News, Links, and Other Views

City of San Diego

• San Diego has selected a partner for its bike share program.  The program is expected to begin sometime next year and will consist of 1,800 bikes and 180 stations around the downtown and beach communities.
• Community groups in La Jolla are working to protect the Fay Avenue Bike Path by changing it from “designated” to “dedicated” open space.  The path exists on what was once the Pacific Beach & La Jolla Railroad line.
• A bicyclist was taken to the hospital after being struck by an SDPD cruiser on Home Avenue.
• After jumping off her bike to come to the aid of an unconscious critical mass rider who crashed headfirst going down a steep hill, Jessica Gutsche found that someone had helped themselves to her new bike and left a “rickety old beach cruiser” in its place.  Thanks to social media and a good Samaritan, her bike was replaced.
• Be sure to check out Tour de Fat winner and San Diego City Bicycle Coordinator Tom Landre’s blog as he chronicles the thrills and spills after he traded his car for a bike as part of Tour de Fat’s car for bike program.
• The San Diego City Council will be reviewing the city’s red light camera program early next year.  If the city chooses to discontinue the program, what other options will they implement to calm traffic and increase safety at intersections?
• Sergey Gratiy has put together a detailed proposal (.doc) requesting a separated bike track that would connect UCSD and the surrounding residential neighborhoods east of I-5.  Given the large number of students who live and bike in this area, this is a plan whose time is long overdue.

San Diego Region

• In Carlsbad the idea that a highway might not be the best use for coastal beaches and bluffs is moving forward.  Plans are in the works to move parts of Carlsbad Boulevard/Highway 101 to make room for new parks, trails and bike access.

Elsewhere

• In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy bicycles are playing an important part in relief efforts and providing basic transportation.
• After a spate of serious and fatal crashes this summer, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is looking at an ordinance to better protect cyclists.  The proposed ordinance would define various forms of harassment that are currently not defined, would make it easier for cyclists to sue hostile drivers, and would provide for the award of triple damages.
• Sacramento is easing parking requirements for businesses and urban residential developments, allowing businesses to expand and residential projects to go forward without tying the expansion to the availability of parking.  The aim is to create a more bike, pedestrian, and mass-transit friendly city.
• Bike lanes are good for business, retail sales in New York City increased as much as 49% in areas with bike lanes as opposed to 3% in the rest of Manhattan.
• Slate magazine wonders why “cities like Los Angeles or San Diego, with their minimal precipitation and moderate temperatures, can barely manage to break a 2 percent bicycle mode share.”
• After a trip to the Netherlands the Austin Texas City Council is partnering with Dutch cycling experts to develop the city’s master-plan.
• Building safe efficient bike infrastructure can lead to an unexpected problem: too many cyclists!
• Happy Thanksgiving!  If you’re dealing with relatives that get on your nerves or you tend to overdo it with turkey and pie, be thankful you have your bike.