BICYCLISTS DECLARE INDEPENDENCE FROM OIL ON JULY 4TH

Residents in New York City, Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco and Washington D.C. pledge to go Gas-Free

BICYCLISTS DECLARE INDEPENDENCE FROM OIL ON JULY 4THResidents in New York City, Philadelphia, Portland,San Francisco and Washington D.C. pledge to go Gas-Free

(SAN FRANCISCO, NEW YORK CITY, PHILADELPHIA, PORTLAND, WASHINGTON D.C.) -

Spurred by soaring gas prices and our country’s overdependence on oil, bicycle advocates are urging Americans to show their patriotism this July 4th, what they’re callingIndependence from Oil Day, by pledging to make more gas-free trips. The “Gas-Free Fridays” campaign aims to get more Americans on bicycles this summer, recognizing thathalf of all driving trips are under two miles in length.

With national gas prices exceeding $4 per gallon, and with mass transit increasinglycrowded, Americans are discovering how easy and cost-effective it is to commute bybicycle, sending bike ridership numbers higher than ever.

“More people are recognizing the economic benefits of biking for transportation, not to mention the health and environmental benefits,” says Leah Shahum, Executive Director of the 9,000-member San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. “We urge more Americans to do their part by taking the Gas-Free Fridays pledge this Summer.” San Francisco has seen a 30% increase in the number of people commuting by bicycle in the past year alone.

New York City has seen a 75% increase in bicycle commuting since 2000. “Sales of commuter bikes doubled this year in New York City, and many local bike shops have simply sold out,” says Paul Steely White, Executive Director of the 6,000-member Transportation Alternatives.

Bicycle riding in Portland has doubled in the last five years. “Many people in Portland are trying bicycling for the first time because of the high cost of driving,” says Scott Bricker, Executive Director of the 5,000-member Bicycle Transportation Alliance. “They would rather spend $4 on a light lunch or to buy a locally hand-crafted beer, rather than on a gallon of gas.”

Washington D.C. saw a 100% increase in the number of cyclists between 2004 and 2006. “What really strikes me is the diversity of cyclists we are seeing,” says Eric Gilliland,Executive Director of the 7,000-member Washington Area Bicyclist Association. “It’s no longer just men in spandex, but women in dresses, men in suits and people of all agesand races.”

Bicycle traffic on Philadelphia’s bridges increased 15% in the last year. “There hasnever been a better time to declare independence from your car and enjoy the freedom and benefits of using your bike,” said Alex Doty, Executive Director of the 1,200-member Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.

Advocates hope that “Gas-Free Fridays” will encourage even more Americans to develophealthy, sustainable commuting habits that will ease the financial burdens ofskyrocketing gas prices and reduce our country’s dependence on oil. In one year, riding a bicycle versus owning and driving will save an individual $8,000. On average, commuting10 miles a day by bike instead of car burns 110,250 calories (keeping off 30 pounds of fat each year) and saves 3,500 lbs. of greenhouse gas emissions each year.

“Today we are calling on our representatives in Washington D.C. to lessen our nations’overdependence on oil and to offer Americans the greater freedoms and efficiencies of bicycling,” says Paul Steely White. “We urge them to give direct and better federalassistance to our nation’s 20 most populous cities so that they can establish safe bicycle networks, bike to transit facilities and public bicycle-share programs.”

Street Department Upgrades It's Street Repair Web Pages

As the city moves towards a 311 phone system the Streets Department has added more online reporting options for repairing roads. http://potholes.phila.gov/ The new website now enables people to report more problems

• Potholes/Street Defects - Potholes plus other general hazards (broken pavement, debris)
• Pavement Markings - Faded bike lane markings, contractors paving not restoring bike lane markings
• Signs - Missing or damaged bike lane, share the road signs
• Sewer Inlets/Flooding (instructs people to contact the Water Department 215-685-6300) - Wheel grabber or debris filled sewer inlet
• Utility Covers (Manholes) - Steel plate hazards, dangerous manholes

Of course it remains to be seen if reporting the problems actually yield results, however notifying through this system does give ample notice which has legal implications should a crash result from deferring maintenance.

