NEWS FROM THE SONOMA COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION

ISSUE 17· WINTER 2006 promoting bicycling for transportation and recreation

Getting There: Speed Kills and injured her sister. The

Walt Seifert driver who hit the Jeffries as Estimate of pedestrian
they were walking home had fatalities when hit by vehicles
In December, U.S. Congressman Bill Janklow, a a history of drunken driving traveling at different speeds.
former South Dakota governor, was convicted of and driving without a license. Vehicle speed Fatality rate
manslaughter for running a stop sign at 71 MPH
and killing a motorcyclist. The 55-year-old victim We’ve all heard the
20 MPH 5%
was a farmer and volunteer firefighter. Janklow phrase “Speed kills.”
had a history of collecting speeding tickets and Unfortunately, it does. The 30 MPH 40%
sometimes joked about his penchant for speeding. National Highway Traffic 40 MPH 80%
Safety Administration
The same month in Sacramento, witnesses (NHTSA) says that 50 MPH nearly 100%
estimated a Ford Explorer was traveling between excessive speed was Source: U. S. Department of
60 and 80 MPH before it clipped another car associated with 12,350 Transportation, Literature Review
and veered into and killed 17-year-old Christian fatalities in 2000. Speed on Vehicle Travel
Brothers High School student Sharmelia Jeffries reduces reaction time,
increases the stopping
distance and increases the severity of crashes.
Excess speed—either driving over the
speed limit or a speed that is unsafe for the
conditions—is involved in about 30 percent of
motor vehicle collisions. Sometimes the speed is
coupled with drunkenness, an especially lethal
combination. But sometimes the speed is simply
because a driver wants to show off, get home
faster or is late for an appointment. It appears at
least some drivers value saving seconds of their
time more than someone else’s life.
continued on page 7

Taking Back the Streets

Timothy Bacon
Over 35 bicyclists took part in the Take Back the Streets Rally on October 3,
along with at least 150 marchers including many elderly, sight-impaired and
wheelchair-bound marchers. The rally was a call for increased action to improve
safety for all pedestrians and for cyclists.
As one of several speakers at the event, SCBC
Executive Director Christine Culver noted “Walt
Kelly’s comic strip character Pogo said, “We have
met the enemy and they are us!” The people who are
driving too fast and distracted are people we know
and love, and often it is us. We need to recognize
that we need to slow down, we need to focus on the Over 150 marchers took to
incredibly important act of driving a car.” Mendocino Avenue
The rally was spearheaded by Shirlee Zane, CEO of
the Council on Aging, and was cosponsored by the
SCBC as well as many other organizations, including
the City of Santa Rosa. Another Take Back the Assemblywoman Noreen Evans
Streets Rally is being planned for next spring. addresses the march attendees
 Crashes Are No Accident
That’s what the sticker on my office door says and I agree. Most of us who drive have had crashes or close calls
I see and hear the word used everyday in the press: because we were not paying full attention. Because of
accident. We all tend to say it when we really mean this, we tend to sympathize with other drivers when they
“crash.” A DUI fatality or death of a cyclist riding on have a crash, saying “I could have been driving that car.”
the wrong side of the road is avoidable. When are we as a society going to recognize that the
We need to call it what it is, a crash-- responsibility of driving a car is serious and treat it as
not an accident. Don’t get me wrong, such? Would it happen if we change our laws as has
I do believe that accidents do happen. been done in some places in Europe, such as putting the
EDITOR
Christine Culver
Leaping deer come to mind. But we burden on the driver? This has made drivers aware of
habitually call all crashes accidents. their actions and has cut down on the number of road
COPY EDITOR
Loretta Esparza An accident implies there was no way fatalities.
CONTRIBUTORS
to prevent it, that it was an act of God. When a bicyclist or pedestrian makes an error on the
Timothy Bacon It also takes everyone off the hook. We road, they are less likely to kill other road users. Yes,
Martha Barton crash our car, someone gets injured, our they have responsibility to follow the rules of the road.
Christine Culver insurance company takes care of it, we However, as noted in the Victoria Transport Policy
Vicki Duggan buy a new car, we don’t think about it Institute article Whose Roads?, bicyclists and pedestrians
Loretta Esparza
Walt Seifert any more. Even if we are found to be at “bear a greater share of crash costs than they impose,
fault when we hit and injure a bike rider regardless of who causes a particular crash… this
PHOTOS
Christine Culver or a pedestrian, it is rare that there will inequity tends to increase as drivers feel safer due to
Beth Dadko be any punitive charges. improved safety features (seat belts, air bags, etc.),
Julie St. Martin On September 30, Governor resulting in greater risk imposed on vulnerable road
SCBC BOARD OF DIRECTORS Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 1021. users (Chirinko and Harper, 1993; “Takeback Effects,”
Bernie Album This legislation requires the Department VTPI, 2004) www.vtpi.org/whoserd.pdf.”
Vicki Duggan (Vice President)
Mike Eunice (Secretary)
of Motor Vehicles to include language Driving is a privilege, not a right. It is a huge
Tim Gonzalez stating the importance of respecting responsibility that needs to be addressed in our society.
Doug McKenzie bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists’ Go to www.bikewalk.org/tji.php for more information
Jeanna Menze right-of-way in the next revision of its on this topic. Please ride and especially drive with care.
Misty Mesel (Treasurer) California Driver’s Handbook and in traffic
Tom Maunder Bike riders and pedestrians do not come with air bags as
Lou Salz violator schools’ curriculum. Additionally, standard equiptment.
Ken Wells it creates a new crime-- public offense of
Gary Wysocky (President) unsafe operation of a motor vehicle with
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR bodily injury, and imposes a $70 fine if
Christine Culver bodily injury is involved and $95 if great
MEMBERSHIP bodily injury is involved.
Christine Culver
COORDINATOR/ I’ve wondered what my worth is…now I
OFFICE MANAGER Executive Director
Timothy Bacon
know that my life is worth less than the
price of a family outing to dinner and
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL the movies.
COORDINATOR
Chris Davis

