September 2008 - Bikeboard - lists.bikelover.org

Homework
by David Bruffy 01 Oct '08

01 Oct '08

Bike Board Members, It seems to me the biggest obstacle is engineering. It very much reminds me of the difficulty with bus shelters. They were never considered when public spaces were designed and engineered, meaning there is no public property to locate them (no adequate public property for bike lanes), no accommodation for their use such as curb cuts (no consideration of how bikes and cars could interact in places with steep grades), and no awareness or interest on the part of designers and engineers to include them in new projects (the new streetscape in Downtown Morgantown gets us both I think). Without engineering, we don't have a product. Without a product to sell, we have little to offer, to market, to educate, or to encourage use. Without a good initial product for show and tell, it is a hard sell. Before there was any streetscape in downtown Morgantown, Wall Street was redone. Although small, it spurred imagination, created interest, and demonstrated what was possible. 15 years later, downtown streets are being redone. The first piece of the rail-trail was 150 feet long. Again, it demonstrated to the community what "could be" and helped people to imagine more (Hazel Ruby-McQuain's interest and financial support certainly helped as well). Perhaps we need a Demonstration Project? Probably one of the best candidate locations is outside the City of Morgantown. Granville is interested in re-developing their main streets and sidewalks and would serve as a great demonstration project. Is there a similar opportunity in Morgantown? David A. Bruffy General Manager Mountain Line Transit Authority 420 DuPont Road Morgantown, WV 26501 Bruffy(a)busride.org (304) 296-3680 - Administrative Offices (304) 291-RIDE (7433) - Bus Information Fax (304) 291-7429 WWW.BUSRIDE.ORG

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[Fwd: BB Homework]
by Frank Gmeindl 30 Sep '08

30 Sep '08

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: BB Homework Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 23:40:40 -0400 From: Don Spencer <dspencer36(a)comcast.net> To: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> Frank -- I apologize for the late response. Don

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[Fwd: RE: Homework due tomorrow]
by Frank Gmeindl 30 Sep '08

30 Sep '08

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: RE: Homework due tomorrow Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:51:22 -0400 From: Jennifer Selin <jselin(a)hotmail.com> To: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> References: <48DADCD7.4040209(a)verizon.net> To Frank: I am working on my tasks for the bike board: 1) Youth Member: From the Youth Commission Maria Panaccione, 876 Riverview Dr., 598-1059. 2) In-town member who has a "community-fitness" or "corporate-fitness" or "community" orientation. I have struck out a few times but have new leads. 3) Here is some late homework: Engineering: Help everyone by designing new and existing roads with wide lanes and enough paved shoulder and designated specific turning lanes so that cars and bicyclists feel like they can comfortably share the road. Design roads well!!! Enforcement: Enforce the shared use of intersections and roads---prosecute those who cut off, hassle and purposely run-down bicycle riders. Education: Educate riders about how to ride safely and car-drivers about how to share the road. Encouragement: Encourage and enable recreational bike riders to ride for transportation and to ride more for fitness by making connections between neighborhoods and trails. For instance a trail from Krepps Park to Star City to the Rail Trail. And the Campus Connector between Grant Street and the water tower on Evansdale Campus. And other connectors around town so that those who want to ride sometimes on roads and sometimes on trails or cut-throughs can do so. Evaluation: Please continually evaluate our transportation system so that free movement by bicycle is encouraged in Morgantown and throughout the area. Equality: Bicycles can be owned and enjoyed by a variety of people in a variety of situations. They are inexpensive and do not take up much space. Bicycles are a great equalizer. A variety of transportation methods should be encouraged, particularly non-motorized transportation for health, low-cost to own and use, and sustainability over time. Thanks for all your hard work, Jenny Jenny Selin 1224 Fairlawns Morgantown, WV 26505 USA Phone:(304-598-9650) jselin(a)hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:35:35 -0400 From: fgmeindl(a)verizon.net Subject: Homework due tomorrow To: bikeboard(a)cheat.org; JSelin(a)hotmail.com Bicycle Board Members, This is a reminder that your homework from our last meeting is DUE THIS FRIDAY! Alice has already sent me hers. 8-) >From the last meeting minutes: ATTENTION BB MEMBERS: HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT!!!!! After some study, it seems that good city bicycling plans all contain the following elements (or some variation thereof): Engineering Enforcement Education Encouragement Evaluation Equality The BB’s homework assignment for the month is for EACH member to *write down the biggest bicycle-related problem in each element that faces Morgantown*, in his/her opinion. A solution can also be posed, but the problem posing is most important. Obviously, many problems can fall into multiple categories, but the most dominant category should be chosen. Note: This homework assignment is somewhat open to individual interpretation. The hope is to generate some ideas for the future direction of the BB. Please *email your list to Frank by Sept. 26*, 1 week before the next meeting so he can compile the lists and have them ready for clarification, prioritization and selection at the next meeting which is on Oct. 2. 4ank ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stay up to date on your PC, the Web, and your mobile phone with Windows Live. See Now <http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093185mrt/direct/01/>

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[Fwd: RE: Gold Stars]
by Frank Gmeindl 29 Sep '08

29 Sep '08

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: RE: [Bikeboard] Gold Stars Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:18:36 -0400 From: Derek Springston <guitardeek(a)hotmail.com> To: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> Hey Frank... I didn't know we had homework until you emailed me last week. Anyway, here is what I've come up with. It might be a little vague in areas, but I tried! ~Derek ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:59:33 -0400 From: fgmeindl(a)verizon.net To: bikeboard(a)cheat.org Subject: [Bikeboard] Gold Stars Gold Stars to * Alice, * Jim, * Marilyn, * Don Dickerson and * Betsy for getting their homework in on time! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Get more out of the Web. Learn 10 hidden secrets of Windows Live. Learn Now <http://windowslive.com/connect/post/jamiethomson.spaces.live.com-Blog-cns%2…>

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Article by/about Bill R-N in this morning's paper
by director 29 Sep '08

29 Sep '08

Bill, I saw the article this morning. Thanks for getting this info into the paper paper today (Dominion Post). I agree that the deplorable state of the statewide non-motorized amenities are the root cause of car addiction. There are some pretty entrenched mechanisms for keeping things that way. Now what do we do about it? Nick -- Nick Hein Director, Positive Spin Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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Homework
by director 28 Sep '08

28 Sep '08

Good evening, Although I'm no longer officially on the board (I guess that's what ex-officio must mean) I'd like to submit my homework for voluntary grading as if I'm auditing a course.... Education; In the 4th grade provide one full day of bike safety education - half-day lecture, half-day road with a police officer (based on German model) In drivers' ed classes provide one hour lecture on vulnerable road users and code/courtesy when operating in their vicinity. Enforcement: Encourage and enforce speed limit laws for motorists. These speed limits were set to maintain an environment where motorized and non-motorized road users could share safely. Speed limits are UPPER limits, but are being treated as LOWER limits. I was wondering if I come to the meeting if I could bring our exchange student and have him talk about the bicycling environment (riding and regulatory) in Germany. His Mom commutes regularly to her job as a school teacher and he rides to his activities (but takes a city bus to school). Nick -- Nick Hein Director, Positive Spin Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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Next Thursday's 10/2 BB agenda
by Frank Gmeindl 27 Sep '08

