Quick Release Fall 2015 by Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition (SBBIKE)

FAll 2015 • Volume 25 / No. 3

SANTA BARBARA BICYCLE COALITION

Quick Release t e Vo h t e k Bi

CANDIDATES’ QUESTIONNAIRE INSIDE

SB BIKE

SANTA

BARBAR

A BICYCL

E COAL

ITION

BOARD

Practicing safe handling skills on the blacktop at Vieja Valley Elementary. ANDIE BRIDGES

David Hodges, Chair Courtney Dietz, Vice Chair David Bourgeois, Treasurer Byron Beck Robert Caiza David Campbell Sue Carmody Hector Gonzalez John Hygelund Tracey Strobel Mike Vergeer

STAFF Ed France, Executive Director ed@sbbike.org

Letter from the Editor While we still await the crisp, cool air that draws us to snuggle in for fall, the autumn events that help make the Santa Barbara cycling community unique, inclusive, and far-reaching—the SB100, Iluminando la Noche, and Open Streets, to name a few—are just around the corner. Also drawing near is an election. On November 3, three of SB’s districts will elect a city councilmember to the body that guides major decisions about our city— our community. All of this creates a rich tapestry of diverse opportunities to be personally involved in shaping our community. Civic engagement is action derived from a sense of personal responsibility to community. And there are many ways to participate. From volunteerism to event organization, from rallying to address issues or solve problems to electoral participation, civic engagement is what makes a community strong, ensuring it reflects the values and desires of its members and meets their needs. A primary reason I’ve personally been drawn to the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition is that involvement with this organization offers an array of ways to engage civically. This Quick Release highlights many upcoming opportunities. Read an update on the drafting of the Bicycle Master Plan that will determine the design of our city’s bike

Shawn Von Biela, Shop Manager shop@bicicentro.org Howard Booth, Membership Coordinator howard@sbbike.org Joey Juhasz-Lukomski, Operations Manager joey@sbbike.org Eve Sanford, Advocacy Associate eve@sbbike.org

GOVT. LIAISONS & ADVISORS Matt Dobberteen, Advisor County of Santa Barbara matt@cosbpw.net Kent Epperson, Advisor Traffic Solutions kepperson@sbcag.org Teresa Lopes, Advisor City of Goleta tlopes@cityofGoleta.org

routes through 2030, a plan to which many of you have added and can continue to

Amy Steinfeld Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck

add your voice. Hear what candidates in the 2015 District Elections envision for our

ART DIRECTOR

community. Research what these City Council hopefuls have to say about issues that

Cynthia Stahl, info@cynstahl.com

matter to you both in these pages and our Full Candidate Questionnaire online, as well

MANAGING EDITOR

as in other election news sources to make an informed vote. Here, too, is the story of

Holly Starley, editor@sbbike.org

three young adults who have learned not just to ride but the value of volunteerism—a

civic engagement that is now part of their lives—thanks to SBBIKE volunteers. Read about Santa Barbara’s well-loved century race and charity event, the SB100, and its dedication to our community. Find out how to distribute lights to hundreds of economically underserved members of our community, making their rides safer; how to participate in an event that closes a portion of Cabrillo to give people a taste of community on the streets with people-powered transportation; and how to enrich your community simply by donating your used bicycles. My fall challenge to our members – Make a commitment to civically engage in Santa Barbara—to personally help make your community the one you want to live in. Happy participation, Holly Starley 2

Christine Bourgeois, Education Director edu@sbbike.org

Quick Release Fall 2015

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

CONTRIBUTE Your time: www.bicicentro.org/volunteer In-kind: www.bicicentro.org/wishlist Financially: www.bicicentro.org/donate

Thank you, Business Members and Supporters DI A MON D ME MBE R S

P L AT I N UM ME MBE RS

GOLD & C ARBON FI BE R ME MBE R S Marcia Burtt Gallery

T ITA N I UM ME MBE R S

S I LV E R & ALUM I NUM ME MBE R S

ceramics

Rincon Cycle CapCranks Cory Motors BRONZE AND STEEL MEMBERS Bildsten Architecture and Planning The Dirt Club Fastrack Bicycles HelloHarvest Hoffman Architecture

Horny Toad Isla Vista Food Coop Mesa Architects Mesa Business Association Revolution Coaching LLC Premier Business Marketing

REI Tailwinds Bicycle Club of Santa Maria True Nature Landscape Architecture Waynes Pro Bike

www.SBBIKE.org

SBBIKE GROWTH

Meet SBBIKE’s New Advocacy Associate

BBIKE’s newest staff member, Eve Sanford, joined

tested her repair skills. She laughs

the coalition after a long southbound cycle,

recalling a broken spoke at a rare

bringing planning expertise, a zeal for what bicycling

isolated spot—60 miles from the

means to cities, and a commitment to community

nearest town.

