All posts by the Shasta Living Streets team

Members Party! Friday Jan 30

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.

 

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.

 

 

Let’s get everyone moving! Free Presentations Jan 30

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

 

 

Learning from the past to build a bright future

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.

Family Trail Day Sunday, October 12, 2014

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.

 

 

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.

DOWNTOWN REDDING IS ON THE MOVE!

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.

keepcalm_caltrans2

 

Learn more – What we do

Support –Join or renew today!

 

 

Big Bicycle Weekend Featuring the Shasta Jamboree Rides!

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.

FreshFire_SLS

 

 

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.

Three Feet to Save Lives

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.

Learn more – What we do

Support –Join or renew today!

 

URGENT Call to Action: Rightsizing on California Street

An article (subscription required) in Saturday’s Record-Searchlight makes it clear that there is still discussion about whether 2 lanes for auto traffic with the addition of a Better Bikeway would better serve downtown businesses and local families than the current configuration of three lanes for auto traffic only.

As Caltrans talks bikes lanes in downtown Redding, push to reduce lanes on California St. emerges. … “discussion on Wednesday is shaping up to be over whether the less-congested California Street should be reduced from three lanes to two.”   Your voice is necessary to make a difference.  Please send your input—it’s easy!  Here’s why we feel these improvements are so essential:

  • This is a rare opportunity to improve the flow of movement in downtown Redding in the immediate future.
  • It would be the first step to replacing the aging highway conditions in downtown Redding and building an urban avenue featuring better bikeways, greenways, and improved crosswalks.
  • It would improve the movement and connections between the Westside neighborhoods (and important upcoming improvements there) and the Promenade and Pine Street areas.
  • It would provide the opportunity for a Better Bikeway connecting the popular Sacramento River Trail to downtown businesses. This would keep bicycle travel out of the dangerous “door zone” and separated from auto traffic.
  • It will make downtown walking safer and more convenient and improve the foot traffic that is essential for healthy businesses.
  • It will calm traffic moving through downtown without causing congestion.
  • It aligns to improvements that are planned in the longer term.
  • It is the type of improvement called for in the current General Plan.
  • Its a great opportunity to do more with less:  Less cost to the taxpayer and bigger benefits to businesses and families.

This is exactly the kind of real change that will boost the viability of downtown by helping make downtown Redding a place people want to be.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We need you to email the Caltrans District 2 Public Information Office at d2pio@dot.ca.gov RIGHT NOW and tell them you support rightsizing California Street to two lanes and adding a buffered bikeway.  Get your friends and family to email as well!  We don’t have much time, Caltrans will be making their decision this Wednesday, May 28.  Make no mistake –  this improvement will not happen without strong public support.

Caltrans and the City of Redding have been tremendous supporters of our cause and have been eager to listen to our suggestions; that’s why it’s absolutely critical that we show there is a demand for this kind of quality downtown boulevard and bicycling facility in Redding.

Here’s a suggestion for what you can say:

I support rightsizing of California Street with two lanes for auto traffic and a Better Bikeway on California Street.  I think this is a good idea for downtown business and local families because [choose any of the benefits outlined above and add your own].  I am a [business owner, parent, professional ….] and I thank Caltrans and the City of Redding for your willingness to make these improvements in the near team to support the health and vitality of downtown Redding which will benefit local businesses, families and our regional economy.”

This is our chance to make a huge difference in the walkability and bikeability of downtown Redding in the near term.  We need your help!

What might California Street look like?

The proposed restriping of California Street.
The potential restriping of California Street.

Caltrans will be making a pavement overlay on California Street in downtown Redding this summer as part of $3 million dollar project.  There is potential to rightsize California Street to two lanes and add a Better Bikeway with buffers along the bike lane—providing safer movement for all users of the roadway.

Our Analysis

Why should we rightsize the lanes on California Street?

Road diets result in safer streets for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. Researchers have found that road diets can be expected to reduce overall crash frequency by anywhere from 19% to 43%, with the higher crash reductions occurring in small urban areas than in metropolitan areas. A recent rightsizing of a one-way NYC street from three lanes to two resulted in a reduction of the percentage of vehicles on the street breaking the speed limit from 74% to 20% and the percentage of cyclists riding on the sidewalk decreased from 46% to 3%.

If California Street were rightsized, pedestrians would have one less lane of motor traffic to cross, motorists would be less prone to switch from lane to lane erratically, and there would be more room for cyclists.

The difference a road diet will make in the street life of California Street is incalculable. Peak traffic might exist for 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week or less, but people move on these streets for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Won’t going from three lanes to two increase congestion?

No. The FHA has determined that road diets do not cause congestion on roads that carry under 20,000 ADTS (Average Daily Trips). California Street carried an estimated 9,200 ADTS in 2012.  That’s maybe 1/3 more than Parkview Avenue carried that year.  Parkview Avenue recently rightsized to 1 lane in each direction—noticed any congestion on Parkview lately? Neither have we.

In discussing road diets, the FHA states:   “It has been shown that roads with 15,000 ADT or less had very good results in the areas of safety, operations, and livability.”

