CenterLines No. 154: – 28 July, 2006

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. Check online for additional stories: http://www.bikewalk.org/newsletter.php
CenterLines is also available as a podcast. Go to: http://www.bikewalk.net/podcasts.

F-E-A-T-U-R-E-S
————————————————————
—– Pro Walk/Pro Bike Early Bird Discounts End Monday
—– Special Hotel Conference Rates Close Soon
—– Traffic Justice Institute Update
—– Don’t Forget to Pre-Register for PWPB Special Meetings
—– Contested Seats for “Contested Streets” Screening
—– FHWA Proposed Rulemaking — State, Metro Planning
—– Avoid Road Rage, Costly Tickets — Share the Road
—– Blue Cross (MN) Announces Active Community Grants
—– Bikes Allowed on Denver (CO) Fastracks
—– High Point to Cape May (NJ) Bike Route Guide Available
—– Carl Sagan — Just Another Junk Scientist?
—– Connections Newsletter Features PWPB Presenters

I-N–T-H-E–N-E-W-S
————————————————————
—– Penticton (BC) “GetActive!” Task Force Gets Moving
—– New York State “Canal Splash” Coming in August
—– Tucson (AZ) Teens to Create Children’s Bike Map
—– The Cul-de-Sac Debate Heats Up
—– Cyclist Rides for Coast-to-Coast Trail Network
—– Wanted: Pedestrians to Fill Red Hook (NY) Sidewalks
—– New Missouri Bus Rules Highlight Springfield\’s Problem
—– Make Way for the Sidewalk SUV: "Mobility" Scooters
—– Connecticut Groups Work to Promote Smart Growth
—– SW Trails Maps Southwest Portland (OR) for Pedestrians
—– Barbourmeade (KY) to Start Safe Routes Project
—– Finding all Those Bikeways — a "Dutch Problem"
—– Bicentennial Celebrates First Fed-Funded Highway
————————————————————

F-E-A-T-U-R-E-S
————————————————————
PRO WALK/PRO BIKE EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS END MONDAY

-> If you haven\’t already registered for the Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2006
conference in Madison, you\’ve got today and Monday to “get \’er done”
if you want to take advantage of the early-bird discounts. Tuesday,
August 1, the rates increase:

Delegate ($535) increases to $585
Presenter ($430) increases to $480
Single Day ($210) increases to $235
APBP ($430) increases to $480
Exhibitor booth staff ($430) increases to $480

To claim the lower registration costs, go to the conference website
now and register. It only takes a few minutes. You can pay via check,
Visa/MasterCard, or through a purchase order if you\’re with an agency.
The registration form URL is:

http://www.bikewalk.org/conference/register.html

SPECIAL HOTEL CONFERENCE RATES CLOSE SOON

-> NCBW has made arrangements for blocks of rooms at special
conference pricing in Madison. Room blocks at the conference
pricing end SOON! The Hilton Madison Monona Terrace room
–>—– The Cul-de-Sac Debate Heats Up
—– Cyclist Rides for Coast-to-Coast Trail Network
—– Wanted: Pedestrians to Fill Red Hook (NY) Sidewalks
—– New Missouri Bus Rules Highlight Springfield’s Problem
—– Make Way for the Sidewalk SUV: “Mobility” Scooters
—– Connecticut Groups Work to Promote Smart Growth
—– SW Trails Maps Southwest Portland (OR) for Pedestrians
—– Barbourmeade (KY) to Start Safe Routes Project
—– Finding all Those Bikeways — a “Dutch Problem”
—– Bicentennial Celebrates First Fed-Funded Highway
————————————————————

F-E-A-T-U-R-E-S
————————————————————
PRO WALK/PRO BIKE EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS END MONDAY

-> If you haven’t already registered for the Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2006 conference in Madison, you’ve got today and Monday to “get ‘er done” if you want to take advantage of the early-bird discounts. Tuesday, August 1, the rates increase:

Delegate ($535) increases to $585
Presenter ($430) increases to $480
Single Day ($210) increases to $235
APBP ($430) increases to $480
Exhibitor booth staff ($430) increases to $480

To claim the lower registration costs, go to the conference website now and register. It only takes a few minutes. You can pay via check, Visa/MasterCard, or through a purchase order if you’re with an agency. The registration form URL is:
http://www.bikewalk.org/conference/register.html

SPECIAL HOTEL CONFERENCE RATES CLOSE SOON

“blocks will close August 5th (next Saturday); the Madison
Concourse Hotel room blocks will close Sunday, August 13th.

The headquarters hotel for the conference is the Madison
Concourse Hotel, which is approximately six blocks from the
convention center. The Concourse is allowing up to four people
to share a room.

A limited number of rooms are available at the Hilton Madison
Monona Terrace, attached to the conference center. You can
also share rooms at the Monona Terrace Hilton.

