Biking and Walking News 7-20-12 - 7-27-12
Ira Weiss
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Biking & Walking News
Ira S. Weiss, Editor July 20 & 27, 2012
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
MORPC Announces the 2012 Summit on Sustainability & the Environment
Sample International “Cuisine” at a Local Price
MORPC’s annual Summit on Sustainability & the Environment will be a featured segment of EcoSummit 2012 on Wednesday, October 3 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The Summit is MORPC’s signature environmental conference in central Ohio each year, developed to aid community leaders, businesses and individuals in going green. This exciting 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. "Green World, Green Region" will include a keynote breakfast, awards ceremony, and a full day of workshops and discussions. Join the conversation and come out to hear local and global perspectives on exciting sustainability topics such as trails and active transportation, water quality, air quality, renewable energy, local food systems and sustainable business practices. By attending the Summit on Sustainability, attendees will also receive access to the EcoSummit Exhibition Hall, featuring a taste of EcoSummit with a short subject eco-film festival, poster sessions presented by EcoSummit participants, and The Ohio State University (OSU) Innovation Showcase, which will display examples of OSU research & development projects that support sustainability. Early bird registration is only $75 for the day-long Summit which includes meals. Click here to register http://morpc.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2cb2461e42ec60600137325d2&id=e388b2d2f2&e=5a65ed972f or visit www.greenregion.org for more information. Contact Brandi Whetstone to learn about sponsorship opportunities at 614-233-4174 or bwhet...@morpc.org.
Convergence Innovation Fund: Promoting Health and Equity through Built Environment and Healthy Food Access Policy
The Convergence Partnership invites local and regional philanthropic institutions to submit proposals that will support the launch of new grant-making initiatives designed to enhance the built environment and/or expand access to healthy food in low-income communities and communities of color in order to improve health and promote equity. The Innovation Fund provides 50 percent matching dollars, up to $200,000 total, for a three-year period. The goal is to engage philanthropic institutions in creating robust and sustainable support for multi-field, policy and environmental change efforts emphasizing equity and community partnership. Local organizations can initiate the proposal by approaching their local foundations to discuss healthy, equitable, built environment and healthy food access opportunities. Applications, however, must be submitted by the local foundation. In the application review process, priority will be given to applicants who apply in partnership with equity-focused community groups. The deadline to submit proposals is Aug. 9. For more details about this opportunity, and access to the request for proposals, visit the Convergence Partnership website at www.convergencepartnership.org/InnovationFund. See the Request for Proposal for more information. For questions, contact conve...@policylink.org.
Two health impact assessment funding opportunities announced
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthy Community Design Initiative, will fund and support up to four state or territorial health agencies to conduct one Health Impact Assessment by May 31, 2013. The primary purpose of this RFP is to build capacity for conducting HIA among STHAs through a hands-on, project-oriented approach. HIA targets can originate from a variety of sectors, but those with an environmental health focus will be given preference (e.g., transportation, land use). ASTHO must receive applications by 5 p.m. Pacific on July 31. For more information, please visit http://www.astho.org/Programs/Environmental-Health/Built-and-Synthetic-Environment/Health-Impact-Assessments/Health-Impact-Assessments/.
The Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts, announced a call for proposals for grants to conduct health impact assessments. HIAs identify and address the health impacts of decisions in other sectors. The call for proposals will support two kinds of awards: demonstration project grants of up to $75,000, which will each fund a single HIA to inform a specific upcoming decision on a proposed policy, program, plan, or project; and HIA program grants of up to $250,000, which will allow organizations with prior experience to conduct at least two new HIAs and to develop stable HIA programs that endure beyond the conclusion of the grant period. More information, including frequently asked questions, registration information for webinars, details about eligibility, and other resources are available at http://www.healthimpactproject.org/project/opportunities.
AASHTO Bike Guide Webinars coming soon
Hi all,
As you are all aware, the new AASHTO Bike Guide was released this June and includes a much more comprehensive approach to bicycle planning and design. These are the new standards that will have to be adhered to if you are planning on incorporating bicycle facilities within your project AND your project has to go through ODOT review.
We all have a lot of new information to learn so I strongly encourage everyone to take advantage of the following series of FREE webinars being taught by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center. Many of the instructors are the actual authors of the guide so I am anticipating a good series. Each session will be covering one chapter.
