The CalBike Report

A Publication of the California Bicycle Coalition (CBC)

Volume 4, Issue 1 | January 19, 2005

Bike Culture and Politics in the Golden State


In this issue:

- CALIFORNIA BICYCLE COALITION UPDATES

- LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

- WALK/BIKE CALIFORNIA 2005 CONFERENCE

- NATIONAL BIKE SUMMIT

- THUNDERHEAD ALLIANCE PUBLISHES COMPLETE STREETS REPORT

- BIKESUMMER RETURNS TO CALIFORNIA

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CALIFORNIA BICYCLE COALITION UPDATES

- Membership Matters

A big "Thank You" to all CBC members who responded to our annual
year-end fund appeal. This coming year will present significant
challenges with our efforts to pass pro-bicycling legislation, push
bike-friendly reform at state agencies, and build a stronger network of
bike advocates throughout California. The California Bicycle Coalition
depends on the support of committed cyclists across the state. Thank
you.

If you aren't yet a member of the CBC, please join. If you haven't
contributed, you may do so online at http://www.CalBike.org.

- CBC Board of Directors Meeting in Ventura, January 22

The next quarterly meeting of the CBC board of directors will be on
Saturday, January 22 in the Anacapa Room at the Holiday Inn, Ventura.
Members are welcome to attend the board meeting, though capacity is
limited. Please email paul.dorn@calbike.org for information.

- California Alliance for Transportation Choices Responds to Governor's
Budget

The California Bicycle Coalition is a steering committee member of the
California Alliance for Transportation Choices (CATC). 
See: http://www.catransportationchoices.org

Shortly after Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his proposed
state budget for 2005-06, the CATC responded in numerous communications
to the administration and legislature. Our concerns include the
continued suspension of Proposition 42, the sales tax on gasoline
dedicated to transportation. Diverting Prop 42 funds away from
transportation to the state's general fund will make it more difficult
for local agencies to fund critical facilities for bicyclists,
pedestrians, and transit users.

CATC is also opposed to the Governor's proposed elimination of the
Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program, which has provided up
to $10 million each year for projects that mitigate the impacts of new
transportation projects. Administered by the State Resources Agency,
EEMP funded projects have included new bike and pedestrian facilities.
We will work to restore funding to the Environmental Enhancement and
Mitigation Program.


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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
For the text, history, and current status of any bill, see
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov

- Bicycle Transportation Account Reauthorization

The California Bicycle Coalition's top priority for the 2005 legislative
session is reauthorization of the Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA).
Presently funded at $7.2 million per year, the BTA will drop to $5
million in June 2006 unless legislation is passed this year. We are
presently seeking a legislative author for a bill to extend the deadline
and possibly increase the funding of the BTA.

The Bicycle Transportation Account is a competitive grant program
administered by Caltrans, which provides cities and counties with state
transportation funds for projects that improve the safety and
convenience of bicycle commuting.

Funded out of the state highway account, BTA was created in the
mid-1970s with an annual allocation of $360,000. Two bills supported by
the CBC--AB 1020 (Firestone, 1997) and SB 1772 (Brulte, 2000)--increased
the funding to $7.2 million. From 1999-2003, the BTA funded 97 projects
across the state, often leveraging significant local matching funds. 

For more information contact Paul Dorn at paul.dorn@calbike.org.

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WALK/BIKE CALIFORNIA 2005 CONFERENCE
Call for Presentations, Sponsors and Exhibitors

Planning continues for the second biennial Walk/Bike California
Conference, to be held on Wednesday-Friday, September 14-16, 2005 in
Ventura, California. 

Please join us with your participation and respond to the Call for
Presentations, Sponsors or Exhibits by Thursday, March 24. For
information and submittal forms, refer to the conference web site:
http://www.walkbikecalifornia.net.

Whether your interest is engineering, planning, public health, livable
communities, safety, education, law, transportation reform or marketing,
Walk/Bike California 2005 is an essential conference to share your work,
network with colleagues, and meet those who are funding and creating an
exciting movement that is changing the way Californians live. The
conference will feature informational sessions, workshops and mobile
tours on topics that are vital to all levels of staff in your
organization. 

Walk/Bike California 2005 is hosted by the California Bicycle Coalition
and the City of Ventura in association with California Walks.

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- 2005 NATIONAL BIKE SUMMIT, MARCH 16-18, 2005

With California's chronic deficits limiting the funds available for
bicycle projects, the reauthorization of the Federal transportation bill
is more important than ever. The League of American Bicyclists is
leading the effort to ensure that bikes and pedestrians are included in
the new TEA bill, and the LAB needs our help. 

Since 2001, the National Bike Summit has brought together thousands of
bicyclists; industry leaders; transportation, health and environmental
professionals; and local, state and federal officials; all of whom are
concerned with the future of bicycling. 

California has the largest Congressional delegation of any state.
California cyclists can play a huge role in getting a bike-friendly bill
by attending the Summit and speaking with their Senators and
Representatives. Help make 2005 the most successful National Bike Summit
to date by coming to Washington DC in March.

For more information, visit
http://www.bikeleague.org/events/summit05.html. 
Or register online at
https://bikeleague.org/commerce/summitRegistration.cfm.


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- THUNDERHEAD ALLIANCE PUBLISHES COMPLETE STREETS REPORT
The Thunderhead Alliance, a national coalition of state and local
bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations, has published the first
nationwide analysis of policies designed to create complete streets that
routinely accommodate bicycle and pedestrian travel.

The Complete Streets Report inventories and analyzes complete streets
policies around the country in preparation for the Thunderhead Complete
the Streets Campaign Model to help state and local advocacy
organizations spread complete streets to more communities. “Ensuring
streets work for all users has always been a high priority for
Thunderhead organizations,” said Sue Knaup, executive director of the
Thunderhead Alliance. “This report gives advocates the latest
information as they pursue this vision.”

Most of the 25 state and local policies in the report have been enacted
since 2001, suggesting a building momentum for policies that require the
safe accommodation of bicyclists and pedestrians in all transportation
projects. Visit the Thunderhead Alliance website for the full report.
See: http://www.thunderheadalliance.org .

Thunderhead will offer training sessions March 14-15 in Washington, DC,
in conjunction with the National Bike Summit, on effective
bicycle-pedestrian campaigns and organizational development. 


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- BIKESUMMER RETURNS TO CALIFORNIA

BikeSummer 2005 will happen in Los Angeles between June 3 and July 4.
BikeSummer is a grassroots event that celebrates and promotes the
bicycle as an efficient, fun, sociable, healthy, environmentally
friendly way to get around. The month will feature rides, street
theatre, art, speakers, cultural events, parties, and other events to
celebrate bicycling. Launched in San Francisco in 1999, BikeSummer has
occurred in Chicago (2000), Vancouver (2001), Portland (2002), New York
City (2003) and Seattle (2004).

To get involved with the planning of BikeSummer in Los Angeles, visit:
http://www.bikesummer.org/2005/


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The CalBike Report is published by the California Bicycle Coalition,
promoting cycling for safer, healthier and more livable communities. We
welcome comments, suggestions, or contributions. E-mail: cbc@calbike.org

http://www.CalBike.org

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