San Diego Bike Tour

By Dave Rice, freelance journalist

The four-day-long National Bicycle Tourism Conference kicked off in San Diego on Wednesday, November 5, with conference organizers hoping to highlight the region as an increasingly bike-friendly locale for residents and visitors alike. This is the first in the conference's 25 years of operation that San Diego was selected to host.

 

Prior to the start of the conference, the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition staged a five-mile tour encompassing portions of downtown and Coronado, meant to highlight the nearly-complete Bayshore Bikeway, a 24-mile loop around the bay that's been under development since 1976, as well as various other improvements that resulted in Coronado being named in 2013 to a nationwide list of certified "bike friendly" city.

The tour kicked off in front of the county administration building, where Supervisor Greg Cox greeted a handful of cycling activists, local media, and national cycling press, offering encouragement for completion of the Bikeway and adoption of more cyclist-friendly policies countywide.
 

"What you're hearing throughout the entire region in San Diego is that we're really becoming more and more of a bicycling community," said Cox.

A short ride delivered participants at the San Diego-Coronado Ferry dock where, once on board, Bicycle Coalition executive director Andy Hanshaw and Stephan Vance, a transportation and land use planner with the San Diego Association of Governments, delivered an update on the state of cycling in San Diego.

"We're focused on getting people out and taking short trips, using their bike for commuting, making communities accessible for everyday riding," explained Hanshaw. "We think going by bike makes a lot of sense."

CicloSDias, an event in which a section of public street is closed to vehicle traffic and overtaken by cyclists and pedestrians, is growing in popularity. The third incarnation is set for Sunday, November 9, following the conclusion of the bike tourism conference. This time, the route passes through the Hillcrest and Bankers Hill neighborhoods, running along Sixth Avenue from Laurel north to UniversityAvenue, and then east along University to Park Boulevard.

Bike-sharing service Decobike, which was selected in 2013 provide 1800 bikes at 180 locations around San Diego, is set to launch sometime within the conference. The city's program roll-out will be the first of its kind in the region.

After nearly four decades, Vance said that funding has been identified for the final legs of the Bikeway, and that a full dedicated route should be available within the next five years.

"In recent years we've really picked up a lot of momentum," said Vance, crediting SANDAG's regional transit plan, which is contested by some advocates of car alternatives for not going far enough.

The overall SANDAG plan calls for 250 miles of additional bicycle facilities (including both dedicated bike paths and bike lanes along roadways) over the next 40 years. Overall, two percent of the half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2004 is earmarked for pedestrian and cyclist improvements.

Coronado city councilman Mike Woiwode was also in attendance, and said that local residents were already largely adopting cycling as a means of transportation. Several hundred locals take advantage of free early morning trips on the ferry to get to and from work, and as many as 70 percent of the city's children ride to school on a daily basis.

"If you go by the middle school, you'll see three or four hundred bikes in the racks right now," said Woiwode. "We're still trying to catch up with the demand."

Docking in Coronado, city transportation planner Mariah VanZerr joined the ride, pointing out several features including a traffic-calming roundabout, bike parking corrals installed in the downtown shopping district, and similar improvements that contributed to the city's cycling-friendly designation.

Coronado is home to a nine-mile dedicated bike path along the Silver Strand connecting the city to Imperial Beach, which is currently the longest contiguous section of Bikeway. A sensor near the beginning of that path, VanZerr said, registers between 700 and 1300 daily bike trips on weekdays, with as many as 3000 bikes per day passing by along the edge of the city golf course on weekends.

Hanshaw was optimistic the ride and other events associated with the convention would continue to enhance San Diego's image in the cyclist community.


"We've got a great opportunity to show off, not just the weather but the improvements that are going on all across the region, including our gem in the Bayshore Bikeway."

CicloSDias - How to Boost your Business!!!

