WBWC Test News

[Bob Krzewinski]

Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition
July/August 2008 Newsletter
www.wbwc.org - 734/864-4095

"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.
July 3rd, September 4th) 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. August 7, October
2nd), 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 RAT Rides
The WBWC Ride Around Town (RAT) bicycle rides are held on the second
Friday of each month (July 11th, August 7th, etc.). All rides start at
Liberty Plaza Park, Liberty and Division in Ann Arbor at 6pm and are
generally five miles in length. 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 Given “Hometown Hero” Award
In April, the WBWC was awarded a “Hometown Hero” award by Governor
Jennifer Granholm and the Michigan Department of Public Health for
it’s work to maintain and improve the health of their local
communities. The award noted that the State was “impressed with your
Coalition’s efforts to promote non-motorized transportation
enhancement projects and policy initiatives to help reduce the
pollution caused by motor vehicles”.

“Friends Of The Border To Border Trail’ Trail” Forming
A new group, the “Friends of The Border To Border Trail” has recently
formed, with a goal of completing, expanding and enhancing the
Washtenaw County Border To Border trail. The group has a website
(www.bordertoborder.org) and an email discussion group at
http://groups.google.com/group/border-to-border. In the coming months
the group hopes to have bicycle rides and walks along completed
sections of the trail, perform trail clean ups, and most importantly,
urge elected officials to take action to fully complete the trail.

AABTS Funds “Street Smarts” Booklet
The Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society (www.aabts.org), the largest
bicycle club in the County, recently gave a $200 grant to the WBWC to
purchase more Street Smarts booklets for local distribution through
events and bicycle shops. Street Smarts is an easy to read publication
of safe bicycling and is very highly regarded by cycling advocates.
For an abbreviated short version of Street Smarts, visit
http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm.

Bike To Market Rides
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market has tentatively planned to hold a “Bike
To Market” ride on Saturday, July 12th. The plan is to have the ride
start at three rides start at three (or more) centerslocations, with
scheduled meet-up times along the way. For instance, there would be a
group from the southeast side of town start at Amos on Ellsworth and
Platte, will meet up with others at Packard and Stone School, pick up
a few more at Burns Park, then go to market. For more details on this
ride, visit the WBWC website at www.wbwc.org or the Farmers Market
webpage at http://www.a2gov.org/government/communityservices/ParksandRecreation/FarmersMarket/Pages/Specialevents.aspx.

Walking Advocate Visits Ann Arbor
In mid-May, noted walking advocate and Walk21 Director, Rodney Tolley,
spent time in Ann Arbor. He traveled to Ann Arbor because of the
city’s designation as one of the most walkable areas in the United
States. At the same time, Tolley noted that Ann Arbor’s many
shortcomings mirror common patterns which he sees everywhere. Some of
his main points were that activist groups that mix walking and biking
always swamp the walkers; he's a cyclist himself, but he created
Walk21 in order to promote walking. Walking is basic; everyone walks,
only 2% bike; walking and commerce go together.

A walking environment is an environment where people can stop and
socialize at any time. So squares, chairs, shops, and so on, are
needed components. Auto speed kills a street's walkability and makes
it poor?? for business as well. The city is a center of trade, so
closing some streets to cars entirely is often desirable, and there
should be no high-speed streets through the city center (like Fifth
and Division); these should be slower. He is also keen on removing all
traffic lights and signs at some intersections (He he thought State at
North University was a candidate for this); this slows traffic even
more and gives walkers priority (after an adjustment period).

The Charter for Walking (at www.Walk21.com) lays out eight principles
on the cover page, and lists specific actions to achieve them; the
charter is being signed by major cities all over the world; Ann Arbor
is encouraged to sign it.

Ford Boulevard – Staying Three Lanes - For Now
Earlier it was reported that the Washtenaw County Road Commission
voted to remove recently installed bicycle lanes on Ypsilanti
Township’s Ford Boulevard. This move was in response to a “petition”
by a local automotive service center owner (Ed’s Garage) that was
forwarded to the Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees, a majority of
whom supported bike lane removal and conversion of the road back to
four motor vehicle lanes.

