Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, COAST, MOVE Santa Barbara County, BiciCentro and other taxpayer-funded, anti-car promoters—including NGOs inestimably funded by your tax dollars—have appropriated inappropriate government funds in strange partnerships, contracts and revolving-door politics, protected by local media, intentionally fabricating failed infrastructure that results in economic decrepitude, persistent environmental costs and synthesized chaos in emergencies. ... The NGO-government “partner” structure is as plastic as play-dough. Organizations have merged, split and morphed into conglomerates that apparently have received government funds and own real-estate property, have ties to Vision Zero developers, foreign e-motorcycle manufacturers, contract with local governments using your tax dollars.
We explore the history and activities of this apparent pseudo-PAC-like cluster of organizations that lobbies for incessant, inappropriate government-funded activities, and the community backlash now facing the government officials who have facilitated the destruction of formerly vibrant City circulation and commerce into Vision Zero subjugation.
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By Craig Saling at Santa Barbara Current. The data continues to show that the current configuration harms businesses and mobility for the majority of residents and visitors.
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grown into a conglomerate of corporate entities expanding their real estate portfolio?
...
Many Santa Barbara locals that we asked do not realize that
Burning Man Project (BMP),
an umbrella entity California 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation (EIN 45-2638273, formed 2011, headquartered at 660 Alabama Street, San Francisco)
has become a conglomerate holding various corporations and real estate properties.
The annual Burning Man event in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, along with year-round programs,
are run by main related corporations, LLCs, and organizations (drawn from official history, Wikipedia summaries of filings, and recent California Attorney General
Form 990 Schedule R disclosures)
Black Rock City LLC (Nevada LLC, EIN 94-3319618) — The operational entity that historically produced (and continues to support) the annual Black Rock City event. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of BMP effective around 2014 (transaction finalized late 2013/early 2014). It is a single-member LLC treated as a disregarded entity for federal tax purposes.
Black Rock City Properties LLC (Nevada) — Real estate holding company for properties such as the Gerlach office and Work Ranch/Black Rock Station.
Future Man LLC (Nevada, formed 2017) — Holding company for the Fly Ranch property acquired by BMP in 2016.
Gerlach Holdings LLC (Nevada, formed 2013) — Real estate holding company often listed alongside Black Rock City Properties LLC for Gerlach-area assets.
GT NV Manager, LLC (Delaware) — Holding/real-estate-related entities appearing in recent Form 990s as disregarded entities under BMP.
Green Tree Nevada Properties, LLC (Nevada, EIN 84-4600942) — Holding/real-estate-related entities appearing in recent Form 990s as disregarded entities under BMP.
* Black Rock Arts Foundation (BRAF) (EIN 91-2130056) — Formerly independent 501(c)(3) focused on interactive public art and civic engagement; became a subsidiary of BMP in 2014 (its programs largely integrated into Burning Man Arts under BMP).
Decommodification LLC (formed 2010) — Temporary holding company for Burning Man trademarks/IP during the transition from for-profit LLC structure to nonprofit. Owned equally by the six founders; trademarks transferred to BMP around 2018.
Burning Man 97 LLC
Burning Man 98 LLC — Formed for individual event cycles
Black Rock City LLC.
Burners Without Borders (BWB) — Started as a separate nonprofit (formally around 2012, with roots in 2005 post-Katrina efforts). It was incorporated into BMP around 2015 and now operates as a program within BMP’s Civic Activation efforts (global civic projects, disaster relief, sustainability initiatives).
Black Rock Solar — Independent 501(c)(3) (formed 2008) focused on clean energy access, education, and job training for nonprofits, tribes, and underserved communities.
Born out of Burning Man culture; it has remained separate (office historically shared) and has transitioned toward “Black Rock Labs.” It is not a subsidiary.
As non-profits, they avoid paying corporate taxes.
These entities primarily exist for liability protection,
{possibly due to deaths, injuries and sexual activity,)
real-estate holding, event operations, arts support, and nonprofit mission alignment. Black Rock City LLC and the various property-holding LLCs are single-member disregarded entities under BMP for federal tax purposes, with any surplus directed to BMP’s charitable activities. Details can shift with new filings or restructuring; the most current public source is BMP’s annual IRS Form 990 (available on burningman.org under financials/public reporting) and state business registries.
14 BILLION! but Youth, Economic and Workforce Development cut to ZERO.
Majority of crashes involved riders age 11 to 14, well below the state’s legal threshold age of 16 for e-motorcycle riders.
