Bicycling key to Jersey Shore Marketing

Bicycling key to Jersey Shore Marketing

According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer when people think of the Jersey Shore they think of run down boardwalks, the Sopranos and hypodermic needles.

A new initiative to boost the image of the Jersey Shore is now in full swing and will include a 130 mile Sandy Hook to Cape May bike race next year.

Lets hope that the bike race is a start point for marketing and improving bicycling at the shore,

Some ideas for improvements:

• An bicycle/pedestrian master plan for every shore community
• Signing the Ocean Drive from Cape May to Atlantic City as a bike route
• Building and expanding paved pathways along the beaches that will enhance bicycling and improve beach access for the disabled.

A North Carolina’s study of bicycling in the Outer Banks notes that while $6 million were spent on building Bicycle Facilities, bicyclists spend $60 million annually and that 17% of surveyed visitors rode a bicycle while visiting the Outer Banks.

http://www.ncdot.org/transit/bicycle/home_links/BicyclingBoostEconomy.html

Southern California boasts an 22 mile beach bike path from Santa Monica to Redondo Beach. 

Bus Bike and Baseball May 15

Bus Bike and Baseball May 15

The Bicycle Coalition will hold a multimodal event that starts at the Frankford Transportation Center on Sunday May 15 at 10:30.

Take a bus to the Pennypack Park Bicycle Path
Cross the Tacony Palmyra Bridge
Take NJ TRANSIT’s RiverLINE to the Aquarium Station
Attend Camden Riversharks Game at Campbell’s Field in Camden
Group ride over Ben Franklin Bridge back to Center City

Details
http://www.bicyclecoalition.org/bus_bike_baseball.htm

Route E South sign on Oregon Avenue in South Philadelphia 

Right Field Gate Bicycle Parking 

Bike Parking at Citizens Bank Park

Bike Parking at Citizens Bank Park

Yes Virginia there are bike racks at Citizen's Bank Park and they are conveniently located.

• 1st Base Entrance
• Right Field Entrance

Bicycle Coalition looking for Volunteers

Bicycle Coalition looking for Volunteers

Bicycle Coalition Volunteer night is Tuesday 6:30 PM at the Bicycle Coalition office 100 South Broad St. (Above Tower Records) Suite 1355.

BCGP is looking for volunteers to do bike counts in April. At 7:00 PM we will also be have a kickoff meeting for the Philadelphia Cycling Committee which you can sign up for here.

SEPTA Strike Looms

SEPTA Strike Looms

SEPTA bus and rapid transit service may come to a halt as early as next sunday April 16. The Bicycle Coalition is considering Bike the Strike Campaign to urge transit riders to consider the bicycle.

Delaware makes major transportation cuts Bicycle, Pedestrian Transit unfairly cut

Delaware makes major transportation cuts. Bicycle, Pedestrian and Transit projects unfairly targeted

New Castle County Transportation Funding Cuts - $90 million
http://www.wilmapco.org/tip/FY%202006/Project%20Cuts.pdf
Delaware Department of Transportation had their budget reduced Highway 45%, Bike/Pedestrian 5%, Transit 23%.

In 2004 Bike/Pedestrian was just 1% of the total budget yet it is bearing 5% of all the budget cuts this is not counting transportation enhancements.
Transportation Enhancements – 45% cut, 11million to 6million. It is unclear how much of this money is state vs federal.
New rail cars for improved SEPTA rail service to Newark cut from 6 million to 2 million, reducing expanded service from Philadelphia to Newark.

Delaware residents should contact their state representatives (http://www.legis.state.de.us). State funding (including the required match for federal funds) is determined by the Delaware Bond Bill voted on by Delaware’s General Assembly in June 2005.

Webshots Community - Slideshow of Bike on Bus Blitz

Slideshow of today's Bike on Bus Blitz

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Bike on Bus Blitz at 69th Street Terminal today. Despite the pouring rain we had 10 hardy souls take 14 bike on bus trips. Followed by a filling lunch at Sabor Latino. You can see the photos online in a slideshow here

Our team included seasoned bus bike rack veterans and first time users. Our driver noted that this was the first time his bus carried bikes. It also pointed out that a few buses that should have racks don’t. BCGP volunteer Steve Trobovic was denied boarding because his bus did not have a bike rack and the driver would not let him board (he arrived a few minutes later via the Route 100 trolley. As a result we have notified SEPTA’s bus operations of the affected buses.

Thanks to the success and positive feedback from today’s event has inspired us to begin planning the next bike on bus event. This will start at the other end of the Market Frankford El at the new Frankford Transportation Center and will be a multi-modal adventure that will end at a Camden Riversharks game at Campbell’s Field on Sunday May 15.