Marin County Bicycle Coalition

1. Bicycle facilities to connect Marin and Sonoma Counties

Beginning in Fall 2012, Marin and Sonoma counties will see the first of several phases of construction of bicycle/pedestrian facilities that will connect Marin and Sonoma Counties along the Highway 101 corridor between Novato and Petaluma. Improvements are part of a Highway 101 widening project which extends 17 miles between State Route 37 in Novato and Old Redwood Highway in Petaluma. The bicycle/pedestrian portion of the projects is approximately 13 miles long; it begins just south of Olompali State Park near Novato and ends near the Petaluma River. This Highway 101 segment, known as the Marin-Sonoma Narrows, is so-named because Highway 101 bottle-necks down to two lanes (in each direction) throughout the corridor.

Facilities to be constructed will include a series of separated multi-use pathways, bike lanes and bike routes on mostly discontinuous, traffic-calmed frontage roads. This improved route will be the only north/south route in East Marin and will link to SMART multiuse bicycle facilities to the North in Petaluma and to the South in Novato (the SMART corridor adjacent to the Marin Sonoma Narrows contains vast wetlands and therefore was never part of the SMART project).

These improvements will provide significant safety benefits for cyclists using this corridor- currently, cyclist are forced to use the Highway 101 shoulder to travel between the Marin and Sonoma Counties.

Beginning in the Fall of 2012 (or possibly as late as Spring of 2013), with the widening of the overcrossing at Redwood Landfill, cyclist will not be able to use the Highway 101 shoulder for a period of up to one year due to construction activities. MCBC, the Transportation Authority of Marin and our Sonoma County counterparts will be providing regular information about schedule and alternatives before and throughout this construction period to support cyclist using this corridor.

2. Congress drastically cuts funding for biking and walking

Over the weekend Congress voted on a new two-year transportation bill that reverses years of progress on biking and walking policy and cuts by 60 to 70 percent funding for local safety projects such as sidewalks, crosswalks, pathways and bike lanes.

For the past 20 years, a modest portion of federal transportation investments - less than 2 percent of all transportation funding - has been dedicated to biking and walking projects that make streets more accessible for everybody, reduce preventable traffic fatalities, help boost local economic development, promote healthy active transportation and create construction jobs. But, despite an outpouring of support from mayors, county executives, and the American public, the deal negotiated by a small number of Congressional members behind closed doors eliminates much of this popular funding.

MCBC thanks all of you who made calls and sent emails to help protect bike/ped funding in the new transportation bill. Without your continued support and the support of thousands like you throughout the state and nation, this bill could have been much worse.

While these cuts are significant, Marin County continues to have other funding sources (and policies) that will lessen the impact of this reduction of federal funds. These include funds for bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure and Safe Routes to School from Measure A, Measure B, (through the Transportation Authority of Marin) SMART, the remaining allocated funds from the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program and various complete streets policies adopted by the County of Marin and various cities and towns.

Across the country and in Marin County, people are biking and walking more, and vehicle miles traveled are decreasing. In Marin County bicycling increased 159% on weekends and 135% on weekdays from 1999 to 2010. Data is also showing that young people are delaying getting their driver's licenses and the real estate market shows that people want to live and work in areas where they can walk and bike safely. This bill ignores current trends and includes drastic and disproportionate cuts to biking and walking.

This bill misses a significant job creating opportunity as well. Biking and walking infrastructure projects create 46 percent more jobs per federal dollar spent than traditional road projects, yet this bill will reduce the number of such projects across the country.

Click here to read the joint statement from America Bikes and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.

3. Bike Around Town with the Bike Locally Challenge

As part of the Bike Locally Challenge the Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) invites you to join the fun with 3 events in July: Workshop, Ride, and Class.

Workshop: The 2012 Challenge riders will be attending a “Bike Around Town” workshop presented by Safe Routes to Schools instructor James Sievert.  Our riders have encountered everything from awkward street crossings, the Golden Gate Bridge and its wind, the hills of Marin, loading a bike on the Golden Gate Transit, and so much more; now they will learn how to make their journey easier and safer.  James has been car free for a decade and has experience biking throughout the Bay Area, and he will be guiding everyone through the basics of getting around town. The MCBC invites the public to attend this great workshop on July 10th at 3 Ring Cycles in San Anselmo from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.

WHO: Marin County Bicycle Coalition
WHAT: Bike Locally Workshop
WHEN: Tuesday, July 10th, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
WHERE: 3 Ring Cycles, San Anselmo

Class: Additionally, the Bike Locally Challenge Riders also invite you to join them on July 12th at Kaiser Permanente from 6:30 to 8:30 PM for a Basic Street Skills presentation. This free class teaches both novice and experienced riders how to ride and drive defensively.

