Month: January 2008

Posted on

Hazard Elimination Program

Another 10 percent of each State’s STP funds is set-aside for the Hazard Elimination and Railway-Highway Crossing programs, which address bicycle and pedestrian safety issues. Each State is required to implement a Hazard Elimination Program to identify and correct locations which may constitute a danger to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Funds may be used for activities including a survey of hazardous locations and for projects on any publicly owned bicycle or pedestrian pathway or trail, or any safety-related traffic calming measure. Improvements to railway-highway crossings "shall take into account bicycle safety." 23 USC Section 152
Continue reading “Hazard Elimination Program”

Posted on

Bicycle Friendly Community Workshop in Roanoke a Smashing Success

The group then identified critical issues preventing progress in Roanoke and surrounding communities, as well as a series of action items that will overcome those obstacles, which include:
* Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission establishing a Bicycle Committee
* Each local jurisdiction establishing a Bicycle Advisory Committee
* Each local jurisdiction adopting the regional bike plan of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
* Encouraging local interest groups to include non-motorized transit issues in their platform
* Hosting a candidate forum
* Creating an awards program to recognize government officials or agencies that are instrumental in improving conditions for cycling
* Organizing a community bike ride series
* Organizing a
Continue reading “Bicycle Friendly Community Workshop in Roanoke a Smashing Success”

Posted on

Cyclist Challenges Driver Downtown – And Wins

It’s an increasingly common slice of life in a city that often seems to be engaged in an ongoing war between riders and drivers. And if you were downtown at Yonge and Bloor Monday afternoon, you witnessed it at full tilt. It was a case of bike rage between a cyclist and a motorist, but unlike many of these cases, the guy on two wheels actually got the best of the man on four.
It happened around 3:45pm, when a motorist tried to make an illegal turn that almost knocked a rider off his bike. The angry cyclist refused to let the driver get away with it, constantly preventing him from making the prohibited turn, and taunting him with remarks about ‘playing the game.’
Every time the driver attempted to escape, the biker would simply get in front of him, daring him to hit him. He didn’t, and the cat-and-mouse traffic incident went on for a few minutes until passersby intervened and calmed the two-wheeler down. When they did, the driver finally made his turn and tried to get away from the area.
But even then he didn’t get far. He was immediately stopped by police and handed a ticket for the illegal turn. And just to add insult to injury, the cops weren’t in a cruiser – they were also riding bikes.
Continue reading “Cyclist Challenges Driver Downtown – And Wins”

Posted on

What constitutes a proper stop?

Another excerpt from Bicycling & the Law by Bob Mionske

"although the law requires cyclists to stop at uncontrolled intersections, stop signs, and red lights, the UVC is silent on the definition of "stopping" as specifically applied to cyclists."

"If you want to fight an unfair "stop means dismount" argument, this is the logic to use:

– I did stop, and the stop was of sufficient duration under the circumstances that any reasonable cyclists of my level of experience could safely and courteously observe and appraise the need to yield or proceed."
Continue reading “What constitutes a proper stop?”

Posted on

Safe Routes Coaching Action Network

Register for "Getting your Story Out"
January 29th, 2008
Daytime and Evening times are offered for your convenience. See below.
This 60 minute seminar focuses on a crucial aspect of successful outreach: getting your story to the people who matter. Presenter David Levinger, President of The Mobility Education Foundation, will provide you five key ways to increase the impact and reach of your story. He uses specific case studies to help you develop the support necessary to effect change.
Specifically, the following topics will be covered:
1. Using stories to energize your cause.
2. Getting free advertising through "earned" media coverage.
3. Building support and champions by telling stories at special sessions and hearings.
At the start of the call, Nancy Pullen-Seufert of the National Center for Safe Routes to School will provide a brief update.
This webinar is part of the Safe Routes Coaching Action Network Webinar Series, developed by America Walks and the National Center for Safe Routes to School.
Continue reading “Safe Routes Coaching Action Network”

Posted on

Don’t Honk If You Hate Bicyclists

On Sunday, I was part of a group of bicyclists on MacArthur Boulevard when a car occupied by two older people came up behind us with its horn blaring. A woman was practically hanging out the window and yelling indignantly, "Get on the bike path!"
Anyone who has driven MacArthur on a weekend knows that bikes are commonplace on the road. The aging miscreants in this car were on a vigilante mission. Any cyclist will tell you it happens all too regularly.
The truth is that it is legal for bicyclists to use most roads in our area. But leaning on the horn and yelling out the window as you pass a cyclist is not legal. Bicyclists who abuse the laws of the road embarrass me, but there is no excuse for this kind of harassment.
Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians should make a greater effort to co-exist peacefully and obey the laws of the road.
GUNTHER STERN
Continue reading “Don’t Honk If You Hate Bicyclists”