Biking and Walking News 9-14-12
Ira Weiss
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Biking & Walking News
Ira S. Weiss, Editor September 14, 2012
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ohio State holds campus-wide traffic safety event
Goal is to remind drivers, bikers and pedestrians how to be safe on campus
Ohio State students, faculty and staff who are outdoors on campus between 1 and 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, will see a concentrated educational effort aimed at improving traffic safety.
Recent tragic traffic incidents in the campus area have heightened awareness of the need to reinforce safe behavior among drivers, bikers and pedestrians. Volunteers will be stationed at high-traffic areas on campus to hand out information materials and help spread important traffic safety messages. The messages will include reminders that pedestrians should only cross at sidewalks, drivers should yield to pedestrians and bikers should ride with traffic. In a message last week, President E. Gordon Gee said all members of the campus community share the responsibility to ensure that we walk, drive or bike safely. Gee will be stationed between Bricker and Derby Halls on 17th Ave. from 1 to 1:30 p.m. to provide informational materials. In addition to students and staff, volunteers will include Ohio State University Police and local law enforcement agencies.
WHAT: Ohio State holds campus-wide traffic safety event to raise awareness of safe behaviors.
WHO: Volunteers, including President Gee, numerous law enforcement agencies and Ohio State students and staff will be stationed around campus.
WHEN: Between 1 and 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, 2012. President Gee will be stationed between Bricker and Derby Halls on 17th Ave. from 1 to 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: High-traffic areas on campus.
MORPC Encourages Residents to Go Car-Free on September 21
(COLUMBUS, September 7, 2012) – The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) challenges residents throughout central Ohio to be car free on Friday, September 21 in recognition of Central Ohio Car Free Day. Car Free Day seeks to enlighten central Ohioans on the environmental and money saving benefits of alternative transportation methods such as transit, bicycling, walking, and carpooling.
Central Ohio Car Free Day was inspired by World Car Free Day, an international event held every September that encourages people to give alternative transportation a try. Commuters can try transit by riding a COTA bus, get exercise by walking or bicycling, or carpool with friends and coworkers. RideSolutions, a free service of MORPC that helps commuters form carpools, can assist interested residents in forming car pools for Car Free Day.
“If you’ve been thinking about finding a new way to get around, Central Ohio Car Free Day is your chance to join your community in riding transit, bicycling our Greenways, or carpooling with friends,” said MORPC Air Quality Coordinator Evelyn Ebert. “We are so excited for central Ohioans to discover the environmental and health benefits of alternative transportation and save a little money, too.”
Also on September 21, several organizations, businesses, and community groups will be demonstrating what the area could look like with fewer cars on the road by transforming everyday parking spaces into functional outdoor spaces.
These local “Car Free Spots” are inspired by PARK(ing) Day, a global event originally created by Rebar, San Francisco art and design collective. Photos from last year and a map of all of the Car Free Spots will be posted on www.carfreedaycolumbus.org to encourage people to visit the Car Free Spots by bike, bus or foot during the lunch break.
Organizations interested in hosting their own Car Free Spot can still do so by registering their parking space using the online Car Free Spot registration form before September 14. Hosting a Car Free Spot is a free, fun way to show community support for Car Free Day and showcase sustainability initiatives within your agency. After registering, just fill your space with your outdoor, visual concept between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Friday, September 21. Contact Evelyn Ebert with questions about Car Free Spots at eeb...@morpc.org or 614.233.4168.
