NCBW Newsroom - FeaturesFeatures | In The News | Resources | Jobs, Grants & RFPs | Forum CENTERLINES CELEBRATES ITS 200th BIWEEKLY ISSUE! -> For nearly eight years and through 200 biweekly issues, editor John Williams has unfailingly mined the news of the transportation and active living worlds, filtered the results for the good, the bad, and the odd, mixed it all with a dose of humor, and distributed it to thousands of subscribers as CenterLines. During the past week, more than 500 CenterLines readers shared with us how they use CenterLines, how the newsletter has helped them in their work, and what changes or improvements they would like to see in future issues. Many of those responding also passed along their thanks to John for his continued efforts. The survey printout runs nearly 100 pages, but don't worry...we're not going to fill your CenterLines issues with the results. We'll just list a few of the comments here, and we've added additional comments at http://www.bikewalk.org/newslettersurvey.php First, some quick stats. Of those responding to the survey, about 50% have subscribed for three years or less; about 15% have been CenterLines readers from the beginning. How do our readers use the issue? Nearly 60% told us they quickly skim the issue when they receive it, and then go back to pick and choose articles. Another 11% like to read it carefully from top to bottom. Many readers reported clipping and e-mailing articles to others. For the best-liked sections, Features and In The News were equally popular, each with 24% of the vote. These were followed by Resources, Quotes R Us, and Quick Hits. And 15% reported they liked the "whole dang issue." The links to articles were also popular: 44% of the respondents reported that they followed links nearly every issue, and 48% reported that they at least occasionally followed links to stories or news items. We received also received hundreds of comments on what makes CenterLines work and what could make it work better. The staff will delve into those results during the next two weeks, and prepare a summary of those comments for the 201st issue on May 14th. Many of the survey respondents reported that CenterLines had helped them in either their professional work or their volunteer efforts to make their local communities better places for bicycling and walking. Below are just a few of the comments we received. You can find additional responses at http://www.bikewalk.org/newslettersurvey.php. "Centerlines is an excellent source of state-of-play information and I rely on it to keep informed." "Almost every issue has useful and timely information and is a valuable resource." "At least once a month there is a story or info article that I either forward to my local bicycle network and/or cut and paste to my hard drive for future use." "Because you draw articles from all over the country, I frequently forward links to friends and cycling colleagues in other states. This has impressed them with the breadth of my knowledge, even though you guys do all the work! " "I design bike, pedestrian and disability access facilities for Gold Coast City Council, Australia. The news stories and features help me add weight to my arguments with council to build better facilities for all of our community instead of just more roads." "I hate to say it, but here at [our] DOT, our focus is on roads and to be specific, cars associated with roads. I am the state bicycle coordinator, and articles in CenterLines have helped me in my efforts to include the needs of bicyclists and walkers in our road designs." Finally, we asked people if they had comments to pass along directly to John. Again, here are only a few of the congratulatory comments we received: "A hearty word of "THANKS" to John. Please keep you energy levels up for knocking these e-newsletters out. Greatly appreciated!! Give John a case of celebratory Canadian beer (Big Rock) to honor the occasion. Sharing bike / walk stories from around N America (via CenterLines) w/ all of us is the incentive our municipal leaders need to not be left in the dust on ped/ cycling initiatives." "Awesome job - the trickle down of getting this info widely dispersed & how that helps people implement change is mindboggling!" "Bloody good job mate, keep it up! Australia is second only to the USA in car dependence. Being one of only a few bike wise people within this car centric council takes it's toll at times and seeing that other people around the world are also fighting and sometimes winning for bikes/peds is a help." "CenterLines is one of my favorite--perhaps my most favorite--e-newsletters. Thank you. It must take a tremendous effort to publish, and I greatly appreciate your effort." Congratulations! This is a clean, crisp, just short, and just long enough, email subscription with lots of pertinent information to a transportation planner! " "Congratulations! I'm impressed--I didn't realize that it was essentially the work of one person. Full of good stuff and easy to navigate so I can zero in on the stuff I'm particularly interested in. Good job!! "Congratulations. You are responsible for keeping a lot of professionals connected to one another." "Thanks for providing this great resource. Every time I receive the newsletter, I'm reminded of all the great bike/ped work being done around the whole country and it motivates me to keep that movement strong." "Yay for issue 200! I love CenterLines! Go John Go!" We on the NCBW staff couldn't have said it better ourselves, John. Congratulations on 200 issues! Here's to many more. For more information: READY FOR NATIONAL BIKE TO WORK MONTH? -> According to an article in the Apr. 18th OKI Bicycle E-Info News, "The League of American Bicyclists is promoting Bike-to-Work Week from May 12-16 and Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, May 16. When Bike Month was started in 1956, the idea of more than $5 billion set aside in a federal transportation bill for bicycling was impossible to imagine. Now 50 years later, SAFETEA-LU sets aside just that amount, and Bike Month is celebrated by hundreds of thousands of people across the United States. Need some ideas? Here are 50 ways to celebrate Bike Month." For more info, go to: http://tinyurl.com/2leabm PRO WALK/PRO BIKE 2008 CONFERENCE LISTINGS ARE ON-LINE -> Presenter lists, registration information, room reservation information, and even where to rent your bike for the 2008 conference in Seattle, Washington, September 2-5, have been added to the newly designed conference pages on the National Center for Bicycling & Walking web site. On-line registration for the conference will open May 8th. L.A.B.: SUPPORT HOUSE CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION! -> According to an Apr. 29th National Bicycle Strategy News Flash from the League of American Bicyclists, "The House Congressional Resolution on Bicycling (H.Con.Res.305**), introduced in February, calls on the United States Congress to adopt a national bicycling strategy to fully realize the incredible benefits of getting more people bicycling, more safely, more often. There is a 'sense of Congress' that complete streets policies are essential to ensure wise use of considerable Federal investment in transportation infrastructure, and that expanded funding for bicycling and walking programs is desirable and appropriate. "As we celebrate National Bike Month in May, cities and organizations throughout the country will be hosting events promoting bicycling as a healthy, fun, and viable form of transportation. This is also a perfect opportunity to contact your Congressional Representatives to thank those that have signed onto the Resolution and urge those that have not to so. "A good showing for the Resolution is essential as this would serve as the first ever comprehensive bicycling policy statement and would serve as an important policy statement guide for the next transportation reauthorization which begins next year (2009). "As part of National Bike Month please take a moment to Contact your Congressional Member to urge them to support HCONRES305. Thank you." **H.Con.Res. 305: http://tinyurl.com/4znvco KEY SEATTLE (WA) TRAIL PROJECT IN JEOPARDY -> According to the Apr. 24th issue of Braking News, "Supporters of bicycling and sustainable transportation have long envisioned Burlington Northern Santa Fe's (BNSF) soon-to-be abandoned rail corridor as a key link for north-south bicycle travel between the Eastside's largest communities. But after the latest round of negotiations between King County and the Port of Seattle, the future of a BNSF Trail is in serious doubt. We need your help to guarantee that the 'the granddaddy of all trails' is built..." More info: http://tinyurl.com/3eabax LIVABLESTREETS: RECALL THAT ANTI-BIKE "HEALTH" AD! -> According to the Apr. 24th LivableStreets E-bulletin article, "The Massachusetts Health Connector, an arm of the MA Department of Health and Human Services, just released an advertisement campaign for health insurance, but picked an image and constructed messaging that sends the wrong message about health and transportation. It says, 'bicycling in our city is dangerous, and is one of those extreme sport things.' Not only does this campaign contradict and oppose the efforts of all of us working to increase the levels of cycling, it's just downright offensive to cyclists and embarrassing to Governor Patrick. "Repeated requests to both the Health Secretary Bigby's office and Health Connector Executive Director Jon Kingsdale's office asking them to pull the ad campaign were denied. We acknowledge that the ad unintentionally discouraged cycling-- we aren't accusing them of actively developing an ad to discourage cycling. We are requesting that the ads be removed immediately, and replaced with an ad that accomplishes their objectives without negatively affecting other very critical social objectives, namely bicycling..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/5houzz RAIL-VOLUTION 2008 CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS San Francisco, CA, October 26 - 29, 2008 -> "Rail-Volution is a conference for passionate practitioners -- people from all perspectives who believe in the role of land use and transit as equal partners in the quest for greater livability and greater communities. The success of the conference depends on the quality and diversity of presentations. Rail-Volution solicits your story -- sharing expertise, experience, success and challenges, including: "--The basics of creating livable and sustainable communities with good planning, design and projects that deliver transportation options. "The Bay Area -- with its tradition of innovation in transportation and land use planning -- is the dynamic setting for Rail-Volution 2008..." For more info, go to: http://tinyurl.com/4b87ms NEW YORK CITY DOT'S BIKE (AND FAREWELL) TO SHEA DAY -> According to an Apr. 23rd T.A. StreetBeat article, "Mets fans--leave the traffic behind and bike to Shea for DOT's 5th Annual Bike to Shea Day! Join us for a 12-mile, marshal-escorted ride. There will be free valet bicycle parking and goodies. Ride marshals from DOT will escort you from Prospect Heights to Flushing via on-street bike lanes and off-street greenways at a leisurely pace." For more info -- and a list of New York City Bike Month events, go to: http://tinyurl.com/3ok57l U.S. DEPT. OF TRANS. LAUNCHES "FAST LANE" BLOG -> According to an Apr. 29th Broadcast Message from U.S.D.O.T. Secretary Mary Peters, "Today, we launched Fast Lane, the Department's new blog. It is my hope that the site will serve as an open forum, and help facilitate dialogue both outside and within the Department. I have made twenty-first century solutions a priority for our transportation system, and now I'm thrilled to be using a twenty-first century communications tool to reach Americans in a whole new way. "I hope you will contribute your thoughts to the blog. We have included a comment tab in each post, which will allow anyone to submit their reaction to our posts. Not every response will be included on the site, but we won't be sugar coating anything. I recognize this might mean posting unfavorable comments, but that's what a forum like this is