Author Archives: Cynthia Rose

#ActionAlert: Bike-Share Is Under Threat

If AB 371 passes, we won’t be able to expand shared micromobility programs to low-income communities that need them.

AB 371 endangers shared bikes and scooters in California

The California State Senate is considering a bill that will endanger bike and scooter sharing in California. It’s absolutely crucial to voice your opposition to this dangerous bill today.
UNLESS FIXED, AB 371 COULD KILL BIKE-SHARING IN CALIFORNIA

The Kill Bike-Share Bill (AB 371) would require providers of shared scooters (whether a private company, non-profit, or a transit agency) to carry insurance to pay for injuries caused through no fault of their own including by the rider’s own negligence. It requires a study that is likely to lead to a similar requirement for shared bikes in the future.

Tell your senator to vote NO on AB 371, the Kill Bike-Share Bill

See here why AB 371 doesn’t solve the problem, California needs real solutions, Insurance requirement comparison, and 4 reasons to save California bike-share

PCH Pavement Rehabilitation Project

Virtual Community Meeting
For the City of Malibu Pacific Coast Highway (SR-1)

When: Tuesday, June 28, 2022 
from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: https://signin.webex.com/join
Meeting number: 24953134230
Event password: 2022
Or by phone: (408) 418-9388
Access code: 24953134230

Caltrans is proposing a project to rehabilitate distressed pavement, improve ride quality, upgrade existing safety features, upgrade existing nonstandard curb ramps to comply with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, and construct Class II bike lanes on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) State Route 1 (SR-1) from Serra Road near Malibu Lagoon State Beach to the Ventura County Line near Leo Carrillo State Beach.  The current design proposes bike lanes that may eliminate parking in some areas on PCH.  Caltrans is holding this virtual meeting to receive input from the community on this proposed project.  Community participation is greatly appreciated as we will be collecting feedback.

One of our questions: Is a Class II bike lane sufficient where vehicles travel in excess of 50mph or is protected infrastructure what we need / want?  

For any questions regarding this meeting, or if you would like to receive an email with the meeting link, please contact Caltrans Public Information Officer, Alisa Almanzan or Caltrans Project Manager, Jane Yu. 

Email: alisa.almanzan@dot.ca.gov  or   jane.yu@dot.ca.gov

Action Alert: Support Pedestrian Pilot on Main Street

June 8th Council Meeting 

This Tuesday, Santa Monica City Council is expected to vote on final approval of the pilot program for temporary weekend street closures for vehicular traffic for a few weekends this summer on Main Street. In other cities programs like this have proven to reduce car use, support local businesses, and increase walking and biking. Santa Monica City Council needs to hear from you – share your support for a more sustainable, walkable, and vibrant Santa Monica! We want Santa Monica to be a great place for residents, workers, students and visitors of all ages to safely walk, bike, and scoot. As we emerge out of the pandemic, finding creative ways like this to support healthy active mobility and our local businesses by providing more outdoor experiences is critical for our community wellbeing and our economic recovery. 

We know you may have previously sent an email or submitted a survey but we need you to help demonstrate support to Council this evening with a short note to ensure that Item 7-A is approved. Click and customize the template below.

Santa Monica Spoke enthusiastically supports the Main Street Buisness Improvement District and the Ocean Park Neighborhood Association pilot. Other cities in the US and around the world have long been discovering the economic and safety benefits of slow and shared streets for safer, more equitable and sustainable mobility, for people walking, biking, scooting and driving. We have the data, we know that prioritizing people over cars makes streets safer for everyone, improves gridlock, is better for the environment, and indeed improves the experience of mobility regardless of mode. By providing safer and healthier options that encourage more people to leave their cars behind and explore the city, we improve safety, climate impacts, economic and environmental resilience, and vitality for our future. 

This item will be heard tomorrow at the Tuesday, June 8th council meeting.
Please send a quick note of support on Item 7-A, pilot program for weekend closures on Main Street, to the members of City Council* — template and email addresses listed below.
*preferably by noon on Tuesday June 8th

Example from Santa Barbara 

Template: Please personalize as you like

To: councilmtgitems@smgov.net, sue.himmelrich@smgov.net, kristin.mccowan@smgov.net, phil.brock@smgov.net, gleam.davis@smgov.net, oscar.delatorre@smgov.net, Kevin.McKeown@smgov.net, christine.parra@smgov.net

Dear Mayor and Santa Monica City Council,

As a Santa Monica resident, I support the pilot to pedestrianize Main Street for a few weekends this summer and hope you will consider making it permanent. Pedestrianized streets are more vibrant and encourage people to visit by foot, bicycle or scooter and leave their car at home. Pedestrian streets improve the visitor experience, encourage people to stay and bring in more customers to shops and restaurants. Streets that are pedestrianized are much more relaxing and enjoyable to visit and eat outdoors than a street with the noise and pollution of car traffic.

I very much support this program and ask that you vote to approve of the pilot on Main Street!

May is Bike Month

We are getting ready and gathering Bike Month Promotions and Virtual Activities to share for
Bike Month Santa Monica 2021!
#BikeThere #BikeMonthSM #GoSaMo #BikeLocalSM

#WhyIRide

TheLEAGUE-BikeMonth

May is National Bike Month, sponsored by the  League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to giving biking a try.

WITH SO MANY REASONS TO RIDE, WHAT’S YOURS? Â»

bike_month_250x250

It’s a celebration of bikes; a reminder to get rolling again; a gateway to riding more often; a time to evangelize the beauty of bikes; and much, much more.

Whether you bike to work or school; ride to save money or time; pump those pedals to preserve your health or the environment; or simply to explore your community, National Bike Month is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride. The momentum is building: With growing cultural awareness around health and wellness, sustainability and economic savings, bicycling is being seen by new and broader audiences as a simple solution to many complex problems, from reducing obesity rates to increasing mobility options. This year, we want to hear from you. What’s your “why?” With so many reasons to ride, what’s yours? Use the hashtags #WhyIRide and #BikeLocalSM #BikeMonthSM on social media and also tag @SMSpoke @BikeLeague!

Each year the number and diversity of Bike Month celebrations continues to grow, accelerating the momentum around bicycling nationwide.