Bikeboard September 2009

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10 participants
21 discussions

Champion
by Frank Gmeindl 23 Sep '09

23 Sep '09

Bicycle Board Members, I was wondering why Betsy and gunnar missed the September Bicycle Board meeting. Today I read in Cycling News.com: Betsy Shogren (Cannondale Factory Racing) took top women's honors in the 2009 US National Ultra Endurance (NUE) series, which concluded with its eighth and final race at the Tahoe-Sierra 100 on September 12. The best four of each racer's results were used to calculate the standings. Eight races comprised the series, which commenced at the Cohutta 100 on April 25 and visited Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Colorado, Georgia and California. Shogren completed six 100-milers, winning at the Lumberjack, Mohican and Fool's Gold. A second place at the Shenandoah Mountain 100 netted her the overall win. She also raced to third at the Wilderness 101 and fourth at the Cohutta. Whew! Congratulations, Betsy! Frank http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/shogren-schalk-clinch-100-miler-series-titl…

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State College bike lane and parking report
by Frank Gmeindl 21 Sep '09

21 Sep '09

Bicycle Board Members, Attached is my and Bill Austin's report on our trip to State College to review their bike lanes and bicycle parking. They have bikes and bike parking everywhere. If you just want to see the photos, go to http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad193/cyclm8/State_College/?albumview=sl… . I hope this will energize you to help Chip with the parking committee. Frank /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/

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Re: [Bikeboard] inbound 705 between Mileground and Stewartstown Road
by Frank Gmeindl 19 Sep '09

19 Sep '09

Dear Bill, I am grateful to Dr. Rye for copying me on his message. A solution to Dr. Rye's and other novice cyclists' problem with 705 is to widen the right lane to 14 feet to enable motor vehicles to safely pass bicycles without having to cross the center line. Erecting Share the Road signs (MUTCD W11-1 & W16-1) in addition to widening the lane may increase motorist awareness that bicyclists belong on the roadway. Shoulders are not a part of the roadway (WV Code 17C-1-37) and are not intended for ordinary vehicular traffic. 17C-11-2 says, "every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties as the driver of a vehicle". Some of these rights include the right to use the roadway and the right to equal protection under the law. 17C-7-5 (a) says, "No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken" There is no minimum speed limit on 705 and cyclists are not prohibited from 705. The lanes are apparently insufficiently wide to enable motor vehicles and bicyclists to travel safely side by side in the lane. Given this situation, the law requires motorists to wait until it's clear to pass the cyclist. In Morgantown's current social, political and legal climate, a motorist slowing down for a cyclist as required by law is not expected. A practical solution is to widen the curb lane and remind motorists with Share the Road signs that bicycles may be present. A little enforcement would also help. Frank Gmeindl Chairman, Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board League Cycling Instructor 1703 On 9/19/2009 12:35 PM, Jim Rye wrote: > Dear Bill, > > Do you know: Is inbound 705 between the Mileground and Stewartstown > road being expanded to 2 lanes, and in so doing, will the wide > shoulder be removed? > > This shoulder is an integral part of bicyclists' (I being one) > commuter route. I understand that, as cyclists, we are legally > entitled to riding on the roadway (except as stated within the WV > Bicycle Law pasted at the end of this message). However, the 50 > mph speed limit coupled with the high traffic density on this section > of 705 presents a real safety hazard to doing so. Furthermore, with > two inbound lanes and a speed limit of 50 mph, moving to the left hand > turn lane to turn onto Stewartstown Road (to continue our commute) > will present an even greater hazard to cyclists. > > If this expansion is going to happen and the speed limit will remain > 50 mph: I am requesting that (a) a paved shoulder be part of that > development, and (b) (regardless of the speed limit) ample signage be > installed to alert motorists that cyclists are using this roadway and > to be courteous (?yield?) to cyclists who will be merging into the > left hand turn lane to access Stewartstown Road. > > During 2006 and 2007, I served as a member of the MPO to represent > commuter cyclists. I thought we were headed in the "right thing to > do" direction in terms of creating a bicycle friendly greater > Morgantown area: a progressive community that wants to realize the > human and environmental health benefits of non-motorized transit and > attract like-minded professionals and their families who value such to > our area. > > If there is anyone else who should receive this > message, kindly forward it. Thank you very much. > > > *§17C-11-5. Riding on roadways and bicycle paths. * > > (c) Whenever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to > a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the > roadway. > > > > > > Jim Rye > Professor > Science Education > Dept C&I/LS > College of Human Resources & Education > West Virginia University > PO Box 6122 > 604L Allen Hall > Morgantown, WV 26506-6122 > Phone: (304) 293-4416 > Fax: (304) 293-3802 > Email: jim.rye(a)mail.wvu.edu <mailto:jim.rye@mail.wvu.edu> > Web Page: http://depts.hre.wvu.edu/c&ils/currinst/rye.html > <http://depts.hre.wvu.edu/c&ils/currinst/rye.html> > Are YOU waitin' for the world to change? > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPOBMzMTP4U > ECAS/HRE NSF-Supported WV Watershed Dynamics Project > http://www.wvscience.org/wvwatershed/

