Bike Buzz: Summer 2026

Above: This is as close as we got to 2026 “Car Week” events. We did errands in Monterey on Aug 7 and were all set to stay out of Pebble Beach and other high-traffic areas through Aug 16.

ICYMI, see how we feel about these 10 days of “Car Week” events. In Aug 2026, Big Sur is again impacted by wildfire, the Timber Fire (https://www.readymontereycounty.org/emergency/incident-archive/2026-timber-fire). This came on the heels of the wildfire Aug 8 at Jacks Peak, which was thankfully much smaller and quickly out. Wildfires and extreme weather only renew our dedication to doing what we can to help people reduce carbon emissions of transportation choices! 

If you read the cover story in the Monterey County Weekly’s July 30 – Aug 5, 2026 issue, or letters from readers, you know we aren’t immune from experiencing close calls with texting drivers or otherwise dangerous drivers. Check out the new “Thank you, drivers” mini fliers below.

On a lighter —yet still relevant —note, a two-minute blast from the past: “We’re All Heroes on This Bus,” a 2009 audio essay set to more recent photos of people biking in Monterey County. https://youtu.be/Dme9tZUpaVY?si=g8rGmldy7tFZUiBp

Letters in response to MCW cover story

“On Two Wheels” perspectives from Monterey County Now / Monterey County Weekly readers Trish Sullivan, Bob Hays, Ben Curtis, and Ryan James Miller https://www.montereycountynow.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor-08-13-26/article_8a953080-bd5a-47ba-8b06-8f4d00adccc3.html, in response to “Can advocates make local streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers?” July 30-Aug. 5 cover story by Aric Sleeper.

COVER STORY, Monterey County Weekly, July 30 – Aug 5, 2026

Monterey County Now / Monterey County Weekly, July 30 – Aug 5, 2026 issue https://flipbook.montereycountyweekly.com/archive/2026/07-30-26/index.html.

Cover story by Aric Sleeper, photos by Daniel Dreifuss
“Road Share: Can advocates make local streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers?” pages 18-22 https://flipbook.montereycountyweekly.com/archive/2026/07-30-26/18/ /
https://www.montereycountynow.com/news/cover/can-advocates-make-local-streets-safer-for-pedestrians-cyclists-and-drivers/article_5b81d56e-a2c0-4a96-beac-62ee7f601013.html

Note on pg 22 “More Coverage: CalBike advocates for a universal definition of e-bikes,” with CalBike Executive Director Kendra Ramsey. https://flipbook.montereycountyweekly.com/archive/2026/07-30-26/22/

Are you in Monterey County and willing to advocate for more bike boxes like those pictured above and in the post below? Please phone us for advocacy tips.

See tips on wildfire prevention, plus camping tips

OPTION: Help drivers help you—share a “Thank you, Drivers” mini flier

DISCLAIMER: Please use your own good judgment about if or when sharing this mini flier is appropriate!

These minis can help more people who drive find bike-friendly / bike-safe driving tips https://bikemonterey.org/bike-safe-driving.html. They also show drivers you care about helping people who bike do their part by being better educated too https://bikemonterey.org/resources/resources-on-riding-skills-bike-laws-and-safety.

WHERE TO SHARE: Normally a safer and wiser option is to share these minis with drivers at community events, or—when appropriate—possibly to share with drivers who are parked in a public area in daylight hours.

A confrontation at an intersection, for example, is not a time for a person biking to get into a discussion with a person driving. It may occasionally be an appropriate time to hand the driver this “Thank you” mini flier—in a kind manner, with a genuine smile. Or it may not!

ONLY if the vibe feels right, i.e., if it feels safe to do so (e.g., if a long light has just turned red and you’ll both be waiting a while, and the driver has their window down, says hi, and you are both smiling), you may sometimes wish to offer this mini.

You may wish to keep one handy in your pocket for any time a driver would truly welcome it. — And please show courtesy and give drivers the benefit of the doubt! Most drivers want to be bike-friendly aka bike-safe, they simply don’t realize how to be.

