Bike Commuting Forum
Bike Commuting in the News
Copenhagen the ultimate bike-friendly city
More information
Bicycling to save money
Clike here
California study links connected street networks to lower traffic fatalities
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AASHTO's Report to the President: Design Complete Streets
Read about it
Report: Smart Transportation Investment for Economic Stimulus
Check it out
Report: How States Encourage Bicycling and Walking
Read more
Roundabouts aren’t just for cars anymore.
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New report identifies keys to safer roads
Check it out
The National Park Service takes internal step to reduce emissions by encouraging staff to bike
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One Street, an international bicycle advocacy organization, has just launched Bed and Bike America, a new program bringing more sustainability into the tourism sector by creating an international network that helps bike tourists find welcoming places to stay.
Check it out
Inauguration transportation mode of choice? With hundreds of thousands descending upon the nation’s capital, a simple mode of transportation proved most effective: The bike
Check it out
More information
Economic stimulus bill update
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After 8 years, Massachusetts passes Bike Safety bill
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A Bicycle Evangelist with the wind now at his back
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Anchorage velomobile commuter gets media
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NYC transforming the urban environment
MUST READ!
National Bicycle Route Network moves forward
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National Bike/Walk Survey Results
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With Free Bikes, Challenging Car Culture on Campus
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What makes a state bicycle friendly?
Read more
Afghani mine survivors open bike messenger service
Click Here
The League of American Bicyclists explains the Bicycle Commuter Benefits Act
Click Here
Study finds that Ohio bike trail boosts property values
Read more
The Portland Water Bureau recently released PSA.
Watch video
NPR’s Marketplace discusses commuter bikes
Check it out
What to look for when buying a home – how about a “bikeable commute.”
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New bike commuters hit the classroom, then the road
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Bicycle parking seen as a cost-effective way to reinvigorate a struggling downtown
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Kicking Into High Gear: Nation's Largest Bike-Sharing Program Debuts at Democratic National Convention
See Bike Sharing
Cyclists And Drivers Vie For Space On The Road
Click here
Electric bikes selling briskly as gas prices climb
Electric Story
Electric bike offers green urban commuting option
Electric Options
Electric Bikes Remove Strain Of Riding
Electric Help
Bike Mania! CBS covers commuting
Watch video
Bike Mania 1.0! NBC covers commuting
Watch video
Green Bike Project launched in Seattle
Ride on
Bike-Sharing Gets Smart
Learn more
Portland to unveil Eye to Eye Campaign
read more
Colleges peddle bikes to car-loving students
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Bikes are Good for Our Community - Clear Channel promotes bicycle use:
Click here
Health care company touts bikes in new ad:
Thrive
San Francisco bike plan implementation ironically put on hold while city reviews environmental impacts of fewer cars and more bikes
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What are sharrows?
Find out
Watch where you ride – get doored and get ticketed
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Moving Targets
Watch out!
NPR covers bike commuting
Click here for story
Sitka has become the first Bike Friendly Community in Alaska.
Press release
Sitka's home page
Sad news from DC
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BCA was saddened to hear that a bicyclists died from injuries sustained in a vehicle collision on Tuesday afternoon. BCA sends its condolences to the family of the bicyclist and sympathies to the motorist as well. Crashes such as these are not accidents, which means there are things both bicyclists and motorists can do to avoid such deadly collisions.
For Bicyclists:
BE VISIBLE
- Recognize that it may be difficult for motorists to see you. Assume cars cannot see you when riding.
- Wear
bright reflective gear. Even during the day bright clothing can bring greater attention to your presence.
- Always
make eye contact with the driver of the car before crossing in front.
BE PREDICTABLE
- Always travel in the same direction as traffic.
- Use hand signals when turning or changing lanes.
- Stay in your lane unless passing or turning; avoid swerving and lane hopping.
BE SAFE
- Keep an eye out for upcoming hazards.
- Constantly scan around you.
- Wear
a helmet.
For Motorists:
SHARE THE ROAD AND BE AWARE OF BICYCLISTS
- Expect to see bicyclists and pedestrians in intersections. There
are more bicyclists on the road in the summer.
- Slow
down and watch for bicyclists at every intersection.
- When
making a turn at an intersection, look in the direction of traffic you intend to go before pulling out to ensure no pedestrians or bicyclists are in a crosswalk.
- When
making a turn from a driveway, parking lot or street where you must cross a multi-use path, look in the direction of the traffic you
intend to merge into (in the opposite direction of the cars) before pulling out to ensure no pedestrians or bicyclists
are on the multi-use path heading in your direction.
-
If you park on the street, check your sideview mirror before opening your door to ensure no bicyclists are coming.
