Winter 2017 • Volume 27 / No. 3
SANTA BARBARA BICYCLE COALITION
QuickRelease Increasing Access 2017 and B e yo nd
Our Vision
BOARD
The Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition (SBBIKE) vision is that Santa Barbara will be a leader in creating a bicycle-friendly community and transportation system. Extensive on-road and separated bikeways, a coordinated transit system, parking, and amenities allow us to enjoy a culture where the majority of daily trips include a bicycle. As a result, our community is healthier and encourages balanced living within our resources. Universal cycling education for all ages supports the development of safe and respectful road behaviors from both motorists and cyclists. Widespread community and political support for bicycling is in place. By 2040, because it is a cycling-centered county, Santa Barbara is both a great place to live and work and a nationally acclaimed cycling destination, boasting a year-round calendar of successful, fun, and inclusive events.
enabled by SBBIKE and the ever more tightknit
bicycling community across Santa Barbara County—is part of a promising global trend. Katja Siepmann, a researcher from Germany who researched the effects of bicycling and availed herself of
Rafaell Rozendo, Shop Supervisor shop@bicicentro.org Photo Paul Wellman
T
STAFF Ed France, Executive Director ed@sbbike.org Christine Bourgeois, Education Director edu@sbbike.org
Letter from the Editor he increased access to safe bicycling locally—
David Hodges, Chair Courtney Dietz, Vice Chair Diana O’Connell, Treasurer Frank Peters, Secretary David Campbell John Hygelund Tracey Strobel Ellen Bildsten Amy Steinfeld
SB’s local walking and cycling infrastructure said of her time in SB, “My personal well-being here depends a lot on the fact that I can walk or ride. [Otherwise] I would suffer a lot.” Who still suffers from lack of access? How can we alleviate it? These questions guide SBBIKE’s work. We champion the advocates among us whose courage and understanding of how change comes about lead to more and safer infrastructure. We open new DIY repair shops modeled on the Bici Centro hub, to provide greater access to a “rare and valuable” skillset. We help implement cycling in schools, so all kids will learn to ride and access cycling’s benefits. We hand out lights and interface with increasingly larger swaths of the community, to ensures riders will see and be seen by people in cars and at decision-making tables. We help make high school bike club dreams come true, so young people will have access to the tools of service and accomplishment that will prepare them to build the cities of our future—cities we can actively and safely move through. The world of research is taking on those questions as well. A recent flood of cycling-related academic articles, professional conferences, and informationsharing forums has fueled a better understanding of what bicycling can mean for the environment, for congested cities, for health, and for the economy, say two researchers, John Pucher and Ralph Buehler. In a 2017 Transport Reviews article, “Cycling towards a More Sustainable Transport Future,” the two point to the birth of a global network that has “inspired, enabled and actively promoted cycling.” This county’s network is strong. Together, we’ll continue to increase access and alleviate suffering. With gratitude,
Eve Sanford, Policy and Planning Coordinator eve@sbbike.org Ken Dahmen, Santa Maria Program Manager ken@sbbike.org Diana La Riva, Volunteer Coordinator diana@sbbike.org
GOVT. LIAISONS & ADVISORS Matt Dobberteen, Advisor County of Santa Barbara matt@cosbpw.net Kent Epperson, Advisor Traffic Solutions kepperson@sbcag.org Sara Farrell,Advisor City of Santa Barbara sfarrell@santabarbaraca.gov Teresa Lopes, Advisor City of Goleta tlopes@cityofGoleta.org
ART DIRECTOR Cynthia Stahl, info@cynstahl.com
MANAGING EDITOR Holly Starley, editor@sbbike.org
CONTACT US 506 E. Haley St. Santa Barbara, CA 93103 PO Box 92047 Santa Barbara, CA 93190 www.sbbike.org SBBIKE: 805-845-8955 Bici Centro: 805-617-3225 Bici Santa Maria: 805-623-5763
CONTRIBUTE Holly Starley COVER PHOTO: A recipient of lights as part of SBBIKE’s seventh annual Iluminando La Noche (Light up the Night) 2017. PAUL WELLMAN. BACK COVER PHOTO: SBBIKE member and volunteer Cecilia Rodriguez jumps for joy while volunteering for Bike Valet this summer. DIANA LA RIVA.
