ameren

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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 rai se 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


###

We saw some good positive movement in support of bicycling and walking in the 2008 Missouri legislative session, but it is clear there is still much work to be done on some important issues.

Moving legislation forward is always a long-term process of developing legislative initiatives and priorities, developing relationships with legislators and committee chairs, developing language that is clear and that accomplishes what it needs to, working to make sure that legislators know of citizen support for these issues, and then working over a multi-year period to accomplish those goals.

Thanks to the support of MoBikeFed's members and the groups and organizations across the state that have worked together towards our common goals, we have been able to take bicycle and pedestrian issues to a completely new and higher level of visibility and awareness in Missouri's capitol.

The number and quality of the legislative initiatives that have moved forward this year is a testament to the progress we have made in Missouri over the past several years--and that progress has been made only because of the strong support of MoBikeFed members and bicyclists and pedestrians across the state.

Here is a summary of what happened with each of those issues during the Missouri General Assembly's legislative session that wrapped up on May 16th:

Bicycle Day at the Capitol
Bicycle Day at the Capitol in Jefferson City February 26th was a big success. About 40 Missourians from all across the state met with legislators and state officials, presented MoBikeFed's new Vision of Active Transportation in Missouri, presented summaries of key issues prepared by MoBikeFed Legislative Chair Eric Rogers, and presented awards to key officials.

Katy Trail Connection - funding approved by General Assembly
The $18 million from the Ameren settlement for connecting the Katy Trail to the KC metro area was appropriated by the legislature. The money to build the trail comes from the settlement with AmerenUE over the Taum Sauk disaster, but before the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) could actually spend the money, it had to be approved as part of DNR's annual budget. MoBikeFed worked with residents and local legislators to be sure that the legislators involved understood that depth of public support for the trail project. Special thanks goes to Representative Shannon Cooper, whose house district includes Windsor and Clinton.

With the budget now approved, DNR can get started building the actual trail now. DNR is confident they can get it done in the next 3 years.

With the project approved and funded to extend the Katy from Windsor to Pleasant Hill, a number of local cities, agencies, and groups are working hard to make the connection from Pleasant Hill to various other parts of the Kansas City metro area.

Bike Month, Bike Week, and Walk/Bike to School Month Resolutions - approved by Governor and General Assembly
Resolutions in support of National Bike Month (May), Bike to Work Week (May 12-16), and Walk/Bike to School Month (October) were sponsored by Representative Mike Sutherland of Warrenton and passed by the Missouri House of Representatives.

Governor Matt Blunt signed official proclamations for Bike Month and Bike to Work Week.

This is the first year in our memory where both the legislature and the governor have officially recognized National Bike Month and Bike to Work Week in Missouri. The recognition is, of course, largely ceremonial but in shepherding the resolutions through the legislature, a significant amount of awareness and education is created in the legislators involved.

Complete Streets bill - passed Missouri House
MoBikeFed and a number of other bicycle and pedestrian groups worked with Representative Mike Sutherland to introduce Complete Streets legislation. This legislation, HB 2206, provided that, when building, improving, or planning for, streets and roads, the needs of all users, including those who walk, bicycle, use transit, and have disabilities, must be taken into account.

After the bill was introduced in a House Committee, MoDOT objected to some provisions of the bill. Negotiations with MoDOT resulted in a bill that had less teeth than the original version but was still a positive step forward. This bill moved forward as a consent bill, passing in the Missouri House by a vote of 139-9.

When the bill came for a hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee, MoDOT representative Eric Curtit testified against the bill, indicating that MoDOT policy already encouraged the inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian facilities on the one hand and on the other, that the bill would reduce MoDOT's flexibility to omit bicycle and pedestrian facilities during its upcoming funding crisis. MoDOT's opposition to the bill killed any chances for moving the bill out of committee or to a vote of the full Senate this year.

MoDOT Director Pete Rahn met with Complete Streets bill sponsor Mike Sutherland. Rahn indicated that MoDOT would move to make whatever changes are needed to improve bicycle and pedestrian accommodation through internal policy changes. Sutherland indicated that he would be watching carefully to see what direction MoDOT takes and if the changes it makes are not sufficient the bill can be re-introduced next legislative session.

Safe Streets bill - House Committee hearing
MoBikeFed supported a bill that would have increased penalties for drivers whose bad or dangerous driving injured or killed others. The bill was HB 2205 sponsored by Representative Mike Sutherland.

Thanks to the work of Rep. Sutherland and our lobbyist in Jefferson City, James Farrell, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the bill in March. The committee heard some very powerful testimony from family members and friends of those who have been injured or killed by unsafe drivers. In most of these cases, the driver receives very few consequences and is back driving within a short time.

Bills of this nature are very difficult to move out of committee, and we expect that it will take a multi-year effort to move this legislation. The committee hearing this year was a very positive step forward, however. Committee members gave very definite indications of the type of bill they are likely to support in the future, and thanks to the committee hearing and the good work done by MoBikeFed supporters during Bicycle Day at the Capitol, we have found some v ery good allies on the committee to move legislation forward in future years.

Safe passing of bicycles on solid yellow stripe - passed Senate
Missouri's Blueprint for Safer Roadways continues to push for stronger laws to prohibit passing when a solid yellow stripe is present. Preventing head-on collisions is one of their top priorities, and they feel that stronger enforcement of no-passing zones will help in this effort.

Previous versions of the "no passing on solid yellow" provision have included exceptions for passing certain slow-moving vehicles in certain situations (when safe) but not for passing bicycles.

This year MoBikeFed was able to work with the office of Senator Bill Stouffer, the sponsor of the bill and chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, to include the exception for crossing the solid yellow line to pass bicycles in certain situations (when safe).

The provision was part of an omnibus transportation bill, SB 761. The bill passed the Senate and the House Transportation Committee, but in the confusion of the last days of the session, the bill never came to a vote in the House.

The good news is, the language that was finally adopted by the senate was very good, and getting the language that far through the legislative process this year puts us on good footing to use the same language again when this issue resurfaces in future years.

Dead Red - passed Senate
For several years, motorcyclists have been working to have a "dead red" bill passed in Missouri. This allows motorcyclists who come to a traffic signal that fails to detect the motorcycle, to proceed through the red light after waiting a sufficient amount of time to indicate the signal has failed to detect the vehicle, and waiting until there is no conflicting traffic and it is safe to proceed.

Minnesota, Wisconsin, Georgia, Tennessee, Idaho, and North Carolina already have similar legislation in place.

Currently most motorcyclists (and bicyclists) will simply proceed through the intersection in this situation (when safe). However, there is always the potential for receiving a ticket in this situation, because (regardless of common sense and lack of realistic alternatives) it is still technically illegal. The dead red provision simply changes this, making it legal to proceed through the intersection when the light will not change.

In addition, having this provision in Missouri's vehicle code will help in our efforts to encourage agencies across the state to install and properly adjust traffic signals to detect and change for smaller vehicles like bicycles and motorcycles.

MoBikeFed approached the motorcycle supporters as well as the office of the bill's sponsor (again, Senator Bill Stouffer) and asked that bicyclists be included in the dead red law. Both agreed and the language including bicyclists in the dead red provision was included in SB 761.

Again, SB 761 passed the Senate and House Transportation Committee, but failed to come to a vote in the full House of Representatives. As with the "passing on solid yellow" provision, having the language and a legislative history for this provision will help move this forward in future years.

Summary
The 2008 legislative session was a very productive year for bicycle and pedestrian issues. We need to follow through in the coming years with important issues such as Complete Streets legislation and Safe Streets legislation.

McKinley Bridge Bikeway and Trestle at Branch Street Opening Festivities for Families, Sat., June 7, 2008

A unique bicycle and pedestrian experience featuring exceptional views of the Mississippi River

The Great Rivers Greenway District and the Metro East Park and Recreation District will jointly celebrate the grand opening of the McKinley Bridge Bikeway and Trestle at Branch Street on Saturday, June 7, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Both organizations share credit for improving bicycle and pedestrian access across the bridge.