Aug. 10, 2012: Overview of Revised AASHTO Guide for Development of Bicycle Facilities
Aug. 22, 2012: Bicycle Planning
Sept. 4, 2012: Road Facilities Part 1: Bike Lanes
Sept. 18, 2012: On-Road Facilities Part 2: Shared Lanes, Paved Shoulders, Bicycle Boulevards and Traffic Signals
Oct. 9, 2012: Off Road Facilities: Shared Use Path Design
Oct. 23, 2012: Off Road Facilities: Share Use Path - Roadway Intersection Design
Nov. 6, 2012: Maintenance and Operations
The link to sign up for each of these is below:
http://www.walkinginfo.org/training/pbic/AASHTO_webinars.cfm
I encourage folks to watch these in groups and take time afterwards to create dialogue around the session topics so that time and learning is maximized. If you all have specific questions after a session, please send them to me via email. I will share them and the answers with the e-list if it will benefit the group. If at the end of the series I’ve gotten a large enough amount of questions, I’ll create a FAQ sheet to post on my website.
Please help me use this webinar series as a way to collaboratively advance our understanding of bicycle planning and design in Ohio.
Thanks,
Heather Bowden
ODOT Bike and Pedestrian Planner
1980 W Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43223
RIDES
FMC to host Kid's Bike Race
LANCASTER -- Fairfield Medical Center will host the Kid's Bike Race at 5:30 p.m. Friday as part of the Lancaster Festival. This sprint-style race and bike-decorating contest is free and open to children 10 years old and younger… http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20120725/NEWS01/207250319/FMC-host-Kid-s-Bike-Race
Show & Tell: Entertainment news
Bicyclists to traverse Ohio
Almost 500 cyclists will bike through central Ohio this week in the Pan Ohio Hope Ride, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The 328-mile trip will start in Cleveland and end in Cincinnati. Last year, the ride raised $590,000.The cyclists on Saturday will pass through Worthington and the North Side before stopping between 8 and 9 a.m. at the Statehouse. They will then continue to Hilliard and London. To donate or volunteer, call 1-888-227-6446, Ext. 1222; or visit www.panohiohoperide.org. http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/life_and_entertainment/2012/07/23/1a-showtell23-july-art-gpvi60bu-1.html
'Friends' tout trails' health benefits with bike tour
By KRISTINA THOMAS
ThisWeek Community News Friday July 20, 2012 6:59 PM
Whether you're training for a triathlon or just want to see some of Ohio's great outdoor trails, a community bicycle tour may be the solution. The 10th annual Delaware County Friends of the Trail Community Ties Bicycle Tour will begin with registration from 7 to 9 a.m. Saturday, July 28, at Northside Fellowship Church, 6841 Freeman Road. The cost is $25 per person or family in advance, $30 the day of the ride. All proceeds go to the Friends of the Trail, which uses the funds for multipurpose trail development in Delaware County and connections to the statewide Ohio to Erie Trail. Cyclists may choose to take a 31-, 62- or 100-mile ride. There also is an 8-mile family ride that begins at 10 a.m. All rides include scenic areas, rare bird habitats, parks, new sections of Ohio to Erie Trail and well-marked route maps. A homemade lunch featuring locally grown items will be provided by the Glass Rooster Home Cannery at Northside Fellowship Church at the end of each ride. There also will be multiple stops along each ride that feature homemade cookies and other healthy snacks… http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/delaware/news/2012/07/20/friends-tout-trails-health-benefits-with-bike-tour.html
Cyclists put to test on 125-mile 'Tour de Pain'
6:22 AM, Jul. 15, 2012
Written by
Michelle George
The Eagle-Gazette Staff
LANCASTER -- Ride, ride and ride some more -- and make sure to drink plenty of water. http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20120715/NEWS01/207150302/Cyclists-put-test-125-mile-Tour-de-Pain-
Tour de Cause surpasses 2011's fundraising
Jul. 20, 2012
Written by
Michelle George
The Eagle-Gazette Staff
LANCASTER -- The Recovery Center will receive a $73,000 check later this year for drug education, awareness and treatment thanks to an annual bike ride that brought out more than 500 participants July 14. This is the third year Tour de Cause has raised money for The Recovery Center. It's also the most successful one so far, Tour de Cause Chairman Ron Burris said. "This year was the best out of the three," he said. "The community once again came forward and supported this event." Burris said although the amount raised was $2,000 shy of his goal of $75,000, it's about $9,000 more than what was raised in 2011. "Donations were up this year -- a lot of our big donors gave more," he said. The Tour de Cause kicked off July 13 with a barbecue dinner at Ohio University-Lancaster that about 220 people attended. The bike ride took place the next day, with more than 80 volunteers and 582 riders turning out for the event. Riders could chose one of six routes to ride, including a new, 125-mile course dubbed the "Tour de Pain…" http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20120720/NEWS01/207200307/-1/NLETTER01/Tour-de-Cause-surpasses-2011-s-fundraising?source=nletter-news
