Bikeboard September 2009

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10 participants
21 discussions

MapFest next Tuesday
by Frank Gmeindl 05 Nov '09

05 Nov '09

Bicycle Board Members, Next Tuesday, October 6, 6-9 pm we will review the first draft comprehensive Morgantown Bicycle Route map and try to complete it so we can produce it and distribute it at the Oct. 19 grand opening of the Mountaineer Station. We will meet in the Training Room in the Public Safety Center. Please come and contribute to perfecting the map. Or, just to give thanks to Derek for all the tremendous work that he's done pulling this together. Frank

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[Fwd: WVU football game next Thurs night]
by Frank Gmeindl 29 Sep '09

29 Sep '09

Bicycle Board Members, Of the 9 members that responded to my message below, 5 said they wouldn't come to this Thursday's Bicycle Board meeting and 4 said they would come. Since more than half of the respondents said they wouldn't come and 7 members didn't reply to the message below, it appears we wouldn't have a quorum. Therefore, I am canceling the meeting. Attached are the minutes from our September meeting. Thanks to Hugh Kierig for recording them. *Good News* We have had some good news since the last meeting: *Mon Blvd Bike Lane and Share the Road Signs *Damien Davis, Assistant City Engineer did a wonderful job creating a presentation package of the Bike Lane including superb drawings. He delivered the presentation to the MPO TAC which included 3 members of the WVDOT. Damien, David Bruffy, Bill Austin (new MPO Director) and Terry Hough all spoke very strongly positively for the bike lane. Both Damien and David emphasized that cyclists have a right to ride on Mon Blvd whether or not there is a bike lane. The DOT resisted the bike lane saying that since MUB's closing the rail trail, MUB should put in the bike lane. Terry Hough clearly stated to the DOT that the idea of a bike lane on Mon Blvd has been discussed with DOT for 15 years; it was actually approved at one time but got tangled up in consideration for pedestrians and the state money got spent on the sidewalks on Patteson Drive instead. The DOT agreed to evaluate Damien's package and notify the City if it satisfies technical standards. After the MPO meeting, Terry Hough asked me if the Bicycle Board would agree with applying to the bike lane and Share the Road signs $13K of the $35K that was budgeted for Shared Lane Markings. I responded that we would probably be OK with the City's borrowing $13K for the bike lane and then restoring it when we have an approved SLM plan. My conclusion is that the bike lane satisfies technical standards and the City's committed to do the bike lane and Share the Road signs whether the State pays for them or not. *Downtown Parking* Thanks to the persistent efforts and negotiation skills of Chip Wamsley and the Parking Committee, today we received a letter (attached) from the Mainstreet Morgantown Board of Directors approving the Mainstreet Morgantown Design Committee's recommendation "that bike racks be located in offsets and setbacks that do not interfere with pedestrian traffic. This recommendation has three goals: 1. Provide a safe, secure and convenient place for bicycles to be parked. 2. Do not interfere with pedestrian traffic. 3. Do not take up motor vehicle parking spaces. The Design Committee asks that the Bicycle Board to present to the Design Committee locations that support these goals." A couple weeks ago, I received from Terry Hough detailed drawings showing bicycle parking locations that for the most part are exactly what we recommended to the Design Committee months ago. If the Design Committee agrees that the City Engineer's drawings satisfy their goals, the next step will be for the Public Works Dept. to purchase and install the racks. The funds for them have already been budgeted. See you in November. Go Mountaineers. Frank /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/ -------- Original Message -------- Subject: WVU football game next Thurs night Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:32:59 -0400 From: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> To: Bicycle Board <bikeboard(a)cheat.org> Bicycle Board Members, Will next Thursday's 7:30 pm WVU home football game affect your attendance at the Bicycle Board meeting? Frank

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Bike Route Classification
by Frank Gmeindl 29 Sep '09