If you are interested in sharing a room during the conference,
a "room-share" thread has been opened on the NCBW Forum at:

http://ncbwforum.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a\u003dcfrm&s\u003d943603

If you are planning to attend the PWPB conference,
you should secure your room reservations now. More information
about each hotel is available on the PWPB conference site at:

http://www.bikewalk.org/conference/travel.html

TRAFFIC JUSTICE INSTITUTE UPDATE

-> Just prior to the official start of Pro Walk/ Pro Bike 2006, NCBW is
hosting a day-long meeting to begin a national campaign. With a
tentative title of \’Traffic Justice\’ we are proposing nothing short of
re-framing our nation\’s approach to traffic crashes — not traffic
\’accidents.\’ The Traffic Justice Institute will be held in the Madison
Ballroom of the Concourse Hotel on September 5, beginning at 11:00a.m.

We hope you have the opportunity to purchase and read Lisa Lewis\’ book
“It\’s No Accident: The Real Story Behind Death and Injury on Our
Roads.” If you are unable to do so, please review the chapter
reprinted on the webpage. And, pass along your comments to Lisa, who
“,1] ); //–>-> NCBW has made arrangements for blocks of rooms at special conference pricing in Madison. Room blocks at the conference pricing end SOON! The Hilton Madison Monona Terrace room blocks will close August 5th (next Saturday); the Madison
Concourse Hotel room blocks will close Sunday, August 13th.

The headquarters hotel for the conference is the Madison Concourse Hotel, which is approximately six blocks from the convention center. The Concourse is allowing up to four people to share a room.

A limited number of rooms are available at the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace, attached to the conference center. You can also share rooms at the Monona Terrace Hilton.

If you are interested in sharing a room during the conference, a “room-share” thread has been opened on the NCBW Forum at:
http://ncbwforum.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=cfrm&s=943603

If you are planning to attend the PWPB conference, you should secure your room reservations now. More information about each hotel is available on the PWPB conference site at:
http://www.bikewalk.org/conference/travel.html

TRAFFIC JUSTICE INSTITUTE UPDATE

-> Just prior to the official start of Pro Walk/ Pro Bike 2006, NCBW is hosting a day-long meeting to begin a national campaign. With a tentative title of ‘Traffic Justice’ we are proposing nothing short of re-framing our nation’s approach to traffic crashes — not traffic ‘accidents.’ The Traffic Justice Institute will be held in the Madison Ballroom of the Concourse Hotel on September 5, beginning at 11:00a.m.

We hope you have the opportunity to purchase and read Lisa Lewis’ book “It’s No Accident: The Real Story Behind Death and Injury on Our Roads.” If you are unable to do so, please review the chapter reprinted on the webpage. And, pass along your comments to Lisa, who will be joining us in Madison.

We hope you are able to attend this most important gathering. And, for those of you who are not planning to attend the PWPB conference, you can still register for just the Traffic Justice Institute. Go to the conference registration form and select the ‘Traffic Justice Institute ONLY’ choice.

We look forward to your participation. After all, do you have anything more important to do on September 5? For more info, go to: http://tinyurl.com/eckvc

DON’T FORGET TO PRE-REGISTER FOR PWPB SPECIAL MEETINGS

-> While you’re making your PWPB conference plans, don’t forget that you need to pre-register for three of the events: the Traffic Justice Institute on Tuesday, Sept. 5th from 11a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; the Safe Routes to School Practitioners Workshop, also on Sept. 5th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. ; and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership Annual Meeting on Friday, Sept. 8, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

You can sign up for the two SRTS events (no cost) using an on-line
form at this URL:
http://www.bikewalk.org/conference/srts.html

You can read more about the Traffic Justice Institute on the conference site (see the left-hand navigation bar). You must pre-register for the Institute ($75 using the on-line conference registration form, or use the downloadable registration form
(.pdf) available on this page:
http://www.bikewalk.org/conference/srts.html

CONTESTED SEATS FOR “CONTESTED STREETS” SCREENING

-> According to a recent note from Transportation Alternatives’ Executive Director, Paul Steely White, “Last Thursday there was standing room only at the New York City Council screening of Contested Streets: Breaking NYC Gridlock. Over 100 city council members, staffers and other city employees packed the 75 capacity hearing room at the invitation of Council member John Liu and other members of the City
Council transportation committee.

“The new documentary film, co-produced by Transportation Alternatives and Mark Gorton, is proving popular with city leaders interested in how New York can follow the example of London, Paris and other big cities that are successfully taming traffic. The film features footage of London’s congestion charge zone, Paris’s new Bus Rapid Transit system, and Copenhagen’s network of bike and pedestrian streets.”

To purchase DVD, or to schedule your own screening, go to:
http://tinyurl.com/z7bjm

FHWA PROPOSED RULEMAKING — STATE, METRO PLANNING

-> According to an article in the July 21st RTP News, “the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on statewide and metropolitan transportation planning and programming and congestion management processes/systems in the June 9, 2006, Federal Register. This joint NPRM reflects the recent enactment of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) (Public Law 109-59, August 10, 2005), as well as incorporates changes initiated in its predecessor
legislation, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (Public Law 105-178, June 9, 1998). We encourage you to share this announcement with your State DOT, MPO, and other transportation planning partners. Please encourage interested partners and stakeholders to carefully review the NPRM and consider providing
comments to the official docket.

