Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition November 2008 Newsletter
Bob Krzewinski
Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition
November/December 2009 Newsletter
"Promoting transportation options that make sense for a sustainable and livable community."
WBWC Meetings
WBWC Annual Membership Meeting – Thursday, November 5th, 7pm, REI Store, 970 West Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor
WBWC Board Meeting – Thursday, December 3rd, 7pm, Ecology Center (117 N. Division in Ann Arbor - just north of Huron)
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 Annual Membership Meeting & Film Showing
On Thursday, November 5th, the Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition will hold its annual membership meeting with a change of location for this meeting only. The meeting will take place at the Ann Arbor REI store meeting room (in the back of the store) starting at 7pm. The store is located at 970 West Eisenhower Parkway just east of Ann Arbor-Saline Road and was chosen as the meeting room at REI has an expanded audience space for film showings.
The annual membership meeting will be split into two parts, first being a short “work” session, followed by a showing of the recently released short film, “Pedal Power”. In Pedal Power, it is explained that the bicycle, a humble nineteenth century invention, is challenging the fossil-fuel automobile as the conveyance of the future. It’s the ideal city machine, light, portable, and cheap. Non-polluting. Good exercise too. Urban dwellers around the world are turning to bikes as the car turns them off. But with bicycles coming of age as a serious mode of transportation there are a few problems. Bicycles and automobiles have to share the same roads, a recipe for conflict, and many potential cyclists just won’t ride in the city because they see it as too dangerous. Add in the plague of bike theft and a lot of cyclists are simply leaving their bikes at home.
The film wraps around the story of Igor Kenk, a man variously described as the Greatest Bike Thief in the World, The Fagin of Queen Street, or the cyclists' Robin Hood. His well-publicized bust in Toronto pushed bike theft onto the front pages of newspapers across the country and around the world. Toronto, meanwhile, is grappling with whether to really embrace bike culture. What does it take to be truly bike-friendly like Amsterdam, Paris, or even New York City? A series of character mini-narratives propel the film through a study of what makes a city "bikeable". For more about Pedal Power, including film clips, visit http://www.cogentbenger.com/docs/pedalpower/video.php.
During the business part of the membership meeting, agenda items will include the electing, by WBWC members, of approximately half of the 11 WBWC Board of Directors. Also being discussed, and voted on, will be proposed changes to the WBWC articles of incorporation (see the related item below).
The WBWC annual membership meeting is free and open to everyone (not just WBWC members) in bicycling and walking issues.
WBWC Proposed Changes To Articles of Incorporation
At the annual membership meeting, three amendments are proposed to the WBWC’s Articles of Incorporation to make them more suitable for WBWC to apply for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. They are…
1. Delete the current Article VI, which specifies a method for Board action without a meeting. This procedure is specified in the bylaws and need not be in the Articles.
2. Add a new Article VI, which contains material relating to the organization’s purposes, allowed activities, distribution of assets in the event of dissolution, and disallowance of private gain to members, directors, officers, and others. These provisions are required for 501(c)(3) status, and the wording is almost identical to sample wording in IRS material. The new Article VI also contains wording to protect directors and members from personal liability within limits set by law.
3. Add an Article VII to specify a procedure for amending the Articles of Incorporation that is somewhat more stringent than the default procedure specified in Michigan law
The wording of the proposed new Articles VI and VII is available by clicking here.
Enough Is Enough! – The Death of Cyclist Tim Pincikowski
By Paul Alman – WBWC Board Member
Enough Is Enough! That was my first reaction to the death of Tim Pincikowski following Gary Francis’s horrific accident just a few weeks earlier. And “Enough!” became the theme for the memorial ride sponsored by the Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition on August 18th. Tim, an avid cyclist from Saline, was riding northbound on the paved shoulder of Maple Road, just before the intersection with Ellsworth Road in Pittsfield Township, on a ride he often rode after work. Tim rode thousands of miles each year, as do other members of his family. A moment’s distraction by a young man driving in the same direction, a slight wander out of the travel lane, and two families are changed forever.
Too much happened this summer - Gary Francis was nearly killed in early July, Tim was killed in late July, the WCSX fiasco in early August, (and more recently the nearly tragic accident involving Officer Kathy Vonk of the Ann Arbor Police), etc. It was all too much for me and for many other local riders and we felt a strong statement from the cycling community was needed. After asking the AABTS leadership to consider holding a ride in Tim’s honor, I proposed the same thing to the Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition at their monthly Board meeting on August 6th. There was an immediate approval of the idea by the WBWC and plans were initiated to hold the ride on Tuesday, August 18th. Everyone stepped up to take on the job of trying to organize a meaningful ride in a very short period of time. And I mean everyone! A Ghost Bike was placed near the site of the accident, I had meetings with the Pittsfield Township Director of Public Safety, the Township Supervisor and the Ann Arbor Police - all agreed to help. Posters were prepared and placed around town, publicity was sent out to various cycling groups, bike shops, bike parking areas and the media, Tim’s brother from Maryland, his sister from Wisconsin and his wife all planned to attend, as did various public officials.
The ride was scheduled to leave from Pioneer High School at 5 PM, the time of Tim’s death, escorted by AA Police to I-94 where the Pittsfield Police would continue the escort to the site of the accident. While no one had any idea of how many riders to expect, the turnout of nearly 200 riders, was much larger than expected. Both police agencies decided on the spot to escort the riders on the whole ride to the site, and riding 2 abreast, the line of riders stretched hundreds of yards. Most impressive was the turn out of the “non-sporting” riders, those who commute to work, those who use their bicycles for everyday transportation, that is, what I call “the real riders”. Those who know first hand exactly what it is like, day in and day out, to be a cyclist in the Ann Arbor area. Passing vehicles were respectful and seemed to understand something special was taking place. It was also the first time many riders ever rode on Main Street across I-94, a crossing that is being “re-engineered” for improved pedestrian and bicycle safety.
At the accident site, a respectful moment of silence was observed, Tim’s brother, Scott, gave an excellent eulogy emphasizing how Tim would have wanted this incident to bring the cycling community together, to use it to help educate all road users, and to show understanding to the individual who in a moment of inattention took Tim’s life, forever changing the lives Tim’s and the driver’s families.
Pittsfield Supervisor Mandy Grewel spoke of her renewed and enhanced energy in bringing a comprehensive transportation plan to the community (Complete Streets) and pledged her commitment to making it happen. She has asked one of our newest members, Phil Hemenway, a Pittsfield township resident, to join the transportation committee working on improving transportation options for the township.
The 200 riders then were escorted back to Pioneer High School and many remained for a significant amount of time talking with Scott and his family. Many discussions also took place on how to make cycling safer for all users and many individuals joined the WBWC to support their mission. (In fact, the WBWC received the largest donation they have ever received as a result of this ride.) Here is a link to the coverage given to the ride by annarbor.com, who had a news team at the ride as did WEMU… http://www.annarbor.com/news/bicyclists-take-to-the-streets-in-memorial-ride-for-cyclist-killed-in-pittsfield-township/
While any memorial activity is never really desired, this ride provided the cycling community with an opportunity to:
-work with the AAPD and Pittsfield Department of Public Safety, who each provided 3 police cars as escorts and handled the whole situation with great professionalism;
-to show the community and the vast majority of observers that we, as members of the larger cycling community as well as recreational riders, are truly concerned with rider safety;
-work with the WBWC and others (Eli Cooper was there as were many other City officials and employees) in focusing on the needs for better infrastructure, better rider and driver education;
-to encourage all riders to be more aware and conscious of riding safely, enhancing and reinforcing the image of bicycle road users as safe and considerate users.
I personally want to thank all the WBWC members who without hesitation endorsed the idea of this ride and worked so effectively in bringing this memorial activity all together in a very short period of time. And a special condolences and thanks to the Pincikowski family who were so supportive of the ride and of the goals of the WBWC.
Urban Transportation Summit To Be Held In Ann Arbor
This November 9th through the 12th, SMART's Sustainable Urban Mobility & Accessibility Summit will be back by popular demand at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. “Moving Minds: The Next Transportation Infrastructure” will bring researchers together with business leaders, entrepreneurs, practitioners and policy makers from around the world.
