Bikeboard November 2010

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12 participants
19 discussions

Re: [Bikeboard] Unnecessary Road Hazards-Drainage Grates
by Frank Gmeindl 09 Dec '10

09 Dec '10

Scott, The article "MUB work to delay traffic" on page 7-A of today's Dominion Post prompted me to write this message. I realize that you're just replacing water lines on Beechurst but I would like you to consider taking this opportunity to begin replacing the in-line drainage grates that run up Beechurst, beginning with the two in front of the new WVU gateway before some cyclist breaks his or her neck. (See attached photos.) Frank D. Gmeindl Chairman, Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board LCI #1703 491 WilsonAvenue Morgantown, WV 26501 304-376-0446 Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles On Aug 23, 2010, at 11:54 AM, Scott Copen wrote: > Dear Mr. Gmeindl: > > I apologize for the lateness of this reply. The extraordinary workload related to our current capital improvements has unfortunately slowed our responses to such correspondence. And as you previously surmised, the June/July rains (and the subsequent flooding investigations prompted by them) have further compounded this. > > MUB is very sensitive to the need to properly orient storm inlet grating for improved protection of bicyclists. Please be assured that we have trained our maintenance and construction staffs to be aware of the need for proper orientation, and that any inlet installed or re-installed (through reconstructive maintenance activity) within our service area is now designed and specified to be oriented perpendicular to the traffic direction. > > Unfortunately, most of the existing facilities are actually cast into the surrounding roadway materials. For this reason, they may not be simply rotated and re-set, but instead must be excavated and re-cast, with corresponding repair to the surrounding pavement. This significantly increases the difficulty and expense of re-orientation, and thus, is the reason that we have not already preemptively re-oriented all such faculties in our service area. > > Please note that many of the roadways (and the related stormwater facilities) in the Morgantown area are not under our control. The specific areas cited in your correspondence are good examples. Patteson Drive and Monongahela Blvd are owned / maintained by WVDOT, while Evansdale Dr (from CAC to Towers) is owned/maintained by WVU. We have good working relationships with both entities, and will be pleased to forward your comments along with our own request that such improvements be made. > > We share your concern, and within the constraints described above, are working continuously to improve these conditions. If you find any other specific areas within our service area that appear to be capable of re-orientation without excavation, please let us know and we will be happy to do so promptly. > > Thanks for your concern and input. > > Scott Copen, P.E. > Senior Engineer > Morgantown Utility Board > 278 Greenbag Road > Morgantown, WV 26507 > Phone: 304-292-8443 > Fax: 304-292-1526 > > > > From: Frank Gmeindl [mailto:frank.gmeindl@comcast.net] > Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 4:59 PM > To: Scott Copen > Cc: Tim Ball; Damien Davis; Ryan Post > Subject: Fwd: Unnecessary Road Hazards-Drainage Grates > > Scott, > > I'm sure you get floods of e-mail as well as floods of rainwater and sewage to deal with so I can understand not hearing for you for a while after I sent you the message below. Eventually, some cyclist is going to sustain a lot more damage than shown in the photos that I sent you with the message below. I'd like to at least know that there's a plan to replace those in-line grates. > > Frank D. Gmeindl > Chairman, Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board > LCI #1703<image001.jpg><image002.jpg> > 491 WilsonAvenue > Morgantown, WV 26501 > 304-376-0446 > Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles > > > > Begin forwarded message: > > > From: Frank Gmeindl <frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net> > Date: May 27, 2010 4:50:34 PM EDT > To: scopen(a)mub.org > Cc: Damien Davis <ddavis(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, Ryan Post <rpostwvu(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Fwd: Unnecessary Road Hazards-Drainage Grates > > Scott, > > Could you advise me on how to get Morgantown area in-line storm grates corrected so that bicycle tires don't fall into them? Below is a letter that I received from a cyclist. It includes some gruesome photos of a cyclist that rode into one of these grates and landed on his face and shoulder. His injuries could have been much worse, even fatal. > > Frank D. Gmeindl > Chairman, Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board > LCI #1703 > 491 WilsonAvenue > Morgantown, WV 26501 > 304-376-0446 > Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles > > > > Begin forwarded message: > > > From: "Ryan Post" <rpostwvu(a)gmail.com> > Date: May 26, 2010 8:47:03 PM EDT > To: "'Frank Gmeindl'" <frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net>, "'Gunnar Shogren'" <gshogren(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Unnecessary Road Hazards-Drainage Grates > > How do you feel about this email? Also, who should I send it to? > > > I would like to point out a hazard and liability that unnecessarily exists on the roads, only because maintenance workers are unaware. > > There are older style square drainage grates on many shoulders of the roads which have been installed with the grooves running parallel to traffic. These grooves pose a serious hazard to bicycle tires which can slip into them causing the rider to be flipped with accelerated speed into the ground* most likely causing injury to the rider, as well as the bike. In addition, the sudden stop poses an issue to following cars who may then have to avoid whatever pile of man in machine is now laying in the roadway. > > This occurred today, in on Mon Blvd in front of the coliseum by an experienced cyclist who did not see the grate as it was covered with debris. Image1 shows how the hazard exists, and Image2 shows the injuries sustained. These injuries were quite minor as he knew how to position his body to minimize impact on his face. The bicycle also received damage, exceeding $200. > > The simple fix is to rotate the grates so the grooves are perpendicular to travel direction. > > After the incident, I noticed every grate along Evansdale Drive from the CAC to Towers was hazardously installed. > > Ryan Post > > *If you consider the physics of it, a bike traveling at 15mph (which is actually a slow speed-equivalent to falling from 7.5’), will have 100% of that travel velocity converted into downward velocity as the bike pivots on the stuck front wheel, in addition to the speed grained by falling from a standard riding height of about 5’. The impact will be directly onto the front of the cyclist, involving the face, and possibly breaking bones in the arms, wrists, hands, shoulders, and collarbones, as well as a possible concussion. > > Images are attached, but can also be found at: > http://dl.dropbox.com/u/463685/Image1.jpg > http://dl.dropbox.com/u/463685/Image2.jpg > > <image001.jpg><image002.jpg> > >

