October
2003

Coalition keeps bicyclist access



Corey Anderson on the section of San Antonio Creek Road that he helped keep open. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Rejection of an appeal on the approval of a building project may sound like a loss, but for a connecting section of San Antonio Creek Road, it was a victory. Although the appeal brought by Bicycle Coalition member Corey Anderson and four others was rejected, the County Planning Commission worked with County staff to include conditions in the building permit that addressed the reasons for appeal. One condition was that the road will be kept open for people on bikes, foot and horseback.
• At the September 17th Planning Commission hearing, Coalition members Jean Anderson and Ralph Fertig, in addition to Anderson, spoke out in favor of continued access to the roadway. The Bicycle Coalition had previously sent a letter to Second District Supervisor Susan Rose asking for her help in keeping the roadway open.
• The problem is that the road is mostly part of a private parcel that the owner wanted to build on. It is an abandoned section of San Antonio Creek Road that connects housing to the north with Tucker's Grove County Park on the south. The County, however, retained a 40-foot easement through the property and nearby residents have for years continued to use it to get to work, the park, school, and other destinations. The new owner wanted to close it off as his private driveway.
• Our thanks to the County's Bret Stewart and Morgan Jones for including these permit conditions:
• The owner will resurface the roadway to its full width after construction if finished.
• The road will serve as permanent bicycle, pedestrian and equestrian access.
• Parking is prohibited during or after construction. "No Parking" signs will be posted.
• Public Works Department will help stripe a separate travel lane and bike lane, demarked with a bike symbol.
• All road maintenance will be the responsibility of the property owner.
• The whole process is a good example of how a bicyclist brought a threat to our attention, and together, we were able to retain bicyclists' rights to the roadway.

Santa Barbara Bikestation—what should it offer?



Georgia Case gives a presentation about Bikestations at our September meeting. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Come to our October Bicycle Coalition meeting ready to discuss what Santa Barbara's upcoming Bikestation should offer bicyclists. Meet Georgia Case, Program Director for Bikestation, who will be there to lead the discussion. The Bikestation will be inside the new Granada Garage on Anacapa Street.
• At our September meeting, Case showed what services and facilities others have in the US and overseas. She is mailing a Bikestation questionnaire to Coalition members and South Coast bike shops and services—please respond. It's to our benefit to have the Bikestation be a high-profile success.

Evening meeting on October 7th

• We started our quarterly evening meetings last year and they have been successful in bringing members and others who are unable to make our Downtown noon meetings. This October 7th, there's another one. We will be talking with Georgia Case from Long Beach about services at the Santa Barbara Bikestation. Also, Joshua Patlak will describe Portland's Community Cycling Center. Plus other topics. Come on out and share bicycling ideas—and eat dinner—with everybody:
• Good Earth Restaurant
  5955 Calle Real, Goleta
  No-host dinner 6:00 PM
  Meeting 7:00 PM

Lighting your way
Word from the President, by Wilson Hubbell

• The winter months will soon be upon us and with them comes riding in the dark. Bicycling at night can be a wonderful experience if you are prepared for it, but it is downright spooky and dangerous if you are not.
• Cyclists have a serious need to see and be seen in order to survive in the dark, and modern bicycle lighting systems really enable you to do so. The low powered generator and battery lights we once "made do" with have now evolved into high voltage battery and super efficient generator systems that rival lights found of motor vehicles. Not surprisingly, these contemporary systems are way more expensive than the glorified flashlights of days gone by, but they last much, much longer and are still cheaper than even a single trip to the emergency room. If you regularly ride at night, shop around for your best deal and get yourself some decent rechargeable lighting. Just be prepared to shell out $200 or more for a system that will work well and last a long time.
• Reflective bicycle clothing is widely available for nighttime commuters, but whatever you wear needs to show up well from the side as well as the back. And don't be shy about adding that extra bit of reflective tape to the back of your shoes.

