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Support the GCCS's Sixth Grade Class Bicycling Research Project

The Genesee Community Charter School’s 6th graders are raising funds to help support their travel to learn directly about four great bicycing cities in the USA. The four cities selected are, Austin TX, Portland OR, Boulder CO and Madison/Milwaukee WI.
The class will split up into four groups. Each group will travel to one of the selected cities to study their bicycling infrastructure. The class will present their findings to the Rochester Community at a public meeting in 2013. Several members of the RCA are advisers for the year-long class project.
To support the fund raising effort, anyone shopping at the Pittsford Plaza’s Barnes & Noble store on Friday November 16, from 6 -9 PM can simple identify themselves as helping the school fundraiser. All food, drink and store products purchased are part of the program. Up to 20% of total sales identified will be donated to the fundraiser. Look for the entertainment provided by the school’s 6th grade class.

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RTS Town Hall Meeting, 11/8/2012

A shrink-wrapped bus advertisement on Main Street, Rochester. We asked RTS about these advertisements on behalf of one of our Facebook followers. [PHOTO: Google Maps]
RGRTA holds bi-monthly Town Hall meetings to answer customer questions and comments and to keep the public updated the latest Rochester Transit Service news. Reconnect Rochester tries to send at least one representative to every meeting to take notes and to bring questions from those who can’t make the meeting. Below are the notes from last week’s meeting and answers to two questions raised on our Facebook page, about solutions to overcrowding and shrink-wrapped buses… Read more

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Winter Biking Tips

A query came into the website asking help on biking through the winter. Gary’s answer would seem to have value to a lot of our riders especially considering the time of year, so we’ve posted it for everyone’s convenience. Any readers who have their own suggestions or experiences are urged to leave them in the comments section. 
I highly recommend studded tires. When I was younger and more reckless, I used to ride in the winter without them, but would occasionally take a spill on ice. I feel much more confident with studs. The downsides are that the tires are heavy and have lots of rolling resistance  My ideal setup is to have one bike with studs (for days with freezing weather) and another without, for the warmer days. Studded tires are no better than knobbies on snow; what they’re really meant for is to deal with ice.
I would look for tires with carbide-tipped studs. A couple of companies (Innova and North45) make tires with steel studs, but those can wear down completely in a single season. The carbide studded tires cost more, but can last for several years (I’ve been using one pair for four years now).
Studded tires are expensive. In the past, I’ve been able to save money by ordering from www.starbike.com, a German online retailer. But you usually have to put together a very large order to avoid crushing shipping fees, and I have no idea if the exchange rate is still favorable. I think Towners carries studded tires locally, but I don’t know about other shops.
I’ve ridden several years with plain glasses, but started using goggles last year since my eyes water in temperatures below 15 degrees or so. I had to do some experimentation to find goggles that wouldn’t fog over. If you’ve had problems with fogging in the past, I would stay away from cheap goggles. I use a pair of Scott goggles with an anti-fog coating that seems to work well and that fits over my prescription glasses. They even have a tiny fan that turns on in high humidity conditions. (That might be overkill — it’s my understanding that the amount of moisture in one’s breathe is highly variable and you might not fog up in conditions that would bother me.)
Keeping my feet and hands warm is a big problem for me (but might not be for you). I use these Bar Mitts on my road bike:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=bar+mitts
But if you have a flat-bar bike, a good pair of mittens will work nearly as well. If not mittens (which interfere with dexterity), I would recommend “lobster gloves” like these:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=lobster+gloves&rh=n%3A3375251%2Ck%3Alobster+gloves
If you use non-clipless pedals, I would recommend warm-weather boots in the coldest conditions. If you use clipless pedals, then you can buy winter cycling shoes (they tend to be quite expensive — $200 to $300) or neoprene overshoes. Some people cycle in the winter with clipless sandals and heavy socks, but I’ve never tried that.
You might also want to take a look at the icebike website:
http://www.icebike.org/Default.htm
The content hasn’t been updated in several years, but there is still some useful information there. Also, there’s a related icebike mailing list that is still active:
http://www.icebike.org/icebikelist.htm
Hope that helps.

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Advocacy Advance Action 2020 Workshop

On October 17, the RCA-sponsored Advocacy Advance Action 2020 Workshop helped over 40 advocates, agency staff and elected officials to brainstorm local strategies for increasing bicycle and pedestrian programs and projects in the region.   Many thanks to Brighid O’Keane, of the Alliance for Biking & Walking and to Darren Flusche of the League of American Bicyclists who provided such wonderful guidance.  The following note comes to us from them.  

Now it’s our turn to carry the momentum forward!

There were two exciting announcements at the workshop. First, Rochester was awarded Bronze-level status from the League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly Community program – the only city in the state other than NYC to receive a BFC designation. Second, the Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency announced the much-anticipated Transportation Specialist position, funded by the Center for Disease Control. This position focuses on engaging, organizing and educating the community to achieve public policy and practice changes that promote active transportation in Monroe County.  Click here for more information about the position and application process.
Here is the list of local priorities that were developed at the workshop. The Rochester Funding Profile and slides from the presentation can be downloaded from the Advocacy Advance website. Click the links below for additional Advocacy Advance resources:

On Monday, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued an interim guidance to state departments of transportation on the Transportation Alternatives program (TA). The guidance provides specifics for state agencies and resolves any ambiguities in the complex legislative language. Read more about the good and bad news for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Thank you again to the workshop hosts:
City of Rochester, contact: Erik Frisch
Genesee Transportation Council, contact: Rich Perrin
Rochester Cycling Alliance, contact: Scott McRae
Senator Kristen Gillibrand, contact: Sarah Clark
We encourage you to continue collaborating with workshop participants. Contact the Rochester Cycling Alliance for additional notes from the workshop and to get involved in local advocacy efforts. To learn about your important role in New York’s Navigating MAP-21 state campaign, contact Brian Kehoe, Executive Director of the New York Bicycling Coalition.
Thank you from the Advocacy Advance Team:
Brighid O’Keane, Alliance for Biking & Walking
Darren Flusche,   League of American Bicyclists

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Enjoy a Beverage with Reconnect Rochester

Come have a drink with the Reconnect Rochester volunteers and the Rochester Improvement Society at Abilene Bar & Lounge.
Reconnect Rochester will be hosting an informal happy hour event with the Rochester Improvement Society external link.

Come hang out with us on Wednesday, October 24th from 5:30 to 7:30 at Abilene Bar & Lounge external link (153 Liberty Pole Way external link). If you get there early enough, the first round will be on us!

Reconnect Rochester supports the expansion of transit services including pedestrian, bike, bus and rail facilities, into a truly multimodal transportation network. Our volunteers work hard to support Rochester’s existing public transit system, shape regional policies to enhance it, and reconnect our community in ways that improve personal mobility, urban vitality, environmental sustainability, and economic development.

If you’ve been following us over the past two years and like what we do, come out, meet us for a drink, and hear what we’ve been up to.

Please RSVP on Facebook external link

PS: After the happy hour, at 8pm Sammy Naquin and Big Easy Zydeco external link will be playing at Abeline ($8 cover). And how can anyone not like zydeco?

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Greentopia and Bike Corral: Big Hit!

We hit a new plateau of public service last week with the RCA Bike Corral at Greentopia.  Many scores of cyclists visited, parked their bikes, and had their pictures taken (and their bikes memorialized for security purposes) and got to enjoy Greentopia confident that their bikes were in good company.
We met many people, and have already begun enjoying the consequences.
For example, one visitor was pointed to some city officials and within days a rough patch of trail was improved.
More to come….
 

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Help Support Rochester’s Intermodal Station

Posted by: DeWain Feller

Rochester's Intermodal Transit Center needs your support. Please leave your name in the comments section and sign on to our letter.

Rochester’s new Intermodal Transportation Center is on the drafting table but that does not mean this much needed project is a done deal. [Learn more about the project external link] The station and site costs are estimated to be $27.3 million, and track and signal upgrades are approximately $10.4 million, bringing the estimated project cost to $37.7 million. A portion of the funding has been identified, but not all.

