slo Archives • Page 4 of 22 • Bike SLO County

Take the Survey – Bike the Vote!

12/09/2016/in Advocacy /by coalition2001

Participate: Community Priorities Survey and Community Forum

It seems like it was just yesterday, but the time for the bike community of San Luis Obispo to stand up and be counted is here again. Every two years, the City of SLO establishes the top priorities to make San Luis Obispo an even better place to live, work and play. The City Council then matches the resources necessary to achieve these priorities through adopting the budget in June. The adopted budget sets the City’s course of action for the next two years and helps the City to continue to provide the exceptional services and programs the community cherishes.

In previous years the bike community has been a strong presence in the preliminary Community Priorities Survey and at the Community Forum that follows, resulting in bike and pedestrian improvements throughout the town. While we’re happy to see the ongoing improvements, there is always more that needs improving.

With recent narrow failure of Measure J, which would have generated about $25 million dollars per year for local roads and transportation countywide, it is now more important than ever for people who support bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements to stand up and be heard. For residents of the City of SLO, there are two easy steps to take:

Take the Community Priorities Survey before midnight on December 14, 2016 and your answers will be summarized and presented to the City Council at the Community Forum in January. A link to the survey site is here: Community Priorities Survey
Attend the City Council Community Forum on January 10, 2017 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Ludwick Community Center, 864 Santa Rosa St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (map). This forum is an opportunity to present your ideas to the Council and discuss them with other community members.

While many of us in San Luis Obispo will rightly raise our concerns for the projects that we see making the most difference in our daily lives, The Bike SLO County Advocacy Team suggests support for the four following priorities. Experience has shown us that when we focus on a concentrated number of projects we are able to see them adopted and built:

Complete the next segment of the Railroad Safety Trail – Pepper Street to the train station – while continuing the effort to create a permanent trail separated from traffic citywide. (The city received a grant for the segment from Taft to Pepper Street, including a bicycle/pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks behind California Highway Patrol headquarters. Construction is scheduled to start in 2017.)
Complete the Bob Jones Trail, with the priority of designing and constructing the Los Osos Valley Road to the Octagon Barn connection. (The feasibility study is complete and environmental study in the approval process.)
Design and construct Safe Routes to School to Pacheco and Bishop Peak elementary schools, including the Broad Street Bicycle Boulevard from Monterey Street to Ramona Drive and safer bicycle/pedestrian crossings of Foothill Boulevard at Ferrini Road and Patricia/La Entrada. (The previous budget approved feasibility studies for these projects, which are under way.)
Feasibility study for a Madonna Road protected bikeway and improvements to the bikeway crossing of Highway 101 between Marsh Street and Madonna bike path. (The proposed San Luis Ranch project may include some of these improvements.)

Survey Deadline: Midnight December 14th. Do it now! Community Priorities Survey

City Council Community Forum: January 10, 2017 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Ludwick Community Center, 864 Santa Rosa St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (map). Put it on your calendar now then show up and be heard on January 10th.

Pro-Tip: The Community Forum has historically been extremely crowded, with all seats packed, people standing and also observing from the lobby. If you enjoy sitting down, show up to get a seat early. If you enjoy standing up for 3+ hours at a time, show up at 6:30 or later. Bottled water? Bring some, and even bring some to give to folks sitting or standing nearby. The Ludwick Community Center can get pretty hot and stuffy when packed with the many civically involved citizens of SLO.

New Bike Kitchen Hours

11/17/2016/in Bike Kitchen /by coalition2001

Bike Kitchen Hours Expand!

Thursdays at Bike Kitchen are getting busy busy BUSY! Earlier this year we added Women’s Night @ Bike Kitchen on Thursday evenings from 6 – 8:30 pm, and this week we’re thrilled to announce that the Bike Kitchen hours are expanding again.

Starting today we’ll be open for all on Thursdays from Noon – 5 pm. That means more time to fix your bike (or more time to learn how to fix your bike), more time to come in and see what gently used bikes we have in stock and yes, more time to volunteer with Bike SLO County. We’re always on the lookout for passionate volunteers – you don’t need to be a skilled mechanic to help. (Learn more about volunteering here.)

New Bike Kitchen Schedule:

Open to All:

Thursdays Noon – 5 pm
Fridays Noon – 5 pm
Saturdays Noon – 5 pm
Sundays Noon – 5 pm

Women’s Night @ Bike Kitchen:

Thursdays 6 – 8:30 pm

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE!

Bike Kitchen will be closed November 24 – 27 for the Thanksgiving weekend and closed Dec 25 – January 1 for the Holiday Break.