29 Sep '09

Bicycle Board Members, The Federal Highway Administration has a course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning: http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pedbike/pubs/05085/chapt4.htm that suggests considering the following when classifying bike routes. * Accessibility: This is measured by the distance a bicycle facility is from a specified trip origin or destination, the ease by which this distance can be traveled by bicycle, and the extent to which all likely origins and destinations are served. Some communities (e.g., Arlington, VA) have adopted a criterion of having a bicycle facility within 1.61 kilometer (km) (1 mile (mi)) of every residence. More importantly, no residential area or high-priority destination (school, shopping center, business center, or park) should be denied reasonable access by bicycle. * Directness: Studies have shown that most bicyclists will not use even the best bicycle facility if it greatly increases the travel distance or trip time over that provided by less desirable alternatives. Therefore, routes should still be reasonably direct. The ratio of directness to comfort/perceived safety involved in this trade-off will vary depending on the characteristics of the bicycle facility (how desirable is it?), its more direct alternatives (how unpleasant are they?), and the typical user's needs (in a hurry? is it a business or pleasure trip?). * Continuity: The proposed network should have as few missing links as possible. If gaps exist, they should not include traffic environments that are unpleasant or threatening to group B/C (basic and child) riders, such as high-volume or high-speed motor vehicle traffic with narrow outside lanes. * Route attractiveness: This can encompass such factors as separation from motor traffic, visual aesthetics, and the real or perceived threat to personal safety along the facility. * Low conflict: The route should present few conflicts between bicyclists and motor vehicle operators. * Cost: This would include the costs both to establish and to maintain the system. * Ease of implementation: The ease or difficulty in implementing proposed changes depends on available space and existing traffic operations and patterns. In another section of the course, they recommend using a "Level of Service" (LOS) model similar to LOS models used for decades for motor transportation. They provide an equation that gives a LOS numerical score and A thru F rating for each street depending on inputs including traffic volume, speed, percentage of heavy vehicles, pavement surface condition and outside lane width. Those of us who are geeky enough to enjoy such a thing might be able to get a Transportation Enhancement Program grant for a 3 phase project. In phase 1, we would use the FHWA method to determine bicycle LOS for Morgantown streets. In phase 2, we could use LOS and its components to define a bicycle route improvement plan that would constitute the proposal for phase 3, implementing the high priority improvements. Anybody want to work on this? The Intent to Apply forms for the 2010 TEP cycle are due November 15. 2 months away. Frank /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/

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Re: [Bikeboard] WVU football game next Thurs night
by Derek Springston 29 Sep '09

29 Sep '09

Frank, It may be a little late now, but including you and I, other folks who contributed to the mapping were: Jacob Brown Alice Vernon Jonathan Rosenbaum Betsy Shogren?? (one map isn't labelled with a name; might be Jonathan's or Betsy's) I think this covers all who gave me maps. Did anyone else contribute a map? ~Derek “Every time I see an adult on a bicycle I no longer despair for the future of the human race.” -H.G. Wells Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:26:20 -0400 From: fgmeindl(a)verizon.net To: guitardeek(a)hotmail.com Subject: Re: [Bikeboard] WVU football game next Thurs night Derek, Based on my past experience, rescheduling the BB meeting to earlier won't work. First, there's the issue of finding a location. Then, I would expect that members' schedules may be more full earlier than later. I'm afraid we won't have an October meeting if I try to reschedule it. If I had a grandfather, or even a father, I'd choose to spend time with him rather than attend the BB meeting so totally I understand if you choose not to come. However, I think we must press forward with the map. Who gave you input? Below is a list of those who said they'd be there. If these are the people that gave you input, I'd prefer to proceed. Attend? 1. Donald Dickerson, Vice Chairman n 2. Paul Becker 3. Hugh Kierig n 4. Jacob Brown y 5. Elizabeth Shogren, Secretary y 6. Gunnar Shogren y 7. Frank Gmeindl, Chairman y 8. Marilyn Newcome 9. Jonathan Rosenbaum 10. Don Spencer 11. Chet Parsons 12. Jim Rye 13. Derek Springston n 14. Chip Wamsley 15. Alice Vernon y 16. Janel Bedard y 5 n 3 I would be happy to play your role as much as I am capable. Or, if someone else that will be in attendance would be better at that, please ask them if they'd stand in for you. What can you give us to work with for Thursday? Frank On 9/24/2009 5:03 PM, Derek Springston wrote: Frank et al, I was hoping to go to the game to spend a little time with my grandfather but didn't realize they were on the same evening. Think we could re-schedule the Bike Board meeting to Tuesday or Wednesday? I'd don't want to suggest scheduling it later! Let me know... ~Derek “Every time I see an adult on a bicycle I no longer despair for the future of the human race.” -H.G. Wells > Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:32:59 -0400 > From: fgmeindl(a)verizon.net > To: bikeboard(a)cheat.org > Subject: [Bikeboard] WVU football game next Thurs night > > Bicycle Board Members, > > Will next Thursday's 7:30 pm WVU home football game affect your > attendance at the Bicycle Board meeting? > > Frank > > > _______________________________________________ > Bikeboard mailing list > Bikeboard(a)cheat.org > http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard Microsoft brings you a new way to search the web. Try Bing™ now _________________________________________________________________ Bing™ brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. Try it now. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MLOGEN&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT…

