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www.sbbike.org January 2004 Serving Santa Barbara County We’re a countywide advocacy and resource organization that promotes bicycling for safe transportation and recreation. How to reach us Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition PO Box 92047 Santa Barbara CA 93190-2047 phone 568-3046 email [email protected] web www.sbbike.org January 6th meeting Join us on Tuesday, January 6th for our monthly meeting. Let’s improve bicycling in 2004: Tuesday, January 6 Madam Lu Chinese Restaurant 3524 State St, Santa Barbara No-host dinner at 6:00 Meeting at 7:00 Online email list We sponsor an online email forum where you can post and read messages that pertain to regional bicycling issues. It’s easy and free. To subscribe to our general forum, just send an email message to: [email protected] Leave the subject line and body of the message blank. That’s all! Join the Coalition You can help improve bicycling safety and condi- tions in Santa Barbara County by joining others in our own regional Bicycle Coalition advocacy group. Together we will continue to make a real difference. See page 6 for details. For sale: video & flag We’re pleased to offer our own video “Decide to Ride.” It’s about a young woman who learns to bike commute to work. It’s only $18 (tax and US shipping included) from us, address above. Plus, we’re selling Bike Week flags, 4’x6’ heavy nylon, terra cotta and white. They’re $33 plus tax. Look at this PDF file: www.sbbike.org/art-home/ flag.pdf 2003: a year of accomplishments by Ralph Fertig Looking back, we are proud of a long list of Bicycle Coalition achievements during 2003. Events raised the visibility of bicy- cling within our county, and our advocacy efforts paid off with many projects being completed or moving ahead. For 2004, we’re going to monitor progress of projects, and pursue oppor- tunities to make bicycling for transportation and recreation bet- ter than ever. Here are examples of great things we did in 2003: • Advocated new and extensive bike trails on the north shore of Cachuma Lake. • Worked with Melinda Burns at the Santa Barbara News-Press to write a major front-page bicycling story. • Helped Brazilian touring cyclist Fernando da Silva buy a new bike to replace his stolen one. • Spoke out for all-weather paths in the Ellwood-Devereux open space in Goleta. • Proposed safer bikeway facilities on El Colegio near UCSB’s upcoming San Clemente housing. • Sponsored a visit by Dan Burden to assess Old Town Goleta. • Worked with UCSB’s student bike committee to get improve- ments on the University campus. • Gave a “bike facilities” tour of the South Coast for California planners attending an American Planning Association confer- ence in Santa Barbara. • Sold 55 helmets to kids and adults at our California Lemon Festival booth. • Successfully fought to keep bicyclist access to San Antonio Creek Road near Tuckers Grove County Park. • Successfully convinced Representatives Capps and Gallegly to put bike facility “Transportation Enhancements” back into a House transportation bill. • Asked that the Atascadero Creek Bikepath be renamed “The Obern Trail” in honor of Bicycle Coalition members George and Vie Obern who were responsible for creating the bikepath. • Asked for and received CREF funding for new planks on the Obern Trail bridge near Patterson Avenue. • Hosted meetings on what services to offer in Santa Barbara’s upcoming Bikestation. • Supported the South Coast’s “101 Implementation Plan” that will study alternatives as well as widening of Highway 101 between Milpas Street and the Ventura County line. • Held our annual “Member Appreciation Barbecue” that brought 60 people together. • Conducted our 7th annual bicyclist count for the City of Santa Barbara. We counted 3145 bicyclists at 25 intersections! • Worked with COAST to get 1350 kids to bicycle on Bike to School Day. • Put on another Bike Week full of events throughout Santa Barbara County. • Asked that Isla Vista street barriers be retained, but the shrubbery trimmed for bicyclist safety. • Had a booth, bike parking, raffle prizes of gift certificates at bike shops, and free check-ups at Earth Day. BIKE TO WORK DAY Our annual Bike to Work Day event attracted 400 bicyclists to Downtown Santa Barbara. A countywide total of 1200 showed up at our 11 sites. BICYCLE TO SUPPORT EARTH DAY Here Bud Laurent (left), director of the Community Environmental Council, and the Bicycle Coalition’s Ralph Fertig are at our booth to announce raffle winners. DAN BURDEN IN GOLETA The Bicycle Coalition brought commun- ity transportation expert Dan Burden to advise Old Town Goleta on bicyclist and pedestrian safety measures. (continued on page 2, Accomplishments)