Bike race a huge success for Lancaster City Schools
Jul. 15, 2012
LANCASTER -- Close to 200 riders participated in the 2011 "Dirty 30" community bike race at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds dirt race track. The annual event, hosted by the Lancaster Public Education Foundation, raised $10,432. This money is allocated to each Lancaster school with participating riders. The principals of each school utilize their portion of the award to acquire additional technology for their respective school. Each kid's race is one lap around the track. All other riders can participate in either a 30-minute solo or team relay style race. This year's race will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds track. For information about the 2012 race, visit lancasterpubliceducationfoundation.org. http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20120715/NEWS01/207150320/Bike-race-huge-success-Lancaster-City-Schools
Pelotonia
Bexley team in fast gear with fundraising
By KELLEY YOUMAN
ThisWeek Community News Thursday July 19, 2012 11:56 AM
All over Bexley, bicycle riders are gearing up for Pelotonia, the cycling fundraiser that benefits the Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center at Ohio State University. Nearly 100 riders are training and raising money toward the goal of ending cancer. The team is among the largest non-corporate sponsored groups, both in terms of size and money raised. Last year, Team Bexley's 88 riders raised more than $240,000. So far this year, the team numbers 83 riders and has raised more than $113,000. Riders can continue to raise funds after the race, until October… http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/bexley/news/2012/07/17/pelotonia-bexley-team-in-fast-gear-with-fundraising.html
Church group cyclists to raise money for Pelotonia
Jul. 20, 2012
LANCASTER -- A group of cyclists from Faith Memorial Church in Lancaster are preparing to ride in the Pelotonia, a bike tour to raise donations for cancer research at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. Team Faith members Sam Raver, Linda Powell, and Lee and Denise Wright will participate by riding. Angie Raver, the fifth member of the team, is a virtual rider. A dine-to-donate fundraiser is planned for Aug. 6 at Max and Erma's restaurant. Fifteen percent of the proceeds will benefit Team Faith. Coupons for this event will be available today at LolaLeigh on Columbus Street in Lancaster or by sending an email to wrigh...@gmail.com. A king-sized Pelotonia raffle quilt will be on display at LolaLeigh during ArtWalk. Tickets will be available for $1 each or six for $5. Donations also are being accepted directly on the Pelotonia website at Pelotonia.org, search for Team Faith and follow the directions. http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20120720/NEWS01/207200326/Church-group-cyclists-raise-money-Pelotonia
Dentists to have Pelotonia fundraiser
NEWARK -- Moundbuilders General Dentistry, the offices of Drs. Benjamin Jump and Richard Main, 1634 W. Church St., Newark, will have a fundraising event for Team Granville in advance of the upcoming Pelotonia from 8 a.m. to noon July 27… http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20120720/NEWS01/207200327/Dentists-Pelotonia-fundraiser
Gran Fondo Volunteers Needed
On September 2, 2012 I am organizing the first true Gran Fondo in the state of Ohio. To say that this has been a large undertaking is putting it mildly. Over the last year things have come together slowly but surely and we are on target to have a great event. However, that being said, there is still much left to do and as is the case with any event, we need volunteers and could always use additional sponsors.
The Ohio Gran Fondo will challenge riders to complete a 125 or 65 mile long route in the fastest time possible. Although it is not a race, riders will get to experience a mass start and timing and scoring will be done so that each person gets the thrill of pushing themselves to see how fast they can complete the route. After the ride we will have a post ride meal adjacent to the start/finish line. In addition to trying to give riders a great experience, we will also be seeking to raise money for Ride2Recovery (www.ride2recovery) which utilizes cycling as a core element to rehabilitate mentally and physically wounded military personnel. To this end, a portion of every rider entry will be donated directly to R2R and thus the more support we get, the bigger our donation to R2R.
To make this the best possible event we need the help of a lot of volunteers. If you, a friend, or a group that you are a member of would be able to help out we need people to serve as corner marshals and to staff food stops. Everyone who comes out to help will get a free event T-Shirt and will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate to BikeSource. If you are willing to help out, please email us at in...@ohiogranfondo.com and specify whether you can work in the morning, afternoon, or both. Also, if you have a group that is willing to provide 25 or more volunteers, we are willing to make a donation back to that organization in the amount of $1 per rider for every 25 volunteers.
Thanks and please spread the word.
Thanks,
Alan Martin
SAFETY
New device makes texting while driving impossible
By Sarah Korones | July 15, 2012, 1:48 PM PDT
Sneaking a peek at your smartphone while on the road might seem innocent enough, but studies show that texting while driving can make the risk of a crash an astounding 23 times more likely. The increasingly prevalent but incredibly dangerous activity is even risky enough to be considered comparable to drunk driving, but it’s still not illegal everywhere. Now, however, a group of engineers at Anna University of Technology in Chennai, India has developed a system that removes the temptation of incoming texts and calls all together. Using radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, the group created a prototype system that can detect whether a car is in motion and if the car’s driver is attempting to use a phone. If both such instances are occurring, the system triggers a low-range mobile jammer to stop the driver’s phone from operating while doing nothing to the phones of the car’s other passengers… http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/smart-takes/new-device-makes-texting-while-driving-impossible/27788?tag=nl.e660
Cyclist killed in Pickaway County while on charity ride
By John Futty
The Columbus Dispatch Sunday July 15, 2012 6:39 AM
A 48-year-old bicyclist from Columbus died yesterday in a crash in Pickaway County. Charlie Y. Shu was pronounced dead at the scene after he lost control of his bicycle about 10:20 a.m. and struck a guardrail on Morris Salem Road south of Tarlton Road, Sheriff Dwight Radcliff said in a news release. Shu was one of about 250 bicyclists participating in the Steve Barbour Memorial Tour, a fundraiser that departed from Genoa Park in Downtown Columbus. According to the sheriff, Shu appeared to be traveling south at “a very high rate of speed” when he lost control on a curve approaching a bridge over Scippo Creek. The bicycle went off the left side of the road and hit a guardrail, “which caused a catastrophic failure to the front forks of the bicycle.” The front wheel broke loose, and Shu was ejected over the handlebars, striking the guardrail support I-beam. Although Shu was wearing a helmet, he suffered “massive head trauma,” according to the release… http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/07/15/cyclist-killed-in-pickaway-county-while-on-charity-ride.html
Columbus man dies from bicycle accident
Posted: Saturday, July 14, 2012 4:12 pm
NANCY RADCLIFF, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A 48-year-old Columbus man died from the result of a bicycle accident on Morris Salem Road, just south of Tarlton Road, at 10:25 a.m. Saturday. The cyclist, Charllie Y. Shu, was participating in the Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, Steve Barbour Memorial Bike Tour. According to Sgt. Gary Barrowman of the Pickaway County Sheriff's Office, Shu was cycling south on Morris Salem Road and traveled down a hill at what appeared to be a high rate of speed. He was unable to negotiate a right curve in the roadway to travel onto the bridge that crosses Scippo Creek and traveled off the left side of the roadway striking the guardrail. The impact ejected him over the front of his bike into a I-beam support structure of the guardrail causing massive head trauma. The cyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Shu was pronounced dead at the scene by Pickaway County Coroner Dr. Michael Geron who was assisted at the scene by Deputy Coroner Dr. John Ellis. Pickaway Township EMS personnel responded to the scene. The accident remains under investigation by Sgt. Gary Barrowman and Pickaway County Coroner Dr. Geron. http://www.circlevilletoday.com/news/columbus-man-dies-from-bicycle-accident/article_3326f47e-cdf0-11e1-9729-001a4bcf887a.html
Cyclist’s death a potent warning
By Summer Ballentine
The Columbus Dispatch Friday July 20, 2012 5:51 AM
Experts say the death of a bicyclist last weekend during a charity ride should be a reminder to take even a leisurely trip down the Olentangy River trail seriously. Columbus resident Charlie Y. Shu, 48, died Saturday when he lost control of his bicycle as he sped through a curve on a road and struck a guardrail during the charity Steve Barbour Memorial Tour in Pickaway County. The Barbour Tour itself was named in memory of an Upper Arlington cyclist who died in 2009 when he was hit by a pickup truck in Hilliard. There were nine fatal collisions between bicycles and motor vehicles in Franklin County from 2006 to 2010, according to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission. But there were nearly 1,300 less-serious crashes involving vehicles and bikes. And despite the city’s Share the Road campaign — a plea for motorists to slow down and make room for cyclists — local cycling enthusiast Jess Mathews said some people don’t think the road is big enough for both. Mathews said she was hit by a truck about a month ago as she was crossing the street in Harrison West. Luckily, she said, she walked away with only a few bruises… http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/07/20/cyclists-death-a-potent-warning.html
