San Diego County Bicycle Coalition

DEDICATED TO BICYCLING IN SAN DIEGO

About Us

SDCBC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to making bicycling better in San Diego. We do that through educational programs, promoting awareness of bicyclists and bicycling issues, reviewing infrastructure improvements, and acting as a voice for bicyclists to elected officials and decisionmakers throughout the San Diego region.

Our Exectuve Director is Kathy Keehan - (Photo and Bio)

What we stand for | The Bylaws | Board members and affiliated bike clubs | Approved Meeting Minutes

What we stand for

Below you can read the SDCBC policy mentioned at the March(1993) Board meeting. It's a statement of what the organization stands for re: bicycling. We recommend that Board members read it to understand what the organization has agreed is appropriate/desireable for bicycling... discussion about improvement - additions/deletions/changes - are encouraged.

GENERAL POLICY ADOPTED 3/93

THE COALITION:

A. Advocates and supports lawful and responsible cycling. Opposes unlawful and irresponsible cycling.

B. Encourages people to bicycle on the road with the rights and duties of drivers of vehicles.

C. Encourages bicyclists on paths and open trails to act responsibly. Supports increased opportunities for socially and environmentally responsible mountain biking. (revised December 2001)

D. Supports the enforcement of all appropriate traffic, path and trail laws. Recommends the statewide uniformity of laws for cyclists.

E. Supports and encourages all bicyclists to become more knowledgeable and effective at bicycling.

F. Encourages the training of cyclists in lawful, competent cycling such as the Safe Moves and Effective Cycling courses.

G. Promotes increasing the skill of all people who share facilities with bicyclists.

1. The actions of motorists with regard to cyclists should be the subject of a suitable portion of the questions in the pool from which the driver's license questions are drawn. Information on sharing the road with cyclists should be a periodic inclusion in the DMV registration mailings.

2. Encourages that instructional materials for motorists, such as used in driver's education classes include:

a. statements that cyclists have the right to use the roadways and the duty of obeying the rules of the road for drivers of vehicles;

b. instruction in proper behavior for cyclists and motorists with respect to each other; and

H. Encourages increasing the safety of bicyclists by:

1. development and distribution of traffic and other safety information;

2. providing workshops, classes, and speakers;

3. advising governmental agencies regarding appropriate bicycle facility design and maintenance, regulations and enforcement;

4. lobbying for appropriate legislation to enhance and encourage safe bicycle use.

I. Recommends that outside through lanes be wide. On roads with curbs where significant bicycle traffic is expected and where motor-vehicle traffic volume per lane is also significant, the outside through lane should have a width of 14 feet or more. On roads without curbs where significant bicycle traffic is expected and where motor-vehicle traffic is also significant, either the outside through lane would be wide or the shoulder should be in fit condition for cycling.

J. Recommends that demand-type traffic signals should be equipped with bicycle-sensitive detectors at all lawful locations where a cyclist might ride. Push-buttons are not satisfactory for bicyclists because they are often in wrong or inconvenient locations for the cyclist.

K. Requests that traffic signals provide adequate clearance time; an all-red phase of adequate length in conjunction with normal green light length for bicyclists starting from a stop (new green light) to clear the intersection.

L. Encourages the provision of secure bicycle parking where needed.

M. Encourages employers who provide motor-vehicle parking for employees to provide:

1. theft-resistant, weather-protected parking for bicycles of those employees who bicycle to work.

2. places in which employees may keep business attire, wash up, and change clothes.

3. subsidy to bicyclists and bicycle facilities equal or greater than the cost of providing and maintaining motor-vehicle parking.

N. Recommends safe bicycling facilities:

1. Smooth roadway surfaces.

2. Facilities for secure parking of bicycles at all locations where motor-vehicle parking is provided.

3. Wheel-proof roadway drain grates.

4. Right turn only lanes. Right turn only lanes are generally good for cyclist because they allow space and distance for right turning motorists and straight-through bicyclists to coordinate their merging actions before the turning point.

5. Left turn only lanes. Left turn only lanes are generally good for cyclists in several ways. They provide a safe place for the cyclist to wait for oncoming traffic to clear. By providing a safe place for a motorist to wait while oncoming traffic clears, they discourage hurried left turns by motorists. This is the most frequent cause of car-bike collisions that are caused by motorist error. Left turn only lanes in conjunction with traffic signals that provide a protected left turn only phase protect both cyclists and motorists from conflicting movements. It is better to provide left turn only lanes of standard width to eliminate the delays caused by cyclists who are ahead of motorists, but it is better to have a narrow left turn only lane than none at all.

6. Regarding Bikeways (Paths and Lanes):

a. advocates using standards for design and development that protect the rights of lawful cyclists and that discourages cycling that does not conform to the normal rules of the road.

b. recommends routes that shorten trip times without increasing hazards, and recreational bicycle paths that provide a protected environment for such activities.

7. Supports bottle redemption laws. The adverse effect upon bicyclists of broken glass along roadways and other bicycle facilities is reduced by increased collection/recycling of these containers.

8. Is opposed to:

Mandatory bike-lane laws.

Mandatory side-of-road-laws.

Mandatory side-path laws.

Prohibitions to access to normal highway destinations.

Back

By-Laws

SAN DIEGO COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION BY-LAWS

Preamble

The purpose of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition (SDCBC) is to promote bicycling as a form of transportation and recreation and to seek safer conditions for cycling countywide.

MEETINGS

1. Board of Director meetings shall be held on the fourth Wednesday of every month at a time and location as previously decided upon and published in the SDCBC newsletter. Meetings of the Board of Directors are public, all are welcome, except when dealing with personnel or contractual issues. In the event of an emergency need to change the time or place of the meeting, phone and/or mail contact will be made with all current Board of Directors.

2. Executive Committee meetings shall be held, as needed and scheduled by the Chair. The Executive Committee is to have as members the current officers and the immediate past Chair.

3. Committee meetings will be held at the convenience of the committee members and shall be scheduled by the committee chair.

4. General Membership meeting is in June. The primary purpose of the General Membership meeting is for the election of the Board of Directors. Other General Membership meetings may be held at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

5. A quorum, 33% of the members in good standing of the Board of Directors, shall normally be required in order to conduct Coalition Board of Director or General Membership meetings.

Membership

1. Membership shall be open to all persons and organizations interested in promoting bicycling as a form of transportation and recreation upon payment of annual dues as set by the Board of Directors. Individual, Club, and Organization members have one vote each at General Membership meetings.

2. Membership shall be open to bicycling clubs interested in promoting bicycling as a form of transportation and recreation upon payment of annual dues as set by the Board of Directors. Member clubs will be entitled to seat one person on the Board of Directors.

3. Membership shall be for one year from the payment of dues. Upon payment, the member shall be deemed to be in good standing. Membership categories are: (1) individual (at-large); (2) bicycle club or small business, and (3) corporate. [per decision of 2/3/94, Memberships to be renewed each March]

For purposes of attaining voting membership as a Club member, a bicycle club shall: have five or more dues paying members, have as a goal of the organization the promotion of bicycling as a form of transportation and recreation, have elected officers, be located in San Diego County, and support the goals and policies of the SDCBC. [per decision of 6/3/94]

4. Club membership dues requirements may be waived for clubs that otherwise have met SDCBC By-Law membership requirements when they:

A. Solicity, collect, and transfer memberships to SDCBC by including SDCBC membership as an option (positive or negative check-off) of membership in their own club or as an option for participation in their events; and;

B. Provide SDCBC with copies, mailed to the SDCBC P.O. Box, of their newsletters, meeting notices/agendas, and meeting minutes in the same frequency as they are published.

C. Publish or include in their newsletter or comparable publication, at least once every 12 months:

(1) a statement of support for SDCBC and a recommendation that their club members join SDCBC; and

(2) a SDCBC membership application; and provide as in 4.,B. above.

5. Corporate/Small Business membership dues requirements may be waived for organizations that otherwise have met SDCBC By-Law membership requirements when they provide the following:

A. Publish or include in their regular publications, newsletter or comparable publication at least once every 12 months, or provide prominent posting and maintenance for the duration of their SDCBC membership in or on their place of business, a statement of support for SDCBC with the recommendation that their members, employees, readers, and/or others join in supporting SDCBC. SDCBC may supply the material for such posting and/or photo ready copy for publications upon request of the Corporation or Small Business: and

B. Provide SDCBC with a copy, mailed to SDCBC with the same frequency as they are published, of their newsletters, meeting notices/agenda, and meeting minutes or provide a description of the location of the posted statement of support for SDCBC and the opportunity to view such posting.

8. Club, Corporate, and Small Business members in good standing may publicize their membership and support for SDCBC, subject to approval of the SDCBC Board of Directors. Suggested language:

"(name) is a supporting member of the San Diego "County Bicycle Coalition."

"(name), a proud supporter of the SDCBC."

"(name), has supported the SDCBC since (date of first continuous to date membership)."

9. Club, Corporate, and Small Business members names may be published as supporting members in the SDCBC newsletter periodically and may be listed as supporting members in other displays or publications of the SDCBC subject to approval of the organization to be listed.

Board of Directors

Composition of the Board

1. The Board of Directors shall normally consist of ten to sixteen members, of which there is to be a balanced representation between Club representatives and "at-large" members. The Board of Directors will hold office from July through June.

2. The Board of Directors will select five officers from Board of Director members: chair, vice-chair, secretary, treasurer, and newsletter editor.

3. Election of the Board of Directors will be held in June of each year. In April, the Board of Directors will appoint a committee whose responsibility will be to develop a slate of At-large candidates. This slate shall be presented at the May meeting, at which time additional nominations will be accepted from the floor. All members in good standing present at the June Board of Directors, General Membership meeting may vote by secret ballot. The candidates receiving the most votes will be elected to the available At-large positions. If a tie occurs for the last At-large position, a second ballot of the tied candidates will then be offered at the same meeting.

Duties of the Board

1. THE DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE:

a) To choose from its membership the Coalition officers.

b) To choose from among its members the chair of all standing and ad hoc committees. Committee chair may be selected from members in good standing who are not members of the Board of Directors.

c) To establish annual dues for each membership category.

e) To act on all items of business requested by the membership by: getting recommendations from the appropriate committee(s); deciding general policy, operating procedures, and day to day operations.

f) To act on an item of business that has been properly published in the agenda, or at the same meeting if such action is warranted by the emergency nature of the item.

g) To hear reports by committee chairs at each meeting and to decide action upon proposals made by the committees.

i) To bring all items for action to a vote that shall become policy if passed by a simple majority of the Board of Director members present and in good standing.

j) To designate individuals to be Spokespersons for the SDCBC.

2. THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS SHALL BE:

a) Chair:

(1) to develop, after consulting with Executive Committee members, and distribute an agenda prior to each General Membership and Board of Directors meeting.

(2) to preside at all General and Board meetings.

(3) to call special Board of Director or General Membership meetings if requested to do so by four members of the Board or by ten members in good standing. Action on proposals at Special Meetings may be taken only if at least one half of the Board of Directors are present. Board of Directors may provide "proxy" attendance and/or vote if such proxies are properly presented in writing prior to the beginning of the meeting to be missed.

