San Diego County Bicycle Coalition: April 2012

Monday, April 30, 2012

Kidical Mass - May 9 in Liberty Station

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Our Executive Director Responds to Recent Bicycle Fatality

As Executive Director of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, I am deeply saddened and terribly troubled to learn of the recent fatality of Mr. Charles Gilbreth, a man who was riding his bike home from work and was struck and killed by an SUV on Wednesday, April 18. This marks the second bike fatality of a legally riding bicyclist in the last three weeks in San Diego.

This is unacceptable.

According to reports, Mr. Gilbreth was riding in the bike lane on Montezuma Road when he was struck. If confirmed, we can not be satisfied until there is full and complete legal action taken in this case and in the case of Mr. David Ortiz.

The San Diego bicycling community needs action now…for safer streets and protection for all who ride legally everyday in San Diego.

We wish to express our sincerest sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Gilbreth, and we will work on his behalf and all who ride bikes to make San Diego a safer, more complete bicycling community.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

How many will it take?

I’m outraged. And I’m getting tired of getting outraged.

Last Wednesday (4/18/2012), Charles Gilbreth was killed riding his bicycle on Montezuma Rd near Collwood. That’s very near where Tom Fudge was hit in 2007, and less than a month since Daniel Ortiz was killed at Balboa and the I-805.

I’m more outraged that in the five years since Tom Fudge was injured, the city has done nothing to improve safety conditions on Montezuma, nor have they made significant progress on building the long-promised I-15 bike path that would provide a decent alternative for Fairmount Ave.

I understand it’s difficult to change infrastructure, but how many deaths does it take before something can be done?

I’m tired. I’m tired of waiting for agencies to provide condolences and little else. I’m tired of these “tragic accidents." I’m ready to make some noise. I hope you are, too. There’s a memorial ride tomorrow (Wednesday 4/25/12) starting at Balboa Park at 4:00 p.m. Come participate if you can. If you can’t make the ride, or if you can and want to do something more, call or email the Mayor’s office (619-236-6330 JerrySanders@sandiego.gov) and Councilmember Marti Emerald (619-236-6677 martiemerald@sandiego.gov) and Councilmember Todd Gloria (619-236-6633 toddgloria@sandiego.gov). Tell them you want them to:

Make a stronger commitment to safer infrastructure and roadway design. They can start with providing traffic calming on Montezuma Rd, fixing the Kearny Villa Rd and I-163 interchange, and breaking ground on the I-15 bikeway in the next three years.
Make a stronger commitment from police department to enforce traffic laws that have an adverse impact on cyclists/pedestrians (failure to stop/yield, distracted driving, etc.)
Make sure the City immediately become a NACTO affiliate.
Make sure that the drivers in the Daniel Ortiz and Charles Gilbreth cases will be investigated fully and that appropriate charges will be filed in both cases. The bicycling community will not be satisfied with a slap on the wrist.

I’m going to make a commitment, and I hope you will too, to not let Charles’ death go by like so many others. That we will band together and use our collective voices to make REAL change and not let apathy and anger stop us. And I’m going to stay outraged until we do.

SDCBC Bike Month Events

We have many events for you to attend during May Bike Month. Email sdcbcbicycleeducation@gmail.com for more information.

Wednesday, May 2

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Bicycle Commuter Preparation Class
Where: San Diego County Water Authority Rod Greek at 4677 Overland Ave, San Diego, CA 92123
Description: For the staff of San Diego County Water Authority Rod Greek

Thursday, May 3

12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. Where to Ride Your Bike
Where: San Diego County Water Authority - Controller at 4677 Overland Ave, San Diego, CA 92123
Description: San Diego County Water Authority Rod Greek

Friday, May 4

7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Bike to School Friday - Rosebank Elementary
Where: Rosebank Elementary, Chula Vista
Description: For the student and parent of those attending Rosebank Elementary

Friday, May 4

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Beginning Cycling Commuter
Where: Life Technologies at 5823 Newton Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Description: For Life Technologies staff

Sunday, May 6

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Kidical Mass
Where: Moment Cycle Sport
Description: Join us for an afternoon of bicycles

Monday, May 7

12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Where to Ride Class at Caltrans
Where: Caltransat 4050 Taylor Street, Old Town - Caltrans Gallegos Conference Room
Description: For Caltrans Employees

Tuesday, May 8

7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. San Diego District 2 - Pedestrian Bicycle Advisory Committee
Where: Wine Pub at 2907 Shelter Island Dr, Suite 108, San Diego, CA 92106
Description: San Diego District 2 Pedestrian Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting is 7:00 p.m. at the Wine Pub in Point Loma

Wednesday, May 9

All day Bike to School Day on Wednesday May 9 until Thursday, May 10

Wednesday, May 9

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Make Bike Lights with SDCBC
Where: SDCBC Offices 740 13th Street Suite 502
Description: Learn how to make your bike GLOW! Join us for a tutorial on how to light your bike with lights! Don't miss this chance to brainstorm, gain some inspiration, meet new people and learn to make bike lights.