From League of American Bicyclists: Link to MAP-21 Webinars
As part of the Navigating MAP-21 initiative, Advocacy Advance hosted a webinar last week, highlighting campaign progress in Illinois and Wyoming. Click here to watch the recoding and download the slides. http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001YMTG_rjkThewVd1LTVovu_kOqAsDtmZy2vEJQVaAiFRF6l0vqpMY5I3i9YOSknLbaWnzDlCk9ZpKsboO5OkUGKwv8IWO5WK0CkPc7JcTCF3cwr5oMi31O0UdrqMbE3lJolNJV7IhsStpk3Jbm2FY3A==
What Ohio Wants from its Transportation System: An Analysis of Public Attitudes Related to Transportation in Ohio
NRDC Focus Group
The Natural Resources Defense Council has been pursuing a focus group study to learn more about what Ohioans truly want from their transportation system. The results are in, and NRDC will be presenting their findings, which will bolster the work of multi-modal transportation advocates, in Columbus. They will be giving an hour long presentation on the results, and then following up with a discussion about the implications of their findings for Ohio. Please join NRDC and the Sierra Club for free pizza and refreshments, and an informative presentation on transportation attitudes and desires in Ohio. The presentation will be from 12-1:30 pm on Wednesday, September 19 at the Sierra Club's downtown Columbus offices; please see the attached flyer for more detailed information and to RSVP (please RSVP). Feel free to invite others, but space is limited so please don't bring too large a cohort. Thanks, and hope to see you on the 19th.
What: The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is presenting the results of its recently completed focus group study on public attitudes and preferences of Ohio residents towards transportation.
When: September 19. 2012 at 12-1:30 pm.
Where: Sierra Club Ohio Chapter – 131 N. High St. STE 605 Columbus, Ohio 43215.
Who: The Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, and other active transportation and transit groups/advocates.
NRDC’s study provides a window into the transportation desires of Ohioans and their perceptions of our transportation network and the changes they want. Any group working in the transportation sector will benefit from a better understanding of what Ohio residents do and don’t support in terms of transportation, and this is a great opportunity to gain more insight into this. Join other advocates for the presentation, lunch, and a brief discussion of how the results impact our work in Ohio.
Please RSVP via http://action.sierraclub.org/site/Calendar?id=165882&view=Detail
Complimentary Pizza and Refreshments will be Provided!
Questions? Contact Ben Wickizer – ben.wi...@sierraclub.org
RIDES
REGISTRATION FOR THE 4TH ANNUAL PEDAL FOR PETS IS NOW OPEN!
Saturday, September 15
THE EVENT:
Pedal for Pets is CHA's newest fundraiser. It will be held at our shelter at 3765 Corporate Drive, Columbus to take advantage of the Alum Creek Bike trail that runs behind our property. Pedal for Pets routes are for the serious bike riders and families alike.
Our SWAG bags includes our Pedal for Pets water bottle! Food and drinks available before and after the ride. One rest stop for the 20 and 40 mile rides.
Our Pedal for Pets bike jersey is also available for purchase.
Time: Registration 7 a.m. Rides start 8 a.m.
WHY WE DO THIS:
We'd like you to join us in celebrating not only the animals at CHA, but also the healthy bond between animals and their guardians. In the ride's first three years, it has raised over $25,000 for homeless pets! With your help we can create more "Finally Home" stories like this one....
For anybody thinking about adoption, I highly recommend CHA. The cats were all so well cared for and the staff was very helpful. When we lost our beloved cat last April, I swore I would never want another cat. I couldn't imagine any cat filling her spot in our family. I can't believe how quickly all of us have fallen in love with little Veda. She is already a part of the family!
Thanks again for our little Veda,
The Campbell Family
ROUTE DETAILS:
SHORT FAMILY FUN RIDE -START TIME: 10 AM
For families with very young children that would like to support CHA. This is a ride of less than two miles round trip. The complete ride is on a bike trail with no auto traffic. You can extent the ride which would add an additional three miles round trip to the ride.
10 MILE RIDE -START TIME: 10 AM
This ride does require two street crossings, but riders
remain on the trail at all times and "street riding" is limited to just the amount of time it takes to get across the road.
20 MILE RIDE - START TIME: 9 AM
This ride requires multiple street crossings, but is still very family friendly. Food and rest stop provided.
40 MILE RIDE - START TIME: 8 AM
The 40 mile ride is over bike trails and country roads with rolling terrain highlighting Hoover Reservoir and local horse farms. Food and rest stop provided.
AFTER ALL RIDES:
Drinks, hot dogs and FAZOLI'S spaghetti!
REGISTER ONLINE:
www.PedalforPets.com
Register before the day of the Ride and Receive a Free Pedal for Pets T-Shirt! While They Last!
FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY:
Get involved with FirstGiving Online fundraising and make an even bigger difference in the lives of CHA's homeless dogs and cats!
SAFETY
Crash course: 3 cycling mishaps raise alarm at OSU
By Jeb Phillips
The Columbus Dispatch Saturday September 8, 2012 5:09 AM
The three serious bicycle-involved crashes around Ohio State this week were both a complete fluke and no big surprise, said people who have watched campus bike culture for years. First, crashes always increase at this time of year, said Austin Kocher, 31, founder of the campus group Bike OSU and a doctoral student in geography. New students flood the area, and some aren’t used to a community with as much car, bike, skateboard and pedestrian traffic as Ohio State University. They have to learn how to negotiate it all while walking, biking and skateboarding themselves, he said. Plus, the weather is nice. Some students said that the campus has never felt as crowded as it does right now — the early start of the semester means that more people are outside seeking the warm weather. The new semester system also has students taking more classes than they did before, so more are on campus at any given time. And construction has restricted some pathways. “The sidewalks are a nightmare,” said Adam Wintz, 19, a sophomore from Cincinnati, who was riding his bike to a history of film class. He had been asked whether he considered riding on them instead of the roads for safety… http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/09/08/crash-course.html
Group Urges Ohio State Bicyclists To Stay Safe After Crash
Bicyclists Urged To Be Safe On Campus (Added: September 06, 2012)
A group is trying to teach Ohio State students about the dangers of riding their bicycles around campus after a student was hit while riding his bicycle this week.
By: Steve Wainfor | NBC4
Published: September 06, 2012
Updated: September 06, 2012 - 6:19 PM
COLUMBUS, Ohio --
The How We Roll campaign is trying to teach Ohio State students about the dangers of riding their bicycles around campus after a student was hit while riding his bicycle this week. An 18-year-old student was critically injured when his bicycle was hit by a dump truck near a construction site on Woodruff Avenue on campus Wednesday afternoon. The victim was later identified as 18-year-old James Daniel Hughes, of South Point, Ohio. Students who witnessed the crash Wednesday said it happened so fast. "The student, he was riding on the sidewalk with the bicycle and the construction dump truck was pulling into the construction site. I guess he didn't really see him or anything," said student Megan Klar… http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2012/sep/06/8/organization-helping-osu-cyclists-stay-safe-ar-1162687/
Two Bicyclists Struck in Two Days at OSU
COLUMBUS -- For the second time in two days, an OSU student was hit by a vehicle while riding a bicycle. The student was struck in the crosswalk at Lane Ave. and Fyffe Road Thursday morning. His condition has not been released. The accident comes a day after an 18-year-old freshman James Hughes was hit by a dump truck while riding his bike near a construction site on Woodruff Ave. Hughes is being treated at OSU's Wexner Medical Center, where he was admitted in critical condition. ABC 6/FOX 28 asked students if they're concerned about their safety when crossing campus roads. Watch the video player above to see their reactions. http://www.abc6onyourside.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wsyx_vid_19518.shtml
Pedestrian Struck by Bicyclist in Critical Condition
COLUMBUS -- A woman is in critical condition at the Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University after being struck by a bicyclist on N. High Street. The accident occurred shortly after 9:00 pm near the intersection of W. 17th Avenue and N. High St. Police on scene say the pedestrian was in the crosswalk when she was struck by the male bicyclist. It is unclear at this time who had the right of way as the crash remains under investigation. This is the third bicycle involved accident on the OSU campus in the last two days. http://www.abc6onyourside.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wsyx_vid_19525.shtml
Pedestrian Hit By Bicyclist In Third Campus Bicycle-Involved Crash
By: L.P. Evans | NBC 4i
Published: September 07, 2012
COLUMBUS, Ohio --
Police crash investigation specialists were interviewing witnesses after a woman was struck by a bicycle Thursday night. The collision occurred at the intersection of North High Street and 17th Avenue at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday. Investigators said a female pedestrian sustained significant head injuries in the crash. Police said they believe that both the pedestrian and bicyclist are students. The bicyclist remained at the scene following the impact. The investigation is focusing on who had the right of way at the intersection, which has lights that govern both pedestrians and vehicles in the roadway. Bicycles are subject to the same rules of the road that automobiles are, police said. The crash comes on the heels of two other incidents involving bicycles near the Ohio State University campus area. In those crashes, bicyclists were hit by vehicles. For additional information, stay with NBC4 and refresh nbc4i.com. http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2012/sep/07/bicycle-pedestrian-collision-3d-campus-crash-invol-ar-1163271/?sc_cid=CMH-NEWS-9amDlyNews
