July
2004

Bikeway projects are funded



Carpinteria will use Measure D funds for new lights along the Franklin Creek Bikepath that leads to Carpinteria High School. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• After voters in Santa Barbara County approved the 20-year Measure D in 1989, a half-cent sales tax has been collected for transportation projects. Thirty percent of the money collected goes to large highway projects, and seventy percent is distributed to the County and cities in our county. On June 17, the Association of Governments approved a 5-year program of bikeway and other transportation projects worth $104 million for local County and city projects.
• Three of the eight cities plan to use money for bicycle projects:
• Carpinteria. $45,000 to repair any root heave and pot holes on bikepaths, then slurry coat and re-stripe. Also replace light fixtures on the Franklin Creek bikepath to Carpinteria High School.
• Lompoc. $86,000 for the Riverbend Park Bikeway that will extend from Ocean Ave to Riverbend Park along the Santa Ynez River. It is expected to start in the fall of 2005.
• Lompoc. $271,000 for the Allan Hancock Bikeway project will connect the Santa Ynez River Bridge Bikepath to Allan Hancock College. It's also expected to start in the fall of 2005.
• Santa Barbara. The city will use $8 million for pedestrian and bicyclist improvements, but the split and projects have not been determined.
• Measure D will expire in 2009, and just how a replacement is crafted remains to be seen. We note that many other counties in California have dedicated portions of their transportation taxes set aside for the needs of their pedestrian, bicyclist, and transit riders. Now is the time to look into the future and fund the kind of sustainable transportation infrastructure that we—and upcoming generations—wish to live with.

Coalition organizes “BikeEd” program



Nancy Mulholland at left teaches kids at Washington School how to bike in a straight line while looking back to check for cars.

• At the Bicycle Coalition's board meeting on June 21st, Nancy Mulholland and Erika Lindemann presented a proposal for us to serve as the main coordinating organization for bicyclist education within Santa Barbara County. A motion to accept that role was unanimously approved.
• The program would organize local bicycling instructors who are licensed by the League of American Bicyclists; they are called "League Cycling Instructors," or LCIs. There are about 15 of them in our county. As envisioned, a BikeEd Coordinator would be the brokering liaison between the LCIs and sponsoring entities for the BikeEd courses.
• Our first job is to find a BikeEd Coordinator. That person need not be an LCI, but should have an understanding of bicyclist safety. If you want to know more about that initial position, contact either Mulholland at 563-9073 or Lindemann at 961-8919. We expect that it will eventually become paid.
• It is anticipated that classes for children and adults will be offered each month. Further, there's a possibility of coordinating our BikeEd program with statewide efforts of the California Bicycle Coalition. But first, we have to develop a basic structure that will become an ongoing enterprise by 2005.

Carpinteria opens bluff bikepath



Reached from Dump Road, or the State Beach, the bikepath is one more segment. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• It's only 1000 feet long, and dead ends in coastal brush, but the new bikepath in Carpinteria represents one more section of an envisioned 3-mile coastal trail.
• Eventually, the trail will connect the Salt Marsh, Carpinteria State Beach, Carpinteria Bluffs recreation area, and hopefully, Rincon Beach. The new section, dedicated on April 26, was funded by Chevron and Venoco as part of an oil pipeline installation agreement from the 1980s.
• Such projects are neither easy nor fast nor cheap, but if we keep pressing for them section by section, we will eventually have a splendid trail for all users.

Bikelane safety change



Traffic lanes were narrowed to make room for a bikelane and parking. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Back in April 2001, the Coalition's Ralph Fertig complained about the Hot Springs Road bikelane in Montecito ending in on-street parking west of the Von's shopping plaza. Cyclists had to move into traffic to avoid parked cars. Santa Barbara's Rob Dayton assured him that it would be fixed when the city sealed and restriped the road. True to their promise, the City did exactly that as seen in the recent photo. Thank you.

