Bicycle Board Members,
May I have your concurrence to send our preliminary Bicycle Plan to Perry Kelly, WVDOT Bike/Ped Coordinator? If I do not hear from you by Monday, I'll take that as your concurrence.
Perry has always been intimately involved with the MPO. I must say that at the big meeting at which we presented the Mon Blvd. climbing lane to WVDOT/H, he was the WVDOT rep that said the state wouldn't pay for it. OTOH, he rode with us at the MPO conference last year. Frankly, until I read the WVDOT web page quoted below, did I know that within the WVDOT, he had a role in bicycling. I thought that was Bill Robinson's job but I also know that Bill has moved on. Tonight, before the MPO CAC meeting, Bill Austin told me that Perry asked him for a copy of our Bicycle Plan. If you concur, I will simply forward to him the same message that I sent to the other stakeholders.
Here's the WVDOT web page on bike/ped:
Bike/Ped The ISTEA (Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act) of 1991 began a new perception of transportation in the United States. For the first time, alternative transportation was written into legislation that had previously focused exclusively on motor vehicles and their role in the nation’s transportation network. United States Code 23 – 217 states:
“Each State …shall… fund in the State department of transportation a position of bicycle and pedestrian coordinator for promoting and facilitating the increased use of non-motorized modes of transportation, including developing facilities for the use of pedestrians and bicyclists and public education, promotional, and safety programsor using such facilities.”This position would be tasked to:
Plan and manage new programs in the areas of non-motorized accommodations, safety, educational materials, enforcement materials, courses, and recreation. Assist in development of State and MPO level bicycle and pedestrian facility plans. Develop safety and promotional information through printed materials, videos, TV spots, press releases, interviews, and promotional activities. Develop (or prepare)… …, maps showing bicycle and pedestrian routes, safety information, and answer inquiries from citizens. Arrange for... …events, including conferences, workshops, and other public and technical information presentations. Develop, review, and update State's Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan. Serve as principal contact with Federal, state and local agencies, the press, citizen organizations, and individuals on matters relating to bicycles and pedestrians. Review projects for conformity with design standards…”
(FHWA Policy Memorandums "Designation of Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinators within State Departments of Transportation)
Within the West Virginia Division of Highways, the emphasis has been on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator to serve as a principle contact for citizens seeking information and the opportunity to express themselves on bicycle pedestrian issues.
Another area receiving emphasis is cooperating with Engineering Division to ensure West Virginia Division of Highways Design Directives areas are followed when determining whether to incorporate bicycle/pedestrian elements into WVDOH projects.
The WVDOH is also working on the organization of signed bike routes in West Virginia. The first step of this effort is to develop a map of these routes. Preliminary work has been completed on the initial routes and the first edition of the map of these routes should be posted to this site soon.
The WVDOH bicycle/pedestrian coordinator has also worked closely with various organizations and local jurisdictions to develop facilities in conformity with design standards.
With the constantly evolving nature of transportation in West Virginia, the WVDOH is aware that alternative transportation, particularly the bicycle/pedestrian mode, is increasing and we are determined to maintain a leadership position in this dynamic transportation mode.
Bike/Ped Program Perry Keller, Program Coordinator Phone: 304 558-9591 Fax: 304 558-3783 Email: Perry Keller
Frank