August
2008

Bicycling is part of Plan Santa Barbara



Part of the July 17th public workshop included separate break-out groups like this, lead by John Ledbetter, to discuss possibilities. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• The Plan Santa Barbara process that has been going on for over a year will determine the direction that the city will take in the upcoming two decades.
• Most recently, there were two public three-hour workshops on July 17th and 23rd, attended by 300 concerned residents. A Policy Options Report based on previous community input, was available for discussion. It consists of background and seven areas of concern, one of which is Transportation, the most important one for people who bicycle.
• Included in the six transportation "core policies" is one for bicycling:
• Bicycle Transportation. The City shall work to expand, enhance, and maintain the system of bikeways to serve current community needs and to develop increased ridership for bicycle transportation and recreation.
• The inclusion of bicycling within the 39 pages of the Report occurs 11 other places. We are considered throughout.
• Our Bicycle Coalition sent a four-page letter to the City with comments about the Report policies. Perhaps most significant is the omission of transportation in the Energy & Climate Change section. Buildings are targeted for reduced energy use, but not transportation. In Santa Barbara county, 37% of our energy is used in buildings, but 48% goes to simply moving around. And as far as climate change goes, walking and biking produce no CO2 emissions. Sustainable transportation should be the most important part of the Energy & Climate Change section.
• The public will have additional opportunities to help craft our future as the plan progresses through the Planning Commission, the City Council, and environmental review later this year.

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“Complete Streets” acts in Congress

• Early this year, there were two "complete streets" bills introduced in Congress—one in the Senate on March 3rd (S 2686 "Complete Streets Act"), another in the House on May 1st (HR 5951 "Safe and Complete Streets Act").
• Currently, both have been sent the to appropriate transportation subcommittees. They are designed to enable more convenient and safer travel for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and bus riders. If passed, they require states and regional planning organizations (like our SBCAG) to create complete streets policies within two years for federally-funded projects. Exemptions would be allowed in certain circumstances, like where there is no need for bike, pedestrian, or bus facilities. You can follow them at www.completestreets.org/federal.html.

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Santa Maria BMX track opens to riders



After four years of waiting, BMX riders of all ages flocked to an Open House on July 19th to test their skills at the new Santa Maria track. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Mike Porter beamed as waves of riders descended from the starting gate onto the new Santa Maria BMX track. Porter has good reason to smile because the open track full of enthusiastic riders has taken him and others four years to complete.
• There used to be a BMX track in Waller Park in Santa Maria, but it closed in the 1980s. Then there was Valley BMX track in Buellton, but it closed in 2003. Riders could either drive to the Santa Barbara track or not bike. Most just gave up BMX riding.
• With help from Supervisor Joe Centano, Porter arranged use of an acre at the Santa Maria Elks/Unocal Event Center. The track is open, races began July 26th, but Porter wants lighting and a viewing stand. Race days are Saturday, with practices Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. To learn more, phone Porter at 938-1348-2008.

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Mayors endorse Marty Blum’s bike resolution

• Santa Barbara Mayor Marty Blum was a co-sponsor of a resolution at the US Conference of Mayors Annual meeting, June 20-24 in Miami. The resolution ensured that bicycling is integrated into transportation, climate, energy and health policies.
• We're pleased that the resolution was passed first by the Children, Health and Human Services committee, then by the mayors themselves on June 23rd.
• Our thanks to Mayor Blum for her efforts to improve bicycling nationally and locally. She stated after returning from Miami that the City should strive to become a "gold level" Bicycle-Friendly Community, a step up from our current "silver level." Learn more about the program at www.bikeleague.org/programs/communities.

