Bikeboard December 2009

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15 participants
21 discussions

New MUTCD approved by FHWA
by Frank Gmeindl 17 Dec '09

17 Dec '09

Bicycle Board Members, The Federal Highway Administration has approved and released the new MUTCD that legitimizes Shared Lane Markings (Sharrows, Chevrons) and Bicycles May Use Full Lane signs. Recall that the WVDOH retracted their approval of our plan to install SLMs and BMUFL signs because these weren't in the currently used 2003 MUTCD. The WVDOH people told me that they can't use the new MUTCD until the WV legislature tells them to. Does anybody know how to expedite that? Any other ideas on how we can use the FHWA's issuance of the new MUTCD to get WVDOH to approve our plan? The FHWA web site, http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/ says: "On December 16, 2009 a final rule adopting the 2009 Edition of the MUTCD was published in the Federal Register. States must adopt the 2009 National MUTCD as their legal State standard for traffic control devices within two years." The Federal Register notice, which provides detailed discussion of the FHWA's decisions on major changes from the 2003 edition, can be viewed at *http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28322.pdf* <http://wwwcf.fhwa.dot.gov/exit.cfm?link=http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/…> (PDF, 716KB). To view the 2009 MUTCD and other related information, go to *http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/kno_2009.htm*. FYI, I copied and pasted the sections on SLMs and BMUFL signs below. Frank /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles *Section 9C.07 Shared Lane Marking* Option: 01 The Shared Lane Marking shown in Figure 9C-9 may be used to: A. Assist bicyclists with lateral positioning in a shared lane with on-street parallel parking in order to reduce the chance of a bicyclist's impacting the open door of a parked vehicle, B. Assist bicyclists with lateral positioning in lanes that are too narrow for a motor vehicle and a bicycle to travel side by side within the same traffic lane, C. Alert road users of the lateral location bicyclists are likely to occupy within the traveled way, D. Encourage safe passing of bicyclists by motorists, and E. Reduce the incidence of wrong-way bicycling. Guidance: 02 The Shared Lane Marking should not be placed on roadways that have a speed limit above 35 mph. Standard: 03 Shared Lane Markings shall not be used on shoulders or in designated bicycle lanes. Guidance: 04 If used in a shared lane with on-street parallel parking, Shared Lane Markings should be placed so that the centers of the markings are at least 11 feet from the face of the curb, or from the edge of the pavement where there is no curb. 05 If used on a street without on-street parking that has an outside travel lane that is less than 14 feet wide, the centers of the Shared Lane Markings should be at least 4 feet from the face of the curb, or from the edge of the pavement where there is no curb. 06 If used, the Shared Lane Marking should be placed immediately after an intersection and spaced at intervals not greater than 250 feet thereafter. Option: 07 Section 9B.06 describes a Bicycles May Use Full Lane sign that may be used in addition to or instead of the Shared Lane Marking to inform road users that bicyclists might occupy the travel lane. *Section 9B.06 Bicycles May Use Full Lane Sign (R4-11)*Option: 01 The Bicycles May Use Full Lane (R4-11) sign (see Figure 9B-2) may be used on roadways where no bicycle lanes or adjacent shoulders usable by bicyclists are present and where travel lanes are too narrow for bicyclists and motor vehicles to operate side by side. 02 The Bicycles May Use Full Lane sign may be used in locations where it is important to inform road users that bicyclists might occupy the travel lane. 03 Section 9C.07 describes a Shared Lane Marking that may be used in addition to or instead of the Bicycles May Use Full Lane sign to inform road users that bicyclists might occupy the travel lane. Support: 04 The Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC) defines a "substandard width lane" as a "lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the same lane." /

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Bike Route Meeting - Tuesday the 11th
by Derek Springston 15 Dec '09

15 Dec '09

Hello all, I reserved the Public Safety Center Conference Room for Tuesday, December 15th from 6pm-8pm for the Bike Route Map meeting. Please join us if you wish to contribute. Have a nice day, ~Derek “Every time I see an adult on a bicycle I no longer despair for the future of the human race.” -H.G. Wells _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/

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December minutes
by Elizabeth Shogren 14 Dec '09

14 Dec '09

Attached, please find the December minutes of the Bicycle Board. Thank you, BETSY SHOGREN

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Campus Connector
by Frank Gmeindl 10 Dec '09

