==
Bike-Walk Alliance of NH == 
January 2010 : Bicycling education and "3-Foot Rule" in the news
If you bike or walk in New Hampshire, there is something on this Bike-Walk Alliance of NH web site that should be of interest to you! There is so much activity here in the Granite State involving biking and walking it is difficult to write about all of it. However, let's get started!
Schools prepare for more bicycling education in 2010
Bicycling
education in many NH public schools continued in 2009. In just the Rundlett
Middle School, Concord NH, nearly 1,000 students in grades 6-8 participated
in the training provided by BWA-NH under a Concord Safe Routes to School program.
The goal is to have sustainable bike-ed in the schools via the staff incorporating
this training into every school year. The benefits of children learning to
handle bicycles as vehicles will help them become better motorists, and as
motorists they will be interact better with younger trained cyclists on our
shared roadways. To help make this happen, BWA-NH has started a "Train
the Trainers" program which follows the guidelines of the League of American
Bicyclists. A pilot program was held in Hopkinton during April and May. Certified
LAB cycling instructors will be able to train school and bike shop staff in
the standardized national bike-ed principles with the staff earning the LAB
Clinic or Community Cycling Instructor certification. To help make this happen,
BWA-NH has applied for a Safe Routes to School grant to start implementing
this training statewide in 2010. A similar program in Maine and other states
has been very successful. Awareness, training, compliance, and enforcement
together will make our shared roadways safer and more enjoyable when motorists
and bicyclists interact properly by following the rules of the road.
The "3 Foot Rule" is one of the laws stressed during all training
sessions conducted by BWA-NH, schools, bike shops, Department of Motor Vehicles,
the Police Academy (PSTC), and driver training instructors. To help make more
people aware of this law, BWA-NH has a new jersey and bumper stickers to go
with the "3 Feet Please" T-shirts that were made available in 2009.
For the jerseys and T-shirts, please see the merchandise page on this web
site to order any item.
Motorist cited in violation of the "3-Foot Rule"
Following
an investigation of over two months by the Concord Police Department, the
motorist who hit commuter cyclist Susanne Kibler-Hacker on October 15, 2009
was ticketed for failure to exercise due care and violation of the "3-Foot
Rule" as enacted on January 1, 2009. The case was closed before Christmas
and was not publicized. Additional details are not presently known but a summary
appeared in the Concord Monitor on January 8, 2010. While recognition of the
"3-Foot Rule" is appreciated, given the life-threatening injuries
sustained by Susanne who, by all accounts, was cycling properly on her way
to work, two tickets and maybe a couple hundred dollars in fines does not
seem like much of a penalty. We need to publicize that such crashes must be
avoided and motorists must obey the "3-Foot Rule." More publicity
about the results of this investigation and stricter enforcement of the "3
Foot Rule" without involving crashes and injuries is needed to make New
Hampshire safer for bicyclists using our shared roadways. BWA-NH will continue
pursuing these goals.
Many
questions remain about this crash and the high threat from distracted drivers,
cell phone use in particular. Please see the Distracted
Driver page for details.
Rail trails still in the news
From
the Berlin Reporter:
As of January 11, a controversial proposal by the NH Bureau of Trails to open
about a mile on the east end of the 20-mile-long state-owned Presidential
Rail Trail to summertime use by ATVs and trail bikes has been withdrawn, for
at least a year, said Trails Bureau Chief Chris Gamache in a Monday afternoon
telephone interview. Businesses in Gorham requested the state's help in finding
a route that would bring ATV enthusiasts to their doors, he explained, noting
that the Gorham have been notified. Area residents, particularly those in
Randolph, were opposed to the idea of opening up any part of the former Boston
and Maine Railroad roadbed up to any summertime motorized use until the entire
route, from Gorham to Whitefield, could be scoped out and a master plan adopted.
"We don't have the time or the resources to pursue the idea at this time," Mr. Gamache. "We've been working with other landowners to try to get a satisfactory route in place." Those against allowing ATVs on the rail trail in non-snowmobile seasons have used local newspapers to express their opposition whereas those in favor — mostly business owners — have shipped their comments directly to Bureau headquarters in Concord. "We feel some obligation to help provide routes for ATV riders who come to Jericho Mountain State Park in Berlin to get to local services," said Bureau Chief Gamache.
A "Friends of the Presidential Rail Trail" organization is being formed, and its leaders have pledged to work in positive ways with the state agency, he added. (Note: The "Friends" organization is a member of the NH Rail Trails Coalition, which in turn is affiliated with BWA-NH.)
