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Critical Mess

Author: subverita :: Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:16 pm This from Adventure Cycling: Unfortunately, with more bikes and motorized vehicles sharing the road, there also seems to be a growing number of bicyclist-driver altercations taking place. For examples, read this Seattle Times article and the one following it from Newsweek. http://tinyurl.com/5hl3fd http://www.newsweek.com/id/149224 But, as the rock band War wondered in their 1975 hit song (a question Smash Mouth re-asked more than twenty years later), "Why Can't We Be Friends?" The Bikehugger thinks he has a possible antidote to help iron out some of this growing strife. http://bikehugger.com/2008/08/ridecivil_artwork.htm (1) Replies

Ever try to bus and ride when the rack is full?

Author: subverita :: Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:22 am According to a May 30th Aspen Times article, "Hauling around a bicycle on a bus in the Roaring Fork Valley will become much easier if an experiment proves successful this summer. The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority will unveil special service Sunday, June 8, on what it is calling its 'Bike Express.' RFTA mechanics retrofitted the interior of a bus by removing most of the seats and installing 12 bike racks. The bus will load and unload at specially designated bus stops -- but not at every stop. "Bike Express service will begin in Glenwood Springs in the morning and end up back there in the evening, but most of its service will focus between El Jebel and Aspen, RFTA communications and marketing director Sylvia Cranmer said Thursday. If the service proves popular, RFTA might add a second bike bus. But for now, the agency just wants to get the service launched and work out the kinks before considering expansion..." Get the entire article here: http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20080530/NEWS/169666337/1030&parentprofile=1065 (13) Replies

Merchants without a place to secure: My latest practice

Author: subverita :: Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:54 am I figure they must not mind you bringing your bike into the shop if they offer you no place to safely secure outside of the shop. I stopped at Lenscrafter the other day, and they had no means for securing a bicycle anywhere near the shop so I walked it right in with me. The service sucked, but I don't think it had anything to with the fact that I brought the machine in or that I was sweating all over their floor, at least no one said anything to me. Right after that I went to CVS. Like Lenscrafter they too have no where to secure a bicycle. For the second time in a row I brought my bike right up to the pharmacy counter. Only a woman entering the store as I was leaving had anything to say. She was surprised and said she didn't expect to see a bicycle coming out of the store. When I told her the store offered no provisions for safe bike parking she said he understood completely. So my new practice is to secure the bike outside when adequate provision has been made by the merchant to do so. When it has not, we both come in together. If they kick me out, they lose my business. Your thoughts? (14) Replies

Did I miss something?

Author: lifeontwowheels :: Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 11:49 pm Has Columbus adopted complete streets? Jeff and anyone else with their ear to the ground at council, am I just ignorantly confused? Quote: ON THE ROAD TO COMPLETE STREETS: The Complete Streets philosophy is founded on the principle that transportation projects should accommodate all forms of transportation including cars, transit users, bicyclists and pedestrians. Public Service and Transportation Committee Chair Maryellen O’Shaughnessy is sponsoring Resolution 0151X-2008 to express support of Complete Streets principles. Columbus traffic engineers and transportation division officials are studying Complete Streets principles to ensure that whenever possible, the entire right of way of every Columbus roadway is designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. This is from the latest Council Highlights. This isn't legislation, merely a resolution of expression. Nothing binding, correct? Just really at the whim of the transportation folks if we see anything of substance out of this. (3) Replies

Is Gay Street A Complete Street?

Author: lifeontwowheels :: Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:08 pm With all the talk of Columbus adopting complete streets is the Gay St. conversion living up to the promise of Complete Streets? In the absence of a Complete Streets Policy, does Gay St. meet the requirements? Complete Streets What lessons can be applied to future conversions along Front/Third/Fourth? Bike Boxes and priority signals to move cyclists safely? Better detection at intersections? Gay doesn't have transit, but other potential conversions do. How do we integrate transit systems and bikes? Orginal discussion at CU Priority signaling in Portland: Bike Boxes: (Feel free to move this if in the wrong section) (6) Replies

Status of Morse Road bike lanes

Author: pkovacs :: Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:43 pm I got a chance to read the Bicentennial Bikeway Plan last week and it got me interested in checking out the Morse Rd bike lane. I cycled Morse Rd today from Hamilton Rd to High St and back. Needless to say, it was not an enjoyable experience. I did get yelled at by somebody to "Get the f*** out of the way" (somewhere between Westerville Rd and Cleveland Ave). I flashed him the peace sign and he quieted down and passed me courteously. The bike lanes (from Karl to just east of 71) are done well in my opinion. They stay left of the right turn only lanes. But I question why Morse Rd was chosen for bike lanes. Does anybody on this forum use Morse Rd? Does anybody know if the bike lanes will be extended? I prefer other roads for getting across town. I don't think I will ever cycle Morse Road again. I do remember someone saying that they cycle on the sidewalk on Morse. Although I wouldn't condone it, I understand why. (6) Replies