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Agenda for this Thursday's meeting
by Frank Gmeindl 30 Nov '10

30 Nov '10

Bicycle Board Members. Please send me ASAP any items that you want on the agenda for this Thursday's meeting. Frank

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Fwd: US60 Bicycle Lane development
by Frank Gmeindl 29 Nov '10

29 Nov '10

Bicycle Board Members, Attached a 3 interesting photos/drawings of a bike lane that the WVDOH is considering for Macorkle Avenue in Charleston. I'm interested in what you think of them. Any bike lanes anywhere in the state at this point will set precedents. If the Bicycle Board has substantive comments, I would pass them on to the WVDOH. Frank Begin forwarded message: > From: "Strawn, Dennis A" <dennis.strawn(a)msbcbs.com> > Date: November 29, 2010 8:58:22 AM EST > To: Frank Gmeindl <frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net> > Subject: FW: US60 Bicycle Lane development > > Frank, > Glad this is being shared around the state by others. Please see the attachments for 2 intersections with one being an alternate design (that no one likes). There are more intersections than this that I did not get any visuals for. I have talked to Mr. Murray about the issue with right hooks, drive outs and left hooks. The newest safety feature I spoke of was the Bike Box painted a different color at intersections to minimize right hooks. I don't know if this will be completed, they are just planning it and seeing what is needed. > > I am encouraged though, because it would be huge for the area. If you need any more info please contact Mr. Murray please. > > William R. Murray, P.E. > Regional Planning Engineer > WVDOT-DOH > Program Planning & Administration Division > (304) 558-9741 > Bill.R.Murray(a)wv.gov > > Thanks > Dennis Strawn > Application Developer II > 304-347-7703 > > "New ideas pass through three periods: 1) It can't be done. 2) It probably can be done, but it's not worth doing. 3) I knew it was a good idea all along!" (Arthur C. Clarke's dictum on intellectual progress) > > > This e-mail and any attachments to it are confidential and are intended solely for use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately and then delete it. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not keep, use, disclose, copy or distribute this e-mail without the author's prior permission. The views expressed in this e-mail message do not necessarily represent the views of Highmark Inc., its subsidiaries, or affiliates.

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Bike Route Map changes
by Frank Gmeindl 17 Nov '10

