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.