Bicycle Coalition Blazing a Trail for Two Wheelers
Could there be anything that makes commuting in SLO fun?
As long as that journey is made by bicycle says SLO County Bicycle Coalition. In a small downtown area like San Luis Obispo it is faster and easier to get to a destination on a bicycle than a vehicle, said Dan Rivoire, executive director of the bicycle coalition.
“Being on your bike puts you in direct contact with the environment. And that way you get to know your community better than you ever thought possible.”
The main task the coalition is doing in SLO is encouraging more “class 1” bicycle facilities. Those are bike paths separate from the road and sidewalk, Rivoire said. And they aim to outline their goals through the publication of the, Bike Transportation Plan. It is a document detailing recommendations for communities to encourage cycling throughout the county.
On Tuesday, Pismo Beach adopted a bike plan and the coalition was instrumental in developing the agenda, Rivoire said.
“It’s a major step forward for Pismo in that it opens up avenues for funding bike and pedestrian infrastructure projects.”
The coalition promotes cycling primarily through four programs, Rivoire noted. The first is bike confidence. There are numerous streets with high density traffic so they encourage riders to be sensitive to those streets by learning the skills to navigate them with assurance, said Rivoire.
“We want people to feel comfortable riding anywhere.”
The second program, Bike Valet, offers free and secure bike parking, which is yet another way to reduce congestion and is becoming increasingly popular at the Farmers Market. The third program, Bike Kitchen, provides three days a week for riders to troubleshoot mechanical problems with help from volunteers furnishing expert advice, said Rivoire.
"People just show up, explain their problem and we show them how to mend their own bikes.”
Bike Kitchen is offered Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon until 4 p.m.
Brant Halfish, co-founder of the Bike Kitchen with Brian Kurotsuchi, says although they share space with the Coalition their workshop acts autonomously. 
Kurotsuchi stressed they are not a repair shop but help riders with advice through two clinics: Bike Basics, focusing on maintenance and safety and Tube Tire Flat Fixing.
Halfish said, they get a lot of satisfaction from empowering riders with the notion, “if you can ride it, you can fix it,” he said.
“I really like that spark that happens when somebody figures out just how easy bike maintenance is. Once you figure it out you become that much more self-reliant.”
Art Isted, a resident of Penticton, British Columbia and studying at Cal Poly this summer, ended up buying a donated ten-speed from the Kitchen at the end of June.
“I like the fresh air and it’s a greener way to travel,” Isted said about cycling.
Finally, there is, Kidical Mass. It is a family oriented mass bike ride every first Thursday of the month. Riders meet at Mitchell Park at 6 p.m. and ride to Mission Plaza, noted Rivoire
“Kidical Mass is a venue for parents to teach their kids to ride safely.”
Cycling appeals to nearly every one, he added. It is affordable, convenient, healthy and great fun. For anyone tempted to ride in SLO County but hesitates because of concerns about traffic or security, Rivoire urges them to check out the coalition online: www.slobkikelane.org and explore all the services they have available, he advised.
“Cycling in SLO is definitely a viable alternative that is cleaner and safer than any motorized vehicle.”