Tour of California Race is Coming to Marin - Marin County Bicycle ...

Volume 8 / Issue 1 www.marinbike.org Promoting Safe Bicycling for Everyday Transportation and Recreation Winter 2006
Tour of California Race is Coming to Marin
By Stephen Hesson
San Francisco, Marin and Sonoma, along with many of our
coastal neighbors to the south will experience an exciting,
unprecedented cycling event this February. When the
Amgen Tour of California rolls through our scenic countryside
it will rock us all out of our winter doldrums.
Finally, a world class, Tour de France-style stage race
has reached our shores attracting professional cycling
teams from around the world. Sponsored by Amgen, a
pioneer in biotechnology,
this premier athletic event is
presented by AEG, a leading
sports and entertainment
promoter. ESPN2 will be
covering the event live along
with over 400 other journalists.
The race excitement
begins in San Francisco on
Sunday, February 19 with
individual time trials; on
Monday, February 20th
(Presidents Day) the race
moves to Sausalito where the first of eight stages begins
outside the Spinnaker Restaurant off Bridgeway at 11:00
AM. The riders will race west presumably over Mt Tam
and along the coast through Sonoma to their finish line in
Santa Rosa, 105 miles later. A series of events are planned
in Sausalito in advance of Monday’s race (see the schedule
on page 9), including a Bike Rodeo sponsored by the MCBC
on Sunday, February 19th. MCBC will also be providing
free valet bicycle parking. [Continued on page 9]
MCBC’s
Board of
Directors
Seeks
Nominations
by February
15, 2006
See page 3
for details
An Interview with
Dianne Steinhauser
By Eric Anderson, Director of Planning
Dianne Steinhauser, Executive Director of the
Transportation Authority of Marin
Dianne Steinhauser was hired as the Executive Director for
the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) in 2005. She
is responsible for overseeing the expenditure of Measure A
sales tax revenues approved by Marin voters in November
of 2004. MCBC caught up with Dianne to chat about bicycling,
transportation and the exciting possibilities that lay
ahead for Marin County.
Tell us about your personal experiences with bicycling
and walking.
I’ve been a cyclist since I bought my first bike at age 11
with allowance money that I saved for three years. A bike
meant freedom to roam. Growing up in Ohio, my older sister
used to do long 25-100 mile bike tours, with me along
on the shorter ones. I used a bike throughout school. At
Notre Dame in Indiana I rode my bike down the middle
of Notre Dame Avenue on the way back from engineering
class, singing. I biked everywhere in college and for several
years after I moved to San Francisco. Working in San Jose
and the East Bay meant car commuting. These days most
of my cycling involves riding with my 10-yr old son through
Golden Gate Park. [Continued on page 10]
In This Issue
Update on the Pilot Program. . 2
MCBC Board Elections . . . . . . 3
Valet Bike Parking . . . . . . . . . 3
Safe Routes Update . . . . . . . . 4
Canal Community-Based
Planning project. . . . . . . . . . . 5
Cycling Commuter Hero . . . . . 5
Big Bike Bash Summary . . . . . 6
Featured Bike Rider . . . . . . . . 8
Basic Street Skills Classes . . . 8
Bike Shops. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Volunteer Thanks . . . . . . . . . 11
Calendar . . . . . . . . . back page

“With this program, we need to change
people’s hearts, minds and attitudes.
Think of how you want society to look
five years from now; and 10 years from
now; and don’t say it can’t be done!”
Congressman James Oberstar (Minnesota)
on the Pilot Program legislation
2
STAFF
Kim Baenisch, Executive Director
Deb Hubsmith, Advocacy Director
Eric Anderson, Director of Planning
Jo Ann Richards,
Membership Data Coordinator
Bob Trigg, Administrator
Wendi Kallins, Safe Routes to Schools
Program Director
Melanie Grubman, Safe Routes to Schools
Education Coordinator
Jason Agar, Safe Routes to Schools
Bicycle Education Coordinator
Michael Feliciano, Safe Routes to Schools
Project Coordinator
BOARD MEMBERS
Jerry Edelbrock, President
Nancy Weninger, Vice President
Julia Violich, Treasurer
Blair Peterson, Secretary
John Doidge
John Goggin
Stephen Hesson
Don Magdanz
Vince O’Brien
ADVISORY BOARD
Mark Birnbaum
Joe Breeze
Tom Hale
Deb Hubsmith
Jim Jacobsen
Patrick Seidler
Editor: Kim Baenisch
Design: Jeremy Thornton Design
Contributors: Jason Agar, Eric Anderson, Kim
Baenisch, Jerry Edelbrock, Stephen Hesson,
Deb Hubsmith, Casey Mazzoni, Bob Trigg
Marin’s Pilot Program Gets in Gear
By Deb Hubsmith,
MCBC Advocacy Director
I recently returned from a trip to Washington
D.C. with Marin County officials
to learn more about implementation of
the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot
Program, a new program in the federal
transportation bill which allocates $25
million each to four communities throughout the United
States including: Marin County, CA; Minneapolis, MN;
Columbia, MO; and Sheboyban County, WI. The legislative
purpose of the program is “to demonstrate the extent to
which bicycling and walking can carry a significant part
of the transportation load, and represent a major portion
of the transportation solution, within selected communities.”
The meeting was hosted by the non-profit Rails-to-Trails
Conservancy (which played a key role in getting the legislation
approved) and the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA), which is the federal agency charged with implementing
the program. The program began on the evening
of December 13 with a reception on Capitol Hill. At the
event, Congressman James Oberstar (Minnesota), who
authored the program legislation stated, “We now stand
on the threshold of a new era. With this program, we need
to change people’s hearts, minds and attitudes. Think of
how you want society to look five years from now; and 10
years from now; and don’t say it can’t be done!”