WHO: Marin County Bicycle Coalition
WHAT: Basic Street Skills Presentation
WHEN: Thursday, July 12th, 6:30-8:30 PM
WHERE: Kaiser Permanente, 99 Montecillo Rd, San Rafael

Ride: On Jul 21st, we will be meeting at Good Earth Natural Foods in Fairfax at 6 PM to pick-up movie snacks and then biking to San Anselmo for Film Night in the Park where we will be watching “The Help.”

WHO: Marin County Bicycle Coalition
WHAT: Bike to the Movies
WHEN: Saturday, July 21st, 6:00 PM.
WHERE: Meet at Good Earth Natural Foods in Fairfax

For more information or to RSVP please contact April Spooner at 415-456-3469 ext 7# or via email to

4. Great events to participate in during July
Volunteer with MCBC

Want to get involved and have fun with fellow cyclists? Volunteer for one of these upcoming events:

July 3rd and 4th - Last chance to help at the Marin County Fair! Only a couple more volunteers are needed for Valet Bike Parking, but spaces are still available for the MCBC Information Table. Free admission to the fair for any MCBC volunteer!

July 7th - Twilight Criterium. "A deafening roar of spectator hoards, gathered around an oval, witnessing carnage. Are they cyclists? Or are they gladiators? Part carnival, part madhouse, part Thunderdome." Find out what this event is all about as you assist with our Valet Bike Parking.

August 4th - Marin Century. MCBC hosts the best Marin Century rest stop at the Nicasio School on Saturday, August 4th. Come out and support the 2,700 cyclists that ride 60, 100 or 200 miles along the back roads of West Marin. Have fun chatting with the cyclists while you prepare and serve food. Encourage riders to enjoy the MCBC lounge while you promote MCBC’s valuable work.

September 1st - 3rd - Sausalito Arts Festival. Nestled in downtown Sausalito between the Marin Headlands and the Bay, this is one event you don't want to miss! We would love to have you join us as either a Valet Bike Parker or as an MCBC table volunteer.

Contact April Spooner at for these and more volunteer opportunities!

5. Biketoberfest exhibitor spaces going fast
Reserve a booth today

Biketoberfest returns Saturday, October 13, 2012. There’s no better opportunity to reach the North Bay’s affluent, health conscious cycling community than to have a booth at the biggest bicycle festival of the year.

Biketoberfest takes place in Fairfax, CA, the birthplace of the mountain bike, and is MCBC’s largest annual fundraising. It’s a daylong celebration of the bicycle and all it’s accoutrements. Highlights include:

• A handmade bike show
• Bicycle Expo with leading bicycle and component manufactures
• Incredible live music and tasty food!
• Brewfest featuring Over 40 beers from Northern California’s best brewers!
• Group rides with celebrity cyclists
• Cargo Bike Jubilee and family fun!
• Projected attendance of 6,000- 8,000 bicyclists

Reserve a 10 x 10 foot booth space today by contacting or click this link to download the application.

Come join the party – reserve a booth at Biketoberfest today!

6. Upcoming MCBC events

MCBC has a volunteer opportunity for you!   Click here to see what's on our calendar.

Marin County Fair
Saturday, June 30 through Wednesday, July 4
11 AM – 11 PM; Lagoon Park, Marin Civic Center
MCBC is providing Valet Bike Parking.

San Rafael Twilight Criterium
Saturday, July 7
1:20 – 10:00 PM; C Street between 3rd and 4th, San Rafael
MCBC is providing Valet Bike Parking.

Basic Street Skills
Thursday, July 12
6:30 – 8:30 PM; Kaiser Permanente, 99 Montecillo Road, San Rafael

Bike Locally Challenge: Ride to the Movies
Saturday, July 21
6:00 PM; Meet at Good Earth Natural Foods, Fairfax

Women on Wheels Gearing and Hills Clinic
Saturday, July 21
10:00 AM – Noon; Fairfax (location TBD)

Women on Wheels Century/Endurance Ride Preparation Clinic
Saturday, July 28
10:00 AM – Noon; Corte Madera (location TBD)

Ales & Trails
Sunday, August 12
9 AM - 4 PM; Miwok Meadow, China Camp State Park
MCBC is providing Valet Bike Parking.

See an expanded list of events

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
• Bob Trigg, Administrator, 456-3469 x 3#, bob@marinbike.org
• April Spooner, Volunteer and Activities Coordinator, 456-3469 x 7#, april@marinbike.org
• Andy Peri, Advocacy Director, 457-0802, andy@marinbike.org
• Alisha Oloughlin, Advocacy Coordinator, 456-3469 x 4#, alisha@marinbike.org
• Erik Schmidt, Off-road Director, 456-3469 x 6#, erik@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
• Shumit DasGupta, Safe Routes to Schools Instructor, 415-307-1557, shu@marinbike.org

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