| ------------------------------------------------------------ C-E-N-T-E-R-L-I-N-E-S ------------------------------------------------------------ #177 Wednesday, June 13, 2007 ------------------------------------------------------------ CenterLines is the bi-weekly e-newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking. CenterLines is our way of quickly delivering news and information you can use to create more walkable and bicycle-friendly communities.
FEATURES A
REPORT FROM THE FIELD: CITY-SRTS IN BROOKLYN -> The last stop for the Active Living Resource Center's spring City Safe Routes to School project was Public School 81, Thaddeus Stevens K-5, in Brooklyn. (That's in the Bedford-Stuyvesant community for those of you already familiar with the Borough.) The workshop was organized with the help of the Greater South Brooklyn Health Coalition (GSBHC), a local nonprofit coalition with more than 100 partners. GSBHC has been working on safe routes to school through its 'Walk Our Children' program. PS 81 is situated on De Kalb Avenue; right across the street are the Eleanor Roosevelt Houses (New York City Housing Authority), home to most of the school's 500+ students. Almost every child walks to school. Fantastic, right? Sure. But the 'Safe' in SRTS isn't just about getting across the street safely. The area around PS 81 is home to the highest concentration of registered sex offenders in New York City. (And just to be sure I'd remember my first subway trip in NYC, I am certain one of them rode along with me on the R Train from Penn Station.) This wasn't like any other City-SRTS workshop we've done. Most of the kids are walking and infrastructure really isn't much of a problem. Instead we found a school and a community grappling with the basic challenge of how to get more physical activity for the kids (24% of kids are obese), and how to give those kids safe places to play. The school has formed a Wellness Committee to respond to these needs. Students' safety was a second priority that emerged from the workshop. Safety on the streets isn't too bad; the school has two very assertive crossing guards. But the nearby junior high does a good job of minting bullies and generating after-school fights. A Community Block Watch program was an idea broached by the officers from NYPD's Precinct 81 as one possible response to this threat. Increased involvement of parents and making better connections to seniors in the neighborhood are two things that need to happen first. The week before the
Brooklyn workshop, project director Sharon Roerty and I visited Garfield,
New Jersey, another of our City-SRTS communities. For more on that and
the rest of my Brooklyn report, visit NCBW's new blog area:
-> In CenterLines (CL #176), we noted that the Active Living Resource Center (ALRC) had begun distributing electronic artwork for its bicycle safety pamphlet aimed at parents of young cyclists, entitled "Bicycle Safety: What Every Parent Should Know." John Williams, the pamphlet's author and publications editor for the National Center for Bicycling & Walking, reports that requests for the new brochure artwork have been brisk. "We've had nearly a dozen requests for customized sets of the artwork in the first couple of weeks," said Williams. "In one case we were able to edit and deliver the pamphlet artwork in a matter of hours so that it could be printed for a community bicycle safety festival the next day." The artwork and customization is free. Williams said that the brochure has been modified to allow room for the name of the group distributing the brochure as well as a logo. "On the request form we ask for how many copies the requestor expects the group will print on the initial run. This has ranged from 200 copies to 25,000 copies. Thus far we've achieved an expected print run of about 50,000 copies. To request the artwork,
complete the form at: Once you've submitted the form, an ALRC staff member will contact you to get any wording and logo you want to place in the attribution box. Then you'll be given a link where you can download your artwork as a .pdf file, ready for the print shop. And if you just want
to take a look at the pamphlet without requesting artwork, you'll find
it at:
-> According to the June 4th National Recreation & Park Association Public Policy newsletter, "NRPA served on the Steering Committee for the Summit and presented during the Plenary sessions. The Public Policy Office is very pleased by the legislative priorities that emerged from the Summit. "Among these priorities include the need to increase physical activity opportunities for children before, during, and after school as well as the encouragement for community design that supports venues for physical activity." For more
on the Summit, contact Monica Hobbs Vinluan, Senior Policy Associate at
<mvinluan@nrpa.org> or go to:
-> According to the June 12th Walkable Edmonton newsletter, "The City of Edmonton Transportation Dept. has created a section focused on Sustainable Transportation Planning to help Edmontonians explore options that will reduce the volume of vehicle traffic on our roads and benefit personal health and the environment..." For more info on this
program, go to: For more on Walkable
Edmonton, go to:
-> According to a June 13th Complete the Streets Newsletter article, "On June 6th the Illinois Legislature completed final approval of SB 314, which requires that in urban areas, 'bicycle and pedestrian ways shall be established in conjunction with the construction, reconstruction, or other change of any State transportation facility.' The bill now awaits the signature of Governor Rod "Blagojevich. One key to the bill's passage was clarification that the new requirement would apply primarily to urban areas -- while consideration of bicycle and pedestrian facilities is still required in non-urban areas. This helped ensure state Senate approval of the stronger language passed by the state House. "The bill was
spurred in part by the case of Nick Oglesby of Cary, Illinois, a teenager
killed in 2000 while crossing the Fox River on his bicycle via the only
bridge available - which had been built only for automobiles. Under pressure
from the community, the state added a non-motorized path to the bridge.
Advocates convinced lawmakers that the bill would both save lives and
help the state avoid such costly retrofits. You can see the many steps
to approval at: For more on the National
Complete Streets Coalition, go to:
-> In a recent note, Evan Manvel, Bicycle Transportation Alliance Executive Director, wrote, "This past weekend, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance learned that its Albany bike trailer was broken into and nine bikes used for bicycle safety classes were stolen. The BTA, a statewide nonprofit organization, teaches its Bicycle Safety Education program in eight communities, including to approximately 75% of Albany fifth graders. The loss of the bikes impacts its current classes as well as future efforts. With an insufficient fleet, kids will lose on-bike practice time, part of what makes the BTA's bike safety education program a national model. The BTA is continuing to collect details. Staff learned of the theft on Saturday. Since then, Albany bike safety volunteer Jim Lawrence helped locate three of the bikes, and one person is in jail. "The BTA estimates the loss (damage to the trailer, missing bikes, and bike damage) to be around $2,500, and additional revenue will be needed to increase security (an alarm system had been purchased, but was not yet installed ). Financial support, or donation of high-quality kids' bikes with hand brakes and gears, would be appreciated. If you have any possible leads on the case, please contact Officer Knowell at the Albany Police Department at (541) 917-7686." To donate to help
BTA's Albany program get back on its feet, follow this link:
-> According to the June 9th Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition e-update, "...Two bills that the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition support got a big boost on June 5 when they passed out of the Assembly. These bills move next to the State Senate. "AB 57 - Safe Routes to School (Assembly member Nell Soto): Sponsored by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, this bill would extend California's Safe Routes to School program indefinitely and continue to direct the equivalent of 1/3 of California's safety funds to the construction of bicycle and pedestrian safety and traffic calming projects that improve routes to schools. Assembly member Soto sponsored similar legislation in 1999, 2002, and 2004; the legislation is needed to be renewed now as the program will sunset at the end of this year. It's critical that California remain a leader on Safe Routes to School, as the Golden State was the first to designate funding for the program. "AB 1358 - Complete Streets Act of 2007 (Assembly member Mark Leno): Sponsored by the California Bicycle Coalition (), this bill would require, commencing January 1, 2009, that the legislative body of a city or county modify the circulation element upon revision of the general plan to specify how this element will provide for the routine accommodation of all users of the highway, defined to include motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, individuals with disabilities, seniors, and users of public transportation. Routine accommodation is defined to mean that, in the planning, design, construction, reconstruction, or operation of highways and other transportation infrastructure, local agencies fully consider and accommodate all users of the roadway as needed to provide for reasonably safe and convenient travel..." Source: http://www.bikesonoma.org California Bicycle
Coalition: Safe Routes to School
National Partnership: National Complete
Streets Coalition:
-> In a recent note, a long-time NCBW friend, Herb Hiller, wrote, "I am researching the tourism marketing potential of trails for Visit Florida, the state tourism marketing agency. This research project is the first step of a two-step project agreed to by Visit Florida, the Florida Office of Greenways & Trails, and the East Coast Greenway Alliance. If results of my study warrant, Visit Florida will consider adopting trails, along with beaches, fishing, golf, etc., as a domain of Florida tourism. Potentially important. Equally important, the second step of the project would use Visit Florida's support to position trails with corporate Florida. For the first time, corporate Florida might connect trails with Florida development. "I write to you to put a request to the National Center for Bicycling and Walking community. I've combed through your site and found many references that I'm following up, some from the Active Living Resource Center, some from links (Wisconsin Bicycle Planning Guidance; from The Centre for Sustainable Transportation), and many from the rundown of presentations at ProWalk/Pro/Bike 2006. Of course I'm deeply into RTC, AT, American Hiking Society sites; also many Florida connections. I've already found much about trails and economic development, trails and public art, and trails connecting parks and other public lands. "I'm listing the trail topics I most need to pursue and ask whether someone in your office might further consider this request and also distribute it so that I hear from others I might otherwise miss. These topics concern trails: - As an aspect of
American lifestyle and community; I welcome seminal papers that talk to any of these topics, including those which, as noted, I have already researched fairly well. I'm grateful for however you and colleagues might assist. I need to wrap the research by June 15th." Herb can be reached at <hiller@funport.net>.
-> According to the June 5th Safe Routes to School E-News, "The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is accepting nominations for several Steering Committee positions from organizations representing the perspectives listed below. "Each organization
that holds a seat on the Steering Committee must appoint an individual
representative to serve on behalf of his or her organization. The form and additional
info can be found here: Nomination forms must be completed and sent to <kathy@saferoutespartnership.org> by June 25th! For more on the National
Partnership, go to:
-> According to the June 4th American Bicyclist Update, The League of American Bicyclists "has launched a new Web site for the Bicycle Friendly Community program. To find out more about which cities are bicycle friendly, at what level, and why, just click on a state. The list of cities in that state will appear, and you can click on any cities listed to see photos, learn about their strongest programs, and find out when the city was designated Bicycle Friendly. As always, this program would not be possible without the generous support of Bikes Belong. Start your community on the road to bicycle friendliness...applications are due August 17, 2007." For more on the League's
program go to: For more about Bikes
Belong, go to:
-> According to a recent news release, "The National Center for Safe Routes to School is partnering with the Institute of Transportation Engineers to offer a series of Safe Routes to School Web seminars July 10-12, 2007. "The series includes: The seminars focus on the transportation professional's role in creating safe routes to school. Registration for the series is $200. Individual course registration is $75 for each module. Early registration closes July 6. To register and for detailed course descriptions, go to http://tinyurl.com/2u9q69
-> According to a June 11th San Diego State University news release, "Here's more evidence to suggest dogs make better pets than cats. Dori Rosenberg, a graduate student in San Diego State University's joint doctoral program in clinical psychology found that dog owners who walk their dogs are more active and less overweight than those who don't. The study sampled 2,200 people, of which approximately one-third were dog owners. "Of the dog owners, the two-thirds that walked their dog had a lower body mass index, weighing about six pounds less than dog owners who didn't walk their dogs. In addition, of those who walked their dogs, 43 percent met the physical activity guidelines of 2-1/2 hours per week (as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) just by walking their dogs. "Rosenberg presented her findings last week at the American College of Sports Medicine's annual meeting in New Orleans. 'It's been shown that having social support helps people to achieve their fitness goals, but that doesn't mean it has to come from another human,' said Rosenberg, whose research was done in collaboration with SDSU's Neighborhood Quality of Life Studies. 'This doesn't mean everyone should go out and buy a dog, but if you have one you can use it as a source of encouragement when it comes to fitness and exercise.'..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/2fkssl A related video can
be seen here:
-> According
to a June 8th USCPRC Listserv* message, "The Federal Register Notice
announcing the first meeting of the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory
Committee was published on June 1. You can access the FRN and the site
for meeting registration at http://tinyurl.com/2g5uq3.
A draft agenda is available at the registration site. - Richard P. Troiano,
Ph.D. *The USCPRC listserv
is hosted by the University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center.
For more info, go to: -> According to an article in the June 6th Mobilizing the Region newsletter, "As gasoline prices nationwide top $3.20 per gallon (nearing the inflation-adjusted all-time high of March 1981), researchers and the media are wondering aloud if Americans are responding by curbing driving. And if $3.20 doesn't do it, what will it take to get Americans to alter driving habits? "In a May 17th article, USA Today reported that 70 percent of poll respondents said they had taken minor steps such as consolidating errands to cut back on driving because of rising gasoline prices. The same article cited Federal Highway Administration data showing an 18-month stagnation in miles driven growth after 25 years of steady climbing. But just days later, the Washington Post reported contradictory results..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/2zwfuh
-> According to a June 6th Bicycle Newswire article, "Having completed the fifth edition of the Tour de Georgia one month ago, the impact of America's premier, professional cycling event and rolling festival continues to be positive on several levels. Over half a million spectators (515,000) watched the Tour de Georgia from April 16 to 22 along its 667-mile route. And for the fourth consecutive year, detailed crowd intercept survey reports have found that the economic impact has surpassed $26 million for the fourth consecutive year. "The 2007 Tour de Georgia generated a direct economic impact of $27.56 million into the economy. As a destination to showcase the diverse tourism assets for the state of Georgia, the Tour has proven that it is indeed a sports property that is more than a bicycle race. In just five years since its inception, the Tour de Georgia has produced big numbers 2.8 million spectators and $148 million direct economic impact to the state of Georgia..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/2bo49w
-> In an e-mail to the APBP list, Dr. Eugene Russell writes: " Hard to believe it is June 12th already, which means that abstracts for presentations at the National Roundabout Conference, May 18-23, 2008, ARE DUE IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS: June 25. It will come fast... Click on http://trb.org/conferences/2008/Roundabout/Call.pdf for the Call for Abstracts, which gives details, submission information and a link for submitting abstracts. [Information for exhibitors is also included at this link.] Dr. Russell continues: "...I would personally like to see a number of papers, posters and at least one panel session on the problems/solutions of educating the public, local politicians and others to the benefits of roundabouts, i.e.,dispelling myths and/or "irrational opposition". I believe this is one of the top roundabout issues today. But there are so many roundabout issues, which makes it an exciting area to be involved in these days. It will be a great and timely conference. Don't miss out on presenting your views. QUOTES R US -> "Golf
is a good walk spoiled." IN
THE NEWS
-> According to a May 27th CNN story, "When faced with a written test, similar to ones given to beginning drivers applying for licenses, one in ten drivers couldn't get a passing score, according to a study commissioned by GMAC Insurance. The GMAC Insurance National Driver's Test found that nearly 20 million Americans, or about 1 in 10 drivers, would fail a state driver's test if they had to take one today. GMAC Insurance is part of General Motors' finance subsidiary, GMAC. More than 5,000 licensed drivers between the ages of 16 and 65 were administered a 20-question written test designed to measure basic knowledge about traffic laws and safety. "They were also surveyed about their general driving habits. Drivers in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states did worst. Twenty percent of test-takers failed there. The state of Rhode Island leads the nation in driver cluelessness, according to the survey. The average test score there was 77, just eight points above a failing grade. Those in neighboring Massachusetts were second worst and New Jersey, third worst. Northwestern states had the most knowledgeable drivers. In those states, just one to three percent failed the test. Oregon and Washington drivers knew the rules of the road best. In Oregon, the average test score was 89. According to the study, many drivers find basic practices, such as merging and interpreting road signs, difficult..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/e259q GMAC Survey homepage:
-> In a June 12th Palo Alto [CA] Weekly article, Molly Tanenbaum writes, "It's 11 a.m. on a Monday morning, and 78-year-old Ellen Fletcher hops off her bicycle on Bryant Street near Embarcadero Road and observes the fruits of her labor: helmeted and spandex-covered cyclists zipping down the bicycle boulevard that bears her name. 'Hey Ellen!' one cyclist shouts, waving to the former Palo Alto vice mayor as he pedals past Castilleja School in a pack of riders. He recognizes her from across the street, even though she is wearing her helmet. 'My goodness, look at them all!' Fletcher says. Those who ride past her -- proving her theory, 'You build it, and they will come' -- are among the many cyclists in Palo Alto who have benefited from Fletcher's 30 years of bicycle advocacy. "With approximately 1,700 Palo Altans -- 5.6 percent of the working population -- choosing two wheels instead of four for their daily work commutes, Palo Alto has almost five times the percentage of bike commuters as that of Santa Clara County as a whole. The city's ratio is 14 times the proportion of bike commuters in the United States, according to U.S. Census Bureau data from 2000. In addition to the Ellen Fletcher Bicycle Boulevard on Bryant (which gained her name in 2002), the bicycle advocate pushed for incentives for city employees to commute by bike as well as for bike bridges, bike parking and accommodations for bicycles on Caltrain. They're all based on Fletcher's fundamental but not commonly shared belief that, 'It is possible to do without a car most of the time.'..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/yrknrg "CLICK IT OR TICKET" EMPHASIS MISPLACED -> In a May 30th L.A. Times column, Ralph Vartabedian wrote, "Los Angeles motorists, as well as others around the nation, are being treated to an intensive period of ticketing, thanks to a $30-million program by the federal government. 'Click it or ticket,' say the electronic signs on major Southern California freeways, broadcasting the annoying advertising slogan adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In L.A. County, those tickets cost between $69 and $181. "Wearing seat belts is obviously responsible and sane behavior, which if faithfully followed by every occupant of every vehicle could save many thousands of lives and prevent more permanently disabling injuries. But is a program by the federal government to exert pressure on state and local police to issue tickets -- accompanied by what amounts to ticket quotas -- the right approach, particularly at a time when police are not able to fully control speeding, drunk driving and aggressive driving?..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/2dmyln
-> In a June 12th Charlotte Observer op-ed, Neal Peirce asks, "What will the aging of the baby boom generation mean for America's communities? Will the folks whose sheer numbers and market mastery brought us endless subdivisions, monster malls and life in the SUV lane want to keep sprawling out in the ample swath of golden years that modern medicine seems to promise them? Or will many want a return to the more walkable, accessible town and neighborhood settings of yesteryear? "The questions pop out from a read of a new 'Blueprint for Action' on how smart communities can adjust to and capitalize on the oncoming tidal wave of seniors, prepared by Partners for Livable Communities for the MetLife Foundation and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. The overwhelming number of seniors, it notes, won't be moving off to the Sunbelt or live in nursing homes. "Most will choose to 'age in place,' in the same homes or close to the same communities they've lived in for years. But needs often shift at 65-plus -- or 75-plus or 85-plus. Physical strength and reactions wane; Eventually most seniors either can't or shouldn't be driving. Friends, doctors' offices, stores, places of entertainment all become harder to reach. The big house becomes excess space. A home may need new 'accessibility' features such as wider doors or grab bars. So localities had better think hard about town planning and services..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/2ag949
-> According to June 12th Ballard News-Tribune article, "The Seattle Department of Transportation will go ahead with plans to 'skinny' up a portion of 24th Avenue Northwest in the name of pedestrian safety, reducing four lanes of traffic to three with a center turn lane. The city proposed this 'road diet' with bicycle lanes on both sides of the arterial between Northwest 56th and 65th streets last year. It's based on a federal pedestrian safety study that found marked crosswalks without lights can be more dangerous to pedestrians than no crosswalk at all. "The uncontrolled, 'high risk' crosswalk at 58th has been the driving factor for the proposal because it poses a multiple lane threat, according to transportation officials. There have been five pedestrian accidents at that intersection in the last 10 years. Pedestrians often have a difficult time finding a gap in which to cross the street on four-lane roadways and reducing the number of traffic lanes to cross is one way to make it safer. Reducing traffic lanes is also meant to control traffic speeds and passing hazards that are common with four-lane streets..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/34hold SAN DIEGO (CA) GETS $2.14M FOR SAFE ROUTES -> According to a June 7th 10News story, "South Bay and East County neighborhoods will receive a total of about $2.14 million for infrastructure and educational programs designed to help schoolchildren get to and from school safely, authorities announced Thursday. The California Department of Transportation will disperse $45 million in outlays to fund 88 projects throughout the state as part of the Safe Routes to School program. "Among the San Diego-area efforts will be public information campaigns and street improvements -- including new road striping, bicycle lanes, warning lights, pedestrian ramps and signage -- in Chula Vista, the Winter Gardens area near El Cajon and various southeast San Diego locales. 'Safety is Caltrans' No. 1 priority, and nothing is more important than ensuring the health and safe passage of our children,' Caltrans Director Will Kempton said. California expects to receive $68 million in federal funding for Safe Routes to School over the program's five-year life span..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/29x9o6 GREATER BOSTON (MA) GETS OWN BIKE "WIKI" -> According to a May 20th Boston Globe article, "With the long-awaited arrival of warmer weather, urban bicyclists are once again rolling into rush hours and spreading out over the region for weekend recreation -- this year, with a potential cyber ally. "A new project aims to make outings safer and easier by leveraging the power of the user-generated Internet -- the collaborative craze known as Web 2.0. TheRightRide.org is the brainchild of Chris Braiotta, a Somerville website developer. It aims to collect intelligence from other riders about the best, worst, and most hazardous locations across Greater Boston. "Powered by Google Maps, the site features an interactive map of locations considered dangerous by local riders. The initial list of hazards was provided by Ian Thistle, a bike enthusiast of Braiotta's acquaintance. Users can add their own hot spots using a wiki-style feature, which Braiotta plans to inaugurate this week..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/29g7c4 For more
info, go to:
-> According to a June 11th Downtown News article, "When the city's Planning Commission released a fiery memorandum in April, under the banner 'Do Real Planning,' one concern rose to the top. 'Demand a walkable city,' read its first sentence. That's easier said than done. Many officials praise so-called smart growth, yet few planning regulations mandate it. "But on Thursday, June 14, in a presentation before the Planning Commission, city planners will unveil how they intend to actualize that demand, starting with Downtown. It marks the first official report for a project charged with implementing widespread design changes to Downtown streets. "If approved and adopted, the new effort, known as the Downtown Urban Design Guidelines and Standards, could mean that developers who are currently asked to widen streets for cars could instead be required to create wide, tree-lined pedestrian walkways and paseos for foot traffic..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/37cj36
-> According to a June 5th BBC story, "Many parents are denying their children the same freedom to go out unsupervised as they enjoyed, because of fears for youngsters' safety, a survey suggests. Some 43% of 1,148 adults quizzed for the Children's Society said children should not be allowed out with friends until they were 14. But most said they had been allowed out without supervision aged 10 or younger. "The charity said spending time with friends was fundamental to children's well-being and development. The over-60s were the most cautious of the respondents, with 22% of them saying children should be aged over 16 before going out alone. Nearly seven out of 10 (69%) of those asked said they were still in touch with at least one childhood friend..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/23nc55 A related story is
here:
WALLACE & GROMIT'S WRONG TROUSERS DAY Wallace & Gromit's Wrong Trousers Day is fast approaching. On Friday 29th June you can join thousands of people across the country and get your kit on to raise money for children in hospitals and hospices all around the UK. You decide what to wear; your favourite football kit, tennis shorts or cricket whites, the choice is yours, just have fun! If your organisation has a strict uniform policy you can simply wear one of our great Wrong Trousers Day stickers to show your support." To register
to take part and receive your fantastic Wallace & Gromit Fundraising
pack please log on to QUICK HITS U.S.
REP. BAIRD HITS U.S. DOT CONGESTION EFFORTS RHODE
ISLAND NOT WORST THIS TIME GREEN
BAY (WI) RUNNER HIT BY TRUCK RIVERSIDE
(CA) CREATING A DOWNTOWN IOWA
RANKS HIGH ON DRIVING SURVEY SPAIN
MAY IMPOSE CAR EMISSIONS TAX MICHIGAN
DRIVERS SKID IN RANKS RESOURCES ->
"THE WALKABLE EDMONTON TOOLKIT" ->
"DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE MEASURES..." ->
"TRAVELER BEHAVIOR AND VALUES 2006" ->
"THE ELDERLY AND MOBILITY: A REVIEW OF..." ->
"TRANSPORTATION CONFORMITY HIGHLIGHTS" ->
"THE GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD BOOK" CALENDAR Additional training
opportunities are available on the National Center for Bicycling &
Walking web site. Add your own items to the on-line calendar...it's quick
and easy. Please be sure your calendar items pertain to training and workshops
in the bicycle, pedestrian, or livable community fields. Go to: HEY, YOU! SEND US YOUR CALENDAR ITEMS -- PRONTO! -> June 2,
2007, Bring awareness to your trail - host a National Trails Day event
- hike, bike, ride horses, paddle. Info: -> June 12-15,
2007, Velo City International Bicycle Conference, Munich, Germany. Info: -> June 14-16,
2007, BikeEd Conference, Austin TX. Info: The League of American Bicyclists;
phone: (202) 822-1333; email: <bikeleague@bikeleague.org>. -> June 18-21,
2007, International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and
Disabled Persons, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Info: Urbanicity Conference
Alerts, Alistair Campbell, email: <a.campbell@urbanicity.org> -> June 24-27,
2007, 3rd Urban Street Symposium, Seattle WA. Info: -> June
30, 2007, 2nd Annual Share the Road Rally, Frankfort, KY. Info: -> July 9-11,
2007, Transportation Land Use, Planning, and Air Quality Conference, Orlando,
FL. Info: -> July 13-15,
2007, Thunderhead Training, Louisville, KY. Info: -> August
8-10, 2007, TrailLink 2007 Conference Portland, OR. Info: Sarah L. Shipley,
Manager of Events and Communications, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 1100
17th St., NW - 10th Fl., Washington, DC 20036; phone: (202) 974-5152;
email: <sarah@railstotrails.org>. -> August
10-12, 2007, Bike!Bike! Conference, Pittsburgh, PA. Info: -> August
24-26, 2007, Thunderhead Training, Los Angeles, CA. Info: -> August 27-30, 2007, Third annual PRO BIKE®/PRO WALK FLORIDA CONFERENCE “Healthy Community Makeovers: Designs and Programs for Active and Healthy Lifestyles” to be held in Orlando at the Embassy Suites Downtown hotel. Visit www.probikeprowalkflorida.com for additional information. -> August
28-30, 2007, the third annual Pro Walk ®/Pro Bike Florida Conference.
Theme: Healthy Community Makeovers -- Designs and Programs for Active
and Healthy Lifestyles. Orlando, FL, at the Embassy Suites Downtown hotel.
Info at: -> September
11-14, 2007, Walk/Bike California 2007 conference, Davis, CA. Held in
conjunction with the APBP Professional Development Seminar. Info: Rebecca
Markussen, Communications Director, California Bicycle Coalition, 1008
10th St., Sacramento CA, 95814; phone: (916) 446-7558; email: <rebecca@calbike.org> -> September
11-14, 2007, APBP Professional Development Seminar, Davis, CA. Held in
conjunction with Walk/Bike California 2007 conference. Info: Kit Keller,
Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals; PO Box 93, Cedarburg,
WI 53012-0093; phone: 262-375-6180; fax: 866-720-3611: email: <kit@apbp.org> -> September
20-22, 2007, Colorado Pedestrian Summit, Vail, CO. Info: Gay Page, President,
Colorado Walks; phone: (303) 549-5081; email: <GayPage@ColoradoWalks.org>. -> September
28-29, 2007, Healthy Trails, Healthy Communities conference, Rochester,
NY. Info: Parks & Trails New York, (518) 434-1583. -> October
1-4, 2007, Walk21 International Conference, Toronto, ON, Canada. Info: -> October
5-7, 2007, Thunderhead Training, plus lobby training Oct. 8 and Hill visits
Oct. 9, 2007, Washington, DC. Info: -> November
5-7, 2007. 1st National Safe Routes to School Conference: Creating, Building
and Sustaining Momentum, Dearborn, MI. Info: -> December
9-12, 2007, Mid America Trails & Greenways Conference, Chicago, IL.
Info: phone: (312) 427-4256 -> May 18-21,
2008, National Roundabout Conference, Kansas City, MO. Info: Richard Pain;
email: <RPain@nas.edu>. -> September 2-5, 2008, Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference, Seattle, WA; hosted at the Westin Seattle. Watch for info at: http://www.bikewalk.org/conference.php JOBS GRANTS AND RFPS -> RFP -- ENV & TRANS. LAW UPDATE -- NCHRP TRB's National Cooperative
Highway Research Program (NCHRP) has issued a request for proposals to
update the environmental law and transportation volume of the Selected
Studies in Transportation Law series. Proposals Due June 29, 2007
Interested in becoming
a Bicycle Advocate? Come work for The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin!
The Bicycle Federation is a non-profit bicycle advocacy and education
group with a mission of Making Wisconsin a Better Place to Bicycle. The
Bike Fed is seeking a candidate to work in our Madison, WI office. Madison
is classified as a gold level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League
of American Bicyclists. It has an amazing amount of opportunities for
recreational cycling and year round commuting. With the city estimating
a bicycle mode share of 6-11% of all trips, it is easy to practice what
we advocate. A formal job description
is available here: To apply please forward
a cover letter and resume to: (email is preferred)
Closing: June 18, 2007 Send:
Salary: $42,300.75--$68,318.84 annually This classification is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing policies, strategies, and controls to ensure an effective city-wide bicycle program. Responsibilities include developing and implementing safety awareness programs; revising and distributing bicycle suitability maps; conducting special project studies related to non-motorized transportation; encouraging the use of bicycles for transportation as well as recreation; and preparing and distributing newsletters and other written information. Some independent judgment is exercised in managing a comprehensive bicycle program. Supervision may be exercised over subordinates who assist in various phases of work. Supervision is received from Transportation Manager who will review work through observations, written reports, and personal conferences for effective management and development of a city-wide bicycle program. Minimum Requirements Send 2 Detailed Cover Letter/Resumes to: <cleduc@miamibeachfl.gov> or mail to: Attn: Christine Leduc, City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
The Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation is seeking a new Executive Director. This is an exciting organization that promotes biking, walking, transit, car-pooling, and car-sharing in central Virginia. The full-time position is based in Charlottesville. We are looking for a dynamic "do-er" who is excited to shake things up in Virginia! Check out the description
at:
This RFP focuses on
how state policies and practices affect spending on school construction
and renovation. The purpose of this RFP is to: EPA expects to award $101,000 in the first year with the possibility of additional funding of up to $400,000 in total over a project period of up to five years. Future year funding is highly uncertain and applicants should tailor first year funding in such a manner that discrete products are produced at the end of year 1 and the project can either be brought to a logical conclusion at the end of year one or built upon with subsequent funding. Proposals are due
by 5pm East Coast time July 2, 2007. HOUSEKEEPING TO SUBSCRIBE
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statewide, and regional training events on NCBW's National Training Calendar: COPYING: We encourage you to copy our content as long as you identify the source in this way: "from CenterLines, the e-newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking." Contributors: John Williams, Bill Wilkinson, Gary MacFadden, Mark Plotz, Sharon Roerty, Bob Chauncey, Chris Jordan, Anne Villacres, Ross Trethewey, Linda Tracy, Harrison Marshall, Katy Jones, Herb Hiller, Rosanne Prinsen, Evan Manvel, Peter Jacobsen, Jack Hirt, Becky Meert, Russell Houston, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Editor:
John Williams |