December
2003

Coalition buys Fernando a bike



Fernando da Silva picks up his new bicycle at Bicycle Bob's, thanks to Bicycle Coalition donations. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Bicycle Coalition members donated freely to buy a new bike for Fernando da Silva, a touring cyclist from Brazil. Five days after he arrived in Los Angeles, Fernando had his locked bicycle stolen from a rack outside the Santa Barbara Public Library while he was emailing his wife.
• As soon as an article about his loss appeared in the Santa Barbara News-Press, the Bicycle Coalition's Ralph Fertig asked for donations to buy a replacement bike. Within a few hours, we had collected $200, and by the next day, nearly $300. That amount, plus two outside donations, were enough to buy Fernando a new bicycle. Niel Mazzolini at Bicycle Bob's assembled a Giant mountain bike that Fernando had selected.
• What made the theft especially ironic was that Fernando had saved money for years to make this ride for peace of the soul and the mind. Not wanting any harm to come to the thief, the father of two said, "I like peace."
• We're grateful for generous donations from these people: Rob Dayton, Wilson Hubbell, Erika Lindemann, Anna Roberts, Ralph Fertig, Pierre Delong, Mark McClure, Sam Hartline, Don Lubach, Ann Lawler, Tricia Guilfoyle, Jere Lifshitz, Drew Hunter, Doris Phinney, Corey Anderson, Jim Marshall, Curtis Ridling, Alex Pujo, Gary Dempster, and Eileen Daley.
• When Fernando picked up his bike, he said that to him, it's not a new bike, but a symbol of the friendship of the kind people who gave it to him.
• In these times of declining worldwide opinion of America, we not only helped a touring cyclist in need, we also demonstrated to a foreign visitor that American people truly care about others on our planet. We did the right thing and feel very good about it.

Bicycling brothers flew to fame a century ago



The Wright Cycle Company shop in Akron, Ohio, founded in 1882, is now in Dearborn, Michigan.

• Five months after the first Tour de France, bike shop owners and bicycle manufacturers Orville and Wilber Wright used their bicycle knowledge to create heavier-than-air flight. On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers managed four flights in their airplane, flying 852 feet on their farthest flight.
• Where others had failed in the past, the Wrights called on their knowledge of bicycle technology to help them succeed. They knew that riding a bicycle, for example, required balance through body movements, so they incorporated that into control of their aircraft: the pilot shifted his hips from side to side to warp the wings and change direction, a function they later controlled with handles, and that's now done with ailerons.
• When the Wrights were testing wing profiles for lift, they mounted different shapes on a horizontal bike wheel attached to the front of a special bike that they pedaled while measuring the lift. Later, they built a wind tunnel with a delicate "drag balance" using bike spokes and hacksaw blades to hold test wing profiles. They also used bicycle spokes to tension their airplane wings.
• The brothers knew that weight was a major concern for cyclists as well as airplanes. So they saved weight by building a motor of aluminum instead of steel that was the usual material at the time.
• Although the Wrights flew into history a century ago, their Wright Cycle shop was bought by Henry Ford and moved to Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan, where you can visit it today.

Get off the road...
Word from the President, by Wilson Hubbell

• While cycling between destinations we often stop somewhere along the road to talk with riding partners, fix a tire or simply rest. One of the most dangerous things I see—frequently—is cyclists standing along the road and blocking portions of the traveled way with their bikes and bodies. This is not only dangerous for the riders who stop; it is particularly inconsiderate to approaching bikies who may unnecessarily encounter an obstacle in the roadway.
• Riding a bike in traffic has its own risks, but we put ourselves in danger if we stop in the roadway and become standing targets. With the exception of stop signs and stop lights, we need to get off the road when we stop. Here are a few of things to consider:
• Anytime we ride we should strive to be role models to other road users. An individual or a group of people standing in the roadway will irritate motorists and cause other cyclists to pull further out into the traveled way than would otherwise be necessary in order to pass. This is Not A Good Thing.
• If we make a habit of getting off the road whenever we stop, other than at stop lights and stop signs, it will not be necessary to remember to do so only when things appear to be dangerous. Besides, just because there is no traffic when we stop does not mean there will be no traffic the whole time we are standing there.
• Cyclists will tend to stay wherever they come to a stop, and if we stop on the roadway we will likely stand there the entire time we're stopped and make motor vehicles and other cyclists go around us. Unless we're at a stop sign or a stop light, maybe it's best that we don't stop where we don't intend to stay.
• In summary, get into the habit of pulling completely out of the traveled way whenever you stop. It is good for you, good for other bikies and good for the cycling image.

