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Fwd: BikeIt organizing collective!

Can anyone help organize a BikeIt contingent?  (We’ll put your email address on the poster below!)
I’m trying to have RIT host the Ithaca contingent on their way to Detroit.
More info on this initiative here
This from Claire Stoscheck BikeIt National Coordinator, who visited last week.

As promised, I’ve attached the BikeIt Rochester poster. Please put a local contact in the contact box in the lower left corner as well, so Rochester folks can start organizing with each other to go to Detroit! Also attached is a template for an outreach email that you could use for your various groups/list serves/web-sites/blogs. Please modify it as you see fit!
Also, if folks want to stay in the loop you can join our listserve at: http://groups.google.com/group/fingerlakesbikeit

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Fwd: BikeIt organizing collective!

Can anyone help organize a BikeIt contingent?  (We’ll put your email address on the poster below!)
I’m trying to have RIT host the Ithaca contingent on their way to Detroit.
More info on this initiative here
This from Claire Stoscheck BikeIt National Coordinator, who visited last week.

As promised, I’ve attached the BikeIt Rochester poster. Please put a local contact in the contact box in the lower left corner as well, so Rochester folks can start organizing with each other to go to Detroit! Also attached is a template for an outreach email that you could use for your various groups/list serves/web-sites/blogs. Please modify it as you see fit!
Also, if folks want to stay in the loop you can join our listserve at: http://groups.google.com/group/fingerlakesbikeit

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America's 75 Worst Commutes, Rochester NY tops Portland OR

America‘s 75 Worst Commutes

by The Daily Beast

Portland, OR may be a better place for bicyclist but we have an easier commute.

Notice the quote;”As anyone who drives on Interstate 5 or listens to the traffic reports knows, I-5 and most of the Portland freeway system is already congested at peak hours.”

They are the highways to hell in the country’s most gridlocked cities. The Daily Beast crunches the numbers to determine your ultimate morning nightmares. How did your commute in rank?

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-01-19/americas-75-worst-commutes/

#16, I-5, Portland, OR
Weekly hours of bottleneck congestion: 238
Worst bottleneck: Northbound, Marine Dr/Exit 307
Length of worst bottleneck: .76 mi
Weekly hours of congestion on worst bottleneck: 23
Speed of worst bottleneck when congested: 14.8 mph

Commuter Buzz: “,” wrote Gerald Fox. “There are numerous choke points and frequent incidents delaying traffic throughout the region.”

66, I-490, Rochester, NY
Weekly hours of bottleneck congestion: 14
Worst bottleneck: Inner loop westbound, Washington St/Exit 14
Length of worst bottleneck: .27 mi
Weekly hours of congestion on worst bottleneck: 9
Speed of worst bottleneck when congested: 18 mph

Commuter Buzz: “The closing of the Lake Champlain Bridge is a wake-up call. New York has ignored its infrastructure for decades, putting New Yorkers and New York businesses in jeopardy,” state comptroller Thomas DiNapoli told RocNow.com.

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America's 75 Worst Commutes, Rochester NY tops Portland OR

America‘s 75 Worst Commutes

by The Daily Beast

Portland, OR may be a better place for bicyclist but we have an easier commute.

Notice the quote;”As anyone who drives on Interstate 5 or listens to the traffic reports knows, I-5 and most of the Portland freeway system is already congested at peak hours.”

They are the highways to hell in the country’s most gridlocked cities. The Daily Beast crunches the numbers to determine your ultimate morning nightmares. How did your commute in rank?

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-01-19/americas-75-worst-commutes/

#16, I-5, Portland, OR
Weekly hours of bottleneck congestion: 238
Worst bottleneck: Northbound, Marine Dr/Exit 307
Length of worst bottleneck: .76 mi
Weekly hours of congestion on worst bottleneck: 23
Speed of worst bottleneck when congested: 14.8 mph

Commuter Buzz: “,” wrote Gerald Fox. “There are numerous choke points and frequent incidents delaying traffic throughout the region.”

