SHARE THE ROAD - Marin County Bicycle Coalition
SHARE THE ROAD - Marin County Bicycle Coalition
SHARE THE ROAD - Marin County Bicycle Coalition
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Volume 7 / Issue 3 www.marinbike.org Promoting Safe Bicycling for Everyday Transportation and Recreation SUMMER 2005<br />
Share the Road Campaign Keeps Rolling<br />
By Kim Baenisch and Eric Anderson<br />
With the increasing popularity of bicycling and the large<br />
numbers of cyclists on <strong>Marin</strong> roads this summer, it is necessary<br />
to remind <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> residents and visitors that<br />
it is imperative for all of us to “Share the Road,” regardless<br />
of our method of travel. MCBC has partnered with<br />
<strong>Marin</strong> General Hospital, <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> Law Enforcement,<br />
and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration<br />
(NHTSA) to encourage motorists and bicyclists to Share<br />
the Road.<br />
<strong>Marin</strong>’s expanded Share the Road program for 2005 has<br />
three main components: a Share the Road public outreach<br />
presentation, Law Enforcement Checkpoints, and Basic<br />
Street Skills bicycle education classes.<br />
MCBC has received a grant from NHTSA to develop an<br />
interactive Share the Road PowerPoint presentation that<br />
Nette LaBelle,<br />
<strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> 2005 <strong>Bicycle</strong><br />
Commuter of the Year<br />
<strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bicycle</strong> Commuter of the Year Nette LaBelle<br />
started bike commuting for a good reason, but hers was not<br />
one of the more common reasons such as the environment,<br />
her health, or stress reduction. She started bike commuting<br />
to be a better role model for her daughters.<br />
As her daughter Tanisha tells it, “[When] I was a third<br />
grader, and… had to ride my bike to Brookside every day,<br />
my mom wanted to start riding her bike to work to be<br />
a good role model for my older sister and me, to keep us<br />
motivated.”<br />
captures the experience of sharing the road from both the<br />
motorist and cyclist perspective and focuses on ways in<br />
which each group can avoid common types of crashes. The<br />
first draft of the presentation was unveiled at the MCBC<br />
Annual Membership Meeting on April 5. MCBC has scheduled<br />
four more free public presentations of the PowerPoint;<br />
feedback on the content will be requested at those events<br />
(see sidebar). In order to conduct future presentations to<br />
cycling clubs and motorist groups such as AAA, MCBC has<br />
also developed a presenter training so that members who<br />
have an interest in the Share the Road campaign can get<br />
involved. This training will occur soon after the July public<br />
presentation and will be announced by MCBC as the date<br />
gets closer.<br />
As part of our outreach efforts, Share the Road surveys<br />
are being conducted at local and national levels.<br />
[CONTINUED ON PAGE 9]<br />
Nette LaBelle (left) with Kim Baenisch, MCBC’S Executive Director<br />
Now, over ten years later, Tanisha is a student at Cal, and<br />
Nette is still riding every day from her home in San Anselmo<br />
to work in a dental office at Larkspur Landing. It’s about a<br />
seven mile ride, but she often [CONTINUED ON PAGE 3]<br />
PowerPoint<br />
Public<br />
Presentations<br />
7-8:30 PM<br />
July 20 – <strong>Marin</strong> Community<br />
Foundation, Novato<br />
August 25 – Dance Palace,<br />
Point Reyes Station<br />
September 8 – Falkirk<br />
Cultural Center, San Rafael<br />
October 20 – Mill Valley<br />
Community Center<br />
<strong>SHARE</strong> <strong>THE</strong> <strong>ROAD</strong><br />
Basic<br />
Street Skills<br />
Classes<br />
Thursdays 6:30-8:30 PM<br />
at <strong>Marin</strong> General Hospital<br />
in Greenbrae:<br />
September 8<br />
October 6<br />
November 17<br />
In This Issue<br />
Alameda del Prado Update. . . 2<br />
Giacomini Ranch . . . . . . . . . . 2<br />
News from Capitol Hill . . . . . . 3<br />
SR2S Earth Day . . . . . . . . . . . 4<br />
MCBC Business Members. . . . 5<br />
N-S Greenway Update. . . . . . . 6<br />
Bike to Work Day . . . . . . . . . . 8<br />
San Rafael Update . . . . . . . . . 9<br />
Bike Tolls on Golden Gate. . . . 9<br />
Bike Shops. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10<br />
Torrin Arnold . . . . . . . . . . . . 10<br />
Kids Share the Road. . . . . . . 11<br />
Volunteer Thanks . . . . . . . . . 11<br />
Calendar . . . . . . . . . back page
2<br />
STAFF<br />
Kim Baenisch, Executive Director<br />
Eric Anderson, Director of Planning<br />
Jo Ann Richards,<br />
Membership Data Coordinator<br />
Bob Trigg, Administrator<br />
Wendi Kallins, Safe Routes to Schools<br />
Program Director<br />
Melanie Grubman, Safe Routes to Schools<br />
Outreach Coordinator<br />
Jason Agar, Safe Routes to Schools<br />
<strong>Bicycle</strong> Education Coordinator<br />
BOARD MEMBERS<br />
Jerry Edelbrock, President<br />
Nancy Weninger, Vice President<br />
Julia Violich, Treasurer<br />
Blair Peterson, Secretary<br />
John Doidge<br />
John Goggin<br />
Stephen Hesson<br />
Don Magdanz<br />
Vince O’Brien<br />
ADVISORY BOARD<br />
Mark Birnbaum<br />
Joe Breeze<br />
Tom Hale<br />
Deb Hubsmith<br />
Jim Jacobsen<br />
Patrick Seidler<br />
Editor: Kim Baenisch<br />
Copy Editor: Connie Breeze<br />
Design: Jeremy Thornton<br />
Contributors: Susan Adams, Eric Anderson,<br />
Kim Baenisch, Connie Breeze,<br />
Deb Hubsmith, Wendi Kallins, Don Magdanz,<br />
Jo Ann Richards, Bob Trigg, Nancy Weninger<br />
<strong>County</strong> Holds<br />
Community Meeting<br />
on Alameda del Prado<br />
<strong>Bicycle</strong> Lanes Proposal<br />
By Eric Anderson<br />
In March, Supervisor Cynthia Murray and the <strong>County</strong><br />
of <strong>Marin</strong> Public Works Department hosted a community<br />
meeting in Loma Verde (southern Novato) regarding the<br />
proposal for bicycle lanes on Alameda del Prado. This<br />
street is the only direct route for cyclists traveling between<br />
<strong>Marin</strong>’s two largest cities, Novato and San Rafael. This<br />
critical bikeway link is a high-priority project for the<br />
MCBC. It is supported by the City of Novato <strong>Bicycle</strong> Pedestrian<br />
Advisory Committee, the <strong>County</strong> of <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>Bicycle</strong><br />
Advisory Committee, and local residents in both cities.<br />
Despite cold, wet weather, the meeting was well attended<br />
by Novato-area residents and others, many of whom<br />
cycle the Alameda del Prado route. Three of the attendees<br />
lived on Alameda del Prado; the majority were from the<br />
immediate neighborhood and were in support of the bicycle<br />
lanes.<br />
Safety was a main issue at the meeting, including the<br />
need for safer cycling conditions and the desire of residents<br />
to reduce speeding on their street. MCBC staff pointed out<br />
that studies show that installing bicycle lanes actually<br />
slows traffic speeds and increases safety for all users. A<br />
bike-lane project would also bring needed repaving and<br />
new landscaping to the community.<br />
Special thanks to Supervisor Murray and Jack Baker<br />
of the <strong>County</strong> for their efforts in organizing this meeting.<br />
Supervisor Murray indicated that she was pleased with<br />
the meeting but wanted to get more direct input from residents<br />
who live on Alameda del Prado.<br />
MCBC is planning to organize a fun community event<br />
in the Loma Verde neighborhood this summer to raise<br />
awareness of the benefits that bicycle lanes will bring to<br />
the street. Local residents interested in hosting or helping<br />
to organize this event should contact Eric Anderson,<br />
MCBC Director of Planning, at 415-456-3469 ext. 4# or<br />
eric@marinbike.org.<br />
NPS to Release Public Access<br />
Study for Giacomini Project<br />
By Eric Anderson<br />
SThe 560-acre Waldo Giacomini Ranch property was purchased<br />
for $5 million in 2000 by the National Park Service<br />
(NPS) for wetland restoration. MCBC, in partnership with<br />
the local Community Pathways Committee and members<br />
of the Sierra Club, is pursuing non-motorized, multiuse<br />
public access on the Giacomini property to connect<br />
the communities of Point Reyes Station and Inverness<br />
Park. Such a connection is urgently needed by local residents—especially<br />
school-age children—who would use a<br />
pathway to walk and bike as an alternative to narrow and<br />
dangerous sections of road currently connecting the two<br />
towns.<br />
As a result of MCBC’s advocacy efforts, the NPS is nearing<br />
completion of an official Public Access Study for the project.<br />
NPS studied the two alignments that have the most<br />
community support and seem most feasible: a perimeter<br />
pathway connecting Point Reyes Station to Inverness<br />
Park; and a pathway on the railroad right of way on the<br />
east side of the property to connect Point Reyes Station<br />
to Martinelli Park. All paths would be multi-use and open<br />
to non-motorized users only, including walkers, bicyclists<br />
and equestrians. The study is due to be released in June<br />
2005.<br />
The release of this public access study will be a victory<br />
for West <strong>Marin</strong> residents and others who walk and bike in<br />
this area. However, the fight’s not over yet. Once the Public<br />
Access Study is released, NPS officials will decide which<br />
elements of the study to carry forward into the official<br />
Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact<br />
Report review process. MCBC will be working closely with<br />
NPS officials to ensure that our two preferred alignments<br />
are a part of the EIR/EIS process.<br />
When the EIR/EIS is released in late 2005/early 2006,<br />
the public will again have an opportunity to comment. At<br />
that time we’ll need your letters and attendance at public<br />
meetings to keep up the pressure for public access and<br />
safe walking and cycling in these West <strong>Marin</strong> communities.<br />
Stay tuned!
Legislative Update<br />
By Deb Hubsmith, Advocacy Director<br />
The <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bicycle</strong> <strong>Coalition</strong> is supporting legislative<br />
efforts, at the State and Federal levels, designed to<br />
improve bicycling. What follows is a short summary of our<br />
current efforts. Since legislation is constantly changing,<br />
check www.marinbike.org for updates.<br />
State Legislation<br />
The MCBC is supporting three Assembly bills (AB) and<br />
one Senate bill (SB) this year.<br />
AB 4 (Bogh) would permanently revoke the driver’s<br />
license of anyone convicted three times of drunk driving.<br />
Drunk drivers are responsible for 40% of traffic deaths,<br />
and bicyclists are among the most vulnerable.<br />
AB 56 (Wolk) would remove a sunset clause on the<br />
use of bicycle traffic signals in Davis, and allow for their<br />
use throughout the State. In Davis, these signals have<br />
decreased the number of crashes involving automobiles<br />
and bicycles.<br />
AB 748 (Wolk) would prohibit bicycle and pedestrian<br />
tolls on all public bridges and roadways. California should<br />
support and encourage alternative modes of transportation<br />
that cut pollution and traffic, and improve opportunities<br />
to promote healthy lifestyles. Special thanks to<br />
Assemblyman Joe Nation for his co-authorship of AB 748.<br />
SB 523 (Torlakson) pertains to the <strong>Bicycle</strong> Transportation<br />
Account (BTA), which is currently funded at $7.2 million/year.<br />
Unless this legislation is approved, the amount<br />
of the account will decrease to $5 million/year.<br />
Federal Legislation<br />
At press time, the House of Representatives and the Senate<br />
had both passed their versions of the transportation<br />
bill, which sets up the framework for the distribution of<br />
federal transportation funds over a six-year period. Congress<br />
was working on the seventh extension for this bill,<br />
placing the new deadline at June 30, 2005.<br />
A major difference between the two bills is the overall<br />
funding level. The House bill is at $284 billion, while the<br />
Senate has adopted a $295 billion bill. The Bush Administration<br />
continues to indicate that the President will veto<br />
any bill that includes more than $284 billion in funding.<br />
The funding and other program issues will be worked out<br />
in Conference Committee by a selected group of members<br />
of the House and the Senate.<br />
There’s good news for bicyclists in both bills, including:<br />
• Core funding for bicycle projects such as Transportation<br />
Enhancements remains intact and at slightly higher funding<br />
levels than in previous years.<br />
• Both bills include the creation of a new Safe Routes to<br />
School program; however, the House bill has $875 million<br />
and the Senate bill has $312 million.<br />
• The Senate bill would ensure that 13% of safety construction<br />
funds nationwide are spent to improve the safety<br />
of pedestrians and bicyclists.<br />
• The House bill includes a Nonmotorized Transportation<br />
Pilot Program that would demonstrate, in four communities<br />
in the nation, the extent to which bicycling and walking<br />
can carry a significant portion of the transportation<br />
load.<br />
The MCBC has been working on the federal transportation<br />
bill for the past five years. We have actively promoted<br />
the Safe Routes to School program (including providing<br />
testimony at a recent Congressional briefing), and we<br />
(along with Transportation Alternatives for <strong>Marin</strong>) have<br />
advocated for the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot<br />
Program. MCBC believes that bicycling and walking will<br />
not get its fair share of funding until it is demonstrated,<br />
through a federal pilot program, that a complete bicycle<br />
and pedestrian network will result in substantial mode<br />
shifts, so that walking and bicycling will constitute a<br />
major portion of a community’s transportation solution.<br />
NETTE LABELLE [CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1]<br />
pads the mileage on her way home by riding around Paradise<br />
Drive or Nicasio Reservoir. With her daughters at college<br />
now, she rides as her “number one stress buster,” for<br />
exercise, and because it’s a quicker commute on a bike than<br />
in a car trying to fight rush-hour traffic from the Larkspur<br />
ferry terminal.<br />
Bike commuting is like meditation for Nette. She finds it<br />
important to clear her mind of the day’s events after work<br />
and by concentrating on riding safely she does just that and<br />
enjoys the ride as well. Riding lets her sneak in a workout,<br />
feel good, and do a good thing for our air quality all at the<br />
same time. According to her odometer, she has commuted<br />
9000 miles in the last two years, which would have burned<br />
450 gallons of gas at 20 miles per gallon!For Nette, the key<br />
to bike commuting is preparedness. It’s important to get<br />
into a routine: “Keep your bike well-maintained; make sure<br />
your gear is ready. Get a good breakfast, pack a lunch, and<br />
shower before you leave.” For beginner bike commuters, she<br />
recommends scouting the route. “On your day off, find a safe<br />
route and time yourself at a leisurely pace. Pump up the<br />
tires and keep the chain lubed.”<br />
MCBC is working<br />
to ensure the<br />
availability of<br />
state and federal<br />
funding for bike<br />
and pedestrian<br />
transportation<br />
projects<br />
3
<strong>Marin</strong> Earth Day 2005<br />
4<br />
On Sunday, April 23, about 1500 people gathered at the<br />
College of <strong>Marin</strong> campus in Kentfield to celebrate the 35th<br />
Earth Day. With Mt. Tam as the backdrop, families and<br />
youth were treated to music, games, speakers and activities<br />
that fostered a sustainable future for everyone.<br />
The <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bicycle</strong> <strong>Coalition</strong> and the Safe Routes<br />
to Schools program partnered with <strong>Marin</strong> Conservation<br />
Corps, the <strong>Marin</strong> Food Systems Project, Next Generation,<br />
and the College of <strong>Marin</strong> Students for Social Responsibility<br />
to produce an extravaganza focused on children, youth<br />
and families. Acrobats and clowns, puppets and puppet<br />
making, face painting and bubble blowing, drumming and<br />
dancing all combined in a colorful festival that provided<br />
fun for all ages.<br />
The day kicked off with Ride n’ Seek, a Rolling Treasure<br />
Hunt that took families along the multi-use path in<br />
Kentfield and Greenbrae. Everyone returned with smiling<br />
faces, enjoying the challenge of deciphering clues and<br />
spending active time together. One family commented that<br />
this was one of the best times they’d ever had with their<br />
budding teen-age daughter. Ride n’ Seek was sponsored<br />
by <strong>Marin</strong> General Hospital’s Trauma Center and Schwinn<br />
<strong>Bicycle</strong>s. Blue Water Kayaking, Fitwize 4 Kids, and Take<br />
5 Climbing Gym provided prizes.<br />
There were plenty of bicycle-related activities. Children<br />
made sculptures out of bike parts and learned how to fix a<br />
flat tire, while adults got to try out a Breezer bicycle, the<br />
ultimate in commuter and town bicycling. Anyone could<br />
use bicycle power to blend his or her own smoothie, or<br />
learn where to bicycle every day using the MCBC’s <strong>Marin</strong><br />
<strong>Bicycle</strong> Map. The <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bicycle</strong> <strong>Coalition</strong> provided<br />
free valet bike parking. During the preceding days of<br />
Earth Week, Safe Routes to Schools taught more than 800<br />
children at participating schools about environmentally<br />
sound transportation choices.<br />
The festival’s entertainment was nonstop. Tim Cain<br />
energized the kids with a rousing sing-a-long on the kids’<br />
stage. The main stage was filled with bluegrass, funk,<br />
and rock. Till Dawn, a nationally performing <strong>Marin</strong>-based<br />
coed teenage a capella group, wowed the audience with<br />
their flawless renditions of jazz, gospel, Motown and more.<br />
Poor Man’s Whiskey filled the campus with their blend of<br />
acoustic music shaken with rock-n-roll attitude. Big Tadoo<br />
Puppet Crew performed on both stages, bringing their<br />
blend of poetry, song and storytelling to teach lessons of<br />
sustainability and democracy. The Green Room, a Drake<br />
High School band, closed out the day with a funky hip-hop<br />
jam.<br />
Supervisor Susan Adams gave the welcoming address<br />
and Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey gave the crowd a pep<br />
talk at noon. Global Exchange’s Kevin Danaher, sometimes<br />
referred to as the Paul Revere of globalization’s woes, mesmerized<br />
the crowd as he recounted the issues we must face<br />
if we are to preserve the planet for generations to come.<br />
<strong>Marin</strong> Food Systems Project provided numerous opportunities<br />
to learn how our food gets from the farm to the<br />
table, with composting and cooking workshops throughout<br />
the day. Booths and workshops educated participants<br />
about plenty of opportunities for reducing consumption<br />
and finding sustainable alternatives. <strong>Marin</strong> Conservation<br />
Corps set up recycling stations throughout the festival, in<br />
addition to overseeing the infrastructure for the event.<br />
Exhibitors displayed solar power, socially responsible<br />
investing, green home design, ecological transportation,<br />
fair trade coffee and clothing, and organic food options.<br />
Non-profit organizations such as the Sea Turtle Project,<br />
Seniors for Peace, Green Sangha, and the Environmental<br />
Health Network offered people the opportunity to plug in<br />
and get involved.
MCBC Business Members Are Here to Serve You<br />
Bank of <strong>Marin</strong><br />
Bank of <strong>Marin</strong> enjoys a reputation for exceptional personal<br />
service. Service that is individualized, flexible, and<br />
responsive has set this bank apart and contributed greatly<br />
to its success. At Bank of <strong>Marin</strong> they believe that banking<br />
is about meaningful, long-term partnerships. They strive<br />
to add value to those relationships by taking time to listen<br />
and understand their customers’ needs. Bank of <strong>Marin</strong><br />
provides the same products as the big banks, including<br />
multi-million dollar commercial loans, Internet banking,<br />
retirement products, and wealth-management services.<br />
They do it with the legendary service and community<br />
commitment that is their trademark.<br />
<strong>Marin</strong> Financial Advisors<br />
<strong>Marin</strong> Financial Advisors offers financial planning and<br />
investment management for successful people who do not<br />
have the time or inclination to manage their finances completely<br />
by themselves. They specialize in helping clients<br />
exceed their goals. Whether clients need help planning for<br />
an active retirement, a well-funded college education or<br />
other important goals, <strong>Marin</strong> Financial Advisors’ twenty<br />
years of experience ensures success. Their financial planning<br />
approach to money management helps to create and<br />
maintain an investment program that will work over time.<br />
Their investment portfolios are based on proven academic<br />
research and they track progress closely with clients.<br />
GravyWheels<br />
GravyWheels bike shop is located in San Anselmo, next<br />
door to LoCoco’s Pizza. The shop is named after famed<br />
mechanic and wheel builder Steve “Gravy” Gravenites.<br />
The shop builds wheels for the amateur racer and recreational<br />
rider as well as for top professionals. You can custom-order<br />
your own mountain, downhill, track, triathlon,<br />
road, tandem, single speed, cyclocross, and BMX wheels<br />
according to your personal preference. Gravy builds<br />
every wheel, optimizing it for its intended use based on<br />
his expertise.<br />
GravyWheels also offers custom and production frames<br />
from a few of the very best independent frame builders:<br />
Castellano, Inglis Cycles, Sycip, Moots, and Independent<br />
Fabrications. They also carry Orbea, Scott USA, Tomac,<br />
and Turner frames, and Breezer transportation bikes.<br />
GravyWheels builds up every bicycle specifically to the<br />
customer’s preference, need and budget, creating their<br />
dream bike. To be sure that their customers get a bike that<br />
fits them and their intended use, every bike purchaser is<br />
given a biomechanic evaluation prior to the bicycle sale.<br />
GravyWheels has available every possible bicycle component<br />
either in stock or through special order—even old,<br />
classic parts. Their professional mechanics can do simple<br />
repairs or complete the most complicated overhauls. The<br />
staff includes World Cup mechanic Tom McIntrye, professional<br />
racer Pat Bush, Brian Hermann, Chris Saltzbury<br />
and Cory Farrer. The shop is owned by Julia Violich. Visit<br />
them at 702 San Anselmo Ave or on the web at www.<br />
gravywheels.net.<br />
Meridian Commercial<br />
Meridian Commercial, Inc. is a full-service commercial<br />
real estate firm, founded in 1993. Their team of commercial<br />
real estate professionals provides the highest level of<br />
service, professionalism and integrity within the greater<br />
North Bay. Their client base includes landlords, tenants,<br />
buyers and sellers. Their property types include Office,<br />
Industrial, Retail, Apartments and Land.<br />
Meridian Commercial is the top company in <strong>Marin</strong> and<br />
Sonoma counties by size and number of transactions per<br />
broker, with over 8,500,000 square feet of office, R&D,<br />
industrial, retail and apartment lease and sales transactions.<br />
They have over 175 years of combined commercial<br />
real estate experience in <strong>Marin</strong> and Sonoma. Please contact<br />
Brian Foster for inquiries or information: 100 Larkspur<br />
Landing Circle #214, Larkspur, CA 94939, office 415-925-<br />
2125, cell 415-297-6817, www.meridiancommercial.com.<br />
Welcome new MCBC<br />
business members<br />
BANK of MARIN<br />
GRAVYWHEELS<br />
EARTH TECH<br />
FAIRFAX CYCLERY<br />
MARIN FINANCIAL<br />
ADVISORS<br />
MERIDIAN<br />
COMMERCIAL<br />
REI<br />
5
NORTH-SOUTH GREENWAY UPDATE<br />
By Deb Hubsmith, Eric Anderson and Nancy Weninger<br />
Ask <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> residents what they feel is our county’s number one problem, and time after<br />
time you’ll hear the same answer: traffic congestion.<br />
A recent “Urban Mobility Study” from the Texas Transportation Institute determined that<br />
traffic congestion in the Bay Area is the second worst in the nation, and that we are rapidly<br />
closing in on Los Angeles for the dubious distinction of the most time wasted in traffic for any<br />
region in the nation. The study further estimates that over $3 billion is lost each year in time and<br />
fuel consumed in traffic jams in the Bay Area. Add to these statistics the fact that 65% of adult<br />
Americans are overweight or obese, and it makes you wonder why it’s taking so long to build<br />
the North-South Greenway, a multi-use pathway separated from automobiles that is planned to<br />
run along the former Northwestern Pacific Railroad (NWP) right-of-way from Sausalito through<br />
Sonoma <strong>County</strong>.<br />
From the surfacing of the idea for the North-South Greenway in the 1970’s, to the founding<br />
of MCBC in 1998 with the North-South Greenway as a top infrastructure priority, progress is<br />
steadily being made. MCBC continues to navigate through planning studies, environmental<br />
impact reports, engineering concerns, timelines, deadlines, public meetings, stakeholder meetings,<br />
funding shortages, legislation, and a maze of multi-jurisdictional entities that govern the<br />
right-of-way. Here’s an update, traveling from north to south.<br />
1. SMART Rail with Trail from Sonoma <strong>County</strong> to San Rafael<br />
Sonoma <strong>Marin</strong> Area Rail Transit (SMART) has been working since 1999 to plan, engineer<br />
and build passenger rail service along the former NWP right-of-way (ROW). In the near future,<br />
the 75 miles of ROW from Corte Madera to Cloverdale will be entirely owned and operated by<br />
SMART.<br />
Since 1999, the MCBC has been working with SMART to ensure that a multi-use pathway<br />
parallel to the rail line is included within SMART’s plans. The SMART Commission-approved<br />
initial expenditure plan for their November 2006 one-quarter-cent sales tax ballot measure<br />
includes $40 million of the estimated $70 million cost for Phase I of the North-South Greenway.<br />
The SMART Environmental Impact Report and Study (EIR/EIS) is scheduled to be released<br />
this summer. MCBC will provide public comment on the document, and will continue to work<br />
with SMART on the funding, planning, and construction of pathway segments within their<br />
jurisdiction.<br />
2. Lincoln Hill Segment<br />
For years, MCBC has been advocating for the construction of the North-South Greenway in the<br />
vicinity of the “Lincoln Hill Segment” to be completed at the same time at the HOV Gap Closure<br />
Project. The ROW in this region is narrow, but we’ve maintained that construction and relocation<br />
of a new soundwall for Highway 101 and the rail line creates an opportunity to build the<br />
pathway simultaneously.<br />
Our big break came in the summer of 2004 when the Transportation Authority of <strong>Marin</strong><br />
(TAM) finalized the Expenditure Plan for Measure A, <strong>Marin</strong>’s one-half-cent sales tax approved<br />
by voters in November of 2004. Kudos to San Rafael’s Mayor Al Boro and Supervisor Susan<br />
Adams, who advocated successfully with MCBC for the inclusion of this segment of pathway<br />
as a Measure A expenditure. It was recently announced that $15 million in Measure A funds<br />
remain for noise abatement, landscaping and the pathway, assuming no further cost overruns<br />
on the highway project. We are striving for the bikeway segment to be constructed during 2007,<br />
at the same time as the final phase of the Gap Closure Project.<br />
3. Cal Park Hill Tunnel Rehabilitation<br />
Community leaders have been working for more than 30 years to provide a non-motorized connection<br />
between San Rafael and Larkspur Landing Circle in the vicinity of the Cal Park Hill<br />
Tunnel. After decades of struggle, this project is finally moving forward.<br />
6
Since 2001, the <strong>County</strong> of <strong>Marin</strong> has worked with MCBC<br />
to garner $5.4 million in bikeway funds for the Cal Park<br />
Hill Tunnel pathway rehabilitation project. The balance<br />
of the approximately $10 million needed for this project<br />
is coming from Regional Measure 2 (RM2) funds, which<br />
were approved by Bay Area voters in March of 2004.<br />
Engineering studies have shown that the bikeway and<br />
rail could co-exist inside the tunnel and along the ROW<br />
to Anderson Drive. The original plan was to run the bikeway<br />
down the center of the tunnel and relocate it if and<br />
when the railway was extended to Larkspur. The SMART<br />
Commission decided this spring, however, to require that<br />
the pathway be constructed in its ultimate location and to<br />
prepare the tunnel for rail use at the same time that it is<br />
rehabilitated for the multi-use pathway. SMART will be<br />
requesting $7.3 million in RM2 funds to pay for the additional<br />
costs of the full build-out of the tunnel and ROW to<br />
accommodate future rail. We’re continuing to work with<br />
SMART and TAM to discuss the pathway alignment.<br />
The Initial Project schedule indicates that the tunnel<br />
could break ground for construction next year. With Bill<br />
Whitney (formerly of Fairfax) recently hired as the RM2<br />
Project Manager, and with Supervisor Kinsey leading the<br />
charge as Chairman of TAM, MCBC is certain that we’ll<br />
see the light at the end of the tunnel!<br />
4. Central <strong>Marin</strong> Ferry<br />
Connection Project<br />
South of the Cal Park Hill Tunnel, the Central <strong>Marin</strong> Ferry<br />
Connection Project (CMFCP) will provide a much needed<br />
crossing of East Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Corte<br />
Madera Creek. The CMFCP plan (which is at 30% design)<br />
calls for the existing wooden trestle over the creek to be<br />
replaced by a new fixed bridge, with a ramp that would provide<br />
access to the Larkspur Ferry Terminal. Once across<br />
the creek, the pathway would continue south along the<br />
ROW to the intersection of Redwood Highway and Wornum<br />
Drive. We especially thank the City of Larkspur for leading<br />
this project through the alternatives analysis phase.<br />
The CMFCP has now been turned over to TAM and is<br />
slated to receive RM2 funding for construction. Progress<br />
on the CMFCP has been tied to the future Greenbrae Interchange<br />
Project, a full-diamond interchange that will also<br />
be funded through RM2 and is planned for location near<br />
Wornum Drive. Environmental impact reports still need<br />
to be completed for the CMFCP, but fortunately, the Initial<br />
Project Report shows the CMFCP project as being fully<br />
funded.<br />
6. Alto Tunnel Rehabilitation<br />
The <strong>County</strong> of <strong>Marin</strong> has a grant pending with the State to complete an Alto Tunnel rehabilitation<br />
study, which would assess the condition of the tunnel, provide a rehabilitation cost estimate,<br />
and include community outreach. The Town of Corte Madera and the City of Mill Valley both<br />
passed resolutions in support of this study. Supervisor Charles McGlashan has led the charge to<br />
make the Alto Tunnel study a priority for the <strong>County</strong>.<br />
7. Mill Valley Pathway and Gate 6 Road<br />
A few years ago, the <strong>County</strong> of <strong>Marin</strong> programmed $150,000 to resurface this popular multi-use<br />
pathway; but drastic state funding cuts have deferred this project for the unforeseeable future.<br />
In the meantime, Supervisor McGlashan is working with the <strong>County</strong>’s Open Space District staff<br />
to repair areas of the pathway that are most susceptible to flooding. He is also working to<br />
secure funds to fix the dangerous intersection of the Mill Valley pathway with Gate 6 Road and<br />
Bridgeway.<br />
8. Sausalito Bridgeway Bike Lanes and Pathway Construction<br />
The new bike lanes on Bridgeway opened to the public in the fall of 2003. MCBC and Transportation<br />
Alternatives for <strong>Marin</strong> are now working with the City of Sausalito to pursue a grant from the<br />
Bay Trail Project to conduct a feasibility study and develop the design for a multi-use pathway to<br />
traverse the ROW from Gate 6 Road to the Sausalito Ferry Terminal.<br />
9. Vista Point and the Golden Gate Bridge<br />
Vista Point (on the <strong>Marin</strong> side of the Golden Gate Bridge) was recently reconstructed with bike<br />
racks, speed tables, and safer pathways. The Golden Gate Bridge now includes a safety railing<br />
separating the sidewalk from the roadway.<br />
Conclusion<br />
When it is completed, the North-South Greenway will provide a non-motorized transportation<br />
route that will be a model for the nation. Imagine how many people will chose to walk or bike<br />
when they are presented with a viable route! If you are interested in helping to build the North-<br />
South Greenway, please contact Deb Hubsmith at (415) 454-7430. Together, we have the opportunity<br />
to offer <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> a transportation facility that will improve the environment, health,<br />
and livability of our community.<br />
1.<br />
1.<br />
8.<br />
7.<br />
5. Sandra Marker Trail<br />
Bicyclists and pedestrians have a smooth ride along the<br />
North-South Greenway on the newly paved Sandra Marker<br />
Trail, which boasts a stunning view of Mount Tamalpais.<br />
The Town of Corte Madera constructed the pathway segment<br />
from Tamalpais Drive up to and including the High<br />
Canal Bridge. The City of Larkspur paved the remainder<br />
of the pathway last year.<br />
5.<br />
4.<br />
7
Every Day Could be Bike to Work Day!<br />
8<br />
Bike to Work Day 2005 offered the most comprehensive encouragement for cyclists ever—and<br />
the best media coverage! The nine Bay Area counties celebrated the 11th Annual Bike to<br />
Work Day to promote bicycling for everyday transportation. Bicycling is a fun and convenient<br />
transportation alternative and is becoming an increasingly popular commute choice.<br />
Dozens of local events took place around the Bay during Bike to Work Week, May 17 -May<br />
21, including pancake breakfasts, free bike tune-ups, bicycle skills classes, docent-led bike<br />
tours, and safety workshops. Registered participants were eligible to win prizes, including<br />
a new bicycle and plane tickets for two anywhere in the United States. Several new promotions<br />
helped bring awareness to our celebration, including a Recruit a Co-worker campaign,<br />
a BikeTown bicycle giveaway to 50 Bay Area residents, and nominations for Bike Commuter<br />
of the Year, Outstanding Workplace that Fosters <strong>Bicycle</strong> Transportation, and Most Improved<br />
<strong>Bicycle</strong> Community.<br />
On Bike to Work Day, <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> hosted 16 Energizer Stations along local commute<br />
routes to provide free snacks, musette bags filled with giveaways, and encouragement to<br />
bicyclists on their morning rides. We also recognized our Bike Commuter of the Year, Nette<br />
LaBelle, with a plaque and complimentary MCBC Century-level membership at the end-of-day<br />
Energizer Station at GravyWheels in San Anselmo.<br />
Did you miss out on the fun? Check out what Supervisor Susan Adams has to say about<br />
biking to work, and you just might get a new habit started!<br />
(OpEd letter published in the <strong>Marin</strong> IJ on 05/22/05)<br />
On Thursday, May 19, in spite of some threatening weather, 1000 hardy <strong>Marin</strong> souls<br />
ventured out on their two wheels for Bike to Work Day. I commute by bike many days<br />
during the year, so I particularly enjoy this annual celebration.<br />
When I first started riding my bike to the <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> Civic Center, I was usually<br />
greeted with “Wow! So you really DO ride your bike to work!” This was followed with “How<br />
far do you ride and how long does it take?” Once the incredulous interrogator realized he<br />
or she lived closer than I and that it took longer for him or her to arrive by car via the 101<br />
gridlock than it took for me to pedal to work, a potential new bike commuter was born.<br />
When I first started riding my bike to work, there were days when my bike sat lonely at<br />
the rack. Now, I am happy to say, there are days when the rack and the bike lockers are<br />
so full I can barely find a spot to park my bike.<br />
I ride my bike for a number of reasons:<br />
1) I like to stretch my gas-tank dollars, especially as the prices are hitting the 43.00/<br />
gallon mark.<br />
2) A little endorphin therapy is good for a low mood.<br />
3) As a <strong>County</strong> Supervisor I have little time to get to a gym<br />
to exercise and I must do something to keep my middleaged<br />
body from expanding to unhealthy dimensions.<br />
4) Riding my bike allows me to see and interact with the<br />
people who live in my neighborhood. It’s much easier to<br />
pull over and stop for a chat on my bike, than it is when<br />
I am hurtling down Highway 101 at 5 miles/hour in my<br />
car during the morning commute.<br />
5) Being outside allows me to have the full sensory<br />
experience of the seasons, whether it’s the smell of<br />
roses and jasmine during a warm dawn ride in July or<br />
the smell of frying bacon and coffee brewing for breakfast<br />
on a crisp autumn morning. The colors of the flora<br />
change and the sky is never the same. The birds sing<br />
different songs at different times of the year.<br />
6) I try to walk the talk and be part of the pollution solution.<br />
In this fast-paced life, slowing down allows me the<br />
opportunity to reflect on how lucky I am to live in <strong>Marin</strong><br />
and to experience being in it. In the process, the only<br />
carbons going into the air are the carbon dioxide gases<br />
from my heaving breath up that last hill to the Civic<br />
Center Administrative archway.<br />
So if you are able, make the commitment to ride your<br />
bike to work or school or shopping even one day a week<br />
or month. Go for it! If you live too far from work for your<br />
biking skills, then take public transit or carpool. May<br />
19th was the official Bike to Work Day. But every day<br />
can be Bike to Work Day. I would love to pull over for a<br />
chat with you and smell the coffee brewing or the roses<br />
blooming.<br />
And thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors and<br />
bike riders who made May 19th special this year!<br />
–Susan L. Adams, Ph.D., RN. <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> Board of<br />
Supervisors, District 1
Cycling Improvements<br />
Urged as San Rafael<br />
Budget Crisis Looms<br />
By Don Magdanz and Eric Anderson<br />
San Rafael is facing a financial crisis. Cuts at the City<br />
have had drastic impact on essential services. Now more<br />
than ever it is important to push for bicycling and walking<br />
improvements that can save the city money, and to support<br />
the San Rafael Department of Public Works (DPW)<br />
so that they can implement the <strong>Bicycle</strong> and Pedestrian<br />
Master Plan adopted in 2001.<br />
In general, bicycling puts little wear and tear on our<br />
roads, and cycling and walking infrastructure is far<br />
cheaper than large road projects. Non-motorized transportation<br />
such as bicycling and walking is the most cost-efficient<br />
and space-efficient way to move people around San<br />
Rafael; 14 bicycles can be parked in the space required<br />
for one automobile. The C Street parking structure could<br />
be much smaller if it were built to bicycle scale! In this<br />
time of financial crisis, San Rafael cyclists cannot afford<br />
not to push for these kinds of cost savings.<br />
MCBC continues to work with San Rafael to pursue<br />
bicycling and walking improvements, especially as a part of<br />
larger projects that would pay for non-motorized improvements.<br />
San Rafael cyclists will someday enjoy signed<br />
bicycle routes, a path along the railroad right of way parallel<br />
to Lincoln Avenue, a reopened Cal-Park Hill Tunnel<br />
and a bicycle route along West Francisco Boulevard. As<br />
all of these projects are paid for by other sources, they<br />
benefit San Rafael cyclists at no capital cost to the City.<br />
The San Rafael City Council is considering a tax measure<br />
for the November 2005 ballot. As the City moves<br />
forward with strategies for closing the budget gap, it’s<br />
vital that elected officials understand that bicycling and<br />
walking are not optional. In fact they have the potential<br />
to alleviate maintenance needs for our streets and roads<br />
by reducing car traffic. As proven by <strong>Marin</strong>’s passage of<br />
Measure A, a tax measure that includes bicycling, walking<br />
and Safe Routes to Schools improvements will be very<br />
popular with voters.<br />
The Council needs to hear directly from residents. Send<br />
a letter or message to Mayor Boro and the San Rafael<br />
Council members. Submit a comment online (under “Budget<br />
Comments”) at http://www.sanrafaelcityhall.org/<br />
budget. Or mail or fax a letter to: Mayor Boro and City<br />
Councilmembers, c/o San Rafael City Clerk, City of San<br />
Rafael, P.O. Box 151560, San Rafael, CA 94915-1560.<br />
The fax number is (415) 459-2242.<br />
MCBC Opposes Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tolls<br />
In a desperate attempt to make up a $108 million budget shortfall over the next five years, the<br />
Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District is again discussing the concept of a<br />
bicycle and pedestrian toll.<br />
The <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bicycle</strong> <strong>Coalition</strong> is taking a firm stand against any possible bicycle and<br />
pedestrian toll. No other bridge or roadway in the nation charges a toll for bicyclists and pedestrians.<br />
The Bridge District claims that such a toll could generate $500,000 to $1.5 million/year;<br />
however, they have not yet calculated the costs that would be incurred to collect a bicycle and<br />
pedestrian toll. When costs are figured in, it will likely be determined that this scheme could<br />
actually lose money for the District, while discouraging active transportation and setting a<br />
dangerous precedent.<br />
The MCBC is recommending that the Bridge District drop the concept of a bicycle and pedestrian<br />
toll and take it “off the table” as an option for closing the District’s current budget gap.<br />
Furthermore, it is our hope that rather than having staffs, boards and the public devote time to<br />
this issue every few years—only to have it abandoned again—this concept can be permanently<br />
dropped from consideration.<br />
Send an email to the Bridge District with your opinion. Go to www.marinbike.org and click<br />
on the link to send an email to the Golden Gate Bridge District. Your message does not need<br />
to be long but should clearly and respectfully state your opposition to pedestrian and cyclist<br />
tolls. Stay tuned to www.marinbike.org for current reports on the Golden Gate Bridge and to<br />
get updates on AB 748, state legislation co-authored by Assemblyman Joe Nation that would<br />
prohibit bicycle and pedestrian tolls on all bridges within California.<br />
<strong>SHARE</strong> <strong>THE</strong> <strong>ROAD</strong> [CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1]<br />
Staff and volunteers set up tables at local farmers’<br />
markets in May to survey the public about<br />
their awareness of current Share the Road promotions.<br />
The responses will help focus our outreach<br />
message and—combined with another<br />
survey at the end of the project—will help us<br />
measure the increase in public awareness of<br />
the campaign. MCBC is surveying other advocate<br />
organizations, government agencies and<br />
law enforcement at a national level to determine<br />
best practices currently in use for inclusion in a Share the Road Toolkit, which NHTSA<br />
will make available.<br />
With support from the <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> District Attorney and the <strong>Marin</strong> Police Chiefs, Checkpoints<br />
will be a component of our educational outreach this year. Saturday, July 16, has been<br />
designated the countywide Share the Road Day for law enforcement departments to provide<br />
safety and vehicle code information to motorists and cyclists in a friendly atmosphere. The<br />
<strong>Marin</strong> Safe Routes to Schools program will be incorporated into a fall Checkpoint to increase<br />
awareness at the program’s 40-plus participating schools. MCBC appreciates working with<br />
our local police departments in their efforts to increase traffic safety by providing balanced<br />
outreach to motorists and cyclists through Checkpoint days. Educational methods communicate<br />
the Share the Road safety message in a non-punitive manner and neither user group feels<br />
targeted.<br />
In addition to supporting the Checkpoints activity, the Police Chiefs are supporting the continuation<br />
of MCBC’s Basic Street Skills bicycle safety class series with funding and provision of<br />
an attending officer at each class (see front page sidebar). These classes uniquely allow recipients<br />
of bicycle traffic violation tickets to attend the class and have their fine reduced to $50,<br />
regardless of original ticket value (running a stop sign is a minimum $120 ticket). This partnership<br />
is only the third of its kind in the Bay Area to provide bicycle education as a traffic court<br />
option. MCBC is working with the <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> Courts and law enforcement to streamline the<br />
process for class attendance. Classes held between July 2004 and May 2005 were funded by and<br />
held at <strong>Marin</strong> General Hospital’s facility in Greenbrae. The new class series will use the same<br />
location.<br />
9
10<br />
Featured Bike Shops<br />
Classcycle<br />
Classcycle is a mom-and-pop bike<br />
shop located at 1531-B South<br />
Novato Boulevard in Novato. Owners<br />
Curtis and Lorrie Ross manage<br />
every aspect of the business. Curtis<br />
does all of the mechanical work<br />
on every bike that comes into the<br />
store, including build-ups, repairs,<br />
and service. He has 20 years of<br />
experience in the bicycle business.<br />
Lorrie manages the finances,<br />
helps with ordering and provides<br />
the friendly customer service for<br />
which the shop is known. Their dog, Molly, is also a fixture at the shop and loves to get petted<br />
by all the customers.<br />
Classcycle is an all-around shop; the customers include occasional family riders as well as<br />
devoted, serious cyclists. Curtis and Lorrie sell and work on a range of bicycles from affordable<br />
kids’ bikes to expensive high-end bicycles. The Rosses have owned their Novato bike shop for<br />
14 years.<br />
Curtis and Lorrie ride their bikes almost every day. On weekends they ride about four miles<br />
to do errands. They walk the 1/3 mile to the grocery store because it is so close. Riding helps<br />
Lorrie keep her cholesterol down, a critical concern for her as she endured a heart attack two<br />
years ago. Her increased riding since then has kept her cholesterol levels low. To celebrate their<br />
30-year wedding anniversary in June, Curtis and Lorrie are planning a luxurious bike ride.<br />
Mill Valley Cycleworks<br />
Mill Valley Cycleworks has been<br />
in the same location for 40 years<br />
now; Mill Valley Cyclery reopened<br />
as Mill Valley Cycleworks in 1995.<br />
Thanks to the support of their loyal<br />
customers and the community,<br />
they’ve grown into a full-service<br />
retail bike shop that caters to all<br />
levels of cycling. They carry everything<br />
from kids’ bikes to custom,<br />
high-end road and mountain bikes.<br />
They’re known for their friendly<br />
neighborhood atmosphere, knowledgeable employees, and excellent product lines.<br />
Customer service is the highest priority at Mill Valley Cycleworks. They are an independently<br />
owned shop, and their sales and service people do not work on commission, so they don’t<br />
believe in the hard sell. They want to make sure their customers get the bike that fits their<br />
needs, and more importantly, a bike that they’ll want to ride. They have expert fit technicians<br />
on staff and a size studio for custom fittings. Their mechanics are extremely skilled professionals,<br />
who are easy to talk to and available to answer questions and provide quotes.<br />
Mill Valley Cycleworks is proud to be an authorized dealer of the following bike lines: Serotta,<br />
Seven Cycles, Colnago, Look, Santa Cruz, Maverick, Intense, Specialized, Trek, LeMond, Gary<br />
Fisher and Felt Cruisers.<br />
Please visit the shop at 369 Miller Avenue in Mill Valley. They are open 7 days a week and most<br />
holidays. For more information, visit the website: www.millvalleycycleworks.com.<br />
Cyclist Torrin Arnold<br />
Is Blinded by Crash<br />
In February, Torrin Arnold, 25, a local bike shop<br />
employee, bike racer and 4.0 GPA College of <strong>Marin</strong><br />
student, was injured in a collision with motorist James<br />
Arrigoni, 44.<br />
According to the police report, Mr. Arnold was riding<br />
his bicycle westbound on Red Hill Avenue toward the<br />
San Anselmo Hub around 9:00am on Saturday, February<br />
26, 2005. While merging into the left lanes he was<br />
nearly struck by a large pickup truck driven by Mr. Arrigoni.<br />
An altercation between cyclist and driver ensued<br />
and witnesses observed the driver swerve quickly<br />
into the path of the cyclist. The two collided and Mr.<br />
Arnold fell from his bicycle, smashing his helmet. Mr.<br />
Arrigoni then fled the<br />
scene and two of the<br />
witnesses pursued the<br />
driver, blocked his car<br />
in, and forced him to go<br />
to the police station. Mr.<br />
Arrigoni’s lawyer has<br />
stated that Mr. Arnold<br />
“fell of his own volition”<br />
as a result of losing his<br />
balance after the motorist-cyclist<br />
altercation.<br />
Mr. Arnold was taken<br />
to the hospital for a concussion,<br />
sprained neck, and roadrash but released the<br />
same day. Three days later his vision began to worsen.<br />
Torrin is now effectively and legally blind. He is unable<br />
to read, drive, ride his bicycle, or attend school.<br />
Due in part to pressure from the cycling community,<br />
the District Attorney of <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> is pursuing both<br />
felony hit and run and misdemeanor reckless driving<br />
charges against the suspect. At the arraignment on<br />
June 1, Mr. Arrigoni pled not guilty to the charges.<br />
Local cyclists organized an event on May 25 to handdeliver<br />
letters to the DA and a benefit was held the<br />
same night at 19 Broadway in Fairfax. Although nearly<br />
$3,000 was raised at the benefit, Torrin Arnold’s case<br />
is far from over. His medical bills and legal expenses<br />
continue to pile up.<br />
Incidents like this one are the reason why <strong>Marin</strong><br />
<strong>County</strong> Law Enforcement and MCBC have been working<br />
hard to promote our Share the Road campaign, which<br />
encourages all drivers and cyclists to coexist peacefully<br />
on our roadways. Mutual respect and understanding of<br />
the shared rights and obligations of cyclists and motorists<br />
will go a long way to keeping us all safe. MCBC<br />
encourages everyone to learn about sharing the road<br />
safely through our Share the Road campaign materials<br />
(see www.marinbike.org and the article in this Pedal<br />
Press). [CONTINUED ON PAGE 11]
Regardless of who was at fault in the collision, MCBC<br />
is pleased that the <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> District Attorney’s<br />
office has taken this case seriously. Please consider<br />
mailing or faxing a letter to D.A. Edward Berberian<br />
stating that you support the D.A.’s decision to prosecute<br />
Mr. Arrigoni to the fullest extent of the law:<br />
Edward Berberian, District Attorney<br />
3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 130, San Rafael, CA<br />
94903 • Fax: (415) 499-6734<br />
To make a donation to support Torrin Arnold please<br />
contact him or his roommate Sean Daniels at<br />
fixedgearnut@yahoo.com or 415-505-4406.<br />
Kids Share the Road and<br />
Get Respect—We All Can!<br />
by Connie Breeze, Safe Routes Instructor<br />
The kids we work with at Safe Routes to School are<br />
excited about learning and practicing cycling skills. I<br />
think the real-life aspect of our classes is especially<br />
appealing to them. They’re proud to show off their<br />
knowledge of the rules of the road. Fourth graders<br />
know that the law says bikes, like cars, must stop at<br />
stop signs—and they know they earn respect when they<br />
obey the law.<br />
When I see an adult cyclist run a stop sign or otherwise<br />
break the law, I’m saddened by the contrast between<br />
them and the earnest schoolchildren I work with.<br />
Cyclists should not be judged as a group, but unfortunately<br />