The McKinley Bridge Bikeway is a 2,600-ft. long by 14-ft. wide cantilevered lane separated from vehicular traffic lanes on the McKinley Bridge. It is only the second bicycle/pedestrian bridge to open over the Mississippi River in St. Louis, preceded by Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. Offering dramatic views of the Mississippi River and downtown St. Louis, the bikeway is a unique and distinctive feature of the reconstructed bridge that was reopened for vehicular traffic last November.

Also new on the Missouri side is the Trestle at Branch Street, a 2,400-ft. long by 24-ft. wide paved path that rises from street level at Branch Street to the height of the McKinley Bridge Bikeway. The trestle provides a direct connection to the popular 11-mile Riverfront Trail.

Events scheduled for Saturday, June 7 include:
Bike Ride. An “Early Bird Trail Ride,” from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. will be held on the Riverfront Trail. The ride begins at North Riverfront Park, near the intersection of Riverview Drive and Chambers, where parking is available. Participants will bicycle from North Riverfront Park to the Trestle at Branch Street.

Dedication
For the official dedication and ribbon “tying” at 12-noon the public is invited to participate. Processions to the mid-point on the Bridge will begin simultaneously on the Missouri side at the entrance to the McKinley Bikeway (foot of Branch Street, east of N. Broadway) and on the Illinois side at the McKinley Bridge Roadside Park (Off Route 3 at the entrance to the McKinley Bridge). From Missouri, dignitaries leading the procession include St. Louis City Mayor Francis G. Slay, St. Louis City President Board of Aldermen Lewis E. Reed, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley and St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann. From Illinois, dignitaries leading the procession include Madison County Board Chairman Alan Dunstan, St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern, City of Venice Mayor Avery Ware and Mayor John Hamm, City of Madison.

Activities and Events
Activities from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on both sides of the McKinley Bridge will include a variety of street performances and food vendors, as well as free bicycle helmets and fittings for the first 200 children and helmet adjustments for anyone by Helmets First! and a free bicycle service check by Big Shark Bicycle technicians. In addition, two adult bikes and two children’s bikes (for age range 6-12) will be raffled.

Due to the schedule of events and activities, bike riding will not be permitted on the McKinley Bridge Bikeway during the event. A supervised free bike parking area will be provided on the Missouri side only.

Free parking is available on the Missouri side at the foot of Branch Street east of Broadway. In Illinois free parking is adjacent to the McKinley Bridge Roadside Park off Route 3 in Illinois courtesy of Ameren. A map of the area is available at www.greatrivers.info.

Activities and events are being coordinated by The Grace Hill AmeriCorps Trail Rangers, a community development initiative in North St. Louis City. The AmeriCorps Trail Rangers provide assistance on maintenance and programming year-round on the Riverfront Trail.

Bikeway Exemplifies Regional Collaboration
“The McKinley Bridge Bikeway demonstrates the power of regional collaboration to improve transportation options for all residents of the bi-state region. Creating it required ongoing collaboration between the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), Metro and the City of St. Louis, as well as both park and greenway districts,” said David Fisher, Executive Director of The Great Rivers Greenway District. “The Bikeway links residents in neighborhoods and communities to each other while providing an exciting venue to view and experience the power and majesty of the Mississippi River.“

The Great Rivers Greenway District provided $7 million for the bikeway and $4 million for the Trestle at Branch Street, with the Metro East Park and Recreation District contributing $950,000 toward the bikeway and the construction of a connecting trail that links into the McKinley Bridge Roadside Park. Interestingly, $4 million is same amount it cost in 1910 to build the original bridge.

According to Mike Buehlhorn, Executive Director for the Metro East Park and Recreation District, reconnecting Madison County and St. Louis City across the McKinley Bridge is a vital link in the plans for developing a region-wide system of interconnected greenways, parks and trails. “The Mississippi River has served as a barrier between communities and residents for far too long, and the re-use of the existing infrastructure transforms the project beyond a simple bridge crossing into a concrete example of what can be created with the spirit of cooperation,” said Buehlhorn.

