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:

1. 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.
2. 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.)
3. Make sure the City immediately become a NACTO affiliate.
4. 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

Light your Bike and Make a Light postponed until July

May Class is Postponed

Ladies Bike Night - Tuesday May 15

David Ortiz Fatality

The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition wishes to express their

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

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

The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition wishes to express their

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

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

Meet Bevin Keen - Singles Ride Organizer

Bevin Keen is a great cyclist. She rides for Team Luna Chic as well as contributes her time to organizing rides for SDCBC. Bevin put togther this years Valentines Day Singles Ride in collaboration to Moment Cycle Sport. Some images are below. More images can be seen on our flicker site.