- Give at least 3 feet of space between you and a bicyclist when passing.
Crashes are no accident. With stepped-up enforcement, improved street design and increased education for bicyclists and motorists, we can all reduce the frequency of crashes.
We've created a group on Facebook. Join the group!
Facebook
May is National Bike to Work Month and the week of May 11th to the 15th is Bike to Work Week. BCA urges everyone to bike to work or try cycling for fun, fitness or transportation. For tips on rules of the road and safe riding click on the card below.
For more information please visit the Events page.
Draft Bike Plan Released!
Anchorage could use a bike plan.
Please Comment
A Public Review Draft of the Anchorage Bicycle Plan has been posted. Comments will be taken until April 30. Please visit the Municipality's Bike Plan Page to review the plan. If you submit comments please consider passing them along to BCA as well so we can track what issues are of concern across the city.
Please Attend
An Open House to show the Draft Bicycle Network and Draft Bicycle Plan:
- When: Monday - April 13, 2009 - 5:30-7:30 pm
- Where: Wendler Middle School - 2905 Lake Otis Parkway
We hope to see you there. If you have any questions, concerns, comments or suggestions please feel free to contact us at info@bicycleanchorage.org
Please send any comments to:
bikes@muni.org and info@bicycleanchorage.org
The Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage would like to thank the
Municipality of Anchorage for all their work in putting together this plan!
Draft Bike Plan Discussed
Please Comment
On Thursday, February 26, the Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (AMATS) Technical Advisory Committee will discuss release of the still-draft Anchorage Bicycle Plan for public comment. This meeting will include a presentation by the MOA’s Lori Schanche which responds to the concerns presented by the state Department of Transportation and by the Alaska Railroad (which would like to keep bicycles off an active right-of-way because it projects eventual speeds of 79 mph through town!). It would be great to have as many people in the audience as possible supporting bicycling in Anchorage. The Anchorage Bicycle Plan is the key document that will facilitate bike transportation in Anchorage for many years.
AMATS Technical Advisory Committee Meeting
Planning and Development Center, 1st Floor
Main Conference Room
4700 Elmore Road
February 26, 2009
2:30 - 4:30 PM
See http://www.muni.org/transplan/Agenda.cfm for more information, and click on Draft Anchorage Bicycle Plan for a 3 page memo that is worth reading beforehand (if possible).
Please contact Lois Epstein (p: 907 929-9372) if you have any questions about this, including questions about AMATS and its difficult-to-follow decision-making processes.
On February 13th, Representatives Seaton and Gruenberg introduced HB 132 entitled:
"An Act authorizing municipalities and nonprofit organizations to sponsor a program to encourage the safe use of bicycles as an alternative or supplement to motor vehicles; amending the duties of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to include administration of state funds appropriated for that purpose; and amending provisions of the program by which state and federal aid allocated for highways may be used to support bicycle paths."
Please consider writing a letter to Reps. Seaton and Gruenberg to let them know that you support HB 132 and efforts by the State to improve bicycle transportation options.
To see the entire bill click here.
Take Action Now to Get Bicycle, Pedestrian and Safe Routes Projects Funded at Local and State levels through Federal Stimulus Dollars
Over the past several months, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership has worked tirelessly to ensure that the federal economic stimulus/recovery bill included funding for bicycle, pedestrian, Safe Routes to School, and Complete Streets projects. Safe Routes to School National Partnership is now pleased to report on the outcome of this work. The economic stimulus bill, called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), was signed into law by President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009. The law provides $789 billion in spending and tax cuts to stimulate the economy. ARRA provides an important opportunity for states, cities, counties and schools to create healthier communities. Funding is available in the law to build sidewalks, bike lanes, pathways, and to create complete streets. This infrastructure can help to create an interconnected bicycle and pedestrian network, improving safety and providing opportunities for increased physical activity for both children and adults. However, advocates will need to work quickly to ensure that states and local municipalities are aware of ready-to-go bicycle, pedestrian, and Safe Routes to School projects. Advocates should also ask questions about the design of roadway projects that will be constructed to ensure that they adhere to Complete Streets principles that serve all roadway users. Time is of the essence as states and localities are already making decisions about how to spend their stimulus funds, as there are provisions in the law where states will lose funding if it is not spent quickly. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership worked with America Bikes to develop resources to help local advocates tap into the economic stimulus funding for healthy and active transportation. Please visit their website.
· Frequently Asked Questions about how much funding is included for bike/ped in the stimulus bill, in what categories, eligible uses of funding, and more.
· A sample letter and suggested talking points to help you take action at the state level and in your community to ensure that a maximum amount of stimulus funds will be used for bike/ped/SRTS/Complete Streets projects.
