September 2007 - Bikeboard - lists.bikelover.org

Interesting Article - What can you do with an MPO
by director 28 Sep '07

28 Sep '07

Good afternoon, I came across this article on one of the lists I read.... http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/NRSTAFF/7092… It's about the education and planning efforts of Greensboro, NC residents and their MPO to increase bike/pedestrian transportation through "Share the Road" education. They specifically mention that their roadbuilding is underfunded so they need to reduce motor vehicle use to live within the available resources. Nick

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Road I
by Frank Gmeindl 28 Sep '07

28 Sep '07

Bicycle Board Members, Starting Saturday, October 20 and every Saturday through the winter, I will be delivering the League of American Bicyclists Effective Cycling Road I course 8:00 - 10:00 am in the Training Room at the Morgantown Public Safety Center at the corner of Spruce and Walnut. The complete Road I course takes approximately 9 hours. Therefore, I will be delivering the course in 3 week cycles. The class consists of lecture, parking lot exercises and road work. After each session, anyone who wants can join in a ride who's route, pace, etc. will depend on the participants and the weather. I have the training room reserved until 2 pm every Saturday so we can leave our civies there until we return from the ride. To register or for additional information, call me on me at 304-376-0446 or send me an e-mail: fgmeindl(a)verizon.net. The fee is $10/session. Every single penny of the fee goes to Effective Cycling Education in the Morgantown area. At the end of each year, any unused revenue will be returned to the participants. The last Sat-Sun class is Oct 13-14. To register for it, call BOPARC at 304-296-8356. Frank

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Next Thursday's BB meeting
by Frank Gmeindl 27 Sep '07

27 Sep '07

Bicycle Board Members, Next Thursday, 4-Oct is our next regular meeting. By this Sunday night, please send me items that you would like put on the agenda. Please include topic, discussion leader, desired outcome of the discussion and the amount of time required. Frank

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September Bike Board Meeting Minutes
by Elizabeth Shogren 26 Sep '07

26 Sep '07

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

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Re: [Bikeboard] Funny bike safety posters (that I wouldn't recommend using)
by director 24 Sep '07

24 Sep '07

Frank, Gunnar, I was walking past the Augusta Square apartments (on Willow Run) last Wednesday and noticed the striped lane. I only saw the word "bike" in one rather unnoticeable location so I consoled myself that it looks like the striped lanes on all the other streets which are NOT bike lanes. Have they put in any more markings? I haven't gotten around to riding up Willow Run yet so I haven't noticed. Nick ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: "gunn4r Shogren" <gshogren(a)gmail.com> Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 22:29:35 -0400 >Where's the Augusta? > >On 9/23/07, Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> wrote: >> Nick, >> >> Those are great! They make a good point and the humor seems weirdly >> appropriate. >> >> I was in Pittsburgh all this week and had an opportunity to walk down >> Liberty Avenue from Bloomfield. That's the stretch upon which the City >> put the bike lanes. Further up the hill through Bloomfield and >> Friendship Hill is where they put the bike-and-chevron markings without >> striping them in. >> >> Here's the layout for the bike lanes: >> >> Total roadway width: 36 feet >> Right hand bike lane stripe distance from curb: 6 feet >> Left hand bike lane strip distance from curb: 10 feet. Bike lane width: >> 4 feet. (Note: 10 + 4 = 14 = wide lane!) >> Remaining motor lane width: 8 feet. >> >> That stretch of Liberty Avenue is a straight hill all the way down to >> Penn Avenue. Achieving speeds of 35 mph just coasting down on your bike >> is easy. There is a bike lane on both sides of the road. Cars park on >> both sides of the road. The bike lanes are right in the door zones! >> That's almost tolerable on the up hill where cyclists can't go fast. >> However, when I saw the bike lane on the downhill side, I cringed. >> While I was walking down the hill, I saw 3 cyclists come up the bike >> lane. One, following a bus, got hemmed in behind it and cars on his >> left at every bus stop. I watched him speed up and then have to wait at >> every intersection until the bus let out and took on passengers and then >> moved on. Without the bike lane, the cyclist could have been in the >> roadway and proceeded on his merry way. >> >> As I walked along, I didn't see a cyclist coming down the hill and I was >> relieved. Then, as I was about to cross the street at a corner, it >> happened. A college age kid on a mountain bike with a book bag on his >> back came cruising down the hill in the bike lane. I'd guess he was >> going about 25 mph. A big car came from a side street (37th) to the >> intersection, slowed down, looked both ways, and pulled out right in the >> path of the cyclist. I could see that he didn't see the cyclist coming >> from his left because the cyclist was in the bike lane and obscured by >> parked cars. If he had been out in the lane, he might have been seen. >> My heart was in my throat. Fortunately, the kid's reflexes were good. >> He locked up the rear brake and slid a good 20 feet and would have hit >> the car if the car hadn't cleared the bike lane by the time the cyclist >> slid into the intersection. I was impressed that he didn't go down. In >> my opinion, the bike lane caused that catastrophe and had the cyclist >> hit the car, the City of Pgh was liable. >> >> BTW, who's seen the new bike lane in front of the Augusta? I'm >> wondering how that got there when we've been waiting since February to >> see a bike-and-chevron appear on any Morgantown street. >> >> Frank >> >> director wrote: >> > Good evening, >> > I came across these links on one of the HPV forums where I lurk. They are probably funny to a NYC sense of humor, but I also think they drive home the perils of bike lanes. My own preference is that we campaign for 14ft wide curb lanes, these can be paid for with regular road funds and would probably garner support from all road-users. >> > >> > http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/poster2.pdf >> > >> > http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/poster1.pdf >> > >> > Nick Hein >> > >> > >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > Bikeboard mailing list >> > Bikeboard(a)cheat.org >> > http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard >> > >> > >> > >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Bikeboard mailing list >> Bikeboard(a)cheat.org >> http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard >> >

