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Missouri Bicycle Federation
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Missouri Bicycle Federation, Inc.
Post Office Box 104871 Jefferson City, MO 65110-4871 MoBikeFed is a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation Webmaster email: webmaster @ mobikefed .org |
Friday, April 25, 2008
League of American Bicyclists President Andy Clarke provided this useful list of resources related to bicycle lanes:
Texas lane width study – impact on lane positioning
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release 10/9/2007 Contact: Brent Hugh, Executive Director Missouri Bicycle Federation, Inc. 5916 Arlington Ave Raytown, MO 64133 816-695-6736 director@mobikefed.org Missourian Larry Frevert has been named president of the American Public Works Association. Frevert known as a supporter of better bicycling and walking infrastructure in Missouri While Frevert was in the Kansas City, Missouri, Public Works Department, he was one of the main forces behind the "BikeKC" plan. For that work, Frevert was given the issouri Bicycle Federation's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. "There couldn't have been a better choice to lead the APWA," said Missouri Bicycle Federation Executive Director Brent Hugh. "Public Works departments across the U.S. still have a long way to go in meeting the transportation needs of all citizens, including those who walk, bicycle, use transit, or are disabled." "No one is better suited to help move the APWA in the right direction than Larry." Frevert currently works in the Kansas City office of HDR, an employee-owned architectural, engineering and consulting firm. Before joining HDR, Frevert served 19 years in various positions with the city of Kansas City, Mo., including assistant director for engineering in the Parks and Recreation Department and deputy and acting public works director for the Public Works Department. He also served 17 years with the Missouri Department of Transportation. A member of APWA for more than 20 years, Frevert is past president of the Kansas City metro chapter. He has held various positions on the local and national levels, including serving on the APWA board of directors as national treasurer and director-at-large for facilities and fleet services. More About Frevert's MoBikeFed Lifetime Achievement Award: http://mobikefed.org/2005/04/missouri-bicycling-lifetime.php About APWA: The American Public Works Association (www.apwa.net) is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 28,000 members involved in the field of public works. Originally chartered in 1937, APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge. With 67 chapters throughout North America, APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and has an office in Washington, D.C. About MoBikeFed: The Missouri Bicycle Federation, founded in 1994, represents the interests of bicyclists, walkers, runners, and trail users throughout Missouri. Through its network of affiliated clubs and groups, MoBikeFed represents over 15,000 Missouri citizens. Find out more or join the federation at MoBikeFed.org ###
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/19/2008 Contact information: Dr. Brent Hugh Executive Director Missouri Bicycle Federation 876-695-6736 director@MoBikeFed.org Bicyclists, Pedestrians, Transit Users, Trail Supporters to Attend Paseo Bridge Groundbreaking to Support a Bike/Ped River Crossing Statement by Missouri Bicycle Federation Executive Director Brent Hugh: A group of bicyclists rode to the Paseo Bridge Groundbreaking today to support the creation of the new bridge and to encourage the inclusion of a bicycle-pedestrian path on the bridge as it is built. Kansas City does not have any way for bicyclists and pedestrians to safely cross the Missouri River where population density and bicycle and pedestrian use is highest--near downtown. Bicycle and pedestrian groups have been working to create such a river crossing for over 15 years. MoDOT designers have found a way to include a 10-foot separated path on the Paseo Bridge deck at no additional cost as part of the Paseo project. All that is needed is the bridge approaches. Kansas City, Missouri, has expressed its strong support for creating a bicycle/pedestrian crossing on the Paseo bridge through two city council resolutions passed unanimously--one by the current city council and one by the previous city council. The city is currently working with MoDOT to find ways to design, fund, and build the bicycle/pedestrian path as the Paseo Bridge is built. The result could be a safe Missouri River crossing for bicyclists and pedestrians at a fraction of the cost of any other way of doing it and years sooner than any other proposed solution. In short, we have a chance to save money here--many millions. Hopefully our city and MoDOT leaders will have the foresight to grasp the opportunity. At a time when fuel prices are at an all-time high and greenhouse gas emissions are a global concern, we cannot wait years to create important bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. We need it now. Kansas Citians walk and bicycle at less than half the national average. That is because our bicycle and pedestrian facilities are somewhere between dismal and non-existent. Cities around the U.S. and around the world have worked hard to make themselves bicycleable and walkable. How can Kansas City attract businesses and employees from those cities when we have nothing similar and a delay of years before we can make the simplest, most inexpensive, and most logical changes? --- The Missouri Bicycle Federation, founded in 1994, represents the interests of bicyclists, walkers, runners, and trail users throughout Missouri. Through its network of affiliated clubs and groups, MoBikeFed represents over 15,000 Missouri citizens and speaks for the 2 million Missourians who bicycle regularly and the 5.8 million who walk. The Missouri Bicycle Federation is working to realize its vision of active transportation in Missouri by creating a world-class bicycle and pedestrian network in Missouri, building a movement around walking and bicycling, encouraging more walking and bicycling, and increasing safety for all road users. Find out more or join the federation at http://MoBikeFed.org ###
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2/25/2008 Contact information: Dr. Brent Hugh Executive Director Missouri Bicycle Federation 876-695-6736 director@MoBikeFed.org Bicycle Day at the Capitol in Jefferson City February 26th Awards, Complete Streets legislation, and Levi Leipheimer's 2007 Tour of Missouri bicycle on display The Missouri Bicycle Federation's Bicycle Day at the Capitol is Tuesday, February 26th in Jefferson City. Dozens of Missouri bicyclists, walkers, runners, and trail users will descend on the capitol to talk with their legislators, promote legislations to make our communities safer and more inviting for walking and bicycling, and present awards to state officials. Citizens will be speaking in support of the Safe Streets bill (HB2205) and the Complete Streets bill (HB2206), both sponsored by Representative Mike Sutherland. Bicycle Day Highlights: * Awards presentations at 10:30 and 10:45 in the Senate Lounge * Levi Leipheimer's bicycle on display in the 3rd floor rotunda * Antique bicycle display in the 3rd floor rotunda Awards will be presented to Governor Matt Blunt, Lt. Governor Peter D. Kinder, Attorney General Jay Nixon, Department of Natural Resources Director Doyle Childers, Speaker Rod Jetton, Representative Mike Sutherland, Representative Shannon Cooper, Representative J.C. Kuessner, Representative T.D. El Amin, Senator Charlie Shields, Senator Bill Stouffer, Senator Joan Bray, Senator Kevin Engler, and Senator Wayne Goode (retired). Complete awards text is below. Trek Bicycle will display the bicycle ridden by American cyclist Levi Leipheimer when he rode in the 2007 Tour of Missouri. Leipheimer is a "rock star" of the international bicycle racing world. He rode with Lance Armstrong's team for several of Armstrong's Tour de France wins, has 3 top-ten Tour de France finished to his credit, won the time trial of the 2007 Tour of Missouri, and took top honors in the 2007 Tour of California. The antique bicycle display is courtesy James Allen of Springfield. Allen has ridden and displayed his rare and valuable bicycles across the U.S. Award texts: Governor Matt Blunt --------------------------- Governor Matt Blunt played a key role in bringing the Tour of Missouri to the state. The Tour is largest bicycle event in Missouri history and bringing this annual multi-day bicycle tour to the state is the bicycling world's equivalent of landing a new major pro sports team. Governor Blunt's unwavering support was vital in the successful effort to "Complete the Katy Trail" by connecting it to the Kansas City area. As soon as the opportunity arose, Governor Blunt was out in front with his support for including the Katy Trail Connection as part of the Taum Sauk settlement talks. The settlement, which was recently approved, includes an agreement to build the trail within Ameren's right-of-way and $18 million to actually build the trail. Lt. Governor Peter D. Kinder ------------------------------------- Lt. Governor Peter D. Kinder has led the effort to organize and promote the Tour of Missouri, and the Lt. Governor and his office must take much of the credit for the success of the 2007 Tour and the commitment to make it an ongoing annual event. The Tour is largest bicycle event in Missouri history and bringing this annual multi-day bicycle tour to the state is the bicycling world's equivalent of landing a new major pro sports team. In traveling the state to promote the Tour, Lt. Governor Kinder has become the #1 supporter of bicycling in Missouri, speaking about the Tour and the importance of bicycling in Missouri to key individuals, decision makers and groups totaling well into the thousands. Attorney General Jay Nixon ------------------------------------ Attorney General Jay Nixon has been a supporter of the Katy Trail since its creation, when he was a member of the Missouri Senate. Attorney General Nixon's support of the Katy Trail was vital in the successful effort to complete an agreement with AmerenUE to "Complete the Katy Trail" by connecting it to the Kansas City area. Attorney General Nixon has played a leading role in the effort to preserve the Boonville MKT Bridge and make