Now is the time to get commitments to build your projects. If you are interested in pursuing any bike/ped/SRTS/or Complete Streets projects please check out the Safe Routes to School National Partnership website and check in with us at info@bicycleanchorage.org.
Please Comment
A Public Review Draft of the Anchorage Bicycle Plan
will be posted as soon as it is released by AMATS.
Please check the following address:muni.org/transplan/bicycle%20plan.cfm
Please Attend
UPDATE: The Public Open House has been CANCELLED. We will post the new date as soon as it becomes available. Thanks!
Please send any comments to:
bikes@muni.org and info@bicycleanchorage.org
The Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage would like to thank the
Municipality of Anchorage for all their work in putting together this plan!
It is with great sadness that BCA reports that the young man who was struck by an SUV on the 20th of October has died. Our thoughts are with his friends and family. This tragic incident is a grave reminder of the importance of being highly visible when riding your bicycle. For all the bicyclist commuting as the days grow darker, BCA strongly recommends that you take all steps available to make yourself more visible. A white blinkie light in the front and a red one in the back, reflectors, reflective tape on your bike and reflective clothing will make it much easier for vehicles to see you. Please ride defensively and seek eye contact with those behind the wheel before traveling in front of them at intersections – even if you have the right of way.
See the article from ADN
Join us for a memorial ride on November 15th. See events for details.
October 8th, International Walk to School Day
On October 8th, Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage (BCA) supported International
Walk to School Day at Alpenglow elementary in Eagle River. 500 kids
participated in the event. Stickers, buttons, and blinking lights were
handed
out by school superintendant Carol Comeau, school board members, BCA, the
fire department, local police department, Fed-Ex, and Providence Hospital
Safe kids program.
Dawn Groth, Registered Nurse and BCA board member, noted
"Walk to School Day reflects similar goals of BCA; providing for safe,
alternative forms of transportation. Walking or biking to school reduces
traffic, improves air quality surrounding the schools, and is a great way
for
kids to get exercise, learn life skills, and enjoy time with family and
friends. It's such a win-win situation. BCA is happy to support this
program."
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Dawn (right) meets Carol Comeau
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The goal was to educate children and parents about techniques to
increase safety while walking to school. Just like while bicycle commuting,
it's important that children have reflective tape or reflectors on their
backpacks or coats and also, of course, teach children about safe crossing
of
streets, staying on sidewalks, and paying attention to traffic.
For additional information on how to get a Safe Routes to School program started in your area:
Alaska Safe Routes to School program:
Click here
Alaska Safe Routes to School grants:
Click here
National Center for Safe Routes to School:
Click here
Steve Soenksen, Alaska Safe Routes to School Coordinator,
Steve.Soenksen@alaska.gov 907.465.4069
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Come to BCA's Winter Bike Clinics! Check out our Events page for more infomation. Download BCA's winter riding tips sheet.
Fall is here, well, let's just call it winter. Commutes are starting to become a challenge. If you haven't put studs on your bike yet you may want to consider it real soon. There's been plenty of ice out there lately. If your route becomes too dangerous or obstructed you can try jumping on the forum to see if there are alternative routes. If it looks like you will have to retire the bike for the winter please contact us. We need to identify the trouble spots and work towards making things better. We need your input!
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
Alaska Renewable Energy Fair
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We had a great time at the Alaska Renewable Energy Fair. We would like to thank all of you who braved the weather to come by and visit us. We also would like to thank our volunteers for making the BCA booth a success. We had several commuter bikes to show off to the public including a fat tire bike, a power assist bike, and 2 bikes that had all the works for winter commuting.
Check out REAP .
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Another Great Day for Commuting!
On August 1st, BCA volunteers were again out on the trails handing out pastries, coffee and stickers to morning commuters.
Despite a gray and cold July, August 1st was sunny and glorious and BCA and all the bicycle commuters were able to enjoy a great day to ride to work.
With the sun shining, there were a lot of commuters out. We had a great time getting to know our fellow commuters.
BCA will be out on September 2nd, so please stop by and say hello, grab a cup of joe or OJ, enjoy a pastry, meet your fellow commuters and pat
yourself on the back for riding your bike to work or school. See our events page for details regarding station locations.
BCA would like to thank Snow City Cafe for donating treats for our morning event. Make sure to thank them next time your there.
Tudor and C gang
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Taking a break
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BCA Thanks Riders (July 1st)
Volunteers were out on the trails handing out pastries, coffee and stickers on July 1st.
It was a great day and there were a lot of riders out. BCA is going to be out on August 1st
so please stop by and say hello, grab a cup of joe, enjoy a pastry and pat yourself on the back for
riding a bike. See events page for details for station locations.
commuters gather around table
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commuter points our route to work
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