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SBBIKE leads local advocacy for new Santa Barbara bikeways. Helps secure $7.7 million at California Transportation Commission Hearing.

By  ·  December 08, 2016
08
December 2016

Yesterday, a coalition of community organizations spearheaded by SBBIKE’s Eve Sanford spoke at the California Transportation Commission (CTC) meeting to make the case for $7.7 million in funding for City of Santa Barbara Bikeways. The coalition demonstrated the important safe routes to schools that will be created with the Bike Boulevards and the effects the projects will have on calming and improving Chino, Sola and Alisos Streets for people of all ages walking and biking. Michael Montenegro, Westside resident and community organizer, expressed the importance of Chino St. and other bikeway improvements to “working class Santa Barbarans, especially those who rely on their bicycles for transportation”. Ultimately, the CTC decided to award the projects with funding due to the strong support shown by the Santa Barbara Community through SBBIKE’s public commenters and written letters. A special thank you to everyone who supported the project and our partners who demonstrated their support at the Community Environmental Council (CEC), Central Coast Alliance United for A Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) , Westside Community Group, Micheltorena Neighborhood Association and the Coalition for Sustainable Transportation (COAST).

 

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Pictured Above: This map demonstrates how Bike Boulevards will function by connecting to the bicycle spine network - a key set of streets that connect Santa Barbarans to routes and destinations throughout the city, courtesy of Santa Barbara Dept. of Public Works
In addition to these Bike Boulevards, the CTC also agreed to fund the Rincon Multi-use Path connecting Carpinteria Avenue to the Rincon County beach path along the California Coastal Bicycle Route. One significant North County project was also funded, a flashing beacon and crosswalk treatment along the 246 at Sycamore Avenue in Buellton to help bicyclists and pedestrians make a difficult crossing.