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Remembering Kathy

We welcome your comments.
Send letters to:
SCBC
PO Box 3088
Santa Rosa CA 95402-3088
e-mail comments:
Info@BikeSonoma.org
By Martha Barton
Kathy Hiebel was struck down on her bike on Friday,
November 10. She was on her way to ride with me on the
regular Santa Rosa Cycling Club Friday ride.
We became friends when riding bikes in Annadel State Park.
We also rode bicycles in many other places, including New
Zealand, Vermont, the San Juan Islands, Scotland, Ireland, and
Canada. I am grateful I had the privilege to know Kathy and to
have her as a great and close friend. Kathy Hiebel and Martha Barton

It is unfortunate that in our riding experiences (as I am sure is true with many of you) we
had been challenged by vehicles. One time a passing car threw garbage at us. We caught
them at the Carl’s Junior in town and tried to talk to them, only to receive a major amount
of attitude. Another time when a car driver yelled at us at a light, Kathy spoke to the
woman who was telling us we shouldn’t be on her road.
2 Kathy was a wonderful loving human. She was a mother, a daughter, a sister and was
to marry her bicycling sweetheart, Maury. She was a registered nurse who had recently
acquired a specialist certification in Med-Surg. Kathy’s passing has left a large hole in the
hearts of many of us. I am distraught to have lost my friend and to have lost her like this.
Mark the date! Annual membership meeting,
Board Elections and Guest Speaker Rick Theis
It’s that time of year again, time for our annual safer and more pleasant in Sonoma County.
January membership meeting, dinner and They meet monthly to discuss ways to promote
board elections. This year’s meeting will be cycling for recreation and
held on Wednesday, January 31, 2007, from 6:30 transportation in Sonoma SCBC CALENDAR
pm to about 9 pm, at the Lodge Room of the County.
Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building, 1351 Being a board member also SCBC Board Meetings
Maple Avenue, Santa Rosa. means being involved in one Regularly held on the third
Wednesday of each month at 6:30
The meeting is open to members only, however or many of the Coalition’s pm at the SCBC office,
memberships will be available at the door and many events and programs, 445 Orchard Street Suite 205, in
all will be treated to dinner from the Pasta King. from valet bicycle parking to downtown Santa Rosa,
(open to the public).
If you have ever thought about joining the Bicycle Santa Rosa to Bike to
group that steers the Coalition, consider Work Day.
running for a seat on the 2007 board of Our annual guest speaker is Street Skills Seminars 2007
directors. We need a few enthusiastic cyclists Rick Theis, President and Saturday, Jan. 6
to consider running. All eleven of the seats on Founder of the Leadership Sunday February 4
Sunday, March 18
the board have a one-year term. Please contact Insitute for Ecology and the Sunday, April 1
the SCBC office if you are interested in being Economy, past executive Saturday, May 12
included on the ballot. director of the Sonoma
E-mail SCBC@att.net, or call
Board members represent cyclists of all County Grape Growers 545-0153 to register or for more
stripes, from transportation, racers and Association, past Santa Rosa information
mountain bikers to recreational road riders. Planning Commission and
The board of directors sets Coalition policies a founder of the Sonoma Board Election and General
and goals, helps to plan events, fund-raisers County Transportation Land- Membership Meeting
and advocates for changes to make bicycling Use Coalition. January 31 from 6:30 to 9:00 pm
Veterans Building, Santa Rosa