Safer cycling planned for Highway 150



A cyclist crosses one of two narrow bridges proposed for replacement on Highway 150. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• A revived Caltrans project to widen Highway 150 along Rincon Creek, northeast of Carpinteria, will add four-foot shoulders that will increase bicyclists' safety. Currently, the narrow road, twisting along the scenic creek, is a beautiful ride, but dangerous for people on bikes because of the fast traffic, two narrow bridges, an awkward intersection with Highway 192, and no shoulders.
• The earlier 1993 project was stopped a decade ago by the Coastal Commission because of harm to the creek habitat. The new project, approved by Santa Barbara County's zoning administrator on June 21, is shorter (0.7 mile instead of the 1.9 miles), removes fewer trees, and effects less land. It still has to go to Ventura County for approval, and the Sierra Club has announced that it will appeal the June 21 decision to our county Board of Supervisors.
• Caltrans nevertheless believes that the project will gain needed approval and start in summer 2006. Due to replacement of the two bridges, the road will be closed for perhaps a year. We'll keep you posted.

Historic bicycles in two regional exhibits

• Our neighboring counties to the south are looking at the history of bicycling, not only the facinating machines but also changes to society that the bicycle enabled.
• Ventura County Museum of History and Art. Their exhibit, "Free Wheeling: Bicycling Through Ventura County History" will run through August 31. It has bicycles, bicycle equipment and photographs from the 1880s to the present, highlighting residents who bike for work, pleasure and competition. It also explores the role that local bicyclists played in the Good Roads Movement and Women's Rational Dress Movement.
• The museum is at 100 East Main Street, Ventura. Information at 805-653-0323 or www.vcmha.org/bikeevents.htm.
• Pasadena Museum of History. Their exhibit, "Wheels of Change: Bicycles and Their Impact on American Culture" will run through August 1. Pasadena was a hotbed of early California bicycling because the trains that connected Chicago manufacturing brought the newest bikes to the Pasadena terminus.
• For years, Rose Parades were bike parades, comprised of hundreds of bicycles decorated with flowers and pedaled down Colorado Boulevard on New Year's morning. Early Rose Parade floats were made by hooking bicycles together. Afterwards, everybody biked to the "Tournament of Roses Bicycle Races" with top racers competing at the Rose Bowl velodrome.
• The Pasadena Museum is at 470 West Walnut Street, Pasadena. Phone them for details at 626-577-1660 or go online at http://pasadenahistory.org.

Popular bike routes under construction



North Jameson Lane is totally closed by construction of a new bridge. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Two popular South Coast bike routes are closed due to construction. North Jameson Lane in Montecito, shown in the photo, is being widened and three bridges replaced so bikelanes can be added to the stretch between Sheffield Drive and San Ysidro Road.
• The other closure is on the Maria Ygancia bikepath in Goleta. It seems that storm water in the creek eroded part of the bikepath underneath Hollister Avenue. The work will repair current damage and help prevent more in the future. It's hoped that the path will reopen in early July.

New Shoreline bikepath opens



This shows the fork in the Shoreline bikepath where downhill bicyclists can enter the road (left) or continue into Leadbetter parking (right). Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• When the City of Santa Barbara first proposed reducing four lanes of Shoreline drive to two lanes, it was met with emotional approval and opposition. The idea was to replace half of the roadway with a wider sidewalk, more landcaping, and a new half-mile bikepath.
• Although some cyclists were concerned because the plan would remove the bikelane on the downhill section of Shoreline Drive below La Marina, it would benefit others with a parallel bikepath that would connect Leadbetter Beach with Shoreline Park.
• Now complete and open to the public, people seem to be very pleased with the new design.
• Congestion on the road that some predicted isn't happening. The wider sidewalk, no longer next to fast motorists, better serves all users. The lost bikelane seems to be no problem because cyclists keep up with motorists on the downhill section, and shortly after, the road flattens out, and a striped bikelane appears. And those heading downhill who do not wish to ride in the street can now take the bikepath and choose at the bottom to rejoin the street or continue into the Leadbetter parking lot and eventually connect with the Beachway path.
• As for those heading uphill on Shoreline, the bikelane is still there. The alternative is to pedal through Leadbetter parking, connect into the bikepath, and then enter the road at a four-way stop at La Marina. Biking into Shoreline Park is not allowed.
• Try it out when you have the chance. Our thanks to the City officials and staff for this complex, but well conceived, designed, and constructed project.