Wednesday, May 9

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. SDCBC Volunteer Night
Where: SDCBC Offices at 740 13th Street, Suite 502, San Diego, CA 92101
Description: SDCBC Volunteer night is a time to catch up on things and meet new people. So stop by, snack on tasty treats, chat with fellow members and help us keep our organization rolling. Bring a friend-the more the merrier! Don't forget to bring up your bike to the office! Questions? Email education@sdcbc.org or just show up.

Friday, May 11

12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. Dana Middle School Bicycle Assembly
Where: Dana Middle School
Description: Road Rules Assembly

Saturday, May 12

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. San Diego River Days
Where: OB Bike Path at Dog Beach
Description: Ride through the San Diego River Bike Path

8:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tune Up Time
Where: Balboa Park at 6th Ave and Laurel
Description: SDCBC will have bike parking, a youth skills course and mini bike maintenacne classes. http://www.icommutesd.com/Events/BikeToWorkDay.aspx

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Exploration Ride at San Diego River
Where: San Diego River Bike Path and Ocean Beach
Description: Exploration rides are fun rides in a scenic part of San Diego County. Part learning experience, part coffee jaunt, these rides welcome all riders, but are geared for beginners. An introduction to road riding, riding in a group, and a nice morning out with some fun bicyclists. The rides are typically 8-10 miles, flat, and we do it at a pace that encourages talking and interaction. We talk a lot, stop a lot and usually eat or at least bring doughnuts, while getting information about riding in various situations. Questions or concerns contact education@sdcbc.org.

Tuesday, May 15

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Ladies Night at Pearl Izumi
Where: Pearl Izumi - 12845 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA
Description: Grab a Friend and join us at Pearl Izumi for a night of fun. We will eat, drink and learn about bikes. The night is devoted to ladies and taught by ladies. Learn about bike fits, fixing a flat and the right equipment to carry with you. We hope you can join us.

Wednesday, May 16

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Oceanside Bicycle Assembly

Friday, May 18

All day Bike to Work Day
Where: Throughout San Diego County
Description: Bicycle Ambassadors will be needed through out the county to represent the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition at various "Pit Stops" and gatherings.

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Urban Bicycling: Part 1-In Class: Intro to Safe Cycling - Oceanside
Where: Oceanside Library at 330 North Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054
Description: You will learn the basics of bicycling including, but not limited to: the law, what to carry with you, where you should be in traffic and tips on how to commute more effectively. Recommended for adults and children above age 16, this fast-paced, 2 part course prepares cyclists for a full understanding of vehicular cycling. Part 1 can also be taken at www.biked.org. Please register.

Sunday, May 20

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Urban Bicycling: Part 2 - On Road: Street Skills - San Diego
Where: Kensington Cafe at 4141 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116
Description: Urban Bicycling gives cyclists the confidence they need to ride safely and legally in traffic. The course covers bicycle safety checks, fixing a flat, on-bike skills and crash avoidance techniques and includes a student manual. Recommended for adults and children above age sixteen, this fast-paced, 2 part course prepares cyclists fora full understanding of vehicular cycling. Part 1 – In Class: Intro to Safe Cycling must be completed prior to taking Part 2. Complete Part 1 at www.bikeed.org.

10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Valet Bike Parking - North Park Festival of the Arts
Where: North Park
Description: Volunteers needed for Valet Bike Parking

Monday, May 21

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Oceanside Bicycle Committee Meeting
Where: 330 North Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054
Description: Monthly Oceans Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting

Wednesday, May 23

8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Oceanside Bicycle Rodeo

7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. SDCBC Board Meeting
Where: San Diego County Bicycle Coalition Offices at 740 13th Street, Suite 502, San Diego, CA 92101
Description: Join us at this board of directors meeting where directors, advisors, members and members of the public can meet to review issues before the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition.

Friday, May 25

All day Bike/Walk to School Sivergate
Where: Silvergate Elementary
Description: For the students and parents of those attending Silvergate Elementary

Tuesday, May 29

All day Dana Middle School Bicycle Rodeo
Where: Dana Middle School

Wednesday, May 30

11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Ocean Beach Elementary School Bicycle Assembly
Where: Ocean Beach Elementary School
Description: For the students and parents of those attending Ocean Beach Elementary

Thursday, May 31

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Dana Middle School Practice Route for Bicycle Train
Where: Dana Middle School

was a tragic loss for them and for the local bicycling community. We

are very concerned for a proper investigation into the factors that

caused this unnecessary death and wish to express our demand for

improvements at the location of the accident in order to avoid any

future injuries or fatalities to people who ride bikes at this

location. Our cities and leaders need to take more action to help

improve the safety of our roadways which are used by all types of

commuters including pedestrians and bicyclists. Let's work together to

make changes now so we do not have to see any more tragedies like this take place in our community.

Andy Hanshaw, Executive Director

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition wishes to express their

sincerest condolences to the family and friends of David Ortiz. This