NEWS FROM THE SONOMA COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION

ISSUE 13 · SPRING 2005 promoting bicycling for transportation and recreation

Students, Staff and Bike Riders Win!

The Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition and Santa Rosa Junior

College have announced the resolution of pending litigation
regarding the college’s proposed new parking garage, jointly
pronouncing the settlement a “win-win” for the college and
the community.
The coalition has agreed to drop its lawsuit in return for a
promise by the college to contribute $1 million from Measure
A bond funds toward construction of a bicycle and pedestrian
crossing over Highway 101. The settlement also includes
agreements to improve alternative transportation incentives
and opportunities at SRJC.
The overpass will link SRJC’s Santa Rosa campus to the west applicable laws. In set-
side of 101, the site of a proposed Sonoma Marin Area Rail tling the suit neither party
Transit (SMART) rail system and the future SMART Rail bike conceded the merits of the
path that will run from Larkspur to Cloverdale. While it may other’s legal position.
take many years to complete the bike path, small sections like
the Foss Creek section in Healdsburg will be finished quickly This was the first legal action
and the city of Santa Rosa has recently applied for a grant that the SCBC has taken in
to build a section from Railroad Square to Steele Lane. This the short time it has been
bicycle and pedestrian crossing will be an important link to organized,” Culver stated. “We are quite pleased that this
this multi-county project. ended in a positive manner that will definitely be a great asset
to our community. It is unfortunate that legal action was the
City of Santa Rosa has agreed to be the lead agency for the last option we had after the SRJC Board of Trustees approved
project and will be working with SMART and other public the contested Environmental Impact Report.” Many of the 650
agencies as it moves forward. Jeff Kolin, Santa Rosa city man- members of the SCBC supported the suit and donated hun-
ager, stated, “We are pleased that SRJC and the bicycle coali- dreds of dollars to move it forward.
tion were able to come to an agreement which will benefit so
many of our citizens. The funding promised by the JC is a sig- The positive results are attributed to many people including
nificant contribution necessary for this project.” concerned SCBC members who came to many public meetings,
Executive Director Chris Culver, former SCBC President Ken
“The agreement with the bicycle coalition includes a number Wells, and Gary Wysocky, current SCBC president who tackled
of items which I believe will positively affect both SRJC’s stu- this issue. Much of the success of this endeavor is attributed to
dents and employees and just make good sense,” explained Dr. the wisdom and generosity of Susan Brandt-Hawley, the excel-
Robert Agrella, SRJC president. lent lawyer and her team who worked patiently with SCBC and
“Bicycles are an important piece of the transportation system, its tight budget.
especially for college students,” noted Christine Culver, SCBC The SCBC would like to extend thanks to the reorganized SRJC
executive director. “We believe that the agreements we made Neighborhood Association. President Jenny Bard and other
with the college are great steps forward to improving the over- members have pulled the community together to evaluate the
all transportation system in Santa Rosa,” future goals of the Mendocino corridor, the effect of SRJC’s
The suit claimed that SRJC did not comply with California land acquisitions and the increasing traffic through local
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines when its Board neighborhoods.
of Trustees approved construction of the multi-level parking Thanks to everyone in the community who shares the goal and
garage. SRJC contended that it had fully complied with all vision to make Sonoma County a better place to ride bikes!
 What Sonoma County
Bicycle Coalition Does and Why
By Michael Eunice, SCBC founding member

