Notes from the Board Chair

Thank you to everyone who came to our Holiday Joyride. The weather worked out perfectly for a dry and fun ride through some of San Diego's older neighborhood. Our brightly lit bicycles brought some joy to the streets, but I was especially joyous to report all the great things we have accomplished in 2012 back at Mission Brewery.

In 2012, we adopted a new strategic plan with a mission to advocate for and protect the rights of ALL people who ride bicycles. We helped launch a bike friendly business district campaign and locate three new bike corrals in San Diego.  We attended dozens of committee meetings, city council hearings, and other meetings to advocate for more bike safety measures and a more accessible regional network. We taught hundreds of adults and children safe cycling skills through our education efforts and we parked thousands of bikes through our bicycle valet program. We had the most successful Bike The Bay and Tour De Fat yet - raising funds to support for our work.

San Diego Mayor Bob Filner and Council President Todd Gloria both expressed their support for bicycles as a way to enhance the livability of our neighborhoods and the sustainability of the region. The time is right to make sure the bicycles stay at the top of the local agenda. In 2013 we will continue to work with local bicycle advisory committees to push to bicycle  improvements and make sure that bicycles are included in planning projects. We will support the implementation of a bike share program and more bicycle friend business. We will continue to provide bike education and offer valet services at large events.

Your membership helps provide a voice for cyclists in the region. As we seek to better advocate for all people who ride bikes, we can use your support as volunteers for programs like bike education and making, as well as members on our education, advocacy and organizational development committees. Watch you email boxes for more opportunities to get involved.

Thank you for your support in 2012, and I look forward to a great year ahead.

- Kevin C. Wood

Come One, Come All, to SDCBC's Annual Holiday Joyride

SDCBC will be hosting our annual Holiday Joyride, on December 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mission Brewery in East Village. This year’s event will celebrate 2012 as the year bicycling boosted business in San Diego.

2012 saw bike-friendly business districts, public bikesharing announcements, more cyclists at special events and a record-number of cyclists riding to work. All of these victories contributed to one of most successful years ever for the cycling economy in San Diego.

Mia Kohout

The event starts with a neighborhood Joyride for cyclists of all abilities, pedaling through downtown and returning to Mission Brewery. The celebration continues at Mission Brewery with craft beer, food trucks, a silent auction and prizes. We’ll be presenting the 2012 Golden Gear Advocacy awards and the SDCBC Year-in-Review. Special guest Mia Kohout, a celebrity in the everyday cycling world, will deliver the keynote. Mia’s the co-owner, co-publisher and editor-in-chief of Momentum Mag, an independent media company that celebrates the growing transportation cycling movement in North America with an emphasis on women and families. 

The Holiday Joyride is open to the public. Tickets for SDCBC members are $10, non-members are $15, which includes the Joyride, program and a beer ticket. Guests can also purchase a year membership with event benefits for $25. Guests should register at http://sdcbcjoyride12.eventbrite.com/#

San Diego Picks a Partner for the New Citywide Bike-Sharing Program

Today we joined in congratulating outgoing Mayor Jerry Sanders’ announcement of the selection of DECOBIKE, LLC to run San Diego’s new public bike-sharing and rental program.

Sanders with Councilmembers Gloria and Faulconer

SDCBC had a seat on Mayor Sanders' review panel assisting in the selection of DECOBIKE and we appreciate him moving ahead to develop this public-private partnership.  SDCBC looks forward working with DECOBIKE to make this the best bike sharing program in the country.

We also participated in San Diego’s recent steps to build the nation’s largest bike-friendly business improvement district program which is already showing a positive impact on neighborhood commercial districts. The mayor’s announcement of the citywide program further highlights the importance and impact of bicycling on the local economy.

