Month: June 2010

[B’ Spokes: Note a road diet is taking 4 lane road and making a center turn lane, two travel lanes and two bike lanes.]
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By David Hiller
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As of April 2010 Seattle has implemented two-dozen road diets. The first were done in 1972 on California Ave SW and N 45th St. Since then, study after study has shown that road diets result in lower speeds, increased bicycling and walking, and fewer injuries and deaths, all while maintaining vehicle capacity. It’s what one would call a “win, win, win.”
SUCCESS ON STONE WAY
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Data collected by SDOT on Stone Way shows:
* • Motor vehicles now traveling at speeds closer to the posted 30 mph limit.
* • A decline of more than 80 percent in those going faster than 40 mph.
* • The changes made to the street lowered total all collisions by 14 percent and pedestrian collisions by 80 percent.
* • Motor vehicle traffic volume decreased 6% on the corridor over the study period. This might lead one to believe that the project increased traffic on adjacent streets as people changed routes to avoid delays, but traffic decreased more on adjacent streets than it did on Stone Way N itself.
* • Bike traffic – the stuff we care about – increased 35% over the period and represents 15% of the peak hour volume.
Continue reading “Road diets in Seattle- two dozen since 1972, proven effective on several fronts”

This video has nothing to do with biking really but I found points in the video interesting like measuring the pace of life and the faster pace the more heart attacks, We are rewiring people and how they think so they’ll get angry over waiting for small delays of less then minute, like waiting for your computer booted up.
Is there a secrete power in how we view and utilize time?
Continue reading “The Secrete Powers of Time”

[B’ Spokes: It seems to be an area problem.. blame the victim.]
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By Rich Hoffman
Bicyclist fatalities in Pennsylvania doubled last year over 2008, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Chester County had none last year and only one since 2001.
According to PennDOT, 16 bicyclists were killed in the state last year. Chester Country’s last reported bike-related fatality was in 2008, but others have needed emergency treatment after bike crashes.
"We don’t have any proven reasons for the increase in bicycle fatalities," PennDOT spokeswoman Alison Wenger said, though a rise in gasoline prices prompting more commuters to take their bicycles to work is one possible explanation.
PennDOT has issued instructions on how bicyclists can be safer. The tips include basic rules to follow when riding a bicycle, such as being visible to motorists and following all traffic laws. All of the department’s safety information can be found online at www.drivesafepa.org. The department also encourages riding bicycles for exercise.
PennDOT also encourages parents to teach children safe riding at a young age. Of the 18 bike-related fatalities in the state last year, four were riders under age 18.
Locally, the Chester County Cycling Coalition also encourages bicycling safety. But Ellen Zadoff, a coalition co-chairwoman, said the safety of bicyclists is also the responsibility of motorists.
"We were a little upset with what PennDOT released," Zadoff said. "It is true that there are cyclists who disobey the rules, but a motorist won’t be hurt by that. Cyclists have the same rights as motorists on the road, and it is the responsibility of the motorist to pass them safely."
An important point, he said, is for motorists and bicyclists to share the roads and have consideration for each other.
"Most important is the need to live harmoniously," agreed Viktor Ohnjec, vice president of the West Chester Cycling Club. Ohnjec said cyclists’ exposure to injury by accident is always greater than for a motorist.
The coalition also says the answer to better safety is to have more cyclists on the road rather than shying away from motor vehicles.
"More cyclists on the road make it safer because drivers will expect to see people on the road," Zadoff said.
Continue reading “Coalition urges safety measures after bicycle fatalities increas”

[I’ll note that I used to live in NYC where it was very covenant to pick up a few things on my way home form the subway. So basically every 2 days I would go shopping, no extra time leaving, no extra time coming home, just small amount of time that still let me enjoy the evening. Coming here my family got into these weekend shopping marathons that almost guaranteed one day shot with nothing accomplished but shopping. Sorry, but making everything convenient by car and nothing else does not give you more time to enjoy life.]
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The Sydney City Council voted on Wednesday to ban trolleys (shopping carts) at a local market, citing shoppers’ propensity to load up carts with far more food than they can carry, and then rely on a car to get home.
The City Council is promoting “drop-in-as-you-walk” supermarkets, starting with the new market on Erskineville Road in the west of the city. Customers are encouraged to shop with small hand-held baskets or reusable bags from home. The plan intends to discourage large purchases, which will help ensure that people walk or bike home.
Banning shopping carts is one way to prevent traffic congestion around new shopping locales.
Continue reading “Stores Ditch Shopping Carts to Discourage Vehicle Use”

By DENISE DICK
Twenty-eight college students bike 4,000 miles over 63 days to raise funds, foster hope and spread awareness about cancer.
The cyclists in the 4K for Cancer, mostly students at Johns Hopkins University, Maryland, started their journey Sunday from Baltimore.
They stopped Thursday afternoon at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Boardman to eat snacks and dinner provided by church members and to spend the night.
They’ll wrap up their trek July 31 at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.
Continue reading “4K for Cancer makes pit stop in Valley on cross-country trek”