| ------------------------------------------------------------ C-E-N-T-E-R-L-I-N-E-S ------------------------------------------------------------ #204 Wednesday, June 25, 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------ 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. CenterLines is also available as a podcast. Go to: http://podcast.bikewalk.org/ F-E-A-T-U-R-E-S I-N--T-H-E--N-E-W-S FEATURES SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS FOR THE "ASK AN ENGINEER!" WEBINAR -> Don't forget to mark your calendars for Friday, July 11, from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. EDT, for the second in the APBP/NCBW Professional Development webinar series. The one-hour webinar, “Ask An Engineer!,” will feature Thomas Dodds, P.E., South Carolina DOT Pedestrian and Bicycle Engineer, and Michael Moule, P.E., PTOE of Livable Streets, Inc. Webinar participants will learn how engineers approach and solve common bicycle and pedestrian design issues. These two seasoned bike/ped engineers will share their tools, resources, and insights. Dodds and Moule will tailor the webinar around questions submitted by webinar registrants prior to June 30th, illustrating possible design suggestions and solutions. Submit your questions when you register for the webinar using the on-line registration form at http://www.bikewalk.org/webinar.php. If you have already registered for the webinar, you can submit questions directly to info@apbp.org. Cost for the APBP/NCBW webinars series is $50/site for APBP members, and $60/site for non-members. If you have questions about the APBP/NCBW Professional Development webinar series, contact Debra Goeks at 262-228-7025 or deb@apbp.org. Reserve your space now for the "Ask An Engineer!" webinar at: http://www.bikewalk.org/webinar.php. MOBILE WORKSHOPS AT PRO WALK/PRO BIKE 2008 ARE FILLING -> If you're planning on attending any of the 22 mobile workshops scheduled at Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2008 this September, remember that you'll need to pre-register on-line. A number of the mobile workshops have been approved for AICP CM credits, which has spurred early signups. The mobile workshops will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The mobile workshops will provide conference participants with many opportunities to see facility designs and program operations first-hand. Each conference participant may request space (as long as space is available) in up to two mobile workshops. You must be registered for the Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference before you can request space in a mobile workshop. Because many of the mobile workshops will require transportation to and from the workshop location, each workshop will be limited in size. Also, if you need to request an ADA-equipped van, be sure to check the appropriate box on the space registration form, and pre-register as early as possible. You can see a complete listing of the workshops on the Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2008 conference web pages at http://www.bikewalk.org/2008conference/mobileworkshops.php; access the on-line mobile workshop space request form at: CONFERENCE OF MAYORS ADOPTS BIKE RESOLUTION -> According to an article in the June 23rd edition of American Bicyclist Update, "This morning, June 23, the Conference of Mayors passed and adopted a resolution that bicycling should be integrated into the United States' transportation, climate, energy and health policy initiatives. It got widespread support from the mayors, including more than 25 mayors who signed on to co-sponsors the bill. Chris Koos, the mayor of Normal, Ill., originated the popular resolution." To read the resolution, go to: PRO WALK/PRO BIKE STRUCTURES ITS OWN 'SUPER TUESDAY' -> A number of special workshops and meetings have been combined to make Tuesday, September 2nd, a very good day to be in Seattle prior to the kickoff of the 2008 Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference. As of this writing there are four day-long sessions planned, including: Real Intersection Design, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership annual meeting and workshop, Creating And Implementing A Bicycle Master Plan workshop, and Developing A Pedestrian Action Plan. You can read full descriptions of these 'Super Tuesday' workshops at the Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2008 conference website. The workshops are listed on the left-hand vertical navigation bar. Please note that you need to pre-register for each of the workshops using the on-line form on the description pages. Also, watch for a special post-conference workshop, Designing Pedestrian Facilities for Accessibility, which will be posted on the conference web site within the next few days. In addition, the Cascade Bicycle Club is arranging bike rides on Monday and Tuesday prior to the conference. All of these factors make it a good idea to plan on arriving at least a day before the conference begins. Conference registration/packet pick-up will start promptly at 3p.m. Tuesday, and the conference kicks off with a welcoming reception at 6p.m.. NO CHILD LEFT INSIDE ACT PASSES HOUSE E&L COMM. SORT OF... -> According to the June 20th NRPA Public Policy Action Alert, "On June 18, the House Education and Labor Committee passed HR 3036, The No Child Left Inside Act (NCLI) which provides incentives for the development and enhancement of environmental education programs focused on getting children outdoors and learning about nature. However, despite strong advocacy efforts, the bill passed by the Committee does NOT designate local and state park and recreation agencies as entities which are eligible to receive grants for developing environmental education programs..