Posts from 2013!
Note Bike Texas fought to restore funding for these enhancement projects in the Houston area. I suggest you send a big thanks to Bike Texas. They prevented TxDOT from gutting the enhancement program as they originally proposed in 2007! PS Don't expect anything but crumbs if you don't speak up. Bike Texas speaks for me. Do they speak for you? If not consider joining their team. Texas Transportation Commission funds transportation enhancement projects. In July, the TTC announced 81 projects around Texas that will receive funding from the Transportation Enhancements program. These projects were selected from the nominations received after a TxDOT call in September 2012. Bike Texas is especially pleased about this round of projects because we fought to save this funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects in Texas. In 2007, TxDOT attempted to meet the federal government's rescission requirements by taking all the money from Transportation Enhancement projects instead of making smaller cuts across all funding categories. Bike Texas fought back and our members spoke up in protest against these focused funding cuts. TxDOT finally agreed to save some of the Transportation Enhancement funding, and many of these newly-funded projects might not have been if the rescissions had been allowed to go ahead as TxDOT planned. Please visit http://www.biketexas.org/news/advocacy/1557-ttc-funds-transportation-enhancements-projects#sthash.x1e39lMa.dpuf for more details.
Posted by Mr. Chainring - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Oct. 6, 2013 - - - -
Your all natural smoothies are the BEST!!
Posted by Janet - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sept. 4, 2013 - - -
Texas Transportation Commission issued a ban for cyclists on state toll roads!
Ted Houghton, Jeff Austin III, Jeff Moseley, Fred Underwood, and Victor Vandergriff make up the Texas Transportation Commission and would love to hear from you about your opinion on this ban.
TCC main line: 512 475-3072 125 East 11th Street
TCC clerk: 512 305-9536 Austin, Texas 78701
TCC fax: 512 475-3072
Posted by Moderator - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - July 13, 2013 - - -
Bike Texas recently came across this on the Texas Transportation Commission Agenda. Although Toll Road design is different in different cities, it is not always a controlled access highway but undivided. It could be the only access bridge over a river, a lake, or to an island. Toll Road design could ultimately result in bans on frontage or access roads within the same right-of-way. Decisions for some toll roads are being turned over to private corporations and some are based in other countries. This has happened before. In the 1970's, the State of Texas banned all bicycles in Garner State Park and prohibited all bicycle races or time trials statewide for
"their own safety!" I personally was almost arrested for riding on US 90 in Brookshire, with 30 members of the Houston Bike Club. If cars, motorcycles, buses or trucks were to be banned from Texas roads, wouldn't you expect some sort of outreach to local representatives, AAA, motorcycle associations, transit authorities, shippers or trucking firms for their input before writing such rules? Why were none of our Texas bicycle clubs or bicycle shops contacted in advance by our State and City 'Bicycle Coordinators'?
From Bike Texas: The May 30 Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) meeting included an agenda item regarding the possibility of banning cyclists from all TxDOT-controlled toll roads in Texas. Right now, most of the roads that would be affected by such a ban are in Central Texas. However, it would set a dangerous precedent for future TxDOT toll road expansion and give more teeth to local RMAs who might want to ban cyclists from their own toll roads if this ban were to go ahead. The TTC suggests that banning cyclists from toll roads is for their own safety, but no studies exist to show that banning cyclists increases anyone's safety. TxDOT's own long-range plan and long-range rural plan both include cyclist accommodation, thanks to the efforts of BikeTexas and cyclists like you.
This action to ban cyclists from roads without first providing alternative accommodation goes against TxDOT's own plans and policies. We've worked hard to make sure bicycling is considered for Texas roads along with all other transportation modes. We will not let this ban go into effect without a clear plan for cyclist accommodation. After some discussion, the TTC pulled the agenda
item for further study. . . . We will remain vigilant on this issue and keep working to make sure that cyclists across Texas will always have our rights to the public roads guaranteed by state law.
