Preview next week: I-16 Flyover Removal Charrette

You have probably heard some talk somewhere about the revitalization of the MLK corridor.  We’re glad to see it, and would love to see a street built for people, with a design focused on bikability and walkability.  Here is your opportunity to have an effect on those plans for the west side of downtown Savannah.

Flyover
Next week several sessions will focus on the removal of the I-16 flyover and the resultant changes to the streetscape. Of particular interest to you campaigners will likely be the opening night on Wed Feb 17 from 5:30-8pm (includes an opening presentation and facilitated discussion) and the session on Thu Feb 18 from 9-11am (the hands-on design charrette), though it is all open to anyone interested. Take a look at the flyer here and let us know if you can help us make the case for including Complete Streets in a new Martin Luther King, Jr Boulevard.

Georgia Rides to the Capitol 2010

Georgia Bikes!, our statewide advocacy group has reorganized and added a lobbying component.  Part of that effort in the statehouse this year is the annual Georgia Rides to the Capitol.  With rides beginning at two main locations around metro Atlanta, this event brings together elected officials and cyclists to highlight the need for better public policy with respect to bikes.

members of the Georgia general assembly after the 2009 ride

If any of you has a reason to be in Atlanta on March 23, or you just want to support legislative efforts (let us know — there may be an opportunity to meet with our legislators while you’re there), check it out!  If you do plan to go, please pre-register so the organizers know how many to expect and consider making a donation to the effort — the ride has been put on for free in the past, but due to mounting costs, this may not be the case in the future.

Contact your legislators: 3 feet for passing

We hear all the time about folks who get buzzed and knocked off their bikes, scared, or much worse, seriously injured or killed.  Despite what many Georgia cyclists believe, state law makes no specific statements about how cars should pass bicycles.  The portion of the code that refers to passing (40-6-42) says only

(1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle;

noting of course that bicycles are vehicles under the law.  16 other states have laws that apply a 3 foot safe passing distance for cars passing bicycles, which works as an educational tool for drivers and a standard for enforcement (how close is too close?  “I didn’t hit him — he just fell down after I passed”).  Based on Georgia numbers from 2004-2006, more than half (55%) of recorded deaths from car vs bicycle crashes occurred when the car and bicycle were travelling in the same direction — speeds tend to be higher and injuries more severe, highlighting the need for education and enforcement of a safe passing distance.

Georgia is now one of 7 additional states with a proposed 3 foot passing law:  HB 988 was introduced in the Georgia House of Representatives by Wendell Willard of Roswell, and we need you to contact your State Representative to make sure it becomes law!  Follow this link to find your State Representative.  Two clicks later (click the name and then contact website), you should be able to find an email and phone number for your representative.  Some facts have been assembled by advocates statewide as part of the new Georgia Bikes Alliance, sister organization to Georgia Bikes!, and this file includes the relevant details that spell out the need for this legislation.  Contact your legislators and ask them to cosponsor HB 988 to make Georgia safer for bicycles.

SBC Twitter Weekly 2010-02-05

  • found this on crash type and severity: http://ow.ly/13X5k Good support for Georgia HB 988 – 3 ft passing law! #
  • Crowdsourcing request: Data that show that 3 foot passing laws reduce crashes, injuries, etc OR specific data on car overtaking bike crashes #
  • @mthwdcn And data show that the more people are riding, the safer they all are. A conundrum. #
  • @mthwdcn unsure. data show sidewalk riding 5-25x less safe than street, tho perception rules & less ppl ride if they don't feel safe in reply to mthwdcn #
  • @mthwdcn V true, tho what about an argument for an interim step where infrastructure is lacking? in reply to mthwdcn #
  • Should local communities be allowed to make exceptions to the #Georgia law banning adult #bicycling on sidewalks? #

Feb 2Wheels 2Work cancelled

Sadly, the monthly commuter event scheduled for tomorrow, Friday February 5, is cancelled due to heavy rain in the forecast for pretty much the whole day (though we know there are folks who will still ride).  Please look for an announcement soon about the Friday March 5 2Wheels 2Work!

photo by PhotoA.nl

Islands Connectivity

I expect most of you saw yesterday’s Savannah Morning News about new multi-use paths going in on Wilmington Island. It’s great news for folks in the islands, especially considering the high speeds on Johnny Mercer Blvd.  Here’s a portion already complete:

The multi-use path has a portion made of concrete along Johnny Mercer Boulevard near the Islands YMCA. (Rich Wittish/For the Closeup)

We are happy that the article focuses on connectivity rather than recreation, though they are not mutually exclusive:

The 550-foot-long, 10-foot-wide sidewalk is part of a multi-use path that will run alongside Johnny Mercer from its intersection with Bryan Woods Road to an existing trail that meanders through the woods at the Y.

“We’re trying to get connectivity all through there,” said Panther, a civil engineer who’s overseeing county projects on the islands.

“The ultimate goal is to get connectivity over to Wilmington Island,” he said of a process that could take up to four years and should “promote healthier lifestyles.”

The majority of the multi-use path will be composed of two inches of asphalt laid over a four-inch-thick rock base. A 1,700-foot-long asphalt section of the path will ramble from the eastern end of the sidewalk – constructed of concrete because it passes over a creek and a marshy area – into and through the woods alongside Johnny Mercer to the boulevard’s intersection with Bryan Woods.

Thank you to Chatham County — we look  forward to your continued commitment toward the goal of connectivity, to include the bridges that come on an off the islands as well!

As a footnote, we take issue with the use of the word sidewalk since a 10 foot swath of pavement constitutes a multi-use trail, and also since a law passed in the Georgia General assembly last year prohibits bicycling on sidewalks.

SBC Twitter Weekly 2010-01-29

Paul Wolff Doesn’t Recycle

I don’t recycle. So the ironic catchphrase goes for Recycle in Georgia’s campaign.  Locally, this has been promoted with giveaways from none other than Tybee city council member and cruiser enthusiast Paul Wolff (that’s him at the Tybee Trailblazers’ Ride with the pinwheel in his helmet).

Paul’s looking for volunteers to pass out koozies for the recycling campaign in the Tybee Mardi Gras parade February 13.  The parade starts at around 3pm and volunteers will bike the route (Paul has a few loaner bikes you could use if you like) which sounds like it should be a pretty fun time.  To top it off, you’ll walk away with an I don’t recycle t-shirt and koozie with which you can taunt your friends. So, if you’re ready to laissez les bons temps rouler, let Paul know you are on board — contact him at tybeeduo {a t} bellsouth {d o t} net.

Telfair PULSE Night Ride

Reminder! This Friday 1/29, we roll from the Jepson with 2 art/tech stops on the way as part of the Telfair’s PULSE festival.

Come to the Jepson early to see Copyright Criminals at 6pm.

Ride at 7pm. We will cruise through Medeology Collective’s Interactive Installation in York Lane on the way and finish at Matt Hebermehl’s wall blast at Atwell’s on W Broughton.  We will follow up with some socializing at T-Rex Mex. Don’t miss it!