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AS&R Meeting
Sunday, March 19th, 4-6pm, St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington Ave, Albany
Have an idea or some input about anything that would improve cycling and pedestrian conditions here in Albany? Then join us at our next meeting to discuss policy and projects. We'll be discussing Bike Month (May 2017) events.
Do you have a pet peeve or urgent issue? Bring it. Request an Agenda Item in the comments at the bottom of our event listing!
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FREE Urban Cycling101 April Classes in Albany
Bike East Bay's classroom and on-the-road instruction is taking place in Albany, April 4th & 16th
Do you, a friend, or family member want to ride more but don’t feel confident enough? Here are two free bicycle skills classes right here in Albany, courtesy of Bike East Bay.
In the first class, learn how to share the road on busy streets, equip your bicycle, lock your bike, fit your helmet, and avoid crashes. Every workshop has the same content, so you only need to attend once. It is open for adults and teens, and no bike is needed. In the second class, you'll get on-the-road, on-your-bike training to improve your handling skills, learn crash avoidance maneuvers, and improve confidence while riding. Every attendee of this session will receive a free set of bike lights!
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Berkeley Bike Plan Delayed
Plan indefinitely postponed by Berkeley City Council due to lengthy agenda items
Due to other lengthy agenda items that took precedence, the Berkeley City Council did not consider the draft Bike Plan. Bike East Bay subsequently sent out a notice that consideration of the Plan by the Council has been indefinitely postponed. AS&R will continue to track this issue.
AS&R's main points are that, in addition to planning a relaxed network, the Berkeley Bike Plan should plan a rapid network to improve conditions for the full diversity of people that bike now and in the future, and that the Plan should not propose rectangular rapid flashing beacons to facilitate biking because they create false sense of security. Hopefully, the delay will provide an opportunity for Berkeley staff and its consultants to consider these points.
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Creek Active Transportation Planning Meeting
Sunday, March 29th, 7-9pm, Albany City Hall, 1000 San Pablo Ave, Albany
Albany has a chunk of change to spend on improving creek access and quality. It has to start spending it within a year or two to avoid substantial financial complications, so the City has scheduled a public discussion at City Hall starting at 7 pm, Wednesday, March 29th, regarding which project(s) to pursue.
There are a couple that would improve active transportation: 1) a path from Tenth to Eighth Street along Codornices Creek and 2) a bridge across Cerrito Creek at Adams. The potential project at Codornices Creek would close the last gap on the Codornices Creek path from San Pablo to the soccer fields west of Fifth Street.
Most of the other cities along this route (Oakland, Emeryville, Berkeley, El Cerrito, and Richmond) have completed their segments and the only other city (Richmond) has completed a large portion of it contiguous with El Cerrito and approved a plan to complete the rest. In contrast, Albany has completed almost none of its segment. Consequently, Albany is the only gap along the existing nine-mile long route and the soon to be a 12-mile long route.
If either of these active transportation projects or other aspects of creeks is of interest to you, please attend the meeting to learn more and provide your input.
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New Webpage for Donating and Swapping Equipment
Donate and swap biking equipment with the help of AS&R!
Do you have any old bicycles or bicycle parts you don't need anymore? Some Mobility assistance equipment? Would you like to offer a cool item up to other members or for public use? Would you be willing to give it to someone who makes a tax-deductible donation to AS&R? Or maybe swap with another Albany Stroller or Roller who may need it either temporarily or permanently?
We have a new page on our website for AS&R members to post these items. Please contact us here to request a posting for an item you wish to donate or exchange with another member.
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The "Idaho Stop" in California
Bicyclists should be allowed to roll through stop signs in California
There is no more contentious issue in all of cycledom than whether or not to roll through stop signs on your bike. Many believe that the law is the law and should always be obeyed. Others cite the many differences between bikes and cars, believing it is inappropriate to impose the same rule on cyclists when the safety issues are very different.
For example, bikes travel more slowly than cars and cause much less damage if an accident occurs. Cyclists also sit higher up than drivers and do not have a hood beyond their line of sight, so they can see farther with less obstruction.
In 1982, Idaho passed a law allowing bikes to roll through stop signs as if they were yield signs. The result has been an actual reduction in bicycle accidents because cyclists spend less time passing through intersections. These results have led to a similar law being introduced in California. The topic is explained in more detail at the San Diego Union-Tribune.
CalBIke now has a petition for supporters to sign. The days of acrimony and contention among cyclists may soon be at an end.
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Calendar
Events for cycling and walking in the East Bay
AS&R Meeting
Sunday, March 19th, 4-6pm, St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington Avenue, Albany
T&S Meeting
Thursday, March 23rd, 7pm, City Hall, 1000 San Pablo Avenue, Albany
Bring up your concerns or comment on the items on the agenda. Agenda available by the Saturday before the meeting here.
Creek Planning Meeting
Sunday, March 29th, 7-9pm, Albany City Hall, 1000 San Pablo Avenue, Albany
Come to the meeting to learn more and provide input on the creeks and/or transportation projects. Details found here.
Free Cycling 101 Class Part I
Tuesday, April 4th, 6-8pm, Albany Library, 1247 Marin Avenue, Albany
Bike East Bay classroom instruction that focuses on road cycling safety. For adults and teens. No bike needed. Details found here.
Free Cycling 101 Class Part II
Sunday, April 16th, 2:30-6pm, Cornell Elementary, 920 Talbot Avenue, Albany
Bike East Bay classroom instruction that works on actual on-the-road-cycling training, skills, and safety. For adults and teens. Bike needed. Details found here.
Arts and Green Festival
Saturday, May 6th, 11am-3pm, Memorial Park, 1325 Portland Avenue, Albany
In addition to music, green vendors, food trucks, and artists' booths you can find was to take action for arts and the environment. You can get a free bag of compost, recycle your electronic waste, and get a low or no cost bicycle tune-up while you valet park your bike. Details found here.
Bike to Work Day
Thursday, May 11th, 7-9am, Ohlone Greenway and Marin Avenue, AS&R Energizer Station
There will be coffee, snacks, swag, bike goodies, the famous Bike to Work Day musette bags, fun, and quick bike tune-ups, so stop by on your way to work! Details found here.
APAL Bike Rodeo
Saturday, May 20th, 10am-1pm, Cornell School Playground, 920 Talbot Avenue, Albany
Bring your elementary and middle schoolers for bike inspections, safety information, and a bicycle safety course. The first hundred youth participants get free bicycle helmets. Details found here.
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