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January 6th meeting January 2004 How to reach us Join the Coalition Online email list We’re a countywide advocacy and resource organization that promotes bicycling for safe transportation and recreation. Join us on Tuesday, January 6th for our monthly meeting. Let’s improve bicycling in 2004: Tuesday, January 6 Madam Lu Chinese Restaurant 3524 State St, Santa Barbara No-host dinner at 6:00 Meeting at 7:00 Leave the subject line and body of the message blank. That’s all! by Ralph Fertig

Transcript of 0401

www.sbbike.org January 2004

Serving Santa BarbaraCountyWe’re a countywide advocacyand resource organizationthat promotes bicycling forsafe transportation andrecreation.

How to reach usSanta Barbara BicycleCoalitionPO Box 92047Santa Barbara CA 93190-2047

phone 568-3046email [email protected] www.sbbike.org

January 6th meetingJoin us on Tuesday, January6th for our monthly meeting.Let’s improve bicycling in 2004:Tuesday, January 6Madam Lu Chinese Restaurant3524 State St, Santa BarbaraNo-host dinner at 6:00Meeting at 7:00

Online email listWe sponsor an online emailforum where you can post andread messages that pertain toregional bicycling issues. It’seasy and free. To subscribe toour general forum, just sendan email message to:[email protected]

Leave the subject line andbody of the message blank.That’s all!

Join the CoalitionYou can help improvebicycling safety and condi-tions in Santa Barbara Countyby joining others in our ownregional Bicycle Coalitionadvocacy group. Together wewill continue to make a realdifference. See page 6 fordetails.

For sale: video & flagWe’re pleased to offer our ownvideo “Decide to Ride.” It’sabout a young woman wholearns to bike commute towork. It’s only $18 (tax andUS shipping included) fromus, address above.Plus, we’re selling Bike Weekflags, 4’x6’ heavy nylon, terracotta and white. They’re $33plus tax. Look at this PDF file:www.sbbike.org/art-home/flag.pdf

2003: a year of accomplishmentsby Ralph Fertig

Looking back, we are proud of a long list of Bicycle Coalitionachievements during 2003. Events raised the visibility of bicy-cling within our county, and our advocacy efforts paid off withmany projects being completed or moving ahead. For 2004,we’re going to monitor progress of projects, and pursue oppor-tunities to make bicycling for transportation and recreation bet-ter than ever. Here are examples of great things we did in 2003:• Advocated new and extensive bike trails on the north shore of

Cachuma Lake.• Worked with Melinda Burns at the Santa Barbara News-Press

to write a major front-page bicycling story.• Helped Brazilian touring cyclist Fernando da Silva buy a new

bike to replace his stolen one.• Spoke out for all-weather paths in the Ellwood-Devereux open

space in Goleta.• Proposed safer bikeway facilities on El Colegio near UCSB’s

upcoming San Clemente housing.• Sponsored a visit by Dan Burden to assess Old Town Goleta.• Worked with UCSB’s student bike committee to get improve-

ments on the University campus.• Gave a “bike facilities” tour of the South Coast for California

planners attending an American Planning Association confer-ence in Santa Barbara.

• Sold 55 helmets to kids and adults at our California LemonFestival booth.

• Successfully fought to keep bicyclist access to San AntonioCreek Road near Tuckers Grove County Park.

• Successfully convinced Representatives Capps and Gallegly toput bike facility “Transportation Enhancements” back into aHouse transportation bill.

• Asked that the Atascadero Creek Bikepath be renamed “TheObern Trail” in honor of Bicycle Coalition members George andVie Obern who were responsible for creating the bikepath.

