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www.sbbike.org Serving Santa Barbara County We’re a countywide advocacy and resource organization that promotes bicycling for safe transportation and recreation.

How to reach us Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition PO Box 92047 Santa Barbara CA 93190-2047 phone 962-1479 email info@sbbike.org web www.sbbike.org

August 5th meeting Join us on the first Tuesday of the month for our general meeting: Tuesday, August 5th 12:00 noon Santa Barbara Bank & Trust Community Room 1021 Anacapa Street Santa Barbara

Online email list We sponsor a free online email forum where you can post and read messages that pertain to regional bicycling issues. To subscribe, just send an email message to: sbbike-subscribe@lists.riseup.net

Leave the subject line and body of the message blank.

Join our Coalition You can help improve bicycling safety and conditions in Santa Barbara County by joining others in our regional bicycling advocacy group. Together we’ll continue to make a real difference. See page 6 for info.

Our CycleSmart program The Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition’s CycleSmart bicyclist education program offers bicycling skills classes for school children and adults. Look for details of upcoming classes inside Quick Release, or contact our Cocoordinators Dru van Hengel and Erika Lindemann by email CycleSmart@sbbike.org.

Quick Release is published monthly by the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition, PO Box 92047, Santa Barbara, CA 93190. Subscribe for $25 per year. Issue # 202.

August 2008

Bicycling is part of Plan Santa Barbara The Plan Santa BarThe inclusion of bara process that has bicycling within the been going on for 39 pages of the Reover a year will deport occurs 11 other termine the direction places. We are conthat the city will take sidered throughout. in the upcoming two Our Bicycle Coalidecades. tion sent a four-page Most recently, letter to the City with there were two public comments about three-hour workthe Report policies. shops on July 17th Perhaps most signifiand 23rd, attended cant is the omission by nearly 300 conof transportation in cerned residents. A the Energy & Climate Part of the July 17th public workshop included separate break-out Policy Options Report groups like this, lead by John Ledbetter, to discuss possibilities.

Change section. based on previous Buildings are tarcommunity input, was available for discussion. It geted for reduced energy use, but not transportaconsists of background and seven areas of contion. In Santa Barbara county, 37% of our energy is cern, one of which is Transportation, the most used in buildings, but 48% goes to simply moving important one for people who bicycle. around. And as far as climate change goes, walkIncluded in the six transportation “core poliing and biking produce no CO2 emissions. Sustaincies” is one for bicycling: able transportation should be the most important Bicycle Transportation. The City shall work to part of the Energy & Climate Change section. expand, enhance, and maintain the system of The public will have additional opportunities bikeways to serve current community needs and to help craft our future as the plan progresses to develop increased ridership for bicycle transthrough the Planning Commission, the City Counportation and recreation. cil, and environmental review later this year.

Santa Maria BMX track opens to riders 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, After four years of waiting, BMX riders of all ages flocked to an Open phone Porter at 938-1348-2008.

House on July 19th to test their skills at the new Santa Maria track.

Highway 246 projects effect bicyclists 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 Drawings of different roadway designs were discussed by of similar intersections, it qualified for Caltrans representatives and meeting participants. $3.5 million California SHOPP funding. that it was designed to slow motorists to Caltrans offered two alternative inter20 MPH, maybe 25 MPH. There would not section designs: one controlled by traffic be long waits for traffic signals to change. signals, the other by a roundabout.

And with only three legs of roadway enterBicycle Coalition president Ralph Fertig ing/leaving the roundabout, it would be attended. At first he felt that the design simpler to navigate. Accordingly, he spoke speed of the roundabout was too high for in favor of the roundabout, not so much cyclists to safely share the lane and weave because it was safer for cyclists—it’s about among motorists. However, he was assured 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.

“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.

Quick Release ~ August 2008 ~ Page 2

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.

Wet Willy Sez 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.

“Wet Willy” is an advice column authored by Coalition Vice President Wilson Hubbell. Please submit any questions you have about cycling issues to him at wilsonhubbell@aol.com.

Carpinteria bridge sign to be removed

July Coalition meeting topics

Coalition Officers and Board elected

Our July 1st monthly Bicycle Coalition meeting was held at Madam Lu Chinese Restaurant in Santa Barbara, attracting 22 people to discuss these topics:

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.