all about! I look forward to engaging folks inside and outside the Department through this exciting new medium. See you in the Fast Lane!" Source: http://tinyurl.com/6roj4x VANCOUVER (BC) HOSTS YOUTH SUSTAINABLE TRANS. SUMMIT -> In a recent message, Josef Szende wrote, "Interested in sustainable cities? Like to get involved in a sustainable transportation project or initiative but don't know where to start? "The Youth Summit on Sustainable Urban Transportation creates an opportunity for delegates to: "Application Form for Canadian Applicants "Important Information "Travel from the nearest airport to Vancouver, where your lodging, meals and registration fees will be covered by CUTA. However, participants will be responsible for transportation costs from their home, to and from the airport and all meal costs incurred during travel including lunch on Thursday, August 21 and the dinner on Saturday, August 23." For more info, go to: http://tinyurl.com/6re24r EUGENE (OR) KIDS HAVE FUN ON "KIDICAL MASS" BIKE RIDES -> Shane Rhodes, Safe Routes to School program manager for Roosevelt Middle School (Eugene, OR) recently asked, "What would cause 30 people to gather in a park on a windy, near-freezing evening, and then go out for ice cream? It was Kidical Mass -- the latest in a series of activities aimed at getting more kids on bikes. Why so much effort toward bicycling for children? First, it's good for kids. Physical activity is the best defense against childhood obesity and diabetes. "Second, when you teach kids to ride bikes, you introduce them to an active lifestyle that will serve them well for decades to come. As kids learn the rules of the road and how to navigate safely by bike, they develop decision-making skills, self-reliance, independence and self-confidence -- which might make them nuisances to their parents, but will serve them well. Bicycling also appears to foster creativity, judging from the crazy things kids do on their bikes -- things that would never occur to most adults. "But here's the dirty little secret: getting kids to ride bikes isn't just good for them -- it's also great for their Me Generation parents. The benefits start in the very early years. Anecdotal research indicates that strapping a baby into a bike trailer is a highly effective way to get him to fall asleep. Any parent can appreciate that. In addition, when family responsibilities make it hard to get out on weekend rides, pedaling around town with the extra weight of a trailer or trail-a-bike strengthens your quads just the way hill climbs and training rides used to. Once a child is a little older, getting out on your bike isn't irresponsible -- it's your parental duty. And who better to teach your little one safe cycling skills? Initially, these rides might be pretty short, accompanying her to school on your way to work -- but once she's skilled enough to do it by herself, you begin to reap the real benefits: she can take herself to school, or to soccer practice, or to her friend's house, leaving you free to go out for a bike ride! "Finally, getting kids on bikes might be the most effective thing you can do as a bike advocate. City leaders sometimes see bike advocates as one more special interest group, and many motorists see an adult bicyclist as something between a minor annoyance and a target for abuse. When there's a group of adults and children on bikes, however, the response is completely different. On Friday's Kidical Mass ride, motorists stop, smile, yell encouragement and cheerfully wait for the entire procession to pass by. There is perhaps no better way to promote bicycling than to remind people of the joy they experienced as kids riding that first bike. Today's kids can recreate that experience -- and bring the adults along with them. "So if you care about bicycling, do your part to get more kids riding bikes..." For more information, contact Shane at <rhodes_sh@4j.lane.edu> PEDAL-POWERED TRUCKS HIT BOSTON (MA) STREETS -> According to their website, "New Amsterdam Project provides human-powered pick-up and delivery services for local businesses, organizations and universities. We can provide your business with full service route delivery -- inclusive of drivers, fossil-fuel free vehicles, and unparalleled marketing opportunities for your business on our unique, environmentally friendly trucks." Source: http://tinyurl.com/3f8bvc Here's a Dutch video about the project: BUILDING MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE ROADWAYS? -> According to an article in the Apr. 2008 issue of FHWA's 'Focus" magazine, "Going green is an everyday goal for the members of the Green Highways Partnership (GHP), a collaborative effort among the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), other Federal agencies, State transportation and environmental agencies, industry, trade associations, members of academia, and contractors to encourage environmentally friendly road building. These green practices include using recycled materials in highway construction, improving stormwater management to prevent toxins from leaching into streams and rivers, and protecting critical habitats and ecosystems during the planning and construction of highway infrastructure. "Formed in 2006, the GHP built on the success of the Green Highway Forum held in November 2005 in College Park, Maryland. The forum brought together more than 400 transportation and environmental professionals involved in the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and regulation of transportation projects. As the GHP has grown to include new partners and initiatives, it has formed three teams with a focus on Watershed-Driven Stormwater Management, Recycling and Reuse, and Conservation and Ecosystem Protection..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/5mr26z Note: No mention of non-motorized modes in article; very little found on greenhighways.org site. Get a jump start on this news by subscribing to CenterLines. Discuss these news articles with other advocates in the Forum section of the ALRC Commons. |
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