A new stardard for civility. How about liveability?

Gone! No more street furniture.
Such a gorgeous day, too.

What a beautiful day today. At lunch I ran over to the Safeway Marketplace to get a bowl of soup. Since it was wonderfully warm outside I proceed to grab me a spot on one of the tables before they were all taken. As a headed out the door and around the corner I was surprised that all the tables and chairs were gone.

I stepped inside to ask the manager what happened to this wonderful space. She said that (you can insert your standard orders from headquarters speech here) they were removed the day before yesterday. When I pressed her a bit more for information she mentioned that their had been fights and other behaviours that warranted their removal.

Its funny that we use terms like "canary in the coal mine", and "indicator species" to euphemistically highlight environmental sustainability but we are ignorant to indicators for civic sustainability or civic vitality. Cities can print out reams of LOS (Level of Service) data or traffic volumes cross tabulated by time of day, but we don't track or show concern for indicators of civility or even personal safety.

Another change since the store opened
 is the addition of this turnstile.
Most urban folk walk and thus carry
bags that make this a real obstacle.

The only statistic or indicator that cities, especially San Jose has historically relied on is the annual homicide rate as if this is a true indicator of livability.

This comes after last year's removal of the street furniture in front of the only downtown Peet's Coffee shop. I do wish we somehow could figure this thing out. Cities in countries like France, Italy, Romania, and even here in North America, Montreal seems to have it figured out.

Oh well, at least the weather was nice.

Recent and related posts:
New building going up in the heart of downtown Campbell

Cafe Culture in Romania

They make great coffee, just not great places

San Jose Bike Clinic and Content Magazine team up for the Cafe Tour

What do the San Jose Bike Clinic and Content Magazine have in common? Well,

1. They are both new San Jose startups,
2. They both do amazing things in the area, and
3. They are both teaming up to bring you the Cafe Tour.

Join San Jose Bike Clinic volunteers and Content Magazine for a Café Tour of San José.
Bike repair education and tune ups are at 10:30am outside of B2 at the San Pedro Square Market, followed by the ride.

Featured coffee shops include: B2, Roys Station, Crema, Top Nosh Cafe Bellano, Barefoot Coffee, plus one secret location TBA!

All participants in this ride recognize that bike riding can be a hazardous activity and choose to do so at their own risk.

Hey, we can clean up our own parks!

Big rigs unload for this weekends
 San Jose 2012 gymnastics event

This morning while pedaling past the Shark Tank (HP Pavillion), the smell of freshly cut grass and the sound of trucks and forklifts filled the air. Workers were busy setting up for this weekend's U.S. Olympic Team gymnastics event (which is perfect timing giving that next monhth's San Jose Bike Party's July theme is "The Olympic Ride").  Titled the "Road to London", the event has its own specially painted tractor trailer rigs. Ths weekend San Jose will be dubbed "Gymnastics City".

It's nice to see this park get a fresh haircut and cleaning. I even saw city Rangers and Park workers, which are rarely noticed these days to due to fiscal constraints.

It would be nice to see this park, the Arena Green, used as it was originally intended with fully functioning restrooms and an operational carousel. I can't remember the last time the carousel was operational or even how long it was in service before it died an quiet death, four years, or maybe six?

Shuttered Carousel.

 But a larger story emerges from all of this. Gone are many events and community festivals, because of the cost of providing protection from cars (street closures), or for security. Given the high costs of San Jose's first cyclovia event, Via Velo, instead of an eight mile route similar to Los Angeles or Portland, we had to settle for just over a half of a mile of San Fernando street. Also due to the short linerar layout and the high costs booths and stages with sponsors were sought to offset the high costs. What we were left with was a gloried, two wheeled farmer's market.

I mentioned in previous posts the loss of one Independence Day event as well as street openings such as Via Velo, along with other community developed festivals. One of several reasons usually given is the costs associated with paying off-duty police officers to provide overly proscribed traffic and security detail.

 I'm not sure what the city of San Jose negotiated with the Olympic event organizers to get the city to perform the added maintenance to the park and surrounding areas, but I'm not worried because a look at the "event partners" (also called sponsers) highlights a team of well financed international corporations (even a sponsor dealing in varicose veins). So, in light of library closings, poorly maintained parks, increasing graffittii, how do we make sure that there is adequate funding to provide for basic services?

Not a cheaply constructed ticket booth,
which has seen better days.

