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Bike Wise - Seattle collaborative cyclist reporting program
by director 10 Jun '09

10 Jun '09

Good morning, On one of the environmental websites I read regularly this news item appeared today. I'll be out there next week and will check into it further. Chances are that I know someone in the program if anyone would like more info on it. http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/06/10/bikewise-community-makes-cycling-safer/ Nick -- Nick Hein LCI# 1705 Director, Positive Spin 2567 Univ Ave Ste 6000L Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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Trail closure
by Frank Gmeindl 09 Jun '09

09 Jun '09

Monday, 8-June 4:00 PM at the Morgantown Public Safety Center (corner Spruce & Walnut diagonally across from Blue Moose) representatives of BOPARC and MUB will attend the regularly scheduled Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board meeting to discuss MUB plans to close the rail trail to upgrade the water treatment system and install a new sewer pipe. The meeting is open to the public. At last night's Traffic Commission meeting, I learned that City Council directed BOPARC to work with the … [View More]relevant parties to develop a plan. Perhaps Monday's meeting is one step that BOPARC is taking to make that plan. To my knowledge, BOPARC has not contacted anyone on the Bicycle Board. (Remember the trail stripe?) At last night's Traffic Commission meeting, the Bicycle Board presented the following recommendations: 1. Establish cycling detours around the trail but as close to the trail as reasonable. 2. Complete the work in sections to minimize the impact on cyclists and businesses. At least 6 months before the trail is closed: 3. Install "Share the Road" and "Bike Route" signs every 250 feet on Beechurst Ave., Mon Blvd., Don Knotts Blvd. and University Ave. 4. Install a bike lane going up the hill on Mon Blvd. between Eighth St. and Evansdale Drive. Keep the bike lane free of debris. The current shoulder is not properly paved and it certainly is not clean. The Traffic Commission unanimously voted to recommend to the City that the City request the WVDOH to implement recommendations 3 and 4 ASAP. (The way has already been somewhat cleared for implementing Share the Road signs since the WVDOH has already said that they will install them at their expense. In May 2008, the DOH approved the Share the Road signs on Mon Blvd and Don Knotts Blvd. as well as other Bicycle Board recommended Morgantown-area state-maintained roads with speed limits at or above 40 mph. However, the signs weren't installed because they were part of a greater package that included Shared Lane Markings and Bicycles May Use Full Lane signs that the DOH also approved in May 2008 but then reconsidered in October 2008 because the new Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices that defines SLMs and BMUFL signs hasn't been adopted by the state yet. The Share the Road signs was the WVDOH's idea in the first place so getting them to install them should not be difficult if they are requested as a separate stand-alone project.) At last night's Traffic Commission meeting, some of the commissioners were not aware of MUBs plan to close the trail. One commissioner, John Martis, vehemently objected to closing the trail and insisted that MUB accomplish the work without closing the trail. He will attend Monday's meeting. The Traffic Commission decided to hold Bicycle Board recommendations 1 and 2 in abeyance until after Monday's meeting. On July 16, City Council will decide whether to accept BOPARC's plan. On July 21, City Council will make its final decision on whether to approve MUB's project. Frank Gmeindl Chariman, Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles /- John Forester, /Effective Cycling/ [View Less]

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[Fwd: American Bicyclist Update---June 8, 2009]
by Frank Gmeindl 08 Jun '09

08 Jun '09

Bicycle Board Members, I'm forwarding the LAB online newsletter to you in case you're not an LAB member and don't get it. If you already get it, I apologize for cluttering your in-box with a duplicate. Frank /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/ -------- Original Message -------- Subject: American Bicyclist Update---June 8, 2009 Date: Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:58:21 -0400 (EDT) From: League of American Bicyclists <bikeleague(a)bikeleague.org> Reply-… [View More]

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Draft Letter to WVDOT
by Frank Gmeindl 05 Jun '09

05 Jun '09

Damien, Thank you for spending so much time with me yesterday to discuss the trail closing issue and the Traffic Commission's decision to recommend Share the Road signs and a bike lane. As I agreed during our discussion yesterday, I have attached to this message a draft letter to Secretary of the WVDOT requesting these. I hope this will at least give you a head start on implementing their recommendation. The attached letter is not entirely consistent with the Traffic Commission's … [View More]recommendation or our discussion yesterday. As I was writing it, I had much more time to consider what we're recommending and how we're recommending it. You will notice that while the Bicycle Board's recommendation that the Traffic Commission endorsed included Bike Route signs in addition to the Share the Road signs. Bike Route signs are not addressed in the attached draft letter. Upon much more consideration and study of the MUTCD and AASHTO Guide for Development of Bicycle Facilities, I concluded that Bike Route signs are not appropriate and may retard WVDOT's action on the Share the Road signs and the bike lane. Basically, Bike Route signs indicate that the signed route is superior to alternative proximal routes. Given the motor traffic volume, real motor vehicle speeds and questionable aesthetics on South University Avenue, Beechurst Ave. and Mon Blvd., it would probably only be appropriate to label those roadways as Bike Route *Detours *if indeed the rail trail had already been signed as a bike route as it should be. Yesterday, I explained that installing Share the Road signs on state maintained Morgantown roadways that have speed limits greater than or equal to 40 mph was the idea of the WVDOH representatives with whom Don Spencer and Jenny Selin met February 28, 2009 in Charleston to expedite approval of the Shared Lane Markings (SLM). I also explained that when Paul Maddox retracted his approval of the Shared Lane Markings, he did not explicitly address the Share the Road signs which were part of the overall package: SLMs, Bicycles May Use Full Lane (BMUFL) signs and Share the Road signs. Yesterday, you and I agreed that the letter should cite that previous approval of the Share the Road signs. Again, upon further deliberation, I decided not to include mention of the previous approval in the attached letter because I thought disassociating the Share the Road signs from the SLMs and BMUFL signs would avoid their being set aside until the SLM and BMUFL signs issue is resolved which may take another 1.5 years. On the other hand, vocally and informally reminding the appropriate WVDOH officials such a Bill Robinson who participated in the February 28 meeting that the Share the Road signs was their idea might help expedite them if progress slows. Of course, the attached letter is for the City Manager's signature and I and the Bicycle Board as well as probably the Traffic Commission realize that he can modify it as he pleases. I think we all share the same objective, to facilitate safe bicycling in Morgantown and however the letter is finally worded, it will align with that objective. Just as a reminder, we discussed including a map with the letter and you mentioned that you could generate the map. I hope the information in the draft letter is sufficient for you to make the map. Also, a Bicycle Board member questioned whether the letter should include the cited parts of the MUTCD and AASHTO Guide for Development of Bicycle Facilities. I did not include these because I'm not sure I have the most recent official versions. If you think we should attach these and you don't have the most recent and official versions, I will do what I can to get them and provide them to you. Thanks again for working with us on this! I look forward to seeing what actually goes forward. Frank [View Less]

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Letter to DOH for STR signs & bike lane
by Frank Gmeindl 05 Jun '09

05 Jun '09

Bicycle Board Members, Today, I agreed with Damien Davis of the City Engineer's office to draft a letter for the City to send to the WVDOT requesting Share the Road signs and a bike lane for Mon Blvd. to support the Traffic Commissions decision last night to support these. Attached is the draft letter. *Does anybody have an electronic copy of the AASHTO guidelines for Bicycle Facility design that you can send me or point me to so I can cite relevant sections for bike lane design?* … [View More]

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Tonight's report to TC
by Frank Gmeindl 03 Jun '09

03 Jun '09

Bicycle Board Members, May I have your concurrence to present the attached report to the Traffic Commission tonight? Frank

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Fwd: letter to the editor
by Jim Rye 03 Jun '09

