BikeBeat/ S Flores Meeting

If Walk And Roll started out a terrible National Bike Month with bicycle accidents, then BikeBeat Brought out the best of San Antonio.  Keep San Antonio REAL.  It was not just the ramp with BMX jumping high, but it was the food trucks and people that work on keeping San Antonio REAL.  Some offered bike repair, others artwork and most of all, for friends just to hang out and get together.  I only had a short time, but what I saw made me want to stay, but obligations kept me away. 

I think the best thing I saw was this cargo bike with the two little kids.  (Image 6.1)

6.1

6.2

6.4

6.3

6.5

6.6

6.7

6.8

How to behave at the up coming meeting on S Flores.....

After seeing this on Facebook, I'm a little worried, but for the most part, I'm actually happy that people will be showing up.  All who wish to speak, make yourself heard, but please don't act rude, angry and look dumb.  I don't mean wear a suit, although that would help, I mean look and act intelligent and to show what not to do Please watch this from the VIA board meeting. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJC9ZZJ2aCs


Just look at her, she looks dumb and you simply won't want her on any bus, let alone a small Viatrans van.  She came unprepared, angry and belittling.  Please folks, don't act like this. It's not helping her case, and it's not helping those who depend on VIAtrans.

6.9

This is what you should do and how to act.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGvGKzNivPk

I've seen this guy speak several times.  He's legally blind and he has points that make sense.  If you didn't notice, he's reading out loud what he wants to share with the VIA Board.  Before speaking, he wrote down what he wanted to say and perhaps practice it.  His points make sense and how could VIA not institute some of those ideals is beyond me.  This gentleman just goes to show you how good behavior pays off. 

So follow these simple points.  

One, act civil.  Always remember he who raises his voice, lost the argument. 

Two, before you speak write down what you want to say so you just don't sound rude and stupid.

And three, explain that these people who want the bicycle lane removed also don't want to share the road.  Also if you can, please share this flyer.(Image 6.9)  If you want the word file of this picture, please email me.  There will also be a ride to this meeting if you want to attend from Blue Star so be there at 5PM. 
P.S.
Please hold up a sign that say's "Removing the bicycle lanes Keeps San Antonio LAME."

6.10

S. Flores Street Improvement Community Meeting
When:   Monday May 19, 2014  6pm to 7pm
Where:  Cafeteria of Morrill Elementary School, 5200 S. Flores, San Antonio, TX
Description:  City of San Antonio’s TCI Department will present the alternate bicycle route as a result of community feedback from public meetings held in December, March and April.

What Should you Say?    Let them know that they don't need to have alternative bicycle routes and in fact that what they did was a pretty good job and the bicycle lane is making it safe for everyone, not just those who ride bicycles.  You can also hand out this flyer to all those who think getting rid of the bicycle lane is a good ideal.  Contact Jeanette Morin at 207-5011 or Jeanette.Morin@sanantonio.gov

6.11

Another important meeting people should be attending is City's Budget Meetings for fiscal year 2015.  I don't know about you, but we could sure use a lot more money than just a lousy million dollars to bike lanes and sidewalks.

Community Budget Work Sessions
When:   Tuesday, May 20, 2014  6:00pm
Where:  St Bonaventure Catholic Church  1918 Palo Alto Rd, San Antonio, TX

When:  Tuesday, May 20, 2014  6:00pm
Where: University United Methodist Church  5084 DeZavala Rd, San Antonio, TX

When:  Wednesday May 21, 2014  6:00pm
Where:  Northeast Service Center Tool Yard  10303 Tool Yard, San Antoni, TX

When:  Thrusday, May 22, 2014  6:00pm
Where:  TriPoint Grantham Center   3233 N St Mary's St, San Antonio, TX

What Should You Say?  Demand that the city provide more money for bicycle lanes, cycletracks, reducing speeds through neighborhoods, sweeping bicycle lanes and sidewalks. 


Image 6.1:  The coolest cargo bike out there @ BikeBeat.
Images 6.2 thru 6.8:  Various images from BikeBeat.
Image 6.9:  My Word File of the Flyer I want people to hand out at the S Flores Meeting to people who are against the bicycle lane. 
Image 6.10:  The Facebook Event Photo for people to come out and save these lanes. 
Image 6.11:  The City of San Antonio Flyer for the upcoming Budget meetings. 

Up Coming Bicycle Events

Ride of Silence
When:  Thursday, May 21, 2014  6:30pm
Where: Halcyon/BlueStar Art Complex
Description:  A Bicycle ride honoring those who lost their lives.

