Buy a Bicycle in November: Get a Membership!

We’ve partnered with our friends at Foothill Cyclery for a Fall membership drive! During these two months, purchase any road / hybrid / commuter at select price points and receive a free SLO County Bicycle Coalition membership to support local bicycle advocacy. If you are already a member, then Foothill will simply make a donation to the Bicycle Coalition on your behalf.

With this unique partnership, we can increase awareness of the Bicycle Coalition and Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers (CCCMB), two fantastic groups, who do amazing things for bicycle riders in our county. Help us spread the word and make this a major success!

Help Approve the SLO Bike Plan on Nov 5!

Join the Bicycle Coalition to pack the San Luis Obispo City Council chambers and get the latest SLO City Bike Plan approved! The plan is a blueprint for future bikeways including 26 miles of new paths, 17 miles of bike lanes, and 6 miles of bike boulevards all aimed at getting more people riding bicycles. Bicycle Coalition advocates will stand together to show the City Council how important bikeways are to our community.

We will be gathering from 5:00 – 5:45 pm for some snacks and socializing in our downtown SLO headquarters (860 Pacific St, Suite 105, SLO – map) before riding to the meeting together!

What: San Luis Obispo City Council Meeting
When: Tuesday November 5, 2013, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Where: City Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (map)
Why: Ask City Council to approve the Bike Plan Update

Advocacy Mini-Summit Sunday

The advocacy efforts of the SLO County Bicycle Coalition have gotten more sophisticated over the past year, with a special team of behind the scenes advocates representing all corners of San Luis Obispo County. Join our expanded advocacy team by attending our 2nd annual Advocacy Mini-Summit on Sunday, October 20th, 2013, from 1:00 to 4:00pm.

Ongoing conversations with passionate advocates, families and local leaders have led to numerous victories in 2013 and help set the stage for a great Advocacy Mini-Summit!

Our annual Mini-Summit is designed to help you become a better bicycle advocate and learn how to help make bicycle friendly improvements in your community. The program for the afternoon includes:

• Q&A with an expert panel of local leaders
• A copy of our custom advocacy toolkit
• Interactive brainstorming session for future projects
• Light refreshments
• …and more!

With more people on the ground advocating to complete planned bicycle projects, the easier it is for all of us to create a bicycle-friendly SLO County! Sign up below, it’s free, and invaluable in helping us complete our bike paths.

Our expert panelists include:

• Bruce Gibson, Board of Supervisors
• Jessica Berry, Planner, SLOCOG
• Jamie Irons, Mayor, Morro Bay
• Derek Johnson, Community Development Director, San Luis Obispo

If you are having trouble with the form below, you can use this link to sign up online.

Bike Valet @SLO GranFondo

We’re providing our Bike Valet in Mission Plaza as part of the annual SLO GranFondo!

The SLO GranFondo is a long-distance, mass participation cycling event that welcomes riders of all abilities to the diverse riding landscape of California’s Central Coast. Starting in San Luis Obispo, the GranFondo offers four fully supported routes, including a new GranFondo 100 mile route for 2013, to suit the recreational rider or the seasoned competitor. Enjoy beautiful coastline, green rolling hills, wine country and a chance to ride with the pros!

The SLO GranFondo is a charity event. All proceeds will support ALPHA and the Hearst Cancer Resource Center (HCRC) at French Hospital Medical Center, two SLO County non-profit s focusing on supporting children (ALPHA) and individuals living with cancer (HCRC)

When: Saturday October 12, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Mission Plaza, San Luis Obispo (map)

For more information, visit the SLO GranFondo online.

Bike Valet @Oyster Festival

We are huge fans of SLO County’s local seafood, and are thrilled to host our Bike Valet at the 2nd Annual Central Coast Oyster Festival overlooking the spectacular Morro Bay!

SHUCK YEAH! The ‘one of a kind’ Central Coast Oyster & Music Festival has been Voted by Fox News as #4 of the top ten Oyster Festivals in the nation and the largest Oyster Festival on the West Coast! You will not want to miss out!

Held again at the Morro Bay Golf Course, overlooking the Oyster Farm and Morro Bay Rock. The Morro Bay Oyster Company will provide succulent oysters, which are some of the most renowned oysters on the west coast. In addition to oysters, alternative food choices will also be provided.

Ride your bike and park with us at the Bike Valet to get there and park your bike for free!

When: Saturday October 19, 12:00 – 8:00 pm
Where: Morro Bay Golf Course, 201 State Park Road, Morro Bay (map)

For more information and tickets, visit the Oyster Festival online. Use the special coupon code “bike” for $4 off tickets!

Update: Highway One Chip Seal Treatment

Last year, Caltrans used a larger than normal aggregate to resurface a portion of the world renowned Highway One route north of Cambria. As part of this resurfacing, the roadway became incredibly rough for bicycles and kicked up small rocks into the path of both bicycle riders and motorists. This safety issue has made its way from local to state to national news through popular bicycle groups.

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Soon, thanks to the efforts of numerous advocacy groups, this 20 mile section of roadway will be remedied to provide sufficient smoothing! After a series of test treatments as part of a study by the UC Davis Pavement Research Center, a sand seal will be applied to a portion of the roadway before moving forward with the remaining roadway. The test sand seal is set to be applied in 3-4 weeks.

From an official Caltrans statement:

“I am happy to announce through our association with the UC Davis Pavement Research Center and input from the cycling community, Caltrans is preparing to begin work on Hwy. 1. With this fact based decision we are now moving forward with finding a solution for resurfacing Highway 1.  While the full report continues to undergo review, enough information is available to begin work on Highway 1,” said Caltrans District 5 Director Tim Gubbins.

The results of this study indicate a sand seal treatment is expected to be effective in smoothing the surface of Highway 1.  Caltrans will apply a sand treatment to a short test section of Highway 1.  A sand seal is a sprayed application of asphalt emulsion followed by a covering of clean sand or fine aggregate.

This is great news for coastal riders, upcoming fundraising rides which use this beautiful  route, and motorists who don’t want rocks flung at their windshields.

The selection of this surface treatment follows work by the UC Davis Pavement Research Center and Caltrans that tested eight sections of surface treatment on State Route 198 in Monterey County. 

A sand seal was applied to one of the test sections and resulted in an improvement on the highway, according to feedback from cyclists and specialized equipment used to measure the texture of the highway.

Your Bicycle Coalition will be sure to keep you up to date as the process moves forward. In the meantime more news on the subject is available online for your review:

• Caltrans to test fix for rough stretch of Hwy. 1 north of Cambria – SLO Tribune

• Highway One Chip Seal Update – Caltrans

California By Bike Summit

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!

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

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

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!

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

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

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!

Bike Valet @Pops By the Sea

 

We are excited to host our Bike Valet at the upcoming Pops by the Sea with the beautiful backdrop of Avila Beach!

Bring a rousing close to your summer with an afternoon of sensational music by the Sea at Pops by the Sea, Pops turns 30 Birthday Bash.

The SLO Symphony kicks off with a musical flashback to the 1980s.  Featured artist, Café Musique, combines powerful vocals with soaring violin and driving accordion.  A booming rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812” featuring the Cuesta Chamber Singers under the direction of John Knutson will close the program!

When: Sunday September 1, 2013, 2:30 – 7:30 pm
Where: Avila Beach Golf Resort, 6464 Ana Bay Rd (map)

For more information and tickets, visit the SLO Symphony online.