HearSay on June 3rd has show on Bike Culture with Weiss, Drees & Cheney

Tune in June 3rd at noon to listen and call in:

Thursday, June 3
Bike Culture
The United States was an early adopter of "car culture". With increased awareness of carbon footprints on the rise some are turning to a simpler mode of transportation - bikes. Today we'll talk about the intersection of car and bike culture both nationally and locally. Guests: Eben Weiss, author of 'Bike Snob: Systematically and Mercilessly Realigning the World of Cycling', Bruce Drees, a Hampton Roads bicycling advocate who is a League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructor and Wes Cheney who writes about bicycling in Hampton Roads for the Alt Daily.

http://www.tbarides.org/
http://www.bikeleague.org
http://www.altdaily.com/
http://fotobywes.blogspot.com/
http://www.bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/

They missed Bruce's site http://www.hrcyclist.info/ !

Op-Ed in Pilot entitled Slow down on Shore Drive

Read and comment at Pilotonline.com:

In the past four years, as The Pilot's Aaron Applegate reported recently, five more people have died walking along or across Shore Drive. Alcohol was a factor in some of those deaths but not all. A veteran cyclist was killed there during a ride at dawn last April.

Join the conversation at Envision Transportation

Envision Transportation in Hampton Roads:

The Hampton Roads Center for Civic Engagement, in partnership with the City of Virginia Beach has started a new public conversation about transportation possibilities and their far-reaching impacts.

This project combines the power of visual imagery, new means of information distribution, and the extraordinary value of involving the community in imagining its transportation future.
During the process, citizens will have opportunities to outline future choices and express their preferences.

Engineer recently quoted in article about Shore Drive has Op-Ed in Pilot

At Pilotonline.com:

I deeply sympathize with the friends and families who have lost loved ones on Shore Drive in recent years. If it is determined that reducing the speed limit will help solve the problem, we can do it. If there is a better approach, we will do that, too. I am committed to making Shore Drive, as well as the rest of the roads in Virginia Beach, safer for everyone.

"LaHood turned transportation policy on its head with a declaration that pedestrians and cyclists should be treated as equals with drivers."

Listen, comment, read transcripts at NPR.org:

In March, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood drew both praise and derision when he declared that from now on bicyclists and pedestrians would get the same priority as cars and trucks, much of the latter from the trucking industry. Then came news this week that four House Republicans signed on with Democrats to a letter that lauds the policy change.

3 Letters to the Editor at Pilotonline.com about Shore Drive

You can read and comment at each link. If you prefer not to Register at the Pilotonline.com, you can also comment at this post.

• 25 mph at night, 45 day
• No more Shore Drive bars
• No harm in cutting speed

Va Pilot article about Shore Drive safety in Sunday's paper

Read, comment, and answer poll at Pilotonline.com article:

They're planning events at Shore Drive restaurants to raise awareness, flooding the City Council with e-mails, making rubber bracelets that will say "Save Lives on Shore Drive," and hoping to print cocktail napkins for restaurants cautioning patrons of the road's danger.

Related at SDCC.info.

League of American Bicyclists has announced their Bicycle Friendly State rankings for 2010 - Virginia Ranks 50th in Enforcement

According to VBF, Virginia moved up from 23rd, to 18th in overall rankings:

We’re still awaiting details of these rankings, and we’ll report that information when we get it. But being dead last in “Enforcement” means that we definitely have some work to do!

What do a banker, a doctor, an electrical engineer, a hospital administrator, and a college professor have in common?

They like Chick’s Oyster Bar and Shore Drive.

Check out the story about the cyclists who rode 1,000 miles around the bay at HRCyclist.info.

Update on Save Lives on Shore Drive Thursday June 3rd Event

From Erin, one of the organizers:

Thank you everyone for posting this cause on your page! We have so many people confirmed that we will also be at Bayside Bar and Grill on Shore Dr. (the old Offshore) We will also have DJs at both locations and a shuttle bus to keep everyone safe!!

The Event Listing in Facebook.

I promise to drive undistracted. I promise to walk wisely. I promise to cycle safely.

You can do it.

Complete Streets Best Practices Report is out

From the National Campaign Complete Streets about this report:

A few of the case studies really stand out; their thoughtful and thorough implementation practices can almost be a guide unto themselves. Charlotte, North Carolina (already the basis for our Complete Streets Workshop system) is one of these, as is Seattle, Washington. In fact, Seattle has come up with an elegant answer to the frequent question of what to do when a project budget simply won’t allow full realization of a Complete Streets design. In Seattle, they make sure that this need is added to a future projects list, and they look for ways to fulfill it.

Perhaps the most inspiring theme in the publication is the way that Complete Streets policies have empowered planners and engineers to tackle a new challenge with creativity and innovation. In almost every case study, planners and engineers have invented new ways to consult with partners, deal with limited right-of-way, and save on costs.