Hmm a Cardboard Bicycle ... I Wonder if it Folds

Check out this BBC Video about a cardboard bicycle developed by a 21 YO Student in the UK. The inventor claims that the bike is fully waterproof, so it won't collapse in the rain. The frame, wheels and pedals are cardboard and would need to be replaced every 6 months, the projected cost for the bike is about $30.

PENNDOT Delivers A Cool Reception For Safe Routes Conference

Our partners in Berks County Walk Bike Berks have been actively applying for the 2009 Safe Routes to Schools Conference in Reading.

The application asks for an endorsement from PENNDOT, to which they gave the following response:

Indicate how and if the state DOT will be involved with the conference. We encourage involvement with the state DOT

“The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation – PennDOT – supports WalkBikeBerk’s [sic] bid to host the National SRTS Conference and will provide support for the conference as needed and where necessary. However, PennDOT will not be providing funding for the conference. Additionally, PennDOT personnel must prioritize their internal duties and job functions before providing support to the National SRTS Conference.”

How's that for an award winning response? Sorry kids, your little "conference" sounds nice but PennDOT's got some big important roads to build. It's clear that there are still factions in that organization that still don't get it.

How to install your own bike rack in Philadelphia

• If you want to install your own bike rack in Philadelphia, here's the "drill":

Decide on which kind of bike rack fits your needs and where you want it to be located. The Bike Coalition has prepared a Bike Rack Fact Sheet to help.

• Apply for a bike rack permit from the Streets Department
• Once you purchased your rack and obtained the permit, contact Neighborhood Bike Works , or John Dowlin at 215-990-7832 for help with installation. John also provides assistance in deciding on rack location and recommending types of racks. You can also hire any contractor to install a rack as long a they have the right kind of hammer drill.

Adopt-A-Rack Contract Inches Along

As any Philly bicyclist knows, the City's bike rack shortage is getting worse every day. Along major commerical corridors, racks are so full of bikes that cyclists are using poles, trash cans and sadly, even trees (please don't use trees!), to lock their bikes up.

The Bike Coalition is working to get more bike racks installed by both the City and private property owners. Here's the latest we can report on the City's effort to install more U racks.

In 2002, Philadelphia won a competive $320,000 award from the feds through the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) program for an "Adopt-a-rack" program. But, the contract was bogged down for a long time, and only recently got sorted out. Nevertheless, contracts move slowly in Philadelphia, and it is still working its way through the contractural legal review process. The latest we heard from the Streets Department is that the contract will be ready by the end of August. Once completed, the contract should result in the installation of 1200 new inverted U racks on sidewalks where business districts or other property owners sign maintenance agreements.

The Streets Department may also use the contract to buy some equipment to build several in-street bike parking facilities at overcrowded locations, similar to the ones the Bike Coalition demonstrated in May.

Click here to see a google map prepared by John Boyle of the Bicycle Coalition on the locations of where new racks will be installed by the "Adopt-a-rack" contract.

3 Bicyclists Struck By Distracted Driver in Birmingham Township

On Saturday June 21st three Cyclists were injured, two seriously on Route 100 near Route 52 in front of Brandywine Picnic Park in Birmingham Township. A minivan traveling northbound crossed the yellow line and struck the cyclists going in the opposite direction head on.

The 19 YO driver told one of the victims that he was looking for a bottle that dropped on the floor. As far as we know NO CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED.

One cyclist suffered multiple lacerations that required surgery. The other cyclist suffered 3 broken ribs, clavicle, scapula, and a torn trachea and is still in the ICU unit a UPenn.

Commerce Bank Bike Philly Early Bird

Early Bird registration for Commerce Bank Bike Philly is ending on Monday. Save $10 and register before June 30. This year, we have extended our $5 pricing for kids to 17 and under!

Ride the streets of Center City and Fairmount Park car free on September 14! Can we double our 2,400 riders from last year? We can if you tell a friend.

Taking Your Bike to the Shore on NJ TRANSIT Not So Easy

Another summer vacation at the shore and another bike hassle on NJ TRANSIT, what else is new?














