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Missouri Bicycle Federation
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Missouri Bicycle Federation, Inc.
Post Office Box 104871 Jefferson City, MO 65110-4871 MoBikeFed is a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation Webmaster email: webmaster @ mobikefed .org |
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Thursday, January 30, 2003
A Kansas woman was convicted Wednesday of attacking two cyclists with her motor vehicle, causing them to crash.
The woman became enraged because the cyclists were riding two abreast on a two-lane highway. Kansas State law allows such two-abreast riding. The woman passed the cyclists, stopped and shouted at them, and followed them closely for some distance (they had passed her vehicle while it was stopped). Finally the woman swerved around the cyclists, turned abruptly in front of them, and in doing so, clipped the wheel of one cyclist, causing that cyclist to fall to the pavement and the other, maneuvering to avoid colliding with the other bicycle and the automobile, to crash into the ditch. The cyclists, who were riding in the Bike Across Kansas tour, were not seriously injured. The woman was convicted of aggravated assault and reckless battery; she faces sentencing on March 31st. The assault is "aggravated" because it involves the use of a deadly weapon--in this case, the woman's automobile. Under Kansas sentencing guidelines, the sentence for the woman's conviction on aggravated assault (the more serious of the two charges) is likely to be 11 to 34 months probation. Under Kansas law, drivers who commit a felony involving the use of a vehicle have their drivers licenses revoked, or placed under court restriction for up to a year. Read about the incident and the charges in an Oct 2002 Salina Journal article. The conviction is covered in in today's Salina Journal and an Associated Press story on the KansasCityChannel.com.
Pack up the bikes and hiking shoes and head to the Midwest Singletrack Advocacy Summit and Festival!
From March 14-16, 2003 mountain bikers and hikers from 14 states throughout the Midwest will converge on some of the best singletrack Kansas City has to offer to promote and celebrate singletrack trails. This year we will again feature presentations on various subjects that are designed to assist anyone interested in developing or maintaining primitive singletrack trails. "This year, we will provide everyone attending the Summit with the chance to sample the newest products on the market while riding great singletrack," says Brad Davis, one of the Summit organizers. "The National Mountain Bike Patrol will also provide guided singletrack trail rides throughout the course of the day. Of course, we will continue to offer a great line up of guest speakers to promote advocacy." The Summit will be held at Landahl Forest Reserve in Blue Springs, MO, home of one of the best networks of single-track trails in the region. For more info, visit the IMBA web site or the EarthRiders web site.
Monday, January 27, 2003
Missouri author William Least Heat-Moon (Blue Highways and River-Horse) will speak at the Ozark Greenways meeting in Springfield on Thursday, January 30th, 2003.
Also to be announced at the meeting are a number of new and planned trails in the Springfield area. For more details and a summary of the planned trails, see the article in today's Springfield News-Leader.
Saturday, January 25, 2003
Grantwood Village received a $30,000 payment from the federal government this week, for land that was part of a rail-to-trail conversion.
Property owners along Grant's Trail, the Katy Trail, and other rail-to-trail projects have sued the federal government for compensation. Grantwood Village was part of a class-action lawsuit that included many property owners along the Katy Trail in Missouri. Property owners won their suit; Grantwood Village is one of the first to actually receive payments from the federal government as a result of this lawsuit. Grant's Trail is operated by TrailNet (which, incidentally, is looking to expand Grant's Trail). The Katy Trail is a Missouri State Park. Some have assumed that the large monetary awards related to the creation of these trails would have a devastating effect on the organizations that operate the trails. But the authority to create rail-to-trail conversions came from the federal Rails-to-Trails Act, and so the U.S. Supreme Court has held that the federal government--and not the local organizations or government bodies who may operate the trail--must pay any compensation due to adjoining landowners. So far, Congress has felt that the value of maintaining the continuous right-of-way of the (former) railroads is well worth the payments involved. If the rights-of-way were allowed to disintegrate, the cost of re-assembling them would be many times greater than the court ordered payments will be. Some groups representing property owners near rail right-of-ways, including the Farm Bureau, have fought long and hard, first to prevent rail-to-trail projects from moving forward and then, when court rulings made that impossible, to get property owners the compensation to which they felt entitled. The federal government, for its part, has fought the lawsuits brought by property owners tooth and nail. The payments to Grantwood Village represent one of the first definite conclusions to any part of this hard-fought battle. See STLToday's story on Grantwood Village here.
Shawnee, Kansas, recently announced an innovative program to help identify and control speeding problems on neighborhood streets. The city will issue radar guns to a pair of citizens, who will use the radar to monitor vehicle speeds on neighborhood streets for a two-week period. The pair will monitor vehicle speeds from a parked car at the location of their choice. One person will operate the radar gun while the other will record speed, time, and information about the vehicle.
Citizens will not give tickets or fines or confront speeders, but the city will send letters to motorists identified as exceeding the speed limit by ten miles per hour or more. Cities across the country have used this idea to monitor and curb speeding in neighborhoods, but this is the first time it has been tried in the Kansas City area. See the complete story on the KCStar's web site.
Thursday, January 23, 2003
KTVI Channel 2 in St. Louis recently covered the issue of sidewalks at the West County Mall in Des Peres. When the mall was renovated, planners "forgot" sidewalks. According to the KTVI story:
Public sidewalks come to an abrubt end at the mall's entrance. Area residents noticed. "All of a sudden, you're stepping out in front of traffic--and if you're a cyclist you're going to be looking to see people merging in front and behind you and it creates a dangerous situation." [said Bob Foster of the Missouri Bicycle Federation]. Mall owners do not seem particularly worried about the problem, but Des Peres city leaders are planning to require the installation of the sidewalks as part of construction of a new restaurant at the mall. Sidewalks will be in place by next spring if all goes as planned. The mall still does not have bicycle parking racks; St. Louis-area cyclists are petitioning the mall to add bicycle parking. Mall management can be reached at 314/288-2020 or by visiting the feedback form of the the mall web site. A simple bicycle rack holding 6-10 bicycles can be purchased for under $100.
Wednesday, January 22, 2003
Amtrak is one of the best ways for cyclists to transport themselves and the bicycles to touring destinations. For instance, many cyclists ride the Katy Trail one way and then take Amtrak back the other direction.
Unfortunately, last year the Missouri legislature provided only $5 million of the $6.2 million needed to run the "Missouri Mule" (looping between Kansas City and St. Louis, stopping at 8 cities in between) this year. Unless funding is found, the Mule will stop running February 28th. This will leave only one daily train covering the St. Louis-KC route. MoDOT has asked the Missouri legislature to provide the funds needed to continue the Missouri Mule through the end of the fiscal year in June. See the full story in KOLR online.
Tuesday, January 21, 2003
Two Wheel Deals and More . . .
The second annual St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation's Bike Swap Meet is nearing. If you want to buy, trade or sell bikes or anything bicycle-related at great prices, then mark Sunday, February 16, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. on your calendar now. More than seven area bike shops, a dozen nonprofits, and bicyclists of all ages will gather under one giant roof with amazing deals for you: New bikes as well as previously owned models and other bike-related goods. The swap meet location is 17355 Edison Avenue in Chesterfield Valley, MO, 63005, just off Chesterfield Airport Road near Lowe's. Admission is $2 to the general public with proceeds benefiting the Bike Federation. If you're interested in a 12'x12' booth for selling your own bicycle-related goods, or would like to sell on consignment, please contact 314-621-0220 ext. 333 or visit the swapmeet's web site by February 8. "This swap meet is the best way to find great bargains on cycling equipment all under one roof," says Bob Foster, chair of the Bike Federation. "We're excited about this year's swap and all the bike shops, non-profits and individuals that are showing their support for this event. We've got a huge space, thanks to THF Realty, and it's great to see the cycling community come together to swap, learn and get ready for the arrival of spring." "The Bike Federation is here to support the cycling community in every way we can, and one way to do that is to offer them the best deals in town." A non-profit, all-volunteer organization, St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation shares a vision of a bike-friendly region. Its vision includes, but is not limited to the ideals of: bicyclists have a right to safe, well-planned roadways; proper equipment and training is important to safe riding; and education of cyclists and motorists is needed. Go to: www.stlbikefed.org for more information. Detailed information about the swap meet can be found on the St. Louis Bike Fed's web site.
Saturday, January 18, 2003
According to an article in the Quad City (IA) Times, "A bicycling masterpiece could be in the making."
Planners in several states are hoping to use a combination and local and federal funds to put together a 2,500 mile bike route, the Mississippi River Trail. "When completed, the trail will include a link of on-road and off-road trails from the birthplace of the Mississippi River in Minnesota to where it merges with Gulf of Mexico waters in Louisiana." Missouri planners have been busy plotting out the part of the route through Missouri--you can find maps and information on MississippiRiverTrail.org. The Missouri section of the trail is already signed an in place from Hannibal to St. Louis and from St. Louis on south.
