November
2009

Bike commuting increases in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara

• In late September, the US Census Bureau released new data that gives us a good view of commuting to work behavior changes that are happening in Santa Barbara county. We can now compare regular census data from 1990 and 2000 with new data from the 2008 American Community Survey (ACS). All surveys ask the same question—"How did you usually get to work last week?"
• Essentially, more Santa Barbara and Santa Maria city residents are bicycling to work. Details for both cities are below. For the rest of our county workers, they are biking less. (Next year, we will have enough ACS data to tell us how our other cities are doing.)
• The graph above compares bike to work data for the US, California, Santa Barbara County, and our two large cities. We have more residents biking to jobs than elsewhere in our state and the US.
• We are pleased that throughout the US, and especially locally, people are turning to environmentally-responsible means of travel. We benefit from cleaner air, less congestion, reduced noise, increased productivity, and lower community health-care costs.

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• City of Santa Barbara
  
  
  
  

  	Car/van	Bus	Other	Walk	Bicycle	Work at Home
  1990	81%	4%	2%	6%	3%	4%
  2000	80%	5%	1%	6%	3%	6%
  2008	73%	4%	2%	7%	5%	8%

  
  
• The changes in the city of Santa Barbara are striking—commuters are driving less, and instead are biking and walking to jobs, or working at home. Between 1990 and 2008, the Census Bureau tells us that out of the 8% former drivers (about 3700 people), 4% now work at home, 2% are biking, and 1% are walking. "Other" is mostly motorcycling.

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• City of Santa Maria
  
  
  
  

  	Car/van	Bus	Other	Walk	Bicycle	Work at Home
  1990	92%	0%	2%	3%	1%	2%
  2000	94%	1%	2%	2%	1%	1%
  2008	91%	3%	1%	1%	2%	2%

  
  
• The shifts in commuting behavior in Santa Maria are not as large as in Santa Barbara. Fewer people are walking, driving and motorcycling to work. Instead, they are taking the bus, biking and working at home. Although walking has decreased, we're pleased to see that twice as many residents are biking in 2008 as in 2000.

Buellton awarded $100,000 bike grant

• Caltrans announced on September 10th that Buellton has been awarded a Community Based Transportation Planning grant for $100,000 to create a bikeway and trails master plan. The planning process will include a series of interactive public meetings, walk-abouts and workshops to integrate the community's priorities. A motivation for Buellton in crafting a bikeway plan is so it will become eligible to apply for Bicycle Transportation Account funding for the construction of bicycle facilities. Several jurisdictions in our county have already received BTA funding.
• Buellton's planning grant is one out of 68 that Caltrans awarded this year, for a total of $8.7 million. The grants go to governments, planning groups, community-based organizations, and tribal governments.
• Caltrans District 5 Caltrans District 5 Director Rich Krumholz commented, "Caltrans is very pleased that we can assist our transportation partners in strategically planning for effective community transportation."

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Bicycling magazine to feature Santa Barbara

• Each issue of Bicycling magazine includes a one-page feature on a different city. They include recommended bike rides, favorite restaurants, after-ride activities, and other sporting attractions.
• Bicycling writer Kristy Holland has talked to Ralph Fertig, Chris Orr, and probably others, about what to do here both on and off road. They described biking on the Romero Trail, road rides already on our website, Santa Barbara Car Free, the Solvang Century, and the large number of people already bicycling here.
• The magazine has a circulation of 410,000 readers, so a huge group of dedicated bicyclists will learn about our area, and hopefully visit here. We know there is "safety in numbers." That is, the more bicyclists on our streets, the safer it becomes for everybody because motorists will more likely anticipate our presence.

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Aeolian Ride in Santa Barbara



Jessica Findley's puffed-up Aeolian Riders cruise along Santa Barbara's East Beach. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Two years ago, our Board member Don Lubach discovered New York conceptual artist Jessica Findley, and he dreamed of bringing her "Aeolian Ride" to Santa Barbara. His dream was turned into reality after we partnered with Heather Jeno Silva at the Contemporary Arts Forum.
• After months of planning, it all came together on October 1st. Led by Judy Keim, the ride passed along East Beach and up State Street, ending up with a party at the Arts Forum. The riders wore Findley's white nylon outfits that billow as people bicycle.
• Photos of the event are being posted on Jessica's website www.aeolian-ride.info. Our congratulations to all who helped bring this fun international ride to our area.

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National Public Lands Day
by Dave Everett

• Special thanks to the 30 or so people who helped out with National Public Lands Day on September 26th. The event, sponsored by the National Environmental Education Foundation and local agencies, accomplished more than its major goal which was to repair dangerous sections of trail that had injured Meredith Miraglia several weeks ago. Between Montecito Peak and Camino Cielo on Cold Spring Trail, the tread has been restored to its original beauty, all the brush has been cut back and all water bars have been re-opened.

