LAB Instructor’s Class, April 8, 9 and 10, Roanoke
Written on March 12, 2011
The League of American Bicyclist is sponsoring a Cycling Instructor course in Roanoke, Virginia on Friday night April 8 and Saturday April 9 and April 10. Participants from mid-atlantic states will be in Roanoke to become certified instructors. If you are interested: please sign up on the LAB website: bikeleague.org
FMI contact site facilitator: Barbara Duerk barbgary@cox.net
Webinar – FHWA Safety Manual,March 16th
Written on March 12, 2011
APBP Professional Development Webinar Series
Understanding the Highway Safety Manual
Wednesday, March 16 • 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Register here: http://www.apbp.org/event/Mar-11_webinar
The first edition of the Highway Safety Manual was published in 2010; it is a new analytical tool for predicting the consequences of roadway planning, design, operation and maintenance decisions on safety. The HSM provides tools to conduct quantitative safety analyses, allowing for safety to be evaluated alongside other transportation performance measures such as traffic operations, environmental impacts, and construction costs. Many state departments of transportation participated in the development and review of this document; however, local and regional jurisdictions may not be familiar with the HSM yet. This webinar will help transportation professionals understand what the HSM is, with particular reference to the components that benefit nonmotorized road users.
Presenters are Peter Eun and Gene Amparano, both Safety Engineers with the FHWA Resource Center’s Safety and Design Technical Service Team. They will explain how to use the HSM as it relates to pedestrians and bicyclists. Their presentation will include background on how the HSM was developed, an overview of the bicycle and pedestrian portions of the HSM and crash modification factors, and examples of applying the HSM’s predictive methods to countermeasures of particular benefit to pedestrians and cyclists (time permitting: paved shoulders, protected left turns, and illumination).
To learn more about the Highway Safety Manual, read this introduction.
APBP has applied to the AICP for one Certification Maintenance credit for this webinar. A certificate of attendance for those wanting to document Professional Development Hours will be available. Cost is $50 per site for APBP members, $75 per site for non-APBP members. Each site license includes one phone connection (toll charges apply, or use VoIP), one Internet connection, one set of handouts for unlimited attendees in the same location, and access to the recording. (You may be required to download free software from Citrix GoToMeeting in order to participate in the webinar.) APBP accepts Visa, MasterCard or AMEX; payment should be made by noon on March 15. For more information, contact Debra Goeks (262-228-7025 or info@apbp.org).
Thank you to our webinar underwriters: America Walks, Broadreach Planning & Design, Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling, Flint Trading and Josta Bike Parking Systems.
VBF President Thanks Cyclists Actions
Written on February 18, 2011
..and as we wrap things up for 2011 a sincere thanks to Bud who captained the legislative effort and all of you who contributed to the effort.
Though our scorecard didn’t end up quite the way we all hoped, I think all of you truly did an outstanding job this year and everyone – especially those of you who drove miles and miles to make the 7:00 am hearings – (Heather, Scott and the others) to testify on these bills truly went above and beyond. Thanks.
A special thanks, too, to Ruth Stornetta for rallying the racing community and getting them fired up like never before about some of the day to day issues which impact commuters, college students and folks who are just using their bikes to get around town and live their lives.
Despite the outcome on the three foot bill today, my day was made when Delegate Hugo quipped to Senator McDougle that the cyclists won the prize for the most, “cards and letters” this session. That is a real tribute to how passionate everyone is about cycling and how much it really means to all of us.
A sincere thanks to everyone for your help, your patience (and putting up with all these emails!) Our country and economy are under going big changes and I think that making our communities more bike and pedestrian friendly – as they were 75 years ago – will play a central role in how we live over the next fifty years. Many of you are helping to implement these changes and your efforts are truly appreciated.
Best regards,
Champe
VA Legislative Update, Final 2011
Written on February 18, 2011
HABEEB VOTES NO to 3 feet and following too closely bill.
SB 1234 Bicycle operation; City of Charlottesville to permit in both
directions of traffic on one-way roads.
02/17/11 House: Tabled in Transportation (12-Y 10-N)
YEAS–May, Carrico, Cosgrove, Rust, Hugo, Scott, E.T., Villanueva,
Comstock, Garrett, Cox, J.A., Cleaveland, Habeeb–12.
