AP Dont Mess With Texas Lobbyists: Governor Seeks to Build Megahighways
AUSTIN, Texas - In what sounds like another tall tale told by a Texan, the Lone Star State has embarked on an audacious project to build superhighways so big, so complex, that they will make ordinary interstates look like cowpaths.
The Trans-Texas Corridor project, as envisioned by Republican Gov. Rick Perry in 2002, would be a 4,000-mile transportation network costing an awesome $175 billion over 50 years, financed mostly if not entirely with private money. The builders would then charge motorists tolls.
But these would not be mere highways. Proving anew that everything's big in Texas, they would be megahighways - corridors up to a quarter-mile across, consisting of as many as six lanes for cars and four for trucks, plus railroad tracks, oil and gas pipelines, water and other utility lines, even broadband transmission cables.
This is the legacy blog of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. It is an archive of posts from 2003 to 2014. Making your ride better since 1972. https://www.bicyclecoalition.org
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Saturday, December 25, 2004
PACKETONLINE Princeton Packet - Plainsboro is awarded grant for bicycle lanes
12/24/2004
By: Jill Matthews , Staff Writer
Work to focus on Plainsboro Road near railroad tracks.
PLAINSBORO — The township has received a $200,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation for the construction of bicycle lanes on Plainsboro Road near the Northeast Corridor rail line.
12/24/2004
By: Jill Matthews , Staff Writer
Work to focus on Plainsboro Road near railroad tracks.
PLAINSBORO — The township has received a $200,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation for the construction of bicycle lanes on Plainsboro Road near the Northeast Corridor rail line.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
202 Alternate Makes the Headlines
An article in the West Chester Daily Local talks about the Chester County Cycling Coalition's proposed alternate to US 202 section ES1.
The article was peppered with the usual myths and pre-conceived notions that the word bicycle brings to people. When one resident was asked if she would use a trail to shop she said ""I would not walk any trail to do grocery shopping and I wouldn’t dare ride a bicycle"
When talking to the media maybe we as bicycle advocates need to take a line out of "Karl Rove's playbook" (probably the most overused election cliche') and develop a clear set of talking points and have everyone down the line stick to it.
So my brainstorming on this issue brought the following points to mind:
Safety safety for those who already walk or bicycle and in programs such as Safe Routes to School
Health The Surgeon General has stated that 30 minutes of moderate exercise such as bicycling and walking can reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease and obesity. The President himself bicycles nearly every day for his health.
Equality Bicycles and pedestrians account for 17% of all traffic deaths in our region yet PennDOT spend less than a penny of every transportation dollar on bicycle and pedestrian projects
Statistics On a typical day in the Delaware Valley 75,000 bicyclists make 120,000 trips.
Philadelphia has installed 190 miles of bike lanes and 1500 bike racks. As a result Philadelphia has the second highest percentage of bicycle commuters in cities with greater than 1 million residents.
Complete Streets that is streets and road that safely accommodates all modes of travel for all the reasons listed above. Accommodations should not simply be considered, they should be required unless there are extenuating circumstances such as cost or proven lack of demand.
An article in the West Chester Daily Local talks about the Chester County Cycling Coalition's proposed alternate to US 202 section ES1.
The article was peppered with the usual myths and pre-conceived notions that the word bicycle brings to people. When one resident was asked if she would use a trail to shop she said ""I would not walk any trail to do grocery shopping and I wouldn’t dare ride a bicycle"
When talking to the media maybe we as bicycle advocates need to take a line out of "Karl Rove's playbook" (probably the most overused election cliche') and develop a clear set of talking points and have everyone down the line stick to it.
So my brainstorming on this issue brought the following points to mind:
Safety safety for those who already walk or bicycle and in programs such as Safe Routes to School
Health The Surgeon General has stated that 30 minutes of moderate exercise such as bicycling and walking can reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease and obesity. The President himself bicycles nearly every day for his health.
