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2521 discussions

Damon's email
by Alice Vernon 08 Feb '11

08 Feb '11

I am having trouble finding Damon's email address to inquire about the exact amount of signage allowable by the city and state on the bike routes. Also, Gunnar can you do some driving around this week to mark up signs on the map? It is hard to do alone. Thanks Alice

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Wouldn't it be nice?
by Gunnar Shogren 05 Feb '11

05 Feb '11

Just got done w/ a 8 mile walk around town and beyond. Shame, shame, shame that sidewalks aren't everywhere and over in the wharf district what idiots came up w/ the grand idea of putting those big electrical "things" right ON the sidewalk. Talk about discouraging walking. They're about as bad as the tree "curbs" that crowd the sidewalks in downtown Anyway, saw this web page on an LCI post- http://dynamiccycling.blogspot.com/ Sounds pleasant. Ok, I'm just gonna have a beer now.

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request to Jonathon Rosenbaum to add individual to BB listserv
by jimrye_adelphia1＠comcast.net 05 Feb '11

05 Feb '11

Jonathon: Please add Brandon Crawford ( bcrawfor(a)mix.wvu.edu ) to listserv. Thanks. jimrye_adelphia1(a)comcast.net "The first wealth is health." -Ralph Waldo Emerson jimrye_adelphia1(a)comcast.net "The first wealth is health." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Budget and plan
by Frank Gmeindl 04 Feb '11

04 Feb '11

Bicycle Board Members, Thank you for reading the Comprehensive Bicycling Plan last night and for your recommendations for its improvement. Attached is a budget request that Don submitted to Terrence Moore, City Manager this week. Don, Chip, gunnar and I created that budget in approximately 15 minutes. I would very much have preferred to submit a budget that was clearly based on a responsible plan. I believe that there will never be a sufficient budget to support all the things that we would like to see done if we don't have a plan. Please finish reading the Comprehensive Bicycling Plan and give me any comments or recommendations in whatever way is convenient for you. I will work your recommendations and put them into a new version. Our lively discussions last night as we reviewed the plan were wonderful, fun and productive. I wish we could continue such discussions through the whole plan but I recognize we all have other priorities. At least, if I can knead all of your recommendations into one document, we will have a plan that is ours and that we can promote through the channels. Thanks to Jason Jeffries, Labyrinth has generously provided us a document management system. In the next few days, I'll set it up for us to use. It enables us to check out the plan, make changes to it, track the changes and check it in so we can keep track of change and versions. I will send you another message with your username and password once I get it set up. Today, the roads are dry and clear. I hope we all get out to ride. Frank Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles

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Re: [Bikeboard] Bicycles in Morgantown
by Frank Gmeindl 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

Ben, I forwarded your message to the Bicycle Board and invited them to contact you if they want to be interviewed. Don Dickerson is no longer a member of the Bicycle Board. Gunnar Shogren is now Vice Chairman. I will try to answer your questions. Please see my responses embedded below. On Feb 3, 2011, at 1:16 PM, Benjamin Scott wrote: > Thank you for your help Mr. Gmeindl. > Some questions I have are: > How many people riding bikes do you think it would take to reduce traffic in Morgantown to a steadier flow? This is a tough question to answer quantitatively. Morgantown's traffic jams are a result of there being too many motor vehicles on Morgantown's roads. The solution to the traffic problem is to reduce the number of motor vehicles. Alternatives are bicycling, walking, public transit (including PRT and Mountain Line) and carpooling. Every person that chooses one of these alternatives takes a step toward reducing Morgantown traffic congestion. To get people to choose one of these alternatives over their private car, these alternatives must be made more attractive. People that want to walk need sidewalks. People that want to ride bikes need bicycling to be safe and convenient. People who want to use public transit need to have buses or PRT cars available when and where they need them. Morgantown's emphasis has always been on making private motoring as fast and convenient as possible, often at the expense of alternatives. Perhaps it's time to focus on making the alternatives more attractive. > Also, are there any programs or advertisements promoting bike riding over driving? The Bicycle Board is an all volunteer group that is trying to make Morgantown a more attractive place to bicycle. I've attached a report of our 2010 accomplishments. You might find some useful info in there. Feel free to plagiarize;) > Are there road maps that show where bikes are allowed to be on the road? Except for the interstate highway, bicycles are allowed on every road. Obviously, some roads are more pleasant to ride on than others. The Bicycle Board is developing a bike route map for Morgantown. I've attached a rough draft. It represents routes that local bicyclists frequently use to get around town. You'll also notice that sections of the route are color coded: Green = Pleasant; Blue = OK; Brown = Scary; Red = Dangerous. The Bicycle Board is working first to change the red sections by getting the City or State to erect Share the Road signs on them. We're also developing a signage plan to mark the routes. > What are some benefits for riding a bike instead of driving? In a more bicycle-friendly Morgantown, residents will enjoy reduced congestion, greater transportation efficiency, better community health and wellbeing, an improved physical environment, and a more prosperous local economy. For most Morgantown residents, the private motor vehicle is perceived to be the only practical transportation option. Morgantown’s hilly environment naturally makes bicycling and walking challenging. Our narrow roads, heavy traffic and ignorance of bicyclists’ rights and duties make bicycling terrifying to any but the most experienced, fit and intrepid cyclists. To get more Morgantown residents to use bicycles rather than private motor vehicles, we must make bicycling safer and more personally satisfying than driving the car, at least for some trips. Reduced Congestion One car takes up more space than 6 bicycles. The next time you’re stuck in a traffic jam, look around and imagine if all the cars disappeared leaving only their occupants. Where’s the congestion? [1] Of course, bicycles usually travel slower than motor vehicles so to take advantage of the reduced congestion that bicycling offers, the infrastructure must accommodate the speed differences with no compromise in safety or convenience for either traveler.[2] Greater Transportation Efficiency · Bicycling is the most energy efficient mode of transportation and generates practically no pollution. Bicyclists get approximately 700 mpg [FG3]gasoline equivalent if their food energy is converted to equivalent gallons of gasoline[1]. · Cycling is often the fastest mode of transportation for trips less than 3 miles in urban cores. More than 50% of trips in urban areas are less than 3 miles.[2] (Morgantown is only 5 miles across.) · Bicycles take up less valuable real estate both while traveling and parked. Ten bicycles can be parked in the space required for a single automobile. The cost of a typical car parking space in a parking structure can be up to[5] $10,000 compared to $300 to manufacture and install a post-and-ring bike stand accommodating two bicycles, or $1,000 for a high security bicycle locker.[7] · The addition of a through traffic lane on an existing road costs from $350,000 to $500,000 per kilometre to design and construct in Toronto. This widening would provide an additional roadway capacity of 800 vehicles per hour. By comparison, the costs associated with the addition of a single 5 ft. bike lane, which can accommodate approximately 2,000 trips per hour, can range from $5,000 to $10,000 for a simple restriping, or from $35,000 to $150,000 per kilometre where a road widening is required. · In 2009, Monongalia County spent $2,600,000 busing 8,500 children to school. The average distance bused to school was 1 mile.[3] $2,600,00 could stripe 52 miles of bike lanes.[4] Better Community Health and Well-being · Bicycling can mitigate our obesity epidemic. Nationally, from 1969 to 2004, childhood obesity increased from 10% to 40% while walking or bicycling to school decreased from 90% to 48%.[5] Since West Virginia has one of the highest obesity rates in the U. S., the situation in WV is probably worse. · Cycling contributes to personal health by enhancing fitness and providing an enjoyable, convenient and affordable means of exercise and recreation. The most effective fitness routines are moderate in intensity, individualized and incorporated into our daily activities. Cycling and walking can accomplish this while also providing mobility. · Cycling can eliminate road rage and increase civility among community members. The freedom from entrapment in a vehicle, higher intimacy with the natural environment and other travelers and the feeling of satisfaction of getting around on one’s own power improves the cyclist’s general attitude.[9] · Most Americans are physically inactive, resulting in billions of dollars of direct health care costs. Increased physical activity, such as walking and cycling, can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and the cost of medical care, decrease workplace absenteeism and maintain the independence of older adults. · Cycling provides access and transportation to segments of the population who would not otherwise be able to travel independently including those who: o Cannot or choose not to own a motor vehicle; o Do not have access to a motor vehicle when needed; o Cannot or choose not to use public transportation. · A forthcoming review article demonstrates significantly higher levels of health and fitness were associated with bike commuting. (Scandinavian Journal of Health Promotion, 2011) Improved Physical Environment · Bicycling reduces air pollution, reduces the exhaust dirt that sullies our houses, buildings and infrastructure, and frees up valuable space that could be used for other more productive and attractive applications. · Bicycling can most easily replace 1-5 mile motor-vehicle trips that are the least fuel-efficient and generate the most pollution per mile. · Replacing auto trips with bicycling mitigates ozone depletion, the greenhouse effect, ground-level air pollution, photochemical smog, acid rain and noise pollution. More Prosperous Local Economy · Bicycling accommodations increase property values, business revenue and jobs.[6][13] · Bicycle friendly communities attract educated highly paid residents and visitors that contribute to the local economy. · Since bicycles take up less space, a significant shift in transportation from motorized to bicycling frees space for other more productive uses. For example, automobile parking currently occupies approximately[15] 15%of valuable land within Morgantown.[7] As a business person, which would you prefer to own, Ruby Memorial Hospital or its parking lot that occupies approximately the same area? [1] Cycling at a rate of 11 mph expends approximately 6 kcal/kg-body-weight/hr a. A 180 lb (81.8 kg) adult cycling at 11 mph for 1 hour would expend 6 kcal/kg/hr * 81.8 kg = 491 kcal. Therefore, 491 kcal/11 miles = 44.6 kcal/mile. One gallon of gasoline contains approximately 31,000 kcal. So, cyclist’s gasoline-equivalent mileage is 31,000 kcal / 44.6 kcal/mile = 695 miles. a http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/tools/compendium.htm [2] U.S. National Bicycle and Walking Study, 1994 [3] The Dominion Post, Sep. 7, 2009 p.1-A [4] Based on maximum of $50,000/mile estimated cost from Bikesafe: Bicycle Countermeasure Selection System, Federal Highway Administration, FHWA-SA-05-006, May 2006, p. 27. [5] http://www.cdc.gov/Features/WalkToSchool/ [6] 11% higher home value near bike facilities – Indianapolis · $133 Billion/year revenue; 1.1 Million jobs – U. S. · $ 1 Billion/year revenue; 1,231 jobs – Colorado · $556 Million/ year revenue; 3,418 jobs –Wisconsin · $60 Million/year revenue; 1,440 jobs on $6.7 Million investment – Outer Banks · $181 Million/year revenue; 2,800 jobs from La Route Verte bike route; bike tourists spend 26% more than other tourists – Quebec Source: Flusche, Darren, The Economic Benefits of Bicycle Infrastructure Investments, League of American Bicyclists, June 2009, http://www.bikeleague.org/resources/reports/report_economics.php [7] On-street and parking garages. > Are there any plans to promoting future bicycle use? The Bicycle Board is working on a Comprehensive Bicycling Plan. It is too pre-mature to release to you now. We'll discuss it tonight. > What kind of bike would you recommend for a beginner bicycle rider to get around Morgantown safely and quickly? One that fits and has a wide range of gears. > Where is the best place to ride a bike in Morgantown? This depends on where you want to go and your level of education, experience and skill. Morgantown's rail trails are very popular but don't go everywhere that the roads go. See the green and blue sections of the attached bike route map. Unfortunately, if you want to go across town or through town to get out of town, some riding on the brown sections and maybe even a little on the red sections. May be necessary. Taking the Confident City Cycling Traffic Skills 101 class http://bikemorgantown.com/courses.php will enable you to ride anywhere, any time for any reason. > Are there any bicycle clubs or groups in Morgantown and how would someone get in contact with them? Yes, WVU Cycling Club, http://www.wvucycling.com/ ; Monongalia Bicycle Club, http://groups.google.com/group/monbikeclub?lnk=srg&hl=en and Country Roads Cyclists http://groups.google.com/group/CRcyclists?lnk=srg&hl=en. > > Answers to these questions will greatly shorten the interview. Also, our teacher would like us to multiple sources for our story. Do you have the contact information for Don Dickerson the Vice Chairman for the bicycle board? Thank you again for your time. > > > Ben Scott > > > > > On 02/03/11, Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> Ben, >> >> >> I'm glad you're doing this and I'd like to help. I'm usually somewhat burned out at the end of the Bicycle Board meetings but I'll do what I can. Perhaps if you already have questions that you're planning to ask, I could write you some answers. That might shorten the interview. >> >> >> >> 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 Feb 3, 2011, at 12:05 PM, Benjamin Scott wrote: >> >>> Hello Sir, >>> my name is Ben Scott and I am a journalism student at WVU. I am writing a story for class on how bicycles could help reduce the traffic problems of Morgantown. I will be attending tonight's Morgantown Bicycle Board and I was hoping I could get an interview with you either after the meeting or even sometime tomorrow. Also I would like to ask if you could supply me with contact information for any of the other board members. Thank you so much for your time and your help would be greatly appreciated. >>> >>> Ben Scott >>

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Fwd: questions for the bike board
by Aira Loren Burkhart 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Benjamin Scott <bscott14(a)mix.wvu.edu> Date: Thu, Feb 3, 2011 at 1:31 PM Subject: Re: questions for the bike board To: Aira Loren Burkhart <airaloren(a)gmail.com> Sure thing. Here are the questions I have so far: How many people riding bikes do you think it would take to reduce traffic in Morgantown to a steadier flow? Also, are there any programs or advertisements promoting bike riding over driving? Are there road maps that show where bikes are allowed to be on the road? What are some benefits for riding a bike instead of driving? Are there any plans to promoting future bicycle use? What kind of bike would you recommend for a beginner bicycle rider to get around Morgantown safely and quickly? Where is the best place to ride a bike in Morgantown? Are there any bicycle clubs or groups in Morgantown and how would someone get in contact with them? Thank you for your time. Ben Scott On 02/03/11, *Aira Loren Burkhart * <airaloren(a)gmail.com> wrote: Ben, Can you provide a list of questions you will be asking? Thank you, Aira Burkhart Morgantown Bicycle Board

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Want to be interviewed?
by Frank Gmeindl 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

Bicycle Board Members, If you are willing to be interviewed, please contact Ben. I did not give him any contact info as he requested. Frank Begin forwarded message: > From: Benjamin Scott <bscott14(a)mix.wvu.edu> > Date: February 3, 2011 12:05:30 PM EST > To: frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net > Subject: Bicycles in Morgantown > > Hello Sir, > my name is Ben Scott and I am a journalism student at WVU. I am writing a story for class on how bicycles could help reduce the traffic problems of Morgantown. I will be attending tonight's Morgantown Bicycle Board and I was hoping I could get an interview with you either after the meeting or even sometime tomorrow. Also I would like to ask if you could supply me with contact information for any of the other board members. Thank you so much for your time and your help would be greatly appreciated. > > Ben Scott

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Zerbe steps down
by Frank Gmeindl 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

Bicycle Board Members, Apparently, Jon Zerbe wants to resign from the Bicycle Board. He is WVU Cycling Club rep. Any ideas for replacing him? Frank Begin forwarded message: > From: Frank Gmeindl <frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net> > Date: February 2, 2011 11:37:09 AM EST > To: Jonathan Zerbe <jzerbe(a)mix.wvu.edu> > Subject: Re: Bicycle Board > > Jonathan, > > I'm glad I sent you the message below and thanks for your reply. Your reply prompted me to look at the subscriber list for bikeboard(a)cheat.org, the alias for all Bicycle Board members and your address isn't on it. Our mistake. > > If I understand your message, you are resigning from the Bicycle Board. I also understand that you are resigning because you have other things to do that will take up all your time and they are of higher priority to you than serving on the Bicycle Board. I must say that I do not know what the bike safe campus initiative is but I must wonder if your being on the Bicycle Board could result in a collaborative effort that could accomplish both the University's objectives for the program and the Bicycle Board's objectives with less work for you. > > I realize that the Bicycle Board has not done an adequate job of "selling" the Bicycle Board to the WVU Cycling Club. Before you bow out and we lose all contact with the Club, I would like to ask you to arrange for me to address the Club sometime soon. Would you do that? > > Finally, may I have your permission to copy this message including your message to the Bicycle Board? I would like to be able to do it today since we're meeting tomorrow and I'd like to discuss it with the Board at the meeting. > > 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 Feb 2, 2011, at 11:12 AM, Jonathan Zerbe wrote: > >> Hey Frank, sorry for the late reply. I actually haven't received an agenda since May. No worries though. I talked it over with the bike team and although we want to be in good standing with the community, but I don't think we have anyone else that wants to take my place in the bike board. I'm trying to propose my Master's thesis this semester, and it's not the time spent at the meeting I'm worried about, it's getting put in an extra project - like the bike safe campus initiative. The university could apply and hope for the best, or I could end up becoming the volunteer Bicycle Program Manager (which the program suggests you have). I'm afraid I just don't need another distraction. Unfortunately, since the team members are either new to the team or officers trying to rebuild the team, I don't think I or anyone else from the team is interested in serving on the bike board. We appreciate the opportunity you have given us, and I hope my negligence doesn't reflect poorly on the team as a whole. If there's any future projects that you need volunteers for a day, please inform the team and we will help out as best we can. I wish you and the board the best of luck. >> >> Jon Zerbe >> >> On 01/10/11, Frank Gmeindl <frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net> wrote: >>> >>> Jon, >>> >>> >>> We missed you at last Thursday's Bicycle Board meeting. Did you receive the agenda and minutes that I sent 12/31? >>> >>> If you knew about the meeting, I would have appreciated your notifying me if you were not going to attend. We wasted valuable time waiting for you. >>> >>> What are your plans for participating on the Bicycle Board? I would like to see the WVU Cycling Club involved in Bicycle Board plans. >>> >>> Also, I must provide the City your surface mail address. Is it >>> 417 Beaver Ave >>> Morgantown, WV, 26505 ? >>> >>> Frank >>> >