It sounds easy, bikes are allowed in the luggage undercarriage of the cruiser buses to Atlantic City, Asbury Park, Wildwood and Cape May. The problem is that you are competing with other vacationers who travel with steamer trunks.



1 - On Tuesday at 5:45 the 315 to Wildwood shows up on time at the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden, open the compartment and there is already one bike and a compartment full of bags, no room for bikes. An $8.15 non refundable ticket wasted.



2 - I quickly jump on PATCO for plan B - Take the AC Rail Line at Lindenwold and connect to the 552 bus from Atlantic City to Wildwood. Great, AC Train on time and there is plenty of room for the bike. At the Atlantic City rail station the bus stop to Wildwood is clearly marked, connection scheduled for 7:40 but no bus, at 7:50 I glance at the corner of my eye the to watch the bus on the Atlantic City Expressway. The bus bypassed the train station! A complaint is sent via my cell phone to NJ TRANSIT. They respond back the next day, vowing to investigate.



3 - Finally the next bus at 8:40 bus arrives at the train station, since I am the only passenger there is no problem getting the bike in, the next stop three blocks away at the Atlantic City bus terminal there are 25 passengers with a ton of luggage. Had I tried picked up the bus there I would have once again been stranded. The bus is slowed by a driver that has to lock and unlock the luggage compartment to take out luggage. I arrive in North Wildwood at 10:15 5 hours after leaving home.



The solution is simple, put bike racks on the cruiser buses. It would give bicyclists peace of mind give more room in the luggage bay for steamer trunks and would offer extra bike capacity on runs that don't have luggage. Not having the driver come out to open the compartment would reduce delays caused by bikes.

Tour Of PA Stage 1 at Memorial Hall Tomorrow

The stage race returns to Philadelphia, with the 25 and Under Tour of Pennsylvania

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Stages 1A and 1B
Philadelphia

1A: Individual Time Trial
Start Location: North Concourse Drive at Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park
First Rider off: 10AM. Opening Ceremonies: 9:30 AM
Miles: 2.18 Kilometers: 3.51
Last Rider Finishes: Noon. Awards Ceremony to follow

1B: Criterium
Start/Finish Line: North Concourse Drive at Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park
Official Start Time: 6:30 PM, Opening Ceremonies: 6:00
Miles: 30 Kilometers: 50 (20 laps)
Approximate Finish Time: 8:00 PM, Awards Ceremony to follow

Independence Blue Cross Finish Line Festival: 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM

More Info - tourofpa.com

Farewell John Wood

The Bicycle Coalition salutes Montgomery Open Space Planner John Wood. John retired earlier this month and we wish him well. He is responsible for the extensive Montgomery County Trail system which has expanded to 70 miles and has become a national model for trail development.

















John Wood (far right) witnesses the ribbon cutting of the Chester Valley Trail in King of Prussia

John has moved to his home in Maine where he is an accomplished watercolor artist, you can see and support his work at http://www.johnwoodartist.com.

Summer of Ciclovia

Today marks the Summer Solstice and the bike rage of the summer is the Ciclovia a weekend morning closing of arterial urban streets.

• This Sunday Portland, OR hosts its first Sunday Parkways
  
• New York's Summer Streets 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on three consecutive Saturdays in August, the 9th, 16th and 23rdt.
• Also in August Chicago will launch its Sunday Parkways festivals - monthly through October.
  
• Baltimore will host Sunday Streets for 4 weekends in October.
• Last year El Paso hosted the first Ciclovias in the US in May 2007.

A possibility in Philadelphia would be to look at the inner lanes of the Ben Franklin Parkway, you could use Race St to connect the closed MLK Drive to Penns Landing and the Ben Franklin Bridge Walkway.



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Even without extending the street closings the MLK Drive closing is highly underutilized. What makes ciclovia's different from the park closure is that ciclovias have designated vending areas, yoga, dancing and aerobics classes as well as other forms of entertainment. Those empty parking areas would be perfect locations for that. Perhaps we will be able to extract some ideas from our urban neighbors to the north and south.

Ciclovia Philadelphia 2009!

Bike Traffic Increases 15% on Bridges

Our 2008 bike count numbers are limited so far (we hope to ramp up bridge bike counts in September), but here are the preliminary changes in fair weather bike traffic on some of the major bridges from last year.

