October 2022

The days are getting shorter, and the holiday season will soon be upon us.  With the temperatures finally falling, now is a great time to make up some riding time if the scorching temperatures kept you off your bike.

In this month’s Newsletter:

 

• Bike Café is on Tuesday, October 11 at 7:00 pm on “Measure C Renewal Winners and Losers” with bicycle advocate Nick Paladino and FCBC Chair Tony Molina discussing the proposed extension of the Fresno County transportation sales tax.

• The next Fresno Bike Station Fix Your Own Bike event is on Saturday, October 15, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Tower District.

• The legislative session is over, and the Governor signed and vetoed a few remaining bills related to bicycling.

• FCBC will be hosting a Smart Cycling class with virtual classroom and on-bike sessions on November 19 and 20.

• Nominations to the FCBC Board will be taken at the November 17 Board meeting.

• The next Board meeting is on Thursday, October 20 at 7:30 pm.

FCBC Bike Café

The monthly virtual Bike Café allows FCBC members and others to socialize and discuss bike-related topics of interest.

 

 

Join us on Zoom on Tuesday, October 11 at 7:00 pm as long-time bicycle advocate Nick Paladino and FCBC Board Chair Tony Molina present, "Measure C Renewal Winners and Losers."  The proposed 30-year extension of the half-cent sales tax dedicated to transportation in Fresno County will be discussed.  Learn who will benefit and who will lose out for the close to $7 billion in projected funds expected to be raised by the tax if the measure passes.  Nick and Tony will discuss what programs and projects are included in the funding to help you decide how to vote on the measure.

 

Register here to get the Zoom link.  If you have questions about using Zoom, registration for the event, or any other questions, email us events@fresnobike.org.

Fresno Bike Station FYOB Event

 

 

The next Fresno Bicycle Station Fix Your Own Bike event is scheduled for Saturday, October 15  between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm at the Van Ness Village Vendor Fair, located at 1440 N. Van Ness Avenue.  The Fresno Bike Station is sponsored by FCBC and allows bike owners to learn how to repair their own bikes with help from experienced mechanics, including FCBC member Julie Congi and Tower Velo owner Chris Eacock.  Last month, ABC30 News broadcasted a great story on the Fresno Bike Station, though the story was not posted online.

 

Legislative Update

 

For the current legislative session, the Governor had until September 30 to sign or veto bills, including the following related to bicycling:

 

• AB-1909, known as the Bicycle Omnibus Bill, was signed by the Governor.  This bill resulted in the following changes:

 

• Motorized bicycles and Class 3 e-bikes, which provide pedal assistance up to 28 mph, would be allowed to use Class I bike paths.  Currently, local authorities may restrict usage of such e-bikes, and even e-bikes that provide pedal assistance up to 20 mph, but they may no longer do so with the new law.  Local authorities would retain the ability to prohibit e-bikes from an equestrian trail, hiking trail, or recreational trail.

• Beginning January 1, 2024, bicyclists may follow pedestrian signals at signalized intersections unless there are bicycle signals, which are not currently in place in the Fresno area.  Bicyclists would benefit at signalized intersections with “pedestrian scramble” phasing or a leading pedestrian interval, which gives pedestrians the right-of-way 3 to 7 seconds before the corresponding vehicular movement.

• Motorists will be required to move over a lane, if available, when passing or overtaking a bicyclist.

• Local authorities will no longer be able to require that bicycles operating within their jurisdiction to be licensed.

 

• AB 117 would have created an annual e-bike incentive program but was vetoed by the Governor.  The fiscal year 2021/2022 State budget allocated $10 million towards e-bike incentives for just that year and for those who meet the income requirements.  The Governor vetoed the bill because of a lack of an ongoing source of funding for the program and instead preferred that funding be considered as part of the annual budget process.

 

• AB 2264 was approved by the Governor and will require State-owned traffic signals to have audible pedestrians and the 3 to 7 second leading pedestrian interval for new or upgraded traffic signals if the signal is in a residential, business, or business activity district, a safety corridor, a school zone, or an area with a high concentration of pedestrians and bicyclists.

 

Upcoming Smart Cycling Classes

FCBC League Cycling Instructors (LCIs) will be teaching Smart Cycling classes on November 19 and 20 in coordination with Southern Sierra Cyclists with the goal of developing   LCIs.  The class will be open to everyone, with the Part I virtual classroom session on Saturday, November 19 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm (register here for Part I) and the Part II in-person on-bike session on Sunday, November 20 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at Shannon Ranch Elementary School in Visalia (register here for Part II).

The 3-hour Part I virtual classroom session may be taken by itself and includes basic information like where to get a bike, parts of a bike, helmet fitting, different types of bikeways, lane positioning, riding in the dark and inclement weather.  Attendance of Part I is required for participation in Part II.

The Part II on-bike session is limited to 20 participants, who must bring their own bike.  Participants learn bike handling skills, including for collision avoidance.  This is followed by a 10-mile bike ride on city streets where students will practice proper lane positioning and safe turning maneuvers.  Participants will take a written test and receive a certificate if they pass.  The cost is $25 and includes the Smart Cycling manual.  If there is sufficient interest, an on-bike session will be scheduled in Fresno.

A certificate of completion of a Smart Cycling course is a prerequisite to attend an LCI Seminar to be trained to become an LCI.  The LCI Seminar includes 23 hours of instruction over three days and is taught by LCI Coaches.  An LCI Seminar can be scheduled if there are at least 8 qualified paying participants, and the intent is to have an LCI Seminar in the Fresno or Visalia areas sometime next year.

Upcoming FCBC Board Elections

FCBC is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  Board members set the direction, plan the activities, and manage the resources.  FCBC currently has seven Board members, but there are nine positions including Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Membership Coordinator, Treasurer, and three Members at Large.

 

Nominations will be taken at the FCBC Board meeting scheduled for November 17.  Voting will be held online in December, with results announced at the December general membership meeting.  FCBC members are encouraged to nominate other FCBC members or themselves for any of the Board positions.  There are no specific requirements to be a Board member other than being a FCBC member and resident within Fresno County.  Because new board members bring new energy and ideas, all FCBC members should consider becoming a Board member.  More information regarding the duties and election process can be found in the FCBC bylaws, and any questions can be directed to info@fresnobike.org.

Next Board Meeting

The next Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 20 at 7:30 pm via Zoom.  Everyone is welcome to join the virtual meeting.  If you would like to participate in the meeting, register here, and you will immediately get the Zoom link.

Have a comment or suggestion?  Contact us at info@fresnobike.org.

If you are not yet a member of FCBC or need to renew, please visit https://fresnobike.org/join to become a member or renew your membership.