Bicycle Board Members,
Here's our chance to effect the WV Statewide Multi-Modal Long Range Transportation Plan.
On April 7, 4-7 pm at the MPO office at the Morgantown Airport, the Policy Committee of the Statewide Multi-modal Long Range Transportation plan will take public comments on the plan.
You can read the plan at http://www.wvtransplan.com/Policy_Workshop_Summary_Draft_10_9_08_dj.pdf .
The Policy Committee seems to be pretty well balanced. Dennis Strawn who I think is a member of the Mountain State Wheelers is on it. You'll find stuff like Complete Streets in the plan but you won't find bicycles mentioned at all and the emphasis is clearly on motor transportation and economic development. Very few people were involved in formulating the plan so I'm thinking it's still somewhat malleable.
Whether you attend the meeting or not, I encourage you to read the plan (at least the last page) and send comments either through the website: http://www.wvtransplan.com/docs.htm or by letters.
Frank
P.S. Following is a dialog that I had with Dennis about the plan. You don't need to read it but it might give you an idea of what led to the message above.
Subject: Re: Statewide long range transportation plan meetings From: dennis.strawn@msbcbs.com Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:23:42 -0400 To: "Frank Gmeindl" fgmeindl@verizon.net CC: "Bill Nesper" BillNesper@bikeleague.org, "Robinson, Bill C" Bill.C.Robinson@wv.gov, "Dave Pray" dave@prayworks.com, jeff@thunderheadalliance.org, "Jeff Peel" Jeff@bikeleague.org, "JR Petsko" jrpetsko@hotmail.com, "Kimberly Jo" kimberlyjoshi@gmail.com
Frank, Great presentation. I will forward this on to the chairman for consideration. I hope you can present this. Or at the very least it will be received by my forwarding it.
But a more important task is getting every day folks to send comments on this plan. So many times public officials hold required meetings only to have minimal turnout or comments received. Our task is to let the public officials know there are a lot of residents who believe walking and cycling are another form of transportation that need to be accommodated better.
I am sure your comments will address this while at the meeting. And I encourage you write a letter also.
Thanks Dennis Strawn Application Developer II 304-347-7703
FrankGmeindl
<fgmeindl@verizon
.net> To
dennis.strawn@msbcbs.com 03/26/2009 09:29 cc AM Kimberly Jo kimberlyjoshi@gmail.com, Bill Nesper BillNesper@bikeleague.org, Dave Pray dave@prayworks.com, Jeff Peel Jeff@bikeleague.org, JR Petsko jrpetsko@hotmail.com, "Robinson, Bill C"
Subject Re: Statewide long range transportation plan meetings
Dennis,
I am delighted to learn that you and Bill Robinson are on the Statewide Multi-Modal Long Range Transportation Plan Policy Committee! I have been planning to attend the April 7 meeting in Morgantown. It has been advertised in the Morgantown Dominion Post at least twice.
Please look at a presentation Accommodating Bicycles http://www.morgantown.com/bike-board-documents/Accommodating_Bicycles_preses...
that was well received by the Greater Morgantown MPO last February. Is there some way I can make that presentation to the Policy Committee?
Frank Chairman, Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board LCI #1703 Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles
On 3/26/2009 8:39 AM, dennis.strawn@msbcbs.com wrote: Hi everyone, The state of WV is currently updating its transportation plan. Bill Robinson and I are members of the Policy Committee that is helping with this project. I think it would be helpful for everyone to know the meeting dates but more importantly just get the information out to folks so they can respond via a letter.
What better time than now to alert cyclists in the state that their voice can count while this plan is being finalized. I hope this can be addressed at the symposium and/or broadcastto the group now so they may attend the local meetings. Sorry for the tardiness, two meetings have already been held.
Thanks Dennis Strawn Application Developer II 304-347-7703
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Frank Gmeindl