Monthly Archives: August 2012

Environmental review exemption for Bike Lanes: you can help

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Environmental review exemption for bike lanes goes to Senate

Pending a vote by the California Senate later this month, Gov. Jerry Brown

will have the opportunity to sign legislation that will speed up bike lane projects throughout the state.

Assembly Bill 2245, authored by Santa Clarita Assemblymember Cameron Smyth, would exempt all bike lane projects throughout the state from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act. We see this bill as a positive step in addressing the auto-oriented nature of CEQA, which has in the past stifled worthy bike lane projects that could help make bicycling safer, easier and more inviting to a larger share of Californians.

CEQA currently requires a review for any project that may have a significant environmental impact. While bike lanes making no change to the configuration of roadways are currently exempt from CEQA, the removal of a vehicle travel lane or street parking to accommodate a bike lane triggers CEQA review when traffic impacts reach a certain threshold.

CEQA review for bike lanes can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months to complete, often costing more than the actual project on the ground. These timelines and costs deter many cities from the robust implementation of needed and necessary bike networks.

Instead of a cumbersome CEQA process, AB 2245 requires cities and counties to prepare a traffic and safety study of the proposed bike lane project, conduct public hearings to discuss the project’s impact, and file CEQA-exemption notices with the state Office of Planning & Research as well as the County Clerk. AB 2245 essentially requires cities to examine the same environmental impacts for bike lane projects as under CEQA, but in a much more streamlined and cost-effective fashion. Bike lane projects that languish in the environmental review process for up to two years could gain local clearance and exemption in a matter of months under AB 2245.

We’re thrilled about what this bill’s passage could mean for the timely and efficient implementation of bike lanes throughout the state and we urge both the Senate and the Governor’s Office to enact this legislation. To show your support for the bill, contact your state senator today.

From: California Bike Coalition

Assembly approves 3-foot passing bill: but we are not there yet!

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Assembly approves 3-foot passing bill

On Monday, Aug. 27 the California Assembly approved the three-foot passing bill by a 54-24 vote after a raucous debate that took nearly 30 minutes.

Next steps for Senate Bill 1464 include a vote — largely procedural — in the Senate to formally concur with the technical amendments made to the bill by the Assembly. Then SB 1464 goes to the Governor for his signature, probably right after Labor Day.

In the previous 10 days we joined thousands of bike-friendly Californians who urged their Assemblymembers to approve SB 1464. Many thanks to our allies at Transform for helping generate such a big response.

We remember last year when we thought we were close to Victory with SB 910, but the bill was vetoed by Gov. Brown! This current bill continues to enjoy strong support from bike advocacy organizations, bicycling clubs, bike manufacturers and retailers, and environmental and safety advocates, as well as thousands of bike-friendly individuals, with none of the organized opposition that fought SB 910, last year’s three-foot passing bill. Based on Gov. Brown’s comments following his veto of SB 910, we’re optimistic that he plans to sign this one.

But the job isn’t finished until then, so we’ll continue publicizing the bill and soliciting support from individuals, organizations and businesses. To do this, we’re grateful for support from California bicycling legend Gary Fisher for the fundraising campaign to help carry California Bike Coalition through this final push and beyond. If you value their work to make California more bike-friendly, please consider donating.

Dinner & Bikes (& Cupcakes) 2012

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We are so excited to announce that once again

Portland comes to Santa Monica

Dinner & Bikes (& Cupcakes) 2012

Friday, September 14th

502 Colorado, Santa Monica
Doors open a 6pm, Planning lots of fun stuff to do!
Dinner bell rings at 7pm
Details soon on afternoon bike ride!

*New Presentation by nationally recognized writer on cycling Elly Blue of Taking the Lane” on the economic benefits of bicycle transportation for local economies.
*View extended film excerpt of Aftermass, an origin story of Portland’s bicycle culture and infrastructure & a new short film “One Less Truck” a heartwarming tale about a classic car mechanic turned on to cargo biking by documentarian and founder of Microcosm Publishing Joe Biel
*Gourmet vegan dinner prepared by Traveling Celebrity Vegan Chef Josh Ploeg
and AWESOME VEGAN CUPCAKES baked again by Santa Monica Spoke’s Director Cynthia Rose

PLUS Prize drawings and Door Prizes!

Click here to RSVP – give number with names of who will attend
Stay tuned for updates
last years event was AWESOME!!

Biking and Health: How bikes provide answers

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Disclaimer: Although this info graphic was used for less than ideal internet fishing – it is still a nice graphic of comparing biking to driving  (although a slightly outdated)
Even those that uncovered the scam were quoted to say “— but it’s a well-assembled collection of facts”
The original offending link has been disabled  – So don’t follow the links at the bottom of the image and if you like just enjoy the statistics in the graphics pictured  ….

The 3 groups remain separate with Affirmed Shared Goals

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alliance logoleague logo

For Immediate Release

Contacts:
Alliance for Biking & Walking: Jeff Miller, 202-449-9692
League of American Bicyclists: Andy Clarke, 202-822-1333
Bikes Belong: Tim Blumenthal, 303-449-4893

THREE NATIONAL BIKE ADVOCACY GROUPS AFFIRM SHARED GOALS AND CONTINUING COLLABORATION; DECIDE TO REMAIN SEPARATE

Aug. 16, 2012 – After months of steady dialogue and face-to-face meetings, the leaders of the Alliance for Biking & Walking, Bikes Belong and League of American Bicyclists have decided not to pursue full unification at this time. The three groups continue to operate independently, in close collaboration, to make bicycling safer and more enjoyable for all Americans.

These unprecedented unification discussions were marked by goodwill and an open exchange of ideas. They helped U.S. bike advocacy leaders agree on a shared vision, goals and strategies that will advance the movement and improve bicycling coast to coast.
The three groups continue to work together and have committed to achieving the following benchmark goals by 2020:

1. The nationwide percentage of trips made by bike will increase to five percent (from one percent in 2012), and the diversity of people on bikes will mirror the diversity of America;
2. Traffic injuries and fatalities (in all modes) will decrease by 50 percent;
3. Half of all Americans will have front-door access to a bicycling network that will take them to destinations within two miles exclusively on low-stress streets, lanes, and trails–protected from high-speed traffic.

The League and Alliance are developing plans to help state and local advocates get the most out of MAP-21, the new, two-year federal transportation bill, and will work with Bikes Belong on this, and other projects. Bikes Belong has initiated a strategic discovery process to review its overall goals and to refine its focus, and is engaging the League and Alliance to help shape its future direction.

The leaders of all three groups began the unification discussion fully aware of the challenges of blending unique legal structures, membership bases, project priorities, and headquarters locations. While these talks didn’t produce a merger, the groups will continue to work together to engage, represent and connect the many different elements of the bicycling movement. They will focus on federal, state, and local projects that best improve bike infrastructure and safety in the United States.