By Ty Polastri

Bike paths can transform a community to be safer, healthier, and contribute to its economic and environmental sustainability. A bike path, or more accurately called a shared-use trail, is a “completely separated right-of-way for the exclusive use of bicyclists and pedestrians with cross-flow from vehicles minimized.”

Ty Polastri

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency reports that the Lake Tahoe Basin has 49.85 miles of shared-use paths with Dollar Creek (2.2 miles), Sand Harbor to Incline Village (3 miles), Ski Run Boulevard to El Dorado Beach (just under 1 mile), and Incline Way in Washoe County (0.3ish miles) currently under construction. Looking ahead, the regional plan calls for another 25.71 miles over the next five years.

Here are some projects that are in the planning process without specific start dates:

• Highways 89/50 in Meyers. Roundabout implementation start 2018, completion 2021. This includes adding to the path network. Not sure on miles of path.
• Sierra Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe may be in construction, not positive though. I know it’s their plan, but these things get moved out; 0.6 miles of path.
• Tahoe Valley Greenbelt in CSLT. Same as above. Supposed to start next year. Roughly 1.6 miles of path.
  Al Tahoe Safety and Mobility Enhancement Project. Maystart next year, but most likely 2019 start date. 1.9 miles.
• Meeks Bay to Sugar Pine Point (may start this year, but most likely next year). Just under 1 mile.

Numerous reports and studies have carefully documented bike path benefits to include a community’s livability to the local economy. Bike paths can be associated with higher property value when a trail provides easy access to schools, shopping districts and recreational resources from neighborhoods. When a trail offers convenient neighborhood opportunities for physical activity and safe alternatives to using an automobile, property value increases because of the added lifestyle value, and local governments receive more property tax revenue.

Retail businesses also benefit from increased sales. A recent site visit to Long Beach and Davis saw auto parking spaces converted into “bike corrals” – a dedicated parking space for bikes only. A bike corral of just one converted auto parking space can accommodate 12 bicycles as opposed to one vehicle. Retailers with bike corrals in front of their businesses experienced an increase in business and a cultural shift of the type of customer – a customer who spent more time and dollars at their business.

Environmental benefits are also present when bicycling is an alternative transportation mode. Bike path use contributes to air quality improvements with the reduction of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, hydrocarbons, and greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles. Lake Tahoe water quality suffers from automobile use. Gas emissions fall from the sky and enter the Lake stimulating algae growth. Air borne particulates released into the atmosphere, from vehicles pulverizing road debris, also fall into the lake increasing cloudiness and water temperature – stimulating more algae growth.

According to the Center for Disease Control, 36.5 percent of the U.S. adults and 17 percent of youth are obese. Obesity is a chronic health problem and one of the biggest factors for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer – many that are otherwise preventable. Neighborhood bike paths can provide a convenient way to help develop a fit active lifestyle and reduce obese associated health costs, over $150 billion annually, on society and the employers.

In the United States 50 percent of all auto trips taken are three miles or less and yet most Americans drive to even the closes destinations. Only 3 percent of commuting trips in the U.S. are by bicycle, compared to up to 60 percent in The Netherlands.

Here in Tahoe most bike paths either pass through or are adjacent to high concentrations of residential areas, commercial lodging properties, schools and shopping areas. It is just 5 miles from Stateline to the Y, with nearly flat terrain the entire distance. It is also true in Tahoe City and Incline Village, making biking to work, school or for play from home or lodging highly feasible and beneficial to the “triple bottom line” (environment, economy and community).

Helping mitigate some of these health and environmental impacts is a campaign lead by Bike Tahoe in collaboration with the Nevada Commission on Tourism. It is a campaign encouraging more bicycle use among residents, businesses and visitors. One of the campaign’s key elements is a series of bicycling videos freely available for use by any business, agency, and organization or public. The most recent video available for downloading and sharing. It highlights some of the most popular bike paths traveling through the residential and commercial corridors of South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe City, and Genoa.

Ty Polastri is president of Bike Tahoe.

By Blair Anthony Robertson, Sacramento Bee

For most of his long career in the bicycle industry, Jack Cauthen greeted customers, made sales and repaired their faulty chains, frayed cables and poorly shifting gears in a traditional bike shop.

Cauthen hasn’t left the bike business, but these days he’s rolling around town in a customized Mercedes van that’s essentially a repair shop on wheels.

Velofix is a Canadian franchise that now has a presence in Sacramento, with two new Mercedes vans operating from Elk Grove to Placerville and Auburn. Customers book appointments online and Velofix shows up at home or work – or even at a bike race or your kid’s soccer practice. Most of the repairs can be done in under an hour and Cauthen says prices are competitive with the brick and mortar bike shops.

Read the whole story

To the community,

German team vs. Tahoe Madrid: tied 1-1.

What an amazing game. Great sportsmanship. No shoving or pushing. Just straight fun.

This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for both teams. The German team came all the way from Germany to play against our girls. Both teams played very well and a very evenly matched game.

Ava Campbell had a few opportunities to score, but the ball just didn’t make it into the goal. We also had a few guest players, a touching speech from Robert Sanchez , a tearful hug from the girls to Coach Robert that the season is over and a tribute to Addy Burrow.

Love this team, group of parents and coaches are the best.

