[CalBike Report] CalBike Report July 2006

Thu Aug 3 18:47:47 PDT 2006

CALIFORNIA BICYCLE COALTION

CalBike Report, August 3, 2006

The CalBike Report is a monthly update on CBC's advocacy work.

Topics in this edition include:
CBC Opposes Transportation Bond
Two League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor Training Seminars
Scheduled for 2006
Report from the California Bicycle Advisory Committee (CBAC)
Implementation Strategy for the Highway Safety Improvement Plan in the
Works
October 2006 Call for Safe Routes to School Proposals
Coalition News from Around California

CBC Opposes Transportation Bond.  The California Bicycle Coalition (CBC)
board of directors has voted to oppose statewide transportation bond
measure 1B.  If approved by California voters in November, the measure
will spend $20 billion over the next ten years on projects that will do
little to make California a better place to ride a bicycle.

Despite pressure from CBC and over fifty environmental, planning and
social justice organizations throughout the state, the bond measure
hammered out by the state legislature and the governor contains little
but crumbs for pedestrians and bicyclists.  

In the event that the bond passes, CBC is poised to work directly with
members of the legislature to create and implement a policy to mitigate
the bond's impact on pedestrian and bicyclist safety and access.  CBC's
"Complete Streets Campaign" will develop and propose legislation to
ensure that all transportation projects be designed to provide safe and
convenient non-motorized access from the start, when it is most
affordable, rather than as expensive and less effective post-project
retrofits.

Complete Streets, also known as Routine Accommodation, is a campaign
being embraced by communities nationwide that promotes the idea that
roads should accommodate all users, not just motor vehicles. A network
of complete streets improves the safety, convenience, efficiency and
accessibility of the transportation system. In such a system,
pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and motorists of all ages and
abilities are able to safely move along and across a complete street. If
the transportation projects funded by the bond are screened by their
adherence to Complete Streets criteria, its negative impacts could be
mitigated.

Please join us! Write Rebecca Markussen <mailto:rebecca at calbike.org>  to
get involved in the Complete Streets Committee.  To donate to the CBC
Complete Streets Campaign, go to www.calbike.org.

Two League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor Training Seminars
Scheduled for 2006.  CBC is subsidizing two League
<http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/seminars.php>  Certified
Instructor Training Seminars through its grant from the Healthy
Transportation Network <http://www.healthytransportation.net/> .  An
August course to certify new instructors to teach LAB Street Skills
courses will be held in San Luis Obispo and an October training session
will be held in Sacramento.  The League's website provides a full
schedule
<http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/seminar_schedule.php>  of
LCI seminars.

Report from the California Bicycle
<http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tpp/offices/bike/cbac.htm>  Advisory Committee
(CBAC).
Encroachment Permit Staff Not Responsible for Work Zone Design. The
issues around the design and operation of roadway work zones has become
a flash-point among bicyclists, especially since recently two bicyclists
were killed by an overtaking van in southern California on Pacific
Highway - the bicyclists had to move into the narrowed traffic lane
because the shoulder was closed for a work zone. Gerry Meis, Caltrans
Division of Traffic Operations, discussed with CBAC bicycle
accommodation in work zones. Per Gerry, encroachment permits staff is
responsible for processing the permit
<http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/developserv/permits/>  paperwork, not
for designing the work zone.  Permits are not required for all work done
on state highways - some are exempt. CBAC noted the need for improved,
specific guidance about accommodating bikes in work zones and a process
for ensuring that the guidance is followed.  CBAC requested the
opportunity to review material being developed for the CA Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

CBAC Provides Caltrans with Recommendations for Ten Mile River Bridge
Seismic Replacement Project.  Alan Escarda, Heidi Sykes and John Steele
of Caltrans presented information about the Ten Mile River
<http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist1/d1projects/tenmile/index.htm>  Bridge
Seismic Replacement Project and sought CBAC's input on the appropriate
bicycle accommodations for this project, which is located in Fort Bragg.
The Committee recommended that Caltrans include an 8' shoulder on each
side of the bridge.  CBAC members also offered a less preferred
recommendation to include a 6' shoulder on each side of the bridge plus
a separated 5' pedestrian sidewalk on the ocean side.  CBAC viewed the
inclusion of shoulders more narrow than 6' as unacceptable. Jim Baross
<mailto:jimbaross at cox.net> , CBAC Treasurer and CBC Board Member

Implementation Strategy for the Highway Safety Improvement Plan in the
Works.  Advocates throughout the state have been participating in
California's Strategic Highway Safety Plan <http://www.dot.ca.gov/SHSP/>
(SHSP).  The Plan is a required component of the Highway Safety
<http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tfhrc/safety/pubs/81218/intro.htm>  Improvement
Program (HSIP) that brings funds totaling more than $90 million/year to
California.  CBC has been making the case that bicyclists and
pedestrians, who comprise 20% of traffic fatalities in the state, should
get a significant portion of the safety funds, including an allotment
for Safe Routes to School, as this program was previously funded through
an allocation of one third of the state's safety funds.  The next step
is the development of an implementation plan for the HSIP which will
take place this fall through a series of committee meetings.  CBC is
representing California's bicyclists by serving on committees that will
address bicycling and walking. Deb Hubsmith <mailto:deb at marinbike.org> ,
Advocacy Director, Marin County Bicycle Coalition