The impact on the region is significant. “The positive impact of the McKinley Bridge Bikeway demonstrates the importance of regional cooperation between Missouri and Illinois and focusing the region on the wise use of its existing resources and amenities,” said St. Louis City Mayor Francis G. Slay. “In addition to reconnecting communities across the Mississippi River, the McKinley Bridge Bikeway will have a long-lasting regional impact by providing economic, environmental and social benefits on both sides of the river.”

Madison County Board Chairman Alan Dunstan highlighted another important aspect of the project. “Thanks to the vision and hard work of the Madison County Transit District (MCT), we have a world-class bikeway system featuring over 100 miles of interconnected trails in Madison County. The opening of this landmark project by MEPRD and Great Rivers Greenway brings us another step closer to providing Missouri residents with enhanced access to those trails.”

While there are existing on-road connections to both the Confluence Trail and Schoolhouse Trail, MEPRD and MCT are in the planning stages for a trail connection that will link the McKinley Bridge Bikeway directly into the one of those existing MCT trails.

Eventually, an additional extension on the Missouri side will connect the Trestle at Branch Street, an adjacent historic elevated steel trestle that continues to downtown St. Louis. The adaptive reuse of this trestle, which was a former rail corridor, will distinguish St. Louis as only the third city in the world, after the High Line in New York City and the Promenade Plantée in Paris, to convert an historic elevated railroad viaduct into a linear urban recreation area.

Revitalizing the McKinley Bridge
The McKinley Bridge was built in 1910 by the Illinois Traction System to bring its tracks into St. Louis. Named for William B. McKinley, president of the system, the bridge provided local access for the railroad’s network of freight and passenger electric interurban trains in Illinois, including local streetcars to Granite City.

Revitalization began in 2004, when the City of Venice, the Land Reutilization Authority of the City of St. Louis, Madison County, St. Clair County, Madison County Transit and Metro (Bi-State Development Agency) agreed to purchase the bonds and resolve the unpaid taxes on the McKinley Bridge, which had been closed since 2001 after falling into disrepair .

In late 2004, Great Rivers Greenway District in cooperation with the Metro East Park and Recreation District finalized an agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation to provide bicycle and pedestrian access on the McKinley Bridge that would provide connections to the Riverfront Trail in the St. Louis City and the Confluence Bikeway in Madison County.

About The Great Rivers Greenway District:
The Great Rivers Greenway District is the public organization leading the development of a region-wide system of interconnected greenways, parks and trails, known as the River Ring. The River Ring will join two states and cover an area of 1,216 square miles. The Greenway District was established in November 2000 by the successful passage of the Clean Water, Safe Parks and Community Trails Initiative (Proposition C) in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County, Missouri. For more information about Great Rivers Greenway District, visit www.greatrivers.info.

About the Metro East Park and Recreation District:
The Metro East Park and Recreation District (MEPRD) was formed by voters in November 2000, and is responsible for the development of parks, greenways, and trails in Madison County and St. Clair County, Illinois. The District supplements the efforts of local governments, special districts, and other jurisdictions already engaged in the management of parks and recreation facilities. The park district is the first of its kind in Illinois, serving over half a million residents in an area larger in size than the State of Rhode Island. For more information, visit www.meprd.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 Jeffer son 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
11/29/2007

Contact: Dr. Brent Hugh
Executive Director
Missouri Bicycle Federation
5916 Arlington Ave
Raytown, MO 64133
876-695-6736 (cell)
816-356-1740 (home)
director@MoBikeFed.org


Katy Trail Connection to Kansas City Announced

"Complete Katy Trail" has been goal of Missouri Bicycle Federation for many years


Today the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the Attorney General, and Ameren, announced a settlement in the Taum Sauk case. The settlement included a Trail Agreement allowing the state to build a trail connecting Windsor, on the Katy Trail, and Pleasant Hill, on the edge of the Kansas City metro area.

"We couldn't be more pleased by the agreement to 'Complete the Katy Trail' by connecting it to the Kansas City metro area," says Brent Hugh, Executive Director of the Missouri Bicycle Federation.