September meeting topics

• Our September 2nd Bicycle Coalition meeting attracted 16 individuals. It included these topics:
• Ralph Fertig described the urgency to contact House members to return bicycle-specific funding to their appropriations bill.
• Georgia Case gave a presentation on Bikestation facilities around the world.
• Wilson Hubbell described the County's CREF application to replace bridge planks on the Obern Trail near Patterson.
• Mike Hecker announced that his cyclocross series will include the Southern California Cyclocross Championship races.
• As a recipient of Green Awards honorable mention, we're invited to this year's award luncheon; Ralph Fertig will represent us.
• Mike Hecker has obtained blueprints for a temporary wood velodrome that he estimates will cost $61,000.
• The Walk/Bike Conference in Oakland takes place October 15-18; three Coalition members will attend—Eva Inbar, Erika Lindemann and Ralph Fertig.
• It was decided to hold our next evening meeting—October 7th—at the Good Earth Restaurant in Goleta.
• A recent collision on UCSB's bikepath near Goleta Beach was discussed. The Coalition will work with the University to obtain both short- and long-term safety improvements.
• Erika Lindemann announced that Bike Week dates have been set for May 15-23, 2004.
• Our possible participation in the Carpinteria Avocado Festival was discussed. Both Erika Lindemann and Ralph Fertig had discussed bike parking with organizers, and a do-it-yourself approach was suggested.
• Ken Yamamota passed out "Healthy Living Tips," a public-service ad from the Centers for Disease Control; he suggested that we look into encouraging papers to publish it.

Coalition asks for new bridge decking




If funded, we'll be seeing new decking on this bridge near Patterson Avenue. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• The Bicycle Coalition is supporting the County Public Work's application for new planks on an aging bridge along the Atascadero Creek Trail between Santa Barbara and UCSB. The $16,000 expense for the project will hopefully come from the County's Coastal Resource Enhancement Fund (CREF).
• In its September 3rd letter, the Bicycle Coalition noted the need for replacement of the planks. "Individual members of the Coalition have frequently contacted the County regarding worn, splintered planks and protruding nails on the deck of this bridge. The County's proposal to replace the deck with plastic lumber planks bolted to the bridge support structure will address all of these concerns and provide a much smoother ride for bicyclists."
• The proposed decking contains non-skid particles that will give traction during times of rain or heavy fog.

LCI bike safety class offered in November

• This coming November 14-16, Jim Barross will come to Santa Barbara to train people to beome League Certified Instructors (LCIs). This is the same course that was given in May 2002 when a group of bicyclists were certified.
• Why become an LCI? Because you'll learn how to be a better bicyclist. You'll be able to teach others how to bicycle safely. And because, if you teach a class with LCI content, you can obtain liability insurance coverage from the League of American Bicyclists.
• Although the course will be held in Santa Barbara, it's being organized by Jean Anderson in San Luis Obispo. If you want details, contact her at slohpver@charter.net or by phone at 545-0993. Before taking the course, you have to join the League, preregister for the course, and take the League's Road I course (to be given before November 5th).
• The course costs $175. However, there is money to pay for five individuals if they commit to teaching two classes afterwards. For information, contact Dru van Hengel at 564-5544 or at dvanhengel@ci.santa-barbara.ca.us.

Coast Route detour



Here the sidewalk south of Chemistry was split into two sections for pedestrians and bicyclists. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• It was misleadingly reported in last month's Quick Release that bicyclists would have to walk the entire detour distance at UCSB.
• Once the detour was in place, "Walk Bike" signs were placed at either end of the passageway through the PSB North building, but not elsewhere on the detour route. The sidewalk south of Chemistry was divided with bollards and tape into two sections, one designated for pedestrians and one for bicyclists.
• The University worked hard to make sure that a new through path was open by the time classes began for the fall term. Thanks to all responsible for a fine solution.

Federal bikeway funding restored

• "Enhancements pack a big punch in terms of promoting economic growth, recreation, and tourism. They improve our quality of life and have become important to communities across the nation..."
          —Representative Thomas Petri (R-WI)


• The Bicycle Coalition sent letters to our Representatives Lois Capps and Elton Gallegly asking them to restore the Federal $620 million Transportation Enhancements (TE) program to the 2004 transportation budget. Then, at the end of August, we asked bicyclists on our email forum to phone them and personally request restoration of TE that helps fund bicycling projects. Thanks to all those who did exactly that. Finally, on September 4th, both Capps and Gallegly voted YES, along with other House members, winning 327 to 90.
• In doing this, we joined thousands of individuals across the US who similarly were asking their representatives to approve the TE restoration. Many national organizations—America Bikes, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, League of American Bicyclists, International Mountain Biking Association, Bikes Belong, Adventure Cycling, Thunderhead Alliance, and others—helped rally members. The cumulative result deluged every House office with calls for restoring TE.
• Bicyclists were not the only proponents of TE projects. The Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities, and National Association of Counties all stated their support. They stated, "Over 17,000 local transportation projects have been initiated as part of the TE program, and the results have been significant, both in terms of increased mobility and the economic development generated by the construction of these facilities. TE projects have contributed to decreased congestion and improvements in air quality in our nation's cities and counties."
• So we've won a battle and demonstrated to House members that Americans care about that tiny—but significant to us—portion of transportation dollars. This was a major victory because the 327-to-90 bipartisan vote demonstrated a clear trend.
• This was the House vote for funding for fiscal year 2004. The Senate still has to vote, then a joint House-Senate committee will work out differences. The main object for us is not the 2004 funding, but is reauthorization of TEA-21, the 6-year transportation program that included TE funds and ended September 30 without a replacement. What may now happen is a half-year stop-gap measure that continues funding while Congress wrangles over conditions of a new 6-year act. We'll be hearing more, just wait.

