At Bicycle Coalition HQ, we have affectionately dubbed 2012 the Year of the Bicycle Coalition Member. The reasons are endless, but a few things stick out from the rest:
We have more members than ever (750+ individuals & 40+ businesses)
We hosted our first General Meeting in 2012
We hosted the inaugural Members Only Party* in September 2012
More and more people are out on bicycles every day in SLO County!
In reflecting on 2012 one thing remains clear; the Bicycle Coalition family is growing and everyone is feeling it! Everything we do is for our members. We loved getting everyone together through our new events, to share our vision for the organization and celebrate our collective love for bicycles and the quality of life in SLO County that we cherish dearly.
Yet the Year of the Bicycle Coalition Member goes well beyond our events. Everywhere we went, we met people who just became members, all were energized and proud to be a part of our rapidly growing organization. We welcome these newcomers to the Bicycle Coalition family and can’t wait to see them at upcoming events, out on their bicycles, and sharing the community-minded vision of the Bicycle Coalition for years to come.
We are THE voice for bicycles in SLO County, our numbers our growing, and we’d love to have you become a part of our vision for a more bicycle friendly community.
*Our next Members Only Party is set for June 1, 2013 – and it’s a bicycle fashion show!
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The following is a letter from our Executive Director, Dan Rivoire, originally published in our Winter 2013 Spoken Wheel newsletter. As we are approaching a beautiful spring season, full of bicycle fun and events countywide, we are reminded of our ambition, innovation and commitment to make SLO County a great place for bicycles – and it’s all possible because of our dues paying members, volunteers and donations from community members like you!
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In January 2010 the Bicycle Coalition quietly launched a campaign designed to respond to the question: “what does the Coalition actually do?” Our goal was to make it painstakingly clear that we work extremely hard to achieve the mission laid out by our founders; to improve the quality of life in San Luis Obispo County through bicycling advocacy, education, and inspiration. Our strategy revolved around creating strong programs with tangible benefit to the community while improving communications across the board. In order to succeed, we needed to get the respect of the bicycle riding public while capturing the attention of everyone else in the Central Coast.
“Our goal was to make it painstakingly clear that we work extremely hard to achieve the mission laid out by our founders; to improve the quality of life in San Luis Obispo County through bicycling advocacy, education, and inspiration.”
Three years have passed since we took the first step towards accomplishing our goal and moved into our headquarters at the corner of Morro and Pacific in downtown San Luis Obispo. With the move we brought on the most ambitious addition to our empowerment focused programs while giving the community an image to visualize every time they think of the Bicycle Coalition. Becoming established at our prominent home on the Bill Roalman bike boulevard has been transformational. It is no mistake that 2012 was the strongest year on record for the Bicycle Coalition.
These three years have built upon the foundation laid by the staff, board, volunteers, and members during our creation in 2001. The foundation is not subsidized bicycles, valet parking, education, or advocacy efforts; it is the understanding that residents are driven by their desire to make San Luis Obispo County an incredible place live, work, and play. Our success is connected directly to the fact that every effort of the Bicycle Coalition relates to that foundation.
Recently, while reflecting on the three years spent in our headquarters, I caught myself thinking, “where has all the time gone?” Before I could blink, a list of epic proportions began to accumulate in my mind. Approved bike plans in every jurisdiction in the County, new active transportation infrastructure projects constructed, increased state and federal funding for active transportation projects, incredible impact through our four programs, and membership numbers growing at lightening speed. Emphasizing direct service and communication has resulted in the best financial position in our history.
“All of this hard work has primed the Bicycle Coalition for incredible growth. We dream of a Central Coast connected by regional paths, filled with bike lanes, and engaged by unbelievable community events. We believe that the Bicycle Coalition will become the strongest voice for community well being on the Central Coast.”
All of this hard work has primed the Bicycle Coalition for incredible growth. We dream of a Central Coast connected by regional paths, filled with bike lanes, and engaged by unbelievable community events. We believe that the Bicycle Coalition will become the strongest voice for community well being on the Central Coast. We will positively contribute to our community in the context of education, health, transportation, culture, and economy. Your support is the reason we exist and the reason we grow. Our gratitude is endless yet we know that your continued investment will best advance our cause. We ask you to look towards the horizon, realize our potential, and put your passion into action. 2013 should put 2012 to shame!
