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Next Board Meeting
Monday February 15, 2010 6:30 750 Suite 6 Mendocino, Board Meetings are normally at 6:30 pm on the third Monday of each month. * note Dec. meeting is the second Monday of the month Members are welcome and encouraged at all board meetings. On occasion, Board Meetings will change when there is an event conflict. Please check here to confirm dates, times and location. |
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Click here to see month by month calendar
SCBC E-Update February 2, 2010 “I wish I could say that I’d been a bicycle mechanic or something like that because I can’t think of a more aesthetic machine than the bicycle. I can’t think of any machine that’s better for the world. The mechanic makes it go. I would sleep the blameless sleep of the bicycle mechanic.” -Kay Ryan -------------------------------------------- BIKE ADVOCACY ALERTS, VICTORIES, VOLUNTEER AND DONATION APPEALS 1. MTC ANNOUNCES $1 MILLION IN SAFE ROUTES FUNDING FOR SONOMA COUNTY 2. WILD OAK: ENJOY THE RIDE, WE’RE HANDLING IT 3. COMMENTS SOUGHT ON DOT RESEARCH PRIORITIES -- DEADLINE FEB 8 4. SUPPORT SCBC – JOIN iCYCLE AT AIRPORT HEALTH CLUB – FEB 13 5. HELP SCBC STAND OUT IN THE LB ROSE PARADE MAY 15 6. PUT ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER TO RAISE $ FOR SCBC – MAY 8 7. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO LEAD VARIOUS BIKE MONTH PROJECTS 8. BIKE LEAGUE SUMMIT EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION OPEN! 9. GET YOUR COMPANY’S LOGO ON BIKE TO WORK SWAG – DEADLINE FEB 5 -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- 10. SRTS SATELLITE PICK-UP SUPPORTS SAFER KIDS AT SOUTH SANTA ROSA SCHOOL 11. 130 SCBC MEMBERS ELECT NEW BOARD, CELEBRATE AT ANNUAL MEETING 12. VISIT SCBC IN THE WARM & FUZZY ZONE AT CXSR – FEB 13 13. RECYCLE YOUR ENERGY BAR WRAPPERS AND BENEFIT SCBC 14. STREET SKILLS CLASSES -- FEBRUARY 6 & MARCH 7 COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND NEWS -------------------------------------------- 15. SEBASTOPOL LAUNCHES “SLOW DOWN” CAMPAIGN 16. SRJC COMMUNITY ED OFFERS BIKE MECHANICS CLASS – FEB 20 17. INTRODUCTION TO CYCLING 2-WEEK COURSE 18. SMART PROJECT ENCOUNTERS DELAY, SEEKS FEDERAL FUNDING 19. BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE SEEKS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 20. INSPIRING BEHAVIOR CHANGE: ARE WOMEN THE KEY? 21. COMMUNITY BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN MEETINGS 22. SANTA ROSA CYCLING CLUB MEETINGS 24. SUPPORT BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT SCBC! 25. WANNA TALK BIKES?? 26. HOUSEKEEPING 1. MTC ANNOUNCES $1 MILLION IN SAFE ROUTES FUNDING FOR SONOMA COUNTY On Friday, January 15th, SCBC Executive Director Christine Culver and Safe Routes to School Program Director Tina Panza participated in a Safe Routes to School Workshop hosted by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) in Oakland, where the MTC announced their plan to roll out Cycle 1 of the MTC Regional Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Program. This program will divide an estimated 15 million dollars in Safe Routes to School funding among the nine Bay Area counties. The focus will be on non-infrastructure projects. Each county will be allotted a percentage of the funds, based on total school (K-12) enrollment. Under this program, Sonoma County is projected to receive approximately $1,000,000 over a 3-5 year period. Additionally, 2 million dollars will be available on a competitive basis to one or more counties for “innovative approaches” (667K annually), to expand implementation of creative school-related emission reduction strategies, determine effectiveness, and potentially replicate such strategies throughout the Bay Area. The Regional SR2S program is funded through the federally funded Climate Change Initiatives Program and these funds are expected to become available between December 2010-July 2011. This program will build upon – but is not expected to replace – federal, state, and locally funded SR2S programs. In addition to the Regional SR2S program, the Climate Initiatives program will also fund a Public Education/Outreach Campaign for the Bay area (10 million), to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, influence the public to make transportation choices to reduce these emissions, and evaluate the effectiveness of strategies used. Furthermore, it will fund an Innovative Grant program, to fund a number of higher-cost/higher impact/innovative projects on a boarder geographic scale (i.e. citywide or countywide – 31 million). The innovative grant program will be regionally competitive, giving higher priority to projects that are located in priority development areas and projects that offer contributions from other sources to leverage the CMAQ investment and build partnerships. The MTC workshop also included an overview of existing Bay Area Model SR2S Programs in Alameda, Marin and Sonoma County, an opportunity for each county SR2S representative to identify the status of their county SR2S program(s), and an opportunity to establish goals and effective strategies for the new MTC program. One of the topics of discussion was whether to fund infrastructure projects as well as non-infrastructure. The overwhelming consensus among the counties, that is supported by the MTC, was that the focus of this program should be non-infrastructure – i.e. education, encouragement, enforcement, evaluation, etc. Hooray to the SCBC! To show how the efforts of the SCBC creates amazing change on a large scale it is important to understand that the STP and CMAQ funding comes from the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA). Every March our SCBC representatives attend the National Bike Summit to educate our law makers on many bicycle related issues including SAFETEA and the funding needs for bicycles. As this act is reauthorized approximately every six years we have the ability to bring home to Sonoma County these very important federal funds. BACK TO TOP: Bike Advocacy Alerts ------------------------------------------------ 2. WILD OAK: ENJOY THE RIDE, WE’RE HANDLING IT Update on Villages at Wild Oak Bike Path: Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition continues to work on your behalf to settle this access issue. The City Attorney continues to pursue resolution of the dispute with those who oppose the public’s right to continue cycling on a section of the bike path between Annadel State Park and Oakmont. The opposition, which includes the Villages at Wild Oak Owners’ Association, has not accepted the City’s generous proposals for a cooperative resolution. They also have yet to agree to the City’s condition for mediation of the dispute, which is that any negotiated settlement must include the public’s decades-old right to continue riding bicycles on the path. If the opponents will not mediate under these conditions, the City will be forced to file suit to preserve public cycling access. We hope that does not have to happen. In the meantime, do not hesitate to continue to ride the path. Just remember that regardless of how others may behave toward cyclists, we should always be safe, courteous, respectful and considerate of the rights of the pedestrians and equestrians who also enjoy this route. BACK TO TOP: Bike Advocacy Alerts ------------------------------------------------ 3. COMMENTS SOUGHT ON DOT RESEARCH PRIORITIES -- DEADLINE FEB 8 From the League of American Bicyclists: BACK TO TOP: Bike Advocacy Alerts ------------------------------------------------ 4. SUPPORT SCBC – JOIN iCYCLE AT AIRPORT HEALTH CLUB – FEB 13 Thanks so much to Airport Health Club for inviting SCBC to be a beneficiary of this fun indoor ride! Register now! Spaces are filling super-fast! The iCycle Ride at the Airport Health Club Melt the icicles off your bike and challenge yourself to our Indoor Metric Century! Ride alongside Sonoma County’s Elite Racers and then restore and stretch in a special Yoga class designed for cyclists. Bring your bike and trainer to our gym and get ready to ride! Spin Instructors will lead you through different segments of the Santa Rosa Stage over the course of 3 hours! We will be featuring Jonathan Lee, the Team Captain of NorCal Bike Sport’s Elite and Coach for Whole Athlete, as well as their team racers. Enjoy lots of great tips, motivation, and drills coming from Jonathan and his team throughout the ride. Rest station treats and refreshments will be provided! Great prizes to win throughout the ride too! Date: Saturday, February 13 BACK TO TOP: Bike Advocacy Alerts ------------------------------------------------ 5. HELP SCBC STAND OUT IN THE LB ROSE PARADE MAY 15 The Luther Burbank Rose Parade is a long-standing tradition in Santa Rosa, and it can be a great opportunity to get out and show what fun it is to ride a bike, and to show off a little on SCBC’s behalf. We’ve had an entry for years, but because it’s during our busiest time of the year, May – National Bike Month – we confess that planning the entry has kind of, er, waited until the very last minute. This year, we declare, shall be different! Thanks to a team of volunteers (perhaps you?) led by SCBC Member and Volunteer Elizabeth Giuliani, the planning of SCBC’s Rose Parade entry shall begin post-haste. It’s a little exciting to say the least. So is the fact that the LB Rose Parade planning committee has been infected (in a super-good way) with the Sonoma County bike bug! The parade theme for 2010 (in a nod to the May 17th arrival in Santa Rosa of the Amgen Tour of California) is “Rose Pedals” and yes, that is the correct spelling. So it’ll be a bikey parade all ‘round. Please join the SCBC LB Rose Parade entry planning committee. Elizabeth will need your help to make this the biggest, boldest, best SCBC entry yet. Contact Sandra at Sandra@BikeSonoma.org or at 707-545-0153 to get involved with this fun project. Thanks! BACK TO TOP: Bike Advocacy Alerts ------------------------------------------------ 6. PUT ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER TO RAISE $ FOR SCBC – MAY 8 Each year, the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County hosts a nifty walk/run to help raise funds for many great non-profits. It’s called The Human Race. SCBC has provided valet bike parking at the Human Race festival for the past couple of years. Last year, while setting up the bike parking equipment at 6 a.m., a couple of us thought, “Hey – wouldn’t it be great to put together a Human Race 2010 team to raise funds for SCBC?” We’re pleased to announce that’s just what we’re going to do! One of the aforementioned “couple of us” was Nancy Cummings, SCBC Member/Super Volunteer and experienced Human Race participant. We’re grateful because Nancy has offered to organize the SCBC team at Human Race 2010, which is Saturday, May 8th in Santa Rosa. Thank you, Nancy! 10K and 3K routes are available. If you’re interested in running/walking to raise funds for Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, please email Sandra Lupien at Sandra@BikeSonoma.org or call her at 707-545-0153; she’ll put you in touch with Nancy. For info about the Human Race, visit: http://www.humanracenow.org. Meanwhile, watch for more information to come as we get more organized. We hope you’ll join us for this super-positive, fun event. BACK TO TOP: Bike Advocacy Alerts ------------------------------------------------ 7. BECOME A BIKE MONTH HERO – HEAD UP AN EVENT May is National Bike Month, and Bike to Work Day is May 13th. The month is packed with activities, and it’s simply too much for one person to plan all the events that need planning! Can you take the lead on one? SCBC Development & Outreach Director Sandra Lupien is seeking a few volunteers who would like to make a project their own. Would you plan (with lots of support!) the annual Bike-in Movie, Bike Swap, Bike Commute Clinics, an awards reception, or???. These are opportunities for detail-oriented, fun people, who have event-planning experience OR who have an interest in gaining event-planning experience in a supportive environment. If you are seeking to increase your commitment to SCBC and these opportunities intrigue you, please get in touch with Sandra as soon as possible. Call her at 707-545-0153 or email Sandra@BikeSonoma.org. She’ll want to talk with you on the phone to get a sense of your interests, and describe the events and projects in more detail. These could also be great internship opportunities for motivated, responsible students. Thanks bunches to Elizabeth Giuliani who’s agreed to coordinate Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition’s presence in the Santa Rosa Luther Burbank Rose Parade on May 15th. You’re a huge help! BACK TO TOP: Bike Advocacy Alerts ------------------------------------------------ 8. BIKE LEAGUE SUMMIT EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION OPEN! The League of American Bicyclists’ 10th annual Bike Summit is March 9-11, 2010 in Washington, DC. SCBC Executive Director Christine Culver attends each year, and it’s a great event. If you are a bicycle advocate, and educator, or a member of the bicycle industry, this summit has something great for you. If you’d like to go, and you register by February 4th, you can save $100 by taking advantage of LAB’s Early Bird registration. https://www.bikeleague.org/cogs/summit/signup BACK TO TOP: Bike Advocacy Alerts ------------------------------------------------ 9. GET YOUR COMPANY’S LOGO ON BIKE TO WORK SWAG -- DEADLINE FEB 5 Bike to Work Day 2010 is just around the corner – May 13th! If you’ve been around for awhile, you know Bike to Work Day is a part of National Bike Month, and that it’s more than just one day. SCBC hosts a number of events throughout the month – it’s our busiest time of the year, by far. And with the Amgen Tour of California rolling into Santa Rosa on May 17th, we have an opportunity to make National Bike Month/Bike to Work Day bigger and better than ever. A big part of SCBC’s success in growing Bike to Work Day each year is the event sponsorship of local businesses. Our sponsorship drive ends this Friday, February 5th, and we’re thrilled that many businesses are back for 2010, and we’re pleased to welcome some new ones. There’s still room for more – did we miss your company? If you are a business owner, or if you work for a company that promotes a culture of healthy living, or sustainability, or biking for transportation, let us know – we’d love to invite that business to sponsor Bike to Work Day. Bike to Work Day sponsors get their logos or business names (depending on sponsorship level) on those nifty canvas Bike to Work Day bags, as well as on flyers and posters, T-shirts, and on the Bike to Work Day page of our website. Sponsorship packages are $700 or $1,200. Interested? Please contact Sandra Lupien, SCBC Development & Outreach Director at Sandra@BikeSonoma.org or 707-545-0153. Remember, the deadline is this Friday, so please get in touch as soon as you can! BACK TO TOP: Bike Advocacy Alerts ------------------------------------------------ 10. SRTS SATELLITE PICK-UP SUPPORTS SAFER KIDS AT SOUTH SANTA ROSA SCHOOL SCBC’s Safe Routes to School team worked with Meadow View Elementary School in South Santa Rosa to establish a satellite pick up point at the South West Community Park, which launched on January 11th. The school principal, Terri Palladino, was motivated to establish the pick-up point because of dangerously heavy after-school congestion between Hearn Ave and the entrance of the school, as well as in front of the school. Principal Palladino assigns teachers and/or teacher aides to walk the children to the park after school, and parents who sign up to participate, pick up their children there, rather than in front of the school. This enables children to walk and get some exercise after school, while also helping reduce traffic congestion and improve safety at pick-up time. On the first few days of this program the principal reported that 20-25 families had taken advantage of using the park, despite the chilly weather. Parents report they are pleased with the program. The principal distributes merit awards to random students who use this satellite pick up. The satellite pick-up point is just one component of the Safe Routes to School program at Meadowview, which includes education, evaluation of barriers to walking and bicycling, and other encouragement programs, such as monthly walk/roll events, “Frequent Walk/Bike” incentives, and additional walking school buses. BACK TO TOP: SCBC News and Events ------------------------------------------- 11. 130 SCBC MEMBERS ELECT NEW BOARD, CELEBRATE AT ANNUAL MEETING OK, so we know it’s not really that nice to rub it in when people miss a good time, but… If you weren’t at SCBC’s Annual Membership Meeting/Board Election/Celebration at the Glaser Center in Santa Rosa on Friday (Jan. 29th) night, well, let’s just say it’d be good if you could make it next year. We had a splendid time. The 130 guests were greeted by excellent jazz by local trio The Way to Go Joes. These guys played several sets throughout the night. As members made their way to tables, they stopped at the bar to select red wine by member and winemaker Emilio Castelli, whites from Gallo Family vineyards, or awesome ales from Lagunitas Brewing Company. We’re grateful for the generosity of these brewers and winemakers, and to Velostreet, which donated soft drinks for the event. Drinks in hand, guests sampled excellent Mediterranean hors d’oeuvres by caterer Mommy’s Yammys. SCBC Development & Outreach Director Sandra Lupien kicked off the program by thanking everyone who made the event possible and introducing elected officials Gary Wysocky (Santa Rosa Vice Mayor) and Mike McGuire (Healdsburg City Council and Candidate for Sonoma County Board of Supervisors District 4). SCBC Board President Ken Wells took the microphone and did an excellent job condensing SCBC’s many, many recent accomplishments into a super-impressive 8 minute snapshot. SCBC is honored that Sonoma County Transportation Authority Executive Director, Suzanne Smith joined us to talk about the agency’s Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. SCBC believes that the plan, which features many fantastic new bike paths, has the potential to go far toward Connecting the County for Cyclists , in other words, allowing people to pedal from point A to B throughout the County on great bike trails, lanes, and routes. After Smith’s presentation, Mommy’s Yammys served a great buffet dinner featuring pastitsio, an excellent green salad and tabouleh. Once everyone was served, the candidates for SCBC’s 2010-2011 Board of Directors gave brief statements about what connects them to SCBC’s mission and why they chose to run for the Board. There were eleven candidates for eleven seats, so the members present opted to approve the slate on a voice vote. The new Board takes office at SCBC’s February Board Meeting. Two of the 2009-2010 Board Members chose not to run for reelection. SCBC Executive Director Christine Culver introduced them and thanked them for their hard work on behalf of SCBC. Deanna McKenzie has served on the SCBC Board for several years, including a year as Vice President. She said she looks forward to remaining involved with the Bicycle Coalition as a volunteer. Michael Eunice, a founding member of SCBC and of the SCBC Board of Directors received a plaque for his years of service. He mentioned feeling impressed that there were so many people at the annual meeting and struck by how many new faces there were; he recalled a time at SCBC’s inception when he knew everyone in the room, and there weren’t that many people to know. Guests stuck around to chat with one another, and to enjoy coffee, cookies by Vicki Duggan and Christine Dahl Silva (SCBC members who donated their time and fine baking skills!), and more of that great jazz! Thanks so much to the many volunteers who helped setup, serve food, bus tables, and bartend. Extra special thanks to Misty Mesel and Ken Wells who worked with SCBC staff to plan the event, and to Maureen Kirkpatrick who lent her many years of catering service experience to ensure the night ran smoothly. We are so grateful for everyone’s hard work. Hope to see even more of you next year! The new SCBC Board of Directors are: ------------------------------------------- 12. VISIT SCBC IN THE WARM & FUZZY ZONE AT CXSR – FEB 13 We’ve been having way too much fun at Bike Monkey’s Cyclocross Santa Rosa 2009-2010 series. SCBC and Jill B. Nimble Training set up our second “Warm & Fuzzy Zone” at the race at Dan Galvin Park in Bennett Valley. Cross races can be cold and muddy and brutal, so what you want is a cushy spot to curl up after your race, or to just sit and cheer or heckle, depending on your nature or mood that day… And the Warm & Fuzzy Zone delivers! People love the comfy chairs, blankets, scarves, mittens and hats we offer. Plus we sell hot beverages and (very popular!) donuts. Cushy, indeed. The last race of the season is Saturday, February 13th at Doyle Park at Sonoma Avenue and Doyle Park Drive. Come see us! If you’re interested in racing, check Bike Monkey’s website for schedule details and registration instructions. Women RACE FREE on the 13th! Come get muddy in the race, then get warm and fuzzy with Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition and Jill B. Nimble. Good times for one and all! BACK TO TOP: SCBC News and Events ------------------------------------------- 13. RECYCLE YOUR ENERGY BAR WRAPPERS AND BENEFIT SCBC You can help count! We need a volunteer to come to the office and count all of these wrappers. Please let us know if you can help. 545-0153 Cliff Bar and Terracycle will pay the SCBC 2 cents for each energy bar wrapper we send in. The wrappers will be recycled to make various items such as tote bags. Please bring energy bar wrappers only (candy bar wrappers will not be accepted) to the SCBC offices at 750 Mendocino Ave, Suite 6, Santa Rosa. It’s always a good idea to call before coming by: 707-545-0153. For more information on the program see the following website: http://www.clifbar.com/soul/sustainability/ BACK TO TOP: SCBC News and Events ------------------------------------------- 14. STREET SKILLS CLASSES — FEBRUARY 6 & MARCH 7 Remember to register early: these classes fill up fast! Tired of losing all your hard-earned cash at the pump? Not comfortable riding on the street? Think you know all there is to riding a bike? Then you should not miss Street Skills for Cyclists (for ALL levels, even you hot shot bike racers!) Come learn the tricks and methods of dealing with traffic and other road users. You'll be surprised at how much more peaceful (and safer) your commute or ride out of town is after you take this class -- I sure was! This is for ALL levels, it doesn't matter if you have been racing or commuting by bike for the past 30-plus years, or you are rolling your bike out of the garage for the first time since turning 16. Please don't let your ego get in the way of taking this class. FEBRUARY 6 & MARCH 7 Location: Santa Rosa Seminar Fee: $20.00 If you are not 100% satisfied, we will refund your class fee! BACK TO TOP: SCBC News and Events -------------------------------------------- 15. SEBASTOPOL LAUNCHES “SLOW DOWN” CAMPAIGN Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition applauds this bit of news from Sebastopol Council Member Kathleen Shaffer: “The City of Sebastopol and Sebastopol Police Services are co sponsoring ‘Slow Down Sebastopol,’ a campaign to remind drivers to observe speed limits, stop at stop signs and look out for pedestrians at crosswalks. [Shaffer says] ‘The biggest complaint I hear from the community is about cars speeding through the neighborhood streets, so we want to take this opportunity to remind all drivers to slow down! We want to keep our city safe, and that includes drivers.’ Look out for the signs throughout the city during late January and February.” BACK TO TOP: SCBC News and Events 16. SRJC COMMUNITY ED OFFERS BIKE MECHANICS CLASS – FEB 20 From the Santa Rosa Junior College Community Education Catalog: “If you ride a bike and would like to learn how to fix most problems that arise, this class is for you! You'll learn how to fix flats, adjust brakes and derailers and how to service your bike's bearings. Bring your bike and you'll be able to do your repairs in class. Topics include: Introduction, fixing flats, bike care basics: Brakes Drive train, shifters and derailers Bearing races and wheels Register for the class here (registration is required). Saturday, February 20th, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The class is presented by Brian Gully, who has been teaching in SRJC's Automotive Technology Program since 1994. He is a certified master auto technician and an avid cyclist. Brian teaches bike mechanics at Community Bikes, where he is a frequent volunteer, and is a newly-elected member of the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition Board of Directors. BACK TO TOP: Community Meetings And News 17. INTRODUCTION TO CYCLING 2-WEEK COURSE SCBC business member Jill B. Nimble multi-sport training is offering a class for people new to bike riding or who are returning. The instructor, Jo Hoppin, is fantastic! Check this link for registration information. BACK TO TOP: Community Meetings And News 18. SMART PROJECT ENCOUNTERS DELAY, SEEKS FEDERAL FUNDING January 21, 2010 Press release from SMART: In an effort to preserve its scheduled start-up of rail service in late 2014, SMART will seek to participate in the Federal Transportation Administration's "New Starts" program, which helps finance rail transit projects throughout the country. A successful application would mean SMART could get federal assistance to bridge the funding gap for the 70-mile SMART passenger train and pathway. In order to successfully compete for those federal funds, staff advised proceeding with the project in two sections, an initial "local project" and concurrent "federal project" to be constructed as an extension of the local project. The "local project" would be completed, as scheduled, in 2014. The "federal project" would be finished and begin operation in 2016. The alternative to this approach would be a significant delay in building the entire project. Continuing declines in local sales tax receipts and a more conservative bond market have jeopardized SMART's plan to construct the entire $590 million, 70-mile passenger train and pathway project by 2014. The Board directed staff in mid-2009 to investigate the availability of federal transportation funding, stimulus funding, grants and even potential public-private partnership agreements in order to close the funding gap. To date, however, only relatively small amounts of additional funding have been identified for the project. Staff has determined that without significant new funding to bridge the economic gap, the full project cannot be completed until at least 2021 on a "pay as you go" basis. That strategy would involve a combination of bond sales and banking sales tax revenues for several years in order to pool enough money to enter the construction phase. SMART Directors, emphasizing their commitment to provide train service in the North Bay by 2014, rejected that approach. They also reiterated their commitment to building the entire 70-mile train and pathway project, from Larkspur to Cloverdale. The Board directed staff to continue to pursue other funding that would result in a complete project as scheduled. Recognizing the need for alternatives, however, the Board directed staff to proceed to define the section that would compete best for federal New Starts dollars. FTA New Starts funding, which provides up to $1 billion a year in transit funding to rail and other transit projects nationwide, has not been utilized in the North Bay. Navigating the New Starts process, which includes competing with other transit projects around the nation, could take about three to four years. During that time, SMART will continue to design and engineer the train and pathway project, and begin construction of the "local project" in 2011 using Measure Q funds. This strategy is intended to keep the project on track to have passenger train service up and running on a portion of the SMART corridor by late 2014. A successful New Starts application would allow construction of the "federal project" to begin either before or shortly after the "local project" is completed. Completion of the entire 70-mile project would be finished around 2016 in this scenario. The bicycle-pedestrian pathway would be built on the same schedule as the train project. "Naturally, we would prefer to complete the whole project by 2014," said SMART Board Chairwoman Debora Fudge. "But this at least gets us started with trains running by 2014, and finished with the entire project by 2017 - compared to not seeing trains until 2021 if we can't find any additional funding. "Given that we are in the middle of the worst economy since the Great Depression, delaying this project by only two years is probably the most positive news we can expect." SMART staff and its design and engineering consultants will complete the work currently underway with Advanced Conceptual Design, which will help define the two sections that would make sense from both a local and federal perspective. That work will be completed by the fall of 2010, at which time SMART would define in detail the sections to be completed with local dollars and with federal funds. During that time SMART will consider the costs of each section, how the sections best compete for funds, whether other funding sources will play a role in the project timing and the willingness of the region - through the Metropolitan Transportation Commission -- to add SMART to its priority list of projects. For a number of reasons, including the commitment of regional bridge tolls to re-build the CalPark Tunnel between San Rafael and Larkspur and the desire to provide an alternative to a congested Highway 101 through the Novato Narrows, it is likely that the "local project" will be from Larkspur north to a station in Sonoma County. The location of the Sonoma County station would be determined by project costs and available funding. The "federal project" would complete the SMART line from that station north to Cloverdale. "As painful as this is, I think it is the most fiscally responsible plan right now," said Chairwoman Fudge. "It protects the funding we have and identifies a source for what we need." SMART Director and Cloverdale Councilwoman Carol Russell echoed several board members who vowed to work hard to make sure federal funding is secured. "I appreciate the recognition of the need to complete this whole project," Director Russell said. "I am grateful for the understanding that we all need to hang together." BACK TO TOP: Community Meetings And News 19. BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE (PORTLAND) SEEKS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Bicycle Transportation Alliance announces: The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) is a non-profit 5000 member organization with a mission to create healthy, sustainable communities by making bicycling safer, more convenient and more accessible. Support for bicycling is progressing and the organization is poised to help make more progress towards solving some of the universal challenges to health, livability, and the environment. The organization represents all of Oregon and the region of SW Washington. In Portland alone, there is an average of 17,000 daily bike commuters. The Executive Director will be accountable for advancing the vision and mission of the organization and will serve as the face of the organization for advocacy, coalition building, fundraising and communications related activities. In addition to requisite strengths in lobbying, advocacy and policy development, the Executive Director will provide leadership to expand capacity, develop team capabilities, and maximize resources to achieve the long range vision. For consideration, please send resume and cover letter to Roy Notowitz at Notogroup: roy@notogroup.com For a full description of this position, click here. BACK TO TOP: Community Meetings And News 20. INSPIRING BEHAVIOR CHANGE: ARE WOMEN THE KEY? An article in Scientific American magazine says that if we want to see a greater portion of the population in general using bikes to get around, the focus needs to be on getting more women on bikes. Check it out here. BACK TO TOP: Community Meetings And News 21. COMMUNITY BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN MEETINGS: Santa Rosa’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board- The BPAB has its regularly scheduled meetings on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 4 to 6 PM. All meetings are held at City Hall Annex, 90 Santa Rosa Avenue. For further information on Santa Rosa’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, please contact 543-3334. Petaluma Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meetings –The meetings will be on the second Wednesday of each month; 6:00 pm, conference room 2, City Hall, 11 English Street, Petaluma. If there’s a need for a special meeting (including in cases when there’s a failure to meet a quorum at the 2nd Wednesday meeting), that will be on the 4th Wednesday of the month. (707) 778-4360 County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meetings – Third Wednesday of the month, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Sonoma County Transit, 355 West Robles Avenue, Santa Rosa, (707) 585-7516. This is the committee that deals with bicycle issues on roads in the non-incorporated areas of the county. See the link for the agenda a minutes from the