October 2006 Call for Safe Routes to School Proposals.  On June 16,
2006, Caltrans announced the project awards for the 2005-2006 Safe
Routes to School <http://www.dhs.ca.gov/routes2school/>  (SRTS) funding
cycle.  One hundred and fifteen projects throughout the state will
receive a total of $32 million to build pathways and sidewalks, install
bike racks, improve crossings, conduct traffic calming techniques, and
make other improvements to make it safer and easier for children to walk
and bike to school.  A California SRTS Advisory Committee, which was
convened by Joyce Parks, Caltrans' new SRTS State Coordinator, helped
develop an implementation plan.  In October 2006, there will be a call
for SRTS proposals (for both infrastructure and non-infrastructure
activities) in October 2006.  Non-profits are eligible to apply for
non-infrastructure planning and program grants and are advised to begin
working on program ideas and partnerships now, so as to be ready to
submit an application.  Deb <mailto:deb at marinbike.org>  Hubsmith,
Coordinator, Safe Routes to School National Partnership

Coalition News from Around California.  
During June and July, the Orange <http://www.ocbikecoalition.org/>
County Bicycle Coalition (OCBC) had some successes in convincing
Caltrans to improve their plans for bicycling both during and after the
rebuilding of the Pacific Coast Highway at Bolsa Chica.  In a separate
project, OCBC has been working to improve the detours and signage used
during the rebuilding of the Warner Avenue Bridge, which crosses over
the Santa Ana River Trail, a heavily-used route for Orange County
bicyclists.  Thank you to Don Harvey, <mailto:HarveyDonW at juno.com>  JD,
PhD, OCBC Executive Director

San Francisco's official bicycle plan, updated and adopted last June, is
battling a lawsuit challenging the adequacy of the environmental review
it received before adoption.  Six weeks ago, a preliminary injunction
was handed down that freezes all lane striping, parking and lane
removal/re-allocation, sharrow stenciling, even sidewalk bike racks,
until the suit is heard and decided (on the calendar for Sept. 13).  The
San Francisco Bicycle Coalition' <http://www.sfbike.org/> s website and
the San Francisco Examiner provide information about the lawsuit. Andy
Thornley <mailto:andy at sfbike.org> , SFBC Program Director

On June 25, Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition <http://www.sbbike.org/>
members, Ralph Fertig and Soumil Mehta, led two hour-long bike
facilities tours of the University of California Santa Barbara campus.
The rides were open to participants of the "Building Confidence: From
Sustainable Policy to Practice" conference that ran for two days at the
campus.  A total of thirty-two people participated in the tours. Ralph
Fertig <mailto:sb-ralph at cox.net> , SBBC President

The Peninsula Bicycle and Pedestrian <http://www.penbiped.net/index.php>
Coalition (PBPC) has had some success in working with Caltrans to
clarify the bike lanes and I-280 on-ramps on Woodside Road.  The
Coalition is starting work with Caltrans on the proposed widening and
lane additions to Willow Road over US Route 101, which is a common
bicycle route to businesses on the east side of  US Route 101 and the
Dumbarton Bridge bicycle path over San Francisco Bay to the East Bay.
The PBPC has also been working to ensure bicycle access is properly
provided in new Transit Oriented Development (TOD) project at Bay
Meadows in San Mateo. 

PBPC held a well-attended Bicycles and the Law Presentation featuring an
attorney experienced with bicyclists and pedestrian cases and a retired
police officer experienced in accident investigations to help prepare
bicyclists in case of an accident.  The Coalition also staffed three
Bike to Work day energizer stations and one rest stop in this year's Bay
in a Day double century. Steve <mailto:Steve1214 at hotmail.com>
Vanderslip, PBPC President

The East Bay Bicycle Coalition <http://www.ebbc.org/index.html> 's
campaign for routine accommodation of bicyclists, pedestrians and
wheelchair users in transportation projects was recently instituted into
policy.  On June 28, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission
<http://www.mtc.ca.gov/>  (MTC) approved Resolution No. 3765 - Routine
Accommodation of Pedestrians and Bicyclists Study and Recommendations,
which calls for full consideration of the needs of non-motorized
travelers during project development, design, construction, and
rehabilitation.  Reference the July issue of EBBC's rideOn newsletter
for more details. Robert <mailto:robertraburn at ebbc.org>  Raburn, EBBC
Executive Director

The Lake <http://www.tahoebike.org/>  Tahoe Bicycle Coalition (LTBC) has
requested and received a resolution by the City of South Lake Tahoe to
take the necessary steps to become designated as a Bicycle Friendly
Community.  LTBC is in the final design stages of the first Lake Tahoe
Bicycle Trail Map--including Truckee--of all paved bikeways.  The
Coalition is also collaborating with the Tahoe-Reno International Film
Festival, August 23-27, 2006 to bring awareness of bicycling as a direct
and tangible way of mitigating air pollution, increase water quality,
reduce traffic congestion, and connect our communities in a more
friendly way.  <mailto:BikeLakeTahoe at aol.com> Ty Polastri, LTBC
President

The Fresno County <http://fresnobike.org/>  Bicycle Coalition organized
its community's Bike to
<http://fresnobike.org/BTWD2006/Site/Photos.html>  Work Day 2006 event,
now in its fifth year. Mark Stout <mailto:markstout2003 at yahoo.com> , FBC
Board Member

Financially invest in CBC for safer cycling in California.  We reply on
your generous donations in order to promote bicyclists' interests in
Sacramento.  Pledge your support today by contacting Rebecca Markussen
at rebecca at calbike.org or 916-446-7558.

If you do not wish to receive future editions of the CalBike Report,
send an email to Rebecca at calbike.org titled, "unsubscribe calbike".  If
you have received multiple copies of this Report, send an email to
Rebecca at calbike.org titled, "multiple copies calbike".

Rebecca A. Markussen
Communications Director
California Bicycle Coalition
(916) 446-7558
www.calbike.org

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