Bicyclist struck, killed on Far West Side
By Dean Narciso
The Columbus Dispatch Monday July 23, 2012 9:16 AM
A bicyclist was killed last night by a motorist on the Far West Side. Columbus police were called at 10:53 p.m. to 5433 Fisher Rd. about a half-mile south of I-70, according to dispatchers… http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/07/23/pedestrian-killed-on-far-west-side.html
Police ID 19-year-old woman hit, killed by SUV
By Allison Manning
The Columbus Dispatch Tuesday July 24, 2012 1:12 AM
Columbus police have identified a bicyclist killed in a Far West Side crash on Sunday night as Elissa Hatfield, 19. She was riding a bicycle on Hilliard-Rome Road when she was struck by an SUV as she crossed Fisher Road at 10:53 p.m… http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/07/24/police-id-19-year-old-woman-hit-killed-by-suv.html
No charges stem from Lancaster bicycle crash
6:23 AM, Jul. 24, 2012
LANCASTER -- A Lancaster boy is recovering after being struck by a vehicle Saturday while trying to ride his bicycle across Main Street. Cheryl K. Hardwick, 65, of Lancaster, was "driving a 1999 Chevrolet Blazer west on East Main Street when she reached the 500 block at 3:06 p.m. Saturday, according to a Lancaster police report. At the same time, Christopher Jones, 13, of Lancaster, was riding his bicycle and attempted to cross East Main Street in the same block and the two collided. Jones was taken by Lancaster medics to Fairfield Medical Center where he was treated and released. No citation was issued, with police finding Jones was at fault. http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20120724/NEWS01/207240316/-1/NLETTER01/No-charges-stem-from-Lancaster-bicycle-crash?source=nletter-news
Man allegedly robbed while riding bicycle
Jul. 13, 2012
CHILLICOTHE --A man reported being jumped and robbed by five men outside an East Second Street bar Wednesday morning. The 30-year-old told police he was riding a bike when he stopped to talk with an acquaintance on the first block of East Second Street at 1:47 a.m. While talking, he said five men grabbed him from behind, punched him and dragged him down the street, according to a Chillicothe police report. The men took money from his wallet and the victim ran to the police department. The man had redness on his neck and scrapes around his wrist, according to the report. Anyone with information should call police at (740) 773-1191 or anonymously call Southern Ohio Crime Stoppers at (740) 773-TIPS. http://www.chillicothegazette.com/article/20120713/NEWS01/207130321/Man-allegedly-robbed-while-riding-bicycle
HEALTH
New campaign to focus on reducing childhood obesity
NEWARK -- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity among children and adolescents in the United States almost has tripled since 1980. http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20120715/NEWS01/207150310/New-campaign-focus-reducing-childhood-obesity
U.S. obesity epidemic felt locally
Jul. 22, 2012
Written by
Abbey Roy
Advocate Reporter
NEWARK -- Newark pediatrician Diane LeMay recalls a time, just four or five years ago, when pediatricians hesitated to utter the word "obesity" in the presence of patients. It offended people. But the bottom line was -- and is -- that, as the American Academy of Pediatrics several years ago encouraged practitioners, "you have to say the words," LeMay said. "You have to teach them what's going on with their bodies." "In the past three to five years, the issue with obesity in general in children has increased pretty dramatically," said LeMay, who has been a pediatrician for 22 years -- long enough to see the trend worsen among the patients who come into her office… http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20120722/NEWS01/207220302/U-S-obesity-epidemic-felt-locally
LOCAL NEWS
Downtown Action Plan
The City of Columbus is adding approximately 130 new parking spaces on High Street between Goodale Ave and Mound St. starting later this year. When installed, customers will be able to park in front of stores and restaurants. The result? More people on High Street and a vibrant downtown, everybody's neighborhood.
Public Meeting & Open House:
Thursday August 2, 5-7 pm; Presentation at 5:30 PM
Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission
Scioto Conference Room
111 Liberty Street, Suite 100
Columbus, OH 43215
Questions?
