|
||
|
||
MARIN COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION (MCBC)
WEEKLY BULLETIN
August 24, 2011
- County programs $8.8M for bike/ped projects and funds Alto Tunnel Study
- The Bikes of Biketoberfest
- Celebrating Larkspur’s Magnolia Avenue Infrastructure Improvements
- First Annual EcoFair Marin, Sunday, September 4
- Riding Bogota's bountiful protected bikeways - Video
- Upcoming MCBC Events
- Roadway impacts - Lincoln Blvd/Presidio Coastal Trail improvements
1. County programs $8.8M for bike/ped projects and funds Alto Tunnel Study
On Tuesday, August 23, the Marin County Board of Supervisors voted to allocate $8.8 million for bicycle/pedestrian projects throughout Marin. The Marin County Bicycle Coalition fully endorsed the list of funded projects that were proposed by the County Department of Public Works and unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors. The $8.8M in funds that were allocated are federal transportation bill extension funds related to the $25 million Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program, which MCBC's prior Advocacy Director Deb Hubsmith played a key role in bringing to Marin in 2005.
Projects in the board packet staff report approved on Tuesday include:
- $600,000 for a geotechnical study of the Alto Tunnel and a corresponding property study of surrounding parcels.
- $3.2 million for construction of the Central Marin Ferry Connection Project, a key component of the North South Greenway and also a major MCBC priority project
- $1.5 million for a sidewalk on East Francisco Boulevard, connecting the Canal District with downtown San Rafael
- $2 million to fund construction shortfalls that will ensure the completion of 10 important bike/ped projects in towns and cities throughout Marin
- $600,000 for phase 2 of traffic signal bike detection upgrades throughout the County
- $900,000 for project staffing and evaluation
For further details regarding projects, please see the County Department of Public Work's staff report.
" We applaud the County of Marin for programming these funds and for keeping bicycling and walking as a key County priority" says Andy Peri, MCBC Advocacy Dirctor. "We look forward to continuing to work together with the County and cities to ensure the completion of the federal Pilot Program, and to getting more people walking and bicycling here in Marin; this program is already reducing congestion, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing safer roads for bicyclist and pedestrians."
Handmade bikes, cargo bikes and everything in between!
Biketoberfest is a celebration of the bicycle and wouldn't be complete without a showing of the Bay Area's best handmade bike builders. This year we'll have incredible bikes on display from Renovo Hardwood Bicycles, Soulcraft, Steelman, Calfee, Ahrens, Rebolledo, Seven, Ellsworth and Hunter Cycles. We'll also have amazing components from Paul Component and Paragon Machine Works.
Thinking about a cargo bike? Yuba, Falconer, Bullitt, Winther Wallaroos and My Dutch Bikes will show and demo their utility hauling bikes, many with electric assist. Shops that specialize in cargo bikes will be on hand, including The Bicycle Works, Black Mountain Cycles and Splendid Cycles.
Other bike manufacturers coming to Biketoberfest include Jamis, Breezer, Cannondale, Marin and Specialized.
Booth space is still available; please contact tom@marinbike.org if you are interested in exhibiting your bikes at Biketoberfest.
Volunteers needed!
Volunteer for morning setup, beer and wine ticket sales, exhibitor check in, parking areas, on-site recycling, Kids Zone, Silent Auction area, crossing guards...and more. We've set up a form on our website where you can easily sign up for your favorite shift. All volunteers will receive a free beer tasting ticket for working 3+ hours at this event, a $30 value, so sign up online, or contact Kristin Nute at 415-456-3469 x7# or kristin@marinbike.org, and join us in the beer tent!
3. Celebrating Larkspur’s Magnolia Avenue Infrastructure Improvements
MCBC is celebrating the completion of the Larkspur Magnolia Avenue Signing/Striping project, funded by the Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program (NTPP). Kudos to Larkspur Public Works Director Hamid Shamsapour and the Larkspur City Council for completing this excellent project!
The project, completed this past spring, includes the addition of a Class II bicycle route on north Magnolia Avenue, where none previously existed. Where the width was not available to accommodate a separate bike lane, share-the-road “sharrows” were added.
“This is a pretty complex stretch of roadway, with conditions that vary widely,” stated Nancy Weninger, Larkspur resident and former MCBC Board member. “The design took into account the conditions on the road and did the best possible job of creating safe conditions for cyclists and of advising/educating motorists (e.g., “bike merge ahead” signs). Magnolia Avenue carries a very heavy volume of cyclists, so these improvements are really helpful.”
Larkspur resident and longtime MCBC member/supporter, Cindy Winter says that the Magnolia lanes are easy to use and provide enough of a significant sense of safety that she now prefers the lanes over the multi-use path along Corte Madera Creek. “As you know,” Ms. Winter stated, “this may be a good thing, as the path is sometimes crowded with all the walkers, small kids on trikes, and dogs”
MCBC looks forward to continuing to work with the City of Larkspur to make the road safer for all users and to forward our mutual bicycle/pedestrian-related goals.
4. First Annual EcoFair Marin, Sunday, September 4
MCBC will provide Valet Bike Parking; Safe Routes' Wendi Kallins wll speak
EcoFair Marin makes its debut with over 50 exhibits, do-it- yourself demonstrations and 25 expert speakers, including keynote guest author Dr. Temple Grandin. Inspired by San Rafael's Climate Action Plan and presented in partnership with Seven-Star, this community event celebrates Marin County's rich heritage of innovative environmental stewardship. Discover practical, new eco-living habits, meet local innovators from business, government, education and philanthropy who together are leading the charge into the future, and building a healthier and more sustainable community. You'll also find great food, drink, live music plus plenty of hands-on activities to keep the little environmentalists busy, including a climbing wall and beekeeping presentation.