Cycle In-Cinema .  
When:   Every Thursday, June-August at Dusk, 8:45pm
Where:  Main Plaza, 115 N Main Ave, 78205
Description:  Out Door Movie.  

If you have any event you want me to post about, please email me.  


 Up Coming Important Meetings
If you want to make a difference, please attend.

VIA’s South/West Corridor Study Public Meeting 
When:  Tuesday May 20, 2014  6:00PM
Where: Harlandale Community Center, 301 Sussex, 78221

When:   Thursday May 22, 2014  6:00PM
Where:  The Neighborhood Place 3014 Rivas St, 78228

When:  Wednesday, May 21, 2014  3pm to 6pm
Where:  Madla Transit Center

When   Wednesday, May 21, 2014 6AM To 9AM
Where  Crossroads Park & Ride

Description:  VIA is conducting a study to identify transit improvements along the South/West Connector Corridor in the San Antonio region. The corridor study area includes Military Drive from IH-37 on the east to General McMullen on the west; and General McMullen and Zarzamora from Military drive on the south to Fredericksburg Road on the north.  More info can be found here:  http://www.viainfo.net/Planning/Corridor.aspx





What Should You Say?    You should ask for more frequency on the crosstown routes and bicycle racks called bikelids at bus stops to provide safe places to park your bicycle.  If you want an example what I'm talking about, look at the image to your right or visit Dallas Area Rapid Transit Bicycle Information page .  Also ask that via look into creating bus islands so the bike lane can go around a busy stop.  Via has only one of these lids at Medical Center Transit Center.

Open House: Improvements to I-35   (I might be able to attend this meeting.) 
Where:   Central Catholic High School Elizondo Center (corner of Wilmington Avenue and Dallas Street) 1403 St. Mary’s St.  San Antonio, TX 78215
When:  Wednesday, May 21, 2014  5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Description:  TxDOT invites you to an open house on proposed improvements for Interstate 35. The project staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide information. No formal presentation will be given. Attendees are invited to come and go at their convenience.
TxDOT proposes improving I-35 between North Flores and New Braunfels Ave. and between AT&T Parkway and Binz-Engelman Road. The proposed project includes auxiliary lanes, ramp adjustments and other improvements to improve mobility and enhance the operation and safety of I-35 in this area

What Should you say?   Ask for Bicycle lanes along the the frontage roads or mix use sidewalks and make sure they use the City of San Antonio Bicycle Master Plan when making improvements. Also ask for these types intersections called "Protected Intersections" so they can become safer for all users.  https://vimeo.com/86721046


Open House - Improvements to US 90 from Loop 1604 to I-410
Where:  Mary Lou Fisher Elementary School Cafeteria,  3430 Barrel Pass, San Antonio, TX 78245
When:   Tuesday, May 27, 2014, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Description:  TxDOT invites you to an open house on proposed improvements for US 90 From Loop 1604 to I-410. The project staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide information. No formal presentation will be given. Attendees are invited to come and go at their convenience.
Proposed improvements along US 90 from LP 1604 to I-410 on the west side of San Antonio are designed to improve operations and safety along this section of US 90. The proposed improvements include:

• Conversion of the two-way frontage roads to one-way operations
• Relocation of entrance and exit ramps
• Intersection improvements
  

What Should you say?  Ask for bicycle lanes/Shoulder or a mix use sidewalk along the proposed Frontage roads and Safe bicycle lanes that stay to the right of the lane intersection.  Also ask for these types intersections called "Protected Intersections" so they can become safer for all users.  https://vimeo.com/86721046


Bronco Lane Bridge Project Public Meeting
When:   Tuesday, May 20, 2014 6:30 PM
Where:  Virginia Gill Community Center,  7902 Westshire Drive, San Antonio, TX

What Should You Say?    Ask that the Bridge has a minimum 6ft width sidewalks across with 25mph speed limits.  No need for bicycle lanes.  contact:  Peter Rodriguez at 207-8154

Shaenfield Road Bridge Public Meeting
When:   Wednesday, May 28, 2014 6:00 PM
Where:  Burke Elementary School Cafeteria, 10111 Terra Oak, San Antonio, TX

When:  Tuesday, June 3, 2014  7:00PM
Where: Burke Elementary School Cafeteria, 10111 Terra Oak, San Antonio, TX

What Should you Say?   Ask that the Bridge Contain 6ft bicycle lanes on either side with extra stripping between the bicycle lane and the traffic as well as 6ft sidewalks.  Also ask them to remove the Turn Center lane and add that space to the sides of the rd for bicycle lanes.   Also Ask that they abide by the Bicycle Master Plan as well.  contact:  Peter Rodriguez@ 207-8154

