Category Archives: leadership

Santa Monica Local Bike Match Program: Volunteers Needed

For a few years we’ve worked to get bicycles in the hands of folks that have had their own bicycles stolen or cannot afford to purchase a new bicycle. Until now our donated bicycles have been distributed in our local community in exchange for a pay what you can donation, as gifts to individuals and for free local community raffles.

Early this year in addition to donated bike from individuals we received a number of bicycles from a local business and from Bike Angels. We have been working hard to clean and fix up these bikes to add to our Local Bike Match Program. The goal of the Bike Match program is to get donated bikes matched – for free – to individuals in our local community. As we continue to collect working bike donations (all sizes) we need volunteers to help clean them up and do minor repairs so they can be matched and distributed to new owners – for no cost – or if you have the means for a donation that will be applied to the Bike Match Program. 

If your bike has been stolen or you are in need of a bicycle and cannot afford one please drop us an email. An online application is coming soon.

What can you do? Volunteer!

We are hosting a wash and wrench session at the SMC Sustainability Center this Saturday, October 17th, 12-4pm* with our Bike Match Program partners at Santa Monica College Sustainability Program. Bike mechanics knowledge is very helpful but not required – some bikes just need to be cleaned.  

To donate a bicycle, parts, accessories or equipment please email
Donate@SMSpoke.org 
 

If you can join us this Saturday, or for a future session please email us at
Volunteer@SMSpoke.org 

*All Volunteers are required to take the Covid Health & Safety Survey prior to showing up to volunteer. 

Recent SMC Bike Match recipients!

Protected Bike Lane Amendment Adopted by SM City Council

On Tuesday, October 13th, Santa Monica City Council unanimously adopted the Bike Action Plan Amendment adding protected bike lanes to the Current 2011 Bike Action Plan. We were humbled and grateful for the youth that spoke so passionately and articulately at the online meeting — despite the late hour — in support of expanding protected bike lanes and safety for our community, workers, students and visitors.

Broadway Protected Bike Lanes

We’d like to thank City Staff for their meticulous work preparing the Draft Plan and the Santa Monica City Council for their continued direction and support to expand healthy active transportation options in Santa Monica along with necessary infrastructure and safety improvements for people walking, biking, scooting or driving cars. Together – with commitments like this – we can and must continue to prioritize improving safety for all, particularly our most vulnerable road users.

You can click these links to:
View the Staff Report
Watch the meeting – scroll to item 8A under the video to jump to the item.
Visit Info page Bike Action Plan Update: Protected Bikeway Network – Project Goal
DRAFT Bike Action Plan Amendment



Also Check this out!
Ocean Avenue Project – Protected Bikeway and Expanding Outside Dining

Want More Protected Bikes Lanes in Santa Monica?

Well the day has come! The Bike Action Plan Amendment will be brought to City Council the evening of October 13th for adoption.

Newest Protected Bike Lane on Broadway in Santa Monica

This exciting Bike Action Plan Amendment will advance the goals of the original 2011 Bike Plan by officially adding protected bike lanes, a relatively new type of approved bikeway that better meets the needs of our Santa Monica community of residents and visitors. Protected bike lanes add separation between people bicycling/scooting and people driving, which reduces opportunities for conflicts and are proven to create an environment that is more welcoming to a broader spectrum of people including families with children, novice riders, and those who are just nervous about riding on the road.

The Bike Action Plan Amendment will help move our City to improve:
• Safety: Reducing conflicts result in fewer fatal crashes and fewer crashes overall as people on bicycles and scooters move with more protection from motorized car traffic.
• Sustainability and Climate Action: Safer options encourage local trips walking, bicycling or scooting, reduce transportation emissions while increasing safety and equitable access for everyone. 
• Economic Recovery: COVID-19 has re-emphasized the role of living local, supporting community businesses, shops, and eateries. Protected bike lanes help in creating a network of safer and convenient bikeways to enable residents, visitors, and workers to walk, bike and scoot to local businesses, schools, parks, transit stations, and other destinations.

We invite you to join us by provide your input and showing your support for protected bike lanes and the Bike Action Plan Amendment. The Bike Action Plan Amendment will be presented to Santa Monica City Council for consideration on Tuesday October 13, 2020, and further information is available on the project website.

Email Council at: councilmtgitems@smgov.net
Subject Item: 8A

Read our letter of support HERE

Today: Lyft hybrid ebikes launch in Santa Monica!

Santa Monica leads again! Today we celebrate the launch of the new shared hybrid ebikes and expanded mobility options in Santa Monica allowing more people access to healthy active mobility options beyond just driving a car.
Today new Lyft ebikes launch in Santa Monica, available at 80 Breeze Stations.

Meet the new Lyft hybrid ebike: ride tips and more

The Lyft hybrid ebike comes with a cable to lock to any Breeze station for free. You can also lock to a public bike rack within the West Los Angeles service area for an extra $1.

At launch pricing: Ebikes are now available in the Lyft app, starting at just $1 to unlock + $0.34/min.* Whether you’re going that first mile or that last mile, ebikes are a fun, affordable way to get around town.

Price by the minute

Ebikes cost $1 to unlock and $0.34/min to ride.*

Community Pass members pay $5/month and $0.05/min to ride.


Stay within service area

Lyft ebikes are available within the city of Santa Monica (the pink region) and can be ridden anywhere within the West Los Angeles service area (the purple region). Note that pedal assist won’t function outside these service areas or in the red regions visible in-app. Please do not leave parked ebikes outside the purple region, as you will be fined.


*Taxes and fees may apply. For more info, see FAQs.

Bike Action Plan Update: Protected Bikeway Network

Project Goal

The 2011 Bike Action plan provided a road map for developing Santa Monica’s bicycle network including a 5-year and 20-year visions. Back in 2011 protected bicycle lanes were not yet as well-known or accepted in highway design in the United States but began picking up steam not long after it’s adoption. Protected bike lanes have for some time been central component of our advocacy here in Santa Monica, as well as cross the US. This Amendment provides an vital updates to the Bike Action Plan so that it may build on it’s 20-year vision by incorporating now accepted best paretics by updating corridors to protected bike lanes. The Amendment is being developed following the same goals and objectives of the Bike Action Plan, but includes an updated approach to meet the needs of Santa Monica today. This Bike Plan Amendment is also an essential component as it creates an encouraging path forward for Santa Monica to build a network of protected bikeways citywide in the next five years, helps the City compete for outside grant funding, support our progress towards the community’s climate, safety, and mobility goals, while building resilience during these uncertain economic times with a vision for a more sustainable and resilient future. 

Project Website

Find our more in this informative video presentation of the Bike Action Plan Amendment’s objectives and goals:

View options and give input on this Mobility Dept Survey

Project  Downloads:

Project Information English/Spanish


City Contacts:

Carlos Morales Carlos.Morales@smgov.net
Kyle Kozar Kyle.Kozar@smgov.net 

Together, we can create a safe—and friendly—Santa Monica FOR EVERYONE