Safe Routes to Schools Program Director Wendi Kallins will be participating in a discussion on Green Ways to School, with Stephanie Moulton-Peters of the Mill Valley City Council and Lindsay McKenzie of 3 Ring Cycles, from 3:30 to 4:30 on the Lifehouse Main Stage. MCBC will be providing free Valet Bicycle Parking.
When: Sunday, September 4,
10 AM to 7 PM
Where: Marin County Fairgrounds, Civic Center, San Rafael
Cost: Adults - $5, children under 17 - Free
More information:
http://www.ecofairmarin.org
5. Riding Bogota's bountiful protected bikeways
From Streetfilms.org:
Since 1998, Bogotá, Colombia has built more than 300 kilometers of protected bikeways. Streetfilms recently had the chance to explore the city's bike network with the man responsible for building it, former mayor Enrique Peñalosa.
"When we build very high quality bicycle infrastructure, besides protecting cyclists, it shows that a citizen on a $30 bicycle is equally as important to one in a $30,000 car," said Peñalosa. And as mayor, he walked the walk, extending the network of protected bikeways to every community.
"He spent all of the money that he had developing public space for pedestrians and bicycles," said Carlos Felipe Pardo from SlowResearch.org. "If you go to other places, you have people in the mud walking but the cars on a perfect road and here it is the opposite."
Now the investment in cycling infrastructure is paying off. After starting off with hardly any bike commuters, Bogota is pushing a five percent bike commute mode-share.
Click below to watch the video, or click here to watch it on the Streetfilms website.
Basic Street Skills
Wednesday, September 14
Sausalito City Council Chambers, Main Floor, 420 Litho St, Sausalito
Biketoberfest
Sunday, September 25
11 AM – 6 PM; Fair-Anselm Plaza, Fairfax
Bikers Ball & Casino Night
Saturday, October 22
7 PM
– 11 PM; Servino Ristorante, 9 Main Street, Tiburon
See an expanded list of events
MESSAGES FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
7. Roadway impacts - Lincoln Blvd/Presidio Coastal Trail improvements
Jennifer Greene of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy writes:
We’re writing to make you aware of improvement projects along Lincoln Boulevard which begin on August 26 and extend through November. Lincoln Boulevard will remain open, but will vary in surface conditions with detours provided. The results of the work will include an improved surface and the installation of in-road bike lanes in both directions north of Washington Boulevard. We are asking that bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists take caution during the construction period.
Please note changes in road conditions August 26 – November 2011 during construction
Repaving work on Lincoln Boulevard between Bowley and Washington Blvd (Near Baker Beach Apartments)
Lincoln Boulevard will remain open during paving. Bicyclists can expect loose gravel in the roadway between August 26th and September 7th. Please ride with caution, particularly in the downhill direction. Please follow the instructions of flaggers.
California Coastal Trail improvements (Between Merchant Road and Washington Boulevard)
Work will intermittently cause traffic delays and detours, with the period from August to November being the most intense. As noted above, Lincoln Boulevard will remain open, but motorists should expect delays due to intermittent flagging. Traffic lanes on Lincoln Boulevard will be narrow. A signed detour for pedestrians and cyclists will be provided through Fort Scott.
Work includes:
- Constructing the Golden Gate Overlook and Pacific Overlook
- Establishing in-road bike lanes
- Tree removal and reforestation
- Creation of a new multi-use trail adjacent to Lincoln Boulevard
- Native Plant restoration
For ongoing information, updates, and trail detour routes, click here. You can also write trailsforever@parksconservancy.org or call 415-561-3054.
Thank you very much for your patience. We look forward to enjoying the improved trails and roadways with you when they are complete!
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
- Kristin Nute, Volunteer Coordinator, 456-3469 x 7#, kristin@marinbike.org
- Bob Trigg, Administrator, 456-3469 x 3#, bob@marinbike.org
- Andy Peri, Advocacy Director, 457-0802, andy@marinbike.org
- Alisha Oloughlin, Advocacy Coordinator, 456-3469 x 4#, alisha@marinbike.org
- Deb Hubsmith, Advocacy Advisor, 454-7430, deb@marinbike.org
- Wendi Kallins, Safe Routes to Schools Program Director, 488-4101, wendi@marinbike.org
- Laura Kelly, Safe Routes to Schools Volunteer Liaison, 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
- Gwen Froh, Safe Routes to Schools Teen Coordinator, 456-3469 x 5#, gwen@marinbike.org
- James Sievert, Safe Routes to Schools Teen Coordinator and Instructor, 510-301-6710, james@marinbike.org
- Frances E. Barbour, Safe Routes to Schools Instructor, 577-4601, frances@marinbike.org
TO UNSUBSCRIBE from the MCBC Bulletin, reply to this email and type "unsubscribe" in the subject.
If you are also subscribing to Topica, you may get this bulletin twice. To unsubscribe from the Topica list, follow the EASY UNSUBSCRIBE link in the footer of your message from Topica, or send an email to: mcbc-unsubscribe@topica.com. NOTE: if you unsubscribe from Topica you will not receive any postings to the MCBC listserve, but you will still receive our bulletin if you remain on our office list.
