It's precisely that attitude by those running schools that makes me furious. I ran into the EXACT same attitude when dealing with the UHS principal, and ran into when I was a student at Robert C Byrd in 2002 and rode my bike 7miles to school once. 

I might be wrong, but I don't think it's the principals duty to restrict how students get to school, provided it's legal and parents approve.  As an educated cyclist, I believe (and stake my life on it) that the roads are as safe for riding a bike as any other form of transport, provided those riding a bike are doing so properly. If the principal does believe they are not safe, he is entirely within his rights to keep himself off them, but he is not right to restrict others.  (This could get ugly, I should probably just delete this whole paragraph, but I've been 100% upset by WV educators activity towards cycling in my dealings)

If he's willing to offer a cycling class, I would jump on that ASAP. This might be a prime opportunity to either incorporate it into 2 weeks of PE classes, or an after school program. SMS kids were amazingly into cycling, and very open to being taught when I rode with them when WVU Cycling assisted that activity back in 2005.

Per your photo, I would not think anything to lock my bike to any of those, but I suspect the chain linked area is the only one which the school could not complain that the bike is in the way. I understand the necessity of the BB's response to be a bit neutral, but I really would hate to see the school squelch this young determined mind to better himself and his future.


On Mon, Aug 20, 2012 at 8:27 PM, Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks to Damien, Chip and Ryan for their prompt, positive and useful responses.  Below, is my planned response to Mr. Watson.  In it, I will list Suncrest Middle School's Partners in Education, recommend that the School contact them for bike rack funding, provide the attached bike rack selection guidelines, etc..

But, before I respond to Mr. Watson, I would like your thoughts on the following.
Following up on Ryan's suggestion, I rode out to the school and took several photos, https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hdvv2361kyg9h3z/hySxUOVkBp of good places that already exist for locking a bike.  

School was just letting out while I was there and the principal, James Napoleo was outside and asked me what I was doing.  I said I was taking photos of good locations for a bike rack.  He said, "I don't need that problem".  He said that students' safety is his top priority and that the streets and sidewalks are not safe to bicycle or walk to school.  He doubted that we would get the money for the rack but said he wouldn't install it until the streets were safe for bicycling to school.  We did talk for about 10 minutes.  I explained to him that SRTS is our top priority and that work in all 6 Es would be required to make SRTS.  He said he and his wife are cyclists and that they love the rail trail.  He recognized that students need more physical activity.  He suggested that we could deliver a one-week safe cycling class at his school.  He also suggested that the school have a bicycle club.  I don't know what it would take for him to say that the streets are adequately safe for kids to ride to school but he did mention bike lanes and sidewalks.   

Do you think I should send the following message to Mr. Watson?  Anything else?

Here's the message that I plan to send to Mr. Watson.
Mr. Watson,

Thank you for contacting me about obtaining a bicycle rack for Suncrest Middle School.  I am chairman of the Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board and our program is called Bike Morgantown.  The Bicycle Board does not have a budget so we can't provide you funding for the bicycle rack.  However, the following businesses which are Partners in Education with Suncrest Middle School may be able to help:
• Mylan
• Dynamic Physical Therapy
• Centra Bank
• Dan Ryan Builders.

If you can't get help from your school's Partners in Education, the National Center for Safe Routes to School has a grant program that might provide a mini-grant for your bike rack.  You can find information on the program at http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/funding-portal/mini-grants/previous-recipients/spring-2012-0 .  

I've attached Bicycle Parking Guidelines that might help you select an appropriate rack.



If your Parent-Teacher-Group favors getting a rack, I'd also suggest that they contact Morgantown City Council for support.  Last May, the Morgantown City Council unanimously adopted the Greater Morgantown Bicycle Plan, http://bikemorgantown.com/Plan/morgantown_bicycle_plan_v15.pdf .  Establishing Safe Routes to School in Morgantown is one of the City's highest priority actions in the plan and having a secure place to store your bike when you've ridden safely to school is a logical part of that action. 