A few years ago, Santa Rosa city staff people told my wife Janice expressing the need for multi-use trails in the forthcoming
and me that the SR Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee state park at Willow Creek. A letter was sent to the Bureau
(BPAC), appointed by city council, could only be advisory and of Reclamation in support of their plan to build a bikeway
not political. They said that if we wanted to promote bicycling around Lake Berryessa.
at the political level, we would need an advocacy organiza-
SCBC also wrote to the Sonoma County Parks and Recreation
tion to do this important work. Formed in 2000, the Sonoma
urging them to follow the county master plan regarding bar-
County Bicycle Coalition does that and much more.
rier post striping at entrances to bike paths as the county mas-
During the last election, SCBC sent questionnaires to all can- ter plan intended. These stripes may prevent serious accidents
didates running for Santa Rosa City Council, Board of Trustees caused by cyclists riding into pole barriers.
of Santa Rosa Junior College, and the two candidates running
The coalition sent letters to the district attorney urging him
for our local seat on the State Assembly. The questionnaires
to vigorously pursue the two drunk driving cases that resulted
asked for their views and then the results were published.
in death of bicyclists. SCBC has agreed to support the devel-
SCBC also worked to make sure bicycling was included in opment of a citywide creek master plan. Finally, the coali-
the Measure M tax to improve roads in Sonoma County. The tion supported the Share the Road Campaign funded by the
political literature supporting the tax measure prominently Sonoma County BPAC. In addition to the media blitz, Share
the Road signs are now prominent in many county locations.
The SCBC leadership met with the California Highway Patrol
to enforce bicycle safety issues better. The coalition also con-
tacted the California Bicycle Coalition to ask them to upgrade
their priorities on bicycle safety and funding. The coalition
met with and supported Senator Tom Toralikson and his
recently passed DUI bills.
The coalition also supports and participates in many commu-
nity events and organizations. SCBC participates in the Rose
Parade, bicycle and walking events sponsored by American
Lung Association, and supports the YWCA’s new bike event to
raise money to support women at risk.
In May, SCBC organizes and supports the annual Bike to Work
day with over 20 energizer stations to help support and reward
riders who use their bikes to get to work or school. The coali-
tion organizes and supports the Walk & Roll to School event,
Janice and Mike Eunice, two of the SCBC founding members which had a record number of participating schools this year.
Now the schools are taking ownership of the event and we
hope to encourage a Safe Routes to School program to follow.
displayed the coalition’s support, which may have provided the
one or two percent that was needed to pass. Finally, SCBC provides bicycle parking at many community
events including the Santa Rosa Downtown Market, Art in
Among other political objectives, SCBC worked to secure an the Park, the Cotati Accordion Festival, the Liberty Ride, the
unprecedented bicycle and pedestrian set-aside of $200 mil- SCBC fund-raising party, and many of the fairs and other local
lion to be included in the Metropolitan Transportation Com- events. For example, SCBC parked 196 bikes at the free movie
mission’s (MTC) 2030 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) night at the Rialto Theater as well as 120 bikes after the Rose
to implement the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. This Parade. Incidentally, the coalition lent our bicycle equipment
landmark decision will provide new funding to build bicycle to the Penngrove firefighters for their 9-11 Station to Station
and pedestrian projects. event. We parked over 1,770 bikes this year alone!
Because government agencies often need letters of public sup- SCBC also sponsors events. We organized Santa Rosa mayor
port when they apply for government grants, SCBC has written rides on National Mayors’ Ride Day. The coalition has con-
many letters to promote better and additional bicycle facilities. ducted many bicycle street skills classes, and will be sponsor-
Included among these, the coalition sent letters of support
2 to the City of Santa Rosa for the SMART Bicycle/Pedestrian
ing a bike swap and flea market as a fund-raiser this coming
spring. Also, the coalition has conducted successful cultural
Path and to Sonoma County for their Old Redwood Highway rides to help community members explore their community
bike lanes, Phase 2. SCBC sent a letter to the state park system by bike.
continues on next page
SCBC members spend much of their time attending meet- ensure that bicycles are included in transportation planning.
ings. We attend the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Finally, members of the coalition board participate in estab-
meetings of the county and various cities. Members attend the lishing priorities for funding applications.
Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation meetings and push for a
Beyond the many important projects on SCBC’s list, two ongo-
bike path near the perimeter going north and south from the
ing projects consume enormous amounts of time. Our execu-
Joe Rodota Trail. One member attends the County’s TPLUS
tive director produces a quarterly newsletter,
(Transportation & Land Use Steering Committee) to include
bicycles in all plans. Another met with each of the bike shops
and board member Lou Salz is nearing com- SCBC CALENDAR
pletion of the Sonoma County Bicycle map,
in the county, and now eight of the 13 local shops offer dis- SCBC Board Meetings
which has been a monumental task. Regularly held on the third
counts to current SCBC members. This member also continues
Wednesday of each month at
to provide informational tables at interested bike shops. The coalition has recently shouldered the task 6:30 pm at the SCBC office, 445
of defending the bicycle master plans. Master Orchard Street Suite 205, in
In addition to attending many of the above routine meetings,
plans are routinely ignored at the county and downtown Santa Rosa, (open to
our executive director attends the leadership institute, provides the public).
city levels whenever they conflict with the plans March 22, Tuesday
an information table at Santa Rosa Junior College events and
of developers. April 20, Wednesday
many of the local fairs and events. She also attends the board May 18, Wednesday
meetings of the Thunderhead Alliance, a national bicycle All of these community-enhancing activities June 8, Wednesday
advocacy group, and the Bay Area Bicycle Coalition, our didn’t exist four years ago, before the formation Street Skills Seminar
regional advocacy group. She represents the coalition at the of SCBC. E-mail SCBC@att.net, or call
Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) meetings to 545-0153 to register or for more
information
March 20, Sunday
April 23, Saturday

