Bikeboard January 2010

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11 participants
31 discussions

FW: LCI Seminar in Charlottesville, VA in March...
by Frank Gmeindl 22 Jan '10

22 Jan '10

Here's your chance to become a League Cycling Instructor: attend the LCI seminar in Charlottesville, VA the weekend of March 19. If you completed Road I or Traffic Skills 101 and scored 90 or better on the Road test and 85 or better on the Written test, you qualify. The City of Morgantown will pay your registration and travel expenses for the seminar if you'll agree to teach 6 Traffic Skills 101 courses in Morgantown after you become an LCI. If you're interested, please reply or contact Matteo Favero and cc me. This is a great opportunity to do your LCI seminar in a very cool place not too far away. Frank Gmeindl LCI #1703 Morgantown, WV Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles From: Matthew Favero [mailto:mateomusic@hotmail.com] Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 2:27 PM To: fgmeindl(a)verizon.net Subject: LCI Seminar in Charlottesville, VA in March... Dear Frank, I noticed on the League's website you are teaching some upcoming Traffic 101 courses. I am writing to inform you about a possible LCI Seminar the weekend of March 19th in Charlottesville, VA. I have been in communication with the League about this. I am putting the word out in hopes of acquiring more participants to reach the League's required number of 10 participants. I have at least 6 so far. If you have anyone who will be coming through your upcoming courses who may be interested in becoming certified, and can travel this far, please spread the word, and put them in touch with me. If you have any questions about it, feel free to contact me as well. Matteo Favero LCI #2488 434-409-2868 www.fujicrazy.blogspot.com _____ Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it <http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390710/direct/01/> now.

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January Minutes
by Elizabeth Shogren 18 Jan '10

18 Jan '10

Attached, please find the January minutes. There is also a pdf of the first round of BB logos produced by Aira Burkhart. Thank you, BETSY SHOGREN

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Re: [Bikeboard] Meeting with Terry Hough
by Chip Wamsley 15 Jan '10

15 Jan '10

---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: "Frank Gmeindl" <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:26:37 -0500 Frank et al, Next Thurs at 6 works for me. Chip >Bicycle Board Members, > > > >This morning, I had a 1.5 hour meeting with Terry Hough, City Engineer and >Damien Davis, Assistant Engineer. The desired outcome of the meeting was to >establish City Engineer's office support for the Bicycle Board vision and >goals and to develop a unified City response to the WVDOH on matters such as >the Mon Blvd. Bike Lane and Share the Road signs. > > > >The meeting was very productive but I don't think I can appropriately >represent the outcome in a written report. Therefore, I would like to >discuss it with you next Thursday, 1/21 at 6 pm in the PSC Conference Room. >This meeting should take less than 1 hour. It's desired outcome is Bicycle >Board consensus on how to proceed with Engineering initiatives. > > > >I realize this is short notice and that you might not be able to fit it in >your schedule so I would ask that you at least reply to let me know whether >you plan to attend or not. > > > >Frank > >Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles > > > > > > > >

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Meeting with Terry Hough
by Frank Gmeindl 15 Jan '10

15 Jan '10

Bicycle Board Members, This morning, I had a 1.5 hour meeting with Terry Hough, City Engineer and Damien Davis, Assistant Engineer. The desired outcome of the meeting was to establish City Engineer's office support for the Bicycle Board vision and goals and to develop a unified City response to the WVDOH on matters such as the Mon Blvd. Bike Lane and Share the Road signs. The meeting was very productive but I don't think I can appropriately represent the outcome in a written report. Therefore, I would like to discuss it with you next Thursday, 1/21 at 6 pm in the PSC Conference Room. This meeting should take less than 1 hour. It's desired outcome is Bicycle Board consensus on how to proceed with Engineering initiatives. I realize this is short notice and that you might not be able to fit it in your schedule so I would ask that you at least reply to let me know whether you plan to attend or not. Frank Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles

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Re: [Bikeboard] (no subject)
by Chip Wamsley 15 Jan '10

15 Jan '10

---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: "Frank Gmeindl" <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:19:07 -0500 Frank, Sounds like a good meeting. Its interesting that Maryland actually hired a qualified person with experience who actually wants to do what he was hired for and most likely wasn't someone in state govt's brother in law. I like his comment on fear of liability, as that was the stumbling block getting bike clubs in the local schools. Could we get copy of the Cumberland comprehensive plan? It might give us some ideas to get Morgantown to do something similar. As for the bikeable city app, looking at last years feedback, a lot of things have changed that make Morgantown look a lot more favorable. Chip >Bicycle Board Members, > > > >Today, I had the most wonderful meeting with Michael Jackson, Maryland DOT >Director Bicycle and Pedestrian Access; Dave Umling, Cumberland City >Planner; John DiFonzo, Cumberland City >Engineer; Larry Brock Western MD Wheelmen rep and Cumberland Bicycle >Advisory Board Chair, Greg ? County employee and Theresa Michels, Downtown >Development Commission Rep and owner of the Queen City Creamery where we >met. > > > >Can you believe that Mr. Jackson began his time on the agenda by passing out >the bicycle section of the new MUTCD and explaining Shared Lane Markings and >Bicycles May Use Full Lane signs and very strongly encouraging Cumberland to >use them. He gave specific examples of where Cumberland should consider >putting them. He gave a very thorough explanation of how they are >appropriate for Cumberland given its narrow streets and hilly terrain. He >explained how cyclists should take the lane when it's too narrow to be >passed safely. He explained that cyclists are not impeding traffic if they >are proceeding at a reasonable pace for cyclists. He explained how cyclists >have the same rights to the roads as motorists but sometimes motorists must >be reminded of that, particularly when the bicyclist can't go fast. > > > >He then went on to review the 5 Es and then to suggest approximately 10 >ideas covering the Es for Cumberland to consider implementing to make >Cumberland a more bicycle friendly community. For example, under >encouragement, he suggested Cumberland consider having "cyclo via" days on >which certain streets are closed to all but bicycle traffic! > > > >He said that the MDOT is surveying Maryland's 22 school districts to >determine school policies on encouraging kids to ride to school. He said >the state is going to help the schools increase ridership by establishing >bicycle coordinators in the schools and by ensuring continuous safe routes >to the schools. They are also going to hold the school administrators >accountable for measuring ridership and for showing an increase. > > > >In addition to having experience as multi-modal transportation coordinator >in California and working with transportation engineers, Mr. Jackson is also >an attorney specializing in liability and torts. He recognizes that some >officials resist bicycling because of fear of liability. He is spearheading >a MDOT research project to clarify and reduce liability. > > > >Mr. Jackson was not only familiar with just about all US bicycle advocacy >work but he also very familiarly cited details of several activities in >Germany, England, Denmark, Holland and Canada. > > > >Cumberland submitted a Bicycle Friendly Community award application last >year and got honorable mention and feedback. They already had a >comprehensive bicycle plan which the City Planner wrote. They are marching >through each of the BFC feedback items and updating their plan to address >each and every one of them. One of their feedback items was to establish >local League Cycling Instructors. They hired me to make that happen. > > > >BTW, attached is the LAB feedback to our 2007 BFC application. > > > >Frank > >Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles > > > > > >

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(no subject)
by Frank Gmeindl 15 Jan '10