After the Road Commission vote, it was discovered, however, that since
the Ford Boulevard reconstruction (changing it from four lanes to two
traffic lanes, a turn lane and bicycle lanes) was done with State and
Federal funding under a project to cut down motor vehicle collisions
and increase safety, if the bicycle lanes were removed and the road
converted back to four lanes, the County would have to pay back all
funding for the road.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) did inform the Road
Commission that it still could change the road back to four lanes of
traffic and no bike lanes without any “payback”, but that first the
MDOT would need at least 2 1/2 years of data on average traffic speed,
traffic capacity and accident data before any change could be
considered. The section of Ford Boulevard in question is in a
residential area, and since the change to two traffic lanes, residents
have commented on decreased traffic speeds and a quieter
neighborhood.

Ann Arbor Plans Bike and Pedestrian Friendly Downtown
According to the Ann Arbor News, “The Ann Arbor Downtown Development
Authority (DDA) is proposing changes to two major streets that are
intended to make them more friendly to bicycles and pedestrians. Under
the $10 million plan, bike lanes would be added the length of Fifth
Avenue and Division Street, from Packard to Beakes. Those bike lanes
would connect to existing bicycle lanes on Packard and on the Broadway
Bridges. Planning for the proposed changes to Fifth Avenue and
Division Street dates back to 2003. A refined plan will be discussed
at a public hearing at 7 p.m. Wednesday (date??) at city hall. Traffic
lanes on Fifth and Division -- one-way corridors that carry south- and
northbound traffic -- are now wider than normal.

To create room for the bike lanes, travel lanes would be reduced to a
standard lane width. On some segments, the number of travel lanes
would also be reduced. In some places, like areas of Division Street
where sidewalks are unusually wide, extra space will come from what is
now sidewalk. The plan would also add 100 new on-street parking
spaces. That parking would give pedestrians a protected walking zone
on adjacent sidewalks. 'The idea is to create layers of visual cues
that tell drivers they're in areas where there are people and
activity,' said Susan Pollay, executive director of the DDA. In
addition, the plan would create 'gateways' at Division and Packard,
and Fifth and Beakes; and 'bump-outs' into the streets..." For more on
the story, visit http://tinyurl.com/4sop5z.

University of Michigan Professor Promotes Walkable Future
According to a May 13th Cleveland Plain Dealer article, "Christopher
Leinberger, the nationally respected real estate expert, issued a
forecast and an admonition Tuesday at the 2008 Historic Downtown
Cleveland Luncheon Forum. Leinberger, who teaches at the University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, said that after 50 or 60 years, in which American
development has been dominated by what he called 'drivable suburbs,'
the pendulum is swinging the other way. Over the next 20 years, he
predicted, 88 percent of all new households will consist of couples
and singles without children.

"Most of them won't want a large house on a large lot in a suburb.
Instead, he said, they'll resettle American cities and downtowns.
They'll pursue 'The Option of Urbanism,' to cite the title of his new
book, published in November by Island Press. "It's all about mixed-
use, transit-oriented development," he told more than 200 planners,
developers, publicists, architects and journalists at Windows on the
River at the Powerhouse in the Flats. 'We're bored with suburbs,' he
said. 'We need more options to satisfy the market.' In his article,
'The Next Slum?,' published in The Atlantic in March, Leinberger
describes how newly finished subdivisions outside Charlotte, N.C.;
Sacramento, Calif.; and other cities are losing residents and falling
prey to vandals and gangs..."


Take Action!
Here a few suggestions for action that will help expand the
opportunities for bicycling and walking…

Urge Support For U.S. House Bicycling Resolution
According to an National Bicycle Strategy News Flash from the League
of American Bicyclists, "The House Congressional Resolution on
Bicycling (H.Con.Res.305), introduced in February, calls on the United
States Congress to adopt a national bicycling strategy to fully
realize the incredible benefits of getting more people bicycling, more
safely, more often. There is a 'sense of Congress' that complete
streets policies are essential to ensure wise use of considerable
Federal investment in transportation infrastructure, and that expanded
funding for bicycling and walking programs is desirable and
appropriate.

"A good showing for the Resolution is essential as this would serve as
the first ever comprehensive bicycling policy statement and would
serve as an important policy statement guide for the next
transportation reauthorization which begins next year (2009). Please
contact your U.S. Representative to urge them to support House
Congressional Resolution 305. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/4znvco.

