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posted by Brent Hugh at 11/29/2002 11:11:00 AM
The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge on old Route 66 is the centerpiece of the Confluence Greenway, a 200 square-mile urban riverside park and trail system being developed in the heart of bi-state St. Louis.
Several lighting designs are being evaluated. Night lighting will allow the bridge to be used for nighttime rides and events. Read the full story in the Edwardsville Intelligencer.
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/28/2002 07:16:00 PM
Knoxville (TN) is working on a regional bicycle transportation plan. Costs are "estimated $91,600 for one-time outlay efforts, plus an additional $373,500 in annual costs for the program."
"[C]osts may seem steep," but "still compare favorably to the $1 million average expense of adding one lane to one mile of interstate." "Compare favorably" is putting it mildly, indeed! Communities that just can't seem to find the money to add a few inexpensive bicycle accomodations (which, for the most part, benefit all road users, not just cyclists) still manage to find millions to buy new roads. It's not a matter of money available, but one of priorities and planning . . .
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/26/2002 04:46:00 PM
The Kansas City Walkability Plan, now being developed, will be a citywide plan. Its purpose is to increase the number of people in Kansas City who choose to be pedestrians—by making it easier, more pleasant and more efficient to move around the city without a car—at least some of the time.
The Kansas City Walkability Plan will continue implementation of the FOCUS Kansas City Plan. The FOCUS Plan strongly supports choice in transportation (multimodal transportation) and recognizes that a "direct, continuous, safe, pleasant, and secure" pedestrian system is a vital step towards creating a multi-modal transportation system. If you are interested in becoming involved in the Kansas City Walkability Plan please call: Lynnis Jameson @ 816-513-2853 or e-mail Lynnis_Jameson@kcmo.org Click here for the complete story . . .
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/26/2002 12:12:00 PM
This week the St. Joseph City Council considered a new riverfront development plan, which includes a multi-use trail. The project and trail have been opposed by riverfront casino operator Bill Grace.
Click here for the complete story . . .
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/26/2002 11:53:00 AM
The New York Times is reporting today that a greenway and a road diet project have been crucial in re-vitalizing a lower West Side neighborhood.
"The West Side Highway has become Hudson River Boulevard", very friendly to pedestrians, says a resident. The newly-thriving residential area more or less coincides with construction work at Hudson River Park, which will provide walking-distance recreational attractions for West Village residents when the reconstruction of three riverfront piers is completed in the spring. The Hudson River Park Trust has already completed a bikeway and walkway along the length of the park, from the Battery to 59th Street. . . .The trust also maintains the landscaped median on West Street that eases pedestrian street crossing on the busy, and wide, avenue. Read the rest of the story on the New York Times web site.
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/26/2002 11:46:00 AM
The West County Center mall in Des Peres recently went through an expansion and renovation. Planners "forgot" to include sidewalks, safe pedestrian crossing facilities, and mass transit access to the mall because of a variety of difficulties.
"When the mall opened, we got more pedestrians than we anticipated," [a mall spokesman] said. "They were people from the neighborhood who walked to the mall. We have noticed more people at the bus stops." Des Peres City Administrator Douglas Harms acknowledged Monday that city officials did not consider seriously pedestrian access when they approved plans for the mall. Mall and city officials noticed what officials worldwide have noticed:
Because they have created a dangerous accessibility situation for pedestrians with disabilities, mall officials have opened themselves to a potentially costly lawsuit under the Americans With Disabilities Act as well. From all angles, including liability, it makes good business sense to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. Most pedestrian/cyclist enhancements a relatively inexpensive in proportion to the budget of an entire project, and most enhancements benefit motorists, as well. In fact, one of the main problems outlined in this article is that people who park in the mall parking then must walk a dangerous path from the parking spot into the mall itself. In the end, every motorist is a pedestrian--they're just not used to thinking of themselves that way. And if more people could walk or ride the bus to the mall, the mall parking lot wouldn't be so jam-packed. This isn't just pie-in-the-sky. It is working right now for communities across the country and the world. Read the rest of the story on STLToday.
