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Fwd: Question about Bike Trails
by Frank Gmeindl 18 Jul '12

18 Jul '12

Here's a thread I think you'll find interesting. A guy from Illinois contacted me through BikeMorgantown.com about bicycle-vacationing in Morgantown. He was attracted by the website and the work we've done. Now, he wants us to show him examples of intersections that we've made bicycle friendly safe routes to schools. Working on a reply... Frank Begin forwarded message: > From: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)gmail.com> > Date: July 17, 2012 2:09:50 PM EDT > To: Terrence Moore <tmoore(a)cityofmorgantown.org> > Cc: Damien Davis <ddavis(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, Jeff Mikorski <jmikorski(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, Christiaan Abildso <christiaan.abildso(a)mail.wvu.edu> > Subject: Re: Question about Bike Trails > > Terrence, > > Ha! But then, he issued me this challenge. Not sure how to respond. While Safe Routes to School is our top priority, I wish I could show him some progress. > > Frank > >> From: Matthew Boggs <mistergadgett(a)gmail.com> >> Date: July 17, 2012 2:00:26 PM EDT >> To: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)gmail.com> >> Subject: Re: Question about Bike Trails >> >> Hi Frank, >> >> Thanks for the quick reply and great info!! We are excited to hear our road bikes should handle the nice rail trail system there. Can't wait to get pedaling there! >> >> We live in a town about half the size of Morgantown which is trying to take some steps to making the community more cycling friendly so we will be looking for ideas to take back home as well regarding making intersections safer for cyclists, especially children who elect to bike to school from nearby neighborhoods. Do you know of some good intersections in town we should check out for ideas to take back to our City Council? Possibly examples of signage, crosswalk markers, special stoplight programming, etc, with cyclists in mind. >> >> Thanks again! >> >> -matt >> Rubber Side Down > > Frank > > On Jul 17, 2012, at 1:52 PM, Terrence Moore wrote: > >> Cool! Thanks for sharing!! >> >> Terrence >> >> Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM >> City Manager >> City of Morgantown >> 389 Spruce Street >> Morgantown, West Virginia 26505 >> PH: (304) 284-7405 >> CELL: (304)288-2770 >> Email: tmoore(a)cityofmorgantown.org >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Frank Gmeindl" <fgmeindl(a)gmail.com> >> To: "Jeff Mikorski" <jmikorski(a)cityofmorgantown.org> >> Cc: "Damien Davis" <ddavis(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, "Terrence Moore" <tmoore(a)cityofmorgantown.org> >> Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 1:24:42 PM >> Subject: Fwd: Question about Bike Trails >> >> Jeff, >> >> >> BikeMorgantown.com seems to be an effective tourist outreach tool. It attracted Matt Boggs and his group from Illiinois. >> >> >> Frank >> >> >> >> Begin forwarded message: >> >> >> >> From: Frank Gmeindl < fgmeindl(a)gmail.com > >> >> Date: July 17, 2012 1:22:39 PM EDT >> >> To: Matthew Boggs < mistergadgett(a)gmail.com > >> >> Cc: monbikeclub(a)googlegroups.com , CRcyclists(a)googlegroups.com >> >> Subject: Re: Question about Bike Trails >> >> >> Hi Matt! >> >> >> I ride 700x 23 GP 4000's on the crushed limestone sections of the rail trail with no problem. The Monongahela River Trail, Caperton Trail and Deckers Creek Trail as well as the trail all the way to Shinnston WV is fine for our tires. The crushed limestone is small and well-packed; a little slower rolling than asphalt and a bit dustier on dry days. Approximately 10 miles of the trail within the City are asphalt and several miles of the trail in and near Fairmont are asphalt. >> >> >> We also have great road rides around here that I'd be glad to show you. >> >> >> Other bike related items: >> >> >> Morgantown has 2 excellent bike shops: Wamsley Cycles, http://www.wamsleycycles.com/ located right on the trail and Pathfinder, http://www.pathfinderwv.com/ located right in the heart of downtown. >> >> >> The local bicycles clubs, Monongalia Bicycle Club and Country Roads cyclists have regularly scheduled rides. See the Monongalia Bicycle Club calendar at https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=64i6hoaouqrdmetaeu7o1en6a0@group.… and the Country Roads Cyclists' ride list at http://www.crcyclists.org/CurrentRideSch.html . >> >> >> Both clubs have Google groups that list races and impromptu rides. See https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/monbikeclub for the Monongalia Bicycle Clubs group and https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en&fromgroups#!forum/CRcyclists for the Country Roads Cyclists google group. The google groups sometimes have post ride reports that might provide you more specific insights into the rides. >> >> >> Morgantown offers some great eats for bicyclists including Terra Cafe, Black Bear Burritos, Chaan Thai, Mother India, Sargasso ($$), Kenyan Cafe, Puglioni's, Rio Grande, Mountain State Brewery, Morgantown Brewing Co. >> >> >> I'm copying this message to the monbikeclub and the CRC so members can share with you other opportunities of which they may know. >> >> >> Frank D. Gmeindl >> Chairman, Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board >> LCI #1703 >> 491 WilsonAvenue >> Morgantown, WV 26501 >> 304-376-0446 >> Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles >> >> >> >> On Jul 17, 2012, at 10:13 AM, Matthew Boggs wrote: >> >> >> >> >> Hi, >> >> We will be coming to Morgantown for a biking vacation from Illinois in a few weeks. I see that Morgantown has a lot of constructed bike paths of which most is defined as "crushed limestone". We were planning to bring road bikes but were not sure how they would do on the crushed limestone part of the trail system. Currently have Conti 4000S 700x23 tires installed. >> >> Do you think using road tires on the crushed limestone part of the trails is a bad idea? Do you have any advice on how to make a road bike more suitable for the crushed limestone part of the trail system, if possible? >> PS> We are very excited about coming to bike in Morgantown. We have been looking at the bikemorgantown.com website and have been impressed with the momentum cycling has gotten in Morgantown. We will be in town August 9-12 and staying in the downtown area. Can you recommend any other bike related items special to Morgantown you feel we should checkout while in town? >> >> >> Thanks! >> >> -matt >