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PSAs
by Frank Gmeindl 24 Sep '07

24 Sep '07

Bicycle Board Members, A friend sent me this link http://www.bikemaine.org/share_the_road.htm to Maine Public Service Announcements with the theme: Same Roads, Same Rules, Same Rights. I wonder if we could get our state bicycle coordinator to support something like this. Watching them myself, I found them educational. Frank

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Wednesday night
by Frank Gmeindl 24 Sep '07

24 Sep '07

Bicycle Board Members, This Wednesday night at 7:00 PM, I will be leading a 1-hour talk with the Morgantown Multi-Sport club at the WVU Recreation Center. Attached are the notes that I will use. For those of you who haven't taken the Road I course yet, this is an opportunity to get a preview since the attached material is from the Road I course. The Morgantown Multi-Sport club organizes the annual Morgantown half-iron man triathlon as well as other triathlons. This could also present an opportunity for Bicycle Board members to form some alliances with members of another like-minded and influential group in Morgantown. The meeting is free and open to the public. Although it will be dark by the time the indoor meeting is over, if people bring their bikes, we can ride over to the Prete Building parking lot and practice some of the crash avoidance maneuvers that we will discuss in the meeting. Frank

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Funny bike safety posters (that I wouldn't recommend using)
by director 23 Sep '07

23 Sep '07

Good evening, I came across these links on one of the HPV forums where I lurk. They are probably funny to a NYC sense of humor, but I also think they drive home the perils of bike lanes. My own preference is that we campaign for 14ft wide curb lanes, these can be paid for with regular road funds and would probably garner support from all road-users. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/poster2.pdf http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/poster1.pdf Nick Hein

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Re: [Bikeboard] Bike-share programs
by director 22 Sep '07

22 Sep '07

Jonathan, To be honest, my aspiration is to be director of vehicle research at Positive Spin. This would be a demotion from my current position as director, but it's a sacrifice I'd make gladly :-) Until that time I'm happy to provide information for the WVU committee. I don't feel like I've been a very effective committee member in any other capacity. Nick ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: Jonathan Rosenbaum <freesource(a)cheat.org> Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 00:22:07 -0400 >I saw this approach when I was doing research about bicycle libraries >about a month ago. This is a good example of why Morgantown and WVU >should work together. I imagine implementing a program like this would >not come cheaply. On the other hand, WVU's engineering departments >could utilize research grants to develop a similar system which could >become the next PRT type program for Morgantown. > >Nick, so are you interested in helping with the WVU Committee, or are >you still set on becoming the Bicycle Coordinator for WVU/Morgantown? > >Jonathan > >director wrote: >> Good morning, >> I came across this article this morning and I've asked the author if I could plagiarize it to draft a letter to our local authorities making a similar proposal. However, I have 2 questions... >> >> 1) Who should I send it to? >> I'm considering the Dominion Post, Daily Atheneum, MPO and traffic commission >> >> 2) Who should I send it as? >> Should I sign it as a concerned citizen, director of Positive Spin or Bicycle Board member? All of the above? >> >> I'd also appreciate any help in drafting it. I'd like to get it done this weekend before the user fee projects are finalized. Ideas, assistance? >> >> Thanks, >> Nick Hein >> >> >> ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- >> From: Ralph Fertig <sb-ralph(a)cox.net> >> Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2007 20:08:11 -0700 >> >> ========== >> The South Coast Needs Bikes! >> Santa Barbara Can Learn from European Cities >> >> By Ralph Fertig, president of the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition. >> Thursday, September 20, 2007 >> >> Last July 15, Parisians woke up to find 10,600 new bicycles available >> throughout the city for their use. The public/private initiative was >> crafted by Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoë to propel the city toward a >> greener future. >> >> Where did this innovative program come from and what does it mean for us? >> Specifically, how might the South Coast benefit from a similar program? >> Judging from the success of programs already in Europe, it would reduce >> our traffic congestion, cut pollution, promote fitness, and be a popular >> means of travel for residents and visitors alike. How can we lose? >> >> Throughout Paris, there are bicycle stations every 300 yards. Each >> station has an electronic vending kiosk with instructions in eight >> languages. Using your credit card at the kiosk, you get a bike card to >> swipe over one of the waiting bicycles to release it. When