(4) Chair to be a designated signer of SDCBC checks.

b) The Vice-Chair shall preside in the absence of the Chair. Vice-chair may be a designated signer of SDCBC checks.

c) The Secretary shall transcribe at all general and board meetings the date, time, and place of the meeting; the names of those present; and record all actions taken. The minutes will then be presented at the following meeting for acceptance by the members.

d) The Treasurer shall keep accurate account for the receipt and disbursement of funds; report monthly to the Board of Directors on the financial status; and be a designated signer for all SDCBC checks. Treasurer to be responsible for reconciling bank statements and bank business. Treasurer to prepare payments by check as authorized by Board of Directors. All but minor payments, less than $500, must be signed by two of the designated signatories. Records of the treasurer may be audited annually, or at any time there is a change of person holding the office.

e) The Newsletter Editor shall work with the Newsletter Committee and the Board of Directors to determine the newsletter contents.

f) The Membership Monitor shall process all new memberships; keep record of all current members; keep membership rolls including mailing, phone, etc. lists; and provide mailing labels of all members and public officials. The Membership Monitor shall also inform all members approximately two months before their membership expires.

Replacement of Officers and Members of the Board of Directors

1. A vacancy in any office for any reason shall be filled in the manner prescribed in the by-laws for regular appointments to each office. Emergency replacement of any officer or committee chair may be made by the Chair. Such replacement shall serve only until the next regular or special meeting at which a replacement for the remaining term shall be decided by the Board of Directors.

2. Any officer who misses three consecutive meetings and to whom notification of his/her impending replacement has been attempted by phone and by mail, may be replaced at a regularly scheduled meeting by a vote of the Board of Directors. Nominations will be by voice. Voting will be by voice; if there is any question about the result of the voice vote or if requested, voting will take place by secret ballot. If a nominee fails to get a simple majority, a run-off will then be held between the two top candidates.

3. Any member-at-large of the Board of Directors who misses three consecutive meetings and to whom notification has been attempted by phone and mail, may be replaced by another member selected by the officers of the Board. If any Board member who represents a member club misses three consecutive meetings, his/her club president shall be informed with a request for replacement.

Committees

THE PURPOSES OF THE SDCBC SHALL BE FURTHERED BY COMMITTEES.

1. Committees shall be created and dismantled as required to meet the needs of the Coalition by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

2. All committees shall hold monthly meetings or as often as necessary.

2. All committees will be chaired by a member of the Board of Directors.

3. Action/recommendation must be taken/made by committees on proposals submitted to them by the Board of Directors. Said action/recommendation will then be reported to the Board of Directors at a regularly scheduled Board of Director meeting. Action/recommendations on other proposals may also be reported by committees at that time.

4. Membership on committees shall be open to any interested person; if membership on a committee is to be limited, membership shall be reserved for members in good standing.

5. Committees shall submit copies of all official correspondence to the designated officers of the Board for filing.

Amendments to the By-laws

Proposed amendments to this document shall be presented to the Board of Directors at a regularly scheduled Board of Director meeting. Such proposed amendment(s) will be noted in the SDCBC newsletter. At the meeting following the publication and mailing of the newsletter, the amendment(s) shall be voted upon. The amendment(s) will need to be accepted by two-thirds of the members voting to be accepted.

Back

Board Members and Affiliated Clubs

The Board of Directors of SDCBC is comprised of:
1/2 Member Club representatives and
1/2 at large (individual) members

Frank Hardalo - Sierra Club Bike Section
Tony Pietsch - San Diego Tandem Club - Photo and Bio
Carol Carr - North County Cycle Club - Photo and Bio
Philip Erdelsky - Rainbow Cyclists - Photo and Bio
Mike Saterlee - San Diego Cyclovets
Ken King - Knickerbikers - Photo and Bio
Serge Issakov- San Diego Bicycle Club - Photo and Bio
Greg Zackowski- Triathlon Club of San Diego - Photo and Bio
Andrew Lee - Adams Avenue Bicycle Club
Mike Berry - San Diego Randonneurs
Suzanne Behrendt - San Diego Wheelmen - Photo and Bio