involvement in advocacy efforts. Sanford volunteered with the local bike coalition while studying urban

Sanford is stoked about SBBIKE, an

planning, with a transportation focus, at Cal Poly

organization she’d followed in the

Pomona and later worked in planning with the City of Los Angeles.

media. A few months into the job, she’s enjoying

Cycling is part of Sanford’s ethos. “It ties into the quality of life in cities,”

the dynamic work, the energy at the shop, the

she says, her enthusiasm palpable. “Biking for transportation is a solution

hardworking and committed staff, and Executive

to some of the modern issues we’re facing. It’s a way of doing something

Director Ed France’s leadership.

good for the environment while getting to know your community. And it’s fun.” She grins. Sanford remembers the bike that got her into cycling. It was a green,

Sanford hopes to guide SBBIKE in growing “an increasingly unified and widespread presence,”

three-speed, 1970’s cruiser that took her to school and her first job. “That’s

throughout SB County. And she’s dedicated to

when I got serious.” She remembers thinking, I can out-bike the bus. This

ensuring everyone who wants to be a part of

is how I’m going to travel.

cycling infrastructure improvement has the tools

Travel she has. Last October, Sanford cycled out of Vancouver for a solo

to do so—“not just us as an organization but

trip to San Francisco that ended with her getting a ride share to her new

individually. It’s our job,” she explains, “but it’s

home in SB. The trip was “amazing” and didn’t stay solo for long; Sanford

people who live in the area who are the experts.

cycled with many new friends along the coast, often in the rain. It also

And they can be a very impactful resource.”

Hodges Takes the Board Helm by Andie Bridges

ast month, David Hodges became the newest chair of the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition Board of Directors. Hodges’s journey to his

new position began in 2012 at a Santa Barbara High Bike to School event. Hodges, who was working as the school’s assistant principal at the time, was impressed by the competence and energy of the organizers. “I really liked the people

Our two latest and greatest additions to the SBBIKE

who got involved. The students all responded so positively.”

Board of Directors are

He was so impressed that he volunteered to sit on a small chair in the middle of a bike ramp

Strobel. David has been a

as a stunt cyclist flew over him.

lightning rod of support

Hodges’s enthusiasm and hands-on approach garnered the attention of staff and volunteers

for the Bici Centro crew

alike, and he was asked to become a member of the SBBIKE Board of Directors.

and helps the organization

“When Ed France approached me, I was really honored and excited to be a part of SBBIKE.”

David Campbell and Tracey

as a liaison between the shop volunteers and staff

At the time he joined the board, the organization was operating out of the Casa de la Raza

and the board. Tracey

location. Hodges was a part of the move to a permanent home and a surging membership.

comes to us with a strong

“I feel there has been a lot of momentum in the last few years; a lot of good things

background in bicycle

happened in a short period of time.”

shop management,

Now retired, the father of four grown children is excited about putting his energy toward improving biking opportunities for all. “I hope to help make Santa Barbara a really premier cycling city for commuters, for kids on their way to school, and for visitors.”

SBBIKE Welcomes New Board Members

Quick Release Fall 2015

retail management, and a passion for bicycle advocacy.

BMP UPDATE

Equality of Systems Still Absent in BMP Existing Policy, Public Voice Call for Stronger Bicycle Master Plan

n 1997, the city of Santa Barbara incorporated a Circulation Element

the actual physical routes underwent a process

first developed in 1964 into its general plan. One doesn’t need to travel

of elimination—focusing on what city decisions

the city by bike or foot long to know that its goal—to achieve equality

makers don’t want and working goals around

of choice and safety among multiple modes of travel—has not yet been

what had already been set in motion late in

reached. That Circulation Element guided the development of the city’s

the game. A vocal minority of these decision

’98 Bicycle Master Plan (BMP).

makers, it seems, don’t share the goals written

This summer, preparing the 15-year update of the BMP, the city conducted public outreach to ask its constituents’ input. Thousands took a voluntary survey, hundreds gave their evenings to participate in public events, and hundreds gave site-specific input on an interactive website. More than 90 percent of survey takers, among them 50 percent who drive and 30 percent who bike, asked for improved cycling infrastructure

into our general plan and reinforced by the public—raising questions of whether the public’s time was spent in participation or fanfare and whether the circulation goals are more than words. The proof is in the pudding. The new plan has quietly dropped routes from the ’98 plan.

and the closing of network gaps with high-quality class 1 or class 2 lanes

The 2015 BMP has not yet been finalized or

and expressed their dislike for, the inarguably less safe, sharrows (lanes

adopted. “It remains to be seen if our city is serious

shared by bikes and cars). In other words, the public asked for the long-

about improving bicycling or if this has been a

term circulation goal to be met—that all modes of transport are equally

$200,000 public relations campaign,” says Santa

safe and equally accessible.