66, I-490, Rochester, NY
Weekly hours of bottleneck congestion: 14
Worst bottleneck: Inner loop westbound, Washington St/Exit 14
Length of worst bottleneck: .27 mi
Weekly hours of congestion on worst bottleneck: 9
Speed of worst bottleneck when congested: 18 mph

Commuter Buzz: “The closing of the Lake Champlain Bridge is a wake-up call. New York has ignored its infrastructure for decades, putting New Yorkers and New York businesses in jeopardy,” state comptroller Thomas DiNapoli told RocNow.com.

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National Bike Summit 2010

National Bike Summit 2010
March 9-11, 2010
Washington, D.C.

National Bike Summit 2010 – Building on 10 Years of Progress

Bicycling has come a long way in the last 10 years. Our movement has grown larger and more effective; the number of people riding is growing in almost every community in the nation. We need more people on bikes more often, and the reasons just keep on growing. Whether it’s obesity, health care, climate change, air quality, energy independence, traffic congestion, economic development or quality of life issues – bicycling has got to be part of the solution. In 2010, Congress and our Federal agencies will be setting national targets and goals for 2020. They will be writing transportation, climate, health care, natural resources and other critical pieces of legislation that will shape our future. Bicycling must be prominently featured in these important pieces of legislation, documents, funding streams and programs.

Ten years ago, the first National Bike Summit brought just over 100 advocates and industry leaders to Washington, D.C. – this year we need to be closer to 1,000 participants to make a strong impact. Join us and speak up for bicycling; discover how your voice can truly be heard. Help the League of American Bicyclists celebrate 10 years of progress, and help us propel into a new decade of the bicycle!

Source: http://www.bikeleague.org/conferences/summit10/index.php

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National Bike Summit 2010

National Bike Summit 2010
March 9-11, 2010
Washington, D.C.

National Bike Summit 2010 – Building on 10 Years of Progress

Bicycling has come a long way in the last 10 years. Our movement has grown larger and more effective; the number of people riding is growing in almost every community in the nation. We need more people on bikes more often, and the reasons just keep on growing. Whether it’s obesity, health care, climate change, air quality, energy independence, traffic congestion, economic development or quality of life issues – bicycling has got to be part of the solution. In 2010, Congress and our Federal agencies will be setting national targets and goals for 2020. They will be writing transportation, climate, health care, natural resources and other critical pieces of legislation that will shape our future. Bicycling must be prominently featured in these important pieces of legislation, documents, funding streams and programs.

Ten years ago, the first National Bike Summit brought just over 100 advocates and industry leaders to Washington, D.C. – this year we need to be closer to 1,000 participants to make a strong impact. Join us and speak up for bicycling; discover how your voice can truly be heard. Help the League of American Bicyclists celebrate 10 years of progress, and help us propel into a new decade of the bicycle!

Source: http://www.bikeleague.org/conferences/summit10/index.php

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Hale and Harmful: Are the Healthful Effects of Riding a Bike on City Streets Ruined by Inhaled Pollutants?: Scientific American

Hale and Harmful: Are the Healthful Effects of Riding a Bike on City Streets Ruined by Inhaled Pollutants?: Scientific American:

Interesting article, and another reason why the Rochester Greenway could be a pace-setter!
    “Ironically, many cities that offer dedicated bike lanes often lay them out right next to busy bus lanes, unintentionally ensuring that bicyclists breathe in as much diesel exhaust as possible. “I ride along one of these high-traffic bus routes,” Housen says, “and…there was between two and five or six times more magnetic fine particulate matter along the bus route than [on less-busy streets].” Housen would like to expand his research so it could be used by urban planners to better design bike and pedestrian routes so as not to intermingle so much diesel transit and pedestrian/bicycle traffic.”
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Funding Pedestrian and Bicycle Projects

APBP Webinar: Funding Pedestrian and Bicycle Projects

Posted by: “Stephen Miller” stephen@railstotrails.org   stephenmrtc

Thu Jan 14, 2010 7:10 am (PST)

Many of you may be interested in this. It uses the example of a trail
project in Greenville, SC:

Webinar: Funding Pedestrian and Bicycle Projects
<http://www.apbp.org/event/jan-10_webinar##>

1/20/2010

When:

Wednesday, January 20
3:00 to 4:00 p.m. EST

Contact:

Debra Goeks (info@apbp.org info@apbp.org> )

Registration Information

Online registration is available until: 1/20/2010

* Register for this event >
<http://www.apbp.org/events/event_login.asp?id=89076>

Funding Pedestrian and Bicycle Projects

January’s webinar takes a comprehensive look at funding sources, both
familiar and nontraditional. First, we examine how Greenville County,
S.C., leveraged the power of one grant to obtain trail funding from many
different nontraditional sources. Learn how the powerful ripple effect
of a partnership between the county and the Greenville Hospital System
led to building widespread community, business, and political support
for the Swamp Rabbit Trail project, which is the flagship greenway of a
county-wide Greenways Master Plan that is currently being developed.

