Diels Pedals Zero Emission Transportation

I first met Redondo Beach City Councilman Steven Diels in 2008 when he was the chair of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments and I was a volunteer for the South Bay Environmental Services Center. At the time I had no idea how big of a bike enthusiast he was. I've sure found out since.

Over the last six months I've been seeing an awful lot of him as we work together on behalf of the South Bay Bicycle Coalition (SBBC). He's been the indispensible elected official there every step of the way, helping with getting a grant request written and approved, and then with all of the work that resulted from the grant award.

When he's not busy advocating on behalf of bicycle and transportation issues or on Redondo Beach City Council issues, Steven Diels is busy running a local call center, Aamcom in Redondo Beach. Naturally, we spoke on the phone.

Galliani: You've been described as an "avid bicyclist." How often and where do you ride, and do you consider biking just your recreation and exercise or is it also a part of your personal transportation? 

Steven Diels: I ride as part of my commute to work, for fitness two to four times weekly and for fun with my son in the baby seat.

Galliani: What kind of bike do you ride and do you always use a helmet? Does your bike have a light and do you ride at night too? 

Diels: I always wear a helmet. I ride a Giant carbon fiber road racing bike, a Cervelo carbon fiber TT Bike, a purple 20-year-old steel frame Lotus classic road bike and a black 9-speed Bianci Beach Cruiser (my Batmobile) to work and around town with my son. I campaigned for City Council on my Batmobile going door to door in my district. I also have a red Santana tandem for my wife and I to share.

Galliani: What are some of your favorite places to ride in Redondo Beach?

Diels:  Of course, the Esplanade and to the Pier. And the new North Redondo Beach Bike path. I am very grateful that I can ride to work. 

Galliani: Can you share some insider's tips on biking in Redondo?

Diels: Be careful—most of the main streets, Aviation, Artesia, Prospect and PCH, are very dangerous. Take the parallels, Grant, Catalina and Valley in Hermosa. It is surprisingly hilly so I do recommend bikes with gears.  Hence my beach cruiser has gears to get home from the beach.

Galliani: You had an accident while riding your bike not that long ago. What happened and what did you learn from it? How safe do you feel riding in Redondo and the South Bay? 

Diels: I am a cycling accident statistic now. A car door was opened in front of me. I struck it and crashed, landing on my head and my shoulder. My helmet and collarbone broke. I have no doubt the helmet saved me from serious brain injury, though my political opponents might disagree.

Galliani: When did you get involved with the SBBC and why? 

Diels: The SBBC contacted me for help with the grant last year. I thought not only was it an idea whose time had come, but the energy was there to implement it. If a train is going my direction, I take it.

Galliani: Were you surprised that the SBBC got the grant from the county? Why did Redondo take the lead?

Diels: Not surprised, pleased. Redondo took the lead because we had an amenable council and we have synergistic guiding principles in our Green Task Force, and in our strategic plan. Also we have the terrific city staff with expertise to assist. It was a natural for Redondo Beach.

Galliani: Do you consider the bicycle advocacy work you do "environmental," and is cutting greenhouse gases and pollution a priority for you? 

Diels: Yes, the cycling advocacy is environmental. I am a '7os environmentalist--preserve petro-carbons for the use of future generations and reduce air pollution. It is also a logical quality-of-life issue. Our climate is perfect for cycling. Our streets are not. I don't advocate endangering personal safety for environmental causes. I advocate for safety for cyclists and the environmental benefits will follow. 

Galliani: How's the new roundabout at the end of the Esplanade (near Dolphin Park) working out for you? What's the rule for bicyclists using it?

Diels:  I think it is great. All vehicles including bikes must merge. I wish we would design traffic circles in all of the Esplanade intersections and many others around town. They offer landscaping opportunities, water diversion and water table recharging. They are easier on brakes and accelerators. I'm a fan.

Galliani: What's your vision for bicycling in Redondo and in the South Bay over the next few years and beyond? 

Diels: I have just become aware of the energy of the cycling community. They are avid riders, but now I know that they are avid advocates too. Cycling advocates should plug in to the sustainable community efforts through the South Bay Cities Council of Governments. They, along with the city staff, will spend the time getting grants and implementing projects as long as the people lead. There is so much work on the table in transit, transportation and energy that it is easy to overlook cycling. If the people lead, 10 leaders will follow. With proper leadership, the future of cycling in the South Bay is bright.