Equality Bicycles and pedestrians account for 17% of all traffic deaths in our region yet PennDOT spend less than a penny of every transportation dollar on bicycle and pedestrian projects
Statistics On a typical day in the Delaware Valley 75,000 bicyclists make 120,000 trips.
Philadelphia has installed 190 miles of bike lanes and 1500 bike racks. As a result Philadelphia has the second highest percentage of bicycle commuters in cities with greater than 1 million residents.
Complete Streets that is streets and road that safely accommodates all modes of travel for all the reasons listed above. Accommodations should not simply be considered, they should be required unless there are extenuating circumstances such as cost or proven lack of demand.
Next Scudder Falls Bridge Meetings
Ewing Township:
Monday, January 10, 2005 at 6:30PM
Township Government Complex
2 Jake Garzio Drive, Ewing, NJ
Lower Makefield Township:
Monday, February 7, 2005 at 7:30PM
Lower Makefield Township Building
1100 Edgewood Road, Yardley, PA
Township meetings to discuss the status of the alternative analysis of the design of the new crossing. As part of the alternatives analysis, the feasibility of implementing Travel Demand Management (TDM) measures including bicycle and pedestrian facilities, park-and-rides, and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) feeder routes will also be evaluated.
Ewing Township:
Monday, January 10, 2005 at 6:30PM
Township Government Complex
2 Jake Garzio Drive, Ewing, NJ
Lower Makefield Township:
Monday, February 7, 2005 at 7:30PM
Lower Makefield Township Building
1100 Edgewood Road, Yardley, PA
Township meetings to discuss the status of the alternative analysis of the design of the new crossing. As part of the alternatives analysis, the feasibility of implementing Travel Demand Management (TDM) measures including bicycle and pedestrian facilities, park-and-rides, and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) feeder routes will also be evaluated.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
"Benjamin Franklin Bridge Walkways Closed Due to Ice
From the DRPA: Benjamin Franklin Bridge walkways are closed due to ice. We apologize for any inconvenience this may pose for more information contact My Linh Nguyen at 856-968-2228
This is the first closing of the winter. We'll be looking for the opening.
From the DRPA: Benjamin Franklin Bridge walkways are closed due to ice. We apologize for any inconvenience this may pose for more information contact My Linh Nguyen at 856-968-2228
This is the first closing of the winter. We'll be looking for the opening.
Monday, December 20, 2004
Pimp My Bicycle?
No Kidding, MTV Germany's answer to MTV's "Pimp My Ride" is "Pimp My Fahrrad". The Google translation of the MTV.de site says it all. From "wire donkey's to High Tech GET down fire bicycles".
No Kidding, MTV Germany's answer to MTV's "Pimp My Ride" is "Pimp My Fahrrad". The Google translation of the MTV.de site says it all. From "wire donkey's to High Tech GET down fire bicycles".
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Philadelphia Inquirer | 12/16/2004 | Making Haddonfield More Walkable
A borough meeting tonight will collect a new round of ideas for improving the lives of pedestrians.
By Edward Colimore
Inquirer Staff Writer
Call it revenge.
After hundreds of years of dodging traffic - from horse-drawn to horseless carriages - the pedestrians of Haddonfield are striking back.
Their campaign for a more walkable town began with the formation of the Transportation and Pedestrian Safety Committee in February 2003.
It was racheted up with a weeklong effort in May's "Drive 25" campaign. An effort to force motorists' adherence to the borough's 25 m.p.h. speed limit.
Read more about this story at
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/10428330.htm
(Registration required)
A borough meeting tonight will collect a new round of ideas for improving the lives of pedestrians.
By Edward Colimore
Inquirer Staff Writer
Call it revenge.
After hundreds of years of dodging traffic - from horse-drawn to horseless carriages - the pedestrians of Haddonfield are striking back.
Their campaign for a more walkable town began with the formation of the Transportation and Pedestrian Safety Committee in February 2003.
It was racheted up with a weeklong effort in May's "Drive 25" campaign. An effort to force motorists' adherence to the borough's 25 m.p.h. speed limit.