 

PDF link of this flier

Here are some great ideas to make the most out of your business for CicloSDias 11/09/14
Create a temporary Parklet in front of your business
Put a temporary display or “bike friendly” sale rack on the public right of way outside your door
Create special “grab and go” items for just that day
Move part of your business outdoors for the day
Pass out coupons or information about your business to encourage passersby to return
Use your imagination!
Questions about how your business can get involved in CicloSDias - info@sdbikecoalition.org

What is a Parklet?
A parklet is a small space serving as an extension of the sidewalk to provide amenities and green space for people to use the street. It is typically the size of several parking spaces. It’s a great way to increase your presence and attract new customers.

CicloSDias is a FREE open street event hosted by the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition designed to connect neighborhoods and encourage mobility. Sections of the street in Hillcrest and Bankers Hills will be closed to car traffic. Everyone is welcome to walk, ride, stroll, explore and enjoy the day of car free streets in support of a healthy and vibrant San Diego.

CicloSDias San Diego in the Springtime

San Diego is beautiful in the Springtime and with Spring arriving quickly, let’s celebrate my favorite season with a free open-street event, CicloSDias San Diego, on Sunday March 30th! CicloSDias welcomes everyone in San Diego to walk, ride, stroll and enjoy our streets.  Approximately 2.5 miles of city streets in Pacific Beach will be opened to families, pedestrians, cyclists, joggers, skateboarders, and anyone else interested in using this public space in a new way. This is our second year of the creating a car-free neighborhood day, and we are proud to join other cities around the United States and the World.

CicloSDias shares a common message with all residents- we want a clean, healthy, and vibrant San Diego.

Ride your bike, walk, meet your fellow San Diegians and if you can, please help us keep this great event happening by volunteering, donating, or fundraising.

http://www.ciclosdias.org/Volunteer.html

by Joel Flood

https://goo.gl/maps/yMKAM

Evaluation of San Diego's First CicloSDias Open Streets Event

The recently released Evaluation of San Diego's First CicloSDias Open Streets Event indicates that 84% of randomly sampled San Diego residents support improving bicycling infrastructure; and 62% still support improving bicycling infrastructure even if it means removing a lane of traffic or parking. The study also shows the importance of bicycle advocacy in San Diego, as only 46% of randomly sampled San Diego city residents rated existing bicycling infrastructure as good or very good.

The 23 page report highlighted the success of the inaugural CicloSDias Open Streets Event and included recommendations from attendees-

by Joel Flood

San Diego’s Second CicloSDias Rides into Coastal Communities on March 30

CicloSDias returns to San Diego to bring people out of their cars and into the streets

Back by popular demand, the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition proudly announces its second-ever CicloSDias in the streets of Pacific Beach on Sunday, March 30. The open streets celebration gives communities a break from the stress of car traffic, promotes local business and establishes San Diego as a commuter-friendly city that embraces all forms of transportation. The Bike Coalition, an organization advocating for and protecting the rights of all people who ride bicycles, remains the event’s main sponsor and local organizer. 

On Sunday, March 30, CicloSDias invites all family members (including four-legged ones) to spend the day riding, walking, strolling and skipping though one of San Diego’s most popular destinations, Pacific Beach. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. a few miles of north Pacific Beach will become streets free of automobiles and newly transformed into a space for the community to play.

“This is a chance for all people to explore and enjoy this neighborhood as they never could before,” said Andy Hanshaw of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition. “CicloSDias represents a shift in the way we think about our streets and the possibilities outside of automobiles, especially in crowded areas abundant with local businesses like Pacific Beach.”

At the first-ever CicloSDias on August 11, 2013, over 10,000 San Diegans turned out to ride, scoot and skate in 5.2 miles of car-free streets through Golden Hill, North Park and South Park. Everything from four-person tandem bicycles to roller derby teams rolled along as street performances came to life on the sidewalks and local businesses overflowed with a surge of people shopping local.  

