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New Road Improvements
If you have ridden on Hall Road west of Santa Rosa lately you can’t help but notice the restored road surface. This is what a “cape seal†repair looks like. A polymer binder is sprayed onto the road, then covered with small diameter aggregate, compacted with a rubber-tired roller. A few days later the road is swept and a topcoat binder layer is sprayed on and compacted. For those of us travelling on skinny tires it is a superior technique compared to a conventional chip seal job using larger aggregate and relying on passing motorists to do most of the compaction, leaving skid producing gravel bars along the side of the road.
SCBC has been encouraging the county Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) to utilize this bike-friendlier technique, popular in southern California, and to use the smallest sized aggregate possible. SCBC has also had discussions with TPW regarding how to deal with the paved shoulder area outboard of the fog line. Specifically, we’ve encouraged them to either chip seal the entire road width (like the Hall Road job) or ensure that there is not an abrupt transition at the fog line if the job is from white line to white line.
This behind the scenes bike advocacy helps to ensure that the needs of cyclists are considered when designing road repair projects. For a list of all of the road segments slated for this method of repair this year, see http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/_templates_portal/Project.aspx?id=2147506946
Faces on the Bike Path – Robyn Bramhall
Robyn is a long time SCBC member and Human Resources consultant who says, “I joined SCBC not as a rider but because I support the Coalition’s promotion of safe roads and bike trails for use by riders of all types†and describes herself as a weekend rider who takes short jaunts on her Trek hybrid on the West County Trail between Graton and Forestville. She has also volunteered to help at SCBC events, and has provided her expert HR knowledge pro bono to both the SCBC Board and management, teaching new board members “Board Basics†at their yearly retreat.
When not working or riding her bike, Robyn is also a board member of the Graton Green Group. They are working to create a public park in downtown Graton, which will be a nice place for cyclists to stop as they ride on either the West County Trail or on Graton Road toward the coast. They have a purchase agreement for a small parcel near Graton Rd and Bowen, so their project is well underway.
To learn more about Robyn, check out her website, www.northbayhr.com
Upcoming Events – Family and Cargo Bike Ride, Saturday, September 5th, 10 a.m.
Join SCBC on our Family and Cargo Bike Ride, Saturday September 5 th from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The ride will start at the Joe Rodota bike path where it meets Sebastopol Road (on the Sebastopol Road extension west of Wright Street, approximately 4274 Sebastopol Road). There will be a briefing about bicycling safely with children, and the ride will leave at 10:15 a.m. The ride will be a leisurely 3.5 mile ride and no one will be left behind; mechanical support will be provided. The ride will follow the bike trail to Community Market in Sebastopol where there will be refreshments and a place for families to gather before leaving at noon to pedal the 3.5 miles back to the meeting place.
The Bicycle Coalition has four Yuba Cargo bikes that can be loaned out if requested in advance of the ride. (Call 545- 0153 or email Sarah Hadler at sarah@bikesonoma.org). Yuba Bikes, based in Petaluma, will also have representatives on the ride and bikes available for test rides at Community Market. Families participating in the ride should bring bikes in good riding condition and helmets for each rider.
New California Highway Patrol policy for citing bad drivers
Last year, we had a very frustrating experience with a local Sonoma County police department. A cyclist was sideswiped by a driver who made an illegal turn. Fortunately, no one was hurt and the entire incident was captured on video. The unfortunate part was when the cyclist asked why the driver was not cited and was told that unless the actual incident is witnessed by a cop, no citation can be issued.
To verify if this was the case with all law enforcement agencies, we contacted the California Highway Patrol and discovered that's they have a new policy which allows them to use video to prove harassment by motorists:
The video must show the entire incident clearly and the car license plate must be readable. With this information, the CHP will send a strong warning letter to the registered owner of the vehicle informing them their vehicle was involved in a citable violation of the law. The CHP will keep this information to potentially help in future investigations.
Got a bike related problem or a complaint?
Our website www.bikesonoma.org includes forms to report harassment by car drivers, road hazards and malfunctioning traffic signals. Just look for the black and white banner at the top of the home page and click on the appropriate category to reach the form to report your concerns. You do not need to be an SCBC member to report a problem.
Join Us!
The Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition (SCBC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting bicycles for transportation and recreation through our advocacy and education programs. We rely on funds mainly from memberships, donations, and sponsorships to work to make Sonoma County the best place to ride a bike. Besides supporting the organization, your membership entitles you to the use of our bicycle lending library that includes four Yuba cargo bikes. Joining us is as easy as going to www.bikesonoma.org and clicking on the bright blue “Join Us†button.
A thought for your next ride:
"A bicycle ride around the world begins with a single pedal stroke." - Scott Stoll |
