Category Archives: Call To Action

We’re Hiring! Join Our Team

We’re launching new programs and building our team & we want you to be a part of it!

Join Our Team

Shasta Living Streets is a great place to work offering a supportive environment and opportunities for learning and growth.  You will work in a beautiful building in a vibrant Downtown, with best of class vendors, and partner organizations that believe in what we do.  It’s a place where you can bring joy to people while also delivering innovative programs that make a real difference in your city and the world. 

We are building a team to realize a ten-year vision to provide 21st Century amenities to empower and encourage cycling excellence and trail tourism to raise Redding and Shasta County into the ranks of top places for active, healthy living.   We do this in partnership with State of California and City of Redding for the additional urgent need to achieve goals of greenhouse gas reductions in transportation. 

This May we will launch the Shasta Bike Depot and Redding Bikeshare.  We are creating a social and practical mobility hub for local residents and trail enthusiasts, and visitors from out of town. 

Open Positions

Go to shastalivingstreets.org/join-our-team/ for current openings and information

Bicycle Technician(s), Shasta Living Streets

Positions Open:    
Position open until filled.

Position Description:  

More information

Thinking about joining our team? Please review this information about our programs and programming goals in the document at the link below.

DONATE & WIN A New Electric Cargo Bike

Donate for a chance to win
a Yuba Spicy Curry electric cargo bike

It’s a long-tail bike
Made for big loads and wiggly kids
With electric-assist to make riding a joy 

Please read details on this page. Ticket link below.

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We’re excited to bring another Electric Cargo Bike to a Local Family

Your Donation Supports Community Programming at the Shasta Bike Depot

Thank you! We are grateful for your support. Donations support Community Programming at the Shasta Bike Depot – Opening Soon! 

Contributions are welcome and appreciated at any amount. Yes, you can make multiple donations.

  • $5  Receive ONE cargo bike raffle ticket
  • $20 Receive FIVE cargo bike raffle tickets
  • $40 Receive TEN cargo bike raffle tickets
  • $80  Receive TWENTY cargo bike raffle tickets

ANNOUNCING WINNER FRIDAY JUN 17 !

Prize Eligibility to Local Residents

While donations are welcome from anyone, the following eligibility criteria must be met in order to receive the raffle prize: 
==> Eligible participants must reside in Shasta County, California.  
==> Eligible participants must be 18 years old or older at time of participation. 

  • Prize winners will be selected in a random drawing from all eligible entries. 
  • Tickets available by donation through June 16th. Last day is June 16th.
  • Prize winner will be selected and announced on June 17th.
  • The Yuba Spicy Curry Electric Cargo Bike is a $5,500 value.

Your donation for Better bikeways, walkable cities and vibrant public places in Redding & Shasta county

At Shasta Living Streets we imagine Downtown Redding as the center hub of a connected city. It’s a people-friendly, walkable, bikeable district with vibrant public places, and smart-city amenities. 

We Believe when we give a lot more people the resources, skills and confidence they need to get around safely and conveniently walking and biking, people discover the ease and joy of active living. When we add high-quality facilities and experiences, our community becomes healthier, happier, and more prosperous.

This is why with the Shasta Bike Depot we have designed a full-service set of features for active transportation commutes and tourism services, to provide amenities, create community, and empower people. Starting in Downtown, the services and amenities will help build our trail town and create a connected city.

Our Sponsors

Please know, this raffle prize is made possible by generous contribution from Yuba Bicycles, the Redding Parks and Trails Foundation, and last years’ Spicy Curry e-cargo bike winners, Jenn and Ted, who were so happy with the experience of owning an e-cargo bike, they made a generous donation to “pay it forward” to make another bike available to a lucky family in our community.

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2021 Happy Winners Jenn & Ted
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Also => We’re Hiring!

We’re launching new programs and building our team & we want you to be a part of it!
Join Our Team.

Please share with your friends and colleagues.
Details: at this link.

May 26 MARCHFOURTH Marching Band!

It’s time!

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MARCHFOURTH!

It’s a musical extravaganza and dance party.

Join us for this big band experience in Downtown Redding

  • THURSDAY MAY 26TH
  • PARTY STARTS AT 7:00PM
  • SHOW STARTS AT SUNSET 8:30PM
  • YOUR TICKET Purchase here –> https://shasta-living-streets.square.site/ We will have your name on a list. Please bring your receipt.
  • LOCATION IN-PERSON, TOGETHER
    Shasta Living Streets’ California Street Labs
    1313 California Street, Redding 96001
  • ALL AGES SHOW

We look forward to seeing you!

GET TICKETS TODAY

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Click here for tickets!

