California By Bike Summit

09/24/2013/in Advocacy, Events /by coalition2001

We are at an exciting and powerful moment in the history of bicycle advocacy in our state. Governor Brown has provided more money than ever for active transportation infrastructure and he’s given us a blank slate regarding rules on how to spend it. Are we prepared to make the most of this opportunity?

Our statewide partners, the California Bicycle Coalition, are hosting an incredible summit in November to address the future of bicycles in the state. Aimed at brining bicycle culture, infrastructure and excitement to all corners of the golden state, the California by Bike Summit is guaranteed to inspire!

On November 7-10 in Oakland, CA, California by Bike will bring people together so that we can say, “Yes, we can.” This is a gathering of more than just bike advocates and the bike industry, but leading bike-minded people in transit, urban planning, health, design, technology, and tourism as we share, envision, connect and collaborate on how to best improve biking in California.

Your Bicycle Coalition will be in attendance to learn and share from others, with the central coast having many recent victories for bicycles. We are also excited to hear what other similar parts of the state are doing to make bicycle riding better in their communities. We’d love to see you there as we all continue to work together to making places better for bicycles!

When: November 7-10, 2013
Where: 685 14th St, Oakland, CA (map)

For more information, to register and receive early-bird registration (ends September 30!) visit the California by Bike Summit online here.

Mud Mash Benefits the Bicycle Coalition!

09/20/2013/in Events /by coalition2001

Our friends at All Out Events are hosting the 4th annual Mud Mash on October 26 – and the Bicycle Coalition is receiving a portion of the proceeds!

What is a Mud Mash?
It’s an epic course made of obstacles inspired by the military, rock climbing, nature, and more on a 5k run with hundreds of participants. The goal is to have fun, be active, and push yourself on the adventure course!

Photo by Kaori Photography

How do I support the Bicycle Coalition?
Register as a group in the “Industry Competition” and the Bicycle Coalition receives some of the proceeds!

What is the “Industry Competition”?
It’s not just against yourself and other teams, race against your industry! The awesome organizers of the Mud Mash have made it easy to register for a group of 5 (for the price of 4) in the “Industry Competition”. It’s a great way to get your groups name out there and secure bragging rights for next year!

1. Get five people together from your organization
2. Register and get five people for the price of four in the 5k event
3. Let them know what industry you are in (ex: colleges, wineries, non-profits, etc)

We are excited to be a part of this unique Central Coast event, and can’t wait to see everyone climbing, crawling, running and dragging themselves through the mud-infested course!

When: Saturday October 26, 7:00-8:30 am check-in … 9:00 first wave begins
Where: Laguna Lake Park, SLO

For more information, visit the Mud Mash online.

SLO City Planning Commission to Address Key Bicycle Projects this Week

09/09/2013/in Advocacy /by coalition2001

The San Luis Obispo City Planning Commission is set to consider two important bicycle issues at their Wednesday night meeting, and the Bicycle Coalition would love to see your support! There is no speaking required, but you can if you would like. The two issues to be reviewed at the meeting include:

The preferred trail alignment of the Bob Jones Trail from Los Osos Valley Road to the Octagon Barn
The Draft 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan

When: Wednesday September 11, 2013 at 6:00 pm
Where: City Council Chambers, 990 Palm St, SLO (map)

Your Bicycle Coalition has been hard at work with our team of advocates as we continue the positive progress of the Bob Jones Trail for users countywide. In addition to the future of this popular trail, the commission will also be considering the Draft 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan – the blueprint of future bicycle facilities in the City of SLO. Both issues are key as we work together to make SLO County an incredible place for bicycles!

View the September 11, 2013 Planning Commission agenda.

Bob Jones Trail

There is no need to speak in support of the proposed alignment, just being there to show the bicycle community’s overwhelming support for the alignment along the scenic creek is very helpful.

If you would like to speak:
-Urge commissioners to support the preferred alignment along the creek and creek setback (read more about the preferred alignment).

Draft 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan

The Bicycle Transportation Plan creates a guiding blueprint for increasing bicycle ridership and future infrastructure improvements to improve connectivity and safety for all road users. Your Bicycle Coalition will be asking commissioners to recommend approval of the draft plan to the SLO City Council.

If you would like to speak: (We encourage you to do so!)
-Urge commissioners to recommend approval of the plan to the SLO City Council.
-You can also view the plan online (planned projects start at page 52, Appendix A, all are sorted by area of SLO City) and take note of the specific projects that are important to you and your family.

If you cannot attend:
-Take a look at the plan online, and send a quick email the Deputy Director of Long Range Planning, Kim Murry (kmurry@slocity.org) the specific projects that are important to you.

Advocacy Alert: 3ft Passing Bill on Governor Brown’s Desk

09/08/2013/in Advocacy, Safety /by coalition2001

Our statewide partners at the California Bicycle Coalition are one step closer to victory in their latest Give Me 3 campaign.

