==
Bike-Walk Alliance of NH == 
May 2009 : BWA-NH promotes healthy and "green" activities 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!
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
National
Bike/Walk to Work Month
NH Green Commute Week May 11-15
Bike/Walk to Work Day May 15
April
was a very busy month for many organizations and volunteers are they prepared
for the first NH Green Commute Week and the seventh annual NH Bike/Walk to
Work Day events. NH DOT partnered with BWA-NH to promote this 2009 event on
a statewide basis - see
the Green Commute page for details, listing of scheduled events, and a
chance to win some nice giveaway items.
"Safe
Kids 500" at the NH Motor Speedway in Loudon on
May 4
The
fifth annual "Safe Kids 500" will be held on Monday, May 4, 2009
from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. In 2008 we had good weather so about 500 people participated.
Both the kids and the parents had a great time cycling on the track after
their bikes passed a safety check by S&W Sports. Helmets are required,
likewise helmets are available at the event and a helmet fitting service is
provided by the Safe Kids Coalition and BWA-NH. For more information about
this famous speedway, click here.
For info about
the Safe Kids 500, click here.
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
Implementation HB-1203 RSAs:
The
"3 foot rule" and more. Lend an ear to your radio to hear several
public service announcements promoting the new laws affecting bicyclists and
motorists effective this past January. While HB-1203 was officially signed
into law by Governor John Lynch last July, the public needs to be informed
of this new law and how it should improve the interaction between motorists
and bicyclists. BWA is working with NH DMV, NH DOT, and both radio and TV
PSA producers to help spread the word. Driver education instructors will be
informed during their monthly workshops conducted by NH DMV while BWA will
help when and where possible. Informational handouts are also planned for
distribution in libraries, bike shops, schools and other places to help everyone
become aware of the "3-foot rule" and all the other points covered
in this bill. To
view the bill click here.
NH DOT Bike-Ped Coordinator position now filled:
On
March 27 long-time employee Larry Keniston assumed this position which falls
under the Bureau of Rail and Transit. BWA representatives have already met
with Larry several times concerning rail trails, Green Commute Week, and bridge
construction projects affecting bicyclists and pedestrians. Jerry Moore is
working with Larry in the bike-ped office. We look forward to a close business
relationship with Larry and wish him well in his new position.
Rail trails:
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!
Other
Rail Trail News:
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!
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. The applications
for Round 3 are now under review and included presentations to the SRTS Statewide
Advisory Committee (SAC) at the NH DOT on April 28. The SAC then conducts
a deliberative session and sends their recommendations to DOT Commissioner
George Campbell. At this time over $3M remains for SRTS grants.
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/bureaus/planning/SRTS_home.htm.
Bicycling education programs underway:
Several
of the communities which applied for SRTS funding included a bicycling education
component in their grant application. BWA has been asked to provide various
levels of bike-ed ranging from simple one-period presentations to longer programs
including on-bike activities to "Train the Trainers" programs for
a sustainable bike-ed program in a given school. Hopkinton NH is the first
school district to implement the "Train the Trainers" program. There
are five LAB-certified bicycling education instructors in NH who will provide
the expertise for these programs. BWA 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.
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!