Bike Denton

Mar 31 2010

Uncategorized

City engineers to present bicycle accommodation findings to council

Mark your calendars, and come show support on April 5 and April 13 as staff presents findings from the input hearing last week. Community support at this moment in time is critical to keep this topic progressing through city bureaucracy and politics. If you’re shy, then these are perfect meetings for you, as there is no chance for public commentary. Your silent presence will help immeasurably.

Via email from Clay Riggs of Utility & CIP Engineering, the staff engineers will present information on bicycle accommodation to both the Traffic Safety Commission and City Council:

Attendees of the Bicycle Public Meeting held 3-22-2010,

City staff wants to keep you informed of what is going on. A copy of the power point used during the public meeting is posted on the City of Denton Utility & CIP Engineering website. City staff is still processing the questionnaires that were collected during the public meeting.

Two important meeting are coming up. The meetings are:

Traffic Safety Commission

Date:     Monday, April 5, 2010

Time:     5:30 pm

City Council Meeting

Date:     Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Time:     4:00 pm (Time could change depending on number of agenda items)

At the Traffic Safety Commission meeting city staff will present to the commission the presentation that was given during the public meeting held March 22, 2010.

At the City Council meeting city staff will present to council a staff position paper for bicycle accommodation.

This is a positive indication that staff are actively thinking about cyclist accommodation, and as we heard at the input hearing last week, they are listening as the community articulates what folks want to feel safe and comfortable while cycling. Both the Traffic and Council meetings are open to the public, and showing up in person goes a long, long way to indicate to politicians, staff, and commissioners that the community is really paying attention to how this plays out. If we stay involved, we increase our chance of seeing this result in some lasting, positive change for Denton’s livability. Given the other hot topics for livability: increasing walkability, obstructive dumpsters, traffic calming for neighborhoods, the fight for cycling infrastructure only helps coalesce the audience which can fight for all of those things, and we maintain open dialogue with city staff to collectively voice community concerns.

Tagged city staff

Mar 24 2010

2 Comments

Denton

Cyclist Input Hearing recap

Last Monday eve, 54 citizens showed up to give input to the city Engineering staff about cycling infrastructure in Denton. 54! They included all age ranges and walks of life: parents with children, seniors, middle agers, college students, etc. We noticed the pastor of First United Methodist, Rick Leisner (Jacobs Group consultant for the Downtown Plan), Brian Lockley (head of Planning), Parks and Rec director Emerson Vorel, Police Lieutenant Tom Woods, and council members Dalton Gregory and Jim Engelbrecht. In other words, people in power were paying attention to the input we gave.

City engineer Clay Riggs kicked off the meeting with a presentation on the general state of cycling facilities in Denton, a several page survey on what types of facilities cyclists prefer, and then he got to the heart of the meeting: blank maps! At several tables around the room, citizens used markers to draw desired bike routes on large city maps. I noticed similar routes on most of the maps, and major arterials in central Denton were all similarly marked as desirable for facilities.

Clay Riggs came across as straightforward and interested in citizen input, as quoted in the NTDaily:

We want an increased use of bicycles, and we want people to be safe doing it. The city staff wants your input. We want to know what you want in bicycle facilities.

Riggs mentioned that the city wants to hire a bicycle consultant after the existing infrastructure has been assessed. He also explained that as drainage and utility easements are upgraded, he hopes that bicycle/pedestrian paths can be included.

After the route mapping session, Clay turned the microphone over to citizens, who made articulate and compelling statements supporting Denton’s new interest in cycling accommodations. Up first, local mom Amber Briggle and her daughter Gracie made the case for bike facilities that accommodate all user types, including children.

All of the speaking citizens expressed dissatisfaction with the WOL’s (Wider Outside Lanes), and all citizens spoke in favor of striped and separated bicycle facilities. Longtime Denton cyclist Ken Royal talked about the disparate trail segments around town and his wish that they should all be connected. I mentioned that Austin engineers Nathan Wilkes and Jason Fialkoff are a great, willing resource, and they’re implementing great facilities at low cost. We at BikeDenton are happy to share any contact info and research with city staff. Denton citizen, Joe Gregory, offered to take the staff engineer on a ride around town to experience the streets from a cyclist’s perspective.

In general, Clay Riggs of Engineering seemed genuinely interested and willing to work with the cycling community to improve facilities in town. Emerson Vorel, Director of Parks and Rec, stated that a way to fund cycling infrastructure would be through the CIP bond election process, a cycle which is due to come up soon (and is apparently overdue).

After the meeting, city engineering staff is to deliver results from the input hearing to the city council, and early in April we can expect a city council work session to discuss how they’d like to pursue improved cycling infrastructure. All in all, this is a really good sign that if citizens continue growing cycling interest and advocacy, we could see some real potential for positive change.

We’ll post details on the followup council work session when we know a solid date.

Tagged city staff, Denton

Mar 17 2010

2 Comments

Uncategorized

The writing on the wall

Earlier this week, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood made some bold, bold statements to send a strong message to state and local transportation planners about the de-prioritization of car-centric road design. Ray is atop the entire American transportation hierarchy, so these bold statements should be accompanied with eventual funding impetus. The FTA already announced an official policy shift. Yeah, your gut instinct is right, this is a REALLY BIG DEAL. Local and regional transportation planners ought to see this as the writing on the wall.

Today, I want to announce a sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.

We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

To set this approach in motion, we have formulated key recommendations for state DOTs and communities:

Treat walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes.

Ensure convenient access for people of all ages and abilities.

Go beyond minimum design standards.

Collect data on walking and biking trips.

Set a mode share target for walking and bicycling.

Protect sidewalks and shared-use paths the same way roadways are protected (for example, snow removal)

Improve nonmotorized facilities during maintenance projects.

Now, this is a start, but it’s an important start. These initial steps forward will help us move forward even further.

In addition to the previous written statements on his blog, Ray hoisted himself atop a table at a DC talk and stated:

I’ve been all over America, and where I’ve been in America I’ve been very proud to talk about the fact that people do want alternatives. They want out of their cars, they want out of congestion, they want to live in livable neighborhoods and livable communities.

Photo by Jeffrey Martin, courtesy of the League of American Bicyclists.

Tagged federal

Mar 10 2010

Denton

Bike NX35

Reasons to bike or walk the NX35 music conference this week:

Our friends at the Querencia Community Bike Shop are providing free bicycle valet service for the free Flaming Lips concert at the county fairgrounds on Saturday. See below for bike route.
Parking will be worse than scant at all venues and around downtown
After 5PM and on the weekends, UNT has tons of free parking lot space, and you can leave your car there and bring a bike or walk. See the rules for details on which lots require permits when.
Burn off all those food and beer calories. Seriously.
Biking NX35 will greatly reduce the automobile emissions which contribute to our “F” air quality grade.
Biking NX35 will calm car traffic, thereby reducing crashes and making it safer for everyone.

Things to remember when cycling in Denton:

law requires a front white light and red rear reflector
respect stops signs and red lights
don’t ride on the courthouse square sidewalks, it’s illegal
lock your bike, duh
call for pedicabs at (940) 312-8298
yield to pedestrians

Bike Routes to NX35

UNT Welch parking lot to Flaming Lips show bicycle valet at Fairgounds: map
Flaming Lips show to downtown square venues: map
downtown square to Rubber Gloves venue: map

Tagged Denton, NX35

Mar 08 2010

Uncategorized

Local cyclist, Richard Scofield, dies of heart attack

(photo courtesy of Denton Record-Chronicle)

Many in the Denton/Corinth area are expressing deep condolences to the family of Richard Scofield, a successful basketball coach for Liberty Christian whom many had become acquainted with on mountain bike trails and around town. Despite having appeared in outstanding health at a race over the weekend, he passed away after a heart attack on Sunday.

A fellow Denton mountain bike racer says of Richard, “He rode faster and harder on the trails at age 62 than most of us in our twenties. He will be missed.”

A father of five children and a beloved cyclist, Richard’s departure was untimely and a complete shock to those who knew and raced with him.

