advocacy
Governor Brown vetoes Senate Bill 910
Oct 10, 2011Despite strong support in the State Senate and Assembly, and advocate letter writing campaigns, Governor Jerry Brown returned the three foot passing bill, unsigned, to the Senate on Friday afternoon. Citing concerns that a portion of the bill, which calls for passing a cyclist at no more than 15 miles per hour if it is not possible to leave three feet of room, might create a "long line of cars... read the whole note.
San José bike update
Oct 06, 2011City of San José staff is studying converting lanes on 3rd, 4th, 10th, and 11th Streets through downtown from motor vehicle lanes to bike lanes! I had mentioned several months ago to Department of Transportation leadership that San José is already falling behind on implementing the goals in their recently adopted bike plan--and that they had the power to make significant things happen even... read the whole note.
A Saturday spent fighting climate change
Sep 30, 2011Last Saturday, I joined a hundred or so other environmentally-minded souls for a relaxing bike tour of central San José. The Moving Planet Day bike ride was organized by local advocate, SVBC member, and KKUP on-air personality Diane Solomon, with help from SVBC, San José Bike Party, TransForm, the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club, and others.
A few humans and a giant rabbit get... read the whole note.
Google expansion
Sep 22, 2011Last week I met with the lead developer on the Google expansion project, did a quick site visit, and talked with some of our members to understand their assessment of the situation. Thanks to Patrick Grant for helping me understand the potential to better connect NASA to the network.
My comments at the meeting with the developer included suggestions regarding:
- Down lighting on... read the whole note.Federal support for walking and biking preserved
Sep 19, 2011It sure is good to win one from time to time. The proposed drastic cut in federal funding for active transportation projects has been avoided. From our partners at peopleforbikes.org:
[Advocates] influenced this outcome by sending close to 50,000 emails and making thousands of phone calls to their U.S. Senators in just 48 hours. Thank you!
As a result, funding for all federal... read the whole note.
San Mateo County cyclists - lend me your ears (and minds)!
Sep 16, 2011This is a call to action to all you engaged and engaging San Mateo County cyclists. SVBC is working with the San Mateo County Health System to expand the role that bicycle and pedestrian advisory committees (B/PACs) and similar such organizations play in planning in the municipalities of San Mateo County.
As is always the case, I think it would be a bad idea for SVBC staff to go it... read the whole note.
Action Alert: Keep walking and biking money in the federal transportation bill
Sep 13, 2011Head to Transportation for America to email your Senator in seconds.
This year, around $700 million of Federal transportation funds, which in reality is less than 2 percent of total transportation dollars, will be spent on bicycling and walking. In 2012 that figure might be a big fat zero.
We expect that in the next few days, Senator Coburn (R-OK) will ask Congress to eliminate... read the whole note.
California Assembly passes SB 910
Sep 09, 2011Great news in from the California Bicycle Coalition! The three-foot passing bill, SB 910, is one big step closer to implementation.
From CBC:
California is one step closer to enacting a three-foot passing law after Tuesday's 44-25 vote in the Assembly to approve Senate Bill 910.
Cosponsored by the California Bicycle Coalition and the City of Los Angeles and authored by... read the whole note.
Mary Avenue bridge renamed in honor of Don Burnett
Sep 07, 2011The newly named Don Burnett Bicycle-Pedestrian Bridge. Photo credit: www.waymarking.com
California Senator Joe Simitian submitted a resolution to the Legislature to rename the Mary Avenue Bicycle Footbridge over Highway 280 in honor of long time SVBC board member and Cupertino Councilmember/Mayor Don Burnett. The resolution was approved in July. The official name is now the “Don... read the whole note.
Safe Routes to School goes big time in Silicon Valley
Sep 01, 2011A couple of years ago, SVBC joined together with assorted regional advocates to encourage MTC to create a Safe Routes to Schools funding stream to help get communities up and running with Safe Routes programs. We were successful--as a result, VTA received $4.039M and C/CAG received $1.429 (the money was distributed relative to population).
VTA decided to run a competitive grants program... read the whole note.