Local Scene SCBC Members Only

Non-members are welcome to join
at the door. Dinner will be served.
The Sonoma County Water Agency, the city of Santa Rosa, County Regional Parks and
the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District joined together
to implement the Santa Rosa Creek Greenway project. Bridges have been placed across 2007 Tour of California
Wendel Creek Peterson and Piner Creeks providing contiguous access along the north levee February 19 Finish of Stage 1
service road extending the current bicycle path from Fulton Road to Willowside Road. February 20 Stage 2 Start
SCBC will be providing valet bicycle
The Draft Santa Rosa Citywide Creek Master Plan and EIR is out for public review and comment parking for both days. We will also
until January 9, 2007. Both are available for review at: need volunteers for this event.
• Public Works Department, 69 Stony Circle
• Community Development Department, 100 Santa Rosa Ave.
• Santa Rosa branches of the Sonoma County Library: SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES
Central at 3rd and E streets, Rincon Valley at 6959 THAT SUPPORT SCBC!
Montecito Blvd., Northwest at 150 Coddingtown Center
• online at: http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/default. Bear Valley Inn 415-663-1777 Orthopedic & Sports Physical
aspx?PageID=2445 www.bearvinn.com Therapy 707-571-7615
Submit comments to Sheri Emerson, Public Works Bici Sport Bike Shop Port of Sonoma 707-799-7726
Department, 69 Stony Circle, Santa Rosa, CA 95401, 707-775-4676 REI 707-540-9025
email to sjemerson@srcity.org, or 707-543-4225. The Bike Peddler 707-571-2428 www.rei.com/stores/santarosa
www.norcalcycling.com Roger Gilbert Photography
The city of Cloverdale will re-stripe and Cambria Bicycle Outfitter 707-546-7642
appropriately sign all of its bike routes in 2007. 707-579-5400 Santa Rosa Cycling Club
The new striping will make it clear that virtually www.cambriabike.com www.SRCC.com
all destinations in Cloverdale can be conveniently and Community Market 707-546-1806 So Co Agricultural Preservation
www.srcommunitymarket.com & Open Space 707-565 7360
safely reached by bicycle. Dow House 707-494-3900 www.sonomaopenspace.org
The Sonoma County Transportation Authority is Empire Eye Doctors Medical Sojourn Bicycling and Active
updating the SCTA Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Group 707-544-3147 Adventures 800-730-4771
Plan. The project includes bicycle planning, pedestrian Gary Wysocky CPA www.gosojourn.com
planning, public outreach and the development of a unified 707-575-3820 Sonic.net www.sonic.net
GIS mapping database. Individual bicycle and pedestrian Healdsburg Chamber of Soulcraft Bikes 707-775-2453
Commerce 707-433-6935 SyCip Designs, Inc 707-542-6359
plans will be developed or updated for each participating www.healdsburg.org www.sycip.com
agency. Participating jurisdictions including county of Hightekbikes, Inc.
Sonoma, Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, The Results Group
707-780-3335 707-577-0818 x14
Sebastopol, Sonoma, and Windsor. Santa Rosa will Melo Mail 707-578-0880 Wine Country Bikes
be conducting its own effort in 2007, and Petaluma is Nor Cal Bike Sport 707-573-0112 707-473-0610
currently in the process of completing its plan. www.norcalcycling.com www.winecountrybikes.com
Four public workshops will be conducted to reach NorCal Velo Cycling Team Wooden Spoon Technologies, Inc 3
707-874-3120 707-523-2222
residents throughout the county. The workshops are www.norcalvelo.com
tentatively planned for Rohnert Park/Cotati, Windsor, www.wooden-spoon.com
North Santa Rosa Physical
Sebastopol, and Sonoma. Dates yet to be determined. Therapy 707-523-2848 W-Trans 707-542-9500
 Is Santa Rosa Listening?
Tim Bacon and Christine Culver
Over 150 people concerned with bicycle and
pedestrian safety packed the Santa Rosa City Council
Chambers on November 20. With the recent death of
Santa Rosa cyclist Kathy Hiebel and two other recent
cycling related injuries, the tension was palpable. This
meeting was the city’s chance to respond to concerns
raised at a July 2006 town hall meeting organized by
the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, Neighborhood
Alliance and Leadership Institute for Ecology and the
Economy.
Our concerns:
1. Streets for people; convenient, safe and inviting,
2. Reduce auto demand and requirements for parking
through innovative development and programs.
Recommended Solutions:
1. General Plan amendment for bike and pedestrian
friendly streets to clarify Planning Commission’s
interpretation of the design guidelines, street
standards and the general plan as well as compare and
correct any discrepancies between them.
2. Adopt Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s
Routine Accommodations for creating Complete Streets.
3. City needs to actively commit to walking,
