March 25th: Ride to Santa Monica City Hall

[JonLuskin]

Heya Eric,

I'm with David.  We've spread the word and people will be coming. 

There will always be a reason (or more) not to do something, or not to do something at this time.  If we were to let this reason or that reason dictate when to launch a campaign for cycling improvements, we'd probably never even get a flyer made. 

No, the situation is not ideal.  It's not perfect.  But it's an attempt to make a difference in our world.  And giving it our best shot is the only thing we can do.  And sometimes that best shot it's just enough to make the difference.

I'll see you Tuesday.  Meet at the BikeRoWave at 9 PM.

Peace & Love,
Jon

[faultymonk]

Bicycles are NOT on the agenda for March 25th.
http://www.smgov.net/cityclerk/council/agendas/2008/20080325/a20080325.htm
There will be a long, boisterous airport item, possably this will bring out the Sunset Park PAC.
Probably better another day...

This seems counterintuitive to me.  Instead of seeming like a bunch of disrespectful noise makers, we should learn the process so that we can be put on the agenda, and present ourselves and our viewpoints that way.  No need to annoy people, least of whom from which we need help from.  The city has a way of reporting potholes and requesting street repairs.  They provide two phone numbers and an online form (http://forum.bikerowave.org/index.php/topic,860.msg4079.html#msg4079).  If you make the request through proper means, and find that they're not responsive, then it would make more sense to bring it to their attention so that they can facilitate the process.

"Did you report it to the Resurfacing and Reconstruction division?"
"Um, no."
"Would you like the phone numbers or the address of the online request form?"
"We want fixes!  Listen to us!"
"Is there a problem with the existing process of reporting potholes and requesting repairs?"
"We have a list of stuff we want you to fix!"
...

There's actually a community meeting for Metro’s draft 2008 Long Range Transportation Plan the next day.  "The plan addresses transportation needs throughout the County, such as closing gaps in the freeway carpool lane network, expanding Metro Rail and bus service, improving major street capacity and speeds, bicycle and pedestrian improvements and rideshare opportunities, just to name a few of the initiatives that together go a long way at reducing congestion." - http://www.metro.net/news_info/press/metro_037.htm

March 26, 2008: 6:30 p.m., Westside Cities, Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Bl, West Hollywood, CA 90046

At that meeting, they actually want public comment because they're trying to come up with transit systems that work, including bike paths and etc.  These are the guys that are in charge for LA county, are tasked to design the transportation systems (roads, rails, bike paths, etc.), and are funded to do it.  To me anyway, it would make far more sense to gather as large of a group as possible and organize and prepare everyone's input so that we have a cohesive plan with regard to bicycle transportation.

Keep in mind that this plan is the blueprint through 2030!

So I'm guessing it's one of those things where we'll say, "it would be great if we could have a bike lane through this part of town."  And they'd say, "why didn't you say so during the public view/comment period?"

[david_f]

Originally I was led to believe that an agenda item was being prepared for us. That didn't happen, but the ride has already been publisized, and some preparations made.  So it's best to proceed, our focus of 'safe bikeways' in Santa Monica remains. 

Raising awareness and understanding of the issues is not a waste of time, nor is showing our commitment to follow-through in our efforts.   The long range planning process (covering the next 20 years) in Santa Monica is well along towards being presented to the City Council.  They need to be aware of the opportunities for advancement and that there is a significant community out here to support adopting such forward plans.  I hope that the high quality of planning work that I've seen so far continues through this planning.  I also hope to see these efforts act as a pioneering example to neighboring communities (LA etc) to do likewise bikewise.  This is a long term project, Tuesday's mtg. is just one step.

do likewise bikewise

Jon,
re: your email request
I will not read my laundry list of 'pot holes'.  I will cite my experience on the ride (Pot the Spot Holes)  as part of advocating for bikeways in SM, faultymonk is right about what to emphasize.  SM is not recalcatrint about maintaining the roads we should not be harranging them about that especialy if we have not done the basics.

[Alex Thompson]

Faultymonk,

I've been participating in these LUCE workshops since October.  They're not very responsive to requests.  Some respond, but often it's a defensive "why you can't have what you want" sort of response.  I've been working to get cyclists a chance to examine the plans for over a month and have so far made little progress.