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Re: [Bikeboard] City Council Information Newsletter
by Frank Gmeindl 18 Jul '12

18 Jul '12

In 2007, the Bicycle Board recommended and the Traffic Commission approved putting Shared Lane Markings and Bicycles May Use Full Lane signs (see attached) on Spruce Street. The City budgeted for them. The WVDOH first approved our recommendations but then rescinded their approval when they realized that the shared lane markings and BMUFL signs weren't in the 2003 version of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices that they're using. We're still waiting for the WVDOH to adopt the 2009 MUTCD which has them. One reason (besides being afraid of motor traffic) that people bicycle on the sidewalks in Morgantown is the totally MV-centric traffic layout of downtown. Say you rode your bike to the Morgantown library and then decided you wanted to go to the Blue Moose, 2 blocks away for a coffee. You'd have to ride your bike 10 blocks, including a slight uphill from Fayette to Willey and perhaps wait for 7 red lights to get there if your drove your bicycle on the streets as a vehicle. I've heard that there has been some discussion about converting some downtown streets from one-way to two-way. The Bicycle Board hasn't been invited to these but would be happy to participate. For travel within downtown and from a mile or three into town, walking and bicycling are certainly the most appropriate transportation. Wouldn't it be nice if some of the people who control the infrastructure realized that? Frank On Jul 14, 2012, at 11:38 AM, Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board wrote: > One sentence of Chief Preston's email highlights the approach that we need to flip: "It would be much safer to remove/move the benches to someplace where they are not in close proximity to motor vehicles." > Why do we not "move the vehicles so they are not in close proximity to the benches (pedestrians)" by widening sidewalks & adding a green space buffer? > > *Spruce Street improvements are on our Pedestrian Safety Plan...many ped-vehicle crashes occur on Spruce. Frank, is Spruce on the Bicycle Board's Plan for improvement? > > Thus, Bill - why not use this to suggest that Spruce Street, a very common pedestrian arterial, is designed inapropriately. That is, rather than a 3 lane, high speed design, with EXTREMELY narrow sidewalks (esp on Library/Health Right side), it is my recommendation to have the City & DOH study reducing it to 2 lanes and widening the sidewalk...I'd suggest adding a bike lane, but my instinct is that a bike lane would not make riding any more safe...Frank, you know better than I. > > Thank you for looping me in. > Christiaan > > Walk more, safely > > Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board > Christiaan Abildso, Chair > Bill Reger-Nash, Vice Chair > http://www.morgantown.com/ped-safety-board.htm > > From: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)gmail.com> > To: Bill Byrne <bbyrnewv(a)me.com> > Cc: Christiaan Abildso <walkmgw(a)yahoo.com> > Sent: Friday, July 13, 2012 3:51 PM > Subject: Fwd: City Council Information Newsletter > > Hi Bill, > > I do not agree with removing the benches from Wall Street (Sadie Crow park) as described in the attached City Manager's weekly newsletter. > > We have too little public space for citizens to sit in downtown Morgantown. Citing the presence of motor vehicles is a weak argument since the only cars driving through Sadie Crow park are entering and leaving the parking lot behind the former Morgan's. If necessary, I would advocate for eliminating motor vehicles from Sadie Crow park. > > I recognize that the Sadie Crow park benches are predominantly occupied by people that may not appeal to the downtown merchants, i.e. people that probably don't spend much money downtown. Is poverty a reason to discriminate against them; to deny them a place to sit? Where will they go next? I would rather see the City recognize that we have such people and treat them with respect. The Public Safety Center parking