Jessica Kendrick, PE, Traffic Safety Engineer
614-645-7882
Scioto River project Downtown moves ahead
City Council chooses manager to take out dam, add green space
By Lydia Coutré
The Columbus Dispatch Tuesday July 24, 2012 4:44 AM
The City Council took another step yesterday toward removing the Main Street dam and revamping the part of the Scioto River that runs through Downtown. The council unanimously agreed to give the Columbus Downtown Development Corp. the lead on the project’s design, engineering and construction management… The city plans to remove the dam below the Main Street bridge and lower the water level of the river, thus creating approximately 33 new acres where the city will add green space and trails… http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/07/24/river-project-moves-ahead.html
North Broadway reconstruction set to begin next week
Wednesday July 25, 2012 11:47 AM
The reconstruction of U.S. Route 62 (Broadway) between Interstate 270 and Home Road will begin Thursday, Aug. 2, with the placement of detour signs, traffic barrels and cones. Work in the area will include replacing portions of the asphalt pavement of the southbound lane of Broadway; widening the northwest radius of the intersection; installing new concrete curbs and gutters; improving drainage; installing new street lights; and upgrading existing wire-span traffic signals. All pedestrian facilities will be ADA-compliant… http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grovecity/news/2012/07/24/broadway-reconstruction-set-to-begin-next-week.html
Council supports U.S. Bike Route 50 through Newark
Jul. 17, 2012
NEWARK -- City Council voted Monday to support the development of U.S. Bicycle Route 50 through the city of Newark. The city approved the request from the Ohio Department of Transportation for the designation created by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and supported by the Adventure Cycling Association. The 8.1-mile route through Newark will be part of an east-west corridor crossing the center of Ohio. The local route, and distances are: T.J. Evans Trail, 4.2 miles; West Church Street, 0.85; Fourth Street, 0.2; Market and Canal streets, 0.3; First Street, 0http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/reynoldsburg/news/2012/07/25/1-1-million-project-lancaster-avenue-to-be-milled-resurfaced.html.1; East Main Street, 0.35; and the Panhandle Trail, 2.08. http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20120717/NEWS01/207170335/Council-supports-U-S-Bike-Route-50-through-Newark
$1.1-million project
Lancaster Avenue to be milled, resurfaced
By SCOTT GERFEN
ThisWeek Community News Wednesday July 25, 2012 12:48 PM
Reynoldsburg City Council unanimously approved funding on Monday, July 23, for a $1.1-million project to repair Lancaster Avenue. The money will come from the city's permissive tax and street and stormwater funds. "This is the only road project this year and it might be the only one you see for two years," Service Director William Smith said. "We're going to mill the surface of the entire street down more than two inches and replace that with new asphalt." Lancaster Avenue runs from the northern boundary of the city to Main Street. Smith wasn't certain when the work would begin. A majority of the Lancaster Avenue funding, $1,072,319, will come from Franklin County's permissive tax fund. Repairs to the storm water system will cost $63,486, Smith said… http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/reynoldsburg/news/2012/07/25/1-1-million-project-lancaster-avenue-to-be-milled-resurfaced.html
Persistence paved the way for Rickenbacker road project
By Jessica Wehrman
The Columbus Dispatch Saturday July 14, 2012 5:45 AM
WASHINGTON — It took four applications and a meeting between heavy-hitting central Ohioans and U.S. Department of Transportation officials for the region to successfully land a $16 million federal grant for what area officials call their top transportation priority.
Now, the group of Columbus leaders that lobbied on behalf of a grant aimed at connecting Rickenbacker Airport with the surrounding highways is trying to figure out how to apply lessons learned from that process to future transportation projects.
“Persistence pays off,” said Alex Fischer, president and CEO of the Columbus Partnership, which represents the region’s business leaders…
William Tippery (tipusnr)
I hope the cyclists that use this area to get north/south have not been forgotten. Progress should be progress for everyone. 2012-07-14 09:40:30.0 http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/07/14/persistence-paved-the-way-for-road-project.html
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is hosting a free webinar:
Economic Benefits of Safe Routes to School
How Safe Routes to School and Active Transportation Can Improve the Economies of Local Communities
Thursday, July 26
2-3pm eastern/1-2pm central/12-1pm mountain/11am-12pm pacific
Register here: https://saferoutespartnership.ilinc.com/register/thtkvfr
On July 26, 2012, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership is hosting a free webinar on How Safe Routes to School and Active Transportation Can Improve the Economies of Local Communities. In this webinar, our expert speakers will discuss how bicycling and walking can boost local economies, how bicycling and walking saves communities money and specific research on the topic.
Speakers:
• Jim Sallis, director, Active Living Research, University of California San Diego
• Robert Ping, technical assistance director, Safe Routes to School National Partnership
• Guest Speaker - TBD
Highlights include:
• The economic benefits of increasing physical activity and improving walkability and the built environment
• How bicycling and walking has saved money in selected communities
• How much money is actually spent on bicycling and walking in comparison to other transportation modes
• A Q&A session via a chat function with webinar attendees.
Safe Routes Coaching Action Network Webinar - July 30th (1pm ET)
SRTS Middle School Curriculum: Why it is Important and How to Make an Impact
Presenters:
John Egberts, Assistant Director, Florida Traffic and Bicycle Safety Education Program
Meg Thomas, Michigan Fitness Foundation, SRTS Director
Eileen Hyatt, Board Member of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, Safe Routes to School Bike and Pedestrian Safety Education Program Instructor
When most people think of SRTS programs, elementary school students come to mind. In this webinar, we will discuss why it is so important to reach out to middle school students, why it is often so challenging to get through to them, and three examples of programs designed to make an impact on these preteens.
John Egberts, the Assistant Director of the Florida Traffic and Bicycle Safety Education Program, provides some introductory remarks on why it is so important to continue educating students through middle school on pedestrian and bicycle safety. He will also provide some insight as to why it is so hard to reach this age group with ordinary lessons. John will present Florida's approach to a middle school curriculum focused on advanced topics such as pre-drivers' education, bike maintenance, health and nutrition, mapping and community connections.