With SMCM we see a similar pattern.  The Council expressed a desire to look into options for SMCM when we visited in November.  Since then it's been a lot of stalling.  Despite consistent efforts by SMCM to engage we get nothing.

A presence at public comments is appropriate and necessary.  It's necessary because we're being ignored.  It's appropriate because that's what public comments are for.

On a more general level:  These are public servants.  Any public meeting, time or place, is an appropriate context to express our needs.  We are the public, now get me what I want servants!

[JonLuskin]

David,

Sounds good.

Faultymonk,

FYI, I submitted an agenda request for the city council meeting.  I then amended it and followed up on it.  Despite these efforts, the City Council decided not to include us on the agenda.  Us showing up tonight is a manifestation of how serious we are about our desire for these city-wide improvements for cyclists. 

Please note that the article you referenced in your post above is for Los Angeles city, which is an entirely separate entity from Santa Monica.  What Santa Monica does is not what Los Angeles is doing and vice versa.  Santa Monica is it's own, independent city entirely outside the jurisdiction of Los Angeles.

Yes, Santa Monica is having the L.U.C.E. meetings to consider bike improvements in the city of SM.   And as Alex noted above, this is one group of people who are not entirely impressed with our showings at these meetings.  If we are serious about getting Santa Monica to be a better city to bike in, every figure of authority/power needs to know about our requests.  We're not going to get anything unless we ask for it.  That's what tonight is all about.  We'll be asking for what we want in the city.

Is there something that you, as a cyclist, want for Santa Monica?  Do you want better bike lanes?  More bike lanes?  How about bike valets everywhere?

Join us tonight as we as we ask for what we want!  Be @ the BikeRoWave @ 9 PM.

Peace & Love,
Jon

[faultymonk]

Please note that the article you referenced in your post above is for Los Angeles city, which is an entirely separate entity from Santa Monica.  What Santa Monica does is not what Los Angeles is doing and vice versa.  Santa Monica is it's own, independent city entirely outside the jurisdiction of Los Angeles.

If by the article I referenced, you mean http://www.metro.net/news_info/press/metro_037.htm, it should be clear that both that press release and the long range plan (http://www.metro.net/projects_studies/images/2008_draft_lrtp.pdf) are for LA County, and not just for the City of Los Angeles.  Please read them.

I know that I've quoted this before, but let me quote it again lest there's doubt as to what these meetings are, "The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) today released for public comment its draft 2008 Long Range Transportation Plan, a 25-year blueprint for transportation planning in Los Angeles County through the Year 2030."

That's why there are local meetings for the various areas including Westside Cities, Central Los Angeles, South Bay Cities, San Gabriel Valley, Gateway Cities, North Los Angeles County, and San Fernando Valley.  BTW, the "Westside Cities subregion is bounded by Mulholland Drive to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, the South Bay Cities subregion to the south and the Central Los Angeles subregion to the east."  So this would certainly include the City of Santa Monica.

From the long range plan, "This Draft 2008 Plan becomes the guiding policy behind funding decisions on subsequent transportation projects and programs in Los Angeles County. Major capital projects and programs that are identified in this Draft 2008 Plan have priority for future programming of funds."

Further, "Local governments will continue to build bicycle facilities using their Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 3 and Proposition C funding, while Metro will provide regional funds through the Call for Projects. Eligible projects include on- and off-street bicycle improvements, bicycle parking, safety education, bicycle racks on buses, bicycle stations and other bicycle access improvements. Other sources of funds are Safe Routes to School and State BTA (Bicycle Transportation Account) Grant funds. Metro recognizes the importance of local bicycle planning and strongly encourages cities to develop their own plans. Metro provides technical assistance to develop those plans and qualify them for BTA funding."

It's much easier to get what you want when you can procure funding...  So IMO, it would be wise to participate in these community meetings if you have opinions about the future of bicycling infrastructure here in SM.

[david_f]

Metro-
Expo-
LA County-
LA City-
Santa Monica-

All doing long range transportation plans! Right Now!
That's an awful lot of stuff going on all at once!  Much to much for anyone to follow alone by themselves.

Oh, but what an opportunity...