Senate version of transportation bill

• Congress agreed last September to delay until February the reauthorization of a 6-year federal transportation act. The newest version of that act came from the Senate at the end of October. The good news is that it proposed to keep the important Enhancements program intact and it included a new Safe Routes to School program for $70 million (far short of the House's $250 million program). The Senate also included other programs important to bicycling, including CMAQ, Scenic Byways and Recreational Trails.
• The bad news is that an amendment attempt by Senator Barbara Boxer and others to add "routine accommodation" for bicyclists failed. The bill was passed by committee, and will be heard on the Senate floor in January. A House version of the bill will be considered by the House of Representatives any day now. It's looking promising, but winds can change direction quickly on Capitol Hill. Follow the latest events at www.americabikes.org.

Hildy Hoffman bikes for pleasure
by Ralph Fertig



Hildy Hoffman, world touring cyclist, stands at bike parking at the Santa Barbara City Hall. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• If you've gone to Santa Barbara's City Council office, you've likely met administrative assistant Hildy Hoffman. On the other hand, if you've been on any Goleta Valley Cycling Club rides, you've probably enjoyed her cheerful company there as well. After five years as GVCC president, Hildy recently stepped aside to make room for others. Regardless of where you meet Hildy, you have to be struck with her cheerful, engaging personality and enthusiasm for cycling.
• Her love of bicycling began when she got a one-speed Schwinn bike at the age of six. Little Hildy didn't bother with training wheels, she just went off on her new bike. "Back then, everybody biked." It was the way kids got around.
  As she grew up, however, cars distracted Hildy from bicycling—until she had children of her own, bought them bikes, and started enjoying family rides. These days her two daughters live in Seattle and—would you believe?—Sakhalin Island north of Hokkaido!
• Hildy manages bicycle touring all around the world, although she hasn't yet biked on Sakhalin. Her favorite tour had the most spectacular scenery; it went from Calgary through Banff, Glacier, and on to Whitefish, Montana. She also recalls a memorable tour of China in the late 1990s when the omnipresent Chinese people were amused by the bikes and outfits of her fellow cyclists.
• Looking forward to retirement in a few years, Hildy envisions leading bike tours herself. She also hopes to devote more time to local bicycling advocacy, working with the Bicycle Coalition and the City of Santa Barbara to provide more incentives for bicyclists. We're lucky to have Hildy around!

November Coalition meeting topics

• Our November 4th Bicycle Coalition meeting had only 9 participants, but we had good discussions and actions, including these:
• Gary Wissman reported on Dan Burden's tour and meeting with proposed changes to Old Town Goleta. The Bicycle Coalition will write a letter to the City Council urging action for bicyclist and pedestrian safety.
• Ralph Fertig reported that the US Senate had come up with their reauthorization version of the federal transportation act.
• Gary Wissman reported that lots of kids visited our booth at the California Lemon Festival because of our location in "Safety Street" area. He suggested, however, that we would serve more people in the main booth area. Ralph Fertig suggested that a stationary bicycle with a work output display would involve booth visitors more.
• Erika Lindemann described an opportunity to provide bike parking at the Santa Barbara Saturday Farmers' Market. Approval and concerns were voiced, and she will pursue details further.
• Ralph Fertig reported that UCSB's student bicycle committee is considering many campus issues, including a missing bikepath link south of Broida Hall.
• Ralph Fertig described two upcoming Ellwood-Devereux Open Space workshops, and stressed the importance of including all-weather bikepaths that connect bicyclists to their destinations.

Gift memberships

• Here's an idea to make holiday giving easy for all your bicycling friends: give them a gift membership in the Bicycle Coalition! It's simple, they'll keep up with bicycling news for a whole year—and, by the way, your donation is tax deductible.
• Just send the names of your recipients with payment, noting that they are gifts. We'll send a note to them telling them who their benefactor is. We'll all be better off!

