By Tom Wilemon | The Tennessean March 19, 2012
With miles of new bike lanes and more people cycling to work, the city of Nashville wants to improve safety through "Moving in Harmony," a new campaign to teach both motorists and bikers how to share the roads.
The campaign will include billboards to raise awareness, safety programs and ground-level attention to problem areas. It is one of the initiatives that received funding through a grant Metro Public Health Department received from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aimed at confronting obesity. Besides educating people about bike lanes, the program also aims to make the city a safer place to walk.
Mayor Karl Dean's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee plans to have the campaign in full swing by May.
"As we make these changes, it is important that we educate drivers, cyclists and pedestrians on how to safely share our roads and walkways," Dean said. "The more we can get residents to bike and walk, the more we improve our health, our transportation system and our environment, which are all important to me."
In the past 10 years, the city has added 133 miles of bike lanes and shared routes as well as 200 miles of sidewalks. But many motorists did not know the rules for bike lanes and shared routes.
"We're also working with a number of neighborhood associations that have specific concerns -- one of them being the Belmont Hillsboro neighborhood association," said Marne Duke, communications coordinator with Metro Health. "There is a very popular bike lane on Belmont Boulevard that continues to have issues with motorists going around other cars that are turning and using the bike lane as a way to do that. A car is never supposed to be in the bike lane."
There are also eight educational projects to teach more vulnerable groups, such as children and the elderly, about ways to better protect themselves.
For more information, visit NashVitality.org/MovinginHarmony.
Monday, March 19, 2012
As gasoline prices rise, so does push for bicycle trails
By Larry Copeland, USA TODAY
Published: 3/18/2012 7:38:11 PM
SMYRNA, Ga. – The Silver Comet Trail, a 61-mile converted railroad track that slices through northwest Georgia to the Alabama border, teems with traffic this time of year from bicyclists, walkers, joggers, inline skaters and parents pushing baby carriages.
Out here, thoughts of the gasoline pump are far away — but this popular trail, which opened in 1998 and is part of the nation's longest paved recreational trail, was developed with the help of more than $3.7 million in federal matching funds that came from the federal gasoline tax.
Now, as many Americans consider bicycles in place of cars in the face of soaring gasoline prices, cyclists and nature lovers are fighting to make sure funds for trails such as this are available. And they're enjoying a growth in political clout and becoming a viable force in the national conversation on transportation.
During debate over a long-awaited federal transportation funding bill, passed last week by the Senate and pending in the House of Representatives, some members of Congress sought to strip from the bill matching funds for projects such as biking trails and walking paths. Bicyclists and recreation advocates around the nation rallied, writing, calling and e-mailing their senators and representatives.
The funding, which makes up about 1.5% of the total appropriation, remained in the Senate version. Now, cyclists and recreation advocates are working to keep it in the bill being considered in the House.
"There was a lot of anxiety about it," says Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists, a 132-year-old, non-profit group with 20,000 members and 300,000 associated bicyclists around the USA.
"People at the local level see the connection between these projects and their health bill, or congestion, or having other choices," he says. "It's this connection that folks in Congress who want to do away these programs don't seem to have made."
Starting Tuesday, the league has its annual National Bike Summit in Washington. Many of the 800 or so members who attend will lobby House members to retain funding for projects that are usually popular in many communities. Among the trails built or maintained partly with federal transportation matching grants: the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes in Idaho, the George S. Mickelson Trail in South Dakota, the Minuteman Bikeway in Massachusetts and the Metropolitan Branch Trail in Washington, D.C.
"It wasn't just bicyclists," Clarke says. "This really has touched a nerve with a lot of people. They spoke up. They engaged in the democratic process."
The push to encourage and develop bicycle and pedestrian paths — and cycling at a time of high pump prices — isn't confined to Washington. Among recent developments in states:
•The Florida Legislature just passed a package of biking and pedestrian initiatives that allow the sale of trail sponsorship and naming. That's designed to help save the jobs of those who maintain trails around the state. The legislation also would revoke a law that restricts cyclists to bicycling lanes even when it's dangerous and let cyclists install required lights instead of facing a fine.
•Delaware's first-term governor, Democrat Jack Markell, is an avid cyclist who proposed $13 million in his State of the State speech for a series of interlocked trails and pathways across his state. The goals are to give people more opportunities to bike, run, walk and exercise, and to attract tourism.
