Quickrelease Spring 2015

Spring 2015 • Volume 25 / No. 1

SANTA BARBARA BICYCLE COALITION

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BOARD

Our Vision

safe and respectful road behaviors from both motorists and cyclists. Widespread

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

community and political support for bicycling is in place. By 2040, because it is a

STAFF

cycling-centered county, Santa Barbara is both a great place to live and work and a

Ed France, Executive Director ed@sbbike.org

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

nationally acclaimed cycling destination, boasting a year-round calendar of successful, fun, and inclusive events.

Letter from the Editor The Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition is ever engaged in an array of efforts, and over the years, SBBIKE has set and reached a lot of goals. But when it comes down to it, I believe the coalition’s aim can be pared down to one thing—accessibility. SBBIKE strives to make cycling—inarguably a tremendous equalizer and historically a literal path to freedom for many—available to all.

Susan B. Anthony said, “The bicycle has done more for the emancipation of women than anything else in the world.” And right now, women in Afghanistan, who are cycling (at great personal risk) as an assertion of long withheld rights, are realizing that. (Read how Santa Barbara Middle School students are getting involved in this movement on SBBIKE’s website.)

Remember when you were a kid first learning about how government works? For many of us, phrases like “government for the people and by the people,” filled us with ideas of fairness and equality and a desire to participate. Local governments are currently asking all of us who live in Santa Barbara County what we want the future of

Christine Bourgeois, Education Director edu@sbbike.org Shawn Von Biela, Shop Manager shop@bicicentro.org Howard Booth, Membership Coordinator howard@sbbike.org Joey Juhasz-Lukomski, Volunteer Coordinator joey@sbbike.org Sam Franklin, Avocacy Coordinator sam@sbbike.org

GOVT. LIAISONS & ADVISORS Matt Dobberteen, Advisor County of Santa Barbara mattdobberteen@gmail.com Kent Epperson, Advisor Traffic Solutions kepperson@sbcag.org

walking infrastructure.

Teresa Lopes, Advisor City of Goleta tlopes@cityofGoleta.org

Here in this issue of the QR, SBBIKE lays out efforts to ensure a wider group can

Amy Steinfeld Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck

our roadways and transportation systems to look like when it comes to bicycling and

participate in—and how your voice can be a part of—the conversation that will shape long-term decisions for our entire community. Here is a glimpse at why the coalition’s campaign to Connect Our Communities, making every corner of our county accessible to cyclists and pedestrians, is stronger than ever at the beginning of year two. Here, you’ll find the coalition’s efforts to seek ever new ways of strengthening our community through the benefits of that accessibility—congestion reduction, safer roads, and increased access to local businesses, to name a few. You’ll share in a heartwarming story on the gift of access—to bikes and skills—to the next generation of cyclists, those who will continue the journey to broaden access into the future.

You’ll hear the voice of one such youth, whose trip to Seattle showed him the power of advocacy in action. You’ll learn about one of Bici’s mechanic’s plans to help women access mechanical skills and confidence. And you’ll find SBBIKE’s volunteer coordinator’s take on what volunteering gives you access to.

Now’s the time. Participate. Be heard. Join the community.

Your fellow participant, Holly Starley COVER PHOTO –Based on Shout it from the rooftop by CHRISTINE BOURGEOIS

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Quick Release Spring 2015

Ralph Fertig, President Emeritus (in memoriam)

ART DIRECTOR Cynthia Stahl, info@cynstahl.com

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: 805-617-3255

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

Rincon Cycle BRONZE AND STEEL MEMBERS Bildsten Architecture and Planning The Dirt Club Ebike Santa Barbara HelloHarvest Hoffman Architecture Horny Toad

Kendrick Consulting Mesa Architects Mesa Business Association Revolution Coaching LLC Pacific Pedalers/ Santa Barbara Pedicab Pedal Born Pictures Pedal Power Bicycles

CapCranks

Premier Business Marketing Race Corps REI Service Objects True Nature Landscape Architecture We Bike Electric Waynes Pro Bike

www.SBBIKE.org

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ADVOCACY

The Pivotal Year extent of new bicycling and walking infrastructure for the next fifteen years.

France is enthusiastic about that. “Together we are stronger than we’ve ever been and at perhaps the most opportune time in our history,” he said.

“Let’s complete our coastal route …. We can realize a safe, accessible, and connected bike network for the South Coast. Now is our chance.”