Read more about this story at
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/10428330.htm
(Registration required)
A Rare Sight in the PA Burbs: Bike Lanes to be Part of Towamencin Road Widening Project
A two year construction project will begin next week on
Three other municipalities have bike lanes in the PA Suburbs Pottstown (1 mile of
Crews will widen
The project also calls for widening the shoulder on Sumneytown Pike (Route
63) between the Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange and the Turnpike overpass.
PENNDOT saddens Amish for safe routes in Sadsbury - ParkesBurg Post Ledger
PENNDOT has turned down a request by Sadsbury Township to do a traffic study on Schoolhouse Road. The request was made at the urging of Township Supervisor Douglas Shaeffer, who has said the Amish children who walk to school are endangered by speeding vehicles.
PENNDOT has turned down a request by Sadsbury Township to do a traffic study on Schoolhouse Road. The request was made at the urging of Township Supervisor Douglas Shaeffer, who has said the Amish children who walk to school are endangered by speeding vehicles.
At Least The Bike Racks Are Going In
The depot by depot bike rack installation has finally moved to the suburbs, (where the racks are most needed). A spot check at 69th St on Tuesday showed that perhaps 75% of the buses out of Victory Depot that did not have the racks (5200-5300 NABI and 5400 series New Flyer buses) have received bike racks in the last two weeks. Over 1000 SEPTA buses now have bike racks.
Remaining is the Frontier Depot scheduled for retrofit in January and articulated buses housed in the Allegheny and Midvale depots which are receiving bike racks as vehicles are overhauled.
Older buses still in use (Neoplans circa 1989) are not receiving bike racks but are gradually being retired.
The depot by depot bike rack installation has finally moved to the suburbs, (where the racks are most needed). A spot check at 69th St on Tuesday showed that perhaps 75% of the buses out of Victory Depot that did not have the racks (5200-5300 NABI and 5400 series New Flyer buses) have received bike racks in the last two weeks. Over 1000 SEPTA buses now have bike racks.
Remaining is the Frontier Depot scheduled for retrofit in January and articulated buses housed in the Allegheny and Midvale depots which are receiving bike racks as vehicles are overhauled.
Older buses still in use (Neoplans circa 1989) are not receiving bike racks but are gradually being retired.
Sign The Petition to Save SEPTA
Today the SEPTA of Directors will likely vote to cut all service by 20%, lay off workers and increase fares to $3 a ride. The only way to prevent this from happening is if the state legislature provides an additional $63 million dollars for next year's budget and comes up with a permanent solution to our region's public transportation inequities.
Today the SEPTA of Directors will likely vote to cut all service by 20%, lay off workers and increase fares to $3 a ride. The only way to prevent this from happening is if the state legislature provides an additional $63 million dollars for next year's budget and comes up with a permanent solution to our region's public transportation inequities.
Monday, December 13, 2004
LancasterOnline.com: Townships vs. County - Abandoned Rail Line Becomes Political Football:
From Lancaster Online
A battle over who controls the right of way of a 23 mile Enola Low Grade Corridor in Lancaster County has put plans for a rail trail on hold. The strange part is that Lancaster County and the municipalities say they want a rail trail. The dispute is over eminent domain, the counties have tried to take control of the 100 foot wide abandoned corridor while the municipalities have signed an agreement for a 30 foot wide corridor.
The Enola Low Grade Line has lots of potential, the corridor extends extends from Atglen on the western edge of Chester County across southern Lancaster County to Safe Harbor on the Susquehanna River
Story is online at http://www.lancasteronline.com/pages/news/local/4/10330
From Lancaster Online
A battle over who controls the right of way of a 23 mile Enola Low Grade Corridor in Lancaster County has put plans for a rail trail on hold. The strange part is that Lancaster County and the municipalities say they want a rail trail. The dispute is over eminent domain, the counties have tried to take control of the 100 foot wide abandoned corridor while the municipalities have signed an agreement for a 30 foot wide corridor.
The Enola Low Grade Line has lots of potential, the corridor extends extends from Atglen on the western edge of Chester County across southern Lancaster County to Safe Harbor on the Susquehanna River
Story is online at http://www.lancasteronline.com/pages/news/local/4/10330
Bicycle Friendly Legislation Moves in NJ
From Tri-State Transportation Campaign's Mobilizing the Region.
In the NJ State Legislature a measure to allow towns greater leeway to install traffic calming devices was signed into law in July (MTR # 469). Other important safety bills moving through the legislature include:
S. 251, is awaiting a vote in the Assembly before it can move to the governor’s desk. It would require the DOT to ban right-on-red turns at the 100 most dangerous intersections. It was passed by the Senate in February, and later by the Assembly Transportation Committee. A floor Assembly floor vote could come early in 2005.
As reported on this blog earlier A.3441 would support those who commuter to work by bike, providing 10 cents per mile in gross income tax deduction now sits in front of the Assembly Transportation Committee.
From Tri-State Transportation Campaign's Mobilizing the Region.
In the NJ State Legislature a measure to allow towns greater leeway to install traffic calming devices was signed into law in July (MTR # 469). Other important safety bills moving through the legislature include:
S. 251, is awaiting a vote in the Assembly before it can move to the governor’s desk. It would require the DOT to ban right-on-red turns at the 100 most dangerous intersections. It was passed by the Senate in February, and later by the Assembly Transportation Committee. A floor Assembly floor vote could come early in 2005.
As reported on this blog earlier A.3441 would support those who commuter to work by bike, providing 10 cents per mile in gross income tax deduction now sits in front of the Assembly Transportation Committee.
Friday, December 10, 2004
Tidal Schuylkill River Trail Meeting
The Schuylkill River Development Corporation (SRDC), the lead agency for riverfront enhancements, is having a public meeting regarding the 8 mile riverside effort that includes landscaping and extension of the Schuylkill River Trail from Locust Street down to Bartram's Gardens, and access to/from South Street. SRDC received a $3.53 million grant last September to help fund these projects.
The Schuylkill River Development Corporation (SRDC), the lead agency for riverfront enhancements, is having a public meeting regarding the 8 mile riverside effort that includes landscaping and extension of the Schuylkill River Trail from Locust Street down to Bartram's Gardens, and access to/from South Street. SRDC received a $3.53 million grant last September to help fund these projects.
The meeting will be next Thursday December 16th at 6PM at the the Philadelphia School offices on 2501 Lombard St in Philadelphia.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Hatem Bridge to get Taxi Service?
Maryland State Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator Micheal Jackson announced that a plan is being implemented to create a formal subsidized taxi service to assist bicyclists and pedestrians to cross the Susquehanna River. Proposal includes telephones at each side of the bridge along with a sign that gives the phone number and price of the authorized taxi service. The firm that will be picked to run the service will be evaluated to make sure their vehicles will be prepared to carry bikes.
The Hatem Bridge is the Route 40 bridge over the Susquehanna River between Cecil and Harford Counties in Maryland. A pilot water taxi service that was proposed for last summer did not get off the ground.
Maryland State Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator Micheal Jackson announced that a plan is being implemented to create a formal subsidized taxi service to assist bicyclists and pedestrians to cross the Susquehanna River. Proposal includes telephones at each side of the bridge along with a sign that gives the phone number and price of the authorized taxi service. The firm that will be picked to run the service will be evaluated to make sure their vehicles will be prepared to carry bikes.
The Hatem Bridge is the Route 40 bridge over the Susquehanna River between Cecil and Harford Counties in Maryland. A pilot water taxi service that was proposed for last summer did not get off the ground.
Bike Racks Coming to DART First State Buses
DART First State will be installing bike racks on buses in New Castle County once the Mid-County Bus Garage opens up later this winter. DART has said in the past that the extra 9" added to the bus by the rack would exceed the storage capacity of its Wilmington Bus Garage.
