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MARIN COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION (MCBC)
WEEKLY BULLETIN
November 25, 2009
1. Happy Thanksgiving from MCBC!
2. Cal Park Hill Tunnel to open Summer 2010
3. Public meeting on Alto Tunnel corridor, Wed, Dec 9, 6:30 PM
4. 3 Local Bike Trips = 1 Tree
5. "Dangerous by Design" - Study cites Complete Streets, Safe Routes to School
6. New MCBC member wins Cannondale RZ140
7. SF Bike Expo was a blast
8. Car Free Day reduces air pollution in Jakarta
9. Tamarancho trailwork, Saturdays in December and January
1. Happy Thanksgiving from MCBC!
We have a lot to be thankful for
Happy Thanksgiving! MCBC wishes you, your family, and your friends a wonderful holiday.
We have a lot to be thankful for this year:
- The Cal Park Hill Tunnel is scheduled to open next summer
- A Class I bike path on Puerto Suello hill and a Class II bike path on Los Ranchitos will be completed early next year.
- Studies have shown a huge increase in mode share for bicycles over the last decade in Marin and nationwide
- Funds from the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program continue to fund our local infrastructure improvements: more bike racks, lane striping, and sharrows
- Our Share the Road program grew, with Basic Street Skills classes and Riding with Youth workshops all over Marin, and new community safety Checkpoints
- We began offering monthly Group Rides which have provided opportunities for education and social outreach
- Our local partnerships keep expanding and resulting in successful events: the Mill Valley Bike Swap, the Marin Century Nicasio rest stop, Biketoberfest and the Bikers Ball.
2. Cal Park Hill Tunnel to open Summer 2010
Tunnel construction progresses, North and South approaches next
The County of Marin and Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) are partners on constructing this project which includes a reconstruction of a 0.2 mile railroad tunnel, and approximately one mile of approaches to the tunnel for traffic-separated bike/ped use. When completed, the project will provide connections between the San Rafael Transit Center and the Larkspur Ferry Terminal via a bicycle and pedestrian pathway and the future SMART train (a barrier will separate the train from non-motorized users inside the tunnel).
While construction of the tunnel itself is nearly completed, the County of Marin is still working on the pathway’s barrier within the tunnel, installing lights and other safety features, and negotiating with adjacent property owners to finalize right-of-way issues for the north and south approaches. As of this writing, the County of Marin is completing negotiations, and hopes to have bids out for construction of the tunnel approaches before the end of 2009. Construction will likely get underway once the rainy season ends - late spring 2010 – with a possible opening that summer.
Please note that while the tunnel is physically "open” now, it cannot yet be used by bicyclists and pedestrians until the north and south approaches have been completed. The MCBC will continue to post updates and a more precise schedule as we get additional information. Special thanks to the County of Marin for managing the construction of this key link along the North-South Greenway.
3. Public meeting on Alto Tunnel corridor, Wed, Dec 9, 6:30 PM
Support the Alto Tunnel by attending this important meeting
On Wednesday, December 9, the County of Marin will be presenting their feasibility study results to improve bicycle and pedestrian connections between Corte Madera and Mill Valley. Join MCBC at this meeting to be held at 6:30 PM at Edna Maguire School: 80 Lomita Drive in Mill Valley.
Included in this study will be further evaluation and analysis for opening the Alto Tunnel as a traffic-separated pathway. The County study has also evaluated the Horse Hill and Camino Alto routes. This is the second and final public workshop for this study.
The Alto Tunnel, an abandoned historic railroad tunnel, has long been considered an ideal route for connecting Mill Valley and Corte Madera, creating a safe, fast, and flat route for bicycle commuters, recreational riders, and pedestrians (see our Alto Tunnel FAQ page for more info). This route would help get people out of their cars, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the local business districts of both Mill Valley and Corte Madera.
The draft report of the Mill Valley to Corte Madera Bicycle and Pedestrian Corridor Study will be posted to the County of Marin's project webpage approximately 1 week prior to Public Workshop #2 here.
After the workshop, there will be an additional 30-day public comment period on the written report.
The link between Mill Valley and Corte Madera is the most significant gap in the North-South Greenway (a pathway for bicyclists and pedestrians separated from cars) which is being planned and constructed between Sausalito and Sonoma County. Several key North-South Greenway projects have been completed or are currently under construction.
