The Ames City Council is considering a proposal from the Union Pacific Railroad to accept a bridge over Squaw Creek near 6th Street in Ames. If the city does not accept the bridge, UP Railroad will demolish the bridge. It sounds like the rehabilitation will take some work. Grants and volunteer support could make the project feasible and affordable. Read the store at http://tiny.cc/h7WS3
Make plans to attend the December 22nd city council meeting at 7 PM. NOTE: The agenda is not published, so check http://www.cityofames.org/councilweb/bios.htm to confirm the date/time/agenda before you go.
While you are at http://www.cityofames.org/councilweb/bios.htm, you can email the city council and let them know you support the project.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Problems in Philly: Give Respect and Get Respect
There has been discussion about the recent deaths of two pedestrians in Philadelphia. Each situation has different circumstances. The crashes have ignited a discussion that now includes proposals to license bicyclists and register bicycles.
The Greater Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition has responded with teams of Bike Ambassadors to help educate the cycling community about following the rules of the road. From their website: all users of the road should obey traffic laws. When people bend the rules to their personal benefit, whether they are a motorist, bicyclist or pedestrian, it contributes to chaos on the streets and everyone is endangered.
Seems like good advice. More information at http://www.bicyclecoalition.org/action/getrespect
The Greater Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition has responded with teams of Bike Ambassadors to help educate the cycling community about following the rules of the road. From their website: all users of the road should obey traffic laws. When people bend the rules to their personal benefit, whether they are a motorist, bicyclist or pedestrian, it contributes to chaos on the streets and everyone is endangered.
Seems like good advice. More information at http://www.bicyclecoalition.org/action/getrespect
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Uniform School Crossing Guard Training Now Available
Beginning in November 2009, the Iowa Bicycle Coalition's Safe Routes to School program started traveling across the state providing a its free Adult School Crossing Guard Trainer Course. This is the first uniform training program for school crossing guards in Iowa.
According to Molly Gable, Iowa Crossing Guard Course Coordinator, “Crossing Guards are one solution to create safer crossings for students on their way to school. Crossing Guards can remind students of proper pedestrian safety skills, they bring an awareness to the driver of the crossing, and they help parents feel more comfortable about the safety of their child on their way to school.”
In 2005, there were 64,000 injuries and 4,881 deaths to pedestrians due to motor vehicle crashes in the United States. Approximately 15,000 of those injured and 275 of those killed were between the ages of 5 and 15, the age of children who could walk to school (NHTSA).
The Iowa Adult School Crossing Guard Trainer course has already been in Cedar Rapids and Ames. It will be held in four other locations across the state before the end of the year. Below is a list of course dates and locations:
Tuesday, December 1st, in Mason City
Thursday, December 3rd, in Sioux City
Tuesday, December 8th, in Atlantic
Tuesday, December 15th, in Fairfield
The course is specifically geared for school or community crossing guard trainers and supervisors such as school officials, law enforcement officers, or any persons who will be training the local crossing guards. It's a full-day course, starting at 9 AM and ending at 4 PM. The course covers proper crossing guard techniques, laws, policies, procedures, hazards and safety issues.
Registration for the remaining courses has begun. If you are interested in participating, decide which training course will be most convenient for you to attend and register for the course at the Iowa Safe Routes to School website, www.iowasaferoutes.org.
After registering more information will be sent to you via email about your specific training course, including address, a brief agenda, and expectations. This train-the-trainer course has limited seating available and will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Questions regarding this course should be directed to Molly Gable, at the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, Molly@iowabicycleecoalition.org or 515-309-2867.
According to Molly Gable, Iowa Crossing Guard Course Coordinator, “Crossing Guards are one solution to create safer crossings for students on their way to school. Crossing Guards can remind students of proper pedestrian safety skills, they bring an awareness to the driver of the crossing, and they help parents feel more comfortable about the safety of their child on their way to school.”
In 2005, there were 64,000 injuries and 4,881 deaths to pedestrians due to motor vehicle crashes in the United States. Approximately 15,000 of those injured and 275 of those killed were between the ages of 5 and 15, the age of children who could walk to school (NHTSA).
The Iowa Adult School Crossing Guard Trainer course has already been in Cedar Rapids and Ames. It will be held in four other locations across the state before the end of the year. Below is a list of course dates and locations:
Tuesday, December 1st, in Mason City
Thursday, December 3rd, in Sioux City
Tuesday, December 8th, in Atlantic
Tuesday, December 15th, in Fairfield
The course is specifically geared for school or community crossing guard trainers and supervisors such as school officials, law enforcement officers, or any persons who will be training the local crossing guards. It's a full-day course, starting at 9 AM and ending at 4 PM. The course covers proper crossing guard techniques, laws, policies, procedures, hazards and safety issues.