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/3qfpmh According to the City of Portland (OR) website, Sunday Parkways is: "-- 6 miles, 6 hours, zero traffic! "The Portland Event "Sunday Parkways took place in Portland on Sunday, June 22, 2008. Six miles of local streets in North Portland were closed to traffic from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Intersections were staffed by volunteers allowing residents to get to and from their driveways, with larger streets supervised by Portland Police Bureau staff. "The circular route gave Portlanders a chance to get out and be active right in their own neighborhood. Participants walked, biked, rolled, ran, strolled, and roller bladed along the route to activities in the parks as well as to nearby shops and businesses in the vicinity..." For (much) more info, go to: TRAFFIC CALMING COMING TO NEW HAVEN (CT) -> According to the Tri-State Transportation Campaign's June 23rd issue of Mobilizing the Region, "The traffic calming movement is sweeping New Haven, thanks to citizen action and the remarkable efforts of TSTC's partners in the New Haven Safe Streets Coalition. The Coalition-sponsored petition, which calls on the City of New Haven to strictly enforce existing traffic laws and undertake specific long-term measures to reduce traffic injuries by 90% by 2015, now counts among its signers 24 of New Haven's 30 alderpersons, five Community Management Teams, and four New Haven-area state legislators, including State Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney. "The New Haven Independent has closely followed efforts to improve safety for New Haven pedestrians, and recently published stories on the installation of a choke point in Fair Haven, the Westville CMT's decision to sign on to the Safe Streets Coalition petition, and Coalition petitioners in downtown New Haven: "[Petitioner Juli Stupakevich] said, 'The feedback has been very positive, and people are interested in getting involved. The number of traffic violations that people see in this area is astounding.' Standing for a few minutes on the corner was long enough to see several cars scoot under the light as it turned red. While [Independent reporter Melinda Tuhus] was unlocking her bike 20 feet away, a collective yell arose from many throats as a motorist ran the light in a particularly egregious manner..." Source: TACOMA (WA) STREET MURAL INSPIRED BY "CITY REPAIR" -> According to an article in City Repair's June 23rd edition of The Word, "Inspired by neighborhood initiatives in Portland [OR], the 6th Avenue Merchants in Tacoma, WA have commissioned a street mural by Dionne Bonner. She will paint her work on the intersection of 6th Avenue and Pine Street during Art on the Ave, July 13th from 11-6pm. Join in and celebrate this newest art addition and 10 years of Art on the Ave 2008. The 6th Ave street mural project is financed by the 6th Avenue Merchants." For more info, contact Claudia Riedener, 6th Ave Merchants Association Art Chair, (253) 274-0655 or visit: http://tinyurl.com/3ou2p8 TRB MEETING, RECORD SUBMISSION DEADLINES LOOM -> According to the June 24th TRB E-Newsletter, The Transportation Research Board "is now accepting papers for consideration as part of the program for the TRB 88th Annual Meeting, January 11-15, 2009, in Washington, D.C., and for publication in the Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board (TRR). Papers in non-PDF format must be submitted prior to 11:59 p.m. EDT Monday, July 28, 2008. Papers in PDF format must be submitted prior to 11:59 p.m. EDT Friday, August 1, 2008. All papers must be submitted via TRB's Paper Submission website. Authors planning to submit papers receive password-controlled, limited web access to individual papers published in the TRR since 1996. Access will be provided after submission of an abstract for a paper via the paper submission website. This feature allows authors access to some of the latest research in their areas of interest." Go to: http://tinyurl.com/3uynel COLORADO'S ROARING FORK BIKE EXPRESS -> According to the June 17th edition of Bicycle Colorado eNews, "The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority has created the Bike Express by modifying a bus to carry 10 bikes inside, as well as four bikes on the outside racks, for a total capacity of 14 bikes. For more info on the Bike Express, go to: http://tinyurl.com/4qy2k7 SONOMA CO. (CA) BIKE TO WORK MONTH BIG SUCCESS -> As reported by According to Sandra Lupien, Bike to Work Coordinator for the Sonoma (CA) County Bicycle Coalition, "May's Bike to Work Month was a whirlwind of successful activities. To recap, there were more Energizer Stations than ever on Bike to Work Day 2008 (May 15), and a 50% increase in ridership from Bike to Work Day 2007; our fund raiser Bike Swap was May 18; and our Bike to the Movies commuter flick mini-fest was a hit on May 24. So basically, our heads were really spinning (in a good way)..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/46qmgz REGISTER YOUR WALK TO SCHOOL EVENTS -> According to a June 17th news release, "Registration is open for 2008 International Walk to School, an international event where communities from over 40 countries join together to walk and bicycle to school.* Walk to School Day is October 8, 2008. Registration is free and available to individuals or organizations holding a Walk to School event in the US. Registered schools will be displayed on an interactive U.S. map on the U.S. Walk to School Web site, where neighboring communities, media and other organizations will be able to view participating schools. "By registering, Walk to School organizers have access to a variety of downloadable materials, including certificates, templates for printing stickers and a frequent walker punch card. Registrants can also subscribe to receive a weekly Walk to School e-newsletter with tips and resources on holding a Walk to School event.** "The National Center for Safe Routes to School (NCTRS) of the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center serves as the national coordinating agency for Walk to School activities in the U.S."**** * To register a Walk to School event, go to: RECLAIMING ELEVATED RAIL LINES FOR PARKS, TRAILS -> According to an article in Land&People, Spring/Summer 2008, "...Enlarging existing parks is one way to create outdoor recreation in crowded urban neighborhoods. Another way is to reclaim elevated rail lines for second-story parks and trails above busy city streets. Besides Chicago, two cities have attempted this so far. New York has an ongoing effort to create a park on the 1.5-mile High Line right-of-way along Manhattan's West Side. And Paris has completed a nearly three-mile-long elevated park it calls Promenade Plantée. "In Chicago, the city has been negotiating to buy a three-mile-long elevated route from the Canadian Pacific Railway Company to create the Bloomingdale Trail, named for Bloomingdale Avenue, above which it runs. Through much of the 20th century, the rail line served a small manufacturing district on the city's North Side. But traffic declined through the 1980s and stopped entirely soon after. Converting the line to a park is expected to cost approximately $50 million as phases are implemented over the next five to ten years..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/6ddmxz BIKING TO SCHOOL IN THE NETHERLANDS -> According to an article in the June '08 Walkolution News for Schools*, "A colleague forwarded us this link to a youtube video** showing families and students arriving at school on a typical school day. It has been noted that even on school trips, students travel, with their teachers, by bicycle. We need to take a lead from the Netherlands and start designing our school communities for active travel." * Issues of "Walkolution News for Schools" can be downloaded here: SRTSNP WELCOMES NEW NATIONAL PARTNERS -> According to the June issue of Safe Routes to School E-News,* "The [Safe Routes to School National] Partnership welcomes the following new national partners: American Cancer Society Action Network, Campaign to End Obesity, and National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. We also welcome our new state and local partners, and look forward to working with all partners to advance Safe Routes to School nationwide. "The Partnership is working to ensure that the $612 million in Safe Routes to School federal dollars are spent, and on good projects. We are also leveraging additional resources for Safe Routes to School, developing State Networks to foster policy changes, educating policy makers, and leading the charge to create a culture that encourages safe bicycling and walking to and from schools throughout the nation. We greatly appreciate our partners' help in changing the habits of an entire generation. "Organizations joining the partnership commit to abide by the Memorandum of Understanding and support SRTS efforts. More than 300 groups have pledged their support for the Partnership by signing the MOU.** Join our growing list of supporting organizations and become a partner affiliate today!*** It's free." * http://tinyurl.com/6xgkd5 2009 MAIN STREET CONFERENCE CALL FOR PROPOSALS -> According to a June 23rd message from the National Trust Main Street, "The 2009 National Main Streets Conference is March 1-4, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. This year's conference will focus on the technology Main Street programs need to succeed and advance to the next level. The Main Street Center welcomes sessions that showcase innovative solutions to common challenges, highlight ways to improve the operation of revitalization programs, and simply share great ideas. The number one reason people attend the Main Streets Conference is the educational opportunities it offers. Conference session proposals are due on Monday, July 14, 2008. For more information, go to:
QUOTES R US -> "In developing-world cities, the majority of people don't have cars, so I will say, when you construct a good sidewalk, you are constructing democracy. A sidewalk is a symbol of equality." -> "We can have great streets in every neighborhood, downtown, city and region...if we want them." -> "In the automobile age, a real concern with safety has resulted in street
tree standards in the United States that dictate long setbacks from intersections,
ostensibly geared to achieving unobstructed sight lines for drivers. But are street
trees the safety problem they are purported to be?" -> "My wife and I have made 'Neighborhood for Kids' -- i.e. a Playborhood -- our #1 criterion in searching for a home in Palo Alto and Menlo Park (CA). Think about that for a moment. It makes searching for a house extremely difficult, given the information that the real estate industry provides us..." -> "The opportunity for me to participate in last week's Bicycle Industry event with Barack Obama in Chicago was an exciting milestone in the confluence of bicycles and the political process..." "It's amazing, the great sense of accomplishment you get from just putting one foot in front of the other,"
STATS R US -> In Canada: "Road crashes [are] the leading cause of death among young people, outstripping suicide and other accidents." "The involvement of young drivers in serious road crashes vastly outweighs their representation in the driving population; they account for nearly 25% of the motor vehicle deaths and injuries but only 13% of the licensed driving population." "Young people contribute substantially to the total number of deaths and injuries on the roads each year in Canada; they account for 1⁄4 of all the deaths and injuries." Source: http://tinyurl.com/54zmah
IN
THE NEWS STUDY: AMERICANS FINALLY DRIVING LESS -> According to a June 19th New York Times article, "As the price of gasoline quadrupled over the last decade, American drivers seemed to defy the laws of economics by pumping more into their vehicles year after year. But this is the year American drivers appear to be finally succumbing to price shock at the pump, according to a new report by Cambridge Energy Research Associates, a consulting firm affiliated with IHS Inc. It says the slowdown in the economy and soaring gasoline prices have finally persuaded Americans to drive fewer miles in fewer gas-guzzling vehicles. "'U.S. gasoline demand will likely decline in 2008 for the first time in more than 17 years,' says the report to be released Thursday. 'For the first time since the 1970s and early 1980s the number of miles driven by Americans has clearly begun trending downward.' The Transportation Department reported on Wednesday that Americans drove 1.8 percent fewer miles on public roads in April 2008 compared with the same month last year, the sixth consecutive month of driving mileage declines. The Cambridge Energy report cites some fundamental shifts in consumer behavior that suggest the beginning of an enduring trend..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/4lvo7l THE "FREE-RANGE CHILD" MAKES A COMEBACK -> According to a May 13th Globe and Mail article, "Cleone Grasham's days of shuttling her three daughters hither and yon to sports, choir and other organized activities are over. The Toronto mother has scaled it back to one gymnastics class for one of her kids -- and that's it. 'It was wearing on everybody,' says Ms. Grasham of her family's once-packed schedule. 'Everything was late and dinner was always rushed, and by the end of the day no one seemed to have done as much as they had wanted to do.' For one thing, school offerings such as plays and community service projects already keep her kids, 6, 10 and 11, busy. But with her own fond childhood recollections of simply playing soccer in the park until calls of 'Dinner!' summoned her home, Ms. Grasham is actively embracing a gleefully retro rethink of the condition of the modern child. "As so-called hyperparenting continues to dominate modern childrearing with its flash cards, over-programming, hovering and handholding, a number of conscientious objectors are taking a big step back. They are not slacker parents -- they don't celebrate 3 p.m. martinis and serve Happy Meals for dinner. But they are returning to a parenting style in which kids' time is filled with free play, unsupervised activities and plenty of downtime. Some call it free-range parenting. In his new book 'Under Pressure: Rescuing Childhood from the Culture of Hyper-Parenting,' Canadian philosopher and writer Carl Honore wrestles with his own well-intended overparenting and taps into a number of schools and families inspired by the free-range child..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/5cwap8 BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD MN BOOSTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY -> According to a June 18th Echo Press article, "Nearly half of Minnesota's adults are putting their health at risk due to lack of physical activity, according to a recent report by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross). So as part of an effort to encourage more physical activity, Blue Cross has announced the selection of eight Minnesota communities to receive its 'Active Living' funding -- including Douglas County. The funding will support a variety of grassroots initiatives designed to make towns, cities and counties across the state more 'active-living friendly' for walking and biking. "While awards are contingent on successful contract negotiation, most of the Active Living Minnesota recipients are eligible for annual funding of up to $75,000. Active Living Minnesota contracts may be renewed for up to four additional years. These awards will involve the participation of various local organizations and civic officials to help each community incorporate active living principles by making physical activity a part of everyday life..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/4mplyj TEXAS CITIES CONSIDER RESTRICTING CAR TRAFFIC -> According to a June 23rd Dallas Business Journal article, "Hammered by highway congestion, North Texas cities could soon try to pressure large employers to cut the car trips their employees take to work, in exchange for getting major highway construction on adjacent roads. Urban planners at the North Central Texas Council of Governments hope to see such city ordinances in place by 2009, according to Senior Program Manager Natalie Bettger. The goal is to both reduce traffic congestion and cut pollution to improve the region's dirty air. "Employers would be expected to provide incentives to encourage employees either to use mass transit, car pool or walk or bike to work, or work from home or compress the work week when major improvements or new construction is planned or under way. The trip reductions would continue after the road is completed and open. Council of Government planners are working now on a model ordinance, which they hope could be ready for North Texas cities to begin considering by year's end, Bettger said..