Please attend this meeting to indicate your support for the safest and best design alternatives.
If you can attend, please RSVP to Andy Peri: Andy@marinbike.org or call 415-457-0802.
4. 3 Local Bike Trips = 1 Tree
Mt. Tam tree planting symbolic of bicycles’ environmental contribution
MCBC members will be planting trees on Mt. Tamalpais on Saturday, December 5 as part of a habitat restoration project on the Hidden Valley Trail. Why is MCBC planting trees on a hiking trail? Because it’s symbolic of the contribution you make when you choose to ride a bike instead of drive a car.
You see, one tree is capable of pulling 13 pounds of carbon from the air each year. For every mile driven by car, 1 pound of carbon is released into the air. So when you ride your bike 13 miles instead of driving, you’ve had the same positive impact on the environment as planting one tree.
In addition to planting trees, we will be removing invasive plant species.
Please join us Saturday, December 5 from 9 am to Noon.
To register contact the MMWD Volunteer Coordinator at (415) 945-1128 or volunteerprogram@marinwater.org. See full details, including how to get there, HERE.
5. "Dangerous by Design" - Study cites Complete Streets, Safe Routes to School
New report highlights ways to solve preventable bike/ped deaths
A recent study released last week by Transportation for America highlights ways to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety on our roads. The report includes solutions that we're already implementing here in Marin County, such as designing or retrofitting roads with "Complete Streets" elements and implementing Safe Routes to Schools. The report ranks the safest and most dangerous metropolitan areas in every state. While the report focuses mainly on pedestrian fatalities, bicycling is prominently noted; improved bicycle facilities are part of the solution. From the "Dangerous by Design" report:
"In the last 15 years, more than 76,000 Americans have been killed while crossing or walking along a street in their community. Children, the elderly and ethnic minorities are disproportionately represented in this figure, but people of all ages and all walks of life have been struck down in the simple act of walking. These deaths typically are labeled “accidents,” and attributed to error on the part of motorist or pedestrian. In fact, however, an overwhelming proportion share a similar factor: They occurred along roadways that were dangerous by design, streets that were engineered for speeding cars and made little or no provision for people on foot, in wheelchairs or on a bicycle.
During this same period, there has been a growing recognition that walking and bicycling – what many now refer to as “active transportation” – are critical to increasing levels of healthy exercise and reducing obesity and heart disease. At the same time, it has become increasingly clear that these clean, human-powered modes of transportation are an essential part of efforts to limit the negative impacts of traffic congestion, oil dependency and climate change. In recent years, community after community has begun to retrofit poorly designed roads to become complete streets, adding sidewalks and bicycle lanes, reducing crossing distances and installing trees and crosswalks to make walking and biking safer and more inviting. The resulting safer streets have saved the lives of both pedestrians and motorists even as they promote health by leading many residents to become more physically active."
For more information and to download a the complete report, click here.
6. New MCBC member wins Cannondale RZ140 Becoming an MCBC member paid off for Erik Johnson. When Erik joined at Biketoberfest he received 10 free raffle tickets. One of those raffle tickets just happened to be the winning number for the grand prize, a 5-inch travel dual suspension mountain bike worth $2,549. Erik lives in the East Bay, but he does a lot of riding in Marin and decided it was time to support the Marin County Bicycle Coalition. Thank you, Erik! We’d also like to thank Sunshine Bicycles and Cannondale for donating the Cannondale RZ140 mountain bike. |
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7. SF Bike Expo was a blast
Cyclocross race and dirt jumping made a great event even better
The San Francisco Bike Expo rolled into the Cow Palace last Saturday and this growing bike gathering had something for every cyclist. The Bike Expo featured many bike companies and bike shops, as well as component and apparel makers and there was a bike swap too. But it was the extra stuff that made the day special.
There was a custom and vintage bike show, a track stand competition and a bike style fashion show. One of the highlights of the day was the cyclocross race, which attracted hundreds of riders. The course included a dirt track inside the expo hall! Another highlight was an amazing mountain bike dirt jump contest, put together by Andrew Taylor, who is sponsored by Marin Bikes. You had to be there to believe what these young riders can do on their bikes. Be sure to make the trip into the city next November; it’s well worth it.