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Highway 246 projects affect bicyclists



Drawings of different roadway designs were discussed by Caltrans representatives and meeting participants. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Caltrans held a public meeting on July 16th in Lompoc to describe possible safety improvements to Highway 246 between Buellton and Lompoc.
• The improvements are actually two separate projects. One is adding passing lanes on the Highway. They do not really effect bicycling there. Unfortunately, the project doesn't address the poor road surface, lack of adequate shoulders, and the narrow Santa Ynez River bridge between Purisima Road and the Highway 1 intersection.
• The other project is a concern for bicyclists, it's the intersection of Purisima Road and Highway 246. Because the crash rate there is four times that of similar intersections, it qualified for $3.5 million California SHOPP funding. Caltrans offered two alternative intersection designs: one controlled by traffic signals, the other by a roundabout.
• Bicycle Coalition president Ralph Fertig attended. At first he felt that the design speed of the roundabout was too high for cyclists to safely share the lane and weave among motorists. However, he was assured that it was designed to slow motorists to 20 MPH, maybe 25 MPH. There would not be long waits for traffic signals to change. And with only three legs of roadway entering/leaving the roundabout, it would be simpler to navigate. Accordingly, he spoke in favor of the roundabout, not so much because it was safer for cyclists—it's about as safe—but because it was much safer for motorists. According to a Caltrans handout, crashes would be 67% lower with a roundabout than a signal-controlled intersection.
• Written comments about the projects are being accepted before August 15th. Email to Cathy Stettler at cathy_stettler@dot.ca.gov.

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Wet Willy Sez
by Wilson Hubbell

• Dear Wet Willy: So, just where did the name "Wet Willy" come from? — Ralph
• Dear Ralph: Wet Willy gets asked this question more frequently than any other. Here's the answer…
• Some decades ago I (Wilson) was a member of a San Diego bike club that promoted an annual self contained ride along the length of Baja California—from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas. I participated in it a number of times (like 6) and wound up leading the thing in the Winter of 1991.
• Baja California has a reputation for being a very arid place, but 1991 just happened to be an extraordinarily wet year and my group encountered torrential rains beginning half way down the peninsula. We forded through flooded creek bottoms and kept moving while the single paved road going south actually washed away behind us, making planes and boats the only ways to get in or out of southern Baja. Fortunately, all of us had plane tickets so we could fly home from Cabo San Lucas.
• The closed road reduced what little traffic there was to almost nothing, the sun finally came out and the last week of the trip was great. Still, this ride became known as the "Flood Hubbell" tour—and I got the nickname of "Wet Willy" for leading it.

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Coalition Officers and Board elected

• At our July 1st meeting, Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition members voted for Officers and members of our Board of Directors. President Ralph Fertig, Vice President Wilson Hubbell and Treasurer Dave Bourgeois retained their positions. Our new Secretary is Mark McClure.
• For our Board of Directors, Don Lubach, and Judy Keim were reelected. They are joined by new Board members Erika Lindemann, Ed France and Michael Chiacos.
• We have a great team in place to propel bicycling ahead. Contact any of us any time.

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Carpinteria bridge sign to be removed



Few, if any, bicyclists walk bikes on the Carpinteria bridge sidewalk. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• For years, "WALK ALL BICYCLES OVER BRIDGE" signs have been posted on both ends of the Santa Ynez Avenue bridge over Highway 101 in Carpinteria. The Bicycle Coalition complained to the city in 1996, saying that bicyclists have legal use of the public roadway. They replied that the signs were placed at the request of residents on the north side of 101 whose children biked to Aliso Elementary School on the south side. The city had no intention of changing them.
• The issue continued to bother bicyclists who worried that motorists would think that they were violating some law if they legally biked on the bridge lanes.
• On July 3rd, Bicycle Coalition member Jon Lewis reported an unpleasant experience that he and other cyclists just had with a motorist who pulled along side them, then shouted "walk your bikes." Jon had never seen people walk their bikes. The situation escalated at the Carpinteria Avenue intersection where everybody stopped at the light. The motorist continued shouting at the cyclists, who tried to calm the guy, but he just sworn at them.
• Jon felt that the situation could have turned violent, so he wrote to the Bicycle Coalition president Ralph Fertig, who forwarded the story to Jackie Campbell at the City of Carpinteria, asking about it. Campbell, to her credit, took action. On July 24th, the city's Traffic Safety Committee considered alternative signage, heard from Lewis and Fertig, then voted to remove the sole remaining sign and ask Alisos School administration for advice about painting "WALK BIKES" stencils on the sidewalks.
• Because of everybody's follow up action, the result is sensible conditions for us all.