Friday, January 17, 2003
A new Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP) report says that dangerous street design and a lack of investment in pedestrian safety are to blame for an increase in pedestrian deaths nationwide. The report, "Mean Streets 2002," finds that while 12 percent of all traffic deaths are pedestrians, less than one percent of federal transportation dollars go to protecting people on foot.
The report found that nine of the top ten most dangerous metro areas are below the national average in spending of federal funds on pedestrian safety, averaging just 62 cents per person. The national average is 87 cents per person. STPP is calling for greater spending on pedestrian safety as part of the TEA-21 renewal bill, creating and funding a new national Safe Routes to School program, designing safer streets, and collecting better data on pedestrian travel. According to the report, St. Louis is the 16th most dangerous U.S. city for pedestrians, and Kansas City is the 20th most dangerous. In Missouri, 7.8% of all traffic deaths were pedestrians but only 1.1% of all federal transportation dollars were spent on pedestrian/bicycle facilities. Missouri spends about $1.35 per resident per year on pedestrian and bicycle facilities and safety.
Tuesday, January 14, 2003
Southhampton Neighborhood Association has approved a plan to calm traffic and make the area friendlier for pedestrians and cyclists, according to a story in today's STLToday.
The plan had been opposed by area businesses, who feared that traffic calming measures would reduce parking and access to their businesses (see previous MoBikeFed News coverage of opposition to the traffic-calming measures). The main goals are to reduce speeding in residential areas, reduce cut-through traffic, reduce traffic noise and pollution, and increase pedestrian and bicycle safety. The plan's drafters hope that in the long run it will bring more people to the city and increase property values. Proposed traffic calming measures in phase one include increased signage, bike lane striping, striping for on-street parking, curb neck-downs.
Today's Kansas City Star had an article about activities commemorating Dan Eiermann, an Independence middle school student who was killed while riding his bicycle last fall.
"Dan was struck about 8 p.m. Sept. 27 by a 1984 Ford Mustang when the boy tried biking across 23rd Street in Independence. Police said the motorist had the right-of-way and officials found no wrongdoing." The incident raised questions about whether cyclists and pedestrians need better facilities for safely crossing streets like 23rd Street. 23rd Street is a four-lane street with heavy, fast-moving traffic. There is much pedestrian and bicycling activity in the area; area teenagers and adults can often be seen walking along or crossing 23rd Street. 23rd Street has very minimal facilities to help pedestrians and young cyclists cross the street safely. This incident, which happened after dark, also reminds cyclists of the importance of adequate lighting. A headlight and rear reflector or light are required by state law when riding after dark.
Sunday, January 12, 2003
Jefferson City has spent $1.27 million making its downtown more pedestrian friendly. Speed limits have been reduced from 30MPH to 20MPh and several mid-block crosswalks have been installed. Other changes have been made, as well.
The EQC [Environmental Quality Commission, which spearheaded the changes] earlier this week passed a resolution to compel the city to make efforts to increase motorists' awareness of crosswalks on High Street -- particularly the new mid-block crossings. The action was spurred by recent statements in the media by the police department, which members felt undermined not only pedestrians' having the right of way while in a crosswalk, but the objective of the entire project. (A previous News-Tribune story had this comment from police: Dean said vehicles should yield to pedestrians at those mid-block crossings. However, that doesn't mean pedestrians have the right to walk in front of traffic, he said. If a car is approaching, Dean said, the pedestrian needs to yield to the motorist.) "We would like to see the administration work with the police department, informing them that pedestrians have the right of way," stated Jim Crabtree, EQC secretary. "Secondly, we would advocate the city initiate publicity opportunities to convey this to the public over the next 30 to 45 days. We would like to see strict enforcement of those ordinances." Still, Garner added that, in most cases when a pedestrian is hit in a crosswalk, the assumption will be against the motorist. Missouri state law (echoed by most municipalities across the state, including Jefferson City) states that the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield. (RSMo 300.375, Jefferson City Code 22-113) Read the complete story in the Jefferson City News-Tribune.
Saturday, January 11, 2003
Men's Fitness magazine ranks U.S. cities by their fatness quotients. The ranking includes such things as air quality, water quality, and number of parks, as well as weight of residents.
In 1999, Kansas City was the 2nd fattest city, but this year St. Louis was 5th fattest and KC had dropped all the way to 17th. "[N]ow experts say food isn't so much to blame as exercise, or lack of it. Here in the metro, the commute to work doesn't allow for most people to walk or ride their bikes to their jobs." Read the complete story on the NBC 41 home page.
Friday, January 10, 2003
The Jefferson City Bike/Ped Task Force is planning to choose a day to promote as a city-wide walk day. "Walk for the health of it," says task force member Betty Walker.
The Task Force is also planning a promotional campaign for bicycle recreation and safety in Jefferson City, and a plan to place signs along several area trails identifying them as bike routes. Read the complete story on the News-Tribune web site.
Thursday, January 09, 2003
Plans for a pedestrian bridge over Hwy 74 at Ellis Street in Cape Girardeau were submitted this week. Planners feel the bridge is needed because pedestrians are jumping fences to cross the busy highway. The only available crossing point currently are Sprigg Street and West End Boulevard, which are five blocks apart. Many nearby residents support the construction of the bridge, but some oppose it.
Read the full story in the SEMissourian online.
Tuesday, January 07, 2003
Today's KCStar ran a lengthy article on Dan Burden, one of the nation's leading advocates for creating bikeable, walkable communities. Excerpts:
Americans now use automobiles for more than 90 percent of their daily trips. . . . The result of this automotive addiction: A world where children are sometimes bused 300 feet to school because they can't safely cross eight-lane suburban boulevards. Two-hour commutes on clogged highways. Quaint main streets forsaken for windowless hulks set in acres of asphalt. "America is out of sync with its values," Burden tells 100 people who have gathered for a slide presentation in a school cafeteria. "We say we're for kids. We say we're for safety. We say we're for families. And we build this ..." A slide comes up of a woman pushing a stroller along the shoulder of a busy road, a toddler with her walking inches from the traffic. Children and the elderly suffer most when the automobile conquers a town, Burden says. In a car-dominated landscape, those who can't or won't drive suffer impaired mobility, recreation, health and peace of mind. The damage can be repaired, Burden says. Our towns and cities can be refashioned into places where children bike to school and their parents walk to work, where picking up a gallon of milk doesn't have to burn a pint of gasoline. Read the complete story on the KCStar's web site. Visit Dan Burden's own web site, Walkable Communities, Inc..
Thursday, January 02, 2003
Grain Valley joined surrounding communities on Monday in requiring only one sidewalk on either side of the road. . . .
Aldermen Steve Whitton and Melanie Norris had urged the board to required two sidewalks in most residential areas, citing Mid- America Regional Council recommendations that growing communities attempt to remain walkable. But the majority of the board sided with developers and some city officials who said that one sidewalk had become the industry standard. Read the complete story in the Blue Springs Examiner.
According to a Kansas City Star story, Kansas City Bikes and Trikes for Tykes, which distributes thousands of free bicycles to children in the metro area, is losing its warehouse space and needs a new home.
"What we would really like to see is 15,000 square feet of storage year-round, and up to 30,000 square feet during the two months of the (Christmas) season," Lawson said. If you can help, call Bikes and Trikes for Tykes at (913) 371-6551.
Wednesday, January 01, 2003
The Kansas City Star reports that Olathe, KS, has been gathering grants and funding for a new overpass over I-35 at 127th Street. The new overpass will not include ramps onto I-35. The new overpass will probably be built 2004-2005. The Star reports:
The latest piece [of funding] is an $840,000 grant from the Mid-America Regional Council announced Monday. That money will be used to expand the six-lane overpass to add a 10-foot-wide bicycle/pedestrian lane. The lane will link trails on the east and west sides of I-35. "That will hopefully pull bike traffic off 119th and 135th streets," said Merv Gleason, public works program coordinator. Olathe is also planning a 3.1-mile trail, the "Mahaffie Pedestrian and Bike Trail", that will go north from Olathe North High School. Plans are for the trail to be completed by Spring 2003.
Maybe Missouri governments have something to learn from the Omaha Parks and Recreation Department. According to a recent Omaha World Herald story:
Omaha's Parks and Recreation Department pulled in a record $34.7 million this year from outside endowments, grants and foundations. That is more than what the Kansas City, St. Louis and Lincoln departments combined to draw during a comparable time period. Those who work with the Omaha Parks Department said the city's success comes from aggressive pursuit of funds, meticulous planning and a record of making good on its promises. . . . Lyn Wallin Ziegenbein, the Peter Kiewit Foundation's executive director, said the Omaha Parks Department's professionalism is the main reason her organization keeps answering the city's call. "We find them effective, responsive, accurate, thorough and timely," she said. "That's not always how it works with different groups, but the City Parks Department is like that every single time." |