GVCC donates money for helmets



GVCC representatives Hildy Hoffman, Bob Zimels, and Kathleen Boehm address the City Council. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• The Goleta Valley Cycling Club has donated $200 to the City of Santa Barbara to buy bike helmets for employees. This is to enable more city workers to use the City's new Breezer town bikes for work-related trips.
• On September 16, GVCC President Kathleen Boehm officially presented a check for helmets to the City Council. The City is giving all employees who are interested in biking a short bicycle safety class, taught by certified LCI instructors. All riders must wear helmets, so the GVCC donation will help those who do not already have their own.
• For those that don't know about the GVCC, it's a recreational and sport touring association committed to promoting safety, health, and fitness through the shared social activity of bicycling. GVCC members acknowledge a responsibility to share their sport, experience, and commitment with the community.
• Their big event of the year is the People Powered Ride that takes place this October 11th. For info on their super ride and club, go to www.goletabike.org.

Santa Barbara school workshop October 2

• As part of developing a Pedestrian Master Plan, the City of Santa Barbara is holding a community workshop on October 2nd on improving safety for children walking to school. While some measures make it safer for kids to walk—like connecting sidewalks—others will encourage kids bike to school as well. For example, slowing motorists near schools will help us all. And certainly if fewer kids are chauffeured by their parents, the number of motorists near schools will decrease and bicyclist safety will increase. The public workshop is being held:
• Thursday, October 2, 7:00-9:00 PM
  Santa Barbara School District Board Room
  721 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara.

Bike downhill carefully



The construction fence blocks views of approaching path users near Goleta Beach. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• On August 29, Bob Bisker was biking home from work on the Coast Route, heading down the hill from UCSB, before the lift station construction site, when a young man on a BMX bike came around the corner of the construction fence in the wrong lane. They crashed, the BMX guy rode off, leaving Bisker with broken bones. His surgeon said that he has treated other cyclists for crashes at that section of path due to its poor condition.
• The Bicycle Coalition discussed Bisker's crash at our September meeting, and decided to contact involved parties to see what can be done to improve what is apparently a dangerous situation. So bike there carefully.

Highway 101 corridor Implementation Plan

• For several months now, the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) board members spent hours at each meeting discussing the South Coast Highway 101 corridor congestion. At issue is whether or not to proceed with the Highway 101 Implementation Plan (101 IP), a $1.5 million long-range study of the 101 corridor between Winchester Canyon and the Ventura County line, with results that can be supported by the public. In order to approve funding, 9 of the 13 SBCAG board members must vote for it.
• At the September 18 SBCAG board meeting, no vote was taken on the 101 IP and it will be considered again at the October meeting. Many wanted the 101 IP to contain explicit language that guarantees widening Highway 101, then to consider other means of moving people through the corridor. Others stressed evaluating the effectiveness of all means, including widening options.
• Bicycle Coalition member Grant House recommended use of commuter rail to attract freeway drivers and thereby reduce congestion. He supports a regional transportation approach, with fair and balanced consideration of all alternatives.
• Caltrans district director Gregg Albright said that although widening will have priority, a package of projects will likely be needed, that all alternatives should be considered, and that if widening is not effective in reducing congestion it should not be implemented. He also cautioned against confusing consensus with a vote of the majority.
• It was pointed out that Caltrans funds for current projects are being delayed by the state's budget crisis, so it was suggested that SBCAG loan money to Caltrans so two South Coast Highway 101 operational improvement projects can move ahead. One is the auxiliary lane and bikepath at Ortega Hill between Summerland and Montecito. The second is a whole series of changes between Milpas and Hot Springs Road. Together they would need to borrow $7.4 million. Action on that may be taken by the SBCAG board in October.
• So it remains to be seen what happens at their October 16th meeting. However, it's looking less likely that alternatives to paving more lanes are being taken seriously.