you return >> your bike, you lock it into a smart post that identifies you, the >> bicycle, plus where and when the bike was rented. If you exceed your free >> 30 minutes, it bills your credit card. Diagnostic software automatically >> checks tire pressure, gears, lights, and brakes. If a bike fails the >> tests, it¹s locked out of service and a mechanic is directed to it. >> >> The bicycles are a custom design. Each one has a low step-through frame, >> adjustable seat height, roller brakes, always-on front and rear dynamo >> lights, front wire basket, three-speed hub gears, chain guard, cable >> lock, puncture-resistant tires with reflective sidewalls, and a kickstand >> that lifts the bike off its rear wheel. Every part of the bike has >> security bolts that require special tools to undo. >> >> Paris is joining other cities with new-generation bicycle rental >> services. They include Lyon, Stockholm, Vienna, Seville, Brussels, >> Barcelona, Córdoba, Singapore, and Copenhagen. >> >> Two years ago, Lyon, France, initiated a bike program similar to the one >> in Paris. They have 4,000 bicycles at 175 locations. The average number >> of rides per day is 15,000. Office workers account for 40 percent of the >> rentals. Ninety percent of all journeys on bikes last fewer than 30 >> minutes, which means they¹re free. Users who opt to keep them longer >> incur charges. Bikes which aren¹t returned within 24 hours are billed to >> the user¹s credit card, in the amount of 150 Euros. >> >> Lyon¹s Deputy Mayor Jean-Louis Touraine reported that bicycle use has >> increased 30 percent since the program began. At the same time, >> automobile traffic has declined by 4 percent, reversing Lyon¹s previous >> 1-3 percent annual increase in motor vehicle use. For those now renting >> bikes, 55 percent said they are driving less than before. The program has >> eliminated 3,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions during the past two >> years, and air quality has improved. Touraine observed that ³we¹re >> finding a city that is more humane, more convivial, less dangerous, less >> stressful, and less polluted.² >> >> So what is happening in the U.S.? As American cities contend with growing >> traffic congestion, they¹re paying attention and moving to adopt similar >> bicycle programs. Washington, D.C., will have rental bikes available >> later this year. Last month, Portland, Oregon, sent out a ³request for >> proposal² for a bicycle rental system of 500 bikes. New York, Chicago, >> and San Francisco are also investigating the possibilities of such a >> program. >> >> So why not do this on the South Coast? Campers at Carpinteria State Beach >> could bike into town. UCSB students could bike to the airport, Amtrak >> station, or Camino Real Marketplace. Campus visitors could use the bikes >> to get around without cars. Santa Barbara workers could pedal to >> restaurants for lunch, and tourists could go from hotels to popular >> destinations without adding to traffic. >> >> How would we pay for it? Paris is trading space on 1,600 billboards for >> the bikes. Some cities generate revenue with ads on the rental kiosks. >> Here, we could sell kiosk ad space or enter into agreements with major >> employers. It might be operated by the Santa Barbara Bikestation >> headquartered in the Granada Garage, or it could be an MTD transportation >> program. Maybe we could tap into part of the 2008 South Coast Measure D >> transportation tax. >> >> Teaming today¹s computer and bicycle technology to address the issues of >> traffic congestion, obesity, oil prices, climate change, and air >> pollution provide a timely solution for everybody. It¹s time to bring it >> here! >> ========== >> >> Ralph Fertig received this email from Harold & Karen Karabell on 9/20/07 >> 7:24 PM >> >> >>> Ralph, it says "page not found" when I tried to open the link below to your >>> op/ed piece. Can you cut and paste it into an email? >>> Thanks, >>> Karen Karabell >>> St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Ralph Fertig" <sb-ralph(a)cox.net> >>> To: "CBC" <cbc(a)topica.com>; "Thunderhead Alliance" >>> <thunderhead(a)thunderheadalliance.org> >>> Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 8:07 PM >>> Subject: [Thunderhead] bike-share programs >>> >>> >>> >>>> A local newspaper just published an op/ed article that I submitted to >>>> them about bike-sharing programs. After reading about what's happening >>>> in Europe & beginning to happen in the US, it seems to me that the >>>> technology is now mature enough to accelerate bicycle use at home. So I >>>> tossed out this challenge, not knowing what might come next: >>>> >>>> http://www.independent.com/news/2007/sep/20/santa-barbara-can-learn-europea >>>> n-cities/?print >>>> >>>> I do know that several places in the US have campus bike programs of >>>> different kinds, but the strategy of saturation of a city with kiosks and >>>> bikes seems to be the way to go. Will it work as well in the US? >>>> >>>> ~~ Ralph Fertig, President >>>> ~~ Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition >>>> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Bikeboard mailing list >> Bikeboard(a)cheat.org >> http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard >> > > > > >

