Test News
Bob Krzewinski
Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition
November/December 2008 Newsletter
"Promoting transportation options that make sense for a sustainable and livable community."
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 (i.e. November 6th) from 7pm until 8pm. The second half (8-9pm) of these meetings is for WBWC Board business.
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. December 4th), 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.
Local News
WBWC Board & Officer Elections
At its November membership meeting, members of the WBWC will be voting to elect members of the organization's Board of Directors. Every year, approximately half of the eleven WBWC Board of Directors members are elected to serve a two-year term office. Then in December, the Board of Directors in turn elects the WBWC officers for the upcoming Calendar year.
WBWC Urges Voters To Vote Yes On County Parks/Trails Millage Renewal
At it's September meeting, the Board of the WBWC unanimously voted to endorse Proposal A on the November ballot which renews funding for land and trail projects of the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Department. A high percentage of these funds are used for non-motorized projects, such as the Washtenaw County Border To Border Trail.
WBWC RAT Rides Continue
The WBWC Ann Arbor Ride Around Town (RAT) bicycle rides are held on the second Friday of each month (November 8th, December 12th, etc.). All rides start at Liberty Plaza Park, Liberty and Division in Ann Arbor at 6pm and are generally five miles in length.
Also, RAT rides are being held in Ypsilanti, in conjunction with Bike Ypsi, on the first Friday of the month. Visit the Bike Ypsi webpage calendar at www.bikeypsi.org for further details. Since the RAT rides are a demonstration that biking in an urban environment can be done safely, all participants are asked to follow all traffic regulations, wear helmets, and be fully equipped for legal riding (i.e. lights and reflectors).
WBWC Signs On To Safe Routes Letter
In September, the WBWC signed on to a letter to Congress asking them to recognize the impact that the nation's transportation system has on the health of its citizens. The letter, started by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership was signed by scores of advocacy and health groups and delivered to Chairman Oberstar and Ranking Member Mica of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Chairman Boxer and Ranking Member Inhofe of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
The letter asks Congress to ensure that the next transportation bill will address the current negative impacts of our transportation system and build in performance-based outcomes on key health impacts. Currently, our transportation system contributes significantly to:
• High rates of obesity and physical inactivity, because individuals cannot easily and safely walk, bicycle, or
access public transit.
• Continued significant rates of traffic injuries and deaths.
• High rates of air pollution that worsen respiratory diseases and asthma and impact other health conditions.
Ann Arbor Wins Gold Award For Promoting Activity
The Michigan Governors Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports recently awarded Ann Arbor a gold award for its local efforts to increase health through daily physical activity. This is done through a local government's work to establish healthy living supportive health programs, public policies, and community design. For more on the awards, and the Promoting Active Communities program, visit www.michiganfitness.org/active. To receive the Active Michigan Communities News, send an email to slpa...@michiganfitness.org.
Michigan News
Michigan Scores #12 On "Bike Friendly State" Program
The League of American Bicyclists has recently expanded its efforts in building a Bicycle Friendly America with its Bicycle Friendly State Program. The two-part program recognizes states that promote cycling through legislation, policies, programs, and by creating new places to ride, educating motorists and cyclists, and encouraging people to bike for transportation and recreation.
The first part of the program has been to create an annual ranking of all 50 states. The ranking was based on 74 questions across 6 categories, and looks at all Michigan is doing for bicycling and bicyclists. Michigan has finished 12 overall. In each of the 6 categories Michigan ranked:
35-tied in Legislation
19-tied in Policies & Programs
8-tied in Infrastructure
7 in Education & Encouragement
14-tied in Evaluation & Planning
15-tied in Enforcement
For a full listing of all 50 states visit www.bikeleague.org.
Michigan Bicycle Related Legislation Update
Representatives Andy Coulouris (D-Saginaw) and David Palsrok (R-Manistee) on June 29, 2008 introduced
House Bills 6299 and 6300, which enhance penalties for moving violations causing physical injury or death to bicyclists and other vulnerable roadway users. Senator Tom George (R-Kalamazoo) introduced Senate companion bills (SB 1492 and 1493) with the same language on September 11, 2008. These bills will make Michigan roadways safer for bicyclists and all vulnerable users of our taxpayer-funded road system. These are both currently in the Transportation Committee of the House and Senate waiting their review.
