Here’s a time-lapse video of rush hour in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Dream big, folks.
Friday, May 21st – Commuter Race (First Bike Week Event)
Rochester’s Bike Week starts tomorrow! Tomorrow is also National Bike to Work Day – BIKE TO WORK! Come support the Bike Week Commuter Race at 7:00am (Bicyclists vs. car vs. bus). Race will begin at Starbucks (Corner of Winton and Monroe) at 7:00am and terminates in front of the museum on Monroe Ave (just before Manhattan Sq Pk).
John Robert Smith in Rochester
*Cross Posted by the Moderate Urban Champion
Members of Reconnect Rochester had a unique opportunity Monday afternoon. We were invited to sit in and participate in a roundtable discussion featuring representation of the Genesee Transportation Council, the Empire State Passengers Association, the Rochester Rail Transit Committee, and the keynote speaker of that evening’s lecture, John Robert Smith.
Not all of the biggest statements came from Smith himself, but his insight into federal agencies and funding acquisition from said agencies was very valuable to our coalition. Also heartening was the recognition by all parties of potential energy realities. This acceptance set the imperative tone regarding the necessity for improved transit in the region.
Smith’s greatest criticism, one that was repeated during the public lecture, was a lack of obvious attraction marketing, and the associated transportation options, to downtown hotel guests and travelers who arrive by train. The implication is that we aren’t successfully steering travelers with money to spend to restaurants and other cultural amenities. A set of newer signage as part of an enhanced wayfinder system was installed recently, but it is proving to be geared toward motorized tourist travel.
RCA T-shirt Orders
Anyone interested in a limited edition RCA T-shirt please email us
with your name, T-shirt size, phone number, and email. T-shirt cost
will be $20 per shirt. This cost is based on buying 12 T-shirts to start. The more people who buy them the cheaper they will be. We need orders by 10AM tomorrow (5/11) in order to get the shirts by this Friday. Please pass this message along and let all RCA’ers know about the shirts.
Shirts will be Red 50/50 cotton shirts with a white RCA Chain ring /Cityscape logo on the front and white “ROCHESTER CYCLING ALLIANCE” lettering on the back across the shoulders. To place an order for your shirt click here.
RCA T-shirt Orders
Anyone interested in a limited edition RCA T-shirt please email us
with your name, T-shirt size, phone number, and email. T-shirt cost
will be $20 per shirt. This cost is based on buying 12 T-shirts to start. The more people who buy them the cheaper they will be. We need orders by 10AM tomorrow (5/11) in order to get the shirts by this Friday. Please pass this message along and let all RCA’ers know about the shirts.
Shirts will be Red 50/50 cotton shirts with a white RCA Chain ring /Cityscape logo on the front and white “ROCHESTER CYCLING ALLIANCE” lettering on the back across the shoulders. To place an order for your shirt click here.
One more bridge to cross, on foot or bike | 520 – An Environmental Blog | Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Erie Lackawanna railroad bridge!
POSTED BY SORR • APRIL 29, 2010 • 11:14 AM
The city of Rochester is now soliciting proposals for design of a new walking-biking trail on a bridge over the Genesee River near the University of Rochester.
The 1,600-foot-long stretch of trail would use the old Erie-Lackawanna Railroad bridge that crosses the river from the Plymouth-Exchange neighborhood to the university’s River Campus. It would connect with the excellent trails, much used by runners, walkers and riders, already in place on each side of the Genesee.
If I have the count right, the Erie-Lackawanna span would be the city’s seventh bridge over the river reserved for pedestrians and bikers – a most impressive number, in my view, for a city this size.
Footbridge near Brooks Avenue
How many have you sampled? There’s a spectacular high bridge (built atop a sewer pipe actually) at Seneca Park, a walkway atop a dam at the little-known Middle Falls, the Pont du Rennes at High Falls, the Sister Cities span downtown, the existing footbridge at the UR near Brooks Avenue, and a lovely little crossing at Genesee Valley Park south of Elmwood Avenue
Most if not all are connected by trails, I believe. A bike-rider could cross them all in what? An hour? Somebody try it and let me know. Send me pics.
Back to Footbridge 7 at the UR. If all goes well, the city will hold public meetings this fall, design will be done over the winter, construction will start next spring and the repurposed bridge will open in October 2011. The project will cost about $1.2 million, with the city and New York state splitting the tab.
