----- Original Message -----
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