E-Newsletter November  2008 
 Hwy 50 UPDATE !
 
Your Bicycle Coalition has been in contact with representatives from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), City of South Lake Tahoe, and the California Tahoe Conservancy to get the facts about the upcoming Hwy 50 project in South Lake Tahoe.
 
The funded project we are focusing our attention on is the section of Hwy 50 from Trout Creek to Ski Run Blvd.  It is scheduled to be widened with four foot shoulders on each side, storm water drainage improvements, sidewalks, landscaping and other features.  However, Class II Bike Lanes have been withdrawn from the project's original inception and their omission does not comply with TRPA's Transportatin Plan nor with; Pathways 2007 desired conditions, the State's Complete Street Act, and other State and US Highway mandates.
 
The Coalition is preparing a Position paper complete with background, project description, and its stand for Class II Bike Lanes on this section of Hwy 50.  This statement will be presented to community organizations for their review and endorsement.  The endorsed paper will then be sent to Caltran's leadership and government representatives at the highest level.  If Caltrans holds fast with its position of no bike lanes, then it may become necessary to deploy another tactic currently in the planning stages.
 
Keep in mind that Caltran's final design and permit application for this project has not yet been submitted to TRPA. It is expected in January.
 
This is a defining project for our community's future.

Your support for Class II Bike Lanes is needed.   

The Position paper will be sent to you via this E-mail format and documents will be posted on our web site at www.TahoeBike.org.    

To join our efforts or for more information contact Ty Polastri
at 775.586.9566 or email bikelaketahoe@aol.com. 

City to Receive Bike Friendly Award

On Tuesday, November 18, at the City Council Meeting, the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition, on behalf of the League of American Bicyclists, will publicly present the City of South Lake Tahoe with the Bicycle Friendly Community Award.  If you can attend, please do so to show your support of our bicycle community.  The award should be presented in the beginning of the morning's schedule with a start time of 9:00 AM.
 
The League of American Bicyclists, the oldest lobbying organization in the U.S., conducted a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation of the City's commitment to cycling and found it worthy of receiving the national designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community - at the Bronze Level. 
 
This is the second time the City has been honored with this distinction.  The first time was on September 2006 for a two-year period, and this time the designation sunsets in 2012. 
 
While this is a great honor, it should in no way suggest that the City has satisfied the Coalition's commitment for a more connected trail system, widened bike lanes on highways, safer and more intelligent bike routes, bike safety education in our schools, and a business community promoting bicycle use among its employees and customers. 
 
This award acknowledges the good work the City and its collaborators have done to date, and also indicates the work needed in the future.
 
To learn more about the evaluation criteria for bicycle friendly community visit www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org. and to view the City Council meeting agenda go to www.cityofslt.us.

  Grants & Sponsor Requests

This is the time of the year when the Coalition is submitting grant and corporate sponsorship requests for its 2009 projects.  You, your company/organization, and or business associates may be interested in helping the Coalition advance its mission through programs that deliver results in the community and extends benefits to the grantors.
 
Here are the 2009 projects seeking funding:
1.  Revised Tahoe Bike Trail Map - producing 40,000 copies
2.  A new destination marketing web site with interactive map and video tours
3.  Market survey of cyclists to evaluate their economic impact on the region
4.  Bike-to-Work Week Challenge
5.  Expanded cycling events
 
And wish list for product donations:
1.  Lap top, wireless, computer
2.  Video projector
3.  Digital camcorder
 
For more details, requests for a proposal on any of the above projects or to propose a collaboration, contact Ty Polastri at 775.586.9566 or by e-mail at biketahoe@aol.com. 
 

JOIN or RENEW Your Membership TODAY!logo 

From bikeway planning and market research, to bike trail maps, film festivals, bike rides, bike valet, public presentations and meetings with governmental agencies -- the LTBC is on task to help build a more bicycle friendly community.  Your help is needed to keep these efforts going and programs growing.
 
You can sign up now by going to membership and downloading the application form and mail it to the Coalition. Forward this E-Newsletter to friends, family members, and colleagues -- encourage them to join our efforts and contribute to the growth of our bicycle community and the sustainability of our beloved Lake Tahoe.
 
As a Bike Coalition Member you will receive a variety of benefits some of which include: FREE ADMISSION to the Bicycle Film Festival, FREE Bike Trail Maps, DISCOUNTS at participating businesses, the E-Newsletter, and periodic ANNOUNCEMENTS the Coalition believes you want to know about.
 
Join or Renew Now and Help Change Our World
Keepin it real & rollin,

Ty Polastri
President 
Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition