Last SSDD was in 2010

Please visit www.SDCC.info, the Shore Drive Community Coalition website.

SSDD2010 July 17th

Thanks to everyone who participated.

With your help, we've made sharing Shore Drive a little safer.

+ blog starts below +

6.30.2010

Cycling for SSDD? Here's some details for today.

Thanks to Aimee at Kokoamos - the cycling for SSDD will start/end at Kokoamos Island Bar, Grill & Yacht Club.

Plan on being there before 730am to ride.

Thanks to Fred, who's office is at First Landing State Park, who has approved the safe u-turn at First Landing State Park that was used in 2009.

One pic from last year:


Cue sheet for cycling posted soon.

Walking, running or just coming out for SSDD?

What are you doing that day to support the safe sharing of Shore Drive?

6.29.2010

Should the Shore Drive Safety Task Force from 2006 be officially restarted?

In December of 2005, after 5 pedestrians were tragically killed - the City Council voted yes on creating the Shore Drive Safety Task Force:
The mission of the Task Force was to evaluate the Shore Drive Corridor and make recommendations to improve the safety of both drivers and pedestrians. The Task Force was comprised of staff members from Planning, Police, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation as well as citizen members from the Shore Drive Advisory Committee (the “SDAC”) and the Shore Drive Community Coalition (the “SDCC”). The Task Force leader was Mr. Charlie Meyer, Chief Operating Officer. Council Member Jim Wood also participated in the Task Force.
You may remember on May 4th, WVEC.com had coverage that the city implemented 90 percent of recommendations from a 2006 Shore Drive task force[.]

This is the Official Shore Drive Safety Task Force Recommendations adopted by City Council in 2006.

We believe there should be an Official Shore Drive Safety Task Force 2010 with a similar structure that obviously includes getting feedback from residents and people who share Shore Drive.

What do you think? Please take the poll in the right column >

6.23.2010

New bike lanes open on America's Main Street. Pennsylvania Ave.

From Fastlane, Official Blog of US Secretary of Transportation:
All across America, people are asking for more choices, more options to get from one place to another. Some of them can't afford cars. Some are concerned about greenhouse gas emissions. Some want exercise or to be out of doors, but don't feel safe.
Link includes news reports, videos, and more links to the new bike lanes.

6.22.2010

Come out to Kokoamos to "Save Lives on Shore Drive" and get T-shirts that will be great to wear on SSDD.

From Increase Pedestrian Safety on Shore Drive FB Group about SAVE LIVES on SHORE DRIVE BLOCK PARTY:
Don't forget you are all invited to come out to the SAVE LIVES on SHORE DRIVE BLOCK PARTY this Thursday night at Kokoamo's. 6:00 pm - 10:00. There will be T-SHIRTS for only $10.00. Blue for Dobbie, Pink for Whitney and Yellow for Safety. These shirts will be great for showing our support for the SHARE SHORE DRIVE DAY on July 17th.

6.19.2010

Share Shore Drive Day Event posted in Facebook - Coordinate Walking/Running

Facebook link.

If you aren't in Facebook - feel free to use the Comment area of this post to coordinate your group to walk or run. [Comments are moderated and will show up asap.]

We're also in Twitter.

Stay tuned for more details about Cycling. Here's one shot from last year's SSDD:

6.18.2010

"Save Lives on Shore Drive" Facebook group

Save Lives on Shore Drive at Facebook:
This is a page created for Save Lives on Shore Drive. It is made up of family and friends of the pedestrians who lost their lives on Shore Drive, as well as citizens who believe in this cause.
There are 226 Members at the time of this post.

Kokoamos June 24th - Support "Increase Pedestrian Safety on Shore Drive"

From the Facebook group:
Kokoamos
2100 Marina Shores Drive
off Great Neck Road

It's time to celebrate!! Pease come out and help support Save Lives on Shore Drive. We've already got the speed limit lowered lets see what else we can accomplish when we work together! So this Thursday from 6-10 please come by!

For more information there is another page on facebook called Save Lives On Shore Drive.


Music by JACKMOVE!

6.17.2010

FHA's 2009 National Household Travel Survey shows that both bicycling and walking trips have increased by 25 percent since 2001.

Can you imagine how much it will increase thanks to 35?

How about when there's bike lanes and multi-use paths on all of Shore Drive?

More about FHA's report at The Hampton Roads Cyclist:
“This report demonstrates what we’ve been saying here at the Department,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Americans want and need safe alternatives to driving. And by making biking and walking safer and more accessible, we’ll be able to provide Americans with more choices and help foster more active, livable communities.”

6.16.2010

"The speed limit decision is one part of a three-step process to improve safety on Shore Drive."

The title of this post is at the WAVY.com article.

Another interesting bit in the article:
The city hopes the new speed limit will encourage drivers to yield to people trying to cross the road.
From yesterday:

6.14.2010

NRVBike.com added to our Elsewhere Link List

The New River Valley Bicycle Association:
The New River Valley Bicycle Association (NRVBA) is an organization representing cyclists in Floyd, Giles, Montgomery and Pulaski counties and the City of Radford. Our job is to make sure your communities are places where it is friendly and enjoyable for everyone to bike.

6.12.2010

"Bike Norfolk is a coalition of cycling clubs and organizations from in and around Norfolk"

Please consider joining them in Facebook:
...dedicated to promoting safe road, mountain, commuter, and recreational cycling in the region.

"Lowering your speed by 5 mph when traveling at 35 to 45 mph will boost fuel economy as much as 10 percent, according to [the GAO]."

At Wired's Autopia blog article entitled Slow Down and Spare the Planet:
Photo: Library of Congress. In Washington, D.C., speed limits went from 40 mph to 35 within 24 hours of the Baruch Rubber Investigating Committee recommending lower speeds nationwide in September, 1942.
It's worth clicking just for the photo if you don't have time to read the article and PDF.

6.11.2010

VB Judge allows Red Light Camera's use against Driver "in connection with the hit and run of a bicyclist"

From Pilotonline.com:
On the night of March 15, police arrived at the 800 block of S. Military Highway to find a 52-year-old bicyclist with broken bones, cuts, and bruising, according to a police news release.

The bicyclist told police that he was riding south on the road when he was struck by a pickup truck. The suspect then fled the scene.

6.10.2010

Friday Pilot Editorial in support of 35

Editorial in the Pilot for Friday June 11th:
The vote last week was the fastest and least expensive way to make the four-lane road less deadly, and the council, lately a sharply divided group, was smart to speak in a united voice.
[Note: This Editor believes it is absurd that some people have written that they think this was a negative decision and a 25 MPH Speed Limit is next. Also, when the data is made public, people will see drunks crossing Shore Drive was never the issue. Speed, driving distracted, poor decision making and more all contributed. Finally - killing the image that Shore Drive is an interstate needed to die. Not more people. If you don't want to help make Shore Drive safer - go around.]

6.08.2010

"Learn to bike safely and effectively in local traffic conditions. Course is a combination of classroom sessions, parking lot drills, and [more]"

More at League of American Bicyclists:
To register for this course, contact:

Bruce Drees
Phone: 757-647-3987
Contact Email: hrcyclist@cox.net
Website: www.hrcyclist.info

Signup required in advance? Yes
Special signup instructions: Please contact the instructor at hrcyclist@cox.net to reserve your seat today!

Equipment required: bicycle, bike helmet

6.03.2010

Thanks to Cathy for ending HearSay today mentioning SSDD

In case you missed Hearsay's Show today, you can catch their Podcast.

About today's show.

What is Share Shore Drive Day?

A day of safety and sharing for everyone including pedestrians and cyclists who travel Shore Drive.

To promote and further the multimodal designation and safe use of Shore Drive throughout the year.

To remember those who've been injured and lost while traveling Shore Drive.

6.01.2010

35 in two weeks

Thank you to all who've help make this possible.

Pilotonline.com:
After weeks years of butting heads with city traffic engineers, neighborhood activists and those who lost loved ones on Shore Drive got what they wanted: a lower speed limit.
At The Hampton Roads Cyclist:
Lowering the speed limit will help in at least two ways: 1) it will give all users of Shore Drive a little bit of extra time to see and safely respond to each other, and 2) when something does go wrong the chances of a fatal outcome will be reduced (see motor vehicle fatality rates).