15 Jan '10

Bicycle Board Members, Today, I had the most wonderful meeting with Michael Jackson, Maryland DOT Director Bicycle and Pedestrian Access; Dave Umling, Cumberland City Planner; John DiFonzo, Cumberland City Engineer; Larry Brock Western MD Wheelmen rep and Cumberland Bicycle Advisory Board Chair, Greg ? County employee and Theresa Michels, Downtown Development Commission Rep and owner of the Queen City Creamery where we met. Can you believe that Mr. Jackson began his time on the agenda by passing out the bicycle section of the new MUTCD and explaining Shared Lane Markings and Bicycles May Use Full Lane signs and very strongly encouraging Cumberland to use them. He gave specific examples of where Cumberland should consider putting them. He gave a very thorough explanation of how they are appropriate for Cumberland given its narrow streets and hilly terrain. He explained how cyclists should take the lane when it's too narrow to be passed safely. He explained that cyclists are not impeding traffic if they are proceeding at a reasonable pace for cyclists. He explained how cyclists have the same rights to the roads as motorists but sometimes motorists must be reminded of that, particularly when the bicyclist can't go fast. He then went on to review the 5 Es and then to suggest approximately 10 ideas covering the Es for Cumberland to consider implementing to make Cumberland a more bicycle friendly community. For example, under encouragement, he suggested Cumberland consider having "cyclo via" days on which certain streets are closed to all but bicycle traffic! He said that the MDOT is surveying Maryland's 22 school districts to determine school policies on encouraging kids to ride to school. He said the state is going to help the schools increase ridership by establishing bicycle coordinators in the schools and by ensuring continuous safe routes to the schools. They are also going to hold the school administrators accountable for measuring ridership and for showing an increase. In addition to having experience as multi-modal transportation coordinator in California and working with transportation engineers, Mr. Jackson is also an attorney specializing in liability and torts. He recognizes that some officials resist bicycling because of fear of liability. He is spearheading a MDOT research project to clarify and reduce liability. Mr. Jackson was not only familiar with just about all US bicycle advocacy work but he also very familiarly cited details of several activities in Germany, England, Denmark, Holland and Canada. Cumberland submitted a Bicycle Friendly Community award application last year and got honorable mention and feedback. They already had a comprehensive bicycle plan which the City Planner wrote. They are marching through each of the BFC feedback items and updating their plan to address each and every one of them. One of their feedback items was to establish local League Cycling Instructors. They hired me to make that happen. BTW, attached is the LAB feedback to our 2007 BFC application. Frank Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles

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[Fwd: FW: WVDOH Bridge project, Pendleton County]
by Frank Gmeindl 14 Jan '10