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[Fwd: [Fwd: Action Alert: Transportation Enhancements under Attack Again!]]
by Frank Gmeindl 16 Sep '09

16 Sep '09

Senator Byrd's contact info: *Washington, D.C. Office:* 311 Hart Senate Office Building, District of Columbia 20510-4801 *Phone:* (202) 224-3954 *Fax:* (202) 228-0002 *Charleston Office:* (more district offices <http://lab.capwiz.com/bio/id/622&lvl=C&chamber=S#>) 300 Virginia Street, #2630 Charleston, West Virginia 25301 *Phone:* (304) 342-5855 *Fax:* (304) 343-7144 -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [Fwd: Action Alert: Transportation Enhancements under Attack Again!] Date: Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:18:20 -0400 From: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> To: Bicycle Board <bikeboard(a)cheat.org> CC: Jennie Selin <JSelin(a)hotmail.com>, Ralph Larue <rlarue(a)boparc.org>, Bill Austin <baustin(a)moncpc.org> Bicycle Board Members, I just read this this morning. Today! the Senate will vote on amendments 2370 and 2371 that would basically repeal Transportation Enhancement grants. I called Senator Byrd's office and urged him to vote NO on these. I encourage you to do the same. The Transportation Enhancement grant will fund our Effective Bicycling Education Program. They have also built the Morgantown Streetscape and I believe were used to build the rail trail. Frank /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/ -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Action Alert: Transportation Enhancements under Attack Again! Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:32:43 -0400 (EDT) From: League of American Bicyclists <bikeleague(a)bikeleague.org> Reply-To: meghan(a)bikeleague.org To: fgmeindl(a)verizon.net Having trouble viewing this email? Click here <http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001zhxIANf2OP4KNrc-H8q1BkEn9pQ…> You're receiving this email because of your relationship with League of American Bicyclists. Please confirm <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/c.jsp?t=1102708564964.12818.8512558115.2…> your continued interest in receiving email from us. You may unsubscribe <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001bAhAGGXw8y9W9M9YbKidzcT7aySKB…> if you no longer wish to receive our emails. American Bicyclists Update Archives <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV35bW_mvxsznCz…> *September 15, 2009 * * * *Action Alert* Transportation Enhancements Under Attack! FY 2010 Transportation Appropriations Bill We need your help - TODAY! Senator Coburn (R-OK) is offering two amendments to the FY10 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill that will strike funding for transportation enhancements. The two amendments are S. Amendment 2370 <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV1s5UkA0IC7Rvw…> and S. Amendment 2371 <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV1zOhUAJpaOQzY…>. The Transportation Enhancement program has provided between one-half and three-quarters of all Federal funding invested in bicycling and walking improvements in the last 20 years. More than $250 million is at stake in fiscal year 2010 - if Coburn's amendment is successful it will affect hundreds of trail projects, sidewalks, bicyclist education programs, bike rack on bus programs, and roadway improvements for bicyclists. S. Amendment 2370 prohibits funding for transportation enhancements if the Highway Trust Fund does not contain amounts sufficient to cover unfunded highway authorizations. S. Amendment 2371 allows states to opt out of the 10 percent set aside rule that require states to spend at least 10 percent of their surface transportation funding on transportation enhancements. We expect the amendments to be offered and voted on during Senate floor debate tomorrow, Wednesday, September 16. Please call your Senator immediately <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV0NqbZepGoCaaR…> and urge them to vote NO on S. Amendment 2370 and S. Amendment 2371 to the FY10 transportation appropriations bill. Thank You! The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of America's 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV0hFG-5Vt7qNpF…>. *Quick Links* Join the League <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV1Pl7GnXdlcNQN…> Sign up to Receive Enews <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV3pbMJ1CuvqCcv…> Cycling in Your Area <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV2axwPhNuF0OAv…> Search our Website <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV2ShrzW3Z3eD82…> facebook <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV27DNMM3B1mHnf…> Bike League Twitter League <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV2QQaBhojjZYqv…> Join Our Mailing List <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1102316596448> Forward email <http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?m=1102316596448&ea=fgmeindl%40ver…> Safe Unsubscribe <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001bAhAGGXw8y9W9M9YbKidzcT7aySKB…> This email was sent to fgmeindl(a)verizon.net by bikeleague(a)bikeleague.org <mailto:bikeleague@bikeleague.org>. Update Profile/Email Address <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001bAhAGGXw8y9W9M9YbKidzcT7aySKB…> | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001bAhAGGXw8y9W9M9YbKidzcT7aySKB…>^(TM) | Privacy Policy <http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp>. Email Marketing <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=TEM_News_115> by <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=TEM_News_115> League of American Bicyclists | 1612 K Street NW | Suite 800 | Washington | DC | 20006

