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October 2017 Newsletter

Our condolences to all who lost homes or loved ones during the horrific fires that blanketed our county this past week...and gratitude to all the first responders and volunteers who risked their own lives to save and serve others.

Our staff and board are all physically safe, but have experienced losses...as have so many other individuals and organizations within our cycling community.

The Santa Rosa Cycling Club, one of our staunchest supporters, lost their entire warehouse and over $100,000 worth of equipment - everything they need to host rides like the Wine Country Century. This will have a huge impact on the community groups, including SCBC, to which they donate the proceeds from these cycling events.

Fire-related school closures and air quality issues have and will continue to affect the Safe Routes to School program, impacting its funding stream, staff jobs, and ultimately the organization's bottom line.

We have decided to go ahead with our previously scheduled fundraising event (described below), to help offset these financial losses and to offer the community a few hours of fun and entertainment.

#SonomaStrong: The love in the air is thicker than the smoke.

Fundraising Event October 28

Join us for a swingin’ good time at our Bikes, Blues & Brews fundraiser Saturday October 28 from 8-11 pm at the Saturday Afternoon Club, 430 Tenth Street in Santa Rosa. The event features a performance by Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, one of the top swinging jazz and blues bands in the world. Proceeds will offset fire-related impacts to the Safe Routes to School Program and the Santa Rosa Cycling Club's charitable giving program. Come experience the healing power of music and dance the night away!

Refreshments available for purchase include beer generously donated by Woodfour Brewing Company. The event also includes a raffle and silent auction, with prizes ranging from local restaurant and movie gift cards, free admission to spectacular bike rides and outdoor adventures, to a Yuba cargo bike! More information, including online auction pre-bidding, is available at www.bikesonoma.org/bikes-blues-and-brews. (You don't have to attend the event to bid on auction items!)

Tickets are $25 for Coalition members and $30 for nonmembers. They can be purchased in advance online at BikeSonoma.BrownPaperTickets.com or at the door.

Since it’s Halloween weekend, why not dress up in vintage style?

THANKS TO ALL OUR EVENT SPONSORS & DONORS!

Better World Club | BikeMonkey | Bistro 29 | Disneyland Tickets | Epicenter Sports Center | Grasshopper Adventures | Markham Winery | Marin County Bicycle Coalition | Mombo's Pizza | Mudroom Backpacks | North Bay Bohemian | Notre Vue Estate Winery | Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary | Pamper Me Boutique| Rialto Cinemas | RKA Motorcycle Luggage | Rotary Club of Santa Rosa | Safari West | SMART | Sonoma Canopy Tours | Sonoma County Backroads Challenge | Spoke Folk | Sports Basement | Studios at Montecito Heights | Tour de Fuzz | Vertex Climbing Center | Wine Country Cyclery | Woodfour Brewing | Yuba Bicycles

Jensie Fondo Hit & Run Driver Arrested

On Saturday, October 7, while riding in Marin's Jensie Gran Fondo, four men were were struck down by motorist Aaron Paff, who then fled the scene. Thankfully, the incident was caught on video by a passing motorcyclist.

All four cyclists were sent to the hospital and have since been released. The most seriously injured rider, Spencer Fast of Mill Valley, may suffer permanent loss of vision in his right eye and will require extended recovery.

The SCBC and the Marin County Bicycle Coalition were quick to put out a call to action asking local cyclists and others for help identifying and locating Paff. As a result the many tips received from the public, law enforcement was able to identify and arrest Paff on felony hit-and-run charges.

The case is still under investigation. If you have additional information regarding the incident, or have witnessed Paff driving dangerously or menacingly at other times, please report that information to CHP Investigative Detective Kevin Giannone at kgiannone@chp.ca.gov.

Share the Road Public Service Videos

Ten days ago, a Novato man drove his truck into four cyclists riding in the Jensie Gran Fondo, sending them to the hospital (see article above). It seems that not a month goes by without a similar incident. How do we influence motorist behavior so that we can all share the roads safely?

SCBC has partnered with our sister coalitions in Marin and Napa to professionally produce a PSA video highlighting California's three foot passing law. It emphasizes driving respectfully and uses gentle humor to remind motorists that cyclists are their friends and neighbors. Starting this November, we will be promoting the PSA throughout the greater Bay Area. In order to reach folks outside the cycling community, we've bought pre-movie ad time: the video will be viewed by movie-goers in five Sonoma County theaters throughout the month of November and is expected to receive over 167,000 views. Thanks to Bay Area Bicycle Law, Yuba Bikes, Santa Rosa Cycling Club, and Culture Pop Films for their financial support of this project.

Courtney Rudin, the driver of the pick-up involved in the death of cyclist Amy Suyama, will be standing trial this Thursday, October 19, at 10:30 am in Sonoma County Courtroom 6. Mr. Rudin has been charged with Vehicular Manslaughter Without Gross Negligence (Penal Code 192 (c)(2)).

PC 192 (c)(2) defined is “driving a vehicle in the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, but without gross negligence; or driving a vehicle in the commission of a lawful act which might produce death, in an unlawful manner, but without gross negligence.”

The maximum sentence possible for PC 192(c)(2) is one year in county jail and up to a $1,000 fine. Summary probation can also be granted.

Click here for court updates on the status and scheduling of the case.

More Upcoming Events

11/04: MCBC's Biketoberfest
11/15: Smart Cycling 101A
11/18: Smart Cycling 101B
11/19: Biker Chicks Ride, 10am