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July Coalition meeting topics

• Our July 1st monthly Bicycle Coalition meeting was held at Madam Lu Chinese Restaurant in Santa Barbara, attracting 22 people to discuss these topics:
• Ralph Fertig reported optimistically on the proposed Highway 101 bikepath situation along La Conchita.
• Election of Officers and Board members was held. Congratulations to those new and continuing individuals.
• Details of the Goleta Valley Cycling Club's generous funding of regional projects were discussed.
• There will be another Street Skills for Cyclists class this July 17 and 19th.
• Ed France described ongoing activities at the Bici Centro community bike program, noting that their Youth Earn-a-Bike program will begin in July.
• A letter from us to UCSB concerning bicyclist safety and their Long Range Development Plan was read and discussed.
• Actions by Santa Barbara's Architecture Board of Review concerning the State/De la Vina intersection were discussed. The Public Works department is working on new alternatives before returning to the ABR.
• Diana Estorga described the County's work for bicyclist safety on Purisima Road north of Lompoc, including changes to the Highway 246 intersection.

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Bike sharing in Paris: one year anniversary



Bicycle Coalition Treasurer Dave Bourgeois checks out the vélib bikes in Paris last spring. Photo by Christine Bourgeois.

• On July 15, 2007, Parisians found 10,600 "vélib" bicycles available to use at 750 stations around their city. Since then, the popular program has expanded to 16,000 bikes at 1450 stations, and will soon enter the suburbs with 300 additional stations.
• Has it been successful? Most think so. The "vélibeurs" have taken over 27 million trips in the year—about 120,000 a day. Three percent of trips in Paris are by bicycle, and a third of those are on vélibs. Each bicycle is used seven times a day; the average trip is 18 minutes. Trips under 30 minutes are free. After that, there's a charge.
• Because the vélib system was provided in exchange for using 1600 advertising spaces, Paris has made €20 million in revenue from subscriptions that cost users €29 a year.
• In one year, Mayor Delanoë has transformed his city. The vélib anniversary was celebrated with 365 vélibeurs riding on the Tour de France course before the racing cyclists entered the city on July 27th.

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Sheriff warns of greater enforcement

• The County Sheriff's department Deputy Thomas Green has asked our Bicycle Coalition to spread the word on upcoming stricter enforcement of the California Vehicle Code for bicyclists. Green deals with South Coast operations and reports that he has been observing an increasing amount of unsafe behavior by people riding bicycles.
• He has seen riders blowing stop signs and red lights, riding two on a bike, going the wrong way on streets, and riding several abreast, resulting in the illegal blocking of other traffic. Where in the past warnings have been issued, the department wants people to be safe, so will start issuing citations for offenses. These, he said, can cost bicyclists several hundred dollars for a single offense.
• So be aware of what you're doing and tell others about the increase in enforcement.

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True Flight shop takes off in Santa Barbara
by Ralph Fertig



True Flight partners Shayne Keinebecker, left, and Peter Zakarian stand in front of their bike-festooned shop front. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• There's a new bicycle shop in Santa Barbara —True Flight Cycle Works. Quietly opened earlier this year, there is no sign identifying the shop at 416 Anacapa Street, but a row of bicycles hanging outside lets everybody know that it's a bike happening place.
• The shop is the result of collaboration between partners Shayne Kleinebecker and Peter Zakarian. They specialize in vintage cruisers, fixed-gear and single-gear bikes, but also have a full-service shop and an assortment of road, town, and mountain bikes, including those from Jamis and KHS.
• Their only promotion has been through word of mouth, and Zakarian says that business is growing nicely.
• Beginning in August, they will launch True Flight Bicycle Couriers out of their shop. It's a daytime, weekday bicycle delivery service serving the South Coast between Isla Vista and Montecito. "We deliver," they say, "all year round anything larger than a penny and smaller than a bassett hound."
• Stop by any time, chat with Shayne and Peter about bicycles. For True Flight Bicycle Courier service, phone 284-7623.

