==
Bike-Walk Alliance of NH == 
November 2009 : Rail trails and bike crashes still making headlines
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!
Rail trails still in the news
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. 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.
Considerable
progress is being made on rail trail design, coordination, and development
around the state. Our NH
Rail Trails section on this web site has been expanded to capture more
of this activity. To learn more about statewide rail trail efforts, advocates
attended the annual meeting
of the NH Rail Trail Alliance scheduled for November 14 at the BWA-NH
Concord office. A
press release
from the meeting is available here.
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.
News of interest from prior months follows -- just in case you missed it!
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!
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, our BWA-NH Concord office
has been 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 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!