In addition to looking at motor vehicle traffic on I-70 itself, the study also considers other modes of transportation, such as public transit, bicycles and pedestrians.

Any large highway, especially in an urban setting such as downtown Topeka, becomes a barrier to local traffic, particularly bicyclists and pedestrians. Here’s a chance for us to tell KDOT that we need safe highways crossings.

Go to http://i70polkquincy.ksdot.org/ and complete the survey and/or use the online comment form to pass along your concerns.

Also, they are planning on holding public meetings in January and April. If you live in Topeka, make plans to attend and let your voice be heard!

See also: KDOT begins viaduct study from the Topeka Capital-Journal.

Contact your Congressmen with this e-mail letter asking them to support Complete Streets: click here

You do have the opportunity to view and edit the letter before sending. A simple “As a Kansan and member of KanBikeWalk, Inc.,” at the very beginning is a good way to give extra identity to the letter if you’d like.

Let’s let our members of Congress know that we want safe streets for all roadway users!

Like to learn more about the Complete Streets movement? Check out the FAQs and Fact Sheets. You can also follow @completestreets on Twitter for up-do-date news.

KanBikeWalk is a non-profit, statewide organization whose mission is to promote a safe bicycling and walking environment for Kansans through education and advocacy.

KanBikeWalk’s members are working to become Kansas’ center for bicycle and pedestrian issues and advocacy with the goal of making Kansas a premier bicycling and walking state through improved safety/education programs and infrastructure improvements at the local, state and federal level.

As a 100% volunteer organization, KanBikeWalk is reaching out to you as a member of the bicycle and walking community. We all walk and bicycle for transportation, recreation, tourism, sport and/or exercise. We need your help to make Kansas a safer, friendly state to bicycle and walk in. Please join us!

When: Saturday, October 31st, 2009, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. (Pre-meeting ride at 10:00 am weather permitting.)

Where: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 221 E. Kellogg, Wichita, KS 67202 [map]

Please RSVP to gksport5@yahoo.com so we may best accommodate all attendees.

We also believe in having fun!

Please join us for a Pre-Meeting Bicycle Ride (weather permitting) through Wichita. Start time will be 10:00 a.m., with a route taking us on the Wichita bike paths along the Arkansas River, approximately 15 miles at an easy and comfortable pace.

If you have questions about the Annual Meeting or Pre-Ride, feel free to contact any of the KanBikeWalk officers:

• Gina Poertner, President, gksport@gmail.com, 620-342-2477
• Dale Crawford , Vice President, kanbike@comcast.net, 913-829-6588
• Cecile Kellenbarger, Treasurer, cbkellen@yahoo.com, 316-744-7786

Meeting Agenda:

• Welcome and Introductions
• Orders of Business
• 2009 Year in Review – Our accomplishments this year.
• Open Forum/Roundtable – A discussion of issues affecting Kansas bicyclists and pedestrians
• 2010 Activity Goals
• Summary and Closing

We look forward to seeing you!

Transportation Enhancements are the largest federal source of bicycle and pedestrian funding and they are under attack.

We need your help – TODAY!

Senator Coburn (R-OK) is offering two amendments to the FY10 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill that will strike funding for transportation enhancements. The two amendments are S. Amendment 2370 and S. Amendment 2371.

The Transportation Enhancement program has provided between one half and three-quarters of all Federal funding invested in bicycling and walking improvements in the last 20 years. More than $250 million is at stake in fiscal year 2010 – if Coburn’s amendment is successful it will affect hundreds of trail projects, sidewalks, bicyclist education programs, bike rack on bus programs, and roadway improvements for bicyclists.

S. Amendment 2370 prohibits funding for transportation enhancements if the Highway Trust Fund does not contain amounts sufficient to cover unfunded highway authorizations.

S. Amendment 2371 allows states to opt out of the 10 percent set aside rule that require states to spend at least 10 percent of their surface transportation funding on transportation enhancements.

We expect the amendments to be offered and voted on during Senate floor debate Wednesday, September 16.

Please call your Senator immediately and urge them to vote NO on S. Amendment 2370 and S. Amendment 2371 to the FY10 transportation appropriations bill.

So please, call your Senator today, and let your voice be heard to save critical bike/ped funding!