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Re: [Bikeboard] Parade magazine article, Bike Friendly Cities
by director 28 Sep '09

28 Sep '09

Jenny, Thanks for the feedback on the Maine event. I just came back from a membership development conference in San Francisco, where bikes outnumber cars (nearly). In the conference we were getting support from mfgrs and local government. It felt good, and it seemed right. I love it when that happens. Please don't get me wrong on the subject of bike lanes. Here's my recommendation: Ride your bike in the traffic lane when conditions permit, move to the right and let traffic pass when you are going substantially slower AND it is safe to do so. Make curb lanes wide enough and eliminate obstructions SO it is safe to do so. Just leave out the paint strip and "Bike Lane" declaration. It confuses people. Every public road is ALREADY a bike lane, no need to declare one. ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: Jennifer Selin <jselin(a)hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:19:00 -0400 > >To Nick and all: > >I know that bike lanes are dangerous, I have seen the "car turn-in to the bike rider" myself. However, if you really want more riders in Morgantown, we need a variety of ways that people can ride. This does not deny the bicycle its just use of the road, at least in my mind. I think we want to bring people along to the idea of bicycling one step at a time.... > >Separate trails along natural corridors such as the river or highways (many places have a separated trail many yards from the road to get to the local Mall or the next town) are a big boost to those riders who are not yet as adventuresome on the road with cars. These riders, sometimes this applies to me, over time may become more adventuresome on the road, particularly as car drivers get used to sharing the road. > >Also the connections between neighborhoods, trails, and roads require careful navigation and the more timid riders become used to dealing with traffic when in these transition zones. Many people will enjoy the bike routes you are developing because they may not yet be thinking of the best way to use the roads to get somewhere by bicycle. > >The more careful (wider) spacing of lanes, even the shoulders-that-are-paved-and-should-not-be-used-by-vehicles-such-as-bikes, give cars and bikes more room to work with speed differentials. There are ways to make it easier to bike by road design as you all have mentioned. Sometimes it is by slowing all traffic or limiting the access or turning options of car traffic. > >I just attended the Common Ground festival in Unity Maine where they had a huge bike parking area and encouraged people to bicycle in from the nearby town. Each rider was greeted at an bike-tire framed arch by a small cheering committee. They also had a train commute option to enter the grounds. > >Jenny > > >Jenny Selin >1224 Fairlawns >Morgantown, WV 26505 >USA > >Phone:(304-598-9650) >jselin(a)hotmail.com > > > >> Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:49:18 -0400 >> From: director(a)positivespin.org >> To: bikeboard(a)cheat.org >> Subject: [Bikeboard] Parade magazine article, Bike Friendly Cities >> >> Good morning, >> This article was in Today's Parade magazine today. Good stuff, except for over-selling bike lanes and separated paths (IMHO). I'm going to take it to our mayor. >> >> http://www.parade.com/news/2009/09/27-a-free-wheeling-city.html >> >> Have a good riding day (splish, splash) >> Nick >> >> -- >> Nick Hein LCI# 1705 >> Director, Positive Spin >> 2567 Univ Ave Ste 6000L >> Morgantown, WV >> ph 304-276-0213 >> -- >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Bikeboard mailing list >> Bikeboard(a)cheat.org >> http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard > >_________________________________________________________________ >Insert movie times and more without leaving Hotmail®. >http://windowslive.com/Tutorial/Hotmail/QuickAdd?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_Tutor… > -- Nick Hein LCI# 1705 Director, Positive Spin 2567 Univ Ave Ste 6000L Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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Parade magazine article, Bike Friendly Cities
by director 28 Sep '09

28 Sep '09

Good morning, This article was in Today's Parade magazine today. Good stuff, except for over-selling bike lanes and separated paths (IMHO). I'm going to take it to our mayor. http://www.parade.com/news/2009/09/27-a-free-wheeling-city.html Have a good riding day (splish, splash) Nick -- Nick Hein LCI# 1705 Director, Positive Spin 2567 Univ Ave Ste 6000L Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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Re: [Bikeboard] [Fwd: Bike West Virginia - Meeting August 16 atSnowshoe Mountain, WV]
by director 25 Sep '09

