In the Midst of Pulling it all Together

By Bob Beane
It might be my "advocate's optimism", or involvement in recent discussions of progress (or lack thereof), but I have recently had visions of Arizona being on the verge of pulling out of a trail network and bike route quagmire. I know that the budget climate is difficult, and that opponents of spending on virtually any public works have recently crawled out of the washes and arroyos in many communities, but I just have this feeling that bicyclists in Arizona are about to score some major victories.

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Sheila on "The Morning Blend"

Check out CAzb southern Arizona representative Sheila Foraker appearance on KGUN's "The Morning Blend"


 

Woman riding a motorized bicycle killed in crosswalk

An article in this morning's AZ Republic reports that a 52-year old woman was riding her motorized bicycle on the sidewalk and proceeded into a crosswalk where she collided with an automobile. The article cites "Authorities" as saying riding a motorized bicycle on the sidewalk is illegal. I hope that was an accurate quote from City or State law. I have been told by a motorized bicycle vendor that there is a Federal Law that puts motorized bicycles (less than 20mph and 100watts power) under the same status as human-only-powered bicycles. The searching I did on this yielded that that Federal Law is applicable to consumer protection laws and policies, not traffic laws. Can anyone elaborate?

Actual article is at http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/01/20/20110120Phoenix-motorized-bicyclist-Dies-abrk.html

Dan Gutierrez Gets His Wish

In early December, the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists was contacted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help fulfill the wish of a dying teenaged boy. The wish was that the boy, Dan Gutierrez, wanted to ride a bike with a group of cyclists. Arrangements were made for using the Deck (Margaret Hance) Park for the ride, and cyclists were invited to attend this special event.
Approximately 40 cyclists from several clubs came to render support for Dan. The cyclist clubs brought jerseys, and other swag for Dan to wear and enjoy, and he was thrilled. Make-A-Wish had purchased a special trike that would allow him to pedal and brake, but motive power was provided by pushing the trike, as Dan doesn't have enough strength in his legs to propel the trike.

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Rails-to-Trails delivers over 51,000 signature petition to AAA

On December 13, 2010, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy hand-delivered more than 51,000 signatures in a petition to AAA to support—not oppose—the continuation of established trail, walking and bicycling programs... read more at railstotrails.org ...

CAzBike Membership Meeting: Monday JAN 17th

Please join us for our next membership meeting;
Michael Sanders will speak on ADOT bike policy, five year plans (related to bicyclists) and Highway Safety Improvement Program fund use.

Mike is the Bicycle and Pedestrian coordinator for the State of Arizona / ADOT

next meeting: Monday Jan 17th, 2011. 6:00PM.
Location:  Boulders on Broadway Bar and Grill (map)
530 W. Broadway in Tempe AZ 85282, 480.921.9431

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Here's a list of reference material from Mike: http://www.azdot.gov/Org_Charts/ADOT/ADOT_OrgChart.asp http://www.azdot.gov/mpd/systems_planning/index.asp http://www.azbikeped.org/appendix%20c/13_ImpAN>.pdf http://www.azdot.gov/Org_Charts/ITD/ITDOrgChart.asp http://www.azbikeped.org/images/MGT01-2%20Bike%20Policy.pdf http://www.azmag.gov/Documents/pdf/cms.resource/PWB-RBTF_2008_Guide-for-Development-of-Bicycle-Facilities83606.pdf, p. 17 http://tinyurl.com/59pmrr, p. 300-10 http://www.azdot.gov/Highways/Traffic/Standards/signstripe/M-22a.pdf and http://www.azdot.gov/Highways/Traffic/Standards/signstripe/M-22b.pdf http://www.azdot.gov/Highways/Traffic/standards/PGP/TM1030.pdf http://www.azdot.gov/Highways/Traffic/standards/PGP/TM1031.pdf http://www.azbikeped.org/images/2009%2011%2010%20ADOT%205-YR%20PRGM%202010-2014_LIST.pdf  http://www.azbikeped.org/images/2009%2011%2010%20ADOT%205-YR%20PRGM%202010-2014_MAP.pdf http://www.azdot.gov/highways/SWProjMgmt/enhancement_scenic/enhancement/PDF/documents_currently_funded_projects.pdf http://mpd.azdot.gov/mpd/systems_planning/bicycle_safety_study.asp (sorry we don't have this updated)  http://www.azbikeped.org/azbss.htm ...

Important City of Phx meeting tomorrow (Thursday)

Please attend an important meeting this week to show your support for an important bicycle/pedestrian overpass which is on the chopping block. A plan to build a bridge over 19th Avenue, just south of Greenway Road is in jeopardy. The City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department is scheduled to present options for the proposed 19th Avenue Bikeway/Pedestrian Bridge and Multiuse Path project at 10:00 AM Thursday January 6, 2011, to the Transportation, Sustainability, and Infrastructure (TS&I) Subcommittee for their consideration and possible action. This public hearing will be held in the Assembly Rooms in City Hall., 200 W. Washington Street. There is a potential of a change in meeting location, please check the here for additional information on this item and potential changes in location. (scroll down and click on 1/6/2011, 10:00 AM "TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUSTAINABILITY SUBCOMMITTEE").

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