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Your time: www.sbbike.org/volunteer Financially: www.sbbike.org/donate
Thank you, Business Members and Supporters DI A MON D ME MBE R S
Stinner Bicycles
P L AT I N UM ME MBE RS GOLD ME MBE R S
T ITA N I UM ME MBE R S
S I LV E R ME MBE R S
ceramics
BRONZE MEMBERS Bildsten Architecture and Planning The Dirt Club Fastrack Bicycles
HelloHarvest Horny Toad Martineau Development Mesa Architects Mesa Business Association Revolution Coaching LLC
REI Super Bee Rescue and Removal Tailwinds Bicycle Club of Santa Maria
www.SBBIKE.org
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N E E D ADVO C AT E S?
Standing Up for Our Community
“ O n e o f t h e g r e at p e rk s o f my jo b i s t h e c h a n c e t o wo rk w it h wo n d e r f u l p e o pl e wh o a r e b r ew i n g t h e b ic y c l e m ov e m e nt . F r o m l e a d i n g r i d e s t o b u il d i n g t h e p ol it ic a l w ill fo r b i ke p at h s a n d s a f e r s t r e e t s , t h e s e a r e p e o pl e wh o e m b o dy t h e S B B I K E e t h o s o f m a rk i n g ou r
A d vo c a c y n e e d s to b e s i n ce re , re s p e c t f u l , a n d t h o u g ht f u l . I fe e l I c a n a d d to t h e p ro ce s s by s p e a k i n g u p i n v a r i o u s ve n u e s , s u ch a s p l a n n i n g co m m i s s i o n s a n d co u n ci l m e et i n g s , t a l k i n g a b o u t my ow n p e r s o n a l v i ew s , a n d t r y i n g to p rov i d e a b a l a n ce d p re s e nt at i o n o n t h e m e r it s of p ro p o s e d i n it i at i ve s . T h e re i s p owe r i n n u m b e r s w h e n p e o p le c a l m l y a n d cle a r l y a d vo c ate fo r s o lut i o n s . I t r y to b e c a ref u l to s t ay o n p o i nt a n d fo cu s e d a n d n ot
Steve Botts W h e r e w i l l w e f i n d y o u b i k i n g? D u r i n g t h e we e k , I co m m u te to wo r k m o s t d ay s . I t p u t s m e i n a g o o d m o o d a n d a s s u re s I g et a d a i l y d o s e of f re s h a i r a n d c a rd i o. O n S u n d ay s , I r i d e a ro u n d G o let a , S a nt a B a r b a r a , M o nte cito, S u m m e r l a n d , a n d C a r p i nte r i a a l o n g t h e Co a s t Ro u te , o r i n t h e fo ot h i l l s . I h ave a r i d i n g b u d d y. We of te n t r y cof fe e
let my e m ot i o n s d r i ve m e of f to p i c o r b e co m e d i s t r a c t i n g to t h e a u d i e n ce . A ny t h i n g e l s e y o u w o u l d l i k e t o s h a r e? I h ave fo u n d b i c ycl i n g to b e s u ch a p r a c t i c a l , h e a lt hy, af fo rd a b le , a n d e n j oy a b le e le m e nt of my l ife a n d s o ci a l a c t i v it i e s . T h e b i c ycle h o l d s t h e p ro m i s e of l e s s co n g e s t i o n , a h e a lt h i e r co m m u n it y, a n d t h e l owe s t- co s t t r a n s p o r t at i o n i nf r a s t r u c t u re . S B B I K E’s v i s i o n a l i g n s s o we l l w it h t h e s e te n et s .
s h o p s a n d b a ke r i e s—a p u re l e i s u re l y r i d e . O n v a c at i o n , yo u’ l l f i n d m e to u r i n g o n my b i ke f u l l y l o a d e d i n d i f fe re nt p a r t s of t h e co u nt r y. I l ove t h e s p o nt a n e it y of a n u n p l a n n e d b i c ycl e to u r a n d h o p e to s o m e d ay t r ave l a cro s s t h e co u nt r y. W h at p r o j e c t a r e y o u f i r e d u p a b o u t? I a m ve r y h a p py a b o u t S B B I K E’s a d vo c a c y wo r k to i m p rove b i c ycl i n g i n f r a s t r u c t u re i n t h e S o u t h Co a s t . T h e re a l n e e d i n o u r a re a i s to cre ate a n i n f r a s t r u c tu re to t h e o l d e s t a m o n g u s i n a s a fe f a s h i o n a n d
Daisy Muralles
i nf r a s t r u c t u re t h at e ve r yo n e , f ro m t h e p o o re s t to
W h e r e w i l l w e f i n d y o u b i k i n g? A ny w h e re t h at
t h e m o s t af f lu e nt , u s e s .
e n d s w it h a co l d b rew o r a b re a k f a s t b u r r ito i n
t h at s u p p o r t s r i d e r s f ro m t h e yo u n g e s t ch i l d re n
I ’m co n s i d e r i n g t h e “ S a nt a B a r b a r a G h o s t b i ke
4
o u r ve r y ow n n e i g h b o r h o o d s a cro s s G o let a , S a nt a
P ro j e c t .” We ’ve h a d s e ve r a l f at a l a cci d e nt s i n o u r
B a r b a r a , o r C a r p i nte r i a .
a re a . T h e re ’s p owe r i n co m m u n it y aw a re n e s s of
W h at p r o j e c t a r e y o u f i r e d u p a b o u t? T h e Cit y
avo i d a b l e t r a g e d i e s . To co m m u n i c ate t h e n e e d
of G o let a’s B i c ycle a n d Pe d e s t r i a n M a s te r P l a n!
fo r s afe r c ycl i n g i n f r a s t r u c t u re , I ’m t h i n k i n g of
M o s t of my r i d i n g h a p p e n s i n G o let a b e c a u s e I
p l a ci n g “G h o s t B i ke s” at l o c at i o n s of t h e f at a l it i e s .
le a d r i d e s o ut of t h e B i c ycle B o b ’s b i ke s h o p (o n
T h e g h o s t b i ke i s u s u a l l y a n o l d , t i re d b i ke p a i nte d
H o l l i s te r a n d Ke l l o g g) eve r y S atu rd ay m o r n i n g . T h i s
w h ite a n d l o cke d to a p o s t o r fe n ce . I t w i l l cl e a r l y
m e a n s t h at I le a d r i d e s t h ro u g h s o m e c a r-h e av y
n eve r b e r i d d e n a g a i n , a s a m et a p h o r fo r t h e l ife
ro a d s l i ke H o l l i s te r, Sto r ke , a n d C at h e d r a l O a k s .
s o u n n e ce s s a r i l y t a ke n .
T h e re co m m e n d at i o n s p re s e nte d i n t h e p l a n a re a
D e s c r i b e y o u r a p p r o a c h t o d o i n g a dv o c a c y.
g re at s t a r t to re a l l y b e co m i n g a b i ke -f r i e n d l y cit y,
Quick Release Winter 2018
N E E D ADVO C AT E S?
c o m mu n it ie s’ b e t t e r pl a c e s t o b i ke a n d u lt i m at e ly b e t t e r pl a c e s t o l iv e . B e l ow
W h e r e w i l l w e f i n d y o u b i k i n g? Yo u w i l l f i n d m e r i d i n g a b i ke a ro u n d t h e S a nt a Yn e z Va l ley, b ot h o n t h e ro a d a n d i n t h e d i r t o n a m o u nt a i n b i ke .
we share their inspiring projects and
W h at p r o j e c t a r e y o u f i r e d u p a b o u t? I h ave
e n c ou ra g e y ou t o g e t i nv olv e d o r s t a r t
my h a n d s i n a l l s o r t s of p i e s . I ’m h e a d co a ch of
o n e o f y ou r ow n ! ”
t h e D u n n S ch o o l M o u nt a i n B i ke Te a m , w h i ch — Eve S a n fo rd , SBBIKE
co m p ete s i n t h e I nte r s ch o l a s t i c Cycl i n g Le a g u e —a n at i o nw i d e p ro j e c t e n a b l i n g cl o s e to 1 7,0 0 0 k i d s
a n d I ’m l o o k i n g fo r w a rd to t h o s e i m p rove m e nt s . D e s c r i b e y o u r a p p r o a c h t o d o i n g a dv o c a c y. I b e l i eve t h at , i n o rd e r to i n s p i re ot h e r s , yo u re a l l y
to co m p ete . T h i n k a b o ut t h at . T h e o rg a n iz at i o n i s n’ t d o i n g t h e O l y m p i c m o d e l . I t ’s i nt ro d u ci n g c ycl i n g to ch i l d re n at a yo u n g a g e , i n t h e h o p e s
h ave to e m p owe r t h e m a s i n d i v i d u a l s . I t h i n k
t h at it ’ l l t a ke —re g a rd le s s of w h et h e r t h ey b e co m e
c ycl i n g d o e s t h at fo r m e a n d fo r m a ny of t h e
p rofe s s i o n a l r a ce r s .
