Urban Environmentalists’ Post

Do you get around in #WillCounty by walking, biking, or transit? Local agencies are looking for feedback about problem areas on the road. Where is there a need for safer infrastructure for walking and biking? 📰 Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gWNiN4kD #SafetyActionPlan #ActiveTransportation

As city planners, we must promote and advocate for safe and effective transportation options. This article highlights what three cities are doing to facilitate moving around by bike. Following are a few starters for your city: - If your city hasn’t adopted a complete streets ordinance, promote one. - Push for a Vision Zero policy to eliminate traffic deaths (not restricted to cycling). Here’s to good reading and better biking, Brett

A nice article in ASCE to support cycling and bike friendly communities. Give it a read!

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲 • 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬: Cyclists emphasized the urgent need for protected bike lanes on major roads like Rural Road, Apache Boulevard, and Southern Avenue to enhance safety. • 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: Respondents highlighted the importance of continuous and uninterrupted bike lanes, particularly around intersections, to ensure safer and more efficient travel. • 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬: Cyclists called for better road maintenance, including repaving damaged surfaces and removing debris from bike lanes, to ensure safer cycling conditions. • 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: There is strong support for adding amenities like water stations, seating, and shade along popular cycling routes, such as canal paths and key streets like College Avenue and Hardy Drive.

Leavenworth, KS, is on the brink of a transformation. With the revitalization of downtown 4th Street and the proposal for a new bridge connecting Kansas and Missouri, we can improve the infrastructure that affects us all. However, one critical aspect that can’t be overlooked is bicycle safety. The current bridge? It’s a hazard. It’s a challenge for motorists, but for cyclists, it’s downright dangerous. As someone who loves cycling along the Missouri side—riding the Weston Bluffs and heading into the Kansas City area—I know firsthand how crucial it is to have safe, dedicated cycling paths. This issue is personal to me not just because of my own experiences but because of the tragic accidents we've seen in this community, including the heartbreaking loss of a child in a cycling accident. The new bridge proposal offers us an opportunity to fix this. It’s not just about accommodating more cars but ensuring safe passage for cyclists and pedestrians. We need dedicated bike lanes, clear signage, and safer routes. If we don’t prioritize these features, we risk more lives. As we continue to grow, with downtown Leavenworth’s revitalization in full swing, it’s important to remember that bicycle infrastructure is more than bike lanes. It’s about fostering a healthier, safer community. Studies show that cities investing in cycling infrastructure reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities and encourage more people to adopt cycling as a form of exercise and transportation. Imagine a Leavenworth where families can ride bikes downtown without fear, where children are safe biking to school, and where our streets accommodate everyone—whether on foot, behind the wheel, or riding a bike. That’s the future I want for this community. I can’t stress enough how much I would prefer not having to step in due to tragic cycling accidents—something no one should have to endure. With the right planning and infrastructure, we can prevent these avoidable losses and make our community safer. Let’s ensure that as we build our future, we include the safety of cyclists and pedestrians in every conversation. Together, we can ensure Leavenworth grows into a vibrant, safe, and healthy community for everyone. #LeavenworthKS #BicycleSafety #SafeStreets #KansasCityMetro #CyclingInfrastructure #CommunityHealth #BridgeSafety #WestonBluffs #HealthyCommunities #CyclingSafety #AOLife

🔔 **#IndustryUpdate: Key Highlights from Adams County and Their Implications for Bike Owners and Enthusiasts** 🚴♂️ The latest news from Adams County, Pennsylvania, touches on various local developments. While not all might seem directly relevant, several points can affect the biking community and industry trends. Let’s dive into some notable segments: 1. **National Night Out (NNO) Events**: These events foster community relationships with police and officials. For biking communities, these events can be significant as safer, better-connected neighborhoods often lead to more biking activity. Engaging in such events can also provide a platform to advocate for bike-friendly infrastructure. 2. **Pa. Secretary of Agriculture’s Farm Event**: This underscores the importance of local agriculture, which often interlinks with eco-friendly transportation trends. Supporting local farmers can correlate with advocating for greener travel methods, such as biking, to reduce carbon footprints. 3. **PennDOT Bridge Completion**: The completed bridge replacement on State Route 116 west of Gettysburg can improve routes for cyclists. Infrastructure improvements are crucial for ensuring safe and efficient travel for bike commuters and leisure cyclists alike. 4. **Back 2 School Program**: With the upcoming school year, there’s an opportunity to promote biking as a viable and healthy means of transportation for students. Schools adopting bike-friendly programs can lead to safer and more active communities. *A notable industry implication is the heightened importance of community engagement and advocacy for biking infrastructure. It's vital for stakeholders to collaborate and push for policies and projects that support cycling.* **Professional Call to Action:** Bike industry professionals, what do you think about these developments? How can bike owners and businesses leverage such community news to enhance biking culture and infrastructure? Share your thoughts and strategies below! ## 🚀 Work with us to make biking more accessible and safer! Visit our website [BikeStand](https://bikestand.company) to see how we are innovating in the bike industry. #BikeIndustry #CommunityEngagement #Infrastructure #CyclingTrends #SustainableTravel

