2011 in Review

In the words of its founder, Don Harvey, OCBC was formed in 1991, “to promote bicycling as an everyday means of transportation and recreation. we speak for all bicyclists, including the poor, the elderly, and children, and for the bicycle industry. In 1994, OCBC obtained tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code, and has retained that status ever since.”

In 2009 we began a revitalization to meet the needs of growing demand for non-motorized transportation alternatives in Orange County. Working with the offices of County Supervisors, the Orange Count Transportation Authority, and city staff from among 34 sovereign cities, OCBC is helping shape policy and streets that will benefit cycling for decades to come.

Call to Action

As the county and cities mobilize to meet the State requirements of the Complete Streets Act – see below –  bicycle club members face some significant challenges. Not all bike facilities are created equal; some are transparent efforts limit our use of public streets. OCBC members and friends have attended numerous meetings with OCTA, city staff, and elected officials in 2011 to assure safe and efficient bicycling on the roadway. But we need your involvement as more and more “bicycle solutions” are proposed.

Club members who reside in Placentia, Anaheim, Dana Point, Newport Beach/Corona del Mar can be especially effective with their city councils. Fullerton and Yorba Linda residents are needed, too. Please contact Pete van Nuys, 949 492 5737, petevannuys@cox.net to make a difference.

Complete Streets

California’s Complete Streets Act was signed into law in 2008 and became effective January 2011.

It requires all cities, when updating their General Plans, to consider how they will accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists on public streets. As our cities become more congested and real estate more expensive, non-motorized travel offers more fuel efficient, less polluting, less impactful solutions than our state’s traditional auto-centered city planning.

California’s accommodation of bicycles, some argue, lags other states. Highly visible alternatives like “buffered bike lanes,” “cycle tracks” separated from the street by parked cars or other barriers, contra-flow bike lanes, and separated side paths are often advocated where their installation may actually endanger bicyclists. OCBC is taking a conservative, site by site approach to endorsing such installations until Caltrans and state law have a chance to catch up.

 Justice for Cyclists

2011 the number of cyclists killed by motorists continued at a rate of nearly 1 per month.

Experienced road cyclists and average citizens out for a ride were equally at risk from drunk, drugged, and increasingly distracted drivers. Working with the county DA’s office we’ve followed the trials of cited drives more closely than the local press has, and encouraged public comments to increase jail time for those convicted.

Among the highest profile convictions were Patricia Izquieta, sentenced to three years for the hit and run killing of Donald Murphy; Michelle Stearns, six years for killing a father of two; OC Fire Captain John Hines, four years for the drunken hit and run injury of Jeffrey Gordon. Hines’ sentence was reduced by the judge to one year in jail under a “pay to stay” program, hardly justice for inflicting a lifetime of disability. Violating terms of his agreement – drinking ethanol he filtered from sanitary hand cleaner –  recently landed him back in jail.

While we believe we’re making progress, addressing he obvious inability of our courts to hold negligent drivers responsible for injury and death remains a top priority.

Action in 2011

The following snapshot is offered with the understanding that most issues and projects have overlapping jurisdictions.

* Newport Beach. Took part in official Bicycle Safety Committee meetings through early 2011. Initiated creation of a citizen’s bicycle advocacy group when the city’s committee was unable to take substantive action regarding PCH.

Continued to press Caltrans Dist. 12 for resolution of the SR73/ Newport Coast interchange.

* Caltrans. Participated in July 20 SR-1 Project Proposals meeting at Caltrans regarding consistent accommodation of bicycles on Pacific Coast Hwy from Huntington Beach to Dana Point.  Restriping Class 2 bike lanes, improved signage, sharrows and possible colored lane treatments at high volume intersections are the most likely outcome.

* Orange County. Following conversations with us, despite shrinking budgets OCTA has reorganized their Bicycle Coordinator position staffed by an individual who bicycles. Our county won Honorable Mention last year from the League of American Bicyclists’ Bike Friendly Counties program with the application process carried out by OCTA’s new Bicycle Coordinator.

We participated in meetings with Supervisor Shawn Nelson supporting his efforts to better connect District 4 bikeways through increased cooperation between cities and targeted funding for specific projects, for example Orangethorpe to provide east-west connectivity.

Within his northern district Anaheim, Fullerton, Placentia, and Buena Park all have separate bicycle accommodation goals and specific projects. Among the most critical of these are railroad grade separation at Placentia Ave., Kraemer, and State College.

We meet with Supervisor John Moorlach to encourage efforts similar to Supervisor Nelson’s in his District 2, southwest OC.

* OCTA. Two on-site TS 101 workshops for OCTA employees were conducted, the August class was promoted by OCTA to city planners and traffic engineers throughout the county exposing many professionals to real world cycling for the first time. More will be scheduled.

* Metrolink. Continued exchanges with senior management in development Metrolink’s Bike Cars. Inspected cars under construction in August and participated in the press event debuting the first graphically wrapped Bike Cars promoting the new capacity. Bike space aboard 4-car trains has increased from a nominal 8 to a maximum of 32. Orange County bicyclists can now count on bicycle space aboard any Metrolink train on the schedule.

* JAX Bicycles. Provided TS 101 to staff from several stores in Orange County to better qualify the company’s ride leaders, promoting safer and more legal behavior on sponsored rides.

* Fullerton. Committed to a program of bicycle education and input on CSUF’s application as a Bicycle Friendly University, impacting that city’s growing accommodation of bicycles in the transportation mix.

* Huntington Beach Advised and assisted volunteers and city staff in achieving Bicycle Friendly Community award for the City of Huntington Beach.

 Issues We’re Watching

OCBC speaks for cyclists as a recognized stakeholder with the following agencies or projects:

* Non-standard bicycle facilities We follow statewide discussion of bicycle facilities designs and comment on unintended consequences which we believe would reduce cyclists rights or increase on-road danger.

* City of Placentia. Board members work directly and through OCTA to preserve and enhance bikeways, achieved recognition of cyclists interests, and establish ad hoc bicycle advisory group.

* City of San Clemente. Review of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan, on-going dialog with local advocacy group and city staff regarding implementation of Complete Streets; design and construction of La Pata from Ortega Hwy to Ave. Pico.

* Higher Level Education for Traffic Engineers and Planners  Building on our success with basic bicyclist education for traffic professionals we’re promoting an innovative workshop, Understanding Bicycle Transportation, for county and city officials.

* Orange County Flood Control. Santa Ana River Trail, recreational bicycle and pedestrian trails proposal from Green River to Gypsum Canyon

* Santa Ana River Trail (SART) Orange County Parks and Recreation (RRTAC), Santa Ana River Trail 10 mph speed limit postings

* Anaheim ARTIC regional transportation center, citywide bicycle facilities and impact on SART.