1. Support the SMART train and pathway - sign our petition

The SMART Train and Pathway project is being threatened by a small minority that are attempting to repeal SMART Measure Q as SMART prepares to go to construction early next year.  In 2008, SMART Measure Q was approved by 69.5% of Marin and Sonoma voters. It is critical that we stop myopic efforts to kill this much-needed multi-modal transportation project. In addition to the train, SMART will provide a world-class bicycle/pedestrian pathway along its right of way in Marin and Sonoma counties.

Please sign the petition to add your name as a supporter of the SMART Train and Pathway and as someone that will refuse to sign the repeal SMART petition.  It is vital that this anti-SMART effort be stopped.

Please sign our petition - add your name, and then pass it along to your friends:

2. White’s Hill paving progress report

Some of our members noticed the paving project on White’s Hill and were concerned that there would not be sufficient space on the pavement for bike lanes. Advocacy Director Andy Peri talked to Marin County DPW and provided the following progress report.

The White's Hill paving project will create a thin overlay from the center line all the way to the edge of pavement going eastbound (into Fairfax) beginning at Brown Bridge.  Some people have been calling with concerns about a "lip” that was left on the roadway.  The lip that was left is due to the fact that the project is a multi-day project and was incomplete (when the lip was observed): they can only do a maximum of 12 feet at a time when paving, as that is the width of the paving machine.

The County has assured MCBC that all is going to move forward as planned; the roadway pavement will go all the way beyond the fog line to the actual edge of the pavement.

The westbound (uphill away from Fairfax) side of the road will be widened and repaved in the summer of 2013.

3. Field Road and one-way Conzelman Road open to bicycles Friday, October 28

Beginning Friday, October 28 at 7:00 AM the entire loop of the roads in the Headlands, including Field Road and one-way Conzelman Road, from Hawk Hill to Field Road, will re-open to all users--bicycles, vehicles, and pedestrians.  The paving will be completed and visitors will be able to enjoy the improved roads.  Please be aware that there can be delays up to 15-minutes from Monday through Friday until miscellaneous final clean-up work is completed.  The National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration want to thank you for your patience while the roadway was closed and under construction.

Use the links below to view maps of the closures and delays.

• Vehicle Delays and Closures
• Bike Delays and Closures
• Trail Delays and Closures

For more information please visit the project website.

4. Please honor the 680 Trail closure until next spring’s opening
Fewer riders will make an on-time ribbon cutting more likely!

Greg Reza is Marin County’s point person for getting the new 680 Trail in riding condition. Target date for ribbon cutting is next spring.

Greg sent out an email recently requesting that all riders honor the trail closure until that opening. Less riders means less erosion, meaning less clean-up work next spring for the trail crew (volunteers like you), meaning a more likely on-time opening of this great new trail.

Here’s an excerpt from Greg’s message:

Our Trail Crew just confirmed that they are so close to wrapping up the 680 trail that there is not enough work for a volunteer event this Saturday, October 22nd. … The trail is going to need to be dressed up after the winter storms so we will need a big volunteer push to get it ready for the ribbon cutting.

Until then, the best thing that you can do for the trail is to spread the word that the 680 trail is closed until spring.  It’s a beautiful trail and a crucial connector and we know that there is a lot of excitement about using it but it’s much better for the trail and for the environment if people honor the trail closure.  It means less erosion in the creeks and a lot less heavy lifting for us when we go back out there to clean it up in the spring.  It is going to be there for many years and we all be enjoying it soon enough.      

5. Are you ready to cycle throughout the winter?
Learn how to cycle the roads in Marin safely, legally and responsibly in all seasons!

Don’t miss the next Basic Street Skills bicycle safety class, to be held on Wednesday, November 9th, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, in the Forrest Room at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley.

Find out how to make yourself more visible and why and when cyclists “take the lane.” Benefit from learning the tricks-of-the-trade for dealing with traffic taught in this two-hour class, whether you’ve been riding for one day or for years. 

Even experienced cyclists are grateful to attend the class, especially if they’ve received a citation.  “Bike Traffic School” is a more positive experience compared to paying the hefty court fines.  To encourage class attendance by ticketed cyclists, a bicycle traffic infraction fine will be reduced to $50 after attendance of a complete Basic Street Skills class. 