This outstanding example will demonstrate
* techniques to identify and approach funding sources.
* how to parlay one grant into multiple partnerships.
* the impact of creating a business plan and following through.

The Federal Highway Administration’s Transportation Enhancement (TE)
Activities and Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provide funds to
develop transportation and recreation infrastructure. Gabe Rousseau and
Christopher Douwes of the FHWA will explain these and other federal
programs and offer suggestions on how to apply for funds. The
presentation will also provide information about the authorization of
the Federal Surface Transportation Program expected in 2010.TE
activities increase transportation choices and access for pedestrians
and bicyclists and enhance the built and natural environment through
scenic and historic highway programs, landscaping, historic
preservation, and environmental mitigation. The RTP provides funds to
states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related
facilities.

Webinar presenters are Ty Houck, Director of Greenways, Natural and
Historic Resources, Greenville County Recreation District; Dr. Gabe
Rousseau, U.S. Department of Transportation and FHWA Bicycle and
Pedestrian Program Manager; and Christopher Douwes, FHWA Trails and
Enhancements Program Manager. APBP board member Tom Dodds, South
Carolina’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Engineer, will moderate the webinar
and add his insights on how state coordinators can assist local
jurisdictions in identifying and applying for funding.

APBP has applied for one CM credit from the AICP for this webinar. A
certificate of attendance for those wanting to claim Professional
Development Hours will be available.

Invite colleagues and clients to attend at your location for one very
reasonable price. 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. APBP accepts Visa, MasterCard or AMEX; payment should be made
by noon on January 19. For more information, contact Debra Goeks
(262-228-7025 or deb@apbp.org deb@apbp.org> ).

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An on-campus Greenway for RIT

RIT is already leading a potential bicycle renaissance in Rochester, with significant environmental and economic impacts on the city and the region.

By building an on-campus Greenway–a year round walkway/bikeway across campus– RIT could improve its campus, improve student life, promote innovation, promote sustainability, and integrate RIT’s industrial-sustainability types with our ecological-sustainability types.

The overall vision is grand.  The first step could be simple.  Prototype a covered, bikeable/walkable path over, or parallel to, the QuarterMile.   (RIT students are already spec’ing out structural and paving options, including heatable floors for ice control).

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RIT as interchange for Genesee Valley Greenway, Lehigh Valley North Trail, and, of course, RochesterGreenway

RIT should build a bike bridge across the river and be a bike bridge joining the Genesee Valley Greenway and the Lehigh Valley North Trail.

As previously noted, Mitch Rosen and I have come to realize that RIT could connect the Genessee Valley Greenway (just south of Jefferson Rd) and the Lehigh Valley North Trail (LVNT) up to UR and the City.
This might be a strategic linkage.
  • with regard to RIT, see this post (an on campus Greenway would connect RIT’s two new extremities Global Village and Park Point)
  • with regard to the RochesterGreenway (=Lehigh Valley North Trail here) , this would join it to the GVGreenway.
  • with regard to the potential NYPA Greenways (the 230 mile superset to Williamsport), this would be a big advance
  • with regard to the Genessee Valley Greenway, our impression is that it peters out just to the north of this point.  This would ncrease the Genessee Valley Greenway’s utility and value.
Details:
Some googling lead me to believe there is a connecting trail.
So this afternoon, I went cross country skiing to look for the connecting trail.  
At around the right place (A), I did find an embankment going West-East across the trail.
There was a stone bridge over the creek on the West side of the trail, but fallen trees  (under the snow, at least) no obvious trail to the East.
When I circled back and drove back to Scottsville Rd just south of Greyson Rd, I found what might be the West end of that same cross-trail:
a break in a wooden fence, a marked telephone pole “RGE 111, 228” and a sign pointing to Clearview Farms apartment.  (B)
And when I hiked West from the Road, there was a clear view to (what I believe was) the GV Trail.
RIT should build a bike bridge across the river and be a bike bridge joining the Genesee Valley Greenway and the Lehigh Valley North Trail.
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RIT could unify the Genesee Valley Greenway and the Rochester Greenway

Mitch Rosen points out that the Genessee Valley Greenway peters out just west of RIT’s Red Barn and suggested that a bike bridge  (built by our own Civil Engineering students?) across the River would allow one to bike all the way from Cuba NY to the City without travelling a major road.


We went for a brief drive and it looked great, as does some further scrutiny via Google Earth!


The missing link
The big picture

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Wegmans unveils plans for East Avenue store | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle

Now just suppose this became an anchor location for a bike connection along University Avenue and Blossom Road that integrated ArtisanWorks, ArtWalk, the RochesterGreenway….

Wegmans unveils plans for East Avenue store | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle

THE STORE

  • The East Avenue Wegmans is the company’s lone remaining store in the city and its smallest in the region. It first opened in 1962 at just more than half its current size, and was expanded in 1980.
  • The new store would be more than double in size and include a Market Café, more prepared foods, a larger pharmacy and an expansion of nearly every department.

    • FILE DOWNLOADS

    “We don’t have a position (on the proposal),” said Dorraine Kirkmire, senior city planner. “Basically, that is the goal of the Environmental Impact Statement, to gather all the information we need to make prudent decisions about the project.”

    The city anticipates spending two weeks reviewing the document, then releasing it to the public next month. There will be time for public review, comment and a public hearing. Added Kirkmire: “I’d rather people have comments on a proposal once they have all the information available to them.”

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    Rails-to-Trails Conservancy:: Trail of the Month: Walkway Over the Hudson, New York

    Rails-to-Trails Conservancy:: Trail of the Month: Walkway Over the Hudson, New York

    Built in 1888, the 1.25-mile Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge launched out across the Hudson River in New York. Considered a technological wonder, the mammoth structure towered 212 feet above the water and became the longest railroad bridge in the world. It connected downtown Poughkeepsie on the east bank and Lloyd on the west, providing an important link for trains carrying Pennsylvania coal to factories in New England. At its peak, the route serviced 3,500 train cars a day.

    After a fire severely damaged the tracks in 1974, though, nearby communities debated whether to tear down the railroad relic. The bridge sat idle for nearly 20 years before local advocate Bill Sepe began promoting the idea of restoring the landmark as a pedestrian walkway.

    On October 3, huge crowds swelled the bridge to celebrate its grand opening. “It was awesome,” says Erik Kulleseid, deputy commissioner for open space protection with New York State Parks. “We had 40 to 50,000 people there. We thought we were going out on a limb projecting the bridge would get 267,000 annual visitors, and we had 300,000 in the first month and a half! It’s been extraordinary.”
    The Walkway just before it opened, taken from a helicopter © David Rocco
    The Hudson River Valley, viewed from the Walkway © Fred Schaeffer
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    Greenways 101

    Greenways 101 (Pennsylvania is ahead of us!)

    Greenways 101

    What is a Greenway?

    The word “greenway” means different things to different people. Since the 19th century, “greenway” has been used to describe a variety of linear corridors across the land that conserve natural areas and provide people with recreation and transportation opportunities. Often greenways are associated with off-road trails, such as the Appalachian Trail or the Pine Creek Rail-Trail, although not all greenways include trails.

    There is a growing national movement to promote greenways, especially since 1987 when the President’s Commission on American Outdoors recommended establishing a nationalgreenways network. A greenways network is similar to a roadway network, which connects all kinds of destinations through a linear system. However, a greenways network is designed for recreation, conservation, and smart land use – a network for people, nature, and “livable” communities.

    Greenways are often established and managed through partnerships between municipalities, counties, and non-profit organizations.

    Story of PA Greenways
    Frequently Asked Questions
    Benefits of Greenways
    Greenways Glossary
    Clearinghouse Database