Consultant will get the word out about bicycle safety
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

Bicycles are allowed on sidewalks in Thousand Oaks, but they still must go with the direction of traffic. Pedestrians aren't allowed to walk in bike lanes.

Getting the word out on these and other bicycle safety rules is so important to Thousand Oaks that the City Council approved hiring a consultant for $50,000 to administer a bicycle safety outreach and education program.

This outreach effort was recommended by the city's Bicycle Advisory Team, which was formed last September. BAT- made up of cyclists, city staff, park employees and law enforcement- was asked to find ways to make the city safer for bicyclists after Dr. Glenn Garvin, 49, was struck and killed by a car while riding his bicycle on Westlake Boulevard.

Garvin, who practiced endodontics in Westlake Village, was a North Ranch resident who was active in his community and served as a Thousand Oaks traffic commissioner. The new consultant is expected to partner with civic organizations to implement an annual Glenn Garvin Memorial Bicycle Safety event.

BAT met six times, received about 70 emails from the community and had a public meeting to gain input. The group also looked at what other cities have done to make bicycling safer. Bike clubs included on the team were Old Cranks, Amgen and Conejo Valley Cyclists. Bicycle store owners also got involved.

In July the City Council approved BAT's recommendations to implement a bicycle safety sign program and to begin a search for a consultant to start a public outreach program. At that time the outreach program was expected to cost about $40,000 annually.

The sign program included the use of sharrows, a stencil on the pavement to make vehicle drivers aware that bicycles would be sharing that lane of the road with them.

During phase one of the outreach program, the consultant is expected to meet with the city to create a brand and establish messaging goals. A team of interested residents will be formed to develop new materials for the program to convey their messages and to develop a bicycling home page on the city's website.

The consultant is also expected to develop a city bicycle route map based on the city's bicycle facilities master plan, but a more simplified version with colors and patterns outlining routes and points of interests, according to a report from Public Works Director Mark Watkins.

On the back of the one-page map, which will be foldable to fit into a pocket, will be safety tips in English and Spanish. A minimum of 500 maps are expected to be printed.

A special outreach will be made to bicyclists who endanger themselves and others by riding the wrong way down streets or on sidewalks. Because vehicle drivers don't expect a bicycle to be coming from the wrong direction, they often don't see one that is.

Some cyclists- both commuters and recreational- believe it's safer to ride against traffic, but that's untrue. The program will try to educate cyclists in both English and Spanish, according to Watkin's report.

Discount coupon materials are also expected to be developed by the new consultant. These coupons will be distributed to local employers and businesses to provide discounts for helmets, lights and tuneups at local bike shops.

The consultant is to seek partnerships with local companies, civic organizations and media to help get the word out about bicycle safety in Thousand Oaks. Materials will also be given out at apartment buildings and clubhouses.

Young riders are another target for bike safety education. Bicycle safety materials will be developed to be given out to schools, Boy Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs and libraries.