Beyond helping business improvement districts, economic impacts of bike-sharing include additional jobs, and saving on transportation. Public bike-sharing in other U.S. cities have been shown to create 30-50 jobs for each program. For instance, DECOBIKE also runs a successful program in Miami, Florida, which has just under 30 employees. Additionally, members of bike-share programs in other parts of the country are saving hundreds of dollars per year in transportation costs, putting those savings back into the local economy.

SDCBC's Andy Hanshaw speaks with  CW 6

Whether it’s tourists, students, Padres fans or grocery shoppers, we know that bike-sharing works to improve the local economy and expand our transportation system. Bikes are boosting business in San Diego  and bike-sharing is another important piece of the pie.

Although Sanders made the announcement today, it is Mayor-elect Bob Filner, who’s coming into office in just over two-weeks, that will take over the handlebars.

We’re looking forward to seeing him hit the ground pedaling with San Diego’s first public bike-sharing program.  SDCBC will continue working to ensure our transportation infrastructure keeps up with these new transportation options, and we look forward to Filner continuing the bike sharing progress started by the current administration.

Andy Hanshaw Referees Electra's Slowest Bicycle Race

Our Executive Director Andy Hanshaw had the honors of helping local bicycle manufacturer Electra Bicycle Company celebrate the grand opening of its new global headquarters in Vista, Calif. He attended the ribbon cutting ceremony with Electra's CEO Skip Hess, a local council member and representatives for the local chamber of commerce.

In addition to reminding its staff and board members about the role they play in bicycle advocacy and empowering local bicycle trips to boost San Diego's economy, Andy got to referee the Slowest Bicycle Race. Electra made a video recap, and we invite you to watch the insider's take on how our local company approaches bicycling--spoiler alert: they like to have a ton of fun.

Recognized as the bicycling industry’s top-selling brand in the lifestyle and leisure category, Electra’s different approach to bicycling powered it into the nation’s 6th-largest bicycle company since it began in San Diego 19 years ago. Electra’s brand captures the joy of everyday riding, bringing style, creativity and detail to its six bicycle collections including Verse®, Ticino®, Townie®, Amsterdam®, Cruiser and Kids’ bicycles as well as its growing line of Life and Accessories products.

The company relocated to a larger office space and enhanced distribution center to accommodate its growing staff, expanding product lines and increased demand for its bicycles. In addition to the global headquarters, Electra services US sales through two other American distribution centers and has a European office, which helps support sales in 25 additional countries.

The company is also making its name as the bicycle of choice for bike-sharing programs including the largest Bicycle Friendly Business District in San Diego, the first bike-sharing program in Las Vegas, and as amenities at high-end hotels.<

 

A First Timer's Experience at the San Diego Bike Kitchen-Bikes del Pueblo

By Maria Olivas - SDCBC Volunteer and former Education Coordinator

I've known about the San Diego Bike Kitchen - Bikes de Pueblo for years. I know most of the volunteers and have worked with a few of them regarding developing programs. However, I've never actually been there, any repairs on my bike were usually done by my husband. With the exception of a flat, I've never really bothered to work on my own bike. I figure it's an even exchange; I cook and he is the house mechanic. 

At least once a month, I see Chris from bikes del pueblo. Every time I see him I ask him about maintenance and every time he suggest I stop by the shop. I never did, at least not until this past weekend. A friend of mine suggested we stop by; she's seen my bike tube jewelry and suggested I pick up parts from the Bike Kitchen. She is working on up-cycling bike parts for furniture and thought she may do the same. So here we go, concerned about being intimidated by the excessive bike knowledge of all the volunteers I figured it was a quick in and out situation.
　

Upon arrival I seen Chris, a kind familiar face welcoming us in, introducing us to everyone in the shop made it comfortable to stay. We wonder around and discover their excess parts from donated bikes. Most have been broken down and categorized into old milk crates. It's an organized system of every part imaginable ready to be placed on a bike. It's a bike builders dream and building bikes they were. Upon our arrival four people where building bikes from nothing but the extra parts lying around the shop. Eric went into the shop on Sunday morning with nothing and said the only way he is getting home is by riding a bike out. Leon worked on four bikes, three were his own projects and one belonged to someone who rolled in needing some help.

