May 2025 is the 16th Anniversary of Bicycling Monterey, Monterey County’s Local Partner of the California Bicycle Coalition / #CalBike.

Our favorite #BikeAdvocacy task is direct outreach by bicycle! The 16th anniv gallery https://bikemonterey.org/16th-anniversary-gallery-bicycling-monterey-may-2025.html is a sampling of people we met each of the past 16 years.

Among them: #PeopleWhoBike for #transportation, recreation, who bike to #protest rallies, bike to #FarmersMarkets, bike to #surf, #BikeToSchool and #BikeAndRide for a #DadAndDaughter date, #BikeToWork (and yes, pedaling in a business #suit is no problem for him), #HandCycle bike to exercise the #dog, bike to #travel long distances / #BicycleTouring.

#BicyclingMonterey #BikeTooter #MontereyCounty #California #BikeAdvocates #ActiveTransport #BikeMonterey#cycling #cyclists

People who bike in California - Take Action for #BikeMonth
https://www.calbike.org/bike-month/
#CalBike #BikeTooter #MontereyCounty

California Assembly Bill 1014
#AB1014
#SlowSpeedsSaveLives

Just today a woman who bikes sent me a video showing a motor vehicle as it struck her at the end of West Broadway Urban Village in Seaside. We shuddered to think how much more she’d have suffered if it were going faster.

"So far, the bill has faced no registered opposition and has drawn support from a broad coalition, including the California Bicycle Coalition / #CalBike, Rural County Representatives of California and Streets Are For Everyone. Supervisor Chris Lopez has also shown support for the proposal.” —Report by KYARRA HARRIS in #MontereyHerald

https://www.montereyherald.com/2025/04/28/supervisors-weigh-support-for-traffic-bill-aimed-at-reducing-speed-limits/

#ActiveTransportation #TrafficSafety #PublicHealth #PublicSafety #StreetsAreForEveryone
#BikeTooter #MontereyCounty

@ascentale @PamelaSchure @bikenite #BikeNite #BikeNite25April2025 #A7 This reminds: We enjoyed meeting Bike Tennessee folks at Sea Otter Classic. Seems they’ve come up with a great tourism initiative for their state, biketn.com.

Here in Monterey County, California helping visitors who bike was one of our first projects, beginning in 2009, hence remains an alternate URL — https://tipsfortourists.com — aka bikemonterey.org. Helping tourists/visitors is mentioned in this 10th anniversary post. https://bikemonterey.org/may-1-10th-anniversary-of-the-bicycling-monterey-site-and-projects.html

In our Bicycle Maps section https://bikemonterey.org/tips-for-tourists/once-you-start, we include links not only to Monterey County’s bilingual (Spanish-English) bike map https://bikemonterey.org/bicycle-map-for-monterey-county.html, but also to some other California bike maps. For more, we encourage checking with other California Bicycle Coalition aka #CalBike Local Partners: https://www.calbike.org/about_us/who_we_are/local_partners/

#BikeTooter #BicycleTouring #EcoTourism #ResponsibleTourism #BikeTouring

Congratulations to the state of New Mexico on passing SB 73, “Require Bicycle Stops for Safety” (aka stop as yield aka Idaho stop). https://www.fox26medford.com/news/state/new-mexico-to-allow-cyclists-to-roll-through-stop-signs/article_44951e1d-6e47-5b07-9795-292b1fdbc885.html We look forward to California adopting such legislation; see status of progress in CA: https://bikemonterey.org/bicycle-safety-stop-for-california.html

#BicycleSafetyStop #IdahoStop #StopAsYield #NewMexico #California #TrafficSafety #BikeAdvocacy #CalBike

Among the most satisfying of the numerous Bicycling Monterey projects https://bikemonterey.org/about/financial-donations/donations-some-ways-your-money-can-help is providing an alternative to fines for people who receive citations while biking https://bikemonterey.org/bike-equity-project-alternative-to-fine-for-traffic-citations.html.

As we pointed out at the last #CalBike Policy Advisory Council meeting, although California legislation allows for a $25 fine for helmet citation (for minors), court costs mean that $25 becomes $193 in our county courts.

Tonight’s letter writing (below) provides one example of saving a local family money—in this case, $386, as the minor had received two citations. We do our best to tailor each minor’s community service to their individual learning style and family circumstances.

If you value the Bicycling Monterey site and projects, please consider making a donation to help support this work. https://bikemonterey.org/about/financial-donations

#BikeTooter #TrafficSafety #YouthBike #TrafficFines #TrafficCitations #cycling #biking #bicycling #CommunityService

@ai6yr Yes! Blakespear authored SB 1216; it was on #CalBike’s 2024 agenda, https://www.calbike.org/bike-friendly-wins-and-losses-but-mostly-wins-in-2024/

ICYMI, here’s CalBike's 2025 legislative watch: https://www.calbike.org/legislative-watch/.

California Bicycle Coalition / #CalBike's 2025 Legislative Agenda https://www.calbike.org/calbikes-2025-legislative-agenda/

#cycling #transportation #ClimateAction #infrastructure #BicycleHighway #QuickBuild #ebike #emotorcycle

"The advocacy organizations that have been working locally and regionally for years are still there, still doing good work, and more necessary than ever….Join CalBike….Join other local, regional, or national groups doing work you care about and support them with money, time, or both.”

https://www.calbike.org/action-in-a-time-of-overwhelm/?emci=661a81cd-0eef-ef11-90cb-0022482a94f4&emdi=fd32f322-b4ef-ef11-90cb-0022482a94f4&ceid=2203703

Support the California Bicycle Coalition / #CalBike’s local partners https://www.calbike.org/about_us/who_we_are/local_partners/, including Bicycling Monterey https://bikemonterey.org/about/financial-donations.

#BikeTooter #TakeAction #ClimateAction #cycling #biking #bicycling #California #MontereyBay #MontereyCounty #Monterey

We’ve mentioned previously the widespread confusion about e-motorcycles, which are often inaccurately marketed as e-bikes. See https://bikemonterey.org/california-bicycle-advocates-call-on-elected-leaders-to-protect-e-bike-riders.html

Early this morning we published the latest issue of Bike Buzz, which mentions that and more about bikes at unsafe speeds. (See "On a multiuse trail, anytime we’re near pedestrians and others” in red box at https://bikemonterey.org/bike-buzz-winter-2025.html.)

Coincidentally, a Feb 14 afternoon story from #MontereyCountyNow / #MontereyCountyWeekly staff writer David Schmalz includes a speeding e-motorcycle rider: "Wild e-bike [sic] chase in downtown Monterey ends in major firearms arrest.”https://www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/news_blog/wild-e-bike-chase-in-downtown-monterey-ends-in-major-firearms-arrest/article_491b11ce-eb1b-11ef-b4fd-cff75c185ee6.html

Although David’s story refers to that vehicle as an “e-bike,” the Monterey Police Dept press release identified it as an e-motorcycle. https://files.monterey.gov/News-Releases/2025/25_0214-MPD-Media-Release-Firearms-Arrest.pdf

This is another example of why we and many other #CalBike partners issued this stmt: https://bikemonterey.org/california-bicycle-advocates-call-on-elected-leaders-to-protect-e-bike-riders.html

#BikeTooter #California #MontereyCounty #eMotorcycle #eBike #WordsMatter #media #journalists

"I would despair in this political moment if I thought I had to wait until November 2028 to make a statement on my beliefs for a better world….Bicycling holds the potential to be a bulwark against the environmental crisis bearing down on our state in the form of extreme weather and wildfires. There is a fallacy that high tech solutions are the only way out, when the simple bicycle is the best zero carbon vehicle known to man.

"As we look beyond the challenges of today toward the possibilities of tomorrow, we at CalBike are gearing up for an ambitious 2025. Every pedal push in our community is more than just a ride; it’s a step towards a sustainable future."—Kendra Ramsey, ED, #CaliforniaBicycleCoalition / #CalBike

We encourage your suppport for CalBike https://www.calbike.org/join/ and their local partners https://www.calbike.org/about_us/who_we_are/local_partners/.

#BikeTooter #California
#ActiveTransportation
#ClimateAction
#BikeAdvocate
#bike
#bicycle
#cycling

Climate Action: California advocates urge state action in response to new federal administration

Jeanie Ward-Waller, interim director of ClimatePlan; Kendra Ramsey, executive director of California Bicycle Coalition; and representatives of 66 other California environmental, health, and housing advocacy groups, including active transportation advocates (full list in post) know that local and state governments still have control over many policy areas impacting #ClimateChange. They’re urging #California #Transportation Commission (CTC), California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), California #Air Resources Board (CARB), and California Department of #Housing & Community Development (HCD) to act in response to POTUS 47.

See their letter, and related info: https://bikemonterey.org/climate-action-california-advocates-respond-to-potus47.html

#Caltrans #CalBike #ClimateCrisis #ClimateAction #ParisAgreement #USA #POTUS47

On a multiuse trail we bike slowly, out of respect for safety & comfort of others sharing trail. It’s disturbing how fast some people go on Monterey section of Monterey Bay coastal trail.

Yesterday a man in uniform slammed on his brakes & skidded within inches of rear-ending a woman with a child in stroller. “Sorry,” he said & raced on. Next a woman raced passed, shouting “on your left!” (BTW, despite it being advised, we don’t find that a great phrase where so many people speak other languages.—Instead we simply slow down, and either ring a friendly bell, or in a kind voice, just say “hi.”)

Even people on a legal Class 1, 2, or 3 e-bike, or a traditional bicycle, often need to be more mindful of slowing around others. #BikePolite. #TrafficSafety. As for illegal devices, ICYMI, see why Bicycling Monterey signed #CalBike stmt: https://bikemonterey.org/california-bicycle-advocates-call-on-elected-leaders-to-protect-e-bike-riders.html

Yesterday we visited w/ 2 Seaside teens who admired our #Tern. They’d yearned for a #Super73 (note: https://electrek.co/2025/01/12/the-days-of-superfast-super73-e-bikes-are-over-sort-of/) & we shared that #CalBike stmt.

New Studies Show No Downsides for Bicycle Safety Stop
https://cal.streetsblog.org/2025/01/10/new-studies-show-no-downsides-for-bicycle-safety-stop

#Streetsblog #BikeTooter #BikeSF #CalBike

Note the #KION headline mistakenly refers to the device as an “ebike" ("Police seize juvenile’s Talaria electric bike after brief chase”), reinforcing mistaken perceptions about ebikes. If people read past the headline, they’ll see in the short story itself a reference to "illegal electric motorcycles.”

"According to police, electric motorcycles like Sur Ron's and Talaria's are not street legal or safe and can have motors that exceed 6,000 watts, which is more than the legal 750 watts.

"'This Talaria was modified to reach speeds more double the stock limit,' said police.” https://kion546.com/news/santa-cruz-county/capitola/2025/01/06/police-seize-juveniles-talaria-electric-bike-after-brief-chase/

ICYMI, see related stmt from #California #Bicycle Coalition and other #ActiveTransport advocates, "California Bicycle Advocates Call on Elected Leaders to Protect E-Bike Riders by Curbing Illegal Electric Motorcycles": https://bikemonterey.org/california-bicycle-advocates-call-on-elected-leaders-to-protect-e-bike-riders.html.

#MontereyBay #Capitola #SantaCruzCounty #CalBike #ebikes #emotorcycles #ebike #ElectricMotorcycles #Media #Journalism #Journalists #WordsMatter #vocabulary #accuracy

Our gratitude to Cory Steinmetz for a generous donation on December 26th in support of the Bicycling Monterey work. https://bikemonterey.org/2024-bicycling-monterey-donors-to-date.html

Cory’s donation will be used for Website and Public Outreach. Donors may choose to specify, via drop-down options, how they'd like their donation used—i.e., for Website and Public Outreach; Education Projects; Advocacy Projects; or General Operating Expenses. Or contact us for other ideas.

To make a donation, go to: https://bikemonterey.org/about/financial-donations

#Gratitude
#cycling #biking #bicycling #California #CentralCoast #MontereyBay #MontereyCounty #CalBike #LocalPartner #ClimateAction #transportation

#California Bicycle Coalition / CalBike's Best and Worst of 2024 https://www.calbike.org/calbikes-best-and-worst-of-2024/

#BikeTooter #CalBike

For all California highways, maintenance needs are addressed by the California Department of Transportation / Caltrans. To report needs, go to: http://msr.dot.ca.gov.

If you’re driving CA SR 68 (or any road) and wonder why a person on a bicycle chooses to bike in the travel lane temporarily, despite heavy traffic, odds are the person has no other option for avoiding a punctured tire. We came upon this sharp debris—apparently the remains of a motor vehicle collision—while biking last eve and earlier this week. And you bet, we've reported it to Caltrans.

It took us less than 10 minutes to report this hazardous debris. Please take time to do the same when you come upon such conditions on California highways.

BTW, we wish we had a cargo bike with brooms, dustpans, etc. like Don’s https://bikemonterey.org/earth-day.html so we could just clean it up ourselves rather than wait for a Caltrans crew!

More info: https://bikemonterey.org/where-to-report-a-bikeway-maintenance-need-in-monterey-county-plus-maintenance-needs-for-california-state-highways.html

#California #transportation #Caltrans #DOT #CalBike

What do these California active transportation advocates have in common?

Active San Gabriel Valley
Bicycling Monterey
Bike East Bay
Bike Santa Cruz County
Bike SLO County
Bike Temecula Valley
BikeLA
California Bicycle Coalition
Claremont Streets for People
Families for Safe Streets San Diego
Marin County Bicycle Coalition
MOVE Santa Barbara County
Napa County Bicycle Coalition
Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition
Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates
San Diego County Bicycle Coalition
San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
Santa Monica Spoke
Shasta Living Streets
Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition
Slow Down Sacramento
Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition
Streets Are For Everyone
Streets For All
Streets Forward
Sunnyvale Safe Streets
Traffic Violence Rapid Response
Walk Bike Berkeley

A recognition that concerns about e-bike safety are frequently misdirected.
https://cal.streetsblog.org/2024/12/13/california-bicycle-advocates-call-on-elected-leaders-to-protect-e-bike-riders-by-curbing-illegal-electric-motorcycles

#BikeTooter #CalBike #CaliforniaBicycleCoalition #ebike #ebikes #ActiveTransport #ClimateAction

KQED Public Forum with guests Kendra Ramsey, executive director of California Bicycle Coalition / #CalBike; John Maa, trauma surgeon, MarinHealth Medical Center, and former president of the San Francisco Marin Medical Society; Karen Wiener, co-owner, The New Wheel—an e-bike shop in San Francisco, Oakland, and Marin; and Jesse Villegas, Fresno resident, who bought an e-bike as part of the soft launch of the state's e-bike incentive program.

https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101908121/california-offers-long-awaited-cash-incentives-for-e-bikes

#KQED #PublicBroadcasting #ebike #ebikes #ElectricBicycles #ElectricBikes #transportation #ClimateAction