The Bike Kitchen is a program of Bike SLO County. We have all the parts, tools and knowledge you need to fix your bicycle! We can help you build a bike from the ground up, fix that junker you found at a garage sale, or simply teach you how to tune up your bicycle. We serve all types of people, and are committed to creating a safe space for everyone. We have provided guided instruction to over 8,000 people since opening our doors in 2010. Looking to buy a gently used, ready to ride bicycle? We sell all kinds of bicycles! Come in and see us! Have a bike you’d like to donate? Your generous gifts help the Bike Kitchen thrive and give even more people the chance to experience SLO County by bike. Thank you!

Like Bikes? Join us! It’s free! Click here to join and we’ll keep you informed about all things bike in SLO County: JOIN

Volunteer at the 2016 Lighthouse Century

08/15/2016/in Volunteer /by coalition2001

Calling all volunteers! The San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club’s Lighthouse Century takes place this year on Saturday, September 24th and Bike SLO County staff and volunteers will be at the Donati Family Vineyards Rest Stop in Templeton from 7 – 11:30 A.M. to help make sure riders get the snacks and beverages they need. Proceeds from the Lighthouse Century benefit Bike SLO County and other local cycling organizations as well as programs and the communities and groups that support the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club’s rides.

Photo by Roger Heathcote

Want to lend a hand? We’re looking for volunteers who can:

Assist with setup (serving and decorations) and cleanup
Lift 5-gallon water bottles, and pour the contents
Slice and dice some foods, merely set out others
Array foods for riders
Stir drink mix in 5-gallon coolers
Mingle with participants
Be creative!
Have fun!

Our awesome Volunteers each receive a free Lighthouse Century short sleeve T-Shirt, as well as the option to participate in the Pre-Ride and to attend the Volunteer Banquet. We had a blast in 2015 and we’re hoping that this year is even better.

When: Saturday September 24th, 7 – 11:30 AM

Where: Donati Winery Rest Stop, 2720 Oak View Rd.,Templeton, CA 93465 (map)

Interested? Sign up here: http://www.slobc.org/volunteering/support/volunteer-light-jot.html

For the question “Please enter your preferred Job or your Organization (CCCMB, CPARC, Wheelmen, Bike SLO County) if you are volunteering as part of the organization team” simply enter Bike SLO County so they’ll know you are with us.

Want to car pool? We’ll have transportation from SLO to Templeton and back. Email steve@bikeslocounty.org to reserve a space.

Hard Core Cider Tour 2016

08/13/2016/in Events /by coalition2001

Like cider? We’re excited to announce that on October 22nd, The Hard Core Cider Tour is coming to El Chorro Regional Park and Bike SLO County will benefit from every ticket sold. If you like bikes and cider, this is a win – win! You’ll get to taste some of the best ciders around and contribute to the future of better paths and safer streets throughout SLO County.

The Hard Core Cider Tour’s mission is to celebrate the revival of craft hard cider making. The tour began in 2015 with stops in Santa Cruz and Pasadena and the 2016 tour adds a stop in San Luis Obispo. SLO County is currently experiencing a cider revival of its own. Local cider producers include Reef Points Hard Cider, Jean Marie Cidery, Bristols Cider, Tin City Cider Co and See Canyon Hard Cider Co.

In addition to the cider producers mentioned above, the tour will include cider from other parts of California, Washington state and from as far away as Herefordshire, England.

Food will be available from two tasty food trucks, Cubanissimo and The Pairing Knife. To make the Festival even better there will be live music, with performances by Bear Market Riot and Medicine Hat.

While car parking will be available for $5.00, our Bike Valet will be on hand to park your bicycle for free!

Tickets are $40 and include unlimited 2 ounce tastings (please imbibe responsibly) and a signature keepsake mason jar. All ticket sales to the Hard Core Cider Tour benefit Bike SLO County, but some ticket sales benefit us more than others. Here’s how it works:

Tickets that are sold in the Bike Kitchen give us the highest benefit (50% of ticket price).
Tickets sold online also benefit us (12.5% of ticket price), but not as much as the tickets we sell ourselves.

To purchase tickets at the Bike Kitchen: Come by Friday, Saturday or Sunday between the hours of Noon – 5 PM. We’re located at 860 Pacific St, San Luis Obispo, 93401 (map).

Want to purchase a ticket from us but those hours aren’t ideal? Call Steve at 547-2055 and we’ll do what we can to work with your schedule.

To purchase tickets online, go to http://www.hardcorecidertour.com/events/san-luis-obispo/

What: Hard Core Cider Tour

When: October 22, 2016 1 – 4 PM

Where: El Chorro Regional Park, 2910 Dairy Creek Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 (map)

Why: Cider!