Read more

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Help Update the Greater Rochester Area Bicycling Map

Several years ago, members of the Rochester Bicycling Club (RBC) helped to rate selected roads in the City of Rochester, surrounding Monroe County, and nearby towns in Wayne, Ontario, and Livingston Counties. These road ratings were used by the Genesee Transportation Council (GTC) to develop the 2009 Edition of the Greater Rochester Area Bicycling Map. 20,000 copies of the map were printed by the GTC and distributed throughout the bicycling community by members of the RBC and others. Read more

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Greentopia Time!

Posted by: Mike Governale
September is Greentopia time in Rochester. Reconnect Rochester will be there, September 15-16. Stop by our booth and say hello!Reconnect Rochester loves September. The weather is typically gorgeous making it the perfect alternative transportation time of year! And now, with Greentopia external link coming up (September 10-16) it’s feeling like holiday time for us.

Maybe you saw how we celebrated at Greentopia last year? How about a giant recyclable flying saucer external link? Heck yes. Now THAT’S a party.

Read more

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Bicycle and Pedestrian Traffic Count

We need your help for the next round of Bicycle and Pedestrian Traffic Count
On September 11, September 12, and September 13, 2012, members of the Rochester Cycling Alliance, the Active Transportation Working Group, and other interested parties are invited to participate in the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project counts for the Rochester Area. This will be the second series of counts for the region (the first was completed in May of this year). Read more

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Bicycle Benefits is in Rochester

Summer is here in Rochester, and with this summer there is a noticeable change in our community. As I ride my bicycle around town, I see hundreds of people enjoying our city’s new bicycle paths, bike lanes, and shared roadways. We cannot yet compare to Amsterdam, or even to Portland, but Rochester is quickly becoming a bicycle town!
The Rochester Cycling Alliance would like to invite you to join a new bicycling incentive being started in our community called Bicycle Benefits (http://www.bicyclebenefits.org). Bicycle Benefits forges links between bicycle-friendly businesses and cycling customers, promoting safe bicycle transportation by offering incentives to cyclists. The program is already successfully deployed in Buffalo, Ithaca, Syracuse, and communities in over 20 states, and is now being launched in Rochester.
As a participating business, you provide an incentive or benefit of your choice to participating cyclist customers. It may be a product discount, a free item with a purchase, or an enhanced service. The incentive is offered to cyclists who arrive on their bicycle wearing a helmet with a reflective Bicycle Benefits sticker attached.
For more detail about the program contact Scott Wagner at 585-880-7643 or BicycleBenefitsRochester@gmail.com.

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RCA Meeting Notice

RCA Meeting Notice
Date: Thursday July 19
Time: 7:00 – 9p.m.
Location: U of R
Map Link: www.rochester.edu/maps/
(River Campus) (Goergen Hall, Room 110) (Intercampus Drive & Trustee Road)
Think Bicycling as Transportation

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Finding Your Future in Public Administration

PublicAdministration.net was created as an online informational resource for individuals looking to pursue public administration-related education and careers.PublicAdministration.net external link was created as an online informational resource for individuals looking to pursue public administration-related education and careers. It is an independent project funded only by the small group of individuals contributing to it. We have found that the public sector is an untapped silo of creativity and innovation and, through the PublicAdminstration.net project, we endeavor to present the many avenues a person with a background in public administration can down to have an impact. Visit PublicAdministration.net external link to learn more.

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It's Bike Week!

Bike Week is upon us, and RochesterBikeWeek.blogspot.com is here to tell you all about it.
As of this writing, here’s the event schedule.  But check there for updates!

For more information on Rochester’s Bike Week, feel free to contact one of Bike Week’s coordinators listed in the sidebar.
We are happy to help with any and all bike week questions whether they be event information, promotion, volunteers, or just helping you get out on your bike this year! 