wo m e n I r i d e w it h . W h e n yo u ch a l l e n g e yo u r s e lf to
I ’m t h e d i re c to r of S B B I K E’s S a nt a Yn e z Va l ley
r i d e a l it t l e l o n g e r, cl i m b s o m et h i n g a l it t l e s te e p e r
S p o ke . O u r m i s s i o n i s to b ro a d e n aw a re n e s s t h at
a n d yo u s u cce e d , yo u re a l ize t h at yo u a re s t ro n g
p e o p le a re co m i n g h e re to r i d e t h e i r b i ke s a n d
a n d c a p a b l e b e c a u s e yo u d i d it! T h at fe e l i n g i s s o
s p e n d m o n ey i n o u r co m m u n it y, a n d we n e e d
m u ch m o re re w a rd i n g w h e n yo u d o it a s a g ro u p .
to b u i l d s afe r p l a ce s fo r t h e m to r i d e . Re ce nt
W h e n yo u b r i n g p e o p l e to ch a l l e n g e t h e m s e lve s
s u cce s s e s: T h e Cit y of B u e lto n a n d C a lt r a n s
to g et h e r, a s i n g ro u p r i d i n g , we a re a b l e to s u p p o r t
i n clu d e d cl a s s-2 b i kew ay s o n H w y 24 6 i n b ot h
e a ch ot h e r, ch e e r e a ch ot h e r o n . B u t a l s o we
d i re c t i o n s (2 . 5 m i le s). T h e Cit y of S o lv a n g i s
s t a r t to b u i l d a n et wo r k of p e o p l e w h o a re e xcite d
m ov i n g tow a rd a cl a s s-1 p ave d co n n e c t i o n to
a b o ut s e e i n g e a ch ot h e r s u cce e d . A n d b e c a u s e we
S u n ny F i e l d s P a r k (a 1 . 3 -m i le w a l k i n g p at h).
v a lu e o u r s afet y a n d t h e s afet y of o u r co m m u n it y,
D e s c r i b e y o u r a p p r o a c h t o d o i n g a dv o c a c y.
we u n d e r s t a n d t h at a d vo c at i n g fo r b et te r ro a d s
To u n d e r s t a n d my a p p ro a ch , yo u h ave to k n ow
a n d ro a d s a fet y o u t re a ch i s i m p o r t a nt . I t i s t h e n
a l it t le a b o ut m e . I ’m a fo u r t h- g e n e r at i o n S a nt a
t h at t h e i n d i v i d u a l i s a b l e to co n n e c t to t h e c a u s e
Yn e z Va l l e y re s i d e nt . I t r ave l e d t h e wo r l d f ro m
a n d b e p a r t of t h e ch a n g e t h e y w a nt to s e e .
a g e 16 to 31 r a ci n g my b i ke . I ’ve s e e n w h at ot h e r
A ny t h i n g e l s e y o u w o u l d l i k e t o s h a r e? A s
co m m u n it i e s h ave b u i lt by p l a n n i n g we l l-t h o u g ht-
t h e B i c ycl e B o b ’s Wo m e n’s A m b a s s a d o r a n d a
o ut b i c ycl i n g n et wo r k s—h ow t h ey ’ve cre ate d b ot h
l o c a l Tre k Wo m e n’s A d vo c ate , I h o p e t h at I c a n
m o re s u s t a i n a b l e co m m u n it i e s a n d m u lt i m i l l i o n-
e n co u r a g e e ve r yo n e to co m e o u t a n d r i d e w it h u s
d o l l a r re cre at i o n d e s t i n at i o n s .
at B i c ycle B o b ’s o n a S atu rd ay o r S u n d ay m o r n i n g .
My h o m etow n i s a h u g e d e s t i n at i o n fo r b i c ycl e
A n d if g ro u p r i d i n g i s n’ t yo u r t h i n g , I h o p e yo u c a n
to u r i s m . W hy h a s it t a ke n s o l o n g to e m b r a ce b i ke
t r y it o ut at le a s t o n ce to e x p l o re s o m e n ew ro ute s
l a n e s? T h e w ay I a d vo c ate i s I a s k t h e s e q u e s t i o n s .
a n d ch a l l e n g e s . W h o k n ow s , m ay b e yo u’ l l m e et a
I s p e a k i n f ro nt of S B C AG , cit y s u p e r v i s o r s , a n d
n e w r i d i n g b u d d y.
ot h e r ve n u e s . I ’m co n s t a nt l y a c t i ve . I ’m w r it i n g e m a i l s . I ’m t a k i n g to p e o p le a n d t r y i n g to m a ke my co m m u n it y a b et te r p l a ce . S o m et i m e s I ’m l o u d a n d s o m et i m e s n ot s o l o u d . I ’m le a r n i n g to b e a l it t le m o re t a c t f u l . W it h o ut d o u bt , it ’s a l l s t a r t i n g to wo r k . A ny t h i n g e l s e y o u w o u l d l i k e t o s h a r e? I ’ve le a r n e d t h at , i n o rd e r to i nvo ke p o s it i ve ch a n g e i n yo u r co m m u n it y, yo u h ave to b e p o s it i ve yo u r s e lf. Yo u m ay s ay s o m et h i n g p e o p le d o n’ t t h i n k i s p o s it i ve u nt i l t h ey ’ve d i g e s te d it . B ut yo u h ave to h ave t h e co u r a g e to s ay it . I f yo u h ave a g re at
Mike Hecker
i d e a a n d d o n’ t e -m a i l yo u r e le c te d of f i ci a l , it ’s n ot g o i n g to h a p p e n . www.SBBIKE.org
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N E E D RE PA I R S?
BICI CENTRO HUB Bici Centro, a decade ago, started as a dream, a sign offering cyclists help with repairs, and some tools. Founders envisioned a spot for commuters to commune, work together, and
BICI SANTA MARIA Since opening in April 2017, Bici Santa Maria
learn. Today, Bici is busier than it’s ever been.
has been booming. Thanks to “an incredible
Classes are well attended. Volunteer Tuesdays
group of volunteers” led by shop manager Ken
keep the gears turning. Anyone interested is
Dahmen on Thursdays, the two elementary
welcome—whatever
skill
schools in Lompoc that started bicycling
level. Check out sbbike.org/bicicentro or visit
instruction as part of their physical education
434 Olive St.
program this fall have already received 60
your
mechanical
youth-sized refurbished bikes! And of course cyclists can visit Open Shop on Saturdays and Sundays to maintain their own rides. Learn more at sbbike.org/santamariabicicentro.
BICI AT SBCC Santa Barbara City College’s campus DIY bike shop is open Monday through Thursday from 11 am to 3 pm. There, students find guidance with repairs and maintenance, along with a place to get the essentials—locks, lights, helmets, and more. A Bici at SBCC special is Bike Commuter Basics, a free class each semester that helps students make the most out of getting to school by bike. Learn more at sbbike.org/biciatsbcc.
SBICI Since 2010, SBici, Santa Barbara High School’s bike club, has met at the space SBBIKE
6
Want to lear n
helped transform from an old shed/car park
Fo r i n fo o n c l a
BICI SAN MARCOS HIGH
to a home/shop for wrenching, learning, and
l e a r n to r i d e , i m p
For two years+, San Marcos High School has been
riding together. Since 2013, at year’s end,
r i d i n g s k il l s , o r l e
aching for a bike club. When space opened up
SBici refurbishes Bike4Christmas rides. This
your own bike
this year, SBBIKE jumped into gear. Most of the
year, SBici is joined by high school wrenchers
s b b i ke .o r g/c l a
club members were enrolled in Learn Your Bike,
who flood Bici Santa Maria weekly and the
and they’re excited to repair bikes. Next step,
members of San Marcos High’s burgeoning
transform the space into a shop/home. Your
club. Together, the three will refurbish bikes
support will help SBBIKE make their dreams come
for kids who learned to ride at school but don’t
true. To donate equipment, contact Rafaell at
have access to bicycles at home. Learn more at
shop@bicicentro.org. More, pg. 10.
sbbike.org/sbici.
Quick Release Winter 2018
N E E D CL A S S E S?
Want to w rench?
From Zero to Five in a Decade
He l p r e p a i r bikes or m a i nt a i n y o u r own ride. Check o u t s b b i ke .o r g/s h o p s fo r h o u r s a n d
Bici founders’ dream of a DIY repair shop has blossomed into five shops enabling cyclists to learn, to serve, and to be self-sufficient
i n fo.
W hy DI Y ? “ Empower ment i s a huge p ar t of it. Building a sk ill set in the phy sic al world , esp e cially w ith regard to how you get around— to b e able to m aintain your ow n t ran spor tat ion—i s a ver y rare and valuable thing. It ’s rare b e cau se our world i s incre a singly autom ate d , unf i xable, and dig ital . It ’s valuable b e cau se b eing able to rely on your bic ycle i s a huge factor in whether or not you decide to bike . If your bike i s broken and you can’ t f i x it, you prob ably won’ t r ide . Re ally it ’s ab out ke eping the bic ycle a s a s afe opt ion for t ran spor tat ion .” —R afaell Rozendo, B ici Shop M an ager
t n? s s e s to
prove your
e a r n to f i x
e , v i s it
asses.
Youth Bike E d L oc ales Carpinteria
SB
G ol e t a
Orcutt
C a r p i nte r i a Fa m i ly School
Adams
E lw o o d
St . L o u i s d e M o nt fo r t
C a r p i nte r i a M i d d l e School
Cleveland
G i rl s ’ In c .
Santa Maria
F ra n k l i n
G o l e t a Va l l e y J u n i o r Hi g h
Li b e r t y
Aliso School
Ho m e -B a s e d Pa r t n e r s h i p o f S B
St R a p h a e l
St . M a r y o f th e Assumption
M cKi n l e y
Lompoc
To m m i e Ku n s t
M o n ro e
La Cañada
Not r e D a m e
L a Ho n d a
J u n i o r Hi g h Fe s l e r J u n i o r Hi g h
Roosevelt
L e a r n m o r e , p g . 9.
S a nt a B a rb a ra J u n i o r Hi g h www.SBBIKE.org
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N E E D L IGH T S?
See and Be Seen SBBIK E ’s seventh annual (Ilumin ando la Noc he) Light up the Night Iluminando Uno – An article on class differences among cyclists—highlighting a group of LA Latino riders (invisible in equality and access)—sparked Carmen Lozano’s launch of Iluminando la Noche in 2011. She was then head of SBBIKE’s Spanish Language Outreach Committee. “I was inspired,” Lozano says. “I wanted to really connect with the community.” Enter Light Up the Night: Distribute lights, enabling visibility on the road, while collecting data to ensure the visibility of those cyclists’ challenges. The first Iluminando was “fun,” “disorganized,” and “very successful.” Volunteers on Micheltorena Bridge were out of lights in ten minutes. Lozano laughs. “But we were surrounded by lots of happy and grateful people.” People were learning about SBBIKE (and its connection with Bici). And as volunteers gathered information, they listened, chronicling the difficulties cyclists encountered. “For most,” Lozano reflects, “I don’t think they were used to being treated that way.” Those stories taught SBBIKE a lot. Armed with data, SBBIKE was better able to ask for changes at City Hall. Previously, requests had been anecdotal; now advocates had not just data, but “community voices. It was what the people were saying, not what we were saying,” Lozano says. “That was very powerful.” So too was the generosity of volunteers, businesses, and the media. In 2014, Lozano relocated to Guadalajara, Spain. She’s enjoyed seeing Iluminando evolve—enabling more cyclists to see and be seen.
Wa nt to h e l p S BB I K E c r e ate e v e nt s l i k e I l u m i n a n d o L a No c h e a n d c o n n e c t w ith S p a n i s h-s p e a k i n g a n d b il i n g u al c y c l i s t s i n o u r c o m m u n it y? S p a n i s h g r e at b u t n ot n e c e s s a r y. Wo m e n n e e d e d . Ne w i d e a s e n c o u ra g e d . C h e c k o u t s b b i k e . o r g/s l o c o r c o nt a c t C h r i s t i n e at e du @ s b b i ke .o r g to j o i n th e s o o n-to -b e -r e n a m e d S p a n i s h L a n g u a g e O u t r e a c h Co m m it te e .
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Quick Release Winter 2018
Photos from Iluminando on the Eastside, one of four locations on the South Coast where volunteers distributed lights and collected stories in early November. PAUL WELLMAN
N E E D TO LE AR N ?
Biking to Transform: How Cycling Helps Kids (and the Adults they Share the Future with) will it be here, if SBBIKE and Audacious have their say.) Equally surprising, in the US male adult bicyclists outnumber women four to one. “In other modern, industrialized nations, it’s fifty-fifty.” Cycling education aims to close both gender and socioeconomic gaps (lower income students ride less). For Siepmann, in the midst of a PhD program, the research was motivational. Using local cycling/ped infrastructure “changed even my feeling about Santa Barbara. Suddenly, I was not only in the library or sitting home.” As one of many who rely on infrastructure, she says, “My personal well-being here depends a lot on the fact that I can walk or ride. [Otherwise] I would This fall, 350 North County students were among the nearly 2,000 who’ve enjoyed cycling education in PE. CHRISTINE BOURGEOIS Inset: Researcher Katja Siepmann
“T
his is big,” says researcher Katja Siepmann of bringing bicycling education to schools. Interning
with Audacious Foundation, SBBIKE and COAST’s partner partner in the movement, Siepmann researched bicycling. A key insight—the connection between the functioning of the body and that of the mind. Cycling’s physical health benefits may be obvious. Its profound
suffer a lot.” Today’s youth, learning the importance of living in and actively moving through green spaces, will build the cities of the future. Audacious Foundation supports nonacademic programs in schools because whole child education is more than learning how to read and write. Academic achievement depends on developing a healthy body. Audacious has teamed up with SBBIKE and COAST to bring bicycle education to schools across Santa Barbara County. To read Katja Siepmann’s full report, visit http://www. sbbike.org/bikebenefitsresearch.
effects on learning and emotional well-being are
So far this year
documented too. The ability to concentrate increases significantly, making exercisers smarter learners. One
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2 , 2 25 s t u d e nt s (4 6 0 f i r s t-t i m e r i d e r s) to o k
study tested kids diagnosed with ADHD. After biking,
c yc l i n g i n PE at 14 s c h o o l s (2 n e w s c h o o l s
their brains resembled more the brains of non-ADHD
i n L o m p o c)
counterparts. “Fluid thought”—creativity in cognitive
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57 yo uth p a r t i c i p ate d i n Pe d a l Po w e r (E a r n-AB i k e p ro g ra m) w ith 18 h o u r s o f i n s t r u c t i o n
science speak—means the brain processes information differently, makes new connections. Cognition improves.
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45 k i d s p a r t i c i p ate d i n s u m m e r c a m p s
So do hormonal balance and mood.
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PE te a c h e r s at A d a m s , M cKi n l e y, a n d F ra n kl i n
Riding, says Siepmann, is “fundamentally different
a r e o f fe r i n g a f te r-s c h o o l b i k i n g p ro g ra m s
than being a passive participant.” With mastery comes
th ro u g h A- OK , w ith b i k e f i e l d t r i p s fo r th e
success and happiness. With the ability to explore your
u p p e r g ra d e s t u d e nt s
world on your own, empowerment and independence. Kids who are driven to school have a poorer understanding of how streets connect and typically can’t draw a map to school. Kids who walk or bike know more people in their neighborhoods. This sense of belonging, Siepmann says, is one reason biking is “a service to community” (alongside air quality). Siepmann was shocked by the numbers of inactivity. In the sixties, 50 percent of students walked or biked to school. That’s fallen to 13 percent (2009). “It’s sad that biking has been moved to the margin,” says Siepmann. This is not the case in Germany, her home country. (Nor
Ke ep u p w ith the youth . I t ’s never too late to learn to ride or improve y o u r c y c l i n g s k il l s . S i g n u p fo r t h e n e w a n d i m p r o v e d Co n f i d e n t Ci t y C y c l i n g (fo r m e rly T ra f f i c S k il l s 101) s e r i e s i n 2 01 8 . O p e n t o a l l 16+. F i r s t s e s s i o n i n S a n t a M a r i a , F r i ., J a n 5 a n d S a t ., J a n 6 . S t ay t u n e d fo r c l a s s e s i n S a n t a B a rb a ra , C a r p i n t e r i a , a n d G ol e t a a n d l e a r n m o r e a t s b b i k e .o r g/t s 101 .
www.SBBIKE.org
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L e t ’s L e v e ra g e St ate F u n d i n g fo r B i k e s
YOU + SBBIKE = A WIN FOR FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITY!
