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For more than a decade, Mark Birnbaum’s daily commute was edged with anxiety. The Novato, California, resident and member of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition (pictured) biked 16 miles to his job in San Rafael and, every day, braved a narrow stretch on Alameda del Prado.

“It became apparent the first day I ever commuted on my bike in 2000 that it was totally unsafe there,” Birnbaum told the Marin Independent Journal earlier this year. “It was just a matter of time before somebody got killed by an impatient driver. I’ve had a couple of close calls myself.”

Last week, advocates celebrated new bike lanes that will help ease the anxiety of riders like Birnbaum. “I wish Mark were here today,” Judy Arnold, Marin County Board President, said, as she cut the ribbon on the new bicycle facilities.

Birnbaum was traveling out of the country, but more than three dozen advocates showed up to christen the 4-foot bike lanes stretching along both sides of Alameda del Prado. Not only do the new facilities make a dicey stretch more passable for cyclists, but they also connect the existing bicycle lanes on Ignacio Boulevard to the Pacheco Pathway, closing a key one-mile gap in the North/South Bikeway.

According to the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, Birnbaum would be proud. “The completed project includes narrowed landscaped medians, underground utilities and a smooth surface to roll along,” the organization notes in its latest newsletter. “Check out the new bikes lanes the next time you’re traveling north. They’re very nice!”

Read more about the Marin County Bicycle Coalition here.

MCBC’s goal of steadily improving biking and walking facilities within Marin County is gaining momentum with a newly completed multi-use pathway in the city of Larkspur connecting neighborhoods to local schools and parks.

The new ADA-compliant pathway replaces what used to be a dirt path that was primarily being used by local schoolchildren. Measure A Safe Routes to School funded the new multi-use trail which also included 54 trees planted along the pathway, a soon-to-be installed bench with a great view of Mount Tamalpais, and a fence to delineate the pathway from the High School property.

The path is increasing the amount of children walking and biking to school and is attracting many other members of the community to walk or bike along the path. MCBC will continue to support the city of Larkspur for their continued commitment to improving the non-motorized transportation system within the City.

Visit www.marinbike.org/Index.shtml for more information.

According to the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, “Marin County Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) is pleased to announce its new Green Ways to School campaign to combat global warming, funded by a $175,000 grant from the Marin Community Foundation’s Climate Change Initiative. The Green Ways to School campaign will feature the new SchoolPool on-line trip sharing program, new contests, and cash incentives for the schools that show the greatest increase in green trips to school by walking, biking, carpooling or taking the bus.

Building on the success of Marin’s nationally recognized SR2S program, the Green Ways campaign will employ a classroom competition within schools, and challenges between schools with cash awards. Parents will be able to use the on-line SchoolPool program to build a network of friends to share the journey to school modeled after employee ridesharing programs; SchoolPool will provide parents with match-lists of schoolmates who live along their route to school. They can then form a carpool, walk or bike together, or find bus buddies for their children. Walking or bicycling in groups provides safety in numbers and provides socializing time as well as exercise on the way to school, for both the children and the parents. The program will be unveiled on January 21, 2010 at 4 p.m. “

For more information visit www.marinbike.org

On November 13th, the Marin County Bicycle Coalition(MCBC) will be honored for its years of improving biking and walking infrastructure with the Marin Economic Commission award.

MCBC has been fighting to ensure that bicycling be recognized as a legitimate form of transportation and over the past eleven years has shown incredible leadership and service, as well as raised over $183 billion for their cause. The funds have, and will continue, to go directly to local City and County projects as well as supporting various agency staff, contractors, and other important players in the design and implementation of biking and walking facilities. MCBC’s incredible feat has been acknowledged by the Marin Economic Commission leading to its recognition and well deserved award.

To find out more about MCBC and how bicycling can be “environmentally, fiscally and physically responsible-while being fun” visit http://www.marinbike.org/Index.shtml

Marin County Bicycle Coalition is excited about the recent progress made with the Cal Park Hill Tunnel, part of the North-South Greenway in California. The tunnel has been opened at both ends, which will allow cyclists to ride from San Rafael to Larkspur in five minutes versus more than 20. A second “tunnel within a tunnel” will safely separate bicyclists and pedestrians from the SMART train. Reopening the tunnel has been one of MCBC’s top priorities since it’s inception in 1998.

For more information, click here…

MCBC is well on its way to reaching its goal of 2,009 members by the end of the year. MCBC hit the 1,500 member mark by recruiting a whopping 97 people in 15 days to help increase membership. Such growth enables MCBC to take strides toward pushing the completion of the North/South Greenway, as well as the completion of the SMART bike path. Congratulations on this tremendous achievement!

For more information, click here…