Frank, I totally agree with your desired outcomes of the presentation as well as the points made by Jenny.

I addition...I thought about the many comments I heard while serving on the MPO, and it seems clear that the majority concern/top priority is traffic congestion and how to mitigate it.  Therefore, I suggest to emphasize up front the contribution that bicycling can (and elsewhere, does) make as one of several strategies in resolving this problem, and make reference to what Don Spencer shared with us about Portland/green cities conference e.g., 6% regular bicycle commuters (~potentially removes 1 of 20 single occupant cars??) and on fair weather day, over 15% of folks were on bikes (~potentiallly removes 1 in 7 single occupant cars??).  If you had to share any other such stats about what really is happening in other progressive cities, that might be good.

Here are my other two thoughts:

-Revisit that there were extensive plans for bicycle commuter infrastructure in the previous MPO plan (even if may were 3rd priority) and some (most, all???) of these were informed by people who actually commuted via these routes.  (And if it surfaces:  The Rail Trail is great for recreation, but does not meet the needs of getting to work, shop, school etc etc)

-Partnering with the University, as reduced traffic congestion and "sustainability" (being "green") are priority issues for WVU.  I guess sustainability really is the other huge issue here, and it seems that should be of interest financially.

jimrye_adelphia1@comcast.net

Are you waitin' for the world to change ?

----- Original Message ----- From: "Frank Gmeindl" fgmeindl@verizon.net To: "Bicycle Board" bikeboard@cheat.org Sent: Friday, September 4, 2009 9:21:52 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [Bikeboard] MPO presentation

Bicycle Board Members,

I have accepted an invitation to make a 20 minute presentation "on bicycle planning and how it can be included in MPO planning efforts" to the Greater Morgantown Metropolitan Planning Organization and Star City Mayor next Thursday at 9:30 am at the MPO offices in the airport.  All members of the MPO including the Policy Board, Technical Advisory Committee and Citizen Advisory Committee are invited to attend.  So are 3 members of the WVDOH and a member of the Federal Highway Administration.

Personally, I would like the presentation to result in the participants:

• seeing bicycling as a valid means of transportation and an integral component of our transportation mix; • considering bicycling in any and all future transportation decisions; • looking to the Bicycle Board as valued bicycling consultants.

I would appreciate your thoughts and especially any recommendations and data for the presentation.  Please reply-all and maybe we can get some synergy going :-)

Frank Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles

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