In Remembrance: Bridget Dawson

07/26/2016/in Memorial /by coalition2001

Bike SLO County offers our deepest sympathy to the family of Bridget Dawson of San Luis Obispo, whose inspired life was tragically taken July 14, 2016 by a motorist who drifted onto a wide shoulder where Bridget was enjoying one of her many passions – bicycling. Our sadness is profound because Bike SLO County stands for safety through education of both bicyclists and motorists and by supporting more and safer roadways for all.

Bridget, 58, and her husband, Scott, moved to San Luis Obispo two years ago when Scott accepted the position of dean of Cal Poly’s Orfalea College of Business. They lived and raised their family in Portland, Ore., for 29 years before arriving in San Luis Obispo. Bridget made many friends and became a respected and much-loved member of the bicycling and triathlon community during her short time here.

Bridget was a role model and world-class athlete who ran track and cross country at Iowa State University and discovered triathlons in 1984. She was a professional triathlete during the years of the Bud Light Olympic series in the late 1980s. After taking a break to raise children Whitney and Conor, Bridget again became a serious competitor in 2012 and to her surprise Bridget won her age group and became the world champion for the Olympic distance triathlon that same year. She won her age group in the United States for Olympic distance in 2015 and competed at world championships many times. She also won her age group for U.S. Duathlon Championships from 2013 to 2016. She planned to do her first Ironman next year, with a goal to race in Kona, Hawaii, where she would have competed as a 60-year-old. Her friends frequently described her “gentle determination.”

Bridget was born Nov. 3, 1957 in Sigourney, Iowa. In addition to Scott, Whitney and Conor, she is survived by her mother, Joyce, and three younger brothers, Terry, Cole and Shawn.

Bridget’s family has created the Bridget Inspires Scholarship Fund to support young women in triathlon and other athletic endeavors. The goal of this endowment is to extend Bridget’s inspiration beyond her achievements and coaching. She raced with grace, confidence, strength and a quiet fierceness that made her a champion in the sport as well as a mentor and friend to the entire community. Her drive and vitality will live through the young women who will be supported from this fund to pursue their athletic goals.

A remembrance for Bridget will be held Monday, Aug. 8 at the World Forestry Center, 4022 SW Canyon Road, Portland, Ore. 97221

For more about Bridget’s life and the Bridget Inspires Scholarship Fund, please go to Bridgetinspires.org.

We’re Hiring! Executive Director

07/12/2016/in Jobs /by coalition2001

Join the Bike SLO County Team!

For more than 15 years, Bike SLO County (formerly the San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition) has been advocating for bicycling throughout San Luis Obispo County. Our advocacy efforts have been instrumental in creating safer roads and paths and connecting our cities and communities. In addition, Bike SLO County provides bicycle education programming that spans all ages — from elementary to adults, operates a Bike Kitchen, and provides Bike Valet for county farmers’ markets and county events. Bike SLO County is supported by full-time staff, a dedicated board, and community volunteers. For more information, please visit: https://bikeslocounty.org/.

Mission: Bike SLO County inspires, educates, advocates and works to build a safe, healthy and connected community through bicycling.

Vision: Bicycling is safe, viable and popular for everyday transportation and recreation throughout San Luis Obispo County.

Purpose: To connect San Luis Obispo County through bicycling, sustaining the health of our community and supporting the Central Coast environment.

Executive Director Responsibilities

The Executive Director (ED), with the Board of Directors, is responsible for implementing the strategic plan of the organization. The ED works with staff, board members, community partners, volunteers, government agencies, and an active membership to keep our plan current and responsive to community needs and opportunities. The ED is responsible for managing a $1/4 million budget and for successful fundraising through cultivating individual donor and business partner relationships. The ED manages, develops, and empowers a staff of ~4 people to conduct effective bicycle advocacy, educational programs and activities such as the Bike Kitchen and Bike Valet. The ED connects and engages with our diverse members, and work to expand our membership base to better reflect all San Luis Obispo County bike riders, including underserved groups and communities. The ED is the primary public face of the organization, speaking to media, government agencies, and at public functions. Weekend and evening work will be required at times to attend board meetings, fundraising events, member programs, etc.

