See below for some info on an important upcoming event related to statewide bike advocacy. The event will feature presentations on Complete Streets around the state, an update on the status of the Merritt Parkway trail, and other info on recent developments around the state.
Thursday, October 22, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Optional Hike 8:30 a.m., Wine Reception 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
UConn, Stamford. Limited Space so Sign up Early at:
http://fairfieldbikeped.eventbrite.com/
Purpose
To heighten public awareness of bicycling, walking and public transit as valid and important alternate transportation options.
To broaden support for the Merritt Parkway Trail as an important recreation and commuter corridor
Formation of a Fairfield County Bicycle/Walk Coalition
Who Should Attend?
Bicycle, walking, equestrian and hiking clubs; the physically challenged; elected officials; municipal land use and transportation planners and park & recreations officials; bicycle shop and sport shop owners, health and fitness professionals; tourist organizations and local Chambers of Commerce.
Hosts
East Coast Greenway, CT Forest & Park Association, Merritt Parkway Trail Alliance
Co-Hosts
Connecticut Bicycle Coalition, Greenwich Safe Cycling, Regional Plan Association, Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club, Farmington Valley Trails Council, Tri-State Transportation Campaign
Sponsor
Newman’s Own Foundation
Friday, August 28, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
What would get Americans biking to work?
Bike parking, in both commercial and residential areas, is essential. From Slate: http://www.slate.com/id/2225511/
Donald Shoup, author of The High Cost of Free Parking, has estimated that 99 percent of car trips in the United States terminate in a free parking space, which means the nation's drivers don't have much incentive to think about parking—or not driving. In many American places, there are more parking spaces than people.
If car parking is often overshadowed in traffic talk, bicycle parking is even more obscure. For many people in the United States it might be hard to imagine what there is to talk about. Why don't you just stick it in the garage? Or: Isn't that what street signs and trees are for? But as the share of trips made by bicycle has grown in recent years—in Portland, Ore., for example, bicycle use has grown nearly 150 percent since 1990, and an estimated 5 percent of people bike to work—new attention is being paid to what happens to those bicycles when they are not in motion.
Donald Shoup, author of The High Cost of Free Parking, has estimated that 99 percent of car trips in the United States terminate in a free parking space, which means the nation's drivers don't have much incentive to think about parking—or not driving. In many American places, there are more parking spaces than people.
If car parking is often overshadowed in traffic talk, bicycle parking is even more obscure. For many people in the United States it might be hard to imagine what there is to talk about. Why don't you just stick it in the garage? Or: Isn't that what street signs and trees are for? But as the share of trips made by bicycle has grown in recent years—in Portland, Ore., for example, bicycle use has grown nearly 150 percent since 1990, and an estimated 5 percent of people bike to work—new attention is being paid to what happens to those bicycles when they are not in motion.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Pediatrician Appointed as New Community Services Administrator in New Haven
Interesting report on DNH that ties issues of health/pediatrics into transportation reform: http://downtownnewhaven.blogspot.com/2009/08/pediatrician-appointed-to-direct-city.html
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Killing Children to Save Three Minutes
From World Streets: "A pedestrian hit by a car at 40 mph has a 95% chance of being killed, at 30 mph this becomes 50% and at 20 mph it becomes 5%." -- Dr. Stephen J. Watkins, National Health Service, Stockport, UK
Speed contributes to causing accidents and it also increases their severity. Most child pedestrian road deaths would be averted if people drove at 20mph in side streets. As few places are more than a mile from a main road, few journeys involve more than two miles on side roads (a mile at each end). The difference between driving two miles at 20mph and at 40mph is 3 minutes. We are killing our children to save less than three minutes on our journeys.
Speed contributes to causing accidents and it also increases their severity. Most child pedestrian road deaths would be averted if people drove at 20mph in side streets. As few places are more than a mile from a main road, few journeys involve more than two miles on side roads (a mile at each end). The difference between driving two miles at 20mph and at 40mph is 3 minutes. We are killing our children to save less than three minutes on our journeys.
Monday, August 3, 2009
New Haven Cops, Neighbors Hold Bike Road-eo
Elm City Cycling has been sponsoring these events for a number of years in New Haven. Typically 100 or so kids come out and receive lessons on how to wear a helmet, ride in a straight line, and avoid obstacles.
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2009/08/cops_neighbors.php
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2009/08/cops_neighbors.php
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