Pavements are racetracks. Public space no longer feels safe. Fatbikes are supposed to have a maximum speed of around 25 kph, but they are often illegally souped up to reach anywhere between 50 and 60 kph. Doctors say it is the same level of impact as a motorcycle accident. Anyone over 16 caught riding a fatbike in the Vondelpark will have to pay a fine of 115 euros (133USD). Children between 12 and 15 pay half that. (MSN article)
Los Angeles ADU Designers obliterate biophilic environments that connect us to nature, safety, and refuge; principles that helped our ancestors survive on the savanna.
Stack'em and Pack'em is the new diktat from the Uberstaat, importing low-competence design norms that prioritize profit and ideology over empirical reality and our mental health.
With no regard for electromagnetic fields, noise, fire risks, or basic human dignity, they're stacking battery hen bedrooms right up against power lines and fences like some slapdash favela or Gaza concrete jungle from the 3rd World.
This means that High-Density housing does not need fire doors, and other safety standards, so 15-Minute Junkies living in Vision Zero Rabbit Hutches better be prepared to evacuate when their roomie's e-motorbike overloads the circuit and torches the whole building.
from American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - Study:
e-bikes were increasingly responsible for trauma activations, jumping from only 2% in 2017 to 64% in 2023.
but history shows that this will only accelerate mom and pop owners to sell to out-of-town corporate investors who typically evict, gentrify and JACK UP the rents.
after drivers told heating "drains the battery capacity."
explained in Journal of Hazardous Materials.
Read letter to SB Council stating "no proof of concept after years of implemention."
and now hired an LA lawyer to try to take over this website, attempting to brigade us off the internet. Stay tuned to local news like SB Current for updates.
but they apparently maintain facebook, LinkedIn and other pages,apparently an anti-grass-roots organization; instead of people trying to convinc government to keep things reasonabble, they apparently are contracted by governments to convince people t give up their rights and accept invoked mandates.
Perhaps they know that the Hollister Mismanagement and all the recent traffic destruction projects are killing business and heading more of Santa Barbara County toward Vision Zero Developer Heaven.
... Electric bicycles are an increasingly popular mode of transportation and recreation. However, their use is associated with a growing number of serious injuries, particularly among children and adolescents. The ACS recognizes the need to address this emerging public safety problem through evidence-based policy and injury prevention strategies. We recognize the following facts: More than 1.1 million electric bicycles were sold in the United States in 2022 with a projected annual growth rate of 10%.1,2 Over 20,000 people are injured while riding electric bicycles annually with approximately 3,000 individuals requiring hospitalization, and this is likely underreported.3 The rate of electric bicycle injuries is increasing annually.4,5 Electric bicycle injuries are more severe than their manual bicycle counterparts.6,7 Head injuries occur most frequently, and only a third of injured patients are reported to wear helmets.3 Helmets certified by the Consumer Product Safety Committee are intended for bicycle speeds 20 miles per hour (mph) and under, and the Department of Transportation-certified helmets are recommended for speeds above 20 mph.8 There are three classes of electric bicycles. Each functions initially by pedaling and/or throttling, but ceases to provide assistance when the rider achieves 20 mph (Class 1 and 2) or 28 mph (Class 3).9 Electric bicycles can be modified to bypass these maximum speed restrictions, increasing the risk of serious injuries.10 Electric bicycles are not regulated as motor vehicles under federal law.11 Legislation on electric bicycles varies significantly by state.12 As the popularity of electric bicycles surges, the burden of associated injuries is escalating. The ACS Committee on Trauma supports the development and enforcement of policies at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure the safe use of electric bicycles and prevent avoidable injuries. Recommendations include: Electric bicycles should be clearly defined based on size and maximum obtainable speed on flat ground. Bicycles that exceed the defined size and speed for an electric bicycle should be classified as motorized bicycles with separate regulations. Each region (state, county, or municipality) should have specific policies that define age of use, helmet requirements, training, registration, and the rules of the road for use of electric bicycles in their communities. Universal helmet use is recommended, and the type of helmet should be determined by rate of speed of electric bicycle. Each region should have a mechanism to report crashes, injuries, and deaths involving electric bicycles, including those not treated at trauma centers. Efforts should be made to advocate for new ICD External Cause of Injury codes that identify electric bicycle injuries with sufficient specificity to capture device types, circumstances of the crash, and estimated speeds involved. Trauma centers that see high rates of electric bicycle injuries should consider implementation of targeted safety outreach programs. Each region should provide education on safe and appropriate electric bicycle usage including the laws of use for each region. Efforts should be made to provide safe, separated bicycle lanes that allow electric bicycle use with minimal car encounters. When electric bicycle safety laws are implemented, safeguards should be put in place to make certain their enforcement is fair and equitable.
and admits intentionally designing inconvenience for students: "Generally, parking spaces are not in the immediate vicinity of university housing, but in remote campus locations." Like residential neighborhoods?
