Copy
View this email in your browser
September 2018 Newsletter

New County-Wide
Emergency Ride Home Program

One barrier that keeps some folks from cycling to work is a concern that they won't be able to get home quickly if there is an emergency. Thanks to  the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, that barrier is lifted!

If you travel to work ANYwhere in Sonoma County by bicycle, bus, train, or carpool and have an emergency, you can take a taxi (or Uber or Lyft) home and SCTA's new Emergency Ride Home program will reimburse you the cost (up to a maximum of $125). Situations in which you can use this service include being assigned mandatory overtime (and thus missing your carpool or bus), your carpool driver leaves unexpectedly, your bike is stolen, you or a family member is ill, etc.

The reimbursement process is simple - fill out a short form and email it in!

Bike Friendly Employers

In June, the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition presented our first Bike Friendly Business Award to Jackson Family Wines (JFW). The company engages in a number of activities and programs that promote both bicycle commuting and cycling for recreation.

On August 7, Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital (SSRRH) became the first Sonoma County employer to be certified as a Bicycle Friendly Business by the national cycling advocacy organization League of American Bicyclists.

Many of the programs and amenities offered by these businesses are simple and low-cost, yet have a big impact on employees' ability and motivation to ride their bikes to work. Read our profiles of Jackson Family Wines and Sutter Hospital for more details...and ideas about what you might be able to implement in YOUR workplace!

Proposition 6 Is Bad for Cyclists

Voters across California this November will consider Proposition 6, which would cut taxes that were raised as part of a historic transportation financing package passed last year by the State Legislature. If approved by voters, Prop. 6 would slash funding for Safe Routes to Schools improvements across the state, and cut nearly in half the money available to cities and counties for local street and road repairs.
 
In the Bay Area alone, Prop. 6 would shrink funding through the state Active Transportation Program — used to finance Safe Routes to Schools projects and educational programs, as well as safety improvements like dedicated bike lanes, bike parking facilities and pedestrian countdown signals — by about $20 million each year. For local streets and roads, Prop. 6 would strip Bay Area cities’ and counties’ budgets by more than $200 million a year. These are funds used not just to fill potholes but to resurface and restripe roadways; and to install and improve sidewalks, curbs, gutters, storm drains, traffic signals and disabled-access ramps.

Prop. 6 is opposed by law enforcement and firefighting organizations; environmental groups; bicycle and pedestrian advocates; and business interests.

There is more to Prop. 6 than just the gas tax. Safety is on the ballot, too.

Section of West County Trail
Temporarily Closed for Upgrades

 

Sonoma County Regional Parks will close the West County Trail between Occidental Road and Grey Street in Graton in order to make repairs and upgrades. The tentative closure dates are September 24 to October 19.

For more information, visit http://stg.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Parks/Planning/West-County-Trail/ or contact Project Manager Mark Cleveland at (707) 565-3349  Mark.Cleveland@sonoma-county.org.
The Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) just renewed our Safe Routes to School program contract for five more years!  We're grateful for this stable source of funding for educating and encouraging K-8 students to safely cycle or walk to school.

Upcoming Events

Allen Land Design | AmeriCan Cycling Adventures |  Bicycle Journeys | BikePartners.net | Black Cat Studio | Cazadero Supply | City of Sonoma |  Community Bikes |  Community Market | Cumulus Bookkeeping | dhbetty Bicycle Jewelry | Fit 2 Go Mobile Training | Friendly Feed and Supply |  George A. Malkemus, DDS | Kit Lofroos LMT/CMT | Law Office of Daniel H. Rose | Law Offices of Freeman and Freeman | Lee's Body Shop | Merlin Arborist Group | Mike Bicheler Electric | Needham Kepner & Fish LLP | Newby Law Office | Nor Cal Bike Sport & the Bike Peddler | North Santa Rosa Physical Therapy | Notre Vue Estate Winery | Olivet Kennel & Dog Training Resort | Paragon Machine Works | Patrick Slayter Architect | Perry Law Firm | Sally Morin Bike Injury Lawyer | Scranton Law Firm |  Simplr | Sonoma County GoLocal Cooperative | Sonoma County Tourism Bureau |  Southeast Greenway |  Spoke Folk Cyclery | Sports Basement | Tibidabo Photography |  Tour de Fuzz | Trek Store Santa Rosa | Windsor Bike & Sport | Wine Country Cycling | Wooden Spoon | Wordshop Translations | W-Trans
Copyright © 2018 Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list