December 6: Cyclists to Ride Down New Bus and Bike Lane on El Cajon Blvd

Bike the BLVD Spectacular to welcome riders for surprise mini experiences along six-mile route
Leisurely ride to coincide with Boulevard Court’s First Fridays event

WHAT:
To celebrate the new bus and bike lanes on El Cajon Blvd. in North Park, the San Diego County Bike Coalition invites cyclists to Bike the BLVD Spectacular. The event will take riders down the new bus and bike lane for a six-mile ride complete with stops for drinks, music and prizes.

RIDE INFORMATION:

Friday, December 6
6 p.m. – Riders to meet at the new BLVD Court (Alabama St & El Cajon Blvd.)
LightMeUp Safety Lights will be selling bike lights
7 p.m. – Ride starts down El Cajon Blvd.
9 p.m. – Rides ends at Belching Beaver (4223 30th St.)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Location: Ride starts at BLVD Court (2104 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, California 92104)
Date and Time: Friday, December 6 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free (food and drinks available for purchase)

WHY:
The new bus and bike lane on El Cajon Blvd. offers cyclists a safe path for commuting by bike. This event which coincides with the new BLVD Court’s First Friday pop-up gathering, invites the community to explore this new lane for alternative transportation while meeting other neighbors from the Uptown area.

WHO:

• San Diego Bike Coalition
• The BLVD Court
• El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement Association
• City Heights Community Development Corporation
• Bike del Pueblo
• LightMeUp Safety Lights
• Fair at 44
• Yoga Fire Flow
• Delicate Flower
• Belching Beaver North Park

Links:
Bike the BLVD Spectacular event page
San Diego Bike Coalition website

###

San Diego Bike Coalition is a nonprofit organization that advocates for and protects the rights of all people who ride bicycles. They promote bicycling as a mainstream, safe and enjoyable form of transportation and recreation. For more information, please visit www.sdbikecoalition.org.

Bike Coalition Applauds Last Night’s Mobility Board Support of Protected Bikeways in North Park

WHAT:
Last night, the City of San Diego's Mobility Board discussed the 30th Street resurfacing project, specifically addressing the current options presented for protected bikeways. After an eight to two vote, the Mobility Board motioned in favor of option A+, Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s recommendation for a compromise plan which preserves additional parking and upholds a high-class bikeway network.

San Diego Bike Coalition Executive Director Andy Hanshaw applauds the Mayor’s recommendation for A+ to allow for more mobility choices that support Climate Action and safety goals.

“With the option A+ recommendation for the 30th Street resurfacing project, we have the opportunity to offer the best bikeway that will encourage more ridership and help the City achieve its Climate Action Plan goals. It’s important that we support protected bikeways especially in urban business districts to create safe biking connections for community members. The Census Bureau reports that 43 of the 70 largest cities in the country have seen more people biking to work. Option A+ is good for businesses and good for the community.”

WHY
The 30th Street corridor is a highly transited road in North Park and Normal Heights that can present dangerous situations for bike commuters. The protected bikeways proposed for 30th Street will provide cyclists with safe pathways that connect their communities to other biking paths. This project will take car traffic and parking into consideration to minimize the impact on other forms of transportation.

In order to achieve the Climate Action Plan goals by 2020, a full network of protected and connected bikeways is essential throughout San Diego. Cities all across the U.S. are prioritizing bike-friendly streets with better infrastructure and ambitious plans and policies. Some of the cities with four percent or greater bike share commuting include San Francisco, Portland, Minneapolis, Washington DC and Minneapolis.

FACTS FROM OTHER BUSINESS DISTRICTS WITH BIKEWAYS

After adding protecting bike lanes, these cities saw a boost to local economies*:

• Salt Lake City, Broadway: Along the project, sales roles 8.8%
• Los Angeles, Venice Blvd, Mar Vista: Commercial real estate sales prices increased 240% and retail vacancies dropped 44%
• New York City, 8th and 9th avenues, Manhattan: Up to 49% increase in retail sales
• Indianapolis Cultural Trail: Over half of businesses report more customers, and 48% report more revenue

* Data provided by the City of San Diego and Bloomberg Philanthropies American Climate Challenge

###

San Diego Bike Coalition is a nonprofit organization that advocates for and protects the rights of all people who ride bicycles. They promote bicycling as a mainstream, safe and enjoyable form of transportation and recreation. For more information, please visit www.sdbikecoalition.org.

