| ------------------------------------------------------------ C-E-N-T-E-R-L-I-N-E-S ------------------------------------------------------------ #182 Wednesday, August 22, 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 TREK ANNOUNCES MAJOR NEW ADVOCACY EFFORT John Burke, president of Trek Bicycle Corporation, this past Monday announced an ambitious new advocacy program during Trek World, its dealer event held at the Monona Terrace in Madison, Wisconsin. Burke asked retailers to participate in the One World, Two Wheels program that will directly fund the efforts of the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) and the Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) program of the League of American Bicyclists. Trek will donate to IMBA $10 for every full-suspension bike sold, for a minimum of $600,000 over the next three years. Trek also will donate $1 per helmet to BFC, for a minimum of $1 million over the next three years. Burke said Trek will also provide ads, brochures, T-shirts, billboards and signage in support of the projects. Burke urged bicycle dealers to help achieve the goal of increasing trips in the US from one percent to five percent in the next 10 years (by Trek World 2017). "[This announcement] follows on from John Burke's presentations at the National Bike Summit and Taipei bike show, where he challenged the industry to spend more of their marketing dollars on advocacy," said Andy Clarke, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. "Rather than waiting for the industry to do this collectively, he decided Trek should take a leadership role and get on with it. Hopefully others will follow suit." Clarke noted that the $1.6 million contribution to the BFC and IMBA programs (over three years) isn't being tacked on to the price of the bikes and helmets to dealers or consumers. "Trek described it as a tax on themselves," Clarke said. You can read more about the One World Two Wheels program at: TRANS SECRETARY PETERS FINGERS BIKE TRAILS AS PROBLEM On the evening of August 15, 2007, Transportation Secretary Merry Peters raised concerns about the aging transportation structure in America in an interview with Gwen Ifill on The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer on PBS. Secretary Peters chose to target unnecessary spending on such things as bicycle paths. In response to Ifill's question, "Who is spending the money inappropriately?", Peters responded: "Well, there's about probably some 10 percent to 20 percent of the current spending that is going to projects that really are not transportation, directly transportation-related. Some of that money is being spent on things, as I said earlier, like bike paths or trails." You can read or listen to the entire interview at: One of the early responders to the Peters interview was Andy Clarke, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. In his letter, Andy wrote: "Almost twenty years after the groundbreaking ISTEA legislation that created flexibility and allowed greater local over Federal transportation funding, I find it astonishing that you would single out bicycle trails in this way. At a time when individuals, communities and as a nation we are battling congestion, obesity, energy consumption, global warming, and air quality issues, projects and programs to help people use alternatives to driving are a wise investment." Andy's full letter is here: http://www.bikeleague.org/news/images/peters_letter.pdf. You can also respond to Ms. Peter's comments at the League's Advocacy Center: http://capwiz.com/lab/home/. In addition, Bill Wilkinson, executive director of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking, has prepared a commentary (see below). BAD BICYCLE...BAD, BAD! If you believe USDOT Secretary Mary Peters, spending gas tax revenues on such frivolous things as bicycling, walking, and childhood obesity (SRTS) programs is the reason for the poor state of the nation's infrastructure...and for our bridges falling down. Yup, that's what Ms. Merry said in a published interview with Morton Kondracke [ http://tinyurl.com/2ko9fg ] and on The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, in an interview with Gwen Ifill (see link above). Let's pause and look a bit more closely at the facts: -- They were working on the bridge in Minneapolis, they knew it needed work, they had the funds...and somebody screwed up. The problem was NOT a lack of funds or a lack of knowledge. -- Many/most State DOTs have been DIVERTING bridge funds to other purposes for the past 20 years. Really. Check out this report prepared by STPP in 2003: And, here's a page detailing the most recent rescission actions by the State DOTs that shows them "returning" over $1 billion worth of bridge program authorization! A more accurate assessment would be that "The DOTs are failing! The DOTs are failing!" But, watch out: the USDOT spin on this thing has revealed a lot about their agenda, so look and listen for these kinds of themes: -- Just say "no" to spending transportation funds on infrastructure improvements to service bicycling, walking, Safe Routes to School, transit, etc. -- And, just say "no" to any new taxes. -- We should privatize our streets and highways (at least those segments of our network that might be used to generate revenues for private investors -- we'll leave the rest of it to the public to continue to finance). -- Hey, if we privatize various facilities and new projects we won't have to deal with all those pesky environmental requirements ... which only apply to projects involving Federal funds. In fairness to Secretary Peters, I realize this isn't really about bikes: after all, it has long been the official policy of the USDOT to support and encourage bicycling and walking as legitimate modes of transportation. And, she's just being consistent by knocking the Safe Routes to School program... which USDOT/FHWA opposed throughout the reauthorization process that led to SAFETEA-LU. We're simply the target of a cheap, easy shot she's taking to get the heads shaking before she comes up with her punch line: "We need a new way to fund our infrastructure repairs (and capacity expansion) without raising taxes. So, let's cut out all the unnecessary stuff (e.g., bikes, peds, kids, SRTS, ADA, environmental protection) and give the job to Halliburton." and so it goes... BANGLADESH PROFESSOR LOOKING FOR BIKE/PED RESOURCES -> Rhan Rubayet Rahaman, an Urban and Rural Planning professor at Khulna University in Bangladesh wrote in a few weeks ago to say he is working to set up a non-motorized planning emphasis area in his University and is looking for useful resources. He has limited access to the internet, so I'm putting together a DVD with pdfs of documents that could be of use to him and will send via snailmail. If you would like to help assemble a packet of the best resources, plans, design guides, etc., send me links to online pdfs and/or pdf files, themselves (if they're not available on the web). Thanks! John W. <john@montana.com> ABSTRACTS, NOMINATIONS: ACTIVE LIVING RESEARCH CONFERENCE -> According to an Aug. 20th USCPRC newsletter article, "Active Living Research (ALR), a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has announced a call for presentation and paper abstracts, and a call for award nominations for its 2008 Annual Conference. The theme of the conference is 'Connecting Active Living Research to Policy Solutions.' Abstracts on all topics related to active living policies and environments are welcome. "Also a part of the 2008 Annual Conference, the 'Translating Research to Policy' award will recognize innovators who have successfully harnessed research to impact policy and environmental changes. The winner will be announced at the conference, April 9-12, 2008, in Washington, D.C." Read the full Call for Abstracts: Read the full Call for Nominations: SANTA CRUZ (CA) MOURNS BICYCLING TEACHER KILLED BY TRUCK -> In a recent note, Jim Langly of Santa Cruz wrote, "Perhaps you're already covering this sad story, but I thought I'd pass it along in case you haven't heard. I live in Santa Cruz, California, which is the home of the University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) and a large cycling population. Last week we had one serious injury accident when a cyclist was run over by a truck that turned right not realizing the biker was right next to him. Then, this week, we had a nearly identical accident that killed a 25 year old high school teacher commuting to class. Both accidents occurred on Mission Street, the busiest street in town and one long used as a main route to UCSC even though the recommended 'safe' route is King Street, which parallels Mission. (There are also grammar and high schools close to Mission.) http://tinyurl.com/yqlt4l SHORELINE (WA) AURORA CORRIDOR PROJECT MOVES AHEAD -> According to the City of Shoreline's website, "The Aurora Corridor Project is the City of Shoreline's plan to redesign and redevelop the three miles of Aurora Avenue North (State Route 99) that run through Shoreline. Shoreline's section of Highway 99 carries about 45,000 vehicles per day and is a major transit route. The goal of the plan is to improve pedestrian and