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FWD: [Thunderhead] Senator Harkin Introduces Complete Streets Bill
by director 03 Mar '08

03 Mar '08

Good afternoon, Here's some good national news Nick ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: "Dominic Liberatore" <dominic(a)thunderheadalliance.org> Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2008 17:06:14 -0500 For Immediate Release: March 3, 2008 Contact: Jennifer Mullin / Semonti Mustaphi (202) 224-3254 HARKIN INTRODUCES BILL TO MAKE ROADS SAFE FOR EVERYONE To reduce accidents, legislation will create 'Complete Streets' to keep motorists, transit vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians safe Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today introduced The Complete Streets Act of 2008, which would work to promote the design of streets that are safe for all of those using the street- including motorists, bus riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians, including people with disabilities. Between 1993 and 2003, nearly 52,000 pedestrians and more than 7,400 bicyclists were killed in road accidents; studies show that the designing streets with pedestrians in mind may reduce pedestrian risk by as much as 28 percent. Harkin was joined in this effort by Senator Tom Carper (D-DE). "Making our streets bike and pedestrian friendly is a win-win for us all," said Harkin. "It not only promotes healthier lifestyles, it lowers the amount of traffic congestion that many people deal with every day." A recent study by the Texas Transportation Institute found that providing more travel options, including public transportation, bicycling and walking facilities, is an important element in reducing traffic congestion. The study reported that congestion was responsible for an annual $78.2 billion loss in fuel during traffic jams in 2005, an increase from $57.6 billion in 2000. Also, as recently as 30 years ago, up to 70 percent of children were walking or riding bikes to school. Currently, the number has dropped to only 10 percent. Parents report that traffic safety is the main reason they do not permit their children to walk or bike to school. This legislation will make our environment more inviting for physical activity, especially for kids. Harkin's proposal has been endorsed by: AARP, America Bikes, America Walks, American Council of the Blind, American Planning Association, American Public Transportation Association, American Society of Landscape Architects, Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, League of America Bicyclists, National Center for Bicycling and Walking, Safe Routes to School National Partnership, Smart Growth America, Surface Transportation Policy Partnership, Thunderhead Alliance, and Rails to Trails Conservancy. Dominic J. Liberatore Interim Executive Director The Thunderhead Alliance www.thunderheadalliance.org/join Cell: 614-204-4628 Washington, DC Office: 1700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Ste. 400, 20006-4707 202-349-1479 AOL IM Dctea21man -- Nick Hein Director, Positive Spin Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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Bike/Bus promotion
by director 03 Mar '08

03 Mar '08

Good morning, I came across this catchy promotion for using bike racks on buses at: http://www.carectomy.com/index.php/Bus/Make-it-Funky-Hip-Hop-Video-Promotes… Here's the direct link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoFFg0W9UME Also saw this message on buses in Atlanta, GA that basically says "Share the road with us." http://bicycledesign.blogspot.com/2008/02/share-road-message-on-buses.html Nick Hein -- Nick Hein Director, Positive Spin Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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[Fwd: Re: [Fwd: RE: Uphill Struggle]]
by Frank Gmeindl 02 Mar '08