10 Dec '09

Bicycle Board Members, If you have any comments on the attached files, please reply-all. Unless your address is on Damien's To: or CC: list, please do not reply to him or other members of his lists. Frank /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/ -------- Original Message -------- Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:15:34 -0500 From: Damien Davis <ddavis(a)cityofmorgantown.org> To: Dan Boroff <dboroff(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, Don Spencer <dspencer36(a)comcast.net>, <rnutter(a)wvu.edu>, Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net>, <psteel(a)access.k12.wv.us>, <thorny53(a)verizon.net>, <kmartis(a)wvu.edu> CC: Terry Hough <though(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, Barbara Shellito <bshellito(a)cityofmorgantown.org> Attached are a map and list of properties and owners that could potentially be affected by the proposed campus connector. If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact me at the number below. *J. Damien Davis, EIT, CFM, Assistant City Engineer* City of Morgantown Public Works Department - Engineering Division 389 Spruce Street Morgantown, WV 26505 Office: 304.284.7398 Fax: 304.284.7409 www.morgantown.com

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Re: [Bikeboard] misc
by Frank Gmeindl 09 Dec '09

09 Dec '09

Aira, I'm copying the Bicycle Board members on this and asking them to reply-all to this message with: 1. Any text they think should be on the logo 2. Any iconic local buildings that they think would appropriate for a background skyline 3. Their thoughts about changing the name of the Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board. Frank /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/ On 12/4/2009 11:25 AM, Aira Loren Burkhart wrote: > Frank, > > I just sent you that article because I thought it was neat, not as an > action item, just something aspire to in the future. > > I didn't receive the newsletter. Maybe they are getting sent to spam? > I did not see it in my spam folder, though. Please attach it and resend. > > Can you have the bike board email me about the text to appear on the > logo? If everyone is copied on the correspondence, I think an email > discussion will probably be reflective of everyone's ideas, at least > enough to get a start. Are there any iconic local buildings that the > board thinks would appropriate for a background skyline? (In a concept > with such a skyline. I'm not married to any particular concept.) > > Do you have an feeling about the name, aside from the procedural hoops > of suggesting such a change? Does it strike you as a good idea, or not > worth the hassle? > > thanks, > aira > > On Fri, Dec 4, 2009 at 11:14 AM, Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net > <mailto:fgmeindl@verizon.net>> wrote: > > We'd need at least 14 feet of lane width to add a bike lane, green > or otherwise. I am not aware of any lanes that wide in Morgantown > or WV. The reason we advocated for sharrows (Shared Lane > Markings) is that they can be installed on lanes that are less > than 14 feet wide (at least 4 feet from the curb with no car > pakring or 11 feet the curb with on-street parking (MUTCD > standard) and when accompanied by Bicycles May Use Full Lane signs > can be effective. That's what we succeeded in getting through the > City and the State until there was a personnel change in the WVDOH > that resulted in their retracting their approval. Now, Janel is > leading a project intended to get that approval again. > > The BB will have to decide by consensus what the logo will > represent, i.e. whether or not it has the BB name. To change the > name of the Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board we will have to get > concurrence from the Traffic Commission that formed and governs > us. Attached are the Procedural Guidelines that define us. > Please also be aware that the BB's vision states: "All Morgantown > residents can enjoy bicycling safely and fearlessly anywhere, > anytime, for any reason. " > > Aira, last night, I sent you the Bicycle Board's November report > to the Traffic Commission. The report is organized by the E's. > You might also look at our application for a LAB Bicycle Friendly > Community award at > http://www.morgantown.com/bike-board-documents/BFC%20Application.zip > . The criteria for the award are the E's and reading through the > criteria provides a clear idea of what each E means. FYI, since we > applied for the award in 2008, the LAB added a 6th E: Equality. > The BB November report to the TC explains it. > > Frank > /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of > vehicles/ > > > > On 12/4/2009 10:41 AM, Aira Loren Burkhart wrote: >> Here is the Austin article I was talking about. I think the large >> painted road areas look very understandable to drivers and >> cyclists alike. >> http://www.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/fitcity/entr… >> >> Also, will the logo depict the name as "Morgantown Bicycle >> Board"? My husband suggested that "Morgantown Bicycle Authority" >> (MBA) has more teeth to it. "Morgantown Bicycle Commission" also >> sounds somewhat more official than "Board" though less so than >> "Authority". >> >> Please send the newsletter with the "E" statements and also >> specify if you would like any kind of slogan incorporated into >> the "seal/logo" itself. >> >> Thanks! >> aira >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Bikeboard mailing list >> Bikeboard(a)cheat.org <mailto:Bikeboard@cheat.org> >> http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard > >

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Bike Route Map meeting....
by Derek Springston 07 Dec '09

07 Dec '09

Hey guys, Let's try hard to meet within the next week or two. Please reply to this ASAP, so we can determine the date, time, and place. The folks who were selected for this committee last night were: Gunnar Shogren, Chet Parsons, Ralph LaRue, Derek Springston, maybe Duncan Oliver, and maybe Ryan Post. Any other Bike Board members are welcome to attend. I am available on these days: Monday Dec. 7th - after 5pm Thurs. Dec. 10th - after 5pm Monday Dec. 14th - after 5pm Tues. Dec. 15th - after 5pm Please place your name next to any of these evenings that will work for you. If anyone else needs added to this email, please let me know. Thanks, ~Derek “Every time I see an adult on a bicycle I no longer despair for the future of the human race.” -H.G. Wells _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live Hotmail gives you a free,exclusive gift. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowslive/hotmail_bl1/hotmail_bl1.aspx?o…

