[CalBike Report] California Bicycle Coalition's January CalBike Report

Fri Feb 2 17:55:14 PST 2007

CALIFORNIA BICYCLE COALITION

CalBike Report, February 2, 2007

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

Topics covered in this edition:

Complete Streets Campaign Gaining Momentum

Pedal Power Lobbying Day Approaching

Help to Develop National Strategy for Bicycling

New Member Strengthens CBC Board of Directors

Walk/Bike California 2007 Conference Call for Submittals

Advocacy News from Around the State

Complete Streets Campaign Gaining Momentum.  Through its participation on
the California Bicycle <http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tpp/offices/bike/cbac.htm>
Advisory Committee, CBC has worked with Caltrans to draft a more strongly
worded version of Deputy
<http://admin.dot.ca.gov/bfams/deputydirectives/Internal/DD-64.pdf>
Directive 64 (DD64).  The revised language would strengthen the directive by
stating all newly built or repaired transportation infrastructure will,
rather than should, be designed to accommodate the needs of bicyclists and
pedestrians.  The revised document is currently being reviewed internally
for approval by Caltrans personnel. 

Several legislators have expressed interested in carrying CBC's Complete
Street Act of 2007.  The bill would change the state law that requires local
governments to develop general plan by requiring the transportation portions
of those plans to accommodate the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians in all
transportation infrastructure.  The Office <http://www.opr.ca.gov/>  of
Planning and Research would be required to develop guidelines for the
agencies' compliance.

CBC staff will educate the California <http://www.catc.ca.gov/>
Transportation Commission (CTC) regarding CBC's Complete Streets Campaign at
CTC's March meeting.  The Commission's role is three fold.  First, it
oversees the programming and allocation of funds for the construction of
highway, passenger rail and transit improvements throughout California.
Second, the Commission advises and assists the Secretary of Business,
Transportation and Housing Agency and the Legislature in formulating and
evaluating state policies and plans for California's transportation
programs.  Finally, it actively participates in the initiation and
development of State and Federal legislation that seeks to secure financial
stability for the State's transportation needs.  The CTC is comprised of
nine Governor appointed members, one non-voting Senator and one non-voting
Assemblymember.

Pedal Power Lobbying Day Approaching.  Plan to attend CBC's 3rd annual Pedal
Power <http://www.calpedalpower.org/>  Lobbying Day to be held in Sacramento
on May 1-2.  Justin Fanslau, CBC's Lobbyist, will teach you how to
effectively communicate with politicians and walk you through CBC's position
on the bicycle relevant legislation under consideration by lawmakers.  This
training will effectively prepare you to advocate for bicyclists'
perspectives during a meeting with your state representatives or their staff
on the subsequent day.  A bicycle expo, wine and cheese gathering, and
optional dinner will round out the festivities.

Help to Develop National Strategy for Bicycling.  Plan to represent your
congressional district at the League of American Bicyclists' National Bike
<http://www.bikeleague.org/conferences/summit07/index.php>  Summit to be
held on March 13-16 in Washington DC.  Bicycle advocates, industry
executives, elected officials, and government representatives will develop a
national strategy for bicycling in six areas: transportation, health,
recreation, tourism, energy and the environment.  Delegates will present
their legislative priorities to the 110th Congress.

New Member Strengthens CBC Board of Directors.  The CBC is proud to announce
David <mailto:david at thunderheadalliance.org>  Hoffman as the newest member
of its Board of Directors.  David is a long time bicycle advocate,
year-round daily bicycle commuter, and strong believer in bicycle and
pedestrian-friendly communities.  After founding Bike Pittsburgh
<http://www.bike-pgh.org/>  in 2002, David spent the next three years
advocating for bicycle friendly infrastructure and policy within Pittsburgh
as the bicycle advocacy coalition's Executive Director.  As Director of
Member Resources for the Thunderhead <http://www.thunderheadalliance.org/>
Alliance, David brings to the Board insight into membership and board
development, fundraising, and advocacy training.  The Thunderhead Alliance
is a national advocacy organization that is assisting CBC and other advocacy
groups in strengthening their Complete <http://www.completestreets.org/>
Streets Campaigns.