02 Mar '08

Bicycle Board Members, Please read the thread below. I have no idea what the Bicycle Board should do about this, if anything. I'm concerned that things like this can torpedo the projects to which the Traffic Commission and the Assistant City Manager, and, most recently, the MPO have signed up for. Perhaps we can discuss this during the action items update on Thursday when somebody gives an update on Max's Challenge. I understand neither John Lozier nor Marilyn Newcome will be there. Frank -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [Fwd: RE: Uphill Struggle] Date: Sun, 02 Mar 2008 18:07:17 -0500 From: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> To: John Lozier <jl(a)harpingforharmony.org> CC: Newcome Marilyn <mjcycling(a)msn.com>, Laura Kemp-Rye <Kemprye(a)verizon.net> References: <45E6C992.8020509(a)verizon.net> <DF8CEEBB-5F9B-428D-8523-62454276B0F9(a)harpingforharmony.org> John, So no one is responsible for this project. Then, how do you see the relationship between this project and its task groups and the Bicycle Board? Frank John Lozier wrote: > Frank, I'm out of the picture till March 25, so I'll say little more. > > The project has lots of energy, several new participants, has grown > beyond Bike Board. Although Marilyn is chair, there are several task > groups, Laura Kemp-Rye chairs one of them, there is a lot of mutual > trust so "responsibility for leading" is somewhat distributed. > > Took a ride today, along Uphill Struggle route, I think it will work > out great. 15 minutes, at moderate speed, from Seneca Center to Star > City Park. I hope the chevrons can be placed on Monongahela Boulevard > before August. > > Best, > > John > > On Mar 1, 2007, at 7:39 AM, Frank Gmeindl wrote: > >> John, Marilyn, >> >> What is this about a path? I don't recall that being part of Max's >> Challenge. You guys need to come back through the Bicycle Board if >> you're going to change the scope. Rr, quit saying that these things >> have been approved by the Bicycle Board. >> >> Will one of you please take responsibility for leading this project >> and contain errant communications? >> >> Frank >> >> -------- Original Message -------- >> Subject: RE: Uphill Struggle >> Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:45:45 -0500 >> From: Laura Kemp-Rye <kemprye(a)verizon.net> >> To: 'John Lozier' <jl(a)harpingforharmony.org>, 'Gmeindl >> Frank' <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> >> CC: 'Newcome Marilyn' <mjcycling(a)msn.com> >> References: >> <A0A242E5-EF10-4FC2-98B9-C7D176FCA364(a)harpingforharmony.org> >> >> >> >> Hi – I’ve got an even more recent update. Max and I met with Chet >> Parsons of the MPO today at the Moose. I wanted to work with him to >> get an estimate for the path. He heard about the whole thing and is >> really helpful on some next steps to take. I think he sees this as a >> simple opportunity to get support for the non-vehicular part of the >> transportation plan, which the county will just have to inch toward. >> >> In the past, he has worked with Barbara Evans Fleisheur (sp?) on Safe >> Routes To School. He would support and assist in transportation >> enhancement (through Bikes Belong) and Safe Routes to Schools Grants. >> >> Great meeting overall. He saw some potential alliances that could >> all work in the same direction, the Green team, bikes, schools, etc. >> These are all groups that they’ve had lackluster support from before. >> >> He asked if I would email him the resolution and if you would present >> it this evening. >> >> Call if you need me. >> >> Laura Kemp-Rye >> Office: 304.291.5485 >> Cell: 304.216.5485 >> kemprye(a)verizon.net >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> *From:* John Lozier [mailto:jl@harpingforharmony.org] >> *Sent:* Thursday, February 28, 2008 8:57 AM >> *To:* Gmeindl Frank >> *Cc:* Laura Kemp-Rye; Newcome Marilyn >> *Subject:* Uphill Struggle >> >> Frank, this is just a heads-up for MPO presentation. >> >> Uphill Struggle met Tuesday and will meet again next Tuesday. I'm >> leaving for three weeks starting Wednesday, this is why I'm trying >> not to be the spokesperson, but Marilyn might not be in touch before >> tonight. We have working groups, budget (and sponsorship goals), good >> energy, new participants, contacts with Mon County Schools, etc. >> >> In a nutshell, Uphill Struggle is a project to >> encourage Morgantown residents of all ages to consider bicycles as an >> appropriate form of transportation. It involves a program of uphill >> training on Decker's Creek trail, starting in April, and a "main >> event" on Monongahela Boulevard in August. >> >> Here are two points for you to consider in relation to MPO: >> >> 1) Uphill Struggle is considering raising money to create a path >> (bike, walking) to Mountainview School, from the top ofGrand Avenue. >> Maybe raise matching funds for WV Transportation Enhancement grant? >> >> 2) Uphill Struggle is soliciting endorsements from organizations, >> perhaps from MPO. (Draft resolution in a separate message.) >> >> John Lozier >> "It's an UPHILL STRUGGLE to get folks to think of bikes as >> TRANSPORTATION" >> >> >> >> >

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Agenda for this Thu BB meeting
by Frank Gmeindl 02 Mar '08

02 Mar '08

Bicycle Board Members, Please find attached a zip folder that contains the agenda for this Thursday's meeting plus the read-aheads. Thanks to Betsy for completing the annual report and for indicating the status of each of the goals that we identified Dec06. Please at least review those in advance of the meeting so we don't have to waste time reading them during the meeting. Also included in the zip folder is a list of Bicycle Board members with surface mail addresses and telephone numbers. Frank

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Petition to get bike routes on Google Maps
by director 29 Feb '08

29 Feb '08

Good evening, There is a petition to request that Google add a "bike there" option to their mapping site. Read the petition and sign if you think it's a good idea. http://www.petitiononline.com/bikether/petition.html Nick Hein -- Nick Hein Director, Positive Spin Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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Addresses
by Frank Gmeindl 29 Feb '08

29 Feb '08

Bicycle Board Members, Barbara Shellito, the Traffic Commission Secretary asked me for an updated list of Bicycle Board members including member surface mail addresses. I have a current membership list with e-mail addresses but it does not include surface mail addresses. Could you please reply to this message and give me your surface mail address? Frank

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Re: [Bikeboard] MPO presentation
by director 29 Feb '08

