Bikeboard November 2011

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11 participants
31 discussions

Fwd: Wiles Hill zoning appeal
by Frank Gmeindl 14 Nov '11

14 Nov '11

BB members, Who will go to the BZA hearing Wednesday, 6:30 pm? Frank Begin forwarded message: > From: "Christiaan Abildso" <Christiaan.Abildso(a)mail.wvu.edu> > Date: November 14, 2011 10:13:59 AM EST > To: "Bicycle Board" <bikeboard(a)cheat.org>, "Frank Gmeindl" <frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net> > Cc: "Maria Smith" <mariasmith(a)busride.org>, "Jonathan Rosenbaum" <freesource(a)cheat.org>, "Damien Davis" <ddavis(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, "Mary Gutmann" <maryg1010(a)comcast.net>, "Sera Janson Zegre" <sera(a)downstreamstrategies.com>, "Mike Breiding" <mike(a)EpicRoadTrips.us>, "George Lilley" <mgranlil(a)frontier.com>, "Dwight Harshbarger" <dwight.harshbarger(a)gmail.com>, "Frank Gmeindl" <fgmeindl(a)gmail.com>, "Michael Simms" <michael.d.simms(a)gmail.com>, "Sarah Bias" <sarahbias(a)gmail.com>, "Angela Wiley" <wileya120(a)gmail.com>, "Matt Cross" <crossnyc(a)hotmail.com>, "Ilana Chertok" <ichertok(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, "Michael Graham" <migraham(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, "Martha Summers" <msummers(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, "Bob Anderson" <randerson(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, "Tom Bias" <tbias(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, "Bill Reger-Nash" <wreger(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, "Bill Austin" <baustin(a)labyrinth.net>, "Hugh Kierig" <Hugh.Kierig(a)mail.wvu.edu>, "Jim Rye" <Jim.Rye(a)mail.wvu.edu>, "Joshua Woods" <Joshua.Woods(a)mail.wvu.edu>, "Roy Nutter" <Roy.Nutter(a)mail.wvu.edu>, "Stanley Cohen" <Stanley.Cohen(a)mail.wvu.edu>, "David Small" <dsmall1(a)mix.wvu.edu>, "Ella Belling" <ella(a)montrails.org>, "Claire Chantler" <cchantler(a)nwvcil.org>, "Jan Derry" <jderry(a)nwvcil.org>, "Nick Hein" <info(a)positivespin.org>, "Regina Mayolo" <reginam(a)verizon.net>, "Kevin Leyden" <kleyden(a)wvu.edu>, "Dave Harshbarger" <harshbargerd(a)wvuh.com>, "Jimmie Simmons" <Jsimmons2642(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: Fwd: Wiles Hill zoning appeal > > I believe there was an error about the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting. It is the 3rd Wednesday of each month per Morgantown web site, which places it this Wed (11/16). A quick review of this group's minutes makes me think the bicycle & pedestrian communities need a stronger voice on this board to encourage more responsible development. > My meeting mojo is about tapped out...any volunteers to attend to hold feet to the fire? > Christiaan > > >>> On 11/14/2011 at 10:05 AM, <frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net> wrote: > Bicycle Board Members, > > Stewart Street is part of the nascent Morgantown Bike Route and I know that some of us use Wellen and Lorentz to get from Stewart to Jones. > > Looking at the "progress" on Wiles Hill, in a few years, all it will be huge apartment complexes, 2 or more cars for every apartment and no space left to do anything with the streets. As far as I know, pedestrians and bicyclists are ignored. > > What do you want to do about this? (I only just received the message below. Apparently, their was a public hearing on November 10 that we missed.) > > 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: Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board <walkmgw(a)yahoo.com> >> Date: November 14, 2011 9:25:01 AM EST >> 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 Rye <Jim.Rye(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Josh Woods <joshua.woods(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Kevin Leyden <Kevin.Leyden(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Mary Gutmann <maryg1010(a)comcast.net>, 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>, Sera Janson Zegre <sera(a)downstreamstrategies.com> >> Subject: Wiles Hill zoning appeal >> Reply-To: Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board <walkmgw(a)yahoo.com> >> >> All - >> Please find below information re: the zoning variance on Stewart Street. Has pedestrian traffic flow from these properties been addressed? >> I suggest contacting your council person. >> Christiaan >> ------------- >> Folks: We just received a notice from the City's Planning Division for a proposed "Development of Significant Impact Site Plan" petition in our R-2 neighborhood for a proposed 20 two-bedroom dwelling on upper Stewart Street between Wellen and Lorenze Avenue (lower side of Stewart St. of which construction is now under way). The Planning Commission Hearing for this petition is scheduled for Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 6:30 pm to decide on the conditional use and discuss the two variances. >> >> Under R-2 zoning 11 units are allowed. The BZA will have to approve the request for two variances which request a 2.5-foot set-back (10 feet is the minimum front setback standard) and also a variance to exceed the maximum building height requirement of 2.5 stories - the petition is for a 4 story building. >> >> I would suggest that our neighborhood oppose this plan (petition) on the basis of: 1) it is outside the character of existing dwellings on upper Stewart Street, 2) it will have a major impact on one of the major gateways to our Wiles Hill - Highland Park Neighborhood, 3) it appears that satellite parking is already underway on the upper side of Stewart Street for this large dwelling (s), and 4) this will set a precedent for further consideration of petitioners requesting conditional uses and variances in an established R-2 neighborhood, 5) with the high level of traffic on Stewart Street a 2.5 front set-back is a safety issue (most dwellings are at least 6-10 feet from the sidewalk on Stewart Street. >> ------------ >> >> 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: Wiles Hill zoning appeal
by Frank Gmeindl 14 Nov '11

14 Nov '11

Bicycle Board Members, Stewart Street is part of the nascent Morgantown Bike Route and I know that some of us use Wellen and Lorentz to get from Stewart to Jones. Looking at the "progress" on Wiles Hill, in a few years, all it will be huge apartment complexes, 2 or more cars for every apartment and no space left to do anything with the streets. As far as I know, pedestrians and bicyclists are ignored. What do you want to do about this? (I only just received the message below. Apparently, their was a public hearing on November 10 that we missed.) 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: Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board <walkmgw(a)yahoo.com> > Date: November 14, 2011 9:25:01 AM EST > 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 Rye <Jim.Rye(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Josh Woods <joshua.woods(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Kevin Leyden <Kevin.Leyden(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Mary Gutmann <maryg1010(a)comcast.net>, 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>, Sera Janson Zegre <sera(a)downstreamstrategies.com> > Subject: Wiles Hill zoning appeal > Reply-To: Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board <walkmgw(a)yahoo.com> > > All - > Please find below information re: the zoning variance on Stewart Street. Has pedestrian traffic flow from these properties been addressed? > I suggest contacting your council person. > Christiaan > ------------- > Folks: We just received a notice from the City's Planning Division for a proposed "Development of Significant Impact Site Plan" petition in our R-2 neighborhood for a proposed 20 two-bedroom dwelling on upper Stewart Street between Wellen and Lorenze Avenue (lower side of Stewart St. of which construction is now under way). The Planning Commission Hearing for this petition is scheduled for Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 6:30 pm to decide on the conditional use and discuss the two variances. > > Under R-2 zoning 11 units are allowed. The BZA will have to approve the request for two variances which request a 2.5-foot set-back (10 feet is the minimum front setback standard) and also a variance to exceed the maximum building height requirement of 2.5 stories - the petition is for a 4 story building. > > I would suggest that our neighborhood oppose this plan (petition) on the basis of: 1) it is outside the character of existing dwellings on upper Stewart Street, 2) it will have a major impact on one of the major gateways to our Wiles Hill - Highland Park Neighborhood, 3) it appears that satellite parking is already underway on the upper side of Stewart Street for this large dwelling (s), and 4) this will set a precedent for further consideration of petitioners requesting conditional uses and variances in an established R-2 neighborhood, 5) with the high level of traffic on Stewart Street a 2.5 front set-back is a safety issue (most dwellings are at least 6-10 feet from the sidewalk on Stewart Street. > ------------ > > 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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Look into the Crystal Ball
by Frank Gmeindl 11 Nov '11

11 Nov '11

I found most fascinating: http://bikeportland.org/2011/11/08/guest-dispatch-from-munich-where-cycle-t… Written by Portland OR (bicycle mode share 2-8%) transportation planner on his visit to Munich and how they're dealing with bicycle mode share increase to 17%. Is this like seeing 30 years into the future? Frank

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Fwd: PBIC News: New Study of US Bike Sharing Programs to Begin
by Frank Gmeindl 11 Nov '11

11 Nov '11

FYI Begin forwarded message: > From: Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board <walkmgw(a)yahoo.com> > Date: November 11, 2011 12:54:25 PM EST > To: Hugh Kierig <Hugh.Kierig(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Bill Austin <baustin(a)labyrinth.net>, Danielle Williams <dwilliams(a)labyrinth.net>, Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Fw: PBIC News: New Study of US Bike Sharing Programs to Begin > Reply-To: Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board <walkmgw(a)yahoo.com> > > FYI... > > 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: PBIC News <PBIC_News(a)mail.vresp.com> > To: walkmgw(a)yahoo.com > Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2011 3:50 PM > Subject: PBIC News: New Study of US Bike Sharing Programs to Begin > > > November 10, 2011 > > New Study of US Bike Sharing Programs to Begin > > CHAPEL HILL, NC — The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) and Toole Design Group announced today that they will be conducting an independent, national study of current bike sharing programs in the United States. The PBIC is funded through a cooperative agreement with the Federal Highway Administration. The final report with an anticipated release timeframe of approximately eight months will be a resource of information about the implementation of the different bike sharing schemes and provide a guide for cities that are considering investments in bike sharing infrastructure. > > The study will explore the evolution of bike sharing in the US, define success factors, explore funding models, explain demographic and geographic trends affecting the implementation of programs, recommend a step-by-step approach for implementation in cities in the start-up phase and will discuss measures to increase demand and expansion of existing programs. > > The research team will solicit information on bike share program implementation from State, County and City Departments of Transportation (DOT) charged with implementing bike sharing programs in their localities. The project will be guided by a National Bike Sharing Committee comprised of experts from implementing agencies. The Committee will help facilitate the exchange of best practices and ideas on different program goals, infrastructure requirements, funding programs and system sustainability, vendor selection and management, and community engagement which are necessary for development and expansion of a bike sharing system. > > For more information please contact Mauricio Hernandez, Toole Design at (301) 927-1900 or via email at mhernandez(a)tooledesign.com, or Carl Sundstrom, PBIC at (919) 843-4963 or via email at sundstrom(a)hsrc.unc.edu. > > Since its inception in 1999, PBIC's mission has been to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center is maintained by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. > Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center > 730 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd > Campus Box 3430 > Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3430 > Phone: 1.888.823.3977 > Fax: 919.962.8710 > www.walkinginfo.org > www.bicyclinginfo.org > > Click to view this email in a browser > > If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please reply to this message with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line or simply click on the following link: Unsubscribe > Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center > 730 MLK, Jr. Blvd. CB 3430 > Chapel Hill, NC 27599 > US > Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy. > >

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Bicycle Plan to Perry Keller?
by Frank Gmeindl 11 Nov '11

11 Nov '11

Bicycle Board Members, May I have your concurrence to send our preliminary Bicycle Plan to Perry Kelly, WVDOT Bike/Ped Coordinator? If I do not hear from you by Monday, I'll take that as your concurrence. Perry has always been intimately involved with the MPO. I must say that at the big meeting at which we presented the Mon Blvd. climbing lane to WVDOT/H, he was the WVDOT rep that said the state wouldn't pay for it. OTOH, he rode with us at the MPO conference last year. Frankly, until I read the WVDOT web page quoted below, did I know that within the WVDOT, he had a role in bicycling. I thought that was Bill Robinson's job but I also know that Bill has moved on. Tonight, before the MPO CAC meeting, Bill Austin told me that Perry asked him for a copy of our Bicycle Plan. If you concur, I will simply forward to him the same message that I sent to the other stakeholders. Here's the WVDOT web page on bike/ped: > Bike/Ped > The ISTEA (Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act) of 1991 began a new perception of transportation in the United States. For the first time, alternative transportation was written into legislation that had previously focused exclusively on motor vehicles and their role in the nation’s transportation network. United States Code 23 – 217 states: > > “Each State …shall… fund in the State department of transportation a position > of bicycle and pedestrian coordinator for promoting and facilitating the increased > use of non-motorized modes of transportation, including developing facilities for > the use of pedestrians and bicyclists and public education, promotional, and safety > programsor using such facilities.” > > This position would be tasked to: > > Plan and manage new programs in the areas of non-motorized accommodations, safety, educational materials, enforcement materials, courses, and recreation. > Assist in development of State and MPO level bicycle and pedestrian facility plans. > Develop safety and promotional information through printed materials, videos, TV spots, press releases, interviews, and promotional activities. > Develop (or prepare)… …, maps showing bicycle and pedestrian routes, safety information, and answer inquiries from citizens. > Arrange for... …events, including conferences, workshops, and other public and technical information presentations. > Develop, review, and update State's Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan. > Serve as principal contact with Federal, state and local agencies, the press, citizen organizations, and individuals on matters relating to bicycles and pedestrians. > Review projects for conformity with design standards…” > > (FHWA Policy Memorandums "Designation of Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinators within State Departments of Transportation) > > Within the West Virginia Division of Highways, the emphasis has been on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator to serve as a principle contact for citizens seeking information and the opportunity to express themselves on bicycle pedestrian issues. > > Another area receiving emphasis is cooperating with Engineering Division to ensure West Virginia Division of Highways Design Directives areas are followed when determining whether to incorporate bicycle/pedestrian elements into WVDOH projects. > > The WVDOH is also working on the organization of signed bike routes in West Virginia. The first step of this effort is to develop a map of these routes. Preliminary work has been completed on the initial routes and the first edition of the map of these routes should be posted to this site soon. > > The WVDOH bicycle/pedestrian coordinator has also worked closely with various organizations and local jurisdictions to develop facilities in conformity with design standards. > > With the constantly evolving nature of transportation in West Virginia, the WVDOH is aware that alternative transportation, particularly the bicycle/pedestrian mode, is increasing and we are determined to maintain a leadership position in this dynamic transportation mode. > > > > Bike/Ped Program > Perry Keller, Program Coordinator > Phone: 304 558-9591 > Fax: 304 558-3783 > Email: Perry Keller Frank

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Retain cyclists' right to the road
by Frank Gmeindl 09 Nov '11

09 Nov '11

Today, I sent a message to Senator Manchin http://manchin.senate.gov/contact_form.cfm asking him to vote against a bill http://tinyurl.com/3fd336k UP FOR VOTE TODAY that contains a provision that would prohibit bicyclists from riding on the road. If you want to continue to ride on the roads, I recommend that you also take action. Frank Here's what I sent: Concerning: A BILL To reauthorize Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs, and for other purposes. I urge you to vote against this bill because it eliminates bicyclists' access to public roads. With today's traffic congestion, obesity and poor air quality, we should be promoting bicycling, not discouraging or even prohibiting it. The bill has adverse effects on funding and contains a mandatory sidepath provision that prohibits bicyclists from using the road. Get-bikes-off-the road provisions like this one were deleted from the laws of most states which had them in the 1970s. This is on Page 226 of the bill: (d) BICYCLE SAFETY.The Secretary of the appropriate Federal land management agency shall prohibit the use of bicycles on each federally owned road that has a speed limit of 30 miles per hour or greater and an adjacent paved path for use by bicycles within 100 yards of the road. Even if the trail is in very bad shape, and the road is perfectly safe, the Secretary will have no leeway to allow cyclists to continue to use the road if a trail is available. This is very bad policy. Among other things it would end biking on portions of the Rock Creek Parkway where the speed limit is 35 mph. Note that this applies not only to roads in parks but to any Federally-owned road. If there’s a trail within 100 years of a road, then to get to a destination on the other side of the road this law would require you to lug your bicycle through some environmentally-sensitive area in a National Park, or through private property, or swim across a river. If the trail is covered with snow but the road is clear, you would still have to use the trail. The legislation does not even state that the trail has to serve the same destinations as the road, or refer to any standards for design, etc. The conclusion the states reached in the 1970s is based on a simple principle: let bicyclists decide. If the trail is better than the road, they will use it. Furthermore, the Federal Government does not have jurisdiction over traffic laws. The states do. The predictable outcome is dozens of court battles which will be an embarrassment to the Congress. There also is liability exposure in restricting bicyclists to a substandard path.

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Racks
by Gunnar Shogren 09 Nov '11

09 Nov '11

We have a hard enough time just getting nice simple racks- http://dcist.com/2011/11/artistic_bike_racks.php#photo-1 Their sidewalks sure do look wide though too.

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Morgantown Bicycle Plan
by Frank Gmeindl 08 Nov '11

08 Nov '11

Dear Public Officials, Please find attached, the first preliminary Morgantown Bicycle Plan developed by the Bicycle Board. Within the next few days, you will also receive a paper copy. Please review the plan and give me your comments by December 7. We would like to include the plan in a February application to the League of American Bicyclists' for the Bicycle Friendly Community award. Since you are a key stakeholder in the plan, we want you to make it your plan. We will revise it to address your comments. We will ask you to approve the revision before we release it to the public. Please provide me your comments in whatever way is most convenient for you. You could open the attached MS Word document and mark it up using track changes and comments, or you could mark up the hard copy with pen and ink, or you could write your comments in an e-mail message, or you could simply tell me what you think. If you would like to discuss the plan, please contact me at your earliest convenience. 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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BB October minutes
by Frank Gmeindl 02 Nov '11

02 Nov '11

Bicycle Board Members, Please find attached, the minutes of our last meeting. Frank

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Agenda for tomorrow's BB meeting
by Frank Gmeindl 02 Nov '11

02 Nov '11

Bicycle Board Members, Please find attached, a suggested agenda for tomorrow's meeting. Frank

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Bikeboard November 2011