According to this detailed feasibility study done by Environmental Design and Research for the city and the Genesee Transportation Council two years ago, the bridge was built in the early 1900s, though earlier spans stood in that spot back to the 1850s. The rail line carried passenger and freight traffic between Rochester and Avon, Livingston County, with connections to points south. Erie-Lackawanna discontinued use of the line in 1971, a year before the rail company entered bankruptcy. The bridge has been unused since, except by occasional trespassers, and is now owned by the city.
The bridge as it is now (EDR feasibility study image)
When work is done, the bedraggled span will be transformed. It will have a new deck, be partly repainted, made ADA compliant and will sport ”amenities such as railing, lighting, benches, bike racks, and landscaping,” as the request for proposals put it.
The bridge as it may be (EDR feasibility study image)
Pretty nifty, eh? It should be a nice addition to the ever-growing network of trails in our region.
Oh, and if you’re not clear where these bridges are, here’s a home-made Google map, with the trails near the planned bridge marked as well. You’ll have to find the rest of the paths yourself. Enjoy!
View Rochester’s Genesee River footbridges in a larger map
Here is the project schedule from the Request for Proposals:
Project Schedule
Start Work June 2010
Site Reconnaissance & Survey June 2010 – July 2010
Draft Alternatives Prepared July 2010 – August 2010
Host Citizen Advisory Meetings August 2010 – October 2010
Finalize Alternatives September 2010 – October 2010
Host Public Meeting(s) August 2010 – October 2010
Preliminary Design of Selected Alternative October 2010 – November 2010
Final Design & Construction Documents December 2010 – January 2011
Bid Process/Issuance of Construction Contracts February 2011 – April 2011
Construction Phase May 2011
Open Bridge October 2011
Site Reconnaissance & Survey June 2010 – July 2010
Draft Alternatives Prepared July 2010 – August 2010
Host Citizen Advisory Meetings August 2010 – October 2010
Finalize Alternatives September 2010 – October 2010
Host Public Meeting(s) August 2010 – October 2010
Preliminary Design of Selected Alternative October 2010 – November 2010
Final Design & Construction Documents December 2010 – January 2011
Bid Process/Issuance of Construction Contracts February 2011 – April 2011
Construction Phase May 2011
Open Bridge October 2011
TELL YOUR FRIENDS!
ATTENTION all RCA members with a Facebook page! If you have been looking for a way to help and support the RCA and Bike Week, but have been too busy to make it to meetings, etc. you can help-out by letting your friends know about the event through Facebook or email.
If you have a Facebook page please cut and paste the following message into your status:
Rochester Bike Week is May 21st thru 28th. For a list of events visit: http://www.rochestercyclingalliance.org/
If you do not have facebook, but have an email account.. then simply send the above message to your friends via email.
Your help with messaging and getting the word out is crucial to the success of this event! What good is this event if no one knows about it! Also, frequent posts to your Facebook page over the next two weeks leading up to Bike Week will increase our messaging success!
SPREAD THE WORD! Thanks for your support…
Bike Week Committee
TELL YOUR FRIENDS!
ATTENTION all RCA members with a Facebook page! If you have been looking for a way to help and support the RCA and Bike Week, but have been too busy to make it to meetings, etc. you can help-out by letting your friends know about the event through Facebook or email.
If you have a Facebook page please cut and paste the following message into your status:
Rochester Bike Week is May 21st thru 28th. For a list of events visit: http://www.rochestercyclingalliance.org/
If you do not have facebook, but have an email account.. then simply send the above message to your friends via email.
Your help with messaging and getting the word out is crucial to the success of this event! What good is this event if no one knows about it! Also, frequent posts to your Facebook page over the next two weeks leading up to Bike Week will increase our messaging success!
SPREAD THE WORD! Thanks for your support…
Bike Week Committee
LAST Rochester Bike Week Volunteer Meeting
ATTN: All RCA Members and Volunteers…
We will be having the last volunteer meeting at Spot Coffee on Tuesday, May 11th from 7-8PM. At this meeting we will cover: upcoming confirmed events, distribute fliers to volunteer (for later distribution), discuss where fliers have been distributed thus far (bike shops, etc.), schedule volunteers for flier distribution at the Lilac Fest, determine the number of Bike Week shirts to purchase, and implement Social Media strategies and get our network of volunteers involved with spreading the word via FB, Twitter, Blogs, etc.