14 Jan '10

If you want to be on a list that WVDOH can contact for input on state road projects, send your e-mail address to Bill.C.Robinson(a)wv.gov . See message below. Frank /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/ -------- Original Message -------- Subject: FW: WVDOH Bridge project, Pendleton County Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 07:07:29 -0500 From: Robinson, Bill C <Bill.C.Robinson(a)wv.gov> To: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> * * * * *From:* Robinson, Bill C *Sent:* Thursday, January 14, 2010 7:07 AM *To:* Adam Stevens; Adventure Pursuit; Ann Conageski; Belomar MPO; Betty Carver; Bill Foster; Brieanne Salmons; Chris Craig; Chriss Gress; Dennis Strawn; Don Spencer; Doug Wayt; Drew Smithberger; Ella Belling; Eric Sandeno; Frank Gmeindl; Harold Simmons; Huntington MPO; Jamie Fields; Jen Giovannetti; Jim Hudson; John Fekete; John R. McGarrity; Jordan Cox; Justin Gaull; Ken Dzaack; Kim Broughton; Kristy Blower; Lewis, Ray C; Logan Mountain Bike Association, Inc.; Matt Marcus; Matt Sherald; Morgantown MPO; Patricia Clay; Peggy Pings; Peggy Pings; Region Eight PDC; Region Four PDC; Region I PDC; Region II PDC; Region Seven PDC; Regiona VI Planning Council; Richard Warner; Rob Pennington; Susie Salisbury; WWW MPO *Cc:* Savage, Benjamin J *Subject:* WVDOH Bridge project, Pendleton County *Everyone -- * * * *Thank you for participating in the WV Bicycle/Pedestrian Network. This network is for people interested in bicycle/pedestrian issues in West Virginia, particularly as they relate to the West Virginia Division of Highways. The WVDOH set up the network and have used it before, but it has been a while and I thought a word of explanation would be in order. Since the last time it was used, some new people have been added and we are always looking for more participants. If you know someone who would like to be added to the network, please have them E-mail me and I would be happy to add their E-mail address to the network. If anyone wished to be deleted from the network, please let me know as well.* * * *One of the primary reasons for this network is to help the WVDOH determine where road biking activities are taking place so that we can properly provide bicycle/pedestrian accommodation in connection with roadway projects. In the past, it always seemed that the bike/ped community wanted accommodation, but there was no corresponding project to trigger changes to the roadway, or the WVDOH found out six months, or a year, too late, that a project could have had features that would have been beneficial to the bike/ped community. Consequently, this network is an attempt to make the bike/ped community aware of projects and questions that come up and allow the public to have another method to communicate with the WVDOH.* * * *The couple of time we have used the network, we have received some very useful information used to make decisions on bike/ped situations. We also anticipate using it more in the coming few months; over the last year we have been putting a lot of time and thought into how to more comprehensively consider bike/ped in our projects; hopefully this about to come to fruition and we will be receiving regular advanced engineering studies about where new bridges and major road upgrades will be occurring and be able to pass that information to the bike/ped community.* * * *Today the project for examination is a bridge project on US 33 in Pendleton County. The WVDOH is interested in the level of bicycle/pedestrian traffic in the area. The attachment contains maps showing the project area. If you are aware of riders, or clubs, using this route to ride on a regular basis, please let me know.* * * *On other bike/ped issues, we are preparing the 2010 bicycle survey for the League of American Bicyclists. It is due in mid-February and we cooperating with the bike community to formulate West Virginia's reply. As you may be aware, West Virginia moved from the ranking of 50 to 42 with the work of the WVDOT and some very motivated members of the WV biking community. Let's hope that the 2010 survey will move us even further up in the rankings.* * * *Our map of road routes containing recreational and transportation routes that was available for viewing at the 2009 Bicycle Symposium, still remains in draft form; however, it has morphed into two additional efforts. The first effort is a new WVDOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan. This plan is in its second draft and is still being review in-house in the WVDOT. However, the plan, authored by WVDOH staffer Jim Hudson, has impressed everyone with its comprehensive coverage and ideas to improve the bicycle/pedestrian atmosphere and infrastructure in WV. When the plan is reviewed and acceptable to officials within the WVDOT, it will be released to the public for comment. We anticipate distributing copies for comment through the internet and through public meeting around the state. This network will play a role in that public comment phase.* * * *The second effort, based upon the draft map and in conjunction with the draft plan, has been to identify 15-20 bike routes for designation and signage. Some of these routes are submissions from the bike community, some are routes we have developed here in the WVDOT. We are now attempting to find funding to develop these routes. If we are successful with these first routes, we realize that it is a system that will evolve and other routes will be added as the WVDOT becomes aware of them and funding for development is available.* * * *Please send any information you have on the Pendleton County bridge area tome as quickly as you can -- I will pass it on to the design engineer.* * * *Bill* *William C. Robinson*** *State Trail Coordinator* *Progam Manager, Recreational Trails Program * *WVDOH Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator* *Chairman, West Virginia Recreational Trails Advisory Board* * * *West Virginia Department of Transportation* *Division of Highways* *Program Planning and Administration Division* *1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East* *Building 5, Room 863* *Charleston, West Virginia 25305-0430* *(304)558-9615 Fax -- (304)558-3783* *bill.c.robinson(a)wv.gov <mailto:bill.c.robinson@wv.gov>* *_"_**The life of the artist is, in relation to his work, stern and lonely. He has labored hard,* *often amid depravation, to perfect his skill. He has turned aside from quick success in* *order to strip his vision of everything secondary or cheapening. His working life is* *marked by intense application and intense discipline." - John F. Kennedy, 1962 * * * * * * *

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Signs
by Frank Gmeindl 08 Jan '10

08 Jan '10

Bicycle Board Members, As I promised at last night's meeting, I looked up the signs: R5-1b and R9-3c that Jim Hudson recommended for addition to the backs of the R3-17 BIKE LANE signs for the Mon Blvd bike lane. I couldn't figure out how to cut them from the MUTCD and paste them here so I can only send you the link to them. "Bicycle Specific Wrong Way" signs (R5-1b) and "Ride With Traffic" (R9-3c) placard: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/part9/part9b.htm#figure9B02 If you have trouble seeing them at the link, I'll try to describe them here. The R5-1b is a white on red rectangular sign with a bicycle symbol at the top and the words, WRONG WAY below the bicycle symbol. The R9-3c placard is a black on white square sign with the words RIDE WITH TRAFFIC. Hudson also cites the R3-17 BIKE LANE sign that was included in our recommendation. That sign is also visible at the above link. It is a rectangular black and white sign. The top 2/3 has black background with a bicycle symbol in white. The bottom 1/3 of the sign has while background with black letters, BIKE LANE. He also recommends installing "No Parking At Any Time" signs (R7-201) on both sides of the road. In the 2009, MUTCD, I could not find a R7-201 sign. The R7-1 is the standard red on white NO PARKING ANY TIME sign. There is a whole series of no parking signs at http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/part2/part2b.htm. There are R7-201P and R7-201aP that designate tow away zones. In the 2003 MUTCD, the R7-201 says TOW-AWAY ZONE. The 2003 MUTCD R7 and R8 signs can be viewed at http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2003r1r2/part2/part2b3.htm#figure2B16 . Frank Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles

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Morgantown Bicycle Lane
by Frank Gmeindl 08 Jan '10

08 Jan '10

Bill, The Bicycle Board supports Jim Hudson's recommendation that ""Bicycle Specific Wrong Way" signs (R5-1b) and "Ride With Traffic" (R9-3c) placards should be installed on the reverse side of every "Bicycle Lane" (R3-17) sign proposed". We will recommend to the Traffic Commission that these be added to the plan. A poll of Bicycle Board members revealed that bicyclists currently descend the east shoulder of Monongahela Blvd. from Evansdale Dr. to Eighth St. The poll also revealed that most bicyclists descend the west shoulder or the rightmost west side travel lane as is lawful. If traffic study data are available that show shoulder bicycle traffic and its direction of travel for that section of the boulevard, the Bicycle Board recommends that such data provide a baseline against which the efficacy of any changes could be measured. Also, if bicycle crash data are available for that section of the boulevard, the Bicycle Board recommends that such data also provide a useful baseline against which the efficacy of any changes could be measured. At the September 22, 2009 MPO TTAC meeting at which the City presented the bike lane concept, the WVDOT stated that they would review the concept for conformance to standards. The Bicycle Board has been confident that WVDOT would approve the concept since it was developed using the AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities. In Mr. Hudson's January 4, 2010 and January 6, 2010 messages and Mr. Lewis' January 6, 2010 message standards are not mentioned. However, the Bicycle Board appreciates Mr. Hudson's and Mr. Lewis' extensive knowledge and experience with bicycle facilities and is grateful for their opinions. While the aforementioned additional signage is not recommended by the AASHTO Guide, the Bicycle Board recognizes that the additional signage is likely to reinforce the AASHTO recommended one-way directional arrow that was included in the City's concept. The Bicycle Board does not know whether such additional signage will be sufficient to adequately prevent wrong way cycling. However, given that bicyclists already travel the wrong way on the east shoulder and given that apparently no crashes have resulted, the Bicycle Board recommends that the bike lane be installed as proposed with Mr. Hudson's recommended additional signage and that the WVDOT monitor bicycle traffic on that section of the boulevard. If wrong way cycling increases, the Bicycle Board has recommendations that it can develop and provide that would encourage bicyclists to descend the west side rightmost travel lane and physically discourage them from descending the east shoulder. Much attention has focused on the bike lane but little attention appears to be given to other parts of the Bicycle Board's recommendation that the Traffic Commission approved. Specifically, the following signage: . BIKE LANE (R3-17) ENDS (R3-17bP) at the end of the bike lane; . BEGIN RIGHT TURN LANE, YIELD TO BIKES (R4-4) at the beginning of the right turn lane; . SHARE THE ROAD (W16-1) placard in conjunction with the W11-1 (bicycle symbol in diamond shaped sign) sign every 250-feet on both sides along Don Knotts Blvd., Beechurst Av., the west side of Monongahela Boulevard between Eighth St. and Evansdale Drive, both sides of Monongahela Boulevard between Evansdale Dr. and the Edith Barrill (Star City) Bridge. Apparently, Mr. Lewis was not aware of these recommendations when he offered his option 2 for W11-1 signs accompanied by W7-3a placards. Bill, concerning Mr. Lewis' concerns about the bike lane's termination, you favored merging the bicycle lane into the rightmost travel lane as depicted in Figure 11-b of the AASHTO Guide. The Bicycle Board recommended simply terminating the bike lane as depicted in Figure 11-d because it is simpler. Given Mr. Lewis' comments about the bike lane's termination, the Bicycle Board would recommend the Figure 11-b treatment that extends the bike lane into the rightmost through lane if you thought it advisable. Please advise if these comments are sufficient for next Tuesday's TTAC meeting. Frank Gmeindl Chairman, Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board League Cycling Instructor #1703 Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles

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Re: [Bikeboard] FW: Morgantown Bicycle Lane
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 07 Jan '10

07 Jan '10

This one from the DOH is interesting. If they are so concerned about the speed up the boulevard why don't they lower the regulatory posting to 25 mph during the MUB project (or longer) rather than to recommend installing signage that makes bicyclists appear as though they are a gaggle of ducklings that require protection .. and according to an earlier posting, even if they do approve the climbing lane, they won't finance or maintain the project anyways. Are they going to annex the shoulder to the City? I doubt it. On top of it, these so call experts know absolutely nothing about the nature of cyclists who will be using this detour. I really can't see cyclists riding down the proposed climbing lane of a two way highway as being a common occurrence .. really I can't! However, I have seen cars go the wrong way on badly marked one way roads around Morgantown fairly often. I find the third recommendation especially profound, but I would like to avoid this recommendation in this particular application at all costs simply because it appears to me that DOH's goal is to keep us off the roads at all costs while do everything they can to continue to enable the flow and resulting congestion of "very heavy vehicular traffic". -Jonathan Frank Gmeindl wrote: > > Bicycle Board Members, > > > > It keeps coming. Comments? > > > > Frank > > /Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/ > > > > > > > > *From:* Bill Austin [mailto:baustin@moncpc.org] > *Sent:* Wednesday, January 06, 2010 2:46 PM > *To:* 'Frank Gmeindl'; 'Damien Davis'; 'Terry Hough' > *Subject:* FW: Morgantown Bicycle Lane > > > > Frank, Damien, and Terry, > > > > Please see the e-mail below. This appears to be the starting point > from DOH. We will need to discuss these issues at the TTAC meeting. > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > *Bill Austin, AICP* > > *Executive Director* > > *Morgantown Monongalia MPO* > > 180 Hart Field Road > > Morgantown, WVA 26508 > > 304-291-9571 > > 304-692-7225 Mobile > > > > > > > > *From:* Lewis, Ray C [mailto:Ray.C.Lewis@wv.gov] > *Sent:* Wednesday, January 06, 2010 2:38 PM > *To:* Hudson, Jim E; Robinson, Bill C > *Cc:* Keller, Perry J; Warner, Richard L; Shoukry, Fouad N; Bill Austin > *Subject:* RE: Morgantown Bicycle Lane > > > > We have reviewed the various documents, drawings, and other materials > generated as a result of this proposal. > > We are reluctant to approve the proposed "bicycle climbing lane". > While it may be somewhat useful to give cyclists a defined space when > climbing most of the grade, the location and the surrounding traffic > and environment make this facility highly undesirable. The posted > speed limit on Monongahela Boulevard is 45 mph; this traffic > operating speeds throughout most of the day are consistent with the > regulatory posting. The termination of the climbing lane requires > that the cyclists who are bound for the Evansdale Campus must share > the right-turn lane with very heavy vehicular traffic. Cyclists > desiring to continue north will be operating at single-digit speeds > and will be forced to merge left into a high speed, heavy traffic > stream. Finally, the bicycle lane in question has no > logically-defined origin, and does not provide satisfactory access to > the Evansdale Campus. > > Since this is a bicycle facility that is shared with the shoulder, the > bicycle traffic in the climbing lane must move in the same direction > as the highway traffic. There is no provision for a bike lane in the > opposite direction. This is likely to lead to bicyclists trying to > ride downhill in the climbing lane. If so, the potential exists for > head-on collisions between bicyclists, which are often severe or > fatal; or to cyclists riding downhill being forced into oncoming > motor vehicle traffic. Any action taken to provide a northbound > bicycle lane must be matched by compatible actions on the southbound side. > > After considering the matter further, we suggest that there are three > alternatives open to the City of Morgantown and/or the WVDOH: > > · Do nothing > > · Warn motorists of the potential for bicycles to be present by > installing assemblies consisting of black on yellow, diamond-shaped > bicycle symbol(W11-1) signs accompanied by distance plaques with the > wording, NEXT __ MI W7-3A). If the City and the MPO accept this > alternative, we will place these sign assemblies at ¼ mile increments > for both directions of traffic between 8^th Street and Patteson Drive, > at our expense. > > · The third alternative is for the City and the MPO to design > and construct a separate shared-use path from the presently-proposed > ending point of the bicycle climbing lane to an appropriate junction > with Evansdale Drive or some other roadway in the vicinity of the > Creative Arts Center, along with developing a compatible southbound > bicycle lane on the west side of Monongahela Boulevard. > > These are "broad-brush" proposals, which are meant as > discussion-starters at Tuesday's TTAC meeting. We will be happy to > work with any and all parties as necessary. > > If I may be of further assistance, please contact me. > > Ray Lewis > > Staff Engineer -- Traffic Research > > and Special Projects > > WVDOT, Division of Highways > > 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East > > Charleston, WV 25305 > > Telephone: (304) 558-9451 > > Fax: (304) 558-1209 > > e-Mail: ray.C.lewis(a)wv.gov <mailto:ray.C.lewis@wv.gov> > > _____________________________________________ > *From:* Hudson, Jim E > *Sent:* Wednesday, January 06, 2010 8:54 AM > *To:* Robinson, Bill C > *Cc:* Keller, Perry J; Warner, Richard L; Lewis, Ray C; Shoukry, Fouad > N; 'Bill Austin' > *Subject:* Morgantown Bicycle Lane > > Bill > > After much thought on the Morgantown Bike Lane issue I think our > signage should remain consistent with our signage on other limited > access highways. Therefore I propose we limit our signage and roadway > markings to those found along Route 50, Route 33, and the East Beckley > By-Pass among other places. These signs should be placed on both > sides of Monongahela Boulevard and other locations where high-speed > and/or high-density traffic and adequate shoulders indicate it is > necessary. > > While I understand the desire for a "climbing" lane for bicycles, I do > not accept the idea that average bicyclists (Class B) can safely > maintain the speed of 45 to 50 mph required to keep up with traffic on > the downhill side of the road. Bicyclists who want to ride on the > road where the signs I propose have been posted are in the same > category as those semi drivers who want to drive in the left lane > where signage prohibiting trucks in the left lane have been installed. > > A photograph of the signage used in these locations is attached to > this email. > > << OLE Object: Picture (Device Independent Bitmap) >> > > Jim Hudson > > Community Development Specialist > > Building 5, Room 863 > > 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E. > > Charleston, WV 25305-0430 > > (304) 558-9613 > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 9.0.725 / Virus Database: 270.14.123/2595 - Release Date: > 01/06/10 02:35:00 > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Bikeboard mailing list > Bikeboard(a)cheat.org > http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard

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Bikeboard January 2010