NAYS–Oder, Tata, Ward, Ebbin, BaCote, Brink, Toscano, McQuinn, Carr,
Filler-Corn–10.
ABSTENTIONS–0.
Comment — I’m not sure how Cleaveland was voted to table since he
wasn’t there. All the R’s voted to table except Oder & Tata.
SB 928 Motor vehicles; passing of bicycles, etc.
02/17/11 House: Tabled in Transportation (11-Y 10-N)
YEAS–May, Carrico, Cosgrove, Rust, Scott, E.T., Tata, Villanueva,
Comstock, Garrett, Cox, J.A., Habeeb–11.
NAYS–Oder, Hugo, Ward, Ebbin, BaCote, Brink, Toscano, McQuinn, Carr,
Filler-Corn–10.
ABSTENTIONS–0.
NOT VOTING–Cleaveland–1.
Comment —- You will note that though I reported Del. Toscano as
absent, he obviously had left his proxy, so his vote counted. No one
voted for Cleaveland, & almost the same vote, except Tata voted to
table, and Hugo did not.
VA Legislative Update February 17
Written on February 17, 2011
From Scott Paisley, Charlottesville
As you may have heard or read already, both the Charlottesville “contra-flow”legislation and the 3-foot passing legislation were tabled in close votes this morning in Richmond. True to his word, Del. Oder voted for both bills, but only after pointedly stating that he was voting for these “just in case anyone is recording this,” and then proceeded to argue vehemently against both bills. He went so far as to say about the Charlottesville resolution that, because of the 2-foot passing regulations, the contra-flow lanes would “legally keep cars from using these roads.” The performance was so animated in its satire of the bicycle issues that he rose to his own and others laughter and fist pumps from a fellow delegate. Delegate Carrico stated point blank, in spite of the yesterday’s testimony by a representative of the Charlottesville City Police in favor of this legislation that ‘mark my word, somebody will get run over.’ To their credit, Delegate Toscano and especially Senetor Deeds strongly supported the bill. Unfortunately, Del. Cleaveland was not present to vote.
The 3-foot passing bill was put forth by the Transportation Committee Chairman, to whom their should be real thanks–having tied in the Sub-committee hearing yesterday, many of the Delegates were surprised to see it come up, as the tie vote would without the chairman’s decision have been tabled. Senator McDougle spoke to the bill that Delegate Carrico introduced as “the infamous 3-foot passing of bicycles” bill. Unfortunately, Delegate Toscano had left the chamber–there was general confusion as to whether the bill would be presented again–and Delegate Cleaveland was not present and the bill was tabled 9-7. Watching the tally rise to 5-5 tie, Delegate Oder returned to his chair to cast his vote saying out loud, “please someone else vote” and only after the 9th vote to table the resolution was cast did he cast a vote to move the resolution forward.
There was great animus voiced toward this bill by Delegate Cox who decried both the number of cyclists on the roads of his district and the volume of e-mails that this bill had generated. The cycling community should consider the e-mail complaint as a great compliment, and this could be the lever that we lift higher next year–our numbers and our economic impact not just our e-mail presence. I would suggest that we continue to research both the point that Ruth Stornetta has raised–that there is a real economic benefit in this legislation in terms of companies that, in light of the health benefits and community benefits that cycling provides, include a bicycle friendly distinction in the criteria for new locals for their businesses and that we should study further the economic impact of bicycling tourism in our state. Clearly the Delegates are acknowledging our presence, but they are not acknowledging our positive influence on our State and our communities. These are the points that can be better promoted next year. I am unnerved by the animus of Del. Cox and the less overt animus of Del. Carrico and, in part, fear the possibility of simply fanning the flame of that animus with an aggressive campaign right now. I hope that we can take some solace from the closeness of the vote and learn where we can build a better case and build a better organization for next year,
Thanks,
Scott
VA Legislative Update Feb 16, 2011
Written on February 16, 2011
Though Sen. Ryan McDougle did a nice job of patroning SB928 (Don’t follow too closely and Pass a cyclist by Three Feet) and Heather Higgins of Charlottesville gave strong testimony in support of it, it failed to be reported by a 3-3 vote in the House Transportation Subcommittee 2 this morning. Dels. Cox, Garrett, and Carrico continue to be STRONGLY opposed to this bill (and I would say, to cycling and cyclists in general), while Del. Oder (true to his word) voted to report the bill, along with Dels. Carr & Ward.
