==
Bike-Walk Alliance of NH == 
June 2009 : BWA-NH promotes an active lifestyle in 2009
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!
Our Concord office is being relocated!
After being at 163 Manchester Street for three years, our BWA-NH Concord office is being relocated to a newer facility at 57 Regional Drive, Suite B-1, right near the Concord Airport. The new mailing address will be effective June 30. 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.
NH State Parks 10-Year Plan -- Draft ready for review
The
Division of Parks and Recreation has released the draft version of
the Ten-Year Strategic and Capital Improvement Plan on its website,
www.nhstateparks.org.
This plan has significance for all walkers, hikers, and cyclists
using the NH State Parks and rail trails.
The Division will be accepting public comment until July 11, 2009 via fax
(603-271-3553),
e-mail (johanna.lyons@dred.state.nh.us), or mail (P.O. Box 1856, Concord,
NH 03302).
THe Strategic and Capital Improvement Plan is available on-line at:
http://nhstateparks.org/uploads/StrategicCapitalImprovementPlanDraft0609.pdf
Draft for Public Review and Comment
The
Division will hold four public information sessions around the
state. They will be structured as informal poster sessions staffed by
the planning team and Division staff to answer questions about the
plan's direction.
Locations, Dates and Times:
Thursday,
June 11th, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
North Country Resource Center
629B Main Street, Lancaster NH
Tuesday, June 16th, Noon – 7:00 pm
Department of Resources and Economic Development
172 Pembroke Road, Concord NH
Thursday,
June 18th, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wentworth Coolidge Mansion State Historic Site
375 Little Harbor Road, Portsmouth NH
Tuesday,
June 23rd, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Peterborough Town Hall
1 Grove Street, Peterborough NH
The
plan was set forth by RSA 216-A:3-c which directs the Division to publish
a comprehensive development plan for the State Park system. The plan has two
goals: A strategic plan for the Division and a capital improvement plan for
the facilities we
manage.
For
more info contact:
Johanna
Lyons
State Park Planning and Development Specialist
DRED - Division of Parks and Recreation
PO Box 1856
Concord, NH 03302-1856
603/271-3556
May
11-15 was the first annual NH Green Commute Week
This event included National Bike/Walk to Work Day on May 15. Statewide emphasis
on multi-modal transportation was promoted via a partnership between NH DOT
and BWA-NH with many local events hosted by corporations and various state
agencies. Concord had a very active schedule with each having a unique theme
thanks to the efforts of Nik Coates of the CNHRPC. Whether participating in
a scheduled event or "green commuting" on their own, anyone completing
two trips by bike, foot, car pool, bus, or train and completing a simple on-line
survey provided by BWA-NH was eligible for giveaways drawn by NH DOT on May
22. For a listing of the winners, home towns, and the prizes, please see the
May Update page on this web site via the Archived
News page.
One Green Commute Week highlight was the bike trip taken by Governor John
Lynch and First Lady Dr. Susan Lynch from their home town of Hopkinton to
the State House in Concord. Their arrival was marked by a bluegrass band,
breakfast items, the Governor reading his Green Commute Proclamation, and
recognition of the organizations which made this event possible. To increase
awareness of bicycling being a key component in the program and the "3-Foot
Rule" as signed into law last year by Governor Lynch, both he and Dr.
Lynch were presented a "3 Feet Please" T-shirt as part of the ceremony
by Dave Topham, BWA-NH Director. Later Dr. Lynch spoke with Dave about organizing
a statewide "bicycling awareness" ride in 2010 since cycling offers
direct benefits concerning "green commuting", health, economy, and
enjoyment. This idea will be pursued over the next few months and will involve
other statewide organizations. Stay tuned for details!
Rail trail development and legislation
Both saw much activity in the past month. Planning has started on the Franklin
to Andover section of the Northern Rail Trail while along the Manchester to
Salem corridor the three rail trail groups of Salem, Windham, and Derry formed
the Southern NH Rail Trail Alliance to have better representation at the state
level. Preliminary meetings with NH DOT regarding this "tri-town"
concept were very positive.
With many thanks to Diane Hanley of the WOW Trail in the Lakes Region, Senate
Bill 203 concerning liability issues of having "rail with trail"
made very good progress in the state legislature. Support from the NH bike-ped
community was excellent. At press time the bill had passed the House and Senate
subcommittees while the final vote was pending. (See more details below.)
Implementation of the "3 Foot Rule" and
the related laws
The new laws created by HB-1203 last year are in effect and are now reaching
the public via 15, 30,
and 60 second PSAs being aired
by 28 radio stations in southern NH. BWA-NH also participated in several radio
talk shows and is lining-up TV PSAs for the NH cable networks. Various printed
materials are being made available as well. BWA-NH is working with NH DMV
to help spread the word via the driver education instructors who are being
informed during their monthly workshops conducted by NH DMV.
To view the bill click here.
To further the awareness and enforcement of the "3 Foot Rule", BWA-NH
is working with the NH Police Standards and Training Council (commonly referenced
as the Police Academy) to ensure all the new bicyclist/motorist interaction
laws are covered in their 14-week training program. In addition, they will
make all State Police and the 236 local police departments aware of the current
laws and stress their enforcement. A direct mailing to all Police Chiefs will
include the updated Road Hog/Road Warrior brochure printed by NH DOT and a
cover letter with contact info and web site references signed by representatives
of PSTC and BWA-NH. The support of PSTC Director Dan Vittum and his staff
is highly appreciated!
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 have been
forwarded to NH DOT Commissioner George Campbell for approval. Round 4 applications
will be accepted late this year.
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 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 enters
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!
Just in time for Bike to Work Week, 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 and GSW networking and awards event summary
On
April 23, BWA-NH hosted an event in our Concord office which saw the Granite
State Wheelmen's President Bill Kennedy award five $1,000.00 grants to the
top five rail trail groups who participated in the application process. The
GSW Board found it difficult to select which of the ten applicants should
receive the grants as all the applications were very good. In the end, the
following five rail trail groups were awarded the grants:
-- Windham Rail Trail Alliance (WRTA)
-- Derry Rail Trail Alliance (DRTA)
-- Manchester Moves, Inc. (MMI)
-- WOW Lakes Region Trail (WOW-LRT)
-- Friends of the Salem Bike-Ped Corridor (FSBPC)
.
Some
of the participants at the April 23, 2009 BWA/GSW event held
at the BWA Concord office. GSW President Bill Kennedy is in the
foreground behind the Green Commute tote bag.
Next, BWA-NH received a $500.00 "mini-grant" from Harvard Pilgrim
Health Care in support of our statewide bicycling education program. BWA-NH
member and Harvard Pilgrim employee Michael Hurst worked to secure this grant
which was accepted by BWA Executive Director Linda Gould.
Michael
Hurst from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care presents
BWA Executive Director Linda Gould with a $500.00 grant to aid
our "Train the Trainers" bicycling education programs.
Once the excitement and brief speeches about the grants slowed down, all those
present had a chance to mention their group and their connections with the
NH bike-ped community. This networking opportunity proved to be very well
received and much was learned by the participants. Follow-up activities and
possible statewide events for the bike-ped related groups are planned. Those
organizations participating in the April 23 event included:
-- NH rail trail groups, grant winners or not
-- NH DOT Bike-Ped Office
-- NH DES
-- NH DRED / STAC
-- NH Green Commute Week
-- Program for Alternative Transportation & Health (PATH)
-- Concord's Transportation Policy Advisory Committee (TPAC)
-- Central NH Regional Planning Commission (CNHRPC)
-- Seacoast Area Bike Routes (SABR)
-- Healthy Eating / Active Living (HEAL)
-- Walk NH by Foundation for Healthy Communities
-- Medialink, author of radio PSAs on HB-1203 RSAs (the "3-foot rule")
-- GSW, the largest and most active recreational bicycling club in NH
-- BWA-NH, host and organizer for the event
Other Rail Trail News
The
NH Rail Trail Alliance (NH-RTA, actually a division under the BWA "umbrella")
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!
New legislation was introduced via Senate Bill 203 seeking clarification of
how "rail with trail" could be implemented here in NH. In particular,
the desired rail trail in the Lakes Region runs along a lightly-used "active"
line used by the Hobo Scenic Railroad. Issues of safety, liability, fencing,
access, and wildlife crossings are all under consideration. Please
see our legislation page for more details about SB-203.
BWA is becoming better known throughout NH as the voice for bicyclists and
pedestrians concerning advocacy and education. The various NH rail trail groups
agreed to form the NH Rail Trail Alliance (NH-RTA) which is actually a division
under the BWA "umbrella" to minimize overhead and gain more wide-spread
support than being an independent organization. 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 will be 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.
BWA-NH supports stimulus TE funding of rail trails
and bike-ped projects:
Federal law directs each state to spend 3% of its highway allocation on the
Transportation Enhancements program. The expected allotment for New Hampshire
in 2009 is $3,883,217. In addition, the state is slated to receive $129,440,556
of the entire $27.5 billion stimulus road and bridge funding. This spending
is flexible, and New Hampshire can spend its allotment on bicycle and pedestrian
infrastructure as it desires.
A letter (see copy)
was sent to Governor John Lynch on March 9 by BWA-NH Board member Josh Sattely
reminding him that rail trail and bike-ped projects should be included in
the distribution of these funds. In a public hearing held by NH DOT on March
13 and attended by at least four BWA-NH members, we learned that several rail
trail projects are on the "short list" thanks to earlier actions
to apply for these TE grants. How far the money will go is another matter,
but at least we are trying.
National Bike Summit, Washington DC, March 11-13, 2009
This year Greg Bakos of the BWA-NH Programs Committee attended this annual
League of American Bicyclists event in Washington, DC. Many workshops and
meetings with the US Reps and Senators from NH make the summit a very worthwhile
event. Representatives from other NH organizations including GSW President
Bill Kennedy attended. Activities during the summit could be monitored in
real time via Twitter. A constant stream of "tweets" kept bicycling
advocates informed in a totally new and modern way. For
details please check the LAB web site.
BWA-NH organizational structure enhanced:
At
the December 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!
New
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!