Frio City Sidewalks Public Meeting
When:   Thursday, May 29, 2014 6:00 PM
Where:  Collins Garden Branch Library  200 N. Park, San Antonio, TX

What Should you Say?   Ask that the Sidewalks are at least 6ft wide with neckdowns at every intersection on the streets that connect with Frio City Rd.  Demand that a protected Bicycle lane is also added and that they abide by the Bicycle Master Plan.  If parking is added, demand that they put in the parking as a barr.ier so that the bicycle lane is along the curb, and the parking is a natural barrier to the bicycle and sidewalks. 
Also ask for these types intersections called "Protected Intersections" so they can become safer for all users.  https://vimeo.com/86721046  contact:  Peter Rodriguez at 207-8154

West Huisache Project Public Meeting
When:   Monday, June 02, 2014 6:00 PM
Where:  Young Women's Leadership Academy  2123 W. Huisache, San Antonio, TX

What Shold you Say?  This time, no bike lanes, this is a neighborhood street.  It should have neckdowns to keep traffic flowing slow with islands and speed humps.  It should also have 25MPH on this street.  Putting a bicycle lane down this street is just a waste of paint.  Also ask for these types intersections called "Protected Intersections" so they can become safer for all users.  https://vimeo.com/86721046
Contact: Peter Rodriguez@ 207-8154 or David Pulido @ 207-8128

Bandera & Eckhert and Bandera & Tezel/Prue Public Meeting
When:  June 5, 2014 6:30 PM
Where: Maverick Branch Library, 8700 Mystic Park, San Antonio, TX

What Should you Say?  Demand that the city follows the guidelines that were lay down in the Bicycle Master plan.  Also demand that they build the "Protected Intersections" at protectedintersections.com so this area can become safe for all road users. https://vimeo.com/86721046  And ask for sidewalks too.  contact: Peter Rodriguez at 207-8154

San Antonio isn't Serious about Bicycles.

May is national bike month, and both the city of San Antonio and Bexar (pronounce "Bear") issued a proclamation (image 3.1) declaring May 20th it's support for being active and for alternative transportation.  But that's a misprint, the Kick off event took place Friday May 2nd. 

3.1

  Anyway, the city always puts on a show this time of year declaring that it is in favor of alternative transportation modes.  Clearly that is not the case the first example can be clearly seen in the City Ordinances and some of the action of its law enforcement officers. 

I believe many of you have heard about it, that it is illegal to ride your bicycle on the sidewalk.  Well guess what, this is what the official city ordinance actually says....

Sec. 19-286. Driving or parking on sidewalks prohibited.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or propel or park or stand any vehicle upon any sidewalk.

(b)

Law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel while using bicycles provided by governmental agencies and while in the performance of their authorized duties are exempt from the provisions of subsection (a). Any person, while parking a bicycle in city installed bike racks, is also exempt from the provisions of this section.

(Code 1959, § 38-54; Ord. No. 53243, § 1, 1-15-81; Ord. No. 88129, § 1, 7-23-98)

3.2

If you want to understand how the law works, a good saying I go by is that "if it ain't in writing, then it never happened."  And if you look at the ordinance (a), it clearly says "It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or propel or park or stand any vehicle upon any sidewalk."  But your probably saying to yourself that just for cars.  But if that was the case, we wouldn't have the exemption (b) where it clearly states for city personal "using bicycles" and regular folks "parking a bicycle in city installed bike racks".  And just go downtown, there's not enough city bicycle parking to go around. So far I've haven't gotten a ticket for parking my bicycle on the fence of the Starbucks at Houston and St Mary's, but according to this, I could get a ticket.  Now I have been harassed SAPD for riding my bicycle on the sidewalk downtown before B-cycles were put in, but since the rental service has been up and running, so far no harassment or tickets from SAPD.  Also I've notice that the majority of B-cycle users are on the sidewalk anyway and it would make the mayor look bad if these "law breakers" were ticketed for using something our mayor supported.  Now surely the city can amend the law to allow use to prevent being harassed by police officers, but don't count on it. We can only hope that they don't do some type of crackdown for no apparently reason.