Next, Meg Thomas from the Michigan Fitness Foundation will discuss their Make Trax Program which is geared toward middle school aged children and making the SRTS program "cool." This wonderful program has 8 different lessons to hook the pre-teens' interest including mapping technology, fieldwork lessons, how to gather data and photography.
Finally, Eileen Hyatt, board member of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington and trainer of teachers, will present the Washington's Safe Routes to School Bike and Pedestrian Safety Education Program. Four organizations worked to develop the Washington State program: The Bicycle Alliance of Washington, Feet First, the Washington Department of Transportation, and the Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction. The middle school curriculum contains 8 lessons on bicycle and pedestrian skills. So far, 141 physical education teachers at 27 school districts in 18 counties in Washington State have received the two day training and equipment to implement the middle school curriculum. This first round of trained middle school teachers will reach an estimated 15,000 students each year.
This webinar is part of the SRTS Webinar Series, developed by America Walks and the National Center for Safe Routes to School. https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/893093672
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.
July SRTS E-News
This month's articles include:
- Moving Forward on Safe Routes to School
- The Latest from Capitol Hill
- National Partnership’s 2011 Annual Report Now Available
- Sign Up for Pro Walk Pro Bike and Our Free Annual Meeting
- State Network Project News
- Regional Network Project News
- Register Today for Free Economic Benefits of Safe Routes to School Webinar
- Help Us Welcome Our Newest Staff
- Highlighted Blogs
- Featured States
http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/enews/july2012
A new line of high-end city bikes redesigns and revamps the e-bike
By Beth Carter | July 19, 2012, 3:00 AM PDT
Cycling is picking up both commuters and enthusiasts as it gains popularity worldwide. A bike has become both a means of transportation and something to be proud of, and sometime to have fun with. A new e-bike launched this week, called the Faraday Porteur, is just that. Founded by Adam Vollmer, a Stanford and MIT educated mechanical engineer, Faraday Bikes stemmed from what he calls a “passion project,” or an invitation to design a bike for the Oregon Manifest, one of the premiere bicycle design competitions. He was asked as part of the design firm IDEO to create a modern utility bike for the contest. The bike, on which Vollmer was the lead designer, went on to win the People’s Choice award at Oregon Manifest, after which Vollmer left IDEO, and Faraday Bicycles was born… http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/design-architecture/a-new-line-of-high-end-city-bikes-redesigns-and-revamps-the-e-bike/7722?tag=nl.e660
Worldwide Cycle Superhighways raise the bar
By Rachel James | July 19, 2012, 10:15 AM PDT
Copenhagen is at it again. The city’s new “cycle superhighway” makes the rest of us look like chumps. Yes, New York City has a (painstakingly) established bike infrastructure. The city already boasts over 300 miles of bike lanes across all five boroughs. But the new bikesharing program, privately funded Citi Bike, looks like child’s play compared to Copenhagen’s. Firstly, in New York City it will cost $9.95 to use a Citi Bike for half an hour. In Copenhagen? A whopping $0. You guessed it, their bike sharing program is free. 
Matt Kroneberger of The City Fix writes, “Though there are many different visions for cycling infrastructure, Copenhagen is adding the cycle superhighway to an extensive suite of biking options, including existing urban bike lanes and a free bike share system.” I don’t mean to condemn efforts made to support urban cycling. I just have a hard time understanding why the rewards for cyclists are not greater in traffic heavy cities like New York. As London gears up for the stress of the 2012 Olympic Games, The Barclays Bank-sponsored cycle superhighway is expanding an additional eight routes. At 9 miles long each, these new routes will connect many of London’s outer boroughs to the city center. “The availability of bikeways and bike share is expected to increase overall bike traffic well above the 107 percent increase in biking that has already occurred in London since 2000,” writes Kroneberger. Back in Copenhagen, where over one-third of the work force already commutes by bike, there is no doubt the new 13 mile path will enjoy many a wheel. This route, from the western suburb of Albertslund into downtown Copenhagen, is the first of 26 planned routes. That’s 186 new miles of cyclist heaven. [via: The City Fix] http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/cities/worldwide-cycle-superhighways-raise-the-bar/4091?tag=nl.e660
Cameras Act as ‘Black Boxes’ When Cars and Cyclists Collide
By NICK WINGFIELD
Published: July 20, 2012
