Bikeboard October 2013

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Last night's action items
by Frank Gmeindl 04 Oct '13

04 Oct '13

Here's the Find it Fund it table on the Advocacy Advance website: http://www.advocacyadvance.org/site_images/content/Find_It_Fund_It_chart.pdf

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Last night's action items
by Frank Gmeindl 04 Oct '13

04 Oct '13

Action items that I took from last night's BB: 1. Send pdf to BB of Law and Order article "Enforcing Bicycle Law". See attached. 2. Scan and send Find It Fund It matrix to BB. See attached. 3. Send Green Team presentation to BB. It's too big to attach so please download it from https://www.dropbox.com/s/i90rbd4j7b2zg94/SRTStoGreenTeam.pdf . Please note that this presentation was designed to facilitate dialog, not to be a one-way proselytism. You may have to discuss it with me to get the gist of some of the slides. Frank D. Gmeindl LCI #1703 491 Wilson Avenue Morgantown, WV 26501 304-376-0446 Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles

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Iowa requires change lane to pass
by Frank Gmeindl 03 Oct '13

03 Oct '13

Iowa, one of the few states that does not have a requirement that cyclists ride as far to the right as practicable now requires motorists to change lanes to pass. The Iowa Attorney General has issued an opinion (binding on all county attorneys in the state, and law enforcement as well), that the Iowa Code requires vehicles passing bicyclists to give them the whole lane. The background to this opinion... The Iowa Code spells out what constitutes safe passing when vehicles on public roads pass other vehicles (321.299). Although most people believe that a bicycle is a vehicle, in Iowa this is not the case. Anything that is human-powered cannot, by the definitions in the Iowa Code, be a vehicle. Bicycles are defined as 'devices'. Because of that definition (321.1, 40c), some county attorneys have concluded that bicycles are not vehicles, and therefore, the vehicles that pass them do not have to conform to the Code, which says that when passing you have to give the vehicle you're passing the whole lane (that's obvious for a car passing a car or truck, but it's also what's required when a car passes a motorcycle). Based on this interpretation, in some counties a vehicle can pass close to a bicycle and not be cited. That interpretation is now invalid. The State Attorney has ruled that because bicyclists have "all the rights and duties...applicable to the driver of a vehicle..." (321.213, 2), then the rules of 321 apply to them as well, which includes the rule of passing and giving the device/vehicle being passed the whole lane. Mark Wyatt, Executive Director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, has told the Coalition's membership that county attorneys have just received a training notification regarding this opinion, and that subsequently we expect the passing law will be enforced state-wide. There is also buy-in from law enforcement. Already, the Iowa DOT Drivers Manual has been modified to read: "Give bicycle riders the room they deserve and need for safety. When passing a bicycle rider, pass as if the cyclist were a vehicle and move into the other lane." Many states have a 3-foot passing law. Iowa's law is now bigger than that, cyclists there have the full lane. This came about, in part, by the work of Iowa Bicycle Coalition. Consider joining: http://iowabicyclecoalition.org/ If we could move our mountains to Iowa, I might move there:) Frank

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Fwd: WV Connecting Communities Update
by Frank Gmeindl 02 Oct '13

