Month: March 2011

Rochester’s Bicycle Master Plan Project
The City of Rochester wants to make it easier for you to get around on your bicycle. The Bicycle Master Plan project was completed in January 2011. The plan’s recommendations will serve as a framework for the city’s future investment in bicycle infrastructure. Thank you to everyone who provided comments, attended public meetings, and got excited about bicycling in Rochester!
About the Project
The City developed a long-term master plan for bicycling infrastructure and services.
Sprinkle Consulting (with SRF & Associates and EDR as sub-consultants) was selected through a request for proposal process and produced a plan that:

• identified best practices for bicycling infrastructure and services,
• assessed their feasibility for local application,
• identified appropriate locations for bicycle facilities,
• and recommended bicycle-supportive policies.

While the City of Rochester and Monroe County received an “honorable mention” from the League of American Bicyclists’ “Bicycle Friendly Communities” program in 2009, the goal is to achieve full “Bicycle Friendly Community” status from the group.
http://www.cityofrochester.gov/article.aspx?id=8589943115

National Geography sponsored author Dan Buettner recently studied the happiest communities worldwide and profiled several of them in his book “Trive”. He looked at them with regard to an extensive study of economics, sociology and individual interviews with experts in the field as well as residents. He found that two of the four cities he profiled were very strong bicycling and walking communities. What cities did he find were the happiest? Copenhagen, despite their weather and long winters, and St. Luis Obispo. St. Luis Obispo has a strong culture of individual entrepreneurialism, and civic involvement. The were the first city in the US to ban smoking, and also banned food drive throughs, watch out Dunkin Donuts!

In the final section of the book he makes recommendations on how to make a happy community. Walking and biking trails and lanes are important parts of a happy healthy community. It is interesting reading and Check out his book “Thrive” for some insight on tips for creating more happiness in your life.
A brief article on St. Luis Obispo is noted below: Scott

http://www.kcet.org/updaily/socal_focus/transportation/madonna-inn-bike-path-30265.html

DenDekker Withdraws Statewide Bike Licensing Bill
March 3, 2011
Today, NYS bicyclists showed their rising political clout, and NYBC and its members were right there in the fight! Only a few days ago, New York State’s bicyclists first heard about a proposal to require that every bicycle in the State have a license.  This bill had many problems; in a time of severe fiscal constraint it would have added a costly layer of bureaucracy.  Also, contrary to its stated intent, the required licenses would have done nothing to stop bicycle theft.  Improving safety for bicyclists, motorists and other road users is more effectively achieved through education and investments in balanced infrastructure.
Today, the bill’s sponsor, Assemblyman Mike DenDekker, withdrew bill #A05429.  His statement about that mithdrawal can be found here:   http://www.streetsblog.org/2011/03/03/dendekker-withdraws-statewide-bike-license-bill/
NYBC staff and members made their objections to this bill loud and clear in emails and phone calls to DenDekker’s office.   Brian Kehoe, NYBC Program Manager, provided statements to a variety of media outlets describing how this bill would have discouraged people from bicycling and produced no benefits.   NYBC’s statement in opposition to the bill can be found at:   http://www.nybc.net/wp-content/uploads/NYBC-State-Legislative-Platform.pdf
Congratulations NYS bicyclists!

The City’s efforts to improve and develop new shared use walking and biking trails, especially along the Genesee River, include plans to convert

the abandoned historic Erie-Lackawanna Railroad Bridge over the Genesee River into a Rails-to-Trails pedestrian bridge.

About the Project

The converted Erie-Lackawanna Railroad Bridge over the Genesee River will connect the east and west bank Genesee Riverway Trails. The Genesee Riverway Trail is an urban multi-use trail adjacent to the Genesee River, used primarily by bicyclists, pedestrians, and cross-country skiers. This project will further the effort to connect the trail to various neighborhoods and business districts by linking the University of Rochester and Strong Memorial Hospital, the City’s largest employer, on the east bank with its westside neighbors.

Licensing Bicycles in New York State
If you are interested in reading this very short bill here is the link.
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A05429%09%09&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Votes=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y
You will notice that it doesn’t provide for any real benefits to the cycling community.