Please come to see how you can help support the event.
Thanks,
RCA Bike Week Committee
For more info. please email: info@rochestercyclingalliance.com
LAST Rochester Bike Week Volunteer Meeting
ATTN: All RCA Members and Volunteers…
We will be having the last volunteer meeting at Spot Coffee on Tuesday, May 11th from 7-8PM. At this meeting we will cover: upcoming confirmed events, distribute fliers to volunteer (for later distribution), discuss where fliers have been distributed thus far (bike shops, etc.), schedule volunteers for flier distribution at the Lilac Fest, determine the number of Bike Week shirts to purchase, and implement Social Media strategies and get our network of volunteers involved with spreading the word via FB, Twitter, Blogs, etc.
Please come to see how you can help support the event.
Thanks,
RCA Bike Week Committee
For more info. please email: info@rochestercyclingalliance.com
Maplewood Bike Rodeo needs volunteers!
The Maplewood Library is having a bike rodeo for kids next Saturday (May 15) at 10:00, and needs additional volunteers, preferably people who have some experience with minor bike and helmet adjustments/repairs. About 26 kids, all active users of the Maplewood Library, will be attending. It will take place in the front parking lot of Aquinas High School. The RPD will be supervising the actual cone riding course. Volunteers will be needed for the helmet/bike adjustments and possibly helping kids learn to ride. Please contact me if you are interested: alamedajunk@yahoo.com .
-Bill Collins
Transportation reform IS health reform
Via Streetsblog, an article about a CDC report quietly issued last month which affirms that reforming transportation policy to encourage pedestrian and bicycle use will improve the health of our country-
This CDC brief should be mentioned every time we advocate for better cycling facilities.
Maplewood Bike Rodeo needs volunteers!
The Maplewood Library is having a bike rodeo for kids next Saturday (May 15) at 10:00, and needs additional volunteers, preferably people who have some experience with minor bike and helmet adjustments/repairs. About 26 kids, all active users of the Maplewood Library, will be attending. It will take place in the front parking lot of Aquinas High School. The RPD will be supervising the actual cone riding course. Volunteers will be needed for the helmet/bike adjustments and possibly helping kids learn to ride. Please contact me if you are interested: alamedajunk@yahoo.com .
-Bill Collins
Transportation reform IS health reform
Via Streetsblog, an article about a CDC report quietly issued last month which affirms that reforming transportation policy to encourage pedestrian and bicycle use will improve the health of our country-
This CDC brief should be mentioned every time we advocate for better cycling facilities.
Rochester Rated 18th of US Cities in Bicycle Commuting
In 2008 Rochester has the 18th highest of 51 cities over 1 million population based on US Census Data with a bicycle commute rate of 0.6%. The rate has grow substantially from it’s 0.2% rate in 2000 based on US Census Data.
I’ve been in contact with Steve Clark, who works for Transit for Livable Communities in Minneapolis and is highly respected in the Minneapolis cycling community. He notes that they are seeing an increase in all year bike commuting as well as an overall increase. One third of Minneapolis bike commuters are now cycling year round as born out by the bike counts. Minneapolis’s bike commuting rate is 4.2%, Ottawa’s is 1.9%, Toronto’s is 0.8%. Minneapolis built the lanes and trails and they cycled.
Steve also gave me two terrific links that are used to educate the public as well as maintenance personnel on winter street care. He recently completed an all day workshop with street maintenance workers and the have bought into the program as well and some are now cycling. These are enclosed below.
http://www.c-d-g.org/projects/TLC/WinterWalkBike/LeadershipBreakfast.htm
http://www.c-d-g.org/projects/TLC/WinterWalkBike/Dec4WinterWorkshop.htm
Steve also attached his research on winter riding. “What we have found is that winter riding is especially high on commuter routes. Not so high on paths that have high rates of recreational use during the summer months. Based on all of our counts, we conclude that nearly a third of regular bike commuters continue to bike during the winter.” He also sent us a nice 4-3 conversion image shown here. Scott
Rochester Rated 18th of US Cities in Bicycle Commuting
In 2008 Rochester has the 18th highest of 51 cities over 1 million population based on US Census Data with a bicycle commute rate of 0.6%. The rate has grow substantially from it’s 0.2% rate in 2000 based on US Census Data.