• Asked for and received CREF funding for new planks on theObern Trail bridge near Patterson Avenue.

• Hosted meetings on what services to offer in Santa Barbara’supcoming Bikestation.

• Supported the South Coast’s “101 Implementation Plan” thatwill study alternatives as well as widening of Highway 101between Milpas Street and the Ventura County line.

• Held our annual “Member Appreciation Barbecue” thatbrought 60 people together.

• Conducted our 7th annual bicyclist count for the City of SantaBarbara. We counted 3145 bicyclists at 25 intersections!

• Worked with COAST to get 1350 kids to bicycle on Bike toSchool Day.

• Put on another Bike Week full of events throughout SantaBarbara County.

• Asked that Isla Vista street barriers be retained, but theshrubbery trimmed for bicyclist safety.

• Had a booth, bike parking, raffle prizes of gift certificates atbike shops, and free check-ups at Earth Day.

BIKE TO WORK DAYOur annual Bike to Work Day eventattracted 400 bicyclists to DowntownSanta Barbara. A countywide total of1200 showed up at our 11 sites.

BICYCLE TO SUPPORT EARTH DAYHere Bud Laurent (left), director of theCommunity Environmental Council, andthe Bicycle Coalition’s Ralph Fertig areat our booth to announce rafflewinners.

DAN BURDEN IN GOLETAThe Bicycle Coalition brought commun-ity transportation expert Dan Burden toadvise Old Town Goleta on bicyclist andpedestrian safety measures. (continued on page 2, Accomplishments)

Quick Release • January 2004 • Page 2

December Coalitionmeeting topics

Our December 2nd Bicycle Coalition meet-ing had good discussions and actions, in-cluding these:• June Pujo described the City’s Transporta-

tion and Circulation Committee’s function,and invited us to attend and participate.

• A Bike Week kick-off event was described.• Matt Dobberteen, the County’s newest

alternative transportation person, de-scribed his responsibilities.

• Ralph Fertig described the importance ofupcoming Lake Cachuma meetings.

• CREF grant applications of interest tobicyclists are for new bridge planks on theObern Trail and for work on the San JoseCreek bikepath.

• A Coalition letter to the City of Goletaabout plans for paths in the Ellwood-Devereux Open Space was proposed,modified, and approved.

• A Coalition letter about El Colegio/SanClemente UCSB projects was modified andapproved.

• An upcoming article about bike commut-ing in the News-Press was described.

New Year’sResolutions

Word from the President• Say hi

wheneveryou passanotherrider goingup a hill.

• Carry anextra tubethat youcan donateto some-body witha flat tireand no spare.

• Ride sometime in weather that keeps othercyclists indoors.

• Spend $2 every time you go into a bikeshop. Spend $5 if you ask a question andget good advice.

• Ride under a full moon in the summertime.• Signal your approach to pedestrians,

especially if they’re old or very young.• Remember that the sound of a bell is more

pleasing than “on your left.”• When you see another rider approaching

from the rear and trying to catch you, let ithappen.

• Never let your chain squeak.• Let others descend faster when you are

not comfortable doing so.• Remember that a humble bicycle on the

road is more valuable than a titaniumwunderbike languishing indoors.

• Know that fun is more important than fast.

Let others know that cycling is good for thesoul, good for the community and good forthe world.

Wilson Hubbell, President.

• Petitioned the National Park Service toprovide a Coastal Trail between Goletaand Gaviota; unhappily, the NPS declinedto be involved with saving our coast.

• Asked Joni Gray to put shoulders onPurisima Road north of Lompoc—theproject is moving ahead.

• Spoke out for bicycle facilities in Goleta’supcoming General Plan.

• Tried to save an abandoned Santa Mariarailroad bed for a trail, but we wererejected by the City Council.

• Worked with the Santa Barbara Airport toget new bike racks installed for 12 bikes.

• Talked to Portland’s Community CyclingCenter about starting a similar project here.

