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.

Traffic Skills 101—the short-duration course that helps you develop skills to cycle Long Beach streets more safely—is taught by instructors (LCI’s) who are certified by the League of American Bicyclists. 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.

This will be will be the last opportunity to take Traffic Skills 101 in Long Beach this summer.

By the way, the photograph was lifted from the cover of the Smart Cycling pamphlet of the League of American Bicyclists. Given that the League is based in Washington, D.C., can you identify which building we see in the background? And… can you identify who is the LCI in the photo? Hint, he is well known in the Long Beach cycling community.

Traffic Skills 101

The last opportunity to take Traffic Skills 101 this summer will be in July.

Images of Southern California automobile traffic—including scenes shot here in Long Beach—are juxtaposed against images of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. Bauch and his family have lived in both Long Beach and Amsterdam.

Come see a special screening of Bauch’s film at the Art Theater (Fourth Street close to Cherry Avenue) Thursday evening, 7:00 pm, June 10th. We hear that Michael Bauch will be present to talk with us about his film and respond to questions.

In terms of traffic conditions and lifestyle choices of most residents, the contrasts between Long Beach and Amsterdam are stunning.

Bauch’s film may fill us with hope. Our efforts locally to make Long Beach a more livable city aim us in the right direction.

For more information about Michael W. Bauch’s work, go to www.everydaybike.com.

“Share the Road”

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.

Click on the image for details.

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. 

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/

On April 20th, during its regular meeting, City Council approved construction of two street improvement projects that are part of larger efforts underway to make Long Beach a great city for travel by bicycle. City Council approved construction of separated bike lanes downtown along 3rd Street and along Broadway. And it approved the ’bike boulevard’ project along Vista Street, which will improve neighborhood calm and provide a new, quiet, safe, east-west cycling route. The Vista project will serve as a model; other neighborhoods can view it and may wish to then convert one of their own streets into a ‘bike boulevard.’

Long Beach Cyclists was present at the meeting. More than a dozen LBC members sat in the City Hall chamber, and prior to the council vote, member Chris Quint spoke at the podium on our behalf. Quint thanked the many individuals who are helping to improve the livability of our city, including Sumire Gant of Public Works. Quint pledged our support to help City planners and engineers address minor concerns so that these projects be as well designed as possible.

Having learned how to travel all roads in our city safely and legally, experienced vehicular cyclists are generally not intimidated by motorized traffic. On the other hand, cyclists who are less comfortable driving near motorized traffic will especially love the approved projects. New lanes in the downtown area will be built that are physically separated from motorized vehicles, and traffic calming features will be created along a street in Belmont Heights.

A great BIG ‘thank you’ goes out to the following Long Beach Cyclists who were present at the April 20, 2010 Long Beach City Council meeting: Bernadette McKeever (president of the LBC board), also Travis, Chris, Donald, Tom, Lee, Amanda, Allan, Scott, Jessica, Josh, Cal and Michael.

Click above right to read the two City Council motions as recorded in the draft of the meeting minutes. To watch a video of the entire board meeting, click on the link below. Look for April 20, 2010 City Council meeting. Chris Quint started speaking 3 hours, 5 minutes and 35 seconds into the meeting… so you may wish to fast forward:

http://longbeach.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=12

On April 16th, many local cyclists and interested citizens, including numerous members of Long Beach Cyclists, met and cycled with Long Beach Mobility Coordinator Charles Gandy and Andy Clarke. In the morning, we were even accompanied by Jeff Mapes, the author of Pedaling Revolution. Throughout the day, we cycled along many Long Beach streets, contemplated traffic infrastructure improvements, and enjoyed local cycling life.

In addition to checking out Reed’s report, be sure to also watch Clarence Eckerson Jr.’s wonderful video, “Long Beach Shifts Cycling in to High Gear.“