Bikeboard June 2007

bikeboard@lists.bikelover.org

6 participants
15 discussions

June Bike Board Meeting Minutes
by Elizabeth Shogren 28 Jun '07

28 Jun '07

> Attached, please find the minutes for the June meeting of the Bike Board. > > Thank you, and have a nice day further, > > BETSY SHOGREN > >

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TC meeting outcome
by Frank Gmeindl 26 Jun '07

26 Jun '07

Bike Board Members, Our interaction with the Traffic Commission tonight (13-May) was probably the most successful yet. *1. Education* The TC members unanimously agreed to start their next meeting 1 hour early to participate in the Intro to Safe Cycling course for planners and public officials. (This is the presentation whose draft I sent you before our last meeting. I will ask for your feedback on the final before I present it to the TC.) The next TC meeting is Wednesday, 11-July, 5:30 PM. *2. Replacement Members* The TC agreed with our recommendations of Autumn Bryson, Gunnar Shogren, Sam Stone and Alice Vernon as replacement members. *3. Bike-and-Chevron markings* On behalf of the Infrastructure Committee, Chip presented the attached recommendation for placement of the Bike-and-Chevron markings. As you can see on the attached, we categorized the recommended streets into city streets, state or county road under DOH jurisdiction and intersections of city and DOH roads. The Traffic Commission asked us to prioritize the city streets and to prioritize the other roads and give the prioritized lists to Terry Hough. She agreed to present the recommendation to the WV DOH and report back to the TC and Bike Board. The TC is definitely behind this and wants to get at least some of it done. * 4. Rail trail signs and stripes (First part of Sam Stone's request) *The TC accepted our recommendation to install "Keep Right" signs at all trail entrances and voted to request BOPARC to implement. They discussed extensively our striping recommendation. They voted to recommend to BOPARC that they install appropriate stripes on congested sections of the trail. *5. Second part of Sam Stone's request *I reported that Stone's request was congruent with our February Bike-and-Chevron recommendations (Broad Goal 1 Pilot Project 1) but that he identified some additional routes. I pointed out that some of both of our and Sam's routes are outside the city limits and all of them are state roads. We have the list of routes but I didn't provide it. I suggested that we provide it after the city implements the recommendations discussed in item #3 above. They agreed. *ACTION ITEM * The Infrastructure Committee will prioritize the Bike-under-Chevron recommended locations and provide the prioritized lists to Terry Hough. * *Frank

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FWD: Re: [Thunderhead] Bicycle Commuting Brochure
by director 16 Jun '07

16 Jun '07

Good evening, This brochure from the Utah DOT just came out. If you know anyone who is considering bike commuting, please consider sharing it with them. Historically, every year that saw rising gas prices has been accompanied with higher injury and death rates. These can be prevented with adequate education. After reading the book recommend that they find a buddy as well. Nick ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: "Brad Woods" <brad(a)utahbikes.org> Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 13:29:43 -0600 The Utah Department of Transportation came out with a Bicycle Commuting Guide a few years ago that is pretty good. It is based on a guide from the Capital Bicycling Club in Olympia Washington. It can be downloaded here. http://www.dot.state.ut.us/main/f?p=100:pg:10678283872203470000:::1:T,V:1020 , Brad Woods Utah Bicycle Coalition

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FW: New Bike Lanes, Bike Swap, and More!
by Elizabeth Shogren 15 Jun '07