Burke noted that cycling addresses current global issues—congestion, environmental concerns, and health problems—and expressed approval of 2014’s achievements. Says France, “It’s so valuable to have national leaders like the Burkes here in our John Burke, president of Trek Bicycle Corporation, speaks to a crowd gathered in his home to raise funds for SBBIKE’s Connecting Our Community campaign.

Connect Kicks Off Year Two with a Bang

“

community to remind us how much opportunity we have and how we’re already one of the best communities in the world.”

T his year will prove to be the pivotal year for bicycling and quality of

France honored SBBIKE founder and president

life in Santa Barbara County,” said Ed France, SBBIKE executive director.

emeritus, Ralph Fertig, who passed away last year.

France was addressing a group gathered at the home of John Burke,

“Bike infrastructure throughout this county that

Trek Bicycle Corporation president, for a fundraiser that netted $18,040

we rely on has Ralph’s stamp on it,” he said. “Ralph

in a single night, bringing the coalition’s Connecting Our Community

knew that we needed a robust bicycle coalition in

(Connect) campaign to 77 percent of its 2015 budget.

order to advocate for change, and he dedicated 20 years of his life to our cause. What will our

When France says 2015 is a pivotal year, he’s encompassing not just the

legacy be?” he asked.

successes Connect saw during its kickoff year in 2014 (and there were a lot), not just the “game-changing projects” already on board for this

Learn about the status of SB’s BMPs and how to

year, and not just the enthusiasm made clear by the February fundraiser.

be voice in informing them on pages 6 and 7.

He’s referring to a rare moment in the county’s history. Santa Barbara is updating its Bike Master Plans (BMPs), setting in motion the types and

2 01 4 A c h i e v e m e n t Hi ghl i gh t s

2015 P roje ct s in the Work s

|| $ 13 m i l l i o n i n o u t- of -

|| Complete network gaps

co unt y g r ant s || F ir s t Green Lan e s / B u f fe re d Bike Lanes || New o n- s t reet b i ke p a r k i n g || Three m i l es of c oa s ta l ro u te on t he o cea n— t h e R i n c o n Bikeway

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Quick Release Spring 2015

|| Inform / fund 2015 BMPs || Consider a bike share program || Get new protected bikeways / bicycle boulevards

G et Involve d || Be h e ard ! At t end su m m it s / t ake s ur veys || En c ou rage ot her s to voic e t h e ir opi ni o ns || Don at e t o Connect at b ic ic e n t ro.org/do nate || L e arn h ow c y cl i ng/ walk in g infrastr ucture b e n e fit s all ro a d user s

ADVOCACY

Bike Share for the South Coast?

I

magine a fleet of bicycles, available for your

After noting the design of Vélib’s custom-built bikes, Fertig pointed

downtown transportation needs—stimulating

to other city’s with successful bike shares, including Stockholm,

business, decreasing congestion, and increasing

Vienna, Brussels, Barcelona, Córdoba, and Copenhagen. US cities,

mobility. That’s exactly what many envision as a bike

he said, were “paying attention and moving to adapt the new secure

share program for the South Coast. Such a program

European technology,” noting efforts in Washington, DC; Portland,

might seem redundant to daily commuters, their

Oregon; Chicago; New York; and San Francisco. He asked:

fine-tuned workhorse bikes ever at hand. But most of the population interested in cycling isn’t comprised of

So why not our South Coast? Carpinteria Beach campers could

daily commuters. What about downtown employees

bike into town. University of California students could bike to the

or visitors who would like to increase their geographic

Airport, Amtrak station, or Marketplace. Downtown Santa Barbara

range to shop or go to meetings?

workers could pedal to restaurants for lunch, and tourists could go from hotels to local destinations.

We thought we’d wonder aloud—just as Ralph Fertig did eight years ago following the launch

How would it be paid for? European cities are trading space on

of Paris’s Vélib’—about a bike share program for

billboards for bikes. Here, we could sell kiosk or bike advertising

the South Coast. Here, in part, is Fertig’s well-

space. We might enter into agreements with major employers.

articulated take on this longstanding vision from the August 2007 Quick Release: The day after their July 14 Bastille Day, Parisians woke

Much has changed in eight years. Proven programs are now in place in large to mid-size cities—even cities smaller than Santa Barbara—throughout the United States. Support for bicycling in

up to find 10,600 bicycles available at 750 stations

SB has blossomed, and multiple employers now offer private bike

for their use. The public-private initiative was crafted

fleets. Could now be the time for us to finally realize such a step for

by Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoë to propel the city

our fair city? What do you think? (To read Fertig’s article in full, visit

toward a greener future.

http://www.sbbike.org/QR/2007/0708/0708.html#100.)

