Welcome to the NCBC!
The NCBC has 4 main functions which include bicycle education, bicycle advocacy, promoting events and programs, and fundraising to support the coalition.
Bicycle Education
We teach programs for the public on safe bicycle riding. We outline the health advantages of bicycle riding over other forms of transportation. We talk to public officials and government staff to make them aware of potential problems for bicyclists and what can be done to make bicycling safer.
Bicycle Advocacy
We promote infrastructure improvements in Napa County that will make bicycle riding safer, more convenient, and pleasant. We work to promote bicycle lanes, multiuse paths, bicycle boulevrds, etc. Our work includes identifying issues, making city and county staff and public officials aware of the bicyclists viewpoint, notifying bicyclists of important public meetings, and providing bicyclists input into the public forum.
Promoting Events and Programs
We promote Bike to Work/School month. This event is sponsored by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. However, the NCBC coordinates with the MTC, organizes the local event, and provides volunteers to staff energizer stations. We have promoted a Safe Routes to School program in Napa by finding a grant for the school district to fund the program and coordinating with the school district on its implementation.
Fundraising
We will be involved in fundraising to support paid staff for our organization. The fundraising will involve annual membership dues, soliciting sponsors, and possible fundraising events.
Recent News
The City of Napa announced that it has received a $970,000 grant from the California Bicycle Transportation Account, and that it will build the remaining sections of the commuter bicycle path along the Wine Train. This will complete the trail from Redwood/Solano to Vallejo St. near Soscol with a signalized crossing at Lincoln Ave. They anticipate completion of the trail in 2009. It's been a long time coming, and has required a great deal of effort on the part of bicycle advocates and the city of Napa Public Works. A big thank-you to the Napa Wine Train for allowing the path to be built!!
The City also announced it has received funding from the Transportation Fund for Clean Air to design and construct class 2 bike lanes on Trancas from Big Ranch to Silverado Trail. They will bring the design plans to the city Bicycle Advisory Commission for review next year. There will also be improvements made on the bike lanes crossing the Wine Train tracks on Soscol.
As part of the Flood Control project, a very small portion of the $65 million being spent on realignment of the Wine Train will be used to install concrete panels along the tracks crossing Soscol. The city is studying ways to make the bike crossing safer by reducing the angle of the bike lanes crossing the tracks. This took a lot of vocal advocates to convince Flood Control to take these steps. Thank-you all for helping to advocate for these significant improvements!