bicycling and transit as a priority and ensure that our
transportation and land use plans are integrated to
enable the increased use of alternatives to single-
occupant vehicles.
4. Hire a full time bicycle and pedestrian coordinator.
In his opening remarks, Jeff Kolin, Santa Rosa city
manager, assured the audience that the city understands
the concerns that led to the town hall meetings. While
the presenters did present interesting and informative
information, they did not address all our concerns.
Santa Rosa recently launched the Street Smarts
program (www.srstreetsmarts.com). This is a large
public outreach program to promote safer use of our
4 parks. (T-L-2, pg. 5-23), Community Development only
streets by all road users. Another notable step forward
was discussed by Police Chief Ed Flint. He noted that
his department has issued 100 percent more citations
over the past 18 months and there has been a decrease
in the number of crashes. He believes that the streets
can be made safer by a three pronged approach: 1)
educate drivers about sharing the road with bikes and
pedestrians and educate cyclists about the need to obey
the traffic laws. Santa Rosa’s Street Smarts program is
part of the effort to educate drivers. 2) enforcement
of the laws for cars, bikes and pedestrians can lead to
a reduction in crashes 3) engineering changes to streets
can also help make the streets safer.
During the meeting several people noted that some
police officers have told them that bicyclists should not
take the lane even though this can be necessary and
legal when the lane is too narrow to share. Chief Flint
said he would make sure that his officers know the law
and also agreed to explore having his officers take the
Street Skills Safety Class offered by the SCBC.
Rick Moshier of the Public Works Department
explained his department’s role in creating safe roads.
An astute member of the audience wanted to know
why development takes place before improvements
to roads are made. Rick Moshier of the Public Works
Department explained that developers can only
legally be made to pay for the extra use that their
projects generate. The city must pay for the rest of
the improvements and since city funds are limited,
improvements often are not begun before the new
development project is completed.
A good question to be asking ourselves is why we
allow developers to begin projects before the City
can allocate the necessary funds to make sure that
our streets are safe for all users. Would they allow
development to happen if the sewerlines only went
the lentgh of the project, no they make them tap into
the city sewer system.
Fabian Favilla of the Department of Transit and
Parking discussed the upcoming revision to the city’s
Bike and Pedestrian Plan which is part of the city’s
General Plan. He sees the purpose of the plan to:
identify and implement an attractive transportation
alternative. The plan will be developed with the input
of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, city
staff, stakeholders and the general public. There will
be several public workshops on the plan revision
beginning in February or March of 2007.
SCBC believes that a large stumbling block to the
progression of making Santa Rosa a bicycle and
pedestrian friendly city is how Community Development
and our Planning Commission has interpreted the
language in the General Plan. We discovered that while
the Santa Rosa General Plan clearly states: Provide
bicycle lanes on major access routes to all schools and
requires bicycle lanes to be installed when bike lanes are
designated on the physical Bicycle Map.
continued on next page
Mapping the Gaps Sonoma County
Tim Bacon
Bicycle Map
A Bikeway Gap Committee has been established to make SCBC more proactive
in its advocacy for bicycling. The goal of the committee is to develop a Sonoma
County bikeway corridor plan and identify gaps in that network. It is important
to accomplish this immediately, as soon a new countywide bicycle plan will be
produced and many city bicycle plans updated.
The committee wants as much input as possible. A request for route priorities was
e-mailed to SCBC members and recent SCBC updates include an item asking for
route priorities. A master route/corridor list will be generated incorporating this
feedback and this list will be compared to existing bikeways and bikeway plans.
This list will be prioritized as to how critical the route/corridor is to the needs of
bicyclists. The SCBC will then advocate for the filling in of gaps in the routes or the
creation of routes not in place.
Committee members are: Ken Wells, Lou Salz, Vicki Duggan, Mike Eunice, Jeanna
Menze and Tim Bacon. All members are invited to give feedback to the committee
on routes that need the attention of the SCBC. Call or send an e-mail to
timb@BikeSonoma.org www.BikeSonoma.org