The question for us is how much would the South Coast—or just the City of Santa Barbara—benefit from a similar program? Judging from the success of recent programs in Europe, it would reduce traffic congestion, cut pollution, promote fitness, and be a popular means of travel for residents and visitors alike.

E BIK B S

Has a New Num be r

Throughout Paris there are Vélib’ (meaning vélo liberté) stations every 300 yards. During the first week of operation, there were 45,000 rentals a day.

Each station has an electronic vending kiosk with instructions in eight languages. Using your credit card at the kiosk, you get a bike card to swipe over one of the waiting bicycles to release it. Vélib’ maintenance workers redistribute bikes to meet demand. As bikes are returned, diagnostic software automatically checks tire pressure, lights, and brakes; if a bike fails the tests, it is locked out of service and a mechanic is directed to it.

SBBIKE is proud to announce its new phone number (separate from Bici Centro’s, which remains the same). And the number is …

805-854-8955.

www.SBBIKE.org

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F irst Ever Spani sh Su mmit s

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What Do You Want Your Roadways to Look Like? Weigh In

h a s d o n e th i s i n S a nt a B a rb a r a ,” n ote s

by S B CAG B o ard th i s s u m m e r z z Now – Publ i c i n p u t p ro c e s s (M a rc h wo r ks ho ps hel d i n Sa n ta M a r i a , Sa nt a B a r ba r a ; on g oi n g o u tre a c h effo r t s wi t h reg i o n ’ s a d vo c a c y gro ups ) z z Ne xt – I nco r po r ati on of p u b li c

Pete r B row n , m o b il it y c o o rd i n ato r w ith th e C it y o f S a nt a B a rb a r a P u b l i c Wo rk s . In th e p a s t , B row n e x p l a i n s , m e et i n g s c o n d u c te d i n E n g l i s h h ave b e e n m a d e av a il a b l e to S p a n i s h s p e a ke r s b y w ay o f i nte r p rete r s a n d h e a d s et s . “ It ’s a l m o s t l i ke th ey ’re a l it tl e b it s e p a r ate f ro m th e m e et i n g ,” h e s ay s . T h e c it y w a nt s to e n s u re e ve r yo n e i n th e c o m m u n it y i s w el c o m e a n d c o m fo r t a b l e to p a r t i c i p ate i n a p ro c e s s th at w il l s h a p e b i k i n g a n d w a l k i n g i n f r a s t r u c t u re fo r ye a r s to c o m e . Fo o d a n d d ayc a re w il l b e p rov i d e d at b oth s u m m it s , o n e i n th e m o r n i n g a n d o n e i n th e a f te r n o o n .

S e e d et a il s b el ow.

S a nt a B a r b a r a’s j u r i s d i c ti o n s w a nt to k n ow w h at yo u w a nt . H e r e ’s a n u p d ate o n t h e p l a n s’ s t atu s e s a n d h ow to i n fo r m t h e m:

z z Goal – A do pt i o n of re g i on ’ s B P M P

w il l b e c o n d u c te d i n S p a n i s h . “ T h i s

i s th e f i r s t t i m e a ny g ove r n m e nt a g e n c y

E a c h of S a nt a B a r b a r a C o u nt y ’s f i ve j u r i s d i c ti o n s i s wo r k i n g o n a n e w B i ke a n d Pe d e s t r i a n M a s te r P l a n ( B PM P) (o r, i n t h e c a s e s of t h e Ci t y a n d C o u nt y of S a nt a B a r b a r a , a B M P), w h i c h w i l l s h a p e c yc l i n g a n d w a l k i n g i n f r a s t r u c tu r e fo r t h e i m m e d i ate f u tu r e a n d b eyo n d . P r e p a r i n g t h e p l a n s i n c l u d e s a n u m b e r of s t a g e s . P h a s e o n e , R FP (r e q u e s t fo r p r o p o s a l ) e n a b l e s t h e h i r i n g of a co n s u lti n g f i r m to co n d u c t p h a s e t wo, a p u b l i c i n p u t p r o ce s s , d u r i n g w h i c h s u r ve y s , fo c u s g ro u p s , s u m m i t s , a n d t h e l i ke a s k w h at t h e co m m u n i t y w a nt s . N e x t , a p l a n i s d r af te d a n d t h e n c i r c u l ate d fo r p u b l i c co m m e nt . T h e n co m e s of f i c i a l a d o p ti o n of t h e p l a n a n d , f i n a l l y, i m p l e m e nt ati o n .

S B Co u n t y A s s o c i at io n o f Governments

n M ay 16 , t wo n e i g h b o rh o o d m e et i n g s

Help Shape t Cit y o f G ol e t a z z Goal – Comp le t ion of BPM P b y 2 016 z z History – Award e d $ 2 03,4 15 De p art m e n t of Con se rvat ion S u st ain ab le Commu n it ie s Gran t t o t h at e n d in 2 014 z z Now – F in alizat ion of R F P, h irin g of c on su lt in g firm t h is mon t h z z Next – L au n c h of p u b lic in p u t

co m m ent s , co m p le t i o n of a d raf t

p roc e ss, Ju ly (foc u s grou p s,

pla n fo r rev i ew b y th e p ro j e c t’ s

su rve y s, an d t h e like T BA )

adv i s o r y co m m i t te e , p ro vi d i n g b a s e

z z Weigh in – Part ic ip at e in su rve y s,

Cit y o f S a n t a B a rb a ra z z Goal – C o mpl eti o n of BMP b y fall 201 5 z z Now – La unch of publ i c in p u t p ro ces s, Apr i l a nd

eli g i bi l i t y fo r A c ti ve Tr a n s p o r t at i o n

p u b lic worksh op s t h is su m m e r.

M ay (summi t meeti ngs ,

Pro g r am g r ant f u n d i n g

Q u e st ion s/c om m e n t s: Jam e s

st ake h ol der ro a ds ho w s,

Win slow, p roje c t man age r

su rve y s, i nter a cti ve po p-up

Mi chael B ecker (m b e c ke r@ s b c a g .

(jwinslow@c ity of go le ta.o rg /

e ve n t – bi ke bo ul eva rd fo r

org / 8 05 - 961-8 9 1 2)

805 -9 6 1-7 5 00)

a d ay on Al i s o s nea r Mi l pa s

z z We igh in – Q u e s t i o n s / c om m e n ts :

T BA ) z z Next – C o mpi l ati o n of c om m uni ty i nput

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Quick Release Spring 2015

“Now Is the T ime”

I t .” T h e y we re f ro m a g e s 1 3 –1 7, a n d p a r t i ci p ate d i n

b y L a m o nt S t i f f, 8 th g ra d e S B M S

f re e t i m e , t h e te e n s co l le c te d d at a f ro m b i c ycl i s t s to

H

e l l o! My n a m e i s L a m o nt , a n d my s e lf a n d e i g ht ot h e r S a nt a

B a r b a r a M i d d l e S ch o o l s t u d e nt s re ce nt l y we nt to t h e Yo u t h B i ke

e ve nt s t h at n ot e ve n m o s t a d u lt s wo u l d d o. I n t h e i r re s e a rch w h e re t h e b e s t l o c at i o n fo r n e w b i ke l a n e s wo u l d b e , a n d t h e n t h e y we nt i n f ro nt of t h e S a nt a A n a Cit y Co u n ci l to s p e a k a b o u t a d d i n g t h e s e b i ke l a n e s to t h e Cit y ’s M a s te r P l a n .

S u m m it i n S e at t le . T h e Co n fe re n ce

T h e Co u n ci l ke pt p u s h i n g p u b l i c co m m e nt s b a ck

w a s a l l a b o u t e m p owe r i n g t h e yo u t h

f u r t h e r a n d f u r t h e r, s o t h e “ B i ke I t ” k i d s d e ci d e d to

to b e co m e le a d e r s , a n d t h e b i c ycl e

p rote s t by g et t i n g f l owe r s a n d p u t t i n g t h e m e s s a g e:

w a s u s e d a s a to o l to h e l p u s d o t h at . Pe o p le , yo u n g

“ We w a nt to b e h e a rd ” o n e a ch f l owe r. A f te r a l l of

a n d o l d , f ro m N ew Yo r k , P h i l a d e l p h i a , Ch i c a g o, a n d

t h i s , B i ke I t a n d t h e cit y of S a nt a A n a s u cce s s f u l l y g ot

s eve r a l ot h e r p l a ce s c a m e to g et h e r at t h e S u m m it

t h re e b i ke l a n e s i m p le m e nte d i nto t h e M a s te r P l a n .

to co l l a b o r ate a n d d eve l o p n e w i d e a s a ro u n d t h e t h e m e of c ycl i n g a n d s u s t a i n a b le h a b it s .

