Bicyclists round a curve on the Santiago Creek Bike Path in Orange during Orange County Transportation Authority’s annual bike rally. Photos by Kristopher Fortin
More than thirty cyclists came out to OCTA's Bike Rally Thursday morning at Orange Station. The roughly 3.5-mile route cut through Old Town Orange using side streets and the Santiago River Trail Bike Path.
Participants received a free commemorative t-shirt and were included in a raffle for two $130-valued bike tuneups from Jax Bike Center in Long Beach.
This is the fifth year OCTA has organized the ride, and it's the Authority's last promoted event for Bike Month. This year organizers wanted to showcase the multiple possible ways of getting around by bike, such as arriving at the starting point by Metrolink -- which was free to cyclists this week -- or using some of the many bike lanes in the area, according to Stella Lin, manager of marketing and customer engagement.
Local officials showed their support by joining the ride and welcoming cyclists arriving at the final destination. They included OCTA staff, Orange City Councilmember Mike Alvarez, OCTA Deputy Chief Executive Officer Ken Phipps, and OCTA board member and Tustin City Councilmember Al Murray.
"During bike month, we hope you choose hopping on bikes and asking other people to hop on bikes," said Murray.
Sandy Kow, a 66-year-old Oceanside resident and bike advocate, joined the Bike Rally by riding his bike to the Oceanside Metrolink and taking a train to Orange. Kow said he learned about the event through an OCTA newsletter and that it was his fourth year joining their ride. "I try to support all the events like this," Kow said.
OCTA Active Transportation Coordinator Paul Martin welcomes bike rally participants at the Orange Station.OCTA Active Transportation Coordinator Paul Martin welcomes bike rally participants at the Orange Station.Cars parked in a "flex" bike lane on South Cambridge Street. Cars are not allowed to park in the bike lane between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., but this photo was taken at 8 a.m.Cars parked in a "flex" bike lane on South Cambridge Street. Cars are not allowed to park on the bike lane between 7am-9am, the photo was taken 8 a.m.Bike Rally participants meander through through the Santiago Creek Bike Path.Bike Rally participants meander through through the Santiago Creek Bike Path.OCTA's Gary Hewitt, section manager for Transit and Non-motorized Planning, rides on the Santiago Creek Bike PathOCTA's Gary Hewitt, section manager of transit & non-motorized planning, rides on the Santiago Creek Bike PathOn the Santiago Creek Bike Path, crossing underneath state Route 22.On the Santiago Creek Bike Path, crossing underneath the state Route 22.The OCTA Bike Rally passing a JC Penney at the Main Place Mall. The Santiago Creek Bike Path turns off toward the mall, which is adjacent to OCTA headquarters.The OCTA Bike Rally passing a JCPenny at the Main Place Mall. The Santiago Creek Bike Path turns off toward the Mall, which is adjacent to OCTA headquarters.Riders placing their bicycles at the OCTA-provided bike valet at the Authority's headquarters.Riders placing their bicycles at the OCTA provided bike valet at the authority's headquarters.Orange County Bicycle Coalition member Bill Sellin helped lead this year's bike rally ride.Orange County Bicycle Coalition member Bill Sellin helped lead this year's bike rally ride.Giveaways at the end of OCTA's bike rally.Giveaways at the end of OCTA's bike rally.Informational materials about OCTA programs available to participants at the end of the rally.Informational materials about OCTA programs available to participants at the end of the rally.Bike rally participants filling out a bike pledge.Bike rally participants filling out a bike pledge. OCTA Deputy Chief Executive Officer Ken Phipps addressing bike rally participants at the end of the ride.OCTA Deputy Chief Executive Officer Ken Phipps OCTA addressing bike rally participants at the end of the ride.This year's bike rally participants.This year's bike rally participants.
In almost every state, federal funding on highway expansions far outstrips spending on transit, active transportation, electrification, and all other programs that aim to reduce emissions.
California is no exception.
The post-election special features a pair of Streetsblog editors, Joe Linton of Streetsblog L.A. and Melanie Curry of Streetsblog California, joining Damien Newton and Chris Greenspon.
