BACA News 2006

Note - Much of the following came from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's article about the conviction of John Patrick Moody in the Saturday, October 7 edition of the paper.)

Little Rock native, John Patrick Moody, 27, was sentenced to 11 months in jail, fined $1,000 and ordered to complete an alcohol treatment program Friday for killing bicyclist Jason Pratt more than a year ago in a hit and-run collision. Three days before he was to stand trial, John Patrick Moody, 27, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor negligent homicide Friday before Pulaski County Circuit Judge John Langston.

In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to drop a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, a Class D felony that carried a maximum of six years in prison. The judge imposed the sentence recommended by prosecutors, 12 months in jail with one month suspended, 100 hours of community service, the maximum fine and alcohol treatment.

Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John Johnson said the father of the victim, 29-year-old Jason Nolan Pratt, approved the plea. "It was important for him to see [Moody] stand up and take responsibility," Johnson said. Moody will also have to submit to weekly drug and alcohol testing during the portion of his sentence that he's not in jail, Johnson said. Authorities suspected Moody was intoxicated when he struck Pratt on Aug. 6, 2005, he said. "Even though we couldn't prove it, we thought that [alcohol ] was behind it," Johnson said. He said Moody entered an alcohol rehabilitation program after his arrest.

Police could not determine who was at fault in the collision, but reported the impact knocked Pratt's bike 40 feet and hurled his body 100 feet into a tree. Investigators estimated Pratt was struck about 4:40 a.m. in the 6900 block of West Markham Street. His body was not found until shortly after 6 a.m. Johnson said he was confident he could prove to a jury that the green Land Rover owned by Moody's father, lawyer Edward O'Dell Moody, was the vehicle that killed Pratt. Johnson said police had collected parts of a blinker and reflector from the scene that matched the vehicle. Paint on the bike and Pratt's backpack was similar to the sport utility vehicle, he said. "The challenge was putting him behind the wheel," Johnson said. "We had no evidence putting him behind the wheel of the car."

According to police reports, a witness saw two men whom he later identified as John Moody and his youngest brother, 19-year-old William Lawson Moody, unloading an ice chest from the Land Rover and putting a pack of beer into a dark Ford Mustang in the parking lot of the Bank of the Ozarks at 7500 Cantrell Road within an hour of the estimated crash time. They left behind the Land Rover, which had a flat tire, the report said. Two days later, the same witness saw the Land Rover and a silver sport utility vehicle leave the bank parking lot together and called police, reports said.

Investigators were able to trace the Land Rover to Ed Moody, who told them his eldest son, John, had been driving the SUV on Aug. 6 while he was out of the country. Ed Moody also told police his son had called him that morning and told him he had a flat tire, reports said. Moody and his sons refused to cooperate further with police, authorities said.

Enrolled in the private South Texas College of Law in Houston at the time of his arrest, John Moody told the judge Friday he was in his third year of law school. A spokesman for the Texas Bar said a misdemeanor conviction would not immediately bar Moody from practicing law in that state, but he would be obligated to disclose it on his licensing application, even if he has the case removed from the public record. The conviction would not prohibit Moody from getting his law license in Arkansas, said Chris Thomas, director of the Arkansas Supreme Court's Office of Professional Programs. "It's going to be a difficult hurdle to overcome," Thomas said. "The Board of Law Examiners looks at the underlying behavior." The board also would consider how well Moody performed in law school, how he lived his life after his conviction and how well he lived up to the requirements of his conviction, Thomas said.

On August 6, 2005, 29-year old Jason Pratt, while bicycling on Markham, was killed by a hit and run driver. BACA immediately responded to this tragic and senseless act by offering a $2500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible. Additionally, BACA held a Ride of Silence in memory of Pratt. (For more information on Pratt's death and BACA's response, see the articles posted on the news link.)

Police investigators, after receiving information from a witness along with other evidence, were able to identify the perpetrator. On October 6, 2006, John Patrick Moody, age 27, pled guilty to misdemeanor negligent homicide and was sentenced to 11 months in jail, fined $1,000.00 and ordered to complete an alcohol treatment program. (for further information on Moody's arrest and plea, see the news link.)