The purpose of the December 14-15 meetings was to clarify
eligibility of various projects for funding, to discuss an
evaluation process, and to allow time for each of the four
communities to discuss the Pilot Program process with
an FHWA division representative and a State Department
of Transportation official. We learned that the following
programs are eligible for funding: infrastructure projects
that create a bicycle and pedestrian network; educational
programs; promotion; network and project planning; data
collection, analysis and reporting; and travel directly
related to a project.
Top row: Left to Right: Ken McGuire
(Caltrans), Supervisor Charles McGlashan,
Craig Tackabery (Marin County Department
of Public Works) Seated: Left to Right: Ken
Kochevar (Federal Highway Administration),
Deb Hubsmith (Marin County Bicycle
Coalition), Supervisor Steve Kinsey
The group decided that it would like a uniform method
for data collection and evaluation, so that the results will
be statistically significant. A project team including five
people was appointed to assist with overall coordination
for implementation of the four pilots. I am honored to have
been nominated to serve as part of the coordinating group.
In January, FHWA will also be circulating a list of “criteria”
for project selection that will be used by each community
for deciding on expenditures.
It was also clarified that the full $25 million will not
be available to each of the communities for projects, as
there are three key expenditures that must be subtracted
from that total including: the federal obligation limits, a
contribution from each community for overall data collection
and evaluation, and funds for the pilot locations to
coordinate the effort through staff and consultant time.
No details are yet available regarding the exact amounts
of these expenditures, however, in past years, the federal
obligation limit has been at about 85.1%, meaning that
only 85.1% of Marin’s $25 million will likely be available
for the local program.
In January or February of 2006, the Marin County Board
of Supervisors will discuss the Pilot Program and provide
a public outreach plan and process that will be used in
Marin for the selection of specific projects that meet the
forthcoming FHWA criteria. The MCBC will be alerting
our members about this event and other Pilot Program
meetings through our email bulletin and our website
www.marinbike.org.
Overall, there is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm
for the Pilot Program. With this opportunity, Marin and
the three other communities can show how investments in
walking and bicycling are cost effective expenditures that
improve the transportation system, as well as a community’s
quality of life, environment and public health. The
MCBC is excited to participate in the Pilot Program process,
which we hope will become a leading means to foster
transportation policies in the United States that are more
supportive of walking and bicycling.

MCBC’s Board of Directors
Seeks Nominations by
February 15, 2006
By Jerry Edelbrock, MCBC Board President
It’s that time of year when the membership of the Marin
County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) elects members to serve
on the MCBC Board of Directors, the governing body for
our organization. Board terms are two years, and four
seats are up for election this spring.
MCBC is now seeking nominations from members interested
in serving on the Board of Directors. The MCBC
Board meets the second Tuesday of each month from 6
to 9 PM, and individual board members are involved in
other MCBC activities such as fundraising, special projects,
events, and advocacy.
A mixture of professional backgrounds on the Board
keeps our perspective fresh and balanced. Each year the
Board seeks members to fulfill professional expertise that
is absent from our current representatives. Our needs this
year include individuals with expertise in law, engineering
and marketing, as well as representatives from the
Safe Routes to School program and school administration.
MCBC members who are interested in running for open
seats on the Board should review the “Board Responsibilities”
document posted at www.marinbike.org prior to
submitting a nomination, so that candidates will know
what is expected from Board members. The website also
includes instructions on how to submit your name and
nomination statement for the election ballot.
All Board nominee statements received in the proper
format will be submitted (without editing) to the MCBC
membership for a vote in early March. Members will have
an opportunity to vote via proxy (postal mail, email, fax, or
through our website), or by attending the MCBC’s Annual
Membership Meeting held in conjunction with the Board
of Directors meeting on Tuesday, April 10 from 6 to 9 PM
at the conference room above the Good Guys in the Corte
Madera Village Shopping Center.
Current Board members Vince O’Brien and Blair Peterson
recently stated their intentions to run for re-election.
Board members John Doidge and Nancy Weninger stated
that they will not be running for re-election this spring. We
sincerely thank these two dedicated individuals who have
devoted so much of their time and expertise to MCBC.
Serving on the MCBC Board of Directors is an exciting
and rewarding way to lend your time and talents to help
improve bicycling and the quality of life in Marin County.
Any interested candidates for the MCBC Board of Directors
who have questions (after reviewing the Board Responsibilities
document on our website) are free to contact executive
director Kim Baenisch at 415-456-3469 x1# or kim@
marinbike.org.
Top: Vince O’Brien, Deb Hubsmith,
John Doidge, Julia Violich
(Treasurer), Jerry Edelbrock
(President), Kim Baenisch,
Nancy Weninger (Vice President)
Below: Stephen Hesson, Blair
Peterson (Secretary)
Valet Bike Parking Grows
By Stephen Hesson
MCBC’s free valet bicycle parking effort seems to grow
every year and 2005 was no exception. We provided our
service at 24 events last year parking over 3000 bicycles,
not to mention the countless strollers, scooters, and
skateboards that arrive at our corral. Check out our website,
www.marinbike.org, for 2006’s soon-to-be-posted
bike parking events list.
As the need for our service grows around the County,
our expenses grow as well. For the third year in a row,
MCBC is offering Valet Bike Parking sponsor opportunities
to businesses interested in visibility countywide
to thousands of residents and visitors. Show your support
for healthy transportation - contact Kim Baenisch
at (415) 456-3469 x 1# or kim@marinbike.org for our
sponsorship levels and details.