The state has also adopted a "Complete Streets" policy that aims for roads to be designed not just for cars, but for all users. Last year, the state committed $5 million to its biking and walking infrastructure, and for the first time spent federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds on bike-pedestrian projects. It all helps "give people a chance to manage their own health and wellness," says Brian Selander, an adviser to the governor.
•North Carolina, which has a 3,000-mile state bike road system, last week sought proposals for a Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan, which will include ways to improve trail safety, educate motorists and assess how trails affect business recruitment and retention.
Advocates say these states — and Washington, Minnesota, Oregon and Massachusetts, which have encouraged and developed bicycle and pedestrian paths and policies —are the exception rather than the rule. Most states focus more on building roads for motor vehicles than trails for cyclists, Clarke says.
Bicyclists could see their clout continue to grow just as the price of gasoline rises. On Friday, the average national price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.83, according to AAA. The last time gasoline prices spiked that high, in 2008, bicycle ridership rose so high there was a shortage of some types of bike tires.
Published: 3/18/2012 7:38:11 PM
SMYRNA, Ga. – The Silver Comet Trail, a 61-mile converted railroad track that slices through northwest Georgia to the Alabama border, teems with traffic this time of year from bicyclists, walkers, joggers, inline skaters and parents pushing baby carriages.
Out here, thoughts of the gasoline pump are far away — but this popular trail, which opened in 1998 and is part of the nation's longest paved recreational trail, was developed with the help of more than $3.7 million in federal matching funds that came from the federal gasoline tax.
Now, as many Americans consider bicycles in place of cars in the face of soaring gasoline prices, cyclists and nature lovers are fighting to make sure funds for trails such as this are available. And they're enjoying a growth in political clout and becoming a viable force in the national conversation on transportation.
During debate over a long-awaited federal transportation funding bill, passed last week by the Senate and pending in the House of Representatives, some members of Congress sought to strip from the bill matching funds for projects such as biking trails and walking paths. Bicyclists and recreation advocates around the nation rallied, writing, calling and e-mailing their senators and representatives.
The funding, which makes up about 1.5% of the total appropriation, remained in the Senate version. Now, cyclists and recreation advocates are working to keep it in the bill being considered in the House.
"There was a lot of anxiety about it," says Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists, a 132-year-old, non-profit group with 20,000 members and 300,000 associated bicyclists around the USA.
"People at the local level see the connection between these projects and their health bill, or congestion, or having other choices," he says. "It's this connection that folks in Congress who want to do away these programs don't seem to have made."
Starting Tuesday, the league has its annual National Bike Summit in Washington. Many of the 800 or so members who attend will lobby House members to retain funding for projects that are usually popular in many communities. Among the trails built or maintained partly with federal transportation matching grants: the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes in Idaho, the George S. Mickelson Trail in South Dakota, the Minuteman Bikeway in Massachusetts and the Metropolitan Branch Trail in Washington, D.C.
"It wasn't just bicyclists," Clarke says. "This really has touched a nerve with a lot of people. They spoke up. They engaged in the democratic process."
The push to encourage and develop bicycle and pedestrian paths — and cycling at a time of high pump prices — isn't confined to Washington. Among recent developments in states:
•The Florida Legislature just passed a package of biking and pedestrian initiatives that allow the sale of trail sponsorship and naming. That's designed to help save the jobs of those who maintain trails around the state. The legislation also would revoke a law that restricts cyclists to bicycling lanes even when it's dangerous and let cyclists install required lights instead of facing a fine.
•Delaware's first-term governor, Democrat Jack Markell, is an avid cyclist who proposed $13 million in his State of the State speech for a series of interlocked trails and pathways across his state. The goals are to give people more opportunities to bike, run, walk and exercise, and to attract tourism.
The state has also adopted a "Complete Streets" policy that aims for roads to be designed not just for cars, but for all users. Last year, the state committed $5 million to its biking and walking infrastructure, and for the first time spent federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds on bike-pedestrian projects. It all helps "give people a chance to manage their own health and wellness," says Brian Selander, an adviser to the governor.
•North Carolina, which has a 3,000-mile state bike road system, last week sought proposals for a Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan, which will include ways to improve trail safety, educate motorists and assess how trails affect business recruitment and retention.