Funeral services for Richard are at 2pm on Thursday, March 11th at First United Methodist Church on the Denton square. Viewing is at DeBerry, 6-8pm, graveside service is at 10:30 at Roselawn.

Tagged Corinth

Mar 07 2010

1 Comment

Denton

Cyclist Public Input Meeting – Monday, March 22

After a couple of recent cyclist input meeting reschedules, the Denton city engineering staff have committed to a March 22 (Monday) public input meeting for cyclists. When I say cyclists, I don’t just mean people who already ride bikes. I also mean people who would ride bikes if they felt more comfortable on the roads. As far as I can tell, the listening staff work for the Streets engineering department, and if bike lanes, sharrows, and cycletracks are to be built, these folks will be planning and doing the work. The purpose for this input meeting is so staff can deliver our input + staff’s conclusions to city council in early April. That council meeting in April will set the tone for future action and any kind of cohesive planning. Ideally, if Denton city council calls for a Bicycle Master Plan like Fort Worth, then staff could design facilities to match the guiding document.

The timing for this input hearing is perfect. We are one year from having a commuter train station downtown, and we have about 40,000 college students at two university campuses. Our roads inside Denton cannot expand to accommodate our rapidly growing population. Denton is out of federal air-quality compliance. Neighborhoods and the square are oft concerned with parking woes. Denton neighborhoods want improved bike/pedestrian connectivity across town and safe routes for children to get to school. The inertia for Denton’s bike/pedestrian discussion is very real, and at least half the city council and the mayor believe in this cause.

If you care about this topic, this is THE time to make your opinion heard. This may be the first time in the city’s history that staff has held a dedicated cyclist input meeting, and we shouldn’t let it go to waste.

7PM Monday, March 22, 2010

Denton Civic Center

321 E. McKinney St

flyer PDF | 4X handbill PDF

Tagged city staff, Denton

Mar 04 2010

2 Comments

Denton

Safe Passing editorial

Today, city councilman Dalton Gregory published a Safe Passing article in the Denton Record Chronicle.

The Safe Passage Ordinance establishes a clear standard for a safe passing distance of 3 feet (or 6 feet for commercial vehicles) that applies only when road conditions allow. Texas already requires motorist to pass at a safe distance. This ordinance simply defines that distance.

The ordinance is written to protect “vulnerable road users” meaning a pedestrian, runner, physically disabled person, child, skater, construction and maintenance worker, tow truck operator, stranded motorist, equestrian, and person operating a bicycle, motorcycle or unprotected farm equipment.

In addition to general explanation of such an ordinance, he covers Safe Routes to Schools and crash reduction statistics.

A 2001 study shows that 25 percent of all trips in U.S. metropolitan areas were a mile or shorter.Forty percent were shorter than two miles.Two thirds of children who live within a mile of school travel there by car.

Texas reimburses school bus routes only for students living more than two miles from their school. Limited funds are available to pay for buses that keep children living closer than two miles off of dangerous routes.

A comprehensive plan for pedestrians and bikes can reduce the number of dangerous routes and position us to apply for federal funding for Safe Routes to Schools to help pay for new bike lanes and sidewalks.

In a study spanning 23 years looking at 15 streets with bike lanes and 15 similar control sites without bike lanes, results showed a 25 percent reduction in total crashes per mile and a 19 percent reduction in crash rates. Designated bike lanes on roads calm traffic and make roads safer for all users.

Fewer auto trips result in less road congestion, reduced auto emissions and cause less wear and tear on roadways.Biking and walking are the most affordable way to get from place to place.“Active transportation” alternatives result in more active lifestyles and healthier people.

Finally, Dalton brings in the historic Denton context and ties it to the push towards a master bike plan:

Dating back to at least 1995, Denton resident surveys and city planning documents have called for policies and facilities that accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians.

Maybe the Safe Passage Ordinance can help continue the dialogue and be part of a comprehensive plan that includes a master plan for bike lanes and trails, safe routes to schools, safety education, and better facilities for bikes and pedestrians.