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/5yw6tj PAYSON (AZ) WEIGHS PEDESTRIAN-FRIENDLY CLUSTERS -> According to a June 24th Roundup article, "Payson should seek grant money and potential developers to start the transformation of Main Street by nurturing a cluster of shops, stores and perhaps restaurants right where McLane makes an offset jog where it intersects the street, a consultant told the Payson Council at its last meeting. Consultant Angela Dye is working to come up with an overall design and development plan for the languishing, mile-long stretch of street between Highway 87 and Green Valley Park. "The town has struggled for years to find a way to make Main Street an historic, western-themed lure for tourists. However, the scattering of galleries, shops, garages, historic houses, and vacant lots straggles along a mile of street front, intimidating to a casual stroller. Dye held a series of workshops and community meetings and studied previous plans for the transformation of the street to make a fresh set of recommendations. Dye proposed concentrating efforts on a few sections of the street to create the seeds from which commercial development can grow..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/5g9cms DENNISON TWP (PA) TRAIL SYSTEM GETS BIKE/PED BRIDGE -> According to a June 25th Times Leader article, "A 71-foot section of an old pedestrian bridge that once spanned Interstate 81 near Avoca was moved from its storage place in Hunlock Township on Monday and installed over an old railroad bed in Dennison Township on Tuesday. The bridge relocation marks the start of the Black Diamond Trail, which is being developed by the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. The 16-mile trail, when fully constructed, will connect White Haven with the Mountain Top area. It will be one of the final links to connect the 165-mile Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor from Bristol in Bucks County to the Wilkes-Barre series of trails with a connection to the Susquehanna Greenways. The bridge arrived by wide-load tractor trailer at a temporary storage area along Middleburg Road, just north of White Haven, early Monday afternoon. Crews began working at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday to prepare the bridge for placement on the reconstructed remains of a stone foundation that formerly was used by the Lehigh Valley Railroad to cross over a Central of New Jersey Railroad line. About four hours later, a crane moved the approximately 32-ton metal structure into place within a matter a minutes. 'It went almost flawless. There was some minor grinding needed to get it to fit, but nothing unexpected,' said H. Scott Everett, stewardship and trail manager for the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/6czt4n WALKING 12X BETTER FOR CLIMATE THAN DRIVING -> According to Sightline Institute's June 20th Weekly Score, "In case you missed it, there was a bit of a kerfuffle in the blogosphere a few months back, concerning the climate impacts of walking vs. driving. Apparently, some folks -- New York Times columnist and blogger John Tierney in particular -- were spreading the claim that a pleasant stroll to the store might actually release more GHGs than getting behind the wheel. Other bloggers picked up the meme, including one post with the headline: "Be Green: Drive." "The idea may sound absurd, but there's a legitimate insight behind it. Walking burns calories, which come from food -- and it takes an enormous quantity of fossil fuels to produce, process, and transport everything that we eat. Add in the other GHGs from agriculture -- everything from cow manure to emissions from synthetic fertilizers -- and you've got a potent global warming cocktail in every glass of milk. "But our doppelgangers at the Pacific Institute did their homework, compiling evidence about climate emissions from both cars and food. And they came to the conclusion that walking emits about one-quarter the GHGs of driving -- earning a partial retraction from Tierney. (You go, PacInst!)..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/5f7jdh RIDING TO WORK IN DALLAS/FT. WORTH (TX) -> According to a June 22nd Star-Telegram article, "Chris Hasty not only has shed 80 pounds commuting by bicycle, but he figures that he has saved $9,800 a year in car payments, maintenance and fuel. The 36-year-old paramedic distinctly remembers the day -- June 11, 2006 -- when he began cycling 4.5 miles to his job at Cook Children's Medical Center as if it marked a life-changing epiphany. 'I haven't looked back,' he said. "Spurred by climbing gasoline prices, more people are looking into alternative ways to get to work. And while the ranks of biking commuters remain modest and the terrain sometimes unfriendly, workers ranging from engineers and emergency-room physicians to retail clerks and bureaucrats are joining Hasty as cycling commuters..