Bike racks are already on all buses that cover Kent and Sussex County.
DART First State will be installing bike racks on buses in New Castle County once the Mid-County Bus Garage opens up later this winter. DART has said in the past that the extra 9" added to the bus by the rack would exceed the storage capacity of its Wilmington Bus Garage.
Bike racks are already on all buses that cover Kent and Sussex County.
Transportation Alternatives: Crash Maps
New York's bicycle, pedestrian and transit advocacy group Transportation Alternatives (TA) unveiled the future of bicycle and pedestrian advocacy. Crashstats (A play on NYPD's CrimeStats crime mapping program) combine bicycle and pedestrian crash statistics and GIS mapped to the neighborhood level. TA wants Crashstats to be a tool for neighborhoods, media and elected officials to work towards improving pedestrian and bicycle safety throughout New York City.
New York's bicycle, pedestrian and transit advocacy group Transportation Alternatives (TA) unveiled the future of bicycle and pedestrian advocacy. Crashstats (A play on NYPD's CrimeStats crime mapping program) combine bicycle and pedestrian crash statistics and GIS mapped to the neighborhood level. TA wants Crashstats to be a tool for neighborhoods, media and elected officials to work towards improving pedestrian and bicycle safety throughout New York City.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
PENNDOT ANNOUNCES PLANS TO DEVELOP LONG-RANGE PENNSYLVANIA MOBILITY PLAN
Press Release: 12/7/2004-HARRISBURG
On behalf of Governor Edward G. Rendell, state Transportation Secretary AllenD. Biehler, P.E., today announced plans to develop a long-range"Pennsylvania Mobility Plan," a blueprint outlining goals, objectives and strategies to guide the future of the state's transportation system. It will also prioritize needed transportation investments.
"The creation of a Pennsylvania Mobility Plan is our opportunity to shape the future of transportation throughout the Commonwealth and make realistic investments where they are needed the most," Secretary Biehler said. "This plan also will reflect our number one priority system, preservation.
"The Pennsylvania Mobility Plan is based on Governor Rendell's aspiration to consider transportation's role in economic development, community, environmental and quality of life issues. The plan will place an increased focus on alternatives and connections among transportation modes, such asair,highway and rail, and will examine ways to make the best use of limited funds.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will incorporate extensive public outreach as the foundation of the program through the use of focus group discussions, interviews, surveys and other opinion-polling techniques.
Development of the Pennsylvania Mobility Plan was launched in the summer of2004 and is slated for completion during the summer of 2006.To date, PennDOT has involved 75 stakeholders, ranging from private corporations that use Pennsylvania's transportation system, to regional planning agencies and economic development organizations.
More information about the plan is available at www.pamobilityplan.com. Byvisiting the site, users can get current project information and also participate in an online survey, allowing them to comment on topics such asthefuture of Pennsylvania's transportation system and thoughts they have on the current system. To take the online survey, click "Your Ideas.
It is vital that the public and our partners play a major role in thedevelopment of this mobility plan for the simple reason that we all have astake in Pennsylvania's future," Biehler said. "The transportation choiceswemake today will have significant impacts upon our economy, environment andquality of life tomorrow.
"PennDOT has hired Gannett Fleming Inc., an international planning, design and construction management firm based in Camp Hill, as the lead consultant forthis project. Parsons Brinckerhoff, Philadelphia, also has consulted.
Press Release: 12/7/2004-HARRISBURG
On behalf of Governor Edward G. Rendell, state Transportation Secretary AllenD. Biehler, P.E., today announced plans to develop a long-range"Pennsylvania Mobility Plan," a blueprint outlining goals, objectives and strategies to guide the future of the state's transportation system. It will also prioritize needed transportation investments.
"The creation of a Pennsylvania Mobility Plan is our opportunity to shape the future of transportation throughout the Commonwealth and make realistic investments where they are needed the most," Secretary Biehler said. "This plan also will reflect our number one priority system, preservation.