15 Jun '07

Looks like Pittsburgh had some success getting their "sharrows" (our "chevrons") on the road, and the mayor is even planning to take a spin and have a photo opp. I thought it might be worth popping the Bike PGH folks an email to find out some of the details. (company, locales, etc.) ------------------------------ *From:* BikePGH [mailto:news@bike-pgh.org] *Sent:* Thursday, June 14, 2007 9:02 AM *To:* riccipt(a)yahoo.com *Subject:* New Bike Lanes, Bike Swap, and More! [image: Header]<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.wymh57bab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> *In This Exciting Issue* *Liberty Ave Bike Lane<#1132b16432076725_LETTER.BLOCK7> * *BikeFest '07 News <#1132b16432076725_LETTER.BLOCK8>* *County MTB Fest<#1132b16432076725_LETTER.BLOCK9> * *Bike Valet at FLUX <#1132b16432076725_LETTER.BLOCK10>* *Action Alert: Write SPC <#1132b16432076725_LETTER.BLOCK18>* *Calendar of Events<#1132b16432076725_LETTER.BLOCK11> * *BikePGH Online Forums <#1132b16432076725_LETTER.BLOCK12>* *Become a Member! <#1132b16432076725_LETTER.BLOCK13>* *Join Our List* [image: Join Our Mailing List]<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1101521622836> *Quick Links* BikePGH<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.wymh57bab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> Free Ride!<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.xymh57bab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> PTAG<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.o8bsf4bab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> BikePGH Forum<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.zymh57bab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> BikePGH Blog<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.9ymh57bab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> BikePGH in the News!!!<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.rfapsacab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> Ain't no power like the pedal power 'cause the pedal power don't stop! *June 14, 2007* This eMessenger Brought to you by: [image: Shadyside Spin]<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.hqmfdbcab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> *The Paint is to the Pavement on Liberty Ave! * *Ride the new improvements with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl! *[image: painting the liberty ave bike lane]<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.iqmfdbcab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…>After years of collaboration between Bike Pittsburgh and the City, the Department of Public Works painted the Liberty Ave. Bike Lane and Shared Lane Markings in Bloomfield and Lawrenceville this week. You can still smell the fresh paint! Ride with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl on the new lane! Join us on Monday, June 18 at 11:00 AM for a kickoff and celebratory ride along the new facility with the Mayor of Pittsburgh, Luke Ravenstahl. We will be meeting at the parklet at Baum Blvd and Liberty Ave at 10:45 AM for a press event and speech by the Mayor. PLEASE RSVP to info(a)bike-pgh.org if you plan on riding along. An RSVP is not necessary to ride, we just need to get a rough estimate on how many folks to expect. Oh, and don't forget your helmet! The ride will end at the Church Brew Works. Although we're not footing the bill, join us for lunch afterwards at the great Pittsburgh brew-pub restaurant (I mean, they've got pierogi pizza, how great is that!?). In the meantime, give credit where credit is due, and tell the planning department <richard.meritzer(a)city.pittsburgh.pa.us> that you appreciate the safety improvement. [image: sharrow shared lane marking]Also, take a moment and read this FAQ<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.jqmfdbcab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…>to learn about these new shared lane markings, or "sharrows." Pittsburgh is the first city in Pennsylvania to adopt these, so they will be new to folks who have never ridden or driven in California. All of this and more can be found by following this link<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.iqmfdbcab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> . What streets are next? Greenfield Rd. in Squirrel Hill is next to be striped. PLUS, Bike Pittsburgh was recently funded by the Richard King Mellon Foundation to work with a traffic engineering firm to identify more streets to be signed, striped, and marked - so stay tuned! Get involved and support this work! If you want to get involved and see even more bike facilities such as this all over Pittsburgh, please become a member of Bike Pittsburgh<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.kqmfdbcab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…>. More members = more advocacy = more cycling improvements. It's as simple as that! *BikeFest '07 News! * *Bike Swap Vendors Needed *[image: BikeFest]<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.4kcy66bab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…>Do you have a pile of bike parts lying in a box under your bed? Willing to part with one of your many bikes? Or just looking to find some bargains? Check out the Bike Swap on June 30th in the parking lot behind REI in the SouthSide Works. Everyone is welcome to attend, shop, and trade at this giant fleamarket for all things cycling! This year's event will coincide with the Rails to Trails Conservancy's Greenway Sojourn and REI's ever popular Garage Sale, so there will be tons of folks there. Individual Vendors: Selling space this year is FREE to individuals. You just need to bring your own display materials (table, pop-up tent, etc) and stuff to sell/trade/barter with. Although selling space is free for individuals, please RSVP to bikefest(a)bike-pgh.org and let us know you are coming so that we can prepare. Last chance to get into the print calendar!The calendar of events will be off to the printer shortly, so please, if you have an event idea that you've been sitting on, don't hesitate - now is the time to submit!!! The calendar of events<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.fgapsacab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…>is open to whoever wants to organize an event, and make it relate to the bicycle. BikePGH is providing the framework, merely acting as the "hub" to catalyze the events. You can either put on an event as an individual or as an organization. Be creative! Donate and be recognized!We know not everyone has time to organize or participate in events, but many of you want to contribute in some way. You can do so by donating to help us run this fantastic event. Any amount helps - $10... $50... $100... $1,000! No donation is too small. All donations are tax deductible, and we will recognize your generosity on a great big poster at the BikeFest Party (June 29th) and list you in our BikeFest emails and summer newsletter. Please send donations using PayPal<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.kgapsacab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…>to donate(a)bike-pgh.org and make a note that it is for BikeFest. Or please send a check to: Bike Pittsburgh, Inc. 33 Terminal Way Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Thanks to our sponsors: Fuji<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.lgapsacab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> Planet Bike<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.mgapsacab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> UPMC Center for Sports Medicine<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.ngapsacab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> Pittsburgh City Paper<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.rgapsacab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> Pittsburgh Filmmakers<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.lqmfdbcab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> Big Bang Bicycles<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.mqmfdbcab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> East End Brewing<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.nqmfdbcab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> Iron City Bicycles<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.tgapsacab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> Pittsburgh Pro Bikes<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.wgapsacab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> REI<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.xgapsacab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> South Park Cycles Trek of Pittsburgh<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.ygapsacab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> TRM