Together with bicycling, walking, running, and trails groups across the state, the Missouri Bicycle Federation has been working for the Katy Trail connection to Kansas City for over a decade.

When the Taum Sauk dam broke, and it become clear that Ameren would be responsible for millions in reparations to the state, the Federation's efforts moved into high gear.
"Over 5000 citizens have email, mailed, or called the Department of Natural Resources, the Attorney General, and Ameren since December 2005," says Hugh. "The outpouring of support for the Complete Katy Trail has just been amazing."

Cities and agencies have made plans for the connecting links, passed resolutions of support, and even built portions of the connecting links that will be needed.

What is the route of the Katy Trail connection to Kansas City? Maps here:

http://mobikefed.org/2007/11/katy-trail-connection-where-will-it-go.php

What this "shared corridor" rails-with-trails project might look like:

http://mobikefed.org/katy-trail-sharedcorridor2.gif
(visualization credit: "Mid-America Regional Council")

###

A Kansas City infoZine article says:

The Missouri Bicycle Federation recently presented Attorney General Jay Nixon with its "Distinguished Service to Missouri Bicycling" award in recognition of his efforts on behalf of the state's bicycling community and cycling resources. Members of the Federation were in Jefferson City to mark Bicycle Day at the Capitol by meeting with legislators and promoting legislation to make Missouri communities safer and more inviting for walking and bicycling.

Nixon was recognized for his 20 years of support for the Katy Trail State Park, created when Nixon was a state senator in 1987. The Federation also honored Nixon for his role to preserve the MKT bridge at Boonville.

"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," the Missouri Bicycle Federation said in a news release.

The Federation also said that Nixon's support of the Katy Trail was vital in the successful effort to complete an agreement with Ameren to connect the Katy Trail from Windsor to Pleasant Hill. That provision was part of the $179 million settlement Nixon obtained with Ameren to resolve his lawsuit over the collapse of the Taum Sauk reservoir.

The Attorney General spoke for about 10 minutes to the group of citizens assembled from around the state for Bicycle Day at the Capitol.

Nixon told the story of his first foray into politics: When he was a Boy Scout, there was an opportunity to build a trail through their community that was blocked by objections from 3 county commissioners. 13-year-old Nixon was part of a successful community action to unseat the three offending commissioners at the next general election.

The award was one of several presented to key Missouri leaders during Bicycle Day at the Capitol.

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 legislation 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 for all recipients 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 bro ther 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

The Taum Sauk Settlement was approved by the judge yesterday.

The settlement still includes the the trail agreement for the use of the Rock Island RR corridor to connect the Katy Trail to Pleasant Hill, on the edge of the KC metro area, and the $18 million needed to build the trail as a "rails-with-trails" project.

Your emails, letters, and phone calls during the public comment period (over 1800 in a space of 10 days) certainly played a part in ensuring that the Katy Trail portion remained part of the agreement.

The next hurdles:

• The $18 million will be part of DNR's budget, and that budget will need to be approved by the Missouri legislature.
  
  We are already moving to let legislators know of the tremendous public supoprt for the Katy Trail connection.
  
  
• Can DNR complete the Katy Connection within the 3 year time frame and $18 million budget that they have set for themselves?

DNR says it can and we are working to make sure communication happens between the DNR, cities, counties, agencies, and interested organizations to help DNR get it done.

-->MoBikeFed's analysis of the issues with the Katy Trail connection and the Taum Sauk Settlement.

The AP article about the settlement says:

A judge yesterday approved a $180 million settlement from Ameren Corp. to the state of Missouri about the collapse of a reservoir at a hydroelectric plant that injured a family of five and devastated a popular state park.

The settlement was reached in November, but Circuit Judge William Seay signed off on it in a Centerville courtroom to the relief of rural residents who count on Ameren’s tax dollars. . . .

Gov. Matt Blunt said he was satisfied with the ruling in part because it provided money to state parks, including the extension of a popular hiking and biking trail along an Ameren railroad easement.

"The expansion of the Katy Trail in particular shows that something positive can come from tragedy," Blunt said in a statement.