As the date approaches, more specific information will be available. In the meantime, roll with CicloSDias at www.ciclosdias.com. For daily updates, follow on Facebook and Twitter. Also visit www.sdcbc.org for more information on other local cycling events in San Diego

CicloSDias: First-ever Celebration Joyfully Embraced by Community and Local Businesses

Premiere open streets celebration surges neighborhood businesses and inspires livable communities

The City of San Diego proudly premiered CicloSDias this Sunday, August 11, to offer the community a break from the stress of car traffic, promote local business and establish San Diego as a bicycle-friendly city with open streets celebrations. 

Photo by K.C. Alfred / UT San Diego

A press conference featuring Coucilmembers Marti Emerald and David Alvarez and County Supervisor Dave Roberts kicked off the event at 10 a.m., and the 5.2-mile route of CicloSDias officially opened to all those who felt the urge to bike, walk, or dance in the car-free street. The course extended from Golden Hill through North Park and South Park to reach Cherokee Point Elementary School in City Heights, looping through popular parts of each neighborhood and including hundreds of local businesses.

“This free event gave the streets back to the people for just one day, and everyone loved it,” said Andy Hanshaw, executive director for San Diego County Bicycle Coalition (SDCBC). “The local businesses were booming and grateful, participants were out riding around and running into people they knew - there was a contagious feeling of cheerfulness. The success of this event represents a shift toward a future of livable communities and shared streets.”

CicloSDias brought an estimated 10,000-15,000 friends and family members (including four-legged ones) out to spend their Sunday riding, walking, strolling and skipping though some of San Diego’s most picturesque parks, neighborhoods and districts at no cost. Local businesses saw a surge in activity as participants “shopped local.” Spontaneous bands played on the sidewalk, dancers put on performances, stores brought their products outside to sample and businesses offered specials to rejoice in all the activity of the first-ever event. 

“Surveys have shown that residents want to walk and bike more and spend less time in the car,” said Hanshaw. “CicloSDias brought people out of their homes and cars and into the streets to enjoy San Diego with neighbors. We hope to give our communities the same opportunity again next year.” 

Two more community friendly events will round out this year’s Triple Crown of bicycling events including the 6^th Annual Bike the Bay on August 25 and Tour de Fat on September 28. 

For more information on CicloSDias, visit www.ciclosdias.com, or email info@ciclosdias.com. For daily updates, follow on Facebook and Twitter. Also visit www.sdcbc.org for more information on local cycling events in San Diego.

3 Ways to Help CicloSDias

Please join us in supporting CicloSDias -- San Diego’s first-ever open streets community-wide event. 

On August 11^th, CicloSDias will open 5.2 miles of car-free streets in the heart of San Diego to pedestrians, cyclists, families, and anyone who can imagine a new way to use them.

This is an exciting opportunity for neighbors and community members to come together and enjoy open, car-free streets and support a clean, healthy and vibrant San Diego. What’s more, ‘open street’ initiatives in other cities have proven to be a powerful catalyst, driving those cities to become more walk-able, bike-able, and transit friendly.

Watch the video

We are asking you to join us and invest in San Diego by helping the CicloSDias crowd-funding campaign.  The CicloSDias Steering Committee is seeking to raise $15,000 in 15 days to cover event-related expenses, including traffic re-routing and control, police, and emergency medical services, and community outreach efforts.

We are off to a great start (20% funded) but we still have a ways to go. Please help launch CicloSDias in one of 3 easy ways: 

1.     Become a Supporter: This is FREE. All you have to do is visit the crowd funding page and choose "become a supporter." The more supporters the campaign has, the more people will hear about the campaign and show their own support! 

2.       Make a donation: Donations of any size make a difference, so please make a contribution. You will become part of history! (And, there's some fun rewards involved too).

3. Become a Fundraiser: Support the campaign by reaching into your own network of friends and family and encourage them to donate to your personal fundraising campaign. We have additional rewards for top fundraisers!

Thank you for your support!