Bike safety a concern at OSU after crashes
6:59 AM, Sep 10, 2012
COLUMBUS -- Ohio State's president says he concerned about a rash of bike crashes across campus. In the past week, a freshman student was critically injured when a dump truck struck him, and a day later, a woman walking near campus was seriously injured when she was hit by a bicyclist. Ohio State President Gordon Gee said Friday he is calling for a task force to look into making it safer to walk and bike on campus. Students told The Columbus Dispatch crashes always increase at the beginning of the school year. A new semester system also has students taking more classes than they did before and making the campus more crowded than past years. http://www.chillicothegazette.com/article/20120910/NEWS01/209100320/Bike-safety-concern-OSU-after-crashes
Police Beefing Up Patrols Near Ohio State After Pedestrian-Involved Crashes
Wednesday September 12, 2012 7:58 AM
UPDATED: Wednesday September 12, 2012 8:01 AM
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Police want pedestrians and cyclists to be aware of their surroundings near the Ohio State campus following several crashes involving walkers and bicyclists. Authorities said that they were targeting the pockets of pedestrians to keep them alert and safe. Ohio State student Courtney Strickland returned to class recently, it did not take her long to get reacquainted with dangerous traffic on North High Street. “They’ll fly by,” Strickland said. “I’ll walk to class and almost get hit.” The push for safety was amplified after multiple crashes near the campus- including when a student was struck by a dump truck and a walker struck by a bicyclist. “I talked to a girl who was crossing the street on the crosswalk, but the orange hand was up telling her not to cross,” Student Ashley Meers said. “She got a $97 ticket for jaywalking.” Police said that have stepped up enforcement for jaywalkers and vehicles who fail to yield to pedestrians… http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/2012/09/12/columbus-police-beefing-up-patrols-near-ohio-state.html
So to Speak
Bicyclists need a way to share road safely
Thursday September 13, 2012 5:42 AM
Traffic, a great 2008 book about the history of road behavior by Tom Vanderbilt, contains this paragraph:
“After a couple of false starts, the ‘bicycle boom’ of the late 19th century created a social furor. Bicycles were too fast. . . . They spooked horses and caused accidents. Fisticuffs were exchanged between cyclists and non-cyclists. Cities tried to ban them outright. They were restricted from streets because they were not coaches and restricted from sidewalks because they were not pedestrians.” More than a century has passed, and the horses are gone, but we’re still trying to figure out how to accommodate bicycles… http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/life_and_entertainment/2012/09/13/bicyclists-need-a-way-to-share-road-safely.html
Safety primer
Volunteers hit campus to remind students of the rules of the road
By Encarnacion Pyle and Theodore Decker
Thursday September 13, 2012 6:20 AM
More than 200 volunteers in fluorescent green T-shirts are to descend on the busiest crosswalks and intersections on and around Ohio State University on Friday to distribute traffic-safety pamphlets. Their goal: to raise awareness because of a rash of crashes involving pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. “We want people to know that we have a problem and we all have a responsibility to solve it,” said Jay Kasey, OSU’s senior vice president for administration and planning. In the past 2 1/2 weeks, there have been four incidents in which students were seriously hurt when struck while walking or riding bikes. A large-scale awareness campaign is the easiest and fastest way to get safe-travel tips to students and others, Kasey said… http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/09/13/safety-primer.html
Big jump in fatal crashes defies trends
By Robert Vitale
The Columbus Dispatch Wednesday September 12, 2012 6:55 AM
A year after recording its lowest total for traffic deaths in 76 years, Ohio has become markedly more dangerous for motorists. Nearly 800 people have died in crashes across the state during 2012, according to the State Highway Patrol. That’s a 16 percent increase over the same stretch of time last year, and also a higher number than 2009 or 2010. “We’re watching these numbers every day, and they’re constantly changing,” said Lt. Anne Ralston, a patrol spokeswoman. “We’re having too many in the state of Ohio…” Grey said deputies were unable to determine whether the young driver had been talking on a phone or texting, but he said distracted driving is a major hazard on roads. “People need to really focus on their driving,” he said. “People need to put those phones down when they’re in their cars…” http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/09/12/big-jump-in-fatal-crashes-defies-trends.html
Ohio texting ban: Ignorance is not an excuse
MARION - Ohio's texting and driving ban went into effect Aug. 31, but it will be another six months before law enforcement officers can issue citations… http://www.marionstar.com/article/20120910/NEWS01/209100301/Ohio-texting-ban-Ignorance-not-an-excuse
HEALTH
HEALTH MESSAGE – This is a Joke!
As I was lying in bed pondering the problems of the world, I rapidly realized that I don't really give a rat's hiney. It's the tortoise life for me!
1. If walking is good for your health, the postman would be immortal.
2. A whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks water, and is fat.
3. A rabbit runs and hops and only lives 15 years.
4. A tortoise doesn't run and does nothing, yet it lives for 450 years.
And you tell me to exercise? I don't think so.
LOCAL NEWS
From Heather Bowden @ ODOT…
Congratulations To:
· The City of Dayton who made the Top 30 Places in US with Highest Walk Share increases between the Year of 2000 and 2006-2010
· Erie County, Ohio who made the Top 30 Counties in US with Highest Walk Share increases between the Year of 2000 and 2006-2010
This data is from the American Community Survey and provided by FHWA's Census Transportation Planning Products Office. See link below.
ODOT won the Federal Highway Administration’s Exemplary Human Environment Initiatives (EHEI) award this year for the How We Roll Bicycle Safety Education Campaign. The EHEIs recognize and publicize transportation initiatives that make our transportation system work better for the people who use it. The How We Roll Campaign won under the Encouraging Nonmotorized Transportation Category. The How We Roll Bicycle Safety Education Campaign was started at OSU, funded by ODOT and ODPS, and managed by Yay Bikes. In the fall of 2011, the OSU community was targeted through positive, evocative imagery and messaging and offered free educational bike tours and lights giveaways designed to educate and encourage safe bicycling behavior.
The campaign goals are:
1) Understand the nature and extent of unsafe bicycling behaviors on and around campus
2) Decrease the incidence of unsafe bicycling behaviors among OSU students
a. Have students become aware of safety messages
b. Have students visit the campaign website
c. Have students attend a bicycle safety course
We are currently offering the program again at OSU this fall and will soon be expanding the program to the University of Akron.