I want to personally thank the many volunteers who generously
offer their time to work as our valets each year. I particularly
want to thank a volunteer who has been my right
hand man with set up and break down week after week for
the past few years - John Sowden - you are my hero.
Our valet bike parking service will get an earlier then
usual start in 2006 due to the Tour of California (see cover
article), which will be launching from Sausalito in February
on Presidents Day. MCBC will set up our corral twice
that weekend: on Saturday, 2/18, for the recently resuscitated
Criterion thanks to Tony Tom of A Bicycle Odyssey,
and on Monday, 2/20, for the race.
We’ll need volunteers to help with bike parking as well as
with other MCBC assignments during the weekend. Please
contact me at (415) 606-7209 or stephen@marinbike.org
for bike parking opportunities, and contact Bob Trigg at
456-3469 x 3# or bob@marinbike.org for other volunteer
needs.
Happy New Year to all - let’s make it a safe one!
3

Safe Routes Update
4
By Jason Agar, Safe Routes to School Bicycle Education Coordinator
Hill Middle School Students Drive Their Bikes
During the last two weeks of October 2005, 165 sixth graders from Hill Middle School in
Novato took part in a bicycle education program designed to teach them how to “drive” their
bicycles during PE class. The program was provided by our Safe Routes to Schools program to
increase student safety while promoting biking and walking to school. The specific goal of the
program was to introduce students to a “driver training class” that encourages them to make
decisions from a vehicular cycling perspective.
It makes sense to teach students how to drive so they can more fully understand what
happens on the road. Lessons on helmet safety, hand signals, bike handling skills, pedestrian
safety, lane position and right of way were all included. The program culminated with
two neighborhood bike rides of three miles each. During the adult-supervised rides students
used their recent training to dissect and safely navigate the toughest intersections near the
school.
There is a gap between the important “Watch out for cars” message given to young children,
and interest in the Driver Training Manual that students pick up at 14 or 15 years old. This
middle school program addresses the gap by helping students to develop their decision making
abilities and building exercise into their daily life. Walking or biking is a great foundation for
a healthy and active life. If young people can get themselves around, there is also an economic
benefit to themselves and their families.
Students wrote that they liked learning hand signals and going on rides. They asked the
school for more bike racks and for bikes rides during other PE classes. Developed by the
League of American Bicyclists for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this
curriculum was first piloted by Safe Routes to Schools in 2004 at Mill Valley Middle School.
Thanks to the help of the Novato police department, bicycle officers assisted with Hill Middle
School’s on-road rides. It was a big project that required considerable effort from the four teachers
and school administration to accomplish – we thank you all for helping!
One of the drawbacks of the program was that since MCBC’s Safe Routes to School’s program
does not have a fleet of bicycles available for the program, students without bicycles were
unable to participate in the riding lessons. That translated to 68% of students (113 of the 165
kids) participating in the full program.
Help us make this program even more successful for our kids. Safe Routes to Schools is currently
looking for a large cargo van and storage facility close to Fairfax, as well as donations of
small to medium mountain bikes for our programs. Can you help? If so, please contact Wendi
Kallins at (415) 488-4101 or wendi@marinbike.org.
Boy Scout Bicycle Giveaways
In June and October 2005, Safe Routes to Schools partnered
with the Bicycle Trails Council (BTC) of Marin to
provide bicycle safety training to 34 youth and families of
Boy Scout Troop 2000. The half-day trainings included a
pizza lunch and a bike ride according to youths’ abilities.
Both were held at Pickleweed Park Community Center.
Training for the kids and their parents was provided in
English and Spanish.
The youth received new mountain bikes as part of the
Bicycle Trails Council Gold Pass program. The BTC set
up a donation program to purchase bicycles for two scout
groups in the mostly low income and newcomer Canal area
of San Rafael. Individuals who donated $50 or more would
receive a Gold Pass. The BTC’s hope was to sell 100 passes.
They sold 160! That translated to $8,750 and covered
the cost of the new bikes.
Through the leadership of President Jim Jacobson, the
BTC then purchased locks and helmets to go with each
bike. These were truly partnership events and involved the
combined efforts Tamorancho Pass Holder Celia Graterol,
Scout leaders like Ron Berliner and Willy Coronado, Troop
2000 family members, Matt Adams and the staff of Mike’s
Bikes (who did bike assembly for free), and Safe Routes volunteers
(who helped with everything from helmet fitting to
language translation). Several other League of American
Bicyclists instructors came from Oakland and Sacramento
to assist with the training and riding sections.
Danny Forer, Tamarancho Bike Coordinator, reported,
“The kids went crazy when we gave them the brand new
bike. We hope that the independence, health benefits, and
the fun of riding on two wheels will be as important to
these kids as it is for all of us fat tire adult riders. Thanks
to everyone for their help with this program, and especially
to the 160 unnamed Tamarancho cyclists whose donations
made this giveaway happen.”
For me, this was a great example of a successful partnership
and one of my most enjoyable training experiences. I
loved working with everyone and hope the BTC continues
their program. I am not alone in this wish, as I know for a
fact that the bike giveaway boosted Troop 2000’s enrollment!

Bicycling and Walking to Improve in
San Rafael’s Canal Community
By Eric Anderson, Director of Planning
On December 1, 2005 the Canal Community-Based Transportation
Planning Stakeholder Committee held its first
meeting. Composed of local residents, business owners
and community leaders from the Canal, the group also
includes representatives from the bicycle, pedestrian
and disability communities, including the Marin County
Bicycle Coalition and the Marin Center for Independent
Living. The purpose of the committee is to advise and
assist the City of San Rafael and the Transportation
Authority of Marin (TAM) in identifying needed improvements
for bicycling, walking and transit access in the
Canal neighborhood of San Rafael. This effort is funded
by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Community-Based
Transportation Planning program, which
focuses on meeting transportation needs by maintaining
sensitivity to local issues.
The Canal has one of the highest rates of bicycle, pedestrian
and transit activity in the county. One of the top priorities
that MCBC will be pursuing through this committee
is safe access to and from the neighborhood to overcome
Cycling Commuter Becomes a Hero
By Stephen Hesson
Eric Ortman was riding his bike home after a late night
shift restocking shelves at Trader Joe’s late last November
when he happened upon a home in his Sleepy Hollow
neighborhood with three to four foot high flames leaping
from its roof into the night sky. Ortman dropped his bike
and pack and ran to the front door to pound furiously but
unsuccessfully to rouse the occupants from their sleep.
He then ran to the rear of the home and after some time
was able to awaken the homeowner, Jim Heierle, who in
turn woke his son, both of whom safely escaped the burning
house. Ortman grabbed a hose and put out a small
the geographic isolation produced by Highway 101 and the
canal itself. The East Francisco and Bellam corridors will
be top priorities to serve as direct connections to employment,
shopping and schools in the Montecito area. MCBC
also plans to work closely with local residents and community
leaders to improve safety for bicycling and walking
to destinations within the Canal.
The first opportunity for public involvement in this process
is a planned Community Workshop that will be held
on Thursday, February 2nd. At the workshop, the City of
San Rafael and TAM plan to make a brief presentation
about the planning process and provide some examples of
possible solutions to help residents develop a vision of how
their neighborhood could be improved. The workshop will
include an open house period during which attendees can
provide comments at stations targeted to their concerns
and language groups. For more information please contact
Eric Anderson, MCBC Director of Planning, at 415-456-
3469 ext. 4# or eric@marinbike.org
ground fire and helped Heierle remove property from the
garage including three vintage motorcycles. As if that
wasn’t enough, Ortman woke the neighbors and helped
them evacuate as a precaution.
The MCBC and the Marin Cycle Corps salutes Eric Ortman
for his bravery and dedication to his community. We welcomed
him to the MCBC with a complimentary membership
and wish him well in his studies at UCSC in 2006. We’ll
never know what would have happened without his heroic
efforts, and fortunately we’ll never need to.
Left: An overcrossing from the Canal
to the Montecito shopping center is
proposed at this location.
Right: View of the Bay Trail;
an underutilized facility in the
Canal.
5

Annual Big Bike Bash Fundraiser
Gets a New Look
For the eighth year in a row, the MCBC’s Big Bike Bash party proved
to be great time for all. Over 200 MCBC members and their friends and
family attended the event.
This year the planning committee spiced things up with many changes.
The circus theme was seen throughout the décor with the bright
colors and fun table scapes. The open floor plan gave guests room to
move and mingle between the auction, food, seating and cocktail tables.
While guests ate and drank, magicians roamed the floor entertaining
them with card, coin and scarf tricks.
In addition to the live entertainment and the yummy appetizers,
guests shopped at our well-known silent auction. Whether you were
a bike gear head or in search of nutritional counseling, the auction
provided options for everyone to bid on something they wanted. The program
included an advocacy presentation by Patrick Seidler, President
of Wilderness Trail Bikes (WTB), who acknowledged MCBC’s accomplishments
for 2005 and our hopes for successful implementation of
the Pilot Program over the next four years. The program ended with
a live auction for which MCBC Executive Director Kim Baenisch and
Advocacy Director Deb Hubsmith secured bids from the audience. The
live auction featured three bicycles, each one of which went home with
a happy highest bidder.
Overall, the Big Bike Bash fundraiser raised over $16,000. Your winning
bids all support the work of MCBC – thank you for shopping with
us!
Our event could not happen in such an elegant location or provide the
abundance of food and auction items we offered without the financial
help of our sponsors, gear and certificates from merchandise donors,
the devotion of staff members, and our many volunteers.
We thank and acknowledge everyone who helped make the party a huge success:
Sponsors:
WTB
GravyWheels
Sunshine Bicycles
CSW/Stuber-Stroeh Engineering
Group
Alta Planning + Design
Parisi Associates
Breezer Transportation Bicycles
Donors:
Adidas - Silhoutte Optical
Limited
Aidells Sausage
Alacer – Emer’gen-C
Applebee’s Restaurant
Baby Birdy Design
Bay Club Marin
Bear Valley Inn
BELL Sports
Bianchi USA
Big Dipper Ice Cream
BikeMine
BOB Gear
Boeshield T-9
Breezer Transportation Bicycles
Broken Drum Brewery
Camelbak Products, Inc.
Cannondale
CATEYE
Century Theatres
Chrome Bags
CJ Chinese Restaurant
Classic Kids Photography
Crank Brothers
Crankbrothers
Crumpler USA
Cycle Publishing - Van der Plas
Publications
CycleOps
Dahon
DaKine
David Zebker CPA
Death Valley Supper Camp
Demo Sport
Deuter Sport
Dirt Rag Magazine
DOL Active Wear
Dragonfly Cakes
Dreyers Grand Ice Cream
Eat My Cookies
Fairfax Coffee Roasters
Fairfax Scoop Ice Cream
Finish Line
Galaxy Granola
George Conlan
Golden Gate Transit
Gournet Helping
Guasco’s Baskets
Herzog Air Tours
Hog Island Oyster Company
Hydrapak
Inertia Designs
Inertia Designs
Inn Marin
Iron Springs Brewery
Jandd Mountaineering
Kryptonite
Light and Motion
Lydia’s Organics
Madwagon Bicycles
Marin Brewing Company
Marin Center
McGinnis Park Golf Center
Mellow Motors
Mill Valley Health Club
Moutain Play
Moylans Brewery and
Restaurant
Nalgene
6

Guests having a great time at the Big Bike Bash
Kim Baenisch, Executive Director, promotes the
silent auction and gives away raffle items.
New Belgium Brewing Company
Nite Rider
Noonan’s Restaurant
On Guard
Oury Grips
Park Tool USA
Pearl Izumi
Pedro’s
Planet Bike
Point Reyes Seashore lodge
Primal Wear Inc.
Rivendell Bicycle Works
San Rafael Joe’s Restaurant
Saris/CycleOps
Schwalbe
Shebeest Cyclewear
Sierra Nevada Brewery
Sigma Sport
Smith Sport Optics
Sock Guy
Stellar Spa
Suntour
Sweet Things
Terry Precision Cycling
The Knitting & Baking Yogini
The Roulac Group
Tifosi
Todson - Topeak
Tri Club Marin
United Market
Velo Club Fairfax
Wilderness Trail Bikes
Wilson Bicycle Sales
Zoic
Volunteers
Eric Anderson, Kim Baenisch,
Rocky Birdsey, Bev Birnbaum,
Mark Birnbaum, Sean Braniff,
Joe Breeze, Lynn Breger,
Ann Brown, Matt Busse,
Maya Butterfield, Bob Byrne,
Thea Cary, Calezon Ceniceros,
Julie Chrisman, Chris Davis,
Keith Denebeim, Mike Deverell,
Kevin Dugan, Nancy Eckel,
Jerry Edelbrock, Michael Feliciano,
Jocelyn Freid, Jennifer Gennari,
Marty Giblas, Chris Handy,
John Hefler, Stephen Hesson,
Scott Hochstrasser,
Debbie Horowitz, Deb Hubsmith,
Judith Jaslow, Wendi Kallins,
Dana Kunz, Vincent Kwan,
Don Magdanz, Siamak Makki,
Barry Marchessault, John Maria,
Casey Mazzoni, Kerry Mazzoni,
Pete Mazzoni, Chris Lang,
Jaime McCartney,
Saci MacDonald, Noel Murphy,
Vince O’Brien, Lillie O’Reilly,
Tom O’Reilly, Atty Ott,
Steven Plunkett, Dwayne Price,
Peter Pyle, Jo Ann Richards,
Deirdra Rogers, Blake Rudolph,
John Schlag, Mika Scott,
Patrick Seidler, Michel Sherman,
Corinne Snedeker, C.J. Spady,
Kim Stanley, Shaugn Stanley,
Lisa Thomson, Bob Trigg,
Beth Ullrich, Christina van der
Plas, John Vignale, Jere Visalli,
Nancy Weninger, Laishan Yee,
Russ Young
7

8
Free Classes Offer Bicycle
Safely and Legal Rights
Information
MCBC announces the fourth
year of free bicycle safety
classes called Basic Street
Skills. The two-hour class
teaches cyclists how to ride
safely on all local trips and
teaches drivers how and why
bicycles maneuver on the road.
A PowerPoint presentation is
used to cover topics such as how
to avoid collisions and citations,
improve visibility, riding through
intersections, and the legal rights
and obligations of cyclists.
As a unique class feature, the
Marin County Superior Court has
approved fee reductions for recipients
of bicycle traffic infractions
that attend a class. Regardless of
the fine amount, attendance at a Basic
Streets Skills class reduces the cyclist’s
ticket to $50.
Advance class registration is necessary.
Register by providing your name,
address, email, phone, and class date
in one of the following ways: on-line
at www.marinbike.org, faxing to 415-
456-9344, calling MCBC at 415-456-
3469 ext. 3#, or emailing streetskills@
marinbike.org. A bicycle is not necessary
for the class, unless you plan to ride one
there.
All of the classes are held at Marin
General Hospital Conference Center, 250
Bon Air Road, Greenbrae. MCBC’s website (www.marinbike.org)
posts the class dates as they are scheduled. The
upcoming 2006 classes so far include:
Tuesday, January 31, 2006: 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Tuesday, March 28, 2006: 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Tuesday, May 23, 2006: 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Tuesday, July 18: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Classes are taught by Jason Agar, a League of American
Bicyclists’ Certified Instructor. He is one of MCBC’s Safe
Routes to Schools instructors, specializing in middle
school curriculum. Jason also teaches bicycle safety and
maintenance workshops at community and school events.
MCBC has teamed up with the Marin General Hospital
Trauma Program, Marin County Law Enforcement and
REI in Corte Madera to continue our ongoing effort to
improve bicycle safety in Marin County.
Featured Bike Rider -
Warren Karlenzig
By Bob Trigg
Warren Karlenzig lives in San Anselmo and works in San
Francisco at SustainLane (an online, community-generated
guide for better living). He starting bike commuting
in 1987 in Chicago, riding across the city, even in winter.
He moved to Marin in 1993. His decision to buy a house
here was influenced by the high visibility of biking, the
ability to ride to public transit, and the fact that kids five
years old to people in their 80’s are riding.
His commute strategy varies daily: with a bike and two
ferries at his disposal, he has a variety of options. “What’s
wonderful for Marin County commuters is that you have
all these options,” Warren told me. He usually ferries to
work; coming home, he can take the ferry to Sausalito, or
to Larkspur, or he can ride the entire way.
In fact, until last year, Warren would ride from San
Anselmo to Manor School in Fairfax with his kids before
riding to work, as he has since they were in kindergarten.
Now aged 10 and 8, they bike the five-mile round trip on
their own.
He recommends adequate preparation to potential bike
commuters. “Know the buses and ferries: they are your
alternatives in case of a breakdown. Know which ones
have bike racks. Know when big storms are coming; “I’m
sort of a weather geek and I like to know what’s coming.
That goes for heat, too, in the summer time.” He also
makes sure he has a change of clothes, especially socks
and shoes (he keeps spare trousers at work), water and a
pump.
Warren bike commutes because he’s “addicted. It’s a
nice addiction. It helps me think better. It helps me feel
better, and I don’t have to ride so much on the weekends
and be away from my family. It’s stress-free…. I love when
other cyclists say hello. Cycling is enjoyable, a sustainable
way of living. It’s not about racing for me.”

TOUR OF CALIFORNIA
[continued from page 1]
The race resumes again in Martinez on Tuesday, Feb.
21 and concludes six days later in Redondo Beach. Eight
days in all with an estimated 700 miles of racing from
northern to southern California and more than one million
spectators along the way.
The City of Sausalito and the Sausalito Chamber of
Commerce will host six special events in conjunction with
the race:
• Sausalito Gala, Friday, 2/17 (6 PM – 11:30 PM),
located in the “Big Tent” in the Sausalito Yacht
Harbor parking lot (adjacent to the Spinnaker
restaurant)
• Sausalito Criterium Pro-Am Bike Race, Saturday,
2/18 (7 AM – 3 PM), located on the Caledonia
Street, Johnson, Bonita and Bee Street loop.
• Sausalito Family Bike Rodeo, Sunday, 2/19 (1 PM
– 4 PM), located near the “Big Tent”
• Taste of Marin, Sunday, 2/19 (6 PM – 11 PM), location
to be determined
• Sausalito Bike Expo, Monday, 2/20 (8 AM – 4 PM),
located in downtown Sausalito
There will be plenty of opportunities to volunteer at
the race and pre-race Sausalito events. Volunteers will
receive a commemorative Tour of California t-shirt as a
special thanks for their help from the City of Sausalito.
To learn more about the race, its sponsors and promoters,
the participating teams, Sausalito’s special events, and
the volunteer opportunities, go to www.amgentourofcalifornia.com
and www.tourofcalifornia-sausalito.com.
Featured Bike Shops
BikeRX
BikeRX, formerly Marin’s
only mobile bike repair service,
opened The BikeRX
Depot in Tam Junction Mill
Valley in the summer of 2004.
The staff at BikeRX provides
the same honest, experienced,
and–most importantly–nonintimidating
bike repair
service that is known to the
hundreds of clients we meet
while traveling the roads of
Marin and San Francisco.
We have expanded our services to provide comfort and performance-oriented bike fits in
conjunction with Endurance Mill Valley, a world-class cycling and training center. We also sell
custom bikes from local and national frame builders such as Paul Taylor, Craig Calfee, Moots
and others.
All of our repair services include a complete explanation both before and after the repair
work to ensure clients know precisely what they are getting. BikeRX offers professional and
knowledgeable repair service with guaranteed satisfaction. Our quick turn-around policy for
bicycle repairs underscores this commitment.
Stop in and see us anytime, whether you’re in need of a quick repair, consultation on a custom
frame purchase, or simply would like to get to know your mechanic. Here at BikeRX, we strive
to help you improve your bicycling experience on and off the road.
Mt. TAM BIKES
Although they carry a full line of bicycles, Mt. Tam Bikes likes to think of themselves as
“Your Mountain Bike Shop.” The shop tries to focus on smaller, local Marin makers and their
products, such as Tamalpais Cycles, Marin bikes, Paul Taylor, and WTB parts; but they carry
many other well-known bicycles such as Jamis, KHS, Norco, and Electra.
They like to build bikes that are personal, and to cultivate customers: help them out, get the
right bike and the right fit. Says head mechanic Skye Schuchman, “We really want you to be
able to come in and talk to us and get a bike that’s perfect for you: that makes you want to ride
the bike.” They love to build bikes to customers’ specifications, and enjoy building offbeat bikes,
which are often requested
by some of their younger
clientele.
All their mechanics
are under 30, but they’re
all veteran bike shop
guys, with over 40 years
combined experience. And
all have competitive racing
or riding experience.
Mt. Tam Bikes opened
their shop at 31 Sunnyside
Avenue in Mill Valley in
May 2003. You can also
visit them on the web at
www.mt.tambikes.com.
9

10
“We need to
offer quality
alternatives for
trips to school,
to the grocery
store, to needed
services.”
from Dianne Steinhauser
on the use of Measure A
funds.
Dianne Steinhauser
[continued from page 1]
Can you describe some of your past history working on
bicycle projects?
About 20 years ago I was a construction manager for Caltrans,
one of the first women to become a Resident Engineer.
In the late 1980’s I was the Registered Engineer on
two significant bike projects in Marin: improving the bikeway
from Vista Point to Alexander Avenue and paving the
southern end of the Sausalito-Mill Valley pathway.
Probably the largest bikeway project I worked on was the
15-mile path from Point Richmond to Emeryville parallel
to I-580 and I-80. Over a five-year period, I worked with
the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, local
cities, and East Bay Regional Park District on funding and
maintenance. This challenging project included funding
and design of the amazing Berkeley over-crossing.
I worked very closely with Marin County seven or eight
years ago to secure the first funding for the Cal-Park Hill
tunnel project.
How is TAM ensuring that all roads consider the needs
of bicyclists and pedestrians through Measure A?
All four Strategies in the sales tax measure are expected to
meet the needs of bicycles and pedestrians. A primary goal
is to address local trips, many of which are short enough
to divert to alternate modes. We need to offer quality alternatives
for trips to school, to the grocery store, to needed
services. This is important in Marin, where the ability to
expand roads is very limited.
Major road projects that are part of Measure A will be
required to consider the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians.
There is a lot of competition among different modes:
bicycle/pedestrian use, traffic safety, transit access, ADA
access. There likely will not be enough funding to do everything.
TAM plans to grow the Measure A tax revenue by
using sales tax dollars as matching funds, to attract additional
monies.
At the urging of our membership, MCBC is constantly
trying to improve how we maintain our bike paths in
Marin. How can TAM help to solve the issue of maintenance
funding for bike facilities?
I think we need some innovative solutions in order to meet
the maintenance challenge. TAM is working on an adopta-path
strategy - local businesses, clubs, neighborhood
organizations would agree to spend a modest amount of
time and/or money on upkeep. This has been a very successful
program for highways that we want to extend to
pathways.
One of TAM’s first bikeway projects is the Lincoln Hill
Pathway that will connect downtown San Rafael to
north San Rafael and Novato. Can you tell us about
this project?
It allows a safe alternative to Lincoln Avenue for bicycles
and pedestrians. TAM plans to build this as part of the
HOV Gap Closure lane project, opening them simultaneously
in 2008. We’re making it as appealing as possible
for users, while maintaining safety and visibility. We are
prioritizing safety through active and passive surveillance
of the path.
The Greenbrae Interchange Project is a complex transportation
project. What bicycle and pedestrian elements
are included?
The first bicycle/pedestrian element of this project, the Cal-
Park Hill Tunnel, is well on its way to being built. TAM
supports this kind of low-impact enhancement that taps an
unused resource – in this case the railroad right-of-way -
versus taking homes or affecting businesses.
Most likely, the Regional Measure 2 toll monies will not
fund everything that needs to be done in the Greenbrae corridor.
We need to be prudent in how we spend these funds
and use them to leverage other available sources. TAM
plans to kick off this process in spring 2006 by taking
a thorough look at options for the corridor. By the end of
2008, we will have a game plan for what can be built. Ongoing
input from the public and local partners, particularly
the cities of Larkspur and Corte Madera, is crucial.
This is a very complex corridor. All modes have to work
well together, and all projects must be well planned. We
can’t spend all that money and not have congestion relief.
Marin County recently received the honor of being
selected as a federal pilot bicycling community. What
are your thoughts about the Pilot Program and making
Marin a model for bike transportation?
This is an amazing one-time opportunity for Marin County.
The County will be managing this program with TAM as a
partner. We hope to grow the money by using it as matching
funds. We have a great opportunity to kick-start a number
of critical facilities.
Nationally, this success is important if we want the Pilot
Program to become a regular source of funding for other
communities. In addition, our big challenge will be showing
that we’ve impacted mode shift.
Safe Routes to School (SR2S) is a project of TAM as a
result of its Measure A funding. Tell us why you think
Marin County’s successful national model program is
important.
SR2S is another excellent opportunity to manage the
demand for shorter trips in Marin. It is an amazing program.
SR2S produces immediate effective congestion
management strategies. It also accomplishes long-term
behavior change by training kids to make active transportation
choices. Getting kids on bikes means that their
parents are more likely to ride. That’s how I got back into
biking - my son kept asking me to take him for a bike ride.

Thanks to MCBC Volunteers
October to December 2005
Office:
Roger Barber, Bob Byrne, Beth Cook, Mike Gaspers, Tom O’Neil, Lillie O’Reilly, Maureen Phillips, Randy Reimer, Donna Swoffer,
John Swoffer
Distribution/Outreach:
Amy Bartolotta, Marty Giblas, Luca Ortolani, Tomas Pastalka, Dwayne Price, Jo Ann Richards, Dierdra Rogers, Kris Stocker,
Nancy Weninger, Cindy Winter
Advocacy:
Rocky Birdsey, Preston McCoy, Patrick Seidler, Amber Van Heel, Susie Weaver
Bike Parking:
Marc Birnbaum, Ann Brown, Julie Chrisman, Rob Chrisman, Cindi Darling, Diane George, Melanie Grubman, Ted Hayden,
Perry Heffelinger, John Hefler, Tom Horne, Johnny Johnson, Rob Kuhl, Jane Lenoir, Don Magdanz, Barry Marchessault, John Maria, Gary
Miller, Luca Ortolani, Julie Pizzo, Dwayne Price, Dierdra Rogers, John Schlag, John Sowden, Bill Stephens, Linda Stokely, Robin Truill,
Bruce Truitt, Danne Ventura, Nancy Weninger, Cindy Winter
Safe Routes to Schools:
Eric Anderson, Josh Anderson, Deborah Aronoff, Steven Aussenberg, Lori Bailey, Beth Bailey-Gates, Frances Barbour-Hayden,
Maya Butterfield, Connie Breeze, Joe Breeze, Tommy Breeze, Bob Byrne, Sylvan Cambier, Nancy Carlisle, Patricia Carpoviki, Thea Cary,
Crista Cheap, Kim Christie, Susan Cluff, Mike Cobb, Damon Connolly, Dawn Connolly, Colleen Cornell, Karen Dugdale, Sandra Ezquerra,
Kay Feallock, Amanda Fin, Gary Fisher, Margot Geitheim, Kris Geller, Linda Green, Ellen Greeneisen, Melanie Grubman, Nicole Grubman,
Roz Hamar, Kim Hanley, Kel Harris, Lisa Harris, Brian Hassett, Lori Hassett, Bill Hatch, Marcella Hauser, Deb Hubsmith, Jeremiah,
Caryn Johnson, Claudio Marcelo Katz, Elizabeth Keane, Sue Kessner, Jahan Khalighi, Perry King, Coral Kisseberth, Janet Kjelmyr,
Jane Knowles, Tamar Kreigel, Timo Landio, Chris Lyons, Janine Marr, Casey Mazzoni, Stephanie Miller, Art Nelson, Stephanie O’Dell,
Stacey Olsen, Juan Pareja, Stan Pelmear, Caroline Perron, Tasmin Pesso, Sharon Portnoy, Shane Rhodes, Mary Scarlett, Mike Schulist,
Mika Scott, Paul Shermantine, Mary Skade, Amy Skewes-Cox, Phylece Snyder, Kim Stanley, Charmaine Stevenson, Jeff Stevenson,
Joe Stewart, Marjorie Sun, Juli Tantum, Pat Tobin, Orion Trist, Nancy Vernon, Leslie Vorperian, Judd Williams, Cynthia Witwicki,
Jamie Yosha, Sarah Jane Zavko
WTB Fiesta Party:
Tiffany Arvold, Rick Barr, Mike Brooker, Jeff Brown, Robbie Chrisman, Deborah Clark, Sharon Cowdery, Tom DeLacy, Fred Falk,
Gary Gleason, John Goggin, Heather Gordon, Dave Griffis, Elena Lobatsevich, Don Magdanz, Eric Magnuson, Jaime McCartney,
Peter Mollison, Cynthia Newman, Katrina Ramser, Blake Rudolph, Grant Rudolph, Chris Schierholtz, Patrick Seidler, Daniel Sherwood,
Mark Slate, Jeana Thayer, Amber van Heel, Susie Weaver, Mark Weir, Chris Womack, Marcos Yax, Marty Yudice
MCBC Membership Form
Name (first)
Street / PO Box
City
Phone (day)
(evening)
(last)
e-mail
How you heard about us
$25 Low Income $100 Century $1,000 Gold Spoke
$40 Regular $250 Tour de France $2,500 Titanium Spoke
$60 Family $500 Silver Spoke $5,000 Platinum Spoke
For Century members and above select your t-shirt size: S M L
Do not share my name with other organizations
Make checks payable to: Marin County Bicycle Coalition, P.O. Box 1115, Fairfax, CA 94978
Zip
I want to volunteer!
l Attending public meetings
l Advocacy in your town
l Data entry
l Events
l Newsletter distribution/mailing
l Phone tree calling
l Safe Routes to Schools
l Share the Road
l Staffing an information table
l Valet bicycle parking
l Other
Credit Card # Exp. date Signature
11

Calendar of Events
January
1 New Year’s Day: Start the New Year with a bike ride!
4 6:30 - 9 PM Bicycle Trails Council General Meeting, Iron Springs Brewpub, Fairfax
9 6:00 – 9:00 PM MCBC Board Meeting, Tamalpais Bank, 575 Sir Francis Drake, Greenbrae
18 1:30 – 3:30 PM SMART Board Meeting; San Rafael City Council Chambers, 1400 5th Street
26 7:30 PM TAM Meeting, Board of Supervisors/Planning Chambers,
Civic Center, Room 329
31 6:30 - 8:30 PM Basic Street Skills Bicycle Class, Marin General Hospital Conference Center,
250 Bon Air Road, Greenbrae
February
1 6:30 - 9 PM Bicycle Trails Council General Meeting, Iron Springs Brewpub, Fairfax
2 San Rafael Canal Community Workshop; for location and time contact
Eric Anderson 415 456-3469 ext. 4#, or eric@marinbike.org
13 6:00 – 9:00 PM MCBC Board Meeting, Tamalpais Bank, 575 Sir Francis Drake, Greenbrae
14 Valentine’s Day: take your sweetie for a bike ride!
15 MCBC Board of Directors nominations due
15 1:30 – 3:30 PM SMART Board Meeting; Sonoma County Board of Supervisors’ Chambers,
575 Administration Dr, Room 100A, Santa Rosa
20 11 AM Tour of California bike race; downtown Sausalito
23 7:30 PM TAM Meeting, Board of Supervisors/Planning Chambers,
Civic Center, Room 329
March
2 6:30 - 9 PM Bicycle Trails Council General Meeting, Iron Springs Brewpub, Fairfax
13 6:00 – 9:00 PM MCBC Board Meeting, Tamalpais Bank, 575 Sir Francis Drake, Greenbrae
15 1:30 – 3:30 PM SMART Board Meeting; San Rafael City Council Chambers, 1400 5th Street
21 Celebrate Spring Equinox with a bike ride!
23 7:30 PM TAM Meeting, Board of Supervisors/Planning Chambers,
Civic Center, Room 329
28 6:30 - 8:30 PM Basic Street Skills Bicycle Class, Marin General Hospital Conference Center,
250 Bon Air Road, Greenbrae
RESOURCES
MCBC
www.marinbike.org
Safe Routes to Schools
www.saferoutestoschools.org
Marin Cycle Corps
shesson@earthlink.net
Bay Area Bicycle Coalition
www.bayareabikes.org
Bicycle Trails Council
www.btcmarin.org
Access for Bikes
www.access4bikes.org
Marin Cyclists
www.marincyclists.com
WOMBATS
www.wombats.org
Trips for Kids
www.tripsforkids.org
Tam Valley Bike Club
www.tamvalleybikeclub.com
Velo Club Fairfax
www.veloclubfairfax.com
NON PROFIT ORG.
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