Bikeboard February 2013

bikeboard@lists.bikelover.org

11 participants
21 discussions

Fwd: Fwd: Re: New location opening date?
by Derek Springston 07 Mar '13

07 Mar '13

All BB Members, *Can someone please take the lead on organizing the Black Bear photo for the Sarris contest?* I just need to move that off of my plate at least until after Wednesday. I would still be be open to actually taking the photo or bringing some props perhaps on Thursday or Friday, but I just don't have time until then. Jason from Black Bear requested that we *contact Mr. Sellaro* who owns/leases the property by asking: Can somebody from your board contact Jim Sellaro for permission? I will contact Jim and let him know to expect a call. He runs Sellaro Overhead Door service in Star City. Also, Damien Davis asked yesterday: Are you taking the lead on getting the photo taken at Black Bear? If so, will you *contact Aaron Stout* (412-287-1512). He is going to be managing the new location and is willing to help. He is working till 4:30, 5:00pm. Please call him after this time. Please let me know if you're acting on this to help us out! Thanks, ~Derek ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: <blackbearburrito(a)comcast.net> Date: Fri, May 18, 2012 at 10:27 AM Subject: Re: [Bikeboard] Fwd: Re: New location opening date? To: Derek Springston <dspringston(a)gmail.com> Derek, Do Iwe understand correctly that you are trying to enter a contest to win a free bike "rack" for our new location? If so, we need the permission of the property owners before we do anything. While Matt and I would love to have bike parking over there getting permission from the group of owners may find opposition (we speak from experience thus far). We are waiting on permission on several other requests made to the Sellaro family and don't wish to personally poke the hornet's nest further. Can somebody from your board contact Jim Sellaro for permission? I will contact Jim and let him know to expect a call. He runs Sellaro Overhead Door service in Star City. With permission granted, you may take photos when you wish but we do know that contractors are in and out all weekend and therefore trucks and equipment abound. Please keep us posted. Jason ------------------------------ *From: *"Derek Springston" <dspringston(a)gmail.com> *To: *blackbearburrito(a)comcast.net *Cc: *"Bike Board - Morgantown" <bikeboard(a)cheat.org> *Sent: *Friday, May 18, 2012 9:49:08 AM *Subject: *Re: [Bikeboard] Fwd: Re: New location opening date? Jason, After discussing with a few folks on the Bike Board, we still have alot of interest to enter the Saris Corral contest. Assuming we have your blessing, could we still take a photo for this location, try to make it look appealing for the photo using cyclists and maybe props, and submit it for the contest? If so, what day and time can we do so? We have to submit by the 25th, so I propose that we do it this weekend or early next week. Thanks, ~Derek On Fri, May 18, 2012 at 8:48 AM, Chip Wamsley <chip(a)wamsleycycles.com>wrote: > I agree, plus Sarris will get lots of free promo when they open which may > lead to other eateries putting inm bike parking. > > Chip > > > -----Original Message----- > From: "Traci Liebig" <Traci.Liebig(a)mail.wvu.edu> > Sent 5/18/2012 7:20:37 AM > To: "Bike Board - Morgantown" <bikeboard(a)cheat.org> > Subject: [Bikeboard] Fwd: Re: New location opening date? > > Hi Bike Board, > > Could we just take a photo of the BB building (with Jason Coffman's > permission of course) from the right side from across the street and > explain that this is a popular Morgantown restaurant and it will be opening > soon? Isn't it worth a shot? > > Just my two cents. > > Traci > > >>> Derek Springston <dspringston(a)gmail.com> 5/17/2012 10:49 PM >>> > > All BB members, > Doesn't look too promising from the Black Bear folks for the Saris corral. > Derek > > "Let deeds, not words, be your adorning." -Abdu'l-Baha > > "Every time I see an adult on a bicycle I no longer despair fire the > future of the human race." -H.G. Wells > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: <blackbearburrito(a)comcast.net> > Date: May 17, 2012 9:50 AM > Subject: Re: New location opening date? > To: "Derek Springston" <dspringston(a)gmail.com> > > Hi Derek. Not sure that we have been contacted by anyone else so this is > our only response so far.... we will definitely NOT be open by the 25th, > sorry. Our contractors will still be doing work at that point (inside and > outside). Coincidentally we also will NOT be offering outdoor seating when > we initially open. We appreciate your interest but it doesn't sound like we > are in a position to offer much in your time frame. Let us know if we can > be of further assistance. > > Jason Coffman > > Co-owner > > Black Bear Burritos > > > ------------------------------ > > > > *From: *"Derek Springston" <dspringston(a)gmail.com> > *To: *blackbearburrito(a)comcast.net > *Sent: *Wednesday, May 16, 2012 10:31:14 PM > *Subject: *New location opening date? > > > Hey guys, > When is the new location on University Avenue opening? I'm a member of the > Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board, and we were hoping to enter the Saris > Bike Corral contest to try to get you convenient place for bikes to be > parked outside of your new location. I understand that you've already been > contacted by another member and don't want to duplicate that much. *Is > there any chance you'll be opening before May 25th?* If you're > interested, we'd love to take a photo outside of the new location, but we'd > have a better shot at winning if the storefront looked finished and there > were people outside enjoying lunch, etc. If you're not opening by the 25th, > we likely won't use the location unless we can stage something that makes > it look lively without much effort. > > Let us know your thoughts! > > The contest website is located here: > http://www.saris.com/bike-corral-contest > > I love your food so much.. . > ~Derek > > -- > > > *Let deeds, not words, be your adorning. -'Abdu'l-Baha* > > *“Every time I see an adult on a bicycle I no longer despair for the > future of the human race.” -H.G. Wells* > > > > _______________________________________________ > Bikeboard mailing listBikeboard@cheat.orghttp://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard > > > _______________________________________________ > Bikeboard mailing list > Bikeboard(a)cheat.org > http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard > -- *Let deeds, not words, be your adorning. -'Abdu'l-Baha* *“Every time I see an adult on a bicycle I no longer despair for the future of the human race.” -H.G. Wells* -- *Let deeds, not words, be your adorning. -'Abdu'l-Baha* *“Every time I see an adult on a bicycle I no longer despair for the future of the human race.” -H.G. Wells*