Cycles<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.oqmfdbcab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> Whole Foods Market<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.zgapsacab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> WYEP<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.9gapsacab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> *2nd Annual Allegheny County Parks Mountain Bike Festival * [image: mountain bike festival]<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.o8bsf4bab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…>Get your mountain bike ready to explore some of the best mountain biking possible in PTAG's Allegheny County Mountain Bike Festival<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.pqmfdbcab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…>. The point of the festival is to showcase the great mountain biking opportunities in our county parks, as well as raise awareness for the important work that the Pittsburgh Trails Advocacy Group<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.o8bsf4bab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…>does in them. The events are designed so that everyone from beginner to experienced mountain bikers will find some folks to ride with. *The Schedule: * *Boyce Park:* Meet at 6 p.m. June 20 at the Four Seasons Lodge parking lot and Patrol No. 1 Grove. Leader Tom Hong, 412-798-9466 tchong(a)city-net.com *Deer Lakes: *Meet at 6 p.m. June 21 at the second parking lot on the right at the Veteran's Grove. Leaders Lee and Elizabeth Klevens, 724-265-2220 klevens(a)connecttime.net *Hartwood Acres:* Meet at 6 p.m. June 22 at the parking lot between the school and concert stage on Middle Road in Hampton. Leader Maurice Tierney, 412-302-9070 publisher(a)dirtragmag.com *South Park:* Meet at 11 a.m. June 23 at the Stone Manse Grove behind the tennis courts. Take Route 88 to Corrigan Drive to Stone Manse Drive in Rotary. Leader Tom Wright, 412-414-5627 tom(a)pittsburghmountainbiking.com North Park: Meet at 11 a.m. June 24 at the swimming pool by the playground McCandless Shelter. Leader Bob Bannon, 412-795-7444 robanco(a)prodigy.net. The festival will end with a party after the North Park ride. *Ride Your Bike to FLUX and Park (Hassle) Free! * *BikePGH to provide free bike valet service at FLUX Downtown on June 16th * [image: flux downtown]<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.qqmfdbcab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…>"FLUX goes green and plans to recycle every scrap of waste (cups, bottles, used up art) from tonight's event. FLUX gets architects SO-AD to design its borowed space...And--our favourite--FLUX and Bike Pittsburgh offer free Bike Valet service. Tres swank. So leave the Hummer at home." - City Paper This Free & Secure BIKE VALET SERVICE is sponsored by FLUX and provided by Bike Pittsburgh! *FLUX is a multi disciplinary event series that celebrates, gathers and showcases two of the Pittsburgh region's greatest assets: our emerging, grass-roots, non-traditional art scene and our vibrant, evolving communities.* Tickets $10 at the door cash only, $8 for students (with valid ID), Kids under 10 free Door proceeds benefit participating artists / Must be 21+ with valid ID to purchase alcohol / Limited handicap accessibility More details<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.8gapsacab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> *Reminder: Please comment on SPC's Long Range Plan * *Make sure attention is paid to bike/ped infrastructure! * The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC)<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.rqmfdbcab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…>is asking for public comment on their draft of the Long Range Plan titled *Project Region: 2035 Transportation Development Plan*. Why is this important!? Because SPC determines what state and federal transportation dollars are spent on in our region. *Make sure they know how important it is to allocate plenty of those dollars to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure!* You can read a copy of the DRAFT 2035 PLAN by clicking here<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.sqmfdbcab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> Please email SPC at comments(a)spcregion.org and tell them that you want bicycling and walking to be referenced throughout the entire plan. Click "more info" below for an example email that you can cut and paste or add to any way you see fit: More info<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.tqmfdbcab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> *Calendar of Events * *All Things Cycling and More!* Click here<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.izmh57bab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…>or on the calendar image below to view our full calendar of events. For details click on the individual events. Our calendar is syndicated so be sure to subscribe!<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.jzmh57bab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> If you have a bike event you'd like to submit, just email us at submit(a)bike-pgh.org. Be sure to answer all the typical questions: who, what, where, when, why, and how much. ___________________________________________________ [image: dirt rag ad]<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.izmh57bab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> ___________________________________________________ If you're looking for some fun and easy rides in the city, be sure to check out Team Decaf (every Tuesday evening) or Team Caffeine for some more intense riding (every Thursday evening). Both rides leave from Enrico's Tazza D'Oro Cafe at 1125 N. Highland Avenue in Highland Park at 6:15pm sharp. For more information please contact John Strait <jstrait(a)acm.org>. Every Friday a group leaves from Pittsburgh Pro at 6:15PM: confirm with Jason <jason(a)pghprobikes.com> More rides can be found at WPW<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.kzmh57bab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…>, P.O.R.C.<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.lzmh57bab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…>, and Venture Outdoors<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.mzmh57bab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> *Get Linked In to Local Bike Culture * [image: Screenshot of messageboard]<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.disz66bab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> *Don't forget to check out our new local online forums!* Ask bike or commuting related questions, find out about Pittsburgh cycling events, meet other cyclists, peddle your wares, or just hang out and have a laugh on the Bike Pittsburgh Forums. It's FREE, fun, and a great way to get involved. Click here<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.disz66bab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…>to get connected today! *Become a Member of Bike Pittsburgh * <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=lwu7bbcab.0.nzmh57bab.uzf778bab.1379&ts=S0253&p=htt…> *Invest in Your Community!* Imagine Pittsburgh as a city where the choice to ride a bike is an easy one. A vibrant city where the roads are less congested, the air is cleaner, and folks are healthier. A place where we can all safely get to work and the grocery store while burning calories not fossil fuels. Bike Pittsburgh works every day on behalf of our members to make to make this vision a reality. Invest in your community - become a member today! Bike Pittsburgh gratefully acknowledges the Richard King Mellon Foundation and the Heinz Endowments for their generous support. The eMessenger is an electronic newsletter published once a month. Previous issues of the eMessenger can be found in the Newsletters section of our website. Bike Pittsburgh, Inc. does not rent, sell, or make available any personal information, including email addresses. If you would like to be removed from the list, simply click "SafeUnsubscribe" at the bottom of this email. Forward email<http://eaui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?m=1101521622836&ea=riccipt%40ya…> <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?p=un&m=1101521622836&ea=riccipt%40…> This email was sent to riccipt(a)yahoo.com, by news(a)bike-pgh.org Update Profile/Email Address<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?p=oo&m=1101521622836&ea=riccipt%40…>| Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?p=un&m=1101521622836&ea=riccipt%40…>™ | Privacy Policy<http://eaui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp> . Email Marketing <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=TEM_News_200>by <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=TEM_News_200> Bike Pittsburgh | 33 Terminal Way | Pittsburgh | PA | 15219