Good news for all cyclists and biking enthusiasts in Chicago: In our city, biking more than doubled between the fall of 2019 and the spring of 2023, the largest jump in any of the 10 largest cities in the U.S. A study by data analysis company Replica shows that neighborhood trips increased 113%, while cross-town trips across at least four neighborhoods increased 180%. This is partially driven by the city's effort to create more safe biking paths and options throughout the city. Last year alone , the city completed 50 miles of bike projects, including 27 miles of new and upgraded protected lanes and 18 miles of new neighborhood greenways. But safety for cyclists continues to be a challenge which can only be addressed by more investments in the right biking infrastructure across all 77 neighborhoods as well as more educational efforts for drivers. Currently only 2.5% of all trips in Chicago are made on bicycle, which could be more than double with the right biking infrastructure, when comparing Chicago to other similar cities globally. Over the last 10+ years, our city made significant progress over multiple mayoral administrations to become a more bike friendly city but there is still so much more that could and needs to be done.

A great article by Kade Heather in today’s Chicago Sun-Times highlights some encouraging trends toward making Chicago a more bike-friendly city. Before the tragic August crash on the West Side, which claimed the life of a 55-year-old cyclist, Chicago had gone 10 months without a cycling fatality—the longest stretch since at least 2019. This stands in stark contrast to the average of six cyclist deaths per year between 2010 and 2019, and the rising numbers we've seen in recent years: seven deaths in 2023, 10 in 2022, 11 in 2021, and eight in 2020. These figures are unacceptably high, and our goal should be nothing short of Zero. (Kade's article here: https://lnkd.in/gJxtgpPb) There has been some positive momentum in recent years. The Chicago Department of Transportation completed 50 miles of bike safety projects last year alone, including 27 miles of new and upgraded protected bike lanes. These strides are thanks in part to the bike-friendly leadership under both immediate past Mayors, Rahm Emanuel & Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. as well as the current Mayoral administration under Mayor Brandon Johnson, who all championed and are continuing to support efforts to improve cycling infrastructure across the city. Given that bicycling has surged by 119% between 2019 and 2023, these developments are more critical than ever. As an avid cyclist, I’m eager to see even more investment in making Chicago one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world. We need to keep pushing for: - A comprehensive network of protected bike lanes across the city, - More speed bumps and traffic-calming measures, - Lowering the default speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph. - Expanding the Divy Bike network across all 77 neighborhoods Chicago will be a better city for everyone if more people feel safe biking, whether it’s to work or for leisure. Let’s make it safer and more convenient for everyone to ride. (P.S. The photo below was taken in Paris, a city that has completely transformed itself to one of the most bike friendliest cities in the world).

https://lnkd.in/gHstU5ma There are prevailing attitudes about road infrastructure and road use more this conversation with misinformed ideological values reminiscent of Fred Gardiner’s reign as mayor. https://lnkd.in/gHstU5ma

🚴♀️🌞 Embrace a summer filled with biking adventures while prioritizing safety for the whole family! Here are 5 essential tips to ensure a secure and enjoyable ride: 1️⃣ Prioritize head protection like responsible cyclists of all ages! 🚴♀️ Encourage everyone, including kids, to wear helmets while biking. It’s an essential safeguard against potential injuries. By instilling helmet usage as a non-negotiable habit, you prioritize the safety of your entire family. Protect those heads and enjoy your ride with confidence! 2️⃣ Maintain your rides in top shape! 🚲 Regularly inspect the brakes, tires, and gears of each bike to ensure they’re in optimal condition. Well-maintained bikes ensure smooth and safe journeys for everyone throughout the season. 3️⃣ Be visible and stay safe together! ✨ Dress your family in brightly colored and reflective clothing, and equip each bike with lights and reflectors. Enhancing visibility for all members allows motorists to spot you from a distance, ensuring safety during daytime and nighttime rides. 4️⃣ Follow the rules of the road as a united biking team! 🚦 Teach your children to adhere to traffic signs, signal turns, and yield to pedestrians. By practicing responsible biking as a family, you contribute to a safer environment for everyone sharing the road. 5️⃣ Share the joy of biking with your kids! 🚴♂️🚴♀️ Cycling together fosters a strong bond while promoting safety. Ride side by side, communicate effectively, and model good biking practices. It’s an opportunity for memorable family moments while ensuring a secure biking experience. 📞 Accidents can happen, and if you find your family involved in a bike-related incident, remember that LAR Legal Group is here for you. Our experienced team provides the legal guidance necessary to navigate the aftermath and seek rightful compensation. Reach out to us today! #BikeSafety #FamilyAdventures #HelmetProtection #SafeRiding #VisibleCyclist #ResponsibleCycling #CyclingTogether #BikingWithKids #LARLegalGroup #LegalGuidance #AccidentAssistance #Compensation #StaySafeHaveFun