August Cycling Workshop – Irvine – Full

Update 8/8/12: This class has been filled – THANK YOU! – there is a survey to be placed on a wait / cancellation list  or to reserve a spot in September’s class on the registration page for your convenience.

The OCBC, JAX Bicycles, and the Bicycle Club of Irvine present an Urban Cycling Workshop August 15 & 19.  The 9 hour course is $35, and includes materials, insurance, a written exam and (usually) a diploma.JAX Got Class

The classroom portion will be at JAX Bicycles  14210 Culver Dr. #6h, (949) 733-1212, starting at 6pm on the 15th ending around “nine-ish”. The class is a necessary prerequisite for the road portion which will be at Deerfield Park starting at 8am on the 19th.  Full details and registration on our page.

Did you know:…
Irvine, while having one of the most extensive and expansive bike trail networks of all OC cities, still is in the top 10 cities for high cyclist injuries and fatalities in the county? Irvine tied with Westminster as #6 in cyclist fatalities, and #9 for cyclist injuries from 2001-2012.

Skills PresentationMost cyclist collisions during the same time-frame are due to riding on the wrong side of the road (don’t do that!), failing to yield right of way at intersections, speeding (!), failure to stop at signs and signals (always do that!), and failure to move left or right in a safe manner, or failure to signal.

 

 

 

 

Making a Point

These are basic skills taught in the class and practiced in the park. You can help make any city you ride in that much safer by attending and successfully completing this course.

 

 

 

You will also make yourself less likely to become a statistic on our scorecard!

IRVScorecardThis scorecard is compiled from the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) and is subject to revision by the administrating authority, the California Highway Patrol.

Pictures of an on-road portion of the class are here.

Way to Go PedeGO!

Now here’s a business that really “gets it”.

Pedego HB

Many less cars

As we  highlighted in, Why Bicyclists Are Better Customers Than Drivers, “If you build it, they will come…and spend – oh wait – no building required.“, one business in Huntington Beach sure stepped up to the plate.

Pedego (at 301 5th street), offers secured bike parking at their establishment Tuesdays from 5 pm to 9 pm and weekends from 10 am to 6 pm. The parking will be available through Labor Day.

How enticing is this scene?

We salute and thank Pedego for their great support in meeting local cycling infrastructure needs and concerns of cyclists in Huntington Beach by providing this “velo-valet” service. The picture is also a great illustration of catering to the purchasing power of cyclists by reallocating resources (parking spaces for cars) to customers of the two wheeled variety. Well Done!

As far as we know, it is the only business in the county (so far) that offers such an inviting amenity.

If there are others, we’d love to hear about them.

Adult Tricycle Recall

Currie Technologies Recalls Adult Tricycles

Name of Product: Tricruiser Electric-Powered Adult Tricycles
Units: About 2,100
Distributor: Currie Technologies, of Chatsworth, Calif.
Manufacturer: Acetrikes Industrial Co., Ltd., of China
Hazard: The rear axle can break causing a rear wheel to detach, posing a fall hazard to the rider.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm is aware of six incidents, including five reports of bruises and scrapes.

Description: The recalled tricycles are battery powered with 24″ wheels and a basket between the rear wheels. Their brand name, eZip or iZip, is printed on the sides of the bike and above the front wheel. Bikes were sold in the following colors: red, blue and sand.

Recalled tricycles are in the serial number range ACB06L00001 to ACB10H99999.
Serial numbers are engraved on the frame under the handlebar support on the front of the tricycle.

  • Model numbers include EZ-TRY-SD, IZ-TRY-RD, IZ-TRICR7-BL and IZ-TRY8-BL.
  • Recalled tricycles were sold at independent bicycle shops and e-bike shops nationwide, and on Walmart.com, Amazon.com and other retailers from March 2007 through March 2012 for $850-$1120.

All consumers should stop riding these electric tricycles immediately and contact Currie Technologies for a free replacement component and repair.
*Please allow approximately three to four weeks to process, ship and receive the free replacement part.

For additional information, contact Currie Technologies at:
Phone: (800) 377-4532
Open Monday thru Friday :
8am – 12pm and 1pm – 4pm PST

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Recall Notice

Lake Forest, Irvine & Alton

From the news desk and of concern to all cyclists that enjoy the Trabuco / Irvine traverse. Mark your calendar, for June 20th marks the opening of Alton across Irvine into north Lake Forest.

What this means is more cars coming from every which direction at high rates of speed. There is also a new gore point to be careful of. A right turn lane for west bound traffic has been made to allow cars to turn right from Alton onto Irvine without stopping, and they won’t be looking for you as you head towards Irvine from Lake Forest.

Read about the opening ceremony here.

Sure would be nice to let cyclists be the first to officially ride down the fresh pavement.

Any cycling advocates in Lake Forest?
If so, please contact the editor and let’s see if we can stir up some interest.

In a related note (to more traffic in the area), we read in the OC Register, that Lake Forest has agreed to allow development of 2,400 residential units on 387 acres which will include “At least 20 new neighborhoods with Spanish, Mediterranean and California Eclectic-style homes, condos and apartments.” Watch for grading and construction to begin this September. Another story of the development is in the Lake Forest Patch.

With 12 dead cyclists on the roads of OC in 2011, use extreme caution when approaching this intersection now. Unlike the gore point heading in the other direction on Irvine towards Bake, this one is short to the point of no room for error if the anticipated high volume of traffic materializes. And with at least 2,400 new homes in the area, it won’t be long.

Be careful out there.