Barbara Bicycle Coalition Executive Director

The city is close to finalizing the draft of a plan that will guide

Ed France.

infrastructure changes through 2030. And that plan, as edited to date,

SBBIKE hopes the plan will be strengthened by

does not yet pave the way toward meeting that goal. It does not fully

December, when the City Council will see the

reflect what the public asked for. For starters, multiple gaps in the

final draft. Infrastructure that allows people to

network remain unaddressed. A number of key crosstown routes have

choose to get around safely without cars frees

devolved into sharrows—identified as the least supported bikeway

congested streets and parking lots, chips away at

treatment. And the number one problem area residents identified—the

social inequality, improves overall health, reduces

Castillo undercrossing—has been left out entirely. In many ways, it’s as if

pollution, boosts access to and use of local

the suggestions made and vetted by the public process can be taken off

businesses, and attracts new business. Moreover,

the plan all too easily.

city staff and the SB City Council should be guided

An analysis of how this happened could fill pages. For one, the feedback loop between City Council and planners seems bizarre. No votes have been taken, and only off-the-cuff feedback seemed to be enough for a high-quality connector route to the Westside to be quietly taken off the table. This seems to be in reference to a July council session when one of seven (six councilmembers and the mayor) outright opposed the route (stating, “How will I get to South Coast Deli?”), one council positing that we should “close the gaps but not remove a single parking spot,” while the mayor and the remaining four asked for further research into mitigation of trade-offs. This apparently was the “council direction” that removed an element of the ’98 Master Plan and one of the most solicited bikeway improvements by the public. Is a dirty look enough to overturn both the will of the public and our existing policy? Moreover, planners didn’t start with any overarching visions—no goals

by two things: The city committed 15 years ago to creating cycling routes that are equally accessible and equally safe. And the public asked that the goal be met over the next 15.

If you participated in the public outreach process, remind City Council and staff that you want your participation to count. Send letters to PO Box 1990; SB, CA 93102 or e-mail your SB City Councilmember, staff planners, and city engineers.

like boosting cycling or decreasing collision rates, for example. Instead,

www.SBBIKE.org

BIKE THE VOTE AP

d er

District 1

o Eucalyptus Hill Rd

E a st side

ď&#x192;ž S B B I KE d o e s nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; t e n d o r se a sp e cif ic c a n d i d ate . B ut we d o e n d o r se e d u c atin g yo u r se lf a n d votin g .

Lower East

SBBIKE asked D1 candidates: The draf t Bic ycle Master Plan prop oses a bic ycle b oulevard on Alisos Stre et and a bic ycle lane on Cot a St r e et. D o you supp or t these project s?

Cruzito Herrera Cruz:

Jason Dominguez:

Yes to both of

Yes. I attended

Andria Martinez Cohen:

these projects.

the Alisos

Yes. I agree

The bicycle

demonstration. I

that these

boulevard has

converted a long-

two projects fix gaps in the current

complications with the surrounding

time local activist,

network and can attest to the fact

community members and parking.

living on Alisos, a non-biker, into a

that these streets are already being

Complications and problems which

proponent with a simple explanation

used as the preferred crosstown

can be addressed are parking,

of the boulevard plan. She was

routes linking the Eastside to

traffic, and residential circulation.

against it based on misconceptions

Downtown and the Westside.

The bicycle lane will limit parking

that were quickly dispelled with data

Residents I have spoken with on

and/or traffic direction. A proactive

and facts. I have been speaking with

Alisos St. are supportive of the

position can be taken on both

several audiences. Many people

project, and the demonstration

projects in District 1 because [of]

are enthusiastic, though some are

in May was a successful outreach

the lack there of safe-designed-

worried about past designs and

event. By keeping most bike traffic

bikes-lanes/boulevard.

actions, bulb-outs, and fears that

on Cota while vehicle traffic benefits

plan will lengthen commutes.

from more efficient thoroughfares on Haley and Gutierrez Streets, the overall mobility of commuters is improved and safer.

* Continued on sbbike.org How will you work to implement BMP projects in District 1 once the plan is passed?

