Biking and Walking News 8-3-12
Ira Weiss
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Biking & Walking News
Ira S. Weiss, Editor August 3 , 2012
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Take the Access Ohio Survey
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has begun the process of updating Ohio's long-range transportation plan, Access Ohio. The new plan, with a horizon year of 2040, will include a comprehensive inventory, forecast, and analysis of the trends and issues affecting transportation throughout Ohio. This plan will set the stage for ODOT transportation policies and investment strategies for the coming years. Access Ohio 2040 will be completed in 2013. The previous long range plan was completed in 2004, to view Access Ohio 2004-2030 click here. http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/SPR/StatewidePlanning/Documents/Final_Document1.pdf The updated plan will include consideration of the following: all areas of the state, 2010 census data, trends in population changes, trends in freight movement, trends in economic development, recently completed ODOT plans, and financial resources available to execute the plan. The updated plan will: inventory existing conditions of infrastructure for all modes of transportation, inventory ridership for all transit agencies, inventory existing crash data, inventory all major environmental assets, seek input from transportation stakeholders and the public, identify macro-corridors, project the future conditions of all ODOT-owned roads (pavement conditions, bridge conditions, demand and congestion), document potential impacts of climate variability on existing infrastructure, and demonstrate consistency with plans from metropolitan planning organizations. http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/SPR/StatewidePlanning/access.ohio/Pages/default.aspx
MORPC Seeks Nominations for Green Region Awards
(Columbus – July 30, 2012) The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is seeking nominations July 31-August 13 for the Green Region Awards, honoring individuals and entities working to create a more vibrant and environmentally sustainable region. MORPC will announce the award recipients at the Summit on Sustainability & the Environment on October 3 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. This year, the MORPC Summit is a featured event of EcoSummit 2012.
The Green Leader Award will recognize an individual or entity exemplifying outstanding leadership and innovation in seeking comprehensive sustainability solutions to address key challenges facing the region.
The Green Collaborative Achievement Award will recognize a group of entities or individuals who have shown effectiveness in producing environmental accomplishments through a collaborative effort.
The award recipients for both categories should demonstrate tangible results and long-term impacts. Comprehensive sustainability approaches are also encouraged, which include consideration for a combination of the following MORPC program areas: agricultural preservation and local food, air quality, energy, materials management, sustainable growth, trails and active transportation, and water quality.
Nominations are open to individuals and entities located within MORPC's 12-county region (Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Knox, Licking, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway, Ross and Union counties). Repeat winners will not be selected from the previous two years, but nominees from previous years can be re-submitted.
The sixth annual Summit on Sustainability & the Environment is MORPC’s signature environmental conference developed to aid community leaders, businesses and individuals in going green. The event brings hundreds of people together from diverse backgrounds who share a common interest in making the world a better place for existing and future generations.
Visit www.greenregion.org for more information on registration, sponsorship opportunities and award nominations or contact Brandi Whetstone at bwhet...@morpc.org or 614-233-4174
Webinar on New AASHTO Bike Guide
Central Ohio governments and interested residents,
The new AASHTO Bike Guide was released this June and includes a much more comprehensive approach to bicycle planning and design. You may have already gotten an email from Heather Bowden (below) that notified you of an upcoming 7 webinar series on the new Bike Guide. We will be hosting these 7 webinars at MORPC, however space will be limited. Please use the following link to RSVP for the MORPC showing of the first webinar on August 10th, from 2-3:30 pm: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3999879748. Parking passes will be provided to those who RSVP. You may also visit a webpage that lists all 7 of the bike guide webinars MORPC will host: http://www.eventbrite.com/org/2550442998. At MORPC we will have half an hour set aside after each webinar (except for the fourth) to continue the discussion, if you would like. Feel free to forward this to others who may be interested, all are welcome.
These webinars are free, so if you prefer to watch them in your own location, feel free. Use this link to sign up to watch on your own computer: http://www.walkinginfo.org/training/pbic/AASHTO_webinars.cfm. Please email me if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Juana Sandoval
Associate Engineer, MORPC
Active Transportation & Safety Programs
Phone: 614.233.4140
Email: jsan...@morpc.org
Gearing Up: What's Next on the Federal Transportation Bill
A Message to Supporters of Safe Routes to School and Active Transportation
July 26, 2012
We are not going to let 20 years of progress in bicycling, walking and Safe Routes to School come to a halt!