With so many extra parts and an upcoming move at the end of the month, Bikes del Pueblo is looking to consolidate to make the move easier. Assembled bikes ready to roll out the door would make the move easier. Since my own bike didn't need any work, Chris suggested we make our own bikes. I though, no way, I have no idea what I am doing. After being reassured by all the volunteer mechanics that they would help (there were four on Sunday), I went for it.　 

Chris helped me choose a frame, set it up on the stand and build it. Of course, he was doing most of the work, guiding me and educating me regarding every step and part. There sure are a lot of steps. Since top quality parts are not available, we "made it work." Dustin took over after Chris left and helped me put the brakes together, or at least started to. The brakes were a challenge and the shop was about to close up, so we set it aside for another day.

Cleanup keeps it organized and also made them realize how tough the move would be. Bikes del Pueblo is at the snowdrop location in city heights for the rest of the month. They must be out by November 1, but they are still looking for a new location. If you know of a free location please contact them at cpavelko@gmail.com. Bikes del Pueblo is a free service and volunteer run, your donation of a facility or quality parts are greatly needed.　 

Transportation and Grant News From Around San Diego County

This transportation grant and news update is brought to you by Jim Voss.

Transportation grants are one of the main ways to add biking infrastructure. The City of Carlsbad received an $880K grant to install a roundabout at the tricky angled intersection at Coast Highway and State Street. This common bike corridor ends the bike lane just before the intersection, which squeezes cyclists into the traffic lane before merging into another traffic line and then finally a bike lane. Other improvements are planned along the section of Coast Highway that crosses the lagoon. Additional grant money will cover bike corrals and racks and an active transportation program. The San Diego Foundation has granted $650K to a variety of organizations throughout the county to build bike paths and hiking trails. The grants will also be used to improve air quality and get more kids outdoors. The City of Escondido approved a new bike plan that would triple the number of bike lanes to 150 miles. The plan would cost $4.7 million dollars, spread out over several years. The San Diego Police Department received 18 patrol bicycles from ACE Parking.

Some may call this time of political election campaigns the "silly season", but it is great to see all the attention that bicycling is receiving from candidates. In addition to the San Diego mayoral debate hosted at USD and co-sponsored by SDCBC last month, bikes have gotten mention in other forums: a County Supervisor debate where a candidate wants to make San Diego County the bike capital of the world, and another San Diego mayoral debate at UCSD where both candidates agreed on something - bike lanes,  

This Associated Press article, while not mentioning San Diego, reviews how more people are utility cycling in cities throughout California: As gas prices soar, city cycling more attractive

Featured SDCBC Bicycle Ambassador - Joe Garcia

 

What Neighborhood do You live in? - I just moved to North Park
 

What is the Make, Model, Color or your Favorite Bike - My favorite bike is a Metallic Green Mercian (1978 frame) that is my touring/commuting bike - I own 5 bikes one is a tandem
 

Where did you get it from? - I bought the Mercian at Bikecology in Santa Monica back in the day and built it up from existing components then bought new ones along the way and as stuff wore out.
 

Why do you ride? – I ride for a variety of reasons: for recreation, I have toured and plan to again, I commute and now that I live in the city I run errands.
 

What is a typical Bike ride for you? - back and forth to work or on the weekends moderate ride.
 

While riding you......I like to listen to music world, jazz, rock and I do like talk to whoever will ever talk back
 

How can your city improve bike infrastructure or make your city more bike friendly? – more bike parking, fix the roads, some dedicated roadways and road closures when possible (Cicliovia style events on weekends).
 

Any tips or comments for other riders? - As Grant Petersen says "Just Ride" and ride all the time, I spent a little time in Portland and was amazed at the cyclists up there, they ride all the time in the worst of weather.
 

Shameless Plug? I work for the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency