Bikeboard October 2011

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17 participants
31 discussions

Walgreen
by Frank Gmeindl 01 Dec '11

01 Dec '11

Chris, Roy, Bill, I read in this morning's Dominion Post that Walgreens is going to replace Southern States in Sabraton. How is that going to effect the Deckers Creek trail and bicycle traffic? As you know, the Deckers Creek trail currently runs adjacent to the Southern States site. Behind Southern States, the crossing of Deckers Creek Blvd. heading upstream is quite dangerous due to the poor sight line. Looking to the left, Deckers Creek Blvd. curves out of the sight line and the fence and stuff in the Southern States lot blocks visibility. Permitting the Walgreens project should consider mitigating this disaster waiting to happen. Certainly,we can't let it be worsened. If Walgreens is permitted to have a traffic exit/entrance onto Deckers Creek Blvd., that crossing will become an even bigger disaster. With the WVDOH also planning to install a westbound left turn lane from Rt. 7 at the other end of Deckers Creek Blvd. do we have an opportunity to improve the dangers presented by the misalignments of the Deckers Creek trail with Deckers Creek Blvd. at both crossings? The Walgreens project, the Rt. 7 left turn lane project, the Hogback turn project, and the perpetual uproar about truck traffic through downtown, seems to present us with an opportunity to take an overall systems view of living, business and traffic INCLUDING bicycle and pedestrian between the Mon River and the Sabraton I-68 interchange. Chris, please don't let the Walgreen's project proceed without considering the impact on bicycle traffic in that area. 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

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Petition: Keep Ice's Ferry Bridge Open to Bicyclists
by Frank Gmeindl 23 Nov '11

23 Nov '11

Bicycle Board Members, Please go to http://www.PetitionOnline.com/IcesFrry/petition.html and sign the petition to WVDOT Secretary Paul Mattox. When it gets enough signatures, I'll download, print and send it to him as well as to the cc list. Here's what the petition says: Dear Secretary Mattox: We, the undersigned Morgantown area bicyclists hereby petition the State of West Virginia to provide means for bicyclists to cross Cheat Lake at Ice’s Ferry during the replacement of Ice’s Ferry Bridge. Ice’s Ferry Bridge provides the only practical means for bicycles to cross Cheat Lake. Many local area cyclists as well as visitors to the Morgantown area frequently used Ice’s Ferry Bridge to travel between the Morgantown area to points east of Cheat Lake. The recent closing of Ice’s Ferry Bridge makes it impossible for us to cross the lake for work and recreation. cc: Ray LaHood, Secretary, US Department of Transportation Earl Ray Tomblin, Governor of West Virginia Asel Kennedy, President Monongalia County Commission Joe Fisher, Chairman Morgantown Monongalia Metropolitan Planning Organization

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FW: "Share the Road" signs for Mileground and Easton Hill Roads
by Bill Austin 31 Oct '11

31 Oct '11

Jim, Thank you for forwarding the request to me. By copy of this email I am forwarding your concern to DOH. I will let you know that the DOH is in the process of developing a policy for the installation of Share the Road signs. This should make responding to this type of request easier. Regards, Bill Austin, AICP Executive Director Morgantown Monongalia MPO 82 Hart Field Road Ste. 105 Morgantown, WVA 26505 304-291-9571 304-692-7225 Mobile "Things alter for the worse spontaneously, if they be not altered for the better designedly." ~Francis Bacon "Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof." ~John Kenneth Galbraith From: jimrye_adelphia1(a)comcast.net [mailto:jimrye_adelphia1@comcast.net] Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2011 2:10 PM To: baustin(a)labyrinth.net Cc: bikeboard(a)cheat.org Subject: "Share the Road" signs for Mileground and Easton Hill Roads Hi Bill, I would like WVDOH to place "share the road" signs on the Mileground and Easton Hill Roads (Highway 119). I provide below a brief rationale for my request, which I make as a Morgantown citizen and not as a member of the Morgantown Bike Board. Could I make that request through you to the DOH, and if not, could you please send me the email of an individual at DOH who would be the best recipient for such request? Thank you. Rationale: Currently, “share the road” signs are on Highway 705. However, bicycle commuters who travel 705 find that these signs "dead end" when 705 intersects 119. The addition of these signs along 119 may not result in fewer bicyclist-automobile accidents, however, this reminder to motorists may reduce the hostility (including verbal) displayed by some motorists towards bicyclists. While I realize that motorists are supposed to have learned in Drivers Training that they are required by law to share the road with bicyclists, my experience as a bicycle commuter traveling the above mentioned roads is that some motorists need a reminder. When bicyclists are hollered at or passed too closely (and so on) by motorists, the bicyclist is frightened and less likely to continue commuting. This discourages the use of alternative transportation, which, in turn, contributes to rather than lessens traffic congestion. Another reason to extend the network of these signs is that a consolidated “green school” (Eastwood) is being constructed in the immediate vicinity. jimrye_adelphia1(a)comcast.net "The first wealth is health." -Ralph Waldo Emerson _____ No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1411 / Virus Database: 2092/3980 - Release Date: 10/28/11