This year's summit will give special attention to: "Moving Minds" -- understanding the cultural, psychological, and aspirational underpinnings of our relationship to transportation (for both users and leaders), and responding with innovative systems, policies, and business models that address these dimensions sustainability, equitably, and compellingly, including:
- New policy frameworks and research directions for the next (integrated) transportation infrastructure,
- New business and employment opportunities related to the emerging global New Mobility industry,
- "Resilience" - designing and operating integrated transportation/communication systems with capacities for transformational learning, adaptation and creative renewal when confronted by crisis, surprise, stress and trauma,
- Innovative Capacity Building - developing and sharing the knowledge and skills to address the growing global challenges and opportunities of New Mobility / sustainable transportation in urban regions.
For information and registration visit http://um-smart.org/resources/conference09/overview.html.
Local Police Officer Hit On Her Bicycle
Recently, Officer Kathy Vonk of the Ann Arbor Police Department was struck and injured (thankfully, no worse that bruises and stitches) while riding her bicycle to work. Kathy is a true bicycle advocate, not only being on the Ann Arbor Police bike patrol, but also has taught numerous bicycle training courses not only to regular cyclists, but also to fellow police officers.
The incident happened on the corner of Bridge and Textile Roads in Ypsilanti Township. Kathy was going west on Textile through the Bridge Road intersection with a green light when a car making a left turn to northbound Bridge turned in front of her. Kathy ended up being thrown off her bike and into the windshield of the car cutting her off. The collision also destroyed her bike.
As it turns out, the driver of the motor vehicle has had their driver's license suspended multiple times, had outstanding warrants for their arrest, no auto insurance, and the vehicle was not properly registered. Kathy noted that while she was being taken to the hospital, the driver of the car was being taken to jail. It should also be noted that the WBWC has in the past placed a priority on non-motorized improvements (i.e. at least paved shoulders/bike lanes) on both Textile and Bridge Roads.
Light Action Gives Major Donation To WBWC
Hank Bednarz, former owner of Great Lakes Cycling and Fitness, and now Director of the Light Action Foundation in Ann Arbor, recently donated $500 to the WBWC. Also, Mr. and Mrs. William Schults of Portage, MI, friends of Tim Pincikowski, donated $25 to WBWC specifically to promote biking safety.
Ann Arbor Pushes Non-motorized Transportation Safety Outreach
Over the summer, the Ann Arbor City Council considered a resolution to support a nonmotorized safety education outreach campaign. It had been introduced at an earlier Council meeting by Eli Cooper, the City’s Transportation Program Manager. The transportation safety campaign would include a collaboration of various entities, including the getDowntown program, the Ann Arbor public schools, the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce, and others.
The resolution did not allocate new funds, but provided guidance to staff on how to spend those funds – up to $10,000 for development and implementation of a non-motorized safety education outreach program. The money comes from the alternative transportation fund created from
Act 51 funds directed to development of a safe system of on-road bicycle lanes. The campaign itself, which has already been developed, will include brochures, radio spots, and video spots that will target all users, including motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.
WBWC Sponsors Pedestrian Forum
Around Ann Arbor, people love walking down tree-lined streets, along the Huron River and through vibrant downtown. But as motorists we don't yield for pedestrians at crosswalks. We ignore "no right turn on red" signs. We speed through residential neighborhoods. Why? Not all communities in America experience this problem.
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.
In September, the City of Ann Arbor issued the following press release…
Earlier this decade, the City of Ann Arbor initiated a new non-motorized transportation policy objective. At that time, the city transportation system included approximately eight miles of one-way on-road bicycle lanes. Bike lanes were present on only four roadways, including Earhart, Ellsworth, Green and Packard, and the extent of the system was counted in one direction only. Today, the City of Ann Arbor has more than 24 centerline miles of on-road bicycle lanes on too many streets to name! This translates into nearly 50 miles of on-road bike lanes using the city’s earlier one-way approach.
This major advance in the non-motorized system is a direct result of the city’s policy to accommodate and promote all forms of transportation including the historically underfunded non-motorized system. Often reported as a commitment to increase the amount of the bike lanes by 300 percent in five years, the city has far surpassed its short-term goal for expanding its system of on-road bicycle lanes. In fact, the city has increased its bike-lane system by 600 percent, from 8 to 48 lane miles.
