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Report to TC
by Frank Gmeindl 01 Apr '11

01 Apr '11

Bicycle Board Members, Please find attached, a draft report of BB March accomplishments and future plans that I will present to the Traffic Commission next Wednesday with your concurrence. I need to submit this early tomorrow, so your prompt review is appreciated. Frank

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Thank you letter to Fouad Shakry
by Frank Gmeindl 01 Apr '11

01 Apr '11

Bicycle Board Members, Please reply with your concurrence on the attached letter expressing BB gratitude to WVDOH Fred Shakry for installing Share the Road signs on South University Avenue. I've also attached photos of the signs. If you have any recommendations for making the letter better, I would appreciate them. I'd like to send the letter within the next few days. I also attached a .doc version in case you can't open the .docx version. The only difference is that you might not see the BikeMorgantown logo if you open the .doc version. Frank

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Re: [Bikeboard] Thank you letter to Fouad Shakry
by Chip Wamsley 01 Apr '11

01 Apr '11

---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: Frank Gmeindl <frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net> Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:11:00 -0400 Frank, I concur, we need to give positive reinforcement to keep things moving forward. I assume that Fred is how he is commonly addressed, hence the different name on the address. Chip >Bicycle Board Members, > >Please reply with your concurrence on the attached letter expressing BB gratitude to WVDOH Fred Shakry for installing Share the Road signs on South University Avenue. I've also attached photos of the signs. If you have any recommendations for making the letter better, I would appreciate them. I'd like to send the letter within the next few days. > >I also attached a .doc version in case you can't open the .docx version. The only difference is that you might not see the BikeMorgantown logo if you open the .doc version. > >Frank > >

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Re: [Bikeboard] Report to TC
by Chip Wamsley 31 Mar '11

31 Mar '11

---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: Frank Gmeindl <frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net> Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:20:37 -0400 Frank, Looks good, should TBS under the Comcast section be all caps? Chip >Bicycle Board Members, > >Please find attached, a draft report of BB March accomplishments and future plans that I will present to the Traffic Commission next Wednesday with your concurrence. I need to submit this early tomorrow, so your prompt review is appreciated. > >Frank > >

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Resolution on bicycle detection
by Frank Gmeindl 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

All, Thanks to gunnar for showing me that I sent you an earlier version of the resolution. The most recent version is now attached. Frank Councilor Selin, Chairman Nutter, Director Austin, Bicycle Board Members, I have learned that WVDOH has purchased a control system for the new traffic signal to be installed on WV 705 at Mountaineer Station that definitely will not detect bicycles. I do not know what action to take except to propose a City resolution requiring all Morgantown traffic signals to detect bicycles. Since the Traffic Commission meets the day before we do, I request your review and comment on the attached draft resolution. I also request your concurrence to formally present it to the Traffic Commission at the Traffic Commission's April 6 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

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Resolution on bicycle detection
by Frank Gmeindl 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

Councilor Selin, Chairman Nutter, Director Austin, Bicycle Board Members, I have learned that WVDOH has purchased a control system for the new traffic signal to be installed on WV 705 at Mountaineer Station that definitely will not detect bicycles. I do not know what action to take except to propose a City resolution requiring all Morgantown traffic signals to detect bicycles. Since the Traffic Commission meets the day before we do, I request your review and comment on the attached draft resolution. I also request your concurrence to formally present it to the Traffic Commission at the Traffic Commission's April 6 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

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Article Revisions
by Ryan Post 26 Mar '11

26 Mar '11

I have drafted a number of articles intended to be posted on the website blog. I would like to get some additional input/editing and possibly also photos to go along with them. I would like to have them all finished by 4/7 (next meeting), as some are somewhat time sensitive (riding season has begun!). Frank has also asked that Hugh consider some for the Dominion Post articles as well. They can be found at https://www.dropbox.com/home#/Articles:::36393417 Topics: Bikes on Busses Bike Shops Impeding Traffic Default Lane Position "Car Back!" Pace Line Etiquette Riding Predictably Tire Pressure What to Carry Why WV is a Great place to ride

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Afterthoughts
by Frank Gmeindl 24 Mar '11

24 Mar '11

Bill, Bryan, 1. After our meeting yesterday, I wish we had turned right instead of left at West Run and Stewartstown on our way back so we could view first hand the challenge cyclists face in climbing the stretch of Stewartstown in front of Glenmark Centre and Bon Vista Apartments up to 705. If the climbing lane were widened just a couple feet, a significant bottleneck for cyclists could be removed. Currently, the narrow lane, sharp curve and steep hill make climbing that stretch quite daunting. If the West Run bike path materialized, that stretch of Stewartstown Rd. would be an obvious route for cyclists to take from the West Run path to town. I also wonder if the grade wouldn't be much easier than the grade from West Run up to the WVU Research Park http://bit.ly/e9pmVu. 2. How much trouble would it be to get a bicycle count on routes that we recommend for improvement and/or signage? The section of Rt. 100 that we discussed from Granville to Rt. 19 would be a good first location. Bicycle counts could give us a baseline against which to measure the impact of surface improvements and to aid in deciding whether Share the Road or Bike Route signs would be justified. Thanks again for the great meeting yesterday and for considering the cyclists' view. 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

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Re: [Bikeboard] West Run, etc.
by Frank Gmeindl 24 Mar '11

24 Mar '11

Alice, Thanks! Counting cyclists on Rt. 100 is an excellent idea. I'll ask Bryan if WVDOH could do that. I know from Damien that technology exists to automatically count bicycles just as there is to count motor vehicles. I think we'd all be curious to know how many cyclists use Rt. 100 and to have a good baseline against which to measure any roadway improvements. I believe WVDOH recognizes that the stretch of West Run between Stewartstown Rd. and Point Marion Rd. is also very much in need of improvement. I don't think they have the budget to do it yet. I'd guess they put higher priority on the other end because of the current traffic volume and number of housing units there. Frank On Mar 24, 2011, at 11:26 AM, Alice Vernon wrote: > Great job Frank > Wonder if we tried having someone count the cyclist on Route 100 on a beautiful weekend to give them some numbers. Kind of like the car counters on roads. > Also are there any plans to improve the other part of West Run? It seems to be the worst. > Thanks for all you do! > Alice > > On Wed, Mar 23, 2011 at 7:51 PM, Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Bicycle Board Members, > > I had an excellent meeting with Bill Austin and Brian Radabaugh, WVDOH today. We cruised West Run and discussed West Run Rd., Van Voorhis Rd., Rt. 100, in-line grates and Share the Road signs. Following is a summary. > > In-line grates > The in-line grates that we have identified on Walnut Street Bridge, Beechurst Av. and Mon Blvd. should all be replaced with bicycle friendly grates by this fall. The Walnut St. bridge grates will probably be replaced first and soon. We did not discuss the Westover Bridge grates whose cross pieces are falling out. > > Rt. 100 > I explained to Brian that: > Rt. 100 is a main route out of town because it is flat and connects to good rides in Green County, PA as well as the PA A-Bike Route. > The annual Appalachian Spring Spectacular is the first Sunday in May and always uses Rt. 100 and has had up to 138 participants from local as well as afar. > Rt. 100 from Granville to Rt. 19 is riddled with cracks and potholes. > Brian agreed to get Rt. 100 patched before May 1 and to put it on a schedule for regular maintenance every year before May. > We also discussed putting Share the Road signs or Bike Route signs on Rt. 100. See signage discussion below. > > Signage > Brian and Fouad "Fred" Shakry are developing a standard to use for deciding where to put Share the Road signs. Brian thinks we already have too many signs of all kinds on our roads. He also thinks that putting Share the Road signs where bicyclists won't ride dilutes the effectiveness of the sign. He invites input from us on routes to be signed. Our recommendations must include credible explanation that significant bicycling use increase will result. > > West Run Road > Before we cruised West Run Rd., we discussed the message that I had sent January 20 addressing the plan to widen the roadway to 11-foot lanes. Then, we cruised the road while discussing options. When we returned to the meeting room, Brian stated that his current thinking is to widen the lanes to 12-feet center-line-to-edge; stripe the travel lane to 10-feet width leaving a 2-foot paved shoulder; use any remaining budget to improve sight lines, e.g. cutting back steep banks in curves. Brian observed that wider travel lanes can encourage speeding, especially in the absence of enforcement. > > We also discussed the West Run segregated bike path that would run from Van Voorhis to Easton. Brian favored the bike path over further widening West Run Rd. beyond the total 24-feet that we discussed because he felt that acquiring right of way and building roadway would cost more than acquiring right of way for the path and building the path. > > We also drove a short distance along West Run from Van Voorhis toward the river where I explained to Brian and Bill how the West Run path could extend down to the Mon River Trail. > > We also cursorily discussed the bike path from the WVU Research Park down to West Run but didn't get into much detail. > > BTW, currently planned West Run Rd. improvement is only between Stewartstown Rd. and Van Voorhis Rd., and does not include the segment from Stewartstown Rd. to Pt. Marion Rd. (119) as we had thought. > > Van Voorhis Rd. > We drove up Van Voorhis from West Run to Windwood Village where I led us up through the development to show Bill and Brian how cyclists will wind our way up through there and across the grass to Wedgewood Dr. to avoid climbing the north side of Van Voorhis. We also discussed how it's practically the same coming up the south side. Brian said that he would look into widening the climbing side of each side of the hill when they do the drainage improvement on both sides of the hill and the sidewalk on the south side of the hill. > > Wrap Up > I exchanged many e-mails with Brian while we were working on the in-line grates and I was impressed with his open-mindedness, technical competence and dedication to safety and doing the job right. Meeting him, my opinion is doubly reinforced. We are indeed very fortunate to have him working for WVDOH in our district. I hope he stays for a while! > > We also owe gratitude to Bill Austin for facilitating these discussions with Brian and in general showing WVDOH that bicyclists have a right to the roadways. > > Frank > > > _______________________________________________ > Bikeboard mailing list > Bikeboard(a)cheat.org > http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard >

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West Run, etc.
by Frank Gmeindl 24 Mar '11

24 Mar '11

Bicycle Board Members, I had an excellent meeting with Bill Austin and Brian Radabaugh, WVDOH today. We cruised West Run and discussed West Run Rd., Van Voorhis Rd., Rt. 100, in-line grates and Share the Road signs. Following is a summary. In-line grates The in-line grates that we have identified on Walnut Street Bridge, Beechurst Av. and Mon Blvd. should all be replaced with bicycle friendly grates by this fall. The Walnut St. bridge grates will probably be replaced first and soon. We did not discuss the Westover Bridge grates whose cross pieces are falling out. Rt. 100 I explained to Brian that: Rt. 100 is a main route out of town because it is flat and connects to good rides in Green County, PA as well as the PA A-Bike Route. The annual Appalachian Spring Spectacular is the first Sunday in May and always uses Rt. 100 and has had up to 138 participants from local as well as afar. Rt. 100 from Granville to Rt. 19 is riddled with cracks and potholes. Brian agreed to get Rt. 100 patched before May 1 and to put it on a schedule for regular maintenance every year before May. We also discussed putting Share the Road signs or Bike Route signs on Rt. 100. See signage discussion below. Signage Brian and Fouad "Fred" Shakry are developing a standard to use for deciding where to put Share the Road signs. Brian thinks we already have too many signs of all kinds on our roads. He also thinks that putting Share the Road signs where bicyclists won't ride dilutes the effectiveness of the sign. He invites input from us on routes to be signed. Our recommendations must include credible explanation that significant bicycling use increase will result. West Run Road Before we cruised West Run Rd., we discussed the message that I had sent January 20 addressing the plan to widen the roadway to 11-foot lanes. Then, we cruised the road while discussing options. When we returned to the meeting room, Brian stated that his current thinking is to widen the lanes to 12-feet center-line-to-edge; stripe the travel lane to 10-feet width leaving a 2-foot paved shoulder; use any remaining budget to improve sight lines, e.g. cutting back steep banks in curves. Brian observed that wider travel lanes can encourage speeding, especially in the absence of enforcement. We also discussed the West Run segregated bike path that would run from Van Voorhis to Easton. Brian favored the bike path over further widening West Run Rd. beyond the total 24-feet that we discussed because he felt that acquiring right of way and building roadway would cost more than acquiring right of way for the path and building the path. We also drove a short distance along West Run from Van Voorhis toward the river where I explained to Brian and Bill how the West Run path could extend down to the Mon River Trail. We also cursorily discussed the bike path from the WVU Research Park down to West Run but didn't get into much detail. BTW, currently planned West Run Rd. improvement is only between Stewartstown Rd. and Van Voorhis Rd., and does not include the segment from Stewartstown Rd. to Pt. Marion Rd. (119) as we had thought. Van Voorhis Rd. We drove up Van Voorhis from West Run to Windwood Village where I led us up through the development to show Bill and Brian how cyclists will wind our way up through there and across the grass to Wedgewood Dr. to avoid climbing the north side of Van Voorhis. We also discussed how it's practically the same coming up the south side. Brian said that he would look into widening the climbing side of each side of the hill when they do the drainage improvement on both sides of the hill and the sidewalk on the south side of the hill. Wrap Up I exchanged many e-mails with Brian while we were working on the in-line grates and I was impressed with his open-mindedness, technical competence and dedication to safety and doing the job right. Meeting him, my opinion is doubly reinforced. We are indeed very fortunate to have him working for WVDOH in our district. I hope he stays for a while! We also owe gratitude to Bill Austin for facilitating these discussions with Brian and in general showing WVDOH that bicyclists have a right to the roadways. Frank

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