April 23, Saturday

It feels Butter & Egg Days Parade

May 4, Wednesday

like spring
FREE Bike-in Movie at the
Rialto - 6PM
May 7, Saturday
SRCC Wine Country
But I know that winter is still lurking out there, just wait- Century
ing to catch me without rain gear. I’m a true believer in May 15, Sunday
the power of fenders and Gore-Tex! SCBC SWAPMEET
May 18, Wednesday
2004 was an extremely busy year for SCBC. Because of our Santa Rosa Downtown
hard work and many generous donations, we now have a full- answer questions and give direction and sup- Market Valet Parking
time executive director. Also, Marguerite Bellringer joined us port to staff and volunteers. Keep reading the provided by Agilent
last fall as a part-time membership and office manager. newsletter; in this issue l will list the different May 19, Thursday
projects you could take on or help chair. Bike to Work Day
Yes, we now have an official office! A huge thanks to a very
May 21, Saturday
generous SCBC member, who requested anonymity. They have This organization is about you and about all Santa Rosa Rose Parade
pledged to pay for office space for a year! We hope members of us making Sonoma County a better place May 28, Saturday
will stop by to visit. We have lots of bike books, videos, and to ride bikes! I hope you’ll get involved, and Bike for Breath -
county and city bike plans for you to check out. We even have remember, we can always benefit from your The Two Rock Ride
a comfy couch that you can relax on as you peruse our library. financial support. July 4, Monday
There is much to do in the world of bike advocacy! I invite Bicycle Santa Rosa
interested members to step forward and take on a bike-related
project. That is one of the wonderful things about this orga-
nization: You got a beef? Then do something about it. Bring it
to the board, as they are there to help you become an effective Christine Culver
advocate and make positive changes. Board members can Executive Director

Thanks to Sprint for supporting the SCBC.

Thank you to David Becker for donating
$250 worth of Office Depot supplies!
A welcome and thank you to our
new volunteer, Kim Stuffelbeam,
3
for our newsletter layout and design.
 The SCBC is ramping up for
National Bike Month! Change Gears!
We have been chosen to be the lead organization on Bike to National Bike Month Bike Clinics
Work week festivities, we will receive a $5000 grant from the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Our partners for Time to get those tires pumped and chains lubed. Some of
these fun events are the City of Santa Rosa, Sonoma County’s finest Bicycle Stores are offering free clinics
Petaluma Bicycle and to help you get ready to ride.
Pedestrian Advisory Com- Cambria Bicycle Emporium -
EDITOR mittee, Rohnert Park Monday May 9, 5:30,
Christine Culver Bicycle and Pedestrian Flat Fixing and Basic Mainte-
COPY EDITOR Advisory Committee, and nance, 707-206-9500
Loretta Esparza Sonoma County Bicycle
Eastside – TBA, 707-766-7501
CONTRIBUTORS
and Pedestrian Advisory
Christine Culver Committee. NorCal Bike Sport - Thursday May
Michael Eunice 5, Flat Fixing and Basic Mainte-
Warren Watkins
Kick off National Bike
nance
Martin Clinton month and enter Com-
Karin Lease munity Markets raffle for a chance to win a Thursday May 12, Product for Effective Commuting. Each
Rich Fuglewicz Breezer Bike! Santa Rosa Community Market clinic is open to the first 25 registrants. Please call 573-0112
Calbike Advocate is again working with NorCal Bike Sport and to sign up
PHOTOS the Bike Peddler to raffle off another cool
Christine Culver REI, Santa Rosa –
Breezer town bike-true commute style - plus
Joan Moulthorp TBA, 707-540-9025
a number of runner-up prizes. $1 Raffle
DESIGN & LAYOUT Tickets will be available to purchase at the Rincon – TBA, 707 538 0868
Kim Stuffelbeam Santa Rosa Community Market starting April Santa Rosa Cyclery – TBA, 707-537-2254
SCBC Board of Directors 11 with a drawing to be held on May 1. All
Bernie Album proceeds from the raffle go directly to sup- Sonoma Mountain - Friday May 6, 13 and 20 -
Miguel Crawford
porting the activities of the SCBC. Santa Rosa Free safety check, call 707-773-3164 for more information
Vicki Duggan
Mike Eunice (Secretary) Community Market, 1899 Mendocino Avenue, Windsor – TBA, 707 836 9111
Tim Gonzales Santa Rosa, 707-546-1806.
Doug McKenzie Please check the SCBC website www.BikeSonoma.org
Misty Mesel (Treasurer) More Great Bike-To-Work for clinic updates or call 707-545-0153.
Lou Salz Events During May
Sean Walling
Ken Wells (Vice President) Thursday, May 13, 6 p.m.
Gary Wysocky (President)
“Bike-in Movie” The SCBC, the City of Santa
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Rosa and Rialto Cinemas will be hosting a SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES
Christine Culver
free showing of the bike cult movie, “Break- THAT SUPPORT SCBC!
MEMBERSHIP ing Away” at 6 p.m. Folks who bike to the
COORDINATOR/
OFFICE MANAGER theater and park with the SCBC free Valet Bike Agilent Technologies NorCal Bike Sport