It’s true that the new transportation bill, MAP-21, slashed guaranteed funding for bicycling and walking. But thanks to you and thousands of individual advocates who called, wrote, and e-mailed Congress as the bill was being written, we are still very much in the game. http://cts.vresp.com/c/?SafeRoutestoSchoolNa/b1bc8ff3d0/cfab0a69f9/78433bc1e2
The America Bikes coalition, of which the Safe Routes to School National Partnership is a member, is committed to working with advocates and state and local organizations to ensure that states and local governments use every opportunity in the new law to increase the safety and convenience of bicycling and walking.
Together, we can maximize bicycling, walking and Safe Routes to School investments — both under MAP-21’s new Transportation Alternatives program and the larger core transportation and safety funds.
We expect every state to:
· Fully fund, staff, and implement the new Transportation Alternatives program. Specifically, states should:
o Fully fund: Do not transfer any funds away from Transportation Alternatives or opt-out of the Recreational Trails program
o Fully staff: Preserve or increase staff support for Transportation Alternatives by maintaining state Safe Routes to School coordinators and bike/ped coordinators
o Fully implement: Promptly award Transportation Alternatives grants with participation of relevant stakeholders
· Fully maximize the state’s investments in safe, accessible streets: utilize all MAP-21 funding programs — including HSIP, CMAQ, and STP — to include biking and walking in all transportation projects
· Fully spend remaining funds from the Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, and Recreational Trails programs
We are working closely with our partners to develop an action plan to coordinate our efforts for the best results in every state. Together, we are already working on a suite of tools and resources to help advocates ensure that states and communities take full advantage of MAP-21. We will alert you as those resources become available.
With your help and dedication over the coming weeks and months, the national renaissance in Safe Routes to School, bicycling and walking will continue in communities all across the country.
Thank you for your commitment.
Sincerely,
Deb Hubsmith, Director
Safe Routes to School National Partnership
Write a letter to our Governor to Support the Recreational Trails Program
As many of you know, the first "opt out" option with MAP-21 is on Recreational Trails Program. The new law allows state governors to opt out of the program if they notify the U.S. Secretary of Transportation of their decision no later than 30 days before the funds are apportioned. This year's opt-out deadline is Sept. 1.
On behalf of the Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT), IMBA is leading the development of a campaign intended to persuade state governors to continue funding RTP. The coalition has prepared a letter (hosted by IMBA) to be sent to each governor.
All recreation-oriented organizations (not individuals) that support RTP — including equestrian, motorized recreation, hiking, trail running, climbing, snow sports and biking groups — are asked to sign on and reach out to other trail based recreation groups and related interests. The Alliance has joined many of our national partners to sign on, but this will be even more powerful in your state if you are signed on.
Take Action! Please show your support by signing your organization to the letter. http://www.imba.com/form/rtp-sign-letter
We need everyone’s help to reach out to their grassroots contacts, regional, state and local groups, and any other organizations that benefit from the RTP. Please ask them to join your group in signing the letter. Each letter will be customized to reflect the program's impact in the state, with the state level groups listed above the national groups in the signature line.
By working together, we have made significant progress in the effort to protect the vital RTP funding source. We urgently need your help with what we hope will be a final hurdle.
Thank you.
Jeff
Jeffrey Miller
President / CEO
Alliance for Biking & Walking
PO Box 65150, Washington, DC 20035
202-445-4415 cell
@JeffreyBCMiller and @BikeWalk
je...@PeoplePoweredMovement.org
www.PeoplePoweredMovement.org
RIDES
Benefit Ride for Dan Peters
We are putting together a benefit ride for Dan Peters September 1, leaving OU-Lancaster.
We will have three routes. 20 miles, 40 miles and 60 miles.
Registration and check in will be between 7:00 to 9:00 AM
We will use the Tour de Cause routes and maps.
The entry fee will be $1 per mile you ride. (Dollar for Dan)
100% will be donated to Dan and his family to support them financially in this difficult time in his battle with cancer.
This will be a no-SAG support ride. We will have water at the 30 mile break on the 60 mile ride.
We are keeping this simple and pulling this together quick because the need is now.
Thank you for your help by passing this on to as many cyclists that you know.
More details of how to donate coming later.
Ron Burris
Glacier Ridge
DAY TIME EVENT DESCRIPTION OPENINGS
Aug 18 Sat 5:00 pm Family Bike Ride Enjoy a 2-mile ride through fields and f... N/R
Three Creeks
Aug 16 Thu 6:30 pmFamily Ride Night Join the park ranger and enjoy a slow-pa..