From their sneek peek PDF Chapter Five: Making the Transition:

Chapter 3: Elements of a Complete Streets Policy............. 23

Case Studies
Decatur, Georgia ................................................................ 25
Oregon................................................................................ 28
Virginia Department of Transportation ................... 30
Arlington County, Virginia ................................................ 32
Roanoke, Virginia............................................................... 33

Complete Streets is also endorsed by Let's Move, the White House task force to end childhood obesity in one generation:

A complete network of safe bicycle and pedestrian facilities would allow children to take more trips through active transportation and get more physical activity. New Federal aid construction projects should accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians by incorporating “Complete Streets” principles.

In-roadway warning light system and where it's used to increase safety for pedestrians

One example of their use in Virginia from Traffic Safety Corporation:

Crosswalk Warning Light System Improves Safety for Students at Virginia Tech University
The four-lane road running through Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, VA presented a safety challenge to the University. Use of a traffic signal was out of the question because the site didn't meet necessary requirements. A ten-light crosswalk lighting system from TSC provided the perfect solution to improving student safety.

Thanks to Carol for the tip.

Ft Story officially restricted to Military ID carrying cyclists/pedestrains only

From Pilotonline.com:

Three historic areas on the base will remain open to the public, Mohr said, including to bicyclists: Cape Henry Lighthouse, the adjacent memorial park and the historic villages.

Previously here.

Thanks to OceanCity.com for following our Twitter feed!

OceanCity.com:

OceanCity.com boasts the largest, most active online community dedicated to all things Ocean City. Find a wealth of traveler and local tips.

Undoubtedly travelers who visit Ocean City also visit Virginia Beach and this will allow SSDD to reach out to those travelers to share Shore Drive a little safer.

Thanks OceanCity.com!

One more safer driver for SD- an email exchange

Email from me:

please do not speed on shore drive

especially at night when it's raining.

you might not have realized it but you flew past me like i was parked a few minutes ago.

thank you.

The reply:

Sorry Tim, not an excuse, but it had been long day. Didn't realize I was speeding, that being the case, obviously I wasn't paying proper attention. Thanks for the reminder!

Sincerely,

XXXXXX

This person was driving a vehicle with their website, business, etc posted all over it.
I assumed they didn't realize how fast they were driving so I emailed them.

Please - everyone share the road safely!

Battling childhood obesity

From Hampton Roads Cyclist:

“Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a Generation” is a sobering report to say the least.

From CDC Transportation Recommendations:

# Physical activity and active transportation have declined compared to previous generations. The lack of physical activity is a major contributor to the steady rise in rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and other chronic health conditions in the United States.
# Motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of injury-related death for many age groups. Pedestrians and bicyclists are at an even greater risk of death from crashes than those who travel by motor vehicles.
# Many Americans view walking and bicycling within their communities as unsafe because of traffic and the lack of sidewalks, crosswalks, and bicycle facilities.

WalkingInfo.org, funded by FHWA, "Crossing the Street is Dangerous"

From walkinginfo.org:

The street crossing experience comes down to the behavior of the pedestrian and the motorist as well as the design of the intersection or crossing. The behavior of motorists (whether, and how, they stop for a pedestrian) is influenced by a variety of factors, including the speed at which they are traveling. A motorist traveling at a slower rate of speed has more time to see, react, and stop for a pedestrian than someone who is going fast.

The article includes several sections about how to improve roads:

• Improve crossing visibility
• More than a marked crosswalk may be needed
• Intersections with existing traffic signals
• Intersections with existing STOP signs
• Locations without traffic signals or STOP signs
• Improvements to Marked Crosswalks
• Mark crosswalks with highly reflective material
• Raise the crossing above street level
• Narrow the roadway
• Improving signs and/or lights or signals in advance, or above the crosswalk
• Install or improve traffic signals

... and much more.

About WalkingInfo.org:

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) is a national clearinghouse for information about health and safety, engineering, advocacy, education, enforcement, access, and mobility for pedestrians (including transit users) and bicyclists. The PBIC serves anyone interested in pedestrian and bicycle issues, including planners, engineers, private citizens, advocates, educators, police enforcement, and the health community.

The site is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, FHWA.

We've put WalkingInfo.org in our list of Elsewhere links as it's a terrific resource to improve sharing the road safely.

A community service idea driven by people's actions

Inspired by a call to accountability and a recent court decision where a driver was found guilty of their infractions, yet was only given driver training comes an idea a Judge can require.

Community service for all offenders that have moving violations while driving, public intoxication, etc.

How would it work?

If someone is found guilty, pleads guilty, pays the fine - guilty - for any moving violation on Shore Drive or roads intersecting it, they are also required to perform "x" number of hours of community service on top of retaking driver training classes.

Community service based on best practices so they are performed safely :

1. Perform crossing guard duties. [As in, helping adults not children at schools, safely cross SD.
   
2. Speak at Churches, as example, or where requested about a program that encourages safe sharing of SD & the info on how to do that.
   
3. Attend certified cycling training and help spread the word about the importance of safe cycling.

Those are but 3 examples of community service people who violate certain laws would be required to perform.

Post your ideas in the comment section below to continue this idea.

Please come out to CP Shuckers to Save Lives on Shore Drive on Thursday, June 3 from 6-10 to support those who have lost their lives and to save lives

You can check out more at the Facebook Event page:

Date: Thursday, June 3, 2010
Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: CP Shuckers, Shore Drive

More events are planned to increase awareness to safely share Shore Drive.

Join us May 11th at 1pm at First Landing State Park for SDSI2010 Meeting

From Dave:

Shore Drive Safety Initiative 2010 meeting tomorrow, Tues 11 May at 1 PM to be held at First Landing State Park Visitor's Center. The Visitor's Center is located on the Chesapeake Bay side off of Shore Drive. Take your first left after entering park. The Conference room is located on the left side (south side) of the building past the office's main entrance. You should not be charged an entry fee if you mention that it is for a Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) meeting. This meeting will serve as the initial framework for an action plan and time-line to improve the safety along more of Shore Drive for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. If all interested and concerned parties can combine their efforts towards achieving this goal, much can be accomplished.

I thank you ahead of time for your efforts on behalf of all our residents and visitors.

David Williams
Chairman SDSI 2010

From Pedsafe, Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers & Pedestrians

See “Pedestrians most at risk”:

Moreover, some older pedestrians have diminished physical and visual abilities that make street crossings more challenging. In recent years, an emphasis has been placed on improving the design criteria used by engineers to ensure that the needs of all users are being met; the Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians is one resource.

Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians

The proportion of the population over age 65 is growing significantly. Older road users can be expected to have problems driving and as pedestrians, given the known changes in their perceptual, cognitive, and psychomotor performances, presenting many challenges to transportation engineers, who must ensure system safety while increasing operational efficiency.

This Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians provides practitioners with a practical information source that links older road user characteristics to highway design, operational, and traffic engineering recommendations by addressing specific roadway features. This Handbook supplements existing standards and guidelines in the areas of highway geometry, operations, and traffic control devices.

Military ID required to enter Fort Story even while cycling

Saw several emails with people being turned away without having Military ID.

"Ride of Silence" DATE: May 19, 2010 TIME: 7:00 pm WHERE: Hundreds of locations world wide

Please remember this as you drive, walk or ride - share the road safely.

Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20 kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.
WHY DOES THIS ORGANIZATION EXIST?

* To HONOR those who have been injured or killed
* To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here
* To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD

THE RIDE OF SILENCE WILL NOT BE QUIET

On May 19, 2010, at 7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence will begin in North America and roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.

In 2003, Chris Phelan organized the first Ride of Silence in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and was killed.
The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride. There are no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride, which is held during National Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for those who have been killed or injured.
If there is a Ride of Silence in your area, we encourage you to join them. If there is not a ride planned in your area, please consider adding your city to the ever-growing list of sites. For complete information, go to:

Click to go to "Ride of Silence" website

A 6 minute segment on abc affiliate WVEC-13 “Dialogue” program showcases our local May is Bike Month activities and bicycling

The program will air on Sunday, May 9th at 12 noon.

Many thanks to Sharon Oakley with Bike Beat for arranging this great opportunity!

Ride safely,

Bruce

p.s. find all of the Hampton Roads May is Bike Month activities on http://www.facebook.com/VAmayisbikemonth

~Bruce

WVEC covers "Increase Pedestrian Safety on Shore Drive" FB Group

From WVEC.com.
Hat tip from Cheri's post in the "Increase Pedestrian Safety on Shore Drive" FB Group.

"A pedestrian hit at 64.4 km/h (40 mi/h) has an 85 percent chance of being killed; at 48.3 km/h (30 mi/h), the likelihood goes down to 45 percent..."

Some data on pedestrian deaths in urban areas from PedSafe, A Federal Highway Administration program:

Pedestrian crashes occur most frequently in urban areas where pedestrian activity and traffic volumes are greater compared to rural areas...

In recent years, an emphasis has been placed on improving the design criteria used by engineers to ensure that the needs of all users are being met; the Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians is one resource...

Speeding is a major contributing factor in crashes of all types. In 2003, speeding was a contributing factor in 31 percent of all fatal crashes. one resource

From the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

Speed influences the risk of crashes and crash injuries in three basic ways:

* It increases the distance a vehicle travels from the time a driver detects an emergency to the time the driver reacts.
* It increases the distance needed to stop a vehicle once an emergency is perceived.
* It increases the crash energy by the square of the speeds. When impact speed increases from 40 to 60 mph (a 50 percent increase), the energy that needs to be managed increases by 125 percent.

From Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles' Drivers Manual:

According to the Virginia Driver's Manual, cars on dry level pavement stopping distances are from 35mph - 135 ft, from 45mph - 195 ft and from 55mph - 265 ft.

Consider this, virtually all things being equal, driving 35mph from Northampton Blvd to First Landing State Park would take an additional 2.7 minutes.