New ideas for Central Coast Velodrome



Blueprints were recently obtained from the Frisco, Texas "Superdrome."

• Mike Hecker, the force behind the Central Coast Velodrome movement, recently proposed constructing a temporary wood velodrome racing track while gathering momentum for a permanent concrete one.
• With that objective, he obtained blueprints of the "Superdrome," a wood velodrome in Frisco, Texas. The Superdrome was ranked by VeloNews as the best North American velodrome in 1999.
• So far, Hecker has identified eight cyclist-carpenters who are willing to donate time and expertise, and possibly a licensed contractor-cyclist who might donate supervisory time. Construction insurance will come from USA Cycling and American Specialty Insurance. The nonprofit Santa Barbara Bicycle Club can undertake organizing the project.
• As for materials, they will cost $61,000-$75,000. Hecker has lined up a source for paint, is attempting to get all the plywood and other wood donated, and is working on a place to locate it.
• The blueprints are for a 250-meter velodrome with a 44º banked track. According to Frisco cyclists, "it rivals the world's best and is one of the hottest tracks in the industry." You can read about the Frisco Superdrome at www.superdrome.com, and about the Central Coast Velodrome by selecting it online at www.ridesb.com.

Active members

• Please thank and support the following businesses that are Bicycle Coalition members:
• King Cycle Group, Shasta Lake
• MarBorg Industries, Santa Barbara
• Nett & Champion Insurance, Santa Barbara
• Rincon Cycles, Carpinteria
• Tri Paradise Sports, Santa Barbara
• Lightning Cycle Dynamics, Lompoc
• We welcome new members Olivia Walling, Patrick McCray, and Matt Dobberteen, and thank those who renewed their memberships: James Elliott, Dennis Thompson, Melinda Goodman, and Doug Allard.

Swap Meet attracts buyers and sellers



Bicycles and bike parts of all vintages and kinds were offered at the Swap Meet. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Both vendors and buyers at the Java Station's first Bicycle Swap Meet were pleased with the results. The morning event on September 7th attracted sellers from as far away as Riverside to the cafe site just west of Santa Barbara. The Java Station's John Martin came up with the idea and was very pleased with the results. Will there be another? Certainly! Right after it took place, Martin was asked for another, maybe in two months. Spread the word.

Safe cycling for health

• Prof.John Pucher says: "It seems to me to be a crucial development that the huge public health community is now joining forces with environmentalists and the sustainable transport movement to support walking and cycling for practical, daily transport..."
• A professor at Rutgers, Pucher recently had an article published in the American Journal of Public Health. It describes why Europeans cycle and walk more than Americans, and what we can learn from them to apply here. We've posted the entire article on our web site for you to check out yourself: www.sbbike.org/docs/Pucher.pdf

Cross-country tour: another excuse to ride!
by Erika Lindemann



Lila Ferguson sets a positive example to all her friends by just bicycling. Photo by Erika Lindemann.

• I thought Lila Ferguson's bike trip across the country this summer, along the historic Lewis and Clark trail, from St. Louis to Seaside, Oregon, would make a great biography for our newsletter. But the instant I started talking with Lila, I realized her trip only scratched the surface of her personality. As I spoke with her, I discovered a young activist and humanitarian, a woman with an incredible love of the outdoors, and someone with an infectious appreciation of all that Santa Barbara has to offer.
• Lila had always dreamed of biking across the country. "If you love to bicycle, you most likely have dreamed of riding across the country, so I just had to do it" she said with a warm smile, eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. She spent 45 days on the road and covered 2,700 miles, averaging about 80 miles a day on her bicycle. The headwinds were the most challenging part of her trip; only Lila and another rider were willing to endure them for the several days they were blowing. "Everyone was in the sag wagon, but you know how it is having been a Santa Barbara Middle School student, you have to make every ride so that you can stand up at the last campfire and say you did." Lila rode every segment on her cross-country journey and loves to ride her bike whenever possible.
• Only 19, Lila is already working one-on-one with friends, helping them ride more often whenever possible, especially for everyday transportation like trips to work or shopping. She has found that leading by example is one of the best ways to show people the joys and benefits of biking. "I've found that my friends from out of town are the easiest to convert. Some of them don't have cars or are simply interested in trying something new. Plus, as a City College student, it's so much easier, cheaper and faster getting there by bike—the bike sells itself."
• We welcome Lila and her friends into our bicycling community and look forward to introducing more young people in Santa Barbara to the many joys of bicycling.