27 Sep '08

Bicycle Board Members, Please find attached a zip folder. It contains 3 documents: 1. A suggested agenda for next Thursday's Bicycle Board Meeting. 2. The minutes of our last meeting. 3. The results of our homework assignment from the last meeting. The primary goal of Thursday's meeting will be to identify the most important problems keeping us from realizing our vision, discovering the root causes of those problems, identifying the best solutions to those root causes and organizing to implement the solutions. My experience doing this with similar groups of our size is that it usually takes a lot longer than the 90 minutes that I have allocated to it. If we can at least identify a top priority problem, discover its root causes and identify some effective solutions, I think we might get on a roll again. If you were to review the compiled results of our homework assignment and give some thought to which problems are most important, why we have those problems and what would be optimal solutions, we might be able to make better use of our time come Thursday. Frank /Morgantown residents can enjoy bicycling safely and fearlessly anywhere, anytime, for any reason./

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Gold Stars
by Frank Gmeindl 26 Sep '08

26 Sep '08

Gold Stars to * Alice, * Jim, * Marilyn, * Don Dickerson and * Betsy for getting their homework in on time!

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Homework due tomorrow
by Frank Gmeindl 26 Sep '08

26 Sep '08

Bicycle Board Members, This is a reminder that your homework from our last meeting is DUE THIS FRIDAY! Alice has already sent me hers. 8-) From the last meeting minutes: ATTENTION BB MEMBERS: HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT!!!!! After some study, it seems that good city bicycling plans all contain the following elements (or some variation thereof): Engineering Enforcement Education Encouragement Evaluation Equality The BB's homework assignment for the month is for EACH member to *write down the biggest bicycle-related problem in each element that faces Morgantown*, in his/her opinion. A solution can also be posed, but the problem posing is most important. Obviously, many problems can fall into multiple categories, but the most dominant category should be chosen. Note: This homework assignment is somewhat open to individual interpretation. The hope is to generate some ideas for the future direction of the BB. Please *email your list to Frank by Sept. 26*, 1 week before the next meeting so he can compile the lists and have them ready for clarification, prioritization and selection at the next meeting which is on Oct. 2. 4ank

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Re: [Bikeboard] [Fwd: FW: Bicyclists, motorists warned to share road]
by director 23 Sep '08

23 Sep '08

Frank, That is impressive about law officers recognizing cyclists for both their rights AND responsibilities. What is even better is when they say "Motorists AND cyclists share the same rights and responsibilities when sharing the road." I hope we can get that message out here. Over the weekend I was in a bookstore and picked up "Bicycle Laws" ($15 in paperback at B&N). I was intrigued to read that this item of the uniform traffic code came about in 1880 (NYC) to express that bicycles had the same rights and responsibilities as any other _carriage_ on public roads. This was enacted at a time when the bicycle was a newcomer and dominant user of the roads, compared to horses and horse-carriages which were considered the slower and more vulnerable road users of their time. Nick ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2008 08:37:16 -0400 >Bicycle Board Members, > >The link below goes to a Pgh. Post-Gazette article. It is impressive >that Penn DOT, City Police and County Health Department, rather than >obvious bicycle advocates, are promoting share the road signage and >education. Especially impressive is that you have the Penn DOT guy >saying, "Bicyclists have the same right to the road as motorists, but >they also have the same duties and responsibilities as motorists" > >Frank > >-------- Original Message -------- >Subject: FW: Bicyclists, motorists warned to share road >Date: Sat, 20 Sep 2008 11:54:10 -0400 >From: Don Spencer <dspencer36(a)comcast.net> >To: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> > > > > > > > http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08264/913720-85.stm > > > > > > -- Nick Hein Director, Positive Spin Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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[Fwd: FW: Bicyclists, motorists warned to share road]
by Frank Gmeindl 21 Sep '08

21 Sep '08

Bicycle Board Members, The link below goes to a Pgh. Post-Gazette article. It is impressive that Penn DOT, City Police and County Health Department, rather than obvious bicycle advocates, are promoting share the road signage and education. Especially impressive is that you have the Penn DOT guy saying, "Bicyclists have the same right to the road as motorists, but they also have the same duties and responsibilities as motorists" Frank -------- Original Message -------- Subject: FW: Bicyclists, motorists warned to share road Date: Sat, 20 Sep 2008 11:54:10 -0400 From: Don Spencer <dspencer36(a)comcast.net> To: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08264/913720-85.stm

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Education vs. Infrastructure
by Frank Gmeindl 14 Sep '08

14 Sep '08

Bicycle Board Members, When we get our Transportation Enhancement Program grant, I wonder if we can produce some cool educational materials such as this: http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/09/11/whats-wrong-with-this-pictur… This one sheet provides a very clear and somewhat entertaining perspective on bike lanes. Frank

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[Fwd: PLEASE DON'T REPLY!!!] - Nevermind:(
by Frank Gmeindl 14 Sep '08

14 Sep '08

Bicycle Board Members, Never mind my last message. Your replies to the message Subject: [Fwd: [LCI Group] Fwd: [MBAC] Shared Lane Markings Intallation and Mayor's Press Conference] aren't going back to the LCI Group. They're going to a folder from which I read my LCI group messages and when I saw my message to you and Don Spencer's reply to it in the list of LCI messages in that folder, I thought they were also on the LCI group. They're not so you can reply to whatever to your heart's content! Sorry for cluttering your in-box! Frank -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [Bikeboard] PLEASE DON'T REPLY!!! Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 14:45:01 -0400 From: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> To: Bicycle Board <bikeboard(a)cheat.org> Bicycle Board Members, Please do not reply to the message that I sent you Subject: [Fwd: [LCI Group] Fwd: [MBAC] Shared Lane Markings Intallation and Mayor's Press Conference]!!! Somehow I screwed up and my message and your replies are going to the private moderated list from which I forwarded it. That violates the policy of that list and I don't want to get kicked off! Frank _______________________________________________ Bikeboard mailing list Bikeboard(a)cheat.org http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard

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PLEASE DON'T REPLY!!!
by Frank Gmeindl 14 Sep '08

14 Sep '08

Bicycle Board Members, Please do not reply to the message that I sent you Subject: [Fwd: [LCI Group] Fwd: [MBAC] Shared Lane Markings Intallation and Mayor's Press Conference]!!! Somehow I screwed up and my message and your replies are going to the private moderated list from which I forwarded it. That violates the policy of that list and I don't want to get kicked off! Frank

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[Fwd: [LCI Group] Fwd: [MBAC] Shared Lane Markings Intallation and Mayor's Press Conference]
by Frank Gmeindl 14 Sep '08

