Tag Archives: #BikeLocal

#CarFreeFridays Santa Monica!

Here’s what you need to know to get going and have a car-free and carefree day:

  • Learn about your options.
    Some employers, co-working spaces, and schools offer transportation benefits. Ask around about resources at your employer, co-working space, or school!
  • Allow for some flexibility in your schedule.
    Give yourself a few extra minutes so you don’t have to worry about being late.
  • Map your route in advance.
    Use Google Maps or the other recommended apps on smgov.net/gosamo to find out the best way to get to where you’re going car-free.
  • Make sure your TAP card is ready and loaded.
    Pick up a TAP card at a nearby Expo station or the Big Blue Bus Transit Store to access all the trains, buses, and even bikes.
  • Try it out with a buddy.
    Ask around the office to see if anyone wants to meet at a local Expo station or ask an apartment mate to take transit together to school or work.

Count me in!

Learn more about #CarFreeFriday at smgov.net/carfreefriday.
Copyright © 2016 City of Santa Monica, All rights reserved.

Launch: Bike Share Connect!

Have heard the exciting news? Our local bike share is now regional!

Today, Monday, April 23, the bike share systems in Santa Monica (Breeze Bike Share), Beverly Hills (Beverly Hills Bike Share), West Hollywood (WeHo Pedals Bike Share) and UCLA (Bruin Bike Share) are formally launching one seamless bike share network available for residents, commuters, and visitors alike – Bike Share Connect.

This is the implementation of one of the long term goals when we first launched bike share in Santa Monica two and half years ago.  By bridging the gaps between existing system areas, Bike Share Connect further expands availability of bike share across the region and provides car-free mobility in a fun, healthy and environmentally-friendly way. Smart Bikes can be unlocked at one station and returned to any other station in the system area making it easy to commute to work or school, run errands, get to social engagements, and more.

Bike Share Connect System Area

The new system area encompasses 35-square miles with 830 GPS-connected “Smart Bikes” and 135 station locations. The integrated GPS and locking mechanism that are standard on every bike are what make the bikes “Smart Bikes”. The GPS and lock allow users to lock up at any public bike rack. Users can then find available bikes nearby using the Social Bicycles app. In this way, Bike Share Connect network is a “dock-optional” system.

Existing members of Breeze Bike Share, Beverly Hills Bike Share, WeHo Pedals Bike Share or Bruin Bike Share automatically have access to the Bike Share Connect network. Starting April 23, new users can join the network by downloading the Social Bicycles mobile app, selecting the Bike Share Connect network, and choosing a payment plan. Residents, commuters, or visitors without a smartphone or internet access can create an account at any time at one of the 16 self-service kiosks in the network.

Consistent pricing throughout the network makes it easy for users to access the system. Prices will not increase with the launch of this expanded network – giving users access to more bikes in more places for the same price.

This has been a collaborative effort and we are so happy to see it get it off the ground. We hope you are as excited about this as we are. ­­

Handlebar Happy Hour: The Curious Palate

April HandleBar Happy Hour will be at The Curious Palate in the Santa Monica Place– Joined by the monthly Ride with the Mayor
JOIN us for either or both!


This month we visit The Curious Palate, a Bike Local, Buy Local Business. A comfortable dining room and spacious patio on the dining deck of Santa Monica Place. There’s plenty of room for families, dogs, and groups of friends to gather. For The Curious Palate, cooking is all about connecting with people – and with the earth. This means they’re always exploring new ways of supporting artisans and local producers who can provide them with fresh, sustainable, natural ingredients to share with their patrons. They sell house made jams and jellies and source much of their fruit and produce locally through Farmers Markets.  Plus both their restaurants are built and furnished with Douglas Fir sourced from tear downs  — including one from a house here in Santa Monica - that’s cool!

HandleBar Happy Hour Special:
HH drink menu will be extended for entire duration of our visit, PLUS we’ll get 10% off on all remaining menu food and drinks (excluding the happy hour drinks).


End of every month we like to get together for fun, support local businesses, and to celebrate all things bike.bike_local_sticker
Always fun, always family friendly!

Socialize, talk bikes, give input ….

If it’s on your way don’t forget to pass the Bike Counter!


Big thank you to last month’s host Lunetta All Day  –  We had a GREAT GROUP – FUN was had by all!

Celebrate #BikeLocalSM, our Buy Local SM businesses, happy hour + new friends at these monthly events!  Learn about upcoming local bike events + find out about and connect with us at SM Spoke… as we visit and introduce you to some of our Buy Local SM businesses.  Eat Local, Drink Local, Buy Local AND Bike Local SM!

Vote: Most Loved Santa Monica 2018

We’d LOVE to have your VOTE for Santa Monica Spoke
Category #20, advocacy/non-profit!
Click here to vote for Santa Monica Spoke and all your
Most Loved Santa Monica Businesses

Buy Local, Support Local – It keeps dollars in Santa Monica’s economy, supporting our schools, parks and vital community services.
Voting ends February 28th!

Don’t wait, Vote Today!

Handlebar Happy Hour: Bareburger

For March we visit the local Bareburger on Main Street in Santa Monica!

Bareburger is warmly welcoming us by extending their Happy Hour menu for our group until 8pm! Thanks Bareburger!!

End of every month we like to get together for fun, and to celebrate all things bike.bike_local_sticker
Always fun, always family friendly!
Socialize, talk bikes, give input ….

If it’s on your way don’t forget to pass the Bike Counter on your way!


Bareburger is a Buy Local Business that believes sometimes it can be just as simple as a burger, fries, and shake. Their Mission is for love, service, and organic & sustainable food to fill their restaurants with foods we can pronounce. They came together to make food that they can proudly serve to their communities, friends and families with ingredients sourced as close to home as possible.

Barebuger celebrates ingredients that grow up the way nature intended. Their produce is free of pesticides and GMOs, poultry and eggs that aren’t limited to cages, proteins are grass-fed and humanely raised. Drinks are composed of natural flavors; coffee and desserts that are fair-trade. They are dedicated to great-tasting grub with no funny business and are committed to serving you nothing less than the highest quality meals and refreshments. Winner of the James Beard Foundation BLENDED BURGER PROJECTâ„¢ is but one of the many awards they have won and also include not one, not two – but THREE national accolades for their home made veggie (vegan) patty’s!!!

Celebrate #BikeLocalSM, our Buy Local SM businesses, happy hour + new friends at these monthly events!  Learn about upcoming local bike events + find out about and connect with us at SM Spoke… as we visit and introduce you to some of our Buy Local SM businesses.  Eat Local, Drink Local, Buy Local AND Bike Local SM!