2012 Year in Review

2012 Year in Review

Yes this is an opinion piece so please, if I have forgotten anything please comment or shoot me an email.

Highlights in no particular order

1.        3 Feet Passing Law – From the Bike Fort Wayne Plan - The attention to local and state regulations and laws pertaining to bicycles represents another aspect of the policy orientation of the plan. Changes in laws and policies that define and promote safe use of roadways will reinforce the project and program components of this plan. For example, a state law that requires motorists to give cyclists at least three feet of space when passing, raises awareness of a safe practice and, since it is enforceable, can quickly facilitate a desirable shift in motorist behavior.

I have to tell you that this is by far the highlight of the year.  Thanks to the Planning and Policy Office for pushing this forward and for the City Council to see the value of safety for Fort Wayne Cyclists.  Next up on the Legislative Agenda, according to the Bike Fort Wayne Plan, Complete Streets.  Let’s do it!

2.       Fort Wayne named Bronze Level Bicycle Community by the League of American Bicyclists.  It is totally sweet that the efforts over that last few years have been recognized!

3.       The Towpath Trail Completed and Dedicated – All of those wishing to get near downtown from the Aboite area can now do so.  I haven’t been on this section as of yet but I hear it is awesome.  Read about it HERE

4.       The Fort 4 Fitness Spring Cycle Criterium and Bike Tour – I did not participate in the tour but I heard that it was a nice route and fairly well attended.  I actually spent all day at the Criterium and it was so cool that I will be there again next year!

5.       Return of Courteous Mass – Last year a couple Lawyer friends of mine scared the crap out of me about liability regarding the marginally popular Courteous Mass Ride so we quit it.  That changed this fall with the return of the ride thanks to 3 Rivers Velo Sports sponsorship and most importantly, insurance.  Every 2^nd Friday at Lawton Park.  Leaves at 6:30PM.

Not Necessarily Highlights

1.       The Fort 4 Fitness Bike the Fort – I volunteered and worked at a stop station for this.  I feel as though in order to increase participation in this event it needs to be free!  Cyclovia. Close the streets and let everyone ride everywhere with not a car in sight. We can make this happen!  I was surprised that anyone participated in this at all.  Why does it always have to be about money?  They actually charged people to go ride their bikes on City streets and quite a few people paid.  Obviously I am not the target market.

2.       The Lack of Implementation of Bike Fort Wayne Plan – The Bike Fort Wayne Plan was approved over 2 years ago and it called for bike infrastructure to be built all over town including on Calhoun and Fairfield and Ewing among many others.  It has not materialized at all!  We, the cyclists, are the losers here.  I have said it before and now I will say it again.  Trails (which I love!) cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per mile to get built.  Bike lanes/Bike Routes are a fraction of that cost per mile yet we seem to be hung up. Why?  I don’t get it.  

Hope to see you all at the Chilly Challenge tomorrow.

Later

Full Moon Fever?

Lat Friday I had an eerie feeling as I strapped the velcro around my ankles.  Not a good feeling either.  So I said a prayer to keep me safe and headed out.
I am glad I did.
I was buzzed (passed unsafely)  by a driver on the Columbia Bridge.  I was cursed at by another driver on the same 12 second trip across the bridge as well.
Once off the bridge and heading down Columbia toward Lakeside Park, I was buzzed two more times and cursed at two other times as well.  All this within 1 mile of my workplace!
It had been a long time since I was treated so poorly by drivers here in Fort Wayne.
Did the full moon have anything to do with it?
Careful out there

Car free Sundays in Columbia!

Should Fort Wayne do something like this? I agree, We should!

It would save lives even if you think that it is against your personal freedom!

Published: December 21, 2011 3:00 a.m.
Ban a demonstrated lifesaver
Washington Post editorial

Personal electronic devices have dramatically changed the way most people go about their lives – largely for the better. But irresponsible use has also introduced serious hazards.

Last year, about eight people died each day in vehicle accidents linked to distracted driving and the use of electronic devices. These 3,029 avoidable tragedies were a catalyst for the National Transportation Safety Board’s groundbreaking and potentially life-saving “no call, no text, no update” proposal last week. The board unanimously urged states to pass legislation banning the use of personal electronic devices while driving. The board proposed a narrow exception for emergencies. It also called on the CTIA, The Wireless Association and the Consumer Electronics Association to encourage development of technology that would dis-able portable devices within reach of the driver when a vehicle is in motion but could be overridden in emergency situations.

The dangers of texting while driving have been thoroughly documented, including in a study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, which showed that texting renders drivers 23 times more likely to have an accident or a close call. Thirty-five states (including Indiana) and the District of Columbia have banned texting while driving.

States have been slower to prohibit cellphone conversations. Yet studies show that speaking on a cellphone while driving distracts a driver more than listening to music or speaking with a passenger. D.C. and 10 states prohibit talking on a hand-held device while driving, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The use of a hands-free device does not appear to diminish the risks and in some cases may increase them. Research has shown that drivers who speak on hand-held devices at least tend to compensate by slowing down, while those on hand-free devices tend not to display more caution.

The American Insurance Association, which supports a total ban, calls the use of mobile devices by drivers “a major epidemic.” Public awareness, legislation and enforcement are key to weaning drivers off of these devices. It should not take another 3,000 deaths.

Editorial

Regarding the boy who was killed on Friday night on Clinton
Original story can be found HERE

I was watching the news last night and the comment was made that Clinton is a busy street and is dark. That is very true. It is busy and is not well lit and the 35 MPH speed limit is not adhered to by most drivers making this area very unsafe for vulnerable road users.

The link above to the article in Saturday's Journal Gazette made a point of stating that the boys did have dark clothing on, no helmets on, and very few reflectors.

Honestly, would it have made a difference? We might never know. What is my point here you ask? The kid was 15 years old. Judging by the hour, he was probably on the way home for dinner with his buddies from the neighborhood. There is no safe place to cross that road! Is that his fault? No. People come screaming down that hill toward the downtown. It that his fault? No. Kids are not going to travel a half mile or more to an intersection to cross and then ride their bikes all the way back. It won't happen.

Sure they could have planned ahead at 3 pm or whenever they went out on their bikes and thought, "Gee, it might be dark when I come home so I should wear white." 15 yr old boy? Yeah right.

This freeway through the middle of town is dark and is unsafe for those who are on bikes or are walking. But that doesn't mean that they still won't be there. They will! Like those who use cars for transportation, they still have places to go (even if it is unsafe).

I am so sorry that this young man had to lose his life because cars are more important than those who use bikes or walk. It is time that the most vulnerable road users are taken into consideration.

Could this tragedy have been avoided somehow. Yes. Who is at fault here? The Driver of the car? Partially. The boy riding the bike? Partially. The engineers who designed the road? Partially.

Could this have been avoided with an educational campaign in the schools that help kids understand the dangers and consequences of not thinking about all of those dangers? Perhaps. But since when does a 15 year old boy listen to anything?

Could it have been avoided if this freeway's speed limits were enforced on a regular basis? Perhaps.

Could this have been avoided if the road was illuminated better? Maybe.

Could it have been avoided if the most vulnerable road users were always considered within traffic engineering design? Maybe.

I hope that people will not just point the blame at this poor kid for not wearing the right colored clothing or having the correct number of reflectors though. There are a lot of folks who need to share the blame for his early death. RIP.

Letter to the Journal Gazette editor

This letter appeared in the Sunday paper.
I just love how positive it is!


City’s bike friendliness a welcome change
People are riding bicycles more and more these days.
The ad for Citilink’s “action day” to reduce the ozone really gets one thinking about the earth’s warming and the greenhouse effect. I choose to ride my bicycle and leave a smaller carbon footprint as often as I can. It is so impressive to see how the city has changed and that more folks are using a self-powered mode of transportation.
The city government is supportive in big way. Boulevards with bike lanes are now open. Bike racks placed strategically throughout the city and sidewalks sloped to street levels make it so convenient to cycle. The Rivergeenway can take a cyclist into other neighborhoods to visit family and friends.
Every day there seem to be more bicycles around town as people get used to the changes and think of ways to move around the city. One can get to downtown for dinner, baseball and the theater (you’ve got to love downtown dining, Parkview Field, the Embassy, Civic, Arena, Cinema Center, museums and the library).
Motorists are getting used to the increase in bicycle traffic and have found the bike lanes make them more aware of “sharing the road.” The cyclists find they are much safer on these city streets.
Bicycles and foot traffic have all increased, which shows how much “greener” Fort Wayne is thinking. We’re catching up to places such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston and even Europe. We’re smarter than just a generation ago. Let’s keep the changes coming.
THOMAS A. MAY Fort Wayne

How not to get hit by cars

Does it get any better.

I don't know where I found this but it is sweet and offers invaluable information that will keep you safe(er).

http://bicyclesafe.com/

I especially like the one about riding further to the left, in the lane of traffic. So many streets here in FW are too narrow for cars to be able to pass a bicyclist safely. Thus far I have been using this advice on Lake, Columbia, Main, and Crescent, and it has been working for me. Although deep down in my heart I know it is just killing those in cars that have to add 15-30 seconds to their commute while they wait to pass me safely.

I also like the slow down warnings that this site gives. You don't really think about it but it makes sense that automobile operators have a better shot at noticing you if you are traveling at a lower rate of speed.

Enjoy and Ride On!