Quick Release Fall 2015

What other ideas do you have for improving bicycling in Santa Barbara citywide?

BIKE THE VOTE

Eastside

What is Vision Zero? Vision Zero is a multinational movement that aims to achieve roadway systems

SBBIKE asked all candidates: Should Santa Barbara…

with no fatalities or even injuries.

Adopt Vision Zero?

MARTINEZ COHEN: First developed in Sweden in 1994, Vision Zero is guided by the principle that

CRUZ: Yes. [I] would support a

People would ride more if streets

convenience to the users of a city

policy of “Vision Zero”. In supporting

were safer and felt safer. My goal is

or nation’s roadways should never

a Vision Zero policy is critical goal to

to have 25 percent of Santa Barbara

take precedence over human

saving lives via drivers, pedestrians,

commuting, running errands, or

life. I wholeheartedly agree, and

and bicyclists. Our city-roads

participating in recreational cycling.

I support a Vision Zero policy

must be designed to minimize the

SB is nearly the worst city in CA for

that will bring our traffic fatality

ability to make a mistake because

injuries to pedestrians and cyclists

rate down to zero by 2025.

our City’s street infrastructure has

from cars.

San Francisco is one of the first US

limited road designs and making

Cities to adopt Vision Zero, and we

My demographic (men 45+)

the roadways and walkways safer is

are the most common victim of

can learn much from their approach.

a positive position to implement.

serious injuries and fatalities; I am

They are currently working on the

happy to share my insight to help

implementation with five focus

reduce injuries to this group and

areas: engineering, education,

DOMINGUEZ: Yes. I’m for improved

improve SB’s ranking. I was injured

enforcement, evaluation, and

infrastructure, education, and

in SB while bike commuting; trucks

policy to create a transportation

enforcement to save lives, improve

and moving vans were involved. I

system that is safe for all road users,

mental and physical health,

suffered serious injuries and was

for all modes of transportation,

and the environment. Physical

lucky to avoid permanent disability,

in all neighborhoods, and for

barricades, traffic calming, and other

and that experience has made me

people of all ages and abilities.

engineering measures are needed.

committed to safe streets.

Santa Barbara should be a

Continued on sbbike.org

Read candidates’ thoughts on the possibility of a bike share program in Santa Barbara in Full Candidate Questionnaire.

Create more bike corrals? CRUZ: Yes. I would be supportive of

MARTINEZ COHEN: Yes. I bike to

erecting more bike corrals with the

work and shopping when possible,

following stakeholders: community

and more bike parking is needed for

members, and business merchants

the latter. Racks will help to achieve

in designating area [and giving]

25 percent biking rate in SB and

consent and approval.

protect pedestrians and bikes from harm.

leader in this movement, and bring together not only City departments, but MTD, the police department, schools, and the public to make all neighborhoods in the City safer and healthier.

DOMINGUEZ: Yes. As an avid bike rider myself, I am a strong supporter of bike corrals because oftentimes it is hard to find a place to safely lock your bike when there are no options or all the spots are already taken. The examples in front of Handlebar Roasters near Downtown and Figueroa Mountain Brewery in the Funk Zone are working well for the community and Fig Mtn did not have to eliminate any parking. www.SBBIKE.org

BIKE THE VOTE

D i stri ct 2

A lt

a a

T he M e sa

Los Poitas

Modo

SBBIKE asked D2 candidates:

H ow w i l l yo u wo r k to i m p l e m e n t t h e B i c yc l e M a s t e r P l a n p r o j e c t s i n D i s t r i c t 2? Wh at o th e r i d e a s d o yo u h ave f o r i m p r o v i n g b i c yc l i n g i n S a nt a B a r b a r a?

LUIS ESPARZA: The contour of District 2’s coastline is naturally ideal for bike paths that can take users from one end of district to the other. Class 2 lanes feasibility increases with additionally restriping of Cliff Drive and consideration of bicycle use when designing and constructing future roundabouts. Heeding the community’s request for green painting is a cost-effective method to achieve immediate results and mentally reinforces the right of non-vehicles to share our roads for drivers who are increasingly unaware or plainly unsympathetic to said right; while the planning and structural considerations of other methods are pending. Some other ideas for improving bicycling in our city include but are not limited to: a. Instruct SBPD for strict enforcement of driving while distracted (i.e. texting) traffic violations; b. Minimize traffic and driver anxiety in general by working with public and private employers to implement employee “shift-shifting”. For example, many businesses and employees may want to begin their work shift earlier and be done earlier in the day, or conversely, begin the work shift later and work until later in the day; and  c. Increase education, workshops, and outreach concerning overall use of bicycles.

