Bikeboard

bikeboard@lists.bikelover.org

2521 discussions

Cyclist's Manifesto
by Frank Gmeindl 25 Aug '09

25 Aug '09

The complete title of Robert Hurst's book is The Cyclist's Manifesto: The Case For Riding On Two Wheels Instead of Four. Frank /Same Roads Same Rights Same Rules/

1 0

[Fwd: Re: WV DOH Response to Letter Concerning Closing of Rail Trail]
by Frank Gmeindl 25 Aug '09

25 Aug '09

Bicycle Board Members, Please review the Mon Blvd Bike Lane recommendations that I provided to Bill Austin below and let me know if anything is wrong. Frank /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/ -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: WV DOH Response to Letter Concerning Closing of Rail Trail Date: Sun, 23 Aug 2009 23:06:03 -0400 From: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> To: 'Bill Austin' <baustin(a)moncpc.org> CC: Don Spencer <dspencer36(a)comcast.net> References: <!&!AAAAAAAAAAAYAAAAAAAAAAuYcVxyjk9GhP69k7n4dyXCgAAAEAAAAPz1QKWjjAhOgGPhxq7u/noBAAAAAA==(a)moncpc.org> <8A27568BD739443A9C65CB9FB9D21F9C@donhome> Bill, It might help me to understand what we're trying to do if you shared with me the WVDOH letter to which you and Don are referring. I was not aware of it until I received Don's message below. Does the MPO have a plan drawing of the existing Monongahela Blvd. between Eighth Street and Patteson Drive? If so, could I get a copy and mark it up to show the bike lane? I would use the 1999 AASHTO Guide to the Development of Bicycle Facilities ( http://www.sccrtc.org/bikes/AASHTO_1999_BikeBook.pdf ) and the 2003 Manual of Uniform Guidelines for Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Part 9 Traffic Controls for Bicycle Facilities ( http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2003/part9/part9-toc.htm ) for guidance for the markup. Pages 22-32 of the AASHTO Guide deal with bike lanes. *Stripe width* Page 23 explains that a 6-inch solid stripe is common but some jurisdictions have used an 8-inch stripe "for added distinction". I would recommend a 6-inch stripe to minimize resistance from the WVDOH. All markings on the bike lane should be white. *Lane width* Page 23 and Figure 6 on page 24 indicate that we should designate a 5-foot wide bike lane since parking is prohibited and there is a gutter and curb. *Marking Symbols* Clearly marking the bike lane as one-way is imperative. Figure 13 on page 31 provides templates for typical one-way arrows and bike lane symbols. The arrow symbol and the bicycle symbol should be sufficient to communicate to both motorists and cyclists that this is a bike lane and that bicycles are to travel up it. *Symbol locations* Figure 14 on page 32 shows recommended locations for the symbols with respect to intersections. The text on page 31 also says, "additional stencils may be placed on long uninterrupted sections of roadway". I would recommend placing the bicycle symbol and arrow symbol as shown in Figure 14 beginning 6-feet from the north end of the driveway north of Advance Auto. Because of the traffic volume entering and exiting Advance Auto and the Exxon station, starting the bike lane further south would jeopardize cyclists' safety and may present liability to the state and those businesses. I would recommend repeating the bicycle symbol and arrow symbol every 250 feet after their initial location. 250 feet spacing is consistent with MUTCD guidelines for other markings and signs and will provide a frequent reminder to motorists that there's a bike lane to their right. *Where to end the bike lane* Figure 10 on page 28 depicts typical bicycle and auto movements at major intersections. This figure clearly makes the points I was trying to make to you and Don when we were discussing where the bike lane should end near Evansdale Drive. Page 29 shows preferred treatments for the bike lane when it comes to a right turn lane as at the intersection of Mon Blvd. and Evansdale Drive. I believe the treatment that is most likely to get WVDOH buy-in is represented in Figure 10-d. This treatment requires no changes to the existing markings. It is also least likely to discourage cyclists from selecting correct lane positioning when going straight through or making left turns. The AASHTO Guide provides limited guidance on where the bike lane should end. Fortunately, the MUTCD provides some guidance. The MUTCD Section 9C.04 Markings For Bicycle Lanes states, "When the right through lane is dropped to become a right turn only lane, the bicycle lane markings should stop at least 100 feet before the beginning of the right turn lane." While in our case, the right through lane is not "dropped" to become a right turn only lane, the intent of this guideline is to provide sufficient distance, 100 feet, for the bicyclist to merge into the right through lane before autos begin to turn right. Therefore, I would recommend that bike lane end 100 feet before the beginning of the right turn lane from Mon Blvd. onto Evansdale Drive. *Signage* The MUTCD Section 9B.04 Bicycle Lane Signs also provides valuable guidance on signage. I would recommend placing the following signs at the following locations (the letters and numbers in parentheses after the sign text designate the specific sign number that can be found in the MUTCD): 1. BIKE LANE (R3-17) AHEAD (R3-17aP) 6 feet after the intersection of Eighth Street and Mon Blvd.; 2. BIKE LANE (R3-17) at the beginning of the bike lane and every 1000 feet thereafter (the MUTCD requires BIKE LANE signs to accompany bike lane markings but "the signs need not be adjacent to every symbol to avoid overuse of the signs"; 3. BIKE LANE (R3-17) ENDS (R3-17bP) at the end of the bike lane; 4. BEGIN RIGHT TURN LANE, YIELD TO BIKES (R4-4) at the beginning of the right turn lane; 5. SHARE THE ROAD signs (SHARE THE ROAD (W16-1) plaque in conjunction with the W11-1 (bicycle in diamond shaped sign) sign every 250 feet on both sides along Don Knotts Blvd., Beechurst Av., the west side of Mon Blvd. between Eighth St. and Evansdale Drive, both sides of Mon Blvd. between Evansdale Dr. and the Edith Barrill (Star City) Bridge. (Please note that the Bicycle Board recommended and the Traffic Commission approved these share the road signs at the same time that the Bicycle Board recommended and the Traffic Commission approved the Mon Blvd. bike lane.) I'm sure I overlooked some things. I hope you've discovered and noted them as you read the above. I look forward to the next step. Frank /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/ On 8/23/2009 1:48 AM, Don Spencer wrote: > > Bill -- Sorry to be absent from my computer so much this week. I > appreciate your meeting with us last Monday to work on the bike lane. > I promise to stay out of your way on this issue - as far as the MPO > structure is concerned. > > > > If a local drawing is needed, I would rather have the Bicycle Board > create the drawing first and then have it taken to the City Manager > and Engineer for their review and action. The Bicycle Board has more > experience in understanding cycling issues than do the Engineering > personnel -- even though they have resources which they can use to > check out and confirm standards. The DOH will have their own opinion > too, but it is important for us to say what we proposed...first. > > > > Frank Gmeindl needs to be the point person -- in my opinion. > > > > Don > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > *From:* Bill Austin [mailto:baustin@moncpc.org] > *Sent:* Friday, August 21, 2009 2:24 PM > *To:* 'Bill Austin'; dspencer36(a)comcast.net > *Subject:* RE: WV DOH Response to Letter Concerning Closing of Rail Trail > > > > Don, > > > > I wasn't sure you got this the last time I sent it. One key question I > have is *will the City be able to provide a drawing of the typical > section we are proposing*? Do you need to have the City Manager > request it from the City Engineer? I will be happy to work with the > appropriate person on the specifications. Please let me know who that is. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Bill > > > > *From:* Bill Austin [mailto:baustin@moncpc.org] > *Sent:* Tuesday, August 18, 2009 9:52 AM > *To:* 'dspencer36(a)comcast.net' > *Subject:* FW: WV DOH Response to Letter Concerning Closing of Rail Trail > > > > Don, > > > > Thanks for meeting with me yesterday. I was rereading the attached > response from DOH this morning and had several thoughts. Please take a > look at the next to last paragraph and the last paragraph on the first > page. We need to do several things, first we need to note the City > Managers commitment to placing the striping. Secondly, we need a > drawing of THE typical cross-section of the striping that needs to be > installed. It should probably be based on an ASHTO standard facility > that has been constructed in West Virginia. I am looking into that > now. We will need a draft engineering level product to share with the > new technical committee by mid-September. > > > > > > Please let me know your thoughts. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Bill > > > > *From:* Bill Austin [mailto:baustin@moncpc.org] > *Sent:* Monday, July 27, 2009 4:18 PM > *To:* 'Bellcom21(a)aol.com'; 'David Bruffy'; 'dspencer36(a)comcast.net'; > 'gvmayor(a)comcast.net'; 'jlgoodwi(a)access.k12.wv.us'; 'Joe Fisher'; > 'dulaneyoil(a)comcast.net'; 'Keller, Perry J'; 'bill(a)byrnehedges.com'; > 'scmayor(a)comcast.net'; 'Moncom(a)aol.com'; 'djhstarcity(a)hotmail.com'; > 'dulaneyoil(a)comcast.net'; 'statler4board(a)hotmail.com' > *Cc:* Mike Paugh > *Subject:* WV DOH Response to Letter Concerning Closing of Rail Trail > > > > Board Members, > > > > Please find attached a letter from Robert Pennington of the West > Virginia Department of Highways responding to the MPO's recent > correspondence concerning the closing of the Rail Trail. We will > continue to work to coordinate with DOH on this issue. > > > > Regards, > > > > Bill Austin, AICP > > Executive Director > > Morgantown Monongalia MPO > > 180 Hart Field Road > > Morgantown, WVA 26508 > > 304-291-9571 > > 304-692-7225 Mobile > > > > >

6 9

WV DOH letter regarding BB recommendation
by Frank Gmeindl 24 Aug '09

24 Aug '09

Bicycle Board Members, Attached is the letter that the WV DOH sent the MPO Director regarding our recommendations for the Bike Lane and Share the Road signs. Gives you an idea of what we're up against. Frank /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/

1 0

FWD: bicycle item
by director 23 Aug '09

23 Aug '09

Good morning, John Lozier passed on this interesting bike link. I forward it for your viewing enjoyment. Nick http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/8/22/770982/-London-Paramedics- Forced-to-Use-Bicycles -- Nick Hein LCI# 1705 Director, Positive Spin 2567 Univ Ave Ste 6000L Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

1 0

Fwd: August BB Minutes
by Elizabeth Shogren 18 Aug '09

18 Aug '09

Attached, please find the August minutes. Thank you, BETSY SHOGREN

1 0

Ebike share program at University of Washington, Seattle
by director 18 Aug '09

18 Aug '09

Good afternoon, I just came across this article on one of the science sites I read. I'll be in Seattle next month again and be sure to look at the bikes in this program. If anyone is interested in a report let me know. http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2007/11/27/bike Nick -- Nick Hein LCI# 1705 Director, Positive Spin 2567 Univ Ave Ste 6000L Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

1 0

GIS progress...
by Derek Springston 18 Aug '09

18 Aug '09

Hey guys, I worked a bit last night on the GIS route mapping, but it's going to take a while to get all of your routes on the map. I thought I could get them all uploaded in a week or so, but that isn't going to happen. My goal now is to get them finished up before the next Bike Board meeting. Then we can discuss the symbology for each route. Big thanks go to Frank, Jacob, Jonathan, Alice, Jim, Aira, Adam, and anyone else who put their routes on the mapping for our last meeting. Did I forget anyone? If so, please let me know because I appreciate those of you who've pitched in. Now, I just have to finish mapping everything! Thanks! ~Derek “Every time I see an adult on a bicycle I no longer despair for the future of the human race.” -H.G. Wells _________________________________________________________________ Get back to school stuff for them and cashback for you. http://www.bing.com/cashback?form=MSHYCB&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MSHYCB_Back…

1 0

Bike sharing increases ridership, ridership decreases crashes
by director 17 Aug '09

17 Aug '09

Good evening, Thought I'd pass on this article from Atlantic Monthly today... http://business.theatlantic.com/2009/08/why_bike-sharing_programs_are_reall… Nick -- Nick Hein LCI# 1705 Director, Positive Spin 2567 Univ Ave Ste 6000L Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

1 0

Main Street Morgantown is putting bikes downtown!
by director 07 Aug '09

07 Aug '09

Good morning, In a rather ironic twist I found out this morning that Arts in the Park has made and painted a bunch of bike-art silhouettes to put on the downtown lampposts starting this Fall when the plants come down. After some discussion with the artist doing the work (Debbie and Sonda) it turns out that everybody wants REAL bikes downtown too - with one exception. The bikes are 1/8" aluminum sheet with whimsical scenes painted on them. The good that could come from this would be if seeing art-bikes downtown gets everybody excited enough to overcome the resistance to real bikes. In fact there is a company that makes a bike parking fixture that hauls bikes up a pole. Nick -- Nick Hein LCI# 1705 Director, Positive Spin 2567 Univ Ave Ste 6000L Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

1 0

FW: Commuter/ bike route mapping...
by Derek Springston 07 Aug '09

07 Aug '09

Hey guys, Below is my conversation with John from CyclePath. We're ok to use the same symbols. It looks like we'll have to just create our own definitions under each symbol type. I'll create that and get your approval soon. Thanks! ~Derek “Every time I see an adult on a bicycle I no longer despair for the future of the human race.” -H.G. Wells Date: Fri, 7 Aug 2009 10:43:46 -0400 From: path(a)frognet.net To: guitardeek(a)hotmail.com Subject: Re: Commuter/ bike route mapping... Derek, I see no problem with you replicating the symbols. If possible, give me a small line of credit on your map/brochure somewhere. If not, no big deal. The way I determined the road hierarchy was by taking a current map and marking the roads the way I thought they should be marked with felt tip markers. I then showed it to several other cyclist for editing. I figured that the perceptions of the more experienced cyclists in our community was a better resource than trying to set up some kind of stricter criteria such as vehicle counting or road width. I also suggest including a disclaimer of some type on the map that "conditions can vary.....every attempt was made to make the map accurate.....that the map is "as is" and .....you are not responsible for any liability associated with the content......etc. etc." Hope this helps and let me know if you need more information. Also, let me know when your map is done and ready for viewing. John Lefelhocz Derek Springston wrote: John, I spoke with you over a month ago concerning the Cyclepath Athens, Ohio Bicycle Commuter Map that you were involved with. We are interested in using the same symbols for our paths (Highly Recommended Road, Suggested Road, Bike Friendly Side Street, etc....). Would it bother you if we did that? If so, please let us know. IF you're ok with us adopting the same symbology, I believe it could be beneficial for us discuss how we can get ours to have the same criteria for these determinations as you used. Please contact me ASAP. Thanks and have a wonderful day! ~Derek Springston “Every time I see an adult on a bicycle I no longer despair for the future of the human race.” -H.G. Wells Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:41:10 -0400 From: path(a)frognet.net To: guitardeek(a)hotmail.com Subject: Re: Commuter/ bike route mapping... Derek, The person you are looking for would be me. I'm an artist and I also own Cycle Path. https://www.athenscyclepath.com/AthensCommuterMap.pdf is the newest version of this map. Discussing via email is easiest for me. If you need a more in depth conversation I can set up a time to consult via the phone. John Lefelhocz (owner) Cycle Path Bike Shop 104 W. Union St. Athens, Ohio 45701 740 593 8482 http://www.athenscyclepath.com "Cycle Your Path" Derek Springston wrote: Hi, I am a member of the Morgantown, WV Bike Board, which is part of the city's Traffic Commission. We are planning on creating a Bike Route Map for our community that will help potentially motivate folks to ride more. One of our previous Bike Board members left us with a map that shows the routes of downtown Athens, OH with a Cycle Path symbol on the bottom right corner. We really liked the symbology and labelling of the routes on your map. They're green and red and start with Highly Recommended Road, Suggested Road, etc, etc. We would like to find the primary contact who was involved with creating this map to discuss different options for our map and potentially gain some new insights. Give me a name and phone number if possible. Thanks and have a wonderful day! ~Derek Windows Live™ SkyDrive™: Get 25 GB of free online storage. Get it on your BlackBerry or iPhone. -- Max,John & Katsu Cycle Path Bike Shop 104 W. Union St. Athens, Ohio 45701 740 593 8482 http://www.athenscyclepath.com "Cycle Your Path" Get back to school stuff for them and cashback for you. Try Bing now. -- Max,John & Katsu Cycle Path Bike Shop 104 W. Union St. Athens, Ohio 45701 740 593 8482 http://www.athenscyclepath.com "Cycle Your Path" _________________________________________________________________ Get back to school stuff for them and cashback for you. http://www.bing.com/cashback?form=MSHYCB&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MSHYCB_Back…

1 0

Jump to page:

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

Bikeboard