Children reach next level in bike race
6:17 AM, Jul. 28, 2012
Written by
Chris Miles
The Eagle-Gazette Staff
A month ago, 4-year-old Chanler Grensted was rolling around his neighborhood on training wheels. On Friday, he was winning the boys 4-and-under bike race without them during the Children's Bike Race at the Lancaster Festival. "I told him he was going to be in a bike race, and he was like, 'Oh, yeah!,'" said his mother, Heather Grensted. "He loves it. He was so excited. He just loves competition." Chanler has been riding his bike with training wheels for more than a year, but when the helpers came off a few weeks ago, it was as if he's been riding his whole life. "I took them off, and I rode my bike the first time," he said. "I haven't falled yet. I wasn't scared…" http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20120728/NEWS01/207280306/-1/NLETTER01/Children-reach-next-level-in-bike-race?source=nletter-news
Tour of Ohio to trek through Worthington
By CANDY BROOKS
ThisWeek Community News Wednesday August 1, 2012 9:02 AM
Bikes will speed through the streets of Worthington Estates on Friday, Aug. 3, for the annual Tour of Ohio race. Cyclists of all ages and abilities are invited to take part in the ride, which will include categories for amateurs and children and the featured professional race. The race will begin on Guyer Street, at the entrance to Worthingway Middle School. The course follows Guyer to Longfellow Avenue, to Masefield Street, to Stevenson Avenue, to Thackeray Avenue, to Lambourne Avenue and then to Guyer Street. The Worthington Amateur Open will begin at 6:30 p.m. It is open to all cyclists. Registration begins at the site at 5 p.m. or may be done online at truesport.com… http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/worthington/news/2012/07/31/tour-of-ohio-to-trek-through-worthington.html
SAFETY
Distracted walking a major hazard
Plugged-in pedestrians getting killed
By Joan Lowy
ASSOCIATED PRESS Tuesday July 31, 2012 8:21 AM
WASHINGTON — A young man talking on a cellphone meanders along the edge of a lonely train platform at night. Suddenly he stumbles, loses his balance and pitches over the side, landing headfirst on the tracks. Fortunately, no trains are approaching the Philadelphia-area station at that moment, because it takes the man several minutes to recover enough to climb out of danger. But the incident, captured last year by a security camera, underscores the risks of what government officials and safety experts say is a growing problem: distracted walking. On city streets, in suburban parking lots and in shopping centers, there is usually someone strolling while talking on a phone, texting with his or her head down, listening to music or playing a video game. The problem isn’t as widely discussed as distracted driving, but the danger is real. Reports of injuries to distracted walkers treated in hospital emergency rooms have more than quadrupled in the past seven years and are almost certainly underreported. There has been a spike in pedestrians killed and injured in traffic accidents, but there is no reliable data on how many were distracted by electronics… http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/national_world/2012/07/31/distracted-walking-a-major-hazard.html
HEALTH
Kids developing adult problems
Overweight and obese children face high cholesterol and blood pressure and diabetes
By Misti Crane
The Columbus Dispatch Sunday July 29, 2012 10:25 AM
It’s a sad truth that many of today’s children are carrying the health problems of the middle-aged. High cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes all are linked to the nation’s high rates of overweight and obese children. With that in mind, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute said late last year that all children should have cholesterol tests. Earlier advice was to screen children believed to be at high risk… http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/07/29/health/kids-developing-adult-problems.html
LOCAL NEWS
Groveport looks to upgrade its infrastructure
(by Rick Palsgrove, Southeast Editor - July 24, 2012)
The city of Groveport has laid out an ambitious five year capital improvement plan aimed at upgrading the town's infrastructure. "The plan consists of recommendations," said Groveport City Administrator Marsha Hall. "The timing of when the projects are completed depends on conditions as well as funding availability and options." Hall said projects are evaluated for implementation each year when the city's annual budget is put together. Groveport City Council will vote on the proposed five year capital improvement plan at its Aug. 13 meeting. Ordinances to apply for funding for the first two proposed projects will also be voted on Aug. 13. These projects are the $1.3 million reconstruction of 2,400 feet of Spiegel Drive from Alum Creek Drive to Port Road; and the $1.9 million reconstruction of 2,700 feet of Port Road from Spiegel Drive to State Route 317. The city plans to apply for Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) and/or local transportation improvement program funding for both projects. Hall said the city would know by January 2013 if these funding applications are approved. If approved, construction contracts cannot be signed until after OPWC agreements are finalized by July 2013. If all goes as planned, the projects could begin by early 2014. Other potential projects being considered in the proposed five year capital improvement plan include: $278,000 for a shared use pedestrian/bicycle path on Hendron Road from the Orchard subdivision to Glendening Drive; •$171,000 for a sidewalk on the east side of Hendron Road from Glendening Drive to the existing sidewalk… http://www.columbusmessenger.com/NC/0/11735.html
Knox County Trail News
The recent derecho storm left our wonderful bike trail system and parks in disarray. The Board of the Knox County Park District wishes to thank all of the volunteers who removed hundreds of trees and limbs from the Kokosing Gap Trail, Mohican Valley Trail and Heart of Ohio Trail. Users of Wolf Run and Indianfield Bluffs parks will still find some trails difficult to navigate, due to fallen trees. Users should also be watchful for broken limbs that may be hinged and hanging from trees. So, what is a "derecho" storm?....According to Wikipedia, "A derecho is a widespread, long-lived, straight-line windstorm that is associated with a fast-moving band of severe thunderstorms."
