October
2006

Community shaken by Jake’s death



Bicyclists of all ages gather on the Santa Barbara City Hall steps after the Memorial Ride for Jake. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• It was a lovely sunny morning on September 6th as 12-year old Jake Boysel biked toward La Colina Junior High School for classes. He was doing everything right, pedaling uphill in the Calle Real bikelane, but he never made it to school. Hit from behind by a motorist, Jake was thrown off his bike, hit the ground and never regained consciousness. His shoes, backpack, and helmet were torn off. His mountain bike was broken in two.
• Jake's death is the fourth bicyclist fatality this year in Santa Barbara County. It continues to be an especially wrenching loss for everybody, as evidenced by public meetings, media coverage, and memorial ceremonies.
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• Ralph Fertig worked with Eva Inbar to hold a Memorial Ride for Jake on September 16th in order to provide an expression of sympathy and support from our bicycling community to Jake's family. Over 100 bicyclists formed a half-mile stream along Calle Real and State Street, filling the lane in Downtown Santa Barbara.
• The ride ended at De la Guerra Plaza where County Supervisor Susan Rose, City Councilmember Helene Schneider, and COAST representative Eva Inbar called for greater efforts to ensure that all children can safely walk and bike to school. Schneider reminded everybody that, if voters pass it this November, Measure D will bring funding for safe routes to school programs. That funding—about $1.5 million a year—will not bring Jake back, but it might prevent further tragedies in our county.
• Jake's death is a shocking reminder of our own mortality. It can also be the start of a movement to bring back safety to our community, like the 1969 oil spill ignited today's environmental movement. We have to work with our elected officials and work with our neighbors to create a home where our children—indeed all people—are safe biking to school, are safe biking everywhere.

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Transportation Commission meets in Santa Barbara



Jim Kemp describes Measure D renewal to the CTC Board. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• On September 6-7th, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) held a meeting in Santa Barbara for the first time in more than a decade. It started with a “Community Leaders' Breakfast” for CTC board members, Caltrans Director Will Kempton, Caltrans District 5 Director Rich Krumholtz and many Santa Barbara County individuals. The Bicycle Coalition's Ralph Fertig represented people who bicycle.
• The breakfast presentation was by Kempton, an articulate speaker who covered topic after topic for a half hour with neither notes nor hesitation. Although he mostly talked about roads, he also mentioned transit, bicycling and walking.
• The next day, SBCAG described our county's transportation situation. Supervisor Salud Carbajal and SBCAG director Jim Kemp spoke about the 101 In Motion process and the need for Measure D renewal this fall. With no local matching D funds, we will miss out on hundreds of millions of state and federal dollars.

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Come to our October meeting

• Come to our monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 3rd. We will be at Madam Lu Chinese Restaurant to discuss important issues and hear from three special guests:
• George Amoon, Goleta planner who will tell us about San Pedro Creek bikepath.
• Roseanne Crawford, a candidate for the school board, will discuss safer conditions for biking near schools.
• Patrick Flood, a director and cyclist for Team Kona, will seek ways we can cooperate with them on joint ventures.

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Site visits set record



Our Bicycle Coalition's web site had a record number of visitors in mid September.

• Evidence of widespread community grief over the death of Jake Boysel and a determination to make bicycling conditions safer was demonstrated by a surge of visitors to our web site. A total for the week September 10-16th was 1249 individual visitors, several times our year-to-date weekly average of 355 visitors.
• Judging from the turnout at our Memorial Ride for Jake, it was students, parents, avid and casual bicyclists who are all calling for improvements. Community members are upset, angry, and determined to change conditions so we can all bicycle in safety.

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Bikestation opening is delayed



Looking through a dusty window, bike station racks already serve Granada Garage workers. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• The long-awaited bike commuter facility in Downtown Santa Barbara's Granada Garage parking structure is still not open. The German bike racks are installed, the bathroom and shower are ready. What's holding everything up is that a management contract between the City and the Bikestation Coalition has yet to be signed. Only after that happens can an automatic entry/security system and lockers be installed before it can open to waiting bicyclists. We are hopefully looking for an opening in late 2006. Very hopefully.

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Closer jobs and biking

• A survey conducted last June by Manpower Inc shows that 76% of 900 workers say that higher gasoline prices are altering their behavior. Among the findings, 5% have already changed to a job that's closer to home; and 31% said that they are considering it. This means that more might bike rather than car commute to work.

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Coalition tables at Santa Barbara City College



Nancy Mulholland, left, smiles as she promotes bicycling at our table. Erika Lindemann, right, peddles for Traffic Solutions. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• The first week of September was Alternative Transportation Week at Santa Barbara City College, and our Bicycle Coalition was there. Board member Nancy Mulholland staffed our table for three hours on September 7th, handing out literature and chatting with passing students. We shared our table with Traffic Solutions that promoted alternatives to drive-alone commuting to the 17,000-student school.
• Other bicycle businesses present were Santa Barbara Electric Bicycle Company, Open Air Bicycles, and Commuter Bicycles. Our thanks to Shawn Tallant, the schools Commuter Programs Coordinator, for organizing the successful inaugural event.

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Dan Henry is honored



Dan Henry, left, receives commemorative awards from Wilson Hubbell. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Our Bicycle Coalition honored Solvang bicyclist Dan Henry with our Annual Award at our Bike Week Celebration last May. Dan was unfortunately unable to attend, so Wilson Hubbell and Ralph Fertig took two awards to him, one from us and another from Assemblyman Pedro Nava.
• Ours declares "The Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition hereby acknowledges, commends and commemorates Dan Henry for significant contributions to bicycling in Santa Barbara County, California."
• Dan, a former America Airlines pilot, retired to Sovang because of the great cycling in our county. Back East where he lived before retirement, he is known as the instigator of "Dan Henry arrows" painted on roads to direct cyclists where to turn on long club rides. Out here, he continued to speak out for better bicycling conditions, and the "Dan Henry Bikeway" between Los Olivos and Santa Ynez commemorates those efforts.
• Now in his nineties, Dan doesn't get out as much, but was delighted to receive the awards from us. We know, though, that he will be watching the Amgen Tour of California when world-class cyclists will race in a time trial next February—along the Dan Henry Bikeway.

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The Song of the Wheel
by Dan Henry

• There are many types of music
  Each adding depth to things we do,
  In time, almost without exception
  All our songs, somehow are through.
• There are many tunes of love time
  And dance tunes so sublime,
  And rhythms that send tingles
  All up and down our spine.
• At weddings the old standards
  Are repeated by us all,
  And countless other melodies
  Of which, we all recall.
• Yes – we all had songs aplenty
  With a meaning long since gone,
  But there is this one exception
  That somehow, goes on and on.
• It's the song we hear when cycling
  Our every sense, each note can feel,
  We shall always dearly love it
  It's the song of the rolling wheel.

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Paths are for all

• A question about use of the Obern Trail—and other paved paths in our county—arose when a local couple, walking on the Trail were told by a passing cyclist with an attitude, "It's a bike trail."
• To our knowledge, there are no trails or paths in our county that preclude people from walking, jogging, running on them. Some of them do prohibit motorized travel, but human-powered activities are just fine. Not to mention healthier.
• The best way to stay safe and happy on these paths is for all users to use common courtesy, use your bell, greet others, and move predictably.

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Coalition offers bike Tour of Green Homes

• The Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition has teamed up with The Habitat for Humanity to offer two bicycle tours on Saturday, October 7th. The bike rides will take participants to six sites included in the Habitat's 2006 "Tour of Green Homes."
• Dave Root from the South County Habitat organization phoned Bicycle Coalition president Ralph Fertig in late August, asking for help getting people to bicycle. Root then came to our September meeting with co-chair Mindy Wolfe to describe their tour. The result is two rides that Fertig crafted, both starting at the Habitat's housing project on Via Lucero in Santa Barbara:
• The Bicycle Tour #1 is 6.3 miles long and will take people to four of the home sites in the San Roque and Samarkand neighborhoods. It's fairly flat and stays for the most part on quiet residential streets.
• The Bicycle Tour #2 is 21.6 miles long and takes riders to the two Montecito home sites. It's on some busy streets that for the most part have bike lanes, plus there's nearly 1000 feet of climbing.
• The do-it-yourself rides in PDF format are on our site at www.sbbike.org/HH/Habitat.html
• You can print out the maps and take either one or both of the rides by yourself or with family or friends at your own pace. You need to purchase a $25 Habitat for Humanity ticket to be admitted to any of the homes. Further information and tickets are available from the Habitat for Humanity's site www.sbhabitat.org.

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September Coalition meeting topics

• Our September 5th monthly Bicycle Coalition meeting attracted 15 people. We discussed these topics:
• Distribution of the front LED headlights funded by Goleta Valley Cycling Club for low-income bike commuters was discussed.
• Dave Root and Mindy Wolfe from the Habitat for Humanity described their upcoming Tour of Green Homes. Ralph Fertig will craft a tour for bicyclists.
• Erika Lindemann and Nancy Mulholland described the upcoming Bicycling Skills for Couples class.
• Possible bicyclist facilities at the vacant lot next to the Amtrak depot in Santa Barbara were considered, but the feasibility is contingent on Measure D passage and the nearby timeshare development.
• Participation in the upcoming SB City College alternative transportation day was discussed. Nancy Mulholland will staff our table.
• Erika Lindemann gave a report on Traffic Solutions' Team Bike Challenge success.
• Wilson Hubbell will write about Dale Lipp for October Quick Release.

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Carpinteria pursues better bicycling



The community saved the Carpinteria bluffs from development, and the Coastal Vista Trail is a splendid component of the open space. The trail is made of stabilized decomposed granite. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Ongoing efforts by the City of Carpinteria to make it safer and easier to bicycle are reflected in growth of bicycle commuters as confirmed by US census statistics. Several projects are currently in various stages of implementation, according to Parks and Recreation director Matt Roberts, including the following:
• Coastal Vista Trail. A new 330-foot section of the city's coastal trail is going in shortly between Dump Road and Tar Pits Park. This will also make it easier for State Beach campers to access the seal rookery.
• Trail to State Beach. Design is proceeding on a trail south of the railroad connecting Linden and Palm Avenues. It will connect to the state's walk-in, bike-in campground.
• Carpinteria Avenue Trail. This trail will connect City Hall with Bailard Avenue, just south of Carpinteria Avenue.
• Franklin Trail. Although this may be too steep for biking, it will give access to the National Forest, thanks to the Horton family and the new Rancho Alegre owners.
• Safer access to schools. Although upcoming improvements are mostly sidewalks on Linden Avenue and Foothill Road, the bicycle path along Franklin Creek channel south of the High School will get a new bridge.

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Bicycle Commuter bill now in Congress

• The Bicycle Commuters Benefits Act is currently wending its way through Congress. If passed, it will offer tax breaks to those who commute by bicycle. Today, those who take transit or vanpool can receive a monthly tax-exempt $105-$205 benefit from employers. It's only reasonable to add those who are environmentally responsible.
• We're pleased to note that Lois Capps is one of 55 co-sponsors of the House bill (HR 807) that is now in the House Ways and Means Committee. And Barbara Boxer is one of 10 co-sponsors of the parallel Senate bill (S 2635) that is now in the Senate Committee on Finance.
• As Representative Earl Blumenauer observes, "bicycles are second only to cars as a preferred form of transportation. Excluding this highly preferred mode of transportation is counterintuitive."

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Sixty million Americans bicycle

• According to a recent report from the Outdoor Industry Foundation, bicycling is the second most popular outdoor activity in the United States, with 60 million people on bicycles. Bicycling is only surpassed in numbers by "wildlife viewing."
• We spend our money on gear and trips:
• Quality gear is key to a fulfilling outdoor experience, and Americans spend $46 billion each year on equipment, apparel, footwear, accessories, and services. Out of the equipment total, 14% is spent on bicycling products and services.
• Americans spend money on active outdoor excursions, where they spend $243 billion on trips ranging from a summer camping vacation to an afternoon family bike ride. Out of the activity total, 19% is spent on bicycle trips.
• The total is a huge $289 billion spent annually on active outdoor recreation gear and trips. To put it in perspective, it's a bigger direct expenditure contribution to the US economy than automobile and light truck manufacturing at $251 billion.
• The survey doesn't tell us where California stands, but it divides our country into nine regions. We're part of the five Pacific Ocean states, and as such, 29% of our population bicycles. We're surpassed in bicycling only by the midwest region (OH, IN, MI, WI, IL) where 33% bicycle. However, we spend 60% more on equipment. And they spend 24% more on trips-perhaps because we find good bicycling closer to home.
• Finally, the study offers examples of rural communities that have taken advantage of the demand for outdoor recreation activities that are now joining agriculture and resource extraction as economic mainstays. Santa Barbara County could likewise benefit from becoming more attractive to bicyclists and others seeking healthy activities.
• You can read the entire 20-page Active Outdoor Recreation Economy Report online at www.outdoorindustry.org.