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[Fwd: Action Alert: Transportation Enhancements under Attack Again!]
by Frank Gmeindl 16 Sep '09

16 Sep '09

Bicycle Board Members, I just read this this morning. Today! the Senate will vote on amendments 2370 and 2371 that would basically repeal Transportation Enhancement grants. I called Senator Byrd's office and urged him to vote NO on these. I encourage you to do the same. The Transportation Enhancement grant will fund our Effective Bicycling Education Program. They have also built the Morgantown Streetscape and I believe were used to build the rail trail. Frank /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/ -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Action Alert: Transportation Enhancements under Attack Again! Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:32:43 -0400 (EDT) From: League of American Bicyclists <bikeleague(a)bikeleague.org> Reply-To: meghan(a)bikeleague.org To: fgmeindl(a)verizon.net Having trouble viewing this email? Click here <http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001zhxIANf2OP4KNrc-H8q1BkEn9pQ…> You're receiving this email because of your relationship with League of American Bicyclists. Please confirm <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/c.jsp?t=1102708564964.12818.8512558115.2…> your continued interest in receiving email from us. You may unsubscribe <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001bAhAGGXw8y9W9M9YbKidzcT7aySKB…> if you no longer wish to receive our emails. American Bicyclists Update Archives <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV35bW_mvxsznCz…> *September 15, 2009 * * * *Action Alert* Transportation Enhancements Under Attack! FY 2010 Transportation Appropriations Bill We need your help - TODAY! Senator Coburn (R-OK) is offering two amendments to the FY10 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill that will strike funding for transportation enhancements. The two amendments are S. Amendment 2370 <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV1s5UkA0IC7Rvw…> and S. Amendment 2371 <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV1zOhUAJpaOQzY…>. The Transportation Enhancement program has provided between one-half and three-quarters of all Federal funding invested in bicycling and walking improvements in the last 20 years. More than $250 million is at stake in fiscal year 2010 - if Coburn's amendment is successful it will affect hundreds of trail projects, sidewalks, bicyclist education programs, bike rack on bus programs, and roadway improvements for bicyclists. S. Amendment 2370 prohibits funding for transportation enhancements if the Highway Trust Fund does not contain amounts sufficient to cover unfunded highway authorizations. S. Amendment 2371 allows states to opt out of the 10 percent set aside rule that require states to spend at least 10 percent of their surface transportation funding on transportation enhancements. We expect the amendments to be offered and voted on during Senate floor debate tomorrow, Wednesday, September 16. Please call your Senator immediately <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV0NqbZepGoCaaR…> and urge them to vote NO on S. Amendment 2370 and S. Amendment 2371 to the FY10 transportation appropriations bill. Thank You! The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of America's 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV0hFG-5Vt7qNpF…>. *Quick Links* Join the League <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV1Pl7GnXdlcNQN…> Sign up to Receive Enews <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV3pbMJ1CuvqCcv…> Cycling in Your Area <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV2axwPhNuF0OAv…> Search our Website <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV2ShrzW3Z3eD82…> facebook <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV27DNMM3B1mHnf…> Bike League Twitter League <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102708564964&s=12818&e=001UGhir-76UV2QQaBhojjZYqv…> Join Our Mailing List <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1102316596448> Forward email <http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?m=1102316596448&ea=fgmeindl%40ver…> Safe Unsubscribe <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001bAhAGGXw8y9W9M9YbKidzcT7aySKB…> This email was sent to fgmeindl(a)verizon.net by bikeleague(a)bikeleague.org <mailto:bikeleague@bikeleague.org>. Update Profile/Email Address <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001bAhAGGXw8y9W9M9YbKidzcT7aySKB…> | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001bAhAGGXw8y9W9M9YbKidzcT7aySKB…>^(TM) | Privacy Policy <http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp>. Email Marketing <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=TEM_News_115> by <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=TEM_News_115> League of American Bicyclists | 1612 K Street NW | Suite 800 | Washington | DC | 20006

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[Fwd: [LCI Group] More bike lane research]
by Frank Gmeindl 14 Sep '09

14 Sep '09

Bicycle Board Members, If bike lanes are not _>_ 5 feet wide, motorists pass cyclists closer than they would if there were no bike lane at all says a British study. On 8/25, I sent you a clip from /The Cyclist's Manifesto: The Case For Riding On Two Wheels Instead of Four/ that explained why bike lanes are obsolete and sharrows are the thing. Recall that when we proposed sharrows to the Traffic Commission we cited the San Francisco study that showed that cyclists practice better lane positioning and motorists give cyclists more room when passing when sharrows are on the road. The following study shows that if bike lanes are not _>_ 5 feet wide, motorists pass cyclists closer than they would if there were no bike lane at all. (My thanks to fellow LCI Frank Krygowski for sending this.) http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6828100.ece "Cycle lanes encourage motorists to drive closer to bikes, says study" Cycle lanes can make roads more dangerous for cyclists because they encourage motorists to drive closer when overtaking bicycles, a study has found. Drivers give cyclists a wider berth on roads where there is no lane because they assume that they should share the road and make more allowance for the risk of wobbles. The study, conducted by Leeds and Bolton universities, challenges the approach taken by many local authorities, which is to promote cycling by painting cycle lanes and cycle symbols on their roads. It suggests that reducing the speed and volume of traffic would be more effective in improving cycle safety than narrow cycle lanes. Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, is planning to create 12 “cycle superhighways” by 2012 but his transport authority said yesterday that most of the network would be lanes painted on roads rather than segregated cycle paths. For the study the researchers mounted a camcorder on the rear rack of a bicycle and rode on three roads that each had sections with and without cycle lanes. On all three roads, drivers gave cyclists less room where there was a cycle lane. The greatest difference was recorded on the A6 near Garstang, Lancashire, where cars passed 18cm (7in) closer when the cyclist was in a cycle lane. All the cycle lanes were slightly narrower than the minimum width of 1.5m (5ft) recommended by the Department for Transport. The majority of Britain’s cycle lanes do not comply with this guideline. The study, which is due to be published in the scientific journal Accident Analysis and Prevention, says that on roads without cycle lanes, drivers “consciously perform an overtaking manoeuvre”. On roads with cycle lanes, they treat the space between the centre line and the outside edge of the cycle lane as exclusively their territory and make less adjustment for cyclists. The study concludes: “Cycle lanes do not appear to provide greater space for cyclists in all conditions.” The Highway Code tells drivers to “give cyclists at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car”. Chris Peck, policy co-ordinator of the Cyclists’ Touring Club, said: “Cycle lanes have a part to play in improving road conditions for cyclists, but this research has raised concerns that they are not always the best solution and may make cycling more unpleasant.” He said that too many authorities viewed cycle lanes as a cheap and easy alternative to more effective measures of reducing the vulnerability of cyclists, such as cutting the speed limit to 20mph and redesigning awkward junctions. Mr Peck added that narrow cycle lanes could create tension between drivers and cyclists, with drivers becoming annoyed when cyclists strayed outside them. Some cyclists felt under pressure to remain within the lane until the last moment when turning right, leading to sudden, potentially dangerous manoeuvres. He said: “Cycle lanes are a good visual reminder to people that cycling is being encouraged but they can cause cyclists to hug the kerb, which may not be the safest place to be.” Frank /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/

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Presentation to MPO
by Frank Gmeindl 09 Sep '09

09 Sep '09

Bicycle Board Members, Thanks to Jenny :-* , Jim :-D , Chip O:-) and Jake 8-) for their positive feedback and constructive recommendations for the presentation to the MPO tomorrow. Attached is a revision. I changed slide 4 about Child Obesity to add data about the $2.6M and 250,000 gallons of fuel that Mon Co spends each year to bus kids an average of 1 mile to school. I also replaced slide 9 which was about Portland travel cost savings with a slide that shows the revenue and jobs that cycling generates in places such as Colorado, Wisconsin, Outer Banks, Quebec and Indianapolis. Thanks again to all of you that took the time to look through the presentation and especially to give me helpful recommendations. I'll let you know how it turns out. Frank / Same Roads Same Rights Same Rules / -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Presentation to MPO Date: Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:40:26 -0400 From: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> To: Bicycle Board <bikeboard(a)cheat.org>, Jennie Selin <JSelin(a)hotmail.com>, Ralph Larue <rlarue(a)boparc.org> Bicycle Board Members, Attached is a draft of the presentation that I plan to deliver to the MPO and Mayor of Star City this Thursday on behalf of the Bicycle Board. I appreciate your comments on it at your earliest convenience. Frank

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Presentation to MPO
by Frank Gmeindl 08 Sep '09

08 Sep '09

Now, with attachement! Sorry! Bicycle Board Members, Attached is a draft of the presentation that I plan to deliver to the MPO and Mayor of Star City this Thursday on behalf of the Bicycle Board. I appreciate your comments on it at your earliest convenience. Frank

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Presentation to MPO
by Frank Gmeindl 08 Sep '09

08 Sep '09

Bicycle Board Members, Attached is a draft of the presentation that I plan to deliver to the MPO and Mayor of Star City this Thursday on behalf of the Bicycle Board. I appreciate your comments on it at your earliest convenience. Frank

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MPO presentation
by Frank Gmeindl 06 Sep '09

06 Sep '09

Bicycle Board Members, I have accepted an invitation to make a 20 minute presentation "on bicycle planning and how it can be included in MPO planning efforts" to the Greater Morgantown Metropolitan Planning Organization and Star City Mayor next Thursday at 9:30 am at the MPO offices in the airport. All members of the MPO including the Policy Board, Technical Advisory Committee and Citizen Advisory Committee are invited to attend. So are 3 members of the WVDOH and a member of the Federal Highway Administration. Personally, I would like the presentation to result in the participants: * seeing bicycling as a valid means of transportation and an integral component of our transportation mix; * considering bicycling in any and all future transportation decisions; * looking to the Bicycle Board as valued bicycling consultants. I would appreciate your thoughts and especially any recommendations and data for the presentation. Please reply-all and maybe we can get some synergy going :-) Frank /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/

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Bikeboard September 2009