Congressional “Complete Streets” – Roads For All Users
Earlier this year, US Senator Tom Harkin, (D-Iowa) introduced 'The
Complete Streets Act of 2008' bill (S 2686) in the U.S. Senate on
March 3 with Senator Tom Carper, (D-Del) co-sponsoring it.
Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA), introduced a similar Complete
Streets Act of 2008 into the US House (HR 5951).. Both bills promote
streets to be designed in a way that would be safe for all people --
motorists, bus riders, bicyclists and pedestrians, including the
elderly, children and people with disabilities,' said Lisa Jacobson,
Fellow of Smart Growth America for the National Complete Streets
Coalition.

"She said communities with 'Complete Streets' policies are healthier,
have less traffic congestion and reduce their carbon emissions.
Several organizations such as AARP, the National Center for Bicycling
and Walking and the American Public Transportation Association have
endorsed Harkin's bill. Jacobson said communities such as college
campuses will have to accommodate needs for all methods of
transportation. 'For those on college campuses, "Complete Streets"
would mean that the infrastructure would be there to walk/bike safely
to school on sidewalks and bike lanes, as well as use proper
crosswalks,' Jacobson said. 'Other design features would be put in to
slow down traffic, and it would create safe environments for those on
foot.'..."

Across the country, many transportation agencies have continued to
design many roads primarily for drivers - discouraging bicycling and
leaving those on foot tramping through a track worn in the grass. Yet
men and women outlive their driving years by six and ten years
respectively and prefer to walk rather than be stuck at home. Transit
users often face dangerous crossings and uncomfortable waits, while
people who use wheelchairs or have vision impairments often cannot
venture out at all due to a lack of sidewalks and curb ramps. SAnd
surveys show Americans of all ages and income levels want safe places
to walk and ride bicycles.
Complete Streets policies require transportation planners to take the
needs of all users into account in all upcoming transportation
projects - so the road network can be gradually improved for
everyone. Oregon, Virginia, Illinois, California, and Massachusetts
are among the states that have adopted complete streets policies or
laws; dozens of counties, regional transportation agencies, and cities
and regions have also adopted the policies in the last few years,
including Ms. Matsui's home jurisdiction of Sacramento, as well as
Seattle, Chicago, and Salt Lake City.

The National Complete Streets Coalition includes AARP, the American
Public Transportation Association (APTA), the American Planning
Association, Smart Growth America, America Bikes, and many other
organizations. For more information, visit www.completestreeets.org.
Please contact your U.S. Representative and ask them to support HR
5951. Also, contact Senators Levin and Stabenow and ask them to
support S 2686.

**********************
To contact your Congressman or Senators…
By telephone - Call the Capitol Switchboard, 202-224-3121 and ask for
your Representative/Senators office.
By mail – Senator ____, US Senate, Washington, DC 20510.
Representative _____, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
20515.


National News

US Mayors Consider Bicycling Resolution
According to an article in the June 10th American Bicyclist Update,
Mayor Chris Koos, of Normal, IL, has introduced a resolution making
the case that bicycling should be integrated into our nation's
transportation, climate, energy and health policy initiatives, for
consideration and adoption at this year’s U.S. Conference of Mayors
Annual meeting, June 20-24 in Miami. The resolution is similar to the
Congressional Resolution recently passed by the House of
Representatives and a number of Mayors have agreed to be co-sponsors.
To view the resolution, visit http://tinyurl.com/667ltf.

FHWA Updates Non-Motorized Facility Guidance
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Trails and Enhancements
Program division recently revised the Guidance web pages for the
Transportation Enhancement (TE) Activities and Recreational Trails
Program (RTP). They are more consistent, with common resources. Most
resources formerly available to one program are now available to
both." For more information, visit TE: http://tinyurl.com/3uqqs3 and
RTP: http://tinyurl.com/3vcylg.

Safe Routes To School Funding Jumps
According to the Spring 2008 Safe Routes To School (SRTS) Program
Tracking Brief, "The national Safe Routes to School program again grew
at an impressive rate during the first quarter (January to March) of
2008, with total committed spending jumping nearly 21 percent from
$183.7 million at the end of 2007 to approximately1 $221.7 million at
the end of March 2008. This increase of $38 million is the second
largest quarterly increase in announced SRTS spending since the
program began in 2006.