8. Car Free Day reduces air pollution in Jakarta
Based on the data from Jakarta Environmental Management Board
From BeritaJakarta.com:
Car Free Day program held in the Indonesian Capital City of Jakarta has proven effective in reducing air pollution. Based on the data from Jakarta Environmental Management Board (BPLHD), the program has managed to decrease the amount of dust particle (PM-10) by 34 percent, Carbon Monoxide (CO) by 68 percent, and Nitrogen Monoxide (NO) by 80 percent.
”The data result from analysis we conducted within 14 days; seven days before and after the program was held. Therefore, we conclude that the program is quite effective for air pollution reduction,” said Peni Susanti, Head of Jakarta BPLHD, Sunday (10/25).
In addition to reducing air pollution generated from emission of motor-vehicles, Car Free Day is also a way to raise public awareness of the efficient use of personal motor-vehicle; moreover, the program also has social impacts on public as they can interact with each other during the program.
Read the full story at http://tinyurl.com/y9turdv
Source: The World Carfree Network
MESSAGES FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
9. Tamarancho trailwork, Saturdays in December and January
Help maintain the best bike legal trail system in Marin
Danny Forer, Tamarancho Bike Coordinator, writes:
The trails at Tamarancho were built, over a 6 year period by volunteer cyclists. The construction was paid for and coordinated by the Bicycle Trails Council of Marin (BTCM) with president Jim Jacobsen supervising the project. Each year, since the construction, BTC coordinates trailwork days to maintain the trails. This involves improving drainage, cutting back foliage, removing invasive plants, and more.
This is your chance to help the best bike legal trail system in Marin.
Details:
- Dates: Saturdays Dec 12, Dec 19, Jan. 2, Jan 9, Jan 16, Jan 23
- Time: 10 am (sharp) at camp. Usually work until 1pm or so.
- Location: Meet at the center of the camp. You can drive up or ride your bike. Give yourself ample time to get to meeting location.
- Bring: Work clothes, sturdy shoes, gloves. We supply all tools, snacks and drinks.
- Rain: Steady rain cancels.
For more information contact: Jim Jacobsen--BTCJim@comcast.net or 415/488-1665.
Marin County Bicycle Coalition
P.O. Box 1115
Fairfax, CA 94978
Office Location: 733 Center Blvd., Fairfax, CA 94930
(415) 456-3469 – phone
(415) 456-9344 – fax
http://www.marinbike.org
The MCBC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
We are a membership-supported group. If you are not already a paying member, please join today. Printable membership forms are on our website, http://www.marinbike.org.
Thank you for being a part of the solution.
To reach the MCBC Staff:
- Kim Baenisch, Executive Director, 456-3469 x 1#, kim@marinbike.org
- Tom Boss, Membership Director, 272-2756, tom@marinbike.org
- Jo Ann Richards, Volunteer and Activities Coordinator, 456-3469 x 7#, joann@marinbike.org
- Bob Trigg, Administrator, 456-3469 x 3#, bob@marinbike.org
- Deb Hubsmith, Advocacy Director, 454-7430, deb@marinbike.org
- David Hoffman, Director of Planning, 456-3469 x 4#, david@marinbike.org
- Andy Peri, Advocacy Outreach Coordinator, 457-0802, andy@marinbike.org
- Wendi Kallins, Safe Routes to Schools Program Director, 488-4101, wendi@marinbike.org
- Laura Kelly, Safe Routes to Schools Project Coordinator, 456-3469 x 2#, laura@marinbike.org
- Peggy Clark, Share the Road Program Manager, Safe Routes to Schools Project Coordinator, 456-3469 x 8#, peggy@marinbike.org
- Aviva Joseph, Safe Routes to Schools Teen Coordinator, 456-3469 x 5#, aviva@marinbike.org
- Gwen Froh, Safe Routes to Schools Teen Coordinator, 456-3469 x 5#, gwen@marinbike.org
- Frances E. Barbour, Safe Routes to Schools Instructor, 577-4601, frances@marinbike.org
- Heather Crawford, Safe Routes to Schools Instructor, 456-3469 x 6#, heather@marinbike.org
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