“I’m proud of the work that has been done to expand the City of Ann Arbor’s bike-lane system and making biking an easier, more accessible alternative transportation option for our residents and visitors,” said Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje, who has set a new target and challenge for city staff to double current bike lane miles to 50 centerline miles within five years.
In addition to the bike lane mileage goal, the city continues to expand and enhance the non-motorized system within the city. Ann Arbor is in the process of installing three pedestrian crossing islands, 13 countdown signals and crosswalk signing and marking upgrades at 22 locations as part of a recently obtained MDOT safety grant. These improvements were identified as a direct result of the Citywide Non-motorized Plan completed in January 2007. The city’s planning process identified pedestrian access location issues, staff compiled the locations into a safety grant application that competed regionally and these improvements were selected for funding by the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Additional non-motorized improvements are also currently underway along Fifth Avenue and Division Street in the downtown. These DDA and state funded improvements will enhance the quality of the pedestrian environment as well as add on-road bicycle lanes and crosswalk upgrades. Beginning in spring 2010, the city has plans for installing nearly ten more miles of on-road bicycle lanes and independent side paths. These improvements rely on local, state and federal resources.
“The City of Ann Arbor continues to believe the quality of our transportation system relies on providing systems that enable all forms of transportation to flow safely and efficiently,” said City of Ann Arbor Transportation Manager Eli Cooper. “Although we celebrate our success, we recognize there is much more to be done. For our motorists, we continue to seek funding to restore full traffic to the Stadium Boulevard bridges corridor. The city continues to upgrade to state-of-the-art traffic signal systems for heavily trafficked corridors and is now deploying traffic roundabouts to more efficiently handle traffic flow in certain areas of the city. The city also recognizes the need for education and initiated a non-motorized safety education outreach program in 2009."
Friends Of The Border To Border Trail Meeting – November 19th
The Friends of the Border to Border Trail (www.bordertoborder.org) will have its next quarterly meeting on Thursday, November 19th, 7pm at Bombadills Café, 217 West Michigan Avenue in downtown Ypsilanti (next to the library).
The Friends of the Border to Border Trail is dedicated to completing, expanding and enhancing the Washtenaw County Border To Border trail. Their website has map links, news updates and also a link to join their Border To Border discussion group.
Michigan News
The Detroit Free Press recently reported that the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) has started a program to pair up bicycle commuters. MiBikematch, a service to match up bike riders who would be more comfortable taking the trip with another rider. The service is available as part of www.mirideshare.org. Users register there, entering their starting point, destination, days they ride and their work hours. That information is compared to other users for potential matches.
Participants may contact potential riding companions through e-mail or the Web site. The service is free, SEMCOG spokeswoman Iris Steinberg said. The program is part of an effort by state and local agencies to encourage folks to think beyond driving to ease congestion and improve air quality in a state among the tops in the nation in the percentage of drivers commuting alone by car.
U.S. census figures for 2005-08 show slight increases in Michigan in recent years in the number of people who ride bikes to work, but it remains below half a percent of Michigan's 4.4 million commuters age 16 or older. Steve Roach, with the League of Michigan Bicyclists, said SEMCOG's program will help ease reluctance to try something new. "A good way of improving the level of comfort is if somebody's with you," said Roach, a Grosse Pointe Park lawyer who works at Miller Canfield downtown and bikes to work several days a week seven to eight months a year.
League Of Michigan Bicyclists Website Updated
Over the summer, the League of Michigan Bicyclists (LMB) updated their webpage (www.lmb.org) to make it user-friendlier, including…
- Routes & Maps Resource Page –A new Michigan Bicycle Routes and Maps page has a wealth of information on local, regional and cross-state bicycle routes, including Shoreline Bicycle Tour maps and other LMB routes, Michigan Department of Transportation bicycle-suitability maps, Adventure Cycling Routes through Michigan, and links to local club maps. It also includes LMB's new East/West Cross State Route, which is a free-download PDF file.
- Law-Enforcement Education Page - LMB's site also has a new section (www.LMB.org/Education.html) focused on assisting law-enforcement officers with the laws on bicycling on Michigan roads. Numerous resources are already available on the site and the LMB will be adding more.