Monday, May 14th

  • Active Transportation Expo at the University of Rochester (11am-2:30pm)
    In celebration of National Bike Week, the University will host an “Active Transportation Expo” from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, May 14, in URMC’s Flaum Atrium. If you’ve ever considered walking, running or biking to work, you won’t want to miss the chance to mingle with like-minded employees at this informational fair featuring area organizations and retail stores that provide gear and services for the active transportation lifestyle.  Vendor participants include Cyclopedia Rochester, UR Security, Fleet Feet, Jim Dalberth Sporting Goods, RGRTA, Rochester Cycling Alliance, Georgen Athletic Center, Well-U, UR Sustainability and City Cycles.
    Location: URMC’s Flaum Atrium
  • Landmark Ride (2pm – 4pm)
    • Description: Relaxed Tour of Rochester’s many landmark buildings by bike.
    • Location:  GVP, near the gazebo. (North-East section of the park, South of U of R.)
    • Contact: Ben Schmidt
  • Espresso Express (6:30pm – 9:30pm)
    • Description: A mellow jaunt from caffeine joint to caffeine joint touring Rochester along the way.
    • Location: Acanthus (337 East Ave.)
    • Contact: Chris – 585 319 5999

Tuesday, May 15th

  • Flour City Flower Ride (10am – 2pm)
    • Description: Help to plant a community garden as we ride around the city collecting what we need to make it happen. Bring a musical instrument, if you have one.
    • Location: Highland Park Reservoir
    • Contact: Ben Schmidt
  • Bike Commuter Workshop
    • Description: Learn how to be a better bike commuter, or just what you need to get started.
    • Location: Towners Bike Shop (1048 University Avenue)
    • Contact: Bill Collins – bcollins@frontierabstract.com

Wednesday, May 16th

  • Dogtown (7pm – 9:30pm)
    • Description: Join us on our weekly Wednesday night ride around the city. Bicycle check over before ride starting at 5:00.
    • Location: Dogtown with overflow at Blessed Sacrament
    • Contact: Ben Schmidt or John Kennedy
    • Description: A service for fallen cyclists followed by a silent procession of cyclists.
    • Location: Penfield Highway Department parking lot on Jackson Rd
    • Contact: http://www.rochesterbicyclingclub.com/


Thursday, May 17th

  • Civil Rights History Ride (4pm – 6:30pm)
    • Description: A youth oriented tour of the history of Rochester’s role in advancing racial and gender equality throughout the city’s southwest.
    • Location: The Boys and Girls Club (500 Genesee St.)
    • Contact: John Kennedy

Friday, May 18th

  • Youth Ride (9:30am)
    • Description: Easy, slow-paced family-ride of cyclists of all ages. Grandparents, moms, dads, kids, bike trailers, etc. welcomed. Bring your helmets, and we’ll ride for about 30 minutes, going South on the Canal Path.
    • Location: Meet at the Sam Patch docking area at Schoen Place (on the Erie Canal path, just outside Naples Creek Shoe Store),We’ll ride for about 30 minutes, going South on the Canal Path.
    • Contact: Elinor Freer – efreer@esm.rochester.edu

 

  • Light up the Night (Sundown)
    • Description: Time to be seen. Put as many lights on your bicycle as you can and hit the streets. And what’s lights without a little bit of music to go with it. Is Rochester ready for a dance party on wheels? (best for those comfortable riding at night, and lovers of bright lights)
    • Time: The party starts at Sundown (look it up!)
    • Location: Top of Cobb’s Hill
    • Contact: Ben Schmidt

Saturday, May 19th

  • Eastside Hop to Palmyra (9:00am)
    • Description: 23 miles flat on the stone-dust Erie Canal Trail to Palmyra, rest stop in Palmyra.
    • Location: Perinton Park, Fairport Road Route 31F, at the Erie Canal
    • Contact: http://www.rochesterbicyclingclub.com/

 

  • Rochester Police Department Bike Rodeo (10am – 3pm)
    • Description: A Bike Rodeo hosted by the RPD to help kids practice their cycling skills, learn the rules of the road, and become better, smarter, and safer cyclists.
    • Location: War Memorial parking lot



  • GROC Mountain Bike Guided Tour (10am)
    • Description: Got a mountain bike that’s never seen a trail before? Like riding a bit off road, but nervous about venturing out? Let the Genesee Regional Off-road Cyclists help you through the learning process and get exposed to a great new way to get outside.
    • Location: Meets at Dryer Road Park
    • Contact: RSVP to Mark Rosenzweig – mrosenz1@rochester.rr.com
  • Genesee Valley Greenway Tour (1-3pm)
    • Description: This 15 mile ride experiences a tunnel of green as it traverses south to a historic stone lock and double-arched culvert.
    • Location: starts and ends at the front door of the ice rink/swimming pool (149 Elmwood Ave.) in Genesee Valley Park
    • Contact: David Shaw – dave71735@hotmail.com
  • Art Gallery Ride/Bike Week Bike Art Party (7 pm)
    • Description: Exploratory jaunt to various galleries and community spaces showcasing local artists work.
    • Location: Memorial Art Gallery Parking lot
    • Contact: Ben Schmidt

Sunday, May 20th

  • Hell bent for Breakfast (6:30am)
    • Description: 19 miles flat on the Erie Canal and paved roads to Fairport for breakfast
    • Location: South Clinton Avenue Erie Canal Parking Trailhead
    • Contact: http://www.rochesterbicyclingclub.com/

 

  • Seersucker Social (10 am)
    • Description: A chance to show off your cool digs and fancy pants. Bring your best seersucker suit, hat, vest, or pants and enjoy a wonderfully relaxing Sunday ride.  Best for well dressed ladies and gents.
    • Location: Lake Riley @ Cobb’s Hill
    • Contact: http://rochestertweedride.blogspot.com/
  • Record Store Ride (6 pm)
    • Description: Music is the heartbeat of the city and the record stores set the rhythm.  This ride shows our appreciation for the work that they do to get those groovy vibes under our helmets.
    • Location: Needle Drop Records (South and Gregory)
    • Contact: Lucas Hadley – (678) 360-2151 – lucas_hadley@yahoo.com

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Rochester Intermodal Rail Station Update

Posted by: Mike Governale

This is one of the architectural alternatives for Rochester's new intermodal rail station. It's a scaled down modern interpretation of the long demolished Union Station by Claude Bragdon.
The City of Rochester, NYSDOT, and Federal Railroad Administration will hold a public meeting to present draft concepts for Rochester’s new intermodal transportation center (NOTE: This is the Amtrak/Greyhound/Trailways station, NOT the RTS Bus Terminal). A presentation will be made at 5:30pm. Some of the key points will be around site selection, the functional requirements of the station, architectural style, and expanded site plan.

Attend the Public Meeting & Presentation:
See which site is being recommended and comment on
the station design, layout, and amenities:
5pm, Wednesday, 5/30/2012, at Rochester Riverside Convention Center external link
RSVP on Facebook external link

Some more details & diagrams after the jump…

Read more

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Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project (Traffic Counts)

Subject: Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project (Traffic Counts)
We need your help.
The Active Transportation Working Group, a spin-off the Rochester Cycling Alliance’s April 2011 Active Transportation Symposium, is searching for volunteers to conduct bicycle and pedestrian traffic counts in Rochester and Monroe County during May 2012 as part of the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project, http://bikepeddocumentation.org/.
We are planning to conduct the counts during commute times in the A.M. and P.M. on May 15-17.
The meeting to discuss the program will be held:
Thursday April 26, 2012
7 -9 P.M.
Rochester Institute of Technology Center for Student Innovation
Room 1100
Building 87, University Service Center, Parking Lot S
Map Link: http://facilities.rit.edu/campus/maps/general/general.pdf.
We will have a short training session on how to count. You will be using a clip board and recording on a paper form during the count and standing outdoors.
We will have some selected sites. We will be determining other locations dependant on the number of volunteers available. Bring a friend that is willing to help. Help us select additional sites.
We are also planning to use automated equipment at some selected locations but our first effort will be mainly manual. We will tell you about the automated counting devices at our disposal.
If you are unable to attend the meeting and are willing to do a count please send an email to Richard DeSarra, rdscomm@rochester.rr.com. We will arrange other training dates as needed depending on the response.