September 2019

Green Bike Lanes

In 2011, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) gave interim approval for green bike lanes.  These have become common in large cities such as San Francisco, San Jose, and Sacramento but remain rare in the Fresno area.  While the green color greatly enhances the visibility of bike lanes, the high cost of about $10 a square foot for the methyl methacrylate (MMA) material has prevented its widespread use.  For one mile of four-foot wide bike lanes on both sides of the street, the cost would be about $40,000. This cost would need to be repeated after a street is paved or has a chip seal, or when the green color has worn out, which would be about six years after the initial installation.  

The first green bike lanes installed in the City of Fresno were on southbound Palm Avenue just north of Herndon Avenue.  The bike lane is green only where the bike lane crosses the right-turn lane, and it has a dashed pattern. Placing green at only conflict areas, or mixing zones, is more cost effective that making the entire bike lane green.  Earlier this year, the second green bike lanes in the City of Fresno were installed by a developer at Copper and Chestnut Avenues. More recently, a developer installed them on northbound Millbrook Avenue, north of Nees Avenue, as shown below.

Ghost Bikes

FCBC Board Members Tea Gonzales and Sara Topete have begun a new project to place ghost bikes around Fresno where bicyclists have lost their lives.  There will be about five all-white bikes that will rotate throughout the greater Fresno area. These somber memorials to the victims help remind motorists that they need to share the road with cyclists.  The bikes being used have been donated and are not suitable for repair. More news to come. 

Bike Rodeo at Leavenworth School

On September 14, FCBC joined with the Fresno Unified School District Parent University, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), and Fresno Fire Department (FFD) for a neighborhood bicycle rodeo at Leavenworth School in Central Fresno.  FCBC provided bike repair thanks to FCBC member Susan Smith and Tower Velo owner Chris Eacock. FCBC also brought three kid’s bikes that were well utilized as most neighborhood kids did not bring their own bikes.  The CHP conducts these bike rodeos at the request of schools, and FFD provided the bike helmets.

End of Summer Family Bike Rodeo at Steven’s Bicycles Postponed to October

The bike rodeo that was scheduled for August 25 at Steven’s Bicycles was postponed to October because of the intense summer heat.  The exact date will be announced on the Steven’s Bicycle Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/stevensbicycles).  The event will be open to both children and adults.  All participants will receive a safety talk then go through a course to practice turns, stops, and accident avoidance maneuvers.  Those who do not own a bicycle helmet will be able to leave the event with one.

California Bicycle Summit

The biennial California Bicycle Summit is taking place in Los Angeles from October 15 to 17.  The summit includes several keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and tours around Los Angeles.  More information can be found at https://www.calbike.org/events/california_bicycle_summit.  FCBC Board members have attended the California Bicycle Summit on their own in the past to increase knowledge of current cycling issues, build relationships with other bicycle advocates in California, and learn about priorities for pending legislation by the California Bicycle Coalition.

FCBC Board Nominations and Election

Nominations to the FCBC Board are coming up in November, with elections in December.   Anyone who is interested in furthering FCBC’s mission to promote safe bicycling for everyday transportation and recreation in Fresno County through advocacy and education is encouraged to be nominated.  Any Board member can be approached for more information, or an email can be sent to info@fresnobike.org.

New Location for Board Meeting

The FCBC Board will be meeting on Thursday, September 19 at the Betty Rodriguez Regional Library on Cedar Avenue south of Shields Avenue.  The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. with food.   Everyone is welcome to attend.

Have a comment or suggestion?  Contact us at info@fresnobike.org