Bike Board Members, I strongly encourage all of you to start or continue writing letters to our representatives, governor, politicians, etc. I've been taking the time to do so from forwards and encouragement from other Bike Board members and often get responses back like the one below. I hope it's making a difference. ~Derek
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Barbara Fleischauer barbaraf@wvhouse.gov Date: Thu, Mar 1, 2012 at 5:51 PM Subject: Re: Road To: Derek Springston dspringston@gmail.com
** Thanks for writing. I have been constantly in meetings. Am printing this with the hopes I have time to digest it this evening. Sincerely, Barbara Evans Fleischauer
----- Original Message ----- *From:* Derek Springston dspringston@gmail.com *To:* barbaraf@wvhouse.gov *Sent:* Thursday, March 01, 2012 8:55 AM *Subject:* Road
Delegate Fleischauer, I would like to also support Christiaan Abildso's recommendations below to you. Christiaan works for the Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board.
*Christiaan stated that, "In reading the press release below from WVBT about the road bond amendment hearing for tomorrow I had a thought: if a road bond is passed could language be added to require a minimum percentage of any road bond-funded project be spent on pedestrian/bicycle facilities on/along that road that is a) located in a municipality and b) where desired by that municipality? Often, road projects are undertaken by the DOH without a broader understanding that walking and bicycling are healthy, traffic reducing, road-wear reducing, cost-saving, non-motorized transportation options. If such a stipulation can be added, I recommend a 5% minimum, based on the data that show 5.2% of all traffic fatalities in West Virginia are pedestrians.* ** *Further, West Virginia spends a woeful 0.6% ($1.55 per capita) of federal money on pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure (4th lowest, nationally), only 2.9% and 0.2% of state residents, respectively, walk or bike to work, and obesity and physical inactivity related costs average $208 annually per taxpayer (6th highest nationally). Interestingly, a case study of infrastructure improvements in Baltimore, Maryland showed that for each $1 million spent creating on-street bike lanes, pedestrian projects, or roads, 14, 11, and 7 jobs were directly or indirectly created, respectively. Thus pedestrian/bike infrastructure projects provided a bigger bang for the buck in job creation! For these reasons I ask the state invest in its residents and taxpayers, who have borne the burden of unwisely spent transportation dollars for far too long." * ** I strongly feel that accommodations for cyclists, pedestrians, and alternative forms of transportation will benefit WV. As a cyclist, pedestrian, user of public transportation, and an automobile driver, I fully understand the multiple modes and how having more options is valuable. Cycling promotes health, reduces road wear, increases air quality, reduces traffic congestion among many other benefits. Generally, cyclists who are commuting to work tend to be well educated. A young, motivated, educated, and healthy workforce has also been known to attract some large positive businesses to communities. If I remember correctly, I believe that a large reason that Dell Computers located near Austin, TX had alot to do with bicycle commuting, health, and active workforce. Imagine if this could begin happening in WV! We've got that choice to market ourselves how we choose. Why don't we start allocating more resources for cycling and pedestrian options? Christiaan's suggestion of a minimum of 5% from the Road Bond would go a long way.
Thanks for your time and have a wonderful day, ~Derek Springston Morgantown Municipal Bike Board