Happy Thanksgiving!
Image from Cranksgiving.org … a nationwide event combining bicycle riding with delivering food to local food banks (by bike of course) for the Thanksgiving holiday! Maybe SLO County will have one next year…!
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Know the Board: Yukie
What kind of riding do you do? How often? I used to ride and race road bikes but lately I’m really into mountain biking. The scenery is intoxicatingly beautiful. I love the challenge of riding on varying terrains throughout the state and the relaxed, kicked back demeanor that comes with dirt riders. Chris, my fiancé, and I travel almost always with our bikes in hopes of finding new trails wherever we go.
Around town, I ride my sweet KHS road bike. I changed out the drop bars for comfortable handlebars and threw on a basket to fit everything I need when tooling around town.
What do you think the most important thing the Coalition has done in SLO County? By far, the most important thing that the Coalition has does is create a strong voice to advocate for safe cycling and transportation. We care about our quality of life and the people around us so it’s essential that the cyclists’ voice is represented in the community. When we ride to work, school, or just to the grocery store, let’s make sure that we, as a community, provide the safest routes possible.
What advice do you have to encourage others to get on their bicycles? New at riding? Ask a friend to go with you to a flat, empty parking lot or quiet bike path and practice the basics (breaking, turning, shifting gears, etc). Also, it’s important to learn the basics like fixing a flat and how to check over your bike before going out on a ride.
Learn the rules of the road. You have rights! Knowing your rights on the road makes you a more confident and safe rider. Even experience riders make simple mistakes that can put you in danger. The Coalition offers informative and fun bike ed classes, they are free! Sign up online at SLOBikeEd.org
Also… Have you seen how much gas is????
What’s your favorite thing about bicycles? The freedom. Riding on a quiet mountain at dusk or to my house after work is my therapy.
Describe your favorite bicycle memory… Getting engaged at the top of Tequepis trail, in San Ynez; this was the most amazing ride and best surprise ever. It had rained for weeks and the weather finally cleared up this one weekend. Chris and I rode up this windy single track under the canopy and at the top, it opens up to a 365 degree view of the ocean and San Ynez Valley/Lake Cachuma. Magical. Chris and I love mountain biking together so it was a very special, and appropriate, engagement.
Anything else you want to share? Ladies, riding in heels is easy-don’t sacrifice style when on a bike! 🙂
Draft Transportation Bill Ignores Biking & Walking
This past week, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, chaired by Sen. Barbara Boxer, released draft language for legislation to replace the Transportation Enhancements portion of the federal transportation bill. This is one of the main federal funding sources for bicycling and pedestrian projects and programs.
Biking & walking make up almost 10% of all trips in our country, but are only given 1.2% of federal funding, making it difficult to promote these modes and further increase the health of our communities. As you can see, Transportation Enhancements (TE) accounts for almost 50% of all funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects:
The draft federal bill is disappointing, as we had expected a continuation of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian funding, as promised repeatedly by Sen. Boxer. Current funding has never amounted to more than 1.5% of total federal transportation dollars, but it has produced many improvements in communities nationwide, including many in our own backyard:
- Bob Jones Trail (Connecting SLO to Avila Beach)
- Highway 1 Bike Lanes
- Bike Lanes along Quintana Rd in Morro Bay
- Bike Lanes along El Camino Real in Atascadero
- Railroad Safety Trail in San Luis Obispo
- …and many, many more
These projects are just a few that have been made possible thanks to TE funding, without it, the future of bicycle and pedestrian projects are at risk. In a time where active transportation options are vital for the health of our local economies, populations and communities, we cannot afford to strip their funding.
The draft bill delivers a triple whammy to bicycling and walking:
- Competition with highway funding: Bicycle and pedestrian programs (which currently receive their own dedicated funding) would be lumped together into an “Additional Activities” pot of funding, along with expensive highway projects, wetlands mitigation and environmental mitigation.
- Less funding available: The funding level for the entire “Additional Activities” pot is equal to less than 1% of the entire bill.
- Opt-out provision: The bill provides an incentive for states to not spend the “Additional Activities” funding. If states do not spend this funding for 18 months, they can redirect the funds elsewhere.
As chair of the Environment & Public Works Committee, our own Senator Boxer must fix these problems and support amendments to restore dedicated, committed funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects, so we can improve safety and mobility for people who choose to walk and bike.
We thought we would let you know what’s happening on Capitol Hill, and will be sure to keep you updated on any actions you can take to help make sure biking and walking get dedicated funding in the next bill. In the meantime, spread the word to others, keep biking and walking, and we’ll see you in the bike lane!
For a side-by-side comparison of the current and the proposed bills, click here.
To read the official statement from our National partners at America Bikes, click here.
Pints for Bikes Benefit Concert
This month, Creeky Tiki is hosting a benefit concert, all on behalf of bicycles… All proceeds from the evening benefit the Coalition, and it’s sure to be a blast! Featuring $2 tacos all night long, deep-discounted drinks and great music all night long.
What: “Pints for Bikes” Benefit Concert
When: Tuesday November 15th, 7:00 – 11:00pm
Where: Creeky Tiki, 782 Higuera St, SLO (map)
Why: Along with great music, food and drink all night long, all proceeds from the event benefit the Coalition!
Buy “Creeky Tiki Taco” Tickets:
$15 – 2 authentic tacos plus 2 alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) drinks
$40 – 8 authentic tacos plus 4 alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) drinks
More information can be found on the event site here.
Biking Saves Billions in Health Costs
It seems like we’re seeing more and more articles these days about bicycles and health (and many other articles connecting bicycles with the topics of today). But recently a study was published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives which puts numbers with the benefits associated with more bicycle trips.
Researchers found that if inhabitants of the sample region switched to bikes for half of their short trips, they’d create a net societal health benefit of $3.5 billion per year from the increase in air quality and $3.8 billion in savings from smaller health care costs…
Yet another reason bicycles are great! View the article on GOOD.is here.
If you think bicycles are a great solution to many problems also, join the Coalition! It’s the way to have YOUR voice counted when we advocate for bicycles on the local, state and national level.
CA Bike Summit
This weekend has been full of inspiring ideas from the movers & shakers in the bicycle world, on local, state, and national levels.
We’re on the right track in SLO County, and couldn’t do it without your love & support! Bikes are on the edge of a BIG renaissance, and we all benefit from it.
As today’s the last day, we’ll be giving you an recap of what went down in the next couple days. In the meantime, here are some pics:
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