14 Sep '08

Bicycle Board Members, Below is an announcement by Salt Lake City of their installation of Shared Lane Markings and Bicycles May Use Full Lane signs. Apparently, they're only adding them to one street (which I think demonstrates a lack of commitment) but what I found interesting, even entertaining is that they're putting a 4-foot wide non-slip, green stripe running longitudinally *in the center of the outside travel lane* between the SLMs. Can you imagine? :-) Also note that the _Mayor _is having a press conference on the street on which the markings and signs will be placed to discuss the project. Frank ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: *Bergenthal, Dan* <Dan.Bergenthal(a)slcgov.com <mailto:Dan.Bergenthal@slcgov.com>> Date: Fri, Sep 12, 2008 at 8:52 AM Subject: [MBAC] Shared Lane Markings Intallation and Mayor's Press Conference To: mbac(a)cyclingutah.com <mailto:mbac@cyclingutah.com> Cc: "Langan, Helen" <Helen.Langan(a)slcgov.com <mailto:Helen.Langan@slcgov.com>> MBAC Members, Tomorrow, 9/13, installation will begin on the city's new shared lane markings on 200 South between Main St. and State St. The Mayor will hold a press conference on Wednesday, September 17th at 10:30 am on the SE corner of 200 South Main St. to discuss the project. In brief the shared lane markings on 200 South are intended to: 1. Help bicyclists position themselves in lanes where the traveled way is too narrow for a motorist and bicyclists to travel side by side within the same traffic lane. 2. Encourage safe passing of bicyclists by motorists. 3. Alert road users of the lateral location bicyclists may occupy. 4. Reduce the incidents of wrong-way bicycling. The shared lane marking consists of a bicycle symbol placed below two chevrons and is placed periodically in the outside travel lanes. To draw additional attention to the shared lanes, Salt Lake City is complimenting the new markings by adding a 4-foot wide, non-slip, green stripe running longitudinally in the center of the outside travel lane. Salt Lake City will be the first to combine shared lane markings with colored pavement. In addition to the pavement markings, regulatory signs will be installed along the sides of the roadway which combine a bicycle symbol with the text: MAY USE FULL LANE. We are excited about this new addition to our bicycle facilities within the city!! Please plan to attend the press conference to demonstrate your support for the project! Dan Dan Bergenthal, P.E. Salt Lake City Transportation Division <http://www.slcgov.com/Transportation/> 349 South 200 East, Suite 450 P.O. Box 145502 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-5502 801-535-7106 _______________________________________________ MBAC mailing list MBAC(a)lists.cyclingutah.com <mailto:MBAC@lists.cyclingutah.com> http://lists.cyclingutah.com/listinfo.cgi/mbac-cyclingutah.com -- How often I have lain beneath rain on a strange roof, thinking of home. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the "LCI Group." To post to this group, send email to lci-group(a)googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to lci-group-unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/lci-group?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

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Traffic Commission meeting
by Frank Gmeindl 13 Sep '08

13 Sep '08

Bicycle Board Members, At last Wednesday's Traffic Commission meeting: 1. The TC unanimously appointed Derek Springston and Chris Phillips new BB members and welcomed Jim Rye back. 2. Accepted the press release that Betsy and I wrote. However, Terry Hough objected to my passing it out to the Traffic Commission and said that she would work with the BB when it is appropriate. (I'm still kicking myself for not reading it aloud to the TC members since the meetings are televised. The outcome is probably that nobody but me an Betsy knowwhat's in it and that's the end.) 3. I introduced Mark Wise to address the trail stripe issue. He invited TC members to join the committee that he's forming to resolve the stripe issue. No TC members volunteered. In advance of the meeting, I provided the TC the Authoritative Guidelines for Trail Striping that Jonathan developed. The TC looked them over and I think that Mark recognized that whatever his committee does, it will have to conform to those guidelines. When Roy Nutter, TC Chairman, asked Mark what the problem was with the trail stripe, Mark said, "There's too much". I couldn't believe that he didn't even recognize that the stripe isn't even in the middle of the trail in most places. That's all. Frank

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[Fwd: Re: Parking Plan for City]
by Frank Gmeindl 11 Sep '08