it a part of the Katy Trail. The Attorney General has been one of the few statewide leaders who has had the foresight to understand that changing the legal agreements that created the Katy Trail in order to remove the Boonville Bridge is a serious step that could endanger the legal status of 160 miles of the Katy Trail. Department of Natural Resources Director Doyle Childers -------------------------------------------------------- Doyle Childers, Director of the Department of Natural Resources, has played a key role in the effort to "Complete the Katy Trail". Work to complete the final 11 miles on the eastern end of the trail is nearly complete near St. Charles. A recently opened river bridge connects Hermann with the Katy Trail. The Missouri State Parks Foundation, which works closely with DNR, has recently completed the final fund raising needed to create a trail connection from Jefferson City to the Katy Trail. And Director Childers' tireless support for the Katy Trail Connection to Kansas City has resulted in an agreement with AmerenUE to provide both the right-of-way and $18 million to build the trail. Speaker Rod Jetton ------------------ Representative Rod Jetton, Speaker of the House, has been a friend of bicycling, walking, and trails throughout his tenure in the House of Representatives. Speaker Jetton has walked across a good portion of the state, bicycled the entire Katy Trail, walked across the Boonville Bridge, and taken colleagues on Katy Trail rides. Speaker Jetton's support was vital in passing the Bicycle Safety Bill of 2005, the most important bicycle-related legislation to pass in the past 10 years. Representative Mike Sutherland ------------------------------ Representative Mike Sutherland has been the key supporter of bicycling in the Missouri House the past few years. Representative Sutherland sponsored the Bicycle Safety Bill of 2005, the most important bicycle-safety legislation in the past 10 years in Missouri, and the Trails in Parks Bill of 2007, which will allow closer cooperation between nonprofit groups and the Department of Natural Resources to build trails and other needed facilities in state parks. Representative Sutherland doesn't just talk the talk, he "rides the ride". He is an avid cyclist who rides every chance he gets in both rides and mountain bike races. Representative Shannon Cooper ----------------------------- Representative Shannon Cooper is one of the few House members to have ridden the entire length of the Katy Trail, which begins in his district. Representative Cooper has been a strong supporter of the Katy Trail and the effort to "Complete the Katy Trail" by connecting it to Kansas City. He was a co-sponsor and key supporter of the Bicycle Safety Bill of 2005. Representative J.C. Kuessner ---------------------------- Representative J. C. Kuessner has been an active supporter of bicycle and pedestrian issues as a member of the House Transportation Committee. Representative Kuessner has been a key supporter of the coast-to-coast TransAmerica Trail, which passes through his district. Promoting bicycling by encouraging improvement of the TransAmerica Trail Representative T.D. El Amin --------------------------- Representative T.D. El Amin is an avid bicyclist and the General Assembly's designated Bicycle Commuter--visitors to Representative El Amin's office will often find his bicycle parked in the hallway. Last March Representative El Amin and his brother rode from his home in the St. Louis area to Jefferson City to raise awareness and funds for the National Kidney Foundation. Senator Charlie Shields ----------------------- Senator Charlie Shields, Senate Majority Leader, has provided leadership in supporting bicycle and pedestrian modes in St. Joseph. From supporting neighborhood level access for biking and walking across MoDot bridges, to retrofitting commercial corridors for non-motorized modes, Mr. Shields has been a steady voice who recognizes that people do travel in significant numbers in ways other than the automobile and that the transportation system should be inclusive of those operations. Senator Bill Stouffer --------------------- Senator Bill Stouffer, chair of the Transportation Committee, has worked tirelessly to improve Missouri's transportation system. Senator Stouffer has been a supporter of the Katy Trail, which passes through his district. Senator Stouffer has played a leading role in the effort to preserve the Boonville MKT Bridge and make it a part of the Katy Trail. The effort to preserve the Boonville Bridge has has tremendous support from local residents. From the statewide perspective, removing the bridge without taking the proper legal steps could endanger the legal status of 160 miles of the Katy Trail. Senator Joan Bray ----------------- Senator Joan Bray has been a strong supporter of bicycling and walking. Senator Bray has sponsored or co-sponsored numerous bicycle and pedestrian-related bills and she and her staff have spent countless hours working to move them forward. Senator Bray was a co-sponsor of the Bicycle Safety Bill of 2005. Senator Kevin Engler -------------------- Senator Kevin Engler has been an important supporter of bicycle and pedestrian legislation throughout his terms in the House and the Senate. Senator Engler has supported the TransAmerica Trail, a coast-to-coast bicycle tourism route that goes through his district. Senator Engler has sponsored or co-sponsored several other legislative initiatives. He was the Senate Sponsor of the Bicycle Safety Bill of 2005, the most important bicycle-related legislation to pass in the past 10 years. Senator Wayne Goode (retired) ----------------------------- Senator Wayne Goode was a member of the Missouri General Assembly for 44 years. He was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1962 and served in the Missouri Senate from 1984-2004. Senator Goode is a Missouri Bicycle Federation member and an avid bicyclist who has often spent summers bicycle touring with his wife, Jane. Senator Goode has served as President of the Board and continues to serve as a board member of TrailNet in St. Louis. Senator Goode was a key supporter of bicycle and pedestrian-related legislation and currently serves on the Missouri Bicycle Federation's Legislative Committee. --- The Missouri Bicycle Federation, founded in 1994, represents the interests of bicyclists, walkers, runners, and trail users throughout Missouri. Through its network of affiliated clubs and groups, MoBikeFed represents over 15,000 Missouri citizens. Find out more or join the federation at MoBikeFed.org ###
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/15/2008 Contact information: Dr. Brent Hugh Executive Director Missouri Bicycle Federation 876-695-6736 director@MoBikeFed.org Campaign enforces road safety laws for bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists April 16-17, 2008 "With warm weather, out come the bicyclists, pedestrians, runners, and children," said Missouri Bicycle Federation Executive Director Brent Hugh. "They've been hibernating since last October and drivers have all but forgotten about them." "It seems like every year, drivers need a little reminder to watch out for their neighbors on two feet and two wheels," said Hugh. "It only takes a few seconds to slow down in a neighborhood or school zone, or to pass a bicyclist safely. We forget that the consequence of a few moments impatience in an automobile can be deadly." Over 43,000 Americans were killed in traffic collisions last year. In many industrialized, first-world nations the traffic fatality and injury rates are 50-75% lower. "The difference is in their driving culture," said Hugh. "Drivers know that they most operate safely or lose their driving privileges. So they just do it--and it really saves lives." "We are throwing away 20,000-30,000 American lives each year simply because of careless and impatient driving habits," said Hugh. Law enforcement officers will conduct a traffic safety education and enforcement event on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at the northeast intersection of 51st Street and Rockhill Road. Volunteers will distribute informational materials to the public and officers will issue citations to motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists not observing the rules of the road. A press conference will be held at 10:00 a.m. Several communities around the region will coordinate similar education and enforcement activities on the following day, April 17. Participating cities include Grandview, Leavenworth, Leawood and Parkville. The enforcement campaign is organize by the Kansas City Share the Road Safety Task Force, http://sharetheroadkc.com/ The Missouri Bicycle Federation is a member and supportr of the Task Force. SPRING SAFETY TIPS FOR CYCLISTS, PEDESTRIANS, MOTORISTS Cyclists: * Wear proper safety gear, especially a helmet * Obey all traffic laws, signs and signals * Never ride against traffic - ride with the flow * Don't forget lights at night, dusk, and dawn - they are required by law Motorists: * Reduce speed when passing bicyclists * Give bicyclists adequate space to maneuver - typically allow for 3 feet * Don't blast your horn when approaching cyclists - startling them can cause an accident * Stop for pedestrian at crosswalks and intersections - it's the law Pedestrians: * Cross the street at marked crosswalks and intersections whenever possible. * Be aware of your surroundings watch for vehicles turning or backing out of parking spaces and driveways * Use pedestrian pushbuttons to activate/extend the walk signal. Never enter a crosswalk when a signal displays a solid or flashing Don't Walk message * Use sidewalks. If there are none, walk facing traffic so you see vehicles, and drivers see you --- The Missouri Bicycle Federation, founded in 1994, represents the interests of bicyclists, walkers, runners, and trail users throughout Missouri. Through its network of affiliated clubs and groups, MoBikeFed represents over 15,000 Missouri citizens and speaks for the 2 million Missourians who bicycle regularly and the 5.8 million who walk. The Missouri Bicycle Federation is working to realize its vision of active transportation in Missouri by creating a world-class bicycle and pedestrian network in Missouri, building a movement around walking and bicycling, encouraging more walking and bicycling, and increasing safety for all road users. Find out more or join the federation at http://MoBikeFed.org ### |