"The Pennsylvania Mobility Plan is based on Governor Rendell's aspiration to consider transportation's role in economic development, community, environmental and quality of life issues. The plan will place an increased focus on alternatives and connections among transportation modes, such asair,highway and rail, and will examine ways to make the best use of limited funds.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will incorporate extensive public outreach as the foundation of the program through the use of focus group discussions, interviews, surveys and other opinion-polling techniques.
Development of the Pennsylvania Mobility Plan was launched in the summer of2004 and is slated for completion during the summer of 2006.To date, PennDOT has involved 75 stakeholders, ranging from private corporations that use Pennsylvania's transportation system, to regional planning agencies and economic development organizations.
More information about the plan is available at www.pamobilityplan.com. Byvisiting the site, users can get current project information and also participate in an online survey, allowing them to comment on topics such asthefuture of Pennsylvania's transportation system and thoughts they have on the current system. To take the online survey, click "Your Ideas.
It is vital that the public and our partners play a major role in thedevelopment of this mobility plan for the simple reason that we all have astake in Pennsylvania's future," Biehler said. "The transportation choiceswemake today will have significant impacts upon our economy, environment andquality of life tomorrow.
"PennDOT has hired Gannett Fleming Inc., an international planning, design and construction management firm based in Camp Hill, as the lead consultant forthis project. Parsons Brinckerhoff, Philadelphia, also has consulted.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Istook retaliates against Republican Amtrak Supporters:
Note: Representative Istook proposed elimination of Transportation Enhancements Funds in 2003 for the new transportation bill that was never passed. That bill will be rewritten in Early 2005 in the new congress.
From the "The Hill" as reported in the Greater Valley Forge TMA Newsletter
Deep in the transportation section of this year's omnibus spending bill, Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Okla.) dispensed a little appropriator's justice, punishing 21 Republicans who wrote him a letter in support of $1.8 billion for Amtrak. Istook, chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury and Independent Agencies, drastically reduced, or entirely excised, the transportation earmarks that those lawmakers were expecting to receive, making good on a little-noticed threat he issued in a letter last February. Istook's anti-Amtrak retribution hit several of the Republican majority's most vulnerable members, including Reps. Rob Simmons (R-Conn.) and Jim Gerlach (R-Pa)..." ( http://www.thehill.com/news/11242004/istook.aspx ) [From a second article] "Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Okla.) sent a written apology this morning to GOP lawmakers whose transportation projects he stripped from the omnibus appropriations bill in retaliation for their endorsement of additional funding for Amtrak.
Istook, chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee on transportation, treasury and independent agencies, apologized for not communicating better with his colleagues and promised to rectify the situation. ... Simmons received Istook's letter, but apparently, Gerlach did not. 'As of 2:15 [Thursday], we havent received any letter,' said John Gentzel, spokesman for Gerlach. Gentzel added that his office had been in contact with leadership staff on the funding matter, but he was not certain if there had been any contact with Istooks office." ( http://www.thehill.com/news/120104/istook.aspx )
Note: Representative Istook proposed elimination of Transportation Enhancements Funds in 2003 for the new transportation bill that was never passed. That bill will be rewritten in Early 2005 in the new congress.
From the "The Hill" as reported in the Greater Valley Forge TMA Newsletter
Deep in the transportation section of this year's omnibus spending bill, Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Okla.) dispensed a little appropriator's justice, punishing 21 Republicans who wrote him a letter in support of $1.8 billion for Amtrak. Istook, chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury and Independent Agencies, drastically reduced, or entirely excised, the transportation earmarks that those lawmakers were expecting to receive, making good on a little-noticed threat he issued in a letter last February. Istook's anti-Amtrak retribution hit several of the Republican majority's most vulnerable members, including Reps. Rob Simmons (R-Conn.) and Jim Gerlach (R-Pa)..." ( http://www.thehill.com/news/11242004/istook.aspx ) [From a second article] "Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Okla.) sent a written apology this morning to GOP lawmakers whose transportation projects he stripped from the omnibus appropriations bill in retaliation for their endorsement of additional funding for Amtrak.