“Interested parties are invited to send comments regarding all facets of this proposed NPRM. Comments must be received on or before September 7, 2006. Mail or hand deliver comments to the U. S. Department of Transportation, Dockets Management Facility, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington DC 20590, submit electronically at http://dms.dot.gov or fax comments to (202) 493-2251. Alternatively, comments may be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov.”

“For additional information on the joint planning NPRM process, please feel free to contact Larry Anderson, Planning Oversight and Stewardship Team Leader (larry.Anderson@dot.gov), and/or Rob Ritter (robert.ritter@dot.gov), Planning Capacity Building Team Leader.”

Links to the NPRM:
Text: http://tinyurl.com/r4wex
Pdf: http://tinyurl.com/q8qhw

AVOID ROAD RAGE, COSTLY TICKETS – SHARE THE ROAD

-> The July 27th Marin County Bicycle Coalition newsletter mentioned, “If you’re riding near San Marin High School this Saturday morning, be prepared to stop at the Share the Road Checkpoint hosted by the Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC), Marin County Law Enforcement, and the California Highway Patrol. They’ll be waiting to educate motorists and cyclists about their shared rights and responsibilities. As rage, collisions, and frustrating driver and rider behaviors continue to plague Marin’s roads, MCBC and law enforcement are partnering to help prevent such problems.

“The Checkpoints provide educational literature in a friendly atmosphere about the ways everyone can safely and conscientiously share the roads. Uniformed officers and MCBC volunteers will provide Share the Road flyers to motorists and cyclists who pass through each Checkpoint. The flyers contain California Vehicle Code information,
Codes of Conduct for bicyclists and motorists to foster respect for each other, plus safety and courtesy tips.

“Marin’s 2006 July Checkpoints to date have been a huge success.
– On July 8 along the Sausalito-Mill Valley bike path – provided flyers to 619 cyclists and joggers
– On July 15 in San Anselmo – provided flyers to 336 motorists and 194 cyclists
– On July 22 on the Tiburon Bike Path – provided flyers to hundreds (we’re refining our numbers!)”

For more on the Share the Road checkpoints and the MCBC, go to: http://www.marinbike.org

BLUE CROSS (MN) ANNOUNCES ACTIVE COMMUNITY GRANTS

-> According to a July 26th news release, “Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) has announced the selection of 11 proposals for two programs that will help Minnesota city and county governments plan their communities to better support physically active lifestyles. The two programs — Active Community Planning and Active Community Assessment & Engagement — are part of Prevention Minnesota, Blue Cross’ long-term initiative to improve the health of all Minnesotans. Prevention Minnesota tackles preventable heart disease and cancers by addressing their root causes — tobacco use, physical inactivity, and unhealthy eating.

“‘Physical inactivity is one of the top causes of preventable death and disability in Minnesota,’ said Marc Manley, M.D., vice president and medical director of population health at Blue Cross. ‘As more people recognize the need to build physical activity into their daily lives to improve their overall health, our environments need to support that choice. For example, safe and attractive pedestrian and bicycle routes
can make it easier for people to choose active transportation for commuting, daily chores and recreation,’ continued Manley. ‘It’s all about improving the health of Minnesotans, and we’re pleased that counties and municipalities are eager to plan for active community environments so their residents have a choice.’…”

Source: http://tinyurl.com/hexyd Archive search: use “Search” window
Archive cost: No Title: “Blue Cross Announces Finalists for Active Community Funding” Author: -

For more information, go to: http://tinyurl.com/gp3t4

BIKES ALLOWED ON DENVER (CO) FASTRACKS

-> According to the July 20th Bicycle Colorado News, “Bicycle Colorado has just confirmed that bicycles will be allowed on all light rail trains, commuter rail trains, and bus rapid transit vehicles as part of RTD’s FasTracks program. FasTracks is the twelve year voter-approved plan to build passenger rail lines and bus rapid transit serving the Denver metro area.

“This means bicyclists in the Denver metro region will be able to combine and extend their bike trips with transit. Officials from RTD announced this important news during a Transit Alliance meeting on June 22. Just last year, RTD began bicycle access on trains during all times and directions.”

For more info, go to:
http://www.BicycleColorado.org

HIGH POINT TO CAPE MAY (NJ) BIKE ROUTE GUIDE AVAILABLE

-> According to a recent news release, “The New Jersey Department of Transportation, in an effort to continue supporting bicycling as a healthy and sustainable form of transportation, has prepared ‘High Point to Cape May Bike Route — A Tour Guide for Cyclists,’ a bound set of maps and directions guiding cyclists along the 238-mile on-road route. Stretching from High Point State Park in the north to Cape May Lighthouse in the south, it connects major attractions with roadways
that feature low-traffic volume, low-traffic speed, wide shoulders, and works well for both short- and long-distance rides.

