Missouri Bicycling, Walking, Running, and Trails News

Chain of Rocks bike-ped bridge to get night lighting

The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge on old Route 66 is the centerpiece of the Confluence Greenway, a 200 square-mile urban riverside park and trail system being developed in the heart of bi-state St. Louis.

Several lighting designs are being evaluated. Night lighting will allow the bridge to be used for nighttime rides and events.

Read the full story in the Edwardsville Intelligencer.
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Crazy 1950s instructional cycling movies online . . .

The Prelinger Archive has a page of wild and wacky 1950s bicycle instruction films. You can read a synopsis, few stills from the movies, and view or download the movies themselves in several formats.

The gem of the collection, "One Got Fat", has a group of young apes (!) who gradually get killed off (with Pow! Blam! visuals ala Batman) as they make common bicycling mistakes. It actually teaches some good vehicular cycling principles in its own strange way (but do watch out for the "magical signal arm"--stretching out the arm to the left immediately before crossing six lanes of traffic, no need to look over the shoulder, results in perfect safety every time, while neglecting to do so once leads to immediate Pow! Blam! death . . . ).
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Epidemic of youth obesity . . .

In the last three decades, the number of overweight young Americans has tripled, with no sign the trend is abating. . . .

At the National Institutes of Health, no fewer than 16 studies are being financed to study how to change environments to encourage a healthier lifestyle for young people--from day care and after-school activities to educating children about food. "There is a panoply of forces that are all conspiring to get us to eat more and exercise less," says Dr. Susan Yanovski, director of an institute obesity and eating disorders program.

Young Americans eat, move and live quite differently than generations before them.

Read more on the New York Times online (free registration required)
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Maybe bicycle facilities aren't as expensive as they're made out to be . . .

Knoxville (TN) is working on a regional bicycle transportation plan. Costs are "estimated $91,600 for one-time outlay efforts, plus an additional $373,500 in annual costs for the program."

"[C]osts may seem steep," but "still compare favorably to the $1 million average expense of adding one lane to one mile of interstate."

"Compare favorably" is putting it mildly, indeed! Communities that just can't seem to find the money to add a few inexpensive bicycle accomodations (which, for the most part, benefit all road users, not just cyclists) still manage to find millions to buy new roads.

It's not a matter of money available, but one of priorities and planning . . .

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The Kansas City Walkability Plan

The Kansas City Walkability Plan, now being developed, will be a citywide plan. Its purpose is to increase the number of people in Kansas City who choose to be pedestrians—by making it easier, more pleasant and more efficient to move around the city without a car—at least some of the time.

The Kansas City Walkability Plan will continue implementation of the FOCUS Kansas City Plan. The FOCUS Plan strongly supports choice in transportation (multimodal transportation) and recognizes that a "direct, continuous, safe, pleasant, and secure" pedestrian system is a vital step towards creating a multi-modal transportation system.

If you are interested in becoming involved in the Kansas City Walkability Plan please call: Lynnis Jameson @ 816-513-2853 or e-mail Lynnis_Jameson@kcmo.org
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More on the St. Joseph riverfront project

This week the St. Joseph City Council considered a new riverfront development plan, which includes a multi-use trail. The project and trail have been opposed by riverfront casino operator Bill Grace.
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Greenway revitalizes New York neighborhood

The New York Times is reporting today that a greenway and a road diet project have been crucial in re-vitalizing a lower West Side neighborhood.

"The West Side Highway has become Hudson River Boulevard", very friendly to pedestrians, says a resident.

The newly-thriving residential area more or less coincides with construction work at Hudson River Park, which will provide walking-distance recreational attractions for West Village residents when the reconstruction of three riverfront piers is completed in the spring. The Hudson River Park Trust has already completed a bikeway and walkway along the length of the park, from the Battery to 59th Street. . . .The trust also maintains the landscaped median on West Street that eases pedestrian street crossing on the busy, and wide, avenue.

Read the rest of the story on the New York Times web site.
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St. Louis-area mall "forgets" pedestrian accomodations . . .

The West County Center mall in Des Peres recently went through an expansion and renovation. Planners "forgot" to include sidewalks, safe pedestrian crossing facilities, and mass transit access to the mall because of a variety of difficulties.

"When the mall opened, we got more pedestrians than we anticipated," [a mall spokesman] said. "They were people from the neighborhood who walked to the mall. We have noticed more people at the bus stops."

Des Peres City Administrator Douglas Harms acknowledged Monday that city officials did not consider seriously pedestrian access when they approved plans for the mall.

Mall and city officials noticed what officials worldwide have noticed:
  • For reason of necessity or preference, many people rely on walking and cycling as a primary mode of transportation.
  • pedestrians and cyclists need to be able to go everywhere that automobiles go, and for the very same reasons.
  • There are always more pedestrians than planners imagine, and there would be far more yet if pedestrian conditions across the state were not absolutely abysmal.

Because they have created a dangerous accessibility situation for pedestrians with disabilities, mall officials have opened themselves to a potentially costly lawsuit under the Americans With Disabilities Act as well.

From all angles, including liability, it makes good business sense to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. Most pedestrian/cyclist enhancements a relatively inexpensive in proportion to the budget of an entire project, and most enhancements benefit motorists, as well.

In fact, one of the main problems outlined in this article is that people who park in the mall parking then must walk a dangerous path from the parking spot into the mall itself. In the end, every motorist is a pedestrian--they're just not used to thinking of themselves that way.

And if more people could walk or ride the bus to the mall, the mall parking lot wouldn't be so jam-packed.

This isn't just pie-in-the-sky. It is working right now for communities across the country and the world.

Read the rest of the story on STLToday.
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Missouri's First Highway Tunnel

This week saw the beginning of construction of the first ever Missouri highway tunnel. The St. Louis-area tunnel will take four lanes of Lindbergh Boulevard under Lambert Field runways.

The good news is that, according to MoDOT, the 1420-foot long tunnel will be completely pedestrian and bicycle-accessible. Initially there will be two 12-foot lanes in each direction with a 10-foot should on the left and a 12-foot shoulder on the right. In the future this could be re-configured as three 12-foot lanes with 5-foot shoulders on each side.

According to Chuck Rietter, spokesman for the Lambert Field expansion, "Not only do plans allow for bicycles and pedestrians, MoDOT has approved the new section of Lindbergh and the tunnel for use by bicycles and pedestrians. . . . Current designs of the tunnel and Lindbergh provide for smooth shoulders with ample room. In fact, the shoulders themselves will be smoother than in some areas of the roadway being replaced. Bicycle-friendly storm water grates are specified. The tunnel is designed in several ways to provide sufficient space, ventilation, noise levels and lighting to make passage through the tunnel a safe endeavor. . . . There are no plans that would impinge on bicyclists and pedestrians who wish to continue or begin using Lindbergh."

Read more about the tunnel's design & specs from MoDOT here and here.

Read the rest of the story on STLToday.

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Join our email chat group for Missouri cyclists . . .

This week saw the launch of MoBikeFed-Chat, and email list for Missouri bicyclists to get together and talk about everything related to Missouri cycling. Click here to join MoBikeFed-Chat!
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MoBikeFed Annual Meeting, November 2002--Notes and Minutes

Missouri Bicycle Federation, Inc.
Annual Business Meeting and Election of Officers
Minutes for Sunday, November 3, 2002


Attendance: Caryn Giarratano opened the meeting with 23 in attendance: Becky Beach, Morgan Bearden, Elaine Brady, Bill Carlson, Chip Cooper, Max Earl, Dick Elgin, Bob Foster, Caryn Giarratano, Jerry Giger, Greg Harris, Jeff Joiner, Dennis Knudson, Judy Knudson, Mike Murray, Randy Niere, Melanie Robinson, Rob Stitt, Larry Welty, Paul Wojciechowski, Tom Yarbrough, Allan Zafft and Robyn Zafft.

Due to Secretary Art Gough not being in attendance at the meeting, Caryn asked for a volunteer to take notes for this meeting. Paul Wojciechowski volunteered.

Correspondence: Caryn announced that the back table was covered with flyers, handouts and materials that were available for participants to take home.

Minutes: It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes of the November 4, 2001 Annual Business meeting as printed.

Treasurer's Report: Caryn reported that there is $2556.66 in the checking account.

New Business:

Mike Brady Bill by Elaine Brady


Caryn introduced Elaine and provided a brief history of Mike Brady (her husband) who was hit and killed by a motorist while he was riding in the Bike Across Missouri bike race.

Elaine described the problems with traffic laws associated with tragic events like the accident in which her husband was involved. What can be changed? Past driving history must be a part of a case against offenders. As long as an offender doesn't commit an offense during probation (two years), it cannot be used in a separate case. She has taken action through attorney Tim Harlin to find ways to change the current laws. With guns, past offenses are admissible but cars are a different story. Laws throughout the country are very lax on consequences of inappropriate or irresponsible actions. There have been some improvements to traffic laws: the level for intoxication has been lowered to .08 and people involved in a fatal car crash are tested for drugs and alcohol.

She wishes to encourage state reps and senators to introduce legislation for permission to introduce past driving history in traffic accident cases. Elaine stated there is no model legislation language. Caryn thought that an outline would be good for approaching legislators.

MBF can work on legislation itself without the benefit of legislators. Caryn will put out the question on the list serve she is on as the MoDOT bike coordinator, to solicit ideas for legislation.

Larry Welty spoke on the MoDOT Share the Road policy


Larry outlined signing that was available and the uses of these signs. He al so provided a detailed handout of the MoDOT "Share the Road" policy. MoDOT approved the "Share the Road" policy this year, which was attached to the handout. An advocacy group or entity must make a request for "Share the Road" signs. St. Louis has taken great strides, but other areas of the state are a concern due to the attitude that these signs may encourage use on roads that are not safe for all bike users. He suggested that the information in the handout be used to support the use of signs in the state.

Caryn addressed the MoDOT policy and practices changes she has inspired or would like to inspire regarding grates, rumblestrips and bridge access.


Caryn stated that she has received indication of MoDOT's committment to bike-safe grates on roadways. She showed the standard plans for MoDOT's grates. Caryn is rewriting sections on grates in the Project Development Manual (PDM) and standard plans. One concern about the policy language is that is says that grates are required only on roads where bicyclists are expected, which is too vague. She wishes to delete grate choices from the standard plans and PDM that are unsafe for bicyclists.

Bike accommodations on the Missouri River Bridge in Jefferson City:


The restriping of the northbound bridge is planned to allow a three foot wide inside shoulder and seven foot wide outside shoulder with curved vane grates and "Share the Road" signs.

Providing bp accommodations for the southbound bridge is much tougher. A cost estimate for a cantilever bike/ped bridge attachment is needed since there is no room on the bridge deck to allow for restriping. Enhancement funds will be used 80% federal/20% non-federalwith about one million needed for the local match. But an accurate cost is needed. MoDOT has done a feasibility study and is doing the detailed estimate through the(Bridge Division.

Rumble Strips:


Caryn wants to change the MoDOT policy to have the rumble strip right on the edge line and a six inch to one foot wide rumble strip. The goal is to identify an treatment that works for both cars and bikes for a win/win situation.

Paul Wojciewoski from Parsons Brinckerhoff spoke on Bicycle Facilities.


Paul's presentation covered planning to accommodate bicycles and pedestrians on roadways and stressed the need to aim for a win/win situation for all road users.

Allan Zafft from MoDOT spoke on TEA - 21.


Allan provided a brief overview of the enhancement program overseen by MoDOT in the state. Key elements of the presentation included general enhancement program process and definition of bike projects that are eligible.

Bob Foster spoke on America Bikes


Identify projects in your area to get them going.

Caryn touched on Bicycle Level of Service and then explained her vision for National Bike Routes across MO.


BLOS: The bicycle level of service describes the type of facility that is provided for bicyclists: shared lane, bike lane, shoulder or separate path.

Bike interstates: Caryn would like three north/south roadways and three east/west roadways identified to form a bike transportation grid that crosses our state and connects to other states. Then additional roadways will be identified to connect cities to allow bicyclists to get where they want to go. The end result will be a State Bike Map. Three national bike routes cross Missouri: the Lewis and Clark Trail, the Mississippi River Trail (over 10 states) and the TransAmerica Trail.

Caryn asked for volunteers to assist MoDOT district personnel determine which
roads should be identified as bike interstates.

MBF Interstate Committee per MoDOT District: (we need each district
represented)
District 1 -
District 2 - Tom Zoumaras, Terry Sandwith
District 3 -
District 4 - Rob Stitt, Randy Niere
District 5 - Chip Cooper, Jeff Joiner, Mary Sloan, Joe Silsby
District 6 - Bob Foster, Bill Carlson, Tom Yarbrough
District 7 -
District 8 -
District 9 - Morgan Bearden, Greg Harris
District 10 -

Election of Officers:


The four elected positions were filled.. Chair - Bob Foster, St. Louis; Vice-Chair - Paul Wojciechowski, St. Louis; Secretary - Jeff Joiner, Jefferson City; and Treasurer - Mike Murray, St. Louis.

Appointment of rest of Board of Directors:

Morgan Bearden volunteered to take over the Motorist Contact Program. Brent Hugh was appointed to be the MBF webmaster and Email News. Jeff Joiner volunteered to be the Newsletter Editor. Caryn was appointed as the MoDOT Liason. It was recommended by Caryn that the Board appoint a Legislative Liason to lead the pursuit of the Mike Brady Bill. Bob Watts will serve on the Board as the Past Chair.

The Annual Business Meeting was adjourned at 4 pm.
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