Philadelphia Bicycle News: October 10 - Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day

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Philadelphia Bicycle News: October 10 - Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day

Fall Safe Routes to School Academy Grants -- Now Available

PANA Mini-Grants Fall 2008

Go Here to Apply: http://www.srtsacademy.org/grants/mini-grants-fall.cfm

The Safe Routes to School Academy provides a two-year mini-grant program to support partnership development and coordinate planning and evaluation of SRTS efforts around schools that include grades up to 8th.

Capacity Building Mini-Grant ($5,000)
Includes seed money plus a technical assistance provider to guide partnerships through the development of a thorough SRTS action plan.

Education and Encouragement Mini-Grant ($5,000)
Includes seed money for communities with a basic infrastructure already in place that need assistance promoting and educating parents, kids and community members on walking and biking to school easily and safely.

Mini-Grant Application Timeline
Mini-Grant Applications due by Nov 19, 2008
Winners will be notified by letter December 2008
Winners’ letter of agreement and collaborating entities agreement due Jan 23, 2009

WALK TO SCHOOL -- Every Day!

Go beyond your Walk to School event to support safe walking and bicycling all year long with Safe Routes to School programs. New Federal legislation has recognized the value of ongoing walking and bicycling and is providing funding for states to establish programs.

Find out why Safe Routes to School matter
Learn more about what's happening in your state
Example Safe Routes to School activities

Candidates Forum by BCTV & League of Women Voters

LWV Candidates Forums
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008 at 8:00pm
US House of Representatives, PA 6th DistrictBob Roggio (D), Jim Gerlach (R)

Previous Candidates Forums
PA House of Representatives, 130th DistrictDavid R. Kessler (D), Richard C. Gokey (R)
PA House of Representatives, 128th DistrictJohn C. Woodward (D), Samuel E. Rohrer (R)
US House of Representatives, PA 16th DistrictBruce Slater (D), Joseph R. Pitts (R)Daniel Frank (C), John A. Murphy (I)
PA Senate, District 11Michael A. O'Pake (D), Stephen P. Fuhs (R)
PA House of Representatives, 187th DistrictJohn Ritter (D), Gary Day (R)

The General Election is Tuesday, November 4th
The deadline to register was Monday, October 6th
For more information visit VOTE411.org
Candidates Forums are presented as a public service of BCTV and the League of Women Voters.
http://www.bctv.org/

Adam Crosier returns to Berks County...

"To anyone else thinking of hiking the trail, whether it is a thru-hike or just going out for the day, all I can recommend is: DO IT." -- Adam Crosier

Our own local Exeter Township's Adam Crosier has completed his Appalachian Trail Hike. See here for more details: http://internetservices.readingeagle.com/Editorial_Video/flash/adamsjourney/adamsjourney2.html

Dear Adam: When you read this message, contact me. I can't wait for you to share your story with WalkBikeBerks.

Until then, congratulations.

~Michele

PA State-Wide Complete Streets Bill

Write to your district's State Representative and ask for a State-Wide Complete Streets Bill today. Use my local district letter as an example:

2 Scholl Drive
Oley, PA 19547

October 5, 2008

Dear Representative Kessler,

Thank you so much for all of the fine work that you have accomplished in the past year for Pennsylvania. We are working to support your efforts for Smart Growth by focusing on a specific key element: multimodal transportation (mass transit, pedestrians, bicycles and automobiles).

I am writing today to ask you to consider working with WalkBikeBerks to draft a new state-wide Complete Streets Bill.

A new law has been signed in California creating a State-wide Complete Streets Policy. Please consider reviewing here: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_1351-1400/ab_1358_bill_20080930_chaptered.pdf. It is the intention of WalkBikeBerks that we look to other states who have set an example for us to follow. Ultimately, I would hope that Pennsylvania would lead the nation -- as the Keystone State -- on such sound environmental, economic, and alternative transportation policies.

Assembly Bill No. 1358
CHAPTER 657
An act to amend Sections 65040.2 and 65302 of the Government Code,
relating to planning.
[Approved by Governor September 30, 2008. Filed with
Secretary of State September 30, 2008.]
legislative counsel’s digest
AB 1358, Leno. Planning: circulation element: transportation.

(1) Existing law requires the legislative body of each county and city to adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan for the physical development of the county or city with specified elements, including a circulation element consisting of the general location and extent of existing and proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, terminals, any military airports and ports, and other local public utilities and facilities, all correlated with the land use element of the plan.
This bill would require, commencing January 1, 2011, that the legislative body of a city or county, upon any substantive revision of the circulation element of the general plan, modify the circulation element to plan for a balanced, multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all users of streets, roads, and highways, defined to include motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, children, persons with disabilities, seniors, movers of commercial goods, and users of public transportation, in a manner that is suitable to the rural, suburban, or urban context of the general plan. By requiring new duties of local officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(2) Existing law establishes in the Office of the Governor the Office of Planning and Research with duties that include developing and adopting guidelines for the preparation of and content of mandatory elements required in city and county general plans.
Sincerely,

Michele D. Barrett
Board President

Complete Streets Victory

This news alert issued by the National Complete Streets Coalition provides a details of a recent complete streets policy -- one that ensures the entire right of way is routinely designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. Please pass it around! And visit www.completestreets.org to stay informed.

For Immediate Release
October 3, 2008
For more information, contact:Stephanie Potts, 202-207-3355 x25

California Passes Complete Streets Law
Major Victory for National Complete Streets Movement

Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law on September 30th Assembly Bill 1358 (pdf), the California Complete Streets Act of 2008 authored by Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco).The new law requires cities and counties to include complete streets policies as part of their general plans so that roadways are designed to safely accommodate all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, children, older people, and disabled people, as well as motorists."Streets aren't just for cars, they're for people and with the Complete Streets Act local governments will plan for and build roadways that are safe and convenient for everyone- young or old, riding a bike or on foot, in a car or on a bus," said Assemblyman Leno. "Getting people out of their cars and riding bicycles or the bus improves public health, air quality, eases congestion and reduces greenhouse emissions."Introduced in 2007 and cosponsored by the California Bicycle Coalition and AARP California, the bill passed the Senate on August 27, with the Assembly concurring with the Senate's amendments on August 29. The new law will complement an existing policy, which directs Caltrans to "fully consider the needs of non-motorized travelers (including pedestrians, bicyclists and persons with disabilities) in all programming, planning, maintenance, construction, operations and project development activities and products." Furthermore, by enacting this law, the State of California continues its groundbreaking commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.To date, more than 70 jurisdictions have adopted complete streets measures, and many others are considering them. In addition to California, five other states have complete streets legislation.Beginning January 2011, any substantive revision of the circulation element in the general plan of a California local government will include complete streets provisions."California has taken a big step forward in helping make sure that streets are designed so that anyone can travel safely, whether by foot, bicycle, bus or car," said David P. Sloane, AARP Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy. "More people are leaving their cars at home and walking since the gas crisis. They need their streets to be user friendly. AARP commends Governor Schwarzenegger and the California legislature for their foresight in adopting Complete Streets."Groups supporting complete streets have formed the National Complete Streets Coalition, with active participation from groups representing older persons, transit users, pedestrians, bicyclists, and disabled people, as well as smart growth proponents and professional organizations such as the American Planning Association and the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

For more information, visit www.completestreets.org or call 202-207-3355.
The National Complete Streets Coalition 1707 L Street NW #1050 Washington, DC 20036For questions about the coalition or to submit items for the newsletter, email info@completestreets.org

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