• Over the weekend of November 15-16, a group of bicyclists took a course to qualify as League Cycling Instructors (LCIs) as certified by the League of American Bicyclists. With the certification, they will be able to teach "Bike Ed" classes and avail themselves to insurance and teaching material provided by the League.
• Instructor Jim Baross from San Diego was assisted by Chris Quint from Long Beach, plus Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition members and LCIs Jean Anderson and Erika Lindemann. Those who passed the course are Joe Peel and Rod Hoadley (from San Luis Obispo County); and Dru van Hengel, Mark Purcell, Susan McLaughlin, Kent Epperson, Nancy Mulholland, and Bill Hull (from Santa Barbara County).
• Baross noted, "It was very satisfying to bring the League of American Bicyclists Bike Ed program to Santa Barbara. A beautiful bikable city, enthusiastic new bicycling teachers, and support from local bicyclists made for a rewarding weekend. Yes, I really am trying to ‘save the world' with more and better bicycling. That's what I know how to do. If you know how too, then I encourage you to learn to show others how bicyclists can be legal, courteous and effective road sharers. Same Roads, Same Rules, Same Rights."
• The Bicycle Coalition congratulates, welcomes, and fully supports our new instructors.

Coalition comments on UCSB’s new housing

• The proposed new UCSB "San Clemente" graduate student housing and changes to adjacent El Colegio Road in Isla Vista underwent a public "scoping meeting" on November 20th. About 40 individuals showed up to ask questions and request considerations for study in the upcoming Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the project.
• A feature of the new design is a string of six roundabouts on El Colegio at all intersections between Stadium Road and Camino del Sur. These are designed to slow motorists, but keep them flowing. Bikelanes will be included on El Colegio. Ralph Fertig represented the Bicycle Coalition and suggested the following:
• Count the number of current bicyclists and pedestrians along El Colegio
• Move the bikepath crossing to at least 20 feet from the roundabouts' circle
• Provide secure and convenient bike parking for the 976 new student residents
• Consider a bike/ped tunnel undercrossing at Stadium Road
• Encourage more biking and walking with a car-sharing program, or a charge for each parking space.
• Comments on what to consider in the EIR are being accepted until December 5th. Send to:
• Jennifer Metz    jennifer.metz@bap.ucsb.edu
  1325 Cheadle Hall
  Campus Planning and Design
  University of California, Santa Barbara
  Santa Barbara, CA 93106-2030
• The EIR is expected to be released in January for a 45-day comment period, so we'll all have another chance to define it.

Ellwood-Devereux open space update



The unpaved path at West Campus Bluffs shows degradation and users' subsequent abuse of adjacent areas. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• The latest phase for planned management of the 645-acre Ellwood-Devereux Open Space took place at two public workshops that followed the release of a Preliminary Concepts document by consultants USR Corporation. The workshops on November 5th and 12th attracted about 100 people total.
• If you missed the workshops, you can still view the document at www.ellwood-devereux.org/documents.asp and mail or email your comments before December 3rd.
• The Ellwood-Devereux trail situation was discussed at our November 4th Bicycle Coalition meeting. Although many existing trails are to be closed—for environmental reasons, the report says—there seem to be enough unpaved trails to satisfy the needs of BMX and off-road bikers, but those at the meeting were unsure.
• Maps of proposed bicycle trails show some "all-weather" trails—mostly existing or proposed roads. Otherwise, the bicyclist trails are "unstabilized," consisting of compact sand-like material. This is a concern during winter because bicyclists and other users disturb unstabilized trails, leading to erosion, new parallel paths, and destruction of a wider swath of habitat. The Preliminary Concepts document suggests that unstabilized trails can be closed to bicyclists after rainy weather.
• The proposed trail system is a very complex network of 26 trail segments with eight trail types. To understand its implications, you have to study the maps in the document.
• At the public meetings, Bicycle Coalition members Wilson Hubbell, Robert Bernstein, Vie and George Obern, and Ralph Fertig participated. George Obern praised the inclusion of the De Anza Trail in the plan. Fertig spoke on behalf of the Bicycle Coalition and asked for three things:
• a connecting bike path at the southwest corner of Ellwood housing so kids biking to Ellwood Elementary School can get to the crossing signal without biking on Hollister.
• a connecting bike path between Ellwood Beach Drive and the westward extension of Phelps Road. This is an essential commuter route for Ellwood residents going to UCSB, the Marketplace, Girsh Park, and Isla Vista.
• providing an "all-weather" trail surface for the trail nearest Ellwood Bluffs, now designated for crushed rock only.
• The overall challenge is balancing habitat protection and public access. Where conflicts arise, protecting plants and animals will prevail. The Open Space Draft Plan will be published next February, and the Final Plan, the following June.