vehicle safety, pedestrian and disabled access, vehicular capacity, traffic flow, transit speed and reliability, nighttime visibility and safety, storm water quality, economic investment potential and streetscape amenities. "Improving Aurora has been a community goal since the City of Shoreline incorporated in 1995. In 1998, the City of Shoreline began the two-year Aurora Corridor Multi-modal Pre-design Study. The study included an extensive public process with dozens of public meetings, open houses and presentations at City Council meetings. "A key component was the participation of a Citizen Advisory Task Force made up of representatives from the business community, neighborhoods and transit users. There was also an interagency team that included public sector stakeholders. These groups recommended a preferred design concept that was unanimously endorsed by the Shoreline City Council in 1999. The recommendation included a set of implementation principles called the '32 Points' established to address issues and concerns raised during the pre-design study..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/yujlc3 CHICAGOANS' CARBON FOOTPRINT AMONG NATION'S HIGHEST -> According to an Aug. 16th news release, A green report card issued today by the Urban Transportation Caucus shows that Chicagoans' 'rolling carbon footprint' ranks high among major U.S. cities, even though the City offers plenty of opportunities for individuals to convert car trips to mass transit or bicycling. Chicagoans make 50 percent of trips by single-occupant automobile, the report card states, while 26 percent of trips are by transit and 14 percent are by carpooling. "'These figures demonstrate that individuals have the power to reduce a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions in Chicago,' said Rob Sadowsky, executive director of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, one of four transportation advocacy groups that comprise the Urban Transportation Caucus. The report card, which was issued for Chicago, "'City leaders also have an opportunity to establish a bold vision for transportation in current discussions with the Clinton Climate Initiative,' Sadowsky said, referring to the international effort to cut urban greenhouse gas emissions. The percentage of trips made by single-occupant automobile trips in Chicago increased by 9 percent from 1990 to 2000. At the same time, Chicago saw an 80 percent increase in the percentage of trips made by bicycle..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/2w49ng LA ROUTE VERTE, VELO-QUEBEC, & JEAN-FRANCOIS PRONOVOST Last week, Jan (my bride) and I made our way to Quebec at the invitation of Jean-Francois Pronovost and Velo-Quebec, to take part in the inauguration of La Route verte (see CL #181 for more details). Wow, another in a long history of great events organized by one of the oldest (40 years), strongest, and most productive bicycle advocacy organizations in North America. And, the gentleman leading the day in so many ways was Jean-Francois Pronovost, and I am humbled by his accomplishments. For the last 12 years, he has led Velo-Quebec's campaign to make La Route verte a reality. He and his merry band have brought into being a 4300 kilometer network of bikeways, together with a network of certified accommodations, and created for the people of Quebec a very special gift...that they now share. He has done this by bringing together and enlisting the wholehearted support of communities and individuals across the province and, in so doing, he has made his vision a reality and a treasure shared by all. "As we took part in the ceremonial ride into Quebec City for the inauguration, joining the 'International Mobile Forum' made up of cycling leaders from Europe and North America (including Andy Clarke and Jim Sayer), we were witness to hundreds of people on bikes, skates, and foot -- of all ages and all kinds of abilities -- enjoying a most special opportunity in their community and their gateway to the far reaches of their province. And, little did they know that riding with us, smiling and leading the way, was a gentle man who had a vision and did what needed to be done to realize it...for all of us. Thank you, Jean-Francois, and thank you, Velo-Quebec, for inspiring us with your vision and with your persistence, your patience, and your perseverance. QUOTES R US -> "You see a lot less foot traffic. That usually indicates that people who don't belong on those neighborhoods have moved on." -> "What became clear to me is that we simply don't have the political will to protect the public health."
IN
THE NEWS TULSA (OK) LEADERS TOUT $786M ARKANSAS RIVER PROJECT -> According to an Aug. 20th World article, "The proposed $282 million Arkansas River tax initiative would have an estimated $2.8 billion economic impact, Tulsa Metro Chamber officials said Monday. Leaders touted the plan at a Monday afternoon press conference. It is estimated that a total of $786 million will be spent to sculpt the river corridor. That includes an anticipated $450 million in private development that officials expect to grow from the project. Robert Ball, manager of the chamber's economic research, said the river project will spur the creation of more than 9,450 jobs and income of $1.1 billion for a total impact of $2.8 billion by 2014. "A countywide election is set for Oct. 9 asking voters to approve a 0.4 percent sales tax increase to fund a river project that includes construction of two low-water dams and rehabilitation of a third; river channeling from Zink Dam to 71st Street, land acquisition and site studies, pedestrian bridges and connectors leading people to the river. The private funding would provide community gathering spots along River Parks from 14th to 71st streets and at Turkey Mountain, and a 'signature bridge' across Crow Creek..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/33sqh9 NEW YORKERS LIVING LONGER & LONGER THAN MOST OTHERS -> According to an Aug. 20th New York Magazine article, "Last winter, the New York City Department of Health released figures that told a surprising story: New Yorkers are living longer than ever, and longer than most people in the country. A New Yorker born in 2004 can now expect to live 78.6 years, nine months longer than the average American will. What's more, our life expectancy is increasing at a rate faster than that of most of the rest of the country. Since 1990, the average American has added only about two and a half years to his life, while we in New York have added 6.2 years to ours. In the year 2004 alone, our life expectancy shot up by five months -- a stunning leap, because American life spans normally increase by only a month or two each year. When these figures came out, urban-health experts were impressed and slightly dazed. "It turns out the conventional wisdom is wrong: The city, it seems, won't kill you. Quite the opposite. Not only are we the safest big city in America, but we are, by this measure at least, the healthiest. The 'average life expectancy' of a city is a statistically curious number. It's not really a prediction about how long you're going to live. It's an average of how long everyone here lives -- and thus it forms a good barometer of the overall health of the city. In particular, a city's average life span is sensitive to the rates at which people die too young. Since the average New York life expectancy is now 78.6 years, anytime someone dies younger than that, it drags the city's overall average down slightly..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/3yvr4k TOO FAT? COMMON VIRUS MAY BE TO BLAME: STUDY -> According to an Aug. 20th Monsters and Critics article, "A common virus caused human adult stem cells to turn into fat cells and could explain why some people become obese, U.S. researchers said on Monday. The research builds on prior studies of adenovirus-36 -- a common cause of respiratory and eye infections -- and it may lead to an obesity vaccine, they said. 'We're not talking about preventing all types of obesity, but if it is caused by this virus in humans, we want a vaccine to prevent this,' said Nikhil Dhurandhar, an associate professor at Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University System. The virus adenovirus-36 or Ad-36, caused animals to pack on the pounds in lab experiments. 'These animals accumulated a lot of fat,' Dhurandhar said in a telephone interview. "Dhurandhar also has shown that obese people were three times more likely to have been infected with Ad-36 than thin people in a large study of humans. Now, researchers in Dhurandhar's lab have shown that exposure to the virus caused adult human stem cells to turn into fat-storing cells. Dr. Magdalena Pasarica, who led the study, obtained adult stem cells from fat tissue of people who had undergone liposuction. Stem cells are a type of master cell that exist in an immature form and give rise to more specialized cells. Half of the stem cells were exposed to the virus Ad-36. After a week, most of the infected stem cells developed into fat cells, while the uninfected cells were unchanged. Pasarica presented her findings at a meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/3dasr5 WALKING WORSE FOR PLANET THAN DRIVING? RIGHT... -> In an Aug. 9th Sightline Institute blog, Clark Williams-Derry wrote, "Sheesh. Wouldn't you know it, the 'walking is bad for the planet' meme has reared its head yet