Walnut St Bridge - 91 Bikes per hour (AM) +8%
South St Bridge - 120 Bikes per hour +5%
Market St Bridge - 114 Bikes per hour (PM) +27%
Spring Garden Bridge - 98 Bikes per hour (AM) +21%

Overall that equals a 15% increase from 2007.


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More on Speeding On MLK Drive

An SUV clocked going 20mph over the speed limit















This chart compares the 2007 and 2008 studies.
-----------------------------------------------
But nothing compares to watching the horror of out of control motorists, as BCGP Board Member Kyle Gradinger witnessed last week:

Last night, I was riding on the MLK Drive path when I came across the accident scene in the attached photos. One of the cars (the blue Honda Passport) took out a light pole, drove onto the recreation path and then took out two more trees before coming to a halt. I got to the scene about a minute after the accident and met BCGP Member John Holmes. John was forced to make a controlled crash and received a few scrapes, but he was able to avoid the worst. Some of the drivers were in shock, but no one else was hurt as far as I could tell.



















Light pole damage on MLK Drive, the pile of debris in the background is where the vehicle came to rest after veering on to the bike path.

Drill! Drill! Drill!

The withdrawal symptoms of "oil addiction" are becoming clearer every day. First it was cutting off filling the strategic reserve (addicts don't plan for the future), then it was gas tax holiday and now it is the call for offshore and ANWR drilling. At what point do we mass our troops at the Canadian Border for an invasion of Alberta.

Meanwhile last week's national gasoline consumption has shown a significant drop, we are well into the summer driving season and consumption has fallen back to early May levels. In fact it's the lowest weekly June consumption figure since 2004.

Nutter Publicly Praises Bicycling In His Planning Address

Mayor Nutter transmitted a clear message to developers in his Planning Address on Tuesday Night.

"Tonight I want to make it crystal clear the Philadelphia City Planning Commission is the Authority of Planning and Shaping Development in Philadelphia"

But the most exciting words for the bicycling community came eight minutes in his speech.

"We are a walkable, increasingly on to bicycles, we want to preserve our urban form. We do not want the Automobile to dominate our landscape . We are a mass transit, bike sharing, power walking, proud city."

The lack of bike parking at the Academy of Natural Sciences didn't deter people arriving by bicycle. 32 Bikes were parked between 19th St and the Moore College of Art.

The 2003 University of the Arts Bike Rack Competition

In 2003 Industrial Design Studio at the University of the Arts held a bike rack design competition. The rack installation never received to political support needed for implementation. With the BCGP's new focus on bike parking and a new administration perhaps it's time to revisit putting well crafted and exciting racks on Broad Street.

Amtrak Reauthorization May Include Money for Bike Racks

The House passed H.R. 6003 which authorizes appropriations for Amtrak for Fiscal Years 2009-2013. An Amendment to the bill offered by Congressman Oberstar passed that included language to accommodate bikes on trains.

H.AMDT.1077:
"..authorize intercity passenger rail grants to be used for bicycle access into rolling stock and would provide bicycle racks in trains..."

That bill has to be reconciled with the Senate version and the amendment is expected to be included.












Bike Racks on Amtrak's Cascades service which runs from Eugene Oregon to Vancouver BC.

Bike Share Philadelphia "Ignites Philly"

From Bike Share Philadelphia Project Coordinator Russell Meddin:

"Last week Philadelphia held its first Ignite Philadelphia. Ignite is a global phenomenon where: If you had five minutes on stage what would you say? Around the world geeks have been putting together Ignite nights to show their answers.

Bike Share Philadelphia was invited to IgnitePhilly. Brittany Bonnette ignited and excited the capacity crowd, watch the video:"


Brittany Bonnette of Philly Bike Share at Ignite Philly - Click here for more videos

Thanks To Our Bike Freedom Valley Participants

2008 BFV (129)
Originally uploaded by Philly Bike Coalition

Today's Bike Freedom Valley Ride was a great success. Thanks to everyone for participating and the small army of volunteers that made this happen.