25 Sep '09

Frank, I intend to stay in town to help promote the event locally since Positive Spin is primarily a local organization, but maybe I can get some recruits for next year. Nick ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:08:02 -0400 >Bicycle Board Members, > >I suppose this is an invitation. If you're interested, please reply all >and we can organize a contingent to represent Morgantown. Not much time >as this is next week. > >Frank > >-------- Original Message -------- >Subject: Bike West Virginia - Meeting August 16 at Snowshoe Mountain, WV >Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:32:12 -0400 >From: Kim Broughton <kimberlyjoshi(a)gmail.com> >To: fgmeindl(a)verizon.net > > > >Bike WV > > > >* * >*The West Virginia Cycling Foundation website ><http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=70515743&msgid=866483&act=0AHE&c=…>* >Is where we keep our information. We are grateful for their support by >providing funding and allowing use of their resources. > >** >* * >Helmet poster > >*The West Virginia Helmet poster and brochures are here!* >The helmet safety posters and brochures are back from the print shop and >are beautiful. Many thanks to Stonewall Marketing Group ><http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=70515743&msgid=866483&act=0AHE&c=…> >for donating the creative work for this project! > >The posters are 11 x 17 and $10 each. > >Let me know if you would like to order posters or brochures ($2 each) >and I will get them right out to you! > >If you have information on bike shops in your area, please send it my >way. I would like to send them information on the posters and >brochures. Thanks! > > > >This newsletter is put together by Kim Broughton. Feel free to contact >me at kimberlyjoshi(a)mail.com <mailto:kimberlyjoshi@gmail.com>! > > > > September 23, 2009 > > > > > Ride with WV's Department of Transportation and show your support for > bicycle commuting > >October 2 (Friday) is a scheduled bicycle commute where the WV >Department of Transportation's Division Director and other staffers >commute from Putnam County to the Capitol Complex in Charleston, WV >(about 25 miles). Tom Smith, the Division Administrator for the >"Federal Highway Administration -- West Virginia Division" has joined >them as well. _*We have been invited to join this ride to show our >support for bicycle commuting.*_ > >The ride will start at the "Park and Ride" for US 35 in Putnam County at >6:30AM. > >It is possible that the WVDOT Television show will film a segment for >their show. > >If you have questions or comments, please email Kim Broughton at >kimberlyjoshi(a)gmail.com. Join the ride and thank WV DOT for the invitation! > > > > > > > > Forming of Legislative committee > >After the ride with DOT, several folks are joining in the office of >Stephen Fowler to unify our efforts towards a legislative agenda. We >are very excited to be involved in bringing together such amazing >expertise towards the goal of promoting safe and enjoyable cycling in WV. > > > > > > > > >This message was sent from Kim Broughton to fgmeindl(a)verizon.net. It was >sent from: West Virginia Cycling Foundation, Route 2, Box 331 B, >Charleston, WV 25314. You can modify/update your subscription via the >link below. > >Email Marketing by <http://www.icontact.com/a.pl/144186> >iContact - Try It Free! <http://www.icontact.com/a.pl/144186> > > >Manage your subscription ><http://app.icontact.com/icp/mmail-mprofile.pl?r=70515743&l=137531&s=0AHE&m=…> > ><http://app.icontact.com/icp/sub/forward?m=866483&s=70515743&c=0AHE&cid=3632…> > >View this message in the iContact Community: View message ><http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=70515743&msgid=866483&act=0AHE&c=…> > Comment on this message ><http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=70515743&msgid=866483&act=0AHE&c=…> > Receive as RSS ><http://community.icontact.com/p/wvcyclingfoundation/newsletters/wvcyclistss…> > >Share this message with others: del.icio.us ><http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=70515743&msgid=866483&act=0AHE&c=…> > Digg ><http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=70515743&msgid=866483&act=0AHE&c=…> > reddit ><http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=70515743&msgid=866483&act=0AHE&c=…> > Facebook ><http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=70515743&msgid=866483&act=0AHE&c=…> > StumbleUpon ><http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=70515743&msgid=866483&act=0AHE&c=…> > > > > > > > -- Nick Hein LCI# 1705 Director, Positive Spin 2567 Univ Ave Ste 6000L Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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WVU football game next Thurs night
by Frank Gmeindl 25 Sep '09

25 Sep '09

Bicycle Board Members, Will next Thursday's 7:30 pm WVU home football game affect your attendance at the Bicycle Board meeting? Frank