"State Safe Routes to School Programs2 have now announced spending
commitments for more than half (53.3 percent) of the $416 million that
has been made available to states so far. $221.7 million is also about
37 percent of the total $612 million federally provided for SRTS
activities. Forty-two states have now announced spending of SRTS
funds, up from 39 at the end of 2007. The National Center for Safe
Routes to School continues to see the rapid growth in announced
spending and the steady increase in state-level SRTS activity as a
sign of the strength and promise for the national Safe Routes to
School program. The $221.7 million is more than a nine-fold increase
from $24.3 million in spring 2007..." For more information, visit
http://tinyurl.com/4kt2fe.

As Gas Prices Rise, Americans Start To Ride Bicycles More
According to a May 14th Associated Press article, "Four-dollar-a-
gallon gas is good for business -- if you run a bike shop. Commuters
around the country are dusting off their old two-wheelers--or buying
new ones--to cope with rising fuel prices, bicycle dealers say.
'Everyone that comes in the shop is talking about the gas prices,'
said Barry Dahl, who opened Barry's Bikes in Bismarck in April. He
sold more than 50 bicycles in the first month, double the projections
in his business plan. Teacher Joyce McCusker of Herndon, Virginia,
owns a bicycle for the first time in years. She bought it last month
and uses it to make the eight-mile trip home from work. A friend
drives her pickup to take McCusker's daughter home from school.

"'I'm still using fossil fuel,' she said. 'In two years, my goal is to
ride both ways, every day through the year.' About 18 million bicycles
have been sold annually in the US over the past few years, accounting
for about $6 billion in annual sales, said Fred Clements, executive
director the National Bicycle Dealers Association in Costa Mesa,
California. Bicycle shops across the country are reporting strong
sales so far this year, and more people are bringing in bikes that
have been idled for years, he said. 'People are riding bicycles a lot
more often, and it's due to a mixture of things but escalating gas
prices is one of them,' said Bill Nesper, spokesman for the
Washington. DC-based League of American Bicyclists..." For more on the
story, visit http://tinyurl.com/6cmsbp

Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals
If you're a pedestrian or bicycle or pedestrian professional or
advocate, or are working in related fields such as public health,
urban design and planning, or active living, you may want to consider
being a member of the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle
Professionals (APBP). APBP is the only professional association
dedicated to designing, building and advocating for more walkable,
bicycle-friendly communities. APBP members work at all levels of
government, in consulting firms and with non-profit organizations.
APBP members develop policy, write and implement long-range plans,
design facilities, promote Safe Routes to School, teach safety and
design programs, conduct research, offer technical assistance, oversee
construction work, and manage staff and programs in agencies,
consulting firms and non-profit organizations.

Advantages of membership include:
• Reduced fees for Pro Walk/Pro Bike, the preeminent North American
conference for pedestrian and bicycle professionals and advocates
• Access to the APBP ListServe, a highly respected discussion group
for instant advice, information exchange and feedback on a variety of
topics, plus searchable archives which contain hundreds of topics
• A subscription to APBP’s quarterly newsletter covering innovative
bicycle and pedestrian programs, resources, events, legislation, and
policies
• A directory of bicycle and pedestrian professionals you can contact
for assistance and ideas, plus staff support for help and referrals
• Opportunities to contribute to the profession by writing articles,
case studies and answers to Frequently Asked Questions
• Access to APBP training courses (Designing Pedestrian Facilities for
Accessibility, Complete Streets, and Bicycle-Friendly Communities)
• APBP-hosted programs and events at related professional conferences

APBP welcomes opportunities to collaborate and partners with other
national organizations to leverage our combined resources, e.g., by co-
hosting webinars with the National Center for Bicycling & Walking,
offering Complete Streets workshops with the National Complete Streets
Coalition, contributing to the knowledge base of www.walkinginfo.org
and www.bicyclinginfo.org, cooperating with the League of American
Bicyclists to facilitate Bicycle Friendly Community workshops, and
promoting and presenting the NCSRTS National Course with America
Walks. For more information and to join APBP, visit: http://tinyurl.com/97q2c

Oil Prices Drive Up Paving Costs
According to a June 5th USA Today article, "Fewer roads will be
repaved this summer, thanks to soaring prices of oil-based asphalt.
Some states, cities and counties say their road-repair budgets didn't
anticipate asphalt prices that are up 25.9% from a year ago, so
they're being forced to delay projects. 'We will do what patching we
can, but this will truly, truly be a devastating blow to the
infrastructure,' says Shirlee Leighton, a county commissioner in Lake
County, S.D., where a 5-mile repaving project was postponed after bids
came in $79,000-$162,000 higher than the $442,000 budget.

