directed by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) Board in January, tax measure expert Larry Tramutola worked with SBCAG staff to craft a new version of Measure D tax. That new version, emailed to Board members on February 9th, is not very different from the November "Draft #3" written by city and county public works directors, and city managers.
• The new version, named "Balanced A+B," repeats the basic structure of the earlier version: a half-cent "A" tax that has the same half-cent rate that we're currently paying; and an additional "B" quarter-cent tax that, if the voters approve, would take effect only if A is passed by voters.
• Tramutola and SBCAG staff looked at how Santa Barbara County residents wanted their transportation money spent according to two polls of 1734 voters taken last year. They modified the distribution of funding categories between A and B—alternative transportation measures are now less heavily concentrated in B—and slightly increased some alternatives overall. Bicyclists benefit from the new version.
• Compared with last November's Draft #3 version, the Balanced A+B proposes these changes:
• Regional road projects (up from 16.6% to 16.9%)
• Commuter Rail (stays at 8.0%)
• Bus service (up from 15.7% to 17.5%)
• Traffic Solutions (up from 1.4% to 1.7%)
• Bicycling projects (up from 1.0% to 3.0%)
• Safe Routes to School (up from 1.0% to 2.9%)
• Local transportation (down from 56.4% to 50.0%)
• Details about funding for the Bicycling and Safe Routes to School projects are still being determined. They may both accept project proposals from jurisdictions within our county, and fund the best projects. We're hoping that school projects will include high schools, and bike projects will include UCSB, Allan Hancock College, and SBCC. Also, they should both include education and coordination programs as well as more bikelanes, sidewalks and signs.
• Some politicians and city staff are fuming about the proposed reduction of the "A" Local Transportation funding. However, with A and B together, they will gain 7% more dollars per year than they currently get with their 70% share of Measure D. The point is that they would now have an incentive to promote the passage of B, not just A. If they contrariwise insist on concentrating alternative transportation projects back into B, voters might very well reject both A and B, leaving everybody with nothing.
• Separately, the Coalition for a Fair Measure D, of which we are a member, wants A and B to "mirror" one another with identical percentages. That would preclude the divisive "roads-in-A, alternatives-in-B" thinking. If that happens and only A passes, bicyclists will benefit.
• What you can do. Please contact your city councilmembers and county supervisor, listed on below. Tell them what you like or don't like in the current plan. Tell them how you want your tax dollars spent. There are public workshops coming soon, not published as this goes to press. Watch the SBCAG site for details: www.sbcag.org. (Actually, look at our home page for details.)

---

Hart to speak at our meeting

• SBCAG spokesperson Gregg Hart is coming to our monthly Bicycle Coalition to describe the latest proposal for Measure D renewal, and obtain feedback on it structure. Our comments will be added to those from other groups in crafting a measure that will go to the SBCAG Board for consideration and possible approval in April. It's important to attend this, and other meetings to learn, and to voice your opinion.
• Tuesday, March 7, 12:00 noon
  Santa Barbara Bank & Trust Community Room
  1021 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara

---

Elected Officials in Santa Barbara County

• Within Santa Barbara County, there are eight cities that have jurisdiction within their incorporated areas. Those cities are run by elected members of their respective city councils. The remaining unincorporated area outside the cities is managed by the Santa Barbara's County government run by an elected board of five supervisors.
• The Association of Governments (SBCAG) deals with countywide concerns like regional transportation. It is directed by a group of 13 board members that consists of the five county supervisors plus one representative from each of the eight cities.
• The proposed "Balanced A+B" Measure D renewal will be brought before all City Councils, the Board of Supervisors, and the SBCAG Board for discussion and public comment. It is the county supervisors who finally have to put some version of a renewal measure on the November ballot for the voters to ultimately accept or reject.
• Here is contact information with addresses and phone numbers. If you wish to email individuals, click on their names. We urge you to make yourself heard.
• SBCAG Board of Directors
  260 North San Antonio Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
  Salud Carbajal, County Supervisor, 568-2186
  Susan Rose, County Supervisor, 568-2191
  Brooks Firestone, County Supervisor, 568-2192
  Joni Gray, County Supervisor, 737-7700
  Joe Centeno, County Supervisor, 346-8400
  