CRAFT BEER, HARD CIDER, N/A OPTIONS
Available for purchase.

ARRIVE BY BIKE. Bike to the show, park your bike on site.
ARRIVE BY CAR. There is ample free parking in Downtown Redding. Try out the new parking garage. Large parking lots directly adjacent: to the north, west, and south.

PLEASE NO DOGS
For this show – please no dogs. We normally welcome our canine friends, but best not to have them at this festival.

NO SMOKING/NO VAPE
We are a no smoking & no vape venue.

MORE INFORMATION
530.355.2230 communications@shastalivingstreets.org

MARCHFOURTH
marchfourthband.com

THANK YOU!
Proceeds support 
Shasta Living Streets & 
The Shasta Bike Depot

Also => We’re Hiring!

We’re launching new programs and building our team & we want you to be a part of it!
Join Our Team.

Please share with your friends and colleagues.
Details: at this link.


THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS



~

Help get improvements on Pine St & South Market Thurs Aug 19

BEST FOOT FORWARD
What is a Walkable, Bikeable City
and how do we get one?

Considering:  Pine Street, S Market to Buenaventura, Buenaventura Intersection

You are invited:
Thursday, August 19th   4:00-6:00 p.m.

  • Please join us on Zoom: bit.ly/SouthMarketStreet    
  • Or Toll Free Call:  (669)900-6833
  • Meeting ID:  826 4382 3035

Unable to attend? Send your thoughts our way, we will include them

Comments and thoughts about safety hazards, needs for walking, biking, traffic calming – we will make sure your comments are added.
Send to: Bryson Schreder bschreder@shastalivingstreets.org

Why? This workshop: 

Brings outside expertise to Redding to review current conditions and speak with agency staff and  local business owners about their ideas and concerns specifically regarding the experience of people walking and biking to shop, work, live and play. Interdisciplinary teams will explore solutions for challenge areas.

Shares best practice and practical solutions to improve the experience of visitors, shoppers, employers, employees – people who visit, work, play, live,  and travel using State Route 273 in Downtown and Central Redding.

Improvement ideas will be discussed for Pine Street & South Market to Buenaventura

Engages public input and collective decision-making on ways to improve our city. People are  better able to provide input with an understanding of how alternatives serve their needs.

Provides written recommendations by state experts on public comments and features that can improve the walking and biking experience and reduce collisions and safety concerns for the people businesses want to attract. These can be  used as one more form of input to current design and planning processes.

Workshop Activities

  • Goals of the Community Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Training
  • 3 focus areas: Review of collision data & suggested improvements 
  • Safe System Approach, Strategies to improve safety
  • 3 focus areas: Interdisciplinary teams public comments & discussion
  • Group Report-out of ideas 

Thank you to the Planning Team 

California Walks, UC Berkeley SafeTREC, Shasta Living Streets, Caltrans District 2, City of Redding, Shasta Co Health & Human Services Agency

Workshop conducted by California Walks and UC Berkeley SafeTREC

The Safe Transportation Research and Education Center works to reduce transportation-related injuries and fatalities through research, education, outreach, and community service.

California Walks partners with state agencies, organizations and communities to establish and strengthen policies and practices that support pedestrian safety and healthy, walkable communities.

Previous Best Foot Forward workshops and public input in Redding/Shasta

More information

Anne Thomas athomas@shastalivingstreets.org
Marina Ramirez marina@calwalks.org

~

Share your biking and walking safety concerns by Mon July 24

Do you want safer streets for walking and bicycling? 

Would you like the Redding City Council to continue to prioritize efforts to improve the safety and accessibility of streets and neighborhoods? 

Your voice counts.  The Redding City Council is asking for input.
Help ensure this serious safety issue continues to be a priority for the City of Redding.  Contact information below.

The Challenge

Traffic deaths and life-altering injuries from collisions are preventable.  For too long we’ve considered traffic deaths and severe injuries to be inevitable side effects of modern life.  We face a crisis on our streets — with traffic violence taking too many lives, both from collisions and from sedentary lifestyles.

The significant loss of life exacts a tragic toll, extending beyond personal loss to deep community impacts, including: personal economic costs and emotional trauma to those suffering; and significant taxpayer spending on emergency response and long-term healthcare costs. And because so many fear for their safety on our streets, there is no real transportation choice for our families — no right to choose to walk or bike — and, as a result, we compromise our public health with increasing rates of sedentary diseases, higher transportation costs, traffic congestion and pollution.

The Vision

We can save lives, prevent life-altering injuries, increase physical activity, reduce the high cost of transportation for local families, and improve the livability of our community and the strength of our local economy.

