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Uphill Struggle - planning meeting 2/26
by John Lozier 17 Feb '08

17 Feb '08

(DP: A planning meeting for interested public is set for 6 PM Tuesday, February 26, at Panera's, 357 Patteson Drive. Committee would like to see appropriate coverage as events progress. Please assign to a reporter and contact committee chair Marilyn Newcome, 598-5078, or me, John Lozier, 599 8233.) AN UPHILL STRUGGLE (Max's Challenge) Local 7-year-old Encourages Community to Bike It is an uphill struggle to get people to think of bicycles as transportation. However, cyclists young and old in Morgantown are gearing up to change the way people think about bikes. An Uphill Struggle, "Max's Challenge", will be celebrated in mid- August with an all-ages group ride up Monongahela Boulevard, past the Creative Arts Center, and down to the Star City Park. The point of the ride is not speed but success in arriving at the top. The biggest reward will be coasting down the other side. Starting in spring, the Uphill Struggle committee is scheduling a series of regular bicycle training events for riders of all ages and skill levels. Tentatively set for 2 PM every Sunday, riders will meet in Sabraton and ride up the Decker's Creek trail. Veteran cyclists will offer guidance about bicycle safety, comfort and fitness. The idea springs from conversations between Laura Kemp-Rye and her 7- year-old son Max. Like so many of us, Max learned to ride on a gently descending slope. Faced with the greater challenge of riding uphill, Max came up with an idea to make it fun. "Riding a bike is good exercise and it is a great way to reduce pollution," says Max. "We're going to have a lot of fun on this ride, and afterward we'll have a party!" Since then, the idea has grown to encompass a challenge not just to cyclists, but to drivers, who need to understand that bicycles help reduce traffic congestion, have a right to be on the road, and take up a lot less room than cars. After Max's mother mentioned the idea to several local cyclists, the Uphill Struggle Committee was formed. Headed by North Elementary teacher Marilyn Newcome, members and other interested parties include Kemp-Rye, John Lozier, Nick Hein, Bill Reger-Nash, Alice Vernon, Lynn Ryan, and Tim Nelms. The concept has been positively received by Morgantown mayor Ron Justice, and Star City mayor Allen Sharp, and also by the Morgantown Bicycle Board. The committee is currently seeking the widest possible endorsement from civic and government units concerned with topics such as transportation, education, and fitness. In decades past, becoming a competent bicyclist as a child meant freedom to travel independently, to school, playground, and the homes of friends. Today, more than ever, getting from place to place can be an uphill struggle. Especially here in Morgantown, where no matter what your destination, it seems to be uphill both ways! If you would like to be involved in the planning and implementation of this project, or to be a sponsor or mentor, please contact Marilyn Newcome at 598 5078, or mjcycling(a)msn.com.

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February Bicycle Board Meeting Minutes
by Elizabeth Shogren 17 Feb '08

17 Feb '08

Attached, please find the minutes for the February meeting of the Bicycle Board. BETSY SHOGREN

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Secretary Working Hard
by gunn4r Shogren 15 Feb '08

15 Feb '08

Proof positive. Friday evening. New puppy wanting to go out, scratching at the door. Working on the minutes. Diligently and with fervor.

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Seattle Hospital Launches Bike Fleet
by director 14 Feb '08

14 Feb '08

Good evening, I came across this article when I should have been doing more important things. Children's hospital is in a busy metropolitan area of Seattle near the University of Washington. It's exceptional that they're encouraging bike commuting in this car-heavy area - I rode the area all frequently and fearlessly when I lived in the area and went to school there (ca 2000). http://www.bicycleretailer.com/news/newsDetail/966.html Nick -- Nick Hein Director, Positive Spin Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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Re: [Bikeboard] Positive steps for urban bicycling
by Frank Gmeindl 13 Feb '08

13 Feb '08

Nick, Of course, people will say, "Where will the money come from to support this?" I just heard on NPR that today, London imposed a *$49 a DAYfee for SUVs and other gas guzzlers to drive into London*. Compare that with our failed user fee! Frank director wrote: > Good evening, > That thing in the news about Chicago raising fines was OK, but this one gets me really excited in only good ways! > > http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/02/mayor-of-london.html#more > > Part of the text.... > The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, announced a major package of five programs to create a new network of quick, simple, and safe routes for cyclists and pedestrians that represents the largest investment in walking and cycling in the city's history. The plan also makes cycling a fully-funded part of the public transport network for the first time. > > The city of London is implementing these measures with the aim of having one in ten round trips in London each day made by bike, and saving some 1.6 million tonnes of CO2 per year as Londoners increasingly walk or cycle for short trips instead of taking their cars. > > Nick > > -- > Nick Hein > Director, Positive Spin > Morgantown, WV > ph 304-276-0213 > -- > > > _______________________________________________ > Bikeboard mailing list > Bikeboard(a)cheat.org > http://cheat.org/mailman/listinfo/bikeboard > > >