We need your help in making this event successful. Saturday’s Expo runs from 11:00a.m. until 6:00p.m. (June 13th) with the race on Sunday. Help spread the word on behalf of cyclists and pedestrians at this fun and inspirational event. Suggested time slots are below, but if you can help any time, please let me know:

Saturday:
10:00-1:00
12:30-3:30
3:00-6:00

Sunday (race start is 6:30a.m. if you’d like to see that):
8:00-11:00
10:30-1:30
1:00-4:00

The awards ceremony starts at 4:00p.m. Sunday, so we can tear down around that time and it shouldn’t take long. Teardown typically goes faster than set-up.

What we’ll do:

• Talk to folks about KanBikeWalk and to find out what is important to them in regards to cycling and walking.
• Offer them memberships – we are having a prize giveaway for members and we’ll be displaying those prizes.
• As KanBikeWalk members, we will also have the chance to get to know each other and meet new members.
• We’ll also get to enjoy the day and watch the race. This is a very spectator-friendly venue. Bring your families and your friends to watch this world class race as we promote safe cycling and walking in Kansas!

Sincerely,
Gina Poertner, President
KanBikeWalk, Inc.
gksport@gmail.com

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has initiated a project called the 5-County Regional Transportation Planning Study, which will provide an assessment of transportation needs in five northeast Kansas counties (Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami and Wyandotte).

The study is holding a series of public meetings to learn how people are moving in and around the five-county area and what they think is important to regional transportation. Here is the schedule of meetings:

• Douglas County: Thursday, February 19, 2009, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  Lawrence Union Pacific Depot, 401 N. 2nd St., Lawrence KS 66044 [ see map ]

• Johnson County: Tuesday, February 24, 2009, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  MidAmerica Nazarene University’s Cook Center, 2030 E. College Way, Olathe KS 66062 [ see map ]

• Leavenworth County: Thursday, March 12, 2009, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  Lansing Community Center, 800 1st Terr., Lansing KS 66043 [ see map ]

• Miami County: Wednesday, March 4, 2009, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  Paola American Legion, 5 Delaware St., Paola KS 66071 [ see map ]

• Wyandotte County: Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  KCKS Community College, 7250 State Avenue, Kansas City KS 66112 [ see map ]

For additional details, review the invitation.

This is your chance to tell KDOT what you value in your community and how transportation supports those values. Your input can help shape the future of transportation.

KanBikeWalk Vice-President Dale Crawford offers the following suggestions:

The bike/ped community is building momentum and these types of public opinion opportunities are what will carry Kansas into the next generation of transportation planning. If we want bike/ped transportation, safety and equality on Kansas roadways, we need to be seen and we need to be heard.

These studies start out looking at the macro scale, but end up determining the details of individual projects. There are a number of overarching issues to deal with in Leavenworth, Wyandotte, Johnson, Miami and Douglas counties.

Over Arching Issues:

• Removal of barriers – Interstates, freeways, railroads and rivers all create barriers to all modes of local transportation, in particularly bicyclists and pedestrians. A policy for the region to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian needs into every project which cross these barriers would greatly improve the ability of bicyclists and pedestrians to move about their respective communities.

• Equality – Bicycle and pedestrian accommodation is not considered on an equal par with motorized vehicles, yet we share the same rights to the road (except interstates or where otherwise posted as illegal). However, the current transportation system essential discriminates against all non-motorized modes through exclusionary design practices. For example, most cities build new roads with only the vehicular lanes provided. Sidewalks for pedestrians are often not included or required to be built by adjacent development sometimes many years later. Bike lanes on heavier traveled roadways are seldom included, making it nearly impossible to bicycle to many destinations.

• Education – There are numerous misunderstandings of the rules of the road as they apply to bicyclists on the part of all roadway users. Unfortunately, there is not a common understanding of the rules of the road for bicyclists within among the numerous law enforcement agencies across the region either. A greater emphasis on public education would improve the safety of the roadways for all users, not just bicyclists.

• Enforcement – Equal, consistent and strict enforcement of all rules of the road would be to the benefit of all roadway users, but especially for bicyclists. There are a lot of motorist who intentionally violate traffic laws, just as there are bicyclists that do the same. More resources directed at equal and uniform law enforcement is to everyone’s benefit.

There are also many specific issues that need to be addressed in the region. Here is a list of just a few of the issues I have on my list. If you have similar issues you want addressed, come to the meeting to express them and pass your issue on via the email exchange service. There may be others that share you concern you can team up with to get it addressed.

