People Power of Santa Cruz County

Projects

• Campaigns
• Programs
• Successes

Projects - Successes

2011

• Arana Gulch Master Plan Approved with Bicycle/Pedestrian/Wheelchair Path
• Proposal to allow two-way car traffic on Pacific Avenue defeated
• Persuaded Almar Shopping Center to install five new bike racks
• Lobbied the Santa Cruz City Council to improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities on Market Street
• Santa Cruz City Council approves the draft 3-year Capital Improvement Project list as recommended by People Power and partners in the community
• Helped form the Climate Action Coalition to strengthen the City of Santa Cruz's Climate Action Plan
• Improved pedestrian crossings on Mission Street at Felix Street and Blackburn Street
• Collaborated with Staff of Life grocery store to install bike racks and parking for 28 bicycles, bicycle pump, and water fountains
• County Survey Shows Long Term Increase in Bicycle Ridership and Safety Practices

2010

• Kept a small neighborhood path open between School and High Streets near Holy Cross Church
• State Transportation Commission Unanimously Approves the Rail Corridor Acquisition

2009

• Offer subsidies for families to purchase Alleycat Tag-a-Long bike, a bike trailer, or a child seat
• As a result of a city ordinance requiring bicycle facilities, the SCCRTC implements a program to offer subsidized bicycle racks and parking in Santa Cruz County
• Completion of the San Lorenzo River Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge

2008

• Helped elect John Leopold as District 1 Santa Cruz County Supervisor and provide another pro-bicycle, pro-environment member to the Board. John Leopold will also serve as a member of the SCC Regional Transportation Commission.
• Together with Campaign for Sensible Transportation, successfully lobbied the Santa Cruz City Council to put off funding the design of a 5-story parking garage at Cedar and Cathcart.
• People Power Director, Micah Posner, receives United Way's Community Hero Award
• Implementation of Bicycle Traffic School for bicycling moving violations
• Completion safety improvements in the vicinity of the intersection of Capitola Road and Soquel Drive
• Santa Cruz Designated as a League of American Bicyclists Silver Level Bicycle-Friendly Community

2007

• Improved access to the Wilder Bike Path from the Old Coast Road by widening the gate.
• Bridging the Highway at Mar Vista Drive
• Completion of the Soquel Bicycle Lanes
• Provided funding and assistance for the launch of the Bicycle Shop Program at Harbor High School
• Co-sponsored a rail-trail symposium to an overflow crowd at the Capitola Jade Street Community Center

2006

• Delayed the funding of the sneak lanes expansion of Highway One
• People Power member and State Assemblymember John Laird successfully lobbied for funding for a bicycle/pedestrian bridge over the San Lorenzo River next to Highway 1
• Approval of the Pedestrian/Bicycle Path from Broadway to Brommer through Arana Gulch
• Approval of bicycle lanes and other safety improvements in the vicinity of the intersection of Capitola Road and Soquel Drive
• Approval of Bicycle Traffic School for bicycling moving violations

2005

• Completion of the Beach Street bike lanes
• Handed out dozens of free bikes to Metro riders, with the collaboration of the City of Santa Cruz and Metro drivers
• Worked with the City of Santa Cruz and the Oceanview Condominium Association to form an agreement to keep the Ocean View Path open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
• Worked with the City of Santa Cruz to keep speed limits down to 25 miles per hour on residential streets.

2002

• Launched a major campaign for bike lanes on Soquel Avenue, between Seabright and Capitola, which resulted in approval of the lanes. The City Public Works Department is currently planning the project.
• Supported the temporary conta-flow lane connecting High Street with the freeway overpass has been used since 2001.
• Created and staffed educational booths and tables at dozens of events including Earth Day, Bike to Work Day, and the Farmer's Market.

2001

• Campaigned for a contra-flow bike path/lane on Beach Street. The lanes have been painted temporarily, and a permanent plan has been approved by City Council.

1999

• Pressed for changes in the zoning ordinances reducing the requirements for automobile parking. In response, the city now allows homeowners to convert garages into legal housing. Wrote, and lobbied for approval, an ordinance requiring bike parking for new businesses.
• published guide to bicycle advocacy groups in the United States, with articles on how to be a successful advocacy group.
• Successfully advocated for bike lanes on Front Street, Bay Street and other locations.

1996

• Co-founded the Hub for Sustainable Transportation, a resource center for human powered transportation in downtown Santa Cruz.

1991

• Stopped plans to replace the bike path with a road through the Great Meadow at UC Santa Cruz.
• Organized several anti-oil war bicycle rides including a 90-mile ride to protests in San Francisco, in which over one hundred people participated.
• Successfully lobbied the local Metro Bus service to provide bike racks on buses.
• The city and county have public works staff specifically dedicated to bicycle projects thanks, in part, to our lobbying efforts.