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[Fwd: FW: WVU business class has $20, 000 for local organizations]
by Frank Gmeindl 12 Feb '08

12 Feb '08

Alice, Last year's recipients seem to have similar enough agendas to ours that it the maps project and Max's Challenge would qualify. I'm forwarding this to the Board to see if anybody wants to pursue it. Thanks! Frank -------- Original Message -------- Subject: FW: WVU business class has $20,000 for local organizations Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:08:15 -0500 From: Alice Vernon <VernonA(a)monhealthsys.org> To: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> Just wondering if this could help our projects like the maps or Max's Challenge? alice -----Original Message----- From: Lori Beth DeHart [mailto:ldehart@mix.wvu.edu] Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 11:12 PM To: American Liver Foundation; American Red Cross- Blood Services; American Red Cross- River Valley Chapter; Arthurdale Heritage, Inc.; Children's Home Society of WV; Dunkard Creek Watershed; Excellence in Women's Health; Friend's of Decker's Creek; Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council; Greater Morgantown Area Youth Commision; Hospice Care Corporation; In Touch and Concerned, Inc. ; Job Squad Inc.; Kaleidoscope- Mon. County Schools; Milan Puskar Health Right; Monongalia Co. Child Advocacy Center; Monongalia Co. Democratic Party; Today's Youth; United Way; Workforce WV; WV Women Work; WVU Cultural Resources Management; Youth United; Morgantown Theatre Company; Morning Glory Ministries; Mountaineer Area Council, Boy Scouts of America ; Mountaineer Boys and Girls Club; PACE-TEC; Paws4People/Paws4Prisons; Positive Spin; Preston Co. Literacy Volunteers; Rape and Domestic Violence Info Center; Raymond Wolfe Center; Rock Forge Neighborhood House; Scott's Run Settlement House; Secure Female Facuility- Hazelton; St. John University Parish; Stepping Stones; Sundale Nursing Home; The Shack Neighborhood House Subject: WVU business class has $20,000 for local organizations Print Dear Non-Profits, Twenty students at West Virginia University are learning how to think like corporate philanthropists again this semester. They are accepting applications for grants through, Friday, March 28, 2008. On May 2, 2008 the class will hand out $20,000 to local organizations. Called the Corporate Citizenship Project, the program is in its seventh year at the WVU College of Business and Economics. Students have given away a total of $145,000 since 2001. Funding for the program comes from WVU alumni who recognize the importance of businesses contributing to the community. The program was originally designed by Management Professor Gerald Blakely to teach future business leaders the value of contributing to society and the community. This year, Dr. Joyce Heames is leading the program. Attached is a flier about the program and details on what to send in and the necessary deadlines. Thank you so much for your time and if you have any questions please contact Dr. Joyce Heames (304-293-7936, joyce.heames(a)mail.wvu.edu).

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MPO presentation
by Frank Gmeindl 12 Feb '08

12 Feb '08

Bicycle Board Members, On Thursday, 21-Feb. at 7:00 PM, I will do a dry run of the presentation "Accommodating Bicycles" in the City Council Chambers. Please come and help me maximize the impact that the presentation will have on the MPO when I present it again to them on 28-Feb. Frank

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Uphill Struggle / Uphill Challenge Project Draft
by John Lozier 05 Feb '08

05 Feb '08

(All: this is my current draft of a project to be presented Wednesday night to the Traffic Commission. Although the plan is quite clear, we are somewhat divided as of now whether to call it the Uphill Struggle, or the Uphill Challenge. (My original draft said Struggle.) Of course, anyone with thoughts on this and other details is very welcome to join the committee. Just reply to Marilyn Newcome or to me. JL) MAX'S UPHILL STRUGGLE (CHALLENGE) Local 7-year-old Encourages Community to Bike It is an uphill struggle to get people to think of bicycles as transportation. However, cyclists young and old in Morgantown are gearing up to change the way people think about bikes. "Max's Uphill Struggle" will be celebrated in mid-August with an all- ages group ride up Monongahela Boulevard, past the Creative Arts Center, and down to the Star City Park. The point of the ride is not speed but success in arriving at the top. The biggest reward will be coasting down the other side. Starting in spring, the Uphill Struggle committee is scheduling a series of regular bicycle training events for riders of all ages and skill levels. Tentatively set for 2 PM every Sunday, riders will meet in Sabraton and ride up the Decker's Creek trail. Veteran cyclists will offer guidance about bicycle safety, comfort and fitness. The idea springs from conversations between Laura Kemp-Rye and her 7- year-old son Max. Like so many of us, Max learned to ride on a gently descending slope. Faced with the greater challenge of riding uphill, Max came up with an idea to make it fun. "Riding a bike is good exercise and it is a great way to reduce pollution," says Max. "We're going to have a lot of fun on this ride, and afterward we'll have a party!" Since then, the idea has grown to encompass a challenge not just to cyclists, but to drivers, who need to understand that bicycles help reduce traffic congestion, have a right to be on the road, and take up a lot less room than cars. After Max's mother mentioned the idea to several local cyclists, the Uphill Struggle Committee was formed. Headed by North Elementary teacher Marilyn Newcome, members and other interested parties include Kemp-Rye, John Lozier, Nick Hein, Bill Reger-Nash, Alice Vernon, Lynn Ryan, and Tim Nelms. The concept has been positively received by Morgantown mayor Ron Justice, and Star City mayor Allen Sharp, and also by the Morgantown Bicycle Board. The committee is currently seeking the widest possible endorsement from civic and government units concerned with topics such as transportation, education, and fitness. In decades past, becoming a competent bicyclist as a child meant freedom to travel independently, to school, playground, and the homes of friends. Today, more than ever, getting from place to place can be an uphill struggle. Especially here in Morgantown, where no matter what your destination, it seems to be uphill both ways! If you would like to be involved in the planning and implementation of this project, or to be a sponsor or mentor, please contact Marilyn Newcome at 598 5078, or mjcycling(a)msn.com.

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Sheldon "Irreplaceable" Brown
by director 05 Feb '08

05 Feb '08

Gunnar, Thanks for passing this on. Sheldon's interests went well beyond the bounds of the "normal" cycling industry. He was well known in the recumbent and HPV communities - even in the paranormal (for his April Fool's day product announcements). I met him once at a recumbent rally and he's always been the guy I go to when we get a bike or part at the shop that I can't identify. His passion, knowledge, interest, humor and generosity were an inspiration. Have a great riding day. Nick ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: "gunn4r Shogren" <gshogren(a)gmail.com> Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2008 23:26:30 -0500 >I'm sure Nick knows by now- >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheldon_Brown_(bicycle_mechanic) > >But anyone who's interested in cycling and just *living* should look >at any and all of his stuff. >It's a sad day. > -- Nick Hein Director, Positive Spin Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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Off-topic, but incredibly cool
by director 04 Feb '08

04 Feb '08

Good morning, Had to pass this on. There are several videos, all worth watching. AMP energy drink sponsored a tent with a large number of pedal generators powering the lights and charging batteries to upload to the grid. I wonder if we could get an event together like this, except using the energy onsite. http://www.humanenergy.ampenergy.com/ Nick Hein -- Nick Hein Director, Positive Spin Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --

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Agenda for this Thursday's 7-Feb BB meeting
by Frank Gmeindl 03 Feb '08

03 Feb '08

Bicycle Board Members, Please find attached a zip folder that contains the agenda and read-aheads for this Thursday's Bicycle Board meeting. Frank

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Max's Uphill Struggle
by John Lozier 27 Jan '08

27 Jan '08

Bill Reger-Nash, Alice Vernon, and Nick Hein, along with any others interested in Max's Uphill Struggle: Marilyn Newcome, Laura Kemp-Rye and I have agreed to meet on Tuesday 1/29 at 6 PM at Panera on Patteson Drive. Also we may have recruited another outside member. Please privately email reply to me if you want to be included on future mailings for this project, so I won't be broadcasting needlessly to the whole board. Thanks, John 304 599 8233

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Campus Connector Meeting - Monday January 28
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 23 Jan '08

23 Jan '08

Please join us at the Campus Connector "Plan of Action" meeting this Monday, January the 28th at 6:00 p.m. in the Morgantown Public Safety Building on Spruce Street. The meeting will take place in the conference room near the beginning of the building close to the Blue Moose Cafe across the street. The Pedestrian Safety Board meeting precedes this meeting from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the same room. -Jonathan

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FW: Information on Service Fee
by Frank Gmeindl 22 Jan '08

22 Jan '08

Bicycle Board Members, At the January Bicycle Board Meeting, Don Spencer promised to provide a letter on the service fee that he submitted to the Dominion Post. It as well as two other relevant documents are attached. Frank From: Don Spencer [mailto:dspencer36@comcast.net] Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 12:29 AM To: 'Frank Gmeindl' Subject: Information on Service Fee Frank - At the last Bicycle Board meeting, I mentioned my letter to the editor that was published back in December and asked if it could be distributed to the Bicycle Board membership. Since the Board meeting I have put together a presentation for environmental groups. It includes some of the information which I discussed with the Board at our January 3rd meeting. Both items are attached. Unfortunately copies of the pictures and maps are not included because of my Neanderthal computer skills. A copy of the approved Complete the Streets Resolution is also attached. If this information could be shared, I would appreciate it. Don

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Shared Lane Markings
by Frank Gmeindl 17 Jan '08

17 Jan '08

Ms. Hough, On 2-January-2008 the Federal Highway Administration published a proposed new Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)that provides options, guidance and standards for application of Shared Lane Markings (SLM) (also known as "chevrons" and "bike under chevrons"). Part 9, Section 9C.07 provides options, guidance and standards and Figure 9C-9 provides a detailed design of the SLM. At the link: http://www.trafficsign.us/npa/part09compl.pdf , Part 9, Section 9C.07 can be found on pages 526 - 527 and Figure 9C-9 is on the last page. The Bicycle Board's SLM recommendations are congruent with the proposed MUTCD but the MUTCD options, guidelines and standards may be more useful to you in your discussions with the WVDOH to obtain their concurrence with our plan to install the shared lane markings. We look forward to news of your success! Frank Gmeindl Chairman, Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board

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Shared Lane Markings
by Frank Gmeindl 17 Jan '08

17 Jan '08

Ms. Hough, Since the Shared Lane Markings (also known as "chevrons" and "bike under chevrons") will probably be applied this summer, I would like to bring to your attention design and placement guidance from the 2-January-2008 Federal Highway Administration publication of proposed new Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Part 9, Section 9C.07 Shared Lane Marking provides options, guidance and standards for application and placement of the shared lane marking. Figure 9C-9 provides a detailed design of the shared lane marking. At the link: http://www.trafficsign.us/npa/part09compl.pdf , Part 9, Section 9C.07 can be found on pages 526 - 527 . Figure 9C-9 is on the last page. The Bicycle Board's recommendations are congruent with the proposed MUTCD options, guidelines and standards but the MUTCD options, guidelines and standards may be more useful to you in your discussions with the WVDOH to obtain their concurrence with our plan to install the shared lane markings. We look forward to news of your success! Frank Gmeindl Chairman, Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board

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news
by Frank Gmeindl 15 Jan '08

15 Jan '08

Bicycle Board Members, Many thanks to Don Spencer, Nick Hein, Bill Reger-Nash and Don Dickerson for helping me develop the presentation on bicycle accommodation that I was originally supposed to deliver to the MPO this week. Unfortunately, the MPO decided they needed all their time to work on the service fee so they've bumped me to their Thursday, 21-Feb meeting. The nominal meeting time is 7:00 pm and City Council Chambers is the place but I don't know what time I'll be presenting or how much time I'll have to present but I'll let you know when I find out. It sure would be nice to see a few friendly faces in the room! FYI, attached is the current version of the presentation. Since I still have almost a month before the presentation, I'd appreciate any recommendations for improvement. Other news: our application for the WV Transportation Enhancement Program grant for the Effective Bicycling Education project was received by the state today. I asked Jeff Mikorski, Assistant City Manager, who worked closely and diligently with us in completing it to put the final application into the Document Archive on our web site: http://www.morgantown.com/bike-board.htm but it will probably take him a day or so to put it up. Again, many thanks to Bill Reger-Nash, Greg Good, Nick Hein and Chip Wamsley for working on this. I'm amazed and humbled with the amount and quality of work that they did. Hope you're all getting in some good rides! Frank

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January Bicycle Board Meeting Minutes
by Elizabeth Shogren 15 Jan '08

15 Jan '08

Attached, please find the minutes for the January meeting of the Bicycle Board. BETSY SHOGREN

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Hugh Kierig
by Frank Gmeindl 10 Jan '08

10 Jan '08

Bicycle Board Members, Last night, the Traffic Commission voted unanimously to appoint Hugh Kierig to replace Jim Rye on the Bicycle Board. Thanks to Bill, Chip, John, Jonathan, Don S., Betsy, gunnar, Greg, Tyler, and Autumn for your prompt response to my message requesting your decision. Frank

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Hugh Kierig
by Frank Gmeindl 09 Jan '08

09 Jan '08

Bicycle Board Members, I would like to tell the Traffic Commission at tomorrow's Traffic Commission meeting that the Bicycle Board recommends that the Traffic Commission appoint Hugh Keirig as a replacement for Jim Rye. Please reply if you agree or disagree. I recognize that our first choice was Bob Roberts. Since the shooting at Virginia Tech, Roberts was moved from transportation responsibilities to being only responsible for Public Safety. Hugh Keirig is the new person WVU hired to be in charge of the WVU transportation and parking work now. He is apparently the main man in transportation planning and development at the WVU now. He has experience on a trail-bicycle advisory committee in Stillwater, OK and is willing to serve on the Bicycle Board. Frank

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Campus Connector Presentation
by Jonathan Rosenbaum 04 Jan '08

04 Jan '08

You can view the presentation I gave yesterday at the BB meeting about the CC at http://osenergy.org/cc/ccexploration.xul#eva,page1 , please give it some time to load up, and use your arrow keys to watch it (there's an auto-cruise feature, too). You do need to view the presentation with a free mozilla based browser like FireFox at http://www.mozilla.com/firefox . -Jonathan

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Fwd: Max's Up Hill Struggle
by John Lozier 02 Jan '08

02 Jan '08

Bikeboard: Below are Marilyn's notes on a meeting today with Laura Kemp-Rye and myself. As Marilyn says, the desired outcome of tomorrow's meeting would be Bike Board endorsement and approval of Max's Uphill Challenge as an official activity. The three of us are asking for a few minutes near the beginning of the meeting to answer any concerns about this proposal, and to approve this action so that plans can continue for a launch of activities in early Spring. Begin forwarded message: > From: Marilyn Newcome <mjcycling(a)msn.com> > Date: January 2, 2008 8:07:33 PM EST > To: <jl(a)harpingforharmony.org> > Subject: Max's Up Hill Struggle > > Max's Uphill Struggle > > Desired Outcome: > > We are asking for the Bike Board's Endorsement and a Motion to > approve Max's Uphill Struggle Challenge so that we might seek the > Traffic Comission and City Councils approval to hold the event. > > Tentative Discussion: > > > Additional committee members to help organize and help on the day > of the challenge > > >Up Hill Struggle is to be held on the Mon. Blvd. > > >To celebrate the Chevrons being placed on Mon. Blvd. in Morgantown > > >Plan weekly uphill physical and safety training events with > interested parties on the rail trail using mentors/models of > experienced riders > > >Tentative Dates to be discussed for mid to late August, prior to > return of WVU students > > >

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Agenda for this Thursday's 3-Jan meeting
by Frank Gmeindl 02 Jan '08

02 Jan '08

Bicycle Board Members, Happy New Year! The attached zip folder contains an update of the agenda for tomorrow's 3-Jan meeting. As you can see from the agenda, we have more items than we can cover in the time that we have. Please show up on time, 6:30. The attached zip folder also contains the other read-aheads for the meeting: the minutes of the last meeting and a draft of the education grant application that must be cleared through the City and submitted to the State by 15-Jan. Frank

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Re: [Bikeboard] MPO presentation
by director 02 Jan '08

02 Jan '08

Frank, I've had a chance to look over the presentation and I like it generally. However, I think it would help greatly if you had a final slide that summarized major philosophical points and best practices for roadway engineering that accomodates bicycles. Something like... 1) Bicycles (by law) are vehicles and can easily be accomodated with wider shoulders. 2) Where high speed limits or limited sight distances make it hazardous for bikes to mix with traffic it is acceptable to create bike lanes ONLY if it can be done without endangering cyclists in new ways. (Doors, turn lanes, intersections) 3) Vigorous promotion and accommodation of cycling as transportation will reduce motor vehicle traffic (and traffic growth) with potential benefits for budgets, community health, personal health and liveability. Without the summaries I wasn't clear on whether (or when) bike lanes are OK. Hope this helps. Happy New Year. Nick ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: Frank Gmeindl <fgmeindl(a)verizon.net> Date: Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:10:05 -0500 >Don, Nick, Bill, > >Thanks for your comments on subject presentation. Attached is a >revision in response to your inputs. Thanks to you, I am now much more >comfortable with it and believe it is clearer and more pointed. >Unfortunately, as I continued to develop it, it has become ever more >clear to me that without controlling sprawl, the MPO is helpless. > >Frank > >

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Agenda for this Thursday's 3-Jan meeting
by Frank Gmeindl 30 Dec '07

30 Dec '07

Bicycle Board Members, Please find attached, a zip folder that contains 3 files: 1. An incomplete draft agenda for this Thursday's meeting. 2. Minutes from our last meeting. 3. Draft Education grant application. *Autumn, Jonathan, Don Spencer and Marilyn*, please review the agenda and reply ASAP with a statement of the desired outcome of discussion of each of your topics and the amount of time you think you'll need. Frank

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