11 Sep '08

Jonathan, I added Figure 9C-2 in the attached. Figure 9B-2 doesn't really add much value. I will send the attached to the TC secretary to distribute to the TC tomorrow. Frank -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [Bikeboard] Parking Plan for City Date: Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:56:04 -0400 From: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> To: Jonathan Rosenbaum <freesource(a)cheat.org> CC: 'Bicycle Board' <bikeboard(a)cheat.org>, Don Spencer <dlspencer(a)adelphia.net> References: <48C1E787.50606(a)verizon.net> <48C4BB7E.1030403(a)cheat.org><405CF8ED69D94E30AA44E847D761E462@donhome> <48C567A1.8000009(a)cheat.org> <E2107661272E4E51BE59130117FA53B4@donhome> <48C686A0.5030906(a)verizon.net> <48C6D66B.3090106(a)cheat.org> Jonathan, Thank you! That is perfect. Can you include Figures 9C-2 and 9B-2? Frank Jonathan Rosenbaum wrote: > Frank, > > The authoritative guidelines I have, as disclosed in early > correspondences, are directly from the AASHTO and MUTCD and are > attached to this message. > > The Bicycle Parking Committee's plan should be ready for the November > 5th TC meeting. There is a slight possibility we may have it out > earlier, but it appears that everyone on our committee is > substantially busy this month. We will certainly attempt to get it > out earlier if possible, and then seek approval from the BB by email. > After this email conversation with Don it has become clear to me > what the nature of that plan should be, it certainly won't be the > product(s) itself, that was something that wasn't clear to us, but > rather it will be a description of the objectives we want implemented > in the City, the methodology in which we hope to see those objectives > realized and the desired outcome. (Light bulb thought: Franks October > 5, 2006 Bike Board Plan handout.) Ironically, without realizing it I > answered my own question, in that initial email I sent out, about how > we can "explore the applicability of WVU's planning process" to this > plan. To be honest, we really didn't have a clear picture about how > the two parts of the action item #38 fit together until this ensuing > conversation. Now we are on the right direction in the construction > of a plan that will be acted on properly by the City! > > Don, other than January, are there other City budget planning periods > in which we could introduce a budget item? > > -Jonathan > "Just another trained monkey." > > Frank Gmeindl wrote: >> Jonathan, >> >> My original request was for authoritative guidelines for trail >> striping. You had got pretty close to finding such. What's the best >> you have? >> >> As you well recognize, any leeway we give non-cyclists to decide how >> to control cyclists, the more chance there is for error. Ideally, we >> would give the TC and BOPARC exact specifications (length, width, >> spacing, color, location, material) tomorrow night and cite a >> national authoritative source. If we can't do that, what we give >> them should at least be from a national authoritative source and not >> compromise bicyclist safety on the trail. >> >> What will you bring? >> >> If I were to discuss parking in the Bicycle Board Report portion of >> the TC agenda, I would only say that we are working on a plan. Can >> you give me a date for when that plan will be ready to deliver to the TC? >> >> Frank >> >> Don Spencer wrote: >>> >>> Jonathan – I disagree with the idea of going to Tom Arnold without >>> our doing our homework fist. We cannot dump the problem on him and >>> expect a positive response. >>> >>> >>> >>> Remember the old outhouse saying? “No job is ever finished until the >>> paperwork is done!” >>> >>> >>> >>> I believe that we need to do our work as a Bicycle Board first. >>> That’s what I understand that we are here for. >>> >>> >>> >>> Perhaps we need to recruit more members for the Parking Committee to >>> help on this. >>> >>> >>> >>> Don >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>> >>> *From:* bikeboard-bounces(a)cheat.org >>> [mailto:bikeboard-bounces@cheat.org] *On Behalf Of *Jonathan Rosenbaum >>> *Sent:* Monday, September 08, 2008 1:58 PM >>> *To:* 'Bicycle Board' >>> *Subject:* Re: [Bikeboard] Parking Plan for City >>> >>> >>> >>> Don, this is good to hear, and it makes valid sense that someone >>> from the Parking Authority could be that person we are looking for. >>> Someone who would not only address Bicycle Parking on City >>> proprieties, but who would also address Bicycle Parking Facilities >>> on all potential City properties. >>> >>> At this point I am fed up with creating plans, it seems like it is >>> the only thing I spend my time doing these days. Plans mean >>> absolutely nothing if they aren't acted on. Two years ago, the >>> Bicycle Board presented a comprehensive plan to the TC, how much >>> mileage have we gotten out of that? >>> >>> The Bicycle Parking Committee has amassed a huge amount of >>> information on Bicycle Parking Standards and we would be happy to >>> present that again to the BB as we have done in the past. This is >>> the same information that was presented to WVU including some >>> information which overlaps what we presented to the High Schools. >>> We have already spent substantial amount time collecting and >>> becoming experts in this area, including follow-up meetings to >>> solidify this knowledge. Now time is running low, if you want to >>> see a budget item by this January, we need to act now, we can't just >>> endlessly (and mindlessly) keep running this by the BB at meetings. >>> What is our vision for Bicycle Parking in Morgantown? It's the same >>> vision that is the founding statement of the Bike Board. >>> >>> So let's get into contact with the Parking Authority now (today or >>> tomorrow) and find out what their commitment level would be. If >>> they aren't interested let's find out who else the City could offer >>> via the TC or City Council. Otherwise, this is just going to drag >>> on and on and nothing will ever be accomplished. What do people on >>> the Bicycle Board think about going this route? >>> >>> -Jonathan >>> >>> >>> Don Spencer wrote: >>> >>> Jonathan - I believe that we already have someone that we can work with and >>> that is Tom Arnold from the Parking Authority. Nearly two years ago he >>> expressed a willingness to work with us in generating parking centers in the >>> Parking Garage, but we were not able to follow-up on his willingness at that >>> time. >>> >>> I believe that the first cut on all parking planning needs to be the Parking >>> Authority. Once we have something that is acceptable, then we can go to the >>> Traffic Commission and ask for their support in presenting whatever we need >>> to communicate or request to the City Manager and the City Council. >>> >>> Before we go to Tom again, however, we need to have a draft comprehensive >>> parking vision and plan that the Bicycle Board has reviewed. Hopefully Hugh >>> Kierig will be able to dialog with us in putting a preliminary plan >>> together. >>> >>> Don >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: bikeboard-bounces(a)cheat.org <mailto:bikeboard-bounces@cheat.org> [mailto:bikeboard-bounces@cheat.org] On >>> Behalf Of Jonathan Rosenbaum >>> Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 1:43 AM >>> To: Bicycle Board >>> Subject: Re: [Bikeboard] Trail stripe >>> >>> I plan to be there, thanks on this Frank. Mark must be a telephone >>> person because he never responded to an email I sent him last month. In >>> relation to that, I have another item I'd like to bring up to the TC, >>> and I would hope this is a fairly obvious one to the BB, and that I have >>> your (BB) support. There will be a lengthy explanation (because I enjoy >>> wasting lots of time saying the obvious), but please read it all if you >>> can. >>> >>> When developing a strategy to get the City/County to act, >>> "communication with collaboration" is the most important ingredient to >>> reach a successful outcome. In some areas I've been working on that >>> strategy has been well demonstrated. With the Campus Connector project >>> of the WVU Committee from the very beginning many key players have been >>> involved which include the Assistant City Manager (paid employee) and >>> several City Council people. Even more importantly, Jim Hunt (paid >>> Director of Sunnyside Up) has been actively involved in the funding >>> aspects and fully supports the connector because Sunnyside Up will be a >>> beneficiary. Meanwhile, WVU Facilities & Services has the WVU property >>> side covered and have done their own independent studies. The only real >>> obstacle to the success of the CC are some unresolved property issues on >>> the City side of the connector. However, there has been no lack of >>> communication or collaboration in this pursuit, nor will the connector >>> be built in a haphazard way because there are too many eyes watching the >>> process. Significantly, there are paid people involved, so there is a >>> high degree of accountability involved in doing it right and actually >>> getting it done. >>> >>> At a prior BB meeting, it was asked how can the City copy what WVU did >>> with Bicycle Parking? In the case of the WVU Committee's work with WVU >>> this April/May, a paid employee, the Campus Planner, listened to our >>> recommendations which included APBP standards developed from countless >>> hours of research that establish proper rack standards, proper sizing, >>> spacing and placement specifications, other recommendations included >>> examples from other Cities and Campuses, recommendations about different >>> types of parking and applications in relation to long and short term >>> parking, security/sheltered parking, planning for future expansion of >>> parking, and the list goes on. He listened to us and determined what >>> could be accomplished in the first phase given the present budget. Then >>> he went out and did a study of all locations that met the specifications >>> we presented to him in relation to the budget, and then he brought back >>> that study for our input. That same process was repeated over again a >>> second time so that we could provide secondary feedback for a finalized >>> study. This study was then presented to the campus facilities and >>> grounds budget committee for approval. Again, there was no lack of >>> communication or collaboration in this process. >>> >>> On the other hand, with the Bicycle Parking Committee of the BB, which >>> has a great group of volunteers, the one important thing that has been >>> lacking is a close relationship between our committee and a dedicated >>> employee from within the City similar to the Campus Planner from WVU. >>> One who could listen to our recommendations and work closely with us >>> from the ground floor up to put together a comprehensive budget item for >>> the City this January (discussed during the August BB meeting). The >>> advantages of such a relationship are obvious, first of all this >>> employee will become intimately knowledgeable about what recommendations >>> the Bicycle Board wants implemented, second of all, this employee will >>> be accountable to the City to get it right through a process of >>> communication and feedback with the BB. Asking volunteers to put >>> together a budget item without having a City employee working with them >>> who is an expert on City property and budget details is not a productive >>> process and will greatly limit our success. I would really hate to see >>> the City get bicycle parking wrong because it would be an incredible >>> waste of time, the facilities wouldn't be used, and it would send a >>> terrible message to citizens. If anything - given the City's commitment >>> to reducing traffic congestion - if the City really wants to send a >>> powerful, positive message out to the citizens of Morgantown, they will >>> authorize existing employees to spend part of their paid hours working >>> closely with committees like the BB to provide compelling alternatives >>> to the common way most people travel in this town. In the case of >>> bicycle parking, if you do get it right, it sends out a message to >>> citizens that the City fully supports and encourages people to commute >>> by bicycle. The better those bicycle parking facilities are, the >>> stronger the message sent out. Proper bicycle parking facilities >>> provide an impressive kind of PR and will get many people out on their >>> bicycles. Ofcourse, painting stripes incorrectly on the rail-trail, >>> including in a multi-million area whose charm is linked heavily to the >>> rail-trail is the worst kind of PR imaginable. I would hope the City >>> has learned their lesson from this and will now work much closer with us. >>> >>> In review, I want to ask the TC to request that the City authorize a >>> City employee who is knowledgeable in City property and budget details >>> to work closely with the Bicycle Board's Parking Committee to realize a >>> Bicycle Parking budget item for this January 2009's City Budget that >>> would include facilities on City properties including the City's parking >>> garages. The expectations and reasoning for such a collaborative >>> employee are discussed above. >>> >>> Versione completata. >>> >>> -Jonathan >>> >>> Frank Gmeindl wrote: >>> >>>> Bicycle Board Members, >>>> >>>> At yesterday's Bicycle Board meeting, I took an action item to call Mark >>>> Wise, BOPARC Director, to find out why the trail striping committee that >>>> he told us at our July meeting he would form hasn't met yet. I called >>>> Mark today to tell him that I was aware that the committee has yet to >>>> organize and meet. I also asked him for a timeline or at least a target >>>> date for doing something with the current rail trail stripe situation so >>>> that I could inform the Traffic Commission at next Wednesday's meeting. >>>> He said that he will attend the meeting and ask for a member of the >>>> Traffic Commission to join the committee that he said he's going to form. >>>> >>>> Since Don Spencer and Jonathan Rosenbaum volunteered at our July meeting >>>> to join Mark's committee, I would like to encourage them to attend next >>>> Wednesday's Traffic Commission meeting. It begins at 6:30 pm and is in >>>> Council Chambers. >>>> >>>> When we originally recommended the stripe and the Keep Right signs to >>>> the Traffic Commission, they spent a lot of time developing >>>> specifications for where the stripe would be applied as well as the >>>> stripe's size, shape and color. Unfortunately, none of that was >>>> captured in the minutes and we all know what we got. >>>> >>>> If all the right people are at the Traffic Commission meeting next >>>> Wednesday, it is possible that the corrective action can be decided >>>> right then and there instead of dragging out through numerous meetings. >>>> It would probably also be tremendously helpful if someone came with some >>>> authoritative guidelines for trail striping. >>>> >>>> Frank >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Bikeboard mailing list >>>> Bikeboard(a)cheat.org <mailto:Bikeboard@cheat.org> >>>> http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard >>>> >>>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Bikeboard mailing list >>> Bikeboard(a)cheat.org <mailto:Bikeboard@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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Minutes (Please note homework assignment!)
by Elizabeth Shogren 10 Sep '08

10 Sep '08

Attached please find the minutes of the September BB meeting. If you have corrections, please contact me directly. Please note the homework assignment for ALL BB members. It is described under Agenda Item 6. THANK YOU!! BETSY SHOGREN

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Yet another handout
by Frank Gmeindl 10 Sep '08

10 Sep '08

Barbara, Attached is yet another handout that I would like you to print and copy for the TC tomorrow. This one provides authoritative guidelines for rail-trail stripes. To avoid confusion, I'm attaching again, the 3 handouts that I'd like you to print and copy for the TC. They include: 1. Bicycle Board Membership List 2. Press Release for Shared Lane Markings 3. Authoritative Guidelines for Trail Stripes. Thanks! See you tomorrow! Frank

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Trail stripe
by Frank Gmeindl 09 Sep '08

09 Sep '08

Bicycle Board Members, At yesterday's Bicycle Board meeting, I took an action item to call Mark Wise, BOPARC Director, to find out why the trail striping committee that he told us at our July meeting he would form hasn't met yet. I called Mark today to tell him that I was aware that the committee has yet to organize and meet. I also asked him for a timeline or at least a target date for doing something with the current rail trail stripe situation so that I could inform the Traffic Commission at next Wednesday's meeting. He said that he will attend the meeting and ask for a member of the Traffic Commission to join the committee that he said he's going to form. Since Don Spencer and Jonathan Rosenbaum volunteered at our July meeting to join Mark's committee, I would like to encourage them to attend next Wednesday's Traffic Commission meeting. It begins at 6:30 pm and is in Council Chambers. When we originally recommended the stripe and the Keep Right signs to the Traffic Commission, they spent a lot of time developing specifications for where the stripe would be applied as well as the stripe's size, shape and color. Unfortunately, none of that was captured in the minutes and we all know what we got. If all the right people are at the Traffic Commission meeting next Wednesday, it is possible that the corrective action can be decided right then and there instead of dragging out through numerous meetings. It would probably also be tremendously helpful if someone came with some authoritative guidelines for trail striping. Frank

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Chevrons press release
by Frank Gmeindl 09 Sep '08

09 Sep '08

Bicycle Board Members, At last Thursday's BB meeting, Betsy and I agreed to write a press release to educate the City about the Shared Lane Markings and BMUFL signs. It is attached. I will send this to the TC secretary and ask her to have copies ready to hand out to the TC members tomorrow night. If you see any errors in it or have recommendations for its improvement, please reply-all with recommendations ASAP. I can submit a substitute file to the TC secretary if necessary. Frank

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Last?! OK let's work on it.
by director 07 Sep '08

07 Sep '08

Good morning, On the MonBikeClub list it was mentioned that WV is ranked dead last. Here is the explanation from their website. Maybe by showing this to the city we could rouse a little more enthusiasm for supporting our bike-friendly city application. It's certainly got Positive Spin whipped up and ready to help in any way possible. http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/index.php Reasons for Ranking: Though ranked last, West Virginia does a great job constructing and promoting mountain biking facilities. However, with no dedicated state funding sources for bicycling related projects and programs, no state-wide bike route network and discriminatory mandatory sidepath laws, West Virginia sits far behind leading states. WEST VIRGINIA'S BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES Currently there are no cities in West Virginia that have been designated as bicycle friendly communities. Your city can be the first. -- Nick Hein Director, Positive Spin Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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Tomorrow's meeting....
by Derek Springston 03 Sep '08

03 Sep '08

Hey guys... I regret that I'm going to have to miss my first bike board meeting tomorrow. I am in the middle of ripping off siding, insulating, and replacing OSB, housewrap, and siding on my house. I'm a little nervous about getting it weatherproof for the rain this weekend, so I'm going to dedicate my evenings this week to that. If I manage to get alot done tonight, maybe I'll make it, but I doubt it. Frank, Please discuss what I've expressed concerning the mapping with the rest of the bike board and decide what you guys would like to see and email me back ASAP. I've even seen messages on the bike board about not being 100% comfortable with the SLM's, etc. Are we all in agreement that they'll be placed on the road? Thanks. ~Derek _________________________________________________________________ Want to do more with Windows Live? Learn “10 hidden secrets” from Jamie. http://windowslive.com/connect/post/jamiethomson.spaces.live.com-Blog-cns!5…

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[Fwd: Bicycling]
by Frank Gmeindl 02 Sep '08

02 Sep '08

Bicycle Board Members, Thanks to Jim Rye for providing me Gayle Manchin's address and thanks to Nick Hein for feedback on my first draft. The message that I sent is below. Frank -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Bicycling Date: Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:28:49 -0400 From: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> To: FirstLady(a)WVGov.org Dear First Lady Manchin, I am sorry about your bicycle crash and hope your injuries are truly minor and heal quickly. I don't know the details but I do know that in many of these crashes the motorist says, "I didn't even see her!" The League of American Bicyclists' Road I course teaches cyclists to maximize their visibility and predictability. You can review the LAB Bicycle Education program at http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/. Would you allow me to teach you Road I? The LAB BikeEd program is the only national bicyclist education program and I am one of West Virginia's 3 instructors certified by the LAB to teach it. I am also Chairman of the Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board which advises the Morgantown Traffic Commission, City Engineer and City Manager. Of course, I have a personal agenda here. I'm hoping that once you master Road I knowledge and skills, you'll share them with other cyclists as well as motorists and help make West Virginia safer for bicyclists. I know that you already support the Safe Routes to Schools program. Road I is the parent course for the LAB Kids I and Kids II courses that are essential for children to ride safely to school. I look forward to your response. Ride safely, Frank Gmeindl 491 Wilson Avenue Morgantown, WV 26501 304-376-0446 (cell) 304-367-8395 (work) 340-284-8094 (home) /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles./

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Re: [Bikeboard] Letter to Gayle
by director 02 Sep '08

02 Sep '08

Frank, You might also mention that you recall when the "Safe Routes to School" federal money first came to WV the first lady expressed her strong support. I'm not sure how to work this in, but mention that the Road I and Kids I/II classes have typically resulted in an 80% reduction in crash rates. This means kids who take the course are that much less likely to have an accident like hers. Thanks for taking this on, Nick ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: Jonathan Rosenbaum <freesource(a)cheat.org> Date: Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:40:14 -0400 >This message is being forwarded on Frank's behalf: > >Bicycle Board Members, > >Of course this is a ripe banana. Please give me your feedback on the >message below that I want to sent the WV's first Lady. (How do you >address WV's first Lady? Hey, Gayle!?) > >Please reply to fgmeindl(a)verizon.net <mailto:fgmeindl@verizon.net>. I >will send out the letter tonight. > >Frank > > > >************************************************************************** > > > >Dear First Lady, > > >I am sorry about your bicycle crash and hope your injuries are truly >minor and heal quickly. I don't know the details but I do know that in >many of these crashes the motorist says, "I didn't even see her!" > > >The League of American Bicyclists' Road I course teaches cyclists to >maximize their visibility and predictability. You can review the LAB >Bicycle Education program at http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/. > > >I would like to teach you the Road I course. The LAB BikeEd program is >the only national bicyclist education program and I am one of West >Virginia's 3 instructors certified by the LAB to teach it. I am also >Chairman of the Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board which advises the >Morgantown Traffic Commission, City Engineer and City Manager. > > >Of course, I have a personal agenda here. I'm hoping that once you >master Road I knowledge and skills, you'll share them with other >cyclists as well as motorists and help make West Virginia safer for >cyclists to bicycle anywhere, anytime for any reason. > > >Frank Gmeindl > >/Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/ > > > > > > > > -- Nick Hein Director, Positive Spin Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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Letter to Gayle
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 02 Sep '08

02 Sep '08

This message is being forwarded on Frank's behalf: Bicycle Board Members, Of course this is a ripe banana. Please give me your feedback on the message below that I want to sent the WV's first Lady. (How do you address WV's first Lady? Hey, Gayle!?) Please reply to fgmeindl(a)verizon.net <mailto:fgmeindl@verizon.net>. I will send out the letter tonight. Frank ************************************************************************** Dear First Lady, I am sorry about your bicycle crash and hope your injuries are truly minor and heal quickly. I don't know the details but I do know that in many of these crashes the motorist says, "I didn't even see her!" The League of American Bicyclists' Road I course teaches cyclists to maximize their visibility and predictability. You can review the LAB Bicycle Education program at http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/. I would like to teach you the Road I course. The LAB BikeEd program is the only national bicyclist education program and I am one of West Virginia's 3 instructors certified by the LAB to teach it. I am also Chairman of the Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board which advises the Morgantown Traffic Commission, City Engineer and City Manager. Of course, I have a personal agenda here. I'm hoping that once you master Road I knowledge and skills, you'll share them with other cyclists as well as motorists and help make West Virginia safer for cyclists to bicycle anywhere, anytime for any reason. Frank Gmeindl /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/

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[Fwd: FW: Morgantown city council message]
by Frank Gmeindl 01 Sep '08

01 Sep '08

Does anybody know who is Carolyn Hampson and what is her power? Also, is she talking about Nick's interview on WAJR when she says, "Last week, the chevron plan hit the morning WAJR talk shows...and the response was total outrage. I don';t think I have ever heard so many angry voices."? Should we pay any attention to this? Frank /Bicyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/ -------- Original Message -------- Subject: FW: Morgantown city council message Date: Mon, 01 Sep 2008 01:05:11 -0400 From: Don Spencer <dspencer36(a)comcast.net> To: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> Frank -- Here is a copy of the correspondence that I told you that I would pass along to you. I hope that we can discuss the issue at our meeting on Thursday. See you soon! Don ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *From:* Don Spencer [mailto:dspencer36@comcast.net] *Sent:* Wednesday, August 27, 2008 4:00 PM *To:* 'Hampson'; 'charliebyrer(a)gmail.com'; 'bill(a)byrnehedges.com'; 'Ron Justice'; 'Jennifer Selin'; 'Bane, Ron'; 'jgaddis(a)gaddisconsulting.com'; 'Linda Little'; 'Dan Boroff' *Subject:* RE: Morgantown city council message Hi, Carolyn -- Thank you for your email. I hope that you are doing well these days -- other than the pollution impacts. I assume by your #1 that you mean air pollution primarily. If so, what we seem to need is more data, because right now, we do not seem to have a handle to use in grappling with this issue. On #2, I am sorry that I missed the talk show. I was not aware of it. It is not bicycles "into the center traffic lanes", but it is a process to educate the public that bicycle riders are like of the drivers of vehicles: they do have a right to be traveling on roadways -- except where specifically prohibited such as on an Interstate. And they, like all vehicle operators -- are subject to all the rights and responsibilities of traveling on a public road. I fear that the chevron plan -- like the rail-trail at the beginning - is already misunderstood. The Bicycle Board has its work cut out for them. As you know, change is never easy. Don ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *From:* Hampson [mailto:giselle@iolinc.net] *Sent:* Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:34 AM *To:* D spencer; charliebyrer(a)gmail.com; bill(a)byrnehedges.com; Ron Justice; Jennifer Selin; Bane, Ron; jgaddis(a)gaddisconsulting.com; Linda Little; Dan Boroff *Cc:* Dan Boroff *Subject:* Morgantown city council message There are two serious areas of public safety that do not appear on tonight's COW agenda but that need to be addressed. l. The increasingly lethal pollution in Morgantown. There seems to be NO monitoring at construction sites. Added to tye toxic mix from the power plants and the river are the fumes from coal, "biafiora fill" trucksd and delivery trucks. in my neighborhood, there is a stranghe epdiemic of pancreatitis, involving both people and animals. 2. Plans to integrate bicycles into the center of traffic lanes. This may look wonderful on compuiter models---but, frankly, it is insane, given all of the conditions on the ground here. The situation on our roads is already deadly; if this plan is implementerd NOW, more people are going to die. Last week, the chevron plan hit the morning WAJR talk shows...and the response was total outrage. I don';t think I have ever heard so many angry voices. I urge you to reconsider this plan. Carolyn Hampson

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Agenda for this Thursday's BB meeting
by Frank Gmeindl 01 Sep '08

01 Sep '08

Bicycle Board Members, Please find attached a zip folder. The zip folder contains 5 files: 1. The agenda for this Thursday's (4-Sep) Bicycle Board meeting; 2. The minutes of our last meeting; 3. The current membership roster; 4. The chevrons letter from the woman complaining we're all going to DIE. 5. An Excel file with all the action items that we've processed to date. Also, I had to send you the following link. Is it true gunnar & Betsy have one of these at their house? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2008/08/14/VI20080814016… Frank

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W.Va.'s first lady hit by car while riding bike
by director 01 Sep '08

01 Sep '08

Good morning, An astute MonBikeClub reader sent me this story last nite, but I didn't get around to forwarding it until this morning. Other stories have indicated that the driver was NOT cited. None of the coverage has given details of the collision. Gayle Manchin has spoken publicly in favor of "Safe Routes to Schools" in the past so it sounds like she's an advocate. Frank, since you're the only LCI in the state for adults do you think you could offer to give her (and the motorist) a Road I class? Nick Hein http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26486897/?GT1=43001 W.Va.'s first lady hit by car while riding bike Gayle Manchin sustained bruises in accident; governor wasn't hurt updated 3:03 p.m. MT, Sun., Aug. 31, 2008 function UpdateTimeStamp(pdt) { var n = document.getElementById("udtD"); if(pdt != '' & n & window.DateTime) { var dt = new DateTime(); pdt = dt.T2D(pdt); if(dt.GetTZ(pdt)) {n.innerHTML = dt.D2S(pdt,((''.toLowerCase()=='false')?false:true));} } } UpdateTimeStamp('633558134013830000'); CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The first lady of West Virginia is recovering from bruises after she was struck by a car while riding a bicycle with her husband, Gov. Joe Manchin. Gayle Manchin was taken to a hospital Sunday after the accident, but was OK and went home, a spokeswoman for the governor said. The accident occurred during a bike ride near the state Capitol, when a vehicle pulling onto a road hit the first lady, spokeswoman Lara Ramsburg said. The governor was not hit. He turned back to help his wife, who was also aided by their security detail. Ramsburg said she doesn't know whether the driver was cited. Police did not immediately return a telephone message for comment. -- Nick Hein Director, Positive Spin Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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FWD: [LCI Group] For Bicyclists, a Widening Patchwork World
by director 31 Aug '08

31 Aug '08

Good evening, This was in the washingtonpost. com 31 August 2008 Nick Hein http://www.washingt onpost.com/ wp-dyn/content/ story/2008/ 08/30/ST20080830 00650.html? sid=ST2008083000 650&s_pos=list For Bicyclists, a Widening Patchwork World U.S. Lags Behind Two-Wheeled Boom By Blaine Harden Washington Post Foreign Service Sunday, August 31, 2008; Page A01 TACHIA, Taiwan -- Antony Lo is one happy biker. He is 60 but looks younger, with a body buffed by commuting 130 miles a week on his bike. He is also president of Taiwan-based Giant, the world's largest bicycle company, where sales are soaring, helped along by global anxiety over oil prices. With undisguised glee, Lo says: "High-priced gasoline is here to stay. I tell my people we are just at the beginning of a very big cycling boom." Boom it is. The number of cyclists has doubled in a decade in cities as disparate as Berlin and Bogota . Global bicycle production has increased for six consecutive years, according to a report by the Earth Policy Institute. Sales at Giant have doubled since 2002 and continue to accelerate, up 24 percent in the first half of this year. Yet when it comes to using a bike for everyday transportation, the boom appears to have bypassed many countries. While Northern Europe and Japan have figured out how to make bicycle commuting a safe, cheap alternative to driving, the United States , Canada , Australia and Britain have not. And the world's two most populous nations, China and India, are discarding bicycles in favor of cars. A rising middle class in both countries views cycling as an unhappy reminder of the recent past, when nearly everyone was poor. Still, among the world's most developed countries, a reliable recipe has emerged for making cycling a mainstream means of getting to work. Commuters in Northern Europe have been lured out of their cars by bike lanes, secure bike parking and easy access to mass transportation. At the same time, steep automobile taxes, congestion-zone fees and go-slow rules have made inner-city driving a costly pain in the neck. In the Netherlands , where such carrot-and-stick policies have been in place for decades, 27 percent of all trips are by bike. "It is very clear how to do this," said John Pucher, a professor of urban planning at Rutgers University and lead author of a global study of strategies that promote cycling. "It is not rocket science." In the United States , with the exception of a handful of cities, these strategies have been ignored. Car-centric transportation policies and suburban sprawl continue to make bicycle commuting rare, arduous and relatively dangerous. Although millions of Americans recreate on bikes, they ride them for just 0.4 percent of their trips to work, according to the U.S. Census. Germans are 10 times more likely than Americans to ride a bike and three times less likely to get hurt while doing so. On any given workday, more commuters park their bikes at train and subway stations in Tokyo (704,000) than cycle to work in the entire United States (535,000), according to the Tokyo government and the U.S. Census. In recent months, bike shops across much of the United States have been flooded with new customers fed up with high gasoline prices, said An Le, the Los Angeles-based global marketing director of Giant. Yet without major changes in U.S. transportation policy and infrastructure, an earnest desire to save money on gas is not enough to turn American bike owners into everyday cyclists who ride to work, according to urban planners, transportation experts and bicycle company executives. "In the United States , we simply have not figured out how to fit the pieces together for a coordinated package that puts people on bikes," Pucher said. Britain Makes a Start When cities do fit the pieces together, they often see an almost instantaneous surge in cycling. In Britain , a country whose nationwide transportation system is nearly as inhospitable to cycling as that of the United States , London has emerged as Exhibit A for the quick infrastructure fix that gets commuters out of cars. In 2003, the city imposed a steep "congestion charge" of about $16 for cars driving into the city center. Within a year, inner-city cycling had increased by about 25 percent. In the past eight years, there has been a 10-fold increase in city spending on bike lanes, bike parking and education programs. The effort has nearly doubled cycling throughout London . There also seems to have been a fundamental change in the way Londoners think about cycling. It's become cool. Model Elle McPherson, Mick Jagger and Madonna have been spotted on bikes. Angela Simoes, 55, sold her car seven months ago. When the mother of two needs groceries, three miles away, she cycles. When she visits the doctor, one mile away, she cycles. She is studying to become a teacher, and when she wants to let off steam, she cycles, sometimes for hours. She rarely uses the subway, but when she does, she locks her bicycle to one of the many bike rails provided outside the station. She also has a folding bike, which she carries on the train like an oversize handbag. The decision to ditch her car was easy, she said. Gas prices had shot up, she won the folding bike in a contest, and her car needed costly repairs. She doesn't miss the car. "It's so much quicker to jump on the cycle and get a few things," she said. "There's no pollution and you're keeping fit." As much as she can, she rides in London 's new bike lanes and uses bus lanes that have been opened to cyclists. But Britain still has a long way to go before it connects the cycling dots. There is "no one long path we can call our own" in London , and roads outside the city are dangerous, she said. "A cyclist has to keep her eyes peeled." Europe's Full Embrace Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands have been connecting the dots for three decades. They started in the mid-1970s, in the wake of the world's first oil shock and after 25 years of American-style, car-centric traffic management that had coincided with a sharp decline in cycling. There is now an integrated system of safe bicycling routes in most cities in all three countries. It allows cyclists to go almost everywhere on paths that are separated from automobiles and in "traffic-calmed" neighborhoods. Besides pampering cyclists, these countries punished drivers with fees and restrictions intended to make commuting by car expensive, slow and frustrating. The policies have resulted in the developed world's highest per-capita rates of cycling and lowest rates of cycling accidents, the Rutgers study found. In Berlin , biking now accounts for 12 percent of all transportation. The city has 3.4 million residents, and the city estimates that they use their bicycles a million times a day. One of those cyclists is Michael Abraham, 35, an engineer at Berlin 's Technical University . He has been riding a bicycle to stay in shape most of his life, but in the past year, goaded by high gasoline prices, he started cycling to work. "It's simply cheaper with your bike," he said. Abraham estimates that he now saves about $35 a week on gasoline. That's not the only benefit. Thanks to Berlin 's finely tuned cycling network, he also knows exactly how long his 7 1/2 mile commute will take -- 35 minutes. If he drives, the trip takes between 20 minutes and 1 1/2 hours, depending on traffic. "With a car you can't reliably predict how long your commute will be, but you can with a bike," he said. "You are not affected by traffic jams -- you can just ride through them. It's a real advantage." Build It and They'll Come While the northern European model for promoting cycling certainly works, it is costly and requires lots of government intervention. There are other ways to get people on bikes. Japan does not pamper cyclists, but it does provide easy access to mass transit. In greater Tokyo , where 35 million people live in the world's most populous metro area, there are almost no bike lanes. Guided by vague laws about what cyclists can and cannot do, police tend to ignore them -- except for confiscating illegally parked bikes. Traffic chases most Tokyo cyclists onto sidewalks, where they periodically bump into pedestrians. Mothers are forbidden by law to carry more than one child on a bicycle, but tens of thousands of them do it every day. "The manners of Tokyo cyclists are very poor and sometime suicidal," said Nobuyuki Tsuchiya, director general of public works in Edogawa, a Tokyo ward with 640,000 people, most of whom ride bikes. As for government transportation officials in Japan , Tsuchiya said it is difficult to find one who doesn't show some "negative thinking about bicycles. We are far behind our counterparts in Europe ." Still, a bicycle is an essential component of life in Tokyo . Impossibly thin women in four-inch heels ride them, as do important-looking men in black suits. Cycling's chaotic ubiquity is a result of several factors: population density, the high cost of driving and arguably the world's best train and subway system. Commuters ride bikes often but not for very long -- usually less than 15 minutes. Train stations are no more than 1 1/2 miles apart in most of the city. Compared with walking or taking a bus, riding a bike shaves precious minutes off the daily trip to and from a station. The one bone that some municipal governments have thrown cyclists is bike parking near stations. This year in Edogawa, that bone went high-tech. The ward government spent $67 million to build a cluster of computerized bicycle parking towers that use robotic arms to snatch bikes away from subway-bound commuters. Pickup is just as easy as drop-off. At the swipe of a magnetic card, the arm finds the bike and returns it to its home-bound owner. The wait is about 10 seconds. "It is revolutionary, " said Minato Karube, 35, a secretary who had pedaled to the parking tower in high heels and a frilly black dress. "The bike comes back instantly." Since April, when robots went to work parking bicycles at Edogawa's Kasai station, there has been a 20 percent spike in commuting by bike. The build-it-and- they-will- come approach has also worked in Bogota , Colombia , where Dutch bicycle engineers were recently imported to build bike lanes and redesign traffic flows. In two years, bike use jumped tenfold, from 0.5 percent of all trips to 5 percent. It also works in the United States . Rainy Portland , Ore. , offers compelling evidence that bike lanes can transform Americans into bike commuters. A recent study by Portland State University found that while just 15 percent of Portland 's streets have bike lanes, they attract half of the city's bike travel. Since 1991, counts of cyclists in the city have jumped 400 percent. Portland now has the highest share of bike trips among major U.S. cities -- about 4 percent. Asia's Bicycle Cycle Rapid economic growth often generates a populist backlash against cycling. In China and India , where middle-class aspirations have trumped concern about gas prices and climate change, cars continue to chase bicycles off the streets. "People want cars, as it indicates development, progress and that you are more influential, " said Nalin Sinha, program director in New Delhi for a nonprofit transportation group. Sinha said that when he began riding a bicycle his friends thought that something had "gone wrong financially. " Two decades ago in New Delhi , bicycles held a 60 percent share of traffic flow; now that figure is about 4 percent. Bike lanes still run alongside many broad avenues in Beijing and other large cities in China , where 500 million bicycles remain on the road. But the bike fleet has declined in the past decade, from a peak of 670 million, while private car ownership has more than doubled, according to a report by the Earth Policy Institute. Recent history, though, suggests that the cycling decline in China and India may be short-lived. A similar decline occurred here on the island of Taiwan about 30 years ago, when the export-based economy shifted into high gear. Many of the island's 23 million residents bought motorcycles and then cars, as bicycles disappeared from the commuting mix. The Taiwan government began pushing about 17 years ago for a modest return to cycling. It built rural bike paths. Taipei , the largest city on the island, joined the campaign, building 155 miles of bike lanes along rivers and through parks. Abundant bike parking was provided at transit stations. A network of 5,000 rental bikes appeared. In the past year, with better facilities for bikers, a doubling of gasoline prices and growing concern about global warming, cycling has continued its climb. In Taipei , about 3 percent of all commuters ride bicycles, a 35 percent increase in 18 months. At the headquarters of Giant, the island-based bicycle maker, Antony Lo said that if gasoline prices remain high worldwide, government transportation policies will have to change. Then, he said, everyday cycling will sweep across the United States , and later China and India . "People are waking up," he said. "This is a long-term trend, not a fad." Correspondent Edward Cody in Beijing and special correspondents Karla Adam and Jill Colvin in London, Ayesha Manocha in New Delhi, Shannon Smiley in Berlin and Akiko Yamamoto in Tokyo contributed to this report. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the "LCI Group." To post to this group, send email to lci-group(a)googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to lci-group-unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/lci-group?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~--- -- Nick Hein Director, Positive Spin Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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Bikeboard September 2008