Furthermore, the data shows automobile traffic for California Street has been trending downwards over recent years, reflecting the national trend for less driving overall.

Shouldn’t we just leave the streets alone? They’ve been fine like this for a long time.

No, they haven’t been fine.

The streets are currently designed to move the maximum amount of traffic through downtown at a high amount of speed.  This makes downtown more unpleasant and uncomfortable for pedestrians and bicyclists, and is bad for business.

The current general plan, in place for many years, makes clear that this type of goal has drawbacks for local business and calls for changes like the one now being discussed: “moving traffic through Downtown without delay detracts from efforts to establish an active, pedestrian-friendly area” and the plan allows for “‘tolerable delays’ for the Downtown area where vitality, activity, and pedestrian and transit use are primary goals.” The plan has a stated policy to “restrict speed limits in residential neighborhoods, Downtown, and other areas of the City where pedestrian activities are strongly encouraged to reduce the potential for pedestrian injuries and fatalities.”

If we rightsized California Street, what would we do with all that space?

Glad you asked! We’re like to see a buffered bikeway! After all, the City of Redding 2000-2020 General Plan has a stated goal of making it easier and safer for people to travel by bicycle, to be effected by “incorporat[ing] facilities suitable for bicycle use in the design of interchanges, intersections, and other street-improvement/maintenance projects. ”  This type of Better Bikeway can easily be implemented within the limited scope of the current overlay project.

What’s a buffered bikeway?

NACTO (National Association of City Transportation Officials) defines a buffered bikeway as “conventional bicycle lanes paired with a designated buffer space separating the bicycle lane from the adjacent motor vehicle travel lane and/or parking lane.” Simply put, it’s a normal bike lane with a little extra space just like the image at the top of this post.

Is a buffered bikeway on California Street a good idea?

YES. Yes, yes, unequivocally, yes!

It’s good for business: 

    • Portland State University researchers found that customers who arrive by bike spend 24% more per month than those who arrive by car.

    • Traveling by bike encourages more frequent stops than a car. In a study of Toronto merchants, patrons arriving by foot and bicycle visit the most often and spend the most money per month.

    • New York City found that protected green lanes had a significant positive impact on local business strength. After the construction of a protected bike lane on 9th Avenue, local businesses saw a 49 percent increase in retail sales. In comparison, local businesses throughout Manhattan only saw a 3 percent increase in retail sales.

It’s good for everyone:

    • Even drivers who never ride bikes themselves overwhelmingly report greater comfort around physically separated bike lanes.

    • After Chicago’s Kinzie Street green lane was installed, a travel time study found little to no effect on automobile traffic: – Eastbound morning rush hour travel time from Milwaukee Avenue to Wells Street increased by less than one minute. – Westbound morning rush hour travel times from Wells Street to Milwaukee Avenue slightly improved. – Evening rush hour travel time in both directions slightly improved.

    • After New York City installed a protected green bike lane on Columbus Avenue, bicycling increased 56% on weekdays, crashes decreased 34%, speeding decreased, sidewalk riding decreased, traffic flow remained similar, and commercial loading hours/space increased 475%

If you build it, people will ride:

    • After buffered green lanes were installed on Philadelphia’s Spruce and Pine streets, bike traffic increased 95% and the number of bicyclists riding on the sidewalks decreased by up to 75%
    • After a green lane was installed on Chicago’s Kinzie Street: Bicycle ridership on increased 55 percent, according to morning rush hour counts; Forty-one percent of respondents changed their usual route to take advantage of the new protected green lane.

    • NYC’s Prospect Park West protected green lane saw a 190 percent increase in weekday ridership, with 32 percent of those biking under age 12.

It’s what people want:

    • 94% of respondents to a recent Shasta Living Streets survey agreed or strongly agreed that if there were better bicycle (like buffered or protected bike lanes) facilities and pedestrian facilities in town, they would ride their bicycle or walk more often.
    • 93% of respondents to a recent Shasta Living Streets survey agreed or strongly agreed that a buffered or protected bike lane would make them feel more comfortable riding their bicycle on city streets.
    • Nearly two-thirds (65%) of Americans who don’t bicycle say they would like to ride more often.

Citations for these and many more statistics can be found at People for Bikes’ website.

Why should my tax money be used on a bicycle lane?

  • Most bicyclists also own a car and pay taxes and registration like everyone else.
  • In 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger signed legislation that requires cities and counties, when updating the part of a local general plan that addresses roadways and traffic flows, to ensure that those plans account for the needs of all roadway users—not just motorists.
  • More people on bicycles means less auto traffic for the remaining motorists on the road, and it reduces city costs for maintaining roads since bicycles do not cause the same wear and tear on road surfaces as heavier cars and trucks.

Is this an ambitious enough proposal?

This is just an overlay project and has a very limited budget and scope. A buffered bikeway can be put into place with just a few gallons of paint. Any more significant changes to downtown circulation would be more expensive and would have to wait for a future project. In this case, the perfect is the enemy of the good and we should applaud Caltrans and the City of Redding for attempting to do more with less!