During the past year, we see Bikeway signs posted here and there across town.
Each Long Beach Bikeway route is assigned a number. Some signs also have arrows or destination information. How might we make use of these new traffic tools?
Local cyclist Peter Dopulos—no ties to the City of Long Beach nor to Long Beach Cyclists—has been cycling newly posted bikeways. Over time, Peter has been describing what he has observed and felt while cycling the routes he has explored so far. To read his interesting descriptions, full of discovery, see www.everythinglongbeach.com/lb/long-beach-bikeways/.
Peter visited Long Beach Cyclists during a recent monthly meeting to share what he has observed and learned. It was wonderful to hear Peter’s stories and sense his enthusiasm as he explores routes on his bike, without initially knowing where a new route will lead him.
What Long Beach Cyclists knows from our ongoing interactions with City planners and engineers is that many cycling-related projects are being contemplated or sketched out, and some are already being implemented. City staff developed a detailed list of preliminary route options. However, City engineers in turn are making adjustments, based on road widths, traffic flow and other considerations. Someday not too far off it would be good to have in hand an excellent map for cyclists indicating all of the eventual numbered bikeways.
Lacking a map of bikeways already posted no doubt has made Peter Dopulos’ adventure of sniffing out the where to’s all the more fun for him.
LBCyclists, August 21st 2010 |
Tags: advocacy, bike lane, bike to work, bikeway, children, commuting, fun, goals, health, Metro, roads, routes, safety, traffic
Posted in Education, advocacy
What do the numbers say about cycling? About healthy living? About our environment?
The windy road image above is found on the People for Bikes dot org web site. The web site includes links to more interesting statistical information found at Bikes Belong dot org based in Boulder, Colorado. A key idea behind People for Bikes (which is an initiative of Bikes Belong) is to gather the electronic signatures of one million cyclists—which translates into the lobbying power of one million people who love cycling.
Thank you Long Beach Cyclists member Jessica A. for drawing our attention to the sites and the stats.
MichaelB, August 16th 2010 |
Tags: advocacy, Bikes Belong, commuting, cycling, goals, health, People for Bikes, traffic
Posted in advocacy
Support local bike-friendly businesses.
On the first Friday of every month, 11:00 am Р2:00 pm, many Long Beach caf̩s and restaurants offer lower prices to customers who show up on a bicycle and dine in. To participate, we are asked to show our helmet or bike lock key.
Click on the thumbnail Lunch Breaks PARTICIPANTS LIST to the right to see the list of the 27 current participants for addresses, web sites and discount particulars.
Lunch Breaks for Cyclists is part of the Car-Free Fridays initiative coordinated by the City of Long Beach (as promoted by BikeLongBeach dot org) in which all people are encouraged to bike to work, one day per month at the very least.
The current list is based on the participants list found at bikelongbeach.org.
MichaelB, June 3rd 2010 |
Tags: advocacy, commuting, eating, economy, health
Posted in advocacy
“Share the Road” is one of many online videos produced by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. “Share the Road” lists several ideas that can help the motorist avoid a collision with a cyclist. The video encourages motorists to anticipate that cyclists will use hand signals to make turns, for example. Also, the video encourages motorists to opt for adequate distance between the car and the bicycle.
Of course, the urban nature of Long Beach means that cyclists and motorists often must share tight spaces. Given that road conditions in our city often make for a rather snug fit, the cyclist is safer by cycling predictably rather than erratically… using hand signals, for example… and obeying the same traffic laws as motorists, including the same notions of right of way at intersections.
In the video, we see a cyclist who ignores a stop sign, passing a car that intends to turn right. The cyclist violates the law by failing to stop. Furthermore, he cycles into a dangerous ‘blind spot’. What if the motorists doesn’t know he’s there? Who is at fault if the cyclists gets struck?
Cyclists who recklessly ignore traffic law put themselves in danger and cause some motorists to feel angry at cyclists in general.
When we use the road as motorists, we need to respect cyclists and pedestrians.
When we cycle, we are wise to cycle legally, predictably and courteously so that motorists and pedestrians are not surprised by our presence… and so that we don’t place ourselves in unnecessary danger.
Click to view the “Share the Road” video.
MichaelB, May 24th 2010 |
Tags: advocacy, commuting, laws, legal, responsibility, roads, safety, traffic
Posted in Education, advocacy
Traffic Skills 101—the short-duration course that helps you develop skills to cycle Long Beach streets more safely—is offered only a handful of times each year. The course at CSULB Pyramid Annex is free, but advance registration is required. Click EDUCATION at the top of the longbeachcyclsts.com page for more information and to link to the CSULB web site to register. The next opportunities to take Traffic Skills 101 will be in June and July.
MichaelB, May 15th 2010 |
Tags: advocacy, goals, rights, safety, traffic
Posted in Education, advocacy
We are hosting a Pit-stop
BTWD is a national day of cycling to work and is part of National BTWD week! In celebration, LB Cyclists has put together it’s 3rd annual Pit Stop, Â this time, down in Belmont Shore. We moved from our previous location at the Belmont Pier because we think it’s important to move around the city especially into communities that are starting to become more bike friendly, AND for a change of demographic and scenery. Jones Bicycles has chosen to help us out by letting us set up in front of their shop, and is donating several things to be raffled off!
Speaking of raffles…Many local businesses have donated incredible gifts for us to share with local cyclists; Including: Gift Certificates to local restaurants and shops, bike accessories, water bottles and more! Food will also be provided for free including bagels from Noah’s and coffee from Portfolio Coffeehouse.
In an effort to take advantage of the large amount cyclists dropping by, we will be offering advice, educational material, maps and many free giveaways!
And FINALLY, we will also be providing Free 5 min quick bike tune ups (air, small adjustments, and advice) to whoever wants to wait for an open stand and friendly mechanic!
Bring your bicycle related concerns and questions AND a reusable mug for coffee!
bmckeever, May 13th 2010 |
Tags: 2nd Street, bike to work, bike to work day, bikes, btwd, commuting, may 20th, work
Posted in advocacy, event
Support local bike-friendly businesses.
On the first Friday of every month, 11:00 am Р2:00 pm, many Long Beach caf̩s and restaurants offer lower prices to customers who show up on a bicycle and dine in. To participate, we are asked to show our helmet or bike lock key.
Click on the thumbnail Lunch Breaks PARTICIPANTS LIST to the right to see the list of the 27 current participants for addresses, web sites and discount particulars.
Lunch Breaks for Cyclists is part of the Car-Free Fridays initiative coordinated by the City of Long Beach (as promoted by BikeLongBeach dot org) in which all people are encouraged to bike to work, one day per month at the very least.
The current list is based on the participants list found at bikelongbeach.org.
LBCyclists, May 6th 2010 |
Tags: bike to work, commuting, eating, economy, fun
Posted in advocacy
Attention transportation, planning, engineering and design professionals, (and others interested in gaining an insiders view of the latest bicycle and pedestrian design tools): Register before May 3rd for the MAY 17th training workshop called Designing for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety.
Click on the image for details.
LBCyclists, April 27th 2010 |
Tags: advocacy, bike lane, commuting, CVC 21200 21202, cycling, goals, laws, legal, roads, safety, traffic
Posted in Education, advocacy
Livable cities! Cities for people! Streets and community spaces for pedestrians and cyclists!
Long Beach, California is embracing cycling and pedestrian life more now than anytime in recent decades. The month of May 2010 is one filled with numerous cycling-related activities—City-sponsored activities on one hand, and the initiatives and rides of numerous cycling clubs and organizations and individuals on the other. The Long Beach Bike Fest—with races, artists, fixed gear and gold sprints fun, bike valet, easy rides, a film festival and more—will take place May 7th, 8th and 9th. Bike-to-Work Week will take place the third week of May. Other rides and cycling fun take place almost every other day throughout the entire month.
Make sure your bike tires are inflated, your chain is oiled and your brakes are properly adjusted because there will be many great reasons to get out on your bicycle this spring. Click EVENTS at the top of the longbeachcyclists.com page to see just some of the fun coming up.Â
We all can see that cycling is catching on in Long Beach… and we know that what’s happening is part of something even larger. People in many cities across the U.S. and in other countries around the world are talking bicycles as a significant component of making our communities more livable.
Recently, more than 500 people from around Southern California met up at Occidental College and at Los Angeles Trade Technical College to talk about making more of the southland great for “walking, biking and beyond.”
To get a sense of the positive energy seen at the recent L.A. Street Summit, (held March 20th, 2010 in Los Angeles), check out the streetfilms.org video produced by Clarence Eckerson. Long Beach was present as well; many of us boarded our bicycles aboard the Metro Blue Line to make the trip to Los Angeles easy and fun.
www.streetfilms.org/l-a-street-summit-2010-building-momentum-for-change/
LBCyclists, April 27th 2010 |
Tags: advocacy, annual event, bike to work, commuting, cycling, goals, public transit, roads, safety, traffic
Posted in advocacy