BACA presented a $2500.00 check to the witness responsible for providing the information leading ot Moody's arrest and conviction at a press conference held on October 25, 2006, at the Little Rock Police Department. Because the witness did not appear, BACA presented the check to the Little Rock Police Chief. In presenting the reward, President Ron Rizzardi made the following comments:

Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas exists for four reasons:

First, we encourage people to use a bicycle or anything compatible with a bicycle for recreation and for transportation

Second, we encourage and promote cities to develop facilities and an infrastructure that makes cycling safer and more convenient

Third, we provide information about bicycle safety.

Fourth, we espouse and uphold the rights of cyclists be it for recreation or transportation. It is this last and vital purpose that brings us here today.

On the morning of Aug 6th, 2005 29 year old Jason Pratt of Little Rock was legally riding his bicycle East on Markham when he was struck from behind by a motor vehicle. The operator of the motor vehicle did not have the humanity to call the authorities or even stop to render aid. Two months later clues of broken vehicle lens covers, paint markings and a witness led to an arrest and conviction. It was the selflessness and moral fortitude of that witness which was instrumental to the arrest of a suspect and their eventual conviction. Because Jason's death saddened and deeply touched the central Arkansas cycling community, BACA raised a reward of $2500 from its members.

Therefore, it is with gratitude and a warm heart felt thank you that Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas presents this reward check for $2500 to that witness. At the witness' choosing, they did not want to be present here at the podium to accept this check. Instead, the Little Rock Police Department will make sure that this brave individual receives this reward.

BACA would like to remind the public that cyclists in general have a legal right to use the road just as a motor vehicle. Further, BACA expects cyclists that use the road to do so responsibly, legally and safely. Jason Pratt's death, and the manner in which he was killed reminds us that BACA must continue its efforts.

With that in mind, BACA would also like to thank Little Rock Police detective Mike Verkler's champion efforts in this case and we look forward to the continued support of all cyclists from the LRPD.

The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department has established a new program directed toward encouraging children in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade to walk and bicycle to school. The Arkansas Safe Routes to School Program will use Federal funding from the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users to provide infrastructure improvements and educational programs for Arkansas' schools. The Department has scheduled public outreach sessions across the State to provide detailed information regarding this new program.

Money is available to develop connecting routes from schools to parks and parks to parks. We need to make our voices heard for the development of bicycle trails in the Central Arkansas area. We are just at the very beginning of changing the culture here in Central Arkansas and there is alot of work yet to be done, including completion of the the Clinton Library Bridge, The Junction Bridge, The bridge to Two Rivers, and the River Trail. The Safe Routes to School program is another component in the goal of making Little Rock and North Little Rock bicycle friendly cities. We need 100% support from BACA supporters to get these things done. Please attend the public outreach sessions. Additional information on the meetings times and locations of the outreach sessions are on the meetings link and calendar link.

About 50 BACA members attended the October 5, 2006 meeting. Candidates for a number of local offices gave their views on issues of interest to bicyclists. Attending the forum were mayoral candidates Barbara Graves, Jesse Mason and Mark Stodola. Johnny Pugh, candidate for Ward #1 attended as did G. Jean Allen, Glenn Schwarz and a representative for Ken Richardson, all of whom are running for Ward #2. For Ward #6, the responses of Genevieve Stewart and Doris Wright were read.

Candidates' responses to the questionnaire are posted on the Government link. We appreciate the candidates taking time from their busy campaign schedules to meet with us and hear our concerns. And thanks to all BACA supporters who attended the meeting, which was most informative. The meeting minutes will be posted on the Meetings link. Stay tuned for announcement of the next meeting.

On September 30, 2006, nearly 250 bicyclists joined in the opening celebration of the Big Dam Bridge. The opening ceremony was staged on the North Little Rock side at Cooks Landing. At about 9:00 a.m., bicyclists lined up on the Little Rock side of the Bridge and rode over to Cooks Landing. The bicyclists were led by Mayors Pat Hays and Jim Dailey. About two-thirds of those participating wore the yellow BACA shirts. At the expo held at Cooks Landing following the ride BACA supporters could be spotted everywhere in their yellow shirts.

The Bridge is nearly 1 mile in length and spans the Arkansas River, linking the North Little Rock and Little Rock sides. The Bridge is the longest pedestrian/bicycle bridge in the world built specifically for that purpose. If you haven't had a chance to bike or walk across the Bridge, do yourself a big favor and get over to it for one of the most spectacular views you will ever experience.

VA OFFICIALS OUTLINE RULES OF THE ROAD FOR BICYCLISTS AT THE SEPTEMBER 7, 2006 MEETING

Representatives from Ft. Roots Veteran's Administration spoke to about 75 BACA supporters at the September BACA meeting. VA officials recently accommodated bicyclists by placing a path around the gate at the top of the Ft. Roots hill. Lori Driver, Public Affairs Officer for the VA, outlined the Rules of the Road that the VA wants bicyclists to follow when riding around Ft. Roots: 1. Ride only dawn to dusk. Do not use the facilities in the evening. 2. One rider, no packing, ride single file. 3. Follow and obey the rules of the road, such as stop signs. 4. Ride on the right side of the road. 5. Don't ride through the housing area. 6. Alcohol is not allowed; tickets will be issued for alcohol use. 7. Don't operate the bicycle in a reckless manner. 8. Photographs are not allowed due to the privacy concerns of the patients.

Please follow the rules and respect VA patients and staff. For more information on the September 7th meeting, including the minutes, please check the meetings link.

BACA t-shirts are available for sale & for pickup at Chainwheel, 10300 N. Rodney Parham Rd., Little Rock. Supplies are limited!! County Judge Buddy Villines wants BACA members to be the first to ride across the bridge during the grand opening ceremonies, & you will need a BACA t-shirt to ride with the BACA contingent leading the bicyclists across the Bridge at the opening ceremony. Help support BACA & show your appreciation to Judge Villines by buying a shirt.

About 85 people turned out for the August 3, 2006 BACA meeting to learn about the festivities planned for the opening of the Big Dam Bridge. County Judge Buddy Villines outlined the activities to an appreciative and enthusiastic audience. On Thursday night, September 28, there will be a Big Dam Bridge Party Sunset Reception on the Bridge itself. It will include hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, music and culminate with a lighting of the Bridge. Tickets for the event are $75.00, which is tax deductible. Additionally, Mary Storey is seeking volunteers to assist with the event. Volunteers will receive a t-shirt and get free admission to the event.

The official ribbon cutting ceremony will be on Saturday, September 30, time to be announced (either 9 or 10 a.m.). A number of officials, such as the Mayors of Little Rock and North Little Rock, will lead the procession over the Bridge. BACA members will follow behind the small group of officials. Judge Villines stressed that he wants BACA members up front in recognition of our support of the Big Dam Bridge Project. BACA members should plan on wearing the BACA t-shirt so that they are recognizable and can join the lead contingent. We will be getting more t-shirts and have them available at the September 7th meeting.

The Big Dam Bridge ride will be Sunday, October 1st. There will be 20, 50 and 100 mile rides. You can register for the ride on www.bigdambridge.com. Judge Villines stated that we need to promote this ride to get as many people as possible to participate to send a message to the community about how events such as the Ride as well as the existence of the longest pedestrian bicycle bridge improve the quality of life for Central Arkansas community.

For additional information about the Bridge opening events, see www.bigdambridge.com. For the minutes of the August 3, 2006 meeting, check the meetings link.

MANY, MANY THANKS TO JUDGE VILLINES FOR HIS UNFALTERING EFFORT TO HAVE THE BIG DAM BRIDGE BUILT. Be sure to sign the petition on line to name the Bridge after Judge Villines. http://www.petitiononline.com/buddyv/petition-sign.html

It has been a very busy couple of months for BACA. A few of our recent activities include in April, May and June 2006 include: * Participation in the Great Arkansas Workout. *The Annual Bike To Work Day Event *Organizing a Ride of Silence (with the assistance of our friends at the Arkansas Bicycle Club.) *Attendance and participation in an important NLR Trails Committee meeting *Participating and assisting with a Saline County Bike Rodeo for Kids (In conjunction with the Arkansas Children's Hospital Injury Free Coalition.) *Initial conversations started with the City of Little Rock to assure the bike transportation needs will be addressed for the next Riverfest. (Parking areas, etc.) *A follow-up on obtaining "Share The Road" specialty car license plates.

BACA MEMBERS LEARN ABOUT MISSISSIPPI RIVER TRAIL, FAILURE OF ARKANSAS HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT TO FUND TRAILS AT JULY 2006 MEETING

Terry Eastin, Executive Director of the Mississippi River Trail (MRT), was the featured speaker at the July 6, 2006 BACA meeting. Terry gave a power point presentation at the meeting. More information on the MRT can be found at its website, www.mississippirivertrail.org. Terry also spoke about the situation concerning the lack of funding for trail development in Arkansas. More information on the meeting can be found at the meetings link, including a copy of the letter Terry wrote to the Director of the Arkansas Highway Department.

Thank you, Terry, for a most informative presentation. We look forward to riding our bicycles along the MRT. Stay tuned for more information about the next BACA meeting as well as other matters of interest to BACA members.

About 140 people participated in the 5th Annual Bike to Work Day (BTW Day) on May 19, 2006. Riders chose from one of two routes: on the Little Rock side of the River Trail, riders met at Murray Park and rode to the River Market; on the North Little Rock side of the River Trail, riders met at Burns Park and also rode to the River Market. Each ride was about 6 miles. At the River Market, riders received a goodie bag with t-shirts, coupons and premiums and were treated to bagels, donuts, fruit and coffee. Local merchants provided items for a drawing.

Many thanks to the additional sponsors of BTW Day: The Arkansas Bicycle Club, the Cities of North Little Rock and Little Rock, Pulaski County, Chainwheel, Wild Oats, CARTI, J & P Bicycling, Arkansas Cycling and Fitness, and to the hard work of the BTW Day co-chairs: Renee Buchholtz and Monty Cole. Special thanks to the Little Rock and North Little Rock police for the exceptional job they did in providing traffic control. And extra special thanks to the weather for cooperating and providing an absolutely splendid day for bicycling to work.

The following letter was sent to the Director of the VA, Ft. Roots concerning the installation of the gate at the entrance to Ft. Roots:

Timothy P. Shea, FACHE Director Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System 4300 West Seventh Street Little Rock, AR 72205-5484

Dear Director Shea,

On behalf of Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas (BACA) I want to thank you and your Public Affairs Office staff for opening a dialogue with us about the issue of the sliding gate installation at the top of the 18th Street hill and for informing us more specifically about the gate as it may affect bicyclists. As you know, we recently learned of plans to close that entrance to outside vehicular traffic during specified times, and we received numerous inquires from our constituents concerning the matter. We would very much like to work with you in maintaining access to the facility's roads for responsible bicyclists. We believe that, as we discussed with Public Affairs Officer Laurie Driver, there are several ways in which BACA could assist the VA, including providing bicycling, bicycle safety, and fitness education and training through your employee wellness program for your staff and children of staff.

Much to our disappointment, we have learned that a small number of bicyclists have apparently acted inappropriately while riding through the VA Fort Roots Medical Facility. BACA does not condone inappropriate or rude behavior by cyclists under any circumstances. Although, of course, we cannot always control the actions of individual riders, as the umbrella bicycling advocacy and education organization for Central Arkansas, we can and will remind members of the cycling community about the importance of portraying a positive image of bicycling and the potentially negative consequences of inappropriate behavior. We can assure you that the vast majority of cyclists are friendly and courteous individuals who reflect the most positive aspects of our community.

BACA was formed approximately five years ago by a group of citizens who are cycling enthusiasts and non-bicycling trail users who are strongly committed to making a positive contribution to the communities in which they live. In that short period of time, BACA has established successful partnerships with a number of businesses and with governmental leaders in Central Arkansas. Our organization represents a diverse group of individuals who ride their bicycles for recreation, for fitness and as an alternative form of transportation. Over the past few years we have worked closely with officials from Pulaski County and the Cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock in the development of the River Trail system and the Cities' Master Plans. Currently, BACA has a membership of over 600 individuals and has become the primary advocate for cyclists and other trail users in central Arkansas.

Recently we have expanded our focus to include more educational programs, with an emphasis on the health benefits of cycling, bicycling safety and bicycle commuting. We have participated in several children's bicycle rodeos and worked with the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and with the Arkansas Children's Hospital on programs they have sponsored.

As part of our expanded focus, we would like to discuss with you or your staff possible ways in which we could work with you through your wellness program, at employee health/fitness fairs, during VA employee/family appreciation days, or other employee related events.

We look forward to hearing from you or your staff on ways we may be of assistance. Thank you for the excellent work Fort Roots Veterans Medical Center does in providing quality health care to our nation's veterans. For more information about our organization please visit our website at www.bacar.org.