02 Oct '13

Please read Kasey's message below and the attachments. Dennis Strawn's membership letter provides a good concise summary of WVCC's genesis and current status. Kasey's also asking us to invite our state senators and representatives to join the legislative bike ride in Charleston Sunday Oct. 20th 3:30-5:00 pm. It would be good if the senators and representatives were accompanied by competent cyclists who understood and could persuade them to enact the WVCC legislative agenda (repeal FTR & MSP, pass 4-foot passing bill). Do you know who are our state senators and representatives? Will you invite them to the ride and go ride with them? Frank Begin forwarded message: > From: Kasey Russell <russell.kasey(a)gmail.com> > Date: October 2, 2013 10:40:39 AM EDT > To: Andrea Salina <andreathompson31(a)gmail.com>, Bill Austin <baustin(a)labyrinth.net>, Breanna Shell <shellb(a)cityofhuntington.com>, Brendan Bell <brendanbell.bell(a)gmail.com>, Charles Holley <cholley(a)cityofhuntington.com>, Christiaan Abildso <cgabildso(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Craig Slaughter <craig.slaughter(a)wvimb.org>, Dennis A Strawn <dennis.strawn(a)highmark.com>, Don Spencer <DSpencer36(a)comcast.net>, Ella Belling <ella(a)montrails.org>, Emily Vasile <Emily.Vasile(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Frank Gmeindl <frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net>, Gail Pitchford <gail.pitchford(a)camc.org>, Gary Zuckett <garyz(a)wvcag.org>, Greg Garrett <gagarrett(a)gmail.com>, "harvey.allen(a)chartersites.net" <harvey.allen(a)chartersites.net>, Jeffrey Lusk <jlusk(a)trailsheaven.com>, John Francis <johncfrancis13(a)gmail.com>, John Manchester <jmanchester(a)lewisburg-wv.com>, "Laura M. Dice" <Laura.Dice(a)camc.org>, Michael Loughney <mloughney(a)tioga-resources.com>, Michael Plante <mike(a)planteandassociates.com>, Patricia Clay <trishc1(a)suddenlink.net>, Patrick Donovan <pdonovan(a)njrati.org>, Rahul Gupta <rahul.gupta(a)wv.gov>, Rich Harper <johnscyclery(a)frontier.com>, Stacy Bisker <selaineb(a)gmail.com>, Steve Fowler <smf(a)pffwv.com>, Ted Armbrecht <eca3(a)suddenlinkmail.com>, Tom Heywood <theywood(a)bowlesrice.com>, Tom Wood <twood84(a)gmail.com> > Subject: WV Connecting Communities Update > > Please find attached three documents: first, a letter from Dennis Strawn, President of the Board, WVCC; second, our most recent membership form; third, the Legislative Bike Ride Invite. > > Action items: Join WVCC!! You can now visit our website, www.wvconnectingcommunities.com and donate via PayPal or credit card. > > Send me events/projects/cool things concerning walking and cycling in your part of the state so we can include them on the WVCC site. > > Send a personal note with the Legislative Bike Ride invite to your Delegate and Senator. Join them on the bike ride on Oct. 20th if you would like. If you plan to join us, please let me know. > > Thanks for your time, attention and action! > Kasey

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BB Report to TC tonight
by Frank Gmeindl 02 Oct '13

02 Oct '13

May I have your concurrence to present the attached report to the Traffic Commission tonight? (Sorry I didn't get it done sooner!) Frank

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Re: [Bikeboard] BB Report to TC tonight
by Chip Wamsley 02 Oct '13

02 Oct '13

Looks complete Frank, Thanks. Chip ---- Original Message ---- From: "Frank Gmeindl" <fgmeindl(a)gmail.com> Sent: 10/2/2013 6:07:17 AM To: "bikeboard(a)bikemorgantown.com Board" <bikeboard(a)bikemorgantown.com> Subject: [Bikeboard] BB Report to TC tonight May I have your concurrence to present the attached report to the Traffic Commission tonight? (Sorry I didn't get it done sooner!) Frank _______________________________________________ Bikeboard mailing list Bikeboard(a)bikemorgantown.com http://wvcompletestreets.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard

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Fwd: Regional Bike Plan
by BikeMorgantown 01 Oct '13

01 Oct '13

Anybody want to help Lauren? (Please cc me if you contact her so I'll know this is being addressed.) Frank Begin forwarded message: > From: Lauren Caccamo <lcaccamo(a)mix.wvu.edu> > Date: October 1, 2013 8:50:58 AM EDT > To: bikemorgantown(a)gmail.com > Subject: Regional Bike Plan > > Hello, > > My name is Lauren, and I am a journalism student here at WVU. It is my job this semester to cover parking and transportation in Morgantown, and recently I became aware of the Regional Bike Plan the city is currently designing. I was hoping I could speak to somebody on your board to hear information about the project, the project's goals, and more about the citizen-based participatory planning process. If there is any person you could point me in the direction to, that would be greatly appreciated. > > Hope to hear from you soon, and thank you for your time. > -Lauren Caccamo

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Re: [Bikeboard] Evansdale Neighborhood urges council to postpone vote to annul roadway, alley and realignment of segment, or vote no
by Frank Gmeindl 01 Oct '13

01 Oct '13

Hi Bill, Thanks for sharing. In the Greater Morgantown Bicycle Plan unanimously adopted by the City Council May 2012, Engineering Action 15: "Conduct a comprehensive traffic flow and redesign study of the Sunnyside, Wiles Hill and Evansdale areas to minimize the difficulty and perceived risk of bicycle travel between WVU campuses" covers this. Had there been serious attention to implementing the Bicycle Plan, we could already be addressing the situation raised by Ms. McDonald. Frank D. Gmeindl LCI #1703 491 Wilson Avenue Morgantown, WV 26501 304-376-0446 Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles On Sep 30, 2013, at 11:36 PM, Bill wrote: > FYI > > From: "Suzanne McDonald" <suzmcd(a)frontier.com> > To: citycouncilward1(a)cityofmorgantown.org, citycouncilward6(a)cityofmorgantown.org, citycouncilward3@cityofmorgantown.org,citycouncilward2@cityofmorgantown.org, citycouncilward4(a)cityofmorgantown.org, citycouncilward5@cityofmorgantown.org,citycouncilward7@cityofmorgantown.org > Cc: "Petros Bill" <bkpetros(a)yahoo.com>, "Beth Royall" <bethroyall(a)gmail.com>, "Panaccione Nicole" <npanac(a)gmail.com>, "Suzanne McDonald" <suzmcd(a)frontier.com> > Sent: Monday, September 30, 2013 10:01:24 PM > Subject: Evansdale Neighborhood urges council to postpone vote to annul roadway, alley and realignment of segment, or vote no > > Morgantown City Council, > > Evansdale residents are concerned about the traffic and pedestrian plans for the new student dorms that WVU is building on the north east side of University Avenue. The proposed development will house nearly as many students as the massive tower complex already on Evansdale. Neighbors are afraid that the new development will add to the serious traffic and pedestrian safety problem that already exists in that area on University Avenue. > > Evansdale residents would like council to postpone the final vote to realign and annul roadways within the footprint of the new development until WVU works together with council to provide a study on the traffic and pedestrian impacts of 1,500 additional students crossing University at least twice a day. It is our hope that WVU would then work together with the city to develop traffic and pedestrian plans for the proposed development. In the past WVU has released plans in bits and pieces of new developments without a big picture view of impacts on traffic and pedestrian safety on streets and sidewalks just off campus. The new development is just too large to proceed in this piecemeal process. > > This scale is unacceptable without a plan with the city to route the added traffic in a way that doesn't harm adjacent neighborhoods. > > The Evansdale neighbors suggests that council insist that any new traffic should be routed through the old Medical Center Drive, which should be open again to through traffic. The WVU development needs to route traffic that way and not out Oakland Avenue. In addition, the future closure of Evansdale Drive from the tennis courts to the CAC will add more traffic to 8th street and University. We need WVU to work together with city on traffic and pedestrian safety for Evansdale along University and Patterson before the annulment of roadways for the colossal development of 1500 beds goes any further. > > Attached is a map on which I have highlighted Medical Center Drive and the small segment of Country Club Drive which will need to be used to access the Evansdale Drive/old Medical Center Drive. > > Below the map is a photo the intersection of Country Club Drive with Oakland and you can see that right beside the prt tracks Medical Center Drive which intersects University Drive, and there is already a traffic light there. You can also see where WVU is now using part of that city street (Medical Center Drive) that was closed to through-traffic as paid parking. > > If WVU cannot work with the city to develop a traffic and pedestrian plan for this specific development that is compatible to the Evandale neighborhood, existing businesses, traffic flow and pedestrian safety then perhaps the city should retain the roadways as they are, including alleys and the development should just be on a smaller scale. Please vote 'no' or postpone. > > Sincerely, > Suzanne McDonald > President, Evansdale Neighborhood Association > > 1. Highlighted Evansdale Drive (Medical Center Drive) and small segment of Country Club Drive > <Medical Center Drive.tiff> > > Close up of Intersection of Country Club Drive and Medical Center Drive. > <country club drive.tiff>

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Fwd: WVU Construction & Police enforcement to be discussed Wed!!!
by Frank Gmeindl 30 Sep '13

30 Sep '13

FYI about this Wednesday's Traffic Commission meeting. Begin forwarded message: > From: Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board <walkmgw(a)yahoo.com> > Date: September 30, 2013 11:06:51 PM EDT > To: Bill Reger-Nash <wreger(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Bob Anderson <randerson(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, George Lilley <mgranlil(a)frontier.com>, Ilana Chertok <ichertok(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Jimmie Simmons <Jsimmons2642(a)yahoo.com>, Martha Summers <msummers(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Stan Cohen <Stanley.Cohen(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Sarah Bias <sarahbias(a)gmail.com>, Christiaan Abildso <cgabildso(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Dwight Harshbarger <dwight.harshbarger(a)gmail.com>, Maria Smith <mariasmith(a)busride.org>, Regina Mayolo <reginam(a)verizon.net>, Jan Derry <jderry(a)nwvcil.org>, Tom Bias <tbias(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Mike Fike <micynster(a)gmail.com>, Kim Hartsell <Kim.Hartsell(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Debbie Cain <sunnybeewv(a)gmail.com>, Margaret Stout <Margaret.Stout(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Dan Harris <harrisda(a)wvuhealthcare.com>, Jonathan Rosenbaum <jr(a)wvcompletestreets.org>, Matt Cross <crossnyc(a)hotmail.com>, Jim Rye <Jim.Rye(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Ella Belling <ella(a)montrails.org>, Mike Breiding <mike(a)EpicRoadTrips.us>, Bill Kawecki <wm_a_kawecki(a)comcast.net>, Bill Austin <baustin(a)labyrinth.net>, Josh Woods <joshua.woods(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Bobbi Sykes <rsykes(a)hsc.wvu.edu>, Emily Vasile <emilyvasile(a)gmail.com>, Carol Rotruck <ccrotruck(a)aol.com>, Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)gmail.com>, Claire Chantler <cchantler(a)nwvcil.org>, Michael Simms <michael.d.simms(a)gmail.com>, Maria Brann <Maria.Brann(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Don Spencer <dspencer36(a)comcast.net> > Cc: kellygurka(a)gmail.com, Matthew Gurka <matthewgurka(a)gmail.com>, Mary Gainer <marygainer(a)yahoo.com>, Peter Wentzel <wentzelp(a)gmail.com> > Subject: WVU Construction & Police enforcement to be discussed Wed!!! > Reply-To: Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board <walkmgw(a)yahoo.com> > > All - > Please find attached this Wednesday's Traffic Commission agenda. There are two items of critical importance to the Pedestrian Safety Board: 1) an update from WVU Construction; and 2) speeding/pedestrian behavior & enforcement. > > I strongly encourage you all to attend and briefly talk about your specific concerns/observations/reasons for interest in the issue. I may stir the pot a bit, but work toward a plan of action of course. We start at 6:30 at City Council chambers on Spruce Street. > > Mike B, Regina, and/or Jan - want to speak about the Willey Street temporary sidewalk closure and ADA issues during public comments at the beginning of the meeting? > Maria - want to send any students to remind folks about some key highlights from their study that may inform enforcement? > Kelly, Matt, Peter, Mary - want to reinforce the powerful message you presented at last month's meeting? > > It's time to speak much more often and much more loudly. Lives are at stake. > Christiaan > > Walk more, safely > > Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board > Christiaan Abildso, Chair > Bill Reger-Nash, Vice Chair > http://www.morgantownwv.gov/government/advisory-boards/pedestrian-safety-bo…

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Bikeboard October 2013