Marguerite Bellringer Parking service get in FREE! Rialto Cinemas www.agilent.com 707-573-0112

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Lakeside, 551 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa. CamelBak REI
www.camelbak.com 707-540-9025
We welcome Please call SCBC for more information.
your comments. Cambria Bicycle Outfitter Rincon Cyclery
Send letters to:
The Bay Area’s 11th annual Bike-to-Work Day 707-206-9500 707-538-0868
SCBC celebration is Thursday, May 20, and there Community Market Spoke Folk Cyclery
PO Box 3088 are many ways to participate in this exciting 707-546-1806 707-433-7171
Santa Rosa CA 95402-3088 event. Ride your bike to work, of course. Or
e-mail comments: Orthopedic & Sports Soulcraft Bikes
scbc@att.net
ride to transit. And in the meantime, spread Physical Therapy 707-775-2453
the word about Bike-to-Work Day at your 707-571-7615
SyCip Designs, Inc
workplace or organize a group ride to work with your col- Pepe’s Mexican 707-542-6359
leagues. Volunteers are needed to staff more than 20 Energizer Restaurant
Winzler & Kelly Engineers
Stations in Sonoma County that will be set up at strategic loca- Santa Rosa 707-571-7478
707-523-1010
tions. Volunteers will cheer on the participants and distribute The Middle Way &
Wooden Spoon
food and giveaways. Go to www.511.org to pledge to bike to Community Bikes
Technologies
work, school, transit, errands, or play the week of May 16-20, 707-823-8755
4 2005 and register to be eligible for prizes. The Bike Peddler
707-523-2222
zach@wooden-spoon.com
707-571-2428
RECRUIT A CO-WORKER!
Bicycle with confidence

False Security!
This sounds like a trick question, but it isn’t a joke: What part
of a street, marked for SAFETY, is especially DANGEROUS for a
bicycle rider and often ILLEGAL for a rider to use? The answer
is: A pedestrian crosswalk!
Be clear about this: you may NOT ride your bicycle across the
street in the crosswalk. You can get a traffic ticket and it can
be expensive. OK, you may think, but isn’t it the safest place to
cross? Maybe, but only if you WALK your bike across! Hope O’Hearn and Loretta Esparza demonstrate
the proper way to use a crosswalk with a bicycle.
Crosswalks can present dangers for anyone. A few cities even
started removing crosswalks because, cynics said, they only
Note that what I’ve written applies to ALL crossings. If there are
encouraged people to cross the street! Now the trend is for signs
button-operated flashers, or if the crossing is at a traffic signal
and education programs to reinforce the rules of crosswalk
then the same rules apply: WALK your bike if in the crosswalk.
use: Pedestrians should check for traffic before stepping into
the street; drivers must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. I think it is probable that bike riders who are tempted to ride
If everyone does this then all is well. Problems arise when, for across crosswalks are often the same ones who ride mostly on
example, one driver overtakes another who has stopped at the sidewalks. Whether turning to cross the street, or continuing
crosswalk. straight across an intersection, bicyclists place themselves in
danger by using the crosswalks without following the rules
When you walk across the street, passing a stopped car, you
about stopping and looking for traffic.
must pay attention before continuing into the next traffic lane.
If a car zooms past, you need to stop, and that points out the Experienced riders know that the safest place to ride is in the
bike rider problem. A pedestrian can stop almost instantly, or street, riding with traffic, and behaving like other road users
step back (even jump!) to avoid the car. You can’t do that on according to the speed you’re traveling and the route you’re
your bicycle, hence the danger. following. Obey the law, follow the rules, and ride with confi-
dence!
The cyclist riding in the crosswalk is also moving at a different
speed from the typical pedestrian, adding another aspect for a Footnote: Martin Clinton is certified by the League of American
driver judging if he or she can get through the crossing zone Bicyclists as a Bicycle Education Instructor. Any comments or
without having to stop. questions can be sent to mclinton@in-gate.com.

Laguna de Santa Rosa

By Warren Watkins

After expressing an interest in the future of the Laguna de private property, etc. Several other advisory committees have
Santa Rosa, the SCBC was given a position on the Public concerns and wish lists as well.
Access Advisory Committee by the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foun-
The advisory committees will present their ideas to a stake-
dation. We met in December to outline the access issues. A
holder committee created by the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foun-
north/south trail(s) for use by cyclists, pedestrians and eques-
dation with the major players being the Open Space District
trians rated high on the list for the committee.
(the money), the city of Santa Rosa (the land) and Depart-
This good news for the cycling community is tempered by con- ment of Fish and Game (the power). We hope that the pres-
cerns all around for protection of the natural resources of the ence of SCBC in the process will advance cycling opportunities.
Laguna, minimizing and reducing human impacts, respecting

