Consider Biking enews: September 1, 2012

Aug 31st, 2012 | By | Category: Featured, News, Newsletters

Westerville Depot

 

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Consider Biking Activity Update
The newsletter for our Members and Street-Level Advocates
September 1, 2012
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Greetings! 

 

As we move into the labor day holiday, we are happy to share that the State of Ohio has pledged to continue funding for the Recreational Trails program in the coming year.  Because of the new MAP-21 transportation bill, states have the option to transfer these funds to other projects, Consider Biking worked in conjunction with Rails to Trails Conservancy to let our state leadership know that this program is popular with Ohio citizens.
 In other great news, the Westerville Legacy Train Depot and Bike Hub was dedicated on Tuesday, August 28 to much fanfare.  It is located on the Ohio to Erie Trail just east of the Westerville Library in Hanby Park.  It includes restrooms, water fountain, fireplace, totally cool bike racks and even 4 secure bike lockers (byo lock).   More photos can be viewed on the Ohio to Erie Facebook page. Congratulations to the Westerville Parks department on realizing this long-time goal for the residents of Westerville and trail users from throughout the world.

 

- Jody Dzuranin
In This Month's Issue
Ohio and RTP
Trail Markings Articls
Trail Construction Issues
Upcoming Events
Trek Garage Sale
In Memoriam
Ohio Bike Challenge

 

Ohio opts-in on the Recreational Trails Program
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As we notified you last week, Ohio had the option to opt out of the popular Recreational Trails Program.  We wanted to be sure that Ohio did not opt-out and we have been informed that ODOT will opt-in for the funding this year.  We expect to make our request annually as ODOT makes the decision each year. Here are links to our action alert and the response received from ODOT.  Thanks to all who helped by making calls and sending letters.  We believe MAP-21 will continue to unfold in this way where we will send out periodic action alerts to make sure bicycle and pedestrian projects are properly funded. As a completely optimistic scenario, states can actually augment the funding for the Transportation Alternatives program, wouldn't that be a wonderful scenario if Ohio chose to go above and beyond the federal guidelines?

 

There are MANY webinars coming out on MAP-21.  We find the Advocacy Advance webinars to be the most pertinent to our work (versus the ones aimed at City Engineers and Transportation Professionals).  If you want to learn more here are some links.

Dispatch Article on Trail Markings
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'Maintenance vigilantes' paint warnings on trails' trouble spots

ABIGAIL S. FISHER | DISPATCHA runner avoids a marked protrusion on the Olentangy Trail. Users have taken it upon themselves to mark uneven sections of the trail.

By Dean Narciso

The Columbus Dispatch Saturday August 25, 2012 6:25 AM
A large protrusion greets bicyclists along the Olentangy Trail, one that would likely cause serious crashes if not marked. Roughly 6 inches tall, the hazardous, boil-shaped eruption is near the bridge at the west end of Broad Meadows Boulevard. And someone wants you to know about it.

 

Spray-painted in white and red, the defect has arrows pointing toward it and is preceded by " DANGER" stenciled in red on the pavement.

 

…."This is sort of like a crime for the greater good," said Jody Dzuranin, operations manager for Consider Biking, an advocacy group. "Technically, it is defacing public property. A solution would be having a better way to report hazards."
Having the equivalent of mileposts along the bike trails to help locate hazards or crime incidents is one solution.
 
…Wayfinding marks are also found on public streets, helpful for new riders.
"They're necessary," said Dzuranin with Consider Biking. "Pretty much you're out on a route maybe you've never been on. The markings are helpful to find your way."
 
Volunteer bike ambassadors in Westerville and Dublin regularly patrol city paths to help find problems….
 
Source Link  (may require subscription to view).

 

Construction and Detours
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We have a wonderful, growing trail system, however we get very frustrated when trail sections are closed with no warning and no detour. We are trying to work through "proper channels" to get this addressed.

 

Here is a post where we have links that are supposed to show detours although we are aware of some that are not listed.

