SLO City, Lois Capps, and Local Educator Given Livable Community Awards

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - On May 29th the San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition presented two individuals and one organization with the Livable Community Award. Coalition executive director Adam Fukushima comments: "The award is presented annually for innovation, forward thinking or extraordinary commitment to making our neighborhoods better places for bicycling and walking. We are extremely privileged to present the awards this year to two individuals and the City of SLO for extraordinary work."

Winners were honored at Bike Fest at the SLO Farmer's Market celebrating the end of May's Bike Month in partnership with SLO Regional Rideshare. Kevin Christian and Congresswoman Lois Capps were two individuals presented with the award. Christian, a former chair of the City of SLO Bicycle Advisory Committee was instrumental in creating a project rating system for the city's new Bicycle Transportation Plan adopted last year. The system is based on ten categories including safety, bike commuting, linking with other bikeways and school, among others. Christian was also recognized for his volunteer work in teaching bicycle education in the community.

Congresswoman Lois Capps was honored for her leadership in securing federal funding for the Bob Jones City-to-Sea Trail. In February, a new section of the trail opened along San Luis Obispo Creek from Prado Road to Los Osos Valley Road. In a 2007 New Times "Best of SLO" Poll the trail was voted the "Best Use of Taxpayer Dollars." Capps was also recognized for her work in sponsoring federal legislation to improve bicycling and walking including the Safe Routes to School bill.

The City of San Luis Obispo was recognized for its innovation in installing a special bicycle signal at the intersection of Santa Barbara and Upham streets. The new signal provides a bicycle only phase through the intersection and makes a safer connection between the Morro Street Bicycle Boulevard and Railroad Safety Trail. The signal is one of only a handful in the USA. The Coalition especially recognized city deputy director Tim Bochum and traffic engineer Jake Hudson for their work on the signal project.