Monthly Archives: September 2012

Taking bike lanes back to the curb?

Some who have traveled to Europe may have seen this in action, but for those who have not and as an added visual for our toolbox I pass along these videos.
Very interesting and versatile treatment – Intersections may look cramped but seem to work well. Articulated bus shown in 2nd video doesn’t seem to have trouble negotiating the turn without jumping the curb. Possible design solutions for several difficult junctions in Santa Monica including the Esplanade Design Project downtown.

The Dutch build cycle paths right on their junctions. So they must have wider streets, right? Wrong! This video shows how it is done, no extra space needed.

Junction design the Dutch – cycle friendly way
Video by markenlei

In part 2 the Dutch demonstrate how they have been designing junctions with cycle paths for decades. There is nothing experimental about these junctions. They say they have proven to be safer for cyclists than junctions without such provisions.

Dutch junction design – safer for cyclists
Video by markenlei

The article with more images and information can be found here.
I look forward to discussion on this topic

Tour de Fat is coming back to LA! September 15th

Hold on tight, Los Angeles, there’re headed back for another round! New Belgium Brewing’s cycling circus, Tour de Fat, is coming back to L.A. Saturday 9/15 at L.A.State Historic Park. Tour de Fat rookies and veterans alike are encouraged to grab a bike and join us for a whimsical day of entertainment and two-wheeled revelry, all while raising money for C.I.C.L.E., Bicycle Kitchen and Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition.

For those who haven’t experienced Tour de Fat, it is a thrilling rite of passage that includes an unparalleled costumed bicycle parade, New Belgium beer, eccentric entertainment, local food trucks, unusual bike contests culminating in the pinnacle of Tour de Fat is the ceremonious car-for-bike trade and SO much more.

The Bike Parade begins at 11 am from L.A State Historic Park, but be there early to register.

Feeder ride to Tour de Fat LA from Santa Monica, leaves 8am from the Pier.
Led by Santa Monica Spoke

Portland comes to Santa Monica, Dinner & Bikes (& Cupcakes) 2012

Dinner & Bikes (& Cupcakes) 2012

Friday, September 14th

502 Colorado, Santa Monica
Bike tour Santa Monica, 3:30pm
Doors open for Main Event at 6pm,
Dinner bell rings at 7pm

Dinner & Bikes (&Cupcakes) 2012
*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.

Meet us at the Colorado address for an afternoon bike tour with Elly of Santa Monica and some of our newest buffered bike lanes etc. Discuss some of the new plans we are working on – and how they will connect our communities to schools, shopping and every day errands helping us to realize a vibrant and healthier more sustainable future envisioned in the LUCE.
Please arrive early – we hope to leave very close to 3:30pm.

PLUS Prize drawings and Door Prizes!

Please support our local efforts with a $5.00 suggested donation. Don’t miss out –
Click  RSVP – list the names of those who will attend

See facebook event here
Stay tuned for updates

Many Thanks to our AWESOME sponsors:

 

 

last years event was AWESOME!!

Join TRANSFORM to support health in transportation plans!

TransForm Alert

Tell the Governor to support health in transportation plans!

Does your community do enough to make sure investments in roads and transit promote better health? Does your community provide access for people of all incomes and ages?  If your community is like most places, the answer is No.

Our transportation infrastructure impacts our health in a number of ways – from the air we breathe to our level of exercise and physical safety.  Many communities in California have come up with innovative – and often cost-effective – solutions to these vexing problems.  But the size and diversity of our State makes sharing this information difficult.  And currently, the state guidelines for regional transportation investments say little about equity and almost nothing about health.
That’s why the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network and TransForm are co-sponsoring Assembly bill 441, authored by Assemblyman Monning.  AB 441 would require the California Transportation Commission to create a summary of these best practices – great projects like Safe Routes to Schools or Transit, or successful programs like vanpools for agricultural workers – into their guidance for transportation agencies.

The bill has reached the Governor’s desk, and now it can use your help!  To take just one minute to send a message to the Governor in support of Assembly Bill 441, and to support healthier communities, please click here.

Once you have taken action, please forward this to your friends. To learn more about how some regions are already successfully incorporating health and equity in TransForm’s Creating Health Regional Transportation Plans report.
Thank you for helping to make California a healthy place for all people.
Stuart Cohen

Stuart Cohen, Executive Director
TransForm
436 14th Street, Suite 600, Oakland, CA 94612
510.740.3150

Find them at www.TransFormCA.org or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.