5
 Bicycle Santa Rosa
A cool October morning greeted volunteers and cyclists as they
gathered at outlying parks to ride to Juilliard Park in down-
town Santa Rosa for SCBC’s first annual Bicycle Santa Rosa
Festival and Fundraiser. As riders began to arrive at the festival,
the fog lifted and the sun began to warm the grass and our
volunteers.
Once the riders arrived there were various fun activities at
the festival for the different types of bike riders, which ranged
from young to old and beginner to veteran. We listened to live
music by the Poyntlyss Sistars and shuddered and clapped in
awe as we watched the amazing jumps and bike tricks by the
BikeSkills folks. There was face painting, sidewalk art, free hel-
mets, free valet bike parking and many inspiring local groups
displaying their community focus.
Mark Richardson, Santa Rosa Recreation and Parks Director,
and SCBC board member Janice Oakley had the challenging
task of judging the creative entries in the chalk art contest.

Sidewalk art by Jessica Wysocky, a chip off the ol’

SCBC President, Gary Wysocky, block

The winners of the sidewalk chalk art contest:

SCBC president Ken Wells
was one of the wonderful
ride leaders who helped
shepherd participants to
the event; he especially
enjoyed giving safety tips
to a father and son, Ken
exclaimed “It was just
wonderful to see the boy’s
enthusiasm and atten-
tion as we traveled along
the busy street, watching
me as we dealt with stop
lights, driveways, just
being a part of the flow
6 of traffic. Oh, if we could
only give every child that
opportunity!”
6 years and younger:
1st ~ Jett Williams
2nd ~ Olivia Ross
3rd ~ Carla Burke &
Caleb Jordon (Tie)
Ages 7 -15
1st ~ Jessica Wysocky
2nd ~ Max Williams
3rd ~ Sabrina Lyon
16 years and older
1st ~ Barrie Mason
2nd ~ Colleen Jaffe
3rd ~ Randy Ross
We raised over $800 in pledges and
Misty Mesel won the Breezer Town
Bike with a total of $580 in pledges.
SCBC Executive Director, Christine Culver and Thanks to everyone who raised
Misty Mesel, the Breezer town bike winner pledges and participated by riding
to our fundraiser!
continues on next page
An huge thank you to American Lung Association - Redwood
Empire for the sponsorship of $2,500; The City of Santa Rosa
Recreation and Parks for staff support, especially for Mary
Keith Roberts, park reservations and advertising; Winzler &
Kelly Consulting Engineers for supplying advertising through
the Press Democrat’s Celebrate Community program; Leslie
Williams Design for the Bicycle Santa Rosa artwork and for
setting up the T-shirts, ads and brochures; the Santa Rosa
Cycling Club for the many wonderful volunteers and use of
event equipment; and Sprint Copy Center in Sebastopol for
their continuing support. Numerous volunteers gave their time
to help make this event a success, especially organizers Martin
Clinton and Doug Simon. Thanks again to all our wonderful
volunteers!

Iola Beckley, from the City of Santa Rosa Police, fits free helmets on local bike riders