Ideal Experience and Capabilities

At least three to five years’ experience managing people, including a demonstrated ability to hire, develop, and lead talented and committed staff.
Success leading advocacy work in areas such as sustainability, transportation, urban planning, land use, social justice, public health or a related field. Experience with bicycle advocacy is a plus.
A strong history of effective fundraising, including individual, business, government and foundations.
A deep commitment to Bike SLO County’s mission of improving quality of life through safe cycling.
Experience working in a membership organization.
Expertise facilitating participatory decision-making in an advocacy organization whose members hold diverse views.
Skilled at building coalitions.
Demonstrated ability to prioritize organizational efforts given input from a broad range of stakeholders and multiple competing interests.
Ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences and to maintain composure in challenging situations.
Strong experience representing organizations with the media and with the public at large.
Strong financial, organizational, management and program design and implementation skills, preferably with a nonprofit organization.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
A bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience.
Additional requirements include California Driver’s License and ability to lift 40 pounds.

Compensation

Salary based upon experience.

How to Apply

Email a cover letter and resume to edsearch@bikeslocounty.org. Your cover letter should specifically address the experience and capabilities identified above. Please include “Executive Director – YOUR NAME” in the subject line, and please mention how you found out about the position. Inquiries may made by contacting the Executive Board at: executive@bikeslocounty.org.

Preferred Deadline for Applications: September 1, 2016. Applications received after September 1 will be reviewed, but priority will be given to applications received prior to that time.

Equal Opportunity Employment Bike SLO County is an equal opportunity employer.

Bike SLO County Announces Leadership Transition

06/23/2016/in Uncategorized /by coalition2001

Today we’re excited to announce that Bike SLO County Board Treasurer Tyler Wertenbruch is stepping in as Interim Executive Director for long-term Executive Director Dan Rivoire who recently stepped down to pursue other opportunities. Wertenbruch will helm Bike SLO County during the current transition on a volunteer basis. Welcome Tyler!

“I’m honored to be able to serve and continue the great work Bike SLO County hasslated for the future as well as build on the legacy that all of our staff has built,” said Interim Executive director Tyler Wertenbruch. “We’re continuing all of our programs and advocacy efforts full speed ahead,” said Wertenbruch.

In addition to their Bike Education, Bike Valet and Bike Kitchen programs, Bike SLO County advocates countywide for safer streets for everyone, regardless of whether they drive bikes, walk and or drive cars.

“The Board is thrilled that Tyler chose to step up as we begin our search for a new Executive Director,” said Bike SLO County Board President Chris McBride. “Tyler brings fresh energy and a wealth of experience with the organization. We’re confident that his vision for Bike SLO County will serve the bike community well,” said McBride.

Wertenbruch previously served as Bike SLO County’s Board President and is currently the Board Treasurer. An avid cyclist, Wertenbruch rides with Team Clif Bar Cycling and will be competing this summer in the Mongolia Bike Challenge. In addition to serving as Interim Executive Director, Wertenbruch will continue his work as IT Manager at RRM Design Group in San Luis Obispo.

Ring your bell and say hello next time you see Tyler biking by!

Bidding Farewell to Dan!

06/10/2016/in Uncategorized /by coalition2001

This week we’re saying a bittersweet farewell to our Executive Director Dan Rivoire, whose parting words are featured below. We’re sad to see him go but we wish Dan all the best as he moves on to his next adventure here in San Luis Obispo.

As Dan departs, Bike SLO County is moving full steam ahead. Bike SLO County Board Treasurer and superstar Tyler Wertenbruch will step in as Interim Executive Director for the next few months as we seek out the next amazing Executive Director of Bike SLO County. Our incredible staff will also be supported by former Bike SLO County Board member Lea Brooks, who joins Bike SLO County as Advocacy Director. Welcome Lea! (We’ll do a proper Lea introduction next week!)

= = =

Dear Bike SLO County supporters and superstars,

It is with a heavy heart and a significant bit of excitement that I wrap up my last day as Executive Director of Bike SLO County today.

As all of you know, I love Bike SLO County from the depths of my soul. I started working with the organization as an Americorps member in February 2008. Over eight years later, I am lucky to be able to look back on so many positive memories working to improve local quality of life. I owe nearly every aspect of my professional development to our team and the incredible people that make up our local bike culture. Together, we have accomplished great things in San Luis Obispo and we are truly just getting started.

Looking ahead, I know I will stay involved in many ways and will definitely be able to give back to the cause through my other roles in the community. I won’t be far, working at iFixit right on the other side of downtown, and wouldn’t be surprised if I find myself volunteering at events or the Kitchen in no time.

If you would like to celebrate the big transition with us, please join us at Petra next Wednesday from 5-7 pm for a little going away social hour.

Thank you all for everything. I’ll miss working so closely by your side.

See you in the Bike Lane,

Dan Rivoire

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