All posts by the Shasta Living Streets team

News, Uncategorized

Bike-Walk-Trails-Transit Create Local Prosperity

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We are excited to be participating in the PROSPERITY project, led by Northern California United Way.   It’s part of our continuing effort to work with groups across the community to achieve reliable routes for people walking, biking and taking transit.

WealthWorks

Reliable Routes for people walking biking and taking transit will help us achieve economic vitality

  • Attract the Talent that Makes a Region Thrive
  • Meet the Needs of Employers and Employees
  • Increase Business in Local Shopping Districts
  • Secure Sustainable Communities Funding for Re-Development
  • Relieve Traffic Congestion (and Cut Public Works Costs)
  • Save Money for Thousands of Households
  • Boost Our Health (and Cut Regional Medical Costs)
  • Meet the Needs of Our Community’s Aging Generations
  • Meet the Needs of Younger Generations
  • Make a Difference in Economic and Racial Inequality
  • Drive the Real Estate Market by Offering Active Living People Want
  • Cash in on the Power of Clusters
  • Increase Public Safety – Eliminate Major Injury Collisions
  • Boost the Academic Performance of Students

Let’s Join the National Movement

  • Americans made 10.7 billion trips on public transportation in 2013– a 37 percent transit increase since 1995.
  • Bike commuting is up 60 percent over the past decade, according to census figures.
  • People are walking 6 percent more than in 2005, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • The number of miles Americans travel in cars and trucks per capita has dropped nine percent since 2005. 

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Prosperity is a cross-sector collaboration of organizations in the Shasta County interested in creating lasting solutions to multi-generational poverty issues and the effects of those issues in our local community.  The vision of Prosperity is to create a connected and vibrant community with a thriving economy that benefits all residents.   More:  United Way Northern California Prosperity

Community Level Goals & Outcome for Website

More Information – Recent Articles

11 Reasons Why Transit, Bikes & Walking Are Moving Us To A Brighter Future.   BeyondChron,   January 21, 2015

New policies and funding to build transit (bus, bike, ped) and other needed infrastructure.  Streetsblog, January 21, 2015

New California policies and funding for affordable housing plus transit (bus, bike, ped).  CaliforniaEconomy.org, March 9, 2015

Invest to create a community where everyone lives well.

Help us make a difference in our community by creating reliable routes and safe spaces:  Bike – Walk – Trails – Transit – &  Vibrant Public Places!   Become a Member Today!

Events, Inspiration

Members Party! Friday Jan 30

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Please join us at our Members’ Party!

We are thrilled to host a fun party for our members and volunteers who contributed so much to the community this year.  This is an  opportunity to enjoy great local music, be inspired by our guests, and to meet lots of interesting people excited to build better bikeways, trails and walkable cities.

Shasta Living Streets Member Party

 Friday, January 30, 2015, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

at Old City Hall Ballroom

bms3 Live music by the Buckhorn Mt. Stompers!  


No host bar and tasty food available
Meet and talk with
Dave Snyder, Director of the California Bicycle Coalition; and
Bryan Jones, Active Transportation Engineer.  Both have extensive experience and inspiration to share with us about the biking and walking improvements transforming California cities and how we can do that here.

Registering here is quick and easy and helps us plan a great event:  Member Party RSVP

Shasta Living Streets made major contributions to the community this past year and we look forward to making a greater difference in 2015 with your support!    Read about it:  2015 – Let’s Get Started!

Not a member yet? – No problem, it’s easy! 

Or become a member at the door.  Your membership builds better bikeways, trails and walkable cities in our region.

 

Events, Inspiration, Redding

Join Us – MarchFourth at the Cascade March 8th!

Join us for a great show that supports Redding’s downtown theatre district and our local community!  

Sunday March 8th at the Cascade Theatre
MARCH FOURTH MARCHING BAND 
Purchase tickets:  Cascade Theatre or call 530-243-8877

For a taste of the fun, check out the 30 second video.