June Coalition meeting topics

• Our June 1st Bicycle Coalition meeting attracted 16 people to the County's Public Works conference room to discuss these and other issues:
• The Bicycle Coalition will donate a classic Univega bicycle to the Environmental Defense Center for their upcoming auction.
• Several Coalition members, including officers Gary Wissman and Ralph Fertig, are working on the Sustainability Project's Blueprint for Sustainable Goleta Valley.
• County Planner Jamie Goldstein described the proposed Isla Vista parking plan and how it will limit car domination of IV.
• Ralph Fertig asked for volunteers to help with a reduced bicyclist count in June, designed to test the theory that weather effects people's decision to bicycle.
• Erika Lindemann reported on the success of Traffic Solutions' bicycle commuter activities in May.
• Shela Fletcher from the County described staff recommendations for continuing to include the Santa Ynez River Trail in the Santa Ynez Valley Community Plan.
• We considered Jim Cody's suggested plan for a bikepath south of Hollister Avenue along the Airport in Goleta.
• Mike Hecker described his successful races in Los Olivos and Solvang, and announced that he's managing evening mountain bike races in Elings Park, plus a Semana Nautica criterium in Santa Barbara.
• Ralph Fertig will participate in a National Bicycle Greenways event that will take place in Santa Barbara on June 3rd.
• Wilson Hubbell described Maria Ygnacio bikepath detours needed while reconstruction of the creekbed and path under Hollister Avenue takes place. Also, North Jameson Lane in Montecito will be occasionally closed in both directions during bridge replacement work.
• The July Coalition meeting will be in the evening, possibly at one of the Rusty's Pizzas in Santa Barbara.
• Dates and locations for our Member Appreciation BBQ in August were discussed; Ralph Fertig will look into alternative prices and availability.

Greg Siple

SB praises bikeways



Councilman Dan Secord, right, gives the City's proclamation to Ralph Fertig. Photo by Hildy Hoffman.

• On June 3rd, Bicycle Coalition president Ralph Fertig received a proclamation from Santa Barbara Councilman Dan Secord about the National Bicycle Greenway program. That proclamation, along with dozens of others from all over the United States, are going to the NBG Fest in Chicago on July 30.
• The proclamation, signed by Mayor Marty Blum, observes the benefits of bicycling:
• More people in the United States can realize increased personal strength, weight loss and self sufficiency from bicycling, resulting in a greater sense of well being.
• Bicycling can unclog our streets, clean up our air and lessen our dependence on foreigh oil.
• The children of our nations deserve safe travel paths.
• Santa Barbara actively promotes bicycling as an important mode of transportation in preserving our quality of life.
• We have over 40 miles of marked cycling routes to encourage residents to bike for transportation and recreation.
• Many of our local MTD buses are equipped to safely transport bicycles and cyclists.
• The City of Santa Barbara has instituted a program featuring "Breezer" bicycles for City employees traveling to meetings within and outside of City buildings.

Mary Byrd promotes cleaner air
by Ralph Fertig



Mary Byrd likes the comfortable and casual biking that her steed gives her. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• For Mary Byrd, the bicycle is a way to get around town. She uses her comfortable bike to commute to her job with the Air Pollution Control District, adding extra miles along the Obern Trail some mornings just for fun. Or she bikes with her 17-year old daughter for lunch at Hendry's Beach.
• Although Mary recalls her first blue bicycle when she was in second grade, bicycling has not been an important part of her life. But it is definitely a part of the mosaic for her and her family's lives that are lived with a concern for a clean environment.
• Today's subdued Santa Barbara lifestyle does not hint at Mary's prior life. Born in Washington DC, Mary has experienced life in cities throughout the world, including Budapest, Jakarta, and Munich.
• At Swathmore College in Pennsylvania, Mary majored in theater and psychology. After school, she was engaged in Off-Broadway theater, and even toured the country with a theater group. Then she did an about face, left big city life, and moved to tiny Espanola, New Mexico, where she wrote newspaper articles about environmental topics. But better job opportunities eventually drew her and her busband John Fisher to Los Angeles, and finally up the coast to Santa Barbara.
• Over the past three years, Mary has been active in the Santa Barbara Car Free program that encourages visitors and residents to get around the South Coast by non-automotive means. The Bicycle Coalition has been an active partner with Mary and her program from the beginning, and we look forward to working with her —and bicycling—into our collective futures.

Member BBQ August 8

• Mark your calendars for a fun afternoon at our annual Member Appreciation Barbecue. Note that this year it's at a new location:
• Member Appreciation Barbeque
  Sunday, August 8, 1:00 PM
  Tucker's Grove County Park, Area 3
• It's open to all Bicycle Coalition members, their family and invited friends. Watch for an invitation coming to you in the mail.