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Request by Oregon to see how states handle bicycle registration
by director 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

Good morning, Thought I would forward this message I received from another list regarding bike licensing. I know the subject has come up locally from time to time. Nick ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: "YIP Julie A" <Julie.A.YIP(a)odot.state.or.us> Reply-To: "YIP Julie A" <Julie.A.YIP(a)odot.state.or.us> Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:08:06 -0800 > Happy Friday. > I'm reporting back on what I've learned from responses to my query > about whether any states have done a feasibility study on issuance of > bicycle licenses, and if there were licensing programs and if so, use > of fees, if any. > > A newly introduced bill in Oregon would require Oregon DOT to conduct > such a study to determine whether a voluntary or mandatory licensing > system could work to the advantage of bicyclists for tracing stolen or > lost bicycles, using fees for bike infrastructure, or for using > information for planning. > > 1) I did not receive any leads on studies done by states regarding the > feasibility of bicycle licensing. > > 2) Some states had looked into bicycle licensing, such as Vermont and > Indiana, without resulting in a licensing program. Concerns mentioned > were the difficulties of enforcement and administration of the program > balanced against limited financial benefits. Vermont has bicycle > tourists from Canada and other states and there could be negative > impacts from required licensing. New Hampshire had "floated the idea > of a fee on canoes, kayaks and other non-motorized boats" with no > resulting licensing of boats (or bikes). > > Minnesota had a state law (1980's) requiring bicycle licensing but it > was repealed in 2005 "after the administrative costs of the program > were more than the proceeds." While it was in effect, Minnesota had a > mandatory bike licensing program but cities may have had option to opt > out. The proceeds were put into an account for the MN bicycle safety > programs. > > 3) While I did not find current STATE bicycle licensing programs, > there are bicycle licensing programs at the local level in many > states. Missoula, MT, has mandatory registration through city > ordinance. Purpose for registration is ability to identify a lost or > injured child. Dealers are required to inform purchasers of the city > requirement. Fees maintain administration of the program. > > Jeff Peel, of the League of American Bicyclists, provided information > that the League had collected through a survey of its top bicycle > friendly communities. It appears from the survey that fees collected > from the local agency registration programs go towards general city > funds or towards management of the registration program. You can > contact him about his survey at Jeff(a)bikeleague.org . > > Some respondents directed me towards the National Bike Registry, as > one of the Oregon bill's stated advantages to be studied was the > ability to trace stolen or lost bicycles. The National Bike Registry's > website states it is "the only true national database." > http://www.nationalbikeregistry.com/ > > Jeff Peel cited the example of Colorado Springs, CO, which has had a > $4 excise tax since 1988, on new bike purchase w/ 14" wheels. > Retailers pay proceeds quarterly to City. Fees go toward extensive > bikeway system. The City worked with retailers before imposing tax. > This program has raised over $2M in last 20 years. > > Thanks to all who sent responses. I even was alerted to a timely radio > interview of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia's Advocacy > Director, John Boyle, by conservative talk show host Katherine > Albrecht! > > This information is extremely useful background for us moving forward > in the Oregon legislative session. > > > Julie Yip > ODOT Transportation Safety Division > 235 Union St. NE > Salem, OR 97301 > (503) 986-4196 (direct) > (503) 986-3143 (fax) > julie.a.yip(a)odot.state.or.us > > --- Note: If you want to send an email to the entire list serve of more than 300 subscribers, please send your message to saferoutestoschool(a)saferoutes.listserve.us. To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list serve or UPDATE your account, please visit http://saferoutes.listserve.us/cgi-bin/lyris.pl Please send questions or comments regarding your list serve subscription to info(a)saferoutespartnership.org. -- Nick Hein LCI# 1705 Director, Positive Spin 803 East Brockway Ave Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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Report to Traffic Commission
by Frank Gmeindl 01 Feb '11

01 Feb '11

Bicycle Board Members, Please review the attached draft report to the Traffic Commission and reply with recommendations for its improvement or your concurrence. I need to submit this to the Traffic Commission secretary this Thursday. (The TC meeting rescheduled its regular meeting from this Wednesday to next Wednesday.) Frank

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