biketooter

<p>As the San Diego County, California’s City of Carlsbad &quot;Snapshot of fines associated with violations” in <a href="https://www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/streets-traffic/traffic-safety/electric-bikes" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/streets-traffic/traffic-safety/electric-bikes"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.carlsbadca.gov/departments</span><span class="invisible">/streets-traffic/traffic-safety/electric-bikes</span></a> notes, “The actual fine does not include approximately $300 dollars in additional court fees.” </p><p>Similarly true here in Monterey County. For example, while state law allows a $25 fine for Helmet Required [for minors], 21212(a) CVC, in actuality, if you’re under 18 and are cited for no helmet in Monterey County, you’re typically going to be out $193 due the court, not $25. That’s why Bicycling Monterey offers an alternative <a href="https://bikemonterey.org/bike-equity-project-alternative-to-fine-for-traffic-citations.html" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="bikemonterey.org/bike-equity-project-alternative-to-fine-for-traffic-citations.html"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">bikemonterey.org/bike-equity-p</span><span class="invisible">roject-alternative-to-fine-for-traffic-citations.html</span></a> that is appreciated by local families: <a href="https://bikemonterey.org/youth-bike-and-sometimes-receive-citations.html" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="bikemonterey.org/youth-bike-and-sometimes-receive-citations.html"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">bikemonterey.org/youth-bike-an</span><span class="invisible">d-sometimes-receive-citations.html</span></a>. </p><p>Donations to help support that project — or to provide helmets for youth without one — are needed and appreciated. How to donate: <a href="https://bikemonterey.org/about/financial-donations" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="bikemonterey.org/about/financial-donations"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">bikemonterey.org/about/financi</span><span class="invisible">al-donations</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/youth/" rel="tag">#youth</a> <a href="/tags/biking/" rel="tag">#biking</a> <a href="/tags/cycling/" rel="tag">#cycling</a> <a href="/tags/youthbike/" rel="tag">#YouthBike</a> <a href="/tags/morekidsonbikes/" rel="tag">#MoreKidsOnBikes</a> <a href="/tags/activetransport/" rel="tag">#ActiveTransport</a> <a href="/tags/biketooter/" rel="tag">#BikeTooter</a> <a href="/tags/montereycounty/" rel="tag">#MontereyCounty</a> <a href="/tags/bikelaws/" rel="tag">#BikeLaws</a> <a href="/tags/helmet/" rel="tag">#helmet</a></p>

<p>We’re grateful to Elias Rodriguez for his generous donation today, designated for Advocacy Projects. We had the pleasure of meeting Elias, on his bicycle, in June at a community gathering at Window on the Bay Park. It was a welcome surprise today to receive his donation, which boosted 2025’s year-to-date total to nearly $11/day, before expenses. <a href="https://bikemonterey.org/about/financial-donations/donors" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="bikemonterey.org/about/financial-donations/donors"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">bikemonterey.org/about/financi</span><span class="invisible">al-donations/donors</span></a> </p><p>ICYMI, the work of the Bicycling Monterey site and projects are a grassroots volunteer effort since 2009. Every donation, in any amount, is needed and greatly appreciated! <br>FAQs: <a href="https://bikemonterey.org/about/financial-donations/contribution-faqs" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="bikemonterey.org/about/financial-donations/contribution-faqs"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">bikemonterey.org/about/financi</span><span class="invisible">al-donations/contribution-faqs</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/yearend/" rel="tag">#YearEnd</a> <a href="/tags/yearend2025/" rel="tag">#YearEnd2025</a> <a href="/tags/donations/" rel="tag">#Donations</a> <a href="/tags/makeadifference/" rel="tag">#MakeADifference</a> <a href="/tags/activetransportation/" rel="tag">#ActiveTransportation</a> <a href="/tags/cycling/" rel="tag">#cycling</a> <a href="/tags/biking/" rel="tag">#biking</a> <a href="/tags/biketooter/" rel="tag">#BikeTooter</a></p>

