1. Lincoln Hill Pathway update - almost there!
Lighting needs to be completed and video cameras to be installed before opening

Reader's of Monday's Marin Independent Journal may have seen a short article noting that the Lincoln Hill Pathway is nearly ready to be opened, save for a few last minute items. The Lincoln Hill Pathway is a portion of the N-S Greenway. MCBC called the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) (the project sponsor) to see if we could get some additional information. As it turns out, the biggest hurdle is getting PG&E to come out and provide power to a portion of the pathway. Currently, the pathway is only partially lit, and PG&E needed some additional funds to connect the rest of the pathway to the grid. The hold-up stems from a stalemated California State budget; as such, Caltrans can't issue a check to PG&E. Additionally, video cameras need to be installed for public safety. These have been ordered and will be installed once they have arrived.

TAM stepped up the plate and wrote a check to PG&E to keep the project moving forward. "We're hoping that PG&E can come out and complete the work in the next couple of weeks," noted Connie Fremier, a spokesperson for TAM. "There are a few other things that still need to be tied up, but those can take place even after the pathway is opened. We're trying to keep things moving and open the pathway as soon as possible."

TAM requests that until the pathway is opened, please do not use it. "We really need to finish the lighting and camera installations before people are allowed to use the path," notes Fremier.

MCBC thanks TAM for their commitment to finishing this important project as quickly as possible. Stay tuned for more information on the pathway opening and celebration. MCBC will provide an update next week on the push to complete this important N-S Greenway project.

2. Free bike riding workshop for kids and parents
Just in time for school!

Register now for the next Riding with Youth Workshop

Saturday, September 11, 2010
Terra Linda Rec. Center, San Rafael
Workshop conducted from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00

Riding with Youth is a workshop that takes adults and students riding together to teach them how to safely navigate streets. Learn about proper equipment, communications, and appropriate behavior in your neighborhoods.

To register and to learn more about workshops click here or call Peggy Clark at 415-456-3459 ext 8#.

These workshops are implemented by the Marin County Bicycle Coalition in their ongoing effort to improve bicycle safety in Marin County. Funding is provided by the Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program, administered by WalkBikeMarin.

American Sign Language interpreters and assistive listening devices may be requested by calling 415-499-6172 (TDD) or 415-499-6528 (voice) at least 72 hours in advance. Paratransit is available by calling Whistlestop Wheels 415-454-0904. For bicycle and bus routes please contact 511.org or 511.

3. Attend our free bike skills class and get a free bike map
Basic Street Skills, Tuesday, Sept 21, 6:30-8:30 PM

Enjoy riding your bike? Great! Attend the next free Basic Street Skills class and get a free Marin County bike map and learn the many recommended routes in your community!

FREE Bike Education class “Basic Street Skills”
Tuesday, September 21, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Marin General Hospital, 250 Bon Air Road, Greenbrae in the Tamalpais/Magnolia Room

Recreational, professional, and novice cyclists, this class is for us all! Learn how, why, and when cyclists “take the lane.” Learn your rights and responsibilities on the road: “Same Road - Same Rules.”

Cyclists aged 16 and up are invited to participate. A bicycle is not necessary, unless you plan to ride one to the class. Advance registration is necessary. Register for a class by providing your name, address, email, phone, and class date in one of the following ways: on-line on our website, emailing streetskills@marinbike.org, faxing to 415-456-9344 or calling the Marin County Bicycle Coalition at 415-456-3469 ext. 8#.

Have you have recently received a bicycle traffic infraction? Fines can be reduced to $50 after attendance of a complete Basic Street Skills class. “Bike Traffic School” is a more positive experience compared to paying the hefty court fines.

The current schedule for 2010 classes and additional class information can be found here.

The class is implemented by the Marin County Bicycle Coalition in their ongoing effort to improve bicycle safety in Marin County. Funding is provided by the Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program, administered by WalkBikeMarin. Additional partners for this program are Marin General Hospital and Marin County Law Enforcement.

American Sign Language interpreters and assistive listening devices may be requested by calling 415-499-6172 (TDD) or 415-499-6528 (voice) at least 72 hours in advance. Paratransit is available by calling Whistlestop Wheels 415-454-0904. For bicycle and bus routes please contact 511.org or 511.

The classes will be taught by a League of American Bicyclists’ Certified Instructor.

4. Preliminary trail use numbers from EcoCounters are impressive
Automated counters capture cyclists and pedestrians separately 24 hours a day

From the Walk Bike Marin News:

EcoCounters have been installed at two locations in Marin to measure usage on the Mill Valley-Sausalito path and the Corte Madera Creek path. The automated counters capture both cyclists and pedestrians as separate counts 24 hours a day, so usage trends can be tracked hourly.

The first numbers coming back from the EcoCounters are impressive. For the five months between March 14th and August 14th this year, the counters tallied 152,562 users on the Corte Madera Creek path, and 326,567 users on the Mill Valley-Sausalito path. On April 17th, 3,508 bicyclists were counted on the Mill Valley-Sausalito path in a single day!

The EcoCounters allow the County to track and compare the number of users on the two paths at various time increments such as daily, seasonally, or annually. Over time, the numbers will help evaluate bicycling and walking mode share and monitor commuting patterns and recreational trips. Soon, we'll begin posting periodic "traffic reports" on the WalkBikeMarin website to highlight usage trends on these paths – check the WalkBikeMarin homepage for a link to this feature in the next few weeks.

5. Upcoming MCBC events

Sausalito Art Festival with Valet Bike Parking
Saturday, September 4 – Monday, September 6, 10 AM – 6 PM
Marinship Way, Sausalito

Riding with Youth
Saturday, September 11, 9:30 AM – 12 noon
Terra Linda Community Center, 670 Del Ganado Rd, San Rafael

Basic Street Skills
Tuesday, September 21, 6:30-8:30 PM
Marin General Hospital, Tamalpais/Magnolia Room, 250 Bon Air Road, Greenbrae

Riding with Youth
Saturday, September 25, 9:30 AM – 12 noon
Novato Youth Center, 680 Wilson Ave, Novato

Riding with Youth
Saturday, October 2, 9:30 AM – 12 noon
Community Center for the Tamalpais Community Services District, 203 Marin Ave., Mill Valley

Brookside Octoberfest with Valet Bike Parking
Saturday, October 9, 10 AM – 4 PM
Brookside Lower Campus, 116 Butterfield Road, San Anselmo

See an expanded list of events

6. Winning Campaigns training – October 15-17, 2010, Oakland
Presented by Walk Oakland Bike Oakland and the Alliance for Biking and Walking

Do you want to learn how to become a better advocate for MCBC? This October, the “Winning Campaigns” training is coming to Oakland, offering the chance for new and seasoned advocates alike to gain skills and knowledge to become more effective champions for biking and walking. The training walks you and your colleagues through the steps of choosing, planning, and implementing a real campaign in your community. At the end, you’re armed not only with new tools and ideas but a draft campaign plan you can put into action! Previous participants have won complete streets campaigns, Safe Routes to School campaigns, and bike safety campaigns at the state and local level.

MCBC would love for a team of our members to attend this training and come home ready to tackle a new or existing campaign that will help us in our goal of better bicycling conditions in Marin County. For details on the training or to register, click here. You can also contact Shannon Tracey at Shannon@walkoaklandbikeoakland.org or 510-338-2937 for more information.