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Missouri Bicycle Federation
Wheels & HeelsUpdates from Missouri Department of Transportation's bicycle/pedestrian coordinator, Caryn Giarratano. |
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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 
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Friday, April 06, 2007
Wheels and Heels March 2007
Email news from MoDOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator Caryn Giarratano Greetings Windbenders, Progress is apparent with the training I have been creating to share with the personnel of all ten MoDOT districts regarding the accommodation of bicyclists and pedestrians in Missouri. The estimated eight-hour training is currently called Infrastructure Guidelines for Nonmotorized Transportation (IGNTpronounced ignite). It is designed to answer the six journalistic questions regarding accommodations for nonmotorists (who, what, when, where, why and how). Look for more details about the training as it develops. BP Website Revamped Please make time to check out the updated MoDOT bicycle and pedestrian Web pages. Send me any comments regarding additions or corrections. We want these pages to serve as a valuable resource for all! See ... httpwww.modot.mo.gov/othertransportation/bike_ped/Bikepedprogramintro.htm. Tour of Missouri Plans are being made fast regarding hosting this elite professional bicycle race the week of Sept. 11, 2007. The event is being lead by Missouris governor and lieutenant governor, with the lieutenant governors chief of staff serving as the chair of the steering committee and Medalist Sports as the race organizer. Fifteen eight-member teams will be invited, including five European teams. The host cities have been announcedKansas City, Clinton, Springfield, Branson, Lebanon, Columbia, Jefferson City, St. Charles and St. Louis. A Local Organizing Committee (LOC) has been formed in each host city to coordinate the ancillary events that will take place around the bike race. Each LOC will be seeking volunteers to help work the bike race, sponsor an ancillary event and/or serve as a sponsor for the race. Yours truly has been appointed by Jefferson Citys mayor as the technical director for Jefferson City. Sue Cox is the project manager for MoDOT, and a MoDOT steering team is guiding the statewide coordination. Mike Weiss, owner of Big Shark in St. Louis, is the Missouri LOC venue manager. Mark Gorsky is the Missouri lead for promotions. Brent Hugh is the statewide volunteer coordinator. The Division of Tourism plans to adapt the 2007 Tour de Georgia Youth Education Activity Book to use with the Missouri race. See ... httpwww.mikeandthebike.com/tourdegeorgia/MB_TDG_EdBro_Pgs_020407.pdf and httpwww.tourofmissouri.com/. Better Roads, Brighter Future Through its Better Roads, Brighter Future program, MoDOT will improve the remainder of the states 5,600 miles of major highways over the next five years. These busy highways will receive wider stripes and rumble stripes, brighter signs, paved shoulders and smooth pavement that will bring 85 percent of Missouris major highway system up to good condition by the end of 2011. The five-year program will cost $1.1 billion, using existing funds allocated for taking care of the state highway system. MoDOT is adding or accelerating 34 projects in the construction program for 2007, and additional projects will be added each year through 2011. Nearly every Missourian will benefit from these improvements, which will save lives, create jobs and save motorists money. See ... www.modot.org/betterroads/index.htm. Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program More than 800 of Missouri's worst bridges will be repaired or replaced by Dec. 31, 2012, through this new initiative by the Missouri Department of Transportation. MoDOT is currently working with teams that have submitted proposals to upgrade 802 of Missouri's bridges. Most are in rural areas, and each of Missouri's 114 counties has at least one bridge. It's expected that the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission will award a contract in July, with work beginning in the fall. The successful proposal will be responsible for improving the bridges -- either through replacement or rehabilitation -- to good condition by the end of 2012, and then keeping them that way for a minimum of an additional 25 years. The program is expected to cost between $400 million and $600 million, which will be financed by the successful team and paid for by MoDOT using existing federal bridge replacement funds during the 25-year maintenance portion of the contract. See ... www.modot.mo.gov/safeandsound. STIP MoDOT is developing the 2008 - 2012 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The STIP is a listing of projects that MoDOT plans to undertake in the next five years. The draft STIP will be presented to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission at its May meeting, followed by a 45-day public comment period. The final STIP will be presented to the commission in July. New Crash Maps MoDOT has added two new maps to the transportation safety Web site. These maps indicate the number and location of Missouri bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities and injuries. See ... httpwww.savemolives.com/programs/BikePedSafety.htm. Missouri is Showcased! John Wetmores Episode 124 of Perils for Pedestrians features interviews with bicycle and pedestrian movers and shakers in the Kansas City areaKenneth Walker with the Major Taylor Foundation, Brent Hugh with the Missouri Bicycle Federation and Aaron Bartlett with Mid-America Regional Council. See ... httpgoogle.com/videoplay?docid=- 636270594777148094&q=perils+for+pedestrians+missouri&pr=goog-sl And Again!! View John Wetmores 2005 Episode 107 of Perils for Pedestrians that features an interview with Caryn