Quick Release Fall 2015

K. MISSY MCSWEENEYZEITSOFF: After council passes the BMP, with my vote, staff will implement it, with Council overseeing the process and the progress. My other bike / pedestrian safety

as pointed out by neighborhood stakeholders. We do have decent connectivity within District 2, but the issue, in my opinion, is more acute in the downtown area. Safe and attractive bicycle travel is important and desirable in a

measures would include more

town that naturally lends itself to

crosswalks, with the blinking lights;

this activity. All types of personal

more education on helmet use and

conveyance must be provided for,

observation of traffic rules; use of

and options to do any of them

green paint in areas of increased

safely and conveniently are the

danger; and, with consultation with

job of planners, law enforcement,

bicycle riders, the possibility of lane

and, ultimately, Council.

divider bumps in some areas. There

It is my hope and vision that the

is currently some uneasy feeling

Bicycle Master Plan helps to lay out

between those who ride bikes and

the best routes for bicycle travel that

those who only drive cars. There

make it clear to cyclists and cars

should be some community meeting

alike which routes are optimum and

to vent and agree to learning to co-

should be expected to be used for

exist on the road, to mutual benefit.

bike travel. The implementation

I am trained in mediation. I lived in

should be phased in triage-like

Malibu for 28 years, so I understand

fashion, wherein the color coding of

this controversial subject. I was on

bike lanes could be accomplished

the first Council.

first and likely within our current budget. Education would be the job of the Bicycle Coalition, along with

RANDY ROWSE: One issue

law enforcement, hopefully starting

in the works is the potential class 1 bike lane on Las Positas, its connection to the new roundabout, and the enhancement of the Modoc bikeways, with connectivity to UCSB. As stated in answer #4 [see Full Candidate Questionnaire at sbbike. org], the draft Bicycle Master Plan is not ready for implementation,

in the schools. Law enforcement, in the form of bike patrols and motorcycle police, should conduct regular crossing ‘sting’ operations that ticket errant motorists as well as cycling scofflaws. The phased-in approach should yield the greatest benefit in the shortest time span.

BIKE THE VOTE

The Mesa

Continued on sbbike.org

Read candidates’ thoughts on proposed routes on the Mesa and the possibility of a bike share program in Santa Barbara in Full Candidate Questionnaire.

SBBIKE asked all candidates: Should Santa Barbara…

Adopt Vision Zero?

trouble in getting buy-in from their citizens for policy changes, unlike out here in the Wild West. I

ESPARZA: Yes. The stated goal of

McSWEENEY-ZEITSOFF: Yes. Vision

supported the initial study stipend

reducing fatalities and injuries is

Zero is both sensible and workable.

in order that the new program wouldn’t be either rejected out of

laudable and deserving of local government support and assistance, although the platform available online lacks detailed suggestions. Additional crosswalks are needed at problematic intersections, existing crosswalks require enhancement to be more like the one at Meigs Road and Red Rose Way, and traffic signal timing can be slightly adjusted to better prevent collision possibility. A PR or media campaign would help counteract the increased aggressiveness and distractions of modern life.

hand or adopted blindly with the ROWSE: Of course, the goal of

predictable stakeholder blowback

zero fatalities for bicyclists and

and wasteful expenditure of tax

pedestrians is desirable. This

dollars. I believe that education

concept, “Vision Zero” was adopted

and enhanced enforcement

by the Swedish government in

for both drivers and cyclists/

1997 and has been met with great

pedestrians would go a lot further

statistical success. I lived in Sweden

and be more readily achievable for

for a time and am familiar with the

implementation than wholesale

culture, traffic systems, and the

engineering changes. In short, my

ability for the people to adapt to

idea of “Vision Zero” would be

change. (Right-hand driving started

tailored specifically to our town and

one day in 1967, and no fatalities

conditions rather than a template

occurred.) The reason I mention

that works in other cities and

this is that the Swedes have little

cultures. Let’s have that discussion.



Create more bike corrals?

S B B I K E d o e s n’ t e n d o r s e a s p e c if i c

c a n d i d ate . B ut we d o e n d o r se e d u c ati n g yo u r s e lf a n d voti n g .

ESPARZA: Yes. The current bike

ROWSE: Yes. I worked with the

corral on Canon Perdido Street is

Downtown Parking Committee

usually full and exhibits the need

when the first bike corral was

and desire of the community

installed on Canon Perdido. It

SB’s first downtown bike corral

for me. Creating the corrals in

worked there because of the chronic

city and private parking lots may

Read about the bike corral

misuse of the sidewalks for bike

minimize objections by merchants

installed on Canon Perdido and

storage in that location. It is very site

and neighbors concerning loss of

future sites being considered in

specific. As we evolve our traffic and

street vehicle parking.

