On the horizon-
County Bicycle Master Plan- Set to get underway this summer, county transportation staff will be hosting rounds of public input in order to update their bicycle planning- this is practically a must for any project to be considered in the capital planning process. The county oversees unincorporated areas like those between the cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Carpinteria on the south coast, and north county areas in between Lompoc, Santa Maria, and Goleta. Do you live or ride thru one of those areas? stay tuned for how to get involved?
City of Santa Barbara Master Plan- Never before in the last few decades has their been such a hostile climate to bicycle improvements at the City council level, which is going to make this master plan update one of the most controversial processes you would see on the otherwise progressive south coast. While the City has gone from 3% to 5% bicyclist commuters, vocal critics are gaining influence on how we 'share the road.' Stay tuned for public forums later this year.
Measure A funding- In addition to $140 million dollars of Measure A funds to widen 101,(which overall will cost 3/4 of a billion dollars) us Bike/Ped folks and Safe Routes to Schoolers get to help steer $800,000 in alternative transportation funding. The coalition, which advocated for Measure A, has a seat at the table, and is watching the process to ensure that 1. these funds are used in the most effective way possible, and 2. that bicycle education programs like ours have a fair shake at applying for grants to expand the offerings.