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/55gz2e SEATTLE (WA) MAYOR WANTS MORE SIDEWALK CAFES -> According to a June 25th Times article, "Jo Luna first applied for a city permit to put cafe tables on the sidewalk next to her Ravenna restaurant in May of last year. After she spent $3,000 and waited four months, the co-owner of Gaudi Brasseria finally was able to set up five tables outside. Just in time for fall. Calling Seattle's permitting system bureaucratic and outdated, Mayor Greg Nickels on Tuesday proposed reducing permit time and costs for restaurants that want sidewalk seating. The changes, which require City Council approval, would lower the cost from $2,300 to $600 for a 100-square-foot sidewalk-cafe permit and would set a processing goal of 10 days. "'It would add vibrancy to streets and great flavor to neighborhoods,' said Alex Fryer, Nickels' spokesman. 'We want to make sure cafes can do this easily.' The city now has 225 sidewalk cafes. The mayor does not know how many more would open if the City Council makes the changes. Under the current system, restaurant owners must obtain approval from the city Department of Planning and Development and the Seattle Department of Transportation. Nickels proposed requiring approval only from the Transportation Department, which controls public sidewalk space..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/4o4af3 PARIS PLANS HELP-YOURSELF GREEN CAR HIRE -> According to a June 20th Guardian article, "First came self-service bicycles, and now Paris is launching a green scheme to provide electric cars that drivers can pick up and drop off anywhere in the city. "The Socialist mayor, Bertrand Delanoe, announced yesterday that from the end of next year, 4,000 electric cars will be placed around Paris and its outskirts for drivers in the scheme to help themselves for short journeys. It is the first electric car project of its kind in a capital city. "'This could revolutionise transport,' Delanoe told French radio. He has doubled the projected cars from 2,000 to 4,000 and expanded the target area beyond Paris's ring road..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/3ujhpe CDC: DIABETES PLAGUES 8% OF AMERICANS -> According to a June 25th WSYR-TV story, "Federal health officials sounded an alarm Tuesday about the staggering rise of diabetes in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control said a record 24-million Americans -- eight percent of the population -- now have diabetes. That's an increase of three million over the course of three years; 25 percent of people over the age of 60 are affected. The study also shows that 57 million more people are pre-diabetic, which means they are at risk of the disease. 'We've been busy right along,' says Dr. Steven Zygmot with Joslin Diabetes Center. The center sees only about 10 percent to 15 percent of Central New York diabetics. "'We're so busy, I can't imagine what primary care doctors are doing right now,' Zygmot says. The increase goes hand in hand with the obesity problem. Serving sizes are out of control; we're eating twice as much as we should be in any given meal. Society is heavier, and a so-called 'typical type two diabetic' is changing. Zygmot says in years past, diabetics were normally people in their 30s, 40s and 50s. Now, Zygmot says doctors are seeing more cases of diabetes in people in their twenties, teens, and even elementary school children. Classic diabetes warning signs or symptoms include increased thirst, increased hunger, frequent urination, a tired feeling, blurred vision and headaches..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/5xos9q SEIZE THIS MASS TRANSIT MOMENT, HOUSTON (TX) -> In a June 21st Chronicle Op-Ed, Houston Councilman Peter Brown wrote, "Since the late 1970s, the unfortunate controversy of highways vs. rail has polarized Houston politics. With plentiful land and cheap energy, we became the 'happy motoring' paradise of the nation -- until recently. Our region's sprawling highway system has not reduced congestion. Worse still, it encouraged the flight of city jobs and residents to the suburbs, diminishing the city's economic life. A fundamental challenge for city leaders, amidst escalating energy costs, is how to address congestion, and capture a larger share of the region's growth. Development along rail transit corridors, appealing to a new generation of commuter-weary wannabe urbanites, may be the answer. The Katy Freeway expansion taught us a bitter lesson about something called eminent domain. "Without alternatives to massive highway widening to accommodate some 1 million new residents per decade, Houstonians are faced with an unprecedented taking of private property. Eminent domain destroys homes, businesses, disrupts entire neighborhoods and depletes our tax base. In a city where property rights, market economics and personal choices are core values, that kind of government intrusion will not be tolerated. Yet some still believe that more highways are the answer. There is even talk in Houston political circles about dismantling our rail system, weakening the Metropolitan Transit Authority, shifting the dollars to highways or to low-cost buses for the transit-dependent. Given the energy crunch, attendant flooding and air quality problems, the threat of eminent domain and the inefficiencies of highway sprawl, this would be folly..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/4ponjt MYRTLE BEACH (SC) GAS COSTS BOOST LIVE/WORK APPEAL -> According to a June. 25th Sun News article, "Soaring gas prices are spurring people to ditch their cars and look at buying homes in walkable, urban developments like those cropping up on the Grand Strand, a recent survey shows. The 903 real estate agents who responded to the online Coldwell Banker survey said that 96 percent of their clients are concerned about the rise in gas costs and 78 percent have more of a desire to live in an urban setting because of it. "Gas prices have been on the rise, with a gallon of regular in Myrtle Beach costing $3.89 Tuesday compared with $3.78 last month and $2.85 last year, according to AAA. The spike in prices means home buyers in many areas of the country are placing more importance on cutting their gas bills and commute times than they have since the oil shocks of the 1970s, according to The Associated Press. Here along the coast, however, it's tough to say whether sales in and around live/work developments such as The Market Common, Withers Preserve, St. James Square, and The Village at Sunset Beach are tied to gas prices, developers said. "'The bottom line is business has picked up,' said David Stuart, broker for The Village at Sunset Beach in Brunswick County, N.C. 'Gas may have something to do with it, but it's also just the fact that the tourist season has started and you have more people in the area.' Richard Dobkin, who lives above the spot where he will open an Irish pub next month, bought two townhouses in The Village a year and a half ago. Now, it's paying off: He spends about $150 less on gas each week than he did when working as a contractor in Arizona, he said..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/6evdl7 AND NOW, FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT... THE PREDATORY LENDING ASSOCIATION "The Predatory Lending Association (PLA) is dedicated to extracting maximum profit from the working poor by increasing payday loan fees and debt traps. The working poor are an exciting, fast growing demographic that includes: military personnel, minorities, and most of the middle class..." For more info: http://tinyurl.com/yvv3up
QUICK HITS THE BEST BICYCLE ROUTE IN THE WORLD BARROW (AK) BIKE COMMUTER HEADS FOR TROPICAL WISCONSIN VIDEO: VERMONT'S BURTON CREATIVELY COMMUTES NEBRASKA GAS TAX INCREASE BUCKS TREND TALKING CLIMATE CHANGE TO JOHN, JANE Q. PUBLIC FREE MTN BIKE VIDEO: DESCENDING WITH GREG MINNAAR* STUDY QUESTIONS FUEL EFFICIENCY MEASUREMENTS WORLD POPULATION TO HIT 7 BILLION IN 2012 GM PHASES OUT GAS GUZZLERS FOR FUEL EFFICIENT CARS?
RESOURCES -> "A REPORT ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF..." -> "PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES" -> "ANCHORAGE PEDESTRIAN PLAN" -> "TESTING THE IMPACT OF PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK..." -> "SMART PHONE APPLICATION TO INFLUENCE..." -> MONITORING HUMANS @ INFRASTRUCTURE SITES -> "HEALTHY EATING & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY..." -> "WEATHERCOCKS & SIGNPOSTS..." -> "TRAFFIC VOLUME TRENDS" *For other months and years, go to: -> "MAGNITUDE, CHARACTERISTICS AND TRENDS..."
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! -> July 11-13, 2008, Maine Bike Rally, Fryeburg, ME. Info: Bicycle Coalition of Maine; phone: (207) 623-4511; email <info@BikeMaine.org>. Note: this event is also the League of American Bicyclists' 2008 National Rally. -> August 4-5, 2008, 3rd New Zealand Walking Conference, Auckland, NZ. Info: Glenda, Harding Consultants; phone: 03 352 5595; email: <Glenda@hardingconsultants.co.nz> -> August 13, 2008, International Left-Handers' Day. Info: -> August 17-19 2008, National Rural Transportation Conference, Duluth, MN. Info: -> August 31-September 2, 2008, Thunderhead Retreat, Seattle, WA. Info: Retreat is for leaders of Thunderhead organizations. -> September 2-5, 2008, Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference, Seattle, WA; hosted at the Westin Seattle. Watch for info at: http://www.bikewalk.org/2008conference/index.html -> September 29-October 2, Physical Activity for Public Health, Banff, AB, Canada. Info: -> October 20 - 23, 2008, ProBike/ProWalk Florida, St. Petersburg, FL. Info: Laura Hallam, Exec. Director, Florida Bicycle Association, PO Box 718, Waldo FL 32694-0718; phone/Fax: 352-468-3430; cell 407-399-9961; email: <laura@floridabicycle.org> or Dan Moser, Conference Co-Coordinator; phone: (239) 334-6417; email: <moserdeleon@juno.com>. Call for presentations deadline: July 15, 2008. -> October 21-25, 2008 National Preservation Conference, Tulsa, OK. Info: -> October 27-28, 2008, Impact of Changing Demographics on the Transportation System Conference, Washington, D.C. Info: -> November 15-18, 2008, National Trails Symposium, Little Rock AR. Info: Candace Mitchell; phone: 530-547-2060; email: <candace@americantrails.org> JOBS GRANTS AND RFPS -> JOB -- CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR -- AMERICA BIKES Want to help change the world – and make a major difference for cycling and sustainable transportation in the USA? America Bikes, the coalition of national bicycling and trail advocacy groups working to boost federal government investment in cycling, seeks an experienced professional – based in Washington, DC -- to serve as our Campaign Director. The Campaign Director will coordinate our campaign for pro-bicycling provisions and funding in the next federal transportation authorization bill, by supporting and participating in advocacy and lobbying efforts, acting as a media liaison, and helping with administrative aspects of the organization, assisted by a part-time support staff member. We are looking for candidates who are passionate about cycling, well-organized, experienced in government and advocacy, and knowledgeable about transportation policy. Leading candidates should also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and understand how to manage coalition efforts. This is a unique and important opportunity to help shape America’s transportation policy at a critical juncture. For information about the position, go to: -> JOB -- EXEC. DIRECTOR-- INDIANA BICYCLE COALITION The Executive Director is responsible for the smooth running and successful implementation of the organization's operations. It is recognized that income is of paramount importance and emphasis is slanted toward the task of fundraising. The Executive Director is accountable for all of IBC's operating affairs and will make timely reports to the Board of Directors. -> JOB -- POLICY MGR -- SRTS NAT'L PARTNERSHIP The non-profit Bikes Belong Foundation is looking for an energetic and dynamic professional with at least 4-5 years proven success in a senior advocacy/policy/legislative position to work with the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) National Partnership as its Policy Manager. The Policy Manager will work from a home office in Washington DC on government relations, lobbying, policy research and analysis, and report writing to advance the SRTS national movement. Applicants who live outside of Washington DC will be considered if they will move to DC by September 2008. For more information on applying, go to the Safe Routes to School National Partnership's website: http://tinyurl.com/3b9vbz -> JOB -- SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL COORDINATOR -- VTRANS Primary duties include the development, dissemination and administration/oversight of grants to schools, municipalities and non-profit organizations who are implementing eligible SRTS projects. The Coordinator works with grantees, consultants, other VTrans sections and external stakeholders to successfully implement the program. The coordinator may provide training, administrative and technical assistance to grantees so that their efforts are successful. The coordinator maintains a relationship with print and other media outlets to promote the program. The coordinator is also responsible for financial oversight of the program, including review and approval of grantee invoices, overall program budget and allocation of the federal funds in accordance with the parameters of the program set by the Federal Highway Administration. The coordinator represents the SRTS program for VTrans and must be proficient in providing information in public settings outside of VTrans, in addition to having excellent skills in verbal and written communication. Your application/resume should describe any experience you have in the following: -> JOB -- ACTIVE LIVING COORDINATOR -- CRIM FITNESS FDN DESCRIPTION See complete job description here: -> JOB -- CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR -- COAL. FOR SMARTER GROWTH The Montgomery Countryside Alliance, in collaboration with the Coalition for Smarter Growth, seeks a new Campaign Director to manage its programs in rural Montgomery County, Maryland. The Campaign Director position fulfills one of the most interesting and proactive smart growth roles in our region, connecting rural conservation with the need for effective urban and suburban revitalization. -> JOB -- BIKE, PED, TRAIL PLANNER -- SCOTTSDALE, AZ The City of Scottsdale recently added two new positions to focus on trails, bikeways, and pedestrian facilities. I was the successful candidate for the Principal Transportation Planner position and now need to fill my previous slot and add a trails planner. Our team will be implementing the projects identified in our 2008 Transportation Master Plan and 2004 Trails Master Plan. Our current 5-year Capital Improvement Project includes $48.2 million for bicycle and pedestrian projects, more than $40/person/year, putting us in the same group as those highly touted European cities. If you would like to work for a Bicycle Friendly Community that "gets it", please click on the links below. -- Reed Kempton http://tinyurl.com/6y2lb7 -> COOP AGREEMENT OPPORTUNITY -- ENHANCEMENTS INFO CTR -- FHWA The Federal Highway Administration has released a Cooperative Agreement opportunity to administer an Information Center for Transportation Enhancement Activities. This is a Full and Open Competition. The information is available at -> JOB -- BIKE PROGRAM COORDINATOR -- STANFORD UNIV. The Bicycle Program Coordinator position reports to the Director of Parking & Transportation Services. The coordinator's responsibilities are varied and include: develop and implement programs to encourage bicycle use; coordinate cyclist input to improve the cycling environment; promote bicycle safety, including regular presentations to student groups; coordinate and/or provide input on campus bicycle-related changes; oversee campus-wide bicycle registration program; and develop and maintain elements of campus bicycle security program. In addition, the incumbent will be assisting the director with a variety of complex issues, analyzing utilization data, and supporting the Office of Parking & Transportation Services in a variety of tasks. The salary range is $54,000 to $85,000. -> JOB -- EXEC. DIR. -- NAPLES PATHWAY COALITION Naples Pathways Coalition, Inc. of Collier Co., Florida, seeks a halftime staff person to lead and grow the organization, with the opportunity to expand the position to full-time as fundraising success permits. Responsibilities include policy work, public education and media advocacy, fundraising, and outreach and organizing throughout the greater Collier County area. The position presents a great opportunity to play a critical role in transforming southwest Florida into a more healthy and sustainable region. Job description: http://tinyurl.com/3xyxjc
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