In future posts I plan to highlight in greater detail;

1. The high operational costs in putting on events in San Jose,
2. What that means for smaller, community oriented festivals and events in creativity and experimentation. And in a somewhat related vein,
3. How we have created such high fixed costs by over-engineering everthing, and
4. Why we need to seek other funding sources, such as tourism.

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Gymnastic Events begin Thursday.

Good Karma Bikes - Transportation for Transformation

Jada celebrates her 9th birthday with a
pink "Disney princesses" bicycle
 by Good Karma Bikes!

Had a great conversation with Irene yesterday from Good Karma Bikes. Good Karma is one of three Santa Clara County bicycle coops that I know of in this area. The other two are the Silicon Valley Bike Clinic of San Jose and Bicycle Exchange in Mountain View. (I hope to feature these two in future posts). Good Karma has been around for a couple of years and holds a weekly bike repair clinic at Diridon Station on Saturdays.

Saturday Repair Clinic
10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Adjacent to the Diridon Station (see map below).
102  S. Montgomery Street,
San Jose

Good Karma Bikes can be found under the red pop-up tents in the Stephen's Meats Parking Lot Across from Patti's Inn.

They are also giving free classes on how to fix bikes at the shop located on Sunol Street.  If you would like to be involved in this just let them know by e-mail.
 
Good Karma also has a Yahoo group if you are interested: 
 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Friends_of_Good_Karma_Bikes/ 




View Larger Map

Upcoming Cycling Events June 20, 2012

Upcoming Events in the Silicon Valley

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

New Themes Selected:
August: Olympic Ride
September: Rocky Horror Ride
October: Halloween Ride


San Jose Bike Party

"Olympic Ride"

Friday, July 20, 2012

Wheels hit the street at 8:00
Route and Start Location posted 24 hours in advance.

Test Rides

Test Ride #2 (Slow Ride)
Tuesday, July 3, 2012 6:30 pm
Ride Start: Small Parking Lot at Central Park, Santa Clara

Test Ride #3
Monday, July 9, 2012 6:00 pm
Ride Start: TBA

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San Jose Fixed SJF
15-25 mile Bike Ride
Every Tuesday 6:45 @
Meets @ IMinusD Fixed Gear Boutique
112 Paseo de San Antonio (See Map Below)

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Ocala Avenue Bike Lane Improvement Project Neighborhood Meeting
Thursday, June 21, 2012 6:00 PM
Hillview Branch Library - Community room
1600 Hopkins (just north of Ocala)
Agenda consists of Project Overview and Review, Project Update and Schedule, and a Q&A section.

Bicycle Music Festival 2012
June 23, 2012

For more info:
Facebook
Previous Post on this site




Downtown San Jose Public Bikeshare Neighborhood Meeting
Wednesday, June 27, 2012 6:00 PM
San Jose City Hall - Wing Room W118, 119, & 120
200 East Santa Clara St., San Jose
Agenda consists of Project Overview and Review, Project Update and Schedule, and a Q&A section.

For questions, contact Jesse T. Quirion at:

Phone: 408-975-3299 Email: jesse.quirion@sanjoseca.gov

Follow the project on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/@SJ_Bikeshare

San Jose Bike Party Ladies Ride

Test Ride #2
Saturday, July 7, 2012 3:00 PM
Ride Start: San Pedro Square Market




San Francisco Bike Party
Friday, July 6, 2012
(More info)


East Bay Bike Party
Friday, July 13, 2012
(More Info)


San Jose Bike Party Ladies Ride
July 14, 2012 - (Sorry guys, ladies only)

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The Cafe Tour
Sunday, July 15, 2012 at 10:30 am

Join San Jose Bike Clinic volunteers and Content Magazine for a Café Tour of San José.

Bike repair education and tune ups are at 10:30am outside of B2 at the San Pedro Square Market, followed by the ride.

Featured coffee shops include: B2, Roys Station, Crema, Top Nosh Cafe, Bellano, Barefoot Coffee, plus one secret location TBA!

All participants in this ride recognize that bike riding can be a hazardous activity and choose to do so at their own risk.

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7th Annual Menlo Park Grand Prix Sponsored by Mikes Bikes
Sunday, July 22, 2012 7:30 am - 6:30 PM

More details to follow.


Also note the Guadalupe River Trail will be closed for paving construction soon. The closed portion will extend north of 880 all the way to Gold Street in Alviso. check Twitter for more details.

Too see all rides on the map click the link just below the map. Thanks.

View Upcomming Bay Area Bike Events in a larger map

Whats your Agenda? Key local meeting agendas

Today, June 19, 2012, 1:00 p.m.
City of San Jose
1:00 Transportation & Aviation Services
(Full Agenda)

6.1 Measure B Vehicle Registration Fees Agreement.
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a funding agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority for the receipt of Measure B Vehicle Registration Fees approved by Santa Clara County voters on November 2, 2010 and collected by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Wednesday June 20, 2012
10 a.m.

Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority
Meeting of the Board of Directors

BART Boardroom 10am
Kaiser Center 20th Street Mall
Oakland, CA 94612

Simultaneous teleconference calls will take place at
San Jose City Hall - Tower Building
200 E. Santa Clara Street, Room #T1853
San Jose, CA
(Full Agenda)

Key Calendar Items
Managing Director's Report
  Work Completed
      a. Business Plan Update (FY2012-13 - FY 2013-14(
      b. Capitol Corridor Service to Caltrain Santa Clara Station
      c. Transportation for law enforcement officials on Capitol Corridor Trains.
      d. Launch of Initial e-Ticketing (April 16, 2012)
      e. Marketing Activities (February - May 2012)

Work in Prgress
   a. Sacramento Railyards Relocation Project
   b. Yolo Causeway West Crossover Project
   c. Positive Train Control Update
   d. Sacramento-Roseville 3rd Track Environmental Impact Review
   e. Proposition 1B Transit Safety Improvement Projects
   f. Proposed Extension of Capitol Corridor Trains to Salinas
   g. Upcoming Marketing Activities


HP Pavillion Board of Director's meeting
Wednesday, June 27, 2012, 1:00 p.m.
4:00 pm Transportation & Aviation Services

Presidents Room
525 W. Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA
 Full Agenda
4.6
San Jose Municipal Stadium Committee Accept Reports on FY 2012-2013 Capital Budget items.

Ocala Ave. Bike Lane Improvement Project Neighborhood Meeting

Don't forget this Thursday the City of San Jose will be hosting the Ocala Ave. Bike Lane Improvement Project neighborhood meeting.  The meeting details are as follows:

Date: Thursday, June 21, 2012
Time: 6:00 PM
Location:  Hillview Branch Library
                 1600 Hopkins Dr.
                  San Jose, CA 95122

The city's Department of Transportation will update attendees on their plans to place dedicated bike lanes on Ocala Ave. between Capital Expressway and South White Rd. This project will incorporate the reduction of one travel lane in each direction in order to accommodate the implementation of buffered bike lanes. Minimal parking impacts are anticipated with this project. Please provide your feedback at this meeting.

San Jose Trails - Lower Guadalupe River Trail Construction Update

Recent Progress
 - Construction contract awarded to Wattis Construction of San Jose.

- Submittals for detour and construction signage reviewed and approved for use.

- Pre-Construction site visit conducted on June 15. Contractor, engineers, architects, and inspector walked Phase I to look at all site conditions and respond to questions before work proceeds.

- Project schedule and phasing plan under review.

1. Phase 1: 880 to Trimble

2. Phase 2: Trimble to Montague

3. Phase 3: Montague to Gold Street

Upcoming milestones:

- Construction to commence on Phase 1 during week of June 18. Work anticipated to take 3 months at this site before next phase is closed for construction.

- Contractor to survey the site and install storm water pollution prevention measures during the week of June 18.

- Contractor to install detour signage for Phase 1 (week of June 18). Signage will direct trail users to avoid the Phase 1 area with signs posted at Hedding and Trimble, directing bicyclists to use North First Street.

The Lower Guadalupe River Trail extends from Highway 880 to Gold Street in Alviso.

The 6.4 mile project will pave the existing gravel trail and include 5 interpretive stations along the route.

- The current gravel trail is jointly used by the City for recreation and the Santa Clara Valley Water District for maintenence. 

- The project is funded through the 2005 Federal Transportation Bill (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users or SAFETEA-LU) and local City funding.

About the project:

Spring bike goodness sprouting up all over San Jose

What do you think?

What ever else happens this year nobody can say that it was a bad year for cycling in the Silicon Valley. Some of the changes made this year or to be completed by the end of the year include:

1. Bike Share in Palo Alto, Mountain View, and San Jose,
2. Road diets coming to downtown San Jose,
3. Colored cycle track on San Fernando,
4. Changes to the Guadalupe River trail south of 280,
5. Guadalupe trail paving from the airport to Alviso, and
6. Completion of the trail along 237 (paving, striping, & fencing).

Two public meetings are schedule this month. Your presence Ms. and Mr. cyclist is highly encouraged.