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Supervisors to consider Purisima Road bikelanes

• On August 19th, the County Supervisors will discuss three alternative safety projects for Purisima Road north of Lompoc. The road currently has sections with no shoulders and an increasing traffic load due to new housing north of the city.
• Three alternatives defined in the County's Project Study Report (PSR) consider improvements between Highways 1 and 246.
• Widen 2.9 miles of roadway in the existing Purisima Road location.
• Widen 2.9 miles of roadway in a realigned Purisima Road.
• Widen 2.5 miles of roadway between Highway 1 and Mission Gate Road, then install bike lanes on Mission Gate Road to Highway 246.
• The County's Diana Estorga tells us that the PSR focuses on widening Purisima Road to better accommodate bicyclists and thus encourage our healthy alternative mode of transportation, improve air quality, and increase safety. All alternatives will provide Class II bikelanes and 11 to 12-foot travel lanes.
• The Bicycle Coalition has not taken a position among the alternatives, but certainly approves all of the safety improvements. Please consider attending the Supervisors' meeting or write them in advance offering your opinion on preferences. Write to Santa Barbara County Supervisors, 105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Direct your project questions to Estorga at 739-8763.

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Amgen time trial returns to Solvang



Levi Leipheimer, the Solvang 2008 scorching time trial winner, is shown here starting his 15-mile ride through Solvang and Los Olivos. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• On July 23rd, the Amgen Tour of California stage race presenter AEG announced that Solvang's proposal to host the race's time trial was awarded to the city. Over 100 cities proposed hosting starts and finishes of the nine stages, and only 16 were selected.
• The time trial, an individual race against the clock, is often the pivotal stage where ultimate winners are determined. Unlike the other stages where the cyclists depart or arrive in a flash of color, the Solvang time trial will last for hours in one town, keeping cycling fans around—and spending money
• The Versus TV network will again cover the 2009 race, with ample promotional footage of our splendid surroundings reaching audiences worldwide. Follow the race development at www.tourofcalifornia-solvang.com.

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Trail care group seeks help



Tools packed, a trail care member is ready for action. Photo by Suzanna Young.

• The Multi-use Trails Coalition learned last year from their trail survey that people want better trail conditions. Accordingly, they have established a new trail care group called the "Front Country Trail Crew."
• They have obtained equipment as shown in the photo, and are now looking for crew mates to make our local trails better. The Multi-use Trails Coalition is dedicated to maintaining equal and safe front country trail access for all trail users.
• For more information, email multiusetc@gmail.com, or go to www.multiusetc.org/#updates.

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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
• Open Air Bicycles, Santa Barbara
• Pedal Power Bicycles, Santa Maria
• Chris King Precision Components, Portland OR
• Run Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara
• In addition, we welcome our new members Brian Huato, Sam Chirman, Saul Aguilera, Malik Ellis, Carlos Morales, Bastian Brintrup, Jair Herrera, Geraldo Trujillo, and Jesus Trujillo. And we greatly appreciate those who renewed their memberships: David Madajian, Dennis Thompson, Tom Hinshaw, Stuart Sato, Nicola Gordon, Joya Sexton, Mark Gibson, Rodrigo Soria, Martin Conoley and Kate Mead.

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Bici Centro’s youth Earn-a-Bike program



Earn-a-Bike students Brian Huato, left, and Saul Aguilera get help from volunteer Nathan Pfaff at Bici Centro. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• An Earn-a-Bike summer program for young people started on July 7th at Bici Centro of Santa Barbara. The first class of four students completed their bicycles within four weeks and became proud owners of machines that they came to know very well. The hands-on sessions were interspersed with bike handling and road safety lessons.
• The second summer class is beginning on August 4th, and as this goes to press, there are still openings for students 12-16 years old. This second class is an intensive 2-week session.
• Outside of the youth classes, come by to volunteer or work on bikes—or just see the place for yourself—at 601 East Montecito Street, Santa Barbara during either of the open shop times: Thursdays 4:00-7:00 PM, and Saturdays 1:00-7:00 PM. For more information, phone 617-3255 or email info@bicicentro.org.

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