Bicycle Campaign Gears Up for Campaign Cycle

Author: meredith :: Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 9:22 pm Quote: Like many avid bicyclists, Tim Blumenthal takes care to use his energy sparingly. But that didn't stop him from interrupting a recent vacation in Paris to fly back to the United States, then almost immediately turn around and rejoin his wife in the City of Light. The reason for the diversion was simple: Barack Obama wanted to talk about federal bicycling programs. Although he was promised just 20 minutes with the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, Blumenthal was willing to spend nearly a day's worth of time in airports and on airplanes to make it happen. "It was an important coming-out moment for the bike industry in terms of political sophistication," said Blumenthal, the executive director of the Bikes Belong Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy group based in Boulder, Colo. "Never in my memory has a biking event with a presidential candidate happened." He also reports that the upshot of the meeting in Chicago three weeks ago was encouraging: The Illinois senator told some 160 assembled cyclists -- who included representatives of most of the nation's prominent bike transportation groups, in addition to Blumenthal's -- that he doesn't usually make promises, but they could count on his support. Bicycling groups already had picked up a number of encouraging signals from the Obama campaign. At a rally in Portland the weekend before the Oregon primary in May, for example, some 8,000 bicyclists were in the throng of 75,000 people. And the candidate gave them a brief shout-out from the stump: "It's time that the entire country learned from what's happening right here in Portland with mass transit and bicycle lanes and funding alternative means of transportation," he said. Portland leads the nation in bicycle commuters: 3.5 percent cycle to work every day. Groups trying to promote bicycling as a viable alternative means of transportation hope to mint such feel-good sentiments into a firm commitment for expanded federal funding. Next year, Congress is slated to write a new highway bill, which is already being touted as embodying the greatest overhaul of federal transportation policy since President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Interstate Highway Act into law half a century ago. Bicycling advocates are hoping to build on a significant set of wins in the current highway law, written in 2005 -- including new initiatives to fund "complete streets," the term for new road projects outfitted with dedicated bike lanes -- and arguing to step up federal funding to encourage bike commuting. It's a propitious time to be making the case, with the national average price of gasoline topping $4 a gallon and growing interest in reducing carbon emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change. Still, biking advocates are mindful that weaning American commuters from their reliance on the automobile is anything but an overnight proposition. Commuting by bike "is not the silver bullet," said Walter Finch, who directs government relations for the 300,000-member League of American Bicyclists, based in Washington. "I think more and more people are at least starting to listen, so at least we'll have more opportunities to make the case." READ MORE (0) Replies

Meeting to support the Lancaster Bike Trail

Author: iraweiss :: Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 5:54 am To: FRIENDS OF THE LANCASTER BIKE TRAIL From: The Fairfield Heritage Trail Association, one of the organizations assisting in the development of the Trail. If you have been enjoying the benefits of the Lancaster Recreational Trail, and would like to see its continued growth and development, we need your help. Recently, a group of Lancaster residents have harshly criticized the trail and the trail organizers, and have attempted to call into question the value of the trail to our community. On Monday, July 14, 7:00 pm, we would like to let City Council know that this community has embraced the Lancaster trail, the citizens are happy to have it here, and would like to see its continued development. Therefore, if you are a trail user, a Friend of the trail or simply believe that this trail is vital to the future of the city, we ask that you help us show support for the trail and the trail organizers, by attending City Council on Monday the 14th. We will have several designated speakers, but we need our supporters to come out and represent the multitude of Lancaster residents who are benefiting from the trail. The Council meeting will be held Monday July 14, 7:00 PM, at the ADAMH Conference Room, 108 W Main Street in Lancaster. If you attend as a show of solidarity for the trail please wear a green shirt. We thank you for all your Support! Hoping to see you Monday, Ps: Please feel free to pass this message on to anyone who uses and supports our trail. Ira S. Weiss, President Fairfield Heritage Trail Association (0) Replies

SAFETEA-LU reauthorization

Author: meredith :: Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:29 am The national Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users legislation is up for reauthorization in 2009 and, of course, we'll want to pay attention to ways we can get bike/ped money in there. The group T4America is one source for info on the new legislation, and the League of American Bicyclists will provide bike-specific updates as Congress begins considering the legislation in earnest. (0) Replies

what an ass...
Author: meredith :: Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 12:06 pm (10) Replies

