advocacy
Alpine Rd at 280 redesign
Feb 08, 2011SVBC members and staff have been working with the San Mateo County of Public Works in an effort to redesign the Alpine Road underpass at 280. This was precipitated by the recent death of Lauren Ward.
I was invited to attend the monthly meeting of the club that Lauren's husband rides with last night. They are, understandably, motivated to help make the roads safer for cyclists at this... read the whole note.
Imagine your cycling world without Caltrain
Feb 01, 2011Imagine the west side of San Francisco Bay; San Franscico, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties without Caltrain linking each of the 29 cities along the way. Imagine the school children who can't get to school. Imagine the business deals that don't get signed, the job applicant who can't make the interview, or the Giants fan who can't see her world champion team.Take Action Now!
Imagine... read the whole note.
A little follow up can go a long way after a roadway incident
Jan 31, 2011Here's a letter I recently received from reader "BR" about a near-miss with a VTA bus and the steps he took afterward. I particularly like this anecdote, as it shows that not only was BR being level-headed during and after his close encounter, but also that VTA responded quickly and thoroughly when they received a complaint.
I commute year round for about 3,0000 miles via the... read the whole note.
The future of Caltrain
Jan 25, 2011As people may have read about already--Caltrain is facing a major funding shortfall that will affect schedules and service as early as this July.
It's very unusual that a major commuter rail does not have a dedicated funding source. Caltrain has been jointly funded since the early nineties (the last time it had a funding emergency) by VTA, SamTrans, and Muni--the transit organizations... read the whole note.
Parking is plentiful, but hey how about bicycles?
Jan 25, 2011Tonight (January 25) the San José City Council will accept the draft plan for the Diridon Station Area as well the recommendations from the Good Neighbor Committee. What does that mean for you, Ms. or Mr. Cyclist? Well for one, how about great transportation options when attending a Sharks game? Instead of paying $20 to park a car how about great options to ride your bike or take VTA light... read the whole note.
Get involved at the 2011 National Bike Summit
Jan 18, 2011Federal funding for bicycling is facing threats in the new Congress. Our allies in Washington have warned the cycling community that programs that fund bicycle safety could be completely eliminated.
You can play an important role in helping to convince our congressional delegation that investments in bicycling are smart transportation policy. Consider going to the National Bike... read the whole note.
A Sustainable Communities Strategy primer
Jan 18, 2011Earlier this week, I participated in a meeting of advocates to discuss the Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), which seeks to align transportation, land use, and housing policies to meet greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goals set forth by California's S.B. 375. The Bay Area's GHG reduction goals are seven percent per capita by 2020 and 15 percent per capita by 2035.
The SCS... read the whole note.
Bicycle sharing and infrastructure - key planning issues in 2010
Jan 17, 2011Recently bike sharing programs have been launched in Washington, D.C., Montreal, Denver, and Minneapolis. Soon we will also see bike share programs in Boston, San Francisco, New York and yes even in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.
In Santa Clara County VTA has allocated funds for a pilot project around Diridon Station and the downtown business area. In San Mateo County expect to... read the whole note.
Help for cities in these tough times - building bike lanes creates jobs
Jan 13, 2011Today U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood commented on his blog Fast Lane that "pedestrian and bicycle projects created nearly twice as many jobs per dollar spent than traditional road projects."
Secretary LaHood, who many bicycle advocates know from his famous table top speech at last year's National Bike Summit, reported that the city of Baltimore found that on-... read the whole note.
Speaking before a public agency.
Jan 13, 2011When speaking or commenting publicly to an agency, town, or city council remember that you may speak to the board or council about any item that is on the agenda, but only when that board has reached the point in the meeting to consider that item.
You may also speak during Open Forum on items that are not on the agenda and are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the board. By law... read the whole note.