garage is right across the street. Why not expand Sadie Crow park to encompass the lot behind Morgan's and provide sufficient space for all the non-motorized people that use that area. When will the City start to give equal respect to pedestrians as it does to motorists? > > Frank Gmeindl > 491 Wilson Av. > > Begin forwarded message: > >> From: Carol Allen <callen(a)cityofmorgantown.org> >> Date: July 13, 2012 3:19:29 PM EDT >> To: cdale(a)mub.org, frank gmeindl <frank.gmeindl(a)comcast.net>, afrizze1(a)mix.wvu.edu, wvubassoon(a)hotmail.com, wwetzel(a)wdtv.com, cfitzge4(a)mix.wvu.edu, akoscevi(a)mix.wvu.edu, john kirkhoff <john.kirkhoff(a)wvradio.com>, bmg532(a)comcast.net, david mckain <david.mckain(a)gmail.com>, kfreda(a)wboy.com, lisacarolmoore(a)frontier.com, jeffhhr(a)frontier.com, news(a)wdtv.com, krippin(a)wboy.com, btolle(a)wdtv.com, vsmith(a)ap.org, Margaret Stout <Margaret.Stout(a)mail.wvu.edu>, fas4(a)labs.net, edelon(a)mix.wvu.edu, ssullivan(a)cityofmorgantown.org, amarra(a)wdtv.com, dspencer36(a)comcast.net, emokay(a)mix.wvu.edu, aforgotch(a)wdtv.com, dt2078(a)aol.com, lcobb1(a)mix.wvu.edu, nelsonfrance27(a)gmail.com, emily vennare <emily.vennare(a)gmail.com>, lammer(a)mix.wvu.edu, jlemieux(a)mix.wvu.edu, aclay(a)wboy.com, lydia nuzum <lydia.nuzum(a)mail.wvu.edu>, pqueen(a)dominionpost.com, bchambers(a)herald-dispatch.com, smoniot(a)wboy.com, gpapandreas(a)gmail.com, teddy(a)dominionpost.com, bkatko(a)wdtv.com, Hgentile(a)jacksonkelly.com, lneff(a)wvradio.com, cshaner(a)dominionpost.com, danewsroom(a)mail.wvu.edu, shawn(a)wvradio.com, badducchio(a)wvpubcast.org, kmurray(a)wvradio.com, kplum(a)dominionpost.com, exdirector(a)downtownmorgantown.com, chofmann(a)mix.wvu.edu, capessos(a)mix.wvu.edu, darquilla(a)wboy.com, editor(a)dominionpost.com, Brent Burton <bburton(a)cityofmorgantown.org>, Department Heads Group <departmenthead(a)cityofmorgantown.org> >> Subject: City Council Information Newsletter >> >> Attached is the weekly information newsletter. >> >> As Mr. Moore will be briefly away from Morgantown Thursday, July 19th and Friday, July 20th to tend to various family matters, please note that no information letter report will be issued next week. >> >> Carol Allen >> City Managers Office >> City of Morgantown > > > >

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Fwd: Positive Spin
by Frank Gmeindl 17 Jul '12

17 Jul '12

Bicycle Board Members, Please reply-to-all at your earliest convenience with your thoughts or recommendations for a response to Mark. He is director of BOPARC. Frank D. Gmeindl Chairman, Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board LCI #1703 491 WilsonAvenue Morgantown, WV 26501 304-376-0446 Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles Begin forwarded message: > From: "Mark Wise" <mwise(a)boparc.org> > Date: July 16, 2012 3:05:47 PM EDT > To: <fgmeindl(a)gmail.com> > > Frank, I was hoping to speak to the Bike Board about a concern I have related to Bike activities in our community. As you may know Nick Hein of Positive Spin is leaving the area. He has been a vital part of the Positive Spin operation. He has approached BOPARC about continuing the services that Positive Spin provided. We do not have the staffing or expertise to do this but think that it is an important service to offer our community. Do you have any thoughts on how we could integrate the Positive Spin operation under the Bike Board and BOPARC’s umbrella of responsibility? I know we cannot do this alone. Any thoughts? Mark Wise mwise(a)boparc.org

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good article
by director 12 Jul '12

12 Jul '12

Good morning, I came across this letter to the editor in an Arizona newspaper. It's in response to an angry, uninformed motorist (apparently) but I thought it was an excellent collection of points expressed very clearly and kindly without being condescending. http://www.ahwatukee.com/search/?t=article&q=bicyclists+do+have+rights Nick Hein LCI# 1705 Director, Positive Spin 803 East Brockway Ave Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213

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(no subject)
by Donald Dickerson 11 Jul '12

11 Jul '12

http://mucharadio.com/efkcnsd.html?anp=zggwkjz

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Bicycle Board's Unicycle recommendation
by Frank Gmeindl 07 Jul '12

07 Jul '12

Terrence, Please find attached, a draft Bicycle Board report on the issue of unicyclists riding on sidewalks. I am providing this to you so that you can decide whether it is suitable for presentation to the City Council Committee of the Whole on July 31 as you had promised Council members. The attached document is a draft because neither the Bicycle Board nor the Traffic Commission have reviewed and approved it. The Bicycle Board hasn't met since May and the Traffic Commission did not meet this month. The earliest either body will consider it is the first week of August. The Bicycle Board committee that worked on this issue is essentially recommending that the City forego additional ordinances or modifications to existing ordinances to address unicycles. The committee concluded that unicyclists on sidewalks present no more risk to business owners or pedestrians than runners and that existing ordinances that pertain to runners should probably apply to unicyclists. In my April 30 message to Carol Allen, I asked her what ordinances are pertinent to runners. I understand she passed that request on to the City Attorney but I have not heard from him. Please let me know how you want to proceed. If you would like to meet to discuss the attached, I will convoke the unicycle committee. Frank D. Gmeindl Chairman, Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board LCI #1703 491 WilsonAvenue Morgantown, WV 26501 304-376-0446 Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles

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July BB Meeting
by Gunnar Shogren 06 Jul '12

06 Jul '12

Anyone got something for the agenda? Right now we are still somewhat hopeful for a write up from the Unicycle Committee that will be presented. Jonathan (who will not be present) has requested that Damien give us an update on the Deckers Creek trail crossing around the Greenbag area. Have not heard yay or nay on that. Any other items? Who is going to be there? Thanks for a reply and have a nice day further, gunnar.

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Benefits of cycling infographic
by Chet Parsons 28 Jun '12

28 Jun '12

I especially like the cost data comparisons. These could really be used well in discussions on funding priorities with WVDOH [image: Inline image 1]

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Cheat lake bridge
by Hein 26 Jun '12

26 Jun '12

Good morning, It looks like the new bridge deck probably WILL be passable for bikes and pedestrians by the time the old bridge is torn down, this is from unofficial sources but make sense since the construction crews need access too. The state's official position is that it won't and they won't make other accommodation. When I asked if passage on I68 would be allowed they said definitely NOT. So I assume they expect bikers/peds to cross clandestinely on the new bridge, however it would have been nice to get an official statement about that since I will have to move if it's not the case. I also assume that the WVDOT doesn't want this information made public. If it gets blabbed too much, the construction company's insurance company might find out and make a fuss - leaving us only the interstate bridge. I'm moving away in Sept. but I would warn everyone that once the new bridge is open it will probably get as much traffic as the freeway and 857 won't be an inviting bike route. It certainly wasn't before the bridge was closed. I would suggest actively campaigning for a bike crossing to be put on I68 under the car deck, and a dedicated trail on the other side continuing beside the freeway to Sabraton to hook up with the Deckers creek trail. This would give a great through-route for bike commuters coming from the Lakeview side. I realize that I'm the probably the only one of those now, but if you ever expect that to be different, you'll have to make this change. It would also be attractive for through-touring cyclists, and would showcase bike transportation to motorists on the freeway. This could do a lot to present a bike-friendly image or our area, I've seen it happen in other areas where something similar was done. Have a great day, Nick

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Top recommendation for obesity: Improve community design
by Kevin Leyden 22 Jun '12

22 Jun '12

Top recommendation for obesity: Improve community design BETTER! CITIES & TOWNS The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Sciences recently published Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention, a major study. The recommendations are wide ranging, but the top one focuses on the built environment. “Communities, organizations, community planners, and public health professionals should encourage physical activity by enhancing the physical and built environment, rethinking community design, and ensuring access to places for such activity.” One third of US adults are now obese, and more disturbingly, the prevalence of obesity among children has risen from 5 to 17 percent in the last 30 years. Estimated annual cost of obesity-related illness for 2000-2005 is $190.2 billion (in 2005 dollars), or nearly 21 percent of annual medical spending in the US. See the June BCT issue. GO TO WEBSITE/COMMENT Kevin M. Leyden, Ph.D. Director, Institute for Public Affairs Professor, Department of Political Science West Virginia University Eberly College of Arts & Sciences 301-B Woodburn Hall Morgantown, WV 26506-6317 Phone: 304-293-5432 email: kleyden(a)wvu.edu

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