Ocala Avenue Bike Lane Improvement Project Neighborhood Meeting
Thursday, June 21, 2012 6:00 PM
Hillview Branch Library - Community room
1600 Hopkins (just north of Ocala)
Agenda consists of Project Overview and Review, Project Update and Schedule, and a Q&A section.

Downtown San Jose Public Bikeshare Neighborhood Meeting
Wednesday, June 27, 2012 6:00 PM
San Jose City Hall - Wing Room W118, 119, & 120
200 East Santa Clara St., San Jose
Agenda consists of Project Overview and Review, Project Update and Schedule, and a Q&A section.

For questions, contact Jesse T. Quirion at:

Phone: 408-975-3299 Email: jesse.quirion@sanjoseca.gov

Follow the project on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/@SJ_Bikeshare

From Blight to Bright in Willow Glen

Dallas of Bay Area Cargobikes meets
with some community volunteers
before the event start.

A dedicated crew came out yesterday morning to show community support for the northern half of Willow Glen. The goal was to create a pedestrian and bicycle connection from the growing residential community near Lincoln Ave. just north of Freeway 280 to the increasingly popular Willow Glen Business District (see map below).

I put this event together to get more residents to walk or bike to Willow Glen instead of taking the light rail to downtown Campbell. If residents don't feel that it is safe, clean, or health to walk the mile long route the won't be spending their money in the Glen.

This first event was modest but there will be others this summer. We will be asking volunteers from the cycling community to lend a hand in the future.  Thanks to all those that came out.

88 containers of trash and garbage
 were cleaned up in addition to
containers of oil, and mattresses

View Willow Glen - Lincoln Ave. From Blight to Bright in a larger map

Beautiful Day at #StJamespark! #civicpride #SJTB

Beautiful Day at #StJamespark! #civicpride #SJTB, a photo by constant_motion125 on Flickr.

Taking it to the 'poles'

This morning while cycling on the Alameda, headed to Peet's for my first cup of coffee I found some some flyers you normally don't see. They weren't asking to help find a lost dog, or about an upcoming yards sale; no, these flyers were in opposition to the changes that are happening on the Alameda. The text from the flyer I have transcribed below.

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Speed up drivers Keep Cyclists on the Sidewalk.
These are the messages the City of San Jose is sending with its "cars only" Alameda redesign.

Changes to The Alameda starting in September will increase the top speeds of cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles (raised center medians are designed to do this), and keep cyclists on the sidewalk.

Cyclists will still not have a safe place to ride. Pedestrians will continue to be endangered by fast-moving cars and sidewalk cyclists .
Drivers will continue worrying about maiming and killing bikers (right), and face increasing traffic and parking shortages. Businesses will continue to suffer an air- and noise-polluted sidewalk experience.

Protected bike lanes are good for everyone, especially pedestrians.
 LA Streetsblog reports on a similar project completed in Long Beach:

And what's good for bikes is often times good for pedestrians. Gandy struck up a conversation with a mother and father pushing a stroller while I took pictures of the separated bike paths on 3rd Street. Even though they haven't ridden a bike in years, they loved the lane. Why? Because it got all the bikes off the sidewalk. "I used to see bikes on the sidewalk everyday on 3rd. I haven't seen one in months, "the father smiled while pushing the stroller.

Please join the Google Group ' Cycletracks for The Alameda' and contact Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio (District 6) right away. $4 Million and a year + of construction / dust /  debris /traffic / headaches --tell our elected officials we want a safer, more pleasant Alameda, that accommodates cyclists safety and comfortably. [408 535-4906 and Pierluigi.Oliverio@sanjoseca.gov]

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The author makes some valid points, however I do not recall these points being made at any of the public outreach meetings. Although I have an idea who the author is, it is a bit naive to start a campaign three months before the stated September construction debate.

Instead of a late night utility pole "tape up" campaign; wouldn't a visit and plea to the city's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee have been in order. At least this persons pitch would have been on public record. I wish this person some luck because they are definitely going to need it. It may be a bit more worthwhile in the future to understand how the political system works in addition to the street and traffic systems.

Upcoming Cycling Events June 5, 2012

Upcoming Events in the Silicon Valley

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Theme idea?

Last night the new themes choosen for Bike Party are:
August: Luau Ride
September: Rocky Horror Ride
October: Halloween Ride


San Jose Bike Party

"Legs Ride"

Friday, June 15, 2012

Wheels hit the street at 8:00

Test Ride #3

Thursday, June 7, 7:00 PM

Start: Giner Lane at MoorparkDr. Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.