Source: GoMixte

November 1: Free Bike Lights at Central Library

Source: GoMixte

November 1: San Diego Cyclists Get Road-Ready with Free Bike Lights at Central Library

Bike light installation prepares bike riders for the end of Daylight Saving Time
Bike Coalition to make night time riding safer for commuters

WHAT:
As the majority of the country transitions from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time, the San Diego County Bike Coalition and the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) are partnering to invite all bike commuters to receive free front bike lights. All riders on bikes can head to the San Diego Central Library where Bike Coalition staff and police officers will encourage safe, nighttime commuting with free bike light installation, helpful tips and important safety information about riding in the dark.

WHY:
With nightfall arriving almost 60 minutes earlier after Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 3, the Bike Coalition wants to ensure all people in San Diego have access to what they need to be visible on busy streets and get home safely. People who commute on bikes and pedal home in the dark during the Standard Time months will be safer on our shared roads. California state law requires cyclists to use front and rear lights when commuting at night.

WHO:

San Diego Bike Coalition
San Diego Police Department
San Diego Central Library

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Location: San Diego Central Library (330 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101)
Date and Time: Friday, November 1 from 5 to 6 p.m.

Sunday October 27: Ciclosdias Opens Streets in Normal Heights, City Heights and more

I super love CiclosDias events, which is why I'm so disappointed in myself for not getting this up sooner, but Sunday, October 27th is CiclosDias!!

(source: GoMixte) October 27: Mid City to Become Car-Free Playground for CicloSDias San Diego Bike Coalition invites the public to support local shops at open streets celebration WHAT On October 27, streets like Adams Avenue in Normal Heights and El Cajon Blvd. in City Heights will close completely to cars, creating a cyclist’s paradise and encouraging residents and tourists to bike, walk, skate or stroll through neighborhood streets. CicloSDias brings people of all ages together in new areas of San Diego each time to support local businesses and enjoy time outdoors. Live entertainment, activities for kids and food vendors will line the streets instead of the usual motorized vehicle traffic. The event encompasses close to four miles of car-free exploration: click here for the map.  WHY Drawing inspiration from Los Angeles’s CicLAvia and Bogotá’s weekly Ciclovía, CicloSDias brings the public out to open streets to enjoy connecting with communities and local businesses while catching a glimpse of what streets would be like without car traffic. CicloSDias participants will get to rediscover their neighborhood in a more intimate and unique way. VISUALS/ACTIVITIES Hundreds of community members walking, biking, skating through Adams Avenue and other Mid City streets Live music from five bands spread along Adams Avenue Bike maintenance workshops with Bikes del Pueblo Shopping at local shops and food vendors Fair at 44 party with live music and Zumba class led by the YMCA  A SAN DIEGO TRADITION CicloSDias first rolled through San Diego in 2013 in North Park. Since then, the Bike Coalition has engaged community partners, city officials, local businesses and neighbors to host six additional open-streets celebrations in beach and inland communities across San Diego County. WHO This year, CicloSDias is a partnership between the Bike Coalition and: The City of San Diego County of San Diego The California Office of Traffic Safety San Diego Police Department Adams Avenue Business Association City Heights Community Development Corporation Fair at 44 Metropolitan Transit System YMCA Blind Lady Ale House

August 21st Community Ride: BLVD to Beach

From City Heights CDC:

Transit & Tacos is back!

This time, we're embracing the summer with a "Boulevard To Beach: Community Transit Ride" from City Heights to Pacific Beach and back.

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life of people who live and work in City Heights, and an important part of quality of life is access: access to decision making, access to mobility, and access to resources - including the beach.