again, this time in a British newspaper: 'Food production is now so energy-intensive that more carbon is emitted providing a person with enough calories to walk...than a car would emit over the same distance. The climate could benefit if people avoided exercise, ate less and became couch potatoes.' "This made its way to the top of Digg over the weekend, and it's little wonder. It's got all the characteristics of a 'sticky' idea: it's simple, it's memorable, it seems credible, and most of all it's unexpected -- which makes it perfect for passing around at the water cooler. "Yet it's actually nothing new. Versions of this idea have been circulating since at least the 1980s. I blogged about a similar claim a year ago. Moreover, as I found out as I ran the numbers, there's a good reason this claim is so counterintuitive: it's false!! I won't rehash my year-ago calculations here. (Lucky you.) But unless I'm crazy or just badly mistaken, the propagators of the walking-is-worse-than-driving meme are probably skipping a few steps in their math..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/yrfpf3 SMYRNA (TN) CARDBOARD COPS SLOW SPEEDSTERS -> According to an Aug. 18th Tennessean article, "He gets waves and cheerfully smiles. People elbow their friends and point as they drive by. On any given day, Sgt. Andy Miller may be the most popular cop running radar around Smyrna. The problem is, he's not real -- at least, the one many people see isn't real. Earlier this month, the city commissioned a life-size, corrugated plastic cutout of Miller, posing with his radar gun, a menacing scowl on his face. They post the cutout in high-traffic areas, hoping that it will deter speeders. 'It's meant to get people to think about it and slow down. It's actually worked,' said Miller, the head of Smyrna's traffic enforcement division. "The speed limit on pedestrian-heavy Front Street is 15 miles per hour, but drivers regularly drive between 25 and 60, Miller said. 'We come over here on a regular basis and run radar, but we can't be everywhere all the time,' Miller said. 'With this, we can be.' The cutout was actually the brainchild of Jim Gammon, the owner of a sign company on Front Street. Gammon approached the city to suggest it and donated the sign. It's working so well that the city is having another cutout made this week. 'It's iffy whether you can get across the intersection sometimes" because of speeding traffic,' Gammon said. 'They could hit a child, or an old person. Any time they'll see it, (motorists) immediately slow down...The trick is to keep them guessing.' The idea is one of several that local police departments use to control traffic on the cheap..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/2zz8sc WHARTON (NJ) GETS GRANT FOR NEW SIDEWALKS -> According to an Aug. 16th Star-Ledger article, "Wharton has received a $337,000 grant to add new sidewalks, repair crumbling walkways and encourage children to get to school by foot, according to state officials. The grant is the largest awarded in this year's $4.2 million Safe Routes to School program, according to the state Department of Transportation, which administers the federal funds. The 2.2-square-mile borough 'presented a comprehensive and balanced plan to enable and encourage children to walk and bicycle to school,' said Erin Phalon, a spokeswoman for the state agency. The agency also awarded $150,000 to Netcong for sidewalk improvements on Prospect Street, Phalon said. "The Safe Routes to School program aims to cut down on traffic and encourage healthier habits by making it safer and easier for children to walk to school, according to the agency. The borough plans to build on the improvements funded by last year's pilot grant, said Richard Bitondo, schools superintendent in Wharton. 'We're thrilled, and I think that's following on the coattails of the tremendous success we had with the pilot program,' Bitondo said. Last year's $145,000 grant funded surveys and engineering studies aimed at getting more kids to walk to school, said Jon Rheinhardt, borough administrator. "The borough worked with the Morris County Division of Transportation and a consultant, the RBA Group of Morristown, on that first phase of the program. Over the past three years, the borough has also upgraded several sections of its sidewalks, thanks to federal, state and local funding, Rheinhardt said. This year's grant includes $5,000 for a Safe Routes to School coordinator at the school district. The coordinator will take charge of the annual International Walk to School Day event, as well as a bicycle rodeo and classroom projects, Bitondo said..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/2s3wsp [Ed. Note: Congrats, also, to NCBW's own Sharon Roerty, who worked on the pilot program for this District!] ROELAND PARK (KS) TO HOST SAFE ROUTES COURSE -> According to an Aug. 21st Star article, "Roeland Park is sponsoring a 'Safe Routes to School' course from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at City Hall, 4600 W. 51st St. The course will be taught by two certified instructors: Lisa Koch, Kansas Safe Routes to School coordinator, and Aaron Bartlett, bicycle and pedestrian transportation planner for the Mid-America Regional Council. The instructors will lead participants on a walking audit of walking routes to the city's new Roesland Elementary School, which is slated to open early in 2008. "Attendees will have the opportunity to analyze traffic issues, formulate safe route plans for students, develop strategies to promote exercise and walking, and examine existing infrastructure, such as crosswalks, and how they can be improved and maintained. 'This one-day course is designed to help communities create sound programs that are based on community conditions, best practices and responsible use of resources,' Roeland Park Mayor Steve Petrehn said. Local government officials, state elected officials, PTA members, parents, teachers and residents from the nearby communities of Mission, Fairway, and Westwood will be attending the program. The event is being co-sponsored by the MARC and the Kansas Department of Transportation. Source: http://tinyurl.com/2fu6r6 GHOST BICYCLES MEMORIALIZE KANSAS CITY (MO) CYCLISTS -> In an Aug. 9th Star column, Mike Hendricks wrote, "The deaths of 59-year-old Larry Gaunt and 14-year-old Sierra Gaunt stunned those of us who ride bikes in traffic because it could easily have happened to any of us. It was 6:30 p.m., well before sunset, so visibility and glare weren't issues. Nor is the road narrow. The Gaunts were riding along the right side of the right lane of a four-lane boulevard that is popular with cyclists...'He was a good rider.' So how is it that they got hit? Why is it that Larry died at the scene and Sierra was injured so badly that she was taken off life support the next day? These are questions that Grandview police are trying to answer. "So far no charges have been filed. All we know is that authorities have ruled out alcohol as a factor. And that the focus is on 'driver inattention' as the possible cause of the accident. In other words, the person behind the wheel simply didn't notice two bicyclists until it was too late. That's the part that causes cyclists to shudder. 'It makes you feel very vulnerable, and it makes you paranoid about each passing car,' said Christi Lynne, co-owner of Acme Bicycle Co. in the Crossroads district. 'The law says that motorists are responsible for what's in front of them on the road. And yet we don't seem to be talking about that very much.'...I called Acme because Lynne and co-owner Sarah Gibson are the force behind the Kansas City Ghost Bike Project. "What's that? [Whenever] a tragedy like this one occurs, Lynne and Gibson reinforce the message. After the Gaunt funerals are completed this weekend, local cyclists will ride en masse to the scene of the accident. And there, two ghost bikes will be installed at the side of the road. Ghost bikes are old, broken-down bicycles painted ghostly white, along with a sign notifying passers-by that a cyclist has died at that spot. 'It's a reminder to people who drive by that people's lives were lost,' Lynne said..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/2apl8k WILL MYRTLE BEACH (SC) FOLKS WALK IN WALKABLE PLACES? -> According to an Aug. 19th Sun News article, "Helen Peterman says she loves the concept of The Market Common, the development that promises to turn a barren section of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base into a multitude of homes and shops, with beautiful parks and underground utilities, a paradise built for walking. Yet Peterman could not believe Joe Antunovich, the architect on the project, when he tried to convince her at a recent City Council meeting that there would be enough parking on site because she does not think residents will leave their cars at home. The village is being planned in a way to make it inviting for residents to walk around, and dozens of townhouses have first-floor storefronts to create a feeling of Main Street USA. "But as these types of townhouses and promises of walkable communities crop up across the Grand Strand and Brunswick County, N.C., mimicking a national trend, some experts warn it might take a long time before residents such as Peterman change their mindsets and behavior and leave the car at home. 'I want to believe that they're right; I want to give them every opportunity,' said Peterman, the president of Windsorgate homeowners association on the former air base, which will soon see thousands of new homes. 'But somehow in my heart of hearts I just see it being a nightmare. There's piano lessons and hairdresser appointments and soccer.'..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/2v3bqd SANDPOINT (ID) SCHOOL ROUTES GETTING SAFER -> According to an Aug. 19th Daily Bee article, "Principal Anne Bagby jokes her hair is white from close calls between automobiles and students walking to Farmin Stidwell Elementary School. Children have had no choice but to walk in Spruce Street to access the school because it is without sidewalks on either side. 'We've had so many close calls -- I can't even count them,' Bagby said of the four years she has been principal at Farmin Stidwell. Fortunately, no one has been injured, she said. "Construction of new sidewalks from Division to Spruce to about the school's midpoint and from Madison to Spruce south of the school will make a big difference regarding student safety, said Bruce Robertson, encroachment permit officer for Sandpoint. 'We're trying to get kids out of the street,' he said. 'That's the main goal for these walks.' "Winter has been especially difficult for students accessing and leaving the school because they have had to walk kitty-corner through snow and mud across the school's east field to avoid walking in berms left by snowplows, Bagby said. Compounding the problem in winter are parents parking along Spruce Street's north side as they drop off their children, Robertson said. That is the same side of the street where children typically walk. Watching kids slip and slide to school in traffic is frightening, Bagby said..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/yr72tk MIA BIRK: A KEY SPOKE IN PORTLAND (OR) BIKE CULTURE -> According to an Aug. 6th Oregonian Monday Profile, "When Mia Birk ran Portland's bicycle program a decade ago, she received a call from a helpful paving crew chief one Friday afternoon. The crew would repave Southeast Seventh Avenue that weekend and the crew chief noticed from a city map that it was supposed to be a bikeway. So what should he do? Birk, pleased that her schmoozing of city road crews had paid off, quickly got a traffic engineer to help her draw up a restriping plan that reduced the number of travel lanes to make room for bike lanes. Several business owners, surprised to find a new streetscape when they arrived Monday morning, called the city to complain. Birk made sure to call the business owners to apologize for the city's haste, but she wasn't sorry she had grabbed the opportunity to continue building what is now Portland's nationally recognized bike network. 'We had two mottoes that guided us in those days,' she explained at a conference years later. 'One was, go like hell until you can't go no more, and the other was, it was easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.' It was with such verve, smarts and speed that Birk, who came to Portland in 1993 as a 25-year-old idealist in love with bikes, built a career that put her at the forefront of an emerging movement to re-engineer cities to make them friendlier to walkers and bicyclists..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/2gscsg MCCOOK (NE) SAFE ROUTES PROGRAM UNDERWAY -> According to an Aug. 20th Daily Gazette article, "There's one easy way to get more exercise, according to the Nebraska Department of Roads, which is promoting its Safe Routes to School program through federal funding of local projects. The project, which provided $140,200 to Maywood Public Schools and $8,761 to McCook Public Schools for a Walk to School Program, is designed to encourage children to walk to school by providing safe routes and safety training. "In 1969, 42 percent of children walked or biked to school, and by 2001, that declined to only 16 percent. So let's do all we can to enable children to walk or bike to school. Travel with them to point out hazards and correct ways to cross busy streets and intersections. Not only will they get more exercise, it will reduce congestion around the school in the morning. And while we're at it, consider walking to work or exercising on our lunch break, if our situation and time allows. A little effort now can result in healthy habits for our children for years into the future." Source: http://tinyurl.com/2lwbjy AND NOW, FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT... MONKEYS LEARN TO DO ARITHMETIC FOR PEANUTS -> "It takes a smart monkey to do mathematics, and although Elsa Addessi insists her 10 capuchins aren't quite doing sums, she admits they must be pretty clever to be able to pass the tests that she has put them through. One can even handle multiplication. Addessi, a researcher at the Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies in Rome, Italy, tested whether her capuchins could understand the value of monkey money, and then use it to buy the greatest amount of food. "First, all ten capuchins successfully learned that a blue token would 'buy' them one piece of peanut whereas a yellow token would get them three, and if offered the choice between one of each token, they would be better off choosing a yellow one. But things became more difficult when they were asked to choose between one yellow and up to five blue tokens..." QUICK HITS CHINA CAR-BUYING BOOM BIGGEST IN WORLD HISTORY TRAIN HITS MAN TEXT MESSAGING ON CELL PHONE
RESOURCES -> "FTA TRANSIT ORIENTED & JOINT DEVELOPMENT WEBSITE" -> "VEHICLE DESIGN FOR PEDESTRIAN PROTECTION" -> "SAFE PLAY SPACES TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY..." -> "REDUCING ROAD TRAFFIC INJURIES: EFFECTIVENESS..." -> "GAUGING THE SAFETY EFFECTS OF RUMBLE STRIPS..." -> "STATE DOT CRASH RECONSTRUCTION PRACTICES" -> "TRENDS IN PUBLIC SPENDING ON TRANSPORTATION..." -> "FROM THE MARGINS TO THE MAINSTREAM..." 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! -> 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, 9th Annual Virginia Bike Walk Conference, Williamsburg, VA. Info: Stephanie Smith, Virginia SRTS Network Organizer, BikeWalk Virginia, PO Box 203, Williamsburg, VA 23187-0203; phone: 757-229-0507; cell: 757-871-8639; fax: 757-259-2372; email: <stephanie@activewilliamsburg.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: -> October 17, 2007, Moving Together 2007, The Annual Massachusetts
Bicycling & Walking Conference, Boston, MA. Info: The Baystate Roads
Program at (413) 545-2604; -> November
5-7, 2007. 1st National Safe Routes to School Conference: Creating, Building
and Sustaining Momentum, Dearborn, MI. Info: -> November 7-10, 2007, Atlanta on the Cutting Edge: New Models for Growth and Renewal, Atlanta GA. Info: Leslie Pickel, Event Management Consultant, The Seaside Institute, PO Box 4875, Seaside Branch, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459; voice: (850) 231-2421; email: <lpickel@theseasideinstitute.org> -> 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 -> JOB -- PROJECT DIRECTOR -- PARKS & TRAILS NEW YORK Parks & Trails New York, a statewide non-profit based in Albany, New York, seeks a Project Director to join a team of committed, enthusiastic professionals working to improve the quality of life of all New Yorkers through the expansion, protection, and promotion of a network of parks, trails, and open spaces throughout New York State. The Project Director helps communities develop a common vision and provides technical assistance in designing, developing, and promoting trail systems; organizes and serves as liaison to a statewide trails coalition; advocates for trail and park funding and stewardship at the local and state levels; and develops and writes print and electronic newsletters, reports, and other publications related to planning, organizing and outreach. The Project Director is an important member of our team and has the opportunity to manage a variety of projects and develop new program directions. Competitive salary and excellent benefits package. Submit letter of interest and resume to: Project Director Search, Parks & Trails New York, 29 Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207, careers@ptny.org. The position is open until filled. Full job description can be found at: -> JOB -- SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL COORDINATOR -- VIRGINIA DOT -> RFP -- DES. GUIDANCE FOR CHANNELIZED "RTL" -- NCHRP TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) has issued a request for proposals to develop design guidance for channelized right-turn lanes, based on balancing the needs of passenger cars, trucks, buses, pedestrians (including pedestrians with disabilities), and bicycles. Proposals Due October 2, 2007. RFP -- ROADSIDE TRASH REDUCTION -- TRB/NCHRP [The Transportation Research Board's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) has issued a solicitation for consultant letters of interest on a synthesis to explore existing means in the United States and Canada to reduce trash, worker exposure, and environmental impacts from roadside trash. Deadline extension: proposals due September 12, 2007 -> JOB -- PROJECT DIRECTOR -- WELBORN BAPTIST FDN Evansville is a friendly, mid-size community of approximately 175,000, situated on the banks of the scenic Ohio River in southwestern Indiana. We welcome you to visit us at: For more information about the Foundation, go to:
HOUSEKEEPING TO SUBSCRIBE
OR UNSUBSCRIBE TO CENTERLINES: MISS
AN ISSUE? Find it here: GOT
SOMETHING TO SAY? Tell it to the NCBW Forum section of the ALRC
Commons: SEND US YOUR NEWS AND CALENDAR ITEMS: We want to hear what you're up to! Contact <john@montana.com> today! List your local,
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, Russell Houston, Jessica Roberts, Rhan Rubayet Rahaman, Arthur Slabosky, David Callahan, Rob Sadowsky, Jake Helmboldt, Jim Langly, and Los Jaguares. Editor:
John Williams |