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/25/2002 11:12:00 AM
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/24/2002 01:24:00 PM
This week saw the beginning of construction of the first ever Missouri highway tunnel. The St. Louis-area tunnel will take four lanes of Lindbergh Boulevard under Lambert Field runways.
The good news is that, according to MoDOT, the 1420-foot long tunnel will be completely pedestrian and bicycle-accessible. Initially there will be two 12-foot lanes in each direction with a 10-foot should on the left and a 12-foot shoulder on the right. In the future this could be re-configured as three 12-foot lanes with 5-foot shoulders on each side. According to Chuck Rietter, spokesman for the Lambert Field expansion, "Not only do plans allow for bicycles and pedestrians, MoDOT has approved the new section of Lindbergh and the tunnel for use by bicycles and pedestrians. . . . Current designs of the tunnel and Lindbergh provide for smooth shoulders with ample room. In fact, the shoulders themselves will be smoother than in some areas of the roadway being replaced. Bicycle-friendly storm water grates are specified. The tunnel is designed in several ways to provide sufficient space, ventilation, noise levels and lighting to make passage through the tunnel a safe endeavor. . . . There are no plans that would impinge on bicyclists and pedestrians who wish to continue or begin using Lindbergh." Read more about the tunnel's design & specs from MoDOT here and here. Read the rest of the story on STLToday.
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/22/2002 05:33:00 PM
The Kansas City metropolitan area is the 20th most dangerous place in the country for residents who brave the roads on foot, a report released Thursday said.
The area's sprawling boundaries and high number of big, fast roads contribute to its pedestrian traffic deaths . . . Kansas City is in the middle of establishing a "Walkability Plan" for the city, a process begun last year. . . . The project takes to task state transportation departments, because they control how most federal transportation money is spent. The process "often results in wide, high-speed arterials," because that's what the departments are most familiar with, the report said. Kansas and Missouri highway officials disagreed. Both states' transportation departments have staff members who work with local communities to develop pedestrian and bike paths, spokesmen said. Read the complete story on the Kansas City Star.
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/21/2002 11:31:00 AM
St. Louis's West End Word newspaper recently ran a nice article about bicycle advocacy in the St. Louis area.
The article particularly talks about the effort to create a network of walking/biking trails around St. Louis, including the conversion of the old Chain of Rocks bridge (a mile long with a 25-degree turn right in the middle) into a hiking/biking trail. See the entire article in PDF format on the St. Louis Bikefed site.
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/18/2002 07:04:00 PM
Press release from the International Mountain Biking Association" (IMBA):
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a final National Mountain Bicycling Strategic Action Plan for the management of mountain biking on the BLM's 262 million acres of public land. The 31-page document represents the most comprehensive mountain bike management plan created by any land management agency. The plan was announced yesterday, November 12, at the National Trails Symposium in Orlando, Florida."This is a great plan," said IMBA's executive director Tim Blumenthal. "It addresses the current desires of mountain bikers, leaves most decision making to local managers, and is adaptable as the sport evolves." The BLM decided to produce a mountain bike-specific plan last year following a flood of comments from IMBA leaders and members on the BLM's Off-Highway Vehicle Strategy. That plan originally proposed to group mountain bike management with that of motorized vehicles. Mountain bikers played a key role in shaping the new plan. The BLM considered thousands of cyclists' comments, sent a team of leaders to the 2002 IMBA Mountain Bike Advocacy Summit, and included long-time IMBA advocate Mark Flint of Tucson, Arizona, as an advisor.The BLM did not adopt suggestions from the American Hiking Society and others that recommended a "closed-unless-open" trail policy and a prohibition of bicycling from national conservation areas.IMBA believes the 10-year plan sets a positive, proactive direction for the BLM. It offers constructive advice to local managers, clearly recognizes changing demographics, identifies emerging bicycle and trailbuilding technologies, and discusses other issues unique to mountain biking.The BLM now faces the challenge of implementing the plan. IMBA will cooperate with the agency by providing volunteer resources and technical assistance. IMBA will also continue to seek adequate recreation management funding from Congress.The plan is available at: http://www.blm.gov/mountain_biking Missouri's Marvin Johnson adds: "[BLM has] adopted a mountain bike plan for its immense land holdings that could turn out to be the most positive turn for the sport in the past three years. Access to the back country for mountain biking has been under a high-pressure offensive from passive-use advocates such as the Sierra Club and various Wilderness-related organizations, who campaigned heavily to restrict us from BLM property as the legislation was making its way down the pipe. "There is no way to stress the importance for all mountain bikers to keep the land access fires blazing by writing and e-mailing politicians, and local, state, and government officials any time an issue surfaces. The best way to celebrate our victory is to send IMBA ten bucks with your thank you note attached. Read the release." Click here for the complete story . . .