Our Transportation & Planning program is exploring opportunities and barriers to beach access via transit and biking through our Community Transit Rides and Community Bike Rides. In May, we led a Community Bike Ride with Outdoor Outreach from Southeast San Diego to Silver Strand State Beach.

This month, we're riding to Pacific Beach with students from local Cesar Chavez Club chapters, and we're getting there via public transit.

Join us on Wednesday, August 21st at 1 PM at the north side of the El Cajon Blvd. Transit Plaza where we'll catch the Rapid 235 to Kearny Mesa and hop on the 27 bus, which will drop us off right at Pacific Beach. We'll spend the day enjoying the beach and walk over to Taco Surf for free tacos on us! We'll return to City Heights by 6 PM.

Please bring sunblock, water, and comfy summer clothes!

Family Ride to Promote Safe Streets For All - August 5th

photo credit BIKESD

From BikeSD:

Join the family ride in support of protected bike lanes on 30th Street — and everywhere!

Sunday, August 5, 10:30 AM — Bird Park Playground

Come along with our second family ride in North Park. We'll start at Bird Park Playground (28th Ave and Upas St) and ride together to Teralta Park in City Heights to call for safe, healthy, and connected communities. An easy flat route of about 2.5 miles — short, sweet and free. Come support the development of a world-class transportation network in San Diego.

Enjoy a beautiful ride along two soon-to-be multi-modal corridors, 30th Street through North Park and Howard/Orange Avenue in Mid-City, and celebrate with us at Teralta Park at the end! Come ride, scoot, skate, and roll along with neighbors who want safe streets for all ages.

Everyone welcome, so bring friends!

And if you can, RSVP on Facebook

City of San Diego Appoints Andy Hanshaw to Lead New Mobility Board

(Source: Go Mixte)



Better biking activist’s new position follows previous Bicycle Advisory Board chair position

What:
The City of San Diego recently appointed San Diego Bike Coalition Executive Director Andy Hanshaw to chair its new Mobility Board. As a local biking expert, Hanshaw plans to lead San Diego into a future with equitable transportation and increased mobility.

In his new role, Hanshaw aims to guide San Diego to reach the goals outlined in the City's Climate Action Plan. He also will serve as the leading voice for bikes, urging the City to accelerate existing bike plans such as the Bike Master Plan and the Downtown Mobility Plan that connect bikeways in the city and offer safe routes for commuters.

“I’m happy the new Mobility Board is represented by people actively involved in biking, walking and transit,” Hanshaw said. “When we talk about mobility, it has to be about prioritizing everyone’s way to move about our city outside of a car. I trust our Board will be effective with the City to influence better biking and other mobility changes.”

When & Where:
The Mobility Board meetings are open to the public and happen every first Wednesday of each month. See details for the next meeting below and click here for the agenda:

When: June 5 at 4 p.m.

Where: San Diego Central Library, 9th Floor, Commission Room (330 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101)

Why:
Hanshaw understands the power of bikes in shaping a city. For several years, he has advocated for safe and accessible infrastructure for bikes, and has guided the City to implement better biking changes. In his new role as the Mobility Board chair, Hanshaw will continue to lead the City on improving biking in the region so that everyone can have a healthy, safe and accessible way to get around.

History:
Prior to the Mobility Board, the Bicycle Advisory Board acted as the equitable transportation voice advising city leaders for the past four-and-a-half years. Hanshaw chaired the Board, which worked with the city to improve policy to make biking a more viable choice for people in San Diego. During its tenure, the Board worked to strategize implementation of protected bike lanes as part of the Downtown Mobility Plan.

Data:
Climate Action Plan bike commuter target (Page 39): Achieve 6% bicycle commuter mode share by 2020.
Downtown San Diego Mobility Plan

###

San Diego Bike Coalition is a nonprofit organization that advocates for and protects the rights of all people who ride bicycles. They promote bicycling as a mainstream, safe and enjoyable form of transportation and recreation. For more information, please visit www.sdbikecoalition.org.