Kokosing Gap Trail Bollard Upgrade
Users of the Kokosing Gap Trail will notice in the next few weeks that the center yellow post (bollard) at road intersections has changed. The large metal posts will be removed, and a smaller, flexible plastic bollard will be installed. While the installation process proceeds, users will notice that intersections may not have a bollard placed temporarily. The rules of the trail do not change - STOP at all road intersections along the trail. Additionally, use good trail etiquette when enjoying the trail, whether on foot, rollerblade or bike!
Trail Updates
Kokosing Gap Trail: Thousands of bicyclists will ride the portion of the Kokosing Gap Trail from Laymon Road to Duff Street on Saturday, August 11th. Hundres of riders will ride the Gap Trail from Duff Street to Danville early Sunday morning, August 12th. The cyclists are riding to raise money for cancer research as part of Pelotonia. Thus far, more than eight million dollars have been pledged for the ride.
Heart of Ohio Trail: Volunteers along the trail have been busy cleaning up after the derecho storm.
City mulling improvements to 'K-type' intersection
By NATE ELLIS
ThisWeek Community News Wednesday August 1, 2012 12:18 PM
Pickerington city officials are eyeing a more than $550,000 project to reconstruct a "K-type" intersection of Center Street, Milnor Road and Meadows Boulevard. Pickerington City Council on July 17 unanimously passed the first reading of legislation to contract for the redesign of the Center-Milnor-Meadows intersection. According to City Engineer Greg Bachman, the work is needed to improve safety at the intersection by reducing confusion among motorists. "The existing intersection is not ideal," he said. "It is confusing to drivers on who has the right of way during various turning movements, particularly for drivers on Milnor Drive and on Meadows Boulevard exiting onto Center Street. "Also, the hill on Center Street limits visibility." Bachman referred to the current intersection alignment as a "K-type" intersection because the Milnor and Meadows side roads come in from one side of Center, making the road arrangement appear like a "K."… http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/pickerington/news/2012/08/01/city-mulling-improvements-to-k-type-intersection.html
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
Safe Routes Coaching Action Network Webinar - August 8th (1pm ET)
Active, Healthy and Ready to Learn: SRTS and Children's Health
Presenters:
James Sallis, Ph.D., Director, Active Living Research & Distinguished Professor, Family and Preventative Medicine, at UC-San Diego
Jason Mendoza, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center & Academic General Pediatrics
A growing body of research links physical activity to the physical and mental health of children. This link between physical activity and happier, healthier children can help build support for Safe Routes to School in your community. In this webinar, we will hear from two experts in the public health field who have studied how programs such as SRTS can directly impact the health of children and their readiness to learn.
Jim Sallis, the Director of Active Living Research and Professor of Family and Preventative Medicine at UC-San Diego, will begin with an overview of the science linking SRTS programs and children's well-being. He will cover topics such as trends in active transportation to school and the connection to a child's body mass index.
Jason Mendoza, a board-certified pediatrician and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, will present his research on active commuting to school, including walking school bus programs, in which he has evaluated the impact on students' physical activity, pedestrian safety, and risk of obesity.