Town Hall Meeting planning is needed to create safe routes for walking
continued from previous page and biking to new schools.
Chuck Regalia of Community Development discussed In closing Jeff Kolin noted that safer roads are the
the General Plan and design guidelines. He stressed responsibility of the entire community.
the need for very clear direction in the General The city says it is committed to maintaining the streets
Plan and noted that often there are conflicts in the including the bike lanes. Any street maintenance issue
guidelines and the General Plan which can lead can be reported to public works at the “pothole hot-
to varying interpretations of the requirements for line” number is 543-3871. This includes potholes or
particular streets in new developments. rough road, glass in bike lanes, obstruction to bike
A question was raised about why schools are allowed lanes such as branches or shrubs, and also traffic
to be built without making sure that the schools lights that don’t change for bicycles. While most fixes
are reachable by bike or on foot. Mr. Regalia noted should take place within a few weeks, traffic light
that the school districts are not allowed to pay for problems may take several months to be resolved.
sidewalks or other improvements off campus and In summary, we are mostly pleased with the effort
the city must fund these projects from its revenues. and direction Santa Rosa is going. The city council
Because the schools look for less expensive land they members are voicing their desire for better bicycle
end up purchasing property far from the center of planning, enforcement and encouragement. Now they
town and rarely is the infrastructure present when need to take the next step, a scary step, put our money
the schools open. He said better coordination and where their mouths are.

