E-Newsletter December  2008 
Bike Lanes on Hwy 50! 
 
 We did it!  Class II bike lanes are coming to Hwy 50
 in South Lake Tahoe, CA.
 
For over the past year, representatives from the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition have been meeting with local transportation agencies, California Dept. of Transportation (Caltrans) representatives in Sacramento, and more recently with Hwy 50 Chief Project Manager Tom Brannon of Caltrans.  Two weeks ago, Mr. Brannon contacted me to set up a meeting to share Caltrans's project goals and to better understand the Coalition's perspectives.
 
In that meeting, Mr. Brannon stated the reason Caltrans did not want to designate the five foot shoulders as bike lanes was because they did not want to encourage bicycle use in an area they believed posed driveway conflicts.  My points were that if you build it (five foot shoulders) they will come - so we better make it safer with lane stripes, stencils and signage to increase motorists' awareness and education that cyclists are sharing the road and have a legal right to do so.  I also pointed out this section of highway, with bike lanes, would provide connectivity to Class 1 bike paths located on each end of the project area.  And, I stated that cycling is an increasingly significant growth area for our tourist-based economy , and helps us mitigate our environmental mandates for reducing auto dependence and the subsequent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and airborne particulates clouding the Lake.
 
Mr. Brannon took the Coalition's position back to his District office in Marysville and on DEC. 9, at the So. Lake Tahoe City Council meeting, he returned to Tahoe and publicly announced that Caltrans would be reinstating the bike lanes on Hwy 50 from Trout Creek to Ski Run Blvd.
 
In all of this, your Coalition remained focused on the goals, was unwavering in its conviction, and participated in collaborative processes with all stakeholders.
 
Your Coalition was able to help move an apparent stalemate between Caltrans and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.  The Coalition believes this outcome sets a good example for subsequent collaborations among all stakeholders in a community's transportation plans for the Tahoe Basin, and elsewhere.
 
Many thanks go out to those who helped make this outcome possible:  all the local transportation stakeholders who helped educate us, the many people who wrote Letters of Support, Coalition member Charles Nelson who also met with Caltrans representatives and kept the 'rubber on the road' with attention to details, and especially to Caltran's Tom Brannon who reached out to the Coalition with the intent of finding a way to accomplish Caltran's project goals and that of our community's transportation plans.
 
This is a great achievement of and testament to the valuable role your Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition contributes to Tahoe's sustainable future and a more bicycle friendly community.
 
Rejoice in today's accomplishment, but also keep in mind this is but one successful step on a journey to build an entire network of bicycle facilities connecting all the communities in the Basin.

 

End of Year Bike Trail Updates

The major agencies (Federal, State, County, City and local jurisdictions) in the Tahoe Basin continue to move forward with a comprehensive inventory of new bicycle facility projects.  Here is a brief listing of those projects.  (sources:  California Tahoe Conservancy and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency) 
 
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - CA 
El Dorado Beach to Ski Run Blvd. Bike Trail:  The City of SLT is laying out the design for a shared-use bike path from where the Linear Park Bike Path ends at Ski Run Blvd. and continues westbound to connect to Lakeview Blvd.
 
Harrison Ave:  ( a frontage road to Hwy 50) is a long overdue Class 1 bike path, between Los Angeles and Lakeview Avenues, that has been in preliminary planning design and environmental review.  The Conservancy and the City are currently working on developing the best strategy to move this project forward.  Bike lanes on Hwy 50 and the Tahoe Commons project across the street will likely influence the timing and design of this highly needed link.
 
Sawmill 1A/B Bike Trail:  El Dorado County completed Sawmill 1A in Meyers from Sante Fe Rd. at the south end to the Lake Tahoe Gold Course entrance at the north end this spring.  This fall, Sawmill 1B is near completion from the golf course entrance to the Upper Truckee River.  In early spring of '09 the bridge crossing the river will be installed and the path will continue to the Conservancy of Sawmill Rd. and Hwy 50.
 
Sawmill II Bike Trail:  This Class I bike path is planned to run parallel with Sawmill Rd. to Lake Tahoe Blvd.  The County is laying out alternative alignments and working with private property owners for potential easements for acquisition of the bike path.
 
Lake Tahoe Blvd. Enchancement/Bike Paths:  This project's planning activities also include the possibility of a Class 1 bike path and Class II bike lanes connecting to existing Class II bike lanes on Tahoe Blvd.  The path would extend from Boulder Mountain Drive to D St. and Viking Road (So. Tahoe High School), just inside the City of So. Lake Tahoe.  A public meeting was held in October and more public input and project alternatives will be explored in '09.
 