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misc
by Aira Loren Burkhart 04 Dec '09

04 Dec '09

Here is the Austin article I was talking about. I think the large painted road areas look very understandable to drivers and cyclists alike. http://www.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/fitcity/entr… Also, will the logo depict the name as "Morgantown Bicycle Board"? My husband suggested that "Morgantown Bicycle Authority" (MBA) has more teeth to it. "Morgantown Bicycle Commission" also sounds somewhat more official than "Board" though less so than "Authority". Please send the newsletter with the "E" statements and also specify if you would like any kind of slogan incorporated into the "seal/logo" itself. Thanks! aira

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Campus Connector
by Frank Gmeindl 03 Dec '09

03 Dec '09

Ken, Damien, Attached is the Campus Connector map that I promised to give Damien at last night's Traffic Commission meeting. I hope you can read it. I scanned it from a paper copy. I will try to get the original electronic file for you. The map shows property boundaries and a potential Campus Connector route. Whose property the Campus Connector goes over will depend on a detailed design of the Connector. A detailed design has not been done. Concerning right of way, Greg Good says, "I'm pretty sure there is not a right-of-way the whole way through. The city has tried sporadically to list ROW'S and more importantly the official abandonment of ROWs. But I don't think the latter effort is totally up to date or systematically recorded." Jenny Selin says, " * Grant Street right-of-way goes (paper street) all the way to the WVU property line, except for a little corner right before the WVU property line. At the end of the day there is a little corner that the Saab's own that used to be part of the right of way for Grant Street. At some point this was conveyed to the Saabs. We would need permission to cross that piece of property, or purchase it, or arrange for a right of way (on the property downhill of Grant Street right-of-way) with the owners of Bent Tree Apartments. We could potentially follow Grant Street right of way, low on the hill, (remembering to resolve our little corner problem) continuing to the University line and then make switchbacks up the hill (on the university property) to the Water Tower and the WVU Greenhouse. * An additional concern is the washed-out part of the hillside at the beginning of the Grant paper street. It would be difficult but probably not impossible to build trail there. It would be an excellent first-step for an engineer to examine this section. The Grant paper street area we are talking about is below the WVU steam line. The steam line is the walking route being used currently. * Another possibility....We could check out whether the right of way rights for the steam line could be renegotiated to include walkers (we would need to change the routing near the top of the hill because it is so steep). Perhaps a long shot, but worth considering. * The Saabs own the upper hillside and at some point will want access to their upper acreage. At that point we may be able to negotiate the right to cross their "triangle" in exchange for rights to an access road for their property (adjacent to the lower portion of the trail). Right now the Saab's parents have both died within a year (the father very recently) so I am not inclined to ask them in the near future. However this could be a transition point and so we could ask them first and then ask the Bent Tree Folks. Or ask both. * Bent Tree: The recommendation from their representative is to have money and a plan, or at least a concrete idea, and then contact them. Jimmy Manilla and a few others have said that they know the Bent Tree Folks and would be glad to approach them once we have a clear idea of what we want." I hope this helps to investigate and identify property ownership within the general alignment of the Connector so that an earnest discussion with the area property owners and the City could commence. Frank Gmeindl Chairman, Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board

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aira will be slightly late again
by Aira Loren Burkhart 03 Dec '09

03 Dec '09

it's my friend's birthday (this is a year of thursday birthdays), so I will be at the blackbear beforehand. however, I am too concerned about the proposed cyclists-must-ride-in-path-provided proposed wv law to skip today. aira

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Campus Connector
by Frank Gmeindl 03 Dec '09

03 Dec '09

Greg, Jonathan, Jenny, Jake, I need to provide Damien Davis a map or maps that show the Campus Connector and the property lines under and adjacent to it. Can someone provide those to me in a format that I can send to Damien? At tonight's Traffic Commission meeting, the TC accepted our letter and passed a motion to request the City Manager to investigate and identify property ownership within the general alignment of the Connector. After I read the letter, Ken Martis said that the county property maps show who owns what property under and adjacent to the Campus Connector. Have any of you checked the property maps? He also said that the Planning Commission is pursuing the Campus Connector. He said that he thinks there is a right of way that can be used that avoids the property of any resistant owners (Saab). Ken is the Planning Commission representative on the TC and is a renowned WVU geography professor so he should know. In anticipation that the City Manager will assign the task to the Engineering Department, I agreed to give Damien Davis whatever information we already have on the Campus Connector planned route and property ownership boundaries. Frank /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/

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Bikeboard December 2009