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SAN CARLOS BIKES NEWSLETTER

May 8, 2022 Biking News

This month's highlights include the Holly/101 Bike Bridge Workshop, Hometown Days, Bike to Work, School & Wherever Days, Downtown Advisory Commission forming...


1.) San Carlos asking for Community Support to get Bike/Ped Bridge (over 101 at Holly), Please attend their Virtual Workshop THIS MONDAY, May 16, 6:30pm (pre-register please)

2.) Applications due Sun, May 15 by midnight to Shape the new San Carlos Downtown – a new (temporary) Public Advisory Commission forming now (a ~1 year/~4-meeting commitment), fellow bicyclists, please apply to help create a micromobility-friendly downtown


3.) Temporary Bike Lane coming to Alameda next to Carlmont High School for Bike to Work/School Day, Fri, May 20, thanks to Carlmont E-Bike Club collaborating with Belmont & San Carlos Public Works!


4.) Please Pledge to Ride (to anywhere) in advance to get the 2022 Messenger Bag during “Bike to Work/School & Wherever Days” – Fri, 5/20 - Sun, 5/22 (Pick up at any Energizer Station)


5.) Energizer Stations for Bike to Work/School & Wherever Days will be at these locations, Fri, May 20 - Sun, May 22.

All riders are welcome at any Energizer Station, which are located throughout the Bay Area, & offer refreshments & encouragement!

Nearby Energizer Stations include:

  • Carlmont High School, Alameda de las Pulgas @ Chula Vista, Belmont (Fri, 5/20, 6:00-9:00am)

  • Hopkins @ Alameda, RWC (Fri, 5/20, 7:00-9:00am)

  • San Carlos Public Library, San Carlos (Fri, 5/20, 2:00-4:30pm)

  • Hometown Days @ Burton Park, Bocce Ball Area (Sat, 5/21, 10am-6pm)

  • Redwood City Public Library, RWC, (Sat, 5/21, 10am-Noon)

  • All Area Bike Shops (normal business hours)

  • Silicon Valley Bike Exchange, 3961 E. Bayshore, Palo Alto (Fri, 5/20 7:30-9:30am and 3-5pm)

6.) To pledge to ride and for more information on Bike to Work/School/Wherever Days and the locations of the Energizer Stations: https://bikesiliconvalley.org/events/btwd.


7.) Get a Bike Safety Inspection & Attend a Bicycle basics Workshop on Bike to Your Library Day, Friday May 20, 2-4:30pm at San Carlos & Belmont Libraries, and Saturday, May 21, 10am-noon at Redwood City Library.


8.) “Pre-Parade Roll” just before the San Carlos Hometown Days Parade returns! Sat, May 21 – Riders meet at 9:30am on Laurel St @ San Carlos Ave


9.) Please ride bikes/wheels to San Carlos Hometown Days! Valet Parking for bikes/wheels in Burton Park, Bocce ball area, Sat 5/21,10am-6pm, Sun 5/22 10am-5pm


10.) Volunteers still needed! Please sign up to help at San Carlos Hometown Days Free Valet Bikes & Wheels Parking & Energizer Station, Sat/Sun 5/21-22


11.) Big Used Bike Sale at Silicon Valley Bike Exchange, Sun, May 29, 10am-1pm, 3961 E Bayshore Rd (enter parking lot from Corporation Way, follow signs).

  • Refurbished used bikes including road bikes, mtn bikes, gravel bikes, vintage, hybrids/commuters, kids bikes

  • Brands include Trek, Specialized, Giant, Cannondale, Santa Cruz, Marin, Raleigh and more. Some as low as $150

  • Note: SVBE accepts bike donations, and provides free bike repair education to anyone interested in volunteering


12.) City of San Carlos seeking applicants for ALL Advisory Commissions (Transportation, Economic Development, Planning & Parks & Rec), applications due by May 13, bicyclists please apply here to help shape a bike & micromobility-friendly San Carlos


13.) Congrats to San Mateo County 2022 Bike Champion, Amol Patwardhan!


14.) San Carlos School District Walk/Bike Audit Results back, Staff is reviewing, Stay Tuned for Public Input Request soon


15.) Latest San Carlos Ave (Phase 3) Improvements Plan to be presented to Transportation Commission Tuesday, May 17, 7pm please attend if you can (Congratulations San Carlos Public Works on getting grant funding!)


16.) Next Biketivist Forum Hosted by SVBC is about the Intersection of Biking and Affordable Housing, May 18, 5pm. It’s about the importance of affordable housing in land use and what impacts it has on different modes of transportation.Link to More Info and to Pre-register


17.) San Carlos’ St. Charles School Tigers completed their On-Street Bike Safety Ed Series this week! Congrats new Tiger Riders & Thank you to San Carlos Bike Safety champion/P.E. teacher Jess DeLeuw & St Charles parent volunteers for outstanding work!


18.) Thank you Belmont Public Works Director, Peter Brown & City Engineer Jared Barrilleaux for guiding Belmont bicyclists on an infrastructure safety ride on Ralston Ave in Belmont on May 10! Summary of findings to come, stay tuned


19.) Belmont Youth Bicyclists – your chance to make a difference as a Recreation Youth Commissioner (openings avail. until filled)

  • The Parks and Recreation Commission has two seats for Youth Commissioners, who are full voting members. Youth Commissioners will also serve as the liaisons to the V.O.I.C.E.S. and the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). The V.O.I.C.E.S. meet twice a month, Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. and the YAC meet twice a month, Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. The City Council will consider applications from Belmont residents who are between the ages of 13 and 17 years old. Parent/Guardian consent is mandatory


20.) Are you following the Changes Planned for Belmont’s Parks & Open Spaces? Support a bike-friendly Belmont by staying current with the advisory process — Next Belmont Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting is May 31, 2022, 7pm


21.) SMC Sheriff’s Dept has agreed to send 3-foot Law violation letters when incidents and near misses are reported, with or without video evidence. Must submit vehicle license number and location of incident. Thank you Elaine Salinger for your advocacy!


22.) Get Safe Cycling Tips for Bike Month, From Stanford Medicine


On-going


23.) Need free help fixing your bike? Next Free Fixit Clinics coming to Redwood City Library Makerspace as well as available 24/7 through online support:


24.) Please help bike advocates ‘Close the Safety Gap’ between Cañada Rd, Highway 92 and Skyline! San Mateo County Parks Dept and Board of Supervisors need to hear from more of the biking community to prioritize making the needed improvements.

  • Background – Two very popular bicycling destinations, Sawyer Camp Trail and Cañada Road are separated by a rather dangerous 1.7 mile stretch of state highway 92 and "lower" Skyline Drive. The build-out of a multi-use trail to connect these two areas was in the original Crystal Springs regional trail plan from 20 years ago, but this last stretch was never completed. You probably have or know someone with a scary story related to riding the 92 and lower skyline in its current state. Or maybe you’re a cyclist who hasn’t even bothered to try riding between Sawyer Camp and Cañada since you can't even imagine it being rideable!

  • After the past 2 years of advocating for the completion of the 92-lower skyline bikeway with various government agencies, (and getting commitment that SMC Parks will support it once built) advocates have learned that the best way to move this initiative forward is for the entire bicycling community to voice their opinions to Don Horsley, the SM County supervisor in overseeing this District, about the importance of completing a safe bikeway along this route. Getting Don's support for finishing this project seems to be the key factor in convincing Caltrans and SMC Parks (among other agencies) to kick-off its completion.

  • The Ask: Please customize the template letter below and send it to Don Horsley (dhorsley@smcgov.org) so that the County can take action before some sort of tragic incident takes place on this route and forward this to friends!

  • Sample Letter: Honorable Don Horsley,

[State your affiliation, e.g. I am a San Mateo County resident, cyclist, and parent of three, etc.] I write this letter of support to complete the final portion of the Crystal Springs Trail, which is the 1.7 mile stretch of bikeway on State Highway 92 and lower Skyline Drive. Completing a safe route along this route connects two popular biking and walking routes – lower Crystal Springs Trail and Cañada Road – which will provide countless recreational and bike commuter safety benefits to the community. Completion of this route will remove a major "choke point" for hikers and bicyclists looking to travel between Sawyer Camp and Cañada road. Additionally, completion of this short yet critical stretch completes the last remaining gap of the Crystal Springs Trail/Ohlone-Portola Heritage Trail that connects San Bruno to Woodside with a walkable route that has been used by the indigenous population for thousands of years. Please consider the legacy that you can leave to our community in being remembered for completing safe pedestrian/bike access on this historic trail! Signed, [Your name]


25.) Two Bike Shed Program Teachers Needed

  • San Mateo County Office of Education’s Safe Routes to School Program Director is looking for two bike shed program teachers. Both positions are in the Sequoia Union High School District. They had a couple of leads and they fell through. They are trying to get a limited program in place for their students before the end of the school year. The timing is during the school day but I believe it would be fairly flexible. Both schools have funding to pay the teacher a stipend. If you are interested or you know someone, please email Theresa Vallez-Kelly, SRTS Coordinator at tvkelly@smcoe.org


Details:


1.) San Carlos Needs More Community Support to get Funding for Bike/Ped Bridge over 101 (at Holly), please attend the Virtual Workshop THIS MONDAY, May 16, 6:30pm (pre-register!)


  • Most folks are aware of the safety issues that arise due to the intermingling of the bike and traffic lanes on the current Holly Street Overpass. Many residents avoid cycling or walking altogether if it must include this corridor.

  • This project would provide a safe highway crossing to residents, including students, bicyclists, air and train travelers as well as everyday commuters. The increasing costs of fuel and the need for more affordable and sustainable forms of transportation make this project vitally important to the future health and well-being of the San Carlos community.

  • The City hopes to be awarded funding to construct a dedicated pedestrian and bicyclist overcrossing to replace the current bike lane on the Holly Street Overpass. We need to get the funding required to make this plan a reality. Please feel free to share the information about the Workshop with others in the community to help spread the word.


2.) Applications due Sun, May 15 by midnight to Shape the new San Carlos Downtown – a new (temporary) Public Advisory Commission is forming now (a ~1 year/~4-meeting commitment), fellow bicyclists, please apply!!

  • The City is launching an exciting new project that will reimagine and re-envision the future of Downtown San Carlos, including Laurel Street and El Camino Real, from Holly to Greenwood. This project, called the “Downtown Specific Plan,” will build upon what’s best and most loved about Downtown San Carlos, and take a close look at what needs updating or changing.

  • To assist with this effort, there will be a Council-appointed committee (i.e. DTAC), which is comprised of 17 different representatives from our community who will provide input at key times throughout the project timeline. The application filing period will begin on Thursday, April 28, 2022 and close on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at midnight.

  • The primary objectives of the Downtown Specific Plan project are to:

  • Establish a vision for the future of Downtown

  • Develop planning tools to achieve the community vision and City objectives for the future of Downtown

  • Consider and confirm the right balance of commercial and residential uses within Downtown

  • Increase the economic vitality of Downtown to reach its optimal potential to serve residents and visitors more effectively

  • Enhance the appearance and pedestrian experience within Downtown by providing strategies and policies to promote beautification, improved mobility, and streetscape enhancements to increase connections from the Downtown to surrounding neighborhoods, districts, and destinations.

  • If you are interested in serving or learning more about the Downtown Advisory Committee, please visit our website: www.cityofsancarlos.org/DTA

7.) Get a Bike Safety Inspection & Attend a Bicycle basics Workshop on Bike to Your Library Day, Friday May 20, 2-4:30pm at San Carlos & Belmont Libraries, and Saturday, May 21, 10am-noon at Redwood City Library.


Grab your helmet, fill up your water bottle, hop on your bicycle and ride out to your nearest San Mateo County Libraries location during our Bike to Your Library Weekend, Friday, May 20 - Sunday, May 22.

This Bike to Your Library Weekend comes with special news. San Mateo County Libraries is expanding our Book-A-Bike service to all locations starting Friday, May 20!

We know many of you have enjoyed cycling this past year, so make sure to visit us for this special three-day event. This year we have teamed up with local partners to provide fun and educational experiences for everyone. We will also have bicycle swag provided to us from Commute.org, opens a new window, so read on for details!

Bicycle Safety Inspection Clinic

San Mateo County Libraries has partnered with Velofix, opens a new window, a mobile bicycle maintenance team, to offer free bicycle safety inspections at six of our locations. During the inspection, Velofix’s bicycle technicians will inspect your bicycle and provide the following:

  • Air up all bike tires

  • Lubricate bike chains

  • Tighten the bicycle bolts and bike seat post

  • Alert owners of any issues that need repair

  • Provide service/repair recommendations only

  • Note: there will not be replacement parts installed during the bicycle safety inspection

This event is first come, first served and we anticipate each bicycle inspection to last about 15 minutes. All are welcome to join.

Friday, May 20
Saturday, May 21

Bicycle Basics Workshop

Do you ever find yourself interested in learning more about maintaining your bicycle? If so, this workshop is for you! San Mateo County Libraries has partnered with Cycle to You, opens a new window and Bikes Haven, opens a new window to share best practices for owning and riding a bicycle. This fun workshop will be informative and offer time for a Q&A. All are welcome to join.

Friday, May 20
Saturday, May 21
Sunday, May 22

Bay Area Bike to Work Day - Vallemar Energizer Station (Pacifica)

Celebrating Bay Area Bike to Work Day, opens a new window, our Pacifica Sharp Park community library staff will join the Pacifica Parks, Beaches & Recreation Department, opens a new window to encourage bicyclists on their way to work. Stop by the energizer station (located at Highway 1 and Vallemar) to learn more about bicycling in the area, receive bicycle swag and check out other related offerings.

Friday, May 20

  • Energizer Station at Highway 1 starting at 6:30 AM

Bike to Wherever Day Bag Giveaways

In partnership with Commute.org, opens a new window and the Silicon Valley Bike Coalition, opens a new window, San Mateo County Libraries will have bicycle giveaway bags on hand for those who ride to one of our libraries. Riders can also “pledge to ride” to any of the events for Bike to Your Library Weekend or Bay Area Bike to Work Day and be entered to win additional prizes.

Book-A- Bike is Expanding to All San Mateo County Libraries!

In addition to Bike to Your Library Weekend, consider using our Book-A-Bike service. Bikes are loaned for one week. That is right, seven days of unlimited bike use!

We're excited to announce our Book-A-Bike service will soon be offered at all locations, expanding to six new locations beginning Friday, May 20.

Current Book-A-Bike Service Locations:

  • Belmont Library

  • Brisbane Library

  • Half Moon Bay Library

  • Millbrae Library

  • San Carlos Library

  • Woodside Library

New Additions to the Book-A-Bike Service Beginning Friday, May 20

  • East Palo Alto

  • Foster City Library

  • North Fair Oaks Library

  • Pacifica Sharp Park Library

  • Pacifica Sanchez Library

  • Portola Valley Library

The new Atherton Library is still being completed. It will offer the Book-A-Bike service when it opens this spring.

How do you qualify to borrow a bike? We are glad you asked! Here is what you will need:

  • Must be 18 years or older and live in San Mateo County

  • Have a valid library card that begins with “29041”

  • Complete a waiver prior to borrowing the bicycle.

You may reserve a bike by visiting our San Mateo County Libraries Room/Equipment Reservation page. Bicycles must be returned to the same library they were borrowed from.



Thanks for reading/riding! Sonia Elkes,

Founder, San Carlos Bikes

(415) 806-4632


PS: Want to get bike-related news more promptly? To see more bike- and San Carlos transportation-related updates sooner:



For General Information on Biking in San Carlos see our website: www.sancarlosbikes.org


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