RMA = Regional Mobility Authority or Reichsmarineamt
TxDot = Texas Department of Transportation
Posted by Mr. Chainring - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - June 4, 2013 - - -
A major accomplishment happened for biking in Houston last week. Here is summary posted by Bike Texas: You may have heard the good news: Houston Council passed the Safe Passing Ordinance on Wednesday morning in a unanimous vote! Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest city in the U.S. What happens here sets an example not only for the rest of the state, but also for the rest of the country. We hope that as more Texas cities choose to make their streets safer, the governor and the Texas legislature will understand the value and support that Safe Passing has. Thank you! Houston Mayor Annise Parker, Mayor Pro-Tem Ed Gonzalez, and Council Member Ellen Cohen, their colleagues, their staffs, and the Houston City Attorney's office all worked hard to make sure Houston streets are welcoming and safe for all road users!
Posted by Mr. Chainring - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - May 16, 2013 - - -
Inappropriate posts will not be posted.
Posted by Moderator - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Apr. 16, 2013 - - -
Houston Press Best Bike Trail - 2012 "The Anthills" at Terry Hershey Park are more than nine miles of single dirt track that feature lots of ups and downs, roller-coaster-style (how the trail got its name), with some portions skirting the banks of Buffalo Bayou. It's considered an intermediate trail, though some hills are bigger than others. Since it's a bit farther out, it's often less crowded than Memorial Park, plus there are paved trails nearby in case you get tired or want a change of scenery. What if you don't have a mountain bike why not rent one? The ants can't wait to show you around.
Posted by Mr. Chainring - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Apr. 3, 2013 - - -
FURTHER YOUR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS: The TIP Call for Projects is the main agenda item at the next scheduled meeting for the TIP Subcommittee, to be held 1:30pm April 11, in the auditorium at the TxDOT Houston District office (7600 Washington Ave). Please note that while TIP Subcommittee meetings are open to the public, public comment is not typically taken. In addition to the public comment period which ends Friday, April 5, public comment will be taken at any future Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Transportation Policy Council (TPC) meetings where the item appears on their agenda. The next TAC meeting will be held on April 17, and the next TPC meeting will be held on April 26. Both the TAC and TPC meet at H-GAC 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston TX 77027(2nd floor, Conference Room A) and meetings begin at 9:30am.
Posted by Mr. Chainring - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Apr. 3, 2013 - - -
The League of American Bicyclists and the Pedestrian and Bicyclists Information Center are jointly presenting two webinars.
The first webinar, "Accessing Funding for Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects under MAP-21," is on Tuesday, April 9th, 2013 from 2-3pm eastern time. Darren Flusche & Peter Lagerwey will discuss how to get funding for projects.
The second webinar, "Economic value of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure," is on Tuesday, May 7th, 2013.
To register go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/314266834
For related webinars go to: http://www.walkinginfo.org/webinars
Or
Contact Teri Kaplan, Bicycle Coordinator for District Transportation Planning: 713-802-5810
Posted by Mr. Chainring - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mar. 30, 2013 - - -
Posted by Mr. Chainring - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Oct. 6, 2013 - - - -
Your all natural smoothies are the BEST!!
Posted by Janet - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sept. 4, 2013 - - -
Texas Transportation Commission issued a ban for cyclists on state toll roads!
Ted Houghton, Jeff Austin III, Jeff Moseley, Fred Underwood, and Victor Vandergriff make up the Texas Transportation Commission and would love to hear from you about your opinion on this ban.
TCC main line: 512 475-3072 125 East 11th Street
TCC clerk: 512 305-9536 Austin, Texas 78701
TCC fax: 512 475-3072
Posted by Moderator - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - July 13, 2013 - - -
Bike Texas recently came across this on the Texas Transportation Commission Agenda. Although Toll Road design is different in different cities, it is not always a controlled access highway but undivided. It could be the only access bridge over a river, a lake, or to an island. Toll Road design could ultimately result in bans on frontage or access roads within the same right-of-way. Decisions for some toll roads are being turned over to private corporations and some are based in other countries. This has happened before. In the 1970's, the State of Texas banned all bicycles in Garner State Park and prohibited all bicycle races or time trials statewide for
"their own safety!" I personally was almost arrested for riding on US 90 in Brookshire, with 30 members of the Houston Bike Club. If cars, motorcycles, buses or trucks were to be banned from Texas roads, wouldn't you expect some sort of outreach to local representatives, AAA, motorcycle associations, transit authorities, shippers or trucking firms for their input before writing such rules? Why were none of our Texas bicycle clubs or bicycle shops contacted in advance by our State and City 'Bicycle Coordinators'?