EIA Chart Measures Weekly US Fuel Consumption

The Energy Information Agency puts out weekly statistics on Energy supply and demand. One very useful chart is the US Weekly Product supplied which can be used to approximate the level of Gasoline consumption in the US.

The information for last week (6/06/08) was that consumption increased by .2% over the week before (5/30/08). But declined 1.4% when compared to last year (6/01/07). In a nutshell 2008 consumption is looking like 2006 consumption.

One interesting thing to note is that spring/summer fuel consumption seems to rise until to Mid August however this year there was a pause in that trend during the week of May 30. The same week that the national average was approaching $4 a gallon.

Finished Motor Gasoline Consumption (Thousands of Barrels per Day)

Current Trend
June 8, 2008 - 9,318
May 30, 2008 - 9,301
May 23, 2008 - 9,347
May 16, 2008 - 9,301

Historical Comparison
June 1, 2007 - 9,454
June 2, 2006 - 9,329
June 7, 1998 - 8,345

Peak Week
July 27, 2007 - 9,681

Source EIA (Chart)

Comcast Executive Fatally Doored in Moorestown Bike Crash

From the Camden Courier Post:


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June 13, 2008

Bike accident kills Comcast executive

By JIM WALSH
Courier-Post Staff

A top lawyer for Comcast Corp., just weeks away from retirement, died in a chain-reaction accident as he bicycled here Thursday.

Stanley Wang, a 67-year-old township resident, was pedaling eastbound on Main Street when someone in a parked pickup truck and trailer, also facing eastbound, opened the driver's-side door in his path about 12:20 p.m., police said.

Wang struck the door and fell from his bike into the street, where he was run over by an eastbound car. He was pronounced dead at 1:08 p.m. at Kennedy Memorial Hospital, Cherry Hill, police said.

No other injuries were reported.

Wang, who lived in the 500 block of Sentinel Road, "loved activities," said his wife, Pola. "He was always biking, golfing, playing tennis."

"He was very family-oriented," she said of her husband, who had two adult children and five grandchildren. "He loved his family."

She said Wang planned to retire at the end of this month after almost 30 years with Comcast, the Philadelphia-based cable television giant.

"He saw Comcast rise from a small company to the large company it is today," she said. "He was the one who helped oversee the Comcast Center."

The 58-floor Comcast Center, which officially opened this week, is Philadelphia's tallest building.

Wang was former general counsel at Comcast and served more recently in a part-time role, said D'Arcy Rudnay, a company spokeswoman.

Police did not identify the owner of the pickup truck, which was parked in the 400 block of East Main Street, near Stanwick Road.

They said the car that hit Wang, a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, was driven by Kellie Gifford, 19, of the 100 block of Winthrop Avenue.

An investigation is continuing. Anyone with information should call Police Sgt. Randy Pugh at (856) 914-3045.

Reach Jim Walsh at (856) 486-2646 or jwalsh@courierpostonline.com

Roaring Fork Transit's Bike Express

It is perhaps the biggest leap in Bike on Transit intermodal integration since Caltrain took out seats to carry 24 bikes per commuter train in the mid 1990's. Roaring Fork Transit located in Aspen and Glenwood Springs Colorado has just launched their Bike Express. Each scheduled bus will carry 12 - 16 bikes.















Aspen Times

RFTA is one of the pioneer bike on bus transit agencies, installing custom made bike racks on buses in 1980 11 years before Valley Transit in Phoenix rolled out the fold up bike rack that now is on over 60 percent of the transit buses in the country. Demand is very high and these buses will supplement normal the 30 - 60 minute service along Highway 82 that carries 4 bikes per bus during daylight hours only.

Text of the Public Use Bicycle Study Resolution

RESOLUTION

Requesting the Administration and the Deputy Mayor of Transportation and Utilities to commission a study to provide recommendations on location, demand, and usage for Public Use Bicycle stations for the entire area encompassed by the city limits of Philadelphia and to explore the various business models used for such systems.