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 required. 

Pre-registration and pre-payment ($40 per person; $30 MCBC members) is required in advance. Register online, email streetskills@marinbike.org or call the Marin County Bicycle Coalition at 415-456-3469 ext. 8# if you have questions.

The class is implemented by the Marin County Bicycle Coalition in their ongoing effort to improve bicycle safety in Marin County.  Additional partners for this program are Marin General Hospital and Marin County Law Enforcement.

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

6. GG Bridge West Sidewalk Closed to Cyclists Sunday, Nov. 6th from 7-9:30 AM

On Sunday, November 6, 2011, up to 5,000 runners will participate in San Francisco's US Half Marathon event across the Golden Gate Bridge WEST sidewalk. The race starts at 6:30 am from Aquatic Park, and the course continues towards the Marina, through Crissy Field, up to the Golden Gate Bridge WEST sidewalk.

To accommodate race participants, the Golden Gate Bridge WEST sidewalk will be closed to bicyclists on November 6 from 7 am to 9:30 am. The course uses just the West sidewalk of the Golden Gate Bridge, with racers traveling north and also returning south on the West sidewalk.

During the temporary closure of the west sidewalk, bicyclists requiring access across the Golden Gate Bridge may use the FREE shuttle service that will be provided. Shuttle stops are located on both sides of the Golden Gate Bridge: the south side shuttle stop is in the southeast parking lot and the north side shuttle stop is along the northbound Alexander Avenue off-ramp bus stop.

Click here for complete race details.

7. Volunteers for school-aged group rides needed

Do you love kids and love to bike?  Safe Routes to Schools needs volunteers who can assist with group rides throughout the school year.  You need to be a proficient bicyclist who obeys the rules of the road and understands why it’s important.  Must be responsible and reliable.  Bike mechanic skills a plus. 

Contact peggy@marinbike.org if you’re interested.  Pass this along if you know of anyone who might be interested.

8. Upcoming MCBC events

MCBC needs you!  Click here to see our upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Circumnavigating the Bay Area Ridge Trail by bicycle
Tonight! Wednesday, October 26
7:00 – 8:30 PM; REI Corte Madera, 213 Corte Madera Town Center

Stafford Lake CX
Sunday, November 6
Stafford Lake, 3549 Novato Boulevard, Novato, CA

Basic Street Skills
Wednesday, November 9
Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley

Cranksgiving
Saturday, November 12
Location TBA

MCBC Mountain Bike Program Public Forum
Monday, November 14 (details coming soon!)
6 – 9 PM; Tam Valley Community Center, 203 Marin Ave, Mill Valley

Give Back Tuesday at Broken Drum
Tuesday, November 29
3:30 – 11:00 PM; Broken Drum, 1132 Fourth Street, San Rafael

See an expanded list of events

MESSAGES FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

9. World Diabetes Day Bay Area, Sunday, November 13
Noon to 5 PM, at College of Marin

Diabetes Day Bay Area announces:

Join us to light up the Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center in Diabetes Blue at night!

As we move forward into our third annual World Diabetes Day event we want to honor your enthusiasm, inspiration, and commitment to bringing WDD to the North Bay. Our plans this year will follow your mission to educate and connect all of the many programs that are serving our communities.

• Win great prizes!!
• Awareness Walk/Run/Roll
• Connect to diabetes programs and resources
• Flu shots!
• Health Fair [screenings & consultations, educational theater, food demos, yoga, Zumba, soccer clinics... and more!]
• Lift-Levántate’s world famous smoothie bike! [smoothies made with fresh berries]

MCBC may have a booth and bike parking at this event.

Free Admission & Services
Sunday, November 13, 2011
12 to 5PM
College of Marin, 835 College Avenue, Kentfield
Rain or shine!

Proceeds from World Diabetes Day will be used for scholarships to help those in need gain access to health care and transportation. To make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.DiabetesDayBayArea.org.  Lift for Teens is  registered with the IRS as a 501(C)(3) corporation.

For more information visit the Diabetes Day Bay Area website or their Facebook page.

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
• 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

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