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Re: [Bikeboard] PSAs
by director 22 Sep '07

22 Sep '07

Frank, Back in May (Bike month) the League of American Bicyclsts made PSAs available and I did some initial checks about getting them broadcast locally. WCLG said they would probably air them during off-peak times. I got busy with other things and didn't follow through on it. Here is the link, they would allow us to put our own name on them I think. http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/psas.php Nick ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2007 22:35:25 -0400 >Bicycle Board Members, > >A friend sent me this link http://www.bikemaine.org/share_the_road.htm >to Maine Public Service Announcements with the theme: Same Roads, Same >Rules, Same Rights. I wonder if we could get our state bicycle >coordinator to support something like this. Watching them myself, I >found them educational. > >Frank > > >_______________________________________________ >Bikeboard mailing list >Bikeboard(a)cheat.org >http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard >

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More PSAs
by Frank Gmeindl 22 Sep '07

22 Sep '07

More PSAs www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6OGZCQUayc <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6OGZCQUayc> www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANs4j8boyfc <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANs4j8boyfc> www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa-ejoR46R0 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa-ejoR46R0> The first link has some cute ones. Any reaction from our PR committee? Frank

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Bike-share programs
by director 22 Sep '07

22 Sep '07

Good morning, I came across this article this morning and I've asked the author if I could plagiarize it to draft a letter to our local authorities making a similar proposal. However, I have 2 questions... 1) Who should I send it to? I'm considering the Dominion Post, Daily Atheneum, MPO and traffic commission 2) Who should I send it as? Should I sign it as a concerned citizen, director of Positive Spin or Bicycle Board member? All of the above? I'd also appreciate any help in drafting it. I'd like to get it done this weekend before the user fee projects are finalized. Ideas, assistance? Thanks, Nick Hein ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: Ralph Fertig <sb-ralph(a)cox.net> Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2007 20:08:11 -0700 ========== The South Coast Needs Bikes! Santa Barbara Can Learn from European Cities By Ralph Fertig, president of the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition. Thursday, September 20, 2007 Last July 15, Parisians woke up to find 10,600 new bicycles available throughout the city for their use. The public/private initiative was crafted by Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoë to propel the city toward a greener future. Where did this innovative program come from and what does it mean for us? Specifically, how might the South Coast benefit from a similar program? Judging from the success of programs already in Europe, it would reduce our traffic congestion, cut pollution, promote fitness, and be a popular means of travel for residents and visitors alike. How can we lose? Throughout Paris, there are bicycle stations every 300 yards. Each station has an electronic vending kiosk with instructions in eight languages. Using your credit card at the kiosk, you get a bike card to swipe over one of the waiting bicycles to release it. When you return your bike, you lock it into a smart post that identifies you, the bicycle, plus where and when the bike was rented. If you exceed your free 30 minutes, it bills your credit card. Diagnostic software automatically checks tire pressure, gears, lights, and brakes. If a bike fails the tests, it¹s locked out of service and a mechanic is directed to it. The bicycles are a custom design. Each one has a low step-through frame, adjustable seat height, roller brakes, always-on front and rear dynamo lights, front wire basket, three-speed hub gears, chain guard, cable lock, puncture-resistant tires with reflective sidewalls, and a kickstand that lifts the bike off its rear wheel. Every part of the bike has security bolts that require special tools to undo. Paris is joining other cities with new-generation bicycle rental services. They include Lyon, Stockholm, Vienna, Seville, Brussels, Barcelona, Córdoba, Singapore, and Copenhagen. Two years ago, Lyon, France, initiated a bike program similar to the one in Paris. They have 4,000 bicycles at 175 locations. The average number of rides per day is 15,000. Office workers account for 40 percent of the rentals. Ninety percent of all journeys on bikes last fewer than 30 minutes, which means they¹re free. Users who opt to keep them longer incur charges. Bikes which aren¹t returned within 24 hours are billed to the user¹s credit card, in the amount of 150 Euros. Lyon¹s Deputy Mayor Jean-Louis Touraine reported that bicycle use has increased 30 percent since the program began. At the same time, automobile traffic has declined by 4 percent, reversing Lyon¹s previous 1-3 percent annual increase in motor vehicle use. For those now renting bikes, 55 percent said they are driving less than before. The program has eliminated 3,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions during the past two years, and air quality has improved. Touraine observed that ³we¹re finding a city that is more humane, more convivial, less dangerous, less stressful, and less polluted.² So what is happening in the U.S.? As American cities contend with growing traffic congestion, they¹re paying attention and moving to adopt similar bicycle programs. Washington, D.C., will have rental bikes available later this year. Last month, Portland, Oregon, sent out a ³request for proposal² for a bicycle rental system of 500 bikes. New York, Chicago, and San Francisco are also investigating the possibilities of such a program. So why not do this on the South Coast? Campers at Carpinteria State Beach could bike into town. UCSB students could bike to the airport, Amtrak station, or Camino Real Marketplace. Campus visitors could use the bikes to get around without cars. Santa Barbara workers could pedal to restaurants for lunch, and tourists could go from hotels to popular destinations without adding to traffic. How would we pay for it? Paris is trading space on 1,600 billboards for the bikes. Some cities generate revenue with ads on the rental kiosks. Here, we could sell kiosk ad space or enter into agreements with major employers. It might be operated by the Santa Barbara Bikestation headquartered in the Granada Garage, or it could be an MTD transportation program. Maybe we could tap into part of the 2008 South Coast Measure D transportation tax. Teaming today¹s computer and bicycle technology to address the issues of traffic congestion, obesity, oil prices, climate change, and air pollution provide a timely solution for everybody. It¹s time to bring it here! ========== Ralph Fertig received this email from Harold & Karen Karabell on 9/20/07 7:24 PM >Ralph, it says "page not found" when I tried to open the link below to your >op/ed piece. Can you cut and paste it into an email? >Thanks, >Karen Karabell >St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Ralph Fertig" <sb-ralph(a)cox.net> >To: "CBC" <cbc(a)topica.com>; "Thunderhead Alliance" ><thunderhead(a)thunderheadalliance.org> >Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 8:07 PM >Subject: [Thunderhead] bike-share programs > > >>A local newspaper just published an op/ed article that I submitted to >> them about bike-sharing programs. After reading about what's happening >> in Europe & beginning to happen in the US, it seems to me that the >> technology is now mature enough to accelerate bicycle use at home. So I >> tossed out this challenge, not knowing what might come next: >> >> http://www.independent.com/news/2007/sep/20/santa-barbara-can-learn-europea >> n-cities/?print >> >> I do know that several places in the US have campus bike programs of >> different kinds, but the strategy of saturation of a city with kiosks and >> bikes seems to be the way to go. Will it work as well in the US? >> >> ~~ Ralph Fertig, President >> ~~ Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition _______________________________________________

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[Fwd: [monbikeclub] MMS Sept Meeting]
by Frank Gmeindl 20 Sep '07

20 Sep '07

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Cyclists ' share of road use expenses
by director 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

Good evening, I was just about to head to bed when I came across this article from the Seattle newspaper. It woke me up a bit. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/331734_firstperson17.html Enjoy, Nick

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WVU Energy Conservation Program/BB WVU subcommittee
by director 12 Sep '07

