Caltrans News, PCH and Canyon Road for multi-users

After many years of being shut out, bicycling now has representation on the powerful Caltrans advisory committee that sets statewide standards for bike lanes and other traffic control devices. Caltrans appointed two new seats to the California Traffic Control Devices Committee to represent "non-motorized" interests, including bicyclists, pedestrians and transit riders. Caltrans has jurisdiction over Laguna Canyon Road and PCH and are tasked with accommodating non-motorized road users by federal mandate. More lawmaker news from the California Bicycle Coalition:

• CBC is sponsoring AB-819 to give local agencies leeway to design bike-ways that they have with their own streets and roads. By eliminating the Caltrans monopoly on bikeway designs, AB 819 will lead to a huge expansion in safer bikeway designs throughout California.
• CBC is asking the California Legislature to maintain the current proportion of federal funds it spends for bike and pedestrian projects.
• CBC will re-introduce the 3-foot passing bill Governor Brown vetoed in October.

San Clemente Released Bicycle and Pedestrain Plan

December 7 2011: The City of San Clemente agreed to release the INITIAL DRAFT of their first ever Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

The Initial Draft of Laguna's first ever bicycle and pedestrian plan was submitted to the City of Laguna Beach for review in April 2010 and never heard from again. See the Laguna version below under RESOURCES.

Bike to Work: How to get Started

Jake Lynch and his wife moved to Washington D.C. and traded their car for two bikes.  " But the thing I've noticed the most is how my body feels. It's awesome."  Here is the story how one working couple made a car-free transition and how they got started. Read about their daily commute  where no parking is required.  Story by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

KIA Superbowl Ad

Getting Kids back into cars is automobile industry JOB 1.

Ratcheting up marketing to kids. Marketing cars directly to children pays off big for car companies even though they won’t be driving or buying their own for years. American children in particular hold real sway over family purchases. How about Laguna  Beach Unified District students?  DC Streets Blog has the story.

Thanksgiving Week in Review for CSTF

Results of Tuesday 22 November Council meeting addressing Complete Streets infrastructure projects:

• CSTF under city review make 24 recommendations for CS infrastructure
• City Staff writes agenda bill, 3 from CSTF, 3 unfamiliar, 1 contingency
  
• Staff re-label agenda bill with a CSTF origin
• Council allocates budget: $5k for Sharrows, $20k for trail building, $50k for consultant fees, and $225K for further in-house studies and fees
• Summary: out of $300k, $5k pays for cycling infrastructure

Also making news:

• Susi-Q considers CSTF News as SPAM, requests list removal
  
• Saturday 26 Nov. cyclist hit by motorist Forest and PCH
• Saturday 26 Nov. cyclist accident on Laguna Canyon Road
• Sunday 27 Nov. two pedestrians hit by motorist, Brooks and PCH

Grateful for the New Orange Freeway

Seventeen strangers traveled 30 miles making 16 friends and sparing the air 510 pounds of CO2. This is the view down the Class I bike freeway at the Santa Ana River.  Starting in Newport Beach this bikeway links 7 cities,  Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana, Garden Grove and Orange without a single stop sign.

"SHARROWS" by Los Angeles D.O.T.

This is how Sharrows are done in Los Angeles, Bright Green. This painted lane alerts motorists to share the lane with non-motorized traffic, and directs cyclists to ride outside the door-zone of parked cars. The lane is 1.5 miles long, 6 feet wide and next to a 4-foot buffer zone, leaving an 8-foot parking zone on this street. Cycling advocates in Laguna Beach say they hope to see these lanes used on major commuter corridors such as Cliff Drive, Glenneyre, Laguna Canyon Road, PCH and Virginia Street (S Laguna) where on-street parking is non-negotiable. See the LA Times story on-line.

Pre-Thanksgiving Day Bike Ride and Brunch

Ever wonder what it's like to cycle a freeway without the cars? Come and find out. Wednesday 23 November we ride the Santa Ana River 30 miles, from Newport Beach to Orange. We’ll return to the Newport Pier a little after 1pm. It’s an easy off-street route, so bring a friend and join us:

• 8am Wednesday Nov. 23rd
• Meet at the Newport Pier
• Easy, Off-street & Fun
• About 30 miles round trip
• Remember sunscreen! 

For more details see bike Newport Beach.

Give Your 3 Minutes at Laguna Beach City Council Meeting Tuesday 6 pm

Please attend to show your support during public comments at Laguna Beach City Council meeting Tuesday, November 15. Meeting commences at 6 pm.

Chris Prelitz, chair of the Environmental Committee will address city council to move forward environmentally and economically (hear from him how the two go hand-in-hand). He only has 3 minutes to present. Speak in support of Complete Streets and sustainability for Laguna Beach!

Hope to see you there.

Complete Streets Task Force and Safer Passages share cooperation

"Our Mission is to raise awareness so that pedestrians and motorists will save lives by doing the following:"

        *Look Up Find the Eyes!

        *Smile!       
        *Hang up, Drive!

        *Don't Text and Drive!

        *Don't Text and Walk!

        *Keep your eyes on the Road!

        *See a problem, Report it

See the Safer Passages Website