T h i s i s j u s t o n e of t h e d oze n s of s to r i e s I h e a rd at t h e Yo u t h B i ke S u m m it . I ch o s e to te l l t h i s

T h e Yo ut h B i ke S u m m it h e l p e d u s m a ke n e w f r i e n d s

p a r t i cu l a r s to r y, t h o u g h , b e c a u s e cu r re nt l y

a n d n ew co n n e c t i o n s by u s i n g t h e p owe r of t h e

S a nt a B a r b a r a i s u p d at i n g it s B i ke M a s te r

b i c ycle . We e a ch at te n d e d v a r i o u s wo r k s h o p s b a s e d

P l a n , a n d i s l o o k i n g fo r p u b l i c i n p u t! I f yo u

o n o u r ow n i nte re s t s . Fo r i n s t a n ce , I at te n d e d t h e

w a nt to m a ke a ch a n g e i n o u r g row i n g b i c ycl e

p re s e nt at i o n f ro m a S a nt a A n a g ro u p n a m e d “ B i ke

co m m u n it y i n S a nt a B a r b a r a , n ow i s t h e t i m e!

the Future Weigh In Participate in summits (Spanish) May 16, 10am–2pm, Franklin Elementary or 2–4pm, Harding Elementary; (English) May 18, 6–8pm Peabody Elementary; May 19, 6–8pm Faulkner Gallery at SB Public Library; May 20, 6–8pm Washington Elementary Take the survey online (Spanish) www.ciclismosb.org (English) www.sbsurvey.org Get a hard copy and mail it in or hand it to any elected official.

Schedule a stakeholder roadshow Check out the pop-up event – bike boulevard for a day, TBA Like or comment on the Facebook page – www.facebook.com/BMPSB Questions/comments: Peter Brown (pbrown@santabarbaraca.gov); www.santabarbaraca.gov/BMP

Ci t y o f C a r p i n t e r i a z z Goal – A d op t ion of BPM P b y Cit y Cou n ci l thi s yea r z z N ow – Pu b lic in p u t p roc e ss (p u b lic worksho p TBA; on goin g ou t re ac h e ffort s wit h ad voc ac y g ro ups ) z z N e xt – Circ u lat ion of p re limin ary d raft repo r t to ad voc ac y grou p s for p u b lic c omme n t s, a i mi ng fo r c om p le t e d p ac kage b y e n d 2 015, p rovidi ng ba se e ligib ilit y for A c t ive Tran sp ort at ion Progr a m g r a nt fu n d in g z z We i g h i n – L ook for u p c om in g p u b lic worksh op . Q u e st ion s/c om m e n t s: M at t Ma echl er (mattm@c i.c arpinte ria.c a.u s)

Co u n t y o f S a n t a B a rb a ra z z Goal – M ovin g forward wit h t h e p lan ado pti o n a nd u se of st at e /fe d e ral A c t ive Tran sp ort at io n P ro g r a m (AT P) gran t s z z Hi stor y – Comp le t e d u p d at e t o 2 005 BMP i n 201 2 b u t d e c id e d t o d e lay ad op t ion t o allow fo r the d e ve lop me n t of t h e AT P gran t p rogram z z N ow – A d op t ion of p lan , wh ic h c omb ines a l l the b ike way s e le m e n t s in t h e Cou n t y ’ s Communi ty Plan s z z N e xt – I n c lu sion of p lan as p art of S BC AG’s BM P z z We i g h i n – Q u e st ion s/c omme n t s: M at t Do bber teen (matt@c osbpw.ne t)

www.SBBIKE.org

7

EDUCATION

FORMULA FOR TRANSFORMATION

The 2015 Pedal Power class of Tommie Kunz Junior High, with instructors Charlotte Belyea and Tammy Saurman and volunteer Nate Iven. Inset: Graduation certificate. CHRISTINE BOURGEOIS

H

ow do you go from wobbling and shaking on a blacktop to confidently navigating busy roundabouts

“We did a lot of drills,” says Belyea, who along with co-

in six weeks? Ten junior high students and two Pedal Power

instructor, Tammy Saurman from Fesler Jr. High, modified

instructors in Santa Maria found the formula—volunteer

the program to include more riding and less mechanics.

help; drills, drills, drills; and dedicated practice.

Belyea calls one student, Osbaldo, the heart and soul of

Watching the line of kids cycling confidently through 5:00

the class. On day one, he stood over the bike, terrified,

p.m. traffic to a pizza party in honor of their graduation

not sure he could ride again (he’d learned when he was

from the earn-a-bike program at Tommie Kunst Jr.

younger). Finally, he tried some balance drills on the grass.

High, you’d never imagine that the majority of them

“He did a lot of work on his own,” says Belyea, “and could

were barely able to pedal straight not long ago.

pedal on the second week.” He was still afraid to turn.

When instructor Charlotte Belyea realized only three of the ten had good control and most found handbrakes “mysterious”—opting for “interesting-looking” braking methods, such as hopping off the bikes—she was a little nervous. Typically, Pedal Power groups take to the road by week three or four, and particularly in Santa Maria,

By the end, Osbaldo was hand signaling next to cars on a roundabout, and so were the others. On the River Trail, an unpaved path the group took back to the school, Osbaldo passed Iven, singing (Iven’s favorite moment).

where roads are wide, traffic is heavy, and large trucks aren’t used

Principal Sharon Shell expressed her pride in the kids’ hard

to bikes, that can be intimidating. Not sure what to do, she called

work at an emotional graduation ceremony.

Christine Bourgeois, SBBIKE education coordinator.

“We sent out a call for help,” says Bourgeois. She contacted Tailwinds Bicycle Club and San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition. Volunteers would allow some of the group to go on the road while others stayed on the blacktop. Among the responders was Nate Iven from Vandenberg, an avid cyclist interested in cycling education, who Belyea says went above and beyond.

8

Quick Release Spring 2015

“I was truly amazed by their progress,” says Belyea, who loved seeing their well-deserved pride. She also loved seeing them get the bicycles they’d earned by completing the program. “That’s so important,” she says. “Their skills were lacking because they didn’t have bikes.”

In addition, they received certificates, helmets, and locks.

SHOP

Women, Get Your Wrench On! Register for Women Only, Women-Led Workshops

S

he’s playing with the name “TLC for Your Bici.” She is Lynneal Williams, a mechanic at Bici Centro’s DIY

shop, and she grins as she tries out the name for the upcoming workshops she’s hosting for women.

The event, part of CycleMAYnia, will include two identical, ninety-minute workshops on Sunday, May 3, one in the afternoon and one in the morning. Women will learn to fix flats, maintain

Lynneal Williams gets her wrench on. JAY MADDEN

drive trains, and what to look for when their

Williams came to SBBIKE and Bici Centro by way of needing to repair

rides need a tune-up. Each workshop holds

a brake issue on her bicycle, where she learned wrenching was

twelve spots, so register soon at sbbike.org.

something she would enjoy. After a brief stint at REI’s bike shop, she

Bici Centro will be open all day and will host a women only Open Shop in between workshops. Women can trickle in and work on their bikes—with the support of women mechanics.

The workshops were inspired by what Williams calls “the comfort aspect” of women’s only classes. She envisions a space where women won’t feel selfconscious about asking questions or for instructions on how to use a tool—a space where everyone’s on

started at the shop. The ethos appealed to her. She’s talking selfsufficiency, thriftiness, and reuse. “I like the idea of people scrounging around until they find what they need,” she says. At Bici, she also enjoys that “the focus isn’t selling stuff; it’s building relationships and equipping people with a skill that might be a necessity for them.”

Williams received a $100 grant from CycleMAYnia to help with the May 3 women’s event. If the response is there, she hopes to host women’s only days at the shop once a month.

Register for the workshop and Open Shop hours at sbbike.org.

the same “level.” She’s not referring to mechanical know-how, but something more basic. “We [women] learn differently,” Williams explains. “We come from a culture where most of us didn’t grow up using tools or figuring out how to fix stuff.”

New “Toy” to Debut at Earth Day SBBIKE will roll out its standard programming and a

Williams herself learned step-by-step in a slow, steady

n e w a d d i t i o n f o r t h i s ye a r ’s E a r t h D ay f e s t i v a l , w h i c h

process about bike mechanics. “At first, I wasn’t just

i s j u s t a r o u n d t h e co r n e r ( A p r i l 1 8 a n d 1 9). T h at

going to go for it,” she says. But she’s now comfortable

a d d i t i o n? T h e b r a n d-n e w a d vo c a c y t r i ke ! T h i s “m o b i le

in a way she’d love to see other women be—not afraid

o p s ” b i c yc l e w i l l b e t h e ve h i c l e f o r s p r e a d i n g t h e wo r d

to use a tool, to “mess things up.” “It can always be

a b o u t t h e co a l i t i o n ’s m i s s i o n s a n d p r o g r a m s . Ch e c k

fixed,” she says.

o u t t h i s t r ave l i n g m e s s e n g e r at B i ke Wo r l d , a l o n g

Gaining mechanical skills, says Williams, is really about gaining confidence. “You don’t have to rely on a man or anyone else. You have the skills and the confidence.

That filters into other aspects of your life.” For example, if a woman realizes she can fix a flat on her own, she might consider trying something like fixing a plumbing issue. This is not just a random analogy. Did Williams attempt her plumbing issue? Yep. How did it go? “It

w i t h a l l t h e r e g u l a r f e atu r e s yo u ’ ve co m e to k n ow a n d l ove —t h e B i c i C e nt r o m o b i l e s h o p, t h e b i ke -p owe r e d s t a g e , f u n p r e s e nt at i o n s , a n d m o r e .

A n d of co u r s e , S B B I K E w i l l p a r k yo u r r i d e a n d ke e p i t s a f e w h i l e yo u c h e c k o u t t h e f e s t i v i t i e s . B i ke Va le t s aw ove r 1 , 2 0 0 b i ke s l a s t ye a r, a n d e xp e r t v a l e t s a r e r e a d y f o r t h e s a m e o r m o r e i n 2 01 5 .

worked,” she says, adding with a hearty laugh, “It was gross.” www.SBBIKE.org

9

SHOP

Volunteering for Community: The Rewards You Can’t Deny

you will meet. You get to be part of a group that puts

by Joey Juhasz-Lukomski, Volunteer Coordinator

help others runs deep within everyone who shows up just

“Have I done something for the general interest? Well, then, I have had my reward.”

—Marcus Aurelius

The time spent with these folks, whether at an SBBIKE

the general interest—because we know bicycling is good for everyone, is good for Santa Barbara—ahead of their desire for any reward. We make great and lasting friendships volunteering at SBBIKE, because the desire to to help out.

event, Bici Centro, or even in passing on the street, is not something you asked for when you decided to “work for free.” But you might not have realized that you weren’t just volunteering with the bicycle coalition but volunteering for Santa Barbara. After all, when you volunteer with SBBIKE, you’re not just making Santa Barbara a great place to ride a bicycle; you’re making it a place with an outstanding sense of community.

A Bici Centro volunteer night. FILE PHOTO

A

common conception of what it is to volunteer is to do work for someone without getting paid money. Of course, people

usually get something out of volunteer work—high schoolers put it on their college apps, retirees get a way to pass newfound free time or even just a T-shirt. You could do your best to dodge any practical rewards and volunteer just for the sake of helping out.

However, for those who volunteer with SBBIKE, we make that very difficult. Sure, you can say, “Thanks, but no thanks,” to the T-shirt or a discount at our shop, but there are some rewards you can’t deny.

matter how small your task may seem. You are an ambassador of

Volunteer of the Quarter: Baron Corpuz

this organization—showing people how great our work is and also

If you’ve spent time at Bici Centro in the last three

how great it is to do that work. When you help someone fix their

months, you know who Baron is. He’ll let you know if

bike at Bici Centro, you are getting someone back on the road who

you’re doing something, umm …incorrectly—from across

couldn’t afford to pay someone else to fix their bike. This increases

the shop with a shout. He’s a true guru, raconteur, and

the ridership in Santa Barbara and the demand for safe cycling

he always makes things at Bici more interesting. He’s

infrastructure, the benefits of which all cyclists enjoy.

been incredibly helpful, even though he doesn’t like

When you volunteer with SBBIKE, you are making bicycling in Santa Barbara safe and accessible for everyone. You are an advocate, no

being thought of as a volunteer. “I’m just stopping by,”

10

Our volunteers realize this, and for them, the discounts, the

he’ll say, even if he stops by for four hours! He’s out of

t-shirts, the pride—it’s all secondary to the community. This is

the country for a couple months, and he will be missed

the undeniable gift: You get to volunteer with the best people

in the shop, even if it does quiet down a little.

Quick Release Spring 2015

Shooting for Zero An analysis of cycling fatalities in SB and what we can

Deaths Rates of Bicyclists in Collisions With Motor Vehicles, United States, California and Santa Barbara, 2004-­‐2013* 600

S

100

disseminate the education to make that possible. One death is too many. And the coalition is committed to reaching the only acceptable number—zero deaths.

459

385

376

350 298

300 200

will result in zero cycling fatalities and strives to

476

400

do to prevent them BBIKE advocates for policies and infrastructure that

Santa Barbara City Santa Barbara County California United States

522

500

0

310

308

282

336

202

74 52

50

69 50

0 0

0

2004

2005

2006

190

65 44

44 0

0 0

2007

2008

37 29

36 27

0

2009

37 49

37 0

0 0

2010

2011

37 0

2012

Santa Barbara City (average)

2013

* Deaths per 1,000,000 persons adjusted for percent of people who bicycle.

DAN FISHBEIN and MAX PRYOR

have a much lower bicyclist fatality rate. This means, we have further room for improvement in safety of our roads, motor vehicle

Recently Dan Fishbein, MD; Max Prior; and Joey

operators, and bicyclists. “It is important that decision makers know

Juhasz-Lukomski worked with SBBIKE to evaluate

that bicycling safety can be improved,” they say.

the relative “safety” of bicycling in Santa Barbara.

Fishbein, pointing to a statement in the previous QR suggesting that bicycling in the county is unsafe, feels it’s important to note that cycling fatalities in our community are actually relatively low.

“We combined four different sources of data to analyze bicycling deaths in Santa Barbara County between 2004 and 2013,” say Fishbein and team. “During this ten-year period, the county saw 21 bicycling fatalities, four in Santa Barbara City and 15 in the rest of the county. Taking into

Prevention strategies include safe bicycling practices, education, better enforcement of bicycling laws, improving motor vehicle driver behavior, and better road engineering.

While this study did not include bicycling injuries, in which the city ranks fourth highest among medium-sized cities in the state, Fishbein at el. say the analysis shows safe bicycling can prevent most fatalities while cycling on our streets. Don’t bike while under the influence, they urge. Cycle safely—obey rules, be visible, be sober, and wear a helmet.

account the proportion of cyclists in the county (the

SBBIKE intends to further analyze safety risks between other cities

second highest in California), the rate of deaths in Santa

and counties, and put in place measures to make Santa Barbara a

Barbara City and County are similar to the rest of the

model for the rest of the country.

United States and well below the rest of California.”

Fishbein, et al. also note that county-to-county data show the lowest number of deaths in those counties with the highest percentage of bicyclists (“safety in numbers”).

However, again taking into account the number of cyclists, The Netherlands and Denmark, for example,

Help the Quick Release Grow!

Want to help the QR grow? With a larger press run, the Quick Release could be available to new potential members and bicycling advocates at local bike shops, on magazine racks, and at your business. We could add more pages when we have so much great news to share we run out of room.

To be a part of QR presented by sponsorship, contact editor@sbbike.org.

Join and Renew

WHY JOIN? Your membership makes a difference for bicycling in Santa Barbara County.

The Connecting Our Community campaign is making cycling possible for cyclists ages 8 to 80 on safe, protected and accessible bikeways.

Member benefits include: Discounts at local bike shops & businesses, bike library access, and special deals on bike events.

Individual memberships starting at $30

There is strength in numbers

Household memberships starting at $45

Staff and volunteers working 24/7/365 in the cycling issues that matter to you.

Business memberships starting at $100

for membership details:

sbbike.org/join The Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, so donations are tax deductable as allowed by law.

SB BIKE

SANTA BARBARA BICYCLE COALITION

www.SBBIKE.org

11

SB BIKE

SANTA BARBARA BICYCLE COALITION

Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition PO Box 92047 Santa Barbara, CA 93190-2047

More than 30 great bike events during Bike Month in May! Don’t miss thes e headliner events!

Beach to Bluffs - May 2 Carpinteria Bike Ride & Brunch

Bike to School Day - May 6 At participating South Coast Schools

Bike Moves & After Party - May 7 Prom themed bike ride & SBBIKE fundraiser at Bici Centro

Bike to Work Week - May 11-15 Breakfasts & celebrations for bike commuters in Goleta, Carpinteria & Santa Barbara

Tour de Tent - May 16-17 Two-day bike tour & campout from Santa Barbara to Ojai

Adult Street Skills Classes - May 26, 28 & 30

Visit the website for full event listings.

Learn basic maintenance & improve your confidence & handling skills with SBBIKE

CycleMAYnia Talent Show & Awards Ceremony Live entertainment & awards for the CycleMAYnia Challenge & Velo Wings recipients

Goo d

n.

963-SAVE www.CycleMAYnia.org

cle an fu

A program of: