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Biz District Wrong Place To Sell Smelly Bikes
N.C. Cities To Get "Red Light Cameras"
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WisDOT Draft Ped Plan Available
New Little Rock Bike/Ped Bridge In Works
San Jose Gets Lighted Crosswalk
Binghampton Gets Waterfront Trail
Bend Trans. Plan Sent Back for Tweaking
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CT BIKE COALITION GETS GRANT FOR WORK WITH KIDS
According to a Feb. 28th news release, "The Connecticut
Bicycle Coalition, through a Department of Justice Weed and
Seed Grant and in cooperation with the Hartford Police
Department, has received funding for bicycle safety and
education presentations and a competitive youth Bicycle
Moto-Cross (BMX) program in Hartford's Northeast
neighborhood. The program is targeted to reduce injuries
and accidents by reinforcing the importance o helmet use
and the proper operation of a bicycle. In addition the BMX
program will give children in the target area access to
bicycle racing, something usually reserved for more
affluent families.
"For the purposes of this grant, CBC will be working with
the staff and students of Hartford's Fred D. Wish School,
providing bicycle safety instruction in classroom and after
school settings. 'Bike Rights' is a multi-media
presentation about the right ways to ride, maintain and
secure a bicycle. Through other funding sources, CBC is
also able to schedule presentations outside the Northeast
neighborhood. _We encourage schools, Churches, Civic
Organizations and companies in Hartford to contact us about
our free 'BikeRights' presentation..."
For more details, contact Rodney Bynoe, CBC program
director, at (860) 527-5200, or email: ctbikecoal@aol.com
BIZ DISTRICT WRONG PLACE TO SELL SMELLY BIKES
According to the Hampden MA Zoning Code Section 6.5,
"The Commercial District is intended to provide for goods
and services for transients or tourists, and non-consumer
goods and services." Under subsection 2, "The following
uses [are] permitted by special permit of the Board of
Appeals... based on satisfaction that said use is
appropriate and that it will not create a nuisance by
virtue of noise, odor, smoke, vibration, traffic generated
or unsightliness." And, subsubsection 4. mentions
"Salesrooms for automobiles, bicycles, boats, farm
implements and similar equipment" So to start a bike shop
in Hampden's Commercial District, you need a special permit
and must prove you won't create noise, odor, smoke, etc.?
Hmmm...
Source: http://www.hampden.org/zoning_bylaw.htm
According to the project's website, "The Trans Canada
Trail will be a shared-use recreation Trail that will wind
its way through every province and territory. It will be
the longest trail of its kind in the world, spanning
approximately 16,000 kilometres.
"The Trail will accommodate five core activities: walking,
cycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and
snowmobiling (where possible/desired)."
Source: http://tctrail.ca/trail.htm
N.C. CITIES TO GET "RED LIGHT CAMERAS"
According to the Peek Traffic Inc. website, "Peek
Traffic has been awarded separate contracts from the Cities
of Greensboro and High Point, North Carolina to provide
turnkey red light enforcement services in an effort to
improve safety at signalized intersections throughout both
communities.
"These automated enforcement contracts are three years in
duration and include the supply and installation of red
light enforcement cameras to the processing and mailing of
citations. 'Peek installed the first Peek GuardianR fully
digital automated enforcement system in the City of
Wilmington, North Carolina. Since then, the SafeLight
(Wilmington) programme has successfully achieved a
reduction in red light violations of more than 40%,'
according to Ian Cardozo, Director of Peek Automated
Enforcement Systems. 'Red-light enforcement programmes, in
conjunction with a high profile public relations campaign,
have been proven to modify driver behavior,' he said. The
Cities of Greensboro and High Point intend to accomplish a
reduction in red light violations and accidents at
intersections and modify driver behavior over and beyond
the duration of these contracts.
"Several other Cities and States throughout the United
States plan to follow North Carolina's lead in deploying
digital automated enforcement programs. A recent study
released by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety
indicates that 200,000 injuries and 800 deaths occur each
year caused by red-light related crashes..."
Source: http://www.peek.co.uk/press/NCarolinaGuardian.html
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WISDOT DRAFT PED PLAN AVAILABLE
According to a March 11th article in the Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel, "The Department of Transportation, the
state agency usually associated with driver's licenses and
highway construction, has drafted a 20-year plan for
improving a more traditional form of transportation:
walking.
"The Wisconsin State Pedestrian Plan stresses ways to
increase the number of walkways in the state and to make
walking safer. Benefits of encouraging people to walk
include fitness and decreased vehicle emissions, and
walkways add social and economic value to communities, the
draft says.
"If people want to walk, they should be able to, whether
it's for health or transportation," said John Swissler, a
program analyst in the department's Bureau of Planning. The
pedestrian proposal includes working with local officials
to make sure that roads and county highways include safe
places for pedestrians. 'We kept hearing that a lot of time
local officials don't know what to do. They know what to do
for a road, and it's not that they hate walkers or
anything, but they don't know what techniques are a
vailable,' Swissler said.
"The proposal also calls on the department to study
pedestrian accident statistics and find ways to reduce
crashes involving pedestrians, including enforcing lower
speed limits where pedestrian traffic is heavy. In
Wisconsin, there were 55 traffic accidents that included
pedestrians in 1999, and about 80% of such crashes occur
where the posted traffic speed is 25 mph or less, according
to the department..."
Source:
http://www.jsonline.com:80/news/state/mar01/walk12031101a.asp
Alt. search info:
Source: http://www.jsonline.com/general/search.asp
Title: "Plan for walkers moving forward" Author: A.P.
To see a draft of the Wisconsin State Pedestrian Plan,
visit http://www.dot.state.wi.us/dtim/bop/ped_draftplan.htm
According to a story in the Mar. 12th issue of the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "...The Atlanta Bureau of
Planning envisions a Cultural Ring trail along 14.9 miles
of [an abondoned] rail line, extending south from Ansley
Mall along Piedmont Park, curving around Zoo Atlanta, then
circling back up along Washington Park to the Georgia World
Congress Center.
"The city has received an $800,000 grant to develop a
section of trail from Washington Park to Metropolitan
Avenue.
"The Georgia Department of Transportation wants to reserve
part of the existing rail line for future rail use. The
city's idea is to include a greenway trail alongside a
trolley or some type of passenger rail that could connect
to MARTA..."
Source:
http://www.accessatlanta.com:80/partners/ajc/epaper/editions/monday/business_a3ca27d7959db0d300c0.html
Alt. search info:
Source: http://stacks.ajc.com/
Title: "Move afoot to improve metro area's standing in
trail miles" Author: Stell Simonton Cost: $5.95 (good for
20 articles)
NEW LITTLE ROCK BIKE/PED BRIDGE IN WORKS
According to a Mar. 15th story in the Arkansas
Democrat-Gazette, "Solid waste managers, park officials and
a county judge gathered Wednesday beside the water pouring
furiously through Murray Lock and Dam to envision the
bicycle bridge that would eventually hang above them.
Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines handed a $485,000
cardboard check to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to
design the bridge, which would span the lock and dam,
connecting trails in North Little Rock and Little Rock as
early as next year.
The county's check will pay for the Corps' design study --
the first step in making the bridge a reality. Once built,
the bridge would be a major step in completing the 14-mile
trail system along both sides of the river. The expanse
will be a fixed structure, approximately 14 feet wide with
safety rails. It would carry bicyclists and pedestrians 30
feet above the dam and 65 feet above the Arkansas River.
The bridge project is expected to cost about $3.9 million,
and funds from Metroplan, the Arkansas Highway and
Transportation Department and the federal government have
been secured..."
For the rest of the story:
http://www.ardemgaz.com:80/today/ark/B3xdam15.html
Alt. search info:
Source: http://library.ardemgaz.com/
Title: "Corps of Engineers gets $485,000 to design bike
bridge across river" Author: Elisa Crouch Cost: $1.95
SAN JOSE GETS LIGHTED CROSSWALK
According to a March 10th story in the San Jose Mercury
News, "John Wildemuth lifted his toddler son, Brice, onto
his shoulders and stepped into the crosswalk on a
high-speed street. There was no stop sign or no traffic
light. The sun was setting. This could have been suicidal
anywhere else in San Jose, but not here. Wildemuth was
about to walk through the city's first and only lighted
crosswalk. No, I'm not talking about streetlights hanging
from above. I'm talking about 14 lights embedded in the
street alongside the crosswalk.
"'They seem to be working pretty well,' Wildemuth said,
'especially at night. They're very dramatic.' He made sure
to step between two odd-looking posts on the sidewalk.
These posts have electric eyes that detect pedestrians and
trip the lights. As he passed through the posts and into
the crosswalk, the lights started flashing directly at
oncoming drivers. The lights work days as well as nights.
Now, I'd say most of the cars were going faster than the 35
mph speed limit, but they all slowed down and stopped cold,
as if the cops had been there. Wildemuth and his son
crossed without a problem..."
For the rest of the story:
Source:
http://www0.mercurycenter.com:80/premium/local/docs/rodriguez10.htm
Alt search info:
Source:
http://www0.mercurycenter.com:80/resources/search/center/search_newslibrary.html
Title: "Safe pedestrian crossings are just a few lights
away" Author: Joe Rodriguez Cost: $1.95
BINGHAMPTON (NY) GETS WATERFRONT TRAIL
According to a Mar. 12th story in the Binghampton Press
& Sun Bulletin, "Bicyclists will pedal alongside the
Susquehanna and Chenango rivers as boats and canoes glide
by, families picnic and fishermen struggle to land the big
one. That's the dream Binghamton Mayor Richard A. Bucci has
for the city's waterfront improvement project. But all the
years of dreaming and hoping will become reality in August
when construction is scheduled to start, Bucci said.
"'In August, the project will become reality,' Bucci said.
State funds will pay for the estimated $2.8 million
project, Bucci said. Work will begin at Confluence Point
where both rivers meet and will include riverbank
stabilization, construction of an observation deck, stairs
or stone paths to the river's edge, wider foot paths and a
small picnic area..."
Source:
http://www.binghamtonpress.com:80/binghamtonnews/local/Monews3.html
BEND (OR) TRANS. PLAN SENT BACK FOR TWEAKING
According to a March 11th story in the Portland
Oregonian, "State officials in Oregon have sent back the
transportation system plan for the town of Bend, saying it
lacks detail about mass transportation, pedestrian and
cycling facilities and how the city will pay for those
things during the next 20 years.
"The problem is more a matter of detail than direction,
according to Eric Jacobson, transportation and land-use
planner for the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and
Development. 'I would say largely they succeeded. The plan
on the whole is very good,' Jacobson said.
"In 1991, the state started requiring towns of more than
25,000 people to plan for mass transit and alternative
transportation as they reviewed their comprehensive
land-use plans. Salem also is tinkering with its plans
after submitting them. 'It's not unusual for a city
preparing a plan this complicated to have to do some
refinements after we've reviewed it,' Jacobson said. The
state has given Bend until Nov. 29 to revise the plan. ..."
For the rest of the story:
http://www.enn.com:80/news/wire-stories/2001/03/03112001/krt_transportation_42438.asp
Alt. search info:
Source: http://www.enn.com:80/search/search.asp
Title: "Bend, Oregon transportation plan sent back for fine
tuning" Author: Steve Lundgren
And now for something completely different...
"ACCESS TO OPEN SPACE FOR DOG WALKING IN THE CITY OF MONASH"
"...In the City of Monash (Map 1) all dogs are required
to be on a leash unless in a designated 'Leash Free
Park/Area'. There are 30 Leash Free Parks and 8 Leashed
Parks within the City (Map 2). Overall, there are 15974
dogs...Map 2 shows the distribution of parks (by 'leash'
type) and registered dogs (by activity type). Most dogs
(75.4%) live within acceptable walking distance (800m) of a
park (http://www.petnet.com.au/openspace). However the SW
region of the city is without nearby parks..."
To see the graphic results (maps, nice photos of dogs) of
this GIS project by Monash University students, go to:
http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/ges/research/Gis/public/Ozri_poster3.htm
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"FROM HIGHWAY TO MY WAY"
Article by Reid Ewing, from the January issue of
"Planning." A quote: "You know the world is changing when
everyone from the Federal Highway Administration to state
and local transportation officials uses words such as
"flexible" and "context sensitive" to describe highway
design..."
http://www.planning.org/pubs/jan01.htm
"PEDALLING HEALTH: HEALTH BENEFITS OF A MODAL TRANSPORT
SHIFT"
A well-known paper by Ian Roberts, Harry Owen, Peter Lumb,
Colin MacDougall. "The aim of this report is to present
medical research on the benefits accruing from
incorporating exercise into daily living patterns and
particularly why cycling for transport has been identified
as a sustainable and health-promoting mode of transport to
be encouraged over car use wherever possible."
http://www.sciweb.science.adelaide.edu.au/sundries/ph.nsf
Also downloadable as a pdf from "single file version" link.
ATLANTA'S "MIDTOWN STREETSCAPE DESIGN / SPECIFICATIONS"
"In order to improve the pedestrian environment in Midtown,
the Midtown Alliance in conjunction with the City of
Atlanta has created Streetscape Standards for selected
streets in Midtown. These streetscape specifications have
been pre-approved by the City."
http://www.blueprint-midtown.org/streetscape_design.htm
"IS IT SAFE? A GUIDE TO ROAD DANGER REDUCTION"
According to this report, "Danger refers to the potential
of someone or some thing to do damage. The principal source
of danger on the road is motor vehicles. Traditionally,
road safety professionals have sought to help people cope
with this danger. The Road Danger Reduction Forum seeks to
reduce it at source."
http://www.spokes.org.uk/isitsaf1.htm
"EDMONTON ZONING BYLAW 12800: 54.3 BICYCLE PARKING
FACILITIES"
A December 2000 Proposed bylaw to the City of Edmonton (AB)
zoning code that covers number of bicycle spaces; size and
location of bicycle parking facilities; design of bicycle
parking facilities.
http://www.gov.edmonton.ab.ca/planning_dev/library_map_publications/_lub_help/ezb/ezb/54_3_bic.html
"EXPLORE THE VPS"
According to A. Nelessen Associates' website, "The Visual
Preference survey (VPS) commences with a briefing on the
local problems and potentials. The study area is
photographed from the public realm. Slides depicting local
conditions, other locations and simulations are assembled
and administered to the community, interested residents,
business..."
http://www.anavision.com/vps/index.htm
"THE COMPUTER COMMUTER: NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSIT FOR THE
21ST CENTURY"
A presentation by Anton Nelessen that says, in part, "...
Neighborhood Transit is an alternative transportation
concept that would put service within walking distance of
100 percent of all origins and destinations, regardless of
density, thereby capturing a greater percentage of local
trips than conventional transit. It is a flexibly
routed/flexibly scheduled, point-to-point, on-demand system
that offers suburban commuters something they have never
before enjoyed: choice. It does not seek to eliminate auto-
mobile commuting but rather works with suburban pattern
and preferences, not against them..."
http://www.bts.gov/tmip/papers/tmip/udes/nelessen.htm
"ELECTRONIC TOOLBOX FOR MAKING INTERSECTIONS MORE
ACCESSIBLE FOR PEDESTRIANS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY
IMPAIRED"
"'The Electronic Toolbox for Making Intersections More
Accessible for Pedestrians Who are Blind or Visually
Impaired' includes information either developed by the
Committee or identified by the Committee as useful to
creating intersections that are more accessible to
pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired. The
Committee remains active and will add information to this
toolbox as it is developed or identified."
http://www.ite.org/library/accessibleint.htm
"ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO BLIND PEDESTRIANS AT SIGNALIZED
INTERSECTIONS (9/00)"
"An ITE Journal article presents the results of a survey of
Orientation and Mobility Specialists regarding the problems
students with visual impairments experience at signalized
intersections. Orientation and Mobility Specialists are
individuals who are professionally trained to teach people
who are blind or visually impaired to travel independently.
In the practice of their profession, they regularly provide
instruction in crossing streets at signalized
intersections..."
Downloadable as a PDF from:
http://www.ite.org/library/JIB00A32.pdf
"SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT AND DEVELOPMENT"
An essay by David Mozer and Brenda Thickett of the
International Bicycle Fund. "...Finding a sustainable
system in transport will require bigger lifestyle changes
than reducing water use with low-flow toilets, reusing
beverage bottles and recycling paper. To paraphrase
Einstein, 'We cannot solve our problems with the same
technology and lifestyles that created them...'"
http://www.ibike.org/sus-tran.htm
"CHAPTER 2.6. CONGESTION MANAGEMENT"
California Government Code Sections 65088 - 65089.10.
Here's a quote from 65088.1:
"SEC. 1. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of
the following:
(a) Existing local, state, and federal policies tend to
encourage the provision of subsidized parking by employers.
(b) Subsidized parking creates a strong incentive for
employees to commute to work in a single occupancy vehicle.
(c) Commuting in a single occupancy vehicle contributes to
traffic congestion and air pollution.
(d) In Los Angeles and Orange Counties, more than 90
percent of the commuters receive free worksite parking, but
less than 10 percent of employers provide an employee
ridesharing or transit benefit."
http://ceres.ca.gov/planning/pzd/1998/plan_2_6.html
------------------------------------------------------------
March 25-28, 2001,17th Annual ITE Spring Conference:
Improving Transportation Performance and Productivity,
Monterey, CA. Info: ITE, 525 School Street, SW, Suite 410,
Washington, DC 20024 USA , voice: (202) 554-8050 fax:
(202) 863-5486, email: ite_staff@ite.org
website: https://www.ite.org/conference2001/sixdays.asp
March 28-30, 2001: National Bike Summit 2001, Washington,
DC. Info: League of American Bicyclists, 1612 K
Street NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20006-2082 voice:
(202) 822-1333 fax: (202) 822-1334 email:
Bikeleaguedc@aol.com
website: http://www.bikeleague.org
March 30, 2001: Renewing Sustainable Urbanism: Performance,
Potential, and Proposals, School of Architecture,
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia. Info:
Bettie Hall, Planning Department Secretary, at 804-924-1339
or bhh@virginia.edu
website: http://arch.virginia.edu/~sch-docs/announce/
April 2-8, 2001: National Public Health Week - "Healthy
People in Healthy Communities."
To assist in planning public health week activities, read
and/or download the National Public Health Planners Guide:
http://www.apha.org/news/press/Health_Week_Booklet.pdf
and the 2001 Planners Guide Supplement
http://www.apha.org/news/press/PUBLIC_GUIDEsupp.pdf
(PDF files).
Single printed copies available by mail for $5.00. To
order, call (301) 893-1894.
June 13, 2001: Places, Streets and Community, Grand Rapids,
MI. Info: Grand Valley Metro Council, Attn: Priscilla
Martin, 40 Pearl Street NW, Suite 410, Grand Rapids, MI
49503, voice: (616) 776-7608 fax: (616) 774-9292, email:
pmartin@gvmc.org
website: http://www.gvmc.org
July 3-6, 2001,Environmental Design Research Association
(EDRA) Annual Meeting, Edinburgh, Scotland. Info: EDRA,
P.O. Box 7146, Edmond, OK 73083-7146, voice: (405)330-4863
fax: (405)330-4150, email: edra@telepath.com
website: http://www.telepath.com/edra/home.html
August 3-5, 2001, Bikefest 2001 - LAB's National Rally,
Altoona, PA. Info: League of American Bicyclists, voice:
(202) 822-1333, email: bikeleague@bikeleague.org
website: http://www.bikeleague.org/rallies/rallies.html
August 16-18, 2001, First National Congress of Pedestrian
Advocates, Oakland, CA. Info: AmericaWalks, email:
info@americawalks.org
website: http://americawalks.org/news/congress/
September 13-16, 2001, Rail~Volution, San Francisco, CA.
For more information go to:
http://www.railvolution.com/ataglance.htm
September 17-21, 2001, Velo-city 2001, Edinburgh/Glasgow,
Scotland. Info: Meeting Makers Ltd, Jordanhill Campus, 76
Southbrae Drive, Glasgow G13 1PP, Scotland, voice: 0141 434
1500 fax: 434 1519, e-mail: Velo_city@meetingmakers.co.uk
website: http://velo-city2001.org/
September 26-29, 2001, TrailLink 2001: the 3rd International
Trails and Greenways Conference, St. Louis, MO. Info: Rails-
to-Trails Conservancy, voice: (202) 974-5152,
email: rtcconf@transact.org
website: http://www.railtrails.org
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JOB > TRANSPORTATION PLANNER
The Arizona DOT is seeking a Senior Transportation Planner
for the Transportation Planning Division. Candidates will
have at least three years of professional transportation
planning work experience. Preference will be given to
candidates with a working knowledge of inter-modal
planning. Experience with managing consultant contracts,
writing proposals, scopes of work, transportation studies
and establishing and maintaining effective working
relationships will be helpful. Some overnight travel is
required. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter and
possess excellent verbal and written communication skills._
To apply submit SF 501 and scannable resume by March 26,
2001 to: ADOT Human Resources, Staffing Unit, 206 S. 17th
Ave MD 171A, Phoenix, AZ 85007. If you already have a
resume in the database you may apply by calling
602-712-8188 indicating your interest. See
http://www.hr.state.az.us/employment or call 602-712-8188
to obtain SF501. Resumes are computer scanned and may be
referred for any appropriate vacancy.
JOB > TRANSPORTATION PLANNER
The City of Lawrence, Kansas, has an opening for a
transportation planner. The Transportation Planner performs
complex and professional level work related to the field of
transportation planning with some direct responsibilities
supporting the bicycle planning efforts of the City. The
position requires a Masters degree with major course work
in planning, urban design, landscape architecture, public
administration, or related field. Strong preference will be
given to candidates with a minimum of three years of urban
planning experience, particularly in transportation (or
bicycle) planning. Application deadline is 04/16/01. For
more information and applications visit
http://www.lawrenceks.org or contact the City at (800)
444-832. Administrative Services, City Hall, 6 East 6th
Street, Lawrence, KS 66044 personnel@ci.lawrence.ks.us
EOE M/F/D
JOB > CASE STUDY AUTHORS
The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals is
seeking short, one to two page articles on pedestrian
engineering topics to be used in developing a Pedestrian
Engineering Best Practices report. Authors will be offered
a stipend of $250 for each case study article. Our primary
goal is to find writers who have been been directly
involved with the planning, design, and/or implementation
of these treatments.
Example case study topics (all articles will describe the
benefits these treatments have for pedestrians): Transit
Stop Treatments; Marked Crosswalks and Crosswalk
Enhancements; Roadway Lighting Improvements; Curb Radius
Reductions; Roadway Narrowing; One-Way/Two-Way Street
Conversions; Well-Designed Right-Turn Slip Lanes;
Roundabouts; Curb Extensions...
For more info, contact Liza Lemaster, Project Planner,
Sprinkle Consulting, Inc., 535 Main Street, Suite 211,
Laurel, MD 20707 (301) 362-1600 email:
llemaster@sciworld.net
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COPYING: We encourage you to copy our content as long as
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------------------------------------------------------------
Contributors: Bill Wilkinson, Peter Moe
Editor: John Williams Send news items to: john@montana.com
Director: Bill Wilkinson
------------------------------------------------------------
National Center for Bicycling & Walking 1506 21st St NW,
Suite 200, Washington D.C. 20036 Voice: (202) 463-6622
Fax: (202) 463-6625
Email: ncbw@bikefed.org
------------------------------------------------------------