“This bound booklet is printed on weather resistant paper with each page covering approximately 15 miles. The route recently had its inaugural ride by a small group of cyclists, which included Michael Dannemiller, Project Manager at The RBA Group, who developed the route and prepared the ‘Tour Guide’ for NJDOT. The High Point to Cape May Bike Route was initiated and managed by Sheree Davis, NJDOT Office of
Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs, Section Chief. Steve Spindler Cartography and Bikeways Engineering also assisted NJDOT and The RBA Group in preparing the ‘Tour Guide.’…”

For a free copy, send an email to <bikeped@dot.state.nj.us>. An
electronic version will soon be posted here: http://www.njcommuter.com

CARL SAGAN — JUST ANOTHER JUNK SCIENTIST?

-> In a recent note, long-time friend and Nebraska bike/pedestrian coordinator Ron Schlautman said, “Carl Sagan’s last book before he died can help explain why some people refer to Global Warming as ‘widely acknowledged as junk science’.” As Sagan points out, there is money in writing any article putting down Global Warming. That money can come from most any industry on up to the big oil companies. But there
are zero dollars and much criticism if you write or do research to help prove that Global Warming is an upcoming problem. And yes, it could be having its effects even today. We cannot change the oil companies’ agenda, but we can do our own part and Bike or Walk more, drive our vehicles less.”

CONNECTIONS NEWSLETTER FEATURES PRESENTERS

Leading up to the Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference (Sept. 5-8 in Madison, Wisc.) you can keep abreast of new information and meet some of the presenters and speakers through the Connections newsletter. This newsletter will be e-mailed to you every other Friday (on the Friday’s CenterLines is not mailed) up until the conference. Subscribing to Connections is simple: use the form at the bottom of the first page of the Pro Walk/Pro Bike conference site:
http://www.bikewalk.org/conference/index.html

If you missed the first two issues of Connections, you can view them at links immediately below the subscription form.

Q-U-O-T-E-S–R–U-S
————————————————————

-> “A garage door opens in the morning and spits out a car and then at 6 or 7 in the evening it opens and swallows a car,” — Betty Heacker, owner of Wabash Antiques & Feed, Houston TX http://tinyurl.com/kof8a

-> “If you don’t make it a walkable community, it’s going to be a driveable one.”
– Michael Mortell, Stuart (FL) City Commission http://tinyurl.com/ov6g8

I-N–T-H-E–N-E-W-S
————————————————————

PENTICTON (BC) “GETACTIVE!” TASK FORCE GETS MOVING

-> According to a July 26th Western News article, “The GetActive! Penticton Task Force has been working collaboratively for the past six months strategizing how to reach their goal of ‘creating a healthier community in which physical activity is valued and everyone participates daily.’ This group of community leaders is passionate to
motivate residents to get more active, promote physical activity opportunities and resources and educate the community on the health benefits of activity. How do we create and sustain a movement to inspire every community member to become more active and achieve our goal, target and objectives? We do it with everyone’s help. The participation of local service clubs, sport organizations, businesses, health providers, schools, daycares, community agencies and every local citizen is essential for this very important initiative.

“The benefits of physical activity are endless.
- Regular physical activity can increase life expectancy by as much as two years.
- Regular physical activity is recognized as a key factor in reducing the risks of heart disease and high blood pressure.
- Even moderate regular activity, such as a brisk walk, delivers significant health benefits.
- Regular physical activity increases an individual’s energy level and affects one’s ability to fully participate in work, play, social and family life…

“Through this community awareness and partnership process, the GAP Task Force has prepared a Web site and designed marketing materials including various resources to be available to the general public to encourage them to become more active. To learn more on how to become a partner, to personally commit to get ’20 per cent more active by 2010,’ or to get more background on this initiative, visit the Web site at or phone the Penticton Community Centre at 490-2426. Join the wave of
enthusiasm to get Penticton more active and become one of the healthiest communities in British Columbia…”
Source: http://tinyurl.com/qllsd
Archive search: None found
Archive cost: ?
Title: “Building a healthy community”
Author: Lori Mullin

NEW YORK STATE “CANAL SPLASH” COMING IN AUGUST

-> According to a July 26th news release, “The New York State Canal Corporation today announced more than 85 local events will take place the weekend of August 12-13, 2006 as part of the first Annual Canal Splash! — a weekend-long celebration of the history, beauty, culture and recreational appeal of the New York State Canal System and Erie Canalway Trail. ‘In our inaugural year, we have had an overwhelming
response from communities, non-profits and businesses throughout the Canal System,’ Canal Corporation Director Carmella Mantello said. ‘With more than 85 special events and activities planned throughout the weekend, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy. So make plans now to join in the festivities and celebrate this State and national treasure in our own backyard.’