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Wet Willy Sez
by Wilson Hubbell

• Dear Wet Willy: What is the deal with motorists yielding me the right of way at stop signs and other places, and then waving me to go ahead when it is their turn to proceed? I hate to be rude, but it makes me feel uncomfortable to start moving when it is not my turn. — Richard
• Dear Richard: You have a right to feel uncomfortable when a motorist unnecessarily yields you the right of way and waves you to go ahead of them. Unknowingly, they could be inviting you into a dangerous situation involving other motorists. As a cyclist out in the open, you can usually determine when it is safe for you to proceed better than a motorist in a car can.
• Why do some motorists do this? It may be a mistaken perception of bicyclists being "rolling pedestrians" that have certain right of way priorities, particularly at intersections with crosswalks. Bicyclists, of course, are considered to be vehicles and not "rolling pedestrians." The right of way rules that apply to cyclists are the same as those that apply to motorists. Then again, some motorists are just trying to be polite and believe they are doing you a favor by waving you to go ahead of them.
• Wet Willy plays these situations by ear: If there is clearly just one car with no other traffic in the area, I'll take the right of way if a motorist offers it. If there are any other cars in the area, I'll politely shake my head and wave the motorist to proceed. Better to be considered mildly rude than to be an accident statistic...

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John Ledbetter at our November meeting

• The city of Santa Barbara's Principal Planner John Ledbetter will come to our November 3rd noontime general meeting. He will update us on the ongoing revision of the city's General Plan that will effect us for decades to come.
• We will also hear about other bicycling projects, events, and important topics.

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Street Skills class coming November 19-21



One of our Street Skills classes pauses on a ride to discuss safe biking under different conditions. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• Spread the word, another chance to take our Street Skills for Cyclists Class is coming up November 19th and 21st. It's your last chance this year to learn how to cope better with traffic in an urban setting. You'll learn to foresee and avoid accidents, be visible day and night, position yourself in traffic, cross freeway bridges, equip your bike, and lots more including on-road bicycling on Saturday. Info and registration online here.

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Tour of California passes up Santa Barbara County

• The Tour of California has had stages in our county for four consecutive years since the Tour started in 2006. However for 2010, our county's sole bid—that Solvang again host the individual time trial—was rejected.
• Solvang's Local Organizing Committee Co-chair Carol Petersen commented, "We are disappointed not to be selected again for the 2010 race, but understand that the organizers needed to change the schedule and routes—just like the Tour de France does every year." Solvang plans to bid for a stage in 2011, and in the meantime invites professional cycling teams to train in the Santa Ynez Valley.

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Bike-sharing programs are expanding everywhere
by Ralph Fertig



Here people in Lyon, France, pick up bicycles from a local kiosk. Details at www.velov.grandlyon.com.

• Bike-sharing programs continue to relieve urban congestion and pollution in cities worldwide, mostly in Europe. There are now over 100 programs in operation, with more on the way.
• One of the measures of success is the increase is bicycling mode share. That is, how much have programs led to an increase in the percentage of transportation trips by bike? Two cities that have measured changes over the years since program inception are Paris and Barcelona. In Paris, mode share has increased from 1.0% to 2.5%. In Barcelona, it has increased from 0.8% to 1.8%. It may not seem like much, but it represents tens of thousands of new trips by bicycle. Those numbers and others provide a measure of change that cities can expect, and use to justify a new bike-sharing program.
• The question of what other modes people were using before switching to bicycles was investigated by Portland as part of a feasibility study. The average for Paris, Barcelona, Lyon and London is that the bicycle trips have replaced 54% bus/subway, 28% walking, 10% car/taxi, and 7% are new trips replacing nothing. A positive aspect is that active transportation is replacing mostly passive travel.
• Nearly all bike-sharing systems are paid for in exchange for advertising programs of billboards and bus shelters. However, four cities in France are supported by other means. This is of special interest to Santa Barbara county cities where commercial advertising is strictly controlled. Avignon's 200-bike program is managed by the public bus system. Both Renes' 900-bike and Vannes' 175-bike programs are managed by their municipal governments. Nice's 900-bike program is run by a regional government cooperative. So maybe we can look at those models for local programs?
• The best source for bike-sharing program information is Paul DeMaio's website at http://bike-sharing.blogspot.com.

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October Bicycle Coalition meeting topics

• Our October 6th monthly Bicycle Coalition meeting was held at Madam Lu Chinese Restaurant in Santa Barbara, with 11 participants talking about these topics:
• Ralph Fertig offered the results of new Census data, showing increases in bicycling most everywhere.
• Johan Montoya, the survivor of a serious bike-SUV crash last year, described the horrors of his hospitalization, months of rehab, and now a successful recovery and grateful return to life.
• Wilson Hubbell described the Goleta Transportation Plan, noting the absence of bicycle projects. We decided to send City Council members letters.
• Don Bullick reported being sickened while biking on Gobernador Canyon. He suspected that it was the helicopter spraying of avocado groves that did it to him and another cyclist.
• Ed France reported that every Monday 3:30-6:00, Bici Centro offers an open shop for kids.
• Sarah Grant described a successful Street Skills class in September, noting that another is coming in November.
• Ralph Fertig described delays in renewing the Federal Transportation Act.

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Bici Centro seeks bikes

• Our Bici Centro community bike program continues to seek donated bikes, accessories and tools. If you have anything, phone 617-3255 to confirm the need and determine good drop-off times.
• Bici Centro, located at 601 East Montecito Street in Santa Barbara, offers classes and open shop hours as follows:
• Monday, open shop for youth (those under 18 years old), 3:30-6:00 PM
• Monday, "Learn Your Bike" classes, registration required, 7:00-9:00 PM
• Tuesday, volunteer only night, 5:00-9:00 PM
• Wednesday, open shop Spanish-speaking only, 4:00-7:00 PM
• Thursday, open shop 4:00-7:00 PM
• Saturday, open shop 1:00-7:00 PM

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New traffic signals must now detect bicyclists

• Caltrans has adopted new standards for traffic signals to ensure that they can be triggered by people on bicycles. They are required for new and replacement installations. The bicyclist detection devices can be embedded wire loops or video cameras.
• In addition, the standards call for extending green lights at intersections with heavy bike traffic to accommodate slower bicyclist speeds. If the detection device recognizes individual bicyclists, the longer green may be given only when they are crossing.

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Lompoc’s Alan Hancock bikeway gets funding



The upcoming Alan Hancock bikepath will connect this 2001 bike bridge over the Santa Ynez River to the college.

• Our Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) recently moved American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding from a bike project in Santa Maria to one in Lompoc.
• Originally, $568,000 in ARRA funds were to help build the Santa Maria Valley Railroad Bikeway, a 3.7-mile long multipurpose path. However, since the ARRA money is required to quickly spur economic recovery in our country, the projects have to be ready to go by the end of 2009. Delays in obtaining a right of way from the railroad pushed the Bikeway project to 2010, so SBCAG transferred the ARRA funding to Lompoc.
• With that $568,000, the City of Lompoc will be able to move ahead with the Alan Hancock Bikepath project. It will connect the 2001 bikeway over the Santa Ynez River (cantilevered off the side of the H Street bridge) to Alan Hancock College with a new bikepath. An additional amount of $287,000 in reserve funding was transferred to Lompoc so they will have enough to deliver the full project by the end of this year.
• The Santa Maria bikeway will not be left stranded because State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) funding that was to go to Lompoc is being transferred to Santa Maria. That money will be available in 2010.

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The civilized bicycle

• "The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart." —Iris Murdoch

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We thank our active members

• Please thank and support these Bicycle Coalition business members:
• Bicycle Bob's, Santa Barbara
• Nett & Champion Insurance Services, Santa Barbara
• Pedal Power Bicycles, Santa Maria
• Hazard's Cyclesport, Santa Barbara
• Chris King Precision Components, Portland, Oregon
• Santa Barbara Pedicabs, Santa Barbara
• Santa Barbara Bike Repair, Santa Barbara
• WheelHouse, Santa Barbara
• Santa Barbara Bikes To-Go, Santa Barbara
• Dr J's Bicycle Shop, Solvang
• We appreciate those who renewed their memberships: Corey Evans, Merle Clark, Jeff Stoutenborough, Michael Beiley, and Douglas Allard.

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UCSB students fill up campus classrooms—and bikepaths



A new academic year began in September with thousands of students, staff and faculty using the campus bikepaths. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

• An estimated 10,000 students rely on bicycling to get to and around the University of California Santa Barbara campus. It leads to between-class congestion on some sections of the extensive bikepath network, plus bike rack overflow next to many buildings.
• The University is planning to add 5000 new students by 2025, meaning increased pressure on bicycling and other transportation facilities.
• The chancellor's Transportation Alternatives Board (TAB) and the Associated Students' BIKES committee are working to improve current conditions while looking into the future.
• At a TAB meeting on October 19th, most of the time was devoted to future funding of alternative programs such as van service from Santa Maria, Ventura and elsewhere. Committee members met with Budget and Planning's Assistant Chancellor Todd Lee, who favored more funding from parking permit fees before any other new assessment.
• Associate Vice Chancellor Marc Fisher separately believed that alternatives could be funded with a small assessment on new construction projects. That new revenue source might be used in conjunction with AS BIKES student-funded projects.
• At the AS BIKES meeting on October 8th, Dennis Whelan from Budget and Planning reported that Campbell Hall now has racks for 750 bikes, and Music North now has 240 spaces. Upcoming in the next two months are two new lots with a total 600 spaces next to the new Education and Social Science Building.

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How to save on car insurance

• California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced on October 16th that new regulations have been approved, allowing insurance companies to offer "pay as you drive" policies.
• What this means is that for those of us who drive very little and bicycle a lot, we'll be able to save money on car insurance. In addition, because motorists will be aware that each mile driven will cost them more in insurance, they will reduce unneeded trips, cut fossil fuel imports, and help clear our air.
• New plans may be offered as soon as January, so watch for them. The money-saving policies will need some form of mileage verification—perhaps odometer inspection, maybe smog-check reports, or even installing an electronic monitoring and transmitting device in your car.
• It's about time for us to be rewarded for biking more and driving less. Ask your insurance carrier if they will be offering such a policy.

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