03 Jun '09

Having seen nothing in the DP subsequent to mailing our BTW results to the newsroom, I created a modified version (below) as a letter to the editor, sent today. Jim Rye Professor Science Education Dept C&I/LS College of Human Resources & Education West Virginia University PO Box 6122 604L Allen Hall Morgantown, WV 26506-6122 Phone: (304) 293-4416 Fax: (304) 293-3802 Email: jim.rye(a)mail.wvu.edu Web Page: http://depts.hre.wvu.edu/c&ils/currinst/rye.html Are YOU waitin' for … [View More]the world to change? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPOBMzMTP4U ECAS/HRE NSF-Supported WV Watershed Dynamics Project http://www.wvscience.org/wvwatershed/ >>> Jim Rye 6/3/2009 11:12 AM >>> Dear Editor, Is there one technology that YOU could use to lose/keep off unhealthy amounts of body fat, improve your mental health, save money, reduce traffic congestion, decrease your carbon/ecological footprint, and feel good about being more physically fit and helping our country reduce its dependence on foreign oil? Yes: the BICYCLE. In response to the DP announcement (5/12/09) of May 11-15 "Bike to Work Week" Morgantown events, 25 area residents planned to bike commute to work at least twice (and most, daily) during that week. Distances ranged from 2 to 28 miles for the daily commute and 4 to 80 miles for the entire week. Over the entire week, this group planned to bike commute to work 826 miles, which would result in: saving approximately 41 gallons of gasoline (by leaving their cars at home); reducing carbon dioxide auto emissions by 826 lbs; and burning almost 24,000 additional food Calories, equal to what are found in about 7 lbs of body fat. At http://wecan.wvu.edu/biketowork , you can download an "advanced log" that will estimate your own statistics based on the distances that you bicycle commute. WE CAN make a difference! Consider this: If our group maintained this bicycle commuting for a full year, it would conserve over 2,100 gallons of gasoline and reduce carbon dioxide auto emissions by over 21 tons. What if our group size of bicycle commuters increased from 25 to 250? Over a year, we'd save over 21,000 gallons of gasoline and reduce auto carbon dioxide emissions by 210 tons. WEIGHT, THERE'S MORE...about those Calories in the 7 lb of adipose tissue burned by our bicycle commuters. Over a year, this is the equivalent of over 14 lb per person. Over 5 years, this type of healthy behavior could prevent the gain or facilitate the loss of almost 70 lb in an individual. Oh...in case you think you're too old: Our commuters were far from "spring chickens," with over 30% in the 50-70 year old range. Over 60% of the participants now plan to bicycle commute to work more frequently. Here's more of what they told us: "I enjoyed every bit of commuting last week. I usually commute 2-3 times a week by bike, but last week I made it all five days. Bike-To-Work week motivated me...and I will try to do this more!" "Having a designated week reminds people to give it a try and it lets them know how easy it is." "Every week is bike to work week." Imagine a Morgantown with little traffic congestion during rush hours, better air quality, a healthier citizenry, more green space...the bicycle really is a magnificent piece of technology to solve much of what ails us. WE CAN! Please, become an advocate for bicycling as a means of local transportation, if for no other reason, so we don't continue to "Pave [our children's] paradise, put up a parking lot" -Joni Mitchell. -Jim Rye 692-0982 or 293-4416 [View Less]

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Trail closure
by Frank Gmeindl 02 Jun '09

02 Jun '09

Bicycle Board Members, Thanks for your responses concerning MUB closing the trail to install a sewer pipe. As usual, the Traffic Commission meets the day before we meet. I usually deliver a written report. I'm working on that and probably won't complete it until late tonight. In the meantime, with your concurrence, I would like to include the attached with the report. Please let me know what you think ASAP. I tried to include your comments on the subject. I will also send you the … [View More]

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Fwd: FW: NYTimes.com: Bike Messenger
by Jim Rye 02 Jun '09

02 Jun '09

BOOKS / SUNDAY BOOK REVIEW | May 31, 2009 Bike <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/31/books/review/Byrne-t.html?emc=eta1> Messenger By DAVID BYRNE An argument for commuters to ditch the car in favor of the bicycle, for the sake of cities and health alike. <http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/misc/spacer.gif> <http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/misc/spacer.gif> Copyright <http://www.nytimes.com/ref/membercenter/help/copyright.html> 2009 The New York … [View More]

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BB members in the news
by Frank Gmeindl 01 Jun '09

01 Jun '09

Betsy and gunnar on the Front page of VeloNews: http://velonews.com/article/92650/bishop-outfoxes-a-small-group-in-the-fina… Frank

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