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Newsletter |
September-October 2005WBWC Board MeetingsThe two next regular Board meetings of the WBWC will be held on Thursday, September 1st and Thursday, October 6th at the Ecology Center, 117 N. Division in Ann Arbor (just north of Huron), starting at 7pm. Limited parking is available at the Ecology Center as well as next to Tios restaurant. WBWC meetings are generally held on the first Thursday of every month, 7pm, at the Ecology Center For previous WBWC Board meeting minutes, visit http://www.wbwc.org/minutes.htm Board ElectionsIn November, at its annual membership meeting on the first Thursday of the month, the WBWC will be electing approximately half of it's Board members to serve a two year term of office. With this in mind, the WBWC is now seeking volunteers to serve as Board members. Board member duties include attending monthly meetings and taking part in WBWC activities and projects. If interested in serving on the WBWC Board, contact Bob Krzewinski at wolverbob@cs.com or call 734/487-9058. Local Non-Motorized Projects Need Letters Of SupportAt the present time (until mid-October) the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) is taking comments on the proposed inclusion of three Washtenaw County non-motorized projects into its Long Range Plan for southeast Michigan. The projects being proposed are Ann Arbor annual sidewalk repair (repair trip hazards in City of Ann Arbor), Ann Arbor bicycle facility development (develop/enhance bicycle facilities in City of Ann Arbor), and Huron River Trail between Bandemer Park and Barton Park Bridge (construct nonmotorized tunnel under railroad). Basically, without the inclusion of the nonmotorized projects into the SEMCOG Long Range Plan the projects stand little chance of federal transportation funds Typically these projects do not need support but at the last SEMCOG Transportation Advisory Council the projects inclusion in the Long Range Plan (LRP) was questioned. Some at the regional level, some individuals do not support the inclusion of what they consider "local" projects in the LRP. Others don't think that non-motorized projects belong in the LRP. The 2030 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) was adopted by SEMCOG's General Assembly in November 2004 and serves as a guide for developing a transportation system that is accessible, safe, and reliable. The 2030 RTP enables about $1.5 billion to be spent annually in the Southeast Michigan region to improve roads, bridges, and nonmotorized systems and to maintain transit services. The proposed amendments are needed to take advantage of new project funding and represent changing priorities. The amendment process requires all proposed projects to undergo the same evaluation as the original RTP - identification of financial resources, analysis of air quality conformity, an environmental justice analysis, and a public comment process. Comments on the non-motorized additions can be sent to SEMCOG Information Services, 535 Griswold, Suite 300, Detroit, MI 48226; send faxes to 313-961-4869; or e-mail infoservices@semcog.org. For more information on SEMCOG and the nonmotorized additions, visit http://www.semcog.org/News/Notices/2030RTP_AmendComment_0705.htm Huron River DriveAs many bicyclists know, portions of Huron River Drive between Ann Arbor and Dexter have pavement that is in horrible condition. At the present time WBWC Board member Paul Alman is researching what government body is responsible for each section, and urging that repaving and repair take place before a bicyclist is seriously injured. The Washtenaw Road Commission, who have responsibility for the road from about Barton Pond Dam and west to Dexter and beyond have stated that they will be working on repairs of this section. The City of Ann Arbor, who is responsible or Huron River Drive from North Main to just west of Barton Pond Dam, has stated that there are "no plans" currently for either repaving or repairing of the road. Even with this statement from the City, the WBWC will continue to press for repaving of the section of Huron River Drive that is in the worst condition, this being the section just west of North Main Street. Creating a Vision for Downtown AAA series of lectures and interactive workshops is being sponsored by the Downtown Development Administration (DDA) with help from the University of Michigan, City of Ann Arbor and the Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning. On July 27th, a session called "Regionalism and Urbanism" was moderated by Peter Calthorpe. This was the first of five planned lectures on urban development. Calthorpe is a founding member of the Congress of New Urbanism (CNU), a movement which is now about 15 years old, and which stresses that walkability is at the heart of all useful urban design. The lecture lightly introduced the CNU principles of Diversity and Balance, Human & Pedestrian Scale, Conservation & Restoration, and Connections & Interdependence. A regional view, even the creation of a regional governing body, is necessary to control sprawl. Successful transit doesn't exist without a safe, walkable environment. And a sense of Place Ownership, instead of an attitude of mobility ("if it becomes bad, I'll move"), is important for solving problems. On July 28th, the next session was held, titled "Interactive Public Design Workshop" Paid by the DDA, Calthorpe Associates presented a "game" to be played on a map of downtown Ann Arbor, with paper squares representing retail, housing, parking, and open space. Citizen transportation suggestions were dictated to a note-taking facilitator at each table. Otherwise, the point of the game was to make all the squares fit on the board; only the open space squares were optional - using all of the retail, parking, and housing was mandatory. The game included no aspects of regionalism or non-car transportation. The next lecture will be September 8, "Retail Economics" by Robert Gibbs and the next public workshop will be September 22. For another story on the downtown vision, visit http://tinyurl.com/a6gek $3 Billion Guaranteed for Biking in Federal Transportation BillThe new federal transportation bill, H.R. 3 SAFETEA-LU, just signed into law, almost doubles the amount available for bicyclists and pedestrians from the previous bill, guaranteeing at least $3 billion will be spent on bicycle programs through 2009. The bill creates a new Safe Routes to School program, with $612 million allocated for the program over the next 5 years. Specifically, the breakdown of the new federal transportation bill as it relates to non-motorized projects is as follows...