“Corralling Momentum.”

circulation policies for areas like the Funk Zone, the Victoria/State area

McSWEENEY-ZEITSOFF: Yes.

and Milpas, we should have those

to intersection turning lanes are part

Removing 10 to 20 cars for the loss

discussions on a case-by-case basis.

of the public domain and not to be

of 1 parking space is a good idea.

It is important to bear in mind that

parceled out to narrow number of

the parking inventory and proximity

interests in the proximity. www.SBBIKE.org

BIKE THE VOTE

District 3

S 10 1

R o .

SBBIKE asked D3 candidates:

at e

na Vi

West side m a

Two g o a l s of th e d r af t B i c yc l e M a s te r P l a n a r e (a) to e s t a b l i s h a s tr o n g b i c yc l e r o ute f r o m th e We s t s i d e to D ow ntow n a n d

lt a D r.

(b) to e s t a b l i s h a s tr o n g b i c yc l e r o ute th at co n n e c t s th e N o r th a n d S o uth s i d e s of th e We s t s i d e . D o yo u s u p p o r t o r h ave i d e a s f o r th e s e p r o j e c t s?

SHARON BYRNE: I need

CRISTINA CARDOSO:

CATHY MURILLO: Yes. I

to study this in

Yes, I strongly

have always known

more detail. The

support both

that speeding,

WS to DT route

projects.

traffic congestion,

seems achievable, as I understand

Many of our

and scarcity of

it. The north and south routes

residents depend on bicycles

parking are issues for the Westside

proposal is encountering very stiff

for transportation both from

neighborhoods (the most dense in

opposition from WS neighbors

economic reasons and because

the City). But now that I am going

on Chino and San Andres. There

of the lack of parking.

door-to-door and speaking to

IS a great N-S route on Castillo

my neighbors about their specific

and Bath, and I use that heavily.

streets, I am painfully aware how the very quality of their lives are

Continued on sbbike.org How will you work to implement BMP projects in District 3 once the plan is passed?

impacted by “too many cars” and the need for bicycle accommodation. I support improving both the Westside-to-Downtown and North-South connectivity. I have heard much support for making Chino Street a Bike Boulevard. Also, I must take credit for initiating the update of the Bicycle Master Plan – in collaboration with members of the Transportation and Circulation Committee. There are so many

What other ideas do you have for improving bicycling in Santa Barbara citywide?

benefits to encouraging residents to use bicycles as transportation: better physical health, reduction of carbon emissions, creating more space on the roads for people who must use their cars.

Quick Release Fall 2015

BIKE THE VOTE

Westside



S B B I KE d o e s n’ t e n d o r se a sp e cif ic c a n d i d ate . B ut we d o e n d o r se e d u c atin g yo u r se lf a n d votin g .

SBBIKE asked all candidates: Should Santa Barbara…

Adopt Vision Zero? BYRNE: Yes. If you don’t know

CARDOSO: Yes. I strongly support

MURILLO: Yes. Helping the public

where you’re going, you’ll never

Vision Zero. I do not agree that

get from one place to another—

get there, so setting a goal for zero

achievement of zero deaths should

safely and with minimal impact

fatalities or serious injuries is a

require 10 years.

to the environment—has always

great target and gets the collective

been a priority in my public service.

consciousness moving towards

Vision Zero has a simple message

achieving it. I also got the Milpas

and goal: Here are the numbers of

Community Association to endorse

people hurt or killed on our streets;

adopting Vision Zero here.

let’s reduce those numbers. At the Council hearing in May, decision makers could support the proposal

More thoughts on bike shares Read a classic article by Ralph Fertig in the spring 2015 QR, page 5.

with ease. I’m committed to the City adopting the best practices proven to work elsewhere to increase both safety and circulation for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. Santa Barbara should be second to none.

Create more bike corrals?

BYRNE: Yes. There is already

MURILLO: Yes. Support from local

interest in doing this at places

businesses and residents is key, as

like the Shop Café on Milpas, and

they know best what serves their

I’ve pushed for it where there’s

needs, in terms of commerce,

interest. We need to be careful in

traffic, and livability. Bike corrals

planning the locations, as some

are a solid investment for the City

merchants will protest any loss

as they will help increase business

of parking, especially if they only

profits from both new and existing

have one or two on-street spaces.

customers, as well as reduce traffic and parking congestion. A bonus is

CARDOSO: Yes. Bicycle[s] will be used more if owners have a safe place to secure them.

that pedestrians have more sidewalk space because the bicycles are on the street.