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Measure D challenge is rejected

• A challenge to wording of the summary and arguments for Measure D, brought by Carpinteria City Councilman Greg Gandrud, were heard by Judge Denise de Bellefeulle on August 25th. After a day of testimony, she ruled that Gandrud had not presented “significantly compelling” evidence and therefore the ballot measure would remain as written.
• In the process of attempting to prove that Measure D summary and arguments for it are untrue or misleading, Gandrud called four people to testify—Andy Caldwell (from COLAB), Jim Kemp (from SBCAG), Stephen Shane Stark (County Counsel) and Wilson Hubbell (SB Bicycle Coalition). Hubbell was questioned by Cars Are Basic advocate Scott Wenz who asked strange questions like, “Do you think our sidewalks are congested?” as if congestion is the only concern of transportation.
• Lawyer Marc Chytilo was successful in defending the wording of Measure D summary and Jim Kemp, longest on the witness stand, expressed himself with conviction and credibility. With bicycling a significant beneficiary of Measure D tax renewal, we are pleased that the challenge failed.

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True happiness

• "Sitting down on the couch with the remote can help you recharge, but to be truly happy, you need more in your life than passive pleasures."
  —Money Magazine, August 2006

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Dale Lipp, Carpinteria Public Works Director
by Wilson Hubbell



Dale Lipp in working clothes outside Carpinteria City Hall. Photo by Wilson Hubbell.

• Good News! Carpinteria Public Works Director Dale Lipp happens to be a very experienced transportation professional and an enthusiastic cyclist. As such, he has that rare but much needed ability to view local transportation and trails projects from his position as both a seasoned professional engineer and experienced rider.
• Dale is far from being a newcomer to cycling. His first “good” bike was a Cinelli he purchased in 1964, and it's not surprising that he now keeps a bike in his office and often rides 14 to 16 miles at lunchtime. Dale's most recent cycling exploit was the Arthritis Foundation's California Coast Classic—a week long, 500 mile, San Francisco to Los Angeles tour that generated much need funding for arthritis research programs.
• Dale's impact on local cycling extends well beyond Carpinteria. Prior to becoming the head of the City's Public Works Department, Dale was an engineer in private practice with Martin, Northart and Spencer Engineering in Santa Barbara. In that role he worked on a number of significant local cycling projects, including the installation of Class II bikelanes on Los Carneros Road in Goleta and the Project Study Report for the proposed Santa Claus Lane-Carpinteria Avenue Bikepath in Carpinteria.
• Non-motorized transportation projects that Dale is currently involved in include the replacement of Carpinteria's 8th Street footbridge, the resurfacing of city streets that include bikelanes, and the revisiting of the Project Study Report (that he prepared) for the proposed Santa Claus-Carpinteria Avenue Bikepath.
• Thanks Dale for all your efforts on behalf of bicycling and bicyclists in Carpinteria and throughout Santa Barbara County.

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We thank our active members

• Please thank and support the following Bicycle Coalition business members:
• Bicycle Bob's, Santa Barbara
• Big Gear Bike Gear, Santa Barbara
• Café de Velo, 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
• Santa Barbara Electric Bicycle Company, Santa Barbara
• In addition, we welcome new members Cliff and Kathy Runge, and Paolo Gardinali. We further thank those who renewed their memberships: Doug Allard, John Cinatl, Glenn Reinhart, David Madajian, James Elliott, Carol Tokar, John Lewis and Susan Beatty.

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Ortega Hill bikepath update



This new retaining wall with posts for lights will support the upcoming bikepath and adjacent auxiliary traffic lane near Summerland. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Construction is progressing on the new bikepath and auxiliary lane along northbound Highway 101 between Summerland and Montecito. The workers have poured a retaining wall, installed rock-net fencing on the hillside, and next is bikepath lighting.
• The main cost of the $4.9 million project is for building the new traffic lane in order to give motorists time to accelerate before merging. The bikepath will offer bicyclists an alternative to the 101 shoulder and to narrow, winding Ortega Hill Road. When the new bikepath is finished, southbound cyclists will be redirected by Caltrans to the new path instead of Highway 101 at South Jameson Lane, increasing overall safety.
• The new path provides a missing link for people bicycling between Santa Barbara and Carpinteria. And with new sidewalks coming to the west Summerland area, there will be better connections for people walking for fitness or to reach destinations.
• The Ortega Hill project is being paid for with our Measure D transportation tax. It's a good use of the funds because it will help relieve motorist congestion on two roads and, at the same time, provide safer alternatives for people on foot and bicycles.

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