Rescheduled

Due to Inclement Weather, This Meeting was Postponed.
The New Date: March 1

100 Founding Members -- Unite!
Saturday, March 1

10:00 -- 1:00
Holy Cross Church
329 N. 5th St., Reading
Please RSVP to walkbikeberks@yahoo.com

Committee Strategy Sessions will include:
Fund Raising
Outreach
Events Planning
Safe Routes To School Campaign

We are actively seeking a Secretary for the Board of Directors. Please write to walkbikeberks@yahoo.com if you are interested in volunteering for this position.

Send Me to the Summit

Bikers, Hikers, Off-Road or On?

I will represent you when I meet directly with Congressional Leaders on March 6, 2008 in Washington, DC during the National Bike Summit hosted by the League of American Bicyclists. I will discuss the importance of pedestrian and bicycling policies and funding. The Summit is an opportunity to learn some best practices to help achieve the goals of WBB, to connect with national bicycle and pedestrian movers and shakers, and to meet our nationally elected officials and get their financial and policy support for WalkBikeBerks.

To be able to attend, I need to raise $550.00 by March 4. The money will cover the registration for training and lobbying. I will cover my own travel expenses with the exception of the generous contribution of the Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia who can provide me with a place to stay. The only money I am asking for others to donate is the cost of the registration. I hope you will help.

Please send your contribution* to:
WalkBikeBerks
PO Box 6795
Wyomissing, PA 19610
*501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt status is pending approval.

Show Support

Exeter Township
Berks County, Pennsylvania
4975 DeMoss Road
Reading PA 19606
www.exetertownship.com

EXETER TOWNSHIP
Board of Supervisors
Office: 610-779-5660

MEETING AGENDA
FEBRUARY 25, 2008
7:00 P.M.

WALKBIKEBERKS UPDATE

Please come to show me your support and to learn more about the Pedestrian and Bicycle Task Force.

Bikes on BARTA?

Here is a suggestion for a countywide bicycling issue - Bike Racks on Buses. A few years ago PENNDOT asked transit agencies why they did not install bike racks on buses, the most common response was that no one has asked for them. This should not be a hard sell since the majority of surrounding agencies have them (SEPTA in the Phila Metro Area, Red Rose Transit in Lancaster County, LANTA in the Lehigh Valley and Rabbit Transit in York County).

Bike Racks on buses can be paid for with Transit Enhancements, BARTA in the past has used Transit Enhancements to pay for upgraded bus signs. And it has been proven locally that bike racks do have a positive impact on ridership. In 2003 LANTA reported 90 boardings per day or about 2000 trips a month.



You may have seen this article last month in the Reading Eagle with BARTA claiming that ridership is flat despite high gas prices. Not surprising since there is little cost difference for the short commutes that are possible on BARTA, but it is a common theme for the mainstream press. There are other transit issues of course such as BARTA not responding to the explosive growth in the SE part of the county (connecting to SEPTA in Pottstown or running express buses to King of Prussia should be at least on the table).

The bottom line is that it's in BARTA's best interest to forge a good relationship with WalkBikeBerks since quality of service greatly depends on the ability of passengers to walk or bike to their origin and destination.

Walking is good for everyone...and Everyone is a Pedestrian

If we are blessed enough to have the strength, well-being, and ability to walk, shouldn't we also be able to do it safely?

If you agree that:
1. our streets are not safe enough and can be improved,
2. children should learn and practice pedestrian and bicycle safety,
3. walking and bicycling are healthy, basic exercise
4. childhood obesity and related health problems (asthma, diabetes, heart disease)can and should be prevented
5. schools play a critical role in shaping the life-long habits and skills of children,
Then please join WalkBikeBerks in our efforts to bring Safe Routes to School to Berks County.

http://www.walkinginfo.org/why/benefits_health.cfm

This Week in WBB

This is an exciting week for WalkBikeBerks. I will be talking to the Exeter Optimist Club on February 20 at the Reading Country Club. On Saturday, February 23 there are two very big events. First, WalkBikeBerks 100 Founding Members Unite at Holy Cross Church in Reading to hear The Berks County Planning Commission talk to us about the works they have in progress. Later that night The Berks County Bicycle Club have invited Jeremy Slonaker to provide information and speak to the group about the work we are doing.

The following week is just as big as the Exeter Township Supervisors have invited me to speak at their meeting on February 25. Come to support WBB and sign on as a volunteer for the new Township Task Force. Your help is needed.

Join Us for the National Bike Summit - Thursday March 6

Join Us For the National Bike Summit - Thursday March 6

Are you interested in advancing bicycling to the forefront of transportation policy, air pollution and energy independence in Congress? Then join us on Thursday March 6 when we march up Capitol Hill to meet with your Congressional Representatives. We need your help because Congressional lobbying is only effective when they hear from their constituents. So if you are interested in meeting your Congressperson with us then send an email to me john@bicyclecoalition.org by Thursday Feb 28. Tell us where you live and if you would like to join a carpool (unfortunately we currently cannot reimburse transportation costs).

Congratulations BCGP!

From John Boyle and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia:

Mayor Announces Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator Position in 5 Year Plan
Posted by: "John Boyle" john@bicyclecoalition.org
Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:21 am (PST)

WOO HOO!!!!

From page 82 of the Five-Year Financial and Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2009-2013 http://www.phila.gov/pdfs/5yrPlan_08.pdf: Implement creative pedestrian and bicycle policies: Walking and bicycling are ideal forms of urban transport. Encouraging Philadelphians to make more trips by bicycle and on foot would provide relief from traffic congestion, contribute to improved public health, lower household transportation costs, create intermodal opportunities to extend the reach of public transportation, clean the air and improve the natural environment by reducing automobile emissions. By leveraging federal funds, the Administration will create a Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator position to ensure that the interests of pedestrians and bicyclists in Philadelphia are adequately addressed and to coordinate the development and funding of projects related to non-motorized modes of transportation. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator will report directly to the Deputy Mayor for Transportation and Public Utilities and will work with other City departments involved with transportation,urban planning, sustainability and public health.

Advertise

How are you spreading the word about our upcoming meeting?

Bob Hospidor has worked with BCTV to list our February 23 meeting on their Community Bulletin. (Excellent work. Thank you Bob!) I have posted the event on the Reading Eagle online Community Calendar, the WalkBikeBerks Blog, and via our Yahoo List. The Exeter Township Ped/Bike Task Force has advertised on the Official Township Website. (Thank you Task Force!) [By the way...have you approached your township to request a Ped/Bike Task Force in your local area?]

I would very much like to see the local police departments, emergency responders, parks and recreation, and school personnel at our next meeting. Please attend your local school board meetings and ask them to support Safe Routes To School and International Walk to School Day (in October every year). Write an email to your school administrators asking them to get involved by attending the meeting on February 23. We must have schools participate if we are to compete for SRTS funding.

You are doing great things and we are making excellent progress. Keep up the momentum. The hard work will be well worth our efforts.

Thank you.
Michele

PostPoned

Due to Inclement Weather, This Meeting is Postponed.

The New Date will Be Posted as soon as it is Determined.

100 Founding Members -- Unite!

Saturday, February 23

10:00 -- 1:00

Holy Cross Church

329 N. 5th St., Reading

Please RSVP to walkbikeberks@yahoo.com

Guest Speakers: The Berks County Planning Commission

• Michael Golembiewski: Transportation Planner; Expert Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
• Lori Lencheski: Subdivision Planner

Committee Strategy Sessions will include:

• Fund Raising
• Outreach
• Events Planning
• Safe Routes To School Campaign

We are actively seeking a Secretary for the Board of Directors. Please write to walkbikeberks@yahoo.com if you are interested in volunteering for this position.

Update On Pedestrian Death

1/27/2008
Last Update: 1/27/2008 12:30:00 AM
Man is struck, killed on Route 222 in Maidencreek Township
©2008 Reading Eagle Company

A Lehigh County man was killed Saturday night when a sport utility vehicle struck him as he tried to walk across Route 222 about 100 yards south of Route 73 in Maidencreek Township, Northern Berks Regional police said. Police gave this account: Leroy Weidner, 80, of Breinigsville was crossing the highway shortly before 7 when he was struck by a southbound vehicle driven by Arlan R. Remaly, 57, of South Heidelberg Township. Remaly immediately pulled over. The highway was closed for two hours from Route 73 south to Dries Road.

Weidner was crossing the highway to get from a convenience store to the parking lot of another convenience store where he had parked his car. His wife, Annabelle, 77, was waiting for him in the car. An investigation continues. Weidner was pronounced dead at 7:25 p.m. by Second Chief Deputy Berks County Coroner Wally Woytovich, officials said. A certificate of accidental death was issued. Weidner was the third person to die this year as a result of accidents on county roads.