RSSSat 1 Jan 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: Feb 10, 6-7pm, Bicycle Colorado’s office in Union Station, 2nd floor, north wing
ITEMS IN THIS MONTH’S NEWSLETTER:
** BikeDenver Action Plan Update
** Road I Cycling Class and LCI Training
** News of the Denver Bicycle Program
** News from the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee
** Selected Bike Bits from Adventure Cycling
BIKEDENVER ACTION PLAN FOR 2005
ADVOCACY
James McKay, Bicycle Planner, and Jason Longsdorf, Planner Specialist, both with the City/County of Denver attended our January meeting to discuss areas of mutual interest with BikeDenver. This included ways to better support and work with the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee. Some of the issues mentioned were support for the annual Cycle Circus (see news item below), taking annual counts of bike traffic in specific areas of town, and correcting substandard bicycle parking accommodations, especially in new developments.
SAFETY EDUCATION
BikeDenver has partnered with Pikes Peak Area Bikeways Coalition to sponsor a League of American Bicyclists (LAB) Road I class on April 9th, 2005 at 9am. The REI Flagship Store in Denver will host the event. For more complete information see the news item below.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
As the new season of festivals and events approaches, BikeDenver is once again preparing to provide safe bicycle parking facilities in an effort to encourage more people to choose bikes over cars. We will also have an informational booth at a number of these events. We always need volunteers so watch for specifics in upcoming newsletters.
DEVELOP ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTITY
We have now developed By-Laws so the organization has a set of operating rules that comply with all regulatory and tax requirements and can now apply for 501(c)3 status.
WE WILL NEED HELP FROM OUR MEMBERS IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THIS WORK. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WORKING ON ANY OF THESE PROJECTS, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL MESSAGE TO info@bikedenver.org. INDICATE THE PROJECT(S) YOU ARE WILLING TO HELP WITH AND ENOUGH PERSONAL INFORMATION SO THAT THE LEAD PERSON FOR THAT PROJECT CAN CONTACT YOU.
LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS (LAB) ROAD I CLASS AND LCI TRAINING
BikeDenver and Pikes Peak Area Bikeways Coalition are sponsoring a League of American Bicyclists (LAB) Road I class on April 9th, 2005 at 9am. The REI Flagship Store in Denver will host the event.
This basic 9-hour course is perfect as a primer for those cyclists who wish to gain a full understanding of how to safely operate a bicycle in a variety of situations. The 9 hour class includes learning how to perform a bicycle safety check, fixing a flat, interactive discussion, on-bike skills practice and student manual. Students will gain confidence knowing that they are riding legally and safely. Crash avoidance techniques and crash types will be discussed. Recommended for adults and children above 14, and required for those wishing to be a League Certified Instructor.
We have capacity for up to 14 people with first priority going to those who will attend the LAB League Cycling Instructor (LCI) course on May 14 & 15.
Registration fee for the session is $30 before March 1, 2005 and $35.00 after March 1, 2005.
The cancellation policy is 100% refund before March 1st. Between March 1 and March 30, there is a $10.00 cancellation fee. There are no refunds after April 1.
The book for the class is an additional $11.00.
The instructor will need all registration/waivers signed and checks before beginning of class on April 9.
Please send an email to info@bikedenver.org if you are interested in this class. Also, please include your interest level in the LCI Training May 14 & 15. This training certifies you to be a League Cycling Instructor and gives you the ability to teach classes like Road I to others. The cost for the certification class is $175.00 and requires pre-class bookwork.
Please pass this along to anyone who might be interested in these classes.
CYCLE CIRCUS
The Pepsi Center will host the Metro Denver Cycle Safety Circus for Kids event on June 18th 2005. The event site will have ample space to add new activities. Already planned are the Decorated Bike Competition and the Circus Bike Parade. Other groups and organizations will participate to make this the biggest circus ever. This always enjoyable event is a program of the Brain Injury Association of Colorado.
Helmets will be available for children and parents for a small donation. As it is important that cyclists wear properly fitting helmets, Denver Health Paramedics and Eagle Scouts will fit them at the circus. REI will conduct bike safety checks. Children are invited to bring along their bikes to have them checked out, and then ride in the Denver Police Department’s Safety Village.
A circus will also be held at the Boulder Outlook Hotel on Sunday, June 19th.
More information. Lynn Chambers, Dir. of Circus Programs, 303-355-9969 ext. 4 or lynnchambe@aol.com
NEWS FROM THE DENVER BICYCLE PROGRAM
A number of substandard bicycle parking accommodations have been spotted, especially in some newer commercial areas where the builders are apparently not aware of the Denver standard. The Denver Bicycle Program is working to have these replaced with official standard bike racks. If you know of any bike racks that do not meet the standard, please inform either James Mackay (James.Mackay@ci.denver.co.us) or BikeDenver (info@bikedenver.org).
Source: James Mackay, Denver Bicycle Program - www.denvergov.org/Bicycle_Program
NEWS FROM THE MAYOR’S BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Cherry Creek Bike Rack, which opened in June last year, reported that in August 120 people used the facility with 410 bikes parked - representing 4000 Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) saved. They estimated that 80% of their customers are commuters and that while they had lower than expected revenue the rentals exceeded expectations.
Transportation Solutions is doing a study to understand and influence bike, pedestrian and bus access at LightRail Train stations, specifically the Colorado and University Stations. Their recommendations and concerns include a median on the south side of the Buchtel and Colorado Blvd. intersection; improved crossing options at Buchtel and University for DU access; and the bike lane narrowing to 5 feet in front of the University Station parking. Also, there is no direct access between Buchtel and the Colorado Station so you must either dismount or ride on the streets.
Readers can provide input regarding these LRT Stations by going to the Transportation Solutions web site: www.lightrailstations.org
A new bike ramp will be built along Cherry Creek at 12th Avenue and run North. The move will facilitate movement from the streets to the west and tie into the D-10 Bike Route. The current ramp, north of 13th,is too steep and the new ramp will have 3 platforms with ADA compliant grades. The project is expected to go out to bid this Fall, with construction planned for early ‘06.
The Highlands Bridge is in the final design stages and CDOT plans to break ground this spring. The bridge will span I-25 and connect downtown Denver with the Highlands neighborhood via the new Commons area. CDOT will do the construction administration for this single span bridge project that is expected to take one year to complete. Details can be found at: www.highlandbridgedenver.com/
Source: Approved December minutes and draft January minutes of the MBAC, James Mackay, Denver Bicycle Program
NEWS FROM BICYCLE COLORADO
As Bicycle Colorado implements Safe Routes to School programs around the state, we thought Colorado should have its own website resource featuring toolkits, funding resources, success stories, and other programs around the world. We continue to add content so check it out and visit again soon. www.SafeRoutesColorado.org
Bicycle Colorado’s effort to extend the state’s shoulder policy met with success. At the December meeting of the State Transportation Commission, the policy of adding or improving shoulders to new and reconstructed roads was officially approved. The Commission approved the Intermodal Committee’s recommendation to extend this policy due to sunset in 2004. Thanks to the Commissioners for their vote to add shoulders, making roads safer for everyone! Read the policy at www.BicycleColorado.org/for/shoulders
Source: Bicycle Colorado - www.bicyclecolorado.org
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
Mississippi River Trail Inc. (MRT Inc.) announces search for its first full-time Executive Director. MRT Inc. is a non-profit organization with the mission to “serve as a catalyst for the development and use of the Mississippi River Trail.” The Mississippi River Trail is a system of trails and bikeable roads under development along the Mississippi River from the headwaters in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Visit www.mississippirivertrail.org to learn more about MRT Inc. and the MRT. For further information or to apply: Call 651-698-4568 or email to pdn@umn.edu.
Adventure Cycling is currently looking to fill two key positions at our headquarters office in Missoula, Montana: 1) Associate Development Director and 2) Webmaster/Graphic Designer. The successful candidates will become part of a staff of more than two-dozen dedicated and fun-loving individuals. More about both positions can be found at the following link: www.adventurecycling.org/whoweare/employment.cfm
SELECTED “BIKE BITS” FROM ADVENTURE CYCLING
For the first time since the International Mountain Bicycling Association began ranking the states in terms of the quality and quantity of mountain-bike trails they offer, the organization has given top honors to a state east of the Mississippi: West Virginia, to be exact. Internationally, British Columbia was again named the top destination on earth for fat-tire frolicking. Read all about it here: http://www.imba.com/news/news_releases/12_04/12_13_report_card_04.html
WHAT’S BETTER THAN THE WORLD WIDE WEB?
The bicycle, that’s what. It’s also better than electricity and the vaccination, at least according to the results of a poll taken by the United Kingdom’s TIMES newspaper. Readers participating in the Great British Inventions poll chose the bicycle as the greatest invention of the last 250 years — much to the chagrin of the newspaper’s panel of five experts, who complained of ballot box stuffing by cycling interests. But what can we say? That cyclists are better organized than electricity users?
www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,18069-1376728,00.html
If you want to subscribe and get the unabridged Bike Bits contact Adventure Cycling at: www.adventurecycling.org/bikebits/manage.cfm
USEFUL WEBSITES
CDOT’S Link to state Bike/Ped info:
http://www.dot.state.co.us/BikePed/
A great site for bike/ped issues and data:
www.bicyclinginfo.org
UPCOMING EVENTS - ADVANCE-PLANNING CALENDER
March 14-15
National Bike Summit
Washington, D.C.
www.bikeleague.org/events/summit05.html
April 1-3
Thunderhead Alliance Training for Bicycle Advocacy Leaders
In collaboration with Bicycle Colorado
Denver, CO (exact location to be determined)
www.thunderheadalliance.org
April 6-7
24 Hours of Washington D.C.
International Mountain Bicycling Association
www.imba.com/resources/washington_dc/24_hours_dc.html
April 9
League of American Bicyclists (LAB) Road I class
BikeDenver and Pikes Peak Area Bikeways Coalition
REI Flagship Store in Denver
www.bikedenver.org
April 16
Gala Celebration & Auction
Bicycle Colorado
Walnut Foundry, 3002 Walnut Street, Denver
www.bicyclecolo.org
May 14-15
League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor (LCI) Training
BikeDenver and Pikes Peak Area Bikeways Coalition
Denver
www.bikedenver.org
June 18
Cycle Safety Circus for Kids
Brain Injury Association of Colorado
Pepsi Center parking lot, Denver, CO
Lynn Chambers, Director of Circus Programs, 303-355-9969 ext. 4
June 22
Bike to Work Day
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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