17 Nov '10

Bike Route Team, After riding most of the bike route, I must say that for an experienced vehicular cyclist that isn't intimidated by motor traffic or averse to climbing hills or riding over gravel, it is quite a pleasant adventure with segments ranging from 5-lane traffic such as the Mileground to delightful little secret passageways such as the link connecting Lawnview Dr. with Congress Av. For other cyclists, I think it is imperative that we indicate high traffic speed or volume, steep hills and gravel. If we don't, the first novice that ventures from the rail trail up Collins Ferry will trash the map and tell all his or her friends and our work will be for naught. Some suggestions: red line: heavy motor traffic and/or high speed motor traffic chevrons pointing up steep hills: 1 chevron: 5-10% grade; 2 chevrons: 10-15% grade; 3 chevrons: >15% grade broken line: gravel I'm practically ignorant of GIS technology so I must ask you if we can do that and how. I've put in DropBox and shared with you a scan of the map marked up from our ride and subsequent rides. It's a bit hard to read so following, I explain the marks. The explanations proceed from the top of the map to the bottom. Collins Ferry from rail trail to near the top of the hill: indicate gravel, e.g. broken line. (Maybe some chevrons.) Riddle, Bishop, Winona coming from West Run: indicate steep hills, 3 chevrons. (I didn't ride up St. Clair Hill Rd. from West Run to Bakers Ridge but I think 3 chevrons pointing from West Run up to Bakers Ridge would be appropriate.) Remove the segment of Winona from Hickory to Charles. Remove Charles to Perry. Add Hickory from Winona to Perry. Add Perry to Charles and keep Charles to RIddle. From Pineview Dr. add Ellen Ln., Heritage Point, Maple Dr., Research Park Rd. to WV 705. Rt. 705 from Pineview to Willowdale: indicate high traffic volume and speed, e.g. red line. Add Aspen between Collins Ferry Rd. and Eastern Av. Stafford from Industrial Av. to Congress Av.: indicate steep hill, 3 chevrons. Boyers Av., Mon Blvd., Star City Bridge, Rt. 19 to Osage turnoff: indicate high traffic volume and speed, e.g. red line. University Av. from Koontz to Evansdale Dr.: indicate high traffic volume and speed, e.g. red line. Remove Medical Center Drive from University Av. to Elmer Prince Dr. Add crosswalk from Elmer Prince Dr. to parking lot by new Erikson Alumni Center, through parking lot to Oakland St. extension that goes under the PRT and into the parking lot. Add Oakland St. from Country Club Dr. to Riverview Dr. Add Country Club Dr. from Oakland St. to Law School Dr. Add Law School Dr. Add Riverview Dr. Add Evansdale Dr. Mileground Rd. from Charles Av. to Airport Blvd.: indicate high traffic volume and speed, e.g. red line. Beechurst Av. / Mon Blvd. from 6th St. to Evansdale Dr. Remove segment of University Av. (Stadium loop) from Falling Run Rd. to Stewart St. Remove segment of Stewart St. from University Av. to Yoke St. Add Falling Run Rd. from University Av. to Yoke St. Add Yoke St. In Westover, Fairmont Rd. (Rt. 19) from Savannah St. to Mountain Line station: indicate high traffic volume and speed, e.g. red line. Fairmont Rd. (Rt. 19) from Dents Run Blvd. to Lawless Rd.: indicate high traffic volume and speed, e.g. red line. Deckers Creek Trail from Valley Crossing to Forest Av.: indicate gravel, e.g. broken line and indicate steep slope, 2 chevrons? (I didn't measure grade but it's pretty steep at both ends. Anybody know the grade?) School Bus Dr.: indicate gravel, e.g. broken line. (I think the "Learning Trail" above this "road" is better for a road bike than the road and would recommend replacing School Bus Dr. with the trail. If we agreed to do that, I'd also propose to replace VoTech Dr. with East Parkway Rd. and Hite St. up to the place where the nice smooth relatively gently sloped trail intersects Hite. I can't see that on the map.) These are just suggested changes. I would like to discuss whether they are feasible and reach consensus on them before anybody does a lot of work to implement them. Please let me know what you think. Frank

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FWD: [saferoutestoschool] Safe Routes Philly
by director 17 Nov '10

17 Nov '10

Good afternoon, Just received this message from the Safe Routes list and thought I would pass it on as an example of the process and considerations that went into another city's successful effort to get bike and pedestrian education into the schools. Nick ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: "Owens, Diana" <diana(a)bicyclecoalition.org> Reply-To: "Owens, Diana" <diana(a)bicyclecoalition.org> Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:21:56 -0500 In March 2009, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health was awarded cooperative agreements totaling $25.4 million over two years for prevention and wellness efforts. Philadelphia received these two awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): - $10 million to decrease tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure - $15.4 million to promote healthy nutrition and increased physical activity Through these awards the *Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia* was selected, among many others, to help tackle childhood obesity through promotion of walking and bicycling. Since this funding was awarded to us in March, our youth education program *Safe Routes Philly* expanded its programming to include a train the trainer model (our programming started with a direct education piece through TE funding ->> check out our website for more information). Safe Routes Philly has partnered with the School District of Philadelphia to provide training, support and assistance for elementary school classroom and physical education teachers. Our core lessons include pedestrian safety for 2nd graders and bicycle safety for 5th graders. Our goal over the next two years is to get our pedestrian and bicycle safety materials into all 184 public elementary schools in the School District of Philadelphia. In addition to the core lessons, we have also included many cross curricular lessons and encouragement activities - both of which we plan on expanding. All of this material is available on our website. We have also partnered with the Office of Teaching and Learning, at the School District, to hold professional development trainings. Elementary School 2nd and 5th grade teachers and Elementary PE teachers receive ACT 48 credit by coming to our trainings. This has proven to be a great way to get teachers to come and participate. If teachers attend they also receive a hard copy of all of our pedestrian and bicycle safety lessons and enough workbooks for every 2nd and 5th grade student they educate. Since our soft launch on November 2nd, we have delivered our materials to 111 public elementary schools (out of 184). By no means is our curriculum currently considered comprehensive. There are many limiting factors to implementing a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian safety program in the all of the public schools of Philadelphia. One of the biggest challenges we ran into is *time*. By compromising with the school district we have been able to develop pedestrian (2 core lessons, broken down into mini lessons totaling 90 minutes) and bicycle (2 core lessons broken down into mini lessons totaling 90 minutes) safety lessons that meet the PA state standards as well as the needs of the Philadelphia teachers and urban environment. Through our growing relationship with the school district, we hope to continue expanding upon our current accepted lessons. Please visit our website, www.saferoutesphilly.org, to learn more about Safe Routes Philly and view all of our new curriculum. Diana Owens Assistant Director of Education 1500 Walnut Street, Suite 305 Philadelphia, PA 19102 -3506 215-399-1598, ext 702 www.bicyclecoalition.org www.saferoutesphilly.org --- Note: If you want to send an email to the entire list serve of more than 300 subscribers, please send your message to saferoutestoschool(a)saferoutes.listserve.us. To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list serve or UPDATE your account, please visit http://saferoutes.listserve.us/cgi-bin/lyris.pl Please send questions or comments regarding your list serve subscription to info(a)saferoutespartnership.org. -- Nick Hein LCI# 1705 Director, Positive Spin 803 East Brockway Ave Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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Ride the Bike Route Thursday
by Frank Gmeindl 11 Nov '10

11 Nov '10

Bicycle Board Members, Thursday, Veteran's day is forecast to be sunny with a high of 64. A perfect day to ride our bike route and verify that it's good. Meet 10:00 am at the Blue Moose. We'll ride for a few hours or as long as you like. We will ride at a very easy pace so that we can discuss the route as we go. Probably with frequent stops to check the map and signage locations. I suggest we end at Black Bear to enjoy some refreshments and final thoughts I'll bring the maps that Derek generously provided. See you Thursday. Frank

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Article from YES! magazine:
by director 11 Nov '10

11 Nov '10

Good morning, How cool is this?! 95% rate of bicycling in schools?!! The article describes how they make bike skills part of the educational system. The best news is that if we do what they did, we'll get what they've got. Better health, healthier weights, more livable places. http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/how-to-make-biking-mainstream-lessons-fro… The article describes how delegates from the San Francisco visited the Netherlands to see all this first hand. Last year three delegates from WV (one from Morgantown) saw the info presented at the League's Bike Summit. So can anyone else. Sign up for the League's 2011 bike summit here: https://members.bikeleague.org/members_online/registration/register.asp?mt=… -- Nick Hein LCI# 1705 Director, Positive Spin 803 East Brockway Ave Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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November Minutes
by Elizabeth Shogren 11 Nov '10

11 Nov '10

Attached are the minutes of the November Bicycle Board meeting.

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In-kind contributions
by Frank Gmeindl 08 Nov '10

08 Nov '10

Bicycle Board Members, I met with Jeff Mikorski this morning on the education grant proposal. He will try to get the WVDOT to consider our in-kind contributions as part of the cost share. So, I ask you to review what you sent me to see if you need to make any adjustments. For example, I notice that some of you didn't include the time you spent in education committee meetings. If you have any changes to make, I need them by tomorrow afternoon. Frank

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Re: [Bikeboard] In-kind contributions
by Paul Becker 08 Nov '10

08 Nov '10

Paul Becker, ScD. Professor Safety and Health Extension Extension Service West Virginia University >>> Gunnar Shogren 11/08/10 12:17 PM >>> Okay. So we should include- Time spent in meetings. Time spent reviewing/reading things. Time spent editing articles/cards and other what-not. Anything else? I did not count time spent in meetings because I assumed that was our volunteer activity as members of the Bicycle Board. Paul On Mon, Nov 8, 2010 at 12:04 PM, Frank Gmeindl wrote: > Bicycle Board Members, > > I met with Jeff Mikorski this morning on the education grant proposal. He will try to get the WVDOT to consider our in-kind contributions as part of the cost share. So, I ask you to review what you sent me to see if you need to make any adjustments. For example, I notice that some of you didn't include the time you spent in education committee meetings. If you have any changes to make, I need them by tomorrow afternoon. > > Frank > _______________________________________________ > Bikeboard mailing list > Bikeboard(a)cheat.org > http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard > _______________________________________________ Bikeboard mailing list Bikeboard(a)cheat.org http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard

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Bikeboard November 2010