 This show is presented by Shasta Living Streets, partial proceeds benefit our programs.  Get your tickets soon — this is a popular band and shows regularly sell out.  Purchase tickets:  Cascade Theatre.

M4 live 2March Fourth Marching Band is something special, a kaleidoscope of musical and visual energy that inspires the audience to experience ”JoyNow!” in an atmosphere of celebration.

M4_600X200This show is a big band experience not to be missed! The 5-piece percussion corps and 6-part brass section plus funky electric bass will take you on a journey from the swamps of Louisiana to the gypsy camps of eastern Europe to the African jungle by way of Brazil,

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echoing the deepest grooves of American funk, rock, and jazz then boiling it all together in cinematic fashion with high-stepping stilt-acrobatics and dazzling dancers.

What began as a Fat Tuesday party in Portland on March 4th 2003 appeals to audiences of all ages and musical tastes, and has become one of the nation’s best live touring acts.

MarchFourth on March 8th – four days after their birthday!  Join us for a fun event inside on a Sunday night – to celebrate being outside and programs for active living in our region!

More information about M4

Jon M4

Partial proceeds from this show benefit Shasta Living Streets programs to build better bikeways, trails and walkable cities in our region.

Photo:  Jon after the show in Chico, heading out on tour sporting a shirt with a nice message.

 

4 # collage f4 Pounds of Lightning!

Part gypsy, part whimsy, part rock, and all fun, 4 Pounds of Lightning offers up music to make you dance! 

 Special performance by local band – 4 Pounds of Lightning will open the show. This is the most recent project of multi-talented local musician Taylor Aglipay who spent the last decade touring with MarchFourth. Taylor was raised in Trinity County and is joined by his longtime friends and fellow Trinity County natives, Nathaniel Gravette, Danyel Aglipay, and Stevo Cantrell.

 

 

Events, Inspiration

Let’s get everyone moving! Free Presentations Jan 30

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Building Connections: Trails, Playborhoods & Safe Routes

Learn New Ideas  &  Make Connections

Join Discussions  &  Be Inspired

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Cost Effective Strategies – Lunchtime Presentation 1-2:30 p.m.

Do you want to learn ways that cities like ours can quickly implement facilities to make bicycling and walking safe and fun?

Bryan Jones will share examples and strategies for creating livable communities through active transportation, Safe Routes to School, and walkability.    He is a Senior Associate with Alta Planning + Design and the former Public Works Director for the City of Fremont.  He has also held leadership positions with the Cities of Carlsbad and Fresno where he has inspired bold visions and big campaigns and aligned them with strategic implementation plans that delivered numerous pedestrian, bicyclist, and complete and livable street projects.  Bryan is passionate about helping move and connect people and business so that communities can thrive.  He believes where challenges exist so do opportunities when we redefine the problem we are solving and bring a can-do approach and results-oriented focus.  He serves as a voting member of the California Traffic Control Devices Committee to represent bicyclists and pedestrians statewide as it pertains to standards, guidelines and policies.

 

 

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Playborhoods – Evening Presentation 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Do you want to find more ways to help children go outside and play?

You are invited to a free presentation by Mike Lanza, author of Playborhoods: Turn Your Neighborhood into a Place for Play, will speak on creating neighborhood spaces that invite children outdoors to play.  Read a little about this on Shareable.net:  Playborhoods: Placemaking for Kids

 

tiny SLS_BUS_logo2Shasta Living Streets Member Party!  Ballroom, Old City Hall, Downtown Redding, 6:30 p.m.  

Help support better bikeways, trails and walkable cities in our region

Meet Dave Snyder, Director of the California Bicycle Coalition.  Hear about exciting opportunities we can expect in the near future, and statewide changes in legislation, design standards, funding.    Talk with presenters and meet people working locally in all aspects of active transportation.   Live Music.  No Host Bar.  Tasty Food.

Registration

www.healthyshasta.org or call (530) 245-6583

Sponsored by

Shasta Safe Routes to School,  Healthy Shasta,  Shasta Living Streets, California Convergence Far North Region

Locations

  • Friday Workshops at Sequoia Middle School,  McLaughlin Auditorium, 1805 Sequoia Street, Redding, CA
  • Shasta Living Streets Celebration, Old City Hall Ballroom, 1313 Market Street, Downtown Redding

Questions?

Please feel free to contact Anne Thomas, Director, Shasta Living Streets.  athomas@shastalivingstreets.org

 

 

Inspiration, Redding

Learning from the past to build a bright future

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DOWNTOWN REDDING: A TIMELINE

Take a minute to click through this timeline for a fascinating review of growth, destruction and renewal of Downtown Redding.  

Click here:  Downtown Timeline

As historian David McCullough so succinctly put it, “History is who we are and why we are the way we are.”

What better way to understand the present and future of Redding than by looking at its past?  To that end, we’ve put together a brief timeline of what we consider to be key events in the history of Redding’s development.

Yes, hindsight is always 20/20, but that’s not a bad thing.  By studying the past we can build a brighter future.

– Thank you to Michael Kuker for research and production of this timeline and to the Shasta Historical Society for use of their research library and historic photos.

Uncategorized

Family Trail Day Sunday, October 12, 2014

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Presented by Friends of the Redding Trails

Family Trail Day Sunday, October 12, 2014  

Lake Redding Park Pavilion and Gazebo

11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Music by local greats – The Coyotes!

Come out and enjoy a morning on the trail with friends and family – then stop by and enjoy a live band, lunch, dessert and a cold beer.

Local businesses and organizations will share the many ways to enjoy an active lifestyle and our beautiful trail system.

FriendsTrailDid you know?  Redding Trails were recently voted one of the top five in the nation for cycling!  by Momentum Magazine

Seattle- Washington DC-Philadelphia-Atlanta- Redding!

 

Activities at Family Trail Day:

Helmets for Children.  Children are required to wear helmets when riding a bicycle – Do you need a helmet for your child?  The Redding Police Officers Association will give 200 helmets to children who need them.

11 am – Bicycling with Kids.  Bring the whole family for discussion, activities and time on the bike.   Healthy Shasta,  Sara, League of American Bicyclists Instructor and Safe Routes to School Coordinator.

12 noon – Intro to Bicycling.  Build your confidence and skills with an educational group ride on paved trails and quiet streets.   Healthy Shasta, with  Amy, League of American Bicyclists Instructor.

12:30  – Up-River  kayak club paddle.  Shasta paddlers.

1 pm – Kenpo Karate Demonstration

2 pm  – Tire Repair and Basic Bike Maintenance.  By Healthy Shasta and the Bike Shop.

2:30 pm – Kayak Club fishing on the River.  By Shasta Paddlers.

Thank you

The Friends of the Coleman Fish Hatchery

WASSUP Paddle Boards

Audrey Delong Yoga

The Bike Shop

Headwaters Adventures

City of Redding Recreation Department

California Conservation Corps

First 5 Shasta

Shasta Paddlers

Healthy Shasta

Redding Mountain Bike Club

Shasta Glide and Ride

Kenpo Karate

Skate Movement

CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife

The Friends of Whiskeytown

Early Childhood Services

Epic Triathlon Club – Redding

Bureau of Land Management

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Shasta Historical Society

Macy’s

CA Conservation Corp

Mt. Lassen Art Center

Redding Police Officers Association

Diamond Jim’z Mobile Cafe

Hawaiian Ice Cream Truck

Fall River Brewing Co.

Friends of Redding Trails

Family Trail Day is part of

BIG BICYCLE WEEKEND

Friday Night Oct 10:  Better Bikeways celebration at Carnegie’s in downtown Redding.   A pre-ride meal and social event.  Register for the Jamboree Rides on Saturday.    Take a ride from there and explore downtown on the new  California Street bikeway!

Saturday Oct 11:  Shasta Wheelmen Jamboree Rides.  Register today!   shastawheelmen.org

Saturday Night Oct 11:   Wildcard on Wheels!  A party and fundraiser celebrating the joys of cycling in Shasta County at the home of one of our favorite local craft brewers.   Enjoy good beer, local music and great conversation.

Sunday Oct 12:    Family Trail Day hosted by Friends of the Redding Trails  Lunch and music on the Sacramento River Trail, with a number of outdoor, trail-related organizations sharing information and activities.  For locals and visitors.

 

 
Events

Bike – Walk – Downtown Redding!

What makes a vibrant downtown?  We do!

BIKE-WALK-SHOP-DINE-PLAY-LIVE!

Check it out – 

Public Bicycle Repair Station!  Ride by Coffee Bar and check out the beautiful new bike parking and public bicycle repair station!  Stop in before 6 p.m. and tell them “thank you!”

Make an early evening visit to Vintage Wine Bar and Restaurant for Friday Happy Hour 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.    25% discount on appetizers;  $3 pints; $1 discounts on a glass of wine.   Check the website for the live music schedule, starting at 8pm.

Late night in downtown check out Café Paradisio.   Enjoy $5 happy hour specials from 10pm to 1 am every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.  The late night menu includes delicious grilled cheese and fried egg sandwhiches, and new additions are coming soon, that will include Hawaiian chicken or salmon on the late night menu.

Quotes from Downtown Business Owners

“We are glad to see the bike lanes in Downtown Redding and are looking forward to seeing more bike racks to make it easier for people to park their bikes safely. We encourage people to ride their bicycles to our restaurant – We look forward to seeing you!”   – Steven and Barbara Berger, Café Paradisio.

“I’m buying a bicycle now because the bike lanes make it possible for me to ride from my house to work!” –Alex Gaxiola, Co-Owner, Vintage Wine Bar and Restaurant

“I’m really excited there are these new improvements now and I can feel good about my kids riding around downtown.”—Janis Logan, Co-Owner, Vintage Wine Bar and Restaurant

“I’m really jazzed” about the bike repair station, “you don’t have to carry tools. There’s a pump. … Sometimes I sit out here. I see people passing by, and they have a flat ride. This is something where they can stop by and fix their bike.”  – Jim Koenigsaecker, Chief Executive officer of Innovations Housing, owner of Coffee Bar.

This is a four-week series where explore walking and riding in Downtown Redding.

  • Discover how easy it is to get around with the new street improvements.
  • Take this opportunity to see businesses you did not know were downtown.
  • Have dinner at place that’s new to you.
  • Enjoy the fun of seeing people you know ride by and bicycles you recognize parked at downtown venues—spontaneous connections and have  conversations!
  • Meet new people who like to ride in Redding and Shasta County.  You might be surprised by how large the cycling tribe is!
  • Discover how many bicycle friendly businesses are downtown—as they welcome riders with discounts and promotions.
News, Redding

DOWNTOWN REDDING IS ON THE MOVE!

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A process is currently underway to develop a plan for Parking, Circulation, and Transportation in Downtown Redding.   Share your thoughts on these important community development issues:  contact information here –  Downtown Redding Transportation Plan

The second Community Workshop will be in September, TBA.

A Short History of Downtown Redding Development.  Want to learn a little more about the history and development of Downtown Redding?   From the beginning of Redding’s history until today, it’s fascinating!  View it here:  Downtown Redding: A Timeline

There are many things to celebrate about the recent street improvements in Downtown Redding:

It’s not just about the bike lanes.  This project benefits pedestrians, drivers, businesses, and property owners too.

