Have you seen the new left turn lane and intersection widening WVDOH is installing at the western crossing of the rail trail with Deckers Creek Blvd?  On October 18, I copied you on a message to Chris Fletcher, Roy Nutter and Bill Austin suggesting that this was an opportunity to make that crossing safer for cyclists.  Does it look safer to you?

The subject of my October 18 message was Walgreen's new store that will replace Southern States.  The salient point of my message was that this was an opportunity to improve the terrible sight line where the trail heading east crosses the road.  On Dec. 26, a 10-year old bicyclist crossing there was hit by a pickup truck.  

Recently, I learned from WVDOH that they're considering transforming the signalized intersection there to a roundabout.  Walgreen has asked Damien to recommend bike racks and they're considering making a direct connection from their business to the trail.

Obviously, this is an opportunity for knowledgeable cyclists to get involved to improve the situation for cyclists or at least prevent increased endangerment.  We already have recommendations in the Bicycle Plan for cyclist activated crossing signals and a raised intersection.  (Wanna bet nobody thought of such at the other crossing?)

Several Bicycle Board members have expressed interest in the rail trail there (don't make me name you;)  NOW, WHO'S GOING TO REPRESENT THE BICYCLE BOARD IN THESE PROCEEDINGS?  Please reply-to-all ASAP and contact Christiaan about the Thursday 4/19 meeting.


Frank D. Gmeindl
Chairman, Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board
LCI #1703
491 WilsonAvenue
Morgantown, WV 26501
304-376-0446
Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Christiaan Abildso" <Christiaan.Abildso@mail.wvu.edu>
Date: April 17, 2012 3:40:23 PM EDT
To: <ddavis@cityofmorgantown.org>, "Ella Belling" <ella@montrails.org>
Cc: "Mark Wise" <mwise@boparc.org>, "Christopher Fletcher" <cfletcher@cityofmorgantown.org>, "Frank Gmeindl" <fgmeindl@gmail.com>, "Sam Zizzi" <Sam.Zizzi@mail.wvu.edu>
Subject: Re: Decker's Creek Trail

Troops -
Let's go with a 2:30 meeting in my office on Thursday (the 19th). I'm in room 132 of the Coliseum. Enter at the Blue Gate, turn right, my office is the first door on the right. Ella - feel free to invite others.
It appears the agenda will include
1) identifying how we can help the Walgreens development
2) checking out the infrared sensors Christiaan has & if/where to use them
3) discussing the project MRTC is planning w/the Nat'l RTC
4) identifying potential supplementary research to incorporate in the MRTC project
5) discussing next steps, including funding to pursue
 
Sound about right?
See you all at 2:30 on Thursday.
Christiaan
 
 
Christiaan Abildso, Ph.D., MPH
Weight Management Research and Evaluation Coordinator
WVU Health Performance Services
304.293.0860