“The Canal Splash is the Canal Corporation’s signature marketing event designed to promote the many communities, organizations, businesses and attractions throughout the Canal Corridor. Examples of local events include nature and history walks along the canal or Canalway Trail; museum and gallery features; group bicycle rides on the Canalway Trail; rowing regattas; Canalside business and restaurant specials; discounts on kayak and canoe rentals; cruise boat tours; canal festivals,
concerts and more…”

Source: http://tinyurl.com/qqcba
Archive search: http://tinyurl.com/qfjts
Archive cost: No
Title: “Canal Corporation Announces Canal Splash! Program of Events”
Author: Jennifer Meicht

For more information, go to: http://tinyurl.com/lt2an

TUCSON (AZ) TEENS TO CREATE CHILDREN’S BIKE MAP

-> According to a July 27th Arizona Daily Star article, “Two South Side neighborhoods are counting on a few teenagers to help improve the quality of life for younger children by encouraging them to ride their bicycles. The three teenage interns are working with the Pima County Department of Transportation to create a children’s bike map for the Sunnyside and Elvira neighborhoods. The teens are also working on the project to receive a Congressional Award. They will teach the children
how to maintain their bikes after they complete a bicycle-maintenance course at the BICAS Community Center, 44 W. Sixth St. BICAS stands for Bicycle Inter-Community Action and Salvage. ‘We want to teach them that riding their bike is fun,’ said Marina Contreras, 15.

“Contreras and her counterparts, Adam Gomez,16, and Daniel Logue,13, gather at the BICAS center every Thursday afternoon and learn about all the components of a bicycle. The eight-week training class started on July 6. Gomez said they already have targeted a perimeter for the bike map that borders Interstate 19, Nogales Highway, Los Reales Road and Irvington Road. The map’s route will feature kid-friendly destinations that are expected to bring children out into the community, said Donna Lewandowski, Safe Routes to School coordinator for the county Department of Transportation. The recreational destinations along the perimeter include Mission Manor Park, Rodeo Park and El Pueblo Regional Recreation Campus. ‘This is more than something a kid can go to school with,’ said Ignacio Rivera De Rosales, bicycle and pedestrian educator for the Transportation Department…”

Source: http://tinyurl.com/fy5m2
Archive search: use “Search” window
Archive cost: Yes
Title: “Teens to teach tykes the fun of biking”
Author: Jamar Younger

THE CUL-DE-SAC DEBATE HEATS UP

-> According to a July 16th News-Democrat article, “Joanie and Craig Aasen wanted to run from their newly purchased home after discovering $60,000 worth of hidden mouse damage. Now, a year later, they’re thankful they didn’t. Their now mouse-free home has a feature that was worth every headache: It’s on a cul-de-sac. ‘We don’t know what our lives would be like if we hadn’t moved here,’ said Joanie Aasen, a
36-year-old oncology nurse. ‘Our social life is here.’ Like many suburban families, the Aasens prize how quiet and child-friendly their lollipop-shaped street in Vadnais Heights, Minn., is.

“But not everyone shares that affection. Across the nation, concerns about traffic congestion and increased road maintenance costs are causing a growing backlash against these icons of suburban life. Local governments across the country, including some in Minnesota, have passed zoning ordinances to limit cul-de-sacs. In Oregon, which embraced ‘smart growth’ land-use concepts decades ago to combat sprawl,
90 percent of the state’s cities have ordinances limiting new cul-de-sacs.

“Minnesota cities are more permissive, but some are also taking steps to limit new ones. City councils in St. Cloud and Northfield, for example, prefer to routinely deny new cul-de-sacs unless there is a physical necessity for them. In Blaine, Minn., a fast-growing suburb, ‘All things being equal, we try to minimize them when we can,’ said Bryan Schafer, the city’s community development director. ‘But the market likes them, and people like living on them. Developers like them because they can get more for them. It’s all a balance.’ An oft-cited concern with cul-de-sacs is that they often result in overly congested connecting streets. All those cars from neighborhoods of dead-end streets have to go somewhere, critics say…”

Source: http://tinyurl.com/r6d9e
Archive search: use “Search” window
Archive cost: Yes
Title: “Cul-de-sacs may face elimination soon”
Author: Darlene Prois

CYCLIST RIDES FOR COAST-TO-COAST TRAIL NETWORK

-> According to a July 26th Register article, “On a bike trip that launched in Boston April 29 and soon finishes in San Francisco, Scott Campbell has shaken the hands of many a mayor. The Napa stop, however, stands out for the 54-year-old graphic designer on a cross-country quest for safer bike by-ways. On Monday, 20-some unexpected fans pedaled to Napa City Hall just to meet him. In addition to receiving a
pro-bicycle proclamation from Mayor Jill Techel, Campbell was greeted by a throng of inquisitive and sincerely awed youngsters from the Von Brandt Neighborhood Center. ‘I bet you’re tired,’ 8-year-old Cassandra Zavala said to Campbell. ‘My legs are,’ replied a grinning Campbell, whose hair was still sopping wet after his two-wheel trek from Sacramento in sometimes triple-digit temperatures. The kids, who ranged
in ages from 8 to their early teens, said they came out to meet Campbell and another long-distance rider, Pam Slocum, who joined Campbell’s westward journey in Denver, Colo. They also came to support Campbell’s crusade for the National Bicycle Greenway — a network of contiguous bicycle trails from sea to shining sea.