Downtown is more comfortable for people walking.  Everyone walks.  Every trip downtown begins and ends with walking. This is why the most important thing to do to create a vibrant downtown is to make it comfortable, convenient, and downright fun to walk!   California Street is much easier for people to walk across now and. calmer traffic on Pine makes people feel more comfortable walking along the sidewalk.

Improvements created calmer traffic that businesses and residents have hoped for and is in the general plan.  Drivers behave more predictably as they drive through downtown.  Far fewer erratic lane changes, less speeding.

This project conforms to recommendations from the Downtown Specific Plan as well as the 2000=2020 General Plan regarding bicycle facilities, circulation, and linkages between downtown and other areas.

Calmer street traffic creates better visibility for businesses.  Business owners like calmer street traffic; it’s easier for people to notice their businesses as they drive by.

Better for people parking and getting in and out of cars.  Businesses have already commented that customers are finding it easier see to park, enter, and exit their cars.  The buffer lane gives people space to open their doors and get in/out  safely without disturbing passing cars.

Improved flow for driving.  Drivers report the changes to California Street have improved the ease of driving from California Street through the intersection with Cypress Avenue, and/or South Market Street.

Better turn lanes on California.  California Street has better turn lanes, especially noticeable at Placer Street. The improvements are especially noticeable for turning by trucks.

No added cost: it’s all just paint.  The asphalt and striping project was already planned and budgeted. The changes to striping have added a minimal amount of extra cost for paint.

It was a highway, and now we don’t need a highway downtown.  The streets were originally configured for traffic that is no longer there. Prior to this project, the streets had not changed since they were part of Highway 99, the primary north/south highway through the state before I-5. Traffic on California Street has dropped 27% from 2002 to 2012. Traffic on Pine Street has dropped nearly 20% during the same time.  We heard a business owner say:  We have six lanes of traffic moving through Redding along I-5; we don’t need that downtown!

Peak traffic is only 40 minutes per day, 5 days a week.  Living Streets are used by everyone. Peak auto traffic might exist for 40 minutes a day for 5 days a week or less, but people move, work, and live on these streets for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

It’s safe.  The projects are expected to decrease accidents for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.   Studies of similar traffic calming and bicycle lanes show reduced crashes and increased safety.

Increase retail sales and raise property values.  Studies of similar traffic calming and bicycle lanes show increases in retail sales.

It sets the stage for the future of Downtown Redding.     Caltrans will be monitoring results and considering further improvements to be made in five years.

Results from these improvements will inform the planning efforts underway now to build a better future for a vibrant downtown.

We are grateful to Caltrans District 2 and the City of Redding for making these improvements to benefit businesses and our community.

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Events

Big Bicycle Weekend Featuring the Shasta Jamboree Rides!

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Multiple events round out a BIG BICYCLE WEEKEND showcasing cycling excellence in our region

For friends and families to learn more about our local cycling opportunities and bicycle friendly businesses.  Enjoy an organized ride, learn about groups and ongoing activities, or just come out to meet other people who love riding in Redding and Shasta County.

Macys 2010_Hor_thick_red_black_No.Com

 

Proudly sponsored by Macy’s

FRIDAY – Better Bikeways celebration at Carnegie’s

thehotelheleniak_postcardOctober 10th.   In downtown Redding.  A pre-ride meal and social event.  Take a ride from there and explore the new bikeway on California Street.  Register for the Jamboree Rides in the morning.   More Information

SATURDAY – Shasta Jamboree Rides  

October 11th.    jamboree_300X250Ride in the foothills of Mt Lassen along country roads in oak woodlands, the Manton Valley, and ponderosa pine and cedar forests.   Spectacular vistas of surrounding mountains around every bend.

Experience challenging ascents and spectacular descents, or choose a shorter ride with gentle rolling hills.

Get inspired – watch the Shasta Jamboree VIDEO!   (2 mins)

More Information    – Register today! at  shastawheelmen.org.