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BFC Application - BOPARC Interview
by director 14 Jun '07

14 Jun '07

Good morning, I've arranged to meet with Ralph LaRue to discuss the BOPARC BFC application questions. Greg Good and I were supposed to attend, I don't know if he'll be back in town yet. I'd invite anyone else interested to attend. Here are the details. Where: Marilla Park BOPARC office When: Wed Jun 20 1pm (~ 1 hr) Will also briefly discuss LAB Bike Safety classes to be offered through BOPARC Thank you, Nick Hein

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Tulsa to Deploy RFID Automated Bike Rental Racks
by director 14 Jun '07

14 Jun '07

Good evening, Frank, Sorry I was late for the TC meeting. The shop was crazy tonite, in a wonderful sort of way. Thanks for the synopsis. Sounds like everything went well. Just received this news about the Tulsa Cyclestation/ bike sharing system. Sounds like something that might work here. Details below. Nick ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: "johnboyle(a)bicyclecoalition.org" <johnboyle(a)bicyclecoalition.org> Reply-To: johnboyle(a)bicyclecoalition.org Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 22:35:51 -0400 It's not a Paris scale system but it looks like Tulsa wins the bike share race in the US. Tulsa to Deploy RFID Automated Bike Rental Racks Monday June 4th, 2007 QI Systems [1], a Canadian provider of contactless, access control, and tracking solutions, last week introduced an innovative RFID-based bicycle rental automation system that will allow the public to check out and return rental bikes from unattended bike racks. Dubbed Cyclestation, the system will be initially deployed in the Tulsa, Oklahoma metropolitan area. The system is simple. Each bicycle is tagged and secured to the RFID reader-equipped rack. To check out one of the bikes, a user scans his or her credit card for identification and authentication. The bike is released for the user to ride for a prescribed amount of time. If the user does not return the bike within that time, the swiped credit card is charged a fee. The system determines the presence of each bike based on whether its RFID tag is within range of the reader. The racks are all wired to a central server so the system can monitor the bicycle inventory across multiple locations. This allows users the convenience of being able to check in a bike at any of the racks within a system, not just the one where the bike was originally checked out. According to local newspaper Tulsa World [2], four Cyclestations including a fleet of 75 "Tulsa Townie" pink bicycles will be deployed at the city's River Parks recreation area (see the photo [3]). The single-gear cruiser bikes will be available free for 24 hours; if not returned within that time, the user's credit card is charged $100. Some of the bikes have already arrived in Tulsa, but the system will undergo testing for another few weeks before being opened to the public. The $300,000 Tulsa Townies project was commissioned by the Warren Medical Research Center as part of an effort to promote healthy living. QI Systems, which plans to commercialize Cyclestation and has already received distributor interest, has pledged to donate a portion of profits from each sold unit to the Saint Francis Children's Hospital in Tulsa. 1: http://www.qisystems.ca/ 2: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=070602_1_A2_hTheh88311 3: http://www.tulsaworld.com/mm/photojournalism/relatedphotos.aspx?articleID=07 0602_1_A2_hTheh88311