SB 1494 introduced by Senator George (R-Kalamazoo) on September 16, 2008 and referred to the Transportation Committee states that, "Classroom instruction shall include information concerning the laws pertaining to bicycles and shall emphasize awareness of the operation of bicycles on the streets, roads,
and highways of this state."
Senate Bill 1462 (Judson Gilbert, R - Algonac) would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to do the following: Exempt bicycles, emergency vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, utility vehicles, motorcycles, buses, and other specified vehicles from the restrictions imposed on HOV lanes
Complete information on these bills is available at: http://www.lmb.org/AdvocacyCenter.htm. Please contact your Senator and Representative and urge passage of these bills.
Take Action!
Play Every Day Act Needs Support Letters
The House Energy and Commerce Committee is considering bundling a package of bipartisan bills for a vote in the fall that includes the Play Every Day Act (H.R. 2045). This legislation would call upon the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to develop a community measurement tool for communities to assess the physical activity of their youth by examining the barriers that prevent or limit physical activities (such as the availability of adequate spaces and places for physical activity) in settings such as after school programs, schools, the community at-large, and worksites.
The Play Every Day Act will award a total of $750,000 in competitive grants to State health departments to work in partnership with community based coalitions (which include park and recreation agencies) to plan and implement model communities of play that increase the physical spaces and places available for physical activity, expand opportunities (programs) for participation in quality play, and increase the number of children and families participating in play. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/67jy6a.
Federal Complete Streets Support Letters Still Needed
Letters are still needed to your members of Congress asking them to support Federal complete streets legislation. A complete streets law would put in place directives that say a street is not complete until it takes in account all users, meaning not only cars, but bicyclists and pedestrian. For more information on the Complete Streets movement, visit www.completestreets.org
In a side note, the State of California recently enacted a Complete Streets Act. The new law requires cities and counties to include complete streets policies as part of their general plans so that roadways are designed to safely accommodate all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, children, older people, and disabled people, as well as motorists. "Streets aren't just for cars, they're for people and with the Complete Streets Act local governments will plan for and build roadways that are safe and convenient for everyone- young or old, riding a bike or on foot, in a car or on a bus," said State Assemblyman Leno. "Getting people out of their cars and riding bicycles or the bus improves public health, air quality, eases congestion and reduces greenhouse emissions."
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Letters can be sent to your U.S. Representative at… Representative _________, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515. Senators can be contacted at Senator________, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510.
National News
Bikes Belong Survey – High Gas Prices Fuel Bike Sales
An August Bicycle Newswire article asks, "Is there an upside to high gas prices? If you're a bicycle retailer, there can be -- particularly in the service department. Bikes Belong has just completed a survey of more than 150 bicycle retailers from nearly 40 states to see if their summer 2008 sales reflect an increase in the use of bicycles for transportation.
"The majority of retailers who responded said their sales of transportation-related bicycles, accessories, and service have increased in 2008 compared to 2007: 73% said they are selling more bikes, 84% said they are selling more accessories, and 88% said they are selling more service.
"Is this increase in sales because of high gas prices? Most retailers who we surveyed think so:
-- 95% of shops said customers cited high gas prices as a reason for their transportation-related purchases.
-- 80% of retailers said gas prices were helping them sell more bikes for transportation.
-- 86% thought accessory sales were getting a boost.
-- 89% said they were selling more service because of high gas prices..."
National Bicycle Route Network Plan Approved
The United States is on a path to what could become the largest official bicycle route network in the world, thanks to the approval of a new plan by America's leading authority on national route designations. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has just approved a National Corridor Plan laying out the framework and guidelines for the development of this system. The plan—under development over the last four years—identifies corridors connecting America's urban, rural, and suburban areas. The corridors cover well over 50,000 miles, which, if transformed into routes along roads and trails, would create the largest official bicycle route network in any country or on any continent. By comparison, the planned Euro-Vélo network in Europe is projected to be 60,000 kilometers or 36,000 miles. For more information about the U.S. Bicycle Route System project, go to www.adventurecycling.org/usbrs. Web pages include the corridor plan and criteria, a corridor plan map, and information about other national and provincial route networks.
Americans Want Huge Transportation Funding Shift
According to an article in the Oct. 27th edition of Smart Growth Online, "Even before gas prices spiked high above $4 per gallon this spring and summer, a Harris Interactive poll found last December that 81 percent of Americans would radically change federal outlays of the 1998 Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) from 79 percent for roads, 20 percent for mass transit, and 1 percent for biking and walking, to 37, 41, and 22 percent, respectively, in its 2009 replacement bill." For more on this story, visit http://tinyurl.com/6o3wbh
Investment In Biking and Walking Will Save Billions
According to an Oct. 20th news release, "Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) presents today the 'Active Transportation for America' report to Congress via Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), who serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The report quantifies -- for the first time -- the national benefits of bicycling and walking.
"Putting figures to facts, the report documents the transportation, energy, climate, public health, and economic benefits of bicycling and walking. Never before has the case been made so clearly that relatively modest federal investment in bicycling and walking can save Americans tens of billions of dollars each year. The report compiles success stories from communities across America to show the potential to realize these benefits.
"'The report illustrates the groundswell of public demand for investment in varied transportation choices,' says Keith Laughlin, president of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. 'Americans want compelling opportunities to improve their communities with bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Having transportation choices will save people billions of dollars in fuel costs and millions of hours wasted in gridlock.'..." For more on the story visit http://tinyurl.com/5wdpxz or to download the Active Transportation report, visit http://tinyurl.com/66wjm8.
Bank Bailout Bill Included Bicycle Commuter Tax Break
The $700 billion bailout bill intended to stop the tailspin of the nation's financial sector did something else: It includes federal tax benefits for people who commute by bike. Starting in January, workers who use two-wheelers as their primary transportation mode to get to and from work will be eligible for a $20-a-month, tax-free reimbursement from their employers for bicycle-related expenses. In return, employers will be able to deduct the expense from their federal taxes.
"'It significantly legitimizes bicycling and elevates it to a credible commute mode, like riding a bus or train,' said Andy Thornley, program director for the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. The money could be used to purchase, store, maintain or repair bikes that are used for a substantial portion of an employee's commute. "Bike advocates have been trying for seven years to get such a provision passed in Washington, but came up short until Congress rushed through the Wall Street bailout package last week and lawmakers squeezed in pet projects. The bicycle benefit was championed by members of the Oregon delegation. Backers estimate that the federal tax rolls may lose out on about $1 million a year due to the new employer write-off, according to the advocacy group League of American Bicyclists..." For more on the issue, visit http://tinyurl.com/4qg6gy.
Sunday Street Closing Takes Off In Kentucky
In the "wouldn't this be nice here" column comes a story from Lexington, Kentucky where a local newspaper reported… "Think fitness gym on the courthouse square, with stationary bikes and tai chi classes. Add the unexpected: A dog-bone hunt and a baby-stroller workout. Throw in bicyclists, skateboarders, hula-hoopers and accidental exercisers who walked to and from their car, and you had 'Second Sunday.' For the first time in as many as 70 Kentucky cities, officials blocked off streets for an afternoon to encourage people to get outside and get some exercise. In Lexington, UK Fayette Extension Agent Diana Doggett, one of the statewide organizers, estimated the crowd at 2,000."
