January
2008

Coalition formalizes Bici relationship



All bicyclists are welcome to drop by Bici Centro's community bicycle program. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• At the December 4th Bicycle Coalition meeting, we signed a cooperative agreement with Bici Centro of Santa Barbara.
• For 17 years, we have been working with government jurisdictions, employers, organizations and individuals to provide safer and better bicycling conditions. Bici Centro is a community bicycle program that started a year ago, and has quickly marshalled volunteers to help community members who may lack the resources to purchase, or the knowledge to repair bicycles.
• We're very pleased with this relationship that we expect will be long and mutually beneficial. For those who are unacquainted with Bici Centro ("Bike Center" in Spanish), check out their website, visit them during their free bike workshop hours, and consider volunteering: www.bicicentro.org
• We're all committed to building a better bicycling presence in our community—united, we'll do it better!

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Our 2007 accomplishments
by Ralph Fertig

• Day by day, there are so many bicycling issues on our agenda, it's hard to backpedal and look at the bigger picture. However, as we enter our 18th year of promoting bicycling in Santa Barbara county, it's an opportunity to look over what we've done to influence decision-makers, obtain funding, promote bicycling, and expand bicyclist safety and access during 2007.
• The following would have been impossible without the dedicated support from our Bicycle Coalition members. Here's just some of what you've helped accomplish:
• Distributed 200 bike lights to low-income, bicycle-dependent workers.
• Advocated for construction of the Jake Boysel bikepath so biking to La Colina and Bishop Diego schools will be safer.
• Offered Street Skills for Cyclists classes.
• Co-sponsored the Santa Barbara Amgen Tour of California stage start and hosted an information booth at the Tour's Solvang time trial.
• Nurtured Bici Centro, the community bike program that we're now associated with.
• Met with Lois Capps to discuss bicycling issues during the National Bike Summit in Washington DC.
• Purchased helmets for kids at Brandon Elementary School, and bought Bike to School Day rewards.
• Hosted activities for our Bike Week, including a kick-off dinner with Willie Weir, Ride of Silence, Bike Film Festival, bike touring presentations, and an overnight bike trip to El Capitan State Beach.
• Participated in Santa Barbara's Earth Day with free bike check-ups, bike parking, and an information booth.
• Led educational bike rides for UC Sustainability Conference participants.
• Proposed a South Coast bicycle sharing program like the Paris one.
• Participated in South Coast Measure D 2008 transportation tax policy development.
• Worked with the Community Environmental Council to craft the bicycling section of a forthcoming fossil-fuel reduction booklet.
• Attended the Walk/Bike California conference in Davis, returning with contacts and inspiration.
• Proposed safer cycling conditions on Highway 101 near La Conchita as part of a Caltrans road widening project.

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Festive spirits roll with GVCC’s Holiday bike ride



GVCC president Doris Phinney and granddaughter Frances Kretschmer stand behind their decorated Bike Friday tandem that Doris also uses to pick up Frances after school. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• About 40 bicyclists decked out with lights, bells and seasonal outfits participated in Goleta Valley Cycling Club's annual Holiday Ride in Santa Barbara on December 15th. This year is the 17th consecutive year that the GVCC has offered the fun ride. It was organized this year by Wendy Manning and Doris Phinney, with new collaboration by Bici Centro of Santa Barbara.
• The ride started at the Granada Garage and went down State Street, continuing to the end of Stearns Wharf, circling until everybody caught up, then back for warm drinks at Santa Barbara Roasting Company where prizes were awarded for the best holiday outfits. All along the way, shoppers stopped in their tracks to watch the passing show, smiling, laughing, and cheering the bicyclists.

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We donate 100 helmets to Unity Shoppe

• Two weeks before Christmas, the City's Dru van Hengel brought a situation to our Board of Directors' attention: the local South Coast charity Unity Shoppe was giving away children's bicycles but no helmets. We quickly identified a helmet source that the Kiwanis had used, and agreed to purchase 100 helmets to go with the bicycles.
• Those helmets will be added to 30 donated by the city's Fire Department, 20 from the Public Works Department, and possibly more from others. We definitely are pleased to be able to help kids have positive and safe experiences with their new bicycles.
• Unity Shoppe has a thrift store at 1219 State Street in Santa Barbara. It generates income to help augment direct donations of food, clothing, school supplies, and gifts (like bicycles) for children. These are offered annually to over 14,000 qualified families referred by churches, social service agencies, schools, and hospitals.
• To learn more about Unity Shoppe's programs, go to www.unityshoppe.org. If you can help with bikes or accessories, contact Dru van Hengel at 564-5544.

