Bike Boulevards & Greenways

Streetfilms posted this video today. Bicycle Boulavards and Greenways would fit nicely into a well rounded Omaha transportation network.

Can you think of other ways Omaha could change to be a more healthy city and support all modes of transportation more effectively?

Don't forget the Transportation Master Plan Public Meeting is only 8 days away. If you are interested on how the Omaha transportation network will function in the years to come, please plan to attend.

MAPA Transportation Improvement Program - Your input needed!

Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) Seeking Public Comments and Input on Transportation Improvement Program

OMAHA – Nearly $640 million in federally funded roadway, trail, transit and aviation have been programmed in the draft Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the metropolitan area in the next four years. MAPA is requesting public comment and participation for the proposed TIP document.

MAPA, per federal transportation legislation, must create and maintain a fiscally-constrained TIP that lists all federally-funded and “regionally significant” transportation projects programmed for at least the next four fiscal years. MAPA updates the TIP on an annual basis.

An important part of the transportation planning process is public engagement and involvement. As a draft of the TIP is now available, MAPA is asking for public review and input on the document.  Comments regarding particular projects, project timelines, or any other areas of interest are welcome.

A 30-day public review period of the draft TIP begins Friday, August 27.  Citizens may view the TIP and provide feedback at MAPA’s website, www.mapacog.org or by contacting the MAPA offices (below).

MAPA’s TIP process prioritizes federal transportation investments for the metro area. Some significant projects identified for the next four year period include:

·         Widening 144^th Street from two to four lanes between W. Dodge Road to Eagle Run Drive

·         Construction of the Missouri River Bridge at US-34 south of Bellevue

·         Widening Washington (84^th) Street from Hwy 370 to Capehart Road in Papillion

·         Realigning Saddle Creek Road from Leavenworth Street to Dodge Street with funding through UNMC and a federal earmark

·         Reconstruction of 24^th Street from 25^th Avenue to 27^th Avenue in Council Bluffs from a four-lane to a 5-lane roadway

·         Reconstruction of I-80/I-29 in Council Bluffs

·         Investments in traffic operations and signal coordination technology though a traffic control center in Omaha

·         Development of a one-call center for specialized transit services 

The TIP is developed in conjunction with local and state jurisdictions as well as the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The TIP is approved by the MAPA Board of Directors, which is made up of elected officials from the five-county MAPA region.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) is a voluntary association of local governments in the greater Omaha region chartered in 1967. MAPA performs planning and development work, especially to address problems that are regional in scope and cross jurisdictional boundaries.  

To place comments please:

• Email: mapa@mapacog.org
• Call: (402) 444-6866
• Mail: 2222 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68102

Mayor Suttle is a Bike Commuter

This year, Mayor Suttle joined us for the Mayor's Ride.  If you couldn't make it to the ride, here is a helmet camera view of the ride.  Make sure you join us for this event next year if you didn't ride this year.  Hopefully, the 2011 Mayor's Ride will be a bit earlier so that more people can participate.

Two Mayors on Two Wheels

Last Friday morning was the Mayors Ride, which is the kick off event for Bike to Work Week.  Omaha Bikes was on hand for the ride.  We have some footage of the actual ride along with this video of the proclamation by Mayors Suttle and Hanafan.

VOICE Petition for Better Transportation Planning in Omaha

Omaha's pattern of development has hampered attempts to create a system of transportation that supports mass transit and travel by bicycle or foot. The sprawl forces most people into cars for all their travel, weakening our communities, damaging our health and the environment, and draining our city's budget. We need to change this.

VOICE is a non-partisan group dedicated to creating a more inclusive, just, transparent, sustainable, and culturally vibrant Omaha by actively supporting leaders, policies, and projects that advance this vision.

The organization has created a petition calling for smarter land use and transportation planning in our city. I hope you will take a look at it and add you name to the list of those calling for a better Omaha. We need to make sure our voice is heard as Omaha creates its new transportation master plan.