Michigan received approximately $20 million in bike/ped/trail projects. This includes $239,200 for construction of greenways in Pittsfield Charter Township (2.5 miles of trail to existing Ann Arbor greenways) and $160,800 for Construction of Pittsfield greenways bridge (non-motorized bridge enhancement onto existing Bemis Road Bridge). Ann Arbor Non-Motorized Plan StatusAs of early August, the new Ann Arbor Non-Motorized Plan was having it's final draft reviewed by the City administration and is expected to be released by September. WBWC In July 4th ParadeThe WBWC had about 20 cyclists--some WBWC members, some not--and about that number of greenway supporters, in its parade contingent on Independence Day in the annual Ann Arbor parade that day. Carrying the WBWC banner was the family of Ken Clark, and Oliver, the Bicycling magazine BikeTown winner, was an enthusiastic participant. A person named Jack amazed the crowd with his one-handed riding and display of the Ann Arbor "Bike Friendly Community" award. The parade was not only fun, it gave the WBWC some good press. From the Ann Arbor News: "As Phil Farber of Ann Arbor rode his bike with the Washtenaw Bicycling & Walking Coalition, a sign on his rear wheel reminded the crowd that "We're not blocking traffic. We are traffic.'' "Motorists need to be more conscious that bikes have a legitimate right to be on the road,'' he said as he pedaled slowly along the route." Schools, Health Agencies Big Winners In New Transportation Bill On August 10th, the President signed into law a bill designed to meet this nation's transportation needs for the next six years: the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA). The bill includes a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program that will make hundreds of millions of dollars available to schools to help more kids walk and bike to school and thus realize huge benefits in public health, neighborhood cohesion, and other important areas. Section 1404 of the bill establishes the new SRTS program, which will provided every state with a minimum of $1 million in funding each year. "This money will give communities at least some of the resources they need to help get children walking and biking to school again," said Bill Wilkinson, executive director of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking (NCBW). While much of this money will no doubt be used for projects such as building sidewalks and improving crosswalks near schools, a percentage of the funds has been set-aside for programs intended to actively encourage walking and bicycling to school; conduct public awareness campaigns to change the behaviors of students, parents, and drivers; and for planning and training, among other activities. The funds will be distributed by the state departments of transportation; they will be made available to public agencies and nonprofit organizations; and the bill authorizes the use of 100% federal funds for projects and activities. "Today, we've got our first generation of children who don't know what it is like to walk or ride a bicycle to school," Wilkinson noted. "The health effects of this inactivity are devastating: childhood obesity has nearly tripled and diabetes is now an epidemic among our youth. We've got to do something now the change the direction we're headed." The Safe Routes to School program is an opportunity for schools and public health agencies to take action to improve the health of our children, Wilkinson said. "We need to join together to take this new program and use it to build a nationwide movement for healthy communities for healthy children." In addition to the health benefits associated with more active children, the bill also offers a chance for some economic relief. "I think everyone wins with the passage of this bill," said Sharon Roerty, NCBW's Safe Routes to School program manager. "As transportation costs continue to rise, schools are getting squeezed just as much as families. A return to walking and bicycling makes good cents. And kids like it more than sitting on the bus, or waiting in a traffic jam." For more about Safe Routes to School, visit the NCBW website: http://www.bikewalk.org. Benefit Walk For Suicide PreventionOn Saturday, September 24th, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will host its annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk in the Ann Arbor area. Monies raised at the walks go straight to our communities in Michigan for local programs, conferences, support groups, and workshops all designed to create awareness, educate the public, and prevent suicide. For more information about the walks, or to register as a volunteer or a walker, visit www.outofthedarkness.org. New Bicycling Statistics Paint a Positive PictureThe Outdoor Industry Foundation has published its 2004 Outdoor Recreation Participation in the United States with 2004 statistics, and they found that 79.1 million Americans rode a bike on a paved road in 2004, as compared with 77.8 million in 2003. To see more cycling statistics, read the bike section of the study, visit http://www.outdoorindustry.org/pdf/bike.pdf. Let's Complete America's StreetsA new Web site, www.completethestreets.org, was launched to offer advocates, volunteers and industry leaders information on how to create complete streets across America, meaning streets constructed for autos, bicycles and pedestrians (not just for autos). The site includes a chart of existing policies, model language for how to get to Complete Streets, and early success stories. Breathalyzer Tests for Pedestrians?In a case with far reaching implications for young adults and minors throughout Michigan, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan has filed a federal lawsuit challenging a state law that allows police to force pedestrians under age 21 to take a Breathalyzer test without first obtaining a search warrant. "It is time stop the widespread practice in this state of punishing young people who are walking down the street for refusing to submit to a breathalyzer test," said Kary Moss, executive director of the Michigan ACLU. "The Constitution is clear - no search warrant, no breathalyzer. Police cannot force pedestrians to submit to an unconstitutional search.". Michigan is the only state in the country to make it illegal for young adults and minors who are not driving to refuse a breathalyzer test when the police do not have a search warrant. Those who refuse to take tests in Michigan are guilty of a civil infraction and must pay a $100 fine. (Mich. Comp. Laws S: 436.1703(6).) The lawsuit has been filed on behalf of two Saginaw County women who were forced by Thomas Township police in Saginaw County to submit to breath tests although they had not been drinking and two Mount Pleasant men forced to do the same by an interagency police task force that refers to itself as the "Party Patrol." The Party Patrol is comprised of officers from the Mount Pleasant Police Department, the Michigan State Police, Central Michigan University Police Department and the Isabella County Sheriff's Department. In addition to these municipalities and agencies, the lawsuit also names Governor Jennifer Granholm and Colonel Tadarial Sturdivant, Director of the Michigan State Police Department, as defendants. Bikes Belong Group Funds Safe Routes To School Partnership According to an August 10th news release, "Bikes Belong Coalition announced today that Deb Hubsmith of Marin County, California, has been selected to coordinate the Safe Routes to School National Partnership. This fast-growing network of organizations and professional groups is working to set goals, share best practices, secure funding, and provide detailed policy input to implementing agencies for Safe Routes to School, a new $612 million federal program. Bikes Belong is also asking bicycle and pedestrian groups across America to join the partnership by signing the Memorandum of Understanding. "The Safe Routes top School National Partnership, funded initially by Bikes Belong, is designed to ensure that the Safe Routes to School money authorized by the new federal transportation bill is put to the best possible use. The funds will be available to all 50 states during the next five years to build facilities and run educational programs that will create safe ways for kids to pedal and walk to school. The Safe Routes program addresses the alarming trend toward child obesity and inactivity, while also reducing traffic congestion and air pollution. Hubsmith, who developed one of the first Safe Routes to School pilot programs in the U.S. and is a national leader in the movement, has been tapped by Bikes Belong to coordinate the effort during the next six months. Hubsmith will collaborate with existing bicycle and pedestrian organizations and other interested parties to: - Build the Safe Routes to School National Partnership - Synthesize Best Practices for Safe Routes to School - Provide policy guidance for the Federal Highways Administration and State Department of Transportation - Generate media attention for Safe Routes - Create resources to help communities and states launch new Safe Routes to School programs For more info (and to sign your organization up), go to: http://tinyurl.com/cx3zh. I-275 Bike Path MeetingAs reported in the Detroit Free Press, the long neglected bike path that parallels I-275 to the east of Washtenaw County is receiving some much needed attention. The 40-mile bikeway that runs beside I-275, all the way from Novi to Monroe County. For years, the Michigan Department of Transportation -- which owns the bikeway -- hasn't promoted it because the path had maintenance problems almost from its opening, in the mid-1970s. A "Friends of the I-275 Bike Path" group has been formed and in early August, a public meeting on the path was held with representatives of the Michigan Department of Transportation, Rails to Trails Conservancy. SEMCOG (SE Michigan Council of Governments), and several local government officials from communities along the trail, attending One goal reached at the meeting was to have the communications among all the communities established by the end of 2005 with early 2006 targeted to begin the work with a collective team of community leaders. Renovations of the I-275 path could start as early as spring of 2006. The initial investment isn't taking a dime of scarce state road funds, thanks to a $42,000 grant in April from the Greenways Initiative, a Detroit-based environmental charity. The money will organize citizens groups in the 13 communities along the route, said Greenways Initiative director Tom Woiwode. MDOT officials have said minor improvements along the trail will be inexpensive but a complete overhaul of the trail is expected to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and likely would require federal funding. Built in a rush during the '70s energy crisis, the bikeway now is overgrown with weeds, pot-holed in places and downright impassible in others. The northern half remains popular with cyclists although it needs spot repairs, extensive brush trimming and new safety features where users cross busy mile roads, said Nancy Krupiarz, who heads the Michigan field office of the nationwide nonprofit Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. "The southern half is where you really get into major problems -- bridges missing, barricades up, active rail lines with no provision for crossing, drainage problems, the pavement heaved up, big sinkholes and in a lot of places you have giant weeds taking over the whole thing," said Krupiarz. In talking about an expanded use of the I-275 path, it was believed that an attainable goal would be to renovate the I-275 path as it exists today and connect it to Kensington Metropark and Island Lake State Park in the north, through Lower Huron/Willow/Oakwoods Metropark downriver, ending at Sterling State Park in the south near Monroe. Connections to this "spine" would be made to link local communities. One existing major fork in the trail is the Hines Parkway, which links communities from Canton/Westland in the West, to Detroit/Dearborn/Dearborn Heights in the East. Other connections from local bikepaths, mountain biking trails, city parks, county parks, metroparks, state parks, and other points of interest would be added in the future. Another major goal is safety, like zero bike/automobile accidents. Right now the trail that is used the most is between the M-14/I-275 interchange and Novi in the north. The path crosses several busy intersections at 6/7/8 mile roads. Both 5 and 9 mile are also intersections that could use some additional signage. Further goals of the group include increased awareness/riders, increased sponsorship of events on the trail, maintenance by local communities, rest-stops/amenities, and increased publicity of the trail. Chicagoans Win Prizes for Shopping by BikeThe Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and two Chicago-area neighborhoods-Forest Park and Downtown Oak Park- are making it pay to Shop By Bike. As part of the promotion that encourages a healthy way to shop locally, people who cycle to shop become eligible to win prizes including a Giant comfort bike, $550 in gift certificates, and more. The Shop By Bike program runs through Sept 30. Bike shoppers simply need to make a $5 purchase at any participating merchant to get their cards punched, with one punch per purchase and five punches completing a card. Bike shoppers may complete as many cards as they want. Many of the participating merchants are also offering special discounts and promotions for bike shoppers. To read more about Bike and Shop, visit www.biketraffic.org/shopbybike. Bicycle Traps Coming to UtahYou've heard of speed traps but have you heard of a bicycle trap? Five Utah police agencies will be participating in a state-sponsored crackdown on motorists who aren't sharing the roads with bicycles. Plainclothes officers will ride bicycles to catch motorists who aren't sharing the road. Assistant Chief Craig Gibson says it's a growing safety problem. Assistant Layton Police Chief Craig Gibson says what they'll do is put plainclothes cops on bikes to catch motorists. Cops in cars will then write the tickets. On average, the state health department says 900 bicyclists are hit each year. Four other Utah police departments are participating in the statewide enforcement program. Car Free? This Reporter Would Like To Talk With You Chris Balish, a reporter with Gannett Co, Inc. (www.gannett.com), is doing research for a new book about transportation alternatives to the private automobile. "I'm looking for real-life success stories from people who do not own/lease a car in the United States or Canada," writes Chris. If you fit this description, we've posted Chris' questions as an 18K .pdf at this link: http://www.bikewalk.org/assets/no_car_questions.pdf. If you don't own a car, please take a few minutes to answer Chris' questions. Paved Road Biking Attracted 79 Million Americans In 2004 According to a July 27th Bicycle Newswire article, "With Lance Armstrong's historic 7th consecutive victory at the Tour de France, it seems more and more Americans are dusting off bikes, pumping up tires, and heading out to enjoy some two-wheeled recreation. According to Outdoor Industry Foundation's most recent study: Outdoor Recreation Participation in the United States, 79 million Americans (age 16 and older) got on a bike in 2004, making it continue to be one of the most popular of the 22 human-powered outdoor activities in the United States. For more on this story visit http://tinyurl.com/9ph78 Bikes Selling Like Hotcakes In U.S. StoresAccording to an August 3rd Planet Ark article, "The struggling US automobile industry may do well to take some lessons from its non-motorized brethren because bicycles are selling like hotcakes. Americans purchased more bicycles than new cars and trucks combined in the past year -- and all without employee discounts or zero-percent financing. 'Our sales have almost tripled in the last couple of years,' said Bob Ippolito, Executive Vice President at Pacific Bicycle, the largest bicycle distributor in the United States. "The company, which is owned by Canadian Dorel, sold 5 million bicycles last year, ranging in price from $50 to several thousand dollars. 'Sales are the best we've had in five years,' said Ron Lippner, Vice President of Cadillac Bicycle at Kent International, a private company that manufactures and sells more than 1 million bikes a year. Lippner was unable to provide company sales figures. 'This exceptional year has a lot to do with Lance Armstrong's success from beating cancer and his cycling events -- a lot of people are trying cycling again,' he added..." Web ResourcesSTUDY: DIET, EXERCISE MAY LEAD TO 100+ YR LIFESPAN "A University of Florida study has found that mutations in the mitochondria caused by obesity and lack of exercise -- not oxidative stress from free radicals -- may be a key factor in the aging process..." http://tinyurl.com/bl4xo "Livable Communities: An Evaluation Guide," by the American Association of Retired Persons. This guide emphasizes the value of walkability, transit service, mixed land use (public services within walking distance), and pedestrian security, particularly for seniors, which we all hope to be in the future (growing old is better than the alternative). It includes specific guidelines for evaluating these features. 'BUS-BIKE INTERACTION WITHIN THE ROAD NETWORK" AUSTROADS Research Report AP-R266/05; by Ker, Yapp and Moore, ARRB Group Ltd; April 2005. 'BALANCE BETWEEN HARM REDUCTION AND MOBILITY IN..." "...Setting Speed Limits: A Feasibility Study;" AUSTROADS Research Report AP-R272/05; by Fildes, Langford, Andrea, Scully, Monash University Accident Research Centre; July 2005. "INJURIES TO PEDESTRIANS AND
BICYCLISTS..." "...An Analysis Based on Hospital Emergency Department Data;
by Stutts & Hunter, HSRC/UNCChapel Hill; for Federal Highway Administration;
FHWA-RD-99-078; 1999. Available online, broken into chapters at:
http://tinyurl.com/cfzc3. For a copy of the whole thing in one pdf, contact CL
editor, John Williams at "BUILDING COMMUNITIES THROUGH PUBLIC
TRANSPORTION." "...Transportation - a Guide for Successful Transit
Initiatives;" Center for Transportation Excellence; 2005.
KIDS OBESITY UP FROM 11% TO 16% SINCE LATE
1980S "Black girls and Mexican American boys are most affected, with about
a quarter of both groups being obese, the report said..."
STUDY: FITNESS LEVEL DECLINES DRAMATICALLY
WITH AGE "'Over time, your aerobic capacity (exercise capacity) will
decline, but at any given age someone who exercises will have a higher capacity
than someone who is a couch potato,' says Fleg. 'By participating in a training
program, you can raise your aerobic capacity 15% to 25%, which in our study
would be equivalent to being 10-20 years younger.'..."
DO MICHIGAN'S COOL CITIES EFFORTS IGNORE
DETROIT? "When asked to identify the coolest cities outside their state,
most Michiganders put San Francisco, Chicago and New York at the top of the
list. Those are multinodal communities, too -- but their diverse neighborhoods
are linked by robust public transit systems that make it easy to move from one
node to another..." http://tinyurl.com/8nxle
Two Wheel Tango and Ann Arbor Cyclery are both WBWC members and have agreed
to offer a 10% discount on purchases by WBWC members showing their membership
cards. A hearty "thank you" goes to Ann Arbor Cyclery and Two Wheel Tango for
helping promote bicycling in Washtenaw County. If you are in a shop that is not
a member of the WBWC, a friendly word urging them to support bicycling by
joining the WBWC.
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