Giarratano, the state bicycle and pedestrian coordinator (the last interview of this episode). See ... httpgoogle.com/videoplay?docid=-7288397554545138503&q=perils+for+pedestrians+missouri Katy Trail The 225-mile Katy Trail may soon become 11 miles longer on the eastern end, making a connection to the beautiful William Clark suspension bridge tantalizingly close. Spanning the Mississippi River just north of St. Louis, the Clark bridge has 10-foot wide bike lanes that connect with an extensive bike trail network in Illinois. See ... httpridethisbike.com/2007/02/katy-trail-expanding-eastward.html. NATIONAL NEWS Why Do Mature People Walk? -- The benefits of walking and being active are well known, especially for older people, but what kind of neighborhood gets seniors going? It's not necessarily one with lots of walking trails or parks. What matters, researchers found, are the destinations like restaurants, grocery stores and bars that are within a half-mile of your home. Parks, walking trails and hilly terrain had little to do with how much senior citizens walked. Walkability seemed to depend on the distance to stores, length of blocks and perceived safety. See ... httpseattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_Fitness_Walkable_Communities.html OTHER NEWS Bike Dancing See this clip from the movie, Quicksilver, of the bike messenger characters demonstrating their skill ... httpmobikefed.org/2007/03/bike-dancing.php. Award Nominations Open The Coalition for Recreational Trails is seeking nominations for its 2007 achievement awards to recognize outstanding trail projects funded by the national Recreational Trails Program (RTP). Award winners will be selected from projects nominated by public agencies, trail administrators or other project sponsors and will reflect the diversity of trail activities eligible for Recreational Trails Program funding. Award categories includeconstruction and design; maintenance and rehabilitation; education and communication initiatives; accessibility enhancement; multiple-use management or corridor sharing; environment/wildlife compatibility; and use of youth conservation/service corps. See ... www.atfiles.org/documents/CRTNominationForm2007.doc. SOURCES OF INFORMATION See this link for other state agencies connected to bicycle and pedestrian issues, state bicycle coordinators contact information, bicycle organizations, pedestrian information, advocacy contacts and research sources... httpwww.modot.mo.gov/othertransportation/bike_ped/bicyclepedprogram.htm. CALENDAR May National Bike Month activities. May 14 to18 Bike to Work Week. May 18 Bike to Work Day. See ... http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/. May 6 to 12 Katy Trail ride with Team Yuk with the Missouri Regional Poison Center from Clinton to St. Charles. The public is invited. See ... http://www.cardinalglennon.com/. May 16 Ride of Silence. Join cyclists worldwide in a silent, slow-paced ride at 7 p.m. for a 12-mile per hour ride to honor those who have been injured or killed while bicycling on public roadways, to raise awareness that bicyclists use the road and to ask motorists to share the road. See ... http://www.rideofsilence.org/main.php. May 18 Last day of the state 2007 legislative session. May 19 Ozark Greenways Adventure Race. See ... http://www.ozarkgreenways.org/mark_twain_race/index.html. June 2 - Celebrate National Trails Day by using trails to hike, bike, ride horses, paddle, etc. See ... http://americanhiking.org/events/ntd/index.html. July 13 to15 Thunderhead Training, Louisville, Kentucky. See ...http://www.thunderheadalliance.org. July 24 to 28 Missouri River 340: the World's Longest Nonstop Canoe and Kayak Race from Kansas City to St. Charles. See ... www.rivermiles.com. Aug. 27 to 31 Vélo Québec Association will host a five-day bike tour in French of the Route Verte in Canada. See ... http://www.routeverte.com/rv/ang/facts.lasso?page=sejourtechnique. Sept. 10 to 14 Vélo Québec Association will host a five-day bike tour in English of the Route Verte in Canada. See ... http://www.routeverte.com/rv/ang/facts.lasso?page=sejourtechnique. Sept. 11 to16 Tour of Missouri professional bicycle race beginning in Kansas City and ending in St. Louis. See ... http://www.tourofmissouri.com/. Sept. 11 to14 Walk/Bike California 2007 conference in Davis, California. To be held in conjunction with the APBP Professional Development Seminar. See ... http://www.walkbikecalifornia.org/. Oct. 3 Walk to School Day. See ... http://www.walktoschool-usa.org/. Oct.13 BikeMO bicycle ride. The Missouri Bicycle Federation sponsors this ride to raise money for bicycle and pedestrian advocacy in Missouri. A variety of routes are offered and the ride begins at 9 a.m. from Holts Summit (just north of Jefferson City). See ... http://www.bikemo.org/. Oct.16 White Cane Day. See Public Law 88-628 (approved Oct. 6, 1964). See ... http://www.blindaccessjournal.com/2006/10/president-bush-proclaims-october-15.html, http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/10/20011015-12.html Dec. 9 to 12 Mid America Trails & Greenways Conference in Chicago, Illinois. See ... http://www.openlands.org/resources.asp?pgid=363. Next year: May 18 to 21, 2008 National Roundabout Conference in Kansas City. See ... http://gulliver.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7349. Sept. 2 to 5, 2008 Pro Walk/Pro Bike at Seattle's Westin Hotel, Seattle, Washington. See ... http://www.bikewalk.org/conference.php. Please forward this newsletter to anyone you feel may be interested. If you are not on the mailing list and would like to be added, please tell me! Tailwinds, Caryn Caryn Giarratano, Ph.D. MoDOT Transportation Planning Specialist Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Coordinator 573-522-9297, caryn.giarratano@modot.mo.gov P.O.Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270, 573-526-8052 (fax) www.modot.mo.gov/othertransportation/bike_ped/Bikepedprogramintro.htm Our mission is to provide a world-class transportation experience that delights our customers and promotes a prosperous Missouri.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Email news from MoDOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator Caryn Giarratano
Greetings Windbenders, The winds of change have been blowing hard in my workgroup! The Scenic Byways Program has been reassigned to Bill Stone, my former supervisor. I have a new supervisor, Eric Curtit, and a new work group in the same division, Transportation Planning. My new group is called Planning and Policy. These changes will help us better serve our customers by aligning our expertise with our planning initiatives. Pilot Project - The Nonmotorized Pilot Project has been making progress. The Citizen's Advisory Committee has split into four subcommittees (Existing Facilities, New Facilities, Promotion/Education and Executive). The MoDOT agreement to allow the flow of funding to reimburse the city of Columbia has been written, and the Columbia Transportation Improvement Program has been amended to allow the city to accept the funds. The Existing Facilities Subcommittee has begun evaluating four intersections for improvement: Stewart & Providence, Business 70 & Providence, Garth & Business 70 and Rogers & College. The first round of proposed projects would cost about $2.6 million and include proposed improvements to 12 major intersections, signs and striping for bicycle lanes, the replacement of Para transit software and the hiring of a project manager to oversee the program (a bike/ped coordinator!). See link link Bridge Attachment - Plans are still in the works to create a bike/ped bridge attachment on the Missouri River bridge at Jefferson City with fund-raising beginning in earnest. MoDOT Policy - The most recent draft of the MoDOT policy on bicycle and pedestrian accommodations is more friendly than anything we have ever had. See pdf link Pro Bike Race - Governor Matt Blunt and Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder have offered support for our state to host a professional bicycle race next year (perhaps in September). Tentative plans are to hold a six-day race that crosses much of the state west to east, similar to the Tour de Georgia. Trailmap - Missouri's Trailmap for Nonmotorized Transportation is no longer a draft and is being implemented and made more attractive with the addition of photos. The Enforcement Subcommittee, lead by Chair Aaron Bartlett, is working on a plan to host a law enforcement training on bicycling practices and law. The Engineering Subcommittee, lead by Chair Larry Welty, has offered advice on how to change MoDOT policy to be more bike/ped friendly. The Education and Encouragement Subcommittees merged to focus on finding a way to promote bicycling and walking in our state. See link (Word doc) Scoping Process - Work has begun to evaluate MoDOT's scoping process. This is the point in the planning process when bike/ped accommodations are considered. MRT - We continue to evaluate the Missouri portion of the Mississippi River Trail. I met with the MRT Board in St. Louis in May to share our progress. We need to ground truth Missouri's part to identify the best route that is currently in existence. Ted Curtis, former director of St. Louis Trailnet, has agreed to lead this project. Bike Month a Success - Missouri's celebration of Bike Month (in May) was a success again this year. An estimated 2,452 Columbians took part in the Fifth Annual Mayor's Challenge: Bike, Walk, and Wheel Week (May 6-13) -- a 41 percent increase over last year. Springfield's Bike, Bus and Walk week encouraged citizens to try alternative ways of getting to work or running errands. Kansas City had its biggest and best ever bike to work week with daily events coordinated by Bridging the Gap in cooperation with many local area bicycle organizations. The Bicycle Commuter Challenge had more participants than last year. St. Louis organizations, TrailNet and the St. Louis Bicycle Federation, encouraged bicycle transportation with daily events during Bike-to-Work Week. See link Trail Guide - Missouri Department of Conservation maintains more than 700 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. See http://mdc.mo.gov/trails/. OTHER NEWS Run Across America - To raise money for the Free Wheelchair Mission, William Hibbard plans to run 52 miles per day from Central Park's Strawberry Field in New York City to Newport Beach, California, 60 days later. His route crosses Missouri from St Louis to Joplin. Readers' Digest will be covering the story. See link. Senior Games Race Info - Caryn Giarratano, state bicycle and pedestrian coordinator in Transportation Planning, served as the Senior Games commissioner for the five bicycle races held June 24-25 in Callaway County. About 50 participants vied for the top two spots in the 40K road race, 20K road race, 10K time trial and 5K time trial to qualify for the National Senior Games scheduled for June 2007 in Louisville, Kentucky. Caryn was able to race two races to qualify for the National Senior Games herself! Her average speed was 19 mph for the 20K (12.4) and 19.5 mph for the 5K (3.1 miles). INTERESTING WEB SITES Missouri Hiking Trail Finder - Missouri has more marked miles of hiking trails than any other state east of Texas. See broad prairies, wild rivers, sandstone canyons, rugged hills and diverse forests. See - link. Race Across America (RAAM) - The bicycle race across the entire country that passed through Missouri. See http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/ and link. New Bike Guide - Pedal Pioneers: A Guide to Bicycle Travel with Kids is now available. See link. Low Fitness Predicts Morbidity and Mortality - Inactivity, overweight and health are intertwined. See link (PowerPoint) . SRTS Study - A new Safe Routes to School Study has been released. See link (PDF). New Study Supports Activity - Avoiding a sedentary lifestyle not only reduces the risk of heart disease, it actually expands the total life expectancy by up to four years. See link. SOURCES OF INFORMATION Access Board - http://www.access-board.gov Adventure Cycling - http://www.adventurecycling.org American Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals - http://www.apbp.org/ Bikes Belong Coalition - http://www.bikesbelong.org BPC Contact Info - http://www.bikewalk.org/contacts_links/state_bikeped_coord.htm Channing-Bete Company - www.channing-bete.com Columbia PedNet Coalition - http://www.pednet.org Complete the Streets - www.completestreets.org Institute of Transportation Engineers - http://www.ite.org/ League of American Bicyclists - http://www.bikeleague.org, bill[at]bikeleague.org MRT Listserv - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mississippirivertrail/ and http://mississippirivertrail.org Missouri Bicycle Federation - http://www.mobikefed.org, brent[at]brenthugh.com National Center for Bicycling & Walking - http://www.bikewalk.org, info@bikewalk.org Perils for Pedestrians - link Rails to Trails Conservancy - http://www.railtrails.org/, membership -at- railtrails.org Traffic Safety Center - http://www.tsc.berkeley.edu/ Transportation Research Board - http://www.trb.org, rhouston -at- nas.edu Victoria Transport Policy Institute - litman[ at ]vtpi.org, http://www.vtpi.org Institute of Transportation Engineers on context sensitive solutions for Walkable Communities - http://www.ite.org/bookstore/index.asp CALENDAR July 22-23 - Jefferson City Double Header. Try a circuit race on the Highway Patrol Emergency Vehicle track on Saturday and do a time trial on Highway 94 on Sunday. See - link. September 5-8 - ProWalk/ProBike, the 14th International Conference on Bicycling and Walking in Madison, WI. See - http://www.mononaterrace.com/ or http://www.bikewalk.org/conference/. Register at - link. September 16 - Ride the Tour of the Ozarks (12, 25, 50 or 100 miles) to benefit the Diabetes Education Fund. See - link. October 14 - Ride BikeMO 2006 (32, 62 or 100 miles), MoBikeFed's Fall Foliage Extravaganza from Holt's Summit, five miles north of Jefferson City on Highway 54. See - link. November 28-30 - The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety is host for the Blueprint for Safer Roadways Conference at the Adams Mark Hotel in St. Louis. See - link. Please forward this newsletter to anyone you feel may be interested. If you are not on the mailing list and would like to be added, please tell me! Tailwinds, Caryn Caryn Giarratano, Ph.D. MoDOT Transportation Planning Specialist Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Coordinator 573-522-9297, caryn.giarratano -a-t- modot.mo.gov P.O.Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270, 573-526-8052 (fax) MoDOT Bicycle-Pedestrian web site
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Email news from MoDOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator Caryn Giarratano
Greetings Windbenders, The progress we are making continues and seems to be gathering momentum. We are pleased about the friendlier BP policy included in MoDOT's Practical Design, the Kansas City Major River Crossing Task Force and federal legislation (SAFETEA-LU) regarding Safe Routes to School and the Nonmotorized Pilot Project. SAFETEA-LU has included two new programs, the Safe Routes to School and the Nonmotorized Pilot Project. MoDOT has hired Todd Messenger to serve as the state SRTS coordinator. Columbia was chosen as one of the four locations for the pilot project. Mayor Hindman and Ian Thomas with PedNet are leading the charge with your friendly BPC (me!) serving as the MoDOT liaison to the pilot project. We are certainly implementing Missouri's Trailmap for Nonmotorized Transportation, a strategic plan to help make Missouri a world-class state in which to bike and walk and promote a higher quality of life for all Missourians through safe and accessible nonmotorized transportation. See http://www.modot.mo.gov/othertransportation/bike_ped/documents/Trailmap_013006.doc . Now that the entire length of Historic Route 66 has been designated as a Scenic Byway, we have eight in Missouri. The possibilities of including bicycle and pedestrian accommodations along this corridor are exciting. The ribbon-cutting celebration will be May 5 at 11 a.m. in Springfield at the southeast corner of Glenstone and Kearney. See http://www.modot.mo.gov/business/Outdoor_Advertising/ScenicByways.htm and http://www.bywaysonline.org/. The new Show-Me Santa Fe Trail Byway ribbon cutting will be April 23 at 2 p.m. in Waverly at the junction of Highway 24 and Old Highway 65. The state bicycle maps have new alignments for the TransAmerica Trail and part of the Mississippi River Trail. I'll be collecting comments soon to identify the best way to bike across the southern part of the state. See http://www.modot.mo.gov/othertransportation/bike_ped/Bike-PedProgram--RoadandRouteInfo.htm . To learn more about the MRT see http://www.mississippirivertrail.org/mrt-mission-goals.php. Columbia COLT Trail - The Columbia to Centralia Trail (COLT) received a boost when Mayors Darwin Hindman and Jerry Parmeley announced plans for a public forum to discuss the project. Columbia recently opened 700 feet of the trail alongside the COLT railroad between Rogers and Fay Streets. See http://columbiamissourian.com/news/story.php?ID=18712. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Reports: Governmental relations (Jay Wunderlich) On July 12, 2005, SB 372 was signed by the Governor to go into effect August 28, 2005. SB 372, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Engler (R-Farmington), provides for various measures relating to bicycle safety and the duties owed to bicyclists by motorists. Some of the provisions in the bill include the following. * DESIGNATED BICYCLE LANES - This act prohibits blocking or obstructing a designated bicycle lane with a parked or standing motor vehicle or other stationary object. The act establishes standards for motorists crossing bicycle lanes. The act defines a designated bicycle lane as a portion of the roadway or highway, which has been designated by the governing body having jurisdiction over the roadway by striping, signing and pavement markings for the preferential or exclusive use of bicycles (Section 300.330). * AVOIDING COLLISION WITH A BICYCLIST OR PEDESTRIAN - Under this act, when passing a bicyclist, a motorist is required to leave a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle (Section 300.411 and Section 304.678). * DEFINITION OF BICYCLE - This act modifies the definition of bicycle to include vehicles propelled by human power having two parallel wheels and one forward or rear wheel, all of which are more than 14 inches in diameter (Section 307.180). * RIDING ON SHOULDERS - This act provides that bicycles operating at less than the posted speed limit or slower than the flow of traffic may be operated on the shoulder adjacent to the roadway (Section 307.191). * BIKE HAND SIGNALS - This act provides that a bike rider shall signal in the same manner as other vehicles except that the rider does not have to continuously signal by hand and arm if the hand is needed for the control or operation of the bicycle (section 307.192). There is currently a resolution being drafted by Rep. Sutherland encouraging safe routes to school. As of March 10, 2006, a final draft had not been filed. On February 28, 2006, HB 1899 was read a second time. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bill Deeken (R-Jefferson City), defines "designated bicycle lane" and allows bicycles to be operated in the opposite direction as vehicles when there is only one designated bicycle lane. The bill was referred to the House Transportation Committee on March 7, 2006, where it awaits a committee hearing. District 1 - Three projects in the Northwest District were recently awarded with enhancement grant funding. The city of St. Joseph plans to add another section to their hike/bike trail network. When this section is completed, it will connect two previously built sections and provide a 9.2-mile north/south corridor through the city. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2008 or 2009. The city of Savannah received enhancement funding to begin a sidewalk replacement program. This program will replace the worst sections of sidewalks and help to promote a more walkable community for the city. MoDOT will be constructing sidewalks on an urban widening and upgrading of US Route 136 through Bethany. This portion of roadway currently does not have sidewalks. Recently, businesses, restaurants and hotels have developed in this area prompting a need to promote pedestrian traffic. This project will be completed in the fall of 2006. District 6 - Nearly $10 million in federal enhancement funds will be available to the St. Louis region this year, and many of the applications submitted this year could include significant bike-ped components in their project scopes. Applications were due in late March and funding will be awarded in July. Although many local federal-aid projects provide sidewalks, ADA ramps, etc., I am only sending you reports where bike-ped improvements are a major part of the project's scope. Completed * The new Lemay Ferry Bridge over the Meramec River provides pedestrian accommodations. * Bike St. Louis - Signs and stripings were installed on MO Route 100 from Truman Parkway to Broadway and other city streets for bicyclists. (Great Rivers Greenway is the project sponsor.) * Share the Road signs extended from Route A and Route 21 to Jefferson College. * The crossings for the North Riverfront Trail connection to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge was completed including two pedestrian/bicycle signals, with signs, and striping on Route H. (The city is the project sponsor.) * North County Bikeway includes a shared-use path from the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) to downtown Ferguson and on-road component from the trail to St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley and beyond to Redman Road at Route 367. Construction Phase * Wildwood Greenway-Phase 3 - Pedestrian/bicycle path along Eatherton Road. * Olive Boulevard Sidewalk and Median Enhancements - Cross Creek Drive to Mason Road. New sidewalks, ped signals, crosswalks, striped bicycle lanes, bike-safe grates, remove turn lane and replace with landscaped medians and irrigation system, tree and shrub plantings. * Olive Streetscape, Phase 2. University City. Plantings, pedestrian facilities, signals. Will be completed this spring. Olive Blvd. from Wellston to Olivette. * Metro Link Access, University of Missouri-St. Louis. Pedestrian facilities, plantings, removing utility poles. Will be completed this spring. (Natural Bridge Road in front of UMSL.) * St. Louis County Highways installing sidewalks throughout the county where gaps exist in the system. This project involves four sites in North County, two sites in South County and one site in West County. Will be completed this summer. * Manchester Road Sidewalks, city of Ballwin. Installing sidewalks and ADA ramps along Manchester in Ballwin. This project is substantially complete. (Manchester Road in Ballwin, from Winchester to Ellisville) * MO Route 367 has bike paths along outer roads (on shoulders) and improved pedestrian access across Route 367. Design Phase * Delmar Median and Streetscape Project - This enhancement project includes reconstruction of sidewalks along this stretch of Delmar from Union to Kingshighway, which is located between the Delmar Loop area and the Central