More information can be found here:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/ehei/awards/2012/
City hopes to expand Bicycle Ambassadors program
By JENNIFER NOBLIT
ThisWeek Community News Tuesday September 11, 2012 10:14 PM
Dublin will soon expand its bicycle ambassador program. The program, established in the spring, will hold its second training program from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 19. The Dublin Bicycle Ambassador program is volunteer-based and currently has 18 members. "It has been going really, really well," said Samantha Haberkamp, administrative assistant with volunteer resources. "We have 18 cyclists out on the paths right now with CPR and first-aid training we provided for them." The volunteers are cyclists that already spend a lot of time out on Dublin's trails. "They're out there looking at different cracks and reporting that to the city and giving directions for wayfinding, (and) letting us know about any tree limbs that have fallen," Haberkamp said. The volunteers utilize Google-plus to notify city staff members of problems with the trails. "They're eyes for city staff who can't get out there to the hundreds of trails that we have in Dublin," Haberkamp said. "They're out there anyway, enjoying biking and getting active, why not use them?"… http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/dublin/news/2012/09/11/city-hopes-to-expand-bicycle-ambassadors-program.html
OPWC funding
City to submit applications for 2 projects
By ALAN FROMAN
ThisWeek Community News Tuesday September 11, 2012 8:47 PM
The city of Grandview Heights will submit applications seeking financial assistance from the Ohio Public Works Commission for two separate proposed infrastructure projects. City council approved resolutions Sept. 4 to authorize the city to submit the applications, which are due by Monday, Sept. 17. The city will be applying on behalf of Nationwide Realty Investors for improvements on the east end of Goodale from Northwest Boulevard to the city corporation line, including portions of the Grandview Yard project… The project would include: Widening Goodale to include a westbound right-turn lane onto Northwest Boulevard. The improvements would include a sidewalk, curb and gutter, miscellaneous drainage and an overlay of the existing street… Improvements to Northwest Boulevard at Burr, including sidewalk and curb ramp upgrades to promote pedestrian crossings and traffic control enhancements, including signage and pavement markings… http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/grandview/news/2012/09/11/opwc-funding-city-to-submit-applications-for-2-projects.html
Clear sailing on Hilliard-Rome
Six years of work is over, to the relief of drivers, businesses
By Robert Vitale
The Columbus Dispatch Monday September 10, 2012 7:31 AM
A few of Marvin Saltsman’s close friends have free-pizza privileges at the Far West Side pizza shop he bought two years ago… Columbus, Hilliard and the Ohio Department of Transportation all have had a hand in projects that widened and improved much of the road: • From 2007 to 2009, ODOT and Hilliard widened Hilliard-Rome Road from two lanes to five between Roberts and Scioto Darby roads. The $12.3 million project, which included a stretch of the road where it becomes Main Street in Hilliard, added curbs and sidewalks as well… http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/09/10/clear-sailing-on-hilliard-rome.html
Facebook Post Replaces Lancaster Man's Stolen Bike
By: Candice Lee | NBC4
Published: September 12, 2012
LANCASTER, Ohio --
Lancaster resident Jason Huff relies on his bike to get around and earn money. He lives on a small Social Security check which he gets for a disability. But his bike is his pride and joy. "I ride to Millersport, ride out to my friend's house out on Lake Road, go to the grocery store. I do everything I need to do with it," said Huff. But last week, someone stole Huff's bike, cutting off the lock as it rested in his front yard. Neighbor Elizabeth McCullough often looks after Huff, because he has no family and lives alone. "He's offered my husband help mowing the grass a couple of times. He's always been real helpful throughout the neighborhood. Different neighbors would come over and ask us if we've seen him around," said McCullough. So when Huff's bike vanished, McCullough went to Facebook, asking friends for help in getting him a new one. Here's what she posted: http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2012/sep/12/facebook-post-replaces-lancaster-mans-stolen-bike-ar-1169373/?sc_cid=CMH-NEWS-8pmDlyNews
Council approves plan for Taylor Road improvements
By Pamela Willis
ThisWeek Community News Wednesday September 12, 2012 10:11 AM
Reynoldsburg City Council approved emergency legislation Sept. 10 to enter into a cooperative agreement with Etna Township for improvements to Taylor Road. "Grant money has been awarded to the township, so this project is ready and waiting to go," Mayor Brad McCloud said. "They are getting ready to commence engineering and design and hope to get approval of the project." The agreement calls for the city of Reynoldsburg to pay $33,477 in engineering costs for the project, plus 20 percent of the cost of right-of-way acquisitions, as long as the total cost of obtaining rights of way does not exceed $20,000. The city would also pay 20 percent of the construction costs, as long as the total construction costs are not more than $354,200, according to the agreement… http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/reynoldsburg/news/2012/09/12/council-approves-plan-for-taylor-road-improvements.html
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
Julie Walcoff’s Work Lauded by League of American Bicyclists (This went across the country!)
Knowledge and passion -- that's what it takes to turn hundreds of pages of federal rules and guidance into bike lanes, sidewalks and Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs in your community. That's why people like Julie Walcoff are so important.
Walcoff has been the Safe Routes coordinator in the Ohio Department of Transportation since 2005. "When I started hearing about SRTS, I was impressed and intrigued with the idea of using the built environment to promote physical activity to keep our students healthy and alert in the mornings," she says. "Now, I am continually inspired by the communities, by the way we are seeing different factions come together to work on the common goal of making active transportation safer for their children."
The new federal transportation law, MAP-21, gives far more power to the states in deciding how those federal dollars are spent. With less money overall and opportunities to opt-out or shift funds for biking and walking to other road users, having strong, dedicated bike/ped staff working in your state department of transportation is more important than ever. http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001pefS3-cRDvq0ZKmIJoQaXL6qqyBcq5BE23L2RV1bUdYCVCawJxQUdj6W35KNN3v1RHZksQHF76ouQg-obhILAXwCB1436PtdS6vlkUG4YIJ0zS2I8wt2tI5D3Uv2IaTc
But under MAP-21 those positions are in peril. States are still required to "have" a bike/ped coordinator, but there is no requirement that they be full time and no funding is identified for them. The Safe Routes to School coordinator position is simply eliminated -- along with the funding. State departments of transportation employ thousands of people - lumping all the "alternative transportation" responsibilities into one potentially part-time position is unfair -- and a major step in the wrong direction.
We can't let that happen. That's why we need coordinated campaigns in every state to tell the DOT to "Fully Staff" the new Transportation Alternatives program under MAP-21.
Walcoff, for one, still has important efforts in the pipeline. Right now she's piloting new guidelines that are making it easier and faster for big school districts in Ohio to get Safe Routes funding. "We wanted to make the process more streamlined for Ohio's 15 large school districts," she says. "We used Cincinnati Public Schools to try out the process and we recently wrapped up their plan and awarded them $1 million in Infrastructure funds and $200,000 in non-infrastructure funds to implement items in the plan. I've been contacted by several other large districts in Ohio who are eager to get the process moving in their own communities."
We need ALL state DOTs to fully staff the new Transportation Alternatives program. Safe Routes coordinators are essential and a full-time bicycle and pedestrian coordinator is critical. And, faced with a new and complex landscape, we must urge them to hire a Transportation Alternatives coordinator, who has that knowledge and passion to make sure people who bike and walk get our fair share under MAP-21.
Make sure your DOT keeps staff like Julie Walcoff: Find your state contact here and get involved! http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001pefS3-cRDvqFj7FE4KO6bBVcNIPhjjnukwF4zYMyiQlAV1PgWk14c3NujkLZPEFjWsZ7pqyejgAS5QhgYgj0Sr0HCn0zSazGerWZnWZ3W_8qWyjKbxPexGhQ2CSNmwBL37dDKihhmcQ2RCN08925Ww==
Safe Routes to School Education Forum
The next Safe Routes to School Education Forum is scheduled for Tuesday, September 18; instead of our traditional format we will conduct a webinar from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Details about the webinar will be emailed to you in the next few days. We are excited to give you the opportunity to listen from your office. We would also appreciate your feedback if you like this style of meeting or prefer the traditional face-to-face meeting.
As a reminder, October is International Walk to School Month. Please remember to register your school event here http://www.walktoschool.org/ . Thus far, there are 30 total events registered for the State of Ohio and 9 of those are in Central Ohio.
In November, we will have a traditional Safe Routes to School Education Forum, which will include details of Map-21 and the future of SRTS in Ohio.
If you have any questions please let me know.
Thanks!
Amanda
Amanda McEldowney
Program and Event Coordinator
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
111 Liberty Street Suite 100
Columbus, OH 43215
Safe Routes to School Education Forum 9/18/2012
Join us for a Webinar on September 18
Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/990744438
At this forum there will be two presentations:
The Line of Site Awareness with Intersection Design - Brian Hagerty, Stantec
International Walk to School Month - Amanda McEldowney, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
Title:
Safe Routes to School Education Forum 9/18/2012
Date:
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Time:
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EDT
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.
