Protect Walking/Biking Funding

Ask Your Member of Congress to Protect Walking/Biking Funding in the Transportation Bill.   

Let Congress know TODAY

Overwhelming Support for Bike/Ped Funding

 

Today at a press conference on Capitol Hill, America Bikes announced the findings of a recent Princeton survey, which shows that more than 80 percent of Americans favor maintaining or increasing federal funding for sidewalks and bike lanes.

For more information on the survey and to download the results, visit the America Bikes website.

The survey results are astounding - and bipartisan:  

SRTS National Partnership Hiring in TN

Help us find a high-quality State Advocacy Organizer
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership

 

is looking for an energetic and dynamic professional to work as the state advocacy organizer in Tennessee. Applications

 

are due on Friday, May 18, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. PT. The anticipated start date for the position is Monday, June 4, 2012. 

Bike Kitchen Organizing in Johnson City

  The Johnson City Bike Party/Bike Kitchen Event and Benefit

Announcing Feed Your Hunger (JC Bike Party/Little City Bike Collective Event) 
May 24th, 2012 from 3pm-2am meeting at Galaxy Lounge (down town Johnson City).  
Biking
Entertainment
Want to volunteer or make a donation?  
About the JC Bike Party/Bike Kitchen and the Mission 

Afterschool Program Gets Kids Biking

Boys On Bikes is an after-school program that teaches kids bike safety and gets them out several times a week for exercise and fun. This program at Southside School in Johnson City is led by the school's physical education teacher and supported by local businesses. Other elementary schools are considering taking on this model as a unique way to let kids have a safe and healthy alternative after-school activity.

JOIN Us for Tennessee's 1'st Bike Summit

The inaugural Tennessee Bike Summit will be held in Chattanooga, May 2-4.  Transportation officials, government leaders, planners, engineers, public health officials,  advocates, and others, are invited to attend to join the discussion on transportation, people, and places. THE MAP

There is no fee to attend the Summit, but registration is required.  Visit www.tnbikesummit.org for complete information.

The 2012 Tennessee Bike Summit will serve as an opportunity to share successes, challenges, and strategies for moving Tennessee forward as a bicycle-friendly state. Join us for exciting sessions and mobile workshops!

Dogwood Arts Festival Bikes and Blooms Rides

As part of the Knoxville area's annual Dogwood Arts Festival, there will be two sponsored bike rides this year. The first is on Saturday April 28 at 9:00 (departing at 10:00 AM) at Springbrook Park in Alcoa, for 10 or 20 miles and is sponsored by Cycology bicycles in Maryville. The other ride is on Sunday the 29th, and is at 2:00 PM leaving from Ijams Nature Center. These fun rides help showcase what regular people can do on a bike.

Two wheeled pedestrians.

This image taken while cycling the Music City Bikeway today. Definitely two wheels but move like pedestrians. Are we missing a constituency?  Photo taken at the northeast edge of Nashville's Bicentennial Mall.

Federal Funding 101

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is hosting a free webinar:

FEDERAL FUNDING 101: An overview of the basic federal funding process for walking and bicycling and Safe Routes to School.

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012; 2-3pm eastern/1-2pm central/12-1pm mountain/11am-12pm pacific

REGISTER HERE: https://saferoutespartnership.ilinc.com/register/svhvcfb

Transportation funding can be a complex and confusing process, from applying for money and completing paperwork and forms, to the ‘obligation’ process which can take years to complete. Understanding these systems can help you to better navigate and advocate for federal funds that can increase bicycling and walking.

Slate Series on American Walking

Last week, there was a four part series posted on Slate by on pedestrians in the US. The four parts, with key points noted, are as follows. I've added a few side notes of my own observations.
Part I: The Crisis in American Walking
Part II: Sidewalk Science 
Part III: What's Your Walk Score 
Part IV: Learning to Walk

Olympic Bike Racing Set for Another Year in Johnson City

Olympic bicycle racing is set for June 2 and 3 in Elizabethton, Erwin and Johnson City. It will again bring the top Tennessee racers to compete against the best racers in the Southeast.

The three Olympic style bicycle races – a road race, time trial, and criterium- that make up the Johnson City Omnium will again use the downtown Johnson City course for the Phil Bachman Toyota Criterium on Blue Plum Festival Sunday, but some changes have been made to the time trial and road race.

Bike Summit Registration

Registration is now available for the Tennessee Bike Summit, May 2-4, 2012.

There is no charge to attend the conference, but registration is required.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TNBSregistration

Conference schedule and program will be confirmed soon. 

Philip Pugliese, Bicycle Coordinator - Outdoor Chattanooga

T 423.643.6887   M 423.322.1489 Fax 423.643.6885

ppugliese@outdoorchattanooga.com

www.outdoorchattanooga.com

www.bikechattanooga.org

Another Needless Tragedy

Cyclist Killed in Coffee County While Riding With Family

Driving too fast for conditions is not "innocent". That's the first thing you're taught about driving is to be aware of your surroundings.

Bike Walk TN Participates in Transportation Planning

With the forecasted bankruptcy of the Transportation Trust Fund, the loss of revenues from user fees, and the inability of Congress to arrive at a Transportation Authorization Act, current funding for transportation is in a critical state. It is evident that more will be required with less and that projects will have to verify the economic benefits outweigh the cost. With this challenge Smart Growth America (http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/) (SGA) and Gresham, Smith, and Partners are leading the national efforts to re-think transportation funding and decision making nationally.

Memphis selected as one of six cities for green lane project

Congratulations to Memphis, which has just been selected as one of six cities by Bikes Belongas part of their Green Lane Project. The announcement is located here. The Green Lane Project seeks to construct a series of innovative bike facilities separate from other traffic, in accordance with NACTO (National Association of City Transportation Officials) guidelines that we've previously covered.

LAB Pictures from Bike Summit

For MORE CLICK HERE

Pedestrian fatality in Oak Ridge, Melton Lake Drive

There was a pedestrian fatality approximately a quarter mile north of Union Valley Rd on Melton Lake Drive in Oak Ridge. The initial statement by the Oak Ridge Police Chief is available here, and a followup report here. The crash took place on March 24, and was reported around 10:30 PM. Melton Lake Drive is a moderate speed road with traffic speeds around 40 mph. The road has fairly good shoulders, and Melton Lake Greenway runs parallel to the entire stretch of road. The road ties into the parks in the area, as well as to Oak Ridge Turnpike and numerous residential areas. An excellent map of the Oak Ridge Greenways (PDF) is available here. The investigation into the crash is ongoing. Since the crash probably took place sometime after dark, what are things pedestrians can do to make themselves safer during nighttime?

Music City Bikeway

The Music City Bikeway is a 26-mile continuous bicycle route linking Percy Warner Park in western Nashville/Davidson County to Percy Priest Dam in eastern Nashville/Davidson County. This signed-route uses greenway trails, bike lanes, park roads, and signed- shared roads to connect major parks, densely populated neighborhood areas, and downtown Nashville. 
Interactive Route Map

Metro Bikeways Program Information
Led by Metro Public Works Engineering Division, project team members include the Metro Bike/Ped Advisory Committee, and RPM Transportation Consultants. For additional information contact the Public Works project manager at 615-880-1678.

Moving in Harmony

Moving in Harmony is a campaign to increase pedestrian, cyclist and motorist safety with an end goal of eliminating deaths and reducing injuries due to pedestrian or bicycle and motor vehicle collisions. The city of Nashville is committed to the improvement of safety through continued education and improved infrastructure to ensure we can all move in harmony on Nashville's roads.
This web site contains laws and recommendations for walking, biking and driving safely in Nashville, as well as resources for cyclists and pedestrians. For a complete list of all laws, and regulations regarding motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians please visit the Tennessee State Safety Resource Center website.

Knoxville Bike Collective

Metro Pulse has an article describing the Knoxville Bike Collective. It is run by volunteers, and offers to teach people bike maintenance and repair. Located in the basement of the Marble City Brewing Company, the collective is a great place to obtain a refurbished bike, as well as to meet like-minded folks. They will also gladly take donations of time, money, bikes, and bike equipment. Having personally been there, I must say that it is a wonderful place. The email address is knoxbikecollective@gmail.com Are there similar organizations elsewhere in the state?

First Citation Under "Due Care” Law

. . A 16-year-old motorist veered out of the lane on Highway 99 in Spring Hill and hit cyclist Chris Conlee according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol report. He has a broken leg, rib, and scapula. In past years the driver might have claimed he didn’t see the cyclist, but not this time.  Thanks to Tennessee’s new “due care” law drafted and promoted by Bike Walk Tennessee the motorist was charged with a violation that could be a possible $500 fine, loss of his driver's license and 11 months in jail and or probation.

. . Even with the new law Conlee is worried the case won't be prosecuted, because of an inadequate police report with no statements from the eyewitnesses and no photographs.

JOB POSTING

Livable Memphis, a local bike/ped advocacy organization in Memphis, TN, is hiring a program coordinator to direct its Walk Bike Memphis program, which serves as the primary bike/ped advocacy group in the city. Please help us spread the word about this opportunity and share widely.

Attached is a pdf of the job description and here is a link to the posting:

http://www.livablememphis.org/2012/03/were-hiring-wanted-livable-memphis-program-coordinator.html

Further Improvements in Senate Bill Passes

. . The Senate transportation bill has passed with bipartisan support and key provisions to fund biking and walking. A second manager’s amendment to the bill allows bicycles on federally owned roads and preserves the Recreational Trails program.
. . Previously, a Mandatory Side-path law in the bill banned bicycles on federally owned roads if with a speed limit over 30 mph and an adjacent paved path within 100 yards, ignoring bicyclists’ right to the road. The new manager’s amendment allows bicycles on federally roads if the road has a bicycle level of service (BLOS) rating of B or higher. 
. . The initial bill also eliminated the Recreational Trails funding for organized trail planning, development, and maintenance. DOTs now have the option to preserve the Recreational Trails program in their state. Funding would be equivalent to 2009 levels of Recreational Trails for that state.

Outdoor Knoxville Launched

Outdoor Knoxville was launched last week. It is provided by the legacy parks foundation. It has a directory of places, groups, and events on a calendar for those in the area, or who are visiting.