29 Feb '08

Frank, You must have been nervous, Kennedy wasn't asking you to get Riverview residents on bikes. He was throwing you a red herring, asking you to find out why they won't walk 2 blocks to a bus stop. However, your presentation was excellent. The best part was after you'd answered a few questions when you summarized by saying "Well, I don't hear any disagreement." I realized at that point that what everyone was expressing was disbelief and obstruction. Asahel's obstruction amounted to "If we can't get everybody to change completely, then we might as well do nothing." I talked to Barbara Parsons afterwards, wanting to hear more about her initiative to reverse childhood obesity trends. She couldn't believe that roads would ever be safe for kids to ride on, so she's only considering indoor exercise. What I kept hearing sounded like people in a toxic relationship with their cars - knowing that the relationship is hurting them, but afraid to let it go. Not sure where to go from here. Nick ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> Date: Thu, 01 Mar 2007 06:53:59 -0500 >Don, Nick, Marilyn, Bill, Tyler, Autumn, Kelly, > >Thank you all for attending the MPO meeting last night! If you all >weren't there, I know I couldn't have delivered that presentation. As >it was, I was so nervous that I can't even remember what I did when I >was standing up there. I only remember losing my voice, grasping for >words, hearing stupid incorrect ones coming out, and fumbling to find >any straight line to take through it all. I should have rehearsed more. > >I was so nervous because, of all the bodies that the Bicycle Board deals >with: Traffic Commission, City Council, City Manager, the MPO is the >first one that really can reshape our cycling environment. For almost 3 >years, I've attended MPO meetings (irregularly) and watched them make >decisions that I knew would further diminish the quality and safety of >cycling in Mon County. After 3 years, last night, I finally had a >chance to show them the cyclists' perspective. I don't think I did any >damage but I also don't think I had much effect. And, boy do I regret >taking on yet another project to get Riverview residents on bikes:( > >Well, enough whining. Most of you were involved in helping me create >the materials that I presented last night and I think they were >excellent. Chet Parsons is going to put them up on the MPO website >(plantogether.org) and I'll ask Jeff Mikorski to put them in the Bicycle >Board archives at http://www.morgantown.com/bike-board-docs.htm . >Maybe you can make better use of them than I did. > >Now, let's all get out there an change the culture! > >Frank > > -- Nick Hein Director, Positive Spin Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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Bike culture in the Twin Cities - MSP
by director 28 Feb '08

28 Feb '08

Gunnar, Not to sound like a broken record, but the link below is also maintained by friends of mine. In fact I was in MSP 2 years ago for my niece's wedding and got a cook's tour of the trails from one of the city planners who designed them. I took enough pictures to make a photo essay about the wonderful trail and park facilities, but never got around to writing it. If there's interest I could try and do it now. We have an abundance of student volunteers at Positive Spin this semester and I could get help from one of them. I stayed for 3 days in July, the first 2 I spent entirely on bike with biker friends riding around on the trail system. The last day I spent with my family driving around in the car in 100F heat and gridlocked traffic. The place is like 2 different worlds depending on how you get around - much more pleasant on bike. When Minneapolis was being developed the parks director committed to planning so that all citizens would be <15 min walk from a public park - a decision that had enduring results. btw My niece's marriage didn't endure. I'm still in contact with some of the bike transportation advocates in MSP too. Nick ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: "gunn4r Shogren" <gshogren(a)gmail.com> Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:50:09 -0500 >Some communities, nations, and folks, really have the "right" idea- >http://www.velomobiling.com/gallery/TravelsAndEvents/fietscafe/ > >Maybe Motown needs one of these. >Gotta get the public interested somehow... > -- Nick Hein Director, Positive Spin Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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Re: [Bikeboard] Fw: [WorkingBikes] New option for city bike rental program
by gunn4r Shogren 28 Feb '08