Walk/Bike California 2007 Conference Call for Submittals.  The third
biennial Walk/Bike <http://www.walkbikecalifornia.org/>  California
Conference will be held on Tuesday, September 11 to Friday, September 14,
2007 in Davis, California.  Please join us with your participation and
respond to the Call for Presentations, Posters, Sponsors, Exhibits or Awards
by Friday, March 16. 

Whether your interest is engineering, planning, public health, livable
communities, safety, education, legislation or transportation reform,
Walk/Bike California 2007 is an essential conference to share your work,
network with colleagues, and meet those who are funding and creating an
exciting movement that is changing the way Californians live.  The
conference will feature informational sessions, workshops and mobile tours
on walking and bicycling topics.

Walk/Bike California 2007 is hosted by the California Bicycle Coalition in
association with California Walks. The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle
Professionals (APBP)'s Professional Development Seminar will be held
concurrently.

Advocacy News from Around the State

The Los Angeles Times prominently featured Monica Howe, Los Angeles County
Bicycle Coalition <http://www.labikecoalition.org/>  Outreach Coordinator,
in a January 2, 2007 article
<http://www.latimes.com/la-me-bicycle2jan02,0,1097586.story?page=2&coll=la-h
ome-headlines>  discussing the trials of bicycle advocacy "in the
throne-room of the motor vehicle".  Howe <mailto:monica at labike.org>
garnered praise for bringing attention to urban cycling in Los Angeles and
the need for safer on-road riding conditions.

With the endorsement of the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, Lauren
Franconi, Bike Bakersfield <mailto:http://www.bikebakersfield.org/> 's
Executive Director, has taught over 4,500 of the County's elementary and
middle school children about bicycle safety, health, fitness, and
environmental awareness; through her "Street Safe Smarts for
<http://www.bikebakersfield.org/bike_to_school.htm>  Bikes" presentation.
Franconi aims to reach an additional 30,000 children during the
organization's second year of operation with the help of proposed grant
funding. 

Join up to 200 other cyclists in raising money for the Sonoma
<http://bikesonoma.org/>  County Bicycle Coalition (SCBC) as participants in
the Boggs II Mountain Bike XC Event
<http://www.bikemonkey.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.boggsII> .  The March
31, 2007 ride will take place within the Boggs State Demonstration Forrest
located in Cobb, CA.  Contact Carlos Perez <mailto:los at bikemonkey.net>  for
additional information, 707-478-9034.  

SCBC will also be hosting a League of American Bicyclist instructed Street
Skills <http://bikesonoma.org/events.html>  course on February 4 and March
18.  Contact Tim Bacon <mailto:TimB at BikeSonoma.org>  regarding course
details and reservations. 

Kathy Keehan <mailto:execdir at sdcbc.org> , San Diego County Bicycle Coalition
Executive Director, was featured in a December 30, 2006 Voice of San Diego
news article
<http://www.voiceofsandiego.com/articles/2006/12/30/news/01keehan.txt>
about bicycle advocacy in the city.

The Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA
<http://www.sacbike.org/advocacy/state_bicycle_facilities/> )'s 2007
legislative agenda includes sponsoring a bill
<http://www.sacbike.org/advocacy/state_bicycle_facilities/>  that would
require state owned and leased offices buildings to provide secure bicycle
parking, showers and clothing locker for employees and bicycle parking for
visitors.  SABA is hopeful that the passage of this proposed legislation
will spur other public agencies and private sector employers to follow suit.
Walt Seifert <mailto:saba1 at sbcglobal.net> , SABA Executive Director
-----------
Financially invest in CBC for safety cycling in California.  We rely on your
generous donations in order to promote bicyclists' interests in Sacramento.
Pledge your support today by donating online at www.calbike.org
<http://www.calbike.org/> , or contacting Rebecca at rebecca at calbike.org or
(916) 446-7558.

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rebecca at calbike.org titled, "multiple copies calbike".

------------------

Rebecca A. Markussen

Communications Director

California Bicycle Coalition

(916) 446-7558

(916) 448-8246 fax

www.calbike.org

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