People in Redding from all walks of life -staff in the City of Redding and Shasta Regional Transportation, as well as businesses, developers and community groups are attempting to address this problem.  We want to ensure that their work to make streets safer for all modes of transportation continues to be a priority so they can move forward with reliable data, resources, and political support.

How you can help

Two opportunities for public participation are available:

First, Share your thoughts in an email  

City Council wants to know what safety issues concern you – and what solutions you would like to see addressed.  Please send a respectful email with your concerns for safe bicycling and walking in Redding, generally, on with specific detail.  We want to register the communities interest to continue addressing this serious safety issue.

Email here:  publicsafetyforum@cityofredding.org
All emails are due by 5 p.m. Monday, July 24  

  • Emails and will be provided to the City Council prior to the forum.
  • Email questions will be addressed at the forum as time allows, and may be addressed in subsequent materials.

And/or attend the forum and share your thoughts in person

Community Forum
Thursday. July 27
4 to 7 p.m.
City Council Chambers, 777 Cypress Avenue

In addition to the City Council, Redding Police officials will attend, as well representatives of Shasta County public safety agencies. The forum will include background information on what the City has done, and is able to do, to combat crime, including a rundown on ordinances the City has enacted to protect the public.

STAY INFORMED

Each year, more than 30,000 people — the population of a small city — are needlessly killed on American streets and thousands more are injured.  We call this suffering traffic “accidents” — but, in reality, we have the power to prevent traffic collisions.
Learn more at visionzeronetwork.org

 

Beach Bus! Great things happen when we work together

SRTA, RABA, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and Redding Recreation are joining together to make the Beach Bus a reality.

This program comes directly from feedback given in recent unmet needs surveys that show strong interest in summer service to the lake.  This was validated as a priority by the nine member Social Services Transportation Advisory Council  (Reminder:  We are lucky to have Margie McAleer represents us on this council, on behalf of Shasta Living Streets members and mission.)

ACTION ALERT:  Join us at the RABA meeting next Monday to show support for this program!   

  • Monday June 20, 5:15pm at Redding City Council Chambers.  You’ll find us in the right side seating / towards the front.

Local agencies are responding quickly to your voices on the transit unmet-needs surveys. Thank you to everyone for taking a little time to make comments.

Beach Bus

Great things happen when we work together!

Let’s continue to show our support for improvements to transit that build excellence and support active lifestyles in Shasta County!

It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way

Yesterday, a person on bicycle was killed in Redding.

At Shasta Living Streets, we believe that most collisions are preventable by reducing dangerous behaviors and building streets that work for everyone.

In America, over 30,000 people die every year on our streets and highways; somehow, we have become inured to these daily tragedies and accept them as inevitable. Programs like Vision Zero say, “Wait a minute, these deaths are preventable. We don’t have to accept this—better infrastructure and better policies can stop the slaughter.” What’s more, Vision Zero programs have been shown to work.

Better infrastructure like protected bike lanes are the cornerstone of any Vision Zero program. Make no mistake, protected bike lanes work:

And better infrastructure doesn’t benefit just people on bikes:

  • When protected bike lanes are installed in New York City, injury crashes for all road users (drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists) typically drop by 40 percent and by more than 50 percent in some locations. [source: Memorandum on Bike Lanes, City of New York, Office of the Mayor, 21 March 2011]

Better bicycle infrastructure also has many proven economic benefits, but we will discuss that another time. The fact is that we can do better. We should do better.

Let’s not shy away from excellence. Let’s not turn our back on the deaths. Let’s work together to built streets that work better for people who walk, bike, and drive.

Help us extend the river trail network and enhance river access

Flyshop

fishes_boatingtrail_water

Shasta Living Streets, The Fly Shop, The Civic Auditorium, Turtle Bay have teamed up to support The City of Redding to scope and implement improvements along the riverfront west of the Sundial Bridge.   

We are asking our members and customers, partners and friends to join us and take a simple step to build a community-contribution fund that will support City of Redding trail and boat ramp improvement project.

This fund will be used to develop improvements that build on our current assets, address specific challenges, and make improvements today that will benefit families and businesses in the near term, while also creating a legacy for our community into the future.

You can help extend the river trail network and enhance river access

Join others and make a donation to the community-contribution fund for the next step to care for our spectacular river and the intersection between the river, our city, and the people who live, work, and play here.

Those who have the privilege to know, have the duty to act.    
– Albert Einstein

Buy a Ticket – Enjoy film night with friends and support trails! 

flyfishingfilmtour_v2Get your tickets today!  

Cold clear water, wild landscapes, scenic beauty, and inspiring stories    . . . you are sure to enjoy these films from around the world whether you fish, enjoy outdoor activities, or just like to gaze at natural beauty.