28 Feb '08

! On Wed, Feb 27, 2008 at 8:34 PM, director <director(a)positivespin.org> wrote: > Gunnar, > Actually, I'm the guy who gave the pictures to that guy for his web page. He's a friend of mine named Mark Garvey, from Cedar Rapids IA. You can see the same pictures on my PPV site... > http://bikelist.org/seawheels/NicksBikes/PPV/PPVHistory.htm You think things just *happen*? If you scroll just a little further down from the canopied PPVs you'll see what I mean... > > Although Mark updates his more often. > Nick > > > > ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- > From: "gunn4r Shogren" <gshogren(a)gmail.com> > Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:11:05 -0500 > > >Good job Nick, > > > >Nothing too controversial here. > >Looks like you're really taking our most recent talk to heart. > > > >Keep it up and I'm sure we'll even start to all ride recumbants and > >those PPV two-person bike cars you got holed up at the storage place. > >Check out the hottie we'll all be picking up (or the sweet dude if > >you're of that persuasion)- > >http://vine-ave.com/ppv.htm > > > >I personally like the ones with the canopies, about half way down or > >so, they remind my of the penny-farthing for the series "The > >Prisoner". > > > >Way to go Nick! > > > >...wonder if I sent this to the whole list? > > > >On Wed, Feb 27, 2008 at 12:59 PM, director <director(a)positivespin.org> wrote: > >> Good morning, > >> Here's how Chicago is trying to get city bike rentals at no cost to the city. One of their bus contractors is offering to renegotiate an existing bus shelter contract to include bike rentals. > >> Nick > >> > >> > >> http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/812569,CST-NWS-bike26.article > >> > >> New option for city bike rental program > >> French company offers to renegotiate bus-shelter deal to provide cheap rentals > >> > >> February 26, 2008 > >> > >> A French company awarded a bus shelter contract in 2001 -- after City Hall bypassed a more lucrative offer -- has offered to renegotiate its deal to incorporate a Paris-style, downtown bike rental program being pushed by Mayor Daley, Chicago's No. 1 cyclist. > >> > >> > >> > >> The Daley administration is entertaining the offer from JCDecaux after a "request for proposals" last year attracted only two competitors. Neither JCDecaux nor London-based OYBike met the mayor's mandate to operate a bike rental program "at low-cost or no-cost" to Chicago taxpayers. > >> > >> JCDecaux then came back with a more novel approach. Why not renegotiate the 2001 contract to include more bus shelters, newspaper boxes and city information panels? That way, there'll be enough advertising revenue to pay for as many as 1,000 bikes at 80 downtown stations, and bike rental fees can remain affordable. > >> > >> > >> > >> "You can make it more expensive and risk that less people will use it. Or it can be free, which promotes usage. You have a lot of options," said Nicolas Clochard-Boussuet, chief operating officer of JCDecaux North America. > >> > >> Rob Sadowsky, executive director of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, said he hopes the rental fee will be "similar to Paris, where the first half-hour is free and it's $1.50 for every 30 minutes after that. It can't just be a bike rental for tourists. It has to be attractive financially -- and competitive with the CTA -- so people see it as a true transportation option." > >> > >> > >> > >> Transportation Department spokesman Brian Steele noted that the 2001 "street furniture" contract provided 2,100 bus shelters, newspaper racks and information panels at no cost to the city "and that's what we're trying to achieve through the bike rentals. ... We want a program that provides great amenities to Chicago residents." > >> > >> > >> > >> In Paris, JCDecaux offers 20,000 bikes for rental at 1,400 locations and charges a $200 deposit to the user's credit card only if the bike is stolen or damaged. The program has been credited with doubling bike use almost overnight. > >> > >> Clochard-Boussuet said he's confident the same thing will happen in Chicago. > >> > >> "Except for the first [winter] quarter, I don't see why not. Chicago is very bike-friendly. It's easier to ride a bike because of all of the bike paths," he said > >> > >> > >> > >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >> Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. > >> > >> __._,_.___ > >> Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic > >> Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Members | Calendar > >> > >> Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) > >> Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional > >> Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Recent Activity > >> a.. 2New Members > >> b.. 2New Links > >> Visit Your Group > >> Yahoo! News > >> Kevin Sites > >> > >> Get coverage of > >> > >> world crises. > >> > >> Biz Resources > >> Y! Small Business > >> > >> Articles, tools, > >> > >> forms, and more. > >> > >> 10 Day Club > >> on Yahoo! Groups > >> > >> Share the benefits > >> > >> of a high fiber diet. > >> . > >> __,_._,___ > >> > >> > >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >> > >> > >> No virus found in this incoming message. > >> Checked by AVG Free Edition. > >> Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.21.1 - Release Date: 2/25/2008 12:00 AM > >> > >> > >> > >> -- > >> Nick Hein > >> Director, Positive Spin > >> Morgantown, WV > >> ph 304-276-0213 > >> -- > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Bikeboard mailing list > >> Bikeboard(a)cheat.org > >> http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard > >> > > > > -- > Nick Hein > Director, Positive Spin > Morgantown, WV > ph 304-276-0213 > -- >

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bike item - London Shifts Gears to Favor Bicycles
by John Lozier 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

> London Shifts Gears to Favor Bicycles Armed with a proposal to develop 12 major "superhighways" for bicyclists throughout the city, along with a daily "congestion charge" of almost $50 for polluting vehicles, England's capital city is gearing up to become the world's newest bicycle utopia. London's mayor hopes the programs will result in a 400 percent increase in the number of cyclists in the city by ... GET THE WHOLE STORY: http://www.newsdesk.org/archives/004569.html John Lozier "It's an UPHILL STRUGGLE to get folks to think of bikes as TRANSPORTATION"

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