Today is Bike to Work Day 2019!

Today is Bike To Work Day. There will be over 100 pit stops from 6-9am with refreshments, water, and a limited free t-shirts for people who pre-registered here.

There's been so much good news for biking lately it's been hard to keep track, but check out more Bike Month info at iCommute.com or check out a bunch of their updates here.

Bike Activities This Week

It's been so long since my little family unit has been on bikes together that I had to dig through my archives to find any evidence of us on bikes. This is from 5 years ago, and to be honest, we stopped riding because our neighborhood got too dangerous and aggro for us to feel safe. So thought the BikeSD email below warranted a repost.

BikeSD sent out a helpful reminder for some activities happening this week, so in the spirit of amplification, here's the content of their email. 

Free Cargo Bike Carnival 

Friday, April 12 — from 3-6 p.m. at San Diego's Waterfront Park: Bring your bicycles for an kid-friendly family ride along the new J Street protected bike lanes in downtown San Diego. Free demos of cargo bikes suitable for families (including electric bikes and accessories). Free helmets for 100 kids and adults with expert fittings by ThinkFirst.org. Bike coloring book by artist Lisa Y. Mendez. Facebook event page here.

Family Ride and People-Protected Bikeway on 30th Street 

Saturday, April 13 — at 10 a.m. at Bird Playground (northeast corner of Balboa Park). Community members will ride their bicycles along 30th Street in North Park to show support for safer streets for all users. During the family-friendly ride, dozens will act as a human barrier protecting bike commuters from cars to make a bold statement that any new bikeway along 30th Street, a critical corridor, must be physically protected. District 3 Councilmember Chris Ward will be riding with us. If you're interested in being part of the people-protected lane, contact talk@bikesd.org. Join us! Facebook event info here.

30th Street Bikeway Design Public Hearing In North Park 

Tuesday, April 16 — from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 2901 N Park Way. North Park
Planning is hosting a public hearing on proposed bike lanes being considered on 30th Street. The City of San Diego has a critical opportunity to provide safe streets for families by ensuring that protected bikeways become the default when considering new bike facilities. Protected bikeways are essential to helping new riders feel safe getting out on the road and to meeting the City's climate and safety goals. Come be a voice for biking and safety in North Park. Facebook event page here.

Source: BikeSD.org

NIxle Report: Serious Injury Collision

It's been awhile since I've posted here. There are a ton of bike events and Bike To Work Day is coming up and there have been and will be a lot of community meetings and conversations about bike lanes and paths and SANDAG stuff, but life has been busy and I've been off the saddle for a long time, so it feels disingenuous to write as a bike rider, let alone an advocate, but then I realized part of the reason I don't ride is because I'm mostly terrified to ride these days. Some of my favorite people, who ride everyday, have been injured or road scarred or hit that I wonder what business I have riding the streets of San Diego. If I can't walk somewhere, I'll take a ride or Uber any day over the risk of bike riding. It makes me sad, but it's a sad reality.

So I'll try to get some posts back on this page--especially since I still pay for the domain--but I don't claim to be any authority on local bike happenings. Hit up San Diego County Bicycle Coalition for the cool stuff, and BikeSD is still super active and instrumental in local advocacy. For now, I'll post stuff like this when it comes across my email and light a candle for safe riding.

Incident# 48527
Begin Date/Time: 03/29/2019 04:30 AM
End Date/Time:
Beat: 512 Location: Main St./I-15 Off Ramp
Neighborhood: Logan Heights Inc
Type: Serious Injury Collision Synopsis: A 60 year old male driving a Ford F-150 Pick-Up truck stopped for a red traffic light on the I-15 off ramp to 3300 Main Street. A 73 year old male bicyclist was riding Southbound in the Northbound lanes of Main Street. The traffic signal cycled to green for the pick-up truck. The bicyclist rode out in front of the pick-up truck and was struck. The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital and is being treated for life threatening injuries. SDPD Traffic Division responded to the scene and will be handling.