12 Sep '07

Jonathan, et al, Concerning the WVU committee, I'm forwarding this response I sent to Brett White last nite. I'd suggest you contact him with a message that a substantial reduction can be made in WVU's energy usage in the area of transportation. I had contacted him as a non-governmental organization with suggestions about the things that NGOs usually do (non-infrastructure low-budget things like education, research, amenities). The bike board could talk to them about infrastructure and other items that require more planning and funding. I have some concern that he'll be limited in his scope to facilities, but if that's the case I hope he has a counterpart working to reduce transportation energy use who will be at the meeting. In any case we should attend the program kickoff meeting Oct. 1. Nick Hein ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: "director " <director(a)positivespin.org> Reply-To: <director(a)positivespin.org> Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2007 23:30:06 -0400 Brett, As director of Positive Spin I'm excited to read about the WE CAN program and I'd like to know how we can help. Our mission is to support Morgantown citizens who walk, bike, bus and carpool for a better environment. We realize that WVU bus/PRT transit is already the envy of the nation and we'd like to know what we could do to bring pedestrian, bike and carpooling to a comparable level. I just received this link about the Ft. Collins campus bike loan program and wonder if you would consider something similar at WVU: http://www.ramwheels.colostate.edu/ We are just as interested and committed to supporting walking and carpooling to an extent that will reduce the traffic load in town and on campus. Although we are a volunteer organization we would welcome the opportunity to share our information and resources in any way that improves things for those who live, move and breathe in our community. Please give me a call at your convenience if you wish to discuss this further. Nick Hein Director, Positive Spin Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: "Brett White" <Brett.White(a)mail.wvu.edu> Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:42:49 -0400 >Community Partner- > >We would like you to invite you to attend a major WVU event/announcement. I've attached a PDF of the invite for your convenience. > >WVU is kicking off our new Energy Conservation Program, WE CAN (West Virginia University Environmental Conservation Awareness Now) on October 1, 2007 at 12:00 p.m. > >We will have a major event in the Mountainlair commons area with WVU President Mike Garrison, WV DEP Secretary Stephanie Timmermeyer and WVU Student Body President David Kirkpatrick. > >This is a major initiative for WVU and the CCE is one of the main sponsors of the program, so we would like to have as many community members at the event as possible. > >There will be free giveaways and prize drawings for all who attend. > >Also, we will be holding a lightbulb exchange. You can bring in an old incandescent light bulb and we will exchange it for a new CFL bulb...for free!!! > >We hope you will consider joining us. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to me at brett.white(a)mail.wvu.edu. > >We hope to see you there! Thanks for your commitment and partnership. > >-Brett > > > > > > > >_____________________________ >Brett J. White >Administrative Assistant Sr. >Center for Civic Engagement >West Virginia University >PO Box 6412, 109 White Hall >Morgantown, WV 26506 > >Phone: (304) 293-8761 x4481 >Fax: (304) 293-2906 >Email: brett.white(a)mail.wvu.edu >http://cce.wvu.edu ( http://cce.wvu.edu/ ) >http://www.wvstudentservice.com ( http://www.wvstudentservice.com/ ) >http://www.wvu.edu/kindness > > > >

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WVU Committee - Interested?
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 12 Sep '07

12 Sep '07

Hi everyone, When I enrolled as a freshmen at WVU, and came in for my photo ID, the woman working there asked me for my Driver's License. When I explained that I didn't have one because I refused to drive, she said "Oh, you are one of those people." The first message I got at WVU, a place of higher learning, was that I was somehow a failure to society because of my choice not drive, and it really bothered me. Ofcourse, this message is still alive and strong at WVU, and lot of work and effort is put into helping students bring their automobiles to school, rather than providing facilities for alternative modes of transportation. WVU may be improving their attitude, but they have a long, long way to go. WVU is a unique situation, first, it is large and complex, second, it constitutes a huge percentage of the transportation that exists in Morgantown, hence it is a great target if we want to get clear results. Every major goal we have defined includes WVU. Now we have to figure out how to implement these goals. This will take well planned strategies where individuals from our Board will communicate and help coordinate with WVU the vision of the Bicycle Board. First, we need to figure out what will be our operating parameters, and present our plan to the Traffic Commission. For those who missed the meeting last Thursday, so far Jim Rye, Tyler Pearson, and I have expressed an interest in being on this committee. If you are interested please email me soon so that I can arrange a meeting. If we can get our plan to the TC by October, we can move that much faster in reaching our goals. Thank-you, Jonathan

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Re: [Bikeboard] "Improvements" to Van Voorhis Road
by Nick Hein 10 Sep '07

10 Sep '07

Paula, The best recommendation to make is that the road be built with a paved shoulder so there is room for bikes, pedestrians AND motor vehicles. As a bike board member (and personally as well) my experience has been that dedicated bike lanes confuse motorists about where bikes are allowed - essentially giving them the mistaken impression that they don't belong in the traffic lane. Under state and federal law bicyclists are a vehicle subject to the same rights and responsibilities as any other vehicle operator, so they should be in the vehicle lane except when there is overtaking traffic (ie when they are going below the speed limit). Thanks for bringing up this issue. I've cc'ed this to the bike board. I don't believe the road is in the city limits, but it certainly feeds alot of traffic to the city - many of whom are potential cyclists. I'll call Chet today and ask him about the issue. Sorry if it sounded like a rant. Nick ----- Original Message ----- From: Paula Hunt To: Bill Reger-Nash ; Nick Hein Cc: tim.warner(a)mail.wvu.edu Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2007 8:15 PM Subject: "Improvements" to Van Voorhis Road Dear Bill and Nick, Tim and I attended the "Road Service Fee" meeting last night, and I was intrigued when Chet Parson said a bike lane or trail was proposed to go down Van Voorhis Rd. and end at West Run Rd. The following is my note to him asking him to "connect" the lane/trail all the way to the Mon River Trail (Rail Trail). I thought I would keep you both in the loop. Maybe you were aware of this already (?). Thanks to you both for all your good work to make Morgantown a more walkable and cyclable place! paula Subject: Improvements for Van Voorhid Road [yes, I spelled Van Voorhis incorrectly!] From: "Paula Hunt" <pjhunt(a)xemaps.com> To: parsons(a)plantogether.org Dear Mr. Parsons, During the meeting at South Middle School last night I was interested to hear that one of the suggested road improvements was safe bicycle access along Van Voorhis Road ending at West Run Road. I respectfully ask you to consider continuing the bicycle lane all the way down to the Rail Trail at the end of Van Voorhis Road. Stopping at West Run is sooooooo close, but not close enough. I calculate that it will only add 1¼ miles to the bike lane. As you know, VanV Road is steep, narrow, and twisty down there, and a lot of people live on it. A bike lane would be an inexpensive and welcome improvement. I'm sure you know that many people use the Trail to commute in to Morgantown. I live along the newly opened northern section of the Mon River Trail, and I know a few people who live in Point Marion and are using the Trail to commute to work in Morgantown. The number of cyclists that go by our house all times of the day is amazing! My husband is now riding his bike to work at the University via the Trail. Many others travel from the south. Students living in The District could safely access the Trail. I'm sure you agree that linking the Trail to neighborhoods, major apartment blocks, schools, and major employers will get a lot of people out of their cars. As you know, bike lanes and walking trails are much cheaper to build than roads. Perhaps we could do them as a first step rather than as a last step? I wish *I* could ride the Trail to work! Thanks for all your time with this, Paula Hunt Treasurer Mon River Trails Conservancy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.6/991 - Release Date: 9/5/2007 2:55 PM

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Re: [Bikeboard] "Improvements" to Van Voorhis Road
by John Lozier 09 Sep '07

09 Sep '07

Don, I appreciate your points, I would say I'm in substantial agreement. On Sep 9, 2007, at 7:27 PM, Don Spencer wrote: > Hi, All – Just a couple soap box comments and one correction. I do > happen to know that the width of the Beechurst lanes are 10 feet.: > (3 x 10 = 30). > > > > I do hope that there can be a shoulder on Van Voorhis. My up-hill > bike speed on steep slopes such as Van Voorhis tends to be about 4 > miles an hour – and if loaded, a tad less. This happens to be the > same speed as I walk. Regardless of my EC experience, I am not > about to travel at walking speed, with my back to the traffic, at > any site where there are vehicles (cars, trucks or even bikes) > traveling at 45 miles an hour if I have the option of not doing so. > > > > There is a place for diversity for bike travel preferences and > abilities. Even though trained cyclists, especially with automobile > driving experience, should take a proper position in a travel lane, > we still need shoulders for some types (and ages) of cyclists who > are not ready for this step. We cyclists also need shoulders for > steep hill climbing and even for occasional safety and maintenance > stops. (Ever had to walk you bike along a highway to a next place > for some kind of assistance?) We need complete streets…and > shoulders when there are no sidewalks or wide lanes are part of > “complete roads.” > > > > So much for my 2 cents! > > > > Don > > > > > > > > From: bikeboard-bounces(a)cheat.org [mailto:bikeboard- > bounces(a)cheat.org] On Behalf Of Frank Gmeindl > Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2007 6:40 AM > To: Nick Hein > Cc: Paula Hunt; bikeboard(a)cheat.org > Subject: Re: [Bikeboard] "Improvements" to Van Voorhis Road > > > > Since Nick's reply to John missed my earlier reply to John and > gunnar, I repeat it here to keep it in the thread-Frank > > If Van Voorhis had a wide lane uphill, we wouldn't have to "vie > with cars". They would be able to pass us leaving a 3-foot gap > between them and us. A wide lane is 14-feet wide. The lanes on > Beechurst are 8-feet wide. > > I hope everyone reads the links that gunnar provided. Our > discussions and decisions would be more productive if they came > from information rather than just personal opinion. > > I will take issue with the second link "How to Not Get Hit by Cars > vs."Effective Cycling"", however. The unidentified author claims > that Effective Cycling teaches that bicycles = cars. Saying that > "Cyclists fare best when they ACT and ARE TREATED AS DRIVERS of > vehicles" in no way says that bicycle = car. That fundamental > principle of Effective Cycling is about behavior not machinery. > > Having taken the Road I course, gunnar knows well that our > instructor explicitly stated that bicycles are narrower, lighter > and slower than cars. gunnar can also tell you that our instructor > taught us how to optimize the advantages and how to minimize the > disadvantages that those differences present. We learned that > being visible, predictable, assertive and courteous = safe > cycling. We learned that our body language and our lane position > informs the motorist of what to expect and we learned appropriate > body language and lane position for every situation. We learned how > to ride straight and how to scan, signal and negotiate to obtain > the right of way. We also learned that most crashes occur at > intersections and that's where proper body language and lane > position are most important. > > I can only suppose adults riding bikes on sidewalks downtown is > illegal because bicycles present an unacceptable danger to > pedestrians. I really doubt the law was passed to protect > bicyclists from getting hit by a car exiting a driveway or parking > lot, or getting hit by a car that doesn't expect to see the cyclist > pop off the sidewalk in mid-block or at the corner. I also suppose > that riding on sidewalks outside of downtown is not illegal because > there aren't many sidewalks and they're not very used. This week, > the Traffic Commission created a Pedestrian Safety Board. If that > Board is successful, and I hope it is, we will have sidewalks along > all roadways and they will be used by multitudes of pedestrians. > Of course that will take years. In the meantime, if the community > gets the idea that bicycles are not supposed to ride on the roads > and bicycles present an unacceptable danger to pedestrians we will > be left to ride our rollers in our living rooms. > > My voice is so loud because I dearly love road cycling. I have > ridden well over 100,000 miles and I've ridden in London, Paris, > Munich, Vienna, Venice, New York, DC, Chicago, Pittsburgh, San > Francisco, Denver, Austin and many of the roads and the biggest > mountains in between. Until I studied Effective Cycling and took > the Road I course, every time I rode in traffic, I was afraid. > When I heard a loud motor vehicle come up behind me I would > cringe. Since studying and implementing Effective Cycling, > confidence and relaxation have replaced that fear and now, 99.99% > of the motorists I encounter treat me with respect. Heck, many of > them even smile and wave! > > My voice is so loud because I can imagine a time when it will > become impossible for you to experience what I have. > > Frank > > > > Nick Hein wrote: > > John, > > I don't see where there's any conflict with recommending paved > shoulders. I DONT contend that they should be marked as bike > lanes. I DO contend that cyclists should have some training before > using them, and that they have a place to practice that training > without undue risk of getting hit by cars. If you don't consider > that a suitable solution, what would you propose - under the > assumption that a separated path along VanVoorhis would be > impractical? Would a path along West Run (creek) be acceptable as > the training ground? > > > > I'm as interested as anyone in coming up with a solution that > serves the most people in the best way for the longest time - and I > agree that the ECer's get a little myopic (they dis recumbents for > instance) and I don't want to get sucked into anyone's myopia. If > you think there's a way to put a separated path along VanVoorhis > please give details. > > > > For such a task I'd recommend the website mapmyride.com. You can > overlay topo and satellite maps to help with routing. > > > > You can also find mon county plat maps at www.assessor.org if > there's any question about property ownership. > > > > For information, the entire length of Van Voorhis from Burroughs > (BBT) is 2 miles. From VanVoorhis to the Mon River trail on West > Run Creek is 1.5 miles. What are the thoughts on a suggestion for > paved shoulders on VanVoorhis and a bike trail along West Run > Creek. What do you propose instead? What do you object to in this > proposal? > > > > Nick > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: John Lozier > > To: gunn4r Shogren > > Cc: Nick Hein ; Paula Hunt ; bikeboard(a)cheat.org > > Sent: Friday, September 07, 2007 5:22 PM > > Subject: Re: [Bikeboard] "Improvements" to Van Voorhis Road > > > > Thanks, Gunnar, for interesting links and supportive words. I > don't want to be involved in rigid thinking one way or another. > > > > I encourage folks to read the following links you sent, and > consider in relation to the loudest voices on our bike board. > > > > http://bicyclesafe.com/index.html > > > > http://bicyclesafe.com/eci.html > > > > > > On Sep 7, 2007, at 3:57 PM, gunn4r Shogren wrote: > > > > > Judging from the results from google using "cyclists fare best when > they"- > > http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=mozilla&rls=org.mozilla% > 3Aen-US%3Aunofficial&q=cyclists+fare+best+when+they&btnG=Search > > and these few pages that I brought up- > > http://bicyclesafe.com/eci.html > > http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1119262 > > > > It seems that we're not alone in our two sided argument and such. > > > > Bicycles are in a really interesting postion, they can go both ways, > > they are quite flexible, square-peg-round-hole. Whether you like it > > or not. > > And children, kids, use them, which only adds to the confusion and > problems. > > Education can goe a long way, but insistence of either way probably > > won't do it all. > > > > So somewhere compromise probably has to rear it's ugly head and step > > in. Strange but true. > > > > Sometimes gray can be good. Sometimes gray is better than nothing. > > It's not the same as selling your soul. > > > > I personally think that each situation can demand a different answer, > > no one-size-fits-all. > > > > Let's keep harping for Harmony. Sounds nice. > > > > gunnar. > > > > On 9/7/07, John Lozier <jl(a)harpingforharmony.org> wrote: > >> All: >> >> >> >> That stretch of Van Voorhis is curvy and very steep. To me it >> doesn't seem >> >> practical to widen the traffic lanes and expect bicyclists to vie >> with cars >> >> for priority. Downhill maybe, but not uphill. >> >> >> >> That would be a near-perfect example of a place where I would like >> to see >> >> either 1) a separate bike path, with a curb or other physical barrier >> >> between it and the auto lane, or 2) a wide sidewalk designated for >> bike-ped >> >> use. >> >> >> >> Actually, my two options are not really different, as I would allow >> >> pedestrians on my bike path (keep to the right, of course). >> >> >> >> Okay, this is not what the loudest voices want to hear. However, >> that is my >> >> story and I'm sticking to it. >> >> >> >> John >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On Sep 7, 2007, at 8:54 AM, Nick Hein wrote: >> >> >> >> >> >> Paula, >> >> The best recommendation to make is that the road be built with a >> paved >> >> shoulder so there is room for bikes, pedestrians AND motor >> vehicles. As a >> >> bike board member (and personally as well) my experience has been >> that >> >> dedicated bike lanes confuse motorists about where bikes are >> allowed - >> >> essentially giving them the mistaken impression that they don't >> belong in >> >> the traffic lane. Under state and federal law bicyclists are a >> vehicle >> >> subject to the same rights and responsibilities as any other vehicle >> >> operator, so they should be in the vehicle lane except when there is >> >> overtaking traffic (ie when they are going below the speed limit). >> >> >> >> Thanks for bringing up this issue. I've cc'ed this to the bike >> board. I >> >> don't believe the road is in the city limits, but it certainly >> feeds alot of >> >> traffic to the city - many of whom are potential cyclists. I'll >> call Chet >> >> today and ask him about the issue. >> >> >> >> Sorry if it sounded like a rant. >> >> Nick >> >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> >> From: Paula Hunt >> >> To: Bill Reger-Nash ; Nick Hein >> >> Cc: tim.warner(a)mail.wvu.edu >> >> Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2007 8:15 PM >> >> Subject: "Improvements" to Van Voorhis Road >> >> >> >> Dear Bill and Nick, >> >> >> >> Tim and I attended the "Road Service Fee" meeting last night, and >> I was >> >> intrigued when Chet Parson said a bike lane or trail was proposed >> to go down >> >> Van Voorhis Rd. and end at West Run Rd. The following is my note >> to him >> >> asking him to "connect" the lane/trail all the way to the Mon >> River Trail >> >> (Rail Trail). I thought I would keep you both in the loop. >> Maybe you were >> >> aware of this already (?). >> >> >> >> Thanks to you both for all your good work to make Morgantown a >> more walkable >> >> and cyclable place! >> >> paula >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Subject: Improvements for Van Voorhid Road [yes, I spelled Van >> Voorhis >> >> incorrectly!] >> >> From: "Paula Hunt" <pjhunt(a)xemaps.com> >> >> To: parsons(a)plantogether.org >> >> >> >> Dear Mr. Parsons, >> >> >> >> During the meeting at South Middle School last night I was >> interested to >> >> hear that one of the suggested road improvements was safe bicycle >> access >> >> along Van Voorhis Road ending at West Run Road. I respectfully >> ask you to >> >> consider continuing the bicycle lane all the way down to the Rail >> Trail at >> >> the end of Van Voorhis Road. Stopping at West Run is sooooooo >> close, but >> >> not close enough. I calculate that it will only add 1¼ miles to >> the bike >> >> lane. As you know, VanV Road is steep, narrow, and twisty down >> there, and >> >> a lot of people live on it. A bike lane would be an inexpensive and >> >> welcome improvement. >> >> >> >> I'm sure you know that many people use the Trail to commute in to >> >> Morgantown. I live along the newly opened northern section of the >> Mon >> >> River Trail, and I know a few people who live in Point Marion and are >> >> using the Trail to commute to work in Morgantown. The number of >> cyclists >> >> that go by our house all times of the day is amazing! My husband >> is now >> >> riding his bike to work at the University via the Trail. Many others >> >> travel from the south. Students living in The District could safely >> >> access the Trail. I'm sure you agree that linking the Trail to >> >> neighborhoods, major apartment blocks, schools, and major >> employers will >> >> get a lot of people out of their cars. As you know, bike lanes and >> >> walking trails are much cheaper to build than roads. Perhaps we >> could do >> >> them as a first step rather than as a last step? >> >> >> >> I wish *I* could ride the Trail to work! >> >> >> >> Thanks for all your time with this, >> >> >> >> Paula Hunt >> >> Treasurer >> >> Mon River Trails Conservancy >> >> >> >> ________________________________ >> >> >> >> >> >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> >> Checked by AVG Free Edition. >> >> Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.6/991 - Release Date: >> 9/5/2007 >> >> 2:55 PM >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> Bikeboard mailing list >> >> Bikeboard(a)cheat.org >> >> http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> Bikeboard mailing list >> >> Bikeboard(a)cheat.org >> >> http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard >> >> >> >> >> > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.6/991 - Release Date: > 9/5/2007 2:55 PM > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Bikeboard mailing list > Bikeboard(a)cheat.org > http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard > > _______________________________________________ > Bikeboard mailing list > Bikeboard(a)cheat.org > http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard

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Re: [Bikeboard] "Improvements" to Van Voorhis Road
by director 09 Sep '07

09 Sep '07

Good evening, I hope I haven't stirred up an irreversible hornets' nest with my comments. My apologies to Paula Hunt who has been cc'ed on every exchange. I should have probably have indicated earlier what I have done to date on this issue. I called Chet Parsons and left a voicemail message asking (as an affected cyclist - but not as a bicycle boardmember) to ensure that VanVoorhis has paved shoulders all the way to its end. In the brief (and calm) message I expressed my interest in having VanVoorhis be a safe route from the apartments at West Run and Baker's Ridge to the rail trail and to Suncrest. I also asked him to call me if he had any questions. Any of you are free to do the same with your recommendations. I'm not sure whether action is required of the bicycle board. I respectfully leave that up to the chairman of the board. Nick Hein Just some guy on a wierd bike.

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Agenda Item for next meeting: Calendar for the year
by director 06 Sep '07

06 Sep '07

Good evening, May I suggest that we make up a calendar for the next year, making note of when the city meetings and local events are? We've been in kind of a reactive mode all this past year and I was wondering if looking at the calendar a year in advance might help us to prepare better. I do this for Positive Spin (we're doing it at the moment in fact) and it helps us know when to get out news stories and recruit volunteers. I realize the bike board functions differently, but looking at a calendar never hurts. I've attached the Excel spreadsheet I use as a template every year. If someone else has a better template, or online planner please feel free to contribute it in place of this simple spreadsheet. Thanks. Nick Hein

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Meeting
by Sam Stone 06 Sep '07

06 Sep '07

I will be unable to attend this evening's meeting due to a death in the family. 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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Thursday, 9/6 Bike Board Agenda
by Frank Gmeindl 02 Sep '07

02 Sep '07

Bike Board Members, The attached zip folder contains the agenda and read-aheads for our meeting next Thursday 9/6. This meeting will focus on the Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award application and a review of the 8 goals that we defined back in December: Infrastructure, Education, Bike Commuting, Public Relations, Bicycle Friendly Community Award, Law, Maps and Bike Parking and the 84 ideas we had for achieving those goals. The BFC application provides a baseline in the areas of Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation & Planning that map somewhat to our goals. Submitting the application will also bring the City objective feedback and recommendations from the League of American Bicyclists. By Wednesday, we will have formally provided the Traffic Commission recommendations for Infrastructure, Education and now, the BFC award. Looking at some of our 84 ideas (they're in the attached zip folder in a Word document labeled BikeBoardGoals) we've also made progress on some of them in addition to those that we formally presented to the Traffic Commission. For example, engaging Board of Education in efforts to increase bicycle transit, bike racks at schools, non-motorized parade, and bike racks in parking garages. In our 84 ideas, several relate to WVU. At our meeting this Thursday, Jonathan is also going to take the initiative to get us moving on them. We've learned a lot in the past year. At this Thursday's meeting, I'd like our new members to get up to speed with the rest of us and for all of us to renew our energy and decide where to go from here. See you Thursday! Frank

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