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New Publication Schedule
The WBWC Newsletter will become a bi-monthly publication effective with
this issue, being published every odd-numbered month (i.e. May, July,
September, etc.) and mailed to all WBWC members as well as being e-mailed
to others. During even-numbered months (i.e. June, August, October), a
short meeting reminder/newsletter will be sent by e-mail to all parties.
May: National Bike Month
For the past few decades, May has been designated at National Bike Month
with the goal of having more people bicycle for transportation and recreation.
The thinking is that by having a National Bike Month, people may take
a first step in trying a bike or if they already own one, will use it
during May.
A part of National Bike Month is Bike To Work Week (May 12-18) and Bike
To Work Day (Friday, May 17). With these two events, the goal is again
for people to initially try biking or dust off the bike they have. Unfortunately
this year in Washtenaw County, one of the main governmental bodies that
used to promote Bike To Work Week/Day, the City of Ann Arbor Bicycle Coordinator,
is currently unfilled and inactive. Still, some activities are still planned.
For Bike To Work Week, a few area bike shops are offering discounts on
bicycle commuting gear, the WBWC will have an informational display at
the Ann Arbor Farmers Market on May 11th and the Ann Arbor Mayor and Ann
Arbor Chamber of Commerce President will lead a Community Bike Ride on
the morning of May 17th. The Community Ride is open to all cyclists (helmets
are required) and will travel from Burns Park (corner of Baldwin and Wells
Streets) to the Ann Arbor City Hall, leaving Burns Park at 7:30am. There
will be a free breakfast on the cyclists arrival at City Hall.
Realizing that National Bike Month is a major avenue to promote cycling,
the WBWC has already started work to greatly expand Bike Month in Washtenaw
County for 2003. If you would like to help out, contact Bob Krzewinski
at 734/487-9058 or at wolverbob@cs.com.
Ann Arbor Bicycle Coordinator Position
The WBWC is still encouraging people to contact the Mayor of Ann Arbor,
as well as members of the Ann Arbor City Council, urging that not only
the part-time position of City Bicycle Coordinator be filled (it is currently
vacant and not posted for vacancy bidding) but the City consider establishing
a full time Non-Motorized Transportation Coordinator. Suggestions for
letters/e-mails and telephone calls are posted on the WBWC web page at
www.wbwc.org as well as the Mayor/Council member's e-mail, telephone and
mail addresses. Even if a person is not a resident of Ann Arbor, contacting
the Mayor/City Council is encouraged reminding them that a major source
of income to the businesses of Ann Arbor comes from people visiting the
city.
University Non-Motorized Coordinator
The WBWC is beginning research into the possible establishment of a non-motorized
coordinator position in the University of Michigan structure, especially
since a large number of students travel to class daily by either walking
or biking. The WBWC is initially reviewing the structure and duties of
other universities that have non-motorized coordinators (i.e. the University
of Colorado). It is hoped that the WBWC can team up with an active University
of Michigan student group in the fall to aggressively pursue the creation
of the non-motorized coordinator.
Ann Arbor Cyclist Ticketing Incident Reaching An End
A final, firm court date of May 28th has been set for Ken Clark, WBWC
Secretary, League of Michigan Bicyclist Board member and Chair of the
City of Ann Arbor Bicycle Committee. Clark was issued a ticket for obstructing
traffic by the Ann Arbor Police Department while legally riding his bicycle
on Plymouth Road.
Eco-Ride
The annual Eco-Ride bicycle tour to benefit the Ecology Center will be
held on Sunday, June 9th at Forsythe Middle School, 1655 Newport Road
on the north side of Ann Arbor. Registration will take place from 7am
until 12 noon with ride mileage options of 10, 30 and 60 miles. There
is also a 2 mile loop that can be either biked or walked. While there
is a basic ride registration fee ($15 before 5/31, $25 after), riders
are encouraged to solicit pledges for each mile biked or walked. Those
having $50 or more of pledges do not have to pay the basic registration
fee, and incentive prizes are also given to those with $100 or more in
pledges. For more details, visit the Ecology Center website at www.ecocenter.org
or call the Eco-Ride information line at 734/761-3186, extension 111.
