All -

I have replied to Hugh separately, but please accept my public apology for an unintended message. I did not intend to suggest Hugh was not doing an excellent job. On the contrary, I think he is - with little publicity showing what a great job he is doing. I consider Hugh a trusted partner in getting things done that we all hope to see, and I understand that some will not come to fruition. In rereading my email I can see how the wording may have upset him.

I am, in fact, a beneficiary of the free PRT and bus services, which have served me well. I look forward to continuing to work in conjunction with Hugh and the bicycle board.
Christiaan

From: Hugh Kierig <Hugh.Kierig@mail.wvu.edu>
To: 'Gunnar Shogren' <gshogren@gmail.com>; Ryan Post <rpostwvu@gmail.com>; Christiaan Abildso <cabildso@yahoo.com>
Cc: 'Bicycle Board' <bikeboard@cheat.org>
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2012 10:19 AM
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 .
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Bikeboard mailing list
> Bikeboard@cheat.org
> http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard

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