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Classic film American Flyers

• If you haven't seen the 1986 cycling film American Flyers, your chance to see it—and help contribute to the Bicycle Coalition's fund that helps bring the Amgen Tour of California to Santa Barbara—is coming up:
• Thursday, January 17th
  Cabrillo Pavillion Arts Center
  1118 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara
  Social Reception, drinks and snacks 6:00-7:00 PM
  7:00 PM American Flyers
• Entrance donation is $12. You're sure to enjoy the film that features Kevin Costner, Rae Dawn Chong and David Grant.

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Energy Act promotes complete streets

• President George Bush just signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 that has an encouraging paragraph, but is missing a provision for bicycle commuters.
• What we lost in House/Senate negotiations was the annual $240 that employers could offer tax-free to workers who bicycle to jobs. "This is not going to solve America's energy problems," complained minority House leader John Boehner about the incentive. We hope that in 2008 it will be reintroduced.
• The Energy Act does contains non-binding language that advances complete streets concepts. It says, "It is the sense of Congress that in constructing new roadways or rehabilitating existing facilities, state and local governments should consider policies designed to accommodate all users, including motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and people of all ages and abilities." The word is "should" not "must," so it has no binding power, but is a promising harbinger of change.

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Santa Barbara intersection meeting draws a crowd



Bicyclists heading south on State Street have to weave through the unstopping right-turning motorized traffic. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• The City of Santa Barbara held a public meeting on December 19th to present plans for proposed intersection improvements at State and De la Vina streets. Currently, it's scary for south-bound bicyclists going straight on State because they have to weave through free right-turning motorists. It's as bad or worse for pedestrians trying to cross De la Vina just after the intersection, perhaps walking to the Coffee Bean.
• The City has determined that a large majority of the right-turning motorists exceed the 30 MPH speed limit. In mid-December, Bicycle Coalition president Ralph Fertig spent 20 minutes watching motorists approaching the free right turn on State—virtually all were violating the California Vehicle Code by failing to signal their turns, and the majority drove into the adjacent bikelane so they wouldn't have to slow down.
• About 100 people turned out for the meeting. Browning Allen, the city's Transportation Manager dispelled a large number of misconceptions about the project, like whether it was subject to the Oak Park traffic plan vote (it was not), or whether it's using local money (no, it's state funded).
• It was suggested that the number of bicyclists on State is negligible. However, the Bicycle Coalition bicyclist counts done at the nearby Las Positas intersection over ten years since 1997 show an average of 48 bicyclists per hour on State Street.
• The new plans call for eliminating the free State right turn, controlling it with a signal, and installing a dedicated right-turn lane with a bikelane to its left for bicyclists continuing south on State.
• Next, the plans will head to the Architectural Board of Review for approval in early 2008, then finally to the City Council. Some residents automatically oppose any government proposal, especially safety measures for pedestrians and bicyclists. Stay tuned.

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Amgen Tour of California coming in February



An orange juice toast is offered to the upcoming Tour's two stages in our county. From left are Shannon Brooks (SB Conference and Visitors Bureau), Das Williams (SB City Council), Barney Berglund (SB Local Organizing Committee chair), Traci Farhad (Solvang Visitors Bureau), Tony Cruz (professional cyclist), Jim Richardson (Solvang City Council), Brooks Firestone (County Supervisor), and Max Hanberg (Solvang Local Organizing Committee co-chair). Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Excitement over the third year Amgen Tour of California stage race's return to Santa Barbara is building. We're going to have an information booth at both the Solvang (February 22nd) and Santa Barbara (February 23rd) stages.
• A public "Ride the Route" promotional event took place in Solvang on December 15th. Over 200 people turned out, including 60 Solvang Elementary School students, and 70 cyclists who had an opportunity to try out the 15-mile Time Trial course. Our Bicycle Coalition Board members Ralph Fertig, Wilson Hubbell and Dave Bourgeois enjoyed the ride.
• We're currently working with the City of Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau, and individual members of the Local Organizing Committee in planning activities around the Saturday stage start on East Cabrillo Boulevard. An early event is taking place this January 17th, the Santa Barbara Movie Night fund-raiser described above. Come out to get a taste of the cycling fervor.
• Details for Tour events are being developed, and will be described in February's Quick Release. For Solvang, updates are at www.tourofcalifornia-solvang.com. There are viewing packages with various benefits, and a Solvang Gala dinner Friday evening.
• Valet bike parking will be available in both Solvang and Santa Barbara. Updates for Santa Barbara events are at www.TourSB.com. There will be Cottage Hospital's Family Fitness Fair, a Kid's Race, VIP viewing area, and a Friday night Party. In the meantime, you can play the Cycling Trivia Game and win prizes—check it out here.