January General Membership Meeting

In January the SCBC held its fourth general membership meet- the question and answer period, he answered in detail about
ing and board member elections. The evening began with recent, particular bicycle facilities, such as Santa Rosa Avenue,
socializing and free pizza then moved to introductions by the Calistoga Road, Mendocino Avenue, Hoen Avenue, etc. He
executive director, who thanked the board of directors and key also mentioned failures such as the Bennett Valley project, but
volunteers. She continued by presenting last year’s accom- pointed out that failures such as that would no longer happen
plishments, successful grant applications, and future direction; because of the existence of the coalition.
please see Michael Eunice’s article on the front page for more
information. It is with pleasure that we welcome our new board members to
this great organization:
Next, President Ken Wells discussed in detail the reasons for
the suit against the Santa Rosa Junior College District Trustees Bernie Album Misty Mesel
and the steps the coalition took before ultimately resorting to Miguel Crawford Lou Salz
the suit. Vicki Duggan Sean Walling
Michael Eunice Ken Wells
Then, Mike Eunice explained the relationships between the Tim Gonzales Gary Wysocky
city councils, county supervisors, city and county staffs, and Doug McKenzie
the bicycling community, such as the various bicycle clubs and
the community at large.
Board elections followed with
each of the candidates giv-
ing a speech about how they
would be a helpful addition
to the board. We had a great
group of candidates; a huge
thanks to all who ran.
While the ballots were tabu-
lated, Gene Benton, traffic
engineer for the city of Santa
Rosa, discussed the major
procedures for getting bicycle
facilities onto the streets Past SCBC Board members receive their much deserved praise and plaques.
of Santa Rosa. He briefly Barbara Denlis, Jim Keene, Janice Oakley, Steven Schmitz, Warren Watkins, and Joel Woodhull
outlined the many bicycle
facilities that he had been responsible for and discussed how A huge thanks to the board members who stepped down this
each was different and required different procedures. During year: Gordon Burns, Janice Oakley, Steven Schmitz, and War- 7
ren Watkins for all your great work!
 Local Scene
Petaluma
• New Petaluma map is available http://healthycommu-
nity.info/pages/greenlane.html
• The City of Petaluma built two new class one bike paths.
One from Linnet to East Washington on Washington
Creek, and a second one on East Washington Creek from
East Washington connecting with Wiseman Airport Park.
This also included a bike/pedestrian corral on South Ely
Boulevard.
• About one mile of new class two was added to the bike
system on "B" Street from West El Rose Drive to Petaluma
Boulevard.
Santa Rosa
• Franklin Avenue/North Street - Bike lanes are finished
from Lewis Road to College Avenue.
• Joe Rodota bike path - Signalized crossings will be added
at both Stony Point Road and Dutton Avenue.
• SMART corridor – Santa Rosa submitted a grant applica-
tion for a bike path along the corridor from 7th Street to
College Avenue.
• New Santa Rosa Avenue bike lanes from Petaluma Hill
Road south.
• New Petaluma Hill Road bike lanes from Santa Ana Drive
to Santa Rosa Avenue.
• Completed bike lanes on Petaluma Hill Road from Santa
Ana Drive to Yolanda Avenue.
• New Bethards Drive bike lanes from Summerfield Road to
Cactus Avenue.
• New Yulupa Avenue bike lanes from Maher Drive to
Woodlake Drive.
• Video cameras are now Santa Rosa’s standard for traffic
signal detection, which works better for bikes than loops.
Things to look forward to
in Santa Rosa’s future!
• West Steele Lane bike lanes Marlow Road to Coffey Lane
- included in street widening in 2005.
• W. 9th Street bike lanes Wilson Avenue to Dutton Avenue
- included in street widening in 2005.
• Stony Point Road bike lanes Hwy 12 to Hearn Avenue
- included in project alternate adopted by City Council.
• Farmers Lane Extension bike lanes - included in project
alternate adopted by City Council.
• The Caltrans project for widening Hwy 101 from Hwy 12
to Steele Lane will include bike lanes on the city streets
within Caltrans right of way (Steele Lane, College Avenue,
Third Street, and the new crossing at Sixth Street). Not
all of these bike lanes will connect to bike lanes outside
the Caltrans project at this time, but providing that width
as part of the project eliminates an obstacle for future
improvements.
8 County
• New bike lanes on Old Redwood Highway from Healds-
burg to just north of Eastside Road.
• The Joe Rodota/West County Trail section in Santa Rosa
from Stony Point Road to Santa Rosa Creek is now com-
plete. However, County Parks is keeping the trail section
between Roberts Avenue and Santa Rosa Creek closed to
public access until the bridge over Santa Rosa Creek is
complete. The bridge will be constructed to link these two
regional bike paths in Summer 2005.
A huge thanks to the
City of Healdsburg and
Congressman Mike Thompson!
Congressman Thompson secured $1.24 million for the Healds-
burg Foss Creek Bike Path. This funding will help pay for a
section of the North West Pacific Rail Bike and Pedestrian path
through the town of Healdsburg a very deserving bike and
pedestrian project. The completed trail is planned to go from
Cloverdale to Larkspur. And thanks to Healdsburg Senior Plan-
ner Andy Gustavson for keeping bikes on the front burner!
The Healdsburg City Council made the pathway a prior-
ity because of its benefit to community residents and busi-
nesses and to Sonoma County visitors. The regional value of
this pathway is recognized by being included in the Sonoma
County’s Bicycle Plan and the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission’s 2002 Regional Bicycle Plan. It is also included
in the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transportation (SMART) Plan
as segment of its planned railroad right-of-way bikeway and as
a needed pedestrian and bicycle link to the historic Healdsburg
Train Station, which is undergoing restoration at this time.
House Committee
Approves $16 Million for
North Bay Transportation
Woolsey secures funds in U.S. House Transportation Commit-
tee for the Novato Narrows,
Rep. Lynn Woolsey (Petaluma) secured $16 million for a
regional solution to North Bay traffic congestion that includes
$15 million for the Novato Narrows, $500,000 for natural gas
buses and $500,000 for bicycle and pedestrian routes. These
funds were approved in the House Transportation and Infra-
structure Committee’s version of the six year federal surface
transportation reauthorization, the “Transportation Equity Act:
A Legacy for Users” (TEA-LU).
“The expansion of the Novato Narrows has been a top Highway
101 priority for both Marin and Sonoma Counties,” said Rep.
Woolsey. “Everyone who lives or visits the North Bay will ben-
efit from improving this vital transportation corridor.”
“But, the answer to reducing congestion doesn’t stop at road
expansion,” continued Woolsey. “We must also reduce the
number of cars on the roads by promoting environmentally
friendly transportation alternatives.” To alleviate road conges-
tion and improve air quality, Rep. Woolsey secured $500,000
for a Marin-Sonoma (Novato) Narrows Bicycle and Pedestrian
facility to provide a safe option for walking or biking the Nar-
rows. She also secured $500,000 to help Sonoma County
continue to transition its bus fleet to clean-air, Compressed
Natural Gas (CNG).
Windsor Announces Completion
of the Windsor River Road Project
The Town of Windsor announces the completion of the
Windsor River Road Project. The road widening project was
designed by Winzler & Kelly Engineers and constructed by
Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa, with inspection services
provided by Coastland Civil Engineering.
Approximately one half mile of Windsor River Road was
widened from Starr Road to Windsor Road. Improvements
included the addition of Class II bike lanes in both directions,
construction of curb, gutter, and sidewalk on the south side of
the roadway, and on the north side where necessary, construc-
tion of storm drainage facilities, installation of Town standard
street lighting, repaving and re-striping of the roadway, and
Tough Drunk-Driving
Bills Signed by Governor
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a package of bills
in September that strengthened sanctions against drunk and
intoxicated drivers, giving the state some of the most stringent
DUI laws in the nation.
The bills, which go into effect January 1, 2005, come in the
wake of several particularly shocking drunk-driving incidents,
including two separate fatal crashes involving cyclists in
Sonoma County in April.
Authored by triathlete and bike supporter Senator Tom Torlak-
son (D-Antioch), the bills boost sanctions and accountability,
and improve treatment regulations. Four of the five bills Tor-
lakson introduced for tougher measures were approved by the
governor.
Senate Bill 1694, rolled together with SB1695, will extend
the “washout” period for multiple offenders from seven to 10
years. For people arrested on a second DUI charge, their first
offense remains on the record for 10 years instead of being
construction of a future access to Keiser Community Park from
Windsor River Road.
The road improvements also incorporated traffic calming and
pedestrian safety measures. Traffic calming measures included
11-foot vehicle lanes, bulb-outs at Windsor Avenue and instal-
lation of speed radar boards in both directions in front of
Keiser Community Park. Pedestrian safety improvements
included the installation of a Light Guard crosswalk safety
system which was installed by Mike Franceschi with Lunardi
Electric. Before and after photos of the crosswalk are shown
above.
Thank you to Rich Fuglewicz of Winzler & Kelly Engineers
for this contribution.
“washed out” of the books after seven years. Repeat offenders
will also be required to be assessed for drug and alcohol prob-
lems, extending a current law.
SB 1696 requires that DUI treatment providers send a certifi-
cate of completion of treatment directly to the DMV. This helps
ensure that treatment requirements are completed by con-
victed drunken drivers.
Current law allows the treatment providers to give the certifi-
cate to the participant, who then presents it to the Department
of Motor Vehicles as part of license renewal, creating opportu-
nities for fraud.
SB 1697 will require the Department of Motor Vehicles to
consolidate driver’s license restrictions and revocations for DUI
violators. The new law is designed to streamline license
sanctions, save public money and reduce workloads for the
courts, which by law have performed similar DUI recordkeep-
ing functions.
9
Reprinted with permission from the Fall 2004 Calbike Advocate
 The Secret To Teaching
Your Child To Ride
by Karin Lease