<p>Why are Bicycling Monterey and many other <a href="/tags/california/" rel="tag">#California</a> <a href="/tags/bike/" rel="tag">#bike</a> / <a href="/tags/activetransportation/" rel="tag">#ActiveTransportation</a> advocates (<a href="https://www.calbike.org/about_us/who_we_are/local_partners/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.calbike.org/about_us/who_we_are/local_partners/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.calbike.org/about_us/who_w</span><span class="invisible">e_are/local_partners/</span></a>) members of the California Bicycle Coalition aka <a href="/tags/calbike/" rel="tag">#CalBike</a>? </p><p>See ED Kendra Ramsey’s msg below. </p><p>To help make our streets better, join, renew, or donate to CalBike: <a href="https://www.calbike.org/join/" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>www.calbike.org/join/</a></p><p><a href="/tags/actonclimate/" rel="tag">#ActOnClimate</a> <a href="/tags/transportation/" rel="tag">#transportation</a> <a href="/tags/mobility/" rel="tag">#mobility</a> <a href="/tags/publicsafety/" rel="tag">#PublicSafety</a> <a href="/tags/publichealth/" rel="tag">#PublicHealth</a> <a href="/tags/communitybuilding/" rel="tag">#CommunityBuilding</a> <a href="/tags/roads/" rel="tag">#roads</a> <a href="/tags/children/" rel="tag">#children</a> <a href="/tags/elders/" rel="tag">#elders</a> <a href="/tags/mobility/" rel="tag">#mobility</a> <a href="/tags/pollution/" rel="tag">#pollution</a> <a href="/tags/cycling/" rel="tag">#cycling</a> <a href="/tags/biking/" rel="tag">#biking</a> <a href="/tags/biketooter/" rel="tag">#BikeTooter</a> <a href="/tags/climatejustice/" rel="tag">#ClimateJustice</a> <a href="/tags/streets/" rel="tag">#streets</a> <a href="/tags/ourstreets/" rel="tag">#OurStreets</a></p>

<p>Where to report maintenance needs on <a href="/tags/california/" rel="tag">#California</a> state <a href="/tags/highways/" rel="tag">#highways</a>, small tree blocking the shoulder of CA SR 68 on 4 January 2026: <a href="https://csr.dot.ca.gov/" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>csr.dot.ca.gov/</a>. Related info: <a href="https://bikemonterey.org/where-to-report-a-bikeway-maintenance-need-in-monterey-county-plus-maintenance-needs-for-california-state-highways.html" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="bikemonterey.org/where-to-report-a-bikeway-maintenance-need-in-monterey-county-plus-maintenance-needs-for-california-state-highways.html"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">bikemonterey.org/where-to-repo</span><span class="invisible">rt-a-bikeway-maintenance-need-in-monterey-county-plus-maintenance-needs-for-california-state-highways.html</span></a> </p><p><a href="/tags/activetransportation/" rel="tag">#ActiveTransportation</a> <a href="/tags/transportation/" rel="tag">#transportation</a> <a href="/tags/cycling/" rel="tag">#cycling</a> <a href="/tags/biking/" rel="tag">#biking</a> <a href="/tags/biketooter/" rel="tag">#BikeTooter</a> <a href="/tags/montereycounty/" rel="tag">#MontereyCounty</a></p>

<p>NYC Streetsblog: EXCLUSIVE: Mamdani Halts NYPD’s Criminal Crackdown on Cyclists, Ending Harsher Treatment of Bicyclists Than Car Drivers</p><p><a href="https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/03/18/mamdani-ends-nypd-ebike-cyclist-criminal-summons" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/03/18/mamdani-ends-nypd-ebike-cyclist-criminal-summons"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/03/18</span><span class="invisible">/mamdani-ends-nypd-ebike-cyclist-criminal-summons</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/biketooter/" rel="tag">#BikeTooter</a></p>

<p>I volunteer with a Utrecht non-profit De Fietsmeesters to help teach adults how to bike. Students are almost always women, and mostly new immigrants. There are 16 new riders in this class, and 4 of us volunteers.</p><p>By the end of 10 weeks almost everyone is successfully biking on the road — it&#x27;s so empowering!</p><p><a href="/tags/utrecht/" rel="tag">#utrecht</a> <a href="/tags/biketooter/" rel="tag">#bikeTooter</a></p>

<p>Jennifer Lynn Chatman of Salinas died Nov 3, 2025 after her bicycle was struck by the trailer of a semi truck at the intersection of South Sanborn Road and Work Street, Salinas. </p><p>As we told Sara Rubin, <a href="/tags/montereycountynow/" rel="tag">#MontereyCountyNow</a> / <a href="/tags/montereycountyweekly/" rel="tag">#MontereyCountyWeekly</a> editor, infrastructure such as protected bike lanes with a physical barrier are what’s most needed to keep people who bike safer. In general, paint on pavement provides little to no real benefit in preventing fatalities.</p><p>Nevertheless, one “paint on pavement” practice we would like to see far more of — and which possibly could have saved Jennifer’s life — is bike boxes at intersections. </p><p> <a href="https://www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/opinion_blog/a-string-of-vehicle-collisions-in-salinas-ends-with-a-tragic-fatality-of-a-cyclist/article_074be0fe-e7dc-4924-920d-7a247d655514.html" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/opinion_blog/a-string-of-vehicle-collisions-in-salinas-ends-with-a-tragic-fatality-of-a-cyclist/article_074be0fe-e7dc-4924-920d-7a247d655514.html"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.montereycountynow.com/blog</span><span class="invisible">s/opinion_blog/a-string-of-vehicle-collisions-in-salinas-ends-with-a-tragic-fatality-of-a-cyclist/article_074be0fe-e7dc-4924-920d-7a247d655514.html</span></a></p><p>Report by Josh Copitch of KSBW: <a href="https://www.ksbw.com/article/person-struck-by-semi-truck-in-salinas/69244696" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.ksbw.com/article/person-struck-by-semi-truck-in-salinas/69244696"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.ksbw.com/article/person-st</span><span class="invisible">ruck-by-semi-truck-in-salinas/69244696</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/biketooter/" rel="tag">#BikeTooter</a> <a href="/tags/trafficviolence/" rel="tag">#TrafficViolence</a> <a href="/tags/trafficcollision/" rel="tag">#TrafficCollision</a> <a href="/tags/trucks/" rel="tag">#trucks</a> <a href="/tags/bicycles/" rel="tag">#bicycles</a> <a href="/tags/montereycounty/" rel="tag">#MontereyCounty</a> <a href="/tags/publicsafety/" rel="tag">#PublicSafety</a> <a href="/tags/activetransportation/" rel="tag">#ActiveTransportation</a> <a href="/tags/cycling/" rel="tag">#cycling</a> <a href="/tags/biking/" rel="tag">#biking</a></p>

<p>In memory of <a href="/tags/alexpretti/" rel="tag">#AlexPretti</a> and in unity with Minnesotans who bike, <a href="/tags/cycling/" rel="tag">#cycling</a> communities around the USA* will “RIDE TOGETHER, STAND TOGETHER&quot; Jan 31, 2026. [*Update: Also in Canada and elsewhere; flyer template available at <a href="https://bikepacking.com/news/alex-pretti-memorial-rides/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="bikepacking.com/news/alex-pretti-memorial-rides/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">bikepacking.com/news/alex-pret</span><span class="invisible">ti-memorial-rides/</span></a> ]</p><p>In Monterey County, AMG Cyclery of Seaside, California invites you to join them Jan 31 for a casual-pace ride from their bike shop, 805 Broadway Ave, Seaside to Lovers Point, Pacific Grove and back (10 mi round trip). Meet up 1:30. Ride begins 2pm sharp. </p><p>&quot;There is nothing more dangerous to a regime predicated on lies than witnesses who capture the truth.&quot;</p><p>From Angry Catfish Bicycle Shop of Minneapolis <a href="https://www.angrycatfishbicycle.com/articles/our-story-pg145.htm" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.angrycatfishbicycle.com/articles/our-story-pg145.htm"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.angrycatfishbicycle.com/ar</span><span class="invisible">ticles/our-story-pg145.htm</span></a><br>&quot;Alex was one of us, could’ve been any of us, so as we mourn, all of us can come together in unity to remember Alex for what he was. A kind and caring soul put on this earth to be the light for others.&quot;</p><p>General tips for group social rides: <a href="https://bikemonterey.org/rideout-or-rude-out-make-your-bike-party-courteous-safer-legal-and-fun.html" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="bikemonterey.org/rideout-or-rude-out-make-your-bike-party-courteous-safer-legal-and-fun.html"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">bikemonterey.org/rideout-or-ru</span><span class="invisible">de-out-make-your-bike-party-courteous-safer-legal-and-fun.html</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/biketooter/" rel="tag">#BikeTooter</a> <a href="/tags/montereycounty/" rel="tag">#MontereyCounty</a> <a href="/tags/montereybay/" rel="tag">#MontereyBay</a></p>

<p>Out for a bike ride around Lake Merritt on a beautiful day in Oakland today, I *very* slowly approached a group of three elderly women walking toward me on the shared mixed-use path section, so they could safely pass while I waited for space.</p><p>(Yes, there are separated bike lanes, but they just abruptly end and route you back onto the shared path: <a href="https://www.oaklandca.gov/Government/Oakland-Improvement-Projects/Lakeshore-Avenue-Separated-Bike-Lanes-Project" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.oaklandca.gov/Government/Oakland-Improvement-Projects/Lakeshore-Avenue-Separated-Bike-Lanes-Project"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.oaklandca.gov/Government/O</span><span class="invisible">akland-Improvement-Projects/Lakeshore-Avenue-Separated-Bike-Lanes-Project</span></a>)</p><p>One of the women complained to me &quot;why do we have all these bike lanes if you ride here anyway?&quot;</p><p>So... I circled back and politely explained to her that the bike lane ended back behind us, and that I encourage her to vote for more bike lanes so I can stay out of her way.</p><p>Her friend was visibly amused, and another passerby stopped to affirm I was in the right, and literally fist-bumped me, so I&#x27;m delighted to have done my small part for cycling advocacy today <img src="https://neodb.social/media/emoji/social.lol/prami_contented.png" class="emoji" alt=":prami_contented:" title=":prami_contented:"></p><p>---</p><p>Without a *connected* network of *protected* bike lanes, most people simply won&#x27;t ride bikes! You wouldn&#x27;t drive a car without a connected network of streets either!</p><p>Always remember <a href="/tags/cardependency/" rel="tag">#CarDependency</a> has us fighting each other over table scraps. It&#x27;s a simple (and *solved*) geometry problem.</p><p><a href="/tags/carfree/" rel="tag">#CarFree</a> <a href="/tags/urbanism/" rel="tag">#Urbanism</a> <a href="/tags/publictransit/" rel="tag">#PublicTransit</a> <a href="/tags/walkablecities/" rel="tag">#WalkableCities</a> <a href="/tags/cycling/" rel="tag">#Cycling</a> <a href="/tags/biketooter/" rel="tag">#BikeTooter</a></p>

