Bush Campaign Ad: Bicyclists are Wacky

The talk of high gas prices (still less than the cost of bottled water or a cup of Starbucks coffee) has got the presidential candidates in a tizzy about how to control them ... unless the strategy is driving less. An ad endorsed by the Bush campaign comes out today suggests Kerry wants to raise gas taxes by 50 cents to get people to do wacky things to travel, commercial then cuts to an early 20th century clip of people pedaling a multi-tandem bike.

Sounds good to me.

SEPTA Finally Selects a Bike Rack Vendor

SEPTA finally did the right thing and awarded the bike rack for buses
contract to Sportworks NW. The Board agenda specifies 655 bike racks for the NABI, Neoplan Articulated and first generation New Flyer Buses to be delivered over 24 months starting in May 2004.

WCBC Icicle Metric


Quarter/Half/Full Metric Century

The Icicle may be your first chance to stretch your legs on a long ride after the long, cold, winter. Choose either 25, 50, or 100 kilometers (16, 31, or 62 miles) covering moderately hilly terrain in the area west and north of Newark, Delaware. Snacks will be available at the start and the traditional well-stocked, indoor food stop will add to the camaraderie of the day.
NOTE: You do not have to decide to do the 100 km route until after you've tested out your legs on the early portion of the combined routes.

All registrants will recieve a water bottle or cue sheet clip as a souvenir of the ride. This is a great way to start the season.

DATE: Saturday, March 27, 2004
TIME: Registration opens at 7:30 AM
WHERE: Hollingsworth Parking Lot, University of Delaware
Newark, DE (see website for directions)
COST: $15 per person ($12 if received via mail by March 15).
SUPPORT: Painted route, map, sag wagon, food stop, water bottle.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

John McCormick, 1101 Hillside Blvd., Wilmington, DE 19803
302-761-9066

icicle@whiteclaybicycleclub.org

BCGP Board Meeting:

"The Bicycle Coalition board meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 22, in 418 Huntsman Hall, 3730 Walnut Street. Food will be available at 6:00PM. The board meeting will begin promptly at 6:30PM.

The Advocacy Committee will meet in the same location at 5:30PM.

Scudder Falls Bridge Project Meeting Ewing, New Jersey

Ewing Township has invited the public to attend a Special Township Council Meeting in Ewing, New Jersey on Monday, March 22, 2004 at 7:30 P.M. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers of the Ewing Township Municipal Complex located at 2 Jake Garzio Drive.

The purpose of this meeting is for The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission (DRJTBC) and the consultant team to present the I-95/Scudder Falls Bridge Improvement Project. The presentation will include a description of the purpose and need for the project, and the scope of the environmental, engineering and public participation activities. A public question and answer period will follow the presentation.

Bikes Racks on SEPTA buses update

From Creighton Rabs Septa News Blog http://frankfordterminal.blogspot.com/

"For the third time since last year, SEPTA will attempt to award a contract for 655 bike racks on the Neoplan artic, NABI, and 5400-series New Flyer bus fleet. The most recent contract was awarded to a Bucks County firm (United Products of Feasterville), however it is believed that they went out of business. As such, the contract is expected to go to SportWorks Northwest, the Seattle-area based supplier which built the racks for the ElDorado and 5500/5600-series New Flyers."

The vote will be at the March 25 board meeting, since Sportworks has been notified of the vote I would expect that they will be awarded the contract. Lets hope that SEPTA installs the bike racks in a timely fashion.

Meanwhile delivery has started on 118 new low floor buses and 28 small cut-away buses with bike racks, delivery will probably be complete in April or Early May. 440 of 1300 buses will be equipped with bike racks. Lets hope that

I Love that River Line! Tips for the thrifty New York Traveler.

The River LINE NJ TRANSIT offers a great opportunity for bicyclists (See the March 7 posting for details). Especially those who wish to take their bike to North Jersey or New York.
Here are the comparisons going to Trenton and New York via the River Line verses the R7 line.

Fare
Round Trip on SEPTA from Center City to Trenton - $14
Round Trip PATCO plus the River LINE Camden to Trenton - $4.50

Bike Capacity
River Line - 6 -12 bike racks per train
SEPTA 2 bikes per train, up to 5 bikes on weekends however weekend crowds on the R7 often force conductors to limit the number of bicycles.

Off-Peak Frequency
R7 - Hourly
River Line 30 minutes

Bike Access
R7 - No bikes on Peak Direction Trains
River Line and PATCO Bikes allowed on all trains

Bike Storage
PATCO - Hold your bike in the unused doorway
River LINE - On hanging bike racks
R7 - In the wheelchair space if available

Travel Time
R7 - Suburban Station to Trenton 50 minutes
River Line and PATCO - 15th and Locust to Trenton 1:20 minutes up to 1:30 on Sundays due to less frequent PATCO service.

Attention Aldan Borough Officials, I'm Not John Madera

Apparently some ill informed web surfers mistook comments from this blog as the words of DVRPC Bicycle Pedestrian Programs Coordinator John Madera.

The comments in question regard the February 19th posting "Showdown in Aldan Borough"

I'm John Boyle citizen of Pennsylvania, opinions on this blog are mine. I'm pro bike and pro walk.

Bike the Strike Theme Generates Press

On Friday an article in the Daily News mentions the Bike the Strike Campaign
and an NBC 10 cameraman visited Trophy Bikes where he interviewed BCGP acting executive director Alex Doty.

But the best hit yet is this recurring story on KYW Radio

If There's A SEPTA Strike, Bike!

by KYW's Lynne Adkins
If thousands of SEPTA transit riders are forced to find other ways to work, the Bicycle coalition of Greater Philadelphia is urging folks to consider pedal power.

"Bike the strike". That's what Alex Doty is suggesting. The acting executive director of the Bicycle coalition says if you do, take some time and select the safest route. "We encourage people to pick up one of our free Philadephia bicycle maps. Those are also available at all bike shops. That will enable you to pick a route that has a bike lane...we have 175 miles of bike lanes...those are great to follow."

He also urges you to get your bike checked out mechanical to make sure it's safe to ride. And city bike shops will do that free. Doty also suggests wearing a helmet and riding as if you're a vehicle. That means obey all traffic laws, and don't forget a good lock that secures the frame to the bike rack.

Bike the Strike! an Intermodal Approach

With a looming SEPTA strike threat bikes will suddenly become news although current news releases or strike contigency plans don't acknowledge that bikes will be an alternative.

Here are some bike the strike tips for intermodal cyclists during the strike

1- Consider parking your bike at the station and avoid taking your bike on outbound on regional rail between 2:30 and 4pm, long lines cue up at all Center City stations and conductors said no to me more than once during the last strike. The R7 and the R8 experience heavy loads during a city transit strike. Most Evening, Weekend and mid day trains (10:30 to 2:30) should still have plenty of capacity.

2 - Tacony, Holmesburg and Mayfair cyclists may want to try NJ Transit's River Line. Take the Tacony Palmyra bridge and turn left at Temple Blvd. Make a right at Cinnaminson Ave (Blinking light) the station is across River Road next to the Wawa. Train stops at Walter Rand for Patco and bus connections or you can continue to Rutgers station and then ride your bike over the Ben Franklin Bridge.

3 - If you are going to or from West Philadelphia you may want to try bike on bus. Since the El won't be running to 69th street it is likely that these buses and trolleys will be less crowded than Regional Rail. Routes 103 (Ardmore), 107 (Primos) and 122 (Springfield Mall) carry bicycles. Spruce Street has bike lanes from Cobbs Creek Parkway to 33rd St. My observations during the 1998 strike were that at least some Route 100 drivers were allowing bikes on the Norristown Line during peak hours and there were literally dozens of bikes parked at 69th St.

PennDOT Bicycle Pedestrian Checklist Online

OK so after my rant I was feeling a little guilty that I have been using PennDOT as a punching bag. So I posted the checklist online

Now if we can only get the project manager's onboard.

Complete the Streets? ... In your dreams

Woodhaven Road is another one of those transportation studies that poo-poos bikes, pedestrians and transit. For example high speed interchanges will degrade bicycling on Bustleton Ave and possibly Byberry Road and Philmont Avenue.

America Bikes is campaigning for State DOT's to follow Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidelines to design "Complete Streets". A complete street is defined as a street that safely accommodates all users including bicycles and pedestrians.

PennDOT claims that they are changing the culture, to their credit they have added a bicycle and pedestrian checklist (Appendix J) to their design manual.

