RSSMon 1 Aug 2005
The mission of Bike Denver is to promote and encourage bicycling as an energy efficient, non-polluting, healthy, and enjoyable transportation alternative within the City and County of Denver.
NEXT MEETING: September 8, 6-7pm, Bicycle Colorado’s office, Room 236 in Union Station
VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY NEEDED FOR TASTE OF COLORADO
Volunteers are needed to help with the Bike Corrals at the Taste of Colorado Festival coming up Labor Day weekend - Sept. 2nd to 5th. BikeDenver currently has no membership dues - providing bicycle parking for festivals and events is our main source of funding. But doing so requires a lot of volunteer help and time from members. All it takes is a mere 3 hours of your time to help park bikes.
As always, Taste of Colorado supplies our volunteers with their food/beverage coupons. In addition, we host a fun annual volunteer appreciation dinner at HandleBar & Grill.
SO HELP PROMOTE SAFE BIKING BY VOLUNTEERING NOW! SEND YOUR NAME AND PHONE NUMBER TO: bikerossmiller@earthlink.net or bikeparking@bikedenver.org.
ITEMS IN THIS MONTH’S NEWSLETTER:
** BikeDenver Action Plan Update
** Community Meeting With Mayor Hickenlooper
** BikeDenver Members Have Impact
** New Federal Legislation Aids Cycling
** News from MBAC - Speeding in Wash Park
** Safe Routes to School Nat’l Partnership
** Summer Ski Train Special for Members
BIKEDENVER ACTION PLAN FOR 2005
ADVOCACY
BikeDenver continues to work with RTD, the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and other stakeholders in finding the resources for a pedestrian/bicycle bridge across I-25 at Colorado Blvd. The likely costs of the bridge structure and needed right of way is being determined by the staff of the Denver Bicycle Program to help define the total scope of the project. They are looking to DRCOG for possible federal Transportation Improvement Project (TIP) dollars to fund part of the bridge. Even if obtained, they would cover only about a third of the anticipated cost so additional sources of funding will be needed.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
We are currently seeking volunteers for bike parking at the Taste of Colorado, the big 4-day event held Sept. 2nd - 5th at Denver’s Civic Center. BikeDenver will again be providing two secure bicycle parking corrals in an effort to encourage more people to ride their bikes to the festival. Volunteers receive coupons good for beer, wine, or food at the many festival vendors SO VOLUNTEER NOW. Send an email with your name and phone number to: bikeparking@bikedenver.org.
In addition, BikeDenver continues to inventory areas where bicycle parking accommodations are either non-existent, inadequate, or not up to City standards. Send your nominations for worst example of bike parking to info@BikeDenver.org. Pictures are helpful.
REDESIGNED WEBSITE
We have redesigned and upgraded our website so check it out at www.BikeDenver.org for useful information and helpful links to other cycling websites.
A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION WITH MAYOR HICKENLOOPER
On Saturday, August 27th, Mayor Hickenlooper and Denver City & County officials will present the top priorities for the 2006 budge currently being developed. This is a chance for cyclists to present a case for improved cycling accommodations, for example:
Finish implementation of Bicycle Master Plan by specifically funding missing links
Include bicycle interests in all land use, transportation, and development projects
Appoint cycling representatives on transportation related citizen advisory committees
Better maintenance of existing bike designated lanes
Reinstate bicycle education program with Officer Bob Montoya
The meeting will be held 9-11:30am in the Cafeteria of the Denver School of the Arts, 7111 Montview Blvd. (at Quebec St.).
BIKEDENVER MEMBERS INFLUENCE ST. CHARLES REC CENTER AGREEMENT
At a public meeting held on August 9th, at the St. Charles Recreation Center agreement was reached with the selection of a new and different route across the rec. center site. A great big Thank You goes out to the BikeDenver members who showed up Tuesday August 9th for the St. Charles Rec Center meeting! According to James Mackay, “There were about 20+ people at the meeting - half of them were … BikeDenver people…. This made a HUGE difference.”
It was an impressive example of different factions coming together to successfully negotiate a solution that works for everybody! With the planned new routing of the D9 bike route continuation–connecting the Platte Trail to Franklin St. via 38th Ave.–through the St. Charles property, there will be little or no impact on the rec center’s available space for field sports. Plus other issues such as safety, future light rail plans, and cost containment were all covered effectively.
Thanks also go to Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth, for calling the meeting, the St. Charles Recreation staff and participants, neighbors and residents of the adjoining Cole neighborhood, the folks from Denver Parks and Recreation Dept., Denver Bicycle Planner James Mackay and everyone else who came together to shape a positive outcome for all involved.
RUDE PARK PATH REPAVED
Another hearty THANKS goes to Denver Parks & Recreation from BikeDenver for repaving the asphalt path through Rude Park! (This runs between Federal & Decatur, along Lakewood Gulch just West of the Platte trail.) What was, for a long time, a hazardous course over heaving tree roots and cracked pavement is now a smooth, much safer cruise for the many bike commuters, park users and area residents.
NEW FEDERAL LEGISLATION AIDS CYCLING
Two major pieces of legislation passed congress last month and were signed into law by President Bush. Both of them had important sections devoted to the interests of bicyclists. The $286.4 billion transportation bill, known as SAFETEA-LU, includes more than $3 billion for bicycle and pedestrian related projects. The energy bill includes a provision for $6.25 million to go to up to 10 communities for Conserve by Bike. This new program will enable the communities, which have yet to be chosen, to promote bicycling as an energy reduction strategy.
You can find excellent summaries of both bills by visiting the League of American Bicyclists website: www.bikeleague.org
NEWS FROM MAYOR’S BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Officer Bob Montoya met with MBAC and reported on the Police Department’s response to concerns about high-speed bicyclists in Washington Park. After observing the operating conditions and discussing the topic with people at Parks, five days of radar monitoring was done northeast of the park recreation center. The posted speed limit is 15 MPH, and the average observed speed was 17 MPH. There was a cluster of high-speed usage in the range of 27 - 31 MPH and the highest recorded speed was 34 MPH. Bicyclists exceeding the speed limit can be issued a $20 ticket, with a $20 court surcharge. The MBAC will continue to work with Officer Montoya in seeking acceptable methods for controlling bike speeds in the park.
Source: Draft minutes of the August MBAC meeting, James Mackay, Denver Bicycle Program
NEWS FROM BICYCLE COLORADO
WELCOME NEAL AND JANNELL
Bicycle Colorado would like to introduce the newest additions to our staff. Neal Lurie heads up marketing and membership functions and Jannell Shaw manages volunteer and office coordination. Neal and Jannell have strong backgrounds in bicycle advocacy and have a great knowledge of Colorado issues. We are excited to have them on board.
BICYCLE LAW Q&A ON WEBSITE
Members of Bicycle Colorado have enjoyed reading bicycle attorney Brad Tucker’s column in our print newsletter, “Ride Time News.” Since bicyclists often contact us with these types of questions, we have decided to share past columns on our website. Brad addresses your Colorado bicycle law questions like: Which insurance covers costs from a bicycle-related crash? Does a bike club have liability? Can you be charged with drunk biking? Visit www.BicycleColorado.org/to/Legal to read Brad’s responses. You can get your own free copy of “Ride Time News” by becoming a member at www.BicycleColorado.org/to/Join.
Source: Bicycle Colorado - www.bicyclecolorado.org
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership, funded initially by Bikes Belong, is designed to ensure that the Safe Routes to School money authorized by the new federal transportation bill is put to the best possible use. This fast-growing network of organizations and professional groups is working to set goals, share best practices, secure funding, and provide detailed policy input to implementing agencies for Safe Routes to School, a new $612 million federal program. The funds will be available to all 50 states during the next five years to build facilities and run educational programs that will create safe ways for kids to pedal and walk to school. The Safe Routes program addresses the alarming trend toward child obesity and inactivity, while also reducing traffic congestion and air pollution.
Source: Bicycle Newswire, www.bicyclenewswire.com
SUMMER SKI TRAIN SPECIAL FOR BIKEDENVER MEMBERS
There are still two Saturdays (8/20 and 8/27) left to enjoy the Ski Train to Winter Park. They are offering a special adult coach fare of only $39 for Bike Denver members as well as their friends and family. Children and seniors are just $34. To make your reservations call 303-296-4754 and mention this promotion or book online at www.skitrain.com. Just make sure you put BIKE DENVER in the comments field to receive this great rate! Bike transport on the train is FREE!
TRAILS SYMPOSIUM
The Colorado Department of Parks and Recreation is holding the 9th Annual Colorado State Trails Symposium to be held September 21-24, 2005 at the Omni Interlocken Resort in Broomfield. The theme, You Can Get There From Here, reflects our devotion to all types of trails, ranging from background trails, to hiking trails, to paved multi-use city trails and those that cross the state. There will be a mixture of workshops, field trips and training sessions. Visit www.parks.state.co.us or call 303-791-1957 x131 to register or obtain more information.
UPCOMING EVENTS - ADVANCE-PLANNING CALENDER
August 20
Moonlight Classic
Benefit for Seniors, Inc.
www.moonlight-classic.com
State Capital, Denver, CO
August 28
Tour of the Valley
www.discoverourtown.com
Grand Junction, CO
August 28
12th Annual Road Ramble
Griffith Centers for Children’s
www.roadramble.com
Larkspur, CO
September 11
2005 Buffalo Bicycle Classic
www.buffalobicycleclassic.com
CU Boulder, CO
September 17
2005 Ride for 65 Roses
www.ridefor65roses.com
Benefit for Cystic Fibrosis
Louisville, CO
October 22
17th Annual Veloswap and Sports Expo
www.VeloSwap.com
National Western Complex
Denver, Colorado
MEMBERSHIP IN BIKEDENVER means:
1. We have your email address. We send you action alerts and a monthly newsletter.
2. You act on BikeDenver action items, as you feel willing and able.
3. You recruit other bicyclists to join BikeDenver. Membership is FREE!!!
To join BikeDenver send an email to info@bikedenver.org and write “subscribe” in the subject.
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