Advocacy & Safety - bicycle plan: public design charrette

Hello everyone,

My community is going to have a 2-day bicycle-plan design charrette this evening and tomorrow evening. This design charrette will give the citizen the opportunity for hands-on involvement in the development of this bicycle plan.

The flier states that “People will work together to identify issues/concerns, develop goals/vision, and brainstorm possible solutions and recommendations. Based on these ideas, a plan will be developed to promote future connectivity, safety, and accommodations for bicycles in the community.”

Now, my question: Since I am totally new to road riding, heck I don’t have the road bike yet just a mtb, I want to attend, but I’m not sure what kind of things or ideas to offer. The roads in and around my community (town) have very narrow to no shoulders and there are no signs of any kind to indicate there may be bicyclists using the road. There are no trails or anything dedicated to riders except the local mountain bike park. So, what do the communities who have a good cycling plan have? How can I help? What would be some suggestions from those who ride in bicycle friendly communities?

Thanks!

(this is a x-post from bicycling.com--maybe i will get a few more responses??)

If you want an example of a comprehensive cycling plan, browse through the draft Ottawa Cycling Plan (http://ottawa.ca/public_consult/cycling/draft_plan/index_en.shtml)

Go to the top of this section. Look at the bike lanes thread. Read all 61 pages. You will get a pretty good idea of things that can go wrong.

From what I have seen one generic thing to think about is how bike facilities end. Time after time I have seen bike lanes for miles after miiles in areas where with nothing done at all it would have been pretty nice to ride for anyone anyway. Then when you finally come to an area where a bike lane might be nice the lane ends without warning.

Also remember bike lanes are not a total solution by any means. I would also say a bike lane without maintenence is as often as not the creation of a bike ghetto. Any real plan has more than creating 'facilities' it also includes a plan to keep them in shape.

Lane restriping to accomodate bikes to the right of travel lanes has been proven to be an effective bicycle accomodation for 35-50 mph urban and suburban streets with curbs, and costs governments a lot less than construction of new pathways, etc.

'Bikes on road' type signage for roads that are identified as bike 'routes,' independant of actual designation or accomodations.

Advancing plans to promote bicycling in your city within existing, dedicated city programs like public transit and air quality agencies, etc. Schools too. Money for bike rodeos, cheap helmets, etc. for kids, in addition to any physical accomodations implemented.

Wolfpack, What time and where is the meeting?
Thanks

Portland OR has been named the best cycling city in the US by Bicycling Mag.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=RNWE,RNWE:2004-48,RNWE:en&q=portland+bicycle+plan

Sorry about not getting back sooner! You can still show up tonight. It's at the Clayton Center in the Council Chambers. 5pm-7:30pm. Park in the back lot (closer to the high school), go through the glass doors and the room is immediately on your left.