WHEREAS, a Public Use Bicycle Program can serve as a financial lifeline as a complement and alternative to other methods of public transportation as the price of gasoline soars past $4.00 per gallon; and

WHEREAS, City Council adopted Resolution #080055 (adopted January 24, 2008) calling for joint public hearings by City Council’s Committees on the Environment and Transportation and Utilities to investigate the creation of a Public Use Bicycle Programs for the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, a cycling-friendly city is consistent with the City’s Sustainability initiative and aligns well with the Mayor’s six results; and

WHEREAS, on April 30, 2008 City Council received testimony on Resolution #080055 and learned that bicycle programs; reduce urban automobile usage and congestion, reduces carbon dioxide pollution, and significantly improves public health through aerobic and anaerobic activity; and

WHEREAS, it was read in the record that the administration is supportive of increasing the use of cycling within the City and suggested that before it makes any decision to support or dedicate resources to such a system, it must be determined how the system will be structured, how it will operate, and what resource commitment will be needed from the City; and

WHEREAS, the findings of this study can be used by the Department of Transportation and Utilities, the Department of Urban Sustainability and various City Departments to create a Public Use Bicycle Program as an additional method of urban transportation to enhance the personal mobility of Philadelphia residents, workers, and visitors to our great city; now there for be it,

RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA THAT Council hereby request the Administration and the Deputy Mayor of Transportation and Utilities to commission a study to provide recommendations on location, demand, and usage for Public Use Bicycle stations for the entire area encompassed by the city limits of Philadelphia and to explore the various business models used for such systems..

Further Resolved,

The results of this study should be completed and presented within 6 months of passage of this resolutionCouncilwoman

Blondell Reynolds Brown
Council At - Large June 12, 2008

Mayor Nutter To Address the Planning Commission at the Academy of Natural Sciences

You are invited to hear Mayor Michael A. Nutter discuss his vision for restoring Philadelphia as the national leader in city planning at the Philadelphia Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Tuesday June 17th at 7PM at the Academy of Natural Sciences.

RSVP
Please RSVP to pcpcrsvp@gmail.com or call 215-683-4610 by Tuesday June 17th at 12 Noon.

Sunday is Bike Freedom Valley

Whether it's your first organized ride or you've done so many you've lost track, I hope you will join me for the 29th Annual Bike Freedom Valley on Sunday. It looks like great weather for riding.

Check out Bicycle Club of Philadelphia's "Weather Guy" Glenn Schreiber's Forecast.

Don't forget, the cause you are supporting is your own. Your registration supports the Bicycle Coalition's work promoting bicycling as a low-cost, healthy and environmentally sustainable form of transportation and recreation.

Alex Doty, Executive Director

Online registration continues until 11:59PM Friday Night.

For more infomation contact Jill Minick:
jill@bicyclecoaltion.org
215-BICYCLE ext 3#
Register
Bike Freedom Valley Blog

City Council Authorizes Bike Sharing Feasibility Study

Another step towards a citywide bike sharing program was taken today as City Council passed a resolution authorizing the Office of Transportation to conduct a Public Use Bicycle (Bike Sharing) feasibility study. Details are sketchy right now but the study will cost around $150,000.

The study will look at the where, how and how many as well offering options on how to pay for a bike sharing program.

This post will be updated as the specifics become available.

DRPA Extends Ben Franklin Bridge Walkway Hours

The Benjamin Franklin Bridge walkway will remain open for an extra hour each evening. The south walkway will now be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week for the summer season until further notice. The north walkway will be closed due to the bridge painting project.

The Ben Franklin Bridge walkway offers bicyclists and pedestrians a picturesque view of the waterfront and convenient access to popular attractions such as the Adventure Aquarium, Susquehanna Bank Center, Riversharks Baseball at Campbell's Field, Franklin Square Park and the Battleship New Jersey. The Delaware River Port Authority is a regional transportation and development agency. DRPA owns and operates the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross Bridges, and PATCO, the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal and the RiverLink Ferry.

Glimpses of Senator Obama's Family Bike Ride

The AP Reports that Senator Obama did go out as planned on a bicycle ride with the wife, children and friends. Photos show the helmeted Senator riding in casual clothing with what appears to be a trail-a-bike attached.