“Jesus Magallon, 12, said if the National Bicycle Greenway came to be, ‘that could really change people.’ ‘They wouldn’t be riding any more cars. The air is getting worse by the minute. They’d be getting exercise. Seeing nature’s beauty” Magallon said. On the Napa front, Mayor Techel said her city ‘could get friendlier, we have a ways to go.’ The mayor pointed out that the Napa River Trail, connecting an
8-mile riverside stretch between Kennedy Park and Trancas Street with a contiguous bike strip, won’t be done until after the completion of the flood project. That may be 2011 or later. She added that a group of about six avid cyclists have ‘made a difference’ pushing for more bike-friendly developments throughout the city and county through bicycle advisory commissions. ‘On a day like today, how do you get
people out of their cars?’ Techel asked, referring to the fact that Monday was a ‘Spare the Air’ Day, with Bay Area air quality authorities calling on people to limit or refrain from driving because of severe air pollution. ‘You have to make pathways available and make it safe for people to take alternative transportation.’…”

Source: http://tinyurl.com/jpaeh
Archive search: http://tinyurl.com/zez3w
Archive cost: No
Title: “Quest for nationwide bike path gets cheers”
Author: Julissa Mckinnon

WANTED: PEDESTRIANS TO FILL RED HOOK (NY) SIDEWALKS

-> According to a July 24th Poughkeepsie Journal article, “Michael Uccellini looks outside his shop, Red Hook Natural Foods, on a recent afternoon and wonders when the village will finally come into its own. Down Route 9, in the Village of Rhinebeck, the restaurants always seem to be busy and the sidewalks are active. Other than the repeat customers who step in, pedestrian sightings are sporadic on this summer
afternoon. ‘There aren’t too many places like Rhinebeck,’ Uccellini said, while surveying Broadway. ‘Woodstock and New Paltz aren’t Rhinebeck either, but they still have their own identity.’ Since most of the students from Bard College have gone home, many Red Hook business owners said the summers tend to be slow. But even when the college is in full swing, getting a steady stream of pedestrian traffic
to walk through the village four corners, or the Route 199 and Route 9 intersection, can be challenging. ‘The village is a nice looking place,’ Uccellini said. ‘There just seems to be zero walking traffic. What it needs is a nice small inn, where people can come in and stay close to the village.’

“Mayor David Cohen said he has heard the concerns from local businesses about the lack of parking, the irritating traffic stoppages that can occur during the afternoon at the Route 9/Route 199 traffic light and the lack of pedestrian traffic. Work has been done to try and spruce up the village, such as the addition of street lights that resemble gas lamps. The village is also working on project to extend sidewalks
around the village to make it more walkable…Cohen said a recent traffic study done by the state Department of Transportation showed 12,000-15,000 vehicles pass through the village daily. The key is to get those drivers to stop inside the village, according to Ryan McCann, president of the Red Hook Area Chamber of Commerce. ‘I have a friend who says Red Hook is the busiest town where nothing happens,’ McCann said. ‘The traffic congestion is getting to the point where people are
beginning to avoid the four corners altogether.’…”

Source: http://tinyurl.com/k38uo
Archive search: use “Search” window
Archive cost: Yes
Title: “Red Hook longs for neighbor’s throngs”
Author: Rasheed Oluwa

NEW MISSOURI BUS RULES HIGHLIGHT SPRINGFIELD’S PROBLEM

-> According to a July 27th News-Leader article, “Communities need to keep sidewalks in mind. Walking out the door of your house, where can your legs take you? How far can you safely walk? What about the children in your neighborhood? Can they walk easily to get to their school, their friends’ houses or nearby parks? What about folks on the other side of town? New state guidelines regulating busing children to school should highlight larger questions of how walkable our cities and
towns are. The new guidelines direct school districts to provide free bus transportation to school for children who live less than a mile from school who must use a dangerous walking route. The exact details of the state guidelines are not available. However, this focus on safe transportation to school districts reminds us of the importance of living in a walkable community where sidewalks and trails are available for all.

“Ideally, local city and county governments and school boards would be working together to make sure that sidewalks are included with new developments and new schools. Fortunately in Springfield, all new subdivisions have to either have sidewalks or pay a hefty fee to the city so that sidewalks can be constructed, said Earl Newman, assistant director of public works. Some older subdivisions don’t have sidewalks. In those areas, the city has worked since 1989 to use a quarter-cent
sales tax to expand our network of sidewalks, with a first priority to sidewalks that connect neighborhoods to schools. Greene County also requires high density subdivisions to build sidewalks on new roads. This would be a good model for other areas to follow. Sidewalks are, after all, more than just something for kids to use as they get back and forth to school every day. As Newman said, ‘Everybody benefits from the sidewalks that are put in.’…”

Source: http://tinyurl.com/m35j4
Archive search: http://tinyurl.com/mtrng
Archive cost: Yes
Title: “New bus rules highlight problem”
Author: Editorial Board

MAKE WAY FOR THE SIDEWALK SUV: “MOBILITY” SCOOTERS

-> According to a July 17th Pittsburg Post-Gazette article, “On a recent afternoon at Walt Disney World, Dennis Robles was cruising around on an electric ‘mobility scooter’ that the park usually rents out to people with disabilities. Mr. Robles doesn’t have a problem walking — he says he was simply saving up energy for late-night
dancing. ‘I’m pretty healthy,’ says the 37-year-old truck driver from Brooklyn, N.Y. ‘Just lazy, I guess.’ The power scooter is an increasingly ubiquitous sight, with an estimated 1.2 million in use nationwide. But while the $1,000-plus vehicles have been hailed as a boon for the infirm and the elderly, they are now finding a new constituency: able-bodied people who simply don’t feel like walking. In addition to theme parks like Dollywood and Minnesota’s giant Mall of America, the scooters are popping up everywhere from Las Vegas casinos to grocery stores.

