Bike Board Members,
I strongly encourage all of you to start or continue writing letters to our
representatives, governor, politicians, etc. I've been taking the time to
do so from forwards and encouragement from other Bike Board members and
often get responses back like the one below. I hope it's making a
difference.
~Derek
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Barbara Fleischauer <barbaraf(a)wvhouse.gov>
Date: Thu, Mar 1, 2012 at 5:51 PM
Subject: Re: Road
To: Derek Springston <dspringston(a)gmail.com>
**
Thanks for writing. I have been constantly in meetings. Am printing this
with the hopes I have time to digest it this evening. Sincerely, Barbara
Evans Fleischauer
----- Original Message -----
*From:* Derek Springston <dspringston(a)gmail.com>
*To:* barbaraf(a)wvhouse.gov
*Sent:* Thursday, March 01, 2012 8:55 AM
*Subject:* Road
Delegate Fleischauer,
I would like to also support Christiaan Abildso's recommendations below to
you. Christiaan works for the Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board.
*Christiaan stated that, "In reading the press release below from
WVBT about the road bond amendment hearing for tomorrow I had a thought: if
a road bond is passed could language be added to require a minimum
percentage of any road bond-funded project be spent on pedestrian/bicycle
facilities on/along that road that is a) located in a municipality and b)
where desired by that municipality? Often, road projects are undertaken by
the DOH without a broader understanding that walking and bicycling are
healthy, traffic reducing, road-wear reducing, cost-saving, non-motorized
transportation options. If such a stipulation can be added, I recommend a
5% minimum, based on the data that show 5.2% of all traffic fatalities in
West Virginia are pedestrians.*
**
*Further, West Virginia spends a woeful 0.6% ($1.55 per capita) of federal
money on pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure (4th lowest, nationally),
only 2.9% and 0.2% of state residents, respectively, walk or bike to
work, and obesity and physical inactivity related costs average $208
annually per taxpayer (6th highest nationally). Interestingly, a case study
of infrastructure improvements in Baltimore, Maryland showed that for each
$1 million spent creating on-street bike lanes, pedestrian projects, or
roads, 14, 11, and 7 jobs were directly or indirectly created,
respectively. Thus pedestrian/bike infrastructure projects provided a
bigger bang for the buck in job creation! For these reasons I ask the state
invest in its residents and taxpayers, who have borne the burden of
unwisely spent transportation dollars for far too long."
*
**
I strongly feel that accommodations for cyclists, pedestrians, and
alternative forms of transportation will benefit WV. As a cyclist,
pedestrian, user of public transportation, and an automobile driver, I
fully understand the multiple modes and how having more options is
valuable. Cycling promotes health, reduces road wear, increases air
quality, reduces traffic congestion among many other benefits. Generally,
cyclists who are commuting to work tend to be well educated. A young,
motivated, educated, and healthy workforce has also been known to attract
some large positive businesses to communities. If I remember correctly, I
believe that a large reason that Dell Computers located near Austin, TX had
alot to do with bicycle commuting, health, and active workforce. Imagine
if this could begin happening in WV! We've got that choice to market
ourselves how we choose. Why don't we start allocating more resources for
cycling and pedestrian options? Christiaan's suggestion of a minimum of 5%
from the Road Bond would go a long way.
Thanks for your time and have a wonderful day,
~Derek Springston
Morgantown Municipal Bike Board
--
*Let deeds, not words, be your adorning. -'Abdu'l-Baha*
*“Every time I see an adult on a bicycle I no longer despair for the future
of the human race.” -H.G. Wells*