Registration for the remaining courses has begun. If you are interested in participating, decide which training course will be most convenient for you to attend and register for the course at the Iowa Safe Routes to School website, www.iowasaferoutes.org.
After registering more information will be sent to you via email about your specific training course, including address, a brief agenda, and expectations. This train-the-trainer course has limited seating available and will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Questions regarding this course should be directed to Molly Gable, at the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, Molly@iowabicycleecoalition.org or 515-309-2867.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Will there be bike routes in Muscatine County?
Larry Koehrsen sure hopes so. He has been working with the Muscatine County Trails Committee to produce 90-mile network of bike routes. Each route will be marked with a green and white bike route sign and an occasional share the road warning sign. You can view the proposed routes at http://www.muscatinecycling.com
These routes include the American Discovery Trail (ADT) and Mississippi River Trail (MRT). Both trails cross the country with the ADT running East-West and the MRT running North-South. In addition, routes connect cities across Muscatine County on roads already frequented by bicyclists. Many members of the Muscatine Cycling Club were present to show their support of the plan.
State law allows bicycle traffic on any road except Interstate Highways People who ride bicycles have the same rights and duties of the drivers of motor vehicles. State law allows for indemnification of lawsuit claims resulting from in highway design and construction.
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors expressed support of the plan, but was reserved about approval because of liability concerns. The board members had several questions about whether or not they would incur extra liability by designating a bike route on a county road. The board members also wanted to know if the route designation would make the routes seem preferential to less experience cyclists. The board wanted to know if their responsibility for maintenance would increase with the bike route designation.
The board expressed interest in the Share The Road warning sign. The board members said they thought giving a warning to motorists that bike traffic exists on the bike routes was of value.
Koehrsen also indicated private support was available for the purchase of the signage. The members of the board expressed concern about installation costs as well as on-going replacement and maintenance issues.
Dickinson and Washington County was cited as a county that has implemented a similar system. The Muscatine County Engineer reported that he called the Washington County Engineer and he said no such routes existed in Washington County. (editors note: I have a photo of Washington County bike route signs on my cell phone)
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors said they would get a legal opinion from the Muscatine County Attorney. They appreciated the interest from the public and would set an date for action after the legal review is complete.
Staff from the Iowa Bicycle Coalition attended and spoke at the November 23rd meeting. It is the policy of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition that public roadways are transportation corridors that need to safely and efficiently accommodate multiple motorized and non-motorized modes of transportation. Muscatine County could open the door to designating bike routes in other counties and encouraging more people to ride bikes on the designated routes.
These routes include the American Discovery Trail (ADT) and Mississippi River Trail (MRT). Both trails cross the country with the ADT running East-West and the MRT running North-South. In addition, routes connect cities across Muscatine County on roads already frequented by bicyclists. Many members of the Muscatine Cycling Club were present to show their support of the plan.
State law allows bicycle traffic on any road except Interstate Highways People who ride bicycles have the same rights and duties of the drivers of motor vehicles. State law allows for indemnification of lawsuit claims resulting from in highway design and construction.
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors expressed support of the plan, but was reserved about approval because of liability concerns. The board members had several questions about whether or not they would incur extra liability by designating a bike route on a county road. The board members also wanted to know if the route designation would make the routes seem preferential to less experience cyclists. The board wanted to know if their responsibility for maintenance would increase with the bike route designation.
The board expressed interest in the Share The Road warning sign. The board members said they thought giving a warning to motorists that bike traffic exists on the bike routes was of value.
Koehrsen also indicated private support was available for the purchase of the signage. The members of the board expressed concern about installation costs as well as on-going replacement and maintenance issues.
Dickinson and Washington County was cited as a county that has implemented a similar system. The Muscatine County Engineer reported that he called the Washington County Engineer and he said no such routes existed in Washington County. (editors note: I have a photo of Washington County bike route signs on my cell phone)
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors said they would get a legal opinion from the Muscatine County Attorney. They appreciated the interest from the public and would set an date for action after the legal review is complete.
Staff from the Iowa Bicycle Coalition attended and spoke at the November 23rd meeting. It is the policy of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition that public roadways are transportation corridors that need to safely and efficiently accommodate multiple motorized and non-motorized modes of transportation. Muscatine County could open the door to designating bike routes in other counties and encouraging more people to ride bikes on the designated routes.
Friday, November 20, 2009
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