Progress
along the M&L corridor:
After an informative
tour of the Manchester & Lawrence corridor between Salem, Windham, and
Derry on July 22,
BWA-NH organized a tour from Derry through Londonderry to Manchester on October
28. Representatives from all related rail trail groups, the communities,
newspapers, and NH DOT Bike-Ped Office explored the completed, undeveloped,
and problematic sections by bike, foot, and caravan on a very rainy day -
but that was the only day key players were to be available. An important mid-tour
meeting was conducted at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport with the focus
being on how the off-road trail could be routed past the airport. Several
ideas were proposed and are subject to further review.
An excellent summary was printed in the NH Union Leader the next day. One highlight of the tour was meeting with the Assistant Director of the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, Richard Fixler. A follow-up meeting hosted by the Londonderry Trailways on December 3 led to more detailed ideas which will be reviewed with both the airport management and NH-DOT, the owner of much of the old M&L rail corridor.
A group of rail trail advocates from each community will work together under the name of the Southern NH Rail Trail Alliance. Focus will be on the M&L corridor and then on to Concord with NH-DOT 2003 Rizzo Salem-Concord Bikeway study being a key reference. Some findings of the October 28 "M&L-North Tour" will be found on the Rail Trails page. BWA-NH is pleased to help facilitate discussion and action on this project which is far more than a recreational trail. Transportation along New Hampshire's major north-south highways (Routes 93 and 28) with connections to Park and Ride locations and densely populated communities make this a very important rail trail.
An
informational tour of the Derry and Windham Rail Trails by their respective
groups was conducted on October
31 for a NH Union Leader reporter, Carol Robidoux. Her article which appeared
on November 2 and some photos are
available here.
In the Lakes Region,
the issue of proposed "Rail with Trail" along the WOW Trail remains
hung-up in the legislative Study Committee thanks to liability and insurance
concerns. Four meetings of the Study Committee in November, attended by BWA-NH
members, included much testimony but only seemed to prompt more questions.
At last report, the study of SB-203 had been extended for a full year. With
luck a resolution will be found so that more people can enjoy the beauty of
the Lakes Region in a safe and enjoyable manner.
Considerable progress is being made on rail trail design, coordination, and development around the state. A new effort to help publicize these efforts and seek funding is being organized by the Southern NH Planning Commission located in Manchester. The first meeting with all interested parties and rail trail groups will be on January 25 at 6:30 PM, 438 Dubuque Street.
The
NH Rail Trails
section on this web site has been expanded to capture more of the activities
underway around the state. To learn more about these efforts, about 40 advocates
attended the annual meeting
of the NH Rail Trail Alliance on November 14 at the BWA-NH Concord office.
A press
release from the meeting is available here.
Other
Rail Trail News:
The
NH Rail Trail Alliance is now the NH
Rail Trail Coalition as of January 1, 2010. The group of some 21
NH rail trail groups remains the same with the same steering committee and
continued affiliation with BWA-NH which provides the business address and
meeting space when needed. The name change was prompted to avoid confusion
with the acronym "NH-RTA" which was already used for the NH
Railroad Transit Authority. The NH-RTC has filed a trade name application
with the state to lock-in the new name.
News of interest from prior months follows -- just in case you missed it!
More awareness and enforcement of the "3 Foot Rule"
On September 28, a letter written jointly by Director Donald Vittum of the PSTC (NH Police Academy) and BWA-NH was mailed to all 226 NH police chiefs and sheriffs to make them more aware of the "3 Foot Rule". A brochure called "Don't be a Road Hog/Road Warrior" created by NH DOT was enclosed with the mailing. Initial feedback has been positive as many police departments did not know about the law which took effect on January first.
From April through October, BWA-NH had a series of radio Public Service Announcements aired over 22 stations in southern NH to help inform the public about the law and how motorists and bicyclists must share the roadways. The NH Driver's Training Manual was updated and drivers education instructors have been informed via the NH DMV. Additional avenues of awareness have been undertaken during bike-ed classes in schools and workplaces.
Meanwhile, several incidents this cycling season will be testing the enforcement of the "3 Foot Rule." In some cases a matter of purposeful harassment of a cyclist by a motorist took place while other times a bike/motor vehicle crash sent the cyclist to a hospital. The worst known crash occurred on October 15 when Susanne Kibler-Hacker, a highly-experienced commuter cyclist, was hit from behind when cycling to work along Route 13/Clinton Street west of Concord. She was severely injured and for a while we wondered if she would survive. All details are still not known but the NH cycling community could not understand how the initially unnamed motorist was only given a warning "to exercise due care." The police investigation was still open at last report.
Bottom line, more enforcement of the "3 Foot Rule" is required and action taken when incidents or crashes are reported. Note that "crashes" are almost always avoided when everyone follows the rules of the road. Distracted drivers, whether using cell phones, texting, feeding a baby, reading, applying make-up, or playing with a radio, seem to be one of the leading causes of a motorist hitting a bicyclist these days. Yes, there are scofflaw cyclists and motorists as well, and that only makes a bad situation worse. If everyone followed the rules of the road and used common sense and courtesy, almost all crashes would be avoided. "Accidents" are caused by unavoidable circumstances; "crashes" occur when someone did not do what is right as either prescribed by law or common sense.