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/18/2002 05:30:00 PM
From Lake Itasca, MN to the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River Trail will be a signed bike route, mostly on the roads, that gives cyclists a close-up look at America's greatest river.
Missouri has joined the states of Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee as having fully designated and signed its portion of the Mississippi River Trail. Read more about the MRT on the St. Louis Bike Fed's site.
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/15/2002 04:58:00 PM
Today the St. Joseph News-Press reported that the owner of a nearby riverboat casino plans a lawsuit to clear up disputes over the land a proposed riverfront hike-bike trail would be built on. Casino owner Bill Grace claims that he controls, either through options or leases, land the trail would be constructed on.
Grace called the trail an “absolute waste of money” that would attract “joggers and winos up there, and that is all you are going to get.” People who use the trail will not be “buying anything. They are walking.” Construction on the trail has been postponed until the legal problems are cleared up. Click here for the complete story . . .
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/13/2002 08:11:00 AM
The St. Joseph News-Press is reporting today that a planned hike-bike trail along the Missouri Riverfront has been delayed because a nearby riverfront casino operator fears that the proposed trail will limit his development options.
Click here for the complete story . . .
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/12/2002 08:33:00 PM
A place with trees, Silvia says, is more like a neighborhood. I'm on her side. But I tell her I think it's more than trees . . .
"All right then," she says. "Trees and bicycles." Read more of Patrick Dobson's essay on liveable neighborhoods in Kansas City, in this month's eKC magazine.
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/12/2002 04:18:00 PM
According to reports on the mid-america-mtb list, a cyclist on a ride with the Johnson County Bicycle Club was hit by a car yesterday. The cyclist had fallen behind the main group and was riding alone. Reports are that the injuries were scrapes and bruises and were not life threatening.
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/08/2002 09:14:00 AM
Bikes & Trikes for Tykes is a 100% volunteer organization that receives donations of bicycles, repair and clean them, and give them to youth in the Kansas City area through any charitable organization.
Bikes & Trikes for Tykes takes whole bikes and bike parts, no matter what age or condition. Our worksite is at 1021 Pacific, Kansas City KS in the back warehouse area. We have work parties on Saturdays from 9 to 5 and Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5pm to 9pm. We usually have work parties from the first weekend in November, through the Saturday nearest the 15th of December. We have work for all skill levels, including cleaning bikes, moving bikes, stripping bikes for parts, or actually repairing bikes. Please schedule groups of more than 5 persons. Bicycles can be donated at any of our work parties, or at various Hen House stores on the following schedule. November 9th 135th & Blackbob (SW Corner), Olathe November 16th I-29 & 64th Street (Just west of I-29) November 23rd 1015 Rice Road, Lee's Summit November 30th 119th & Roe (NE corner), Leawood Inquiries can directed to kcbikeman@aol.com or if immediate response needed, call me during the day at 860-7689. --Dan Rainford
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/06/2002 11:47:00 AM
The Town of Kansas Bridge is . . . a link in the planned Riverfront Heritage Trail, a nine-mile path that would run from Richard L. Berkley Riverfront Park, to the market, through the West Bottoms along the Kansas River and into Kansas City, Kan.
Another branch of the trail could head south from the River Market through Quality Hill to the West Side and into Penn Valley Park. I have visited the bridge several times and it really is fascinating. The stairs are open now so that it is possible to walk down to the river level (where the Riverfront Heritage Trail will run). If you are in the River Market area of Kansas City it is well worth a stop (the bridge starts near Main and 2nd Street). Read more on the KCStar web site.
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/05/2002 05:43:00 PM
Washington, DC - The League of American Bicyclists has launched its Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign, a national grassroots effort to increase the number of trips made by bike, promote physical fitness, and help make communities more liveable. The Campaign works in the most effective way possible-town by town, city by city-to encourage bicycling and achieve a bicycle-friendly America. The Campaign is supported by a generous grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
"As more people bicycle and walk, communities experience reduced traffic, better air, and improved public health," said Elissa Margolin, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists ( www.bikeleague.org). "Bicycle-friendly and walkable towns, like those with good schools and vibrant downtowns, are communities that offer a good quality of life for families, which can lead to higher property values, business growth and increased tourism," she added. The League recognizes newly designated Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) with an awards ceremony, a BFC road sign, and a formal press announcement. Municipalities that apply for BFC status receive an abundance of technical assistance to help them improve cycling conditions and encourage residents to bike for fun, fitness and transportation. There are four award levels of the BFC designation to recognize model communities and those communities that are starting to make significant progress. The League and technical assistance staff work with awardees and municipalities that fall short to support continual improvements. The League encourages community leaders seeking BFC status to complete and submit part one of the application on www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org # # # # # For more information on the Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign, visit www.bikeleague.org The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of the nation's 42.5 million bicyclists. With a current membership of 300,000 affiliated cyclists, including 40,000 individuals and 600 organizations, the League works to bring better bicycling to your community. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (www.rwjf.org Michael Klasmeier Program Director League of American Bicyclists 1612 K St, NW, Ste 800 Washington, DC 20006 P 202.822.1333 F 202.822.1334 http://www.bikeleague.org Is your town bicycle-friendly? http://www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org Click here for the complete story . . .
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/02/2002 11:31:00 PM
Two of the proposed ballot initiatives coming to a vote November 5th in the Kansas City area have possible ramifications for cyclists in the area.
Question 1, which has been controversial because such a large proportion of the money raised will be directed towards downtown, allocates $16 million to downtown and $19 million throughout the rest of city: $9.6 million for streets, $2.6 million for municipal buildings, $2.5 million for bridges, $2.5 million for sewers, and $2 million for boulevard curbs and sidewalks. Question 3, brought forward by Clay Chastain's organization, lacks support of any city officials. A system of trolleys is proposed, as well as a 100-mile mutli-use trail system centered on Penn Valley Park. Details about both questions can be found in a Kansas City Star article.
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/02/2002 11:21:00 PM
Organizers of Trailnet - the nonprofit organization dedicated to creating recreational trails and encouraging walking and bicycling in the bistate region - want to transform the 101-year-old building and its urban surroundings into a Riverfront Trail trailhead, a place where cyclists can rent a bike, grab a bite and watch the river roll by.
Read the rest of the story on the STL Today website.
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/01/2002 05:42:00 PM
A new bicycle/pedestrian lane across the northbound Missouri River Bridge at Jefferson City is planned for completion next year.
Bicycle/ped advocates in the area have been working for access across the bridge for decades, since bike/ped access was removed in the 1970s to create an extra motor vehicle lane. "We'll change the grates and re-stripe the road," explained Roger Schwartze, district engineer for the department's Jefferson City-based Central District 5. "We're going to put up a sign that says 'Share the Road' and it will make the shoulder 18 inches wider than what is there today." . . . MoDOT also still is looking for local financial support for a second bicycle/pedestrian crossing on the southbound bridge "that would be an overhang" outside of the bridge truss. Click here for the complete story . . .
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