Thank you to all the people who attended the Governor’s Proclamation Signing for Bike Month and Bike to Work Week. There were 15 individuals representing Omaha, Lincoln and several local and state advocacy groups promoting biking in Nebraska. It was a tremendous turnout and we hope to continue to build momentum for multi-modal transportation in the state. To view who attended please click here.

Here is the proclamation that was signed:

Bike Month Proclamation

Nebraska Bicycle Month, May 2010

WHEREAS, for more than a century, the bicycle has been an important part of the lives of many Americans, and today residents of all ages throughout Nebraska engage in bicycling for transportation, recreation, physical activity, environmental preservation, and fun; and

WHEREAS, increased bicycle usage will promote health and wellness in Nebraska and is an important part of encouraging all citizens to develop habits of physical activity to become or stay fit, avoid overweight and obesity, and reduce the risk of many chronic diseases and conditions; and

WHEREAS, increased bicycle usage will promote the development of livable communities and foster policy changes at all levels to incorporate Complete Streets that provide the opportunity for cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers to share the road; and

WHEREAS, the education of cyclists and motorists about the proper and safe operation of bicycles is important to ensure the safety and comfort of all users; and

WHEREAS, bicycling offers a unique perspective from which residents and visitors may discover Nebraska’s natural beauty, history, and culture; and

WHEREAS, Nebraska’s vast network of scenic rural roads, multi-use and rail corridor trail systems, and pleasant weather conditions make the Cornhusker state a favorite destination for bicycling enthusiasts; and

WHEREAS, May is Bike Month and Bike to Work Week is May 17 through the 21 and provides an opportunity to increase public awareness of the many benefits of bicycling, to promote bicycle safety, and to encourage bike riding through organized events such as Bike-to-Work events, club rides, family rides, and bike rodeos for children;

Thanks again for your efforts, passion, and energy!

Brian Coyle, Michelle Stryker, and Tim Montgomery

Dear Member of the Omaha Metro Active Transportation Community

Many of you have noticed that almost no new trails have been opened on the Nebraska side of the metro area for a long time. Many major trail projects are designed and fully funded, including the West Douglas County Trail from Waterloo to Valley, a major part of the Riverfront Trail, the western end of the East-West Trail that will connect the Keystone and Field Club Trails, and Papillion’s 72nd Street Trail. These are very important projects for our active transportation community and would also create millions of dollars of new construction activity. Yet nothing seems to be happening. Why?

We have discovered several reasons that are causing these key projects to grind to a halt:
1. The state Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) office has found that the Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR), who administers these funds, was in noncompliance with various regulations and procedures on some (non-trail) projects. Therefore, every project in the pipeline is being forced to go back to square one in the process.

2. At the state division of the FHWA, projects are encountering reviews and processing delays that seem unnecessary. Traffic signal installations and minor resurfacing projects must study their effect on endangered species, for example, and trails are treated like major highway projects. Short documents that should be reviewed and approved quickly are taking months because of drafts, reviews, and redrafts.

3. Stimulus projects are moving to the front of the line ahead of trails and other projects that have been funded for years and are ready to go, causing more delays.

4. Government agencies don’t seem to be communicating well. Rules and standards seem to change and procedural issues do not seem to be getting fixed.

What’s the result? Projects that we have been working on and anticipating for years now seem to be facing delays of up to FIVE YEARS! We know that people think they’re doing their jobs. But most of us would like to see these projects built before we’re too old to use them. Also, moving paper and having meetings does not stimulate the economy, create jobs, improve health, or promote sustainable transportation. We as a community must take some action. Therefore, we ask you to email, write, and/or phone any or all of the following people to express your opinion about these issues:

