In the Lane

The Newsletter of Bike Santa Cruz County - October 2025 - Issue #8

In this Issue:

Rail Trail Funding Update on 10/2 SCCRTC Agenda
Watsonville Community Bike Ride: This Sunday, October 5th at 11 am
Now Accepting 2025 Wheelie Awards Nominations
Participate in the Week Without Driving Challenge!
Join the Fall Bike Challenge, Biketober: October 1- 31st!
Federal Funding Updates

Happy October! Read on for the latest Santa Cruz County bike advocacy updates, upcoming events, and ways you can help support our mission to make our streets safer and more bike-friendly.

Rail Trail Funding Update on 10/2 SCCRTC Agenda

The City and County of Santa Cruz will provide an update on delivery of Segments 8, 9, 10, and 11 at Thursday's meeting of the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC). The projects are facing a $72 million funding gap, and staff will present various scenarios to construct segments of trail in order to minimize the loss of grant funds. Staff will be requesting local funds to complete the design of the project at the November SCCRTC meeting - stay tuned to support that request! Bike Santa Cruz County is closely monitoring this issue and will be providing updates as the conversation around rail and trail in our community moves forward.

Read Full SCCRTC Staff Report

Watsonville Community Bike Ride: This Sunday, October 5th at 11 am

Grab your bikes and bring the whole family! Join District 4 Supervisor Felipe Hernandez and Watsonville Mayor Maria Orozco for a fun ride on the Ohlone Loop Trail. Our third community ride of 2025, it’s a new route that is gently challenging and endlessly rewarding! All are welcome!

Meeting place: 150 Westridge Drive, Watsonville

- Learn about Bike Safety & Why Bike?

- Bike safety gear giveaways!

- Free burritos and refreshments for all riders!

- Limited bikes available for those who need to borrow one. First come, first served basis!

Oct 5th Event Info

Now Accepting 2025 Wheelie Awards Nominations

Do you know a facility project that really moved the active transportation bar forward? How about someone who has done exemplary work for better cycling?

It's that time of year! Bike Santa Cruz County is gearing up to present Wheelie Awards to people/organizations/projects that have made a positive contribution to cycling in Santa Cruz County in 2025. Check the nomination form for the categories and more information.

For more info about our 2024 winners (photo courtesy of Bill Bishoff):

https://www.bikesantacruzcounty.org/newspage

Please share your nominations by Friday, October 10th to be considered!

Submit a Nomination

🎉 SAVE THE DATE: Winners will be announced at our upcoming Wheelie Award Celebration on Wednesday, November 12th, at the

Community Foundation Santa Cruz County! More info coming soon! 🎉

Participate in the Week Without Driving Challenge!

Week Without Driving is growing movement led by a diverse coalition of local organizations, advocates, governmental agencies, and elected leaders across the U.S. and beyond. It is coordinated and supported by America Walks and an advisory board of local organizations.

Santa Cruz County is inviting residents to participate in our first-ever Week Without Driving — a week-long challenge to explore alternative ways of getting around. Whether you walk, bike, take public transit, carpool, or try a scooter, this event is about experiencing how small changes in your daily transportation choices can have a big impact on your health, your community, and the environment. Board member Stephen Svete represented Bike Santa Cruz County at the local kickoff event Tuesday September 30th at the Capitola Mall Transit Center.

See how you can participate here!

Week Without Driving Challenge

Join the Fall Bike Challenge, Biketober: October 1- 31st!

It’s Biketober! Modo, powered by Ecology Action, is kicking off Biketober a month-long event where you can challenge yourself to bike as much as you can, log your rides, take photos, and win prizes.

Along with the biking challenge, there will be safety demos, group rides, and an e-bike demo event. Check out the Biketober website for details Santa Cruz County Bike Fest | Modo. What a great way to celebrate October and biking in Santa Cruz!!

More Info & Register for Biketober

Federal Funding Updates

The federal government is withdrawing previously announced grants for trails, bike/pedestrian infrastructure, and street safety projects, citing that they are “hostile to motor vehicles,” reduce capacity, or do not promote vehicular travel. These reversals include local trails, urban redesign, and street safety grants.

Bike Santa Cruz County does not know how or if this will affect any grants related to our rail trail or other local bike facility projects, however a current report from the RTC highlights potential federal funding shortfalls due to delays and strict deadlines. Also, here is a good article that summarizes the transportation secretary’s position on bikes and bike infrastructure as well as data and context that refutes their positions.