Dan Burden walks and talks Goleta



Dan Burden, center, talks with a workshop participant about accessibility in Goleta. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• On October 26, the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition and the Livable Streets Coalition sponsored a visit by Dan Burden. Dan is an expert on creating bikable, walkable, livable communities. He is especially knowledgeable in transforming car-oriented areas into people-centric ones.
• On Sunday afternoon, Burden and a group of nine others strolled around Old Town Goleta. Street measurements were taken, people observed, and residential areas visited. We discovered a former "motor court" that used to front on Hollister Avenue when it was the Pacific Coast Highway used by travelers. Today, it's a cluster of neat homes for low income people, now fronted on Hollister by a 7/Eleven store.
• Then, on Sunday evening, 26 people showed up at the Goleta Valley Community Center for a presentation by Burden. After commenting that it was his 1499th public presentation, Burden showed lots of pictures from communities around the US, often before and after photos of main streets that had been reclaimed and revitalized through traffic slowing and bicyclist/pedestrian-oriented activities.
• His point was that Goleta could do what had already been successfully done in numerous American communities over the past decade or two—if Goleta residents and their City Council decide that they want it.
• Burden did not tell Goleta what to do. What he did suggest were options that should be considered: narrow Hollister to two lanes, install diagonal parking (either front-in or back-in parking), put in wide bike lanes, narrow traffic lanes to ten feet, replace signalized intersections with roundabouts, put in landscaped medians, have pedestrian refuges at crosswalks, and widen the sidewalks.
• What options might be selected depend on the Goleta government, the residents, and further study of existing conditions. Burden was concerned that the City's upcoming General Plan consultants might be trained in moving cars, not accommodating all residents' needs. His suggestion was that a livable-community subcontractor be included in the planning. To find out just which motorists really need to use Hollister, an origin-destination survey should be done to determine which motorists might use alternate routes. Shifting some elsewhere would increase bicyclist and pedestrian safety.
• The overall reaction to Dan's presentation was favorable. Afterwards, people lingered in clusters to discuss new possibilities. It was good to see two Goleta City Council members and two Old Town PAC members attend.
• At our general Bicycle Coalition meeting on November 4th, we voted to send a letter to members of the Goleta Redevelopment Agency. It included the above observations and concluded by saying, "In order to build a community consensus we would like to see a wide range of options presented to the public at a workshop. Knowing the depth of Dan Burden's experience, we feel he would be an excellent choice to run such a workshop."
• If you live in Goleta, whether you bicycle in Old Town or not, consider contacting the City Council members or members of the Goleta Old Town Project Area Committee to express your favor toward improving our overall safety in that historic area.

Bicycle carols

• "When I was twelve, I got a Schwinn Collegiate and taped a six-volt battery to my top tube. I got Christmas tree lights on it and rode around my neighborhood singing Christmas carols."
     — Greg Bagni

More Cachuma trails?

• In early December, there will be two public meetings to discuss enhanced opportunities for recreation in the Cachuma Lake Recreation Area. A contract between the Federal Bureau of Reclamation and Santa Barbara County to operate the 375-acre park on the Lake's south shore is up for renegotiation.
• In March 2002, three public workshops were held, and the Bicycle Coalition advocated for more biking trails, including one around the entire 3000-acre lake. Since then, the Bureau has studied biological resources, rangeland, trails, and archaeological sites in order to come up with a preliminary Resource Management Plan that they will present for comment at the two December meetings.
• Those comments will lead to a Draft Resource Management Plan in early 2004 when another public comment period will be offered, after which the Bureau will select final plans in mid-2004.
• We don't know what's being offered in terms of trails—there's no web site or document to view—but it's important that people attend and speak out for what we would like. These meetings start at 7:00 PM:
• December 9, Veterans Memorial Building, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang.
• December 10, Goleta Community Center, 5679 Hollister Avenue, Goleta.

Rain dampens “Move”



The event highlight occurred when this cheerful stranger on a bicycle came by our booth. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• A disappointing turnout by exhibitors and the public left Ralph Fertig and the Bicycle Coalition with a quiet booth at a "California on the Move in Santa Barbara" event on November 8th. Rain in the morning discouraged all but a handful of exhibitors; however a dearth of publicity probably compounded with the showers to hurt the general turnout.
• Michael Fisher from the local Diabetes Resource Center was the coordinator of the movement that is an affiliate of "America on the Move." A deep concern with Americans' burgeoning obesity and the resultant increase in diabetes led him to lead the local program.
• The Saturday event consisted of a ceremony with lots of speakers, interspersed with brassy music by the Gaucho Band. Representative Lois Capps, Assemblywoman Hannah Beth Jackson, Mayor Marty Blum, School Superintendent Debbie Flores, and others spoke enthusiastically about the benefits of walking as exercise.
• The people who attended were invited politicians, health-care managers, school administrators, and small groups of students from some local schools. As speaker followed speaker in the two+ hour program, people drifted off and the schedule was shortened.
• Nevertheless, some teachers and bicycle people did come by our booth, talk and take flyers. We had a new handout that showed how many calories are burned by walking and bicycling. Because the aim of America on the Move is to increase recreational walking, not exercise in general, we felt out of place.
• Where things go from here, and if we will play a role, should be seriously considered.

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 returning member Bill Pollock, and thank all those who renewed their memberships: Gail Lowenstine, Bill Frost, and Benjamin Ellsworth.

University committee seeks new bikepath



The broad east-west Broida corridor has two sidewalks, but no bikepath. Yet. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• The UCSB's Associated Students bike committee has decided to put a Broida bikepath funding measure on the student ballot for early 2004. The proposed $5 per student-quarter would pay for a missing link on the University's bikepath network. This has been under consideration for several years because an obvious solution does not exist, mostly because of five occupied WW II buildings in one end of the plaza. The current thought is to move one of them a few feet to make room.
• The committee will be creating an informative Broida bikepath web site and host a public workshop early next year before the students vote on the measure.
• Another committee consideration is finding a new home for the Associated Students Bike Shop, now in 2000 feet of old trailers and outdoor work space. Shop manager Sam Masson is currently preparing a program of shop requirements. Several new locations are under consideration, including one near Isla Vista along the campus Pardall Corridor and next to—or inside—a forthcoming parking structure. Masson is looking a year or more ahead, but planning takes years there.

Dogs according to Chuck Anderson
by Chuck Anderson

• Growing up riding rural Minnesota farm roads, I had plenty of experience with chasing dogs. There is nothing quite as exciting as seeing a farm dog the size of a small horse coming for you at warp speed. Over the years I developed a set of rules I use:
• Only try to outrun the dog if you are absolutely positive you can do it. If the dog has the angle on you, stop and stand your ground. Fido in the backyard is not far removed from his pack hunting ancestors. An animal running away is food, and animal standing its ground is something to be reckoned with.
• Put your bike between yourself and the approaching dog. Most dogs are chasing for fun, but if you're unfortunate enough to come across one who is not, your bike offers some protection.
• Stand up tall and yell at the dog. "No" "stop" and "off" are universal commands used to scold misbehaving dogs. Try them all in a loud, authoritative voice. Usually this will break the dog's momentum. Hopefully it will also get the attention of the irresponsible dog owner who is the cause of the whole situation.
• If the dog stops, but stands its ground growling at you, slowly back away with your bike between you and the dog. Dogs are territorial, and will usually leave you alone if you are exiting their turf.
• If you are very unlucky, and are up against a truly aggressive dog, fight back. Water bottles make great squirt guns. A good shot of water in the dog's face works well. If all else fails, get physical. Dogs are not dumb. They will not pick a fight if they don't think they can win.
• In all my years, only one dog really wanted me for lunch. Most respond to verbal commands coming from a person standing their ground.