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SAN CARLOS BIKES NEWSLETTER

April 19, 2023 Biking News


Showcase bikes at Earthday Farmers Market, Safe Routes to School is on 2+2 meeting agenda, San Carlos Downtown is on City Council agenda, Community Surveys open, Canada Rd Carnage, Cycling Instructor Certification, Hometown Days Pre-Parade Roll & Bike Valet Parking volunteers needed, Bike to Work & Wherever Days coming, and more...


1. Got a cool bike!? Bring it to our Earth Day Event at the San Carlos Farmers Market, this Sun, April 23, 9am-1pm.

  • Park near our San Carlos Bikes booth so your bike can help inspire folks who want to get into biking but don’t know what all is out there!

  • Can you help out at our Earth Day San Carlos Bikes booth? – we’d love more volunteers! Email soniaelkes@gmail.com


2. San Carlos City + School Meeting, Fri, Apr 21, 9-10am at Public Library, (610 Elm, 2nd floor Community Room. Live meeting only, not on zoom).

  • The school and city meet every few months to discuss issues relevant to both. Public comments welcome!

  • Safe Routes to School & Alameda de las Pulgas Corridor Project Updates are on agenda.


3. San Carlos Downtown Project Update at City Council Meeting, Sun, April 23, 7pm–Your public comment makes a difference–send it ahead, attend in person, or join via zoom.

  • The public is invited to learn and share comments on important milestones in preparing a community-based vision for the future of downtown San Carlos.. Details and instructions will be available on the agenda; please visit https://www.cityofsancarlos.org/residents/public-meetings).

  • City staff is now ready to share what the community is saying and how they have responded to several foundational urban design concepts for downtown. These concepts include Laurel Street closure, the purpose-function-improvements to alleys, design ideas for Harrington Park, and possibilities to create a new public plaza along the 600 block of Laurel Street.

  • The City Council will decide whether to proceed with these urban design concepts, in particular:

    1. Should the 700 block be turned into a full plaza?

    2. Is there agreement on design elements for public spaces (i.e., Harrington Park and new plaza at 600 block of Laurel)?

    3. Is there agreement that alleys should be improved with new surface materials, lighting, gateway features, landscaping, and murals?

  • The City Council will decide whether to proceed with these urban design concepts, in particular: Recommendations for additional design concepts for the 600 and 800 blocks of Laurel + roadways design for San Carlos Avenue and other roadways within the downtown area, plus parking strategies, will rely on these foundational concepts for downtown. Additional community workshops & surveys will be offered in coming months. The Downtown Specific Plan is targeted for completion by March 2024.

  • To learn more and sign up for updates, please visit www.sancarlosdowntownplan.com


4. City of San Carlos has two Community Surveys – one the Downtown Specific Plan Survey and another the Northeast Area Specific Plan Survey. Both surveys close on Sunday, April 30, 2023.


5. The Latest Cañada Road Carnage – Condolences to the family, friends and PenVelo teammates of Lester Legarda. Please help continue to advocate for safer conditions on Cañada Rd. Next chance(s):



6. Ready to be Certified as a Cycling Instructor? The League of American Bicyclists covers liability insurance for riding instructors trained through their programs, which start with the Smart Cycling I class. Here’s the schedule of upcoming classes:


7. Bike to Work Day is Thursday, May 18. Stay turned for this year’s list of energizer stations where you can stop for refreshments and (if you pledge to ride in advance), pick up your super cool 2023 BTWD messenger bag (Note: the single most practically styled bag design for carrying stuff comfortably I’ve ever seen)


8. It’s a race! – May is Bike Month, pledge to Ride for YOUR CITY Peninsula cities are competing for most people signed up to ride – San Carlos & Belmont, let’s do this! (See Leaderboard as of 4/11/23 at the end of this newsletter)


  • Pledge to Ride anytime in May. When you pledge to ride, you support your city and can pick up a free Bike to Wherever Days 2023 tote bag on the days of the event (if you get to a station before they run out) and you will be entered into a random drawing for prizes as well. You’ll also be kept in the loop about Energizer Stations in your neighborhood and SVBC's Bike Bash celebration taking place in your county!


  • Volunteer at the Hometown Days Energizer Station at San Carlos Hometown Days Sat, May 20 – (Energizer Stations are destinations and way stations during Bike to Work & Wherever Days that energize people to ride their bicycles by providing food, drink, prizes, and encouragement.)


9. Join the 3rd Annual San Carlos Hometown Days “Pre-Parade Roll’ Sat morning, May 20. Meet on Chestnut St in front of Adult Community center between 9AM-9:30AM

– The parade committee invites bicyclists and wheel riders to again roll down the route just before the parade.

– Pace will be slow. Costumes, decorations and pinwheels encouraged!

– We’ll take off by 9:40am along the parade route, ending in Burton Park (at the valet bike parking in the bocce ball area).

– No RSVP necessary, just show up, be creative, and bring your friends and family



10. Free Valet Bike Parking during Hometown Days returns to the bocce ball area in Burton Park. Please help us park bikes!


– Want to help but not sure what time yet? Drop an email to sancarlosbikes@gmail.com to let us know you’re planning to help but don’t know when yet

– Last year we parked almost 200 bikes and scooters, what can we do this year? Please encourage everyone you know to ride and roll to the festivities this year!

– Bike Valet Hours are Sat, May 20, 10am-7pm and Sun, May 21, 11am-5pm.


Thanks for reading and riding,

Sonia Elkes,

San Carlos Bikes founder


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