LaHood = hope for the DOT? (and other Bici News)

Another Monday night, another Bici Board meeting. Tonight we had tacos and really fleshed out our mission statement, as well as planned some exciting fundraisers and events. Stay tuned for news on those.

As part of our focus on advocacy and education, we are trying to stay abreast of all the national and local news pertaining to bicycling, alternative transportation, safety and the like. Today I saw this and was really excited, so I wanted to share it.

Ray LaHood, the new Secretary of Transportation, has a website and blog that he posts to, Welcome to the Fast Lane. So far I have been impressed by LaHood, from his declaration at The National Bike Summit that "You have a full partner at the DOT" to his decision to have officials study the European models of cities.

Today however, I was most impressed. I read the March 13 entry to Welcome to the Fast Lane, entitled "Cyclists are important users of transportation systems "


"On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of addressing the National Bike Summit. I was invited to speak as a member of the Obama administration, but I have been a supporter of bicycling for many years and was a member of the Congressional Bike Caucus when I was in Congress.

Still, I don't think the League of American Bicyclists knew what to expect when they invited me to their summit.

I hope they were pleasantly surprised because I am committed to investing in programs that encourage bikes to coexist with other modes and to safely share our roads and bridges. And there’s strong support in Congress for these goals as well.

In the Department of Transportation, bicyclists have a full partner in working toward livable communities. We're excited that the Federal Highway Administration is looking at best practices in Europe to improve safety and mobility for walkers and cyclists. We're excited that a federally funded pilot project to study the effects of improved walking and bicycling facilities in four communities is underway. I think I conveyed that excitement to the summit, judging by the early response (BikePortland.org, Streetsblog.org)

I welcome the vigor of the bicycling community in advocating for bike-friendly measures in the upcoming authorization bill, CLEAN-TEA. Bicycles are a critical part of a cleaner, greener future in American transportation, so keep those wheels spinning."

Let's hope he is a man of his word. It is time for a change in this country and LaHood seems to be on track.

bike love

Complete Streets Act of 2009

A Complete Streets Act has been introduced in the House and Senate (HR1443). This is huge for cyclists and pedestrians and much needed in our country.

What would this do? ensure that all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, children, older individuals, and individuals with disabilities, are able to travel safely and conveniently on and across federally funded streets and highways.
(taken directly from HR1443)

Birmingham has an alarming poverty rate, and I see people everyday riding bike on unsafe roads (Crestwood Blvd for example), just trying to get to work or home. The Complete streets Act of 2009 would ensure that these people could use cycling as the safe, reliable transportation that it is, without fear or ridicule.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
go here and send a letter to your representatives and senator urging them to co-sponsor the Act. This is too good to let pass us by. Imagine-Complete streets as a government policy. I almost can't believe it. The new blood in Washington seems to truly be behind alternative transportation, as seen by this and the National Bike Summit 2009. There is hope now more than ever.

bike love!

(if you can't get to links here, PLEASE send me a message and I will email them to you. This is so important!)

I Just Need Some Space

from two five fix:


"Cyclists here already face enough obstacles," said New York City Councilman David Yassky. "Law enforcement shouldn't be one of them."

Here is an excellent video sent in by Nolan. It really makes you wonder about how our laws work and are enforced. What do you do when the police don't know the laws they are supposed to be enforcing? Where do you go when they refuse to take action against proven violators? I have had similar experiences in town where the local police couldn't be more wrong and told me to do things contradictory to the law. Driving on the streets is a privilege, not a right. Many motorist are so disconnected with the world outside of their windows and have no idea what it's like to be buzzed by their own vehicles. Cyclists pay taxes, have families, contribute to society, and yet are treated like second class citizens. You say we don't belong on the roads - you're wrong. How did we get to a point where motorists feel so entitled?

"We need to educate the public to go around cyclists, way around-- change lanes all together, but 3-5 feet minimum. Please pass this on & help save a life. Skimming by cyclists is deadly and illegal.

Last Friday, a well known cycling advocate and frame builder was killed in Chattanooga when a truck's bumper just caught his bike bag -- truck driver said he never noticed until he saw the dead body in the road. Then it's too late.

Cyclists do have a right to the lane & even if this angers you, killing them is the wrong answer. Cyclists don't and can't always keep a straight line, please don't expect them to. Don't honk, don't skim-- just go around and let them live.

No, not every cyclists obeys every law, but neither do drivers. We all should.

Let's watch out for each other. Neither person benefits from killing or hurting a cyclist-- both lives are messed up (families, friends, vehicles, insurance, families, the court system...)

Please give a wide berth when you go around and pass safely. Please."

Speak Up! Be heard!

As you know, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was recently passed. Did you know that Alabama has had $513,692,000 appropriated to it for Highway Infrastructure Investment, with $22,996,589 allocated to Birmingham?

Highway Infrastructure Investment is defined this way by www.stimulus.alabama.gov: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides additional funding for restoration repair, construction, rail transportation and port infrastructure projects. Some of these funds will be awarded as competitive grants, while some of the funds will be distributed to states by formula. the Secretary of Transportation will automatically distribute the funds within 21 days after the date of enactment.



This would be where bike lanes and "Complete Streets" come in. What can you do? Write a letter to Birmingham's leaders asking that they spend Stimulus funds on bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Sound daunting? No worries...I have already put together a letter you can simply copy, change the appropriate name (yours) and email. Please do this, we need all the voices we can get!

**********************************
Dear [NAME OF OFFICIAL],

I,[YOUR NAME], am writing to discuss our city's plans for spending the
transportation funding that Congress provided through the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Alabama has had $513,692,000 appropriated to it for Highway Infrastructure Investment, with $22,996,589 allocated to Birmingham.

I request that Birmingham prioritize our Transportation Enhancements funds
for bicycle and pedestrian projects. Building sidewalks, bike lanes, and
multi-use paths net more jobs per dollars spent than highway projects,
because they use fewer materials and are more labor intensive. These
projects are also generally smaller and quicker to build, ensuring that
Birmingham can get funding out the door rapidly and in a way that benefits
local engineering and construction firms, as well as communities.

In addition, I request that Birmingham give priority to highway and road
projects that create "complete streets", which ensure that all users,
whether walking, bicycling, taking public transportation, or driving, are
accommodated.

Bicycle, pedestrian, and complete streets projects turn streets and
downtowns into destinations for shopping and entertainment, which help
local businesses and the "Main Street" economy. Families that can walk and
bicycle to school, work, shopping, and transit also have an easier time
meeting their bottom-line transportation costs. These projects also lay an
important foundation to address some of our city's major crises,
including physical inactivity and obesity, pollution, crime and poverty. This is something much needed and long overdue in Birmingham.

I look forward to hearing back from you on this important matter.

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
*************************

Where to send this?

Larry Langford: larry.langford@birminghamal.gov

Gregory Dawkins: Acting City Traffic Engineer, gregory.dawkins@birminghamal.gov

Tracey Morant Adams: Director, Office of Economic Development tracey.adams@birminghamal.gov

Carol Duncan: City CouncilChairwoman of Transportation & Communication Committee carol.duncan@birminghamal.gov

You can also print and mail this (I plan to do both). You can find addresses here.

PLEASE PLEASE send an email to these folks soon. We have a say in what happens, but only if we make our voices heard!

bike love!

New gadget on the right. =====>

I have added a list of specific things that we need in the shop. Please let me know if you can help.


Alan

Now for something lighter

How a lot of Bici business is done (hey, we all work full time AND do this!)

Welder(s) needed!

The largest obstacle for opening the shop is obviously money. So in an effort to save a few hundred dollars I am looking for a couple of welders to help us out with some DIY bike stands. This is the best one I have found. Looks pretty stout and workable. If you or anyone you know welds or even better has an extra bike stand lying around please let us know.

Thanks
Alan

PS- If you have any old tools that you don't need and would like to donate to the cause drop us a line as well.