BICYCLE

BICYCLE Team Bike Challenge 2006 Tips to get started More Bicycle Resources
	Free Bike Map:
	New!!! You may now access our County-Wide Bike Map online. View high resolution, printable maps of the entire Santa Barbara County. The 2000 edition of the Santa Barbara County Bike Map is available. It's absolutely beautiful and available free from the Traffic Solutions office. For a printed copy, contact us by emailing Joann Hart or by calling (805) 963-SAVE (7283). Be sure to include your mailing address.
	Team Bike Challenge 200 6:
	Traffic Solutions' is busy organizing its second Team Bike Challenge starting June 1st, 2006. Details.
	Bicyclist Education:
	Traffic Solutions, in conjunction with the League of American Bicyclists and the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition, now offers a variety of bicycle safety classes that help you ride on with safety and confidence! Have a knowledgeable instructor show you, your co-workers, friends or family the safest ways to ride a bicycle in traffic, around town and on shared bicycle paths. D ownload a brochure or contact Erika Lindemann at 961-8919 for more information. Find more information on the League of American Bicyclists' Bike Ed program.
	Regional Bicycle Network Update
	SBCAG Traffic Solutions is currently updating its Regional Bicycle Network. We've begun creating a digital inventory of the network. So far we have completed the Santa Ynez Valley and much of the Santa Maria Valley. Email Erika if you'd like to get involved in helping us with this digital inventory project.
	Bicycle Lockers:
	Bicycle lockers are available in locations throughout Santa Barbara County to securely store your bicycle and equipment. For lockers located in Downtown Santa Barbara, contact Jay Hillje at the City of Santa Barbara Parking Program, 966-9368. For lockers located in Santa Maria, contact Brian Halvorson at the City of Santa Maria, 925-0951 x244. For Lompoc lockers, contact the City of Lompoc at 736-1261 x8266.
	Great Reasons to Bike to Work!
	Bicycling is excellent exercise and can improve your health. In fact, a twenty minute bicycle commute, at a moderate speed, can burn 280 calories round trip! Reduce the amount of air pollutants your commute contributes. Even if your commute is only five miles each way, your car emits over one hundred pounds of air pollution each year. Many bicycle commuters report feeling refreshed and invigorated when they arrive at work. Bicycle commuting is quick. Many people can comfortably cycle five miles in twenty minutes. On your bike, you'll get to work in quick time! Bicycling is one of the least expensive ways to get to work. Upkeep and maintenance of bicycles is cheap and the only fuel needed is food! Bicycling is quiet, clean and odorless. It doesn't guzzle gasoline or burn oil. It's very low maintenance, puts you on the road to fitness, is great for the air and is an absolute cinch to parallel park!
	Tips to Get Started:
	If you've never ridden a bike to work, determine the best route and do a "trial run" to familiarize yourself with the route, as well as check timing issues. Contact us for route planning assistance or a free bike map. (Call 963-SAVE or email us --make sure to include your mailing address!). Make sure you have the right equipment. Your bike doesn't have to be "top of the line" but it should be tuned up and in good working order. You should also have a helmet, reflectors, a bike light, and a basket or pannier. Don't forget a bike lock! Low cost bike helmets ($9) are available through the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department. Call 681-4759 for more information.
	Riding in Traffic: When sharing the road with cars, always ride lawfully, assertively, predictably, and where motorists will see you. Keep to the right on the roadway, rather than riding in the middle of the road. Some streets have wide shoulders you can use, or you can use a street with a designated bike lane.
	Ride Predictably: Always ride in the same direction as traffic, never against it. Maintain a straight line when you're cruising and use hand signals when turning or changing lanes. If you ride erratically, it's difficult for drivers to know when to pass. Hand signals are a courtesy and an important part of safe bicycling. Motorist feel more comfortable dealing with bicyclists who communicate their intentions. More important, drivers tend to show them more respect.
	Avoid Busy Streets: If possible choose an alternate route rather than taking busy streets and highways. By doing this you will make your trip safer and more enjoyable.
	More Bicycle Resources: Visit the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition's website
	BACK TO TOP Updated 3/06