Now I ride on the sidewalk all the time especially if it makes more sense.  Example is riding against the flow of traffic, it helps to do it when there's a sidewalk available.  Another is riding around the block.  I do this when I get off the bus at Nacogdoches and Loop 410 for it is simply easier to get to the UPS store from the Looper bus stop via the sidewalk than going into traffic as well as trans-versing the Loop 410/San Pedro interchange.  I just have a more positive experience on the sidewalk there than dealing with the average car drivers in those areas and when I get off of my Line-UP bus at the St Mary's Bridge, I ride all the way to the old library to catch the other line up.  So far the officers standing at the corner of St Mary's and Commerce have not given me or anybody else for that matter a hard time. 
Bus Lanes are also an issue.  In other cities such as Austin, they allow bicycles to use the lane.  However, several of my friends have told me that they have been harassed by Via police yelling at them to get out of the lane.  Well apparently there's a law for that too.  LOL

Sec. 19-462. Penalty for unauthorized use.

Any person who drives a vehicle other than a bus in a bus lane where prohibited, or who drives for a distance of more than five hundred (500) feet without turning right where right turn within five hundred (500) feet are permitted, shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than one dollar ($1.00) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200.00).

(Ord. No. 72941, § 1, 1-17-91)

Now I don't ride in the Bus lane at all down the for major streets (Navarro, St Mary's, Commerce, Market) simply because the bus is always slowing me down.   Many cyclist do use, as do I, the bus only lanes on Navarro behind the Main Library and on Alamo Plaza.  I've also seen SAPD bike cops use these lanes as well especially on Alamo Plaza.  But just think, if a Via Police officer is having a bad day or for that matter a SAPD officer, then I bet he'll give you a ticket for riding your bicycle down this lane even though they use these lanes too.  So far this hasn't happen, but it would really suck when it does.  Now there's some pratical reason why you shouldn't be in the bus lane.  For one thing, it simply takes more time to stop a bus and as a former CDL Driver, I can definitely attest to that fact.  But don't count on the city  to put in a two-way cycletrack down Commerce, Market, Navarro and St Mary's anytime soon because that would require to take out a vehicle lane for cars and we can't do that because that wouldn't be keeping San Antonio Lame. 

The other law that is keeping San Antonio fat are the ordinances concerning the use of the Linear Creekways specifically using the linear creekways as a path for bicycling commuting.  It clearly states at every trailhead that the trail can only be used during the daylight hours.

3.3

Sec. 22-28. Public parks hours of operation and curfew.

(e) Notwithstanding subsection (a), parks designated as natural areas by the director of parks and recreation and parks developed as part of the Linear Creekway Parks development program (Leon Creek, Salado Creek, Medina River) shall be closed for all purposes each day at sunset, or after events scheduled by the department of parks and recreation are completed, and will re-open each day at sunrise.

 Several times before, I've heard complaints from my friends on Facebook that they've been ticked for using the trail especially on Leon Creek or going through McAllister Park after sunset.  As a person who brakes this law regularly on Salado Creek, I wonder why we have such a ridiculous law in the first place.  The streets around these creekways are horrible places to ride your bicycle.  There's no bicycle lane along these streets with vehicles that routinely speed 10 to 15 miles over the speed limit which are normally set at 40 to 45 mph.  This trail provides me with a safe alternative and a better place to be than among the drunk drivers late at night.   
Now I have the appropriate lights to illuminate the trail at night.  I have two 1000 lumen flashlights including a blackburn superflea on my helmet.  When riding these trails, I rarely see anybody walking or bicycling although I've have encounter families using the trail without lights on their bicycles from the camp grounds on Gembler Rd.  The worse collision I almost had was almost running over a raccoon back in January.  During these journeys down the trail, I've encountered possums, raccoons, deer, owls, and the occasional armadillo and grey fox.  Rarely do I see skunks and thank goodness.  The most magical time I had was riding in the woods south of E Commerce where I encountered a bat flying over me.  It followed the trail and I illuminated the bat with my helmet light.  It was like following a butterfly on your bicycle on a sunny day. Surely the City could amend the law to allow use for cyclist who have sufficient lighting to use it after sunset, but if they did that, they would create a means for people who live along the creekways a safe route to use and not being dependent on their cars but to do that would require the city to not Keep San Antonio Lame. As for private property that the trail goes through like Los Patios, then simply close off those parts of the trail after dark because that seems fair to me. 
There is another thing the city could do if it don't want me to ride the trails at night.  It could implement the bicycle master plan thus providing me and others with safe places to be on my bicycle in these areas of the city where the only safe place to be is on the Linear Creeks but again, remember the saying "Keep San Antonio Lame" and to do that would  not be lame.  DUH!
The Alternative Department for Transport blog recently wrote a similar story about the same problem we're facing here about London.  He said quote:

Perhaps it is beyond the scope of the report to suggest how this might be achieved, but this word “encouragement” is dangerous. What would “encouragement” entail? A poster campaign, or maybe even a TV advert if the budget stretched that far. It might mean some sort of tax break on bike purchase, or free cycle training sessions. At best it might mean a few 20mph zones and toucan crossings.
We need to do more than this to solve this problem. For more than 60 years now the country has been designed and built with motor vehicles in mind. That is the reason that so many choose to drive even for very short journeys.

