Bike to Work Day 2009 was the biggest yet!

Hundreds of thousands of bike commuters like you took to the streets all over the Bay Area this past Thursday.  Participation was up 36% across the Bay Area!  In San Francisco, bikes outnumbered cars on Market Street by 2 to 1!  The media stood up and took notice as Bike to Work Day was all over the news.  This wouldn’t have been possible without your help.  Every person you talked to about Bike to Work Day, every post you put on Facebook and Twitter for your friends to see, every flyer you put up at your work place made a difference.  Together we’re making a difference for our health, our economy and our climate.

Check out these great Bike to Work Day 2009 Photos.  You can share your own photos and stories with us on the web at:

• Facebook: Post some pictures or leave a message on our wall
• Flickr: Post your pics to the biketoworksfbay Flickr group
• Twitter: Share your tweets with @biketoworksfbay
• Email: Send your pictures to btwd@bayareabikes.org and we’ll post them to the Bike to Work Day Flickr account.

BABC is hiring Spanish and Chinese Speaking Outreach Interns for Bike to Work Day 2009

The Bay Area Bicycle Coalition is looking for two bilingual interns one fluent in Spanish and the other fluent in Chinese to help promote this year’s Bike to Work Day within the Bay Area’s vibrant Latino and Chinese communities. Interns will work 2-3 hours/week from March 16- May 14, 2009. $500 stipend provided at conclusion of internship and travel is reimbursed.

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic about bicycling and wishes to gain exposure to various players in the implementation process of the Bay Area wide Bike to Work Day event. Interns must have strong organizational and communication skills, both written and verbal and in both English and Spanish/Chinese; excellent time management and multi-tasking skills are also necessary. Self-starter, with positive attitude, ability to work in a team environment and able to communicate difficulties to supervisor and overcome challenges presented. Basic computer skills also required.

Potential internship duties may include but are not limited to:
• Working closely with Bike to Work Day (BTWD) coordinators to develop and implement an outreach plan to promote the event in the Chinese/Latino communities.
• Serve as a liaison between the Regional event coordinators and the local communities
• Serve as spokesperson to Latino/Chinese media (Media Training provided)
• Translation of BTWD media from English to Spanish/Chinese

Qualifications and experience:
• Must be bilingual and fluent in Spanish or Chinese
• Familiarity with the Bay Area and its diverse communities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Enthusiasm for bicycling
• Organizing/outreach experience a plus

This internship is an excellent opportunity for students or individuals who are interested in event planning, community organizing, and/or media outreach.

Please send resume and cover letter to the Bay Area Bicycle Coalition’s Executive Director, Andrew Casteel at andrew(at)bayareabikes.org. Deadline for applicants is March 2. Interviews take place on March 5.

Improve Bicycling in the Bay Area by helping design the BABC Strategic Plan.

The BABC is working on a Strategic Plan for the next three years. We need your input to make sure that we are doing the best job possible at supporting bicyclists in the Bay Area. Visit our Strategic Planning Website to learn more and share your opinions on our strategic plan.

Welcome to our new Bike to Work Day Assistant, Janel Sterbentz

We are very happy to announce that Janel Sterbentz has joined the BABC as this year’s BTWD Assistant. There was a lot of interest in the position and the decision we faced was difficult with so many qualified applicants vying for the position. Thanks to all the local coalitions who helped us advertise job opening. Janel’s initiative and attention to detail put her at the front of the pack and I know she’ll be a great addition to this years Bike to Work Day Team.

Janel has five years of bicycle planning and advocacy experience. In the Master’s of Urban Studies and Planning program at Portland State University, she specialized in land use and sustainable transportation. On an international exchange she studied bicycle infrastructure at the University of Groningen in The Netherlands. As Transportation Planner at Portland State University, she led projects to encourage students and staff to travel to work by transit, bicycle and walking; and led a project to install 200 bike parking racks on campus. As transportation planner at The Portland Office of Transportation she assisted with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Masterplan updates, and traffic calming research and implementation. She is motivated to make streets most comfortable, convenient and safest for the least polluting modes of transportation. We’re very lucky to have someone with such strong skills and dedication to bicycle advocacy on board for this years Bike to Work Day.