I’ve been in contact with Steve Clark, who works for Transit for Livable Communities in Minneapolis and is highly respected in the Minneapolis cycling community. He notes that they are seeing an increase in all year bike commuting as well as an overall increase. One third of Minneapolis bike commuters are now cycling year round as born out by the bike counts. Minneapolis’s bike commuting rate is 4.2%, Ottawa’s is 1.9%, Toronto’s is 0.8%. Minneapolis built the lanes and trails and they cycled.
Steve also gave me two terrific links that are used to educate the public as well as maintenance personnel on winter street care. He recently completed an all day workshop with street maintenance workers and the have bought into the program as well and some are now cycling. These are enclosed below.
http://www.c-d-g.org/projects/TLC/WinterWalkBike/LeadershipBreakfast.htm
http://www.c-d-g.org/projects/TLC/WinterWalkBike/Dec4WinterWorkshop.htm
Steve also attached his research on winter riding. “What we have found is that winter riding is especially high on commuter routes. Not so high on paths that have high rates of recreational use during the summer months. Based on all of our counts, we conclude that nearly a third of regular bike commuters continue to bike during the winter.” He also sent us a nice 4-3 conversion image shown here. Scott
Sustainability Mobility Fair
Sustainability Mobility Fair “Future Transportation Choices for Short Trips” Admission is free and open to the public. At the May 8th Sustainability Mobility Fair you can view over 20 full-size alternative vehicles in a casual setting.
WHEN & WHERE: When: Saturday, May 8, 2010 from 10:AM – 2 PM
Where: The Center for Student Innovation at RIT, 1 Lomb Memorial Dr Rochester, NY 14623-5698
Most of the trips we take are 6.5 miles from our homes. Either traveling to work, to school, to shop, or just for fun, you will have many transportation choices in the future. Whether your reasons for considering alternative transportation are to cut commuter costs, concern over greenhouse gas emissions, or to improve your health, get an idea of your choices by coming to our first Sustainability Mobility Fair. This event is sponsored by The Center for Student Innovation at RIT (CSI) at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and the Center for Environmental information (CEI).
Our vision for creating this expo is to offer the public an opportunity to see and examine possible alternative transportation for those short distances.
Attendees will be exposed to what is new and now available on the markets and able to experience the latest choices in electric (bicycles, trikes, cars and motorcycles), hybrid electric, GEM car, Zip car, hydrogen, biodiesel, compressed natural gas, propane hybrid, plug-in electric, ethanol, Walking School Buses, bicycles, ‘veggie’ vehicles, and cycling transportation technologies.. All alternative fuel options will be on display. As more commuters become aware of travel choices, we expect to see more of them regularly choosing transportation alternatives because of the benefits. For more information, please check out: http://ceinfo.org/
Sustainability Mobility Fair
Sustainability Mobility Fair “Future Transportation Choices for Short Trips” Admission is free and open to the public. At the May 8th Sustainability Mobility Fair you can view over 20 full-size alternative vehicles in a casual setting.
WHEN & WHERE: When: Saturday, May 8, 2010 from 10:AM – 2 PM
Where: The Center for Student Innovation at RIT, 1 Lomb Memorial Dr Rochester, NY 14623-5698
Most of the trips we take are 6.5 miles from our homes. Either traveling to work, to school, to shop, or just for fun, you will have many transportation choices in the future. Whether your reasons for considering alternative transportation are to cut commuter costs, concern over greenhouse gas emissions, or to improve your health, get an idea of your choices by coming to our first Sustainability Mobility Fair. This event is sponsored by The Center for Student Innovation at RIT (CSI) at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and the Center for Environmental information (CEI).
Our vision for creating this expo is to offer the public an opportunity to see and examine possible alternative transportation for those short distances.
Attendees will be exposed to what is new and now available on the markets and able to experience the latest choices in electric (bicycles, trikes, cars and motorcycles), hybrid electric, GEM car, Zip car, hydrogen, biodiesel, compressed natural gas, propane hybrid, plug-in electric, ethanol, Walking School Buses, bicycles, ‘veggie’ vehicles, and cycling transportation technologies.. All alternative fuel options will be on display. As more commuters become aware of travel choices, we expect to see more of them regularly choosing transportation alternatives because of the benefits. For more information, please check out: http://ceinfo.org/
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