Friday, November 1: Free Bike Lights at San Diego Central Library

*Light Me Up Safety Lights in photo do not represent what will be provided at this event

November 1: San Diego Cyclists Get Road-Ready with Free Bike Lights at Central Library

Bike light installation prepares bike riders for the end of Daylight Saving Time
Bike Coalition to make night time riding safer for commuters

WHAT:
As the majority of the country transitions from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time, the San Diego County Bike Coalition and the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) are partnering to invite all bike commuters to receive free front bike lights. All riders on bikes can head to the San Diego Central Library where Bike Coalition staff and police officers will encourage safe, nighttime commuting with free bike light installation, helpful tips and important safety information about riding in the dark.

WHY:
With nightfall arriving almost 60 minutes earlier after Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 3, the Bike Coalition wants to ensure all people in San Diego have access to what they need to be visible on busy streets and get home safely. People who commute on bikes and pedal home in the dark during the Standard Time months will be safer on our shared roads. California state law requires cyclists to use front and rear lights when commuting at night.

WHO:
San Diego Bike Coalition
San Diego Police Department
San Diego Central Library

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Location: San Diego Central Library (330 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101)
Date and Time: Friday, November 1 from 5 to 6 p.m.

Source: GoMixte

Saturday: Tour De Fat Returns To San Diego

I don't really like just posting press releases verbatim, however I'm running out of time before I head out to DCFC and with my birthday on Monday, I just don't want to spend anymore time online today than I have to. So that being said, I love Tour de Fat and not donating my Mazda back when I had the chance is probably my biggest regret of the last few years. Between this and Adams Avenue Street Fair, San Diego Blues Festival, and Oktoberfest Celebrations kicking off, you should have no shortage of fun stuff to do this weekend.

New Belgium Brewing’s traveling carnival, Tour de Fat, returns to San Diego this Saturday, September 26. The festivities kick off in Golden Hill Park and New Belgium is looking for a car-for-bike swapper – someone willing to swap his or her car keys for a $2,250 stipend to buy a dream bike and live car-free for a year.

Swappers are chosen after submitting an application describing why they are ready to give up their vehicle for the gift of two wheels. Submit your video at: NewBelgium.com/Events/Tour-de-Fat/CarTrader.

The San Diego stop is the ninth of the 2015 Tour de Fat season and will feature eclectic entertainment, yo-yo performances and even vaudeville acts. Everyone 21 and older is invited to sample new and classic favorites from New Belgium including the brewery’s flagship brew, Fat Tire, New Belgium’s latest year-round offering, Slow Ride Session IPA, and selections from the acclaimed Lips of Faith series.

Tour de Fat is free to participants, but beer and merchandise proceeds from the San Diego stop will go to:

San Diego County Bicycle Coalition
San Diego Mountain Biking Association

Last year, the San Diego Tour de Fat stop had approximately 7,000 attendees and raised $45,701. In total, Tour de Fat has raised more than $4 million for cycling-related nonprofits.

Tour de Fat – San Diego Details
American Sign Language interpreting will be provided at this year’s San Diego Tour de Fat!

Date:
Saturday, September 26

Location:
Golden Hill Park

Main Stage:
10:00 a.m. — Parade Registration
11:00 a.m. — Parade Kick-Off
11:50 a.m. — Fashion! (Best Costumes of Tour de Fat)
12:00 p.m. — Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds
1:10 p.m. — The Slow Mo Show
1:30 p.m. — The Slow Ride Races
2:10 p.m. — 1,000 Person Dance Contest – Winner receives a New Belgium Cruiser!
2:40 p.m. — Car for Bike Trade
2:50 p.m. — SSSSnake! Rides Sputnik!
4:00 p.m. — Reggie Watts
5:00 p.m. — Finale

Stage Stage:
12:00 p.m. and 3:10 p.m.
Superfriends Variety Hour: Death Defying Comedy, Chain Saws, Yo-Yos and Bananas

Le Tigre Circus Tent:
11:15 a.m. — Marnie Sams Muffin Show (Kids Show)
11:50 a.m. — The Other One
12:20 p.m. — Fire Leopard
1:10 p.m. — The Kroup
2:00 p.m. — Yo-Yo Time Machine
2:30 p.m. — Honeymoon Cabaret
3:30 p.m. — The Other One
4:20 p.m. — Etiquette School

Lips Lounge Tapping:
12:00 p.m. — Eric’s Ale, Hop Stout, Cocoa Mole
2:00 p.m. — Carnie’s Blood

Benefiting:
San Diego County Bicycle Coalition
San Diego Mountain Biking Association

Price:
Admission – FREE!
Donations for non-profits are accepted
Beer – $5

This Weekend! San Diego Bicycle Film Festival

This weekend, the Bicycle Film Festival rolls through town. This is all the info from their Facebook event page. Spread the word!

Bicycle Film Festival San Diego
February Friday 28-March 1
Presented by KIND Healthy Snacks

FRIDAY
5:00pm AutomaticBrewingCo BFF CPA release: Tiger!Tiger!
6:00pm Photo Exhibit
Breakless: Photos by Matt Lingo: Coffee & Tea Collective
People on Bikes by Gym Standard
7:00pm Ride with Leader Bikes
8:00pm After Party: Live Wire

SATURDAY
12:00pm-3:00pm Party at Tiger!Tiger! Enjoy Automatic BFF CPA!

BFF SCREENINGS at Museum of Photographic Art
PROGRAM 1: THE WAY I ROLL 4:00PM
PROGRAM 2: CINEMATIC SHORTS 6:00PM
PROGRAM 3: URBAN BIKE SHORTS 8:00PM
Bike valet by San Diego County Bicycle Coalition
Free Fairdale bike raffle

After Party: Bar Pink w/DJ Mike Delgado (Moving Units)

Thanks to everyone above, as well as our other partners:
Urbanist, ABUS, Dudek Law Firm APC, Adams Avenue Bicycles, theawarewolfs.com, Blind Stokers Club

Sunday Funday with CicloSDias!

I am totally excited about Sunday's CicloSDias. After riding around on University after Pride with no cars, a day dedicated to Open Streets is just what this city needs. This was one of Mayor Bob Filner's initiatives earlier this year, and it is a shame with everything going on that he probably won't be around to see it come to life, but I encourage everyone to take part...whether you bike, walk, skate, or scoot, a day without cars is a good thing for everyone and might bring us one step closer to complete streets when people realize the benefits of riding a bike every once in a while. The event is free and family friendly, with the route blocked to cars from 10am-4pm.

"Ciclo­vía," which translates to English as "bike path" was coined in Bogota, Columbia, a city that began experimenting with its model Ciclovia initiative in 1974 as a response to the congestion and pollution of city streets. CicloSDias San Diego is modeled after similar car-free events held in cities around the world, including New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. As of 2012, some 80 Open Streets initiatives are held regularly in North America. CicloSDias is all about connecting communities and giving people a break from the stress of car traffic. CicloSDias San Diego will bring families outside of their homes to enjoy car free streets. The message is clear – we all want a clean, healthy and vibrant San Diego.

CicloSDias welcomes everyone in San Diego to walk, ride, stroll and enjoy our streets. Approximately 5.2 miles of city streets will be opened to families, pedestrians, cyclists, joggers, skateboarders, and anyone else interested in using this public space in a new way.

The event will include a “Hub” in 4 different neighborhoods in San Diego – City Heights, Logan Heights, North Park, and South Park. These Hubs will feature CicloSDias merchandise, showcase event sponsors, and host a bicycle repair booth. Event participants are encouraged to check-in at each Hub and receive a free entry into our Bike raffle.

San Diegans will experience a free ‘open street’ event with activities along the route. Shops and restaurants will be open for business and neighbors and friends from all over will make our streets come alive.

Whether or not you're participating in the Open Streets event, it is important to note that along the route, there will be road closures with only periodic traffic crossing. You can read up on all of those fine details here. I'd just suggest you put your car keys away for the day and join the fun. There will be four hubs with toilets, bike repair, refreshments, and information, but anyone can access the route at any intersection along the way of the 5.2 mile stretch. This is your chance to see parts of the city from a whole new perspective...without cars!

Tuesday: Mid-City Regional Bike Corridor Meeting

If you ride a bike, have ever ridden a bike, or someday plan on riding a bike and live in Mid-City (very loosely the communities around Adams, El Cajon Blvd, and University from Park to College), you should attend the Mid City Regional Bike Corridors Community Advisory Group on Tuesday night. This is one of the last chances to give public input and see progress on possible east-west bike routes. With the BRT already going forward on El Cajon Boulevard, the stakes are even higher to get safe bikeways installed around the city. We'll see you there!!

From SANDAG:
This is a reminder that the third North Park – Mid-City Regional Bike Corridors Community Advisory Group meeting will be held:

Tuesday, June 25, 2013 – 6:00 to 8:30pm
at the
Teen Challenge Center
5450 Lea St, San Diego, CA 92105

The focus of this third meeting will be to review the alignment study results and to discuss the benefits, challenges, and other considerations related to each of the alignment options.

Please note, this Community Advisory Group meeting will include English and Spanish facilitation in addition to Spanish/English interpretation.


View Larger Map

San Diego Celebrates National Bike Month: Silent Ride, Bike To Work Day, Mini-CicloSDias,

This month is National Bike Month and there have been and continue to be several bike-related events and such going on. There are great resources in San Diego for all kinds of biking information, including Bike San Diego and San Diego County Bike Coalition. There  was also a ride in conjunction with San Diego River Days which continues through next weekend.



Tonight, join the 10 mile SILENT RIDE. This is a national event that started in Dallas, but this will be the first one in San Diego. The ride is in honor of cyclists who have been injured or killed while cycling. We will be riding in honor of Barry Whittaker, Darren's father, who was killed by a motorist while cycling in Northern California in 2009. Here's the information from the Bike Coalition:

All people who ride bicycles are invited to join the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition on Wednesday, May 15 at 7 p.m. for a ride to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured and raise awareness that all people have a right to safe accommodation on San Diego's roads. The Ride of Silence is free, starts at the South Clairemont Rec Center and open to cyclists of all ages and abilities. Participants are asked to ride no faster than 12 mph, wear helmets, bring lights, follow the rules of the road and remain silent during the ride.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 15, 2013, 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: South Clairemont Recreation Center
3605 Clairemont Drive
San Diego, CA 92117

Friday is National BIKE TO WORK day. You can REGISTER and get all of the information here,  Obviously registration isn't required, but it sends a message to our politicians and community that there are a lot of people who would ride bikes if facilities were safer, more convenient, and incentivized.

Finally, Sunday you can get ready for the big CicloSDias (August 11, 2013) with a Mini-CicloSDias at Marston Point Loop on the Southwest side of Balboa Park on Sunday, May 19. These are free and open to all levels of riders from 10am-4pm. Maybe you can hang out for a while, then ride down to Little Italy for Festa Siciliana which happens all day from 10am-6pm.

If you don't have a bike and are in the market for one, or you'd like to rent a good road, city, or mountain bike, go visit Mo down at San Diego Bike Shop or reserve a bike online and he'll take good care of you. Not to knock beach cruisers, but at most rental shops, that's what you're gonna get, and they're pretty laborious to ride if the road is anything other than flat. That's where my Biria came from, as well as my awesome lights and basket. Tell him @sddialedin sent you!\

I'll be adding a bike resource page up next to the music resources to this site in a couple weeks, so if you have good resources, feel free to send them my way. Also, if you didn't check out last week's 2013 Summer Guide from SD CityBeat, you can see plenty of bike stuff to do there, too.

Safe Biking For San Diego

It's no secret that I haven't operated a motor vehicle for about 4 years now. Even before my car kicked the bucket, I rode my old $25 Craig's List bike a lot and used it in my commute when I was working downtown. Unfortunately, there was a gap of a few years that I didn't have a reliable bike, but I attended my share of CCDC meetings to advocate for safe bicycle riding downtown. The CCDC no longer exists, but it is pretty amazing to enter a new era of city politics where the Mayor and the City Council all support safe riding. With SANDAG's cooperation, because of the TransNet tax that we all pay for complete road infrastructure improvements, it looks like things are really happening. You can see the evidence by increased signage, sharrows, bike lane improvements and connections made along the San Diego River among many other projects.

The inclusion of safety for pedestrians, public transit, and bicycling along with cars is the distinction of a "complete road" and it is really exciting that EVERYONE can have a say in the process. Yesterday the City Council passed a resolution to prioritize bicycle infrastructure. While they didn't dedicate any funds to that end, that the subject is on people's minds is a great benefit to everyone across the city. So maybe I'm a johnny-come-lately to some of the politics and activism, but I thought I'd share some links, video, and let you know that TODAY (Wednesday, March 6, 2013) there is an open SANDAG meeting at Sunset Temple, behind Claire De Lune, to discuss actual routes for what they're calling the North Park-Mid-City Regional Bike Corridors Project.

Community Advisory Group: A community advisory group has been formed to provide in-depth input on the design and serve as the community liaison from kick-off to completion of The planning phase. The group will meet four times at key project milestones. Meetings are open to the public – all are welcome to attend. Here's the AGENDA

The second Community Advisory Group will be held:
March 6, 2013
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Sunset Temple
3911 Kansas Street
San Diego, CA 92104

San Diego Bicycle Master Plan (City of San Diego)

San Diego Regional Bike Plan (SANDAG)

Keep San Diego Moving

Bike San Diego

San Diego County Bicycle Coalition

North Park - Mid-City Regional Bike Corridors Project

Transit 5010

Here's the City Council Item from yesterday (that passed unanimously save for two absent votes):

ITEM-331: Resolution Prioritizing Bicycle Infrastructure Improvements in the City of San Diego to Enhance Public Safety. (Citywide.)
ITEM DESCRIPTION:
To consider and adopt resolution prioritizing bicycle infrastructure improvements to enhance public safety in the City of San Diego
COUNCILMEMBER ZAPF'S RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the following resolution:(R-2013-456)
Declaring that the City of San Diego supports prioritizing citywide bicycle infrastructure improvements which enhance rider safety, provide transportation options, and benefit the greater public as our region steps forward and progresses.

Video after the jump.