However hypocritical it may seem, among the options to "Be Car Free in Santa Barbara" is the Airlines at SBA, as shown in this screenshot:
No data shows any significant increase in the prevalence of biking during 2001 to 2022, and walking has dropped sharply per the report data, yet the Traffic Department continues to spend Millions on mostly empty bike paths.
why government funding is going to selected organizations which purchase rental property and operate retail shops competing against retailers, while maintaining tax-free profitable non-profits. ... 2023 January 6 - Such tax-supported retail has competed with mom and pop local businesses, such as 40-year-old Bob's Bike Shop, causing revenue and profits to leave the County. BicycleBobs used to sell US-made bikes, but was sold to a chain store: 2014 July 28 - Trek Bicycle Corporation is a bicycle, cycling product and electric motorcycle manufacturer selling 99% foreign-made, as Politifact admitted, Trek also promotes eMotorcycles as bikes, and gambling apps as education, The website also stated that, "As more people in Morocco are looking for ways to improve their financial literacy, platforms like 1xBet are becoming essential tools for not only fun but also financial education."
Cars Are Basic, Inc.(TM) notified Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, City Council and Supervisors that such government funding was double dipping for unproven projects, but no response was provided. ... The merged organization’s mission continues to focus on equitably serving all in our community who wish to safely walk, bicycle and take public transit, but not drive. Their website states, "having a choice in our mode of travel" but specifically excluding automobiles despite receiving Measure A transportation funding.
however sales tax and other taxes have been funneled into this recreation way beyond the Parks Department, also using Measure A funds and other sources that were promised for freeway widening and pothole repair. Instead, some projects are intentionally designed to limit future freeway widening.
These paragons of higher learning, incubators of idea pathogens, decided to shatter their solemn promises on student enrollment caps, and they bulldozed parking lots and our old soccer fields to erect more student gulags, all while preaching the gospel of 'sustainability.' ... Then, in a masterstroke of compassionate authoritarianism, they stripped thousands of students of their transportation autonomy. No more evil, freedom-giving personal vehicles for you, plebs! Bike, bus, or walk—preferably while chanting against carbon. This is classic suicidal empathy in action: sacrificing human flourishing, convenience, safety, and choice at the altar of environmental piety. "First-year students, including those with enough credits to be classified as sophomores, are prohibited from bringing vehicles to campus during their first year." This not only wreaked havoc on the already strained street parking in Isla Vista for residents and the Isla Vista Co-op where I used to shop, but caused more bicycle and pedestrian chaos and accidents on campus. One resident sold his motorcycle and stopped biking there because several of the frantic students searching for parking spaces almost hit him. Universities aren't educating anymore; they're indoctrinating. They breed these anti-human, anti-progress orthodoxies that treat the automobile—the pinnacle of individual liberty and technological advancement—as a mortal sin. Meanwhile, the same administrators who can't park their own hypocrisy drive around in their climate-controlled bubbles. It's not about the environment. It's about control. Parasitic ideas like this escape the campus and infect society, turning practical realities into ideological battlegrounds.
... The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) provided Policy Statement in 2010 encouraging, supporting and fostering increased use by bicyclists and pedestrians. However bicycle use has dwindled in Santa Barbara over the past 30 years, while enforcement is nearly absent for the latest craze in e-Motorcycles and E-scooters.
... The Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition and "partners" have captured government funding, and now they own rental property and bike shops, which apparently have replaced private bike shops such as Bicycle Bob's and Cycle Star Bicycles, which used to pay taxes instead of receiving government funds. The tax-payer funded NGO corporation conglomerate also now receive consulting fees for education services, which were previously done by City Staff and Police Department, which also promoted student-police relationship.
... Although Philadelphia is not know for having the best weather for biking, now they conduct professional advocacy, consulting and education services. On their website they state- 'The Bicycle Coalition is still working on some of these same issues today (“comprehensive network of bikeways” “commitment of funds for maintenance”—sounds familiar!)'
MOVESB™ documents the history, funding flows, revolving-door relationships, and real-world consequences of taxpayer-supported NGO–government partnerships that have reduced roadway capacity, harmed local commerce, and promoted policies whose outcomes contradict their stated goals. The site exists to restore open discussion and evidence-based decision-making for Santa Barbara’s transportation and economic future.