On Aug 20, 2012, at 1:52 PM, Damien Davis wrote:

I like Chip's idea. Most of the schools have a "Partner in Education"  Suncrest Middle's Partners in Education are Panera Bread, Mylan and Centra Bank (although I don't know if Centra Bank exist anymore).  Those three should be able to scratch together enough to purchase a bike rack. 

Assistant City Engineer
City of Morgantown
Public Works Department - Engineering Division
389 Spruce Street
Morgantown, WV 26505
Office: 304.284.7398

From: "Chip Wamsley" <chip@wamsleycycles.com>
To: ddavis@cityofmorgantown.org, "Frank Gmeindl" <fgmeindl@gmail.com>
Cc: bikeboard@bikemorgantown.com
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2012 11:01:12 AM
Subject: Re:  [Bikeboard] Fwd: Bike Rack at Suncrest Middle School


To All,

Don't the schools have larger companies that partner with that specific school.  They might want to do a bike rack as part of their partnership.

Chip


-----Original Message-----
From: "Damien Davis" <ddavis@cityofmorgantown.org>
Sent 8/20/2012 9:16:45 AM
To: "Frank Gmeindl" <fgmeindl@gmail.com>
Cc: bikeboard@bikemorgantown.com
Subject: Re: [Bikeboard] Fwd: Bike Rack at Suncrest Middle School

Frank, 

Maybe the Bike Board could partner with the School or the School Board and apply for a Bikes Belong grant to get bike rack for more than one school.

Assistant City Engineer
City of Morgantown
Public Works Department - Engineering Division
389 Spruce Street
Morgantown, WV 26505
Office: 304.284.7398

From: "Frank Gmeindl" <fgmeindl@gmail.com>
To: bikeboard@bikemorgantown.com
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2012 7:31:28 AM
Subject: [Bikeboard] Fwd: Bike Rack at Suncrest Middle School

What shall I tell Mr. Watson?

Begin forwarded message:

From: Matthew Watson <mwlittlejeter2@yahoo.com>
Date: August 19, 2012 10:25:07 PM EDT
Subject: Bike Rack at Suncrest Middle School
Reply-To: Matthew Watson <mwlittlejeter2@yahoo.com>

Dear Mr. Gmeindle,
 
My name is Matthew Watson.  I am an 8th grader at Suncrest Middle School here in Morgantown, WV.  I have a strong interest in riding my bike to school, but my school does not have a bicycle rack for me to lock my bicycle to when I get there.  I have already written a petition to have my classmates sign to show their interest in getting this bicycle rack at our school, and hope that this will show the administration the interest in getting one.  To this point, my petition has approximately 70 signatures, but I am sure that I will have many more in the days to come.  In fact, many students and their parents have approached me to say that they are really excited about the idea of getting a bicycle rack so that they can ride to school.  I have also approached the school Parent-Teacher-Group to ask that I be allowed to talk at their next meeting about getting this bicycle rack.  I have been placed on the agenda for the next meeting in early September. 
 
My father works at the Coliseum with Dr. Christiaan Abildso and was talking with him about my push to get a bicycle rack at my school.  Dr. Abildso mentioned your name and the Bike Morgantown initiative.  He also indicated that you might have a budget or grant program that might allow me to secure the funds to purchase a bicycle rack for my school.  I would love to talk with you more about this opportunity.  I am very excited about this possibility given the mission of your group as I read more about it on your website ("....advocate for the provision of bicycle travel opportunities to and from locations such as residential, employment, commercial, education, recreation and transit centers; promote the development of safe bicycle routes to schools;").  Based upon what I have read, I feel as if your group is the perfect group for me to ask for help from.  If you are unable to help me, do you have any ideas where I might go for help?
 
Thank you very much for any help that you might be able to give me.  I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. You may contact me at this e-mail address, or call my father on his cell phone at 304-692-1454  
 
Sincerely,
 
Matthew Watson


_______________________________________________
Bikeboard mailing list
Bikeboard@bikemorgantown.org
http://wvcompletestreets.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard

_______________________________________________
Bikeboard mailing list
Bikeboard@bikemorgantown.org
http://wvcompletestreets.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard




_______________________________________________
Bikeboard mailing list
Bikeboard@bikemorgantown.org
http://wvcompletestreets.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard