September 2022

Kansas City Cyclist Will Baumeister killed in hit-and-run; Relatives asking for help and leads tracking down hit-and-run driver; $500 reward offered

Fri, 09/30/2022 - 6:13pm

April 8th, 2022, Will Baumeister was killed by a hit-and-run driver while bicycling on Stadium Drive near the Truman Sports Complex in Kansas City, Missouri.

Will and his partner, riding just feet away from him, were well lit and riding on a straight and well lit section of road with good visibility. The speeding driver who struck and killed Will, paused briefly to survey the scene, and then drove off.

Will was a lifelong avid cyclist. At the time of the crash, Will and his partner Wendy were bicycling as their primary mode of transportation.

Will was well aware of the importance of being well lit while bicycling at night. At the time of the collision, Will was pulling a bicycle trailer. Both Will's bicycle and the trailer were very well lighted from the rear.

Police have been unable to identify the vehicle or driver, and Will's case has received very little attention in area media or from police.

Help us identify the vehicle and driver - $500 reward

Can you help us spread the word, or provide information to help identify the vehicle or driver involved in this hit-and-run fatality?

GORC Gravity has helped build 6 mountain bike parks in Missouri - with more on the way

Fri, 09/30/2022 - 12:00pm

KCUR recently reported on GORC Gravity's work helping to build mountain bike parks around Missouri:

Dave Schulz . . . volunteers to work with local governments and bikers to build trails. The 41-year-old does this work as part of a nonprofit he started with friend Steve Friedman in 2019 to support mountain bike park development.

At the same time, Missouri’s mountain biking scene has been exploding as more bikers hit the trails during the pandemic. Sales for traditional bikes, indoor bikes, parts, helmets and other accessories grew 75% in April 2020 to $1 billion – an unprecedented amount, according to market research group NPD. Market Research Future estimates that the industry will grow up 10% by 2027. . .

Link:

GORC Gravity has helped build 6 mountain bike parks in Missouri - with more on the way

Call for safety changes to popular KC-area Longview Lake cycling loop after cyclist and father of 10 killed in hit-and-run; Memorial Ride Sept 17th

Mon, 09/12/2022 - 10:15am

The Longview Lake loop is one of the most popular cycling routes in the Kansas City area. Much of the loop has been greatly improved for cycling safety in recent years, with wide shoulders, bicycle lanes, and even a section of separated bicycle now on the 10-mile loop.

However, one section on View High Drive just north of 3rd Street is a notoriously bad spot. The shoulder ends just as a right-turn-only lane is added, the pavement is rough, sight lines are poor for both cyclists and motorists, and the road design encourages motorists to drive very fast up until this point.

It was just at the spot that Charlie Crinier, math teacher at the Martin City K-8 school, father of 10, and newly enthusiastic cyclist, was killed by a hit-and-run driver the morning of August 27th.

Presentations and powerpoints from the 2022 Missouri Active Transportation Summit

Fri, 09/09/2022 - 1:45pm

Thanks to everyone who participated or presented - in person or virtually - the 2022 Missouri Active Transportation Summit in Jefferson City was a big success. The program was packed with interesting and information presentations and information from agency staff, advocacy organizations, consultants and engineering firms, and community members.

Below are links to powerpoint presentations from some of the presenters at the Active Transportation Summit held August 12th, 2022. More information about each session and presenter is below. Full 2022 Summit Program is here (PDF).

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: SPF Yields: Springfield's successful pedestrian safety program (Powerpoint) - (PDF) - Mandy Buettgen-Quinn, City of Springfield

Katy Trail CLOSED Sept 6 through mid-April 2023 at Hwy 52 crossing in Windsor (detour provided)

Thu, 09/01/2022 - 7:28am

MoDOT provided the following Katy Trail closure notification. The Katy Trail will be closed for construction at the Hwy 52 crossing in Windsor will be closed through mid-April 2023. A trail detour will be provided.

You can always check current Katy Trail conditions and detours at the Missouri State Parks Katy Trail Conditions page.

Missouri Route 52/Katy Trail Bridge in Henry County at Windsor CLOSED Beginning Week of Sept. 6

Henry County – The Missouri Route 52 bridge over the Katy Trail in Windsor will be CLOSED for up to 222 days beginning the week of September 6, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

Contractor crews will replace the current bridge with a reenforced concrete box culvert accommodating two 11-foot lanes and shoulders. In addition, permanent striping and guardrail will be installed along the box culvert.

Link:

Katy Trail CLOSED Sept 6 through mid-April 2023 at Hwy 52 crossing in Windsor (detour provided)

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