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We speak
so you can be heard.
CBC is the voice of bicycling in California's capitol.
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| CEQA reform |
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CBC challenges CEQA's preference for cars
In comments submitted this month to the California Natural Resources Agency, the California Bicycle Coalition joins other advocacy groups and public agencies in calling for adoption of policies that support climate-friendly development in California.
The agency is accepting public comments on proposed California Environmental Quality Act guidelines intended to help California meet its greenhouse gas, or GHG, emission reduction targets.
CEQA requires mitigation or review of any proposed development project deemed to have significant potential environmental impacts. Guidelines developed by the Governor's Office of Planning & Research, or OPR, for public agencies considering development proposals contain a variety of suggested "significance thresholds," including impacts on road motor vehicle traffic flows, that may trigger required mitigation or environmental review.
Common CEQA mitigation measures for potential impacts on traffic include widening roads, removing pedestrian crossings and eliminating bike lanes.
Draft guidelines submitted by OPR would preserve the preference given to motor vehicle traffic flows. CBC and other groups are urging the Natural Resources Agency to drop impacts on motor vehicle traffic flows from the list of significance thresholds. Elimination of this particular threshold would remove an obstacle to projects that would afford greater reliance on walking, bicycles and public transit for everyday transportation, which would reduce GHG emissions.
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| Distracted drivers |
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Study measures texting, cell phone crash risk
What most bicyclists already know has finally been measured scientifically: drivers who use hand-held cell phones are often dangerously distracted. In the first such large-scale study conducted in real-world conditions, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute used vehicle-mounted cameras and other instruments to observe drivers as they glanced away from the road to use hand-held cell phones for calls and text-messaging. The study found the risk of a crash or near-crash was 23.2 times higher for heavy truck drivers who used cell phones for texting than for non-distracted drivers. Simply using or reaching for an electronic device such as a cell phone increased the crash risk by 6.7 times. The risk was 2.8 times greater for drivers of light trucks and cars as they dialed a cell phone. Conversing on a cell phone increased a driver's crash risk by 1.3 times. The VTTI study did not look at texting among these drivers. A U.S. Senate bill introduced last month would require states to ban texting while driving or face reductions in federal highway funds. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will host a summit next month to examine the dangers of text-messaging and other distractions behind the wheel. California is one of 7 states and the District of Columbia to ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving and one of 17 states and the District of Columbia to ban text-messaging while driving. CBC supported the legislation behind both bans in California. Read more about the VTTI study and other recent news stories about distracted drivers
Read about the proposed national texting ban and the U.S. wireless industry's response
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| Complete Streets |
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Fighting obesity with Complete Streets
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has endorsed elements of the Complete Streets movement in the fight against obesity in America.
Six of the 24 suggested actions in a recent CDC report, "Recommended Community Strategies and Measurements to Prevent Obesity in the United States," reflect objectives of the national Complete Streets movement, which advocates for public roadways designed to accommodate the needs of all roadway users, not just motorists.
Streets and roads designed to be "complete" are safer for all users and encourage greater use of bicycling and walking for everyday transportation. The CDC report calls for communities to enhance bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, improve access to public transit, locate schools within easy walking distance of residential areas, zone for mixed-use development, and enhance traffic safety where people are or could be physically active, specifically by adopting a policy that contains at least one Complete Streets element. Other report's recommendations relate to physical education, breastfeeding and healthy diets. Last year California enacted the Complete Streets Act, sponsored by the California Bicycle Coalition, which requires cities and counties to begin incorporating Complete Streets principles as they update local transportation plans. At the same time Caltrans made Complete Streets the explicit policy for all phases of state highway projects. California and Oregon are the only states with Complete Streets policies for every public street, road and highway. Read the CDC report |
| CBC News |
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Planet Bike helps power CBC renewal effort
Thanks to a donation of headlights and tail lights from Planet Bike, CBC is beefing up
its efforts to encourage annual
membership renewals.
Starting this month, CBC members can receive a Spok Front LED micro headlight or
BRT Strap LED tail light from Planet Bike when they upgrade their membership.
Each year Planet Bike donates 25% of profits to grassroots advocacy organizations like CBC. Planet Bike donated the lights in support of CBC's efforts to safeguard bicycling as safe, clean, affordable transportation in California.
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CBC seeks software donation
Do your or your company use FileMaker Pro? Do you have an older version of it that you're no longer using? CBC is looking for a copy of FileMaker Pro version 7.0 or later for our growing membership database. We're running a mix of Windows and Macintosh computers, so if you have a copy that will run on either platform, we'd welcome a donation! Contact CBC Communication Director Jim Brown or call (916) 446-7558 if you have a copy you can donate. |
| Education |
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Upcoming bicycle safety classes
Irvine
Traffic Skills 101, Fri. & Sat., Aug. 21-22
Los GatosMiddle School Bike Skills (Kids II), Sun., Aug. 22
Oceanside
Traffic Skills 101, Fri. & Sat., Sept. 18-19
Roseville
Road Skills I, Sat., Sept. 5
San Luis Obispo
Street Skills, Sat., Sept. 19
Santa MonicaSmartCycling: Street Skills 101 (Part 1 of 3), Sun., Sept. 13
SmartCycling: Street Skills 101 (Part 2 of 3), Sun., Sept. 20
SmartCycling: Street Skills 101 (Part 3 of 3), Sun., Sept. 27
SeasideSmart Cycling Basics, Thurs., Sept. 3
Smart Cycling in Traffic, Weds., Sept. 9
Union CityTraffic Skills 101A+ (Adults 18+), Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Sept. 12 & Sept. 19
Traffic Skills 101A+ (Student grades 7-12), Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Sept. 12 &
Sept. 19 To learn more about these and other courses being offered throughout California, visit the League of American Bicyclists website and select "Courses" and "California." |
| Riding around the state |
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Fall 2009 rides
Sonoma County
Tour Sonoma County with Levi!
Find a full calendar of rides throughout California at Bikelink.com | |
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