  Russ Hicks, Buellton, 686-0137
  Donna Jordan, Carpinteria, 684-5405
  Jonny Wallis, Goleta, 683-9068
  Lupe Alvarez, Guadalupe, 343-1340
  Dick DeWees, Lompoc, 736-1261
  Marty Blum, Santa Barbara, 564-5321
  Marty Mariscal, Santa Maria, 925-0951
  Edwin Skytt, Solvang, 688-5575
• County Board of Supervisors
  105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
  Salud Carbajal, 568-2186
  Susan Rose, 568-2191
  Brooks Firestone, 568-2192
  Joni Gray, 737-7700
  Joe Centeno, 346-8400
• City of Buellton
  PO Box 1819, Buellton, CA 93427
  Victoria Pointer Mayor, 686-0137
  Russ Hicks, 686-0137
  Mark Mendenhall, 686-0137
  Dale Molesworth, 686-0137
  Diane Whitehair, 686-0137
• City of Carpinteria
  5775 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93103
  Brad Stein, Mayor, 684-5405
  Donna Jordan, 684-5405
  Michael Ledbetter, 684-5405
  Gregory Gandrud, 684-5405
  Joe Armendariz, 684-5405
• City of Goleta
  130 Cremona Drive, Suite B, Goleta, CA 93117
  Jonny Wallis, Mayor, 964-5562
  Jean Blois, 967-4614
  Cynthia Brock, 968-4821
  Jack Hawxhurst, 683-9068
  Margaret Connell, 968-4264
• City of Guadalupe
  918 Obispo Street, Guadalupe, CA 93434
  Lupe Alvarez, Mayor, 343-1340
  Carlos Aguilera, 343-1340
  Virginia Ponce, 343-1340
  Myrtle Parra, 343-1340
• City of Lompoc
  100 Civic Center Plaza, Lompoc, CA 93436
  Dick DeWees Mayor, 736-1261
  DeWayne Holmdahl, 736-1261
  Janice Keller, 736-1261
  Will Schuyler, 736-1261
  Michael Siminski, 736-1261
• City of Santa Barbara
  PO Box 1990, Santa Barbara, CA 93102
  Marty Blum, Mayor, 564-5321
  Brian Barnwell, 564-5324
  Iya Falcone, 564-5322
  Das Williams, 564-5325
  Helene Schneider, 564-5323
  Roger Horton, 564-5320
  Grant House, 564-5319
• City of Santa Maria
  110 E. Cook Street, Santa Maria, CA 93456
  Larry Lavagnino, Mayor, 925-0951 x204
  Bob Orach, 925-0951 x204
  Alice Patino, 925-0951 x204
  Leo Trujillo, 925-0951 x204
  Martin Mariscal, 925-0951 x204
• City of Solvang
  PO Box 107, Solvang, CA 93464
  Eugene Boyle, Mayor, 688-5575
  Edwin Skytt, 688-5575
  David Smyser, 688-5575
  Ken Palmer 688-5575
  Jim Richardson, 688-5575

---

Wow...the Tour comes to our county!



Tour cyclists recover after their sprint finish along Cabrillo Boulevard in Santa Barbara. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• On February 24, the Tour of California professional cycling stage race entered Santa Barbara County. Stage 5 started in San Luis Obispo, and the sixteen teams entered our county on Highway 1 into Guadalupe, passed through Orcutt, took Foxen Canyon Road to Highway 154, then over San Marcos Pass into Santa Barbara where the 105-mile stage ended.
• Tens of thousands of spectators lined our streets to cheer the cyclists. At the stage finish on Cabrillo Boulevard, a huge festival took place for hours before and after the finish. Our Bicycle Coalition had a booth thanks to local organizing committee head Barney Berglund. We passed out literature about the Bicycle Coalition, a facilities tour of the South Coast, and an information sheet on Measure D renewal.
• Many of those who stopped by our booth were from all over California, but many others came from different states as well, traveling here just to watch the Tour. To our delight, many of them sensibly brought their bikes to get around.
• On Saturday morning, the Stage 6 took off from Cabrillo Boulevard, heading though Montecito and Carpinteria, then into Ventura County over Casitas Pass. Our thanks go to those who helped staff our booth both days: Ralph Fertig, Judy Keim, Matt Dobberteen, and Woodie Wilde.
• Overall, everybody was impressed with the scope and professionalism of the event, and enthused by the possibility of a post-Lance cycling renaissance in the US. The Tour brought an estimated million dollars revenue into the city of Santa Barbara, enhancing our hope that there will be more local support next year. We're definitely looking forward to a great 2007 Tour.

---

CycleSmart bicyclist education news



Here are some of the participants in our Bicycling Skills for Women class on January 28th practicing skills in a parking lot before going out on the road. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• CycleSmart Basic Bike Maintenance Class. Open Air Bicycles in Santa Barbara will generously open its shop for an all-new bike maintenance class on Sunday, March 26th, 2006 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Learn the basics of keeping your bike well maintained and running smoothly. Learn how to clean your bike and how to perform simple adjustments to your brakes and derailleur. We'll also practice changing a flat tire and we'll help you make sure your bike is properly adjusted for you.
• You'll also have the opportunity to purchase discounted accessories you need to be self-reliant while on the road. Call Erika Lindemann at 961-8919 or email her at cyclesmart@sbbike.org to register. Class size is limited, so register today!
• Street Skills for Cyclists classes. Our class will be offered in both April and May to help you use your bike for transportation, fitness and pleasure. Call Erika Lindemann for details.

---

Thanks to Gary Wissman

• Gary Wissman, an active participant in our Bicycle Coalition from the beginning in early 1991, has passed on the responsibility of being our Treasurer. Wissman served as Bicycle Coalition President from 1997 to 1999, and has been our Treasurer since then. Back after he was elected president, he stated, "People need choices in transportation. Without facilities, bicyclists don't have choices. I want to see bicyclists get their fair share of funding."
• Wissman was president during important Bicycle Coalition years when we hosted the international Pro Bike/Pro Walk 1998 Conference in Santa Barbara, and we crafted our Decide to Ride safety video. He successfully managed the enormous task of coordinating our Bike to Work Day in 1997. Earlier, Wissman was very active in working with the County in helping write the Goleta Transportation Improvement Plan. And, living up to his presidential goals, we did obtain more funding and more bicyclist facilities.
• Our Board member Mark McClure has taken over financial duties until the position is filled. Our thanks to McClure for his help and to Wissman for his years of dedicated and effective leadership.

---

Brooks Firestone and family
by Wilson Hubbell

• Although it's not widely known, Santa Barbara County Supervisor Brooks Firestone and wife Kate have been involved in bicycling activities for many yearsóand that involvement has benefited cyclists both locally and statewide. Shortly after his 1994 election to the California State Assembly, Brooks authored an Assembly Bill that increased the available statewide grant funding in the Caltrans Bicycle Transportation Account from a measly $360,000 in 1995 to over $7,000,000 today. This "enhanced" Bicycle Transportation Account was the source of funding for the recent installation of solar lighting on the Obern Trail, and will be the future source of funding for 500 new bike racks at UCSB and trail improvements on the Maria Ygnacio Creek Bikepath.
• As an Assemblymember, Brooks also weighed in when Caltrans recommended the installation of minimal 4-foot shoulders for Highway 246 improvements between Buellton and Solvang. He joined with local cyclists and the California Highway Patrol to urge that the roadway be widened to provide 8-foot shoulders on each side, even though to do so would be significantly more difficult for the highway designers. When all was said and done, Brooks, the CHP and local cyclists prevailed.
• Brooks and Kate have been active contributors to the annual Bike to Work Day and Bike Week events throughout Santa Barbara County. They have also made their Firestone Winery property available for the Goleta Valley Cycling Club's annual People Powered Ride and, together with son Adam Firestone, the annual Firestone Walker Classic mountain bike event. Last year the Firestone Walker Classic attracted more than 800 racers and 2000 spectators!
• Thanks Brooks and Kate—and Adam—for all your efforts in support of bicycling in Santa Barbara County and throughout California!

---

Bike production soars

• For two decades 1950-1970, it seemed that the century-old bicycle would be eclipsed by the upstart automobile. But then worldwide bicycle production accelerated, and now consists of 105 million bikes a year—two and a half times automobile production as shown in the graph.
• Today, bicycles provide transportation for billions of people. The infrastructure for bicycles—such as roads and parking facilities—is less expensive to build and less land-intensive than that for cars. Bicycles do not contribute to air or noise pollution, they reduce traffic congestion, and offer users physical fitness. Today's rising oil prices may be leading to a general rediscovery of bicycling reminiscent of the early 1970s.

---

February Coalition meeting topics

• Our February 7th monthly Bicycle Coalition noon meeting attracted concerned bicyclists. We discussed these topics:
• We all discussed the expiring Measure D and the possible content of the forthcoming new tax proposal. The proposed structure will be announced shortly.
• The upcoming Tour of California and its impact on our community were discussed.
• Alejandra Luna talked about her "Fighting Back Mentor Program" for endangered or troubled youths. If anybody is interested in learning more about helping young people, contact Luna at 963-1433 x105, or at aluna@cadasb.org.
• Wilson Hubbell described the ribbon-cutting of UCSB's Broida bikepath. Brooks Firestone helped dedicate the new, much-needed path.
• Kirsten Ayars described upcoming Caltrans projects that will effect bicyclists in Santa Barbara, Montecito and Summerland. A ceremony on March 10th in Summerland will initiate construction on the Ortega Hill bypass bikepath.

---

UCSB bikepath opens



Soumil Mehta, co-chair of the campus AS BIKES committee, leads the charge over the new path. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• After years of planning and months of construction, the "Broida Expressway" was officially opened to eager bicyclists on February 1st. It provides an east-west connecting bikepath over 900 feet long, located just south of Broida Hall. Previously, students had to walk their bikes on the sidewalk.
• The project was paid for mostly with a student assessment of $3 per student-quarter, showing not only that students want connecting bikepaths, but they are willing to step in when the University fails to provide needed facilities.

---

Pedro Nava pursues safer bike conditions



Assemblyman Pedro Nava introduces his proposed measures to increase bicyclist safety. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Assemblyman Pedro Nava introduced legislation that he believes will increase bicyclists' safety on our roads. At a Santa Barbara Courthouse press conference on February 20th, Nava cited the recent loss of UCSB triathlete Kendra Payne on Gibraltar Road that his bill is intended to prevent. It will require a minimum of three feet clearance for motorists passing bicyclists, plus other safety conditions.
• At the press conference, Kendra's father Richard Payne delivered powerful statements about his family's loss and the future safety of others: "This legislation is not about us, it's not about my daughter, it's not about my wife, it's not about me. Motorists must realize that cyclists are not simply objects that slow them down on their way to a destination. Cyclists are human beings, with families and friends who love them."
• Nava's bill, AB 1941, is currently a "placeholder" that will soon be replaced with the actual language. In addition to the three-foot condition, AB 1941 will also list penalties assigned to vehicle operators that violate this section. We are grateful to Pedro Nava for his concern and action that will make bicycling safer for us all.

---

We thank our active members

• Please thank and support the following Bicycle Coalition business members:
• BiciSport & Company, Santa Barbara
• Big Gear Bike Gear, 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
• We welcome our newest Bicycle Coalition members Jim Marnocha and James McCue. We additionally thank those who renewed their memberships: Rob Dayton, James Hosp, Alexander & Nancy Trieger, Doris Phinney and Owen Patmor.

---

CSC 2006 cycling team debuts in Solvang
by Ralph Fertig

• It happened in Solvang on February 14th. The world's best (they said) cycling team had a press conference to announce their 30-member roster for the 1996 racing season. The Computer Sciences Corp (CSC) team was at a training camp in the Santa Ynez Valley—their first US camp ever.
• There were name cards before the double tier of cyclists, names that I recognized from the Tour de France: Ivan Basso, Bobby Julich, David Zabriskie, Jens Voigt, Stuart O'Grady, Fabian Cancellara. And their team manager is Bjarne Riis, himself the 1996 Tour de France winner.
• I asked about cycling here, and was told that our motorists are more courteous than those in Europe. They love our weather, and Riis said that they hope to return next year for more training.

---