Meeting at City Council at 5 PM

Author: neela :: Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:28 pm While the press release is dated June 20th, I just heard about it today (June 23rd). However, I'm out of town so maybe this has already made the rounds. ?? Perhaps this is in response to the other meeting last week? I just posted this on Xing Columbus as well, I didn't see any mention of it there. I have no idea if they are looking for public comment, it doesn't sound like they are for the bike part. The COTA part (starts at 5:30 PM) IS for the public for sure. Anyways, Tuesday at 5 PM Councilmember O'Shaugnessy is holding a public service and transportation committee meeting. Some highlights from the press release: At 5:00 PM the committee will hear from Public Service Director Mark Kelsey and City Engineer Randy Bowman regarding changes to Columbus bicycle laws proposed in the Bicentennial Bikeways Plan. At 5:30 PM O’Shaughnessy will moderate a public forum led by Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) president and CEO Bill Lhota. Lhota will discuss proposed service improvements, long range transit plans, and how streetcars and light rail fit into COTA's future transit improvements. Full press release (with not many more details) below ... For Immediate Release June 20, 2008 Contacts: John Ivanic, 645-6798 Lelia Cady, 645-8529 COUNCILMEMBER O’SHAUGHNESSY TO CONVENE PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING ON BICYCLE LAW AND COTA SERVICE PLANS (COLUMBUS)—Columbus City Council member Maryellen O'Shaughnessy, chair of council's public service and transportation committee, will be joined by committee members Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 5:00 PM in City Council Chambers. At 5:00 PM the committee will hear from Public Service Director Mark Kelsey and City Engineer Randy Bowman regarding changes to Columbus bicycle laws proposed in the Bicentennial Bikeways Plan. At 5:30 PM O’Shaughnessy will moderate a public forum led by Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) president and CEO Bill Lhota. Lhota will discuss proposed service improvements, long range transit plans, and how streetcars and light rail fit into COTA's future transit improvements. Who: Public Service and Transportation Committee Chair Maryellen O’Shaughnessy Members of the Public Service and Transportation Committee What: Public Service and Transportation Committee Meeting When: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 5:00 PM Where: City Council Chambers City Hall, 2nd Floor 90 West Broad Street Parking is free on City Hall surface lots after 5:00 PM (2) Replies

Bikeplan Law Changes: hearing -

Author: Yethu :: Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:49 pm Councilmember O’Shaughnessy to convene public service and transportation committee meeting on bicycle law and COTA SERVICE PLANS (COLUMBUS)—Columbus City Council member Maryellen O'Shaughnessy, chair of council's public service and transportation committee, will be joined by committee members Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 5:00 PM in City Council Chambers. At 5:00 PM the committee will hear from Public Service Director Mark Kelsey and City Engineer Randy Bowman regarding changes to Columbus bicycle laws proposed in the Bicentennial Bikeways Plan. At 5:30 PM O’Shaughnessy will moderate a public forum led by Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) president and CEO Bill Lhota. Lhota will discuss proposed service improvements, long range transit plans, and how streetcars and light rail fit into COTA's future transit improvements. Who: Public Service and Transportation Committee Chair Maryellen O’Shaughnessy Members of the Public Service and Transportation Committee What: Public Service and Transportation Committee Meeting When: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 5:00 PM Where: City Council Chambers City Hall, 2nd Floor 90 West Broad Street Parking is free on City Hall surface lots after 5:00 PM Contacts: John Ivanic, 645-6798 Lelia Cady, 645-8529 (3) Replies

New Ordinance Could Move Bikers To The Sidewalks

Author: ScottNorthSide :: Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:09 pm COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A proposed ordinance for the City of Columbus may soon put the brakes on cyclists riding in the streets. NBC 4’s Lauren Diedrich spoke with Councilwoman Charletta Tavares on Tuesday. Tavares says that the primary goal for the new ordinance is requiring helmets for children under 18, but it could also move bikers from the streets to the sidewalks in certain areas. However, Tavares said she is planning to work with bikers and pedestrians to strike a balance. The council will meet on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the helmet requirement. Citizens who wish to speak during the briefing are encouraged to fill out a speaker slip. [THIS IS A HORRIBLE IDEA AND WILL SET BACK ALL THAT THE FINE FOLKS AT CONSIDER BIKING HAVE BEEN STRIVING FOR. NOT TO MENTION WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT THE MAYORS' BIG PLANS FOR MAKING OUR CITY MORE BICYCLE-FRIENDLY. I don't know what areas that she was referring to. But maybe the City could improve those areas with striping or signage, etc. Instead of this hairbrained idea. (3) Replies

Public hearing - Mandatory Helmet law

Author: raamjeff :: Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:14 pm Columbus Council Member Tavares, in conjunction with Children's Hospital, is proposing a Mandatory Helmet Law for children. There is a Public Hearing planned for this coming Wed. evening, June 18 at 5:45 in Council Chambers. We'd like your participation and feedback. The Policy Subcommittee of the Board of Consider Biking has discussed this issue, although has not yet made a decision to voice an opinion. I've attached the proposed legislation. One thing to note... Although I won’t study this in detail until Monday…its been brought to my attention that the proposed legislation subtly changes the law to allow riding on sidewalks?? Is there anything else that jumps out at you?? We welcome, and encourage your participation, on this forum...and this coming Wed. evening! (46) Replies

Bike Plan Passes Council!

Author: raamjeff :: Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:05 pm The long-awaited Columbus Bicentennial Bikeways Plan passed into legislation at City Coucil this evening! This is a momentous occassion for cyclists in the region...and, worthy of celebration. Now...we've got to continue advocating for the appropraie allocation of resouces (staff & money)to ensure the plan is implemented. Hip hip hurray! (6) Replies