GVCC funds projects

• For the last 25 years, the Goleta Valley Cycling Club has raised funds and used the money to promote safe recreational bicycling. At their June 13th meeting that followed a bike ride and barbecue picnic, members voted to fund five worthy causes out of eight that were proposed. We're honored that both proposals from the Bicycle Coalition were funded:
• Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition $1,000 for ongoing programs.
• Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition, $900 for flashing safety bike lights for kids.
• Santa Barbara City Fire Department, $500 to distribute helmets to children biking without them.
• Santa Barbara County Public Health, $750 for their affordable bicycle helmet program.
• Undesignated, $600 to a local nonprofit or school for two bicycles for children.
• Over just the previous two years, the popular club has funded over $10,000 for bicycle safety events, affordable helmets, trail maintenance, bicycling facilities, and land preservation. GVCC members additionally volunteer throughout the year to clean the Obern Trail bikepath, and to support local charity bike rides including those benefiting the ASAP Cat Rescue, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes, and American Lung Associations.
• The GVCC is Santa Barbara County's oldest recreational bicycle club. In 1978, they incorporated as a nonprofit to provide recreational activities and donations for bicycle safety. Each year, the club raises funds through its People Powered Ride. Scheduled this year on October 10, the award-winning event has 30, 62, and 100-mile rides around the Santa Ynez Valley. Learn more about the club, its members and activities at their site www.goletabike.org or by phoning their new president (and Bicycle Coalition member) Doris Phinney at 968-3143.

UCSB cycles to recycle
Word from our Board, by Chuck Anderson

• Most Americans think bikes are for recreation. Most people reading Quick Release also think of bikes as transportation. Unfortunately, few of us think of bikes as work tools. However, bikes provide a cheap and environmentally friendly alternative to motor vehicles in many work environments. The Associated Students Recycling Program (ASRP) at UC Santa Barbara is a stellar example of an organization that is putting bikes to work.
• In 1992, the ASRP started installing outdoor recycling bins across campus. The bins are custom-manufactured to ASRP specifications and feature 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. They collect aluminum, plastic, glass and newspaper, and have space for non-recyclable trash. According to Mary Ann Hopkins, ASRP manager, using pedal power was the logical choice for servicing the bins. "We collect recyclable materials in bins made from recycled materials and use human power to service them. It makes a nice loop," she explained.

AS Recycling rider Scott Cope puts his bike to work. Photo by Chuck Anderson

• Since no commercial bike at the time could handle the load, the ASRP commissioned a custom-built bike trailer from the folks at Adam's RV. Since then, the commercial market has caught up with the ASRP's vision and they now use trikes and trailers from Lightfoot Cycles. Five student workers a day ride the rigs on one of 25 different routes that combine to service all 72 campus bins over the course of a week. Combined, the ASRP rigs transport approximately 30,000 pounds of recyclable materials a year! (Check out the ASRP site—www.as.ucsb.edu/asr—for more interesting details.)
• Every day, A.S. Recycling demonstrates that bikes are effective workhorses transporting heavy loads in an environmentally friendly and cost-efficient manner. Let's get other businesses within Santa Barbara County to follow their lead!

SB City bikeposts

• The City of Santa Barbara needs your help. They want to more install "hitching-post" bike racks on public land, and need advice about where. If there's a place where bikes are locked to trees, signs and so on, a bike post is needed. So take a digital photo and email it with a description to Rob Dayton, rdayton@ci.santa-barbara.ca.us. That's all.

Active members

• Please thank and support the following Bicycle Coalition business members:
• Hazard's Cyclesport, Santa Barbara
• Rincon Cycles, Carpinteria
• We welcome new members Mark & Pamela Polomski, and Carla Neufeldt. And we certainly thank those who renewed their memberships: Mark Mittermiller, David & Christine Bourgeois, Cheryl Everett, Robert Goettler, Tom Towle and Pierre Delong.

Bike to Work T-shirts

• If you missed getting a T-shirt on Bike to Work Day, you can still buy one while they last. Regular shirts are $5, and the women's style is $12 (only XL size is left, but they run small). Contact Erika Lindemann at 961-8919 to order. Pick them up at Traffic Solutions office, or have them mailed for $2 more.