they are. Bicycling infractions create anticyclists—we’ve<br />
seen the letters to the editors. It’s not<br />
fair (all motorists don’t get blamed when some drive<br />
badly!) but it’s real. And it harms our cause. As individual<br />
cyclists, we have a choice at every stop sign: harm<br />
our image, or build respect.<br />
Thanks to MCBC Volunteers<br />
February to May 2005<br />
BIKE TO WORK DAY: Ben Berto, Mark and Beverly Birnbaum, Mark Brandt, Joe,<br />
Connie, and Tommy Breeze, Jerry Cahill, Julie Chrisman, Amanda Finn, Seth<br />
Hayes and Sausalito Cyclery, Tom Horne, Ed Levinson and Mill Valley Cycleworks,<br />
Don Magdanz, Gary Miller, Brent O’Connell, Megan Perkins, Jacquie Phelan, Julie<br />
Pizzo, Alexander Price, Dwayne Price, Renee Rebecchi, Lorrie & Curtis Ross, Doug<br />
Schmidt, Don Souza, Ross Tibbits, Christine Vardaros, Jere Visalli, Cindy Winter,<br />
Russ Young. OFFICE HELP/MAILINGS: Bob Byrne, Jeff Cleary, David Engle, Brian<br />
Herrman, Susan Justice, Josh Land, Jonah Lieberman, Lillie O’Reilly, Maureen<br />
Phillips, Rico Quarles, Lisa Sebastian, Donna Swoffer, Roy, Kathleen and Mary Lou<br />
Woodruff. NEWS DISTRIBUTION & OUTREACH: Eric Anderson, Rocky Birdsey,<br />
Joe Breeze, Bob Byrne, Lori Carter, Thea Cary, Kim Cox, Mike Deverell, Jerry<br />
Edelbrock, David Engle, Luke French, Jeri Howland, Ralph Leighton, Don Magdanz,<br />
Preston McCoy, Greg McPheeters, Vince O’Brien, Rico Quarles, Michele Rodriguez,<br />
Ross Tibbits, Julia Violich, Cindy Winters. TECHNICAL & PROFESSIONAL<br />
SUPPORT: Maya Butterfield. MARIN EARTH DAY: Eric Anderson, Frances<br />
Barbour Hayden, California Highway Patrol, Luke French, Linda Cunningham<br />
Green, Onno Koelman, Jane Middleton, Lily Oglesby, John Reed, Orion Trist, Russ<br />
Young. BIKE PARKING: Sue Aeberli, Sean Bonward, Cindi Darling, Ted and Teddy<br />
Hayden, Tom Horne, Don Magdanz, Tom Martin, Preston McCoy, Matt McKibben,<br />
Alexander Price, John Schlag, Dave Selders, John Sowden, Ted Stroll, Chris Toyles,<br />
Cindy Winter. SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS: Beth Bailey-Gates, Frances Barbour<br />
Hayden, Maya Butterfield, Bob Byrne, Crista Cheap, Susan Cluff, Keren Cochrane,<br />
Damon and Dawn Connolly, Chloe Cook, Colleen Cornell, Karen Dugdale, Anne<br />
Engert, Gina Feiner, Margot Geitheim, Kris Geller, Linda Green, Laurie Hailer, Roz<br />
Hamar, Kim Hanley, Kel Harris, Lisa Harris, Marcella Hauser, Kelly Hunt, Julie<br />
Jedlicka, Caryn Johnson, Claudio Marcelo Katz, Elizabeth Keane, Sue Kessner,<br />
Perry King, Janet Kjelmyr, Jane Knowles, Chantal Krey, Ralph Leighton, Janine<br />
Marr, Jan Mathews, Stephanie Miller, Jodi Morrow, Stephanie Moulton-Peters, Art<br />
Nelson, Stephanie O’Dell, Juan Pareja, Caroline Perron, Tasmin Pesso, John Reed,<br />
Sue Kessner, Janet Kjelmyr, Perry King, Jane Knowles, Ralph Leighton, Jeannett<br />
Malatesta, Jan Mathews, Janine Marr, Stephanie Miller, Jodi Morrow, Stephanie<br />
Moulton-Peters, Art Nelson, Stephanie O’Dell, Juan Pareja, Caroline Perron, Tasmin<br />
Pesso, John Reed, Michele Rodriguez, Marty Sawyers, Tina Schalch, John Schlag,<br />
Mike Schulist, Patrick Seidler, Paul Shermantine, Linda Siegel, Mary Skade, Jeff &<br />
Charmaine Stevenson, Joe Stewart, Pat Tobin, Judd Williams, Cynthia Witwicki.<br />
MCBC Membership Form<br />
Name (first)<br />
Street / PO Box<br />
City<br />
Phone (day)<br />
(evening)<br />
(last)<br />
e-mail<br />
How you heard about us<br />
$25 Low Income $100 Century $1,000 Gold Spoke<br />
$40 Regular $250 Tour de France $2,500 Titanium Spoke<br />
$60 Family $500 Silver Spoke $5,000 Platinum Spoke<br />
For Century members and above select your t-shirt size: S M L<br />
Do not share my name with other organizations<br />
Make checks payable to: <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bicycle</strong> <strong>Coalition</strong>, P.O. Box 1115, Fairfax, CA 94978<br />
Zip<br />
I want to volunteer!<br />
Attending public meetings<br />
Advocacy in your town<br />
Data entry<br />
Events<br />
Newsletter distribution/mailing<br />
Phone tree calling<br />
Safe Routes to Schools<br />
Share the Road<br />
Staffing an information table<br />
Valet bicycle parking<br />
Other<br />
Credit Card # Exp. date Signature<br />
11
CALENDAR OF EVENTS<br />
JUNE<br />
15 1:30 – 3:30 PM SMART Board Meeting, 171 Bel <strong>Marin</strong> Keys Blvd, Novato<br />
23 7:30 PM TAM Meeting, Board of Supervisors/Planning Chambers, Civic Center,<br />
Room 329<br />
25 10 AM – 4 PM Trips for Kids Bike Swap, Mill Valley Middle School, 425 Sycamore<br />
(Bike Parking)<br />
25-26 10 AM – 6 PM San Anselmo Art and Design Festival on San Anselmo Avenue (Bike Parking)<br />
30 – July 5 <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> Fair, Civic Center Fairgrounds (Bike Parking)<br />
11 AM – 7 PM<br />
JULY<br />
6 6:30 - 9 PM <strong>Bicycle</strong> Trails Council General Meeting, Iron Springs Brewpub, Fairfax<br />
11 6 – 9 PM MCBC Board Meeting, Tamalpais Bank, 575 Sir Francis Drake, Greenbrae<br />
16 varies by town <strong>County</strong>wide Share the Road Checkpoint Day<br />
conducted by <strong>Marin</strong> <strong>County</strong> Law Enforcement<br />
16 6 AM – 10 PM Fairfax Fat Tire Festival, Fairfax Central Ballfield (Bike Parking)<br />
16 Noon – 5 PM Fermenting Change, Microbreweries Battling Breast Cancer,<br />
<strong>Marin</strong> Brewing Company, Larkspur Landing (Bike Parking)<br />
20 7 – 8:30 PM Share the Road PowerPoint Public Presentation,<br />
<strong>Marin</strong> Community Foundation, Novato<br />
20 1:30 – 3:30 PM SMART Board Meeting, 320 North McDowell Boulevard, Petaluma<br />
23 9 AM – 4 PM WOMBATS Annual Teacup Tango, Miwok Meadow, China Camp<br />
28 7:30 PM TAM Meeting, Board of Supervisors/Planning Chambers, Civic Center,<br />
Room 329<br />
AUGUST<br />
3 6:30 - 9 PM <strong>Bicycle</strong> Trails Council General Meeting, Iron Springs Brewpub, Fairfax<br />
6 5 - 9 AM <strong>Marin</strong> Century and Double Century, sponsored by The <strong>Marin</strong> Cyclists,<br />
start times Vallecito Elementary School, Terra Linda<br />
8 6 – 9 PM MCBC Board Meeting, Tamalpais Bank, 575 Sir Francis Drake, Greenbrae<br />
13 1 – 5 PM Blues, Brews, and BBQs, ‘A’ Street between 4th and 5th Streets, San Rafael<br />
(Bike Parking)<br />
25 7 – 8:30 PM Share the Road PowerPoint Public Presentation,<br />
Dance Palace, Point Reyes Station<br />
25 7:30 PM TAM Meeting, Board of Supervisors/Planning Chambers, Civic Center,<br />
Room 329<br />
SEPTEMBER<br />
3-5 9 AM – 6 PM Sausalito Art Festival<br />
(Bike Parking, on the lawn directly outside the main entrance)<br />
7 6:30 - 9 PM <strong>Bicycle</strong> Trails Council General Meeting, Iron Springs Brewpub, Fairfax<br />
8 6:30 – 8:30 PM Basic Street Skills class, <strong>Marin</strong> General Hospital, 250 Bon Air Road, Greenbrae<br />
8 7 – 8:30 PM Share the Road PowerPoint Public Presentation,<br />
Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael<br />
11 9 AM – 5 PM Sausalito Chili Cookoff, Dunphy Park off Bridgeway (Bike Parking)<br />
RESOURCES<br />
MCBC<br />
www.marinbike.org<br />
Safe Routes to Schools<br />
www.saferoutestoschools.org<br />
<strong>Marin</strong> Cycle Corps<br />
shesson@earthlink.net<br />
Bay Area <strong>Bicycle</strong> <strong>Coalition</strong><br />
www.bayareabikes.org<br />
<strong>Bicycle</strong> Trails Council<br />
www.btcmarin.org<br />
Access for Bikes<br />
www.access4bikes.org<br />
<strong>Marin</strong> Cyclists<br />
www.marincyclists.com<br />
WOMBATS<br />
www.wombats.org<br />
Trips for Kids<br />
www.tripsforkids.org<br />
Tam Valley Bike Club<br />
www.tamvalleybikeclub.com<br />
Velo Club Fairfax<br />
415-457-8687<br />
NON PROFIT ORG.<br />
U.S. POSTAGE PAID<br />
FAIRFAX, CA<br />
PERMIT NO 6