Thank you Velopalooza sponsors, supporters and

volunteers. The 4th annual Bike Party was a Success!
Bear Republic Brewery Dave Ballo Noreen Evans
Bear Valley Inn Deborah Fudge Ortlieb
Dirt Rag Magazine Pacific Market
Benziger Family Winery Doug Simon Paramount Personal
NorCal Bike Sport Dow House Designs Fitness & Nutrition
Bike Peddler Eleanor Guerin Patrick B. Sutton
Specialized Giro Helmets Paul Hobbs Winery
Guayaki Revolution Moto
SyCip Designs Hoss Technical Gear Rhapsody Floral
505 Mendocino J. Sanders Susan & Tiburcio
Anastasia Nicole Kathy Kellison Gonzalez
Angela Sciortino Katrina Roche Terry Reilly
Boom Boom Beauty Bar Koenig and Wilkins Sales Veronica Jacobi 5
Brave Soldier Langley’s On the Green Vicki Duggan
Buddies Marcia Coleman Wooden Spoon
Charlie Rowell Matt Wadlow Technologies, Inc.
Checkers Nick Caston
 Kids Campaigned to Ride to School

Photo by Beth Dadko

After nearly three years of organizing and
lobbying Piner-Olivet Charter School students
have gained the privilege of riding their bicycles
to school. The October 25 bike rodeo was the
culmination of the students’ efforts to empower
themselves and was a requirement for all
children who wished to bicycle to the school. Diana Nolan from Sonoma County
Sheriff’s Department fits Rogelio
Supportive teachers and Principal Jessie Kroeck Maravilla’s helmet
with the expertise of Safe Kids of Sonoma County,
SCBC, NorCal Velo Racing Team and the Santa Rosa Cycling Club hosted and
organized the rodeo. Nearly 50 students at Piner-Olivet Charter School learned the
rules of the road, how to fit a helmet correctly and rode through a skills course.
The Santa Rosa Cycling Club donated $1,000 to the Safe Kids Helmet Bank,
which has been renamed the Herb Greenberg Helmet Bank in honor of longtime
bicycle safety advocate, Herb Greenberg. Students who could not afford a helmet
were given one for free, courtesy of the helmet bank.
Amy Diaz expertly navigates
the bicycle course.

Big strides made in Walk Another year has flown

and Roll to School event
With traffic congestion and global warming a
hot topic these days. Kids and their parents are
looking for ways to be part of the solution. More
than 2,000 Sonoma County students and many
of their parents participated in Walk and Roll to
School events this October. This international
event encourages students to ride their bikes or
walk to school as often as possible.
A huge thank you to Sebastopol Mayor Sarah
Gurney, Windsor Town Council Member Debbie
Fudge, and City of Santa Rosa Council Member
Steve Rabinowitsh for help with the walking
school buses and table duty. A $1,500 grant from
Safe Kids was used to
buy reflecitve zipper
pulls and orange-
Photo by Julie St. Martin
by! We are excited with the
positive changes our pedal
power is creating in Sonoma
County. More people ARE
using their bicycles. The
politicians now see the bicycle
community as one that rightly
deserves more attention
and better funding to make
Sonoma County a safer place
to ride bicycles. We have their
attention, but we need your
support to continue making these changes.
With the help of our staff, the many volunteers
and our energetic board the Sonoma County
Bicycle Coalition has had many victories and
accomplishments this past year.
• Received a Merit Award from the city of Santa
Rosa for the Valet Bike Parking program.
Parked over 5,800 bikes since the beginning of
this program.
• Helped secure the adoption of a complete

flashing safety lights. streets policy by the Metropolitan

SCBC board member
Tim Gonzalez
spearheaded this
countywide event
and was aided by
Janice Eunice,
Steven Schmitz, Tom
Maunder, Elizabeth
Walking and Rolling to Sebastopol’s
Pine Crest Elementary School Dadko, Norma Doyle,
Marie Roset, Carl Wong,
Laurel Green, Jessica Kellet, Kyle Evans,
Gino Bruniclini of Federal Express, Becky
Schuerman Choi, as well as many people
6 at the participating schools. Next year, four
high schools will take part in the event and
organizers hope to increase the involvement of
law enforcement and fire departments.
Transportation Commission. Now all funds
distributed through MTC must consider the
needs of bicyclists and pedestrians.
• Over 2000 Sonoma County Children
participated in Walk and Roll to School Day.
• Over 1800 bicyclists rode their bicycles on Bike
to Work Day.
• Over 260 people attended our Street Skills for
Cyclists classes.
• Conducted a county widesurvey to identify gaps
in the bicycle network.
• Eleven city council members from six cities
participated in our annual Bicycle Santa Rosa
Council Member ride.
Next year will be even better!
In addition to an SCBC membership, we hope you
will consider sending a year-end donation to help us
continue with this valuable work.
Donations can now be made on-line at
www.bikesonoma.org/Store.html
Speed Kills
continued from page 1