Ralph Fertig reported optimistically on the proposed Highway 101 bikepath situation along La Conchita.

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Election of Officers and Board members was held. Congratulations to those new and continuing individuals.

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Details of the Goleta Valley Cycling Club’s generous funding of regional projects were discussed.

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There will be another Street Skills for Cyclists class this July 17 and 19th.

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Few, if any, bicyclists walk bikes on the Carpinteria bridge sidewalk.

Ed France described ongoing activities at the Bici Centro community bike program, noting that their Youth Earn-a-Bike program will begin in July.

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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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Bike sharing in Paris: one year anniversary

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.

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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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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.

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

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.

Quick Release ~ August 2008 ~ Page 3

True Flight shop takes off in Santa Barbara

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

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.

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.

Trail care group seeks help 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.

Quick Release ~ August 2008 ~ Page 4

Upcoming bike meetings and events Summer is upon us, the mornings are cool, the days are long, so make the best of it.

Check our website for ongoing updates and longer event descriptions at www.sbbike.org/ meet/meet.html.

August 4-8, Mountain Biking Camp, sponsored by Elings Park. This week-long camp for ages 7-14 is the first of two camps. It’s designed for riders of all levels and abilities. Learn basic skills, trail etiquette, bike maintenance, and riding skills. Participants must bring their own helmets and mountain bikes. Daily 9:00 AM-12:00 noon. Information and registration at http://elingspark.org.

August 4-15, Youth Earn-a-Bike Program, sponsored by Bici Centro of Santa Barbara.

This summer, there are two Bici Centro youth classes. This is the second, it’s an intensive two-week class. Open to those 1216 years old. Information and application at info@bicicentro.org.

August 5, Bicycle Coalition General Meeting, sponsored by our Bicycle Coalition.

Meeting at noon, first Tuesday of the month. Community Room at the Santa Barbara Bank and Trust building, 1021 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara. Phone president Ralph Fertig, 962-1479 or email him at sb-ralph@cox.net.

August 8, Lompoc Sprint Triathlon, sponsored by Lompoc Parks, Recreation and Urban Forestry. This race includes an 11-mile bike ride. Races start at 8:00 AM from the Aquatic Center, 207 West College Avenue, Lompoc. Info and registration form at www. ci.lompoc.ca.us.

August 11-15, Mountain Biking Camp, sponsored by Elings Park. This camp is the same as the August 4-8 camp. Information and registration at http://elingspark.org.

August 22-24, Santa Barbara Triathlon, sponsored by many organizations. The Saturday Long Course race has a bike leg of 34 miles. The Sunday Co-ed Sprint and Women Only Sprint Courses have 6-mile bike legs.

Details and registration at http://santabarbaratriathlon.com.

August 25, Bicycle Coalition Board Meeting, sponsored by our Bicycle Coalition. Our Board of Directors and Advisors will discuss Coalition issues. Meet at Erika Lindemann’s home. Email president Ralph Fertig sbralph@cox.net with questions.

Bici Centro’s youth Earn-a-Bike program A new Earn-a-Bike 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 Earn-a-Bike students Brian Huato, left, and Saul Aguilera get help from volunteer Nathan Pfaff at Bici Street, Santa Barbara during either Centro. of the open shop times: Thursdays 4:00-8:00 PM, and Saturdays 1:00-7:00 PM. For more information, phone 310-936-0857 or email info@bicicentro.org.

We thank our active members Please thank and support the following Bicycle Coalition business members: g Bicycle Bob’s, Santa Barbara g Nett & Champion Insurance Services, Santa Barbara g Open Air Bicycles, Santa Barbara g Pedal Power Bicycles, Santa Maria g Chris King Precision Components, Portland OR g 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.

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. g

Widen 2.9 miles of roadway in the existing Purisima Road location.

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Widen 2.9 miles of roadway in a realigned Purisima Road.

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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 SB County Supervisors, 105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

Direct your project questions to Estorga at 739-8763.

Quick Release accepts advertisements. Circulation is about 500 people. Ad details and an order form are available online at www. sbbike.org/QR/ad.pdf .

Quick Release ~ August 2008 ~ Page 5

Shop discounts

“If you bicycle, you should join the Bicycle Coalition”

Application for Membership Yes! I want to help make bicycling better for all of us in Santa Barbara County. ❏ Student/Senior, 1 year $12 ❏ Household, 1 year $40 ❏ Student/Senior, 2 years $22 ❏ Household, 2 years $75 ❏ Business, 2 years $180 ❏ Lifetime $1000

❏ Individual, 1 year $25 ❏ Individual, 2 years $45 ❏ Business, 1 year $100

name _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ city, state, zip _______________________________________________________________________________________________ phone ___________________________________ email _____________________________________________________________ ❏ New membership ❏ Renewal membership ❏ Email me Adobe PDF files of Quick Release newsletters instead of printed ones.

Make payable to Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition. Mail to Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition, PO Box 92047,

Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition President, Ralph Fertig, 962-1479 sb-ralph@cox.net Vice President, Wilson Hubbell, 6831240, wilsonhubbell@aol.com Secretary, Mark McClure, 967-5031 mcclure606@yahoo.com Treasurer, David Bourgeois, 899-3728 daveb@alumni.caltech.edu Director, Judy Keim, 687-2912 jkpedpad@aol.com Director, Don Lubach, 722-2349 dlubach@mac.com Director, Ed France, 310-936-0857 edfrance@bicicentro.org Director, Michael Chiacos, 284-4179 mchiacos@cecmail.org Director, Erika Lindemann, 569-1544 eglindemann@gmail.com Advisor, Dru van Hengel, 564-5544 dvanhengel@SantaBarbaraCA.gov Advisor, Matt Dobberteen, 568-3000 matt@cosbpw.net Advisor, Lori La Riva, 961-8919 llariva@sbcag.org

Regional bicycle clubs & groups The Cutters Mark Langowski, 937-3252 mark_langowski@dot.ca.gov Echelon Santa Barbara Kim Weixel, 689-1633 kweixel@photoscene.com Goleta Valley Cycling Club Doris Phinney, 968-3143 Cyclebug@aol.com Lompoc Valley Bicycle Club Bob Grant, 735-7763 pambowman@hotmail.com SB Mountain Bike Trail Volunteers John Berberet, 681-0048 johnberberet@hotmail.com Santa Barbara Bicycle Club Dave Court david_court@earthlink.net Santa Barbara BMX Dale Bowers, res0d201@verizon.net Tailwinds Bicycle Club David Cantero, 937-4097 dd.cantero@verizon.net UCSB Cycling Club Maksym Fatyga, 559-360-1365 maksym_fatyga@umail.ucsb.edu

Road repair contacts

Caltrans www.dot.ca.gov/maintform.html Carpinteria Tom Evans, 684-5405 x402 pwd@ci.carpinteria.ca.us Goleta Bill Millar, 961-7575 bmillar@cityofgoleta.org Lompoc Larry Bean, 736-1261 l_bean@ci.lompoc.ca.us Santa Barbara City Dru van Hengel, 564-5544 dvanhengel@SantaBarbaraCA.gov Santa Barbara County Matt Dobberteen, 568-3576 matt@cosbpw.net Santa Maria David Whitehead, 925-0951 x227 dwhitehead@ci.santa-maria.ca.us Solvang Brad Vigro, 688-5575 bradv@cityofsolvang.com UCSB Dennis Whelan, 893-7009 dennis.whelan@planning.ucsb.edu

Bicycle Coalition members benefit from discounts at local shops. It’s another reason to join our group. To get your discount, take your copy of Quick Release to the shop and show them your address label that says “MEMBER” on it. Or cut out the label box and take it.

Discount details are online at www.sbbike.org/SBBC/who.html.

Please patronize these shops: Bicycle Bob’s 250 Storke Road #A, Goleta 15 Hitchcock Way, Santa Barbara Bicycle Connection 223 W. Ocean Avenue, Lompoc Hazard’s Cyclesport 110 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara Mad Mike’s Bikes 1108 E. Clark Avenue #G, Santa Maria Main Street Cycles 311 East Main Street, Santa Maria Open Air Bicycles 224 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara Pedal Power Bicycles 1740 Broadway, Santa Maria Santa Barbara Electric Bicycle Phone 275-2335 VeloPro Cyclery 633 State Street, Santa Barbara 5887 Hollister Avenue, Goleta

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