However the following item in the Woodhaven Road FAQ shows that the project manager is not looking at Appendix J and favors PennDOT's usual hands-off approach to pedestrians.

SIDEWALKS

Q: Will sidewalks be placed along County Line Road?

A: At the present time, current design does not account for the incorporation of sidewalks. Constructing sidewalks would use additional land from the adjacent properties. This is another issue that will be explored and resolved during final design. If the township wants sidewalks, they need to provide PENNDOT with a contract stating the township will maintain the sidewalks.

Contrast that answer with what the FHWA says about bikes and pedestrians:

“In the planning, design, and operation of transportation facilities bicyclists and pedestrians should be included as a matter of routine and the decision not to accommodate them should be the exception rather than the rule. There must be exceptional circumstances for denying bicycle and pedestrian access either by prohibition or by designing highways that are incompatible with safe, convenient walking and bicycling.”

Make no mistake. PennDOT is about cars not people, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

Woodhaven Road Project Public Meeting Scheduled

Public Meeting Scheduled

PennDOT invites interested citizens to attend a public meeting regarding the Woodhaven Road project. The meeting will feature an updated plans display with the latest proposed alternatives. A presentation will be given at 7:00. Members of the project team will be on-hand to answer questions and listen to your concerns.

Date: March 23, 2004

Time: Open House 6:00pm-9:00pm
Presentation 7:00pm

Location: George Washington High School
10175 Bustleton Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19116

Bicycle Coalition has a Moved

Effective today here is the new address for the Bicycle Coalition Office

Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia
100 S. Broad Street Suite 1355
Philadelphia, PA 19110

Phone Number is the same
215 242-9253 - (215)BICYCLE

Web bicyclecoalition.org

Schuylkill River Park Update

Apparently there are lots of heavy hitters weighing in on Schuylkill River Park Access. Rep. Fattah and Senator Specter both sent strong letters to CSX President Michael Ward in support of our campaign for street level access to Schuylkill River Park. Thanks to these letters and more than 500 residents who have also written Mr Ward, CSX has finally agreed to meet with our coalition this coming week.

More details at the Free the River Park Blog

Taking Your Bike on the River LINE Video is Here

Finally! A sneak peak at the interior of the newest train service in the region, Bicycle Coalition members attended the NARP Region III annual meeting and got a chance to ride a week before revenue service begins on March 14.

Each car has two compartments with one of the two wheelchair areas has a rack that is able to hold 3 bikes. Our train was a two car train with a capacity of 12 bikes. Fare from Trenton to Camden $1.10, bike over the Ben Franklin Bridge and pick up the train at 2nd and Cooper (Rutgers near the Nipper Building).

Link to additional bikes on the River LINE photos.

Schedule and map information is available www.riverline.com

NJ Trail Projects moving forward

NJ continues its slow steady march in its plans to connect regional trails,
Construction should begin this year on the 12 mile extension of the Henry Hudson (Monmouth Heritage Trail) between Freehold, Matawan and Atlantic Highlands will become NJ's longest paved trail (21 miles).

3 miles east in Sandy Hook bikes will no longer have to race up the peninsula in high speed traffic because a new paved path is under construction from the Entrance to Fort Hancock.

New Bridge Openings

Getting around our region by foot or bike is going to be slightly easier this spring, 3 major trail bridge and ramp projects are just about to completed and all should be officially open on or before Earth Day. First and foremost are the long awaited Market St and Chestnut St ramps to the Schuylkill River Trail.

2nd is the trail crossing at the Delaware Canal over US 1 in Lawrence Township (near I-295)

3rd is the Chester Valley Trail Bridge in Upper Merion over US 76 near the King of Prussia Mall Complex

Governor Rendell to Speak in Lower Merion

"If You Don't Take the Subway You're a Jerk"

Although I spent about 2 seconds watching the Oscars, I was impressed by the growing realization that showing up in in a Hummer to scream about the environment is hipocrasy.

Here is an "Oscar Hit" as reported in Today's New York Post

"Toyota Prius for environmentally conscious celebs such as Jack Black and Will Ferrell. 'If you didn't come in the hybrid car, you're a jerk,' Black said on the red carpet. "

Hey Jack want to really impress us? Take the Red Line to Hollywood/Highland Station exit the station and make a right, the red carpet is less than a half block from there.