Posts

Tammy Duckworth: Rockstar

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Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL), shares her story & belief in bicycles with us at the Women’s Bicycling Forum.

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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.”

Needless to say, she is a rockstar!

Winter 2013 Spoken Wheel

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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

Save the date for 2013’s Members Only Party. It’s a FASHION SHOW! June 1, 2013

View the Winter 2013 Spoken Wheel online.

Valentine’s Day Special!

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Join04

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!

Fill out my online form.

Caltrans Releases Highway One Resurfacing Statement

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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.

More information is also available online:

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.

Advocacy Alert

*UPDATE* Call for a Bicycle Friendly Highway One

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As a follow up to our post earlier this week regarding a recent resurfacing of Highway 1, this issue has gained attention on the local, state and national level from a few of our partners.

From the SLO Tribune, photo by Lyman Evans.

From the SLO Tribune, photo by Lyman Evans.

Local – On Wednesday, January 9th, at the monthly SLOCOG Board Meeting, over 60 people showed up to show support for a fix of this new road surface. Multiple local news stories have covered the issue, and the conversation is growing.

State – Our friends at the California Bicycle Coalition in Sacramento are aware of the issue, and we are working closely with them as well.

National – Adventure Cycling Association, a national group representing over 45,000 members, wrote an insightful blog post on the issue. They cite this Pacific Coast route as it’s most popular bicycle tourism route.

You – Add your voice to the nearly 600 people who have already signed the online petition, and we will be sure to keep you updated as the process unfolds.

Potholes, some several inches deep, are seen outlined in the bike lane after having been camouflaged by the repaving. SLO Tribune. Photo by Joe Johnston

Potholes, some several inches deep, are seen outlined in the bike lane after having been camouflaged by the repaving. From the SLO Tribune. Photo by Joe Johnston

Grover Beach – W Grand Ave Improvements Underway

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Construction signs are up, and the City of Grover Beach will be starting very soon with phase 2 of the West Grand Avenue Enhancement Project.

This project will be a major improvement for street and pedestrian conditions on West Grand Avenue between 8th and 11th Streets. Components of the project include sidewalk and street repairs, accessible pedestrian corner ramps, new striping, landscaped center medians, lighting, and more. The goals of the project are to enhance and clearly define the City’s downtown core.

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Construction is set to last about three months to complete (weather permitting). For further details and contact information, you can view the City’s announcement here.

Advocacy Alert

Call for a Bicycle Friendly Highway One

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Join the incredibly strong voice of people in the Central Coast that want to see Highway 1 safe for bikes and sign this petition to express your concern to CalTrans. Petition here.

The Facts: 

  1. CalTrans resurfaced (thin layer of chip seal) a segment of Highway 1 North of Cambria in late 2012.
  2. The rock aggregate used in the resurfacing is rough and makes riding a bike challenging (see images).
  3. One person has already crashed as a result of the new road surface.
  4. CalTrans has stated that the roadway will become smooth over time and stands behind the resurfacing work for economic rationale.

The San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition strongly supports the voice of hoteliers, restauranteurs, business owners, community members, nonprofits, and people who ride bikes that are asking CalTrans to provide a solution to this problem. Safe conditions for cycling on Highway 1 are essential to our economic vitality and community wellbeing through opportunities for recreational tourism, active local residents, and nonprofit fundraising endeavors. Together we can make Highway 1 great.

A few images of the new road surface: 

Zoomed way out (old surface top vs new surface bottom)

Zoomed way out (old surface top vs new surface bottom)

Zoomed closer (old surface top vs new surface bottom)

Zoomed closer (old surface top vs new surface bottom)

Super zoom (new surface only)

Super zoom (new surface only)

Sign the online petition to restore bicycle riding on Highway One in Northern SLO County here.

Advocacy Alert

Pismo Beach Complete Streets Plan Approved!

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Yesterday evening the Pismo Beach Planning Commission enthusiastically approved the Pismo Beach Complete Streets Plan featuring incredible bike paths, sidewalk improvements, roundabouts, and trees. We were very excited to hear such great support from the community and commissioners and thank everyone who has been involved throughout the process.

It is tentatively schedule to go to the Pismo Beach City Council for review and comment on February 19, 2013. We will keep you posted.

Take a look at the plan here.