Del. Cleaveland of Roanoke, who had voted to report the identical House bill earlier in this session, was absent and in Roanoke so could not vote. Since it is technically possible for a member of the subcommittee to request of the full committee’s chairman that the bill be heard in full committee, Champe and I have asked Del. Cleaveland’s legislative assistant to ask the delegate to make that request, and we are awaiting his answer. If the request were granted, the bill could be heard in the full House Transportation Committee, whose next meeting is Tomorrow morning at 8:30. Sen. McDougle has agreed to be available to patron the bill, should the request be made, and granted.
Just before us in the subcommittee this morning SB1234 (to permit the City of Charlottesville to install contraflow bike lanes on certain one way streets) was effectively patroned by Sen. Creigh Deeds, and supported by Jeannie Williams, the city’s traffic engineer, a lieutenant from the city’s police dept., and Heather Higgins. After a thorough working over by the subcommittee, the bill was reported unanimously, and probably will go before the full House Transportation committee tomorrow morning.
Also tomorrow, at 2:00 p.m. in the Senate Transportation Committee, Del.
Greason’s HB1981 (to permit motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles to proceed through a red light that doesn’t change after waiting a suitable time) will be on the docket, and is not expected to encounter any opposition.
Bud Vye
RABA Advocacy Director
VA Legislative Update Feb 9, 2011
Written on February 9, 2011
The Virginia General Assembly’s cross over day was February 8. The Senate passed transportation bills will now be heard by the House Transportation Committee and visa versa. Complete information is found at www.vabike.org.
Please contact your local representatives and ask them to support bicycling friendly bills.
Thank you for sharing this information with cyclists who live in districts represented on the transportation committee.
SAMPLE
SB 928 McDougle Senate vote 40 Y – 0 N
Following too closely; passing other vehicles. Adds bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, and mopeds to the list of vehicles that the driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow more closely than is reasonable. In addition, the bill increases passing distance for passing bicycles from two to three feet.
HB 1981 Janis House vote 75 Y – 24 N
Traffic lights. Allows motorcycle and moped drivers and bicycle riders, in certain situations, to proceed through intersections controlled by traffic lights showing steady red signals. This bill incorporates HB 1991.
The house committee meets on Tuesdays 1/2 hour H Committee Room C after adjournment and on Thursdays at 8:30am H Committee Room C.
Chairman:
May, Joe T. /Loudon 804 698-1033,
deljmay@house.virginia.gov
Vice Chair:
Oder, G. Glenn/Newport News 804 698-1094
delgoder@house.virginia.gov
Members:
Carrico, Charles W., Sr. /Galax 804 698-1005
delccarrico@house.virginia.gov
Cosgrove, John A./Chesapeake 804 698-1078
deljcosgrove@house.virginia.gov
Rust, Thomas Davis/Herndon 804 698-1086
deltrust@house.virginia.gov
Hugo, Timothy D./Fairfax 804 698-1040
delthugo@house.virginia.gov
Scott, Edward T./Culpeper 804 698-1030
delescott@house.virginia.gov
Tata, Robert/VaBeach 804 698-1085
delbtata@house.virginia.gov
Villanueva, Ronald A./VaBeach 804 698-1021
delrvillanueva@house.virginia.gov
Comstock, Barbara J./Fairfax 804 698-1034
delbcomstock@house.virginia.gov
Garrett, T. Scott/Lynchburg 804 698-1023
delsgarrett@house.virginia.gov
Cox, John A./Hanover 804 698-1055
deljcox@house.virginia.gov
Cleaveland, William H./Roanoke 804 698-1017
delwcleaveland@house.virginia.gov
Habeeb, Gregory D.