Bike Paths A Hit In South Lyon
A City of South Lyon Customer survey has just been completed. 601 residents
were randomly selected for survey on a variety of issues, including support
of bike path development. 110 responses [18%] were received with the results
being that 79% of residents have used the City's pedestrian/bike trail
and 90% of resident's support the continued expansion of the City's pedestrian/trail
system.
It is interesting to infer from this data that the City's trail system
has earned a very high level of support, not only from users and participants,
who are in the majority, but also from non-users, based on the positive
impact it has had on the community as a whole.
South Lyon has an extensive and developing bike trail/sidewalk system,
with links to the city's principal assets, and connections to and through
the new subdivisions. There is also a link to the Metroparks and Island
Lake State Recreation Area, which is nearly completed, but not yet formally
open.
2001 Bike, Ped Deaths About The Same
The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) today announced its preliminary analysis of highway
traffic fatalities in 2001. According to these estimates, traffic fatality
and injury rates remained at historic lows in 2001. Deaths of children
ages 15 and under dropped to the lowest level since
record-keeping began.
The preliminary fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles (VMT) was
1.50 in 2001, a statistically insignificant change from the final 2000
rate of 1.52. The total number of people killed in highway crashes in
2001 was estimated to be 41,730, compared to 41,821 in 2000. The number
of people injured dropped from 3.2 million in 2000 to 3.0 million in 2001.
In 2001, vehicle miles traveled increased slightly to 2.778 trillion in
2001, up from 2.75 trillion in 2000.
Focusing on non-motorized travelers, here are NHTSA's estimates: Pedestrian
deaths: for the year 2000: 4739; for 2001: 4698 (-0.9%) · Pedestrian
injuries: for the year 2000 78000; for 2001: 77000 (-0.4%) · Bicyclist
deaths: for the year 2000: 690; for 2001: 701 (+1.6%) · Bicyclist
injuries: for the year 2000: 51,000; for 2001 46000 (-9.3%)
Be aware that at least in Michigan unless a motor vehicle is involved
even if a bicyclist is killed, permanently disabled or seriously injured,
those numbers are NOT included in the bicycle statistics. In other words
if you are killed or injured by hitting a dog, a drain grate, utility
pole, fresh pea gravel or some other road element, or any
fixed or moving object that is not motorized, your crash doesn't "count".
Senate Adopts Conservation Bike Amendment
During the recent debate on the energy bill, the United States Senate
adopted an amendment that would promote energy conservation through bicycling.
The Conserve By Bike Amendment passed by a voice vote and was recommended
by Senator Frank Murkowski (R-AK), Ranking Member of the Energy Committee,
as an amendment that "suggests the obvious benefits of the bicycle."
Introduced by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Susan Collins
(R-ME), the Conserve By Bike Amendment establishes within the Department
of Transportation a Conserve By Bicycling pilot program. This program
would oversee up to 10 pilot projects geographically dispersed across
the country designed to conserve energy resources by providing education
and marketing tools to convert car trips to bike trips. In addition, the
projects would encourage partnerships between stakeholders from transportation,
law enforcement, education, public health, environment, and energy fields.
Project results and energy savings must be documented, and the Secretary
of Transportation is instructed to report to Congress on the results of
the pilot program within two years of implementation.
The Department of Transportation is also authorized to conduct a study
on the feasibility and benefits on the conversion of car trips to bike
trips. The amendment authorizes $5.5 million for the pilot projects and
the
study. "We have been spending a modest amount of federal, state and
local funds on bicycle facilities since 1991. This amendment will leverage
those investments and help people take advantage of the energy conservation
choices they have in getting around their communities," Durban stated.
The full energy bill is slowly making progress through the Senate and
once passed, it will go to conference with
the House to work out any differences prior to being sent to President
Bush for signing. Regardless, the amendment is a tremendous win for bicycling.
According to Elise Margin, League Executive Director, "With the adoption
of the Conserve By Bike Amendment, the Senate recognizes the important
contribution bicycling makes to energy conservation in this country. Senators
Durban and Collins have shown tremendous leadership on this issue."
Lose Weight And Get Fit During National Bike Month
Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to lose weight and have fun
at the same time. The proven method: ride your bike. Recreational bike
riding is a safe, low-impact, aerobic activity for Americans of all ages;
not only that, it's fun and gets you where you need to go. A 150-pound
cyclist burns 410 calories while pedaling 12 miles in an hour-almost the
equivalent calories of a McDonald's Quarter Pounder®. A 200-pound
cyclist burns 546 calories while going 12 miles per hour-almost the equivalent
of a Big Mac®.
Increasing the number of trips Americans make by bike could be a serious
antidote in the fight against overweight and obesity. According to the
1995 Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey, 25% of all trips are made
within a mile of the home, 40% of all trips are within two miles of the
home, and 50% of the working population commutes five miles or less to
work. Yet more than 82% of trips five miles or less are made by personal
motor vehicle.
The President, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
the Surgeon General, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services have
all recently expressed concern over America's overweight problem. According
to
the CDC, 61% of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese; 13% of kids
aged 6 to 11 and 14% of kids 12 to 19 are overweight. Obesity is second
behind tobacco in U.S. health risk factors, contributing to 300,000 deaths
a year. President Bush, introducing Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona,
said, "The Doc and I are going to encourage all our country to either
run or walk or swim or bicycle for the good of their families, for the
good of their own health, and for the good of the health of the nation."
The year 2002 marks the 46th consecutive year the League of American
Bicyclists has declared May to be National Bike Month. The League invites
communities, corporations, clubs, and individuals to join in bicycling
activities during May to increase awareness and acceptance of bicycling
throughout the country. Visit http://www.bikeleague.org/educenter/factsheets.htm
to learn how easy it is to fit bicycling into your lifestyle.
Want to try bike commuting but keep talking yourself out of it? Then read
an excerpt from Ed Pavelka's new ebook, "Bicycle Commuting for Fun
and Profit," on http://www.roadbikerider.com/bc_excerpt.htm.
Monthly Reminders & Requests
WBWC Membership Applications Available
WBWC membership applications are available through the WBWC website (www.wbwc.org)
and in the literature racks of most Washtenaw County bike shops. Basic
membership is $10 a year with.
WBWC Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are currently needed for the following WBWC Committees...
Publicity - Send out meeting and special event announcements, mail out
printed version of E-News
Education - Help plan and staff educational efforts (i.e., Earth Day,
Bike To Work Day/Week)
For details on any of these jobs, please contact Bob Krzewinski at 487-7058
or wolverbob@cs.com.
School Bicycling Volunteers Needed
In cooperation with the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office, volunteers are
needed to help with bicycling educational efforts at local elementary
schools. No special skills are needed and a time commitment of 30 minutes
at a school would be needed. Items to be discussed (basic traffic laws,
how to wear a helmet, etc.) would be included in a written handout for
volunteers. If interested, please call 734/487-9058 or e-mail wbwc@topical.com.
Member Discounts
Ann Arbor Cyclery has joined the WBWC and agreed to offer a 10% discount
on purchases by WBWC members showing their membership cards. A hearty
"thank you" goes to Ann Arbor Cyclery for helping promote bicycling
in Washtenaw County. And if you are in a shop that is not a member of
the WBWC, a friendly word urging them to support bike advocacy though
WBWC membership would be appreciated.
Sidewalk Inventory Continuing
The WBWC continues to solicit recommendations for areas where there is
heavy pedestrian traffic and either there are no sidewalks or those that
are available are in very poor condition. Suggestions should include as
much specific data as possible and can be e-mailed to wbwc@topica.com.
An added help on any sidewalk suggestions would be photographs which can
be mailed to the WBWC, c/o Ecology Center, 117 N. Division, Ann Arbor,
MI 48104 or dropped off at the Ecology Center during weekday business
hours. Suggestions will be inventoried with follow-up to the appropriate
governmental body.
Ecology Center Library
It should be noted that the WBWC has a small, but growing, library of
bicycling and walking advocacy publications for checkout at the Ecology
Center in Ann Arbor.
Mark Your Calendar....
May 12-18 Bike To Work/School/Shop Week
May 17 Bike To Work/School/Shop Day
June 6 WBWC Meeting - 7pm, Ecology Center, Ann Arbor
June 9 Eco-Ride - Forsythe Middle School, Ann Arbor, 7am-12 noon registration
June 28 Green Fair - Downtown (State Street) Ann Arbor
July 4 WBWC Meeting - 7pm, Ecology Center, Ann Arbor
July 14 Huron River Day (WBWC will have a display)
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