WBWC January-February 2009 Newsletter
Bob Krzewinski
Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition
January/February 2009 Newsletter
WBWC Meetings
General Membership Meetings – WBWC General Membership meetings are held at the Ecology Center, 117 N. Division in Ann Arbor, just north of Huron, on the first Thursday of every odd-numbered months (March, May) from 7pm until 8pm. The second half (8-9pm) of these meetings is for WBWC Board business.
Please note – There will not be any January WBWC Board meeting due to the first Thursday of the month falling on January 1st. Instead the Board and officers will be holding their annual one-day retreat for goal-setting and strategizing during the month of January.
WBWC Board Meetings - WBWC Board meetings are held at the Ecology Center (117 N. Division in Ann Arbor - just north of Huron) on the first Thursday of every even-numbered month (i.e. February, April), starting at 7pm.
For previous WBWC Board meeting minutes, visit http://www.wbwc.org/minutes.htm. Bicycle parking is available right behind the Ecology Center.
At the November 2008 WBWC annual general membership meeting, elections were held for approximately half the WBWC Board of Directors, with Lilly Guzman, Frank Schwenke, Lilly Guzman, and Bob Krzewinski re-elected to two-year terms. Newly elected to the Board for two-year terms were Paul Alman, Larry Deck and Andy Hromadka. At the December WBWC Board meeting, officers were elected for a one year term, with these being Pete Hines as Chair, Lily Guzman as Vice-Chair, Ana Iacob as Treasurer and Tim Athan at Secretary.
WBWC Newsletter Distribution
Recently it was decided to change around the distribution system for the WBWC bi-monthly newsletter, with the primary means of delivery being the use of a new Google email group, "WBWC Newsletter". This will require anyone who wants to receive the newsletter electronically to join the Google WBWC Newsletter group. Of course, dues-paying WBWC members without email will continue to receive the newsletter by mail.
The biggest reason for this change is that in the past, the newsletter was sent out from a master email list, which required someone to keep the list current. With the Google WBWC Newsletter group, the person who wants to receive the newsletter puts themselves on the list to receive it, and also has the ability to take themselves off the list.
The WBWC Newsletter list is also set up so that only the moderator of the group can post messages. This means that when you sign up for the Google WBWC Newsletter group, you will only receive the WBWC newsletter and nothing else, such as spam or multiple, lengthy discussions.
Individuals on the previous WBWC newsletter email list have been sent an invitation to join the WBWC Newsletter Google group, as have been those on the regular WBWC Google discussion group. Also, anyone can sign up for the newsletter by going to http://groups.google.com/group/wbwcnewsletter.
WBWC Tax Exempt Status Project
The WBWC has started the research, and paperwork, to make itself a tax-exempt group under the Internal Revenue Service. This tax-exempt status would allow any dues or contribution to the WBWC to be tax deductible.
The WBWC Ride Around Town (RAT) bicycle rides are held every month both in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, with the goal of not only allowing people to ride in a social setting, but also to demonstrate how cyclists can ride in an urban setting and obey all traffic laws.
The Washtenaw Area Transportation Study (WATS) is incorporating a blog into their public involvement process as they begin to develop the 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan for Washtenaw County. The blog will provide the reader with an opportunity for continued participation throughout the planning process. From a non-motorized standpoint, facilities for improvement that require federal funds must be in the Long Range Transportation Plan.
A blog is a type of webpage that is easily updated and serves as a method of distributing information quickly. It also provides an additional way for WATS to track comments, which will be summarized and incorporated into the actual Plan document. Meeting times and locations along with other transportation related information of interest will be posted. The blog is located at http://wats2035lrp.blogspot.com.
In early December, the WBWC hosted a meeting with the central theme being how to improve non-motorized improvements between Ann Arbor and Saline. Attending the meeting were WBWC representatives, staff from the Michigan Department of Transportation, Saline City Council, WATS, Pittsfield Township, Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues, the Program to Educate All Cyclists (PEAC), the City of Ann Arbor and the Washtenaw County Road Commission. The meeting was a part of the WBWC Priorities Project, which seeks to prioritize non-motorized projects throughout the County.
The Washtenaw Area Transportation Study (WATS) is collecting comments on pavement, bridge and congestion deficiencies throughout the County. This collection will focus on non-motorized deficiencies including both sidewalk and bike deficiencies. A non-motorized deficiency can exist if an area does not have non-motorized facilities such as a sidewalk or bike lane or an area whose non-motorized facilities are inadequate or in disrepair. WATS is also interested in locations where pedestrian crossings are difficult and the addition of crossing islands may be needed. Until recently an example would be, "There is no sidewalk along Washtenaw in front of Glencoe Hills Apartments or it is difficult to cross Stadium between Maple and Pauline. Examples of bike comments previously could have included the need for bike lanes along Platt between Packard and Ellsworth.
When providing a comment please include your name, the community you live in, and if you feel comfortable, your email address. If you do not feel comfortable including your email address, you may still provide comments, however, to allow WATS to document and keep track of your comment, please include your email address with your comments in an email to wa...@miwats.org.
Ann Arbor Abandoned Bikes
If you see a truly abandoned bicycle in the City of Ann Arbor, the Ann Arbor Police recommend contacting the following individuals/offices below. Keep in mind that derelict bikes take up good bicycle parking spots that could be used by cyclists.
Brett's immediate supervisor: 734-994-2878
AAPD number: 734-994-2880
Elizabeth Cornell: ecor...@a2gov.org
The City of Ann Arbor recently did an inventory of its bike lanes and the results could be summed up in the statement of "more signs – decreased conditions". You can find the draft 2008 Bike Lane Inventory report at
http://www.getdowntown.org/bike/blog/2008_Bike_Lane_Inventory.pdf. It's big so it may take awhile to load. Overall, while there was more signage on the roads related to bike lanes, many of the lanes are in need of repair or restriping. Of the 34 lanes inventoried, 15 showed a decrease in quality from 2007 and 7 showed and increase in quality from 2007. If you have comments on the inventory, the best option is to email Eli Cooper, who is the City's Transportation Coordinator, at eco...@a2gov.org.
Michigan News
2009 Michigan Bicycle Summit
The 2009 Michigan Bicycle Summit will be on Saturday, March 28, 2009 in the Lansing area, so please mark this date down and save it. This event is presented by the League of Michigan Bicyclists and designed for cyclists who want to learn more about how they can make a difference in the sport they love so much. Not only will people learn from the excellent presenters, but you will network with other bicyclists from around the state and learn what does and does not work for them. For further details visit www.lmb.org.
National News
NHTSA Non-Motorized 2007 Crash Statistics Released
According to a November Life Cycle UK newsletter, "A global campaign is underway to persuade the planet's favorite search engine to be more cycle-friendly. Many of us use the wonderful Google maps to find our way around. The maps show a street plan, or at the click of a button, an aerial photo to help you get a feel for the terrain. Another click and you can summon up live traffic info, and car drivers can get detailed directions from A to B. For the USA and some other countries Google has also added a mass transit directions option which tells you how to reach your destination by bus, tram or train. Now cyclists are asking for a Bike There feature.
"The organizers of the campaign say: 'By implementing the "Public Transit" option, Google and the Google Maps team have shown themselves to be concerned and capable world citizens. A "Bike There" feature would be the ultimate statement in support of sustainable development, self-reliance, exercise and healthy living: that's bicycle directions.'
"Campaigners envisage the "Bike There" feature showing cycle lanes, bike paths and other infrastructure, and giving cyclists the option of seeing either the most direct route or the quietist and safest. The feature would make cycling easier and more pleasant for millions of people around the world. It would empower world citizens to adapt their lifestyles to face the challenges of global climate change and it would help Google fulfill its mission of "organizing the world's information and making it universally accessible and useful. More than 40,000 people have already signed the on-line petition. Add your voice to the campaign now!" To learn more, go to: http://tinyurl.com/3clwxb
Sustainable Non-Motorized Solutions Lecture Online
"'This is impressive progress for such a new program,' said Lauren Marchetti, Director of the National Center for Safe Routes to School. 'This reflects how the Safe Routes to School program touches so many of the things people care about these days -- increasing physical activity among children, reducing congestion and improving air quality around schools, improving safety and creating a sense of community.' "Safe Routes to School funding was made available through the transportation legislation (SAFETEA-LU), passed in 2005. Funding is distributed to individual states by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration. State DOTs then award the funds to local communities. Each state works within its own guidelines, and within Federal rules, to award funds in a competitive process -- with some states receiving hundreds of applications for a limited amount of available funds..." For more information visit http://tinyurl.com/62ktbf.
that only expensive bikes are worth riding. For more information, visit http://www.rei.com/bikeyourdrive.
The Department of Transportation has issued a Memorandum of Understanding in cooperation with the Departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Interior, and Army to promote uses and benefits of the Nation's public lands and water resources to enhance the physical and mental health and quality of life for all Americans. This effort will encourage healthier lifestyle through diet, exercise and outdoor recreation. This means that the Department of Transportation will further encourage the use of its funding programs to support projects that promote accessibility, walking, bicycling, safe routes to school and other highway safety programs, recreational trails, transportation enhancements, scenic byways, and access to recreation on federal lands. Click here to view the entire MOU.
Roadside Memorials Make Drivers More Cautious
According to a November 8th Toronto Globe and Mail article, "The piles of notes and flowers left at the scenes of fatal car crashes can actually make drivers more cautious, a researcher finds. They are roadside references to accidental death that just might end up inspiring passing drivers to lifesaving caution behind the wheel. A road-safety expert at the University of Calgary has released a study on how roadside memorials -- the clusters of flowers, crosses, and photos that mark sudden tragic death in accidents -- affect traffic. Richard Tay set up fake memorials at four intersections with red-light cameras in Calgary, then monitored how the memorials affected traffic.
Prof. Tay, who holds the Alberta Motor Association Chair in Road Safety at the Schulich School of Engineering, found that about 17 per cent fewer drivers ran red lights at the target intersections over the six weeks of the test than in the previous six weeks. 'In terms of safety, these things have a positive benefit,' he said in an interview yesterday. 'They give us a safety message to drive more cautiously.' More than 60 per cent of 810 respondents to an online survey supported municipal policies that allow the memorials, although about half said time limits should be imposed on how long they could remain in place..."
Web Resources
Snow Removal On Sidewalks Constructed With Federal Funding
U.S. Federal Highway Administration memo to Directors of Field Services Division Administrators. "The purpose of this memorandum is to address questions raised by several FHWA Division Offices about maintaining pedestrian facilities, particularly during the winter season. Two provisions provide the FHWA with authority to require snow removal on pedestrian facilities constructed with Federal funds. Both of these provisions fall under current statutory and regulatory maintenance requirements..." http://tinyurl.com/3e8h9w
Pedestrian-Only Roundabouts
Article in the November 2008 issue of FHWA's "Centered on Service" newsletter. http://tinyurl.com/46o79y
Article in the Nov. 2008 edition of "Cities Go Green". http://tinyurl.com/6g9xf5
Small Steps, Large Rewards
A community based social marketing research project for active and safe routes to school. A variety of downloadable resources from the Green Communities Canada ASRTS website. http://tinyurl.com/6p3uxj
Bike To Work Week
A case study in behavior change by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center. http://tinyurl.com/5chev4
Safety In Numbers
A study showing more walkers and bicyclist equating to safer non-motorized travel. http://tinyurl.com/6jcc64
Putting People In Planning
A "Primer on Public Participation in Planning" by the Oregon Citizen Involvement Committee. http://tinyurl.com/5wyhso
Community Mapping Kit
A healthy eating and active living instruction guide for teachers or community members in King County" (WA) that allows people to map the resources for healthy eating and active living in their neighborhood. http://tinyurl.com/5g3ncx
Effectiveness Of Behavioral Highway Safety Countermeasures
http://tinyurl.com/5e5n2a
Pedestrian Safety Report To Congress
U.S. DOT report on advanced technology and intelligent transportation systems in the area of pedestrian safety.
http://tinyurl.com/5gzw7y
Study – Belly Fat Doubles Death Risk
The study provides some of the strongest evidence yet linking belly fat to early death, says lead author Tobias Pischon, MD, MPH. It appears in the Nov. 12 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. http://tinyurl.com/5ztydh
Best Practice Physical Activity Programs For Older Adults
Next WBWC Newsletter deadline – February 10th, 2009 (for the March/April 2009 edition). Submissions can be sent to Bob Krzewinski at wolv...@yahoo.com.