See you in the Bike Lane,
Dan Rivoire, Executive Director
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Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL), shares her story & belief in bicycles with us at the Women’s Bicycling Forum.
As an Iraq War veteran, Duckworth lost both of her legs while piloting a helicopter, she truly is an inspiration to us all. On what bicycles have offered for our veterans:
“Bicycling has represented an idea of never giving up, and given us the motivation to keep going.”
“For our wounded warriors the hardest part is not being able to use your body anymore.”
Women Bike, the new League of American Bicyclists program, is hosting the Women’s Bicycling Forum! We’re here all day and are so excited to see a packed house and fantastic styling – looking good League!
We’ll be providing updates throughout the week, including from our day on Capitol Hill meeting with congressional leaders.
View some great information about our record-setting 2012, our plans for 2013, inspiring words from our Executive Director, and more – The latest Spoken Wheel is out!
If you are a member, you’ve already received it in your mailbox, if not, check it out online here and become a member to get one delivered to your door in the future!
Save the date for 2013’s Members Only Party. It’s a FASHION SHOW! June 1, 2013
The California Air Resources Board will be holding public hearings for input on the investment of cap-and-trade auction proceeds to support the State’s effort to reduce the greenhouse gases (GHG) that contribute to climate change. Active transportation offers unique advantages to reduce GHG emissions and improve public health, reduce congestion, and improve public safety.
Increasing investments in Safe Routes to School programs, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and first-last mile connections to public transit will support the goals of AB 32 and SB 375. We encourage the administration to set aside a significant portion of the cap and trade revenues for these purposes.
Increased levels of bicycling and walking must play a part in reducing GHG emissions if
California wants to meet the targets set by AB 32.
A shift of automobile trips to bicycling or walking trips has a direct, positive impact in that trip emissions are reduced by 100 percent. Approximately 60% of trips in California are under one mile, and are currently taken by automobile. These trips can easily be accomplished by walking or bicycling, drastically reducing GHG emissions.
We encourage you to submit a written comment hereby March 8th to show your support for these funds to be used to help fund our bike/ped infrastructure and programs!
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We’re offering $10 off memberships for Valentine’s Day today! It’s our way of spreading the love to everyone who would like to join the Bicycle Coalition and support our successful efforts to make SLO County a great place for bicycles.
Find the special online form here(or embedded below), use coupon code “bicyclelove” for the discount!
Better hurry – this offer expires at 11:45 PST on February 14, 2013!
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Now that local, statewide and national groups have brought the recent resurfacing of Highway 1 to the attention of Caltrans officials, an official statement has been released regarding the Highway 1 chip seal project.
Caltrans officials are partnering with UC pavement researchers to find effective and affordable ways to make cycling a smoother experience along a recently paved section of Highway 1 in northern San Luis Obispo County. The Caltrans Division of Research and Innovation plans to tap the expertise of the University of California, Davis Pavement Research Center in response to local bicycle enthusiasts who say the chip seal project has made sections of the scenic route a rougher-than-usual ride.
“We’re looking for innovative solutions and are hopeful that this investigation will lead to both short and long-term improvements,” said Caltrans District 5 Director Tim Gubbins. “Caltrans plans to work closely with the local cycling community and UC experts as wesort this out.”
The news comes after an online petition circled by a group within the SLO Bike Club gained over 1,100 signatures in just a couple of weeks.
The UC Davis researchers are currently developing a scope of work to examine conditions on Highway 1 and offer recommendations about various cost-effective surface treatments and how they would service cyclists as well as all users of the highway. Over the next several months, researchers will consider any positive changes that can be made to the existing pavement surface. The investigation will also include any potential long-term improvements to our chip seal program statewide.
In the meantime, Caltrans will maintain its enhanced sweeping of Highway 1 and repairing potholes.
The Bicycle Coalition has met with local bicycle riders, bicycle travelers and attended local meetings regarding the issue. This is the first step towards restoring a bicycle friendly Highway One, we will be sure to keep you updated as the process continues.
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See you in the Bike Lane,