This Saturday
Help Clean your community
Bike Oriented Community Cleanup in Willow Glen
Saturday, June 9, 2012 9:30am to 12:30pm
See this post for more information

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San Jose Fixed SJF
15-25 mile Bike Ride
Every Tuesday 6:45 @
Meets @ IMinusD Fixed Gear Boutique
112 Paseo de San Antonio (See Map Below)

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Bicycle Music Festival 2012
June 23, 2012

For more info:
Facebook
Previous Post on this site


San Jose Bike Party Ladies Ride
Test Ride #1
Saturday, June 2, 2012 3:00 PM

Join us for the first test ride of the upcoming 2012 Ladies Ride! We will be exploring a possible route for the Ladies Ride, which is scheduled for July 14. This test ride will be a slow cruise pace. Meet at Ceasar Chavez Park.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/356714104390658/

San Jose Bike Party Ladies Ride

Test Ride #2
Saturday, July 7, 2012 3:00 PM

Details to follow
San Jose Bike Party Ladies Ride
July 14, 2012 - (Sorry guys, ladies only)

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San Francisco Bike Party
Friday, July 6, 2012
http://sfbikeparty.wordpress.com/

Also note the Guadalupe River Trail will be closed for paving construction soon. The closed portion will extend north of 880 all the way to Gold Street in Alviso. check Twitter for more details.

Too see all rides on the map click the link just below the map. Thanks.

View Upcomming Bay Area Bike Events in a larger map

New generation of San Jose leaders poised for positive changes

Hans Larsen, Director of SJ DOT
 before a SJ Bike Party ride
 last summer.

While riding the streets of downtown San Jose in the early evening hours the other day, I tweeted about my sighting of the city's Director of the Department of Transportation, Hans Larsen heading home after a day at the office in his suit, and on his bike on the the San Fernando Bicycle Route.

Yesterday, while riding near San Pedro Square I caught the city's Trail Program Manager, Yves Zsutty walking to work in the morning hours just before an unseasonable rain shower.

And just this morning I happen to run into the city's Director of the Office of Economic Development and she asked if I had any additional information regarding San Jose Bike Party's annual 'Lady's Ride'. She mentioned that she wanted to invite some of her friends along.



Poster from 2011 Ladies Ride.
 Art: Jill Quindiagan

I am glad to say that I was not surprised by her interest in the ride. Kim Walesh, the Director of the Office of Economic Development, along with Hans Larsen SJ DOT Director have both been on multiple San Jose Bike Party Rides. In fact it was because of Kim Walesh public support for SJ Bike Party that I even considered putting on the Dublin Mayor's Ride, an early morning ride with the Mayor of Dublin, Ireland.

Council members Pierluigi Oliverio, Sam Liccardo, and Rose Herrera also get it. Council member Oliverio has been extremely supportive of many cycling and community building events such as Bike Party and Kidical Mass in the Glen. Sam Liccardo, the council representative for the downtown area has been a strong supporter of cycling and is a yearly competitor in the King of the Mountain ride. Rose Herrera has also supported Via Velo and was one of the only council members to show for the Dublin Mayor's ride.

It is encouraging to see these newer leaders in the Parks, Transportation, and Economic Development fields. These new leaders get it. Not so much with the old guard, some of whom are no longer with the city. My most memorable quote was from the former head of the San Jose Redevelopment Director Harry Mavrogenes. When asked by columnist Scott Herhold in a August, 2010 column about the San Jose MarketCenter development he responded directly from the sprawl playbook.

When I asked Mavrogenes why he believed MarketCenter was downtown, he resorted to a bureaucratic defense: "It's part of the greater downtown," he told me. "When we extended the borders of the redevelopment area, we included this center." Then I asked how he'd gotten to the grand opening. He said he had driven from his City Hall office. So we have a downtown location that you have to drive to from your downtown office. Sorry, Harry. Something doesn't compute.

Another instance was at the very same event where Kim Walesh took a stand and publicly supported San Jose Bike Party. Just a few moments later when San Jose Planning Director was asked about author and feisty critic of the planning profession during its last 50 years, Mr. Hordwell was unclear as to just who Mr. James Howard Kunstler is. Where as Messrs. Walesh, Larsen, and Zsuetty have made countless appearances to neighborhood workshops, meetings, and events I have yet to see the Planning Director leave the City Hall campus.

So given all of the fiscal constraint, labor tensions, and other challenges that face today's leaders I applaud these new leaders, both elected and city staff who not only make a difference but are also highly visible in their communities. The only problem is that we need more like you.