Tahoe Madrid: Meagan Kiesow, Destiny Olivas, Kendall Rangel, Melanie Sanchez, Marissa Orizaba, Karina Novoa-Diaz, Brianna Johns, Ava Campbell, Brittney Medina, Sandra Rohr, Alize Hernandez, Shaylynn Walters, Ashley Trejo-Osorio. Local guest players: Allyjah Clot, Kaelin Conant, Fiona Richie, Brenda Warden, and Katie Woolensack. Referees: Ed Johns, Mike and Daniel Rohr. Coach: Robert Sanchez.

Jeanna Rangel, parent

By Nicole Raz, Las Vegas Review-Journal

A new WalletHub study ranks Nevada as the 35th best state in which to start a new business, but Nevada officials question inclusion of some of the metrics used in the study.

It’s a low score compared with the rankings the state has recently received. A January study from Gallup found Nevada leads the country in job creation, while a May report from The Innovation Group found Nevada leads the country in dynamism, or how well economies can adapt to change.

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By Arthur Kane, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Nevada governments are using the underfunded state pension system to boost the income of public employees.

The practice, which is legal but often based on decades-old or misused exemptions to the law, costs taxpayers at least $23 million a year in pension and salary, a Las Vegas Review-Journal investigation found.

Two dozen elected officials collect salaries and pensions at the same time, including eight politicians who use the arrangement to make more than $250,000 a year.

There is little accountability or transparency in the system.

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By Jenny Kane, Reno Gazette-Journal

Nevada dispensaries licensed to sell recreational marijuana are running out of pot less than a week after the legal market came to life, according to the state Department of Taxation. 

On Friday, taxation officials announced that Gov. Brian Sandoval had endorsed the department’s “statement of emergency,” allowing state officials to consider adopting an emergency marijuana regulation that could alleviate the shortage.

The Nevada Tax Commission will vote on the regulation on Thursday.  

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Natalie Baird Hickey

Natalie Baird Hickey died June 25, 2017, at the age of 49.

After a valiantly fought battle against stage 4 pancreatic cancer, Natalie passed away peacefully in her home in Tehachapi.

Natalie was born to Gareth Maughan Baird and Sandra Olivia Johnson on July 30, 1967, in Murray, Utah. She was the third of seven children.

Natalie enjoyed her career as a hairstylist and color specialist. Later, she worked hard to keep everyone in line as she managed the River Ranch Lodge in Tahoe City.

She loved the beach, the ocean, sunsets at the lake, her pets, pink and white circus animal cookies; and no one could rock a pair of cowboy boots and hoop earrings like she could.

Her greatest love was for her three children, Joelle, Baird, and Bailey.

She married her sweetheart, Steven Hickey, in the LDS Salt Lake City Temple on June 21, 2014.

Natalie is survived by her children, Joelle Elizabeth Bishop (25), Baird Curtis Bishop (22), and Bailey Gareth Bishop (18); her husband, Steven Hickey; her mother, Sandra Baird Patton; her six siblings, Brian, Greg, Philip, Roger, Lynette, and Erica; as well as many extended family members.

Natalie was laid to rest at the Brigham City Cemetery in Brigham City, Utah. The same cemetery where her father, grandparents, and many ancestors are also resting.

·      T3 Adventures is putting on wilderness first aid for dog courses at Cedar House Sport Hotel in Truckee on July 15, July 22, and Aug. 19. For more info, go online.

·      Douglas County Public Library presents storytime at Mormon Station State Historic Park in Genoa on July 21 at 11am. Children of all ages are invited. 

·      Mumbo Gumbo will be putting on a free concert on Aug. 4 from 6-8pm at Minden Park.

·      “EXIT: The Appeal of Suicide” will be shown July 15 at 7pm at Tahoe Community Church in Stateline for free. There will be a discussion after the movie.

·      Todd White filed his intention to run for El Dorado County recorder-clerk next June.

By Associated Press

California’s emergency services director fired off a sharply worded letter to the U.S. Forest Service this week that said the agency had stiffed local governments $18 million for fighting wildfires on federal lands last year and raised the prospect the state may stop protecting national forests during blazes.

“I cannot continue to support the deployment of resources to protect federal land that ultimately may bankrupt our local governments,” Emergency Services Director Mark Ghilarducci said in the letter sent Monday to Forest Service Chief Thomas Tidwell.

The dispute stems from longstanding commitments that coordinate and reimburse firefighters for work on federal lands. Nearly half the land in California is federally owned, and the greatest percentage of that is in National Forests.

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By Lake Tahoe News

Cindy Gustafson, general manager for the Tahoe City Public Utility District, is quitting to become CEO of North Lake Tahoe Resort Association.

She is leaving one agency mired in controversy to join another with its own issues.

Cindy Gustafson

Gustafson has been with TCPUD for 26 years, with the last nine as the top executive.

On Aug. 2 she assumes her new role. Last December Sandy Evans Hall tendered her resignation as executive director of the NLTRA, giving the agency six months to find her replacement.

TCPUD is in talks with North Tahoe Public Utility District to merge. While both deal with sewer and water, TCPUD has had a more recreation oriented approach. The debt from pension obligations, age of the infrastructure, and amount of lines are concerns by ratepayers who are wary of combining resources.

At the NLTRA, Gustafson steps into a quagmire with Placer County saying it will be reducing the tourism agency’s role. Talks are ongoing to resolve differences.

Gustafson will be able to walk into her new job knowing many of the players. With TCPUD having a role well beyond sewer and water, she should not have a steep learning curve.

Going in she wants to help tackle affordable housing – which is key to her constituents’ ability to find workers; transportation – for locals and tourists; and revitalization of commercial areas.