Monday, September 30, 2013

VICTORY: SANDAG Approves $200 million for Regional Bike Plan Projects

San Diego County Bicycle Coalition calls this an historic moment for the bicycling community


SAN DIEGO, September 27, 2013 – Today San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) approved scenario 1 for the regional bike plan early action program, which allows a $200 million investment in high priority bike projects over the next 10 years. The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition (SDCBC), an organization protecting the rights of all people who ride bicycles, says this is a momentous step toward creating a regional bicycle network of interconnected corridors, support facilities and programs to make bicycling a convenient form of transportation.

“The momentum for bicycling as an active form of transportation in San Diego County is in high gear,” said Andy Hanshaw, Executive Director of SDCBC. “By approving scenario 1 for the regional bike plan, SANDAG has put into motion essential improvements that will enable folks to ride bicycles more safely on more direct and convenient routes that connect more cities throughout the county.”

In 2011, SANDAG’s board of directors made a commitment to active transportation with the adoption of the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan and its Sustainable Communities Strategy, which included integration of Riding to 2050: San Diego Regional Bicycle Plan previously approved in 2010. The board developed the bike plan early action program, and in April 2012, SANDAG’s transportation committee accepted its goals and began initial cost estimates. Following a recommendation by the transportation committee, today’s final action by the board approved scenario 1 for the early action program prioritizing projects included within the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan.

Some high profile projects in the list of early action priorities include the North Park – Mid-City bike corridor, the Uptown bicycle corridor, several Coastal Rail Trail San Diego bikeways, San Diego River Trail bikeways, additional Bayshore Bikeway connections and some downtown to southeast San Diego connections.

According the Hanshaw, these much-needed bicycling improvements in San Diego County complement the greater bicycle momentum occurring throughout all parts of the region. Earlier this week, Governor Brown announced that he signed a bill that will require cars to give three feet of space when passing a bicycle rider on the road. The City of San Diego and its bike share partner, DECOBIKE, are currently searching for input on locations for the new bike share system slated to open in 2014. Also, San Diego’s business improvement districts run the nation’s largest bicycle friendly program of its kind.

“SANDAG’s approval for early action on these high-priority bicycle road and pathway improvements nicely wraps together bicycle-related projects and improvements occurring simultaneously in all parts of the county,” Hanshaw said. 


For more information on the Bicycle Coalition’s strategic initiatives, visit www.sdcbc.org

Monday, September 16, 2013

Pacific Beach Businesses Next on Bike Local Sunday Tour

San Diego's 5th Bike Local Sunday rolls through Pacific Beach on Sunday, September 22nd

SAN DIEGO, September 10, 2013 – The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and the San Diego Business Improvement District Council announce Pacific Beach as the next Bike Local Sunday destination. The Bicycle Coalition, an organization that advocates for and protects the rights of all people who ride bicycles, encourages folks to spend this day riding bikes to local businesses with family and friends while supporting neighborhood economies.

Bike Local Sunday rolls into Pacific Beach on Sunday, September 22, kicking off with an organized neighborhood ride at 11 a.m. Bicyclists will rendezvous at Pacific Coast Bicycle (1633 Garnet Ave.) for a leisurely group ride through some of Pacific Beach’s most quaint streets- cruising from Felspar Street up Cass Street, over to Turquoise and back. The route was designed to highlight local businesses such as Chocolate Haus, Hydrangea Cove, Mr. Frosty and Luelle Boutique, which will be welcoming an influx of two-wheeled customers for the day.

“We’re excited to see bike friendly businesses showing their support for everyday cycling in San Diego,” said Andy Hanshaw, executive director of the Bicycle Coalition. “While Pacific Beach is no stranger to bicyclists, this Sunday businesses open their doors to families and friends on bikes for a day dedicated to supporting local businesses.”

Bike Local Sundays started with a goal to get more people riding bikes to support business in San Diego. Trends show that more people riding bikes versus driving improves community health, air quality and traffic congestion, as well as boosts business by relieving residents of the costs of owning and operating a vehicle, transferring those savings to the local economy.
In partnership with the San Diego Business Improvement District Council, Bike Local Sundays are a perfect way for everyone to enjoy riding local and shopping local.

The final Bike Local Sunday will take place in Ocean Beach on October 20.
For more information on Bike Local Sundays, visit www.bikelocal.org. Also visit www.sdcbc.org for more information on other local cycling events in San Diego County.

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SAN DIEGO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION: (SDCBC) is a nonprofit organization that advocates for and protects the rights of all people who ride bicycles. They promote bicycling as a mainstream, safe and enjoyable form of transportation and recreation.  For more information, go to www.sdcbc.org.  


SAN DIEGO BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT COUNCIL: A 501 (c 6) organization. The Council is an association of San Diego’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) whose mission is to assist in the development and dissemination of information, resources, and expertise to its member BIDs, and to improve the physical, social, and economic environments of San Diego’s small businesses. www.bidcouncil.org