"The mix used to resurface roads consists of gravel and sand held
together with a binder called liquid asphalt, which is made from crude
oil. As oil prices rise, so does the cost of asphalt, says Don Wessel
of Poten & Partners, a consulting firm that publishes Asphalt Weekly
Monitor. 'Prices are the highest I've seen in many, many, many years,'
he says. 'The concern is that they will go up considerably.' Increases
in the cost of diesel fuel used to transport, heat and lay asphalt are
adding to the sticker shock, too, creating headaches across the
USA..." For more, visit http://tinyurl.com/5wyhxt.

Stolen Bike? Website May Help Find It
The easiest way to sell a stolen bike is on the internet using
services such as Craigslist and eBay. The program Finetoothcog takes
over the menial task of scanning these sites by covering the
electronic sales methods and keeps you informed of bikes for sale
similar to the one you describe. It sends you an email digest each
evening and provides a web interface to viewing what bikes are for
sale similar to yours. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/4d57p2.

Critical Mass? No, Kidical Mass!
Groups in Eugene, Oregon, Portland Oregon, and Tulsa, Oklahoma have
started “Kidical Mass” rides on a regular basis. They are billed as a
“family focused ride” and is not political or confrontational, but
"fun-tational and kidical". The ride follows the rules, stopping at
red lights and stop signs. Organizers say it's a great excuse to get
out and ride with other families, show people that "Kids are Traffic
Too", and to get ice cream. For more, visit http://www.kidicalmass.org


Web Resources

What One Mile Of Highway Can Do
The group Sightline has estimated that adding a single extra mile of
highway lane in a congested urban area will increase carbon-dioxide
emissions by about 100,000 tons over 50 years. And that's after taking
congestion relief into account." http://tinyurl.com/5caxvq

NBC Covers Rise In Bicycle Commuting
In a May 31st NBC Today Show segment, Corey Sanders interviewed
bicycle commuters and gave examples of how bicycling is up
significantly, as a result of high gas prices. He also highlighted the
increase in bike/transit trips -- in some communities, up 30%+, and
how employers are encouraging employees to ride.
To see the video, go to: http://tinyurl.com/4vl8f5

Please Don’t Squeeze (Cyclists)
The State of Illinois recently started a "Please don't Squeeze"
campaign (i.e. getting cars to pass at a safe distance from bikers -
3' or more). For more, visit http://www.bikeiowa.com/asp/hotnews/newsdisplay.asp?NewsID=3029

More Taking Steps To Reduce Driving
A USA Today/Gallup Poll finds that 84% of Americans are consolidating
errands or taking other steps to reduce driving. Nearly one-third say
they're using alternative ways to get around, including bicycles."
More at http://tinyurl.com/6q97yn.

Design Guidance: Accommodating Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel
A US Department of Transportation policy statement Integrating
bicycling and walking into transportation infrastructure at
http://tinyurl.com/546f6x.

"FHWA Guidance: Bicycle and Pedestrian Provisions of Federal
Transportation Legislation
At http://tinyurl.com/43hszu.

A Residents Guide For Creating Safe and Walkable Communities
From the Federal Highway Administration Office of Safety at
http://tinyurl.com/253jhy.

Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practice
From the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) at
http://tinyurl.com/3rvdvb.

Guidelines For Accessible Pedestrian Access
From the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) at
http://tinyurl.com/54b4ws.

Eco-Elvis
In Kansas City, Eco-Elvis is urging people to take action for the
environment, while singing songs such as Burnin' Globe (Burning Love),
Can't Help Recycling It All (Can't Help Falling In Love), etc..." For
more, visit http://tinyurl.com/4uatx7.



Next WBWC Newsletter deadline – August 10th, 2008 (for the September/
October 2008 edition). Submissions can be sent to Bob Krzewinski at
wolv...@yahoo.com or faxed to 734/487-9058.