Respectfully yours,

Monty Cole President Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas

BACA was one of 15 organizations to receive a League of American Bicyclists/Shimano Bike to Work Week grant of $1000.00. One hundred ten organizations applied for the grant. BACA's Bike to Work Committee is discussing how best to use the money, and we will report our use to the League.

Thanks to Judy Lansky who submitted the grant proposal to the League.

Responding to a call for support from BACA and allied groups, upwards of a 100 BACA members and supporters of the River Trail filled the meeting room and hallway at the March 7, 2006 meeting of the Little Rock Board of Directors to show support for keeping vehicular traffic off the Jimerson Creek section of the Arkansas River Trail. In December, Mayor Jim Daily and City Manager Bruce Moore asked the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to conduct a study on traffic and access issues in the Riverdale area. A task force, chaired by Dr. Angie Brenton, Dean of the UALR College of Professional Studies, conducted a study. Dr. Brenton presented the results of the study at the March 7th Board meeting. The study is available on line at www.ualr.edu.

The UALR study recommended the formation of a group of about 20 "stakeholders" to meet and discuss alternatives. Mayor Dailey named City Director Dean Kumpuris as the chairperson of the group and appointed City Director Stacy Hurst as a member. BACA will have a representative on the committee.

Monty Cole, Vice President of BACA, addressed the City Board of Directors, voicing our concerns over the opening of the Jimerson Creek section to vehicular traffic. When Cole asked that all those persons present at the meeting who were concerned about the opening of the road to vehicular traffic stand, virtually every person in the meeting room stood. Cole stated that converting the River Trail from a multi-use walking, jogging, bicycling community resource to a vehicular traffic corridor would (1) harm the economic health of Central Arkansas by destroying the value of the River Trail in attracting and retaining businesses and industries; (2) cause numerous negative environmental impacts by making the river route a main, if not the primary, vehicular street access from west Little Rock to the downtown area; (3) damage beyond repair the beauty and serenity of the River Trail for all citizens of Central Arkansas; (4) conflict with the overwhelming vote of the electorate in 1992 that the River Trail should be forever closed to vehicular traffic;(5) potentially harm, if not destroy, an historic African-American cemetery; (6) significantly interfere with or prevent effective use of the new bicycle-pedestrian bridge at the Murray Lock and Dam; (7) impede completion of the Arkansas River Trail on the Little Rock side of the Arkansas River; and (8) pose major safety hazards for bicyclists and other trail users.

We will continue to keep members informed of developments through e-mail and the website.

BACA Members Elect New Officers, Hear About Bike Summit at April 6, 2006 Meeting

About 35 BACA members attended the April 6, 2006, meeting. Members voted unanimously to elect the following officers and Board members: President, Monty Cole; Vice President, Ron Rizzardi; Secretary, Judy Lansky; Treasurer, Steve Shepherd; At Large Board members (2006-2008 term), Mark Taylor, Rob Lambert, and Karen Call.

Jennifer Shaw and Coreen Frasier attended the National Bike Summit as BACA representatives and gave an informative presentation of the event. For minutes of the April 6, 2006, meeting, click on the meetings link.

On May 17, 2006, about 75 bicyclists rode silently along the Little Rock River Trail to honor bicyclists who have been injured or killed while riding their bicycles on roadways. The Ride of Silence is held worldwide on May 17th, commencing at 7:00 p.m. In central Arkansas, bicyclists began riding single file on River Trail east of the I-430 bridge, and then proceeded to ride two abreast from Rebsamen Park Road until Alltel. In keeping with the Ride of Silence organization’s request, the cyclists maintained a pace of 10 to 12 miles per hour. Coreen Frasier supplied paper bicycles with the names of those to be remembered and the date of their death, for placement on our bicycles.

The "medical mile" from the River Market to the Baring Cross Bridge is now paved. You can access it from the parking lot behind the River Market and enjoy the ride west to the bridge, where further access is prohibited. You can also go east behind the River Market to the Clinton Presidential Library.

The Medical Mile path goes along the Arkansas River and provides a safe route from Markham to the River Market, allowing one to bypass the dreaded trolley car tracks. You can access the Medical Mile from Markham by going north on Arch Street.

Treat yourself and take a ride or stroll on the Medical Mile.