Well, it seems that everyone has to have a year in review. Whether it be movies or fashion or politics or what. So I thought that it might be kind of fun to do a year in review for biking (as I know it)in Fort Wayne.
I will state here that I know that there are many things that I will overlook during this first stab at it. I try to hit some high points. If you care to become involved, please feel free to throw our some stuff in the comment section! Hint, hint.
Infrastructure
1. The Wabash and Erie Canal Towpath Trail was completed! This significant investment in infrastructure by the City of Fort Wayne has further connected all of the Aboite trails to the river greenway trails. This section is 5.5 miles. I have not had a chance to ride it yet, but everyone tells me that it is sweet.
2. A 1.5 mile long section of 37 (Stellhorn Rd) was repaved with a much wider shoulder giving cyclists a larger riding area. This section is marked as a Bike Route.
3. Over 200 bike racks have been installed all over the City of Fort Wayne. Most of them are in and around the core. Let’s hope that this program can continue because bike parking continues to help encourage cycling!
Advocacy
1. Bicycle Indiana has taken up the cause again to try and push a three feet passing law! Let your legislators know that this is important to you! Go HERE. Editorial Comment: Passing a low like this does not mean that we expect police to enforce this law. You cannot expect police to ticket for this…unless a driver hits a cyclist! This law is meant to protect cyclist’s rights! If I get run over then a ticket would be issued. If a ticket is issued then the driver is shown to be at fault. Then we won’t here any more of this, “It was an accident!”
Events
1. The Bike Corral was out in full force this year at 5 different community events like: Taste of the Arts and the Johnny Appleseed Festival. It should be noted that this is a purely volunteer effort! These fine folks parked over 800 bikes at the various events downtown making it easier to ride! Hello! Awesome.
2. Bike Month and Bike to Work continues to get better every year. I do not know specific numbers for businesses that were involved but I have heard more about it every year so that is a plus. I have some friends that work over at Lincoln and they said there were over 25 people that rode their bikes to work! I loved how they brought the in the Library in partnership with Cinema Center and showed one of my family’s favorite movies, Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.
3. The Bicycle Indiana Commuter Challenge took place between July1 and September 30. Teams were set up and you logged number of trips by bike and miles travelled. Fort Wayne fielded 3 teams. They were the Fort Wayne Bike Commuters, Summit City, and Three Rivers Velo Sports. Combined, these three Fort Wayne teams made 1,789 trips by bicycle and logged over 11,000 miles. I am proud to say the FWBC logged the most trips and most miles for the entire state! Great job to everyone!
4. Courteous Mass Critical Manners continued through most of the year. I am debating continuing to lead this ride or not although some months it is very successful but some are real lightly attended. I kind of feel that we should be riding on main streets to get the point across but also feel that by doing that I am liable should anything happen so I am torn. Ah, screw it. We'll do it again in the spring if you all are into it.
5. Ride of Silence. This year's ride of silence was awesome. I was so glad that Brian Clissold stepped up to help organize it and that the FWPD offered to give us a Police Escort! You can read more about that HERE
Tragedy
1. 15 year old Brian A. Craig of Fort Wayne was hit and killed on Clinton Street at around 6PM on Friday, November 11th. Read more about that HERE
Anecdotally, I see a lot more folks on bikes then I ever have and that gets me stoked! Help to encourage your friends and neighbors to get out there and bike.
Is this list too short? What can you do to help? Whatever you want! We all need to work together to to make Fort Wayne a better place to ride. Got some ideas? Give me a shout and I will help or find someone who can.
Happy New Year everyone.
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