Caltrain to consider removing seats to make space for bikes

From the SF Chronicle

"Caltrain officials will consider removing some seats to accommodate the growing throng of bicyclists who regularly find themselves bumped from rush-hour trains when room runs out for their two-wheelers." Full Article

Thanks to the efforts of Advocacy groups including the BABC, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, Caltrain's Michael Scanlon announced that he had asked his operations staff to look at removing seats to make room for more bicycles onboard. This is an encouraging direction for Caltrain's Bike planning efforts to take. BABC plans to stay involved throughout the design and implementation of the Caltrain Bike Plan to increase on train bicycle capacity and help prevent bike riders from being bumped from Caltrain.

Read BABC's Comment Letter to the Caltrain's Bicycle Access and Parking Plan

Governor Schwarzenegger signs Assembly Bill 1358, the California Complete Streets Act of 2008, into Law

From the Complete Streets Coalition:

"The new law requires cities and counties to include complete streets policies as part of their general plans so that roadways are designed to safely accommodate all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, children, older people, and disabled people, as well as motorists." Full Article

Thanks to the efforts of numerous bicycle and pedestrian advocacy groups, including the BABC, California is once again leading the way by passing the first State Complete Streets legislation. BABC looks forward to working with our local and regional transportation agencies to help implement these complete streets policies and make our streets safer for bicyclists.

Read BABC's Letter of Support for AB 1358

Welcome our new Executive Director, Andrew Casteel

Andrew Casteel has taken this ED position, bringing 7 years of
experience in educational development. He wrote a successful grant for $200,000 from Electronic Arts to design and implement the Sequoia High School 3D Animation Program. While serving as chair of the SUHSD Academy Steering Committee, he doubled the number of students and volunteers involved in the Academy Career Fair while managing $320,000 in annual state Academy grants for the 4 programs in the district. As a lifelong commuter and recreational cyclist who regularly rides over 100 miles a week, he looks forward to working with the many excellent local bicycle coalitions to further improve the quality of cycling in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Bay Area Bicycle Coalition Hiring an Executive Director

Applications Due July 25

The Bay Area Bicycle Coalition, which represents the nine Bay Area county bicycle coalitions on regional issues, seeks candidates for the position of Executive Director. The salary range is from $50,000 - $60,000 per year depending on experience, with paid holidays, vacation and health insurance. Initial interviews will take place at the end of July or the beginning of August, so applicants are encouraged to submit their resumes by July 25. The organization anticipates a September start date.

The Executive Director will work on a range of exciting issues to improve bicycling in the San Francisco Bay Area including: working with government agencies, such as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Caltrans, cities, counties, and transit agencies to develop improved bicycle policies and facilities; improving bicycle access to transit systems throughout the Bay Area; securing direct bicycle access on all trans-Bay bridges; promoting cycling via public information, education, and advocacy; and coordinating the regional Bike to Work Day promotional event.

Click here for a job description and application instructions.

The Bay Area Bicycle Coalition, 511.org and Kaiser Permanente Present Bike to Work Day!

Thursday, May 15 marks the San Francisco Bay Area’s 14th annual Bike to Work Day, a grand celebration that promotes bicycling as a healthy, fun, economical and viable form of transportation. On the morning of Bike to Work Day stop by one of the over 100 Energizer Stations located along commute routes for complimentary treats, a reusable goodie bag, bicycle information, and good cheer! Visit www.511.org to find an Energizer Station near you or to enter a drawing to win a brand new bike!

Early Morning Interviews for Bike to Work Day Thursday, May 15

On Thursday, May 15, organizers expect up to 100,000 Bay Area commuters to bike to work as part of the Bay Area’s 14th Annual Bike to Work Day. 

Who:              Tens of thousands of commuters

What:             Early morning interviews with residents participating in the Bay Area’s 14th annual Bike to Work Day (www.511.org)

When:            Thursday, May 15, 2008 during the morning commute, starting at 5 a.m.

Where:          Golden Gate Bridge Energizer Station at Vista Point (Marin side of the bridge)

More than 225 Energizer Stations will be located along local bike commute routes in all nine Bay Area counties on Thursday, May 15, to provide free beverages, snacks and encouragement to bicyclists. Throughout the Bay Area, dozens of local events taking place during the month of May are getting people excited about bicycling and the benefits it provides for public health, traffic reduction, cost savings and our environment.

The San Francisco Bay Area's Bike to Work Day 2008 is sponsored by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which operates the Bay Area’s 511 traveler information service, in conjunction with Kaiser Permanente and with support from the Bay Area Bicycle Coalition, county bicycle coalitions, county congestion management agencies and hundreds of local volunteers. For more information about Bike to Work Day, visit www.511.org

Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition’s annual Bike Swap and Flea Market

When: Sunday, May 18th, 9am-2pm

Where: Santa Rosa Veteran’s Memorial Building 1531 Maple Street
Santa Rosa

What: A great opportunity to buy or trade bikes, bike parts, and gear or to pick up other flea market items. AND, you can also register for a booth to sell you stuff (registration fee applies) OR, you can donate your stuff to SCBC to sell.  All proceeds and registration fees benefit Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition.

Everyone is welcome.

How: To register or for info, contact Sandra at 707-545-0153 or email SandraL@BikeSonoma.org.

25 Year Regional Transportation Plan Currently Being Revised

BABC's T2035 Platform for Active Transportation

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is in the midst of its revision of the Bay Area's Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). This $100+ billion plan, " "Transportation 2035" or "T2035", will articulate a 25-year vision for how transportation will work in the nine-county Bay Area.

Representatives from the nine-county bicycle coalitions have utilized input from public health, smart growth, and pedestrian advocates over the past few months to craft what we believe is a very strong argument for greater investment in walking and bicycling.

Download our platform here.

Temporary Position Available With Bay Area Bicycle Coalition to Promote Bike to Work Day

The Bay Area Bicycle Coalition (BABC) is pleased to announce a very exciting part-time opportunity in their organization that will last for approximately five months. The BABC is a non-profit organization which represents the nine Bay Area bicycle coalitions on a regional level, pertaining to the promotion of bicycling as a safe and healthy form of transportation. The BABC is working under a contract with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to plan and promote Bike to Work Day 2008, a high-profile Bay Area wide event which will take place on Thursday, May 15, 2008.

Bike to Work Day Assistant Coordinator

The Bay Area Bicycle Coalition is looking to hire a Bike to Work Day Assistant Coordinator on a temporary basis. The Assistant Coordinator will work 15-20 hours per week from the hire date until June 30, 2008. The temporary employee will work out of the BABC’s Mill Valley office in Marin County with the possibility to telecommute.

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic about cycling and wishes to gain exposure to various players in the implementation process of the Bay Area wide Bike to Work Day event. Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills with a knack for detail and organization, and experience in event coordination. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are also required.

Job duties: Potential job duties may include but are not limited to:

• Assist in coordinating Bike to Work Day (BTWD) planning efforts along with local bicycle coalitions, County Coalitions, County Committees, government agencies, transit agencies, employers and other key stakeholders.
• Attend monthly Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings at the Metropolitan Transportation Center (MTC) in Oakland. Assistant coordinator will be expected to help prepare for meetings and take minutes during the meetings.
• Oversee the production of Bike to Work Day promotional materials
• Write content for the Bike to Work Day pages of the 511 website and help to maintain the site
• Write general content about the event
• Help with managing special campaigns that are part of the Bike to Work Day implementation process
• Solicit donations for give-aways, cash sponsorships and prizes
• Assist with other tasks related to the event management including phone calls, data entry, mailings, running errands throughout the Bay Area, etc.

Qualifications and experience:

• Experience in organizing and coordination events
• Experience with PC computers, databases and website searches
• Experience with fundraising solicitations and “cold-calls” over the phone and email
• Ability to coordinate complex logistical tasks
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Detail oriented
• A team player who is willing to learn and contribute to this very exciting event
• Enthusiasm about bicycling

Compensation is at a rate of $15-$18/hour.

Please send a cover letter, resume, and one writing sample to Cole Portocarrero, Executive Director, Bay Area Bicycle Coalition - cole@bayareabikes.org by January 18. Interviews will take place the week of January 21. No phone calls, please.