• Helped persuade the Goleta City Council toproceed with plans for the San Jose Creekbikepath and an Ellwood bike bridge.

• Helped get funding for school zone signsand solar-powered speed signs for usenear schools.

• Encouraged Santa Barbara to proceedwith plans for a bikepath along ShorelineDrive above Leadbetter Beach.

Was that a great year, or what? Many ofthe challenges are continuing into 2004,so we’ll be watching them carefully, alert-ing you when individual action is neededon your part, and taking action as a repre-sentative of the thousands of Santa BarbaraCounty people who bicycle when a collec-tive voice is needed. 2004? Bring it on!

Accomplishments, from page 1

Coalition electionOur Bicycle Coalition election of officersand members of the board was slowed bya new process this year and by a change instructure of our organization. It was de-cided early in the year to create an advi-sory committee of individuals who workfor a government body and felt some con-flicts in interest when voting; they wouldnot run for elected positions in the BicycleCoalition. That made the work of our Elec-tion Committee more difficult. However,everything has been resolved, and we nowhave a group of individuals who we feelare very capable of carrying our missionforward.

Voting will be held during our monthlymeeting on February 3rd, 2004. All mem-bers in good standing at the time are eli-gible to vote. You can vote by eithermailing in the ballot or a copy of it to SBBicycle Coalition, PO Box 92047, SantaBarbara, CA 93190, or by coming in per-son to the meeting where blank ballotswill be provided.

BALLOTVote for one person for each of the following offices:

President Vice President❑ Ralph Fertig ❑ Chuck Anderson❑ ____________ ❑ ____________Treasurer Secretary❑ Gary Wissman ❑ Drew Hunter❑ ____________ ❑ ____________

Choose five of the following for Board of Directors:❑ Dru van Hengel ❑ Mike Hecker❑ Don Lubach ❑ Jim Marshall❑ Nancy Mulholland ❑ ____________❑ ____________ ❑ ____________

Senior Writer Melinda Burns at the Santa Bar-bara News-Press has been exploring differentapproaches to “unlocking the gridlock” oftransportation on our South Coast. She workedwith several Bicycle Coalition members in pre-paring a major front-page article that was pub-lished on Sunday, December 14.

Out thanks to Burns and Coalition memberswho helped: Robert Bernstein, Rob Dayton, Druvan Hengel, Kent Epperson and Ralph Fertig.

Overall, the long article covered many aspectsof bicycling. Among all the quotes used wasone from District 1 Supervisor Naomi Schwartz:“Making biking more of a habit in our trans-portation routines is something we need to con-tinue to foster.”

News-Press has major bicycling article

Quick Release • January 2004 • Page 3

Coalition urges new bike trails at CachumaIn 2002 when the idea of expand-ing recreational opportunities onland around Lake Cachuma wasannounced by the US Bureau ofReclamation, Bicycle Coalitionmembers responded by speakingat meetings, sending letters tonewspapers, and organizing a216-name petition. We asked fora bike trail around the lake andmore paved paths near camping.

Since then, the Bureau workedwith consultants URS Corporationto develop three preliminary alter-native scenarios that they pre-sented to the public at two“mid-course check-in” Decembermeetings in Solvang and Goleta.

They broke the land and lakeinto 23 “planning units” and foreach unit and each of the alterna-tives, different functions wereproposed. The entire plan is com-plex, but for bicyclists, it becamesimple once you figured it out.One thing was clear—there wouldbe no access to land anywherenear Bradbury Dam or the waterintake tunnel to the South Coast.So our beautiful vision of a biketrail around the lake was lost. Here is whatthe three alternatives mean to bicyclists:

Alternative 1, no change. We can con-tinue to bike around the current Countycampground and adjacent short trails.

Alternative 2, an increase in access. Itwould allow limited use for people on foot,bicycles or horses by permit only to severaldisconnected areas on the north shorewhere cattle graze. Access might be only byboat, and an escort might be required.