Continued on sbbike.org Read candidates’ thoughts on the possibility of a bike share program in Santa Barbara in Full Candidate Questionnaire.

www.SBBIKE.org

EDUCATION

Trio of Young Adults Learns to Ride SBBIKE hosted a weeklong summer camp for three students of paraeducator Kayln Noe, who worked with them first at Santa Barbara High and now at WIN, a transition program at Santa Barbara City College. Noe and her students are grateful for SBBIKE/Bici Centro’s support, bikes, helmets, expertise, and volunteers, and especially for League Certified Instructor Hector Gonzales, who Noe calls “the main engine in this project.”

“I Did It! I Really Did It!” by Kayln Noe

“H

o w’s our speed?” I ask over my shoulder.

“Good. They’re close behind us,” Ally answers after she turns to look over her own shoulder. “We could even go faster,” she hints, adding that pedestrians should be more careful before stepping across the bike path. It’s only our fourth day of biking, and Ally’s already thinking like a real bicyclist. Just four days ago, her only bike experience was from her childhood training wheel days. Now we’re heading to Bici Centro after a successful kayaking outing.

Johnny Scott-Bartz and LCI/SBBIKE board member Hector Gonzalez enjoy a summer ride.

Behind us riding tandem are Johnny and TJ, along with solo riders Alejandro and Hector. Ally, Johnny, and Alejandro shared the desire to learn how to ride a bike. One obstacle that prevented these students from learning earlier is the need for modifications and less traditional approaches to both bikes and instruction – which SBBIKE provided. For any teenager or adult, working on a skill many of their peers accomplished during childhood is courageous. These three young adults had varied goals for our week, but all aimed for greater selfconfidence, a sense of independence, and a new experience. Alejandro, who started at SBCC this fall and wants commute to campus, prepared for our week of biking with Bici Centro’s Biking 101 and Saturday Street Skills series. Ally’s phobia of biking is gone. During the week, she’s ridden three different types of bikes. Her “I did it! I really did it! I rode a bike!” helps us remember the excitement of that feeling and

Since camp, Alejandro Coss and Ally Hoerl have been volunteering at Bici Centro on Tuesdays, an activity they plan to continue.

why we want to share it. For Ally and I, being able to ride the Extracycle opens up a whole new world. We’ll be borrowing it from Bici Centro’s bike library to accomplish our daily activities. And getting to the harbor to do Ally’s favorite activity, kayaking, will now be a breeze. By Friday, all three students are biking like they’ve been doing this for years. Behind Hector on the tandem, Johnny is smiling and laughing like he was just told a hilarious joke. Alejandro is asking when he can practice biking next week. A look of sheer satisfaction on her face – she just rode a solo bike without training wheels – Ally takes out her phone to text photos to her mom and aunt, too excited to wait. Rather than an end, this is really just the beginning of these students’ “biking lives,” and I’m excited to see where it takes them.

Quick Release Fall 2015

Ally Hoerl and Kayln Noe cruise on the Extracycle from the Bici Centro bike library.

FEATURE

100 Miles for $100 K Cyclists Climb Gibraltar, SB100 Climbs New Heights for Local Charities

hat’s better than biking 100 miles of coastal Santa

expenses for children whose families are unable to fully pay for their

Barbara? Knowing that your doing so means big

health care; Emory Foundation, which supports grieving families

donations for local nonprofits.

and funds an annual scholarship for local nurses specializing

The Santa Barbara 100, formerly the Santa Barbara

in pediatrics or neonatal care, and the Andrew Popp Memorial

Century, is the only not-for-profit athletics event in the

Scholarship Program, which assists in educating students from the

city. The October 17, 2015, race will be its sixth year,

slums of Uganda and Kenya.

and the SB100 board has upped its game. While it made $52,000 for its beneficiaries—local charities—last year and $200,000 over the past five, organizers have set their sights on $100,000 this year. The many changes, all geared to meeting that goal, include a new logo to go with the new name, upgrades for the onsite event, and raising entry fees to market value. After event costs, all the money raised (read your fees) will go to the organizations that are the event’s beneficiaries. No salaries are paid. No event production company is hired to organize the race. What that means is people volunteering their time and expertise. “We are an all-volunteer

“It’s crucial for an event to back up our community’s ecological commitment on any level. We can stop watering our lawns, we can drive electric vehicles, we can preserve our environment, but we have to invest in our youth, and we have to invest in our established organizations that pave the way for more bike lanes, outreach to disadvantaged youth, and provide meaningful solutions to our local problems.”