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Among other Jamboree highlights, Fresh Fire Grill provides your after-ride meal!  They are new, delicious, and conveniently located – you can stop there for a delicious meal at the end of your ride.

SATURDAY NIGHT – Wildcard on Wheels 

WILDCARD_ON_WHEELS_small-BOctober 11th.

A party celebrating the joys of cycling in Shasta County at the home of one of our favorite local craft brewers.

Enjoy good beer, music by Mumblefinger – recently chosen Redding’s best local band – and great conversation with other locals who support cycling in our community.   Also a fundraiser for Shasta Living Streets and Shasta Wheelmen.   More Information

SUNDAY AFTERNOON – Family Trail Day 

IMG_6699October 12th.

Friends and families will enjoy a morning on the trail, then stop by and enjoy live music by local greats The Coyotes, lunch, dessert and a cold beer.

Local businesses and organizations will share the many ways to enjoy an active lifestyle and our beautiful trails.   More information

also, BIG BIKE WEEKEND

For a full celebration of two-wheeled riding in Shasta County: enjoy the events for motorcycle enthusiasts at  Big Bike Weekend!

You are invited to join or watch the Remembrance Ride on Friday night and visit the activities at Hilltop Holiday Inn, including a Bike Show and competition and Strongman Competition.

News

Three Feet to Save Lives

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Why is this a Big Deal?

Bicycling is good for our community, for families and businesses.  This is just one of the steps to make it easy for people to choose a bicycle for some of their daily trips.  Bicycling is fun, economical and healthy, and this law helps remind all drivers to think about passing safely.

 “The CHP says there’s really no excuse for breaking the upcoming three foot rule.  “If you can’t give them three feet, slow down, reduce your speed and only pass when it’s safe to do so”,  CHP Officer Edgar Figueroa said.    http://abc7.com/news/ca-law-requires-3-feet-buffer-between-drivers-bicyclists/292322/

When drivers give bicyclists more space as they pass, a leading cause of deadly collisions is minimized and more people feel comfortable about choosing to ride their bikes, which in turn promotes a more livable and economically viable community for us all.

The law now requires motorists to give at least three feet of clearance when passing a bike in the same lane.  If not enough space is available, the motorist must slow down and pass when no danger is present to the bicyclist.  This is one step in a comprehensive set of actions local communities and the state are taking to make bicycling safe for people of all abilities.

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The three foot law goes into effect in California September 16th, 2014.

A person traveling by bicycle on a street is vulnerable.   Similarly, road construction crews are vulnerable.   As are pedestrians – nearly 4,300 people died when hit by cars in 2010, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

Slow down and think about passing safely

What you can do:  Pass people on bicycles safely when you drive, giving at least a three foot buffer zone between your car and a person on a bicycle.  Tap your brakes, slow down, and think about passing safely.

Help your friends and family understand that by doing so they help prevent crashes that kill more adult bicyclists than any other cause in California and the US.

A car obviously weighs several thousand pounds and a pedestrian or bicyclist, as a result, will lose in any collision.

What if you can’t give three feet?

The law requires drivers to slow down and wait until it’s possible to pass with a minimum of three feet. The key is to slow down and wait and decide how to pass safely.

Two short videos to help understand the law visually

Driver and bicyclist illustrating how far 3’ is with a measuring tape.   Watch video – click here

Driver passing  bicyclist  giving  at  least  three  feet  of  room.  Watch video – click here

Some key points

  • California embraces and is encouraging bike use.  This law is one of the elements in that campaign.
  • By California law, bicycles are legal vehicles on the street.
  • 24 other states already have this law.
  • Three feet is the minimum.
  • Does the law prohibit a bike from passing a car closer than three feet, for example in a downtown area?  No.
  • Research has proven that with more people riding bikes the safety environment improves for all users as both motorists and bicyclists become more accustomed to sharing the road safely.

More information and links at the bottom of this page.

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