For the most part, the public seems indifferent— our fellow humans or don’t demand safer roads,
maybe reconciled is the better term—to the we’re really saying life isn’t worth much. It
carnage. Yes, people don’t want speeding on seems like death, disabling injuries and dollars
neighborhood streets. And, yes there are traffic- are all prices we are quite willing to pay for the
calming programs to slow traffic. But there is no convenience of speedy travel by auto.
fierce clamor for more traffic cops The human costs and economic
or better ways to use technology consequences of speed related
to limit speeds. crashes are immense. NHTSA
The justice system is indifferent estimates the 12,350 fatalities and
in its own way when it handles 690,000 injuries related to speed
many traffic offenses. There may in 2002 cost $40 billion. That’s
be no consequences even when a $144 for every person living in
driver kills a pedestrian or cyclist. the United States. Whether it is
A colleague says the best way public or private money that pays
to get away with murder in this the cost, we all wind up paying
country is to run someone over through higher taxes and higher
with a car while sober. People insurance premiums. And don’t
do get upset about drunk drivers forget that there are another
and drunks are usually held 30,000 annual deaths and nearly
accountable, but sober drivers $200 billion in costs from crashes
who kill someone because they caused by something other than
“didn’t see him” or “the sun was speed. The total automobile
in my eyes” frequently escape with nothing more crash costs in the United States are more than 2
than a slap on the wrist. percent of the Gross Domestic Product.
There are probably many reasons for this. But costs don’t tell the whole story. The
Police, prosecutors and jurors may identify emotional toll can’t be measured in dollars. For
and sympathize more with drivers rather every fatality and injury, there are family and
than victims. “It could have been me driving.” loved ones who suffer. There are victims like
Perhaps they think that “everyone” speeds. At Jeffries cut down in the bloom of their youth.
the same time, most people don’t believe they are Other victims may go through life disabled or
likely to be a victim in a traffic crash. For a single wracked in pain. There are family members
trip, that may be true. But traffic crashes are the who are burdened by a lifetime of caregiving or
leading cause of death for people between the experience the anguish of permanent loss.
ages of 1 to 34. In the U.S., one out of 55 deaths Maybe Congressman Janklow doesn’t think
result from a motor vehicle crash. speeding is so funny now.
Each traffic death diminishes the value of all
life. When we drive carelessly and endanger Walt Seifert is the executive director of the Sacramento
Area Bicycle Advocates

Thank you to our Major Donors! You keep the

wheels of this great organization turning!
The Santa Rosa Cycling Club $2000-$1000
donated $10,000 to the SCBC Agilent Technologies
in 2006! WOW! American Lung Association
Every cent is used to make Anonymous Donor
Sonoma County a better
place to
Doug Simon
ride bicycles. Community Foundation
$5000- $2500 And a big thank you to Tracey Jones and
New Belgium Brewing Larry Meyer for donations made to the SCBC
as gifts for their recent wedding!
WHH Foundation 7
Kathy Hiebel memorial donations Thank you to the Haarstad Family for the
donation of a new laptop computer for our
Street Skills program.
 NONPROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE
SONOMA COUNTY PAID
BICYCLE COALTION PERMIT No. 25
PO BOX 3088
SANTA ROSA, CA
SANTA ROSA CA 95402·3088

707·545·0153
WWW.BIKESONOMA.ORG

promoting the bicycle for transportation and recreation

You can now join or renew your membership online at www.BikeSonoma.org

, merchandise only