BACA News 2007

BACA SUPPORTERS ATTEND PRESENTATION TO LITTLE ROCK OF HONORABLE MENTION AS BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY

On December 4, 2007, BACA supporters, donning their yellow BACA t-shirts, attended the Little Rock City Board meeting where City of LR Bicycle Friendly Committee Chair Ken Gould presented to the City of Little Rock the League of American Bicyclists' award of Bicycle Friendly Community Honorable Mention status. The award to Little Rock was achieved through the hard work of the Little Rock Bicycle Friendly Community Committee, which includes BACA representatives to the committee Jess Askew, Coreen Frasier, Ken Gould, French Hill, Ed Levy, Gene Pfeifer, and Claibanne Williamson. Quoting from the recent notification of the award from the League, "honorable mention status is accorded only communities on the cusp of achieving full BFC status." Achieving Honorable Mention status requires showing significant tangible progress toward a city becoming bicycle friendly. Of the 24 applications considered, 7 were newly recognized bronze or silver BFC cities, 8 received honorable mention, and 9 were given no recognition. Little Rock's achievement has come in a relatively short period of time: compare the BFC honorable mention recognition with the posting on a bicycling website late in 2000 that asked respondents to name the worst places internationally and in the U.S to ride a bicycle - answer - "Cairo, Egypt and Little Rock, Arkansas."

BACA participated in a number of holiday events in December, 2007. On December 1st, BACA members joined a group of bicyclists who rode from Academy Sports to the Home Depot parking lot to deliver toys to the Toys for Tots programs. Later that day, BACA had an exciting contingent of bicyclists in the Little Rock Jingle Bell Holiday Parade. BACA members wore costumes, rode unusual bikes (including a bike made of three welded frames placed on top of each other), and distributed candy. Thanks to Gordon Fisher for organizing our participation, which has become an annual event.

On December 17, 2007, BACA and ABC members, to honor veterans and to thank the VA for keeping the gate open, went to Ft. Roots VA Medical Center to sing holiday songs and provide goodies to the patients at the facility. Janice Peters and her students provided musical accompaniment on their violins. Thanks to Jim Britt for organizing this event.

SUCCESSFUL ADVOCACY EFFORT - REVISED STATEWIDE LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

Once again our advocacy efforts have paid off. Earlier this year the Arkansas Transportation and Highway Department (ATHD) drafted an update to the Statewide Long Range Transportation Plan which characterized bicycle and pedestrian activities as more recreational than as a mode of transportation, that the trend was likely to continue for the next 20 years, and that neither bicycling nor walking was a viable option for transportation in Arkansas. As the ATHD administers transportation funds, it is important that the ATHD recognize bicycling and walking as viable modes of transportation and that transportation funds take into account the needs of bicyclists and walkers. BACA sent a letter to the ATHD asking it to reassess its plan and include language that takes into account bicycle and walking as modes of transportation. In addition, BACA requested its supporters also write to ATHD. (see story below).

The revised plan will contain the following language:

Bikeways and Pedestrians

The importance of bicycling and walking as modes of transportation in Arkansas is growing. As more Arkansans become health conscious, bicycling and walking will become more important. Furthermore, many individuals living in communities with no access to public transportation systems and working at lower wage jobs rely on bicycling and walking as their sole means of transportation. There are many Federal funding sources available for the development of bicycle lanes, sidewalks and similar facilities. The Department administers three Federal-aid programs to enhance these modes. The Transportation Enhancements Program allows for the development of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. The Department also administers the Safe Routes To School (SRTS) Program, oriented toward encouraging school children in grades kindergarten through eighth grade to safely bicycle and walk to and from school by providing funding for educational programs as well as for infrastructure projects. The National Recreational Trails (NRT) Program is designed to develop and maintain motorized and non-motorized trails for recreational purposes. Many of these projects have been designed and located in a way that strengthens their role as transportation facilities, allowing cyclists and pedestrians to utilize them in their daily lives in a more utilitarian manner. Since 2002, approximately $6.3 million have been expended or obligated for developing pathways throughout Arkansas. All of these programs offer funding to local communities through a periodic competitive application processes. As these programs continue to be funded, the Department will continue to work with local agencies to develop bicycle and pedestrian pathways projects. The Department has established guidelines for bicycle and pedestrian pathways. Accommodations for bicycles will be given due consideration when a proposed highway project is on a route that has been designated as a bicycle route by a locally adopted bicycle plan or master street plan and the Department concurs that the route should be a designated bicycle route. The guidelines for sidewalks require when curb and gutter sections are proposed along a highway with existing sidewalks, the sidewalks will be replaced in accordance with the guidelines. Also, when curb and gutter sections are proposed along a highway with no existing sidewalk, sidewalks will be constructed on both sides of the highway in developed areas. Additional accommodations that address local streets and local bicycle policies are included in the guidelines. In addition to the Department guidelines, each of Arkansas' eight Metropolitan Planning Organizations are required to address bicycle and pedestrian needs and projects as part of their long range intermodal transportation plans. The Department has also encouraged other communities to develop local bicycle and pedestrian transportation plans. Needs for these facilities will continue to be considered during the planning and design phases of project development.