My eight-year-old granddaughter Ariana spent most of last

summer with me. She needed training wheels to ride her nice
two-wheel bicycle. If the classically wobbly training wheels
were removed, one of us would have to manually support
her bike and run along with it. If you’ve ever tried this with a
fearful, teetering rider, then you know how difficult it is. This
method had failed to yield results for over two years with dif-
ferent bikes and the training wheels were always so awkward. I
knew balance and coordination were not issues as Ariana is an
accomplished gymnast for her age and the bike was sized cor-
rectly. Her motivation was good too, and her fear level wasn’t
above normal.
I was determined to help her learn so that we could ride on the
Joe Rodota Trail together, which is only a few yards from our
house. I knew that the sense of excitement and satisfaction
she would experience would be worth the effort. She seemed so
ready. Photo: www.pedbikeimages.org/Dan Burden
From a pile of magazines, I dug out an issue of Bicycling
sporting a cover with the words, “Teach Your Kid To Ride.” of balance without fear of falling and soon was pedaling in
One section of this article offered up a step-by-step method that both directions, turning and braking. She had a big smile on
worked! her face!
As it turns out, the secret of success is to lower the seat so that Be sure to stay off steeper hills until the new rider is very skilled
the child’s feet can rest easily on the ground. This way the rider and familiar with braking on grades. Don’t leave kids unat-
is in complete control and can immediately slow down or stop tended while they’re biking. They need to wear a helmet and
by putting their feet on the ground. Get kids on the bike with tuck in their shoelaces and pant legs every time they get on the
their seats lowered, shoelaces and pant legs tucked in and hel- bike. Also, the seat can be raised gradually over time as confi-
mets securely fitted. Then start them coasting on a very gentle dence develops.
grade not too far from where it flattens, with their feet just I’m sure this method could be applied to adults who want to
slightly off the ground. learn to ride as well. The article contains other methods, great
The article suggests a grassy surface with very short grass, but tips and specific information for cycling with children that we
we just used the smooth paved driveway in front of our house. found valuable. I’m glad I saved that issue!
In our case, success was almost immediate. Ariana got a sense Bicycling/June 2003/bicycling.com

Can We Meet the Sonoma County

Challenge? bike stores who
SCBC has received another generous grant from Briant Smith offer discounts
and the WHH Foundation; but there’s a catch!
to SCBC members
This is a matching grant that will be met dollar for dollar for a
total of $4000. This money is essential in our pursuit of creat-
The Bike Peddler, Santa Rosa 707-571-2428
ing a safer Sonoma County for bike riders. Cambria Bicycle Emporium 707-206-9500
If you can, please send a check today. Donations of $100 or Cloverdale Cyclery, Cloverdale 707-894-2841
NorCal Bike Sport, Santa Rosa 707-573-0112
more will receive one of our new Share the Road t-shirts. Sonoma Mountain Cyclery, Petaluma 707-773-3164
Donations are tax deductible. Sonoma Valley Cyclery, 707-935-3377
REI, Santa Rosa 707-540-9025
Rincon Cyclery, 707-538-0868
10 Windsor Bicycle Center 707-836-9111
 Sell, buy and donate bikes & bike stuff

When: May 15th, 10am to 3 pm

What: Sell, buy or donate all kinds of stuff, especially bike stuff! Tables
will be rented to sellers. Donations may be made to SCBC.
Where: Druids Hall, 1011 College Avenue
Why: Fundraiser for the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition to support our
efforts in making Sonoma County a better place to ride bikes.
Contact Doug Simon at 577-0113 or desimon@sbcglobal.net for more infomation, renting table space or if you
would like to donate bicycle items, household items, clothing, nic-naks, or any type of flea market item will be accept-
ed as donations for the SCBC to sell. A separate sales area will be set up for the Flea Market items. Charity gift receipts 11
will be available for donated items. So here is that excuse you have been waiting for to cleaning-out that garage and
support a great cause.
 NONPROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE
SONOMA COUNTY PAID
BICYCLE COALTION PERMIT NO 25
PO BOX 3088
SANTA ROSA CA 95402·3088
707·545·0153
WWW.BIKESONOMA.ORG

promoting the bicycle for transportation and recreation

NEW! SCBC Stickers QUANTITY COST

T-shirt Design
Membership (select category below) $ _________

T-shirt $10 each Size _____________ ______ $ _________

11.5”x 3” Yellow Share the Road bumper sticker $1 each ______ $ _________

Live Free or Drive bike sticker 50¢ each ______ $ _________

White Share the Road bike sticker 50¢ each ______ $ _________

5”x 1.5”
Traffic Slayer bike sticker 50¢ each ______ $ _________
Sizes: S to XXL 2”x 2.75”
Total $ _________

SCBC Membership Form ■ I’d like to make an additional tax

deductible donation of $ ___________
Membership Levels
■ $15 Student/Low Income ■ $100 Supporting Make checks payable to:
■ $30 Regular Individual ■ $250 Sustaining SONOMA COUNTY
BICYCLE COALTION
■ $40 Family ■ $500 Champion PO BOX 3088
SANTA ROSA CA 95402·3088
■ $50 Contributing ■ $1000 Millennium
■ New ■ Renewal

NAME LAST (PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY) FIRST

ADDRESS STREET/BOX NUMBER

CITY/TOWN STATE ZIP

PHONE DAY EVENING

EMAIL (TO RECEIVE SCBC’S E·UPDATES) DATE

■ DO NOT SHARE MY INFORMATION WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

PLEASE LIST FAMILY MEMBERS IF THIS IS A FAMILY MEMBERSHIP

I want to volunteer
■ Grant Writing
■ Marketing
■ Valet Bike Parking
■ Membership Party
■ Safe Routes to School & Walk to School Day ■ Other ___________________________
■ Staff an informational table ___________________________________
■ Advocacy in your town ___________________________________
■ Newsletter distribution/mailings ___________________________________