• President Barack Obama  www.whitehouse.gov/contact
• Senator Ben Nelson   www.bennelson.senate.gov
• Senator Mike Johanns   http://johanns.senate.gov/public/?p=EmailSenatorJohanns
• Representative Lee Terry   www.leeterry.house.gov
• Governor Dave Heinemann   www.governor.nebraska.gov/mail/govmail.html
• Nebraska Department of Roads Director Monty Frederickson monty.fredrickson@nebraska.gov
• Joseph Werning, Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administrator, Nebraska Division   Joseph.Werning@dot.gov
• Mayor Jim Suttle    www.cityofomaha.org/mayor/mayors-office-home 

Sample Letter

Dear (President Obama, Senator Nelson, Senator Johanns, Representative Terry, Governor Heinemann, Mr. Frederickson, Mr. Werning, Mayor Suttle)

I am a member of the Omaha, Nebraska metropolitan community who is vitally interested in trail development, sustainable transportation, and the physical health and vitality of our metropolitan area and its citizens. In our area, we have millions of dollars of trails projects that are funded, designed, and ready to build, yet are not moving forward. These projects will improve our area’s facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists, improve community wellness, and put hundreds of people to work during their construction. Yet, they are being delayed for an indeterminate time because the Federal Highway Administration found the Nebraska Department of Roads to be in noncompliance with various regulations and procedures. This is causing worthy, ready-to-build projects to go back to the beginning of the review process and is blocking efforts to build a healthier, more sustainable community.

I am not an expert on these issues and certainly do not want to cast blame on anyone. I simply would like to see federal and state agencies work together to resolve their issues so these important transportation projects can move forward. I do ask that you do everything in your power to help these agencies resolve their issues and work as partners to expedite these vital trail projects. The health and quality of our metropolitan area depends on it.

Sincerely yours,

(Your Name)

DOT Puts Bike, Pedestrian Projects on Par with Roads, Transit

Here's a happy bit of news from the Department of Transportation that's getting circulated around Omaha's planning department:

"The Obama administration officially announced a "complete streets" policy today that puts bicycle and pedestrian projects on equal footing with road and transit work.

"Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has previously hyped the need for transportation planners to incorporate sidewalks and bike facilities into their transportation planning, but today's policy statement officially puts that stance on the books."

Follow the link below for the whole story from Mass Transit Magazine:

http://www.masstransitmag.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=3&id=10991

or straight from the DOT:

http://www.fha.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/policy_accom.html

Making changes from the top

Just about any advocate can tell you, that one of the most difficult things about trying to change a system, is that the people that can make that change are often not listening to you. That doesn't mean they wont listen, but until the "squeaky wheel" get's loud enough to become annoying, it can be hard to get their attention.

Last week was the National Bike Summit. You can see that Omaha Bikes was pretty busy posting last week as a result. The general feeling I get from the coverage of the summit, is that the "squeaky wheel" is starting to get some attention. In fact, even the people at the top are starting to take notice and listen to the army of advocates in the US that have been pushing for a more balanced transportation system for so many years.

Looks like somebody is listening and there may an “end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized” in sight.  Now it's your turn to make some noise.

ALL HANDS ON DECK!

The Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) is reviewed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) every 4 years.  Part of this review process involves a public meeting where the community can voice it's concerns about MAPA.  The public meeting is next Monday March 15 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the MAPA offices, 2222 Cuming Street.  This is a good chance for YOU to give feedback to MAPA.


While your at it, take a look at the MAPA Beltway Study and give them your feedback on that proposed project as well.


Here is the official notice.

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will be in Omaha March 15 and 16 for a federal certification review of the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA), which is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Omaha-Council Bluffs region.  The review will cover MAPA’s transportation planning process and the effectiveness of that process.

A public input meeting has been scheduled for Monday evening, March 15 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the MAPA offices, 2222 Cuming Street in Omaha.

Major elements to be discussed include organization and management of the planning process, planning agreements and the cooperative process, planning factors, public involvement, project selection, and financial constraint. Products of the planning process – The Long Range Plan, TIP, and Unified Work program – will also be discussed.

If you are unable to attend this meeting and would like to comment, please send written comments to Paul Mullen, MAPA Executive Director at:

  

Metropolitan Area Planning Agency

2222 Cuming Street

Omaha, Nebraska 68102-4328

or

 e-mail paul_mullen@mapacog.org

Bicycling and Walking in the U.S.: 2010 Benchmarking Report

The Alliance for Biking & Walking has recently released the Alliance 2010 Benchmarking Report: Information & Findings.

Bicycling and Walking in the U.S.: 2010 Benchmarking Report is an essential resource and tool for government officials, advocates, and those working to promote bicycling and walking. The Benchmarking Project is an on-going effort to collect and analyze data on bicycling and walking in all 50 states and the 51 largest U.S. cities. This second biennial report reveals data including: bicycling and walking levels and demographics; bicycle and pedestrian safety; bicycle and pedestrian policies and provisions; funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects; bicycle and pedestrian staffing levels; written policies on bicycling and walking; bicycle infrastructure including bike lanes, paths, signed bike routes, and bicycle parking; bike-transit integration including presence of bike racks on buses, bike parking at transit stops; bicycling and walking education and encouragement activities; and public health indicators including levels of obesity, physical activity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. The report is full of data tables and graphs so you can see how your state or city stacks up. Inside you will find unprecedented statistics to help support your case for increasing safe bicycling and walking in your community. Bicycling and Walking in the U.S.: 2010 Benchmarking Report was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and made possible through the additional support of Bikes Belong and Planet Bike.

Contested Streets

The following video was linked to over at Copenhaginize. This video is part of the Contested Streets documentary from Transportation Alternatives.



I found the following quote very interesting:

They never put out a big Master Plan. Let's make a lot of pedestrian space. Let's make a lot of bicycle lanes. Let's take a lot of parking out of the city. Let's narrow all the traffic streets. NEVER! Because if you did that in one plan, you would loose the election right now. Because nobody would believe that it would work.

What they have done in this city (Copenhagen) is that they have taken little steps every year for 40 years. And there is a fantastic difference between what it was then and what it is now.

As we all look forward to the changes in the US transportation balance and a increase in other modes of travel (including bikes, pedestrian, and mass transit), we need to temper our desires for instant radical change. Until people start to see the benefits of a more balanced transportation system, and the benefits of complete streets, it will be difficult for them to believe the truth of many of assertions we so often make. However, we also need to keep the pressure on our elected officials and city planners to start making some changes in these areas to see what works and doesn't work in our cities.

UPDATE: We don't want anyone to be confused by the statement above. You can see in the comments that not everyone understood what we were trying to say. We all need to continue working to get the city of Omaha to make changes to the Omaha transportation system that better support bikes and pedestrians. We just don't want anyone to be discouraged by the lack of "instant radical change".

A Blog Worth Following

I've been following Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's blog, and after today's post highlighting the value of the Safe Routes to School movement, I'm throwing my official (and highly influential?? ha) endorsement behind it!  :)  Check out some of the older posts, and you'll find his support for stimulas-funded bike infrastructure, among other things. 

We'll be keeping an eye out for when congress gets around to the reauthorization of the federal transportation bill.  Funding for important programs such as Safe Routes to School will be at stake, as will many other programs that are near and dear to the hearts of those of us interested in active transportation of all kinds. 

Dangerous By Design

The "Dangerous By Design" report was recently released by Transportation For America. It's a great article, and we HIGHLY recommend that you read it. If you spend even a small amount of time walking or biking in Omaha, this report should be interesting to you.

You can read the short version of the report, or the long version(PDF) if you have the time.

You can also read about U.S. DOT Secretary LaHood's response to the report to see how this report is already turning some heads in Washington.

In the last 15 years, more than 76,000 Americans have been killed while crossing or walking along a street in their community. More than 43,000 Americans – including 3,906 children under 16 – have been killed this decade alone. This is the equivalent of a jumbo jet going down roughly every month, yet it receives nothing like the kind of attention that would surely follow such a disaster.

Mainstreaming Bicycle Riding

This piece from Copenhagenize.com says a lot about the behavioral and cultural issue in making bicycling a mainstream affair... http://www.copenhagenize.com/2009/11/behaviour-is-tricky-subject-and-getting.html

Show your support!

Please CYCLE to MAT

Friday, November 20, 2009
2:30 p.m.

To join
MAT and U.S. Senator Ben Nelson

add the first 8 of 32 new replacement buses to MAT’s fleet.



Bus Bike Rack Demonstrators needed!!! Reception to follow.


R.S.V.P. Linda Barritt
lbarritt@omamat.org
341.7560, ex 2300
Metro Area Transit 􀁺 2222 Cuming Street
Park: west side of MAT building in the 24th Street parking lot

What is Bike Omaha reading?

Here at Bike Omaha we read a lot in an attempt to stay informed about bike related news around the world that may be of help with our goal of getting more people in Omaha out riding bikes for fun or for utility.

Many of the Bike Omaha staff has been reading the "Pedaling Revolution" book by Jeff Mapes (seen at left).  It's a great read.  You can read some of our reactions in the comments of an earlier post here at Bike Omaha.  If you are at all interested in cycling for fun or utility, we highly recommend it.  You can find a copy at the Omaha Public Library as well.

Here are a few articles and news sources that we have read recently that you may find interesting.

The Bike Sharing Blog

Boulder bike count finds parking shortage

Understanding Barriers to Bicycling

Omaha bike event "Spooks on Spokes"

USA Today Anti-cyclist article

Could Omaha do a Ciclovia on World Health Day?

Gingrich: Bike power

Enjoy the reading and get out there and Bike Omaha.

The Fear of Cycling

The folks over at Copenhagenize recently posted a series of articles about the Fear of Cycling.

We've enlisted the help of sociologist Dave Horton, from Lancaster University, as a guest writer. Dave has written a brilliant assessment of Fear of Cycling in an essay and we're well pleased that he fancies the idea of a collaboration. We'll be presenting Dave's essay in five parts.

It's a very good read and does a good job of explaining why some of the things we do to make cycling safer, may not always have the desired affect.

Fear of Cycling - Part 01 - Introduction
Fear of Cycling - Part 02 - Constructing Fear of Cycling / Road Safety 'Education'
Fear of Cycling - Part 03 - Helmet Promotion Campaigns
Fear of Cycling - Part 04 - New Cycling Spaces
Fear of Cycling - Part 05 - Making Cycling Strange

Keep in mind, that although the author of these articles backs up many of his statements with research, it is still largely an opinion article.  Feel free to share your thoughts by leaving a comment.

Great news for the Wabash Trail!

Sorry to steal the headlines, but I figured this was worth mentioning.

The Omaha World Herald has an article about the Wabash trace receiving Federal funding to pave the middle part of the trail if enough money is raised to cover engineering costs. If the trail hosts raise a total of $55,000 ($30,000 of which has already been raised), the Federal government will provide an extra $2 million to pave the trail from Mineola to Shenandoah. This makes sense for those who would possibly venture further than the 9 miles to Mineola if the trail was not as tough.

Anyone who has ridden most or all of the trail knows that between Council Bluffs and Mineola, the trial is well used and very packed down. However, once past Mineola, the trail is used more sparsely, and therefore not as smooth. There's the paved quarter mile (or so) section just North of Shenandoah that always feels amazing after trudging over the limestone path most of the day. I can see this being a huge impact on trail use.

I plan on donating as much as my budget allows (unfortunately, not much) to aid in making this great achievement happen. Hopefully, if enough people pitch in, it'll be smooth sailing along the Wabash for years to come.

Edit: Ach! Scooped by Jules!!

Yet Another Trail Update - Wabash

There is potential for part of the Wabash Trace to be paved if enough money can be found. The article makes a great point about the economic benefits of trails and also how less experienced cyclists may be more likely to get out on a paved trail than non-paved.

http://omaha.com/article/20090924/NEWS01/709249900/1009