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Fwd: comments on WVU parking and transportation plan
by Frank Gmeindl 29 Oct '11

29 Oct '11

Begin forwarded message: > From: "Jim Rye" <Jim.Rye(a)mail.wvu.edu> > Date: October 29, 2011 4:36:55 PM EDT > To: "Frank Gmeindl" <frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net> > Cc: "Hugh Kierig" <Hugh.Kierig(a)mail.wvu.edu> > Subject: Re: [Bikeboard] comments on WVU parking and transportation plan > > Oops, sorry Frank. They are pasted below. I already sent them directly to the email provided.. > > I am so pleased to see the incorporation of bicycling for transportation in your plan, which is available for comment at http://transportation.wvu.edu/trans_and_park_plan. Bicycling represents not only a means to reduce motor vehicle congestion and concomitant emissions (e..g, carbon dioxide), but it helps to prevent and mitigate obesity (WVU often is #1 or "close" among all states on the rate of obesity). As a state leader in medicine and as an institution that offers the doctorate degree in public health, WVU should be a major player in reducing air pollution and mitigating the obesity epidemic. > > As a WVU employee who regularly commutes via bicycle to work (Evansdale campus), I believe the single most important action you can take to enhance bicycling as an alternative form of transportation is under assumption 10, item b. (pasted at the end of this message). The last sentence in item b. needs clarification and elaboration. It is critical that "spokes" be established that connect the Caperton/Deckers Creek trails with the WVU campuses. Tremendous progress can be made on this endeavor without laying more asphalt for new trails/infrastructure. It would, however, necessitate signage that would designate certain existing roads as bike routes, and ideally, these roads would also have Sharrow signs on the road surface ( http://tp.osu.edu/sharrows/ ) and "share the road" and "bike route to _______" signs along the roads. Additionally, although motorists are required by law to share the road with cyclists, many novice cyclists will not perceive that they are safe in using bicycles for transportation without some type of physical separation from motorists. Accordingly, where space allows (e.g., Mon Blvd between Coliseum and Seneca Center), bike lanes should be established and maintained. Finally, for any infrastructure that attempts to increase bicycle use for transportation, every effort should be made to make such infrastructure safe for the bicyclist, e.g., removing such obstacles as road indentations from sewer grates and sewer grates running parallel to the roadway, and providing adequate space between parking and a designated bike lane to prevent bicyclists from getting "doored" (http://www.labreform.org/pretending.html). > > Additionally, as part of Assumption 11, once the bicyclist is on a WVU campus, the above mentioned signage needs to continue, and one campus needs to be connected to another (e.g., Evansdale and Health Sciences--especially Mountaineer station) with such signage. In reference to connecting Evansdale campus to Mountaineer station, the sidewalk that runs between the Alumni Center and Mountaineer Station is one place that some additional asphalt could be used: It could be widened and converted to a trail/route that accommodates cyclists and pedestrians. > > Thank you for the opportunity to comment. > PASTED FROM ASSUMPTION 10 IN THE 2011 PLAN: > > b. Bike trails begin and end at several accessible locations around > Morgantown. Particular attention should be paid to creating accessible > locations that will lead between the Caperton Trail, Decker's Creek Trail > and campus. Additional transit may be required between those locations > and campus to encourage bike use. > > > > > James A. Rye, Professor > West Virginia University > Department of Curriculum & Instruction/Literacy Studies > PO Box 6122 > 604 Allen Hall > Morgantown, WV 26506-6122 > jim.rye(a)mail.wvu.edu > Phone: (304) 293-4416 > Fax: (304) 293-3802 > Web: > http://depts.hre.wvu.edu/c&ils/currinst/rye.html > "The first wealth is health." -Ralph Waldo Emerson > >>> Frank Gmeindl <frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net> 10/29/2011 4:29 PM >>> > Jim, > > Please see my October 19 message to the BB: > >> From: Frank Gmeindl <frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net> >> Date: October 19, 2011 9:43:04 AM EDT >> To: Bicycle Board <bikeboard(a)cheat.org> >> Subject: Fwd: Draft WVU Transportation and Parking Plan >> >> Bicycle Board Members, >> >> By November 16, please send your comments on the WVU Transportation and Parking Plan to me w/cc to Hugh. I will compile them and send them to Nancy Lohman. >> >> 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: Nancy Lohmann <nlohmann(a)wvu.edu> >> Date: October 19, 2011 8:11:39 AM EDT >> To: Tom Arnold <tarnold(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, Morgantown Parking Authority <parking(a)morgantown.com>, Morgantown City Council <citycouncil(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, Terrence Moore <tmoore(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, Chris Fletcher <cfletcher(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, Asel Kennedy <MonCom(a)aol.com>, Bill Austin <info(a)plantogether.org>, Roy Nutter <rnutter(a)wvu.edu>, Frank Gmeindl <frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net>, Christiaan Abildso <Christiaan.Abildso(a)mail.wvu.edu>, David Bruffy <bruffy(a)busride.org> >> Cc: Narvel Weese <narvel.weese(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Randal Hudak <randy.hudak(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Hugh Kierig <Hugh.Kierig(a)mail.WVU.edu> >> Subject: Draft WVU Transportation and Parking Plan >> >> Good morning. >> >> West Virginia University is in the process of revising its Transportation >> and Parking Plan, which was last revised in 2007. I wanted to share a copy >> of the draft plan with you and also invite your comments on it. A copy is >> enclosed. Today or tomorrow the Plan will also be accesible through >> http://transportation.wvu.edu/ <http://transportation.wvu.edu/> >> >> We are inviting comments until NOVEMBER 18. After that date, the >> Transportation and Parking Advisory Committee will begin to modify the plan >> considering the feedback received. >> >> Comments may be forwarded to TransParkPlan(a)mail.WVU.edu >> <mailto:TransParkPlan@mail.WVU.edu> or TransPark Plan, P. O. Box 6205, WVU, >> Morgantown, WV 26506-6205. >> >> I know this is a busy time of the year but we would welcome any advice that >> you may be able to offer. Thanks. >> >> Nancy >> >> Nancy Lohmann, Ph.D. >> Senior Advisor to the Vice President >> for Administration and Finance >> Professor of Social Work >> 101 Stewart Hall >> P.O. Box 6205 >> West Virginia University >> Morgantown, WV 26506-6205 >> Phone: 304-293-9200 >> Fax: 304-293-3493 > > > So far, Ryan Post has submitted comments that you should have received. Are you not receiving messages to bikeboard(a)cheat.org mailing list? > > Thanks for the reminder! > > Frank > > On Oct 29, 2011, at 4:02 PM, Jim Rye wrote: > >> Hi Jeffrey, Bill, and Morgantown Bike Board Members, >> >> You likely know that a draft transportation plan that would cover transportation and parking efforts by WVU between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2017 is now available through Nov 18 for public comment at http://transportation.wvu.edu/trans_and_park_plan. >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Bikeboard mailing list >> Bikeboard(a)cheat.org >> http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard >

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comments on WVU parking and transportation plan
by Jim Rye 29 Oct '11

29 Oct '11

Hi Jeffrey, Bill, and Morgantown Bike Board Members, You likely know that a draft transportation plan that would cover transportation and parking efforts by WVU between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2017 is now available through Nov 18 for public comment at http://transportation.wvu.edu/trans_and_park_plan.

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"Share the Road" signs for Mileground and Easton Hill Roads
by jimrye_adelphia1＠comcast.net 29 Oct '11

29 Oct '11

Hi Bill, I would like WVDOH to place "share the road" signs on the Mileground and Easton Hill Roads (Highway 119). I provide below a brief rationale for my request, which I make as a Morgantown citizen and not as a member of the Morgantown Bike Board. Could I make that request through you to the DOH, and if not, could you please send me the email of an individual at DOH who would be the best recipient for such request? Thank you. Rationale: Currently, “share the road” signs are on Highway 705. However, bicycle commuters who travel 705 find that these signs "dead end" when 705 intersects 119. The addition of these signs along 119 may not result in fewer bicyclist-automobile accidents, however, this reminder to motorists may reduce the hostility (including verbal) displayed by some motorists towards bicyclists. While I realize that motorists are supposed to have learned in Drivers Training that they are required by law to share the road with bicyclists, my experience as a bicycle commuter traveling the above mentioned roads is that some motorists need a reminder. When bicyclists are hollered at or passed too closely (and so on) by motorists, the bicyclist is frightened and less likely to continue commuting. This discourages the use of alternative transportation, which, in turn, contributes to rather than lessens traffic congestion. Another reason to extend the network of these signs is that a consolidated “green school” (Eastwood) is being constructed in the immediate vicinity. jimrye_adelphia1(a)comcast.net "The first wealth is health." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Fwd: SGA Safety Walk (Nov 1st)
by Frank Gmeindl 27 Oct '11

27 Oct '11

Bicycle Board Members, Since so many college age people ride bicycles on sidewalks, it seems appropriate that the BB should be aware of the WVU SGA (Student Government Association?) "safety walk" planned for Nov. 1. Maybe even somebody from the BB might want to participate. Frank Begin forwarded message: > From: Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board <walkmgw(a)yahoo.com> > Date: October 27, 2011 12:19:12 PM EDT > To: Bill Reger-Nash <wreger(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Bob Anderson <randerson(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Christiaan Abildso <cgabildso(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Dave Harshbarger <harshbargerd(a)wvuh.com>, David Small <dsmall1(a)mix.wvu.edu>, Dwight Harshbarger <dwight.harshbarger(a)gmail.com>, George Lilley <mgranlil(a)frontier.com>, Ilana Chertok <ichertok(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Jan Derry <jderry(a)nwvcil.org>, Jimmie Simmons <Jsimmons2642(a)yahoo.com>, Jonathan Rosenbaum <freesource(a)cheat.org>, Maria Smith <mariasmith(a)busride.org>, Martha Summers <msummers(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Michael Graham <migraham(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Regina Mayolo <reginam(a)verizon.net>, Sarah Bias <sarahbias(a)gmail.com>, Stan Cohen <Stanley.Cohen(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Tom Bias <tbias(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Angela Wiley <wileya120(a)gmail.com>, Bill Austin <baustin(a)labyrinth.net>, Claire Chantler <cchantler(a)nwvcil.org>, Damien Davis <ddavis(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, Ella Belling <ella(a)montrails.org>, Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)gmail.com>, Hugh Kierig <Hugh.Kierig(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Jim Hunt <jimhunt(a)sunnysideupwv.org>, Jim Rye <Jim.Rye(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Josh Woods <joshua.woods(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Kevin Leyden <Kevin.Leyden(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Matt Cross <crossnyc(a)hotmail.com>, Michael Simms <michael.d.simms(a)gmail.com>, Mike Breiding <mike(a)EpicRoadTrips.us>, Nick Hein <info(a)positivespin.org>, Roy Nutter <roy.nutter(a)mail.wvu.edu> > Subject: Fw: SGA Safety Walk (Nov 1st) > Reply-To: Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board <walkmgw(a)yahoo.com> > > All - > Please see note from SGA representative on our board, David Small...a very worthwhile project being undertaken by SGA on Nov 1st. Please do all that you can to attend, and bring a camera (ahem, Mike B - our professional photographer!) > Christiaan > > Walk more, safely > > Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board > Christiaan Abildso, Chair > Bill Reger-Nash, Vice Chair > http://www.morgantown.com/ped-safety-board.htm > > ----- Forwarded Message ----- > From: David Small <dsmall1(a)mix.wvu.edu> > To: Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board <walkmgw(a)yahoo.com> > Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2011 8:19 PM > Subject: SGA Safety Walk > Christiaan: > Sorry for taking a week to get back in contact with you. I was in DC all last week for a Model UN conference and I had to put SGA on the side for a week! I wanted to get dates and times cleared up before I sent a final email on the logistics. > > The Safety walk will be Tuesday November 1st at 5 pm. We will meet up in a room to be determined in the next day or two and have a quick power point presentation on what we are looking for. Then will we split up into small groups covering 5-6 key areas either on or off campus surrounding the downtown area. Another group will go to Evansdale, but there seems to not be to many safety concerns on that side of town. Everyone going will be required to try there best to take pictures so I can get a report to WVU officials before thanksgiving break. Please invite as many people as possible. The more people we have the more ground we can cover in an hour and 1/2. Around 6:45 we will return to the Mountianlair for a quick wrap up! If you have any questions or ideas to add to the walk please let me know! Dave Smalldsmall1(a)mix.wvu.edu 304-276-6806

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Re: [Bikeboard] Fwd: Pedestrian Safety Board - another letter in the works
by Chip Wamsley 27 Oct '11

27 Oct '11

As a former board member of Main Street Morgantown, I can say that this is not the first time this has been discussed. When WVU redid the downtown campus curbing over 15 years ago it was also discussed making the area in front of Woodburn and the Mtn Lair into a ped mall. Both that and blocking the downtown were opposed in favor of keeping traffic flowing through the downtown. One reason Morgantown's downtown is not like Fairmont's or Clarksburg's is that the traffic flow keeps those businesses alive. There are many issues to consider such as state routes and truck deliveries to merchants which usually aren't problems in areas with proper sized alleys behind businesses. Bike access is also going to be affected, so we should be in the loop, but I don't see us endorsing the plan without specifics. Chip -----Original Message----- From: "Gunnar Shogren" <gshogren(a)gmail.com> Sent 10/27/2011 11:26:33 AM To: "Graber, Stephen" <sggraber(a)hsc.wvu.edu> Cc: "Bicycle Board" <bikeboard(a)cheat.org>, "Abildso, Christiaan" <Christiaan.Abildso(a)mail.wvu.edu>, "Frank Gmeindl" <fgmeindl(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [Bikeboard] Fwd: Pedestrian Safety Board - another letter in the works While I like the idea of a ped Mall, and I thought that the way Charlotesville, VA was nice (not allowing bikes, which wasn't a deal breaker for me), I hadn't thought about the lack of parade space and that sort of thing. I've lived here a while and it's quite the common place thing for me, but Betsy is still astounded that there are so many parades and such downtown. It would be bad to not have that. I think we really need a diversion for truck traffic through dahntawn and no traffic through the main WVU campus. But I guess that's for another topic... On Thu, Oct 27, 2011 at 11:16 AM, Graber, Stephen <sggraber(a)hsc.wvu.edu> wrote: > I'm not sure I think a pedestrian mall is a good idea for Morgantown. We > would lose much of our character and become less distinguishable from the > many other small university towns with pedestrian malls. Charlottesville, > VA and Burlington, VT are two with which I've had some experience as I've > lived in both those places. One immediate effect is to send a lot of > shopping traffic away from the downtowns to the outlying "malls". That > might be even worse here considering the dirth of access our downtown > faces. And where would we have all those wonderful parades? > > I'm sure in the end many better heads than mine will be needed to sort > through the impact of the various options and as long as enough time is > devoted to careful planning and study I'm sure it will work out for the > best. Let's just not rush headlong into a solution that's been applied > elsewhere and hope it works well for us. > Cheers, > Butch > > ------------------------------------------- > > Stephen G. Graber > > Biochem & Mol Pharmacology > > PO Box 9142, HSN-3122 > > West Virginia University > > Morgantown, WV 26506-9142 > > phone: 304-293-2305 > > > > ------ _0 > > ------ _ \<,_ > > ---- (*)/ (*) > > ________________________________ > From: bikeboard-bounces(a)cheat.org [bikeboard-bounces(a)cheat.org] On Behalf Of > Ryan Post [rpostwvu(a)gmail.com] > Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2011 11:03 AM > To: 'Frank Gmeindl'; 'Bicycle Board' > Cc: Abildso, Christiaan > Subject: Re: [Bikeboard] Fwd: Pedestrian Safety Board - another letter in > the works > > Wow. There’s some aggressive ideas being thrown around now-a-days. I’ve > spent some time at the Charlottesville mall, and it’s a unique kind of > place, with lots of outdoor dining area right there in the open corridor. > > > > I would think it would fit the college night time scene quite nicely, when > often the sidewalks are totally jammed up. > > > > High St seems to obvious location, but there would be a lot of parking > eliminated, as well as traffic shifted down to an already busy US19 > (whatever name it has), and the Stores are already designed around High > being “Main St”. > > > > Chestnut street would have less impact on traffic, although I wonder how the > stores that currently face High Street would feel. Chestnut is quite narrow, > and I don’t think would feel as open. Nor would there be much space for > seating outside on the mall. > > > > The Charlottesville mall does not allow you to ride a bike on it, you have > to dismount. This presents an issue to cyclists if Chestnut and Spruce stay > the same, since you now have to go down to an even busier US19, or push your > bike for 4 blocks downhill. > > > > Ryan > > > > From: bikeboard-bounces(a)cheat.org [mailto:bikeboard-bounces@cheat.org] On > Behalf Of Frank Gmeindl > Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2011 10:23 AM > To: Bicycle Board > Cc: Christiaan Abildso > Subject: [Bikeboard] Fwd: Pedestrian Safety Board - another letter in the > works > > > > Bicycle Board Members, > > > > Let me know if you would support converting downtown to a pedestrian mall. > If a majority does, I'll suggest adding the Bicycle Board to the signatory > list. > > > > Frank > > > > Begin forwarded message: > > From: Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board <walkmgw(a)yahoo.com> > > Date: October 27, 2011 8:21:57 AM EDT > > To: Bill Reger-Nash <wreger(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Bob Anderson > <randerson(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Christiaan Abildso <cgabildso(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Dave > Harshbarger <harshbargerd(a)wvuh.com>, David Small <dsmall1(a)mix.wvu.edu>, > Dwight Harshbarger <dwight.harshbarger(a)gmail.com>, George Lilley > <mgranlil(a)frontier.com>, Ilana Chertok <ichertok(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Jan Derry > <jderry(a)nwvcil.org>, Jimmie Simmons <Jsimmons2642(a)yahoo.com>, Jonathan > Rosenbaum <freesource(a)cheat.org>, Maria Smith <mariasmith(a)busride.org>, > Martha Summers <msummers(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Michael Graham > <migraham(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Regina Mayolo <reginam(a)verizon.net>, Sarah Bias > <sarahbias(a)gmail.com>, Stan Cohen <Stanley.Cohen(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Tom Bias > <tbias(a)hsc.wvu.edu> > > Cc: Angela Wiley <wileya120(a)gmail.com>, Bill Austin <baustin(a)labyrinth.net>, > Claire Chantler <cchantler(a)nwvcil.org>, Damien Davis > <ddavis(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, Ella Belling <ella(a)montrails.org>, Frank > Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)gmail.com>, Hugh Kierig <Hugh.Kierig(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Jim > Hunt <jimhunt(a)sunnysideupwv.org>, Jim Rye <Jim.Rye(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Josh Woods > <joshua.woods(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Kevin Leyden <Kevin.Leyden(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Matt > Cross <crossnyc(a)hotmail.com>, Michael Simms <michael.d.simms(a)gmail.com>, > Mike Breiding <mike(a)EpicRoadTrips.us>, Nick Hein <info(a)positivespin.org>, > Roy Nutter <roy.nutter(a)mail.wvu.edu> > > Subject: Pedestrian Safety Board - another letter in the works > > Reply-To: Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board <walkmgw(a)yahoo.com> > > > > All - > > In the interest of full disclosure, I've drafted a letter (attached) and > floated it to some potential partners (listed a co-signers of the letter) > including SPAN, GNA, Main St Morgantown, Urban Landscape Commission, etc. > re: studying the impact on downtown vehicular traffic of closing 1) Chestnut > from Willey to Pleasant or 2) High St from Willey to Pleasant (with > simultaneous restructuring of Spruce to be 2-way) to vehicles. The goal > would be a pedestrian street or mall downtown. We may spend some time on > this at our next PSB meeting, Nov 7th, to edit/approvie it depending on > discussions with potential partners on this idea. If others aren't > interested and the PSB is not we will not ask the city to ask the state to > study the traffic implications. > > Some explanation of why the letter came about in the text of email I've sent > to potential coalition below. > > Christiaan > > ----------------------- > > I have had separate conversations with each of you, or identified you as > logical partners with interest in developing a pedestrian mall to further > improve our downtown for downtown businesses, residents, nearby neighbors, > and visitors. During a recent presentation of the downtown traffic study by > Andrew Nichols of the Rahall Transportation Institute (as a WVDOT > consultant) discussion focused almost exclusively on pedestrian flow and > improving downtown to better support pedestrians. Andrew indicated that, > with the data he and his group collected about trip origins, destinations, > and time, they could model the impact of any change to traffic flow or > signalization on vehicular traffic time and congestion. Many informal > discussions with my colleagues - easily a biased sample - tells me that > young people and young parents would welcome a downtown pedestrian mall. > > > > With that backdrop I ask if now may be the most appropriate time to better > understand what impact creating a downtown pedestrian only access for High > Street (with simultaneous change to make Spruce a two-way street) or > Chestnut Street may have. I'm sure one of the major concerns of downtown > businesses is that store traffic would decrease because fewer vehicles > (thus, shoppers) would come through downtown. Well, there's only one way to > find out...we have to ask. > > > > I would like, therefore, to assemble a coalition of the many stakeholders to > ask the City via the City Manager to request the modeling be done by the > WVDOT consultant and presented to the City (via Traffic Commission or in a > small meeting of the coalition. I've drafted a letter I'd ask that each of > you review, consider the request and ways to improve upon it, and consider > any additional parties/boards/commissions that should be included. Then, if > you're all on board, can we meet to discuss at an upcoming MSM, SPAN, Tree > Board, Green Team, or GNA meeting in early November? We may be able to host > a discussion during our 1st Monday-of-the-month Pedestrian Safety Board > meeting if so desired. > > > > WVDOT will only ask the consultant to perform the modeling if the City has > interest. Thus, as the multiple interested parties we have to band together > to show the City that businesses and residents are interested. They'll only > act if they know they have our support. > > > > This could be a great first step toward determining, using quantitative > data, the potential impacts of a downtown pedestrian street. > > I look forward to hearing from each of you, > > > > Walk more, safely > > > > Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board > > Christiaan Abildso, Chair > > Bill Reger-Nash, Vice Chair > > http://www.morgantown.com/ped-safety-board.htm > > _______________________________________________ > 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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Fwd: Pedestrian Safety Board - another letter in the works
by Frank Gmeindl 27 Oct '11

27 Oct '11

Bicycle Board Members, Let me know if you would support converting downtown to a pedestrian mall. If a majority does, I'll suggest adding the Bicycle Board to the signatory list. Frank Begin forwarded message: > From: Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board <walkmgw(a)yahoo.com> > Date: October 27, 2011 8:21:57 AM EDT > To: Bill Reger-Nash <wreger(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Bob Anderson <randerson(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Christiaan Abildso <cgabildso(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Dave Harshbarger <harshbargerd(a)wvuh.com>, David Small <dsmall1(a)mix.wvu.edu>, Dwight Harshbarger <dwight.harshbarger(a)gmail.com>, George Lilley <mgranlil(a)frontier.com>, Ilana Chertok <ichertok(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Jan Derry <jderry(a)nwvcil.org>, Jimmie Simmons <Jsimmons2642(a)yahoo.com>, Jonathan Rosenbaum <freesource(a)cheat.org>, Maria Smith <mariasmith(a)busride.org>, Martha Summers <msummers(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Michael Graham <migraham(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Regina Mayolo <reginam(a)verizon.net>, Sarah Bias <sarahbias(a)gmail.com>, Stan Cohen <Stanley.Cohen(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Tom Bias <tbias(a)hsc.wvu.edu> > Cc: Angela Wiley <wileya120(a)gmail.com>, Bill Austin <baustin(a)labyrinth.net>, Claire Chantler <cchantler(a)nwvcil.org>, Damien Davis <ddavis(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, Ella Belling <ella(a)montrails.org>, Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)gmail.com>, Hugh Kierig <Hugh.Kierig(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Jim Hunt <jimhunt(a)sunnysideupwv.org>, Jim Rye <Jim.Rye(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Josh Woods <joshua.woods(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Kevin Leyden <Kevin.Leyden(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Matt Cross <crossnyc(a)hotmail.com>, Michael Simms <michael.d.simms(a)gmail.com>, Mike Breiding <mike(a)EpicRoadTrips.us>, Nick Hein <info(a)positivespin.org>, Roy Nutter <roy.nutter(a)mail.wvu.edu> > Subject: Pedestrian Safety Board - another letter in the works > Reply-To: Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board <walkmgw(a)yahoo.com> > > All - > In the interest of full disclosure, I've drafted a letter (attached) and floated it to some potential partners (listed a co-signers of the letter) including SPAN, GNA, Main St Morgantown, Urban Landscape Commission, etc. re: studying the impact on downtown vehicular traffic of closing 1) Chestnut from Willey to Pleasant or 2) High St from Willey to Pleasant (with simultaneous restructuring of Spruce to be 2-way) to vehicles. The goal would be a pedestrian street or mall downtown. We may spend some time on this at our next PSB meeting, Nov 7th, to edit/approvie it depending on discussions with potential partners on this idea. If others aren't interested and the PSB is not we will not ask the city to ask the state to study the traffic implications. > Some explanation of why the letter came about in the text of email I've sent to potential coalition below. > Christiaan > ----------------------- > I have had separate conversations with each of you, or identified you as logical partners with interest in developing a pedestrian mall to further improve our downtown for downtown businesses, residents, nearby neighbors, and visitors. During a recent presentation of the downtown traffic study by Andrew Nichols of the Rahall Transportation Institute (as a WVDOT consultant) discussion focused almost exclusively on pedestrian flow and improving downtown to better support pedestrians. Andrew indicated that, with the data he and his group collected about trip origins, destinations, and time, they could model the impact of any change to traffic flow or signalization on vehicular traffic time and congestion. Many informal discussions with my colleagues - easily a biased sample - tells me that young people and young parents would welcome a downtown pedestrian mall. > > With that backdrop I ask if now may be the most appropriate time to better understand what impact creating a downtown pedestrian only access for High Street (with simultaneous change to make Spruce a two-way street) or Chestnut Street may have. I'm sure one of the major concerns of downtown businesses is that store traffic would decrease because fewer vehicles (thus, shoppers) would come through downtown. Well, there's only one way to find out...we have to ask. > > I would like, therefore, to assemble a coalition of the many stakeholders to ask the City via the City Manager to request the modeling be done by the WVDOT consultant and presented to the City (via Traffic Commission or in a small meeting of the coalition. I've drafted a letter I'd ask that each of you review, consider the request and ways to improve upon it, and consider any additional parties/boards/commissions that should be included. Then, if you're all on board, can we meet to discuss at an upcoming MSM, SPAN, Tree Board, Green Team, or GNA meeting in early November? We may be able to host a discussion during our 1st Monday-of-the-month Pedestrian Safety Board meeting if so desired. > > WVDOT will only ask the consultant to perform the modeling if the City has interest. Thus, as the multiple interested parties we have to band together to show the City that businesses and residents are interested. They'll only act if they know they have our support. > > This could be a great first step toward determining, using quantitative data, the potential impacts of a downtown pedestrian street. > I look forward to hearing from each of you, > > Walk more, safely > > Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board > Christiaan Abildso, Chair > Bill Reger-Nash, Vice Chair > http://www.morgantown.com/ped-safety-board.htm

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Fwd: Draft WVU Transportation and Parking Plan
by Frank Gmeindl 26 Oct '11

26 Oct '11

Bicycle Board Members, Please see below, comments by Bill Austin as MMMPO Executive Director on the WVU Transportation and Parking Plan. Frank Begin forwarded message: > From: "Bill Austin" <baustin(a)labyrinth.net> > Date: October 24, 2011 3:23:06 PM EDT > To: "'Nancy Lohmann'" <nlohmann(a)wvu.edu>, "'Tom Arnold'" <tarnold(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, "'Morgantown Parking Authority'" <parking(a)morgantown.com>, "'Morgantown City Council'" <citycouncil(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, "'Terrence Moore'" <tmoore(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, "'Chris Fletcher'" <cfletcher(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, "'Asel Kennedy'" <MonCom(a)aol.com>, "'Roy Nutter'" <rnutter(a)wvu.edu>, "'Frank Gmeindl'" <frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net>, "'Christiaan Abildso'" <Christiaan.Abildso(a)mail.wvu.edu>, "'David Bruffy'" <bruffy(a)busride.org> > Cc: "'Narvel Weese'" <narvel.weese(a)mail.wvu.edu>, "'Randal Hudak'" <randy.hudak(a)mail.wvu.edu>, "'Hugh Kierig'" <Hugh.Kierig(a)mail.wvu.edu>, "'Joe Fisher'" <Joe.Fisher(a)mail.wvu.edu>, "'Keller, Perry J'" <Perry.J.Keller(a)wv.gov> > Subject: RE: Draft WVU Transportation and Parking Plan > > Nancy, > > Thank you for offering the Metropolitan Planning Organization staff the > opportunity to comment on the University's Transportation and Parking Plan. > In general we would comment that the Plan demonstrates a strong commitment > to alternative forms of transportation which is in agreement with the MPO's > goals in the Long Range Transportation Plan. We would however, note that the > provision of a subsidy to those in single occupant vehicles is > counterproductive to the goals expressed by our organization and in the Plan > itself. > > In general the Plan moves to create more mobility throughout the area by > maximizing the alternatives available to the University's population. The > MPO's Long Range Transportation Plan strongly supports this effort. As you > may be aware, the MPO is committed to improving the highway network and > encouraging alternative transportation. We have been developing a > Transportation Demand Management Program including an effort to create van > pools in cooperation with the University, Mountain Line and other major > employers in the area. We look forward to expanding those efforts. > > It is opportune that this plan is being reviewed as the University is > presenting the planned redevelopment of the Evansdale campus to the > Community. In general the Evansdale Plan's goal of creating a walk-able > campus appears to be in agreement with the WVU Transportation and Parking > Plan and with the goals of the MPO's Long Range Transportation Plan. It > should be noted that designing proposed development and the transportation > facilities that serve them together can lead to cost savings for the > proposed buildings, the transportation facilities, and for those working at > and providing services to the facilities. This comprehensive approach would > also benefit the general public. Unfortunately, it appears that this > approach was not taken during the development of the Evansdale plan and we > cannot positively comment on the transportation impacts of the proposal. We > do have a concern that the proposed signal and closing of Evansdale Drive > may have a negative impact on the area. We are also concerned that the large > scale of the Campus may encourage persons to drive from one parking lot to > another to attend classes rather than walking across campus. Assessing > pedestrian access issues in the area is also a concern. The MPO's regional > traffic model as well as the work being performed by the Division of > Highway's consultant looking at traffic operations on the 705 Corridor can > provide an assessment of the Evansdale Plan. We would be happy to assist in > this matter. > > Thank you for the opportunity to comment on these matters. We will provide > some very minor comments on some of the wording of the Transportation and > Parking Plan shortly. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we may be of > any assistance. > > Sincerely, > > > Bill Austin, AICP > Executive Director > Morgantown Monongalia MPO > 82 Hart Field Road Ste. 105 > Morgantown, WVA 26505 > 304-291-9571 > 304-692-7225 Mobile > > "Things alter for the worse spontaneously, if they be not altered for the > better designedly." ~Francis Bacon > > "Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving that there is > no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof." ~John Kenneth > Galbraith > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Nancy Lohmann [mailto:nlohmann@wvu.edu] > Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2011 8:12 AM > To: Tom Arnold; Morgantown Parking Authority; Morgantown City Council; > Terrence Moore; Chris Fletcher; Asel Kennedy; Bill Austin; Roy Nutter; Frank > Gmeindl; Christiaan Abildso; David Bruffy > Cc: Narvel Weese; Randal Hudak; Hugh Kierig > Subject: Draft WVU Transportation and Parking Plan > > Good morning. > > West Virginia University is in the process of revising its Transportation > and Parking Plan, which was last revised in 2007. I wanted to share a copy > of the draft plan with you and also invite your comments on it. A copy is > enclosed. Today or tomorrow the Plan will also be accesible through > http://transportation.wvu.edu/ <http://transportation.wvu.edu/> > > We are inviting comments until NOVEMBER 18. After that date, the > Transportation and Parking Advisory Committee will begin to modify the plan > considering the feedback received. > > Comments may be forwarded to TransParkPlan(a)mail.WVU.edu > <mailto:TransParkPlan@mail.WVU.edu> or TransPark Plan, P. O. Box 6205, WVU, > Morgantown, WV 26506-6205. > > I know this is a busy time of the year but we would welcome any advice that > you may be able to offer. Thanks. > > Nancy > > Nancy Lohmann, Ph.D. > Senior Advisor to the Vice President > for Administration and Finance > Professor of Social Work > 101 Stewart Hall > P.O. Box 6205 > West Virginia University > Morgantown, WV 26506-6205 > Phone: 304-293-9200 > Fax: 304-293-3493 > > > > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 10.0.1411 / Virus Database: 1522/3960 - Release Date: 10/18/11 >

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