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Re: [Bikeboard] BB report to TC
by director 13 Jun '07

13 Jun '07

Frank, I had contacted Ella Belling as I promised to find out if she had info on trail striping and signage standards. I don't think she really read the message all the way through, because she said the city would take care of it and forwarded my email to Ralph LaRue. I didn't get a response. While talking to Chip at Wamsley's today he said that she mentioned to him that she has the information, what there is of it, but it isn't entirely consistent. Tonite I remembered that a friend of mine in Minneapolis helped develope the trails and signage there. I've emailed him to find out what they used for signage and striping. Minneapolis has had trails like ours since I went to school there in the late 70's and his knowledge should be helpful. I'll let you know if I hear back from him. Nick ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2007 19:36:28 -0400 >Bike Board Members: > >Attached is an outline of a report I plan to make to the Traffic >Commission tomorrow (13-Jun) night. I welcome your comments and guidance. > >Frank > >

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BB report to TC
by Frank Gmeindl 12 Jun '07

12 Jun '07

Bike Board Members: Attached is an outline of a report I plan to make to the Traffic Commission tomorrow (13-Jun) night. I welcome your comments and guidance. Frank

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A tie! REPLY ASAP!!!
by Frank Gmeindl 12 Jun '07

12 Jun '07

Bike Board Members: PLEASE REPLY ASAP whether you prefer Robbie Acciavatti or Alice Vernon as the second greater Morgantown replacement member. Unfortunately, we had a tie between Alice and Robbie. Here's the vote tally for our greater Morgantown replacement members: 8 Sam Stone 5 Alice Vernon 5 Robbie Acciavatti This is based on 12 members votes. The recommendation that I give to the Traffic Commission tomorrow evening will be based on the votes that we get by 3:00 PM tomorrow. Frank

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Recount
by Frank Gmeindl 08 Jun '07

08 Jun '07

Bike Board members, PLEASE REPLY ASAP. It has come to my attention that our #1 candidate, Robbie Acciavatti, for Bike Board membership from within the City no longer lives within the City. That makes Autumn Bryson and Gunnar Shogren the candidates that we will recommend to the Traffic Commission if they are willing to serve. Since Robbie Acciavatti wasn't in the running for out of City candidates, I would like to ask you to reply to this message with your distribution of 2 points among the following candidates: Sam Stone Alice Vernon Robbie Acciavatti Probably the easiest was to do it is to reply to this message and write the points that you give in front of the names of your choice. As a reminder, you can give both points to one candidate or distribute them among two candidates. I will tally the votes and let you know the outcome by next Tuesday. Obviously, your prompt response is necessary. Frank

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Re: [Bikeboard] Bicycle Board
by Frank Gmeindl 08 Jun '07

