The next meeting of BikeWalkSolana, the Solana Beach Active Transportation Committee,  will be held on Monday November 1,  2021, 5pm on Zoom. For an invitation please email [email protected]

Agenda:

• Updates from the City
• FY21-22 Community Grant Planning
• iCommute/SANDAG’s Walk Ride, and Roll Program Program
  Kristine Schindler has been encouraging Solana Beach schools to raise their hands for the FREE offerings via iCommute/SANDAG’s Walk, Ride, and Roll program, only Earl Warren MS has benefited to date.  Please reach out to the schools too.  Registration is easy and they have a number of events/activities to choose from.  Suggest to Principal Katie at Solana Vista and/or Principal Kim at Skyline should choose to have a school community bike ride.  BikeWalkEncinitas did one at Ocean Knoll Elementary (grades K-6) in Encinitas and it was wonderful.
  https://www.icommutesd.com/school/walk-ride-and-roll-to-school
• Open Streets on S Cedros Ave Planning
  • Shawna McGarry has been reaching out to merchants for buy-in and is working on getting it on the City Council’s workplan for 2022.  Target date is 25 Sep 2022.
• New Business
• Upcoming Local Events
  • Sunday, November 7 CicloSDias in Pacific Beach.  Go here for more info and think about joining in as a volunteer.
    https://sdbikecoalition.org/ciclosdias/
  • Sunday, January 9 Cyclovia Encinitas.  Go here for more info once the webpage is updated.

    https://encinitasca.gov/Residents/Recreation-Programs/Special-Events/Cyclovia-Encinitas

  • City Cycling classes in Encinitas continue each month, with the last once for 2021 on Saturday, 11/20.  At the Encinitas Community Center 9am-12pm with in class, drills, and street road ride.  Encinitas City Council Council approved 6 more classes in 2022.  All ages and all bike types welcomed.
    Find more information and sign up at https://sdbikecoalition.org/city-cycling/

Meeting Notes by Jill Cooper

Those present were Douglas Alden, Jill Cooper, Shawna McGarry, Daniel Powell, Karl Rudnick, Erick (?), and City Engineering Staff members Mo Sammak and Dan Goldberg. 

Updates from the City from MoSammak and Dan Goldberg

1. Lomas Santa Fe Corridor Improvement Project

The Solana Beach City Council directed City Staff to complete and submit the SANDAG grant application so that the design will be “shovel ready” for a time when funding becomes available.  

2. City street pavement rehabilitation project

The City Council offered an additional $200,000 from the general fund to supplement the $450,000 that we received from the Transnet gas tax and SB 1. This means that more street improvement projects can go forward. 

3. Santa Helena Neighborhood Trail

Those who attended the Santa Helena Neighborhood Trail community workshop on October 21 were excited and in favor of this project. Mo pronounced it “very grant-worthy.” The attractive trail, designed with the  safety and enjoyment of bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists on Santa Helena in mind, will encourage more people to “think outside the car.” Reducing traffic speed is a concern in the neighborhood, and fewer car trips slow climate change. The next step will be for City Staff to present its plans for the project to the City Council.

CLICK HERE to watch a video of the October 21 workshop, which includes an overview of the proposed trail: 

Plans for a S. Cedros car-free biking and walking event 

Shawna McGarry and Daniel Powell are working on a proposal for the City Council’s 2022 work plan: a one day, closed street, biking and walking event with food trucks and vendors for September 25, 2022. Solana Beach’s Design District, Cedros Avenue, would be closed to car traffic from Lomas Santa Fe Drive to Rosa Street. City Engineer Mo Sammuk stressed the importance of documenting merchant and community support so that event plans can go forward smoothly. Shawna and Daniel will work to get buy-in from Cedros merchants and the public, perhaps in the form of a petition. Possible resources are the San Diego Bike Coalition, which has organized similar car-free events, and Kristine Schindler, our BWS member. Shawna asked for suggestions: What should this proposed event be named?

League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Community Signs

Solana Beach (still) needs to buy and install signs from the League of American Bicyclists designating it a Bicycle Friendly Community in spring, 2018. Mo Sammak responded that they will try to get this done since the award was made over three years ago. After the meeting, Karl re-sent Mo and Dan sign purchasing information (at $55/sign, if more than 10 are bought) as well as suggestions for possible sign locations in the city. Dan Goldberg pointed out that we will apply to be re-named a BFC between May and fall of 2022.

City of Solana Beach Community Grant Planning

Karl suggested dates for April thru May of 2022. Instead of two Smart Cycling Classes, he proposed one such class and a few less time-intensive educational events based on successful City Cycling and e-bike education which are being used in Encinitas. Click here for a working spreadsheet of events and dates.

Working to get more people walking, riding, and rolling

• Encinitas had a school community ride recently; can we work with the Solana Beach School District to organize an event like this?
• We are excited to see so many children walking and riding bikes to school, perhaps due to community interest, crossing guards lowering parent anxiety, children wanting to work to slow climate change, BWS events
• Solana Vista Elementary School parents report the need to improve the traffic flow so that walkers and bicyclists are safer and protected from nearby car traffic.