Advocates say these states — and Washington, Minnesota, Oregon and Massachusetts, which have encouraged and developed bicycle and pedestrian paths and policies —are the exception rather than the rule. Most states focus more on building roads for motor vehicles than trails for cyclists, Clarke says.
Bicyclists could see their clout continue to grow just as the price of gasoline rises. On Friday, the average national price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.83, according to AAA. The last time gasoline prices spiked that high, in 2008, bicycle ridership rose so high there was a shortage of some types of bike tires.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
The Bloom of Spring
The last two days have been good riding weather. Little Windy but nice.
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Monday, March 5, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
New Seat and Back
What an improvement in looks and comfort. All for less than 40 dollars and a couple of hours. took so long because of extensive cleaning and waxing around the seat and seat bracing. Rode 11/2 miles today. A lot colder than a couple of days ago.
Got seat supplies from Nashville EZ bike and trike source
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Thursday, March 1, 2012
Rides fine!
But needs a little upholstery work. Rode about a mile back and forth in front of the house. Beautiful day, will have to catch these days when we can this month.
Time to get the Trike out.
Buttercups the last week in Feb means warm enough to do some riding! Going to ride and post this year.
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Monday, June 7, 2010
Another TN state park where the riding is good
Cabins go green at TN's David Crockett State Park
Lawrenceville-area park will save energy and water
Seven new,http://tn.gov/environment/parks/DavidCrockettSP/gallery/index.shtml"> energy-efficient cabins sporting cork flooring and native plant landscaping have been unveiled at David Crockett State Park in Lawenceburg, TN, about 80 miles southwest of Nashville.
The cabins and the park’s 1,974-square-foot restaurant will be heated and cooled with the help of a geothermal system, that takes advantage of the stable temperature underground.
The system will produce free hot water in the summer and is expected to reduce the cost of heating and cooling in the park’s buildings by 40-60 percent, while reducing energy-driven pollution.
Other new designs and technologies focus on pollution prevention, children’s health and stormwater management, officials say.
“These contemporary, LEED cabins further demonstrate Tennessee State Parks’ commitment to ensure our visitors enjoy outstanding accommodations, while leaving a lighter footprint on our natural resources,” said Jim Fyke, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner.
“The Green Cabin project included the talents and expertise of a number of individuals and we are very appreciative of their hard work and dedication.”
The cabins are expected to receive silver certification as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project, the first of their kind in a Tennessee State Park.
Fyke was among several state and local officials at an unveiling ceremony today.
The cabins are available for rental beginning June 14. Call the park at (931) 762-9408 for reservations. www.tnstateparks.com/greenvillas">More info on the cabins is available as is www.tnstateparks.com/DavidCrockettSP">more info on the park.
The cabins, according to the state announcement, also include use of pervious concrete in parking areas to help manage automotive fluids and stormwater; ENERGY STAR and LEED-certified insulation, lighting and windows; cork flooring; recycled plastic decking; low-flow plumbing fixtures; radon restraint construction; native plants and low-maintenance trees for landscaping; low volatile organic compound paints; concrete and recycled coal ash exterior siding; and rain gardens to also help manage stormwater.
David Crockett’s greened cabins bring the total of Tennessee State Parks’ environmentally friendly-designed accommodations to 15 – joining Montgomery Bell State Park’s eight energy efficient villas, that debuted last October.
Funding for the seven new Green Cabins was made available through a $2.5 million capital project in fiscal year 2005-2006, including design, total construction costs, furnishings and fixtures.
State provided background:
David Crockett State Park, 1400 West Gaines, just off of Highway 64, one half-mile west of Lawrenceburg, was named for the pioneer, soldier, politician and industrialist born near Limestone, Tenn. in 1786.
Crockett moved to Lawrence County in 1817 and served as a justice of the peace, a colonel of the militia and as a state representative.
Along the banks of Shoal Creek, he established a diversified industry consisting of a powdermill, gristmill and distillery – losing all three operations to a flood in 1821.
Financial difficulties from these losses prompted Crockett to move to West Tennessee, where he was elected to Congress. Crockett died at the Alamo Mission in March 1836, while aiding the Texans in their fight for independence from Mexico.
- ANNE PAINE
From the Tennessean 6/7/2010
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