S
hould kids be able to safely bike to school? At SBBIKE we think all Santa Barbara County kids and families should have safe and
Their mom shares her appreciation: “How
accessible bike routes to school. Thanks to your support of SBBIKE,
comforting for us, as
Santa Barbara County is experiencing a bicycling renaissance in K-12
parents, to know that
schools and we need your help to keep these riders safe.
the kids learned tools and rules for
The Stats
fun and safe bike riding. The kids want to
Every $1 donated to SBBIKE:
ride their bikes to school
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Results in $100 invested in improved bikeways
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Helped secure $30 million in state bikeway funding over the last four years
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Secured the first protected bike lanes in Goleta and Santa Barbara
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Implemented a safe Westside bike route to Santa Barbara City College
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instead cars.”
The Part You Play Your gift of $10, $100,
Brought in-depth youth bicycle education programs during PE to over
$500, or $5,000 directly
1,800 students
supports making bicycling safe
Increased regular bike commuters at
and accessible for everyone- especially the kids
Santa Barbara High School five fold!
and families who choose to bike! While thousands of kids have graduated from
Launched our 4th Bici Centro
our education programs and are ready to ride,
location in Santa Maria
many are unable because they lack safe bike routes. Right now is a consequential moment for
The Story
cycling in Santa Barbara County.
Sarah, age 10, at the Summer Bike
Help build a safe, integrated bikeway network
Camp at Goleta Valley Junior High has
on the South Coast that makes bicycling accesible
this to say about our education programs:
for all and builds greener commutes with less
“The lessons helped me understand how to
traffic and polution. We have a clear vision, a
ride safely.” Her twin sister Audrey adds, “We
proven track record, and a once in a generation
learned how to be safe on the road, and we went
opportunity in 2018 to fulfill our vision. Donate
on a 13-mile ride. It was fantastic!”
today to help realize that vision.
If You Build It …
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S a n M a r c o s w il l w r e n c h! T h e
g iv e aw ay s . Al l th e y n e e d i s th e
b u r g e o n i n g c l u b at S a n M a r c o s
to ol s to t ra n s fo r m th i s s p a c e i nto
Hi g h n e e d s o u r te a m . With y o u r
B i c i at S a n M a r c o s . To d o n ate
s u p p o r t , S BB I K E c a n h e l p m a k e
s t a n d s , to ol s , w o rkb e n c h e s ,
S a n M a r c o s Hi g h’s b i k e c l u b d r e a m
s to ra g e e q u i p m e nt , a n d m o r e
c o m e t r u e . M e m b e r s h av e t a k e n
o r to g e t i nv olv e d w ith th e S a n
L e a r n Yo u r B i k e a n d a r e r e a dy
M a r c o s B i k e C l u b D r e a m , c o nt a c t
to k e e p l e a r n i n g , m a i nt a i n th e i r
R a fa e l l R o z e n d o at s h o p @
o w n r i d e s , a n d r e f u rb i s h b i k e s fo r
b i c i c e nt r o .o r g.
Quick Release Winter 2018
A ONCE-I N-A- GE N E R AT ION OP P OR T UN I T Y
Your donation is a 100x return on investment in new bikeways
50,00
SB BIKE
45,000 40,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000
Roll with us to help SBBIKE keep growing access to cycling. Together we’ll cycle up the next hill. Your gift directly enables us to support more cyclists in becoming self-sufficient through DIY repair locations, more young people and adults to learn to ride safely, more low-income riders to access resources, more cycling community and culture to build, and more safe infrastructure to complete our network of cycling routes.
o $100 o $250 o $500 o Other $ Yes! I support cycling! o Credit Card o Check name
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(business)
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address
Signature
city,state,zip phone email
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or donate online: www.sbbike.org Make check payable to the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition PO Box 92047 Santa Barbara, CA 93190-2047
SB BIKE
SANTA BARBARA BICYCLE COALITION
The Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, so donations are tax deductable as allowed by law.
www.SBBIKE.org
11
SB BIKE
SANTA BARBARA BICYCLE COALITION
Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition PO Box 92047 Santa Barbara, CA 93190-2047
all of Fr o m , BBIKE us at S li days! ho ing happy for be u o y nd Thank eam a t r u o f rease par t o us inc oughout g n i p hel thr d ycling c o t so gla s e s r ’ e e c c W a ow u n t y. we gr s a d our co r 0 18 on boa n more in 2 e r ’ u yo eve ccess beyond! a t a h t and