last meeting: http://www.sctransit.com/bikes/bikecommittee.htm BACK TO TOP: Community Meetings And News 22. SANTA ROSA CYCLING CLUB MEETINGS Second Wednesday of each month www.srcc.com SRCC’s goal is to offer a full slate of rides each weekend, with something for everyone: typically a faster ride of between 50 and 100 miles for the more ambitious riders and a slightly more relaxed ride of between 20 and 50 miles for more moderate riders. SRCC also lists mountain bike rides, time trials, multi-day tours, and introductory rides for beginners. Occasionally, as volunteer energies dictate, SRCC offers clinics on everything from learning to change a tire to advanced paceline riding. In addition to the weekend schedule, SRCC has a thriving calendar of regular weekday rides, some of which pull in as many participants as the marquee weekend attractions. Non-members are welcome on most of SRCC’s group rides. This is a good way to sample club activities to see if this group is a good fit for you. BACK TO TOP: Community Meetings And News -------------------------------------------- 23. SCBC BOARD MEETING The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be on Monday, February 15, at 6:30 PM at 750 Mendocino Ave, just North of College (on the East side of Mendocino) in Santa Rosa. BACK TO TOP: Community Meetings And News -------------------------------------------- 24. SUPPORT BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT SCBC!! Alta Planning & Design www.altaplanning.com American Lung Association 707-527-5864 croedel@alac.org www.alac.org Bear Valley Inn 415-663-1777 www.bearvinn.com Bici Sport Bike Shop 707-775-4676 www.bicisportusa.com Chelino’s Mexican Restaurant 707-571-7478 www.chelinosrestaurant.com City of Sonoma www.sonomacity.org Community Market 707-546-1806 www.srcommunitymarket.com Dow House Graphics707-494-3900, www.dowhouse.com, dow@dowhouse.com Eleanor Guerin, Massage Therapist 707-322-6540, www.east-west-massage.com Eleven Gear, Rick Pepper, www.elevengear.us Empire Eye Doctors Medical Group, Inc., 720 4th St., Santa Rosa, 707-575-3800 Friendly Feed and Supply 707-546-2156 Fun Car Tattoos 707-566-9169 www.funcartattoos.com Gary Wysocky CPA 707-575-3820 Gianni Cycling GoLocal Sonoma County 707-888-6105 http://sonomacounty.golocal.coop/ Halls Executive Gifts and Awards 707-546-9220 www.hallsawards.com Jeffrey Kahn, PhD. Licensed Psychologist 829-1477 Jill B. Nimble/Nimble Training — www.jillbnimble.com K2B+Creative, Kate Burgess, 707-495-0951 www.k2bcreative.com LifeCycle Adventures, LLC, 1-888-669-2453 infor@lifecycleadventures.com New Belgium Brewing Company www.newbelgium.com NorCal Bike Sport 707-573-0112 www.norcalcycling.com North Santa Rosa Physical Therapy 707-523-2848 NSRP@sonic.net Peacepipe Smoke Shop 707-541-7016 Perry, Johnson, Anderson, Miller & Moskowitz LLP 707-525-8800 www.perrylaw.net Petaluma Wheelmen Cycling Club http://petalumawheelmencyclingclub.memberlodge.com R.G. Window Cleaning 707-778-1383 Rickshaw Rudy’s Pedal Cab Service www.rickshawrudys.com Rincon Cyclery 707-538-0868 www.rinconcyclery.com Santa Rosa Cycling Club www.SRCC.com Sarah Glade Gurney, Mediator & Collaborative Attorney, 707-823-6500 www.gurneyattorney.com Sojourn Bicycling and Active Vacations 800-730-4771 www.gosojourn.com Sonoma County GoLocal Co-op, 707-888-6105 http://sonomacounty.golocal.coop/ Sonoma Mountain Village 707-795-3550 www.sonomamountainvillage.com Soulcraft Bikes 707-775-2453 www.soulcraftbikes.com The Bike Peddler 707-571-2428 www.norcalcycling.com Trek Store Santa Rosa, 707-546-8735 www.trekstoresantarosa.com Undiscovered Country Tours 650-494-1635 www.udctours.com West County Cycle Service 707-824-0112 www.westcountycycleservice.com West County Revolution 707-829-2192 www.westcountyrevolution.com Wine Country Bikes 707-473-0610 www.winecountrybikes.com Wooden Spoon Technologies, Inc 707-523-2222 www.wooden-spoon.com Wordshop Translations 707-829-0305 www.wordshoptranslations.com W-Trans 707-542-9500 www.w-trans.com BACK TO TOP: Community Meetings And News ------------------------------------------- 25. Wanna talk bikes?? Join the SCBC Discussion List. Find out what everyone is saying! http://lists.sonic.net/mailman/listinfo/sonomacountybicyclecoalition BACK TO TOP: Community Meetings And News -------------------------------------------- 26. Housekeeping **Got any good bicycling tidbits that other Sonoma County folks should know? Send them to SandraL@BikeSonoma.org **If you would like to be removed from this list please reply to SandraL@bikesonoma.org **Not a member yet? Our strength is in our numbers, please join the velolution and become a SCBC member today! http://www.bikesonoma.org/join.html The SCBC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. BACK TO TOP: Community Meetings And News
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