<p>We stop for wildflowers! And to “send” today’s flowers to <span class="h-card"><a href="https://sfba.social/@Kleen" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>Kleen</span></a></span> and <span class="h-card"><a href="https://m.ai6yr.org/@Weather_Rock_Wx" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>Weather_Rock_Wx</span></a></span>, with gratitude for their March 2 and March 5 donations—so helpful and appreciated! How to donate, plus FAQs: <a href="https://bikemonterey.org/about/financial-donations" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="bikemonterey.org/about/financial-donations"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">bikemonterey.org/about/financi</span><span class="invisible">al-donations</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/actonclimate/" rel="tag">#ActOnClimate</a> <a href="/tags/cycling/" rel="tag">#cycling</a> <a href="/tags/biking/" rel="tag">#biking</a> <a href="/tags/transportation/" rel="tag">#transportation</a> <a href="/tags/activetransportation/" rel="tag">#ActiveTransportation</a> <a href="/tags/biketooter/" rel="tag">#BikeTooter</a> <a href="/tags/montereycounty/" rel="tag">#MontereyCounty</a> <a href="/tags/california/" rel="tag">#California</a> <a href="/tags/wildflowers/" rel="tag">#wildflowers</a> <a href="/tags/springflowers/" rel="tag">#SpringFlowers</a></p>

<p>Our sympathy to the family and friends of Linda Theresse Munoz of Salinas.</p><p>Linda suffered fatal injuries after being struck on her bicycle by a truck, and then by two additional vehicles, while biking in Salinas on March 14.</p><p>We have no details on this collision so can’t comment about the circumstances except to say: <a href="/tags/ksbw/" rel="tag">#KSBW</a>’s report <a href="https://www.ksbw.com/article/bicyclist-struck-killed-salinas-california/70760894" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.ksbw.com/article/bicyclist-struck-killed-salinas-california/70760894"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.ksbw.com/article/bicyclist</span><span class="invisible">-struck-killed-salinas-california/70760894</span></a> mentions she was biking “in dark clothing.” High visibility apparel is not required by law, and while we do suggest it (<a href="https://bikemonterey.org/tips-for-tourists/more-bicycle-safety-gear" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="bikemonterey.org/tips-for-tourists/more-bicycle-safety-gear"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">bikemonterey.org/tips-for-tour</span><span class="invisible">ists/more-bicycle-safety-gear</span></a>), being visible can’t protect you from drivers who are texting, speeding, under the influence, etc.—as we experienced and pointed out last week <a href="https://sfba.social/@bikemonterey/116219787478611800" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="sfba.social/@bikemonterey/116219787478611800"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">sfba.social/@bikemonterey/1162</span><span class="invisible">19787478611800</span></a>.</p><p> We don’t know if Linda’s bicycle had the equipment required by California law for biking in the dark (see <a href="/tags/9/" rel="tag">#9</a> in our Calif bike law summary <a href="https://bikemonterey.org/wp-content/uploads/Bike-law-summary-2025.pdf" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="bikemonterey.org/wp-content/uploads/Bike-law-summary-2025.pdf"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">bikemonterey.org/wp-content/up</span><span class="invisible">loads/Bike-law-summary-2025.pdf</span></a>). </p><p><a href="/tags/montereycounty/" rel="tag">#MontereyCounty</a> <a href="/tags/fatalcollisions/" rel="tag">#FatalCollisions</a> <a href="/tags/salinas/" rel="tag">#Salinas</a> <a href="/tags/cycling/" rel="tag">#cycling</a> <a href="/tags/biking/" rel="tag">#biking</a> <a href="/tags/biketooter/" rel="tag">#BikeTooter</a> <a href="/tags/trafficsafety/" rel="tag">#TrafficSafety</a></p>