The Impossible has happened. Laguna Beach is thinking about bicycles.
Not your typical Critical Massers: Laguna's ride is family friendly and kid approved.
It has finally dawned on someone in city government that perhaps the best interests of residents and merchants alike aren’t served by pumping as many cars as possible through every street in town.
Credit the awakening to Les Miklosy, Chair of the city’s newly formed Complete Streets Task Force. Les has promoted the very mellow Critical Mass rides in Laguna since 2008, an organization that has soft pedaled the benefits of cycling into the hearts of city officials.
The city has even proclaimed May 17-21, Laguna Bike to Work Week. A growing number of merchants are offering free coffee to bike commuters who show up on their bikes ready for a cup’a Joe. So far Laguna Coffee Co. and Heidelberg Deli have ponied up- let’s support these guys with muffin buy!
You can email Les Miklosy here.
A bit of a primer on getting engaged in the political process. http://www.ted.com/talks/omar_ahmad_political_change_with_pen_and_paper.html
Complete Streets Task Force – Background
Excerpts from a conversation with longtime Laguna Beach bicycle and pedestrian advocate, Michael Hoag.
Out of a long range plan debuted in 1999, called Vision 2030, came an environmental committee, whose members wrote a climate protection plan. That plan included a transportation element which included language about bicycling. City Manager, Ken Frank, asked that bicycling specifically be removed out of fear of liability.
Progress for bicyclists would have ground to a halt but for the efforts of committed advocates like city council member, Jane Egly. In 2009 a bicycle task force was formed which, recognizing the Laguna public’s general dislike of bicycles, has renamed itself Complete Streets Task Force. Emphasis is spread equally on bicycling, pedestrian access, transit, and private vehicles.