delghabeeb@house.virginia.gov
Ward, Jeion A./Hampton 804 698-1092
deljward@house.virginia.gov
Ebbin, Adam P./Arlington 804 698-1049
delaebbin@house.virginia.gov
BaCote, Mamye E./Newport News 804 698-1095
delmbacote@house.virginia.gov
Brink, Robert H./Arlington 804 698-1048
delrbrink@house.virginia.gov
Toscano, David J./Charlottesville 804 698-1057
deldtoscano@house.virginia.gov
McQuinn, Delores L./Richmond 804 698-1070
deldmcquinn@house.virginia.gov
Carr, Betsy B./Richmond 804 698-1069
delbcarr@house.virginia.gov
Filler-Corn, Eileen/Fairfax 804 698-1041
delefiller-corn@house.virginia.gov
National Bike Summit Schedule
Written on February 5, 2011
National Bike Summit 2011:
Acting on a Simple Solution
Preliminary Schedule Outline for the 2011 Summit
Come to the 2011 National Bike Summit and share your passion for cycling. Help the new Congress see that the solution is bicycling! Register today!
Schedule Outline
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2011
4: 00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Registration
Independence Foyer
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
League of American Bicyclists Member Annual Meeting
Independence D&E
Agenda
5: 00 p.m. – 6: 00 p.m.
First Timers Orientation
Independence B/C
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Welcome & Opening Reception
Independence Ballroom
Keynote: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
Special Guest – James L. Oberstar
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011
6:45 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.
Registration & Continental Breakfast
Independence Foyer
8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Opening General Session: New Congress – New Message – New Reality? What Is The Outlook for Transportation in the 112th Congress
Independence Ballroom
Welcome:
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
Speakers: Janette Sadik-Khan, Commissioner of the New York City, Department of Transportation
CONCURRENT SESSIONS: 9:30 a.m.—10:45 a.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS: 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Keynote Luncheon – 12:45 p.m.—2:15 p.m.
Independence Ballroom
CONCURRENT SESSIONS: 2:30 p.m.—3:45 p.m.
Closing Plenary – 4:15 pm – 5:00 pm
Independence Ballroom
State Delegation Coordination – 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Independence Ballroom
IMBA Delegates Final Wrap Up – 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
IMBA Delegates Dinner – 7:30 pm
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2011
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Alternate Session – Bike Facilities in DC Tour and Hands-On Design Session
For those that are not able to participate in the Congressional meetings on the Thursday (lobby day), Toole Design Group, in conjunction with the District of Columbia Transportation Department, are developing a brainstorming and design activity session, along with a bike tour of some of D.C.’s latest new cycle tracks and other bikeways. We will be looking at ways to integrate bicycling into the transportation mix along with pedestrians, cars, buses, and streetcars on a busy downtown street. No matter what your background is – this day is guaranteed to set your creative side free!
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Meetings with Members of Congress
House and Senate Office Buildings – Capitol Hill
9:00 am – 5:00pm
National Bike Summit Lobby Day Headquarters
General Board of Church and Society
100 Maryland Ave. NE
Washington, DC 20002
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Congressional Reception
Senate Dirksen Office Building – Room G-50
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2011
8:30 a.m-11:00 a.m.
Congressional Bike Ride –
In Honor of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords
Garfield Circle, Capitol Hill
Bike Summit Early Deadline Feb 3
Written on February 5, 2011
The National Bike Summit will meet in Washington March 8-10, 2011. The early registration deadline is February 3. Plan to attend. Lobby day is March 10th. Cyclists will visit their congressional members. For discussion is bicycles in national parks and bicycling and walking facilities in the re-authorization of the transportation bill.
Action Needed: GA SENATE Transportation Thursday 2:00pm
Written on February 5, 2011
ACTION NEEDED: Please e-mail or call Senator Smith with your concerns.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
General Assembly Senate Transportation Committee 2pm
Senator Smith, district22@senate.virginia.gov, 804-698-7522 is on the transportation committee. Dave Suetterlein is the legislative assistant. Smith supported this legislation in 2010
On the agenda:
SB928/McDougle Three foot passing of bicycles, following too closely SUPPORT
HB1993/Janis regarding recklessly running a red light has been modified and reported from House Courts of Justice. SUPPORT
SB1370/Blevins requiring rumble strips on all highways w/speed limits of 55 mph or higher OPPOSE
SB850/Petersen to permit Sunday hunting failed in Senate Agriculture by 13 – 2. Patron and Marsden for, all others against.