"'The message here is to show local officials as well as the rest of the nation that Kentuckians are serious about changing the health status of the state, and serious about having access to an infrastructure for physical activity,' said Doggett. She hopped on one of several stationary bikes lined up on the courthouse lawn. Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry rode bicycles on Limestone between the Avenue of Champions and Third Street with his wife, Cheryl Ann, and sons Will, 8, and Drew, 9. The mayor says he hopes that Second Sunday is an annual event: 'The feedback has been off the charts.'..." For more on this story, visit http://tinyurl.com/3pzeh8
Biking and Walking Conference Workshop Sessions On Video
Recently, the plenary workshop sessions from the 2008 ProWalk/ProBike conference in Seattle were added to Google Video. The Wednesday opening plenary session included speakers such as Peter Harkness, Editor of Governing Magazine, and Greg Nickels, Mayor of Seattle, Washington and can be seen at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7232509100765799960&hl=en. A closing session, which includes Bill Wilkinson of the National Center For Bicycling and Walking, and Congressman James Oberstar, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure can be viewed at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5417439819127005844&hl=en. The next ProWalk/ProBike conference is in two years in September, 2010, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Older Americans Searching for a Car-Free Way
A new poll by AARP finds that while many Americans older than 50 are trying to move away from car transportation as a result of high gas prices, their attempt to go "green" is challenged by inadequate sidewalks and bike lanes, as well as insufficient public transportation options. "More Americans age 50+ are trying to leave their cars behind but face obstacles as soon as they walk out the door, climb on their bikes or head for the bus," said Elinor Ginzler, AARP Senior Vice President for Livable Communities. Almost one of every three people (29%) polled say they are now walking as a way to avoid high gas prices. But as those people set out to walk, almost 40% of the 50+ population say they do not have adequate sidewalks in their neighborhoods. Additionally, 44% say they do not have nearby public transportation that is accessible. Almost half (47%) of poll responders say they cannot cross the main roads safely -- 4 in 10 pedestrian fatalities are over the age of 50.
CPSC Reports Bike-Related Injury Statistics
According to the August Helmet Update, Consumer Product Safety Commission staff has reports of an annual average of 80 children under 16 years of age who died in bicycle-related incidents in recent years. About half of the 500,000 bicycle-related emergency room-treated injuries in 2007 involved children under the age of 16. When taking part in other recreational activities, wear the right helmet for that activity. More than 80 percent of the nearly 50,000 emergency room-treated injuries involving un-powered scooters in 2007 were to children younger than 15. In addition to wearing a helmet, CPSC recommends elbow and knee pads when riding a scooter. Read CPSC's 'Which Helmet for Which Activity' publication, which helps parents choose the most appropriate helmet, at: http://tinyurl.com/65fvss. For more on helmets, go to: http://tinyurl.com/6zt6h5.
Transportation Officials Support Complete Streets
According to an article in a September Complete Street News, "The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) released its position paper on next year's authorization of the national transportation bill. As part of its goal to lead the country in combating energy dependence and climate change, NACTO calls for a federal Complete Streets program. Such a program would include 'dedicated, streamlined funding and a strong mandate' for a safe environment for people to drive, walk, or bicycle." For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/5axh89, http://tinyurl.com/6nkaxm, or the NACTO website at http://tinyurl.com/624cyo.
Web Resources
Complete Streets Fact Sheets
Nine different fact sheets available from the National Complete Streets Coalition; topics include gas prices, climate change, economic revitalization, safety, children, people with disabilities, older people, health, and transit; in pdf, screen, and text formats - http://tinyurl.com/2ax89f
Guidelines For The Design And Management Of Bicycle Parking Facilities
From the City of Toronto but useful for those south of the border - http://tinyurl.com/68pk9d
Places For Physical Activity
Facilitating development of a community trail and promoting its use to increase physical activity. Report from the Partnership for Prevention & CDC - http://tinyurl.com/64blks
Social Support For Physical Activity
Establishing a community-based walking group program to increase physical activity among youth and adults. Report from the Partnership for Prevention & CDC - http://tinyurl.com/57k5j2
Know Your Numbers Health Risk Assessment Tool
Multi-dimensional disease-specific risk assessment tool to predict an individual's likelihood of developing chronic preventable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. - http://tinyurl.com/6s7ujs
Access To Destinations - Calculating Non-Auto Travel Times
Promoting Physical Activity Communities For People With Disabilities
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sport - http://tinyurl.com/5w4nxm
Investing In Safe Routes To School Projects
Report on the public health benefit for the larger community. - http://tinyurl.com/5pxclu
Safe Routes To School
Report on how the program increases physical activity and improves health. - http://tinyurl.com/5gwyfo and
Next WBWC Newsletter deadline – December 10th, 2008 (for the January/February 2009 edition). Submissions can be sent to Bob Krzewinski at wolv...@yahoo.com or faxed to 734/487-9058.