Give Me 3 is a Bill to get drivers to give a safe three feet of clearance when passing a bicycle rider. Assembly Bill 1371 amends the Vehicle Code to specify three feet as the safe passing distance. Twenty-one other states have enacted similar legislation.

The bill has been passed by the California State Assembly and as of August 27th, 2013 it passed the Senate on a 31-7 vote! Now it sits on the Governor’s desk awaiting final approval.

The legislation would “require a driver to pass a bicycle at a distance of at least three feet”, but when drivers cannot leave that much room due to road conditions they must slow to “a reasonable and prudent speed” and pass only if doing so would not endanger the cyclist’s safety. A violation would be punishable by fines starting at $35. It also sets a base fine of $220 (that’s $959 once court fees and other expenses are added) for injuring a bicycle rider in violation of this statute.

This current version of the bill is an attempt to address the concerns raised by the governor in vetoing previous 3-foot passing bills over the past two legislative sessions. This has given him the distinction of becoming only the second governor to do so – joining Texas’ Rick Perry.

Over 40% of fatal bicycle collisions are caused by motorists passing unsafely. And yet, Governor Brown has vetoed CalBike’s previous two “3 foot” bills. With your help today, the third time could be the charm.

AB 1371, if signed into law by the governor, could become an effective educational tool in making roads safer for all users. Please send a note urging Governor Jerry Brown to pass this important piece of legislation, and require California drivers to give a safe distance when they pass you on your bicycle.

Loads of Kid Friendly Bike Events Coming Up!

09/05/2013/in Events /by coalition2001

In the next few days, there are quite a few opportunities for bicycle fun for kids in SLO County!

Your Bicycle Coalition is the host of Kidical Mass and provides free helmet fits for participants of both Bike Rodeos, which focus on bicycle education and skills practice for kids, just in time for the school year. All events are free to attend! Check them out below.

Kidical Mass

When: Thursday September 5, 2013 … 5:30 pm
Where: Mitchell Park, SLO (for a brief safety talk before we ride) (map)

The Last Kidical Mass of 2013 with a UNICORN theme! Bright white horns, magical sparkles, and mythical animals are welcome as we ride through downtown, to share in the joy of riding bicycles.

We hope to see you for the fun before we end in the Mission Plaza, in time to enjoy the Thursday night Farmers Market!

SLO Bike Rodeo

When: Saturday September 7, 2013 … 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Where: Hawthorne Elementary School, SLO (map)

This annual Bike Rodeo has everything kids need to practice their riding skills! A full safety town to ride through, helmet fit to make sure heads are properly protected, mechanic stations to tune up bikes, and more.

Plus, it’s free! Join us for riding skills, and then follow it up with a stunt show spectacular at 2:00.

Kidz Ride Paso

When: Sunday September 8, 2013 … 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Larry Moore Park, Paso Robles (map)

This family-oriented event is designed for kids ages 4-13 to have fun, improve their bike handling skills, and learn bike safety and etiquette.

Kids and their parents can “take to the road” on a course through the park to try out their new safety skills. Event includes a bike & helmet safety check and goody bag to all kids.

2013 Kidical Mass Season Wraps Up

08/27/2013/in Kidical Mass /by coalition2001

The Last Kidical Mass of 2013 is next week!

September’s theme is UNICORNS! Bright white horns, magical sparkles, and mythical animals are welcome as we ride through downtown, to share in the joy of riding bicycles. We hope to see you Thursday for the fun, this is our last ride of the season.

When: September 5, 2013 … 5:30 pm
Where: Mitchell Park, SLO (for a brief safety talk before we ride)
What: View our easy route here

View even more information, and invite your family friends on our Facebook event page.

PLEASE NOTE:
ALL participants (kids & adults) must be on a bicycle. We cannot allow parents to walk next to their child on a bicycle, as it is illegal to walk in the roadway. The ride is just about 1 mile, please be sure your child has the ability to keep up with the group so we can ensure the safety of all participants.

Fall 2013 Spoken Wheel

08/22/2013/in Profiles /by coalition2001

2013 has been an incredible year for bicycles on the Central Coast and the growth of the Bicycle Coalition as an organization. This Spoken Wheel, the last of 2013, includes all sorts of goodies for you to peruse:

Bikes & Beauty photos
What’s new for bicycles countywide
Upcoming events
A major thank you to all of our large donors
…and more!

View it on our website here, or grab a copy from our downtown HQ to flip through it in person!

Donate to Connect SLO County, Get a Bell!

08/05/2013/in Advocacy /by coalition2001

Receive one of these limited edition bells with your donation to Connect SLO County!

These fun, new, shiny bells could be yours with a donation to our Connect SLO County initiative!

Connect SLO County is an initiative of the San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition. Your contribution today funds the work that is making the completion of our bike paths a reality. Through your special contribution to Connect SLO County, we will be able to complete the paths that will help more people of all ages, from eight years old to 80 years old, move around SLO County by bike.

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