March, 2010
Subject: FHWA Safety Program Legislation and Guidelines Update
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Secretary Ray LaHood recently announced an important new US DOT Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Regulations and Recommendations that has been added under “guidelines.”
“…[T]ransportation agencies should plan, fund, and implement improvements to their walking and bicycling networks, including linkages to transit. In addition, DOT encourages transportation agencies to go beyond the minimum requirements, and proactively provide convenient, safe, and context-sensitive facilities that foster increased use by bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities, and utilize universal design characteristics when appropriate.”
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
PORT AUTHORITY NEWS BULLETIN
Office of the Executive Director, Bulletin #10-05
March 29, 2010
Bicycling is a rapidly growing mode of transportation and the New York-New Jersey region is facing increased demand for expanded bicycle infrastructure, safer bicycle routes, access to transit connections and secure parking facilities. While we recognize that many Port Authority facilities currently provide some accommodations for bicycle users, we need to prepare more systematically for the growing use of bicycles as a mode of travel within the regional transportation system.
On February 25, 2010, the Board of Commissioners adopted the following policy:
In keeping with its mission to meet the critical transportation needs of the bi-state region, the Port Authority supports bicycling as an important and sustainable mode of travel. It seeks to provide its customers, tenants, visitors and employees with safe and convenient bicycle access and secure bicycle parking at its facilities, wherever operationally and financially feasible.
The Board also authorized the Executive Director to take the following steps to advance the goals of this policy:
Integrate improved bicycle access, safe bicycle lanes, and secure bicycle parking and storage into existing Port Authority buildings and facilities, owned or operated by the Port Authority.
Ensure that design guidelines for new construction and major renovations include sufficient bicycle access, storage, and related amenities to meet emerging demand.
Develop multimodal transit hubs that encourage biking and walking.
Remove any unnecessary restrictions on bicycle access, and promote the safe coexistence of motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians at Port Authority facilities.
Encourage tenants to expand bicycle access and accommodations.
Coordinate bicycle facility improvements and intermodal connections with regional planning organizations, other regional transportation providers, and local governments to promote safe and seamless travel throughout the region.
The Chief Operating Officer, Chief of Capital Planning, and Chief of Real Estate and Development will be responsible for ensuring that the agency takes the preliminary steps necessary to implement this policy and will periodically report to me on the agency’s progress. They will also review interim bicycle master plans and provide final versions for my approval by September 30, 2010. Affected staff will soon receive additional information and guidance from them directly.
I encourage all Port Authority staff to make the most of this opportunity to creatively meet the region’s emerging transportation needs, advance the agency’s environmental commitments and contribute to a more sustainable regional transportation system. We will be able to better serve our customers, foster positive relationships with our communities, and contribute to improved employee health. I look forward to seeing a wide range of plans for meeting these objectives, and to sharing them with the region.
//Original Signed By//
Christopher O. Ward
Executive Director
Event Date: May 23, 2010
According to a Mar. 12th announcement, “The NJ2NY50 is a one-day distance walk along the East Coast Greenway that starts in New Jersey and ends in New York City to encourage public participation in walking. The objective is to walk 50 miles through various communities and commercial areas that surround the urban and suburban metropolitan region. This is a joint effort of individuals and pro-pedestrian organizations to build awareness of recreational resources, health and fitness, livable communities and transportation options.”
Event: The Big Walk NJ2NY50
Date: Sunday, May 23, 2010, 5:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Start: Metropark, Iselin (with meeting points along the way)
End: Penn Station, 32nd St., New York
For more info and to register, go to: http://www.nj2ny50.org/
From CenterLines, the e-newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking.
News Post from America Walks
February 25, 2010
Students from Ridgewood High School have created a powerful, one-and-a-half minute video that effectively demonstrates the importance of driving 25 miles per hour, especially through neighborhood streets.
Bike&Walk Montclair has a library of videos and PSAs in the RESOURCES area.
Google Announces Google Biking Directions at the League of American Bicyclists’ 2010 National Bike Summit
Washington, D.C. – March 10, 2010 – The League of American Bicyclists is proud to be the forum for Google to announce what all bike riders have been waiting for – Grab Your Bike and Go with Google Maps. Google is announcing at the Opening Plenary Session at the National Bike Summit that they are adding biking directions in the U.S. to Google Maps.”This new tool will open people’s eyes to the possibility and practicality of hopping on a bike and riding,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. “We know people want to ride more, and we know it’s good for people and communities when they do ride more – this makes it possible. It is a game-changer, especially for those short trips that are the most polluting,”
Read the full article here.
The MHS Bike Club has three main goals.
1. Raise money through fundraisers to purchase/repair bicycles for students of all ages who can’t afford them.
2. Help out the community by advocating for shared streets, partnering with organizations such as Rails to Trails, and volunteering with Bike&Walk Montclair.
3. Ride!
Check out their Facebook page
Event Date: April 15, 2010
BWM is seeking volunteers to help with the 8th Annual Tour de Montclair which will take place on Sunday, May 16, 2010. Please come to the next BWM meeting and help us prepare for this exciting event. The meeting will be held at the Montclair YMCA on Park Street, Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 7:30pm!
U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (Ore.) introduced H.R. 4722, the Active Community Transportation Act of 2010 in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, March 2, 2010. For the past several years, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) has been working closely with local, state and national partners around the country on the Campaign for Active Transportation. Read more
East Hanover REI — Used Bike Collection- Benefitting Recycle a Bicycle
Event Date: March 13, 2010
Bring in your used bike and receive an REI coupon, water bottle, and voucher for a complimentary basic tune in REI’s bike shop. Recycle-A-Bicycle is a community-based bike shop and non-profit organization where used bikes are refurbished and reintroduced to the streets. The organization provides job training, environmental education, and group riding opportunities to youth.
Pedals 4 Progress Spring Used Bike Collections
Events: Begin March 2010
Pedals for Progress isn’t just donating used bicycles: It’s also helping developing world economies by promoting self-sustaining bicycle repair businesses. Please remember your minimum $10 donation with every bike brought to the collection site to help with shipping.
Saveur Creole’s Benefit Concert & Used Bike Collection for Haiti
Event Date: April 2010 (TBD)
Music for Haiti Bikes
by Lina Khouri
of the Montclair Times
“If the vision of a local restaruanteru is realized, then a benefit concert this spring could collect bicycles for people in Haiti.”
Contact: haitibikes@gmail.com
Need a Tune-up or a New Bike?
Check out great styles and deals at local bicycle retailers.
On Saturday, February 27, over 130 participants attended the first NJ Bike Summit in Denville. Three BWM members attended ans saw first-hand much of what’s happening all around NJ related to bike and pedestrian advocacy. The Summit’s intent was to unify efforts of NJ advocacy organizations as well as bring the concerns of NJ’s cyclists to the attention of state and local authorities.