Specific Roadway Issues:

• Kansas River crossings – K-7 highway is slated for conversion to a full limited access freeway (like K-10) from Lansing to Spring Hill. This is a great opportunity to improve the safety of bicycle access over the Kansas River. However, without a strong show of concern, KDOT will likely restrict our access to the future freeway eliminating the critical river crossing. The other existing bridges over the Kansas (DeSoto, Turner, 18th Street, 7th Street, 12th Street, etc.) all need improvements to provide bicycle and pedestrian crossings over the river. They did it in Portland, OR. It can be done here.

• K5 Highway realignment – several cities are pushing for a new K-5 Highway. Currently a significant portion of the existing K-5 highway is used by bicyclists riding from Wyandotte County Lake to Lansing/Leavenworth (the George’s Weston Ride route). Any new roadway work should include bike lanes and accommodations for pedestrians.

• 83rd Street – The roadway is in major need of geometric improvements to safely accommodate the growing traffic demands on it. Bike lanes should be required to be constructed with these improvements to re-open the barred section of roadway to bicyclists.

• Downtown KCMO & KCKS to Olathe Corridor – A continuous, bike commuter-friendly route is needed along this heavily travel corridor basically paralleling I-35. The combination of SW Blvd, Merriam Drive, Santa Fe Trail Drive, Old Kansas City Road and critical links between these segments is possible, would encourage people to get off of overloaded I-35 and encourage more people to bicycle commute to/from Downtown KCMO and hundreds of destinations along the general route. The route could be a combination of on-road bike lanes and trails, depending on the most appropriate type of facility in a particular part of the corridor. Spurs connecting to Downtown KCKS would improve access into and out of this destination zone as well.

• Olathe to Paola Corridor – Bicyclists are frequently seen on various routes to between Olathe and Spring Hill, most commonly Ridgeview Road and soon again they’ll be able to use Lone Elm Road again after the new interchange with its bike lanes over I-35 is complete. However, from Spring Hill to Hillsdale Lake and onto Paola there is only one option — Old Kansas City Road. Shoulders would greatly improve the safety for motorists, including many with boat trailers, and bicyclists, alike. Connecting this corridor to the Downtown KCMO to Olathe corridor would create a seamless bicycle route from Paola to Downtown KCMO and easily branch off to KCKS.

• Interstate and Freeway Crossings – You name the crossing and it likely does not safely accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians, yet people have to cross them without cars everyday. This has to be a top priority to getting people out of their cars on and on their feet or pedals.

I can go on and on, but this gives you the general idea of the potential gains to be made by expressing YOUR needs and wants as a bicyclist. So dream on and think about what would make YOUR bicycling better in and around your neck of the asphalt jungle we share.

Let’s hear your ideas and get some conversation going!

Attending one of these meetings is a great way to let public officials and transportation planners know that citizens want more choices for getting around – including public transit, bicycling, and walking.

The purpose of the event was to introduce KanBikeWalk to state-level elected officials, and to ask for their help in creating a more bikeable and walkable Kansas. We distributed informational folders to all the state Representatives and Senators, and met personally with a number of legislators.

KanBikeWalk was introduced on the House floor by Representative Don Hill, and in the Senate by Senator Jim Barnett.

Attending were KanBikeWalk members Mark Rainey, Randy Rasa, Diane Novak, Ron Johnson, and Gina Poertner, and we got help from two professional lobbyists, Doug Polson and Kent Fulton. Local Topeka cyclist Karl Fundenberger of Critical Mass Topeka joined us for lunch.

The following are a few pictures from the day:

Please join us as we meet with state-level elected officials to ask for their help in creating a more bikeable and walkable Kansas. When you speak personally with your own elected officials and they hear you talk about your passion for these issues, it can make a tremendously positive impression.

Our elected officials all know that someone, somewhere supports better bicycling and walking. But they usually think in the back of their mind that it’s someone somewhere else — on the other side of the state, or in a big city, or a small city, or maybe people who live in pleasant rural areas.

So when they meet you and make that personal connection with someone from their hometown, it really changes things.

We will make personal visits to Kansas legislators and their staff in the capitol. These personal visits are by far the most productive way for us to build support for bicycling and walking issues in our state. KanBikeWalk will provide printed materials you can use as a guide when talking, and can leave with them for later review.

We’ll start the day with a briefing at 8:30 a.m. in the first floor rotunda. Look for the folks with bicycle pins and KanBikeWalk logos!

If you’re unable to attend Advocacy Day in person, you can still help! Emailing or calling your legislators can also be a very effective way to make your voice heard. (If you’re not sure who represents you, you can use the Find Your Legislator app to check.)

If you’re interested in helping out, please contact KanBikeWalk president Gina Poertner at gksport@gmail.com or 620-342-2477.

Cell phone users more likely to crash

Kansas Department of Transportation records show there were 350 accidents in 2007 involving 161 injuries in which “distraction… cell phone” was listed as a contributing cause (leading to 7 deaths).

Five states and the District of Columbia prohibit the use of hand-held cell phones by drivers, and 17 states place restrictions on the use of cell phones by young drivers.

State Sen. Les Donovan, R-Wichita, who has chaired the Senate’s Transportation Committee for the past eight years, said Kansas typically lags behind the rest of the country in passing traffic safety laws. He said that’s largely the result of rural residents’ dislike of government regulation.

The Kansas Senate last year passed a graduated driver’s license bill that would have restricted cell phone use by younger drivers, but the bill died in the House.

Although that bill will probably be revived this year, Donovan said an outright ban on cell phone use isn’t likely in the near future. [ read more ]

Getting some version of distracted driver legislation moving is one of KanBikeWalk’s goals for 2009. There seems to be a growing consensus that such a law is necessary and appropriate. Please join KanBikeWalk in supporting this important issue.

We’ve been working for the past several months with our partners in America Bikes to get bike and pedestrian projects included in the Economic Stimulus/ Recovery bill. Congressional leaders have made it clear they intend to draft the bill to use the State Lists. It is now in your hands to get bike ped projects included on your state list however you can.

Time to Act! We need your help with the Economic Recovery $

In January Congress and the President will sign an economic recovery bill that will include hundreds of billions of dollars, many of which will go to build transportation infrastructure. We need to make sure those dollars build a balanced transportation system ­including bike lanes, paths and sidewalks.

Congress is currently planning on funding only projects that are on States’ priority lists, very few of which include bicycle and pedestrian projects. It is critical that we ensure that bicycle and pedestrian projects are included on the state lists!

Tell Your Mayor And Governor

Local governments across the country are creating lists of ready to go projects in anticipation of stimulus funding from the federal government. Congress is suggesting that only projects on these lists should be eligible for funding, so make sure to contact your mayor and governors office. Tell them:

• There are over $2 billion worth of “ready-to-go” bicycle and pedestrian projects across the U.S. that can create jobs right now
• Bike and pedestrian projects are quick. Because they are smaller, states and cities can spend the money quickly and IN the local economy.
• Building biking and walking infrastructure creates jobs. Bike and pedestrian infrastructure is more labor intensive and less material intensive than building roads, thus netting more jobs for dollars spent!
• Sidewalks and bike lanes makes streets and downtowns into destinations for shopping and entertainment. Investing in walking and biking facilities helps local business and is an investment in the local economy.
• 24% of all trips in the US are less than a mile, 40% are less than two miles. Walking and biking facilities, including those that connect to transit, give American families economical transportation options and lay the foundation to address some of our nation’s major crises, such as climate, energy, and health.
• A recovery package that includes funding for transportation infrastructure but does not include investments to improve bicycling and walking denies the current trends in transportation and the safety needs of the American public. Bicycling has increased in the US ­ in some cities its increased more than 35% in the last two years.
• Biking and pedestrian improvements also help wean us for foreign oil and support a healthy and sustainable future for America!

If you can also work with your Department of Transportation directly to include more bike ped projects, we do encourage you to what ever tactics and paths to success you can blaze.

Tell The Media – Write A Letter To The Editor

Newspapers are covering the recovery package every day, but how often do you see them mention funding bicycle and pedestrian projects.

• Letters to the Editor are written as a response to an article, so first find an article about the stimulus package you want to respond to, and respond within a day or two of the article being published.
• Look for instructions on the website of the newspaper or on the editorial page. Most papers will only accept letters that are 200 words or less.
• Focus on one message and stating it clearly, such as “building biking and walking infrastructure helps our economy and our health”.
• Cite relevant facts and statistics where appropriate. This will help bolster your argument and make it more convincing.

Thank you for your help. Getting bicycle and pedestrian projects into city and state lists will not only help fund new projects, but will be key in setting the stage for the transportation bill.

In Kansas, the KDOT Economic Stimulus Project List proposes 33 projects costing $1.3 Billion, and the list contains no mention of any bike/ped components to any of the projects.

Surely Kansas can do better than that.

Please help.