3.4

And San Antonio is far from doing what needs to be done to encourage people to be active.  And we can encourage people to be active all the time, but that isn't going to help the problem of our obese city.  What we need to do is enable people to make the right choice.  To do that we need to adopt a different set of rules, not to increase the speeds of motor vehicles, but to increase the safety and speeds of people walking and using bicycles.  Just look at this image from the Netherlands and compare it to the image I took of a family on Houston St in October 2013.  Would you prefer that family to be out in the middle of the lane (Image 3.4), or would you prefer them to be on a cycletrack like this one in the Netherlands? (Image 3.5)

3.5

 
  

3.6

3.7

It is sad that, to be safe and to follow the Mayor's Proclamation, you have to break the law.  City Ordinances aren't the only thing keeping people fat and couch potatoes, but the recent treatment from SAPD working NIOSA were harassing people riding bicycles to the event. A sign (Image 3.6) was posted at the end of S Alamo at Ceasar Chavez.  Clearly This is how I considered interpretation of no bicycle signs as this (Image 3.7).  Another thing the City could have done for the event was to put in a temporary cycletrack on the Hemisfare side of  S Alamo so people riding bicycle and those who use S Alamo daily could go by with out having to run into people which clearly that is why it was posted, but that ideal my friends make sense and is clearly not Lame.
One of my friends got a ticket at NIOSA for not having reflectors but he does have lights. It clearly states in the ordinance that "2.Visible when directly in front of lawful upper beams of motor vehicle headlamps from all distances from fifty (50) to three hundred (300) feet to the rear of the bicycle; or b. A lamp that emits a red light visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear of the bicycle."  In a later post, my friend was worried and concerned that he would get a ticket again and not have the funds to pay it.  He also considered not going to NIOSA and help out at the bicycle valet. People don't want to be breaking the law, they want to be good citizens and pay their taxes, but we also want to make our community, our city a better place to live.  If you happen to get a ticket for not having reflectors but clearly having lights on your bicycle, please show the Judge this Ordinance and make a complaint about the officer issuing the ticket by calling 311.

Sec. 19-295. Requirement for use of front and rear lights when operating a bicycle at nighttime.

While operating a bicycle on a public street a person may not operate a bicycle at nighttime, the period beginning one-half hour after sunset and ending one-half hour before sunrise, unless the bicycle is equipped with:

(1)

A lamp on the front of the bicycle that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet in front of the bicycle; and

(2)

On the rear of the bicycle:

a.

A red reflector that is:

1.

Of a type approved by the department of public safety; and

2.

Visible when directly in front of lawful upper beams of motor vehicle headlamps from all distances from fifty (50) to three hundred (300) feet to the rear of the bicycle; or

b.

A lamp that emits a red light visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear of the bicycle.

Any person who engages in any activity specified in this section may be subject to prosecution for a class C misdemeanor and a fine not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00).

Clearly, the Mayor want to encourage you to be active, to choose alternatives when getting around town.  But actions of the city's employees and it's laws clearly state otherwise.  The city would rather have you drive a car, polluting the air and being fat for that's is clearly the easy thing to as well as the legal thing to do.
So to all my fellow cyclist who break the law all the time doing what you love, keep breaking the law for your actions and determination is clearly Keeping San Antonio Real.



Image 3.1: City of San Antonio Proclamation for Walk and Roll Rally.
Image 3.2: A man riding his bicycle on E Houston St downtown back in January.
Image 3.3: Park Regulation sign at Tobin Park. 
Image 3.4 A family riding their bicycles down E Houston St in October 2013
Image 3.5: A Family riding in a cycletrack somewhere in the Netherlands.  Courtesy of Alternative Department for Transport.  http://departmentfortransport.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/woman-and-daughters.jpg
Image 3.6:  Sign telling cyclist to dismount and walk to NIOSA.
Image 3.7:  My feelings towards such signs.  Courtesy of Copenhagenize  http://www.copenhagenize.com/2013/02/motorists-dismount.html