To Nick and all:

I know that bike lanes are dangerous, I have seen the "car turn-in to the bike rider" myself. However, if you really want more riders in Morgantown, we need a variety of ways that people can ride. This does not deny the bicycle its just use of the road, at least in my mind. I think we want to bring people along to the idea of bicycling one step at a time....

Separate trails along natural corridors such as the river or highways (many places have a separated trail many yards from the road to get to the local Mall or the next town) are a big boost to those riders who are not yet as adventuresome on the road with cars. These riders, sometimes this applies to me, over time may become more adventuresome on the road, particularly as car drivers get used to sharing the road.

Also the connections between neighborhoods, trails, and roads require careful navigation and the more timid riders become used to dealing with traffic when in these transition zones. Many people will enjoy the bike routes you are developing because they may not yet be thinking of the best way to use the roads to get somewhere by bicycle.

The more careful (wider) spacing of lanes, even the shoulders-that-are-paved-and-should-not-be-used-by-vehicles-such-as-bikes, give cars and bikes more room to work with speed differentials. There are ways to make it easier to bike by road design as you all have mentioned. Sometimes it is by slowing all traffic or limiting the access or turning options of car traffic.

I just attended the Common Ground festival in Unity Maine where they had a huge bike parking area and encouraged people to bicycle in from the nearby town. Each rider was greeted at an bike-tire framed arch by a small cheering committee. They also had a train commute option to enter the grounds.

Jenny

Jenny Selin 1224 Fairlawns Morgantown, WV 26505 USA Phone:(304-598-9650) jselin@hotmail.com

> Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:49:18 -0400
> From: director@positivespin.org
> To: bikeboard@cheat.org
> Subject: [Bikeboard] Parade magazine article, Bike Friendly Cities
>
> Good morning,
> This article was in Today's Parade magazine today. Good stuff, except for over-selling bike lanes and separated paths (IMHO). I'm going to take it to our mayor.
>
> http://www.parade.com/news/2009/09/27-a-free-wheeling-city.html
>
> Have a good riding day (splish, splash)
> Nick
>
> --
> Nick Hein LCI# 1705
> Director, Positive Spin
> 2567 Univ Ave Ste 6000L
> Morgantown, WV
> ph 304-276-0213
> --
>
> _______________________________________________
> Bikeboard mailing list
> Bikeboard@cheat.org
> http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard

Insert movie times and more without leaving Hotmail®. See how.