WASHINGTON — When Evan Wilder went flying onto the pavement during his bicycle commute one morning here, he didn’t have time to notice the license plate of the blue pickup truck that had sideswiped him after its driver hurled a curse at him. Nor did a witness driving another car. But the video camera Mr. Wilder had strapped to his head caught the whole episode. After watching a recording of the incident later, Mr. Wilder gave the license plate number to the police and a suspect was eventually charged with leaving the scene of an accident. “Without the video, we wouldn’t know who did it,” said Mr. Wilder, 33, who was bruised and scraped in the crash… http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/21/technology/bicyclists-using-cameras-to-capture-accidents.html?_r=2&hpw
Check out a bike at Copenhagen’s ‘bike library’
By Tyler Falk | July 23, 2012, 11:03 AM PDT
A bike is a bike, right? Sure you can get around town on a standard bike — two wheels, a few gears, and a couple brakes — but there are also cargo bikes, electric bikes, folding bikes, recumbents, and even velomobiles. But these specialty bikes are expensive, so most people just stick to what’s familiar, and within the budget. At Copenhagen’s Bicycle Innovation Lab, you can take these specialty bikes for a spin for days at a time using the organization’s “bicycle library.” Put down an $80 deposit and ride around on the bike for three to four days at a time. The idea behind the library is to give people the opportunity to test ride these more expensive bikes so that potential customers can get a better idea if they’re worth the investment. The New York Times spoke with the founder of the library: “I see myself as a bicycle psychologist,” said Lasse Schelde, manager of the Bicycle Innovation Lab. “It’s about exploring the possibilities of bicyclism — it is an ‘ism’ because it’s not just a bicycle but a question of infrastructure, livable cities, health, the relationship between you as a person and society…”http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/cities/check-out-a-bike-at-copenhagens-8216bike-library/4176?tag=nl.e660
From DIY to Disruptive Tech: A bicycle made of cardboard
By Mary Catherine O'Connor | July 24, 2012, 9:44 PM PDT
If the weight of your bike frame is a chief concern, you can drop many thousands of dollars on a carbon fiber frame. Or you could talk to Izhar Gafni, an Isreali entrepreneur and rather obsessive tinkerer who has built a low-cost, good looking, functional and light road bike from cardboard. We’ll let the well-produced video below tell the tale of the bike’s origin and development. But first, consider the potential here to scale up production of such steeds. Gafni figures the bike could be produced for about $12 in materials. That means the bike would retail for well under $100 — likely much closer to $50. Sure, you can walk into a Walmart today and pick up a Huffy cruiser for $90. But that weighs about 45 pounds, compared to the featherweight cardboard bike… http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/design-architecture/from-diy-to-disruptive-tech-a-bicycle-made-of-cardboard/7813?tag=nl.e660
Penalty for Rule-Breaking Bicyclists: A Remedial Class
By J. DAVID GOODMAN
Published: July 23, 2012
The eight wrongdoers sat inside a windowless basement classroom, serving a court-ordered penance for their transgressions. For the next 90 minutes, they would learn about the proper rules of the road, how to use hand signals and when to change lanes safely — even if most did not believe they had done anything wrong. Spencer Aste, left, rode his bike to class, in the basement of a sporting goods store. He said he had been wrongly given a ticket after traffic forced him from the road and into a crosswalk. “He said I wasn’t in the bike lane,” said Kenny McKissick, a 32-year-old messenger. “But I was on the line.” This spring, the Midtown Community Court began sentencing cyclists who had been issued tickets for certain offenses in and around Midtown Manhattan to a class to learn about bicycles and traffic. Think remedial driver’s education — for bike riders. “You couldn’t possibly ticket all of the stuff you see irresponsible cyclists do,” said Judge Felicia Mennin, who worked with the nonprofit organization Bike New York to develop the new sentencing option… http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/24/nyregion/manhattan-court-sends-erring-cyclists-to-remedial-class.html?_r=1&smid=fb-share
Posted: 12:00 a.m. Saturday, July 21, 2012
Capitalizing on bike path on city’s agenda
By Amelia Robinson
Staff Writer
XENIA —
Xenia’s expansive bikeway system is not the answer to all of the city’s issue, but it is important and should be promoted as an economic driver, citizens and officials have said. Better utilizing and marketing the bike trails managed by Greene County Parks and Trails is noted throughout the preliminary draft of the city’s comprehensive growth plan, known as the X-Plan. It is one of several issues from the developing plan the financially-strapped community is reviewing. “The bike trails are an asset we can capitalize on a lot more than we have in the past, not just the city but the community as a whole,” Xenia City Planner Brian R. Forschner said. “I don’t know if there is one specific policy that can do it. I think recognizing it as an asset and entrepreneurs coming up with other ideas (is part of it).” Better capitalizing on the system — first developed in the 1990s — was mentioned time and time again during a recent community workshop about the X-Plan attended by about 30 people… http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/news/local/capitalizing-on-bike-path-on-citys-agenda/nPzTR/
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
