Bicycle Board Members,
Please see attached flyer. Go to the Public Forum
January 28, 6:30-8:30 PM at South Middle School.
The Pedestrian Safety Board has been working on improving
the pedestrian infrastructure for Morgantown. They developed a Pedestrian
Safety Plan, which focuses on improving the walkability of
Morgantown. Copies of the draft plan are available at the bottom of the
following link: http://www.morgantown.com/ped-safety-board.htm . The
more we move people out of their individual cars and on to the sidewalks,
bicycles, PRT, and busses, the safer and healthier will be our city and
its residents. We need resources to make that happen.
They have asked the Morgantown City Council to pass a
Walkway, Walkway Lighting, and Traffic Calming Fee, which will be $1 annually
per frontage foot of their property. Thus, if one has a lot that is 50
feet wide, they will pay $50 annually. These monies will amount to
approximately $1,000,000 annually for sidewalks, lighting, and traffic
calming. Their projections are that they need $32 million to address
existing problems.
The Morgantown City Council will probably vote on this fee
in their February meeting. Generally, they are receptive to the issues and the
fee, but the Pedestrian Safety Board needs support at the January 28 meeting to
demonstrate to City Council that the Pedestrian Safety Plan has support.
Bill Reger-Nash has four requests:
1) He would ask that
you encourage others to attend the Public Hearing at South Middle School at
6:30 pm on January 28
2) Please sign the
petition supporting the fee, which can be found at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/mgwpedplan/
3) Contact city
council members asking them to support the Walkway, Walkway Lighting, and
Traffic Calming Fee. Ideally they should be contacted prior to January
28. Email addresses of City Council (including Mayor Byrne):
baner@rcbhsc.wvu.edu;
Frank
Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as
drivers of vehicles