Saturday, November 21 at the Civic Auditorium in Redding.

Your entire ticket amount will be donated to the community contribution fund for the Riverfront Park to Boat Ramp improvements.  Thank you!

Advance: $20 – Door: $25 – VIP: $50
VIP includes reserved seating, complimentary drink, 5 raffle tickets, and Dutch Brothers coffee coupon.  

Get tickets online:  here 

Make a Donation Today – Our collective giving supports the River Trail extension

Thank you! Your contribution will bring improvements to benefit our local fisheries and the boating and tourism industry, as well as local individuals, families, and visitors who will enjoy the trail and bikeway. Your donation is tax deductible.

Online donations:  Use this link above. [Campaign complete]

Checks:  Checks can be left at the Fly Shop, or mailed to  to Shasta Living Streets, P.O. Box 941, Palo Cedro, CA 96073.   Make checks payable to Shasta Living Streets.   Please send your address, we will return a receipt of your donation.

Riverfront Park to the Boat Ramp Improvements

This site is used by fishermen, boaters, rafters, kayakers, paddle boarders, and more.  The convenient location just upstream from the world-famous Sundial Bridge, Turtle Bay Museum and soon-to-be-built hotel makes it a priority site for residents of Redding and Shasta County as well as tourists visiting from all over the state, country, and even the world.

fishes_boating

 

Enhance River Access

The planned upgrade to this area includes enhancements to the riparian area along the river that will benefit the important fisheries and spawning areas in this section of the river.  Boating improvements include widening and re-paving to allow for multiple vehicle launching; a graded area for drift boat, raft, and kayak parking to reduce congestion in the launch area; and will blend in well with the extension to the River Trail Network, improvements to the roads into the boat ramp area and parking lot, and added greenspace and fishermen’s access along the river between the boat ramp and the bridge.

trail_water

 

 

Extend the River Trail Network

Enhancements are planned for this area to allow people to walk along the river, enjoy seating and picnic areas and to ride a bike from the Sundial Bridge along this southern shore of the river.   Long-term planning is underway to make a connection from this area of Turtle Bay into downtown Redding.  The scoping process will help determine how this section of trail can enhance the planned bikeway and trail that will connect downtown Redding to the Turtle Bay hotel, Sundial Bridge, Civic Auditorium and other attractions in the area.

Donate Today to help extend the river trail network and enhance river access

               Riverfront Improvement Donation $20.00 – $500.00              

Questions?  Please contact

Anne Thomas, Executive Director, Shasta Living Streets. athomas@shastalivingstreets.org

Michael Caranci, Travel Sales Specialist, Director of Schools & Camps, The Fly Shop.  michael@theflyshop.com

Thank you!

 

Scholarship Available: Join the local team at the California Bicycle Coalition Summit

The 2015 California Bicycle Summit will take place Sunday, October 25th through Wednesday, October 28th in San Diego

Join the local team at the conference –  Shasta Living Streets and Chico Velo have formed a local delegation of individuals to attend the summit and build synergy by learning and networking together.

SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE.   Healthy Shasta will provide one scholarship for a Shasta County resident to attend the  2015 California Bicycle Summit

  • The deadline to apply for a Professional Development Scholarship through Healthy Shasta is Tuesday, September 8, 2015, at 5 pm.
  • Info on how to apply:  2015 Scholarship Bike Summit Application
  • Contact Amy at  bike@healthyshasta.org  for more information about this scholarship opportunity.

What is the California Bicycle Summit?

The California Bicycle Summit is hosted by the California Bicycle Coalition and includes three days of interactive panels, inspiring presentations, bike tours, sessions to share best practices and build skills, and networking – all oriented toward creating healthier, safer, and more prosperous communities.

Note: Shasta Living Streets and our members are one of 16 partner affiliates of the California Bicycle Coalition, representing regions across the state.

Details are at California Bicycle Summit 2015

Equity is the theme of this year’s Summit. Tracks include:

  • Open Streets —how to create or improve Open Streets events.
  • Building Better Bikeways — latest and best practice in (re-)designing streets and paths to create networks of low-stress bikeways connecting destinations, sponsored by Alta Planning + Design.
  • Movement Building — learn from the best among California’s bicycle advocates how to strengthen your voice for more bicycle-friendly communities.
  • Prosperity — biking is good business, and good for the economy.
  • Education — best practices in educating drivers and bicyclists about safe sharing of the roads.
  • Enforcement — what role does enforcement play in promoting safer bicycling?
  • Communications — using new and traditional media to reach all Californians effectively.

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!