South Tahoe Greenway Shared-Use Trail: The proposed 9.2 mile shared-use trail links Meyers to Stateline at the Van Sickle State Park (located under the Heavenly Gondola).  Environmental analysis is now underway.  Public review of the plans and draft environmental document is expected to commence in summer of '09.
 
WEST SHORE - CA
Homewood Bike Path:  The Tahoe City PUD is working on the alignment, design and permitting of the project that will connect to the 9 mile West Shore Bike Trail.  The North Lake Tahoe Resort Association (NLTRA) and the Conservancy are funding sources for this project.
 
NORTH SHORE - CA
Lakeside Bike Trail (Phase V-VII):  this section of the Tahoe city bike Trail connects to the north end of the Truckee River Dam bike path and travels along the lake side to reconnect to the bike lane heading east bound on Hwy 28.  TCPUD is currently working on obtaining easements and necessary permits.  Construction may proceed in '09 and will take two seasons for completion.
 
North Lake Tahoe Bike Path:  A 8.5 mile Class 1 bike path is planned to provide a critical link in the North Shore's transportation and trail network, and will connect Dollar Hill with the North Tahoe Regional Park and Kings Beach.  A promising route alignment is currently being refined.
 
EAST SHORE - NV
Stateline-to-Stateline Demo Projects:  Two demo projects on the East Shore are moving through design review and alignment alternatives.  These projects include Class 1 bike paths from Horizon Hotel to round Hill Pines Resort at South Shore, and from Incline Village to Sand Harbor Sate Pak at the north end of the Lake.  Public presentations will be announced in early -09.  These projects are the book ends of a concept to build a continuous trail system along the entire east side of the Lake - connecting to the two Demo projects.  Construction of the Demo projects may begin in 2010. 

We Delivered Results in 2008

In the interest of shortening this newsletter, I will present a listing of Coalition accomplishments in 2008:
  • Inaugurated the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Achievement Awards & Ceremony with the winners being: Tahoe Daily Tribune, Curtis Fong, Tahoe Rim Trail Association, and California Tahoe Conservancy,
  • Distributed 40,000 Lake Tahoe Bike Trail Maps for FREE throughout the region,
  • Redesigned the web site www.TahoeBike.org and received over one million hits,
  • Doubled registered riders and logged miles during Bike2Work Week Challenge,
  • Expanded the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Film Festival to include North Shore,
  • Produced the first City Council Candidates Forum on Cycling,
  • Helped produce the South Lake Tahoe Bike Trails and Lanes mapping,
  • Worked with the city of South Lake Tahoe to:
    • Get bicycle facility funding in the city budget ($90K)
    • Prepare a Bicycle Master Plan
    • Seek grants for bike path maintenance
    • Paint bike lane stripes and stencils more frequently
    • Received 50 bicycles for a free bike sharing program
  • Continually met with local and state transportation agencies to review and comment on planned bicycle facilities,
  • Made bicycle advocacy presentations to agencies, organizations and the public,
  • Conducted marketing survey measuring cycling's economic impact,
  • Hosted rest stops during bike events around the Lake,
  • Received grants from TGFT Productions, Nevada Bicycle Advisory Board, EDAW, and BlueGo for the 2009 Bike Trail Map revision and printing. 

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 the Team that is Helping to Change Our World
Dear Tahoe Bike Buddies:
 
Over the past three years of the Coalition's existence we have been doing the 'heavy lifting' of organizational development and bicycle advocacy.  We have produced many programs and built relationships that didn't exist before our arrival.  And during this time, we are beginning to see there are many more true believers in the capacity of a small group of committed individuals who hold a clear vision and can pedal their talk efficiently and effectively to produce the future many talk about.
 
Success attracts success and we are hopeful many more of you will join our Team in helping move the critical mass of old ways of thinking and being in the world to reach the tipping point toward a more promising and sustainable future for our communities, economies and this blessed place Lake Tahoe.
 
The Coalition has demonstrated its credible and reliable ability to deliver results and collaborate with the Region's stakeholders.  This could not be accomplished without the commitment of our core members who bring their passion, wisdom, professional relationships, and expertise in planning, design, publicity, marketing, events and leadership.
 
Thank you to all that have contributed to the Coalition's growth and achievements in 2008. I have great appreciation and deep gratitude for every step you have contributed along this journey together -- especially your eagerness and professionalism for a vision we share.
 
Many blessings to each of you for a safe, joyful and loving holiday season with family and friends.  And, may your New Year move you toward want you most care about with the wind on your back, your friends by your side, and the journey be exciting, creative and productive.
 
Keepin it rollin - RIDE ON!
 

Ty Polastri
President 
Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition