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Fw: Opinion letter (response to June 14th letter)
by Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board 21 Jun '12

21 Jun '12

Pedestrian advocates and colleagues on the bicycle board- The following is a letter I've composed in response to a June 14th letter to the editor I've pasted at the very bottom of this message...facts, not anecdotes should rule the day...I removed text from my letter about NJ residents not being allowed to pump their own gas or being required to turn right to go left ("jughandle" intersections). Too much haterade in recent DP letters unfortunately. Best to all, 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: Christiaan Abildso <cabildso(a)yahoo.com> >To: "opinion(a)dominionpost.com" <opinion(a)dominionpost.com> >Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 9:42 PM >Subject: Opinion letter (response to June 14th letter) > > > >Title: "Facts About Modern Roundabouts" >Unfortunately, a letter was published on June 14th that contained no evidence about modern roundabouts (or "circles" as the author called them), only second-hand anecdotes from an anonymous New Jersey resident. I suggest readers learn more facts about modern roundabouts at the Federal Highways Administration website: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/roundabouts/ before they accept the unsubstantiated claims of one person. > >Recent independent research findings about the safety, performance, and cost of roundabouts to consider: 1) they typically reduce the number of crashes at an intersection by roughly 35%; 2) they typically reduce injury crashes by about 75%; 3) they reduce traffic delays; and 4) they are less costly to maintain than intersections with traffic signals. (Source: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/roundabouts/fhwasa10006/ppt/) > >I'm glad the author of the letter mentioned pedestrians. Modern roundabouts can actually improve conditions for pedestrians in multiple ways. When compared to signalized intersections between two, 2-lane roads, the number of potential pedestrian-vehicle conflicts are reduced from 24 locations with the traffic signals to 8 locations with roundabouts. Roundabouts decrease vehicular approach speed, and provide a median to serve as refuge for pedestrians crossing the road. Even though the average speed for a road with a roundabout is lower, cars travel through the roundabouts faster because they don’t have to stop at red lights. > >One local example of how a roundabout would benefit our community would be in front of the Coliseum. The length of time you sit at the Patteson/Mon Boulevard intersection can be frustrating and many people have witnessed a collision at the right turn from Patteson onto Mon Blvd. If a roundabout were installed at that intersection it could reduce the number of traffic lanes on Mon Boulevard from 6 to 4, and there could be a dedicated right turn lane from Patteson to Mon Boulevard (eliminating the nearly daily crashes there). The roundabout could also eliminate the thousands of jaywalkers from the CAC to Coliseum by creating a median refuge at the approach (or an underpass as is done at Western Michigan University and Ohio University) to the roundabout with warning signals that would allow pedestrians to cross 2 lanes of traffic at a time rather than 6 or 7 as is the current situation. This roundabout could still easily accommodate large truck traffic, and football, basketball, and other event day traffic without a police officer (rather than the 2 or more currently required for basketball games). > >The author's fears are common in communities without roundabouts. In multiple studies resident acceptance of roundabouts is greatly improved after they are completed and users see the benefits. Get to know roundabouts - they could be good for all of us > >Christiaan Abildso >Morgantown >---------------------------- >TEXT FROM ORIGINAL 6/14 LETTER: > >Traffic circles bode ill for intersections > >I was talking with a neighbor who used to live in several counties of New Jersey where there were traffic circles. She said that there always were accidents and bottlenecks at the traffic circles, with traffic coming to an unintended complete stop, so the locals avoided them when possible. > >Three or four of those circles have been taken out, because they were absolutely hated. The worst one, in Summer Point, N.J., was just removed. Imagine our football traffic going through a traffic circle on W.Va. 705. The police won’t be able to direct traffic through it unless an officer is placed at each entry point — not an effective use of personnel. > >At a circle, it’s intended that everyone keeps moving, forcing you to pull out in front of cars already in the circle, whose drivers are looking across the circle for their exit, rather than for new arrivals. > >Depending on the relative caution or aggression of the two parties involved, one of them will slow down. Now you have an uncontrolled or freefor-all intersection, which is a worse condition than before the traffic “improvement.” > >Another point to consider: If the traffic is constantly moving how does a pedestrian cross at a traffic circle? We can’t even accommodate pedestrians at conventional intersections like Boyers Avenue and Monongahela Boulevard, Burroughs Street and Van Voorhis Road, or Pleasant Street and the Westover Bridge. > >The busiest and most dangerous intersection in town, University Avenue and Patteson Drive, doesn’t even have a street light. Apparently, God’s chosen people own cars. > >Something different isn’t always better. If traffic circles are superior, why don’t we have more of them? Have you even seen one? > >Although the traffic circle proponents insist on using a cutesy British term like “roundabout,” I think that travelers will make better time in getting to their proverbial point B by going on a “walkabout.” > >Now if they can just get across the streets ... > >Dave Ornick Morgantown

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Re: [Bikeboard] Morgantown Bridge Issue
by BikeMorgantown 20 Jun '12

20 Jun '12

Matt, Thanks for contacting us about this. We've given up on the issue. Last November, we got 125 signatures on a petition asking the WVDOT to keep the old bridge open to bicyclists. We sent it to Paul Mattox, Secretary of WVDOT with copies to Ray LaHood, WV Governor, County Commission President and MPO. We only got one response, from our MPO sympathizing. The new bridge will be done in a few months and I believe the state will just stall until then anyway. 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 On Jun 20, 2012, at 10:07 AM, Matt Wempe wrote: > Hello, > > The League has been hearing some rumblings about a bridge project that may potentially cut off anything other than car access to Morgantown. I haven’t gotten the full story on this, but wanted to learn a bit more. Could someone give me a call to discuss this issue? > > Thanks, > Matt > > Matt Wempe > State & Local Advocacy Coordinator > League of American Bicyclists > matt(a)bikeleague.org > 202.822.1333 > 1612 K Street NW, Suite 510 > Washington, DC 20006 > www.bikeleague.org > > Have fun, make friends and win prizes: Sign up for the National Bike Challenge! >

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Director of Positive Spin Resigning
by director 20 Jun '12

20 Jun '12

Good morning, I have decided to accept a new position in Ashland OR and will be resigning as director of Positive Spin effective August 1. Positive Spin is seeking a new director, as well as board members and executive committee members to continue our service to the community. During the transition I will be available to train and orient new volunteers and staff, but someone else will have to take the lead as I will be busy with packing and moving. You can follow (or lead) developments on our Facebook page. Thank you for all the support and encouragement you have given, both to the organization and to the people we help. Sincerely, Nick Nick Hein LCI# 1705 Director, Positive Spin 803 East Brockway Ave Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213

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Good bike accident analysis from Ontario CA Coroner
by director 19 Jun '12

19 Jun '12

For your reading enjoyment. http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/ontario-coroners-report-bike-safety-has-les… Nick Hein LCI# 1705 Director, Positive Spin 803 East Brockway Ave Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213

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Re: [Bikeboard] Steps with bike ramp
by Gunnar Shogren 15 Jun '12

15 Jun '12

That is probably the steepest road in Morgantown and awfully narrow. Not all that long, but steep. So when would cyclists use it? Jones is 1-way, down, or is the end of Jones 2-way now w/ that big Apt complex and parking lot there? Just want to keep us from having an "oh-shit" moment... On Thu, Jun 14, 2012 at 3:35 PM, Chip Wamsley <chip(a)wamsleycycles.com>wrote: > I know that place and it is really steep, as steep as any place in town > and will be a challenge to build steps. A ramp would be great, still a > tough push up. > > Chip > > > -----Original Message----- > From: "Frank Gmeindl" <frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net> > Sent 6/14/2012 2:48:08 PM > To: "Bike Board - Morgantown" <bikeboard(a)cheat.org> > Subject: [Bikeboard] Steps with bike ramp > > Sorry, now photos are attached. > > > > > > > > Bike Board Members, > > What's the best design for steps with a bike ramp to enable cyclists to > push their bikes up? > > The developer of the new condominiums on the uphill side of Jones Av. > between First St. and Overhill St. wants to close First St. between Jones > and the condos. The developer said he would upgrade the steps there. (See > attached photo.) > > Last night, the Traffic Commission approved. I suggested that the > developer also install a bike ramp adjacent to the steps to facilitate > cyclists walking their bikes up the steps. A search of google images for > "steps with bicycle ramp" reveals many interesting designs. If any strike > you as being particularly worth recommending, please reply with the link to > the image, e.g. steps with wheel ramps manningham st parkville.JPG<http://www.google.com/imgres?q=steps+with+bicycle+ramp&hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1280…> and > a short explanation of why you think it's a good design, e.g. "the bicycle > can be rolled onto the ramp without lifting it; there are ramps on both > sides of the steps making it easy for righties as well as lefties; the > ramps are narrow enough and bounded by a wall to discourage cyclists from > attempting to ride down them; there's a hand rail up the middle of the > steps to make it easier for both pedestrians and bicyclists to haul > themselves up as well as to stabilize them". > > Your reply is not crucial. Just pointing the developer at the search > results might be sufficient. I thought you might have some fun with this. > If the BB favors a particular design, I'll pass that on to the developer. > > Frank > > _______________________________________________ > Bikeboard mailing listBikeboard@cheat.orghttp://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard > > > _______________________________________________ > Bikeboard mailing list > Bikeboard(a)cheat.org > http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard >

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Host Sue Hersman
by Frank Gmeindl 14 Jun '12

14 Jun '12

Sue Hersman of Dallas TX is looking for a woman or family to host her 1 or 2 nights, June 30 and July 1 while she's cycling around Morgantown. She contacted me because we are both members of WarmShowers.org. If you would consider hosting her, please contact her at suehersman(a)gmail.com. Following is her profile from WarmShowers and some excerpts from our e-mail dialog. Profile: "I have ridden the Southern Tier and half of the Northern tier, ND to ME, and am on a mission to ride at least 50 miles in all 50 states. I have four grown children, and an empty house. I do have a 2 cats and a dog; just wanted to warn you in case you have allergies. I am a non-smoker. Lots of privacy, if you want it. Private bedroom, private bathroom, pool, spa. Easy going. Can provide transportation if you need to get to the bike shop, (we have great bike shops around here) or airport. You must clean up after yourself....." Excerpts from e-mail dialog: "I am riding all 50 states; I have my final 16 to finish this summer. To finish these final 16 states, I am only riding 50 miles in each. I have done the southern tier, and half of the norhtern; those were supported rides. I am solo on this one.... As I have not been able to find SAG support, I am driving, then riding, usually loops or out and backs, then driving on to the next state. I want to ride the Decker Creek trail; my mother's family hails from Preston county, so this area holds a special meaning to me. (She was a Fairfax). My family is from Reedsville, and it looks like the old family farm is very close to the trail termination. I plan to do a bit of exploration of the area, visiting the farm, cemetery, etc. My great uncles owned the McVIckers drug store that once stood at 210 High St in Morgantown. It will be fun to visit the area. I plan to come in on June 30 after I ride VA. I would guess I would be there early evening. My plan is to perhaps ride with your bike group on Sunday morning. If we don't go 50 miles, no big deal; I'll just make up the mileage the next day. I am not as stuck on the 'data' as I used to be and have learned, (or am learning) to just enjoy the ride regardless of how it looks. (Dallas tends to be all about speed, and quite frankly, all I ever see on those rides is the wheel in front of me and the rider beside me. It's taken me some time to learn to just 'enjoy' the ride instead of always pushing) I don't expect someone to put me up for two nights--that is too much of an imposition. Staying with hosts, though, is what makes this trip so magnificent--it is the people! I am excited to visit Morgantown and the area. It's been a very long time since I was last there....40+ years...., and I am looking forward to exploring where my parents met and where my mother grew up." 4ank

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Sharrows article - is the use of them in Miami a cop-out?
by Chet Parsons 14 Jun '12

14 Jun '12

Interesting points raised. Of course a lot of the nitty-gritty depends on how much political will there is to actually create change. Chet http://www.transitmiami.com/bicycles/miamis-sharrow-boom-needs-to-evolve-or…

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Steps with bike ramp
by Frank Gmeindl 14 Jun '12

14 Jun '12

Sorry, now photos are attached. Bike Board Members, What's the best design for steps with a bike ramp to enable cyclists to push their bikes up? The developer of the new condominiums on the uphill side of Jones Av. between First St. and Overhill St. wants to close First St. between Jones and the condos. The developer said he would upgrade the steps there. (See attached photo.) Last night, the Traffic Commission approved. I suggested that the developer also install a bike ramp adjacent to the steps to facilitate cyclists walking their bikes up the steps. A search of google images for "steps with bicycle ramp" reveals many interesting designs. If any strike you as being particularly worth recommending, please reply with the link to the image, e.g. steps with wheel ramps manningham st parkville.JPG and a short explanation of why you think it's a good design, e.g. "the bicycle can be rolled onto the ramp without lifting it; there are ramps on both sides of the steps making it easy for righties as well as lefties; the ramps are narrow enough and bounded by a wall to discourage cyclists from attempting to ride down them; there's a hand rail up the middle of the steps to make it easier for both pedestrians and bicyclists to haul themselves up as well as to stabilize them". Your reply is not crucial. Just pointing the developer at the search results might be sufficient. I thought you might have some fun with this. If the BB favors a particular design, I'll pass that on to the developer. Frank

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Re: [Bikeboard] Steps with bike ramp
by Chip Wamsley 14 Jun '12

14 Jun '12

I know that place and it is really steep, as steep as any place in town and will be a challenge to build steps. A ramp would be great, still a tough push up. Chip -----Original Message----- From: "Frank Gmeindl" <frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net> Sent 6/14/2012 2:48:08 PM To: "Bike Board - Morgantown" <bikeboard(a)cheat.org> Subject: [Bikeboard] Steps with bike ramp Sorry, now photos are attached. Bike Board Members, What's the best design for steps with a bike ramp to enable cyclists to push their bikes up? The developer of the new condominiums on the uphill side of Jones Av. between First St. and Overhill St. wants to close First St. between Jones and the condos. The developer said he would upgrade the steps there. (See attached photo.) Last night, the Traffic Commission approved. I suggested that the developer also install a bike ramp adjacent to the steps to facilitate cyclists walking their bikes up the steps. A search of google images for "steps with bicycle ramp" reveals many interesting designs. If any strike you as being particularly worth recommending, please reply with the link to the image, e.g. steps with wheel ramps manningham st parkville.JPG and a short explanation of why you think it's a good design, e.g. "the bicycle can be rolled onto the ramp without lifting it; there are ramps on both sides of the steps making it easy for righties as well as lefties; the ramps are narrow enough and bounded by a wall to discourage cyclists from attempting to ride down them; there's a hand rail up the middle of the steps to make it easier for both pedestrians and bicyclists to haul themselves up as well as to stabilize them". Your reply is not crucial. Just pointing the developer at the search results might be sufficient. I thought you might have some fun with this. If the BB favors a particular design, I'll pass that on to the developer. Frank _______________________________________________ Bikeboard mailing list Bikeboard(a)cheat.org http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard

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Steps with bike ramp
by Frank Gmeindl 14 Jun '12

14 Jun '12

Bike Board Members, What's the best design for steps with a bike ramp to enable cyclists to push their bikes up? The developer of the new condominiums on the uphill side of Jones Av. between First St. and Overhill St. wants to close First St. between Jones and the condos. The developer said he would upgrade the steps there. (See attached photo.) Last night, the Traffic Commission approved. I suggested that the developer also install a bike ramp adjacent to the steps to facilitate cyclists walking their bikes up the steps. A search of google images for "steps with bicycle ramp" reveals many interesting designs. If any strike you as being particularly worth recommending, please reply with the link to the image, e.g. steps with wheel ramps manningham st parkville.JPG and a short explanation of why you think it's a good design, e.g. "the bicycle can be rolled onto the ramp without lifting it; there are ramps on both sides of the steps making it easy for righties as well as lefties; the ramps are narrow enough and bounded by a wall to discourage cyclists from attempting to ride down them; there's a hand rail up the middle of the steps to make it easier for both pedestrians and bicyclists to haul themselves up as well as to stabilize them". Your reply is not crucial. Just pointing the developer at the search results might be sufficient. I thought you might have some fun with this. If the BB favors a particular design, I'll pass that on to the developer. Frank

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