“When scooter demand outstrips supply at Wal-Mart, greeters ‘evaluate the situation’ and make sure that people using the scooters can demonstrate a legitimate need, according to a company spokesman. Some entrepreneurs are starting to push the vehicles as bicycles without the pedaling. City Scooter Tours, an outfit that operates in Washington and plans to extend into Chicago, offers scooters as an easy way to see the sights. ‘It’s kind of bad for the cause,’ says Janna Starr, director of disability rights and technology policy for United Cerebral Palsy, a
nonprofit group. Stores and tourist attractions need to set guidelines and ‘not just let people come up and take off in the scooters just because they want one,’ she says. Ms. Starr and some other advocates for the disabled say able-bodied riders can rile pedestrians, creating a negative image of scooter use that could hurt those who really need assistance…”

Source: http://tinyurl.com/hcdp2
Archive search: http://tinyurl.com/cje8n
Archive cost: Yes
Title: “Make way for the sidewalk SUV: Mobility scooters”
Author: Ellen Gamerman

CONNECTICUT GROUPS WORK TO PROMOTE SMART GROWTH

-> According to a July 27th Norwalk Citizen article, “A new nonprofit organization called 1,000 Friends of Connecticut is working with longstanding groups that have decades of experience in transportation and development issues to move toward smart growth policies in the state. 1,000 Friends was formed a year ago to promote sustainable growth, urban renewal, the conservation of green space and a vibrant
state economy. A summary document notes that its members ‘work to ensure that government operates at peak performance to create long-term prosperity in our towns.’ As defined by 1,000 Friends, ‘smart growth serves the economy, the community and the environment.’ It ‘seeks to make market forces work on behalf of compact, affordable, walkable communities It promotes choice and fairness in transportation, education and taxation.’ At the group’s first annual meeting, conducted on July 20 at The Maritime Aquarium at Nor-walk, experienced and
knowledgeable specialists were brought together to show that smart growth polices can be successful even against entrenched government agencies.

“Jon Orcott, the executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, said his group has had success in New Jersey and can ‘advance it in Connecticut.’ He described how New Jersey’s Department of Transportation was spending 50 percent of its budget on new highway capacity that it couldn’t afford to maintain. ‘We challenged the state to adopt a “fix-it-first” campaign’ and change the New Jersey DOT’s spending priorities, Orcott said. After a legal battle with the agency, ‘bridge repair funds went up’ because the state moved revenue into maintenance budgets and reduced construction spending. Connecticut, Orcott said, ‘is very stingy with local governments’ for road repair and bridge maintenance. He suggests that municipalities utilize ‘local land-use power’ and partner it with state funds. ‘Towns want places to walk and bike,’ he said, and local governments often own the land on
which the state wants to expand roads. A partnership with adjacent towns provides a powerful network to ‘create workable town centers,’ with a corridor road plan that connects the towns rather than separates them, Orcott said…”

Source: http://tinyurl.com/gx8f6
Archive search: http://tinyurl.com/z76lp
Archive cost: Yes
Title: “Groups New and Old Work to Promote Smart Growth”
Author: Leslie Hutchison

SW TRAILS MAPS SOUTHWEST PORTLAND (OR) FOR PEDESTRIANS

-> According to a July 27th Oregonian article, “Without breaking stride, Don Baack reaches into his utility belt and grabs a small clippers. A rogue blackberry branch or other encroaching vine doesn’t stand a chance of surviving Baack’s trail maintenance. Clip. Clip. On a recent morning walk with his faithful companion Siskiyou, Baack leads
the way on a 4-mile urban hike from his home near Wilson High School to near the top of Council Crest and back.

“His route is carefully marked and includes sidewalks, low-traffic streets, a reclaimed 19th century farm-to-market path and a gravel trail through a short stretch of woods. Along the way, Baack talks about the effort that has gone into SW Trails, the group that has successfully mapped 40 miles of walkable routes through Southwest
Portland. ‘We figured out where people would want to walk,’ Baack said. Permits, red tape and bureaucratic runaround? Clip. Clip. Clip…”

Source: http://tinyurl.com/qoj79 (Note: there are 3 pages)
Archive search: http://tinyurl.com/8b4gf
Archive cost: Yes
Title: “A walk on the mild West side”
Author: Doug Binder