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UCSB “bike gripe” survey results

• On November 27-28, the UCSB Associated Students' BIKES committee members asked campus bicyclists to tell them what needs fixing. They had online and physical survey forms in addition to a large campus map where problem areas were identified. They set up their table in front of the UCen building.
• The survey responders were 77% undergrads; 84% of them typically bicycle to campus, and 74% of them bike every day. The major characteristics that they identified as most liked and disliked were these:
• Most valued component of the bike path?
• Connectivity 32%
• Convenient bike parking 23%
• Smoothness 13%
• Less traffic 13%
• Most pressing bike related issue?
• Crowding in bike racks 29%
• Congestion on bike paths 23%
• Poor bicycle rack design 13%
• Width 7%
• Most dangerous behavior?
• Cell phone use 26%
• Two or more riders abreast 23%
• Pedestrians on path 19%
• As for bike parking, those areas voted most in need of expansion are Humanities and Social Services (36%), and Kerr Hall (29%). And the most dangerous bike traffic areas are the Library T-intersection (42%), and Student Resources Building (42%).

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Kuperman visits Santa Barbara



David Kuperman on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• David Kuperman, our Caltrans district's new bicycle/pedestrian coordinator, spent a day in Santa Barbara on December 4th. He attended our monthly meeting, biked with Coalition president Ralph Fertig around the city, then went to UCSB to attend a student BIKES committee meeting and do some more biking around campus. It was a full and fulfilling day well spent.

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December Coalition meeting topics

• Our December 4th monthly Bicycle Coalition took place in Downtown Santa Barbara, attracting 23 people to discuss these topics:
• Ralph Fertig described results of the South Coast committee for Measure D 2008 tax plan, stressing the need to compare it with what exists today, not the failed 2006 version.
• David Kuperman described his responsibilities as a new Caltrans District 5 planner and bike/ped coordinator.
• An agreement between the Bicycle Coalition and Bici Centro was discussed and signed by representatives of both organizations.
• Cyclists were told about the December 6th Amgen Tour of California "Ride the Route" promotional ceremony and ride in Solvang.
• The Goleta Valley Cycling Club's Holiday ride is coming up on December 15th, teaming with Bici Centro this year. People were encouraged to light up themselves and bicycles for the fun event.
• Ralph Fertig described local denial of service to bike-up bicyclists, but there was no interest in pursuing our access.
• New bicycling standards being proposed by the AS BIKES committee for UCSB were described and discussed.

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Biking lifestyle suits Eric Lohela
by Erika Lindemann



Eric Lohela, pictured here in Death Valley, enjoys road, mountain, and city bicycling. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• There's a new buzz word going around these days, "locavore" meaning a person who strives to eat locally grown and distributed food. Eric Lohela has been following this diet for the past 9 months and finds it challenging but rewarding. "It's more a lifestyle than a diet," Lohela commented when we met up for coffee last week, "just like bicycling."
• Bicycling is certainly part of Eric's lifestyle, whether it's riding his commute bike, rain or shine, a couple of miles to and from work or taking his road bike out to enjoy the spectacular climbs and views our Santa Barbara foothills offer. He's also an avid mountain biker and knows our many trails, as well as in places as diverse as Michigan, Lake Tahoe and Costa Rica. His cruiser comes out for leisurely rides to meet friends or to run errands.
• Lohela is originally from Los Gatos, California and he became serious about biking when he got his first real mountain bike at age 11. He began really riding dirt trails during high school in Michigan. "My understanding of truly epic rides came after I moved to Lake Tahoe, though," Eric added with a smile. "Those mountains have so much to offer." Eric decided on Costa Rica for his most epic ride, where he was able to join forces with a local mountain biking team and ride through rugged jungle trails, some that were slated to be highways, but never finished. The bridges were built first, "So we'd pop out of these muddy jungle trails and then cross over these huge ravines on perfectly paved bridges, and back into the jungle!"
• Eric is pleased with the many ways the City of Santa Barbara and the Bike Coalition are promoting bicycling as a lifestyle. He's a Bikestation Santa Barbara member and thinks the City's pool of employee bikes is a great way to get employees to use bikes more often. He looks forward to seeing a community bike-share program develop here similar to those in Paris and Copenhagen.

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We thank our active members

• Please thank and support the following Bicycle Coalition business members:
• Bicycle Bob's, Santa Barbara
• Nett & Champion Insurance Services, Santa Barbara
• The Bike Barn, Santa Maria
• Café de Velo, Santa Barbara
• Open Air Bicycles, Santa Barbara
• Pedal Power Bicycles, Santa Maria
• Santa Barbara Electric Bicycle Company, Santa Barbara
• Chris King Precision Components, Portland OR
• Run Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara
• We welcome new members David Kuperman, Dave Palmer, Alexandra Kummer, and Christopher Brunquell.
• We further thank those who renewed their memberships: Drew Dara-Abrams, Don Lubach, Diana & Mike Gard, Matt Dobberteen, Stephen Mack, Gary Nett, Cheryl Everett, Chuck Cryor, Merle Clark, Dorothy McLaren, Bob Swinney, Jim Marnocha, Dave Beamer, Richard Lambert, Woody Wilde, Diane Krohn and Wayne Beckman.

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Join our Street Skills for Cyclists class

• We're offering our popular two-day "Street Skills for Cyclists" course again January 17th and 19th, 2008. If you've been wanting to learn the basics of bicycling with confidence on the road with other vehicle users, in a supportive and fun environment, then this is the class for you.
• Have you thought about using your bike for getting around town or for fitness, but just don't feel comfortable on the road? We'll show you how to ride legally and confidently. We'll also talk about how to make decisions in traffic and how to change a flat tire and perform other simple on-road repairs. We'll also practice bike handling skills and emergency avoidance maneuvers such as quick turns and stops. Then we'll take you out for a road ride with League Cycling Instructors (LCIs).
• The class is open to anybody 16 years of age or older. You can bring your child who is 14 years or older, with your supervision. The class costs $30, however some scholarships are available. Just ask us.
• Both sessions will be held at the newly opened Bikestation Santa Barbara and the Granada Garage in downtown Santa Barbara (next to Coffee Cat on Anacapa and Anapamu). We are grateful to the City of Santa Barbara for their generous sponsorship of these classes. To learn more, phone Dru van Hengel at 564-5544 or email CycleSmart@sbbike.org. Please RSVP so we know to expect you.

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Changes coming to Pardall in Isla Vista
by Abigail Nugent



This typical cross section drawing of the redeveloped Pardall Road looks west. Drawing by ROMA Design Group.

• In Summer of 2008, the Santa Barbara County Redevelopment Agency will begin constructing improvements to Pardall Road in Isla Vista. The project is intended to enhance downtown Isla Vista by making the public street and sidewalks more attractive places to shop and hang out.
• The project will also result in an overall improvement to the area's circulation patterns and emergency vehicle access. Though Pardall Road will still be open to cars, the improvements are designed to encourage pedestrian and bicycle use while minimizing the use of cars on Pardall Road. The project will include widened sidewalks, new street trees, better lighting, additional bike racks and enhanced intersection treatment.
• Additionally, the street barrier at Pardall Road and Camino Pescadero will be relocated to mid-block between Camino Pescadero and Embarcadero Del Mar, improving visibility and cyclist safety, enhancing emergency vehicle access, and framing the commercial core. The street barrier will also serve to divide bicycle traffic, with two removable bollards on each side.
• Construction is currently scheduled to finish by fall 2008. The Redevelopment Agency is taking comments regarding construction and access issues. Contact them at 884-8082 and www.ivrda.org.

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