Tagged city politics, Denton, Editorial

Mar 03 2010

4 Comments

Denton

Cyclist hit by car on Hwy 77

An eyewitness reports that a cyclist was traveling west on Hwy 77 around 5PM and T-boned a car which pulled out from the stop sign at Joyce, directly in the path of the cyclist. The witness reports that the cyclist hit the car and flipped over the hood, landing in the roadway. Paramedics and police responded to the accident, and Public Information Officer Ryan Grelle stated that the cyclist was not transported to a hospital. Grelle also stated that fault and accident logistics are still pending investigation, so no further details were available.

So here’s the rub.

I serve on the city’s Traffic Safety Commission. At a meeting last fall, I asked city traffic engineer Bud Vokoun if Hwy 77 could receive any kind of signage indicating that cyclists commonly travel on it, especially since there is no shoulder on which to ride. Bud responded that TXDOT would laugh at me and say that cyclists shouldn’t be riding on the highway. I pointed out that the UNT Discovery Park campus is located directly on 77, and employees and students cycle to this location, and protection/visibility is warranted.

I wouldn’t say that signage would have prevented this accident, but it’s a step towards educating drivers that cyclists do ride on this road. Daily.

As student and employee numbers increase at UNT and especially at the UNT Discovery Park Campus, we’ll continue to see serious risk to cyclists and pedestrians along the (mostly) 55mph stretch of Hwy 77, although I’m fairly certain that today’s accident location occurred in a 45mph zone.

Update:

If you’d like to contact TXDOT directly, there’s a comment/request form here. If you get a response, we’d love to know what they say.

Tagged accidents, Denton

Mar 02 2010

Denton

Downtown Implementation Plan to include bike lanes

Lowell Brown of the DRC wrote an article yesterday about a contentious parking-ordinance modification for downtown, and his article included a bike-lane reference that grabbed our attention.

The downtown implementation plan is expected to include recommendations for parking, architectural design, land use, bicycle lanes, parks and open space, among other things.

Once the Jacobs Group consultant presents the plan in early April, the city council will vote to approve the plan, and hopefully we’ll see commitment to action.

The city flyer for this meeting lists these topics:

parking
Complete streets
Parks and outdoor venues
Solid waste removal
Review the Form Based Code and its principles for downtown growth

If you support the idea of bike lanes downtown, especially with close proximity to the train station, you can still give input. This Thursday there is one last chance for public input regarding the plan:

3/4/2010

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Denton Civic Center
321 E. McKinney Street
Denton, Texas 76201

Tagged Denton, DTIP

Feb 26 2010

2 Comments

Denton

Ari Gold – Biking around the world

Denton, meet Ari.

Three weeks ago, in Austin, I was volunteer working for the Yellow Bike Project community bike shop. They have an amazing new facility, and I had a great time working hard with great folks. One of the folks I met is Ari Gold, and when I asked him if he lived in Austin, he replied “No. I’m riding my bike around the world.”

Ari has a blog called BikeToAustralia where you can follow his travels, and I’ve already gone back and read the whole thing, and it’s fascinating. The following quote sums up the question most people ask him, why he’s riding around the world:

I want MEMORIES worth living for when all I have are memories. I want to experience other ways of life I greatly enjoy but barely know about. The museums, architecture, food, music, accents, clothing, belief systems, societies and interactions of people all fascinate me and excite my curiosity

I told Ari to look us up if he came through Denton, and he did exactly that. After a perilous trip through Dallas’ sprawl, he made it here, safe and sound. After staying at my house for the last couple nights, he’ll be moving on to work at the Ponder Acres organic farm just west of Denton.

If you’d like to get in touch with Ari to offer him work, hospitality, or conversation, you can reach him at bike2australia [at] yahoo [dot] co [dot] uk. He takes Paypal through his blog to help fund his 5 year world tour, and frankly, he could use some nicer components on his ailing bicycle. I’ll be giving him some parts that I have, and hopefully he’ll leave Denton on a better ride than he arrived on.

Ari is a gracious, hard working houseguest, and I wouldn’t hesitate to give him shelter again.

Tagged bike camping, Denton