I forgot to use "reply all" when I sent this message to Hugh....
Hugh, Since we're all trying to be on the same side, let's talk about how to get better results. I appreciate that you're working hard and you're just as frustrated as the rest of us that in spite of all our hard work (and rising gas prices) it seems that people are driving cars as much they always did. What we need is a motivation for students and residents to make better transportation choices. At the Bike Summit last week, Kimberly-Clark unveiled this nationwide competition to do just that - and they've got a category for colleges to compete in. I rode with the organizer, Rob Gusky, on Friday and he said that since WV has a relatively small population and the results are based on per-capita trips, we have an advantage.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/start-your-pedals-america---the-get-...
Does this sound like something we can all get behind? The Challenge runs from May 1 to August 31, 2012, but the public is invited to sign up now and get warmed up.
Nick Hein LCI# 1705 Director, Positive Spin 803 East Brockway Ave Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213
-----Original Message----- From: "Hugh Kierig" Hugh.Kierig@mail.wvu.edu Sent 3/26/2012 10:19:17 AM To: "'Gunnar Shogren'" gshogren@gmail.com, "Ryan Post" rpostwvu@gmail.com, "Christiaan Abildso" cabildso@yahoo.com Cc: "'Bicycle Board'" bikeboard@cheat.org Subject: Re: [Bikeboard] AP article on commuting in Morgantown
I am very disappointed by the responses that have been coming from the bike and ped board groups. You seem to believe that if you don't get your way on every suggestion then the deep pocket university is not responsive. If you think that WVU sucks in providing commuter services to our employees and students, I suggest that you go to most other university and compare our services to what they offer. In the past six years we have - instituted and expanded free bus service for employees and students; brought zip car to campus and the community; initiated a free on-line carpool matching service; continued to provide quality and free service for the PRT, completed a first ever master plan for the PRT and begun a very expensive replacement of key components; Worked with other area employers on a subsidized vanpool program; Worked with the city on a Ped Plan and Bike plan; Developed alternative transportation programs and awareness through We GO and participation in every major community promotion of alternative transportation; Offered to university students and employees free bike training classes and now are underwriting the CCC classes through the University; Worked with City staff in community improvements to walking and biking in our community.
The point is that we cannot provide everything for everybody, including a very expensive commuter tax provision.
Hugh E. Kierig, AICP, Director
Department of Transportation and Parking
West Virginia University
Post Office Box 6561
1112 Van Voorhis
Morgantown, West Virginia 26506
304-293-9095 (o)
304-293-3939 (f)
Christiaan Abildso cabildso@yahoo.com 3/23/2012 2:02 PM >>>
I took a look at this: http://www.bestworkplaces.org/
As far as I can tell, the designation is about quantity of benefits not quality, thus, by sheer number it appears that WVU offers many things (free PRT & bus service, for example). I continue to advocate that the administration to offer the $20/month bicycle commuter tax provision, but it was not included in the recent parking and transportation plan, unfortunately. Just have to keep trying, I suppose.
From: Ryan Post rpostwvu@gmail.com To: 'Gunnar Shogren' gshogren@gmail.com Cc: 'Bicycle Board' bikeboard@cheat.org Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2012 2:14 PM Subject: Re: [Bikeboard] AP article on commuting in Morgantown
I had my bikes in my dorm room, which was permitted. When I visited St Marys College of Maryland, which was making a HUGE push for bikes including a college bike share program. They had indoor parking areas, but didn't permit bikes in the dorms. I put mine back in the car instead of in those public spaces.
My point is, just as the PRT looks great on paper, in actual usage there are significant flaws. Yes, DC and NYC are "bike friendly", if you don't mind stoplights and having your bike stolen.
-----Original Message----- From: Gunnar Shogren [mailto:gshogren@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2012 11:13 AM To: Ryan Post Cc: Chet Parsons; Bicycle Board Subject: Re: [Bikeboard] AP article on commuting in Morgantown
Or lack of indoor or sheltered bike parking at dorms and such. I would say bike racks at the PRT too, think Walnut st. Station...
On Thu, Mar 22, 2012 at 9:54 AM, Ryan Post rpostwvu@gmail.com wrote:
I can’t say I disagree, honestly. As a student, it really wasn’t at all impractical to not drive. Takes a bit more time waiting on things, but I think any public transit has that issue. Certainly I wouldn’t credit much of the bicycle related existing stuff, but there has been efforts made for cycling (new racks at most dorms and buildings), bikes on
busses.
It’s when you get down to the details it gets ugly, like the PRT being unreliable, and busses often being full during peak times (esp when the PRT goes down).
From: bikeboard-bounces@cheat.org [mailto:bikeboard-bounces@cheat.org] On Behalf Of Chet Parsons Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2012 10:10 AM To: Bicycle Board Subject: [Bikeboard] AP article on commuting in Morgantown
This is kind of surprising, don't you think? I guess since it is strictly WVU the designation is easier to apply
Chet
Feds say WVU good workplace for commuters
by The Associated Press
The Associated Press
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia University is getting federal recognition for its efforts to improve commuting for employees and reduce traffic-related pollution.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation have designated WVU as one of the nation's Best Workplaces for Commuters.
University officials announced the designation Wednesday in a news
release.
The university's commuter benefits program includes free access to the Personal Rapid Transit system and Mountain Line transit, bicycle storage facilities and carpool and vanpool programs.
The EPA and the Department of Transportation created the public-private Best Workplaces for Commuters partnership to reduce traffic congestion and traffic-related air pollution .
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