Our unique BWA-NH "3 Feet Please"
T-shirts are available in four sizes for $15.00 each -- see the Merchandise
page. BWA-NH is working with Souhegan Cycleworks in Milford NH to obtain
even more impressive cycling jerseys. To
view the bill click here.
Bicycling education in public schools continues
BWA-NH
completed a 12-hour bike-ed program at the Rundlett Middle School in Concord
as part of their Safe Routes to School program. About 1,000 students in grades
6-8 were taught the basics of proper helmet fit, bike maintenance, "bright
and tight" clothing, and rules of the road including hand signals and
lane usage. Additional tips to make cycling more fun and efficient were also
covered. The next group of students will be taught a similar course by the
school staff once they complete a "Train the Trainers" program in
the spring. One goal of BWA-NH is to have sustainable bicycling education
in all NH schools. A separate program for training the trainers is underway
via the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) and the National Bicycle Dealers
Association (NBDA). This program is planned to be implemented here in NH by
League certified "Master Cycling Instructors" starting next year.
Once children and adults all know how bicycling fits into our society and
shared roadways, the safer, better, and "greener" it will be for
everyone.
Rail Trail Notes
The NH Rail Trail Alliance (now the NH Rail Trail Coalition as of January 1, 2010 and an affiliate of BWA-NH) with Alex Bernhard as the spokesperson had a very productive meeting at NH DOT on April 1. What started as a simple meeting with Director Jack Ferns actually involved key personnel from at least five bureaus or departments. All questions were answered and several action items were agreed upon. A follow-up meeting is planned in about four months. Have a look at some of the happy participants!
BWA
is becoming better known throughout NH as the voice for bicyclists and pedestrians
concerning advocacy, access, and education. By working with the NH-RTA Steering
Committee and staff members at the Department of Resources and Economic Development
(DRED), BWA now has a vote on the Statewide Trails Advisory Committee (STAC).
While interest in rail trail development and management prompted BWA to seek
membership on DRED's STAC, all off-road facilities of interest to bicyclists
and walkers are of prime concern to BWA. By sharing information and ideas
between all users of the NH trail systems, BWA sees our involvement in STAC
to be a win-win story for everyone.
Statewide bicycling awareness ride planned for 2010
Picking up an idea from NH First Lady Dr. Susan Lynch, BWA-NH plans to be a key partner in organizing and supporting a statewide bicycling awareness ride next year. Some of the other organizations expected to be involved are the Regional Planning Commissions, NH DOT, the Foundation for Healthy Communities, the Healthy Eating-Active Living (HEAL) committee, Granite State Wheelmen, and other supportive groups around the state. The benefits of cycling are well known, and this event will highlight safety, health, obesity, economy, pollution, rail trails, on-road facilities, new laws including the "3-foot rule", and the sheer enjoyment of cycling. Multiple routes converging on Concord have been proposed so as to attract cyclists from around the state for this multi-day event. A steering committee is being formed with more plans expected to be released later this year.
Our Concord office has been relocated!
After
being at 163 Manchester Street for three years, on July 1, 2009 our BWA-NH
Concord office was relocated to a newer facility at 57 Regional Drive, Suite
6, right near the Concord Airport. We wish to thank Executive Director David
Henderson of the Safety and Health Council of Northern New England for allowing
BWA-NH to rent space and services of his office.
Safe Routes to School
This federally-funded SRTS program for children in grades K-8 living within
two miles of their schools provides for both infrastructure and non-infrastructure
projects, up to $100,000 each for the third round projects. Round 3 applications
were reviewed by the SRTS Statewide Advisory Committee (SAC) and were forwarded
to NH DOT Commissioner George Campbell for approval. Nearly $740,000 was awarded
in grants to eight communities and 14 schools in Round 3. Round 4 applications
will be accepted late this year. See the June/July
SRTS newsletter for details.
BWA-NH is pleased to be one of ten voting members on the SRTS Statewide Advisory Committee. For more details about this reimbursement program, please visit the NH SRTS web site http://www.nh.gov/dot/org/projectdevelopment/planning/srts/index.htm
Bike-Ed in the schools
Bicycling education programs during 2009 were conducted in Brookline, Concord,
and Hopkinton for both students and teachers. Seven presentations based on
the LAB "Kids-I" programs were given to students in grades 3 to
8. A "Train the Trainers" program covering six hours was conducted
for five staff members of the Hopkinton Middle School. Plans are underway
to implement a more comprehensive "Train the Trainers" program statewide
so that standardized bicycling education will become a routine and sustainable
component of the school curriculums. Bicycling education is supported by the
SRTS program. There are five LAB-certified bicycling education instructors
in NH who will provide the expertise for these programs. BWA-NH is pleased
to coordinate the efforts and to help meet the SRTS goals.