From Bike Texas: The May 30 Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) meeting included an agenda item regarding the possibility of banning cyclists from all TxDOT-controlled toll roads in Texas. Right now, most of the roads that would be affected by such a ban are in Central Texas. However, it would set a dangerous precedent for future TxDOT toll road expansion and give more teeth to local RMAs who might want to ban cyclists from their own toll roads if this ban were to go ahead. The TTC suggests that banning cyclists from toll roads is for their own safety, but no studies exist to show that banning cyclists increases anyone's safety. TxDOT's own long-range plan and long-range rural plan both include cyclist accommodation, thanks to the efforts of BikeTexas and cyclists like you.
This action to ban cyclists from roads without first providing alternative accommodation goes against TxDOT's own plans and policies. We've worked hard to make sure bicycling is considered for Texas roads along with all other transportation modes. We will not let this ban go into effect without a clear plan for cyclist accommodation. After some discussion, the TTC pulled the agenda
item for further study. . . . We will remain vigilant on this issue and keep working to make sure that cyclists across Texas will always have our rights to the public roads guaranteed by state law.
RMA = Regional Mobility Authority or Reichsmarineamt
TxDot = Texas Department of Transportation
Posted by Mr. Chainring - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - June 4, 2013 - - -
A major accomplishment happened for biking in Houston last week. Here is summary posted by Bike Texas: You may have heard the good news: Houston Council passed the Safe Passing Ordinance on Wednesday morning in a unanimous vote! Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest city in the U.S. What happens here sets an example not only for the rest of the state, but also for the rest of the country. We hope that as more Texas cities choose to make their streets safer, the governor and the Texas legislature will understand the value and support that Safe Passing has. Thank you! Houston Mayor Annise Parker, Mayor Pro-Tem Ed Gonzalez, and Council Member Ellen Cohen, their colleagues, their staffs, and the Houston City Attorney's office all worked hard to make sure Houston streets are welcoming and safe for all road users!
Posted by Mr. Chainring - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - May 16, 2013 - - -
Inappropriate posts will not be posted.
Posted by Moderator - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Apr. 16, 2013 - - -
Houston Press Best Bike Trail - 2012 "The Anthills" at Terry Hershey Park are more than nine miles of single dirt track that feature lots of ups and downs, roller-coaster-style (how the trail got its name), with some portions skirting the banks of Buffalo Bayou. It's considered an intermediate trail, though some hills are bigger than others. Since it's a bit farther out, it's often less crowded than Memorial Park, plus there are paved trails nearby in case you get tired or want a change of scenery. What if you don't have a mountain bike why not rent one? The ants can't wait to show you around.
Posted by Mr. Chainring - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Apr. 3, 2013 - - -
FURTHER YOUR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS: The TIP Call for Projects is the main agenda item at the next scheduled meeting for the TIP Subcommittee, to be held 1:30pm April 11, in the auditorium at the TxDOT Houston District office (7600 Washington Ave). Please note that while TIP Subcommittee meetings are open to the public, public comment is not typically taken. In addition to the public comment period which ends Friday, April 5, public comment will be taken at any future Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Transportation Policy Council (TPC) meetings where the item appears on their agenda. The next TAC meeting will be held on April 17, and the next TPC meeting will be held on April 26. Both the TAC and TPC meet at H-GAC 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston TX 77027(2nd floor, Conference Room A) and meetings begin at 9:30am.
Posted by Mr. Chainring - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Apr. 3, 2013 - - -
The League of American Bicyclists and the Pedestrian and Bicyclists Information Center are jointly presenting two webinars.
The first webinar, "Accessing Funding for Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects under MAP-21," is on Tuesday, April 9th, 2013 from 2-3pm eastern time. Darren Flusche & Peter Lagerwey will discuss how to get funding for projects.
The second webinar, "Economic value of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure," is on Tuesday, May 7th, 2013.
To register go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/314266834
For related webinars go to: http://www.walkinginfo.org/webinars
Or
Contact Teri Kaplan, Bicycle Coordinator for District Transportation Planning: 713-802-5810
Posted by Mr. Chainring - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mar. 30, 2013 - - -