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[Fwd: Bike West Virginia - Meeting August 16 at Snowshoe Mountain, WV]
by Frank Gmeindl 24 Sep '09

24 Sep '09

Bicycle Board Members, I suppose this is an invitation. If you're interested, please reply all and we can organize a contingent to represent Morgantown. Not much time as this is next week. Frank -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Bike West Virginia - Meeting August 16 at Snowshoe Mountain, WV Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:32:12 -0400 From: Kim Broughton <kimberlyjoshi(a)gmail.com> To: fgmeindl(a)verizon.net Bike WV * * *The West Virginia Cycling Foundation website <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=70515743&msgid=866483&act=0AHE&c=…>* Is where we keep our information. We are grateful for their support by providing funding and allowing use of their resources. ** * * Helmet poster *The West Virginia Helmet poster and brochures are here!* The helmet safety posters and brochures are back from the print shop and are beautiful. Many thanks to Stonewall Marketing Group <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=70515743&msgid=866483&act=0AHE&c=…> for donating the creative work for this project! The posters are 11 x 17 and $10 each. Let me know if you would like to order posters or brochures ($2 each) and I will get them right out to you! If you have information on bike shops in your area, please send it my way. I would like to send them information on the posters and brochures. Thanks! This newsletter is put together by Kim Broughton. Feel free to contact me at kimberlyjoshi(a)mail.com <mailto:kimberlyjoshi@gmail.com>! September 23, 2009 Ride with WV's Department of Transportation and show your support for bicycle commuting October 2 (Friday) is a scheduled bicycle commute where the WV Department of Transportation's Division Director and other staffers commute from Putnam County to the Capitol Complex in Charleston, WV (about 25 miles). Tom Smith, the Division Administrator for the "Federal Highway Administration -- West Virginia Division" has joined them as well. _*We have been invited to join this ride to show our support for bicycle commuting.*_ The ride will start at the "Park and Ride" for US 35 in Putnam County at 6:30AM. It is possible that the WVDOT Television show will film a segment for their show. If you have questions or comments, please email Kim Broughton at kimberlyjoshi(a)gmail.com. Join the ride and thank WV DOT for the invitation! Forming of Legislative committee After the ride with DOT, several folks are joining in the office of Stephen Fowler to unify our efforts towards a legislative agenda. We are very excited to be involved in bringing together such amazing expertise towards the goal of promoting safe and enjoyable cycling in WV. This message was sent from Kim Broughton to fgmeindl(a)verizon.net. It was sent from: West Virginia Cycling Foundation, Route 2, Box 331 B, Charleston, WV 25314. You can modify/update your subscription via the link below. Email Marketing by <http://www.icontact.com/a.pl/144186> iContact - Try It Free! <http://www.icontact.com/a.pl/144186> Manage your subscription <http://app.icontact.com/icp/mmail-mprofile.pl?r=70515743&l=137531&s=0AHE&m=…> <http://app.icontact.com/icp/sub/forward?m=866483&s=70515743&c=0AHE&cid=3632…> View this message in the iContact Community: View message <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=70515743&msgid=866483&act=0AHE&c=…> Comment on this message <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=70515743&msgid=866483&act=0AHE&c=…> Receive as RSS <http://community.icontact.com/p/wvcyclingfoundation/newsletters/wvcyclistss…> Share this message with others: del.icio.us <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=70515743&msgid=866483&act=0AHE&c=…> Digg <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=70515743&msgid=866483&act=0AHE&c=…> reddit <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=70515743&msgid=866483&act=0AHE&c=…> Facebook <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=70515743&msgid=866483&act=0AHE&c=…> StumbleUpon <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=70515743&msgid=866483&act=0AHE&c=…>

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Symbols/categories for Bike Route Map?
by Derek Springston 23 Sep '09

23 Sep '09

Hey guys, Did the Bike Board finalize a set of symbols and categories for our Bike Route map? I'm still working on getting all of the routes in. We're aiming to finish up our Bike Route Map for the October 19th Intermodal Facility grand opening. The most challenging and time consuming part of finishing this map could be finalizing and agreeing on the symbols and categories for the routes we've mapped. Please, let me know what was decided at the last meeting. Thanks, ~Derek “Every time I see an adult on a bicycle I no longer despair for the future of the human race.” -H.G. Wells _________________________________________________________________ Microsoft brings you a new way to search the web. Try Bing™ now http://www.bing.com?form=MFEHPG&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MFEHPG_Core_tagline_… bing_1x1

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Bikeboard September 2009