This webinar is part of the SRTS Webinar Series, developed by America Walks and the National Center for Safe Routes to School. For More information, please contact Michelle Gulley at mgu...@americawalks.org. https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/211316696
Safe Routes Coaching Action Network Webinar - August 21st (1pm ET)
SRTS In Indian Country Part One: Understanding Program Development Challenges
Presenters:
Katherine Campbell, U.S. Department of the Interior
Michia Casebier, ADOT SRTS Program Senior Planner and President of M.G. Tech Writing LLC
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs in Indian Country are faced with many challenges, including a dispersed school population, special school governance, land jurisdiction, funding structures, health disparities, and distinctive transportation dynamics.
In this sixty-minute webinar, Katherine Campbell, from the U.S. Department of the Interior will first provide an overview of the First Lady's Let's Move! in Indian Country and how the program has teamed up with SRTS in tribal communities. She will also provide essential Indian Country facts, including basic information about schools and programs, tribal nations, and the unique relationship between sovereign tribal nations and the US government.
Michia Casebier, ADOT SRTS Program Senior Planner and President of M.G. Tech Writing LLC, will provide an in-depth look at why SRTS matters in Indian Country and the challenges that SRTS programs in Indian Country face. Although focusing on Indian Country specifically, Michia's presentation will touch on universal issues such as outreach, overcoming obstacles and sustainability.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about SRTS programs in Indian County and how their lessons can translate to success within your own program!
This webinar is part of the SRTS Webinar Series, developed by America Walks and the National Center for Safe Routes to School. For more information: mgu...@americawalks.org
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/430834425
Millionth SRTS travel data questionnaire submitted to National Center for Safe Routes to School
A Safe Routes to School program in Springfield, Mass., submitted the one millionth Safe Routes to School (SRTS) questionnaire from a local SRTS program to the National Center for Safe Routes to School – representing 1 million pieces of information being used to identify local SRTS issues, build programs and understand what makes a SRTS program succeed. The Student Travel Tally and the Parent Survey questionnaires yield information about students’ school travel patterns and parents’ perceptions of walking and bicycling to school. Local programs at 6,350 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia have used these resources to gather and study information about student travel modes.
Since 2006, the National Center has helped local SRTS program coordinators collect, enter and analyze their data through a straightforward online Data System. The system, which is free to use, offers communities Parent Surveys in multiple languages as well as user access to their Travel Tally data and summary reports of those data.
There are many benefits to collecting data related to Safe Routes to School. At the local level, it can help guide the planning process and give information on how the program is working. At the state level, participation in the national data collection effort is often required in order to apply for and receive SRTS funds. At the national level, researchers can analyze the data compiled by the National Center to identify and understand national trends and effective SRTS program strategies.
“These questionnaires, and the large-scale analysis provided by the Data System, have resulted in a wealth of information on how many students walk and bike to school—which previously wasn’t collected by schools,” Marchetti said. “It provides an understanding about what goes into a parent’s decision to allow a child to walk or bike to school, and what can make a Safe Routes to School program successful and long-lasting. This understanding was made possible by the commitment of thousands of local programs across the country – we provide the infrastructure, but they have dedicated their time and efforts to providing the data.”
About the National Center for Safe Routes to School
Established in May 2006, the National Center for Safe Routes to School assists states and communities in enabling and encouraging children to safely walk and bicycle to school. The National Center serves as the information clearinghouse for the federal Safe Routes to School program. The organization also provides technical support and resources and coordinates online registration efforts for Walk to School Day and Bike to School Day in the U.S.A. and facilitates worldwide promotion and participation in International Walk to School Day. The National Center is part of the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. For more information, visit www.saferoutesinfo.org
Key to cycling champ’s energy: a big heart (literally)
By Mark Halper | July 26, 2012, 4:30 AM PDT
Want the energy and endurance of Tour de France cycling champ Bradley Wiggins? Apparently, it all comes down to the left ventricle. You know, that thing in your heart. One of the four chambers. We’ve all heard clichés about great athletes having big ones (hearts). We take that to indicate some unquantifiable conglomeration of desire, passion, commitment, devotion - that sort of intangible thing that weaves itself inextricably into the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Goodness knows we’re in for a lot of sappy “heart” talk over the next two weeks of that great corporate sporting event known as the Olympics. But in the case of Mr. Wiggins - who if you missed it on Sunday dashed across the finish line along Paris’ Champs de Elysee as the victor in the world’s greatest cycling competition, the Tour de France - a “big heart” literally means just that. Wiggins may be a srappy looking guy, but he has a titanic ticker, according to the BBC. And when it comes to endurance athletes and hearts, size matters because the corazon pumps oxygen to the leg muscles and everything else that for three weeks powers the amazing Tour de France super humans across 2,172 grueling miles, through heat and up mountainous climbs unfathomable to most of us ordinary-hearted people. Big sideburns too. They probably slow him down. The heart does this in tandem with another extraordinary physical characteristic that these athletes tend to possess: muscles that readily convert the oxygen into energy. The BBC reports: http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/intelligent-energy/key-to-cycling-champs-energy-a-big-heart-literally/17998?tag=nl.e660
For urban commuters: A pedal-solar electric hybrid vehicle
By Tyler Falk | July 27, 2012, 3:00 AM PDT
For the urban commuter who likes the option of driving an electric vehicle to work (you don’t like to start the day sweaty, we get it) but wants to bike home, The Elf is your dream vehicle. It’s a hybrid that runs on solar electric and pedal power. So for those who like to get an early workout, you can bike to work, let the sun charge the battery during the day, and have a leisurely, solar-powered ride home. The vehicle can travel up to 30 miles on a single charge. It also has basic features found in a car: LED headlights, tail lights, and signals; side mirrors; and disc brakes. Organic Transit, based in Durham, N.C., built the vehicle and has two variations of the hybrid. Along with The Elf, the company created The Truckit. It has a more heavy duty design and the ability to carry up to 800 pounds (The Elf can carry 300 pounds in addition to the rider). It would be a perfect design for an urban delivery service that doesn’t want to hitch a trailer to their bike but wants to use sustainable business practices… http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/cities/for-urban-commuters-a-pedal-solar-electric-hybrid-vehicle/4290?tag=nl.e660
Groundbreaking for latest Towpath Trail addition requires you to bring your own shovel: Michael K. McIntyre's Tipoff
Published: Monday, July 30, 2012, 6:10 AM
By Michael K. McIntyre
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Towpath Trail is finally on Cleveland's doorstep. An official groundbreaking for a section that would run the trail for the first time along the Cuyahoga River is scheduled for 11 a.m. today at the corner of Scranton and Carter Roads. And it's not just for the muckety mucks like U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Ohio Canal Corridor Executive Director Tim Donovan. Organizers are advising folks to "bring your own shovel" and join in the "people's groundbreaking." More than 300 are expected. And for those who can't make it? The towpath folks invited people to send e-mails with pictures of themselves and shovels. More than 500 such pictures have been submitted. The 81 mile Towpath Trail runs along the northern 100 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal, through Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark and Tuscarawas counties. For years, supporters led by the Ohio Canal Corridor nonprofit have tried to connect the trail to Cleveland and its lakefront, providing a continuous link from the lake to New Philadelphia. More than a half dozen previous plans have been scrapped in the past decade and the northern five miles of the Towpath have proven to be the most difficult to build. This latest link is a project backed by Ohio Canal Corridor, Cleveland Metroparks, the city of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County… http://www.cleveland.com/tipoff/index.ssf/2012/07/groundbreaking_for_latest_addi.html
London police name dead cyclist
Share This Story
Updated Aug 2, 2012 12:14 PM ET
LONDON (AP)
Police on Thursday named a cyclist killed by an official games bus near London's Olympic Park as 28-year-old Daniel Harris. He died late Wednesday after being struck by one of the double-decker vehicles that carry journalists between Olympic venues and to hotels in central London. The accident occurred near the boundary of Olympic Park London's Metropolitan Police said a 65-year-old man - reportedly the bus driver - was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was later released on bail. Cycling campaigners said Harris is the 10th cyclist to be killed in London this year. British cyclist Bradley Wiggins, who won gold in the time-trial race earlier Wednesday, said the death on the doorstep of the Olympics underscored the dangers of cycling in urban Britain. He urged cycling helmets to be made mandatory… http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/story/dead-cyclist-daniel-harris-killed-by-bus-named-london-police-080212
Past issues are available here: http://www.considerbiking.org/category/newsletters/
Contact Information
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Web site - www.considerbiking.org
Facebook - Facebook Page change to http://www.facebook.com/considerbiking
Twitter - @Consider_Biking http://twitter.com/#!/consider_biking
Biking and Walking Newsletter Editor, Ira S. Weiss - iwe...@insight.rr.com
Consider Biking Staff, http://www.considerbiking.org/contact/ 614-447-8894
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Ira S. Weiss
11735 Eddington
Pickerington, OH 43147