West End. Project is currently in the early design phase. * Seventh Street Enhancement Project - This project will provide sidewalk improvements, street lighting, intersection improvements to accommodate pedestrians and other enhancements to this stretch between the new Busch Stadium and the historic Soulard area. Project is currently in the early design phase. * Soulard Bike Path Extension - Federal funds were earmarked for this project, which will provide bike route improvements such as Share the Road signs, striping, bike racks and benches. Project's limits are roughly from the Laclede Power building on the Mississippi Riverfront to the Anheuser-Busch headquarters in south St. Louis City. Project is currently in the early design phase. * Great Rivers Greenway - Working on a trail agreement for trails under bridges North 67, I-70, etc. * MoDOT is currently designing the replacement of Gravois Bridge over Gravois Creek (in front of Grant's Farm and adjacent to Grant's Trail). The new bridge will accommodate pedestrians/bicyclists; therefore allowing a safe connection from Grant's Trail to the west along Route 30. * Page Avenue Bicycle Trail - Great Rivers Greenway sponsor. Construction of bike/ped trail along the Page Avenue right of way from the existing Katy Trail parking lot to Heritage Crossing and Old Highway 94. Includes Share the Road signing, pedestrian bridge over Page Avenue and new Highway 94. Project is currently in the early phases of design. * Jung's Station Phase 2, Upper Bottom Road to Greens Bottom Road - Add turn lane, shoulders, curb and gutters, sidewalks. Missouri Department of Natural Resources signed off on two Katy Trail crossings on this large, three-phase project. At least one crossing is near off-street parking for users of the Katy Trail. Another phase of this same overall project is STP-5414(601) (mostly along Greens Bottom Road.) The third phase is up for selection on this year's TIP application process. Has not yet been approved or had a project number assigned. Programming Phase * Festus Bikeway System - Linear bikeway system from Sunset Park at City Hall to West City Park. Right of way was certified clear on Dec. 20, 2005. City has authority to advertise for bids. * Olivette Bikeway Phase 2 - New bike/ped trail on abandoned railroad line between Price Road and Rothwell Heights Place. The project scope was recently reduced to eliminate the need for a proposed bridge to replace a failing railroad bridge within the original alignment. Preliminary plans approved Oct. 2004. No PSE submittal yet. * Great Rivers Greenway - River Des Peres Bikeway (Along River Des Peres, parallel to Germania from I-55 to Morganford) Discretionary Program project (earmarked funds). The scope of work includes asphalt bike trail, seating, lighting, pedestrian signals, signing, landscape plantings. * Great Rivers Greenway (Bike St. Louis - Phase 2 North City, South City, Maplewood, Clayton). This will triple the miles of urban core bike routes. This project is all on streets with lane markings and signing. * There are two sections of the Katy Trail that are inactive and essentially in limbo due to legal issues. (Machens) District 7 - The amount for Enhancement Funds for Southwest District this round is $2.21 million. No project will be able to exceed $300,000. All of last year's approved projects incorporated bicycle/pedestrian components. * The city of Diamond project included 2,300 linear feet of sidewalks along South Main Street. * The Newton County project calls for the removal of an existing feed mill with new sidewalks being part of the overall development plan. * As a part of the city of Butler downtown improvement projects, pedestrian crossing with bump-outs and extensive sidewalk improvements will be constructed or improved. * The city of Aurora projects incorporates 861 feet of curbing and sidewalks replacing existing non-conforming facilities. Additional bicycle/pedestrian friendly projects for District 7 included adding sidewalks along Business Route 71 (Range Line Road) in Joplin from 7th to 15th Streets. In September 2006, additional sidewalks are scheduled to be installed along this route from 20th to 24th Streets including a pedestrian crossing at 20th and Range Line. District 7 is proceeding with a cost-share project with the city of Adrian to redo a two-block section of Highway 18 (Main Street) that includes improved crosswalks. District 7 staff has been coordinating with local area bicycling interests to establish a new route for the Trans-America Trail. The proposed new route directs cyclists through Stockton State Park, Golden City, and Lamar and near Prairie State Park before heading into Kansas. Department of Tourism - The Missouri Division of Tourism continues its efforts to promote bicycling and walking in Missouri. The 2006 Missouri Tourism Photography Contest Grand Prize Winner was an image of bike racers in the Soulard Criterium, taken by Burt Remis of St. Louis. It is featured on page 17 of the 2006 Missouri Vacation Planner. Also, MDT has outdoor links to biking and hiking trail resources on its Web site. MDT posts itineraries to the MRCUSA.com Web site welcoming submissions of biking itineraries. If you would like to submit an itinerary for a themed bicycle itinerary, please contact Debra Lee at debra.lee@ded.mo.gov. See ... www.visitmo.com. Ozark Transportation Organization - The Board of Directors of the OTO has approved the Comprehensive OTO Area Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan that was developed last fall. As a result of this progress, the OTO has now formed a Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee to implement recommendations contained within this plan. This is the first comprehensive plan to address BP issues for the OTO. The committee will meet bi-monthly. Focus of the committee will be on connectivity of the BP transportation system and getting a SR2S initiative up and running. Additional bike-route signage and street-lane marking for bicyclists continue by the city of Springfield Department of Public Works. The Greene County Highway Department remains supportive of assisting the local bike advocacy committee with the placement of Share the Road signs where appropriate and as funding permits. See http://www.ozarkstransportation.org/. Ozark Greenways - 350 trail supporters attended the official grand opening of the Frisco Highline Trail last September. This is the second longest rail-trail in Missouri - connecting Springfield and Bolivar - for a total of 35 miles. John Robinson, director of Missouri Division of Tourism, was the keynote guest at the dedication. Ozark Greenways (OG) has requested that MoDOT consider the possibilities of signing Highway 13 with Share the Road signs to promote this route as a connection between Bolivar (on the Frisco Highline Trail) and Clinton (on the Katy Trail). Ozark Greenways and the Springfield Greene County Park Board completed 5.7 miles of new trail in 2005, creating a 58-mile network of linear parks. OG partnered with the Discovery Center in August for a Moonlight Bike Ride attracting 300 riders. Two local League of American Bicyclists instructors, Coy Hart and David Hutchison, successfully trained 24 individuals in the LAB Road I course last year. Twelve of the participants were staff members of the Springfield Greene County Park Board's SPARK (School Park) program. The SPARK staff has interest in implementing bicycle training and education into its school/park program. Trailnet - Trailnet has been involved in implementing East-West Gateway's recently adopted Regional Bicycling and Walking Transportation plan. Trailnet and its partners are creating a bike/walk facility plan that includes education and marketing efforts. The educational component will consist of Mandy Brady taking the lead to help to create a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program and encouraging bike/ped for transportation. The marketing aspect seeks to raise awareness of facilities and bike/ped as viable transportation modes. The 2006 Calendar of Rides with 26 weekend rides including interpretive tours for beginners and families to grow cycling is available. There are five free weeknight rides throughout the season. Trailnet hopes to build on its rider ship of over 12,000 and an average of 600 riders per ride last year. For the sixth year, Trailnet will be challenging the St. Louis region to use bikes as transportation during National Bike Month. Take the "Drive Your Bike Challenge" by using a bike instead of a car during the month of May. Anything from running an errand to dropping off a video or supplementing a commute with MetroBus or MetroLink to abandoning a car completely. At the end of May, visit http://www.trailnet.org/ to enter the drawing to win one of two bikes donated by Sunset Cyclery (one men's and one women's). During National Bike to Work Day, be sure to refuel your engine at one of three Companion Baking Refueling Stations. Rub elbows with fellow cyclists, meet local dignitaries and perhaps get in on the media coverage. If you're hesitant to start commuting or just have a lingering question, ask one of the bike mentors for sage advice at http://www.trailnet.org/. Pednet Coalition - During the last three months, the Walking School Bus program in Columbia was expanded and 700 children participated in International Walk-to-School Day, a detailed communication plan for a social marketing campaign was created; $3.5 million of public funding was approved by voters for sidewalk projects about half of which is designated for school routes, and a proposal for the design of Columbia's $25 million federally funded bicycle/pedestrian network was developed. A total of nine Walking School Bus (WSB) teams took part in the fall program, several of them continuing after the official end of the program on October 31 into November and even December. With the appointment of Margy Tonnies as the new WSB coordinator, the hope is to provide trained community volunteers to lead more WSB routes in addition to those that have been organized by parents. The new program will be offered at Grant, Russell, Ridgeway and West Boulevard Elementary Schools and possibly Fairview and Lee. A WSB exhibit is being designed for the YouZeum, to promote participation in the program. About 450 children (out of the 1,100 who registered) achieved the "Passport to Fitness Challenge" by engaging in at least 240 minutes of physical activity per week for the month of October. The program will continue through the summer, and there was another prize month in March. Mayor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health members are currently recruiting new schools to join the 11 that participated in the fall. The Rails to Trails Conservancy and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) invited Mayor Hindman, Public Works Director John Glascock, Planning Director Tim Teddy, Missouri Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator Caryn Giarratano, Brad McMahon of the FHWA Divisional Office and Ian Thomas from PedNet to attend a summit last December with representatives of the other three pilot program communities - Minneapolis, Sheboygan County, WI, and Marin County, CA. Columbia's share of the funding ($25 million) will be available early in 2006. This earmark requires the building of "sidewalks, bicycle lanes and pedestrian and bicycle trails that connect directly with transit stations, schools, businesses, recreation areas and other community activity centers. PedNet has developed a "Hub, Spoke and Wheel" proposal (see http://www.pednet.org/) and a plan for identifying specific engineering solutions to connectivity barriers. Policy Coordinator Fred Schmidt will oversee a grassroots research effort in which several teams of PedNet advocates will study a selected "spokes," take photographs and write recommendations on how to provide the best possible bike/ped/wheelchair access. Mid-America Running Association - The Mid-America Running Association (MARA) manages the MARA Grand Prix race series, and provides many services for Kansas City area events, including providing results using the ChampionChip® system, renting equipment, providing volunteers and publishing race results. MARA (http://www.mararunning.org/) also publishes a bi-monthly magazine called Masterpieces for its members. Kansas City Track Club - The Kansas City Track Club ( http://www.kctrack.com/) is an adult road running club that provides finish line services (mark the course, time the runners, post the results) for 30 races each year plus organizes social runs on Monday and Wednesday evenings. The club is also active in trail running and ultra running. The mission is to support and encourage runners in the greater Kansas City area by organizing quality events to promote the competitive, recreational and social aspects of running. NATIONAL NEWS Ride of Silence - Bicyclists take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while bicycling on public roadways. Although bicyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the public often isn't aware of these rights and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves. See http://www.rideofsilence.org/main.php. OTHER NEWS More Roads = More Congestion - The evidence is clear that expanding roadway and parking capacity only exacerbates the congestion problem. See http://tinyurl.com/p3ej7. Riding Route 66 - Buddy Boren is planning his fifth long-distance bike ride, this time on Route 66 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. His start point is Chicago on July 8. He plans to ride to St. Louis on July 13 and stop in Sullivan. Other stops include St. Robert (14th), Springfield (15th) and Joplin (16th). Track his progress or join his ride. See Cycletravler@aol.com or http://www.tourderoute66.com. DNR Is Accepting Trail Applications - The Recreational Trails Program is funded through the Federal Highway Administration as part of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). A minimum of $900,000 is expected in this cycle. Contact the Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks, Grants Management Section, 1659 E Elm St, Jefferson City, MO 65101, 573-751-0848, www.mostateparks.com/grantinfo.htm. See www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. INTERESTING WEB SITES Google Map Pedometer - This is a tool that allows people to plot and calculate the distance of their own walking routes. There is also a calorie converter to calculate how many calories are burned on a walk. See http://tinyurl.com/9tx7t. Great River Road - The National Scenic and Historic Highway, known as the Great River Road, is one of the oldest, longest and most unique scenic byways in North America. The 4,800-kilometer road stretches continuously from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico - from near the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River in Minnesota and crisscrossing the river through 10 states. Celebrating its 60th birthday this year, the Great River Road still offers respite to millions each year for a day's drive or for an extended vacation. See http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/novdec98/great.htm. Hazards of Inactivity - You often hear the advice, "Be sure to get permission from your doctor before you begin an exercise program," but how often do you hear, "Talk to your doctor before becoming sedentary?" See www.pednet.org. SOURCES OF INFORMATION Adventure Cycling http://www.adventurecycling.org American Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals http://www.apbp.org/ Bikes Belong Coalition http://www.bikesbelong.org BPC Contact Info http://www.bikewalk.org/contacts_links/state_bikeped_coord.htm Channing-Bete Company www.channing-bete.com Columbia PedNet Coalition http://www.pednet.org Complete the Streets www.completestreets.org Institute of Transportation Engineers http://www.ite.org/ League of American Bicyclists http://www.bikeleague.org, bill@bikeleague.org MRT Listserv http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mississippirivertrail/ and http://mississippirivertrail.org Missouri Bicycle Federation www.mobikefed.org, brent@brenthugh.com National Center for Bicycling & Walking http://www.bikewalk.org, info@bikewalk.org Rails to Trails Conservancy http://www.railtrails.org/, membership@railtrails.org Traffic Safety Center http://www.tsc.berkeley.edu/ Transportation Research Board http://www.trb.org, rhouston@nas.edu Victoria Transport Policy Institute litman@vtpi.org, http://www.vtpi.org CALENDAR May 7: Bike, Walk, and Wheel Week will take place between May 6-13 with Senator Chuck Graham as the honorary chairman. See www.pednet.org. May 9-11: Thunderhead Training, Washington, D.C. See http://www.thunderheadalliance.org. May 15-19: Bike to Work/School Week. May 19: Bike to Work/School Day. See http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/ May 17: Ride of Silence at 7 p.m. to honor bicyclists killed or injured while riding on the road. See www.rideofsilence.org. September 5-8: ProWalk/ProBike, the 14th International Conference on Bicycling and Walking in Madison, WI. See http://www.mononaterrace.com/. Please forward this newsletter to anyone you feel may be interested. If you are not on the mailing list and would like to be added, please tell me! Tailwinds, Caryn Caryn Giarratano, Ph.D. MoDOT Transportation Planning Coordinator Bicycle and Pedestrian Program/Scenic Byways 573-522-9297, caryn.giarratano AT modot.mo.gov P.O.Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270, 573-526-8052 (fax) www.modot.mo.gov/othertransportation/bike_ped/Bikepedprogramintro.htm |