Note:The
NH BikeSmart program
featuring 45-minute presentations aimed at students in grades 3-5 now completed
its third season. The program is owned and managed by Roger Lohr of Hanover
NH, 603.643.0920, email Lohr21@myfairpoint.net. Details will be found on this
web site as a courtesy to promote all levels of bicycling education in our
schools, but BikeSmart is not a BWA or LAB supported program nor does BWA
have any control or management of NH BikeSmart.
New
Hampshire ranked 8th most "Bicycle Friendly State" in the country!
In May the League of American Bicyclists posted their 2009 Bicycle Friendly State rankings for all 50 states. We are very pleased to note that NH moved up two slots from 10th in 2008 to 8th this year, due in part to the implementation of the laws updated by "our" HB-1203 effective on January 1, 2009. For more details please visit the LAB web site; a summary of the ranking for all 50 states follows.
List shows 2009 ranking, state name, 2008 ranking, and change in rank from 2008. Thanks to Dr. Brent Hugh, LCI #1335 and Executive Director of the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation for compiling this list.
1
Washington 1 –
2 Wisconsin 2 –
3 Maine 6 3
4 Oregon 4 –
5 Minnesota 5 –
6 Iowa 21 15
7 Arizona 3 4
8 New Hampshire 10 2
9 Delaware 31 22
10 New Jersey 9 1
11 Wyoming 18 7
12 Illinois 8 4
13 Colorado 22 9
14 California 7 7
15 Michigan 12 3
16 Maryland 35 19
17 Missouri 28 11
18 Utah 11 7
19 Massachusetts 16 3
20 North Carolina 13 7
21 Vermont 17 4
22 Hawaii 14 8
23 Virginia 23 –
24 Mississippi 47 23
25 Nevada 19 6
26 South Carolina 15 11
27 Kentucky 29 2
28 South Dakota 41 13
29 Indiana 24 5
30 Louisiana 26 4
31 Georgia 49 18
32 Florida 20 12
33 Kansas 25 8
34 Idaho 37 3
35 Rhode Island 27 8
36 Texas 30 6
37 Nebraska 33 4
38 Arkansas 39 1
39 Ohio 32 7
40 Pennsylvania 38 2
41 New York 34 7
42 West Virginia 50 8
43 Tennessee 36 4
44 Connecticut 42 2
45 North Dakota 46 1
46 New Mexico 45 1
47 Alaska 40 7
48 Oklahoma 43 5
49 Montana 44 5
50 Alabama 48 2
US Secretary of Transportation supports bicycling
Secretary
Ray LaHood has repeatedly spoken very favorably about bicycling and how some
ARRA funds should be spent in support of bicycling facilities. Check out some
details on the page devoted to this subject.
BWA-NH organizational structure enhanced
At
the December 2008 BWA-NH Board meeting, the foundation for an Executive Committee
consisting of ten divisions or committees was created. With all the bicyclist
and pedestrian advocacy and education programs now underway or planned, BWA-NH
simply needed more talented people devoting more time to make things happen.
The organization chart and listing of people filling the positions will appear
soon. BWA-NH is very pleased with the progress to date. The expertise and
commitment being devoted to the primary BWA-NH goals is very significant and
will result in a "cross-over" of support between the divisions and
committees. Established groups and organizations are encouraged to join BWA-NH
as affiliates with everyone retaining their own identity and internal structure.
Groups just forming are welcome to join BWA-NH as members or sponsors in order
to derive the benefits which can be provided by a state-wide "umbrella"
organization - and that is us!
BWA-NH attains IRS non-profit status
In
conjunction with the enhanced structure, BWA-NH is now a fully-certified IRS
501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. This allows tax deductable donations and
grants going back to our name change on April 10, 2006. All donations, memberships,
and sponsorship are deductable less $15.00 a year which pays for the GSW newsletter
and membership benefits. Our new Fundraising Committee will be seeking grants
to fund expenses such as PSAs for implementation of HB-1203 and "train
the trainer" programs to have bike-ed taught in public schools on a sustainable
basis. And this is just a beginning!
National Bicycle Commuter Act
While the year ahead promises plenty of challenges, there are also incredible opportunities. One is that people need to get on their bikes now more than ever - and thanks to the Bicycle Commuter Act, this will be first year you can actually get some credit from Uncle Sam for riding your bike!.
Many
details are now available. If you are interested,
read on!
Video
awareness tests posted
See
the "How Smart are
You?" page for new videos from Peter Warner of Transport for London
(TFL). Motorist often don't see bicyclists just because they are not looking
for them. Distractions like cell phones and texting are major problems, but
if a person is concentrating on one item the changes in surroundings (which
might include a bicyclist) are often not seen. How about you? Take the video
awareness tests to see if you notice details!