Hello, I’m Frank Peters. Although I’m new to Santa Barbara, I had visited over 100 times before I decided to become a resident.
I was off the bike for 35 years
Like you, I rode a bike as a kid; I had a paper route delivering the Boston Globe. In college in Eugene everyone was riding a bike, me included.
But when I moved to L.A. my happy years on the bike ended – riding was too dangerous.
When I finally did get back on the bike I became a zealot.
I cut my teeth in Newport Beach
Newport Beach is a beautiful place to ride, if you stay off the busy arterials. That wasn’t good enough for me, so when the City started a Bike Safety Task Force in 2009 I jumped at the opportunity to serve. It took 5 years to create a Bicycle Master Plan; along the way I learned a lot about local politics and resistance to change. I was often frustrated at the process.
Podcasting to influence public opinion
If my local elected officials wouldn’t listen to me, maybe they’d listen to recognized experts in the field. It worked, plus people all over Southern California were listening. Did that make it easier to effect change? A little.
Platinum Portand
Then I moved to Portland, a Platinum Bicycle-Friendly Community. Motorists are courteous here because most of them are bike riders who just happen to be driving a car at this moment. See Why I bailed on Portland.
Then I moved again, this time to Santa Barbara – maybe settling for good. I love it here, but motorists behave like their peers in L.A., not like in Portland.
I’d like to make a difference; I’d like to make Santa Barbara a Platinum Bicycle-Friendly Community, too.
So listen to the podcasts and share them with a friend.
Frank Peters
frank{at}santabarbaraCyclist{dot}com
Member, Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, Hearing Board
Member, City of Santa Barbara, Measure C Citizen Advisory Committee