System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer
Mobile attendees
Required: iPhone®/iPad®/Android™ smartphone or tablet
NATIONAL WEB EVENT TO RELEASE NEW BOOK
The Third Mode by Jeff Olson
Saratoga Springs, NY – At 3:00pm EST on September 12, an important new book called The Third Mode will be launched in a unique national webinar. This innovative on-line event will feature speakers at three locations: Author Jeff Olson in Saratoga Springs, NY; webinar host Bob Searns of American Trails in Denver; and Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists, who will be at the national ProBike/ProWalk Conference in Long Beach, California. Olson will be at the annual meeting of the Association of Metropolitan Planning Associations (AMPO) and will host a book signing at the conference reception at the Hilton City Center Hotel from 5:00-7:00pm EDT.
The Third Mode is more than just a book – it is about a new way of seeing how our society can create better connections between people, nature, and the built environment. Author Jeff Olson grew up in American suburbia, where he saw how quickly a landscape of open space could become a placeless sprawl, and realized that better planning and design were keys to a sustainable future. Olson’s experiences in the non-profit, public, and private sectors are fun stories to read and important lessons for leaders at multiple levels. His vision of wanting to create a better world will inspire a new generation.
The Third Mode uses walking and bicycling as metaphors. These unique forms of mobility represent a “third mode” of transportation that is as important as highways and mass transit. This mode of transport, and the vision that is required to integrate it into our modern world, symbolizes a different perspective on our way of thinking. If you can understand why non-motorized mobility is important for transportation, you can also see how other problems could be resolved with similar thinking. This thought process is called The Third Mode, and this book describes how it can lead to a more connected, healthy, and sustainable society.
Author Jeff Olson is a partner with the award-winning firm Alta Planning + Design, and is on the faculty of the State University of New York at Albany. He lives in Saratoga Springs, New York. For more information about his book and his work to help transforming communities, please visit www.TheThirdMode.com and www.altaplanning.com. For information on the September 12 webinar, please visit:
WEBINAR on The Third Mode: Connecting Greenways, Trails and Active Mobility
http://www.americantrails.org/resources/trans/webinar-book-third-mode.html
September 12 at 3:00pm EDT, Noon PDT
Pro Walk/Pro Bike® 2012: Pro Place - Long Beach, California
Imagining an elevated bicycle highway in London
By Tyler Falk | September 5, 2012, 1:00 PM PDT
Even on the safest on-street bicycle lanes, riding in congested cities can be downright scary. That’s why despite a bicycle “superhighway,” bikeshare, and a tax to deter cars from the city center, London is considering adding a safe and efficient bike infrastructure system. In the eyes of one architect it would look something like this: That’s SkyCycle, an elevated bicycle-only network, designed by Sam Martin, an architect with Exterior Architecture. With annual bike ridership expected to reach 1.5 million by 2020, Martin envisions the elevated bike highway as a solution crowded London streets. According to Martin, going to the sky is the best solution, the Daily Mail reports:… http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/cities/imagining-an-elevated-bicycle-highway-in-london/5056?tag=nl.e662&s_cid=e662
A ‘how-to’ guide for bike-sharing programs
By Channtal Fleischfresser | September 13, 2012, 4:28 AM PDT
Bike sharing programs can be costly and complicated endeavors for cities to develop. Those looking to develop such programs have typically had to learn by trial and error.
Now, the Federal Highway Administration has helpfully created a type of bike-sharing ‘how-to’, a guide for cities looking to implement such programs, sharing best practices of cities who have launched successful initiatives.
The document is free online: Bike Sharing in the United States: State of the Practice and Guide to Implementation (pdf). http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/promote/bikeshareintheus.pdf
Treehugger provides a useful summary of the goals of the guide:
- Define bike sharing and provide an overview of the concept.
- Describe the steps a jurisdiction should take to plan, implement, and sustain a bike share program.
- Document existing models of provision, infrastructure considerations, and funding options for successfully implementing a bike sharing program.
- Describe metrics for monitoring and evaluating program success.
Past issues are available here: http://www.considerbiking.org/category/newsletters/
Contact Information
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ira S. Weiss
11735 Eddington
Pickerington, OH 43147