In casual clothes and on a hybrid city bike, Obama shows biking is an easy activity you can do by just rolling out your front door. You don't need spandex (ahem, John Kerry) or a fancy full suspension mountain bike

Note that the Bicycle Coalition does not endorse candidates and as soon as Senator McCain brings bicycling into the 2009 campaign you will read it here first.

Urban Bike Caucus Discusses Big City Advocacy In Chicago

Last week in Chicago big city advocacy groups met to discuss bicycling issues that affect big cities. A big topic of discussion focused around challenges in the next Congress, specifically the transportation authorization bill and the climate change issue.

Secondly was a brainstorming session on joint campaign ideas, bike for your independence and bike the vote in November. Stay tuned for more details as these campaigns are launched.

Photo: The Urban Bike Caucus in front of the Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park near the McDonalds Cycle Center (Bike Station).















From Left to Right - Paul Steely White - Transportation Alternatives, Jeffrey Miller - Thunderhead Alliance, Randy Neufeld - Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, Scott Bricker - Bike Pittsburgh, Leah Shahum - SF Bike, Rob Sadowski - Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, Noah Budnick - Transportation Alternatives, and BCGP Executive Director Alex Doty.

Inquirer Endorses Bike Sharing

Today's Inquirer Includes An Editorial For "Pedal Power", endorsing the creation of a bike share program in Philadelphia.

"...

Funds to run bike-share operations typically are tied into contracts for street advertising on public "furniture" such as bus shelters and newspaper stands.

As bike ridership increases, auto congestion would lessen. The city would need to add more bike lanes on streets.

Paul Levy, head of the Center City District, says studies have already shown cycling is a quicker way to cross Center City than driving a car. The time to get to work on this idea is now, not when gas hits $6 per gallon. A pilot bike-share program will start soon in Washington, D.C."

Local Opposition Threatens Berks Regional Trail

The NIMBYs Are Coming! The NIMBYs Are Coming!

A group calling itself the People For Pennsylvania's Future (not to be confused with the environmental group PENNFuture) is running a smear campaign to try to stop the creation of the Hay Creek Trail.
http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=94609

Additionally nearly 1000 residents of Caernarvon Township signed a petition in opposition of the trail.

We've heard this before, neighbors adjacent to a trail rise up in opposition to a regional trail project. Rhetoric reaches the point of hysteria. Wash rinse Repeat.

One tactic that such groups commonly use is to tie the trail to some sort of burden on the community. PFPC spokesman Jerry Thacker claims that want that the group wants "lower the tax burden for everyone by improper use of eminent domain".

That's an odd solution towards Berks County tax reduction, given that 80% of the trail would be paid for in federal transportation dollars. Additionally only tiny percentage of federal transportation dollars that is spent on right of way acquisition for trails, a fraction of one percent.

Odder still is that we "shouldn't be spending money on trails in the era of $4 gas...".

The truth is that none of those arguments have ever held sway, the health, economic, environmental and transportation benefits of trails are bulletproof. Trails encourage physical activity, have a positive effect on housing values and tourism. And yes they can encourage people to complete trips by bicycling or walking, trips that would otherwise have been done in vehicles that consume carbon emitting, $4 a gallon gas.

One thing is for sure, if the trail loving public does not rise up to support the Hay Creek Trail it will not be built. Leaving the land open to developers and further reducing the availability of transportation choices such as bicycling in Southern Berks County.


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Proposed alignment of the Hay Creek Trail showing its connection to the Thun/Schuylkill River Trails

BCGP Names Breen Goodwin as Bicycling Ambassador Coordinator

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia welcomes Breen Goodwin as Philadelphia's first Bicycling Ambassador Coordinator.

Bicycling Ambassadors use face-to-face outreach to encourage bicycling while decreasing the number of bicycle-related injuries. Breen is a former resident of Portland Oregon who recently moved to Philadelphia with experience managing a bicycle education program and will oversee the debut of Philadelphia Bicycling Ambassadors.

Bicyclist Killed on Route 3 in Chester County

Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Posted on Thu, May 29, 2008
Bicyclist killed on Route 3


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WEST GOSHEN – A man riding his bike on Route 3 less than a mile from his home was killed after a car hit him late Wednesday night.

Paul Hally, 35, of West Goshen, was killed about 11:40 p.m. in the 1000 block of West Chester Pike at Chatwood Avenue after a car driven by Mike E. Mark Delguzzo, 24, of Chester Springs hit him, police said.

West Goshen Police Captain Joseph Gleason said Thursday an officer sitting in the area of the accident heard the impact and saw Delguzzo’s vehicle slow to a stop. Hally was hit in the eastbound lane, Gleason said.

Hally, who was not wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene, Gleason said.

Gleason said officers are in the process of reconstructing the scene and no charges have been filed against the driver.

“That’s too early to tell. The accident is very preliminary. No charges are pending yet,” Gleason said.

While the accident is still under investigation, police believe Hally was heading home from the West Chester area, Gleason said.

Hally was last seen by his mother about 5 p.m. Wednesday, Gleason said.

Medic 91 assisted on scene.

New Cross County Trail Segment Opens Tomorrow

MONTGOMERY COUNTY'S NEW CROSS COUNTY TRAIL DEDICATION

Wed, June 4, 2008
10:30 a.m.


At the Metroplex – Brandywine office building
(Chemical Road at Germantown Pike)

This is a 1/2 MILE segment, which will connect the Cross County Trail from Plymouth Meeting to Conshohocken and the Schuylkill River Trail. The trail passes Metroplex shopping and Ikea and Home Depot with connections to sidewalks linking movie theaters, book stores, and businesses along Ridge Pike.

Bring your walking shoes or bikes and join us! ! ! !

RAIN OR SHINE
(Note: This is Chief Open Space Planner John Wood's last trail dedication as he will be retiring this month)

Bike/Rail Directions From Market East Station - Take the 8:56 R6 Norristown to Conshohocken and proceed on the Schuylkill River Trail (towards Norristown) one half mile and then bear left on the Cross County Trail. Brandywine Building is approx. 3 miles up the trail past Metroplex.


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Key Bike Ped Planner Leaves DVRPC

DVRPC Senior Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs Manager John Madera has stepped down.

Mr. Madera is a BCGP member and volunteer, at DVRPC he authored the Regional Bicycle Travel Survey and helped establish PENNDOT 6-0's bike lane striping with resurfacing projects (a process hindered by the BOP). His bikeability analysis of all the state roads in SE Pa provided the base for the Regional Bike Map. John is a member of the Transportation Research Board Bicycle Transportation Committee and is a League Cycling Instructor.

We expect that John will to continue to be active with the BCGP and wish him well on future endeavors.

Today's Daily News Philly Phables on Bicycling

DRJTBC Starts Bike/Ped Shuttle Service on Milford-Montague Bridge

Bridge shuttle riders asked to call in advance

MILFORD, PA - The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission urges bicyclists and hikers to utilize their cell phones to call ahead for a free van shuttle service the agency is providing to ensure safe travel across the Milford-Montague Toll Bridge while it is undergoing substantial rehabilitation this summer. The shuttle service is operating seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bicyclists and pedestrians are urged to dial 570-296-8582 as they approach the bridge, which crosses the Delaware River between Pike County, Pa. and Sussex County, N.J. The phone number, which also is displayed on message boards along roadways immediately leading to the bridge, is answered by Commission personnel who dispatch the shuttle driver to the waiting station on either side of the bridge where bicyclists and pedestrians are to be picked up.

Reservations are not permitted for the van service, but the Commission is making every effort to provide timely service when a call is made for the shuttle service. To speed the process, bicyclists and hikers are urged to call shortly before they expect to arrive at one of the Commission-designated safe areas where bicyclists and pedestrians can congregate and wait for shuttle transportation on both sides of the bridge.

The new shuttle service began operations on May 22 and currently is expected to continue until sometime in September. The service was initiated because construction activities that began at the bridge in February forced the Commission to suspend public access to the bridge's walkway -- where bicycles are normally allowed to be walked across the bridge - because it was part of an active work zone.

The shuttle service consists of a 12-person van equipped with a bicycle rack. Riders are required to sign a waiver to take advantage of the service.

In the first 5 days of operation there were a total of 14 trips transporting a total of 24 bikers. There were no hikers.


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Delaware River Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Map