Thank you to all of the cyclists and pedestrians out there who commented on this issue. Special thanks to BACA VP Coreen Frasier for bringing this matter to the foreground.

The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) has released its 2007 Long Range Intermodal Transportation Plan. The Plan contains the following language which we believe needs to be addressed:

Bicycling and walking are not considered major modes of non-recreational transportation in Arkansas. Bicycle and pedestrian activities are characterized as more recreational than as a mode of transportation. This trend is likely to continue for the next 20 years. Neither activity is a highly viable option for transportation in Arkansas. More likely, bicycling and walking will continue to be classified as recreational activities, especially considering the growing desire for better health. To assist persons, the Department administers the Federal Recreational Trails program that is designed to develop and maintain motorized and non-motorized trails for recreational purposes. Since 2002, approximately $3.8 million have been expended for developing 316 miles of recreational trails throughout Arkansas. The Department administers the Transportation Enhancements Program provided under SAFETEA-LU and its predecessor laws. The Department also administers the Safe Routes to School program that is oriented toward bicycle and pedestrian pathways. As these programs continue to be funded, the Department will continue to work with local agencies to develop bicycle and pedestrian pathways projects. Needs for these pathways will continue to be considered during the planning and design phases of project development

On October 4, 2007, the Board approved the following letter to be sent to Alan Meadors, Planning and Research Director of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department concerning the proposed 2007 long range transportation plan:

Dear Alan,

After reviewing a draft copy of the current Arkansas Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan for 2007 - 2010, there are concerns that cycling is not represented fairly and accurately, that an insufficient plan would be detrimental to the continued development of cycling as a viable form of transportation used in Arkansas and that such a dismissive plan for cycling sets a dangerous precedence in the mind of the Arkansas driving public with regard to legal and safe driving practices with regard to cyclists.

An October 2000 Omnibus Household Survey found 41.3 million Americans (20.0%) used a bicycle for transportation in the 30 days measured in the survey. Bicycling is the second most preferred form of transportation after the automobile, ahead of public transportation.

• 1995, Parkwood Research Associates conducted a survey for Rodale Press in which respondents were asked what their current primary means of travel was, and "all things being equal, and if good facilities for each existed, which of these means would you prefer the most"? The percentage of people bicycling and walking rose from 5 percent to 13 percent while the percentage of people driving alone fell from 76 percent to 56 percent. (Source: Pathways for People, Rodale Press).

Clearly, cycling is used more often by more people for more purposes than just recreation. Cycling is a source of recreation and fitness, while traveling. If cycling and walking are made safer more people will ride a bicycle more often. Seemingly, the existing transportation plan treats cycling such that if more people did it than it would more likely be considered a major mode of transportation. This manner of thinking for a diverse and well rounded transportation system is obsolete and requires an increasingly more progressive and nationally accepted way of thinking here in Arkansas. Instead, the plan should be based on “if you build it they will come” not “we’ll build it when they come”.

Existing intra-modal alternative transportation projects such as the Big Dam Bridge and the Arkansas River Trail for example have not only added a manner of recreation for the public, they also have added opportunities for more of the public to commute between places like Maumelle and downtown Little Rock easily, conveniently and safely. Already, current projects placed on the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan by the ARTHD will further enhance a safer infrastructure for all methods of cycling and walking. Lets extend this progressive thinking to the long range transportation plan.

As required by the Federal Highway Administration all modes of transportation are required to be made safe. Transportation modes are made safe by creating intentional plans. Cycling and walking deserve no less.

In the transportation plan, public transportation was cited as a mode of transportation for many Arkansans. As evidenced above, cycling is second to the auto and above that of public transportation. Not withstanding that fact, how do Arkansans get around between bus stops? They walk and, with the advent of several cities now with bike racks on buses, they ride bicycles between bus stops.

Arkansas deserves a plan that substantially plans for a safe cycling and walking infrastructure. 60% of all trips made by Americans are less than 5 miles. This distance is well within the distance of a bicycle trip. Currently 1% of Americans use the bicycle for these short trips. If this is even increased by ½ a percent 462 million gallons of gasoline would be saved each year and that many more Americans would be healthier. A substantial and safe infrastructure for bicycles could be as little as a wide clean shoulder or as elaborate as a parallel pathway connecting places of interest and necessity 5 miles away along some of the busiest roads.

Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas looks forward to providing valuable input to the Arkansas Transportation and Highway Department.

Sincerely,

Ron Rizzardi President Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas.

Ron Rizzardi sent the following update to Alan Meadors.

Alan,

Thank you for receiving public comment regarding the Draft of the 2007 Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan.

Reference my last email to you dated September 29, 2007 during the comment period for the 2007 Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan. In that email, I expressed my disappointment in the lack of a comprehensive long-range plan for cyclist and pedestrians. The reason this bothers me is because casting cycling and walking as not a major mode of transportation then stating that many Arkansans use public transportation is false, misleading and a contradiction.

According to the 2000 Census in Arkansas

Just over 3700 Arkansans used a bus to get to work. .3 %

Over 23,000 Arkansans either walked or rode a bicycle to get to work 2.0 %

If many Arkansans use public transportation – 3,700 in 2000 – it is then a misrepresentation for the Long-Range Transportation Plan to suggest that the 23,000 Arkansans cycling and walking to work are not part of a major mode of transportation.

Further.

1) The addition of bicycle racks on Central Arkansas Buses has had the mutual affect of increasing the number of riders on the buses and increasing the number of Arkansans on bicycles. The bicycle becomes an extension of the bus service moving passengers several miles to or from bus stops. Bus passengers before or after their bus trip deserve a transportation plan that gives them a safe and convenient environment.

2) The 2000 Census reported only 1100 Arkansans using a motorcycle to get to work versus 1500 who rode a bicycle exclusively to get to work. Practically, the same number. Given that the price of gas was much lower in 2000 and is higher now it is logical to believe that more people are riding motorcycles. Likewise, that premise extends to a likely increase in the number of public bus riders, walkers and bicycle riders.

It is my belief that the misrepresentation of walking and cycling frequency as a mode of transportation in Arkansas leaves the public with a false assumption that neither mode of travel has the rightful place on Arkansas roads as dictated by law. This develops a mind set in the driving public that is dangerous to cyclists and pedestrians. It would be negligence on the part of the AHTD to allow the Long-Range Transportation Plan regarding bicycles and pedestrians to remain unchanged.

It should be within Arkansas’ Transportation and Highway Department’s goal to provide a safe and convenient infrastructure for all modes of travel and I welcome a change to the Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan that comprehensively plans for cyclists and pedestrians.

Sincerely,

Ron Rizzardi

If you are interested in commenting on the AHTD's Long Range Planning Study, you can find the plan on the AHTD website, http://www.arkansashighways.com and write to Alan Meadors, Planning and Research Engineer, P.O. Box 2261, Little Rock, AR 72203,(501) 569-2201, alan.meadors@arkansashighways.com, Attention: Arkansas Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan

BACA CO-SPONSOR WITH CLINTON SCHOOL OF TALK BY PATRICK COOK-DEEGAN ON JAN. 29, 2007

BACA was a co-sponsor with the Clinton School of Public Service of a talk by Patrick Cook-Deegan, a senior at Brown University and founder of "Cycle for Schools." In the summer of 2005, Cook-Deegan biked more than 2800 miles through Laos, Cambodia and Burma and raised more than $22,500 for a primary school in Laos. He has been featured in the Washington Post and the Providence Journal.

Cook-Deegan's talk, entitled: "Promoting Service Through Adventure: A 2800 Mile Bicycle Journey" was held on January 29, 2007. About 40 people attended the talk, which was well represented by BACA supporters.