Alternative 3, more recreational use. Alarger area would be accessible for eques-trians, hikers, and bikers. If you could getacross the Santa Ynez River, you could bikecross country on most of the north shorefor miles. Cattle grazing would end, andcamping would be permitted.

A letter from the Bicycle Coalition wassent on December 23 to the Bureau of Rec-lamation, urging their acceptance of Alter-native 3. It said in part:

“We endorse Alternative 3 because itopens a sizable, contiguous section of thenorth shore of Cachuma Lake for non-mo-torized access by equestrians, hikers andbicyclists.

The north shore trails in Alternative 3comprise an extensive area and we expectthat the more remote sections will—like re-mote areas of our national forests, parks

Alternative 2

Alternative 3

and BLM lands—only attract the morededicated individuals seeking healthy exer-cise and low-impact access to natural re-sources. Because the trails will beup-and-down cross-country, they will notattract the downhill bikers who sometimesconflict with other users on the trails aboveSanta Barbara.

Crossing the Santa Ynez River to reachthe Alternative 3 trails is a consideration.Perhaps a concrete crossing with a culvertunderneath will provide access for most ofthe year. It could be fenced and closed dur-ing periods of rain when the river level ishigh and any trail use is undesirable. Thecrossing could be a project that is built lateras funding becomes available.

Development of non-motorized trails asproposed in Alternative 3 will serve to pro-tect and maintain lake water quality, pro-mote quiet, healthy activities, and offereducational opportunities for trail users.”

This is not the end. In mid 2004, a draftEnvironmental Impact Study (EIS) will bepresented for public comment. That EIS willcompare feasibility and costs of alterna-tives, and their effect on the existing natu-ral resources. Funding of projects will likelybe up to Santa Barbara County, the currentpartner for lake recreation. We’ll be moni-toring the process.

High school mountainbike clubs forming

Bicycle Coalition board member and racepromoter Mike Hecker is jumping into anew aspect of bicycling—promoting highschool mountain biking groups withinSanta Barbara County.

Hecker was aware of high school racingin Northern California. Matthew Fritzinger,a cyclist and teacher at Berkeley HighSchool started the NorCal High SchoolMountain Bike Racing League six yearsago with four kids at his school. It nowconsists of more than 200 teenagers at 12schools. Their mountain bike riding andracing program is open to public and privatehigh school riders in Northern California.

Nothing like that program exists in Centralor Southern California. If the interest existsin Northern California, it’s probably here aswell. So when Jacob Siegel-Boettner, a stu-dent at San Marcos High School askedHecker for guidance in starting a bike club,things started to happen. A programmanual and advice from Fritzinger wereobtained, and possibilities were considered.Hecker found out that Jim Aaron, a boardmember of the San Luis Obispo BicycleCoalition, is organizing a similar programfor SLO County kids there.

What’s needed to get the fledgling pro-gram launched in Santa Barbara County areteachers, parents and students who canhelp organize, sponsor, train, and other-wise support the kids. Hecker envisions amodest 2004 program starting this month,with regional high school competitionchampionships at his Firestone Cross-Country Races on April 24-25.

Want to help or learn more? ContactHecker by phone at 966-1807 or by emailat [email protected]. To see what’s going onin Northern California, check outwww.norcalhighracing.org.

HIGH SCHOOL BIKINGThis is part of a poster that promotes NorthernCalifornia high school mountain bikecompetition for 2004.

Quick Release • January 2004 • Page 4

For Santa BarbaraCounty Bike Maps,info on ridesharingand van pools, justcall: 963-SAVE.

FREEBIKEMAP!

Bikeway programsawarded CREF money

Three bicycle-related projects were awardedfunding from Santa Barbara County’sCoastal Resource Enhancement Fund (CREF)in December. The County established CREFin 1987 to mitigate impacts of offshore oiland gas development to the coastal envi-ronment, tourism, and recreation. Thisyear, the Board of Supervisors voted tofund 16 projects for a total of $840,925.The three of interest to bicyclist are:• Atascadero Creek Bikepath bridge

decking, $5000. This is to replace theworn wood planks with recycled plasticones on the bridge just east of PattersonRoad. The additional $10,000 needed forthe project has been secured separately,says the County’s Wilson Hubbell.

• San Jose Creek bikeway, $45,000. This isfor the portion of the project within theCity of Goleta south of Hollister Avenue.Goleta’s Steve Wagner says that themoney will be applied to planning and arequired environmental impact study. Theentire bikeway will eventually run southfrom Cathedral Oaks and connect to theObern Trail near Goleta Beach.

• Ellwood Mesa acquisition, $368,000.This land will eventually have enhancedtrails for access by people on foot, bicycleand horseback. It’s part of the 645-acreEllwood-Devereux Open Space.

Coalition Board viewsBike Week 2004

At their November 22 meeting, the BicycleCoalition Board of Directors consideredevents for the upcoming Bike Week. It willtake place in 2004 from May 15-23. In ad-dition to the Children’s Festival, Bike toWork and Bike to School Days, the Boardenthusiastically supported two new events:

Bike Week Kick-Off. This would be onFriday, May 14. Ralph Fertig showed avideo of actor, touring cyclist, and Adven-ture Cycling columnist Willie Weir. Weirhas biked around the world and put to-gether five shows with music, slides andhigh-energy stories of what happened tohim and his bike. Board members approvedof bringing Weir as a major feature of anevening with dinner and awards andmaybe other things. You can learn aboutWeir at his site: www.willieweir.com.

Bicycle Coalition Century ride. Thiswould be on Saturday, May 15. MikeHecker came up with the idea of a bike ridethat would benefit the Coalition. We wouldneed members to help plan and stage theevent. The Bike Week Kick-Off event thenight before could be part of a weekendpackage. What we need first of all is aname for it. The SB Bicycle Club wants tokeep “Santa Barbara Century” for them-selves. Ours could be “Tour de Santa Bar-bara” or “South Coast Century.” But can’tyou think of something more exciting?Send us your best suggestions.

House version oftransportation bill

Reauthorization of the massive transporta-tion act “TEA-21” of 1997 is the most im-portant federal legislature for bicyclists. Itprovides millions of dollars for projects thatbenefit us and our community.

Congress was unable to reach an agree-ment before TEA-21 expired, so they votedfor an extension that runs out in February2004. The Senate is working on a versionof the bill (described in December QuickRelease), and the House came up their ownversion in late November. So far, both arelooking positive for bicycling. The Housebill has these good features:• It retains the “Transportation Enhance-

ments” program that is the best source ofproject funding for bicyclists.

• If the bill is funded at the $375 billionrequested, the Enhancements program willgrow over the life of the bill. Fundingwould increase from $628 million in 2004to $845 million in 2009.

• Other key programs are kept: CongestionMitigation and Scenic Byways.

• A new Safe Routes to School programwould be funded at $250 million a year.

• It rejected inclusion of anti-railbankinglanguage that the Administration wanted.If included, it would have made futurerails-to-trails conversions unlikely.

• Recreational Trails would be retained, butat $70 million instead of the $300 millionof TEA-21.

On the negative side, the House versionhas these features:• It does not include “routine accommoda-

tion” language that the Federal HighwayAdministration recommended in 2000,directing states to accommodate bicyclistsand pedestrians in highway projects.

• It does not include funding to continue theBicycle and Pedestrian InformationClearinghouse.

• It does not offer bicyclists a commuter taxbenefit.

So where does this leave us? With a gen-eral positive but guarded feeling. Thesource of money to pay for it all is unre-solved. As the Senate and House work outtheir differences, our action to preserve bi-cycling components may be required withshort notice. We’ll be watching.

Bicycles on MTD busesAround the South Coast, we see many bikesmounted on MTD buses, but how many are there?Rachel Grossman at the MTD says that last June,5776 bike passengers were accommodated. That’sjust over 1% of all passengers on the buses.

Siple artWe’ve been publishing Andy Singer car-toons for nearly two years, but have runout. So Quick Release editor Ralph Fertigcontacted Greg Siple, the art director at Ad-venture Cycling, who has been creatingwhimsical cyclist doodles for years. He sentus two sheets of them for free use. And ifwe join the Adventure Cycling club affilia-tion program, we will get a continuing sup-ply. Let us hear what you think of them.

Quick Release • January 2004 • Page 5

Active membersPlease thank and support the following Bi-cycle Coalition business members:• King Cycle Group, Shasta Lake• Lightning Cycle Dynamics, Lompoc• MarBorg Industries, Santa Barbara• Nett & Champion Insurance, Santa Barbara• Rincon Cycles, Carpinteria• Tri Paradise Sports, Santa Barbara

We welcome new member Matt Richards,and thank those who renewed their mem-berships: Dan Henry, Dave Beamer, Rich-ard Lambert, Steve Mack, Amy Nett,Dottie McLaren, Arnie Schildhaus,Woody Wilde, Diane Krohn and WayneBeckman.

Quick Release accepts advertisements. Circula-tion is over 400 people. Ads are business cardsize, 3.5” wide x 2.0” high. Cost per ad is $18each, or 12 consecutive ads for $180. Details andan order form are available on PDF format onlineat: www.sbbike.org/QR/ad.pdf.

Ads in Quick Release

Bikelane restripingmakes biking safer

One of the worst intersections for SantaBarbara bicyclists has been vastly im-proved. Before, we kept to the right in aLos Olivos Street bikelane as motoriststurned right onto Alameda Padre Sierra.Now, thanks to efforts by Tully Clifford,Maguire, Dan Secord, and the intersectionhas been restriped so right-turning motor-ists are aware they’re crossing a bikelane.

NICE NEW BIKELANEThe new striping clearly shows motorists thatthey are crossing a bikelane when they turnright onto onto Alameda Padre Serra.

Coalition proposesbikepath rest stop

We managed to honor early bikeway advo-cates Vie and George Obern by renamingthe Atascadero Creek Bikeway as the“Obern Trail.” But nobody will know whatit means unless they’re told. So the BicycleCoalition’s Ralph Fertig came up with theidea of having a rest area at the junction ofthe Obern Trail and Maria Ygnaciabikepath, just east of Patterson Avenue.

Fertig envisions a stop overlooking theMaria Ygnacia Creek, with a bench, bikerack, map and sheltered sign telling aboutthe Anza trek and the Obern story. Peoplecan enjoy views of the creek, mountains,fields, and both paths.

That location is on the Juan Bautista deAnza National Historic Trail that com-memorates the route followed by Anza in1775-76 when he led soldiers and theirfamilies from Culiacan, Mexico to settle inwhat is now San Francisco. It’s the placewhere the Anza group camped for the nighton their way north.

Funding for the area might come fromnext year’s CREF budget. And, because theAnza Trail has been designated as one of16 national Millennium Trails in the US,other funds may be available.

STRETCH YOUR QUADRICEPS HEREThe two bikepaths join next to the bridge overthe Maria Ygnacia Creek. A fine location for arest area could be under the large sycamore treejust east of the bridge.

Santa Barbara City safe routesto school project is funded

Congratulations to the City of Santa Bar-bara. They just received $450,000 from theCalifornia Safe Routes to School program.The money will mostly help kids walking tothe High School and Junior High, but be-cause it will involve traffic calming mea-sures, it will be safer for kids biking toschool as well.

Upcoming bikemeetings & events

January 4, Winter Cyclocross Series,sponsored by SG Productions. This race isthe third of a three-race cyclocross series,now in its second year in Santa BarbaraCounty. It takes place at Campus Pointe In-dustrial Park in Goleta, starting at 9:30AM, depending on class. Details from MikeHecker at 966-1807 or online atwww.ridesb.com/2002_sb_cyclocross_series.htm.January 6, General Meeting. Meeting thefirst Tuesday of the month, this time in theevening. It will be at Madam Lu ChineseRestaurant, 3524 State Street, Santa Bar-bara. No-host dinner at 6:00, meeting at7:00 PM. Phone president Wilson Hubbell,568-3046 or email him at [email protected] 31, The Good Old Days RoadRace, sponsored by the Santa Barbara Bi-cycle Club. This series of races will be heldnear Los Olivos. The course is a mostly-flat34 mile loop, but with three short, steepclimbs. Details from Mike Hecker 966-1807or at www.ridesb.com.

P.O. Box 92047Santa Barbara, CA 93190-2047

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTEDNONPROFIT

ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSANTA BARBARA,

CAPERMIT NO. 647

Santa Barbara Bicycle CoalitionPresident, Wilson Hubbell, 568-3046

[email protected] President, Ralph Fertig, 962-1479

[email protected], position openTreasurer, Gary Wissman, 964-4607

[email protected]

Director, Chuck Anderson, [email protected]

Director, Mike Hecker, [email protected]

Director, Drew Hunter, [email protected]

Director, Erika Lindemann, [email protected]

Director, Dru van Hengel, [email protected]

Regional bicycle clubs & groupsBicycle Touring Club of Solvang

Dan Henry, 688-3330Chaingang

Gary Minar, [email protected]

Cyclone RacingBeth Wallace, [email protected]

Echelon Santa BarbaraMark [email protected]

Goleta Valley Cycling ClubKathleen Boehm, [email protected]

Lompoc Valley Bicycle ClubRay Harris, 736-5454

SB Mountain Bike Trail VolunteersChuck Anderson, [email protected]

Santa Barbara Bicycle ClubMike Hecker, [email protected]

Santa Barbara BMX, Dale [email protected]

Tailwinds Bicycle ClubCarl Beerup, [email protected]

UCSB Cycling ClubPhilip Chang, [email protected]

Road repair contactsCaltrans

Pat Mickelson, [email protected]

CarpinteriaRick Fulmer, 684-5405 [email protected]

GoletaSteve Wagner, [email protected]

LompocLarry Bean, [email protected]

Santa Barbara City897-2630

Santa Barbara CountyWilson Hubbell, [email protected]

Santa MariaRick Sweet, 925-0951 [email protected]

SolvangTom Rowe, [email protected]

UCSBDennis Whelan, [email protected]

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

Application for 12 Months of MembershipYes! Sign me up to help make bicycling better for all of us in Santa Barbara County:

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❏ New membership ❏ Renewal membership Make check out to Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition.Mail to Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition, PO Box 92047, Santa Barbara, CA 93190-2047

MEMBERSHIP IS VALID IF LABEL BELOW SAYS “MEMBER”

Is an address label missing?

Put your name here by joining theBicycle Coalition and have Quick Releasedelivered right to you 12 times a year!

Discounts tomembers

Members of the Santa BarbaraBicycle Coalition are offered dis-counts at local bike shops. It’sanother reason to join our advo-cacy group. To get your dis-count, take your copy of QuickRelease to the shop & showthem your address label thatsays “MEMBER” on it. Or cutout the label box and take it.Discount details are posted onour web site at www.sbbike.org/SBBC/who.html. Please patronizethe following shops:

Bicycle Bob’s250 Storke Road #A, Goleta15 Hitchcock Way, Santa Barbara

Bicycle Connection223 W. Ocean Avenue, Lompoc

Big Gear Bike Gear324 State Street #A, Santa Barbara

Cycles 4 Rent101 State Street, Santa Barbara633 E. Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara1111 E. Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara

Hazard’s Cyclesport735 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara

Mad Mike's Bikes1110 E. Clark Avenue #G, Santa Maria

Open Air Bicycles224 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara

Pedal Power Bicycles1740 Broadway, Santa Maria

VeloPro Cyclery633 State Street, Santa Barbara5887 Hollister Avenue, Goleta