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Re: [Bikeboard] event discussion
by Frank Gmeindl 01 Mar '13

01 Mar '13

Thanks, Colin. By copy of this message, I'm asking the BB members to reply if they will join you in a discussion about local cycling and events. I will join you. Frank On Feb 22, 2013, at 11:31 AM, Colin Dierman wrote: > Frank, > I'd be happy to be part of a discussion group about local cycling and events.

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Fwd: Please tell us your bike month success stories
by BikeMorgantown 28 Feb '13

28 Feb '13

Besides Bike To Work Week and the Appalachian Spring Spectacular can you think of any other past May events that we've had that we can share with LAB? Do we have any photos or write-ups on them. Frank Begin forwarded message: > From: League of American Bicyclists <scott(a)bikeleague.org> > Date: February 28, 2013 2:20:12 PM EST > To: bikemorgantown(a)gmail.com > Subject: Please tell us your bike month success stories > Reply-To: scott(a)bikeleague.org > > > Hi -- > > We are writing to ask for your help. > > We are showcasing '50 Great Ideas for Bike Month' in an upcoming issue of American Bicyclist. Since you've let us know about your events in the past, we are writing today to ask you to share your success stories. > > Click the link below to fill out a short form with info about your past events. It should take less than 5 minutes of your time, and we need to hear from you by March 13. > > Share your notable bike month events now > > Thank you so much! > > Sincerely, > > > The Bike Month team > League of American Bicyclists > Forward email > > This email was sent to bikemorgantown(a)gmail.com by scott(a)bikeleague.org | > Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. > League of American Bicyclists | 1612 K Street NW | Suite 800 | Washington | DC | 20006

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Re: [Bikeboard] Fwd: AARP WV Legislative Update
by Gunnar Shogren 27 Feb '13

27 Feb '13

On Wed, Feb 27, 2013 at 9:11 PM, Christiaan Abildso <cabildso(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > I've been helping them with statewide crash data..."aging in place" is > very important for seniors, as is providing transportation options when you > old fogies give up your keys. Wait, do you drive Gunnar? See you at IHOP, at > 4:30 pm for dinner. I loves me some pancakes! I don't drive much or very often, but I do have a lot of vehicles. Now if you consider that, then the amount of bicycles we have is probably almost staggering. Transportation options? I'd best start working on a hot walker... > Christiaan > > From: Gunnar Shogren <gshogren(a)gmail.com> > To: bikeboard(a)bikemorgantown.com > Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 11:35 AM > Subject: [Bikeboard] Fwd: AARP WV Legislative Update > Interesting that Complete Streets is on their radar. > > Yes I belong to AARP... (mainly for the IHoP discount) > ---------- Forwarded message ----------From: AARP West Virginia > <aarpwebact(a)action.aarp.org> Date: Tue, Feb 26, 2013 at 12:00 PMSubject: > AARP WV Legislative UpdateTo: gshogren(a)gmail.com > > AARP West Virginia > State Legislative Update > > F E B R U A R Y 2 6 , 2 0 1 3 > > AARP West Virginia leaders outline advocacy agenda for 2013 West Virginia > Legislature > > “Complete Streets,” enhancing retirement security and financial > exploitation protections among session goals > AARP West Virginia state leaders today detailed the organization’s > legislative agenda for the first session of the 81st West Virginia > Legislature, with a focus on legislative action in the areas of community > development, retirement security, financial exploitation issues, and home > energy affordability. > AARP West Virginia staff and volunteers are maintaining a very active > presence at the State Capitol throughout the 60-day regular session (which > concludes April 13), working on behalf of nearly 300,000 members across the > Mountain State. AARP is working closely with state leaders on the passage of > legislation impacting West Virginians 50-plus, which includes: > > Adoption of “Complete Streets” legislation: AARP supports “Complete > Streets” legislation that formally adopts state policies that promote > effective transportation planning, coordination and community development. > “Complete Streets” is a transportation development concept that incorporates > features in transportation design and planning that enhance safety, mobility > and accessibility for all transportation users: pedestrians, bicyclists, > motorists and public transportation users. > > During the past decade, nearly 300 pedestrians and cyclists have died on > West Virginia roadways as a result of injuries sustained in motor-vehicle > related traffic accidents, according to data from the National Highway > Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Between 2000 and 2006, the total > human capital costs associated with these types of motor vehicle accidents > on West Virginia roadways was approximately $565 million ($80.7 million per > year), based on a West Virginia University study that determined costs borne > by individuals and corporations in medical costs, emergency services, > property damage and lost productivity. > > Helping People Stay in Their Own Homes and Communities: AARP supports > efforts to take advantage of new and existing opportunities to improve > access to Home and Community Based Services (HCBS); and to protect and > expand the Medicaid Aged and Disabled Waiver (ADW) program, State respite > funding for the Family Alzheimer’s In-Home Respite (FAIR) program, and the > Lighthouse program. > > Protecting Older West Virginians Against Fraud and Financial Exploitation: > Working with the West Virginia Financial Exploitation Task Force, AARP > supports state laws that strengthen protections against fraud, deception, > and unfair practices; and equip consumers with the tools needed to make > informed choices and to protect themselves. > > Enhancing Retirement Security: AARP supports efforts by the West Virginia > Association of Retired School Employees (WVARSE) to protect retirees from > reduction or elimination of promised benefits, preserve access to defined > benefit plans and cost of living adjustments, and limit taxation of > retirement income. > > Fighting for the West Virginia Utility Consumer: AARP will continue its > utility advocacy, with an emphasis on defeating or mitigating unfair rate > increases for utility ratepayers; opposing legislation that would require > advanced payments for multibillion dollar power plants; and, ensuring that > providers of electricity, gas, landline, wireless and broadband internet > offer services customers can depend on. > > “For more than 50 years, AARP has been dedicated to enhancing the quality > of life for all as we age. We’re actively engaging our members for their > input on the issues that are most important to them, and our advocacy agenda > for this session reflects the feedback we’ve received from West Virginians > 50-plus,” said Gaylene Miller, AARP West Virginia state director. > Older West Virginians want to remain in their homes and communities for as > long as possible, and many of the issues AARP is focusing on this > legislative session address home and community issues important to those > 50-plus. > “Livable communities provide safety and security for individuals who wish > to remain in their homes and communities as they age. Complete Streets > policy represents a mindset that encourages common sense planning for new > infrastructure development, where state transportation planners would > consider all transportation users as they relate to the unique > transportation needs of growing communities in the Mountain State,” said > Randy Myers, AARP West Virginia state president. > Home energy affordability continues to be a major issue for low- to > moderate-income West Virginians of all ages. AARP West Virginia has heard > from thousands of the state’s utility customers about the challenges they’re > facing in paying their monthly bills. > “There are many challenges that lie ahead for West Virginia utility > ratepayers. Billion dollar acquisition deals associated with electric > generating capacity and a focus on improved reliability in the wake of last > year’s severe storms would likely result in higher future costs for state > ratepayers. Additionally, thousands of West Virginians could face a > significant increase in water rates by the end of 2013,” said Miller. “For > thousands of older West Virginians, many of whom live on fixed incomes, any > increase in home energy costs has a significant impact. We remain focused on > these important pocket-book issues and the potential impact any rate > increases would have on West Virginia families.” > For the latest developments on AARP West Virginia's advocacy work at the > West Virginia State Capitol, connect with us online: > Facebook: http://action.aarp.org/site/R?i=DGsuCAqp1Rr9YroaiWLdfQ > Twitter: http://action.aarp.org/site/R?i=-cBbHxfJYDZtzULrZtoz_Q > This email was sent to you by AARP. > To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), > please add aarpwv(a)aarp.org to your address book. > This e-mail is being sent by the AARP West Virginia State Office, > 300 Summers Street, Suite 400, Charleston, WV 25301. > Visit us at http://action.aarp.org/site/R?i=Bw-U_uE3LE0vbjwf5-clwQ. > AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people 50 and > over ~ > http://action.aarp.org/site/R?i=h47AKK1WVhV-28tLDwju7w. > Join or renew your membership at > http://action.aarp.org/site/R?i=3_mBamH4jCLSKZtjdmdO2w. > AARP Privacy Policy | (c)1995-2009, AARP. All rights reserved. > Unsubscribe Or visit the email preferences page to manage the types of > email you receive from AARP. > nonprofit software > _______________________________________________Bikeboard mailing > listBikeboard@bikemorgantown.comhttp://wvcompletestreets.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard >

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Re: [Bikeboard] 3-foot passing law
by Chip Wamsley 27 Feb '13

27 Feb '13

Frank et al, I agree that it would be good to have the law include #7 on your list; however, whether it is legal or not probably won't affect motorists behavior. I think motorists in general would be apt to go over the dbl yellow line without thinking if it was legal or not. We might as well follow PA's lead and make #1 4 feet. A dimensional requirement like that seems to be more tangible to the average person than stating that it is OK to cross the dbl yellow line, as well as being easier to advertise in PSA's. Chip -----Original Message----- From: "Frank Gmeindl" <fgmeindl(a)gmail.com> Sent 2/27/2013 1:15:34 PM To: "Bicycle Board" <bikeboard(a)bikemorgantown.com> Subject: [Bikeboard] 3-foot passing law PLEASE DISREGARD THE MESSAGE I JUST SENT. I SENT IT BEFORE I FINISHED IT. Dear Bicycle Board Members, I'm thinking of changing my advocacy for a 3-foot passing law to advocacy for a law that would require motorists to change lanes when passing bicycles. I would like your thoughts and guidance. Attached is a report, "The 3 ft. Law: Lessons Learned from a National Analysis of State Policies and Expert Interviews" by Rutgers University Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. My reading of the report leads me to the following: The greatest benefit of the 3-foot law is educational by increasing motorist awareness of bicyclists but the educational benefit may be short-lived. The 3-foot law is hardly enforced if enforced at all in 20 states that have adopted it and it might be practically unenforceable. 3-feet is insufficient when motor vehicles are passing while traveling more than 25 mph faster than bicyclists. Motorists must change lanes when passing slower moving motor vehicles so changing lanes when passing bicyclists shouldn't be any more difficult or inconvenient. In WV, there are hardly any travel lanes wide enough that a motorist can pass without encroaching into the adjacent lane. While motorists and police officers may not be able to accurately judge 3-feet, they can all accurately judge which lane they're in or whether they're straddling two lanes. Since crossing the double yellow center line is common practice, the law should be modified to recognize such, particularly to permit crossing the center line when it is safe to do so. The WV Connecting Communities Legislative Agenda that we recommended includes a recommendation for a 4-foot rule. I think WVCC is trying to get legislation introduced in the session that is happening now. So, this would probably not be a good time to say, "Hey, wait. We changed our mind." However, quite commonly, legislation gets recycled through multiple sessions before it finally passes. The legislative process of getting a 3-foot law passed can have undesirable consequences such as requiring cyclists to ride on shoulders and banning bicycles from roadways that don't have shoulders. _______________________________________________ Bikeboard mailing list Bikeboard(a)bikemorgantown.com http://wvcompletestreets.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard

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Fwd: Forks of the Ohio Trails Symposium- March 8
by Frank Gmeindl 27 Feb '13

27 Feb '13

FYI. Would be nice if some road cyclists attended. Begin forwarded message: > From: Ella Belling <ella(a)montrails.org> > Date: February 20, 2013 11:42:03 AM EST > To: Christiaan Abildso <Christiaan.Abildso(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Steve Selin <sselin(a)wvu.edu>, Bill Austin <baustin(a)moncpc.org>, Katy Moran <Katy.Moran(a)mail.wvu.edu>, Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)gmail.com>, Chip Wamsley <chip(a)wamsleycycles.com>, Don Spencer <dspencer36(a)comcast.net>, "Vicky Evans (mamasita1955(a)yahoo.com)" <mamasita1955(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: Forks of the Ohio Trails Symposium- March 8 > > Hi everyone, > Casting a wide net in case some of you would be interested in this one-day trails conference. For some of us the interest is in the trails, for others it might be the workshops on the on-road and pedestrian improvements…. but I will say that I expect a good deal will focus on big picture, long-distance trail planning that may include some on-road linkages. > >> Trails symposium in Pittsburgh on Friday, March 8. Cost is $30 and includes lunch. The area of focus is Northern Panhandle and north-central WV (down to Harrison County- and North Bend folks?) to connect with neighboring states. This is an opportunity to hear and talk to some big funders and focus on big picture planning and marketing as we try to link across state lines and create more long-distance trails. Looks like Perry Keller will be speaking on behalf of WV in this picture. It would be great to get more WV in attendance to show our support and desire to be in these plans. Please share this and try to attend! Thanks, Ella >> >> TO REGISTER >> http://www.pecpa.org/event/2013-forks-ohio-regional-trail-symposium >> >> Ella Belling >> Executive Director >> Mon River Trails Conservancy >> P.O. Box 282 >> Morgantown, WV 26507 >> www.montrails.org >> 304-692-6782 >> >> > > > > Ella Belling > Executive Director > Mon River Trails Conservancy > P.O. Box 282 > Morgantown, WV 26507 > www.montrails.org > 304-692-6782 > > >

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3-foot passing law
by Frank Gmeindl 27 Feb '13

27 Feb '13

PLEASE DISREGARD THE MESSAGE I JUST SENT. I SENT IT BEFORE I FINISHED IT. Dear Bicycle Board Members, I'm thinking of changing my advocacy for a 3-foot passing law to advocacy for a law that would require motorists to change lanes when passing bicycles. I would like your thoughts and guidance. Attached is a report, "The 3 ft. Law: Lessons Learned from a National Analysis of State Policies and Expert Interviews" by Rutgers University Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. My reading of the report leads me to the following: The greatest benefit of the 3-foot law is educational by increasing motorist awareness of bicyclists but the educational benefit may be short-lived. The 3-foot law is hardly enforced if enforced at all in 20 states that have adopted it and it might be practically unenforceable. 3-feet is insufficient when motor vehicles are passing while traveling more than 25 mph faster than bicyclists. Motorists must change lanes when passing slower moving motor vehicles so changing lanes when passing bicyclists shouldn't be any more difficult or inconvenient. In WV, there are hardly any travel lanes wide enough that a motorist can pass without encroaching into the adjacent lane. While motorists and police officers may not be able to accurately judge 3-feet, they can all accurately judge which lane they're in or whether they're straddling two lanes. Since crossing the double yellow center line is common practice, the law should be modified to recognize such, particularly to permit crossing the center line when it is safe to do so. The WV Connecting Communities Legislative Agenda that we recommended includes a recommendation for a 4-foot rule. I think WVCC is trying to get legislation introduced in the session that is happening now. So, this would probably not be a good time to say, "Hey, wait. We changed our mind." However, quite commonly, legislation gets recycled through multiple sessions before it finally passes. The legislative process of getting a 3-foot law passed can have undesirable consequences such as requiring cyclists to ride on shoulders and banning bicycles from roadways that don't have shoulders.

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March Bike Board Meeting
by Gunnar Shogren 27 Feb '13

27 Feb '13

It's that time again! Let's get ready. Who is planning on attending? Any submissions for the agenda (besides the project reports)? Attached are the revised meeting minutes from the January meeting. Please review once more so we can accept it at the March meeting. Thanks and stay warm and dry.

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2 pm TODAY Webinar on Promoting Walking & Biking
by Frank Gmeindl 27 Feb '13

27 Feb '13

Begin forwarded message: > From: "PBIC News" <PBIC_News(a)mail.vresp.com> > Date: February 26, 2013 8:41:10 AM EST > To: fgmeindl(a)gmail.com > Subject: PBIC News: Reminder--Webinar on Promoting Walking & Biking > Reply-To: "PBIC News" <reply-23652972f4-d07fa7ea7a-9bf0(a)u.cts.vresp.com> > > > > February 26, 2013 > > REMINDER: PBIC to hold Free Webinar on Promoting Walking and Cycling on Wednesday > > CHAPEL HILL, NC — The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) announces the next free Webinar in its Livable Communities Webinar Series: > > Promoting Cycling and Walking for Sustainable and Healthy Cities: Lessons from Europe and North America > Wednesday, February 27, 2013 > 2:00 p.m. — 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time > > To register, please visit https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/958583714. > > Promoting Cycling and Walking for Sustainable and Healthy Cities: Lessons from Europe and North America” examines ways in which communities can better encourage walking and bicycling. > > John Pucher, a professor in the School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University in New Jersey and visiting professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has spent more than three decades studying the difference in travel behavior and transport systems and policies in Europe, Canada, the USA, and Australia. > > Pucher’s presentation will discuss policies and programs needed to make cycling and walking safe and convenient; how Dutch, Danish and German cities get nearly everyone, including women, children and seniors, on bikes for a wide range of trop purposes; and what communities in the United States can do to increase walking and bicycling while also making them safer and more convenient for everyday travel to work, school and shopping. > > PBIC offers free, public Webinars approximately every other month. To register for upcoming Webinars and to access archived presentations, please visit www.walkinginfo.org/webinars. > > > 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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3-foot passing law
by Frank Gmeindl 27 Feb '13

27 Feb '13

Dear Bicycle Board Members, I'm thinking of changing my advocacy for a 3-foot passing law to advocacy for a law that would require motorists to change lanes when passing bicycles. I would like your thoughts and guidance. Attached is a report, "The 3 ft. Law: Lessons Learned from a National Analysis of State Policies and Expert Interviews" by Rutgers University Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. My reading of the report leads me to the following: The greatest benefit of the 3-foot law is educational by increasing motorist awareness of bicyclists but the educational benefit may be short-lived. The 3-foot law is hardly enforced if enforced at all in 20 states that have adopted it and it might be practically unenforceable. 3-feet is insufficient when motor vehicles are passing while traveling more than 25 mph faster than bicyclists. Motorists must change lanes when passing slower moving motor vehicles so changing lanes when passing bicyclists shouldn't be any more difficult or inconvenient. In WV, there are hardly any travel lanes wide enough that a motorist can pass without encroaching into the adjacent lane. While motorists and police officers may not be able to accurately judge 3-feet, they can all accurately judge which lane they're in or whether they're straddling two lanes. Since crossing the double yellow center line is common practice, the law should be modified to recognize such, particularly to permit crossing the center line when it is safe to do so. The WV Connecting Communities Legislative Agenda that we recommended includes a recommendation for a 4-foot rule. I think WVCC is trying to get legislation introduced in the session that is happening now. So, this would probably not be a good time to say, "Hey, wait. We changed our mind." However, quite commonly, legislation gets recycled through multiple sessions before it finally passes. The legislative process of getting a 3-foot law passed can have undesirable consequences such as requiring cyclists to ride on shoulders and banning bicycles from roadways that don't have shoulders.

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Bikeboard February 2013