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SLO County Bike Trails

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Tuesday February 24th is a busy day for bikes in SLO County. The Board of Supervisors will meet to consider approving the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for a 4.5-mile extension of the Bob Jones Trail from the historic Octagon Barn, then SLOCOG hosts the first community meeting on the Edna Price Canyon Multi-Use Anza Trail later that evening. Details about both events follow below.

Bob Jones Trail

octagonbarn440The SLO County Board of Supervisors is considering a big step toward extending the Bob Jones Trail on Tuesday, Feb. 24: certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for a 4.5-mile extension of the trail from the historic Octagon Barn on Higuera Street to the trail’s staging area on Ontario Road. The board is also considering approving the trail’s alignment, which includes undercrossings of San Luis Bay Drive and Highway 101.

What can you do?

1. Attend the hearing, which is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. – the first item after the Board of Supervisors’ lunch break. It will be in the County Government Center, 1055 Monterey St., SLO. Bring a bicycle helmet to identify yourself as a bicyclist. We’ll also be distributing “I <3 Bob Jones Trail” placards that people can hold to show support. People are welcome to speak in support of the trail, but we’re more interested in having a good turnout. 2. If you haven’t taken the brief survey about the Bob Jones Trail at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DMXCMMM, please do so. We will compile the data and present it to the Board of Supervisors. We want as many trail users to take the online questionnaire as possible. 3. Send an e-mail to your county supervisor or the entire board asking them to certify the Final EIR and approve the trail alignment. Supervisors and their e-mails are:

District 1: Frank Mecham – fmecham@co.slo.ca.us

District 2: Bruce Gibson – bgibson@co.slo.ca.us

District 3: Adam Hill – ahill@co.slo.ca.us

District 4: Lynn Compton – lcompton@co.slo.ca.us

District 5: Debbie Arnold – darnold@co.slo.ca.us

Edna Price Canyon Multi-Use Anza Trail

The Edna Price Canyon Anza Trail Project Workshop #1 takes place on Tuesday, February 24th, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (formal presentation 6:00-6:20) at the Los Ranchos Elementary School Library: 5785 Los Ranchos Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.

What can you do?

By attending this meeting, you will have a first-hand opportunity to provide invaluable feedback that is essential in shaping the future of this recreational opportunity and community connector. Workshop participants will be invited to:

  • Learn about the Edna Price Canyon Anza Trail project
  • Identify how and where you currently use the corridor
  • Help develop a future vision for this trail between San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach
  • Document any opportunities, concerns, or issues you would like addressed in the project

    • Please bring your friends and neighbors to both meetings to push for the future of great bike trails in SLO County!

    Bike of The Week: Giant Suede

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    Put on your blue suede Giant

    This week’s bike is a stylish 21-speed Giant Suede step-through. The comfortable geometry makes this bike a delight for riding around town. Featuring 26″ wheels and v-brakes, this bike is a great size for just about anyone. Ready to ride and available now in the Bike Kitchen for only $125.00.Blue_Suede_Mixte

    Interested? The Bike Kitchen is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 Noon – 5 PM.  Come see us at the corner of Morro and Pacific in SLO (860 Pacific St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401).

    Not the bike of your dreams? Check back soon for another bike of the week, or head down to the Kitchen and see what other bicycles might be right for you.

    Don’t need a new used bike? Come to the Kitchen to fix up your own bike. We also accept donations of gently used bikes and parts, which help make the Kitchen possible.

    Year of the Bicycle Coalition Member

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    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!

    Join03

    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.

    If you haven’t joined yet, now is the time!

    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!

    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.

    Screen shot 2013-01-07 at 1.25.11 PM

    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.

    2012 Election Questionnaires

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    The Bicycle Coalition sent the following questions to all candidates running for office throughout the Central Coast:
    1. In your opinion, how do biking and walking fit into the transportation system in your community/district?
    2. Would you like to increase or decrease the number of people biking and walking for transportation and recreation in your community/district, why?
    3. What steps would you take to increase or decrease the number of people biking and walking for transportation and recreation in your community/district?
    4. What specific accomplishments/qualifications demonstrate your capacity to improve the transportation system in your community/district?
    5. What else should members of the San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition know about you before going to the polls?

    All questionnaires returned to the Bicycle Coalition can be viewed/downloaded as a pdf, sorted by jurisdiction by clicking here. (Simply click on the right hand column to view the answers from any given candidate)

    The SLO County Bicycle Coalition does not and has not endorsed any candidate running for office.

    The information contained in this pdf is intended for informational purposes only.