08 Jun '07

Sam, I hope your trip to Nashville was productive. Thanks for clarifying your desires. The Bike Board met tonight and considered them vis-a-vis the Bike Board's February recommendations to the Traffic Commission. *Road Signage* The Bike Board agrees that pole signage would be a good adjunct to stencil signage and can probably be installed sooner. We agree with the routes that you suggest. Most of them are the same as those the Bike Board recommended in February. We will recommend to the Traffic Commission that they supplement the routes that we recommended with the different routes that you requested. All the roads that both you and the Bike Board want to sign are state roads. Getting the state to install either type of sign will probably take more than a letter from the Traffic Commission recommending them. We discussed lobbying the District Engineer, Donnie Williams but nobody volunteered to do that. For the pole signage, the state would probably want to conform to the Federal Highway Administration's Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices standards. This link: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/HTM/2003r1/part9/fig9b-03-2_longdesc.htm shows the standard for Share-the-Road signs. While black letters on yellow background is specified, a maximum size is not and that may represent an opportunity. We would like to pilot both pole signs and stencil signage on a roadway that the City controls but we have yet to identify an appropriate road. Certainly, the Bike Board will respond to the Traffic Commission that it supports your request in concert with the Bike Board's February recommendations. Nothing will probably be done though, until we can give them specific detailed recommendations that they can implement within their scope of control. *Trail Signage *The Bike Board will recommend to the Traffic Commission that a broken stripe be put down the center of all paved trail. The Board will also recommend signage at all points of entry to the trail. For sign verbiage, "keep right" was favored but a Board member will research for commonly used effective verbiage and provide a recommendation by next Tuesday. We are aware that standards such as height, distance from the trail edge etc. exist for such sign placement and we hope our research will identify those as well. As far as placing the signs every quarter mile, the Bike Board observed that so many signs could detract from the trail aesthetics. Our planned recommendation to place the signs at all points of trail entry may change upon discovery of standard practice. *Board Membership* You may recall that the City asked you to serve as a member of the Bike Board when it formed the Board last year. Tonight, the Board decided to ask you to join the Board as a member. Of course, we serve at the pleasure of the Traffic Commission. If you were to reply to this message that you are still willing to serve on the Bike Board, we will recommend you to the Traffic Commission at its meeting next Wednesday. Will you join us? We meet the first Thursday of every month. Our next meeting is 5-July. Being a member entails much more than attending the monthly meeting. Currently, all members are challenged to keep the wheels turning and make substantive progress between meetings. Frank Sam Stone wrote: > Frank - > In response to you email dated June 2, 2007, I will be in Nashville, > Tennessee and unable to attend the monthly meeting of the Bike Board > on June 7, 2007. However, the Bike Board and I have very similar > desires. I will try to clarify mine as follows: > 1. Whatever the specific design, use flourescent lime green color > like the pedestrian crossing signs recently installed on High Street > and do not use the color of the existing bike signs approaching the > Star City bridge toward Morgantown. Stencil signage on the roadway is > preferred but pole signage can supplement that and can be installed now. > 2. The location should be at all major entrances to town and as > otherwise appropriate. > 3. The trail signage *is* to reduce interference of the various modes > and could use the same signage but perhaps add "keep right" or "walk > on right, pass on left" or "slower traffic must keep right", or > something similar. I am forwarding a copy of the current WV Code > provisions regarding bikes. Both bikers and drivers need to be > educated on bike rights and safety. Roads needs to be repaired, > potholes filled and drains leveled to accommodate bikes. > 4. It is obvious that the Bike Board has done a great amount of work > in planning; however, many of the recommendations can and must be > implemented now to prevent accidents and save lives. Please advise me > of the next Bike Board meeting and I will make every effort to > attend. I appreciate your considering my input. > > I went to City Council with Ralph LaRue from BOPARC and Cliff > Sutherland approximately a year ago and Council approved the signs for > the trail. They told me to work with Dan Boroff to get it done. > There are funds available and no reason the signs aren't up already. > I suggest that the Bike Board push _NOW_ to get the signs up on the > trail and then get them in the roads ASAP. The rest of your plan is > great but the road stenciling and lanes is a long way off. > > §17C-11-2. Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles. > > Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of > the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the > driver of a vehicle by this chapter, except as to special regulations > in this article and except as to those provisions of this chapter > which by their nature can have no application. > > §17C-11-5. Riding on roadways and bicycle paths. > > (a) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near > to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care > when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction. > (b) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than > two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the > exclusive use of bicycles. > (c) Whenever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to > a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the > roadway. > > (Also see West Virginia Code 17C-11 in its entirety and West Virginia > Code 17C-11A in its entirety for additional bicycle laws.) > > Thanks, > Sam Stone > > Samuel Spencer Stone > Attorney At Law > 221 Willey Street > Morgantown, WV 26505 > Phone: (304) 296-2553 Ext. 1 > Fax: (304) 292-4034 fax > > > > */Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any > attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may > contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized > review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not > the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and > destroy all copies of the original message./* >

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Fwd: Bicycle Board
by Frank Gmeindl 06 Jun '07

06 Jun '07

Bike Board Members, Sam Stone won't attend tomorrow's meeting but he sent me the e-mail below. Anybody know if there's a standard for sign color on state and city roadways? Frank >Date: Wed, 06 Jun 2007 13:03:17 -0400 >From: Sam Stone <samuelspencerstone(a)comcast.net> >Subject: Bicycle Board >X-Originating-IP: [68.168.78.211] >To: fgmeindl(a)verizon.net >X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 6.2.3.4 > >Frank - >In response to you email dated June 2, 2007, I will be in Nashville, >Tennessee and unable to attend the monthly meeting of the Bike Board on >June 7, 2007. However, the Bike Board and I have very similar desires. I >will try to clarify mine as follows: >1. Whatever the specific design, use flourescent lime green color like >the pedestrian crossing signs recently installed on High Street and do not >use the color of the existing bike signs approaching the Star City bridge >toward Morgantown. Stencil signage on the roadway is preferred but pole >signage can supplement that and can be installed now. >2. The location should be at all major entrances to town and as otherwise >appropriate. >3. The trail signage is to reduce interference of the various modes and >could use the same signage but perhaps add "keep right" or "walk on right, >pass on left" or "slower traffic must keep right", or something >similar. I am forwarding a copy of the current WV Code provisions >regarding bikes. Both bikers and drivers need to be educated on bike >rights and safety. Roads needs to be repaired, potholes filled and drains >leveled to accommodate bikes. >4. It is obvious that the Bike Board has done a great amount of work in >planning; however, many of the recommendations can and must be implemented >now to prevent accidents and save lives. Please advise me of the next >Bike Board meeting and I will make every effort to attend. I appreciate >your considering my input. > >I went to City Council with Ralph LaRue from BOPARC and Cliff Sutherland >approximately a year ago and Council approved the signs for the >trail. They told me to work with Dan Boroff to get it done. There are >funds available and no reason the signs aren't up already. I suggest that >the Bike Board push NOW to get the signs up on the trail and then get them >in the roads ASAP. The rest of your plan is great but the road stenciling >and lanes is a long way off. > >§17C-11-2. Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles. >Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the >rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver >of a vehicle by this chapter, except as to special regulations in this >article and except as to those provisions of this chapter which by their >nature can have no application. > >§17C-11-5. Riding on roadways and bicycle paths. >(a) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to >the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when >passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction. >(b) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two >abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive >use of bicycles. >(c) Whenever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a >roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway. > >(Also see West Virginia Code 17C-11 in its entirety and West Virginia Code >17C-11A in its entirety for additional bicycle laws.) > >Thanks, >Sam Stone > >Samuel Spencer Stone >Attorney At Law >221 Willey Street >Morgantown, WV 26505 >Phone: (304) 296-2553 Ext. 1 >Fax: (304) 292-4034 fax > > > >Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, >is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain >confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, >disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended >recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all >copies of the original message.

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John Marshall cycling article
by Frank Gmeindl 05 Jun '07

05 Jun '07

Andy, As Chairman of the Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board, as a League of American Bicyclists Certified Bicycling Instructor and as a Fairmont area cyclist, I am writing to question your 30-May publication of Colorado's John Marshall's article http://www.timeswv.com/redeye/local_story_150161304.html in the the Times West Virginian. Publishing that article promotes increasing animosity toward bicyclists when we need responsible journalism to educate us about alternatives to traffic congestion, dependence on foreign oil and obesity. Why can't you publish an article that encourages bicycling? Why can't you publish an article that educates your readers about the health benefits of bicycling? Why can't you publish an article that teaches motorists and bicyclists how to share the road together safely and enjoyably? The City of Morgantown and the Greater Morgantown Metropolitan Planning Organization have adopted a policy to encourage rather than discourage bicycling and are working to realize that policy. I invite you and the Times West Virginian staff to learn about our program and support it in your fine publication. Frank Gmeindl

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This Thursday's BB agenda
by Frank Gmeindl 05 Jun '07

05 Jun '07

Bike Board members, Please find attached, a zip folder that contains the agenda for this Thursday's 7-June, Bike Board meeting and documents to read-ahead to get prepared. (To open any of the files in the zip folder, just double click on the folder and then double click on any file in the folder. If you've never used WinZip before, a window will probably open asking if you want to download a free application to enable you to open the folder and the files. Downloading and installing that is probably safe since WinZip is pretty ubiquitous. If you can't open the folder or read the files, please reply just to me and I'll send the files to you in separate e-mail messages.) Much has been happening since our last (April) indoor meeting. Several of us had a fun May meeting riding around most of the city's 7 wards to pioneer a route for "Bicycle Morgantown". For this Thursday, Topic 5 on the agenda involves Sam Stone's request of Dan Boroff to install Share-the-Road signs on the rail-trail and certain local roadways. After the last Traffic Commission (TC) meeting, Terry Hough, City Engineer and TC member asked me to arrange for the BB to provide a response to his request. His request, and a comparison to our Infrastructure Goal #1 Pilot Project #1 are included in the read-aheads. I've asked Sam to join us for Thursday's meeting but haven't received his response yet. I put this on the top of the agenda because I think it presents a great opportunity to get more commitment by the TC and the community to our recommendations. Topic 6 on the agenda is the status of our Education committee recommendations. As you know, I've twice offered to the TC to teach them the LAB Road I course but failed to get commitment both times. A couple TC members also objected to my collecting money for the course. After the last TC meeting, Terry Hough told me to arrange with Ralph Larue at BOPARC to have BOPARC arrange the course and collect the money. I'll fill you in more on the details at our meeting but the outcome is that I'm planning to deliver Road I once/month through BOPARC starting this month. Tentative dates are: June 9-10, July 23-24, Aug 11-12, Sep 8-9 and Oct 13-14. (If I get more than 4 participants in any delivery, I'll need some help from you Road I graduates and our other LCI;) Also, I'm developing a 1-hour lecture for public officials. Hough said the TC will probably attend either before or after their regular monthly meeting. I attached a preliminary draft, called Intro to Safe Cycling and welcome your critique. We also have to replace our dearly departed members and I'd like to discuss changing our meeting day as well as discuss where we are on completing the LAB Bicycle Friendly Community award application. It's going to be a busy meeting! I hope you'll all be there. Frank

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Re: [Bikeboard] Bike lane
by Frank Gmeindl 04 Jun '07

04 Jun '07

All, Please view the attached in slide show view (otherwise, it's harder to comprehend). It is a presentation by Fred Oswald, LCI #947, on bicycle integration vs. separation. It also adds a few cautions and design considerations for the bike-under-chevron recommendations that we're recommending to the Traffic Commission. Particularly, where in the lane to put them, which we have yet to address (see slides 13-14). The Traffic Commission is expecting us to deliver at it 13-June meeting, a detailed step-by-step implementation plan for our Bike-Under-Chevron on-road sign recommendation. With just about every roadway "improvement" being considered in the county and city planning to get cyclists out of the traffic flow, knowledge of the issues and our action is imperative. Frank Greg Good wrote: > Hi all, it may surprise you all, but I agree that most cyclists are safer on the road than coming to the road from a path. There are, however, specific engineering guidelines readily available for the safest ways to bring bike paths up to auto traffic. For example, the intersection of the Deckers Creek Trail with old Rt 7 behind the Dominion Post is a poster child for an accident waiting to happen. > > We do have a SERIOUS issue to stay alert to. As Nick and others have pointed out, a part of WV code says cyclists must use a path if it is available. Right? Well, watch out as Beechurst is re-designed. We need to be STRONG, VOCAL ADVOCATES for bike lanes on Beechurst. The alternative will be signs saying we must ride on the trail. > > See this web link to Cambridge England, where cyclists are about to have major impediments of this sort thrown at them. http://www.camcycle.org.uk/campaigning/issues/highwaycode/ > > Greg > > >>>> "Don Spencer" <dspencer36(a)comcast.net> 5/16/2007 10:45 PM >>> >>>> > Frank - I do feel that there is a big difference in this case between a bike > path and a bike lane. If the rider was in the pavement area (with or without > a bike lane dividing line) with the truck then the truck driver would have > had to be aware of him. If he were on a path or sidewalk, it is plausible to > think that the rider would stop. > > > > Don > > > > _____ > > From: Frank Gmeindl [mailto:fgmeindl@verizon.net] > Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 6:31 AM > To: Don Spencer; Greg Good; Jim Rye; John Lozier > Cc: Nick Hein > Subject: Bike lane > > > > Don, et al, > > Did you see the article, "Helmut protects as truck runs over man's head" in > the lower right corner of today's (5/16) Dominion Post? A cyclist riding > down a bike path (other renditions of the article say bike lane). As he > approached an INTERSECTION, he saw that a truck was going to turn right in > front of him. So, he hauled on the breaks, fell down and the truck ran over > his head. > > I'm addressing this message to proponents of bike paths and bike lanes to > illustrate that they can be more dangerous than the road. The truck driver > was probably paying no attention to what was going on in the path/lane. We > all know that most bike/motor vehicle accidents occur in intersections. As > long as cyclists aren't visible and predictable, they will continue to get > hit in the intersections. To increase visibility and predictability, we > must design our roads properly and educate our cyclists and motorists. > > Frank > > Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles > > > > >

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