Gracias to Carol, Lana, Carlos, Paola, Kathleen, Nancy, Sieg, and all who are roll models on the bikeways! https://bikemonterey.org/bike-buzz-17th-anniversary-edition.html

On June 27 Bicycling Monterey’s founder provided introductory bike-friendly drivers training at the Monterey County Probation Department Youth Center. Two separate sessions were provided in order to accommodate all youth residing at the YC.

Very special thanks go to Frank Henderson and Luciano Rodriguez for making 14 years, and counting, of the YC’s bike tech (aka bike maintenance and repair) program possible. In 2026 three series of bike tech classes are planned, with each series a four-week, two-hour class (eight hours of instruction). https://bikemonterey.org/fourteenth-anniversary-of-youth-center-bike-program.html

Thank you also to Diana Kay Johnston Reckas for donating parts/supplies for this class in May 2026, on behalf of the late William T. Reckas. Photos directly above and below (provided courtesy of Frank) show items that were donated and the first load delivered to the class, by instructor Frank Henderson, a Marina-to-Salinas bike commuter.     

July 17, 2026 update: Bicycle Safety Stop / Stop-as-Yield campaign for California

Don’t just whine about wanting better bike infrastructure, or about related issues; advocate! See how to advocate in California to preserve safe bikeways, address e-motos, and reform the state’s Active Transportation Program.

Statewide, note two proposed bills impacting infrastructure, and why the California Bicycle Coalition (CalBike), Bicycling Monterey, and so many other CalBike partners support that legislation: https://bikemonterey.org/calbike-coalition-support-for-proposed-ab-2168-and-sb-569.html

ICYMI, Senior Transportation, Access, and Mobility Planner Devon Jackson of the California Coastal Commission’s Central Coast District Office welcomes your input on specific areas in Central Coast counties that need safety improvements or enhanced Complete Streets facilities. https://bikemonterey.org/california-coastal-commission-bike-advocacy.html

Why do we care so much about better infrastructure? Just one recent example: https://sfba.social/@bikemonterey/116769328485277609

If you’d like to see the Bicycling Monterey site and projects continue in this 18th year—a grassroots volunteer effort since founded in May 2009—please make a donation today. How to donate, and FAQs: https://bikemonterey.org/about/financial-donations.

And if you have tech skills to contribute, or might be able to make a larger donation for essential tech updates, please phone us to discuss. Thank you! 

Monterey-Salinas Transit repped at Bike Chat

Above: We closed out Bike Month, and Bicycling Monterey’s 17th anniversary month, with a wonderful ride in to Monterey for Bluegrass Sunday at First Presbyterian Church, followed by Bike Chat in FPC’s Jay Bartow Memorial Garden. There we met Monterey-Salinas Transit’s CIO face to face, after following him on Mastodon (https://sfba.social/@NoRomBasic@mastodon.world), where we appreciate his tech news. He was accompanied by his wife, Evelia, an active community volunteer with Kindness Closet and more.

Bike Monterey on Mastodon

Misc posts

https://sfba.social/@bikemonterey

Misc media

https://sfba.social/@bikemonterey/media

We encourage carpooling*, biking, or using other active transportation to attend the June 24, 6-8pm kickoff meeting / workshop for an update to the Monterey County Active Transportation Plan / El Plan de Transporte Activo del Condado de Monterey. This will be the first updated ATP since 2018.

Active transportation refers to “human powered” or small, battery-assisted modes of travel, such as walking, biking, skating, or using mobility devices. Is 6pm your usual supper time? Don’t let that keep you from attending; complimentary food will be served. Another option is to participate via Zoom.

Registration links and full details on the June 24 event: https://bikemonterey.org/monterey-county-active-transportation-plan-el-plan-de-transporte-activo-del-condado-de-monterey.html

*To carpool from the peninsula, phone Bicycling Monterey on or before June 23.