Streetfilms produced this video at the 2010 National Bike Summit to show some of the big bicycle initiatives happening around the country. You’ll hear from conference host Andy Clarke, Representative Earl Blumenauer, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, the FTA’s Peter Rogoff, and more.

This year marked the League of American Bicyclists’ 10th Annual National Bike Summit- the largest yet.  The summit has grown from less than 100 participants in 2000 to well over 700 in 2010.  Bicycle activists from 48 states converged in Washington DC for a week of workshops, networking, trading tactics, and most importantly, spending a day inside the US Capital meeting with our elected officials to educate them about the vision of a bicycle-friendly America.  Cyclists tend to be a jovial bunch, so most of our representatives told us that they looked forward to our meetings to discuss new bills and funding opportunities to realize this vision.

The scene inside the Capital.  Four of us from the Pittsburgh contingent wait outside Congressman Mike Doyle’s office.

The week started off with a surprise announcement at the opening plenary meeting.  To a cheering crowd, Google used the opportunity to launch their much anticipated “Bike There” directions on Google maps.

On “Lobby Day,” bike advocates traded our wool jerseys for wool suits, donned our iconic bike pins, and stormed the capital to have meetings with our elected officials.  Our mission was basically to ask our congresspeople to join the Congressional Bike Caucus (if they aren’t already), to educate them on the new Active Community Transportation Act (H.R. 4722), expansion of Safe Routes to School funds to High Schools (H.R. 4021), the Complete Streets Act of 2009 (H.R. 1443), and the Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act (H.R. 3734) and to let them know about all the great bicycling initiatives and dedicated advocates in their district.

The Pittsburgh Contingent consisted of members of BikePGH’s staff, Maurice Tierney of Dirt Rag/Bicycle Times, and Eryn Hughes of Velomuse.org.  Our first meeting of the day was with Congressman Mike Doyle of Pittsburgh.  Rep. Doyle made some time to sit down and talk with us, right before he had to go to a meeting about the Health Care Bill that seems to be occupying most of their time.  This meeting was a great way to start the day, as he already joined the Bike Caucus after our meeting with him two years ago, and signed on as a co-sponsor of the Complete Streets Act and the Commuter Benefits Equity Act after meeting with him last year. This year he agreed to co-sponsor all of the bills that we brought to him that he didn’t already have his name on.  Doyle made it clear that he is an ally and advocate for cycling issues. Please thank him for supporting biking and walking and helping make our communities more livable by using this form, or by calling his office at (202) 225-2135.

After Doyle, we also had productive meetings with Kathy Dahlkemper’s office, who’s policy advisor is a cyclist and mountain bike enthusiast.  We followed with productive and positive meetings in the offices of Representatives Jason Altmire, Todd Platts, and Tim Murphy and Senators Robert Casey and Arlen Specter.

Finally, at the end our day inside the Capital, President Obama’s Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, provided possibly the highlight of the Summit.  When he arrived at the final gathering of the Summit, he was treated with a rock-star like welcome.  Realizing that the provided podium wasn’t high enough for the 700+ people packed into the room to hear him speak, he jumped up on a nearby table to address the crowd.  His speech was inspirational and encouraging as he showed the administrations commitment to livable, walkable and bike-able communities.  If you listen to the speech (recommended), when he talks about how he and his wife enjoy riding their bikes on the C & O Canal Trail “as far as we possibly can,” some excited crowd members responded with a jovial, “PITTSBURGH!”

Ray LaHood speaks to the National Bike Summit, 2010.  Pittsburgh content at around 1:18

Here’s a recap from his speech taken from Ray LaHood’s blog: My view from atop the table at the National Bike Summit

Today, I want to announce a sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.

We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

To set this approach in motion, we have formulated key recommendations for state DOTs and communities:

• Treat walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes.
• Ensure convenient access for people of all ages and abilities.
• Go beyond minimum design standards.
• Collect data on walking and biking trips.
• Set a mode share target for walking and bicycling.
• Protect sidewalks and shared-use paths the same way roadways are protected (for example, snow removal)
• Improve nonmotorized facilities during maintenance projects.

Now, this is a start, but it’s an important start. These initial steps forward will help us move forward even further.

On his blog, he also announced a new policy of the USDOT and their Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation.

The Pittsburgh group gathers in front of the Capital at the National Bike Summit 2010

For further reading, the best coverage of the National Bike Summit is from our friends over at BikePortland.org. You can also read a nice little “top 10″ rundown from LAB.

All of Bike Pittsburgh’s