Community Events
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September 1: Bike the Cbus
September 2: Ohio Gran Fondo CANCELLED 8/31
September 8: Arcanum Tour de Donut
September 9: WBC Dry Run
September 14, Cleveland: Jeff Mappes lecture
September 15: Pedal for Pets
September 22: Ride DEAF Bike Challenge
September 22: Ride for Kevin Hillmann (25th Birthday is 9/20) Meet at Paradise Garage (Link and time TBD)

September 23: Trek Garage Sale (see blurb below)
September 26: 2 Wheels & Heels ladies ride Ride
September 26: Columbus Transportation & Pedestrian Commission: Bicycle Subcommittee
September 30: Cruz for Cap
October 6: Cycle for Scouts – Marion
October 13: Market to Market Bicycle Adventure

 

Links about these rides and events are listed on our website.

Trek Columbus Garage Sale
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Trek Garage Sale

Come one, come all! Join us on Sunday, September 23, from 10 am – 5 pm for our second annual Garage Sale. We will be hosting a used-gear consignment sale at our Lane Ave. store location and everyone is invited to bring used cycling gear to sell.
For any item sold during the sale, you'll be compensated in one of the following manners: 60% of the sold value will be issued to the customer in the form of a Trek Store Columbus company check, or 100% of the sold value will be issued in the form of a store credit.

What a great opportunity to pull out those dusty parts, gear and bikes out of the garage and make some money!  It will also be a great chance to get awesome deals. If you have any questions, email our Lane Ave store.   More at trekstorecolumbus.com.

 

In Memoriam
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We are sad to share that we lost a friend and super volunteer this month.  Kevin Hillmann (second from Left) had a fatal motorcycle crash on August 19.  We were humbled when his family chose Consider Biking to receive memorial donations in honor of Kevin.  We are deeply touched.   Jess is part of a group organizing a ride to honor Kevin, on Saturday September 22 starting at Paradise Garage.  (Time TBD)

 

Our hearts go out to members Ryan Houston and Boo Krucky who lost Ryan's father, Greg Houston on Sunday. Greg was an avid recumbent rider and recently rode 70 miles on his new longbike.  We were touched by their request to have memorial donations go to Consider Biking.  Greg's service is Sunday.

 

The Ohio and National Cycling community are grieving the loss of Chuck Harris "The Mirror Man". The touching Dispatch piece is linked above.

 

This year the League of American Bicyclists launched Every Bicyclist Counts, a site that tracks fatal bicycle crashes.  We are sad to report Thomas Leonard of Columbus was in a fatal crash on N. Hamilton Rd on Monday.

 

To honor a loved one with donations to Consider Biking, visit our In Memoriam Page.

 

 
OBC reaches the finish line
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We had a great showing in the Ohio Bike Challenge, which is part of the National Bike Challenge.   We will provide the overall outcome in the next newsletter.
 

 

Get Engaged in Our Movement!
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You make the difference by:
  • Bicycling and logging your rides using Endomondo on the Ohio Bicycle Challenge Site. The National Bike Challenge ends August 31, 2012, but logging can continue.
  • Joining Consider Biking. Your membership gives us voice.
  • Being a bicycle champion. Advocate. Educate. Inspire.
  • Telling us what you think.
  • Volunteering your time and talent. Email volunteer@considerbiking.org for opportunities.

Consider Biking members, volunteers and 2 BY 2012 bicycle champions make Central Ohio a better, safer community for bicycling.

 

The best way to keep up with our activities is to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and visit our Webpage Calendar (click Agenda).
Contact Information

 

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Consider Biking - www.considerbiking.org

Consider Biking on Facebook - Facebook Page

Consider Biking onTwitter - @Consider_Biking
Office Phone – (614) 447-8894
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  1. Consider Biking enews: September 1, 2012 | Consider Biking | Bicycle News Gator August 31st, 2012 4:08 pm

    [...] reading here: Consider Biking enews: September 1, 2012 | Consider Biking This entry was posted in Blog Search and tagged consignment, cycling, gear, inches, invited, [...]