- Michigan Complete Streets Web Site - LMB launched a web site in June completely dedicated to Michigan's campaign for greater accessibility for all roadway users. The site is home base for all things Complete Streets statewide. (www.MICompleteStreets.org).
- News Blog - LMB's new news blog is being updated regularly at www.LMB.org/news.html. Subscribe to LMB's News Blog and receive regular email updates. Sign up at: http://bit.ly/41Pkjd
- Facebook – The LMB recently launched a new Facebook Fan page. We were quickly "befanned" by over 500 cyclists. Since many of these folks are not LMB members (yet!), the popular social-networking site is quickly reaching a larger cycling audience.
- Twitter - LMB is also now on Twitter. The LMB is regularly updating two Twitter accounts, one on bicycling specifically for LMB, and one focused on Michigan Complete Streets. The sites are http://twitter.com/MIBicyclists (LMB news) and http://twitter.com/WalkBikeRollMI (MI Complete Streets)
Michigan Bicycle Legislation Update
The Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) and the League of Michigan Bicyclists are excited to announce a new partnership, the Michigan Complete Streets Coalition with a web site at www.MICompleteStreets.org.
After reviewing LMB's issue paper, Representative Jon Switalski (D-Warren) introduced Complete Streets language in the House Transportation Funding bill. With little debate, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation added Section 399 stating, "The department [Michigan Department of Transportation] and local road agencies that receive appropriations under this act shall adopt complete street policies" to its Transportation Bill (the full text is at www.MICompleteStreets.org). The Senate and House bills have been referred to a Conference Committee where key legislators from both bodies will work out differences.
LMB also serves on the Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan (HKHM) Complete Streets Task Force, which recently distributed a Complete Streets Resolution to all Michigan legislators. Though not binding, a resolution is an excellent way to educate legislators on the issue. HKHM is currently
drafting technical guidance to help the introduction of comprehensive Complete Streets legislation.
Time magazine recently reported an initiative in Michigan to turn less-used roads into “green highways”. Kim Gallagher a project manager for the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission envisions turning little-used roadways into "green highways" that cater specifically to electric-vehicle drivers and other slow-moving, eco-minded tourists traveling by bicycle or on foot.
"We need innovation in [Michigan]. We've got beautiful scenery. And we see the low-speed, low-range electric-car industry bringing them together," says Gallagher, who is heading up a project to revitalize the U.S. 12 Heritage Trail in Michigan, her home state. She thinks green corridors could resuscitate Main Streets in Michigan and across the country. "This could be a small boon to local merchants, healthy-café owners, bed-and-breakfasts," she says. "We just want everyone to slow down and enjoy the view; the road is like a destination itself.
The idea is to retrofit roadways with charging stations and tailor routes to low-speed, limited-distance electric and muscle-powered vehicles, including EVs, hybrids, bicycles, scooters, horses and Segways. The basic law: stay under 35 m.p.h., unless your vehicle is crash-tested and certified for higher speeds. Of course, good old gas guzzlers are welcome too, as long as they go slow. " "It has to be a bottom-up effort," says Curtis. "You need local buy-in every step of the way, so towns will pass resolutions to help start putting in charging infrastructure, put in special lanes and enforce speed limits." For the complete story, visit http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1928997,00.html?xid=rss-topstories-polar.
43 Percent Increase in Bicycle Commuting
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2008 American Community Survey (ACS), released in the summer of 2010, 0.55 percent of American workers use a bicycle as their primary means of getting to work. This is up 14 percent since 2007, 36 percent from the first ACS in 2005, and 43 percent since the 2000 Census. The League of American Bicyclists is analyzing the numbers for various locations, including League Bicycle Friendly Communities. In the meantime, you can look up this information for hundreds of communities and all of the states using the American Fact Finder. For more on this issue, visit http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/2009/09/43-increase-in-bicycle-commuting-since-2000/.
State Transportation Deficiencies
According to an August Transportation For America blog entry by Stephen Lee Davis, "When it comes to transportation infrastructure, no state is being left untouched by budget cuts and neglect. Everywhere, roads and bridges are crumbling and demand for housing close to public transportation or in convenient walkable neighborhoods is skyrocketing -- but not every state is reacting to these challenges in the same way.
