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Bicyclist Education:

For the Workplace
Traffic Solutions can arrange a one-hour bike safety training workshop at your workplace. The interactive program lasts one hour and is free to companies and agencies who agree to publicize the workshop. For more information, contact Traffic Solutions at 963-SAVE.

For Individuals
Learn how to ride confidently, legally, and safely. Visit the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition's website for info on Street Skills for Cyclists Classes offered in Santa Barbara. The upcoming two-part classes will be held:

July 15 and 17, 2010 Register here
September 16 and 18, 2010
November 18 and 20, 2010

Online: BikeSafeCalifornia.org
The California Bicycle Coalition now offers adult bicyclists an online resource to learn to ride more safely and confidently. Bike Safe California explains the five essential skills of safe bicycling, based on the "layers of safety" concept taught by most League of American Bicyclists-certified bike safety instructors. Because safe riding is best learned on a bike, we encourage you to also enroll in our local Street Skills for Cyclists Classes in Santa Barbara.

Free Santa Barbara County Bike Map:

The Santa Barbara County Bike Map is one of the most popular items produced by Traffic Solutions. Compact enough to carry on all of your bike trips, the map features bike routes throughout the county, riding tips, rules of the road, and helpful contact information. For your free hard copy of the map, email us. To view online, check out the single page PDFs here.

For bike map info spanning the Counties of Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara, please visit Caltrans District 5, or download their bike guide.

Great Reasons to Bike to Work!

Bicycling is excellent exercise and can improve your health.
Reduce your contributions to air pollution.
Reduce your contributions to global warming.
Feel refreshed and invigorated when you arrive at work.
It's quick: many people can comfortably cycle five miles in twenty minutes.
It's cheap: no gas required.
Parking is a cinch.
If you bike downtown you can store your bike and shower at the Bikestation.

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 (805) 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 (805) 681-5432 for more information.
Learn the Rules of the Road from the League of American Bicyclists.

Tax Benefits for Bicycle Commuters

Finally, a bicycle commuter tax provision! As of January 1, 2009, bicycle commuters are eligible for a monthly $20 reimbursement from participating employers. This equates to $240 a year to be applied toward the costs of commuting by bicycle - a new bike, maintenance, accessories, the cost of a bike storage unit, etc. However, unlike the current transportation fringe benefit offered to transit and vanpool users [IRS Code section 132(f)], the funds can only come as a cash reimbursement from employers, not as a pre-tax payroll deduction from an employee's salary.

Visit the League of American Bicyclists for more details on the new bike benefit and ask your employer about Commuter Check for Bicycling^TM vouchers. Employers, click here to learn about lowering your company's payroll taxes. Register now - Roll Out a Bike Benefit Web conference.

The Commuter Challenge and the Bike Challenge:

Traffic Solutions hosts the Commuter Challenge and/or the Bike Challenge annually. Read about the past Bike Challenge and about the past Commuter Challenge. The next Challenge coming your way will be the Commuter Challenge in fall of 2010. As with the previous Commuter Challenge, the 2010 Challenge will bring a friendly, team-based competition where teams of 5 individuals compete for fun, glory, and prizes. Teams can be exclusively made up of bicyclists, or they can be a mix of any other sustainable transportation users (bus, carpool, vanpool, walk, skate, train, telecommute). Any day that an auto trip is avoided can be counted toward the Commuter Challenge. As in previous years, the Commuter Challenge will even feature competition amongst employers (contact us now to sign-up your company). And remember, each team needs at least twoconverts - newbies to the Commuter Challenge or sustainable transportation. Registration for the 2010 Commuter Challenge begins September 1.

More Resources:

Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition
The SBBC maintains some wonderful bicycle resources on their website. Please visit them for more on the following topics:

Bici Centro
Santa Barbara's bike kitchen. Where Mobility and Creativity Meet.
Part of the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalitions, Bici Centro is a low to no cost bike education program where community members learn to work on bikes in a multi-lingual, comfortable and fun setting. The folks at Bici help participants of all ages learn to rebuild good, used bikes and they maintain an inventory of used bike parts taken from otherwise broken bicycles. Bici Cento empowers its members by teaching bicycle repair, craft and creativity, as well as an appreciation of the independence and self-sufficiency the bicycle provides them.

Turning bicycle transportation into a reality
Bikestation Santa Barbara offers members secure bicycle parking, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The facility boasts 78 bicycle racks, a shower and unisex bathroom, lockers, tools, work stand, an air compressor and vending machine with bicycle accessories for purchase. Access is limited to members and users can choose from a range of membership options ranging from daily to annual plans.