board,” says Marketing and Sponsorship

—Tricia Middleton, SB100

Director Tricia Middleton. “It’s unique, in

“It’s crucial for an event to back up our community’s ecological commitment on any level,” Middleton says. “We can stop watering our lawns, we can drive electric vehicles, we can preserve our environment, but we have to invest in our youth, and we have to invest in our established organizations that pave the way for more bike lanes, outreach to disadvantaged youth, and provide meaningful solutions to our local problems.” Another way SB100 invests in youth is by waiving fees for its local youth cycling programs—the Echelon Junior Cycling Team and the newly created Riviera Youth Bike Team, which aims “to create a longterm positive impact on the health and

that all of our efforts directly support charities. … It’s why

fitness of ‘at-risk’ children by developing and fostering a connection

the event was created six years ago, to help others.”

to cycling.” Middleton can’t wait for the day of the event “when we

That means, she says, “Investment in this event pays huge

can recognize the fastest climbers in the Gibraltar Challenge awards

dividends.” The event’s beneficiaries can attest. The Santa

but also recognize our local youth for their great accomplishments.”

Barbara Bicycle Coalition (SBBIKE) received $21,000 last year, bringing the total of support the coalition has received from the race to $100,000. The coalition’s growth owes much to this support says SBBIKE Executive Director Ed France. “Youth bicycle education as we’ve

The SB100 is recognized nationally for its beauty and challenge. Its three courses included the 100-miler, with 9,000 feet of climbing (including the 7-mile time trial up Gibraltar Road); the 100-kilometer; and the 34-mile course. Says OutsideOnline.com

grown it, for example, wouldn’t have been possible

of the first course, “[it] will hurt more than a little…. But it’s all kinds

without this generous, ongoing support,” he notes.

of Southern California magic.”

Other recipients of SB100 2015 will be Cottage Children’s

Want to be a part of the magic? Register online as soon as spots

Medical Center, where the support will help cover

are available. Or sign up to volunteer alongside SBBIKE. www.SBBIKE.org

des

Vieja Valley Ri

Vote in November District Elections In November, Santa Barbara will hold its first District Election. Voters whose home addresses are in Districts 1, 2, and 3 (see maps, pgs. 6, 8, and, 10) will vote in the councilmember who will serve their district. (Voters in the remaining districts will be voting in the next election.)

Oct. 5.

Ballots are mailed to registered voters in D 1, 2, and 3

Vieja Valley Elementary students cycle

Oct. 19

Deadline to register to vote

along a route many use to get to and

Nov. 3.

Election day! (Ballots must be postmarked or dropped off by this date.)

from school. They’re ending a Bici Familia event held at the beginning of the school year, where students and parents learned about safety on the road and practiced safe handling skills

Register By mail. Request your voter registration card online or by calling 800-722-8683. Mailed cards must be received by (not postmarked on) Oct. 19. Online at registertovote.ca.gov until midnight on Oct. 19

on the blacktop. The event was part of a response by school administration,

Vote

SBBIKE, and COAST to a collision

Mail your ballot to PO Box 61510 SB, CA 93160.

involving two students on bikes en route

Drop off your ballot, from 7 am to 8 pm Nov. 3, to:

to school in the spring (both received

District 1 – Franklin Neighborhood Center

slight injuries and are okay now). Read more about the event in “Vieja Valley Elementary Hosts Successful Family Bike Night” by Andie Bridges at sbbike.org. Photo by JOHN ROUSSEAU.

(1136 E. Montecito St.) District 2 – Holy Cross Catholic Church (1740 Cliff Dr.) District 3 – Calvary Baptist Church, Sizer Hall (736 W. Islay St.) All districts – City Hall, lobby (735 Anacapa St.) Additional times for this location are Oct. 27–30, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm; Oct 31, 8 am to 5 pm; Nov. 2, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm

WA N T E D Description: Old clunkers collecting dust. Dilapidated bikes. Bike stuff. Last sene: Your garage Alias: Your used bikes.

Volunteer with SB Open Streets It’s almost here! The third annual Open Streets is coming to Santa Barbara on October 24. Want to volunteer with the event where designated streets are transformed into a free, safe, and family-friendly

Contact: Bici Centro (Wed–Fri, 12–7 pm, and Sat, 12–5 pm) at 434 Olive St. Your Reward: A tax-deductible donation receipt and the knowledge your donation is going toward making Santa Barbara a better place to bike for everyone! 14

Quick Release Fall 2015

recreation and fitness zone? Go to sbopenstreets.org/volunteer and click on the “sign up genius” link.

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Coordinated by:

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