Istook, chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee on transportation, treasury and independent agencies, apologized for not communicating better with his colleagues and promised to rectify the situation. ... Simmons received Istook's letter, but apparently, Gerlach did not. 'As of 2:15 [Thursday], we havent received any letter,' said John Gentzel, spokesman for Gerlach. Gentzel added that his office had been in contact with leadership staff on the funding matter, but he was not certain if there had been any contact with Istooks office." ( http://www.thehill.com/news/120104/istook.aspx )
Press Hit Bonanza for the Bicycle Coalition
Tucked in the printed media this week were several press hits for the Bicycle Coalition
1 - Philadelphia Inquirer Bike Map Article (Outdoors)
2 - Executive Director Alex Doty (with photo) appeared in Wednesday's Metro Newspaper
3 - The Bicycle Coalition also got a brief article in the East Coast Bike Culture Magazine The Ride
Tucked in the printed media this week were several press hits for the Bicycle Coalition
1 - Philadelphia Inquirer Bike Map Article (Outdoors)
2 - Executive Director Alex Doty (with photo) appeared in Wednesday's Metro Newspaper
3 - The Bicycle Coalition also got a brief article in the East Coast Bike Culture Magazine The Ride
Saturday, December 04, 2004
"End of Suburbia" Encore at DVRPC
The controversial documentary about the end of the oil boom will be showing at DVRPC's Regional Citizens Committee meeting on Wednesday December 15 12pm at DVRPC offices (8th Floor) in the Bourse Building (5th St across from Independance Mall).
The controversial documentary about the end of the oil boom will be showing at DVRPC's Regional Citizens Committee meeting on Wednesday December 15 12pm at DVRPC offices (8th Floor) in the Bourse Building (5th St across from Independance Mall).
SEPTA Cuts, Good for Bikes?
Well with $3 base fare and 20% service cut it looks like the region's economy will suffer. Let's hope Governor Rendell can do better than our transit killing state legislature.
But how would such a doomsday scenario affect bicycling? Penndot bicycle crash records indicated a sharp rise in crashes during the 40 day 1998 transit strike. This is not an indicator that bicycling was more dangerous rather that more people were bicycling. Its likely that bicycling will rise after the service degradation.
Concurrently SEPTA will likely retire their oldest buses (ones w/o bike racks) bringing the agency from 70% to 95% Bike accessible. BCGP may begin a bike the fare hike type promotion program. Starting with a Bike on Bus Blitz in January, where as many members that we can recruit will load up the bike racks on SEPTA buses at Frankford and/or 69th St.
A bikes on transit campaign could lure the transit dependent to bicycling. "Beat the fare hike by riding in the morning and taking the bus home at night", "Save yourself a transfer by riding your bike to the connecting bus instead", "Stay healthy and on time, Get in shape by commuting to transit"
Lets hope the PA lawmakers come to their senses.
Well with $3 base fare and 20% service cut it looks like the region's economy will suffer. Let's hope Governor Rendell can do better than our transit killing state legislature.
But how would such a doomsday scenario affect bicycling? Penndot bicycle crash records indicated a sharp rise in crashes during the 40 day 1998 transit strike. This is not an indicator that bicycling was more dangerous rather that more people were bicycling. Its likely that bicycling will rise after the service degradation.
Concurrently SEPTA will likely retire their oldest buses (ones w/o bike racks) bringing the agency from 70% to 95% Bike accessible. BCGP may begin a bike the fare hike type promotion program. Starting with a Bike on Bus Blitz in January, where as many members that we can recruit will load up the bike racks on SEPTA buses at Frankford and/or 69th St.
A bikes on transit campaign could lure the transit dependent to bicycling. "Beat the fare hike by riding in the morning and taking the bus home at night", "Save yourself a transfer by riding your bike to the connecting bus instead", "Stay healthy and on time, Get in shape by commuting to transit"
Lets hope the PA lawmakers come to their senses.
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