"So we've put together a comprehensive state-by-state analysis of how America is doing on transportation in a nifty interactive map. So go ahead, give it a whirl -- and find out how your state stacks up, and send it to your friends and family...This is the first iteration of these state fact sheets, and they’ll be expanded upon in the coming months. Check back often for changes and new facts. For more on the Transportation For America Alliance, visit http://t4america.org/blog. To view Michigan statistics, visit http://t4america.org/statefacts/michigan/.
People Powered Movement Photo Contest
The Alliance for Biking & Walking is inviting photographers from across North America to turn their best biking and walking photos into a chance to win a 10-day all-expense-paid bike tour of Tuscany. The inaugural People Powered Movement Photo Contest, which runs from September 1st - December 11th, is seeking high quality and creative photos of biking and walking.
In addition to the VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations Tuscany by bike adventure, which includes airfare, meals, and bicycle, the grand prize winner will also receive a year's supply of CLIF BARs and their local biking or walking advocacy organization will receive a $1,000 Communications Grant.
Two runners-up will win a brand new commuter bike - a Breezer Uptown 8 or a Dahon folding commuter. First, second, and third place winners in each of the seven categories will also receive prizes including Rickshaw bags, Planet Bike gear, and CLIF BARs. The winning photos will be published in the 2010 March/April issue of Momentum Magazine.
Individuals can submit up to 20 photo entries via the contest website until December 11th, 2009. On November 1st, the public will be invited to vote on all photos submitted to the contest. Public voting will close on December 31st, 2009 when the top 10 photos from each category will go to a panel of expert judges in biking and walking advocacy and communications. These judges will vote on the finalists to determine the contest winners. Because the public voting period is critical to determining the finalists, participants are encouraged to submit their photos early.
Photos submitted via this contest will benefit the Alliance's new Biking and Walking Advocacy Photo Library, a valuable resource that will provide free high quality images for grassroots bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations. This resource is much anticipated, as images are essential for advocates to effectively communicate with the public. For more information, including judging criteria, contest rules, and to enter, visit the Alliance's contest website at www.PeoplePoweredMovement.org/PhotoContest.
The Alliance for Biking & Walking is the North American coalition of 140 grassroots biking and walking advocacy organizations. The Alliance works to strengthen state and local organizations through grants, training, sharing best practices and resources. More information about their work or to find a local organization you can work with, check out www.PeoplePoweredMovement.org.
Bike Maker: Surge In USA Bicycle Commuting
An August BikeRadar article reported, "Trek president John Burke says bicycle commuting and recreational cycling have surged in the United States in recent years, and he has the numbers to prove it. Cities such as Portland, Oregon and San Francisco, California are reporting enormous increases in commuter traffic.
"Federal spending on bicycle infrastructure (bike lanes, paths, signage, etc.) will top US$1.4 billion in 2009 -- up from a few hundred million just five years ago, official Bicycle Friendly Community municipal applications to the League of American Bicyclists have more than doubled in two years, and there are now 5,200 schools enrolled in the Safe Routes to School program. "Burke, commenting during a keynote address in Madison, Wisconsin in front of several hundred Trek dealers, also said that grassroots initiatives are quickly gaining steam in various corners of the US, and his own company's $1 million-plus in donations to the League and the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) are having an impact: IMBA has built or designed over 800km (500 miles) of trails in 2009 alone...” The full story is at http://tinyurl.com/lbv6z4
Study – People Will Pay More For Walkable Communities
According to an Aug. 18 Daily Score entry by Clark Williams-Derry, "You may have already heard of Walk Score -- an endlessly entertaining internet tool that lets people discover how pedestrian-friendly their neighborhood is. Walk Score ranks neighborhood 'walkability' based on the mix of stores and services that are within walking distance of any home in North America. If you haven't already, you should check it out -- but only if you've got nothing pressing to do, since it's pretty addictive.
"Now, the good folks at CEOs for Cities have taken it on themselves to ask -- does Walk Score mean anything for real estate values? Are people really willing to pay more to live in a place where they can do daily errands on foot, rather than in a car? According to their new report, 'Walking the Walk,' the answer is an emphatic yes: people value walkable neighborhoods so much that, holding everything else constant, each additional Walk Score point adds somewhere between $500 and $3,000 to the value of a home. In Seattle -- the only Northwest city for which there's data -- a point of walkability adds about $1,400 to home values..." For more on this issue, visit http://tinyurl.com/oqrlej.
Ask Google Maps To Generate Biking/Walking Route Maps
Around the nation, bicycle clubs, walking groups and others are sending messages to Google urging them to create maps for the best cycling routes in any particular area. The simplest way to let Google know of the need for bike maps is to go to their 'Suggest It' page at http://maps.google.com/support/bin/static.py?page=suggestions.cs. On that page, on “Route Information”, click on the “Suggest It” link for “Add bike trail information and biking directions” as well as “Include walking and hiking trails in walking directions”.
If you want to do more than click a request, you need to write to the discussion forums and hope Google staff pays attention. For more information and tips, go to the http://tinyurl.com/ksv96t
Transportation Enhancements Threat Stopped
Transportation Enhancements (TE), the nation’s largest funding source for trails, walking and bicycling, have frequently come under attack, but Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) but supporters of the program have consistently risen to the challenge of defending this popular and important program.
Such was the case in mid-September when U.S. Senators Tom Coburn (Oklahoma) and John McCain (Arizona) submitted two amendments to the federal 2010 fiscal year Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill. If these amendments had passed, they would have eliminated TE, which provides the majority of available federal funds for trails, walking and bicycling. In response to this attack, cycling and walking advocacy groups issued an e-mail alert on Tuesday, September 15, asking supporters to call their U.S. Senators and ask them to vote against the two amendments. Given less than 24 hours’ notice before the vote on September 16, hundreds of you acted and helped sway this crucial vote.
Amendment 2370 would have prohibited the use of federal funds for pedestrian or bicycle facilities, efforts to reduce vehicle collisions with wildlife, and other specified TE projects if the Highway Trust Fund cannot cover unfunded highway authorizations. Sensing minimal support, Senator Coburn withdrew Amendment 2370 on the floor of the Senate. Amendment 2371 would have eliminated the current set-aside that ensures funding for TE in all states. Responding to calls to their offices, the Senate defeated Amendment 2371 by a margin of 59-39. This is an important victory. But the fact that 39 senators—including both Democrats and Republicans—voted in favor of the amendment indicates that many Senators do not fully realize the value such assets provide our communities.
Pedaling.Com Website Launched
Pedaling.com offers self-guided road bike routes and mountain bike trails including maps, cue sheets, and trail descriptions. It also includes resources for local bicycle shops, bike safety information, and community bulletin boards for cyclists to share trail, road, and cross country bike trip knowledge. It also has information on guided bicycle tours, cycling gear, and bicycles? Check out the www.pedaling.com website for more details.
Motoring Group Promotes Cycling (In Britain That Is)
Millions of motorists are cycling, according to a study commissioned by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) in the United Kingdom. The report Cycling Motorists was published August 26 and calls for different strategies to get more drivers cycling. The thought is that if more motorists are also cyclists, the safer all cyclists will be. The general consensus is that motorists who cycle become more considerate of other cyclists when they get behind the wheel.
Over 14 million U.K. motorists own a bike, five million of them ride regularly, seven million cycle now and half-a-million drivers who don't cycle might be persuaded to do so. "What deters them (both sexes) are inconsiderate drivers, heavy traffic, lorries, the poor state of some roads and risk of an accident," said Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research. Currently, only 14 percent of bike-owning motorists do not ride.
Web Resources
Local Government Actions To Prevent Childhood Obesity - Report from the Institute of Medicine.
http://tinyurl.com/nsruuh
School Bicycling and Walking Policies – The byline of the report is “Addressing Policies That Hinder and Implementing Policies That Help" - By the National Center for Safe Routes to School and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership - http://tinyurl.com/kpjxfc
How Free Is Your “Free” Parking? – Report showing free auto parking is hardly “free”. -http://tinyurl.com/lmeq6m
Next WBWC Newsletter deadline – December 10th, 2009 (for the January/February 2010 edition). Submissions can be sent to Bob Krzewinski at wolv...@gmail.com.