BARBOURMEADE (KY) TO START SAFE ROUTES PROJECT

-> According to a July 24th WHAS-TV story, “In less than a month school will be back in session. So what’s being done to make sure your kids get to and from school safely? The government has granted federal money for a project called Safe Routes to School to the city of Barbourmeade in eastern Jefferson County. We’re three and a half weeks away from carpoolers lining up and jamming Barbour Lane in front of Norton Elementary School. During the last school year, they witnessed something very dangerous along this stretch. As mini-vans and cars would be packed in a line to turn into Norton Elementary, the cars behind them would go around, cross the double yellow line into the wrong lane of traffic to get by them. ‘All of a sudden, a car comes up behind them on the left-hand side,’ says Barbourmeade Mayor Kim Holsclaw. ‘So it’s a very dangerous situation here at the entrance. If we’re going to encourage kids to walk and bike to school we knew
something needed to be done.’

“A neighbor, Walt Queen said, ‘People totally ignore that this is a residential area. It’s not unusual to have cars going through here at 50 to 55 miles per hour.’ Right now, drivers can fly down Barbour Lane and not even know Norton Elementary is here. Their sign is some thirty yards from the road. ‘Seems to be irrelevant to society anymore,’ says Queen. ‘Everybody’s in a hurry.’ How much in a hurry? As carpoolers
wait to turn, other drivers lose patience one after another, even a school bus. Barbourmeade will now add more signs including a temporary one you can’t miss in the middle of the road. Another solution is what’s called a ‘Walking School Bus Program.’ ‘Parents who will start at one end of the neighborhood, walk a block or two, meet up with another parent and a group of kids,’ Explains Mayor Holsclaw. ‘The first parent then has the choice to go back home and get ready for work
or continue on with the group.’…”

Source: http://tinyurl.com/zgq2f
Archive search: use “Search” window
Archive cost: No
Title: “School traffic safety: Project Safe Routes”
Author: Joe Arnold

For more info on Kentucky’s Safe Routes program, go to: http://tinyurl.com/z7m5p

FINDING ALL THOSE BIKEWAYS — A “DUTCH PROBLEM”

-> According to a July 26th StreetsBlog article, “Dutch cyclists union ENFB has launched the first door-to-door route finder for bicycles, which is the result of a large volunteer project inspired by the collaborative Internet project Wikipedia. One in every three trips in the Netherlands is done on a push bike and the country has thousands of bicycle lanes that are not accessible to cars. None of these bicycle
lanes were known to navigation software or route finding devices. ‘This is really a Dutch problem. Other countries have very few dedicated bike lanes and in those countries car route finders can be used by cyclists, too. But here in Holland, car route finders are unaware of the best cycle lanes,’ said Kees Bakker, project leader for the Dutch cycle route planner available here…”

Source: http://tinyurl.com/rlslk
Archive search: use “Search” window
Archive cost: No
Title: “Really a Dutch Problem”
Author: Reuters

Visit the Utrecht cycle route planner:
http://tinyurl.com/ej36n

BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATES FIRST FED-FUNDED HIGHWAY

-> According to a July 30th Journal-Constitution article, “Constant construction, bumper-to-bumper traffic, tollbooths and big rigs loaded with freight. These plagues of modern drivers are nothing new. They also were common on the National Road of the early 1800s, the nation’s first federally funded highway, as it cut through the wilderness from Baltimore to St. Louis. This year marks the bicentennial of the National Road, which dates its beginnings to the first funds allotted by Congress in 1806 to build the road westward from Cumberland, Md. Some of the best-preserved stretches of the National Road’s three lives can be found on a 70-mile trip between New Concord and Columbus, Ohio. You can make better time on the parallel I-70, but take the slower and more pleasant drive on U.S. 40 and some of the detours that follow the
path of earlier versions of the National Road. A guide available from the Ohio Historical Society provides mile-by-mile directions and information about the historic or just plain interesting stops across the state.

“On the road, you can get the feel of the small cities and the countryside, eventually flowing through the suburbs and into the city in Columbus. And you’ll see historic structures, some with new uses. Old stone inns have been turned into antiques shops like the Smith House-Cliff Rock House just west of Zanesville. Ads for Mail Pouch chewing tobacco adorn barns much as ‘See Rock City’ ads do across the
South. Through the hills of eastern Ohio, cattle graze in the lush fields, with the curious walking right up to the fence. Watch for the stone or concrete National Road mile markers — some fresh and white and surrounded by small fences or flowers, others worn away to the point of being unreadable. As the road west levels out around Amsterdam, Ohio, fields stretch endlessly. Soon, you’re entering the suburbs of Columbus with the strip malls, restaurants and motels that sprang up along U.S. 40 during its heyday…”

Source: http://tinyurl.com/j4eqe
Archive search: http://tinyurl.com/bxgua
Archive cost: Yes
Title: “National Road offers trip back in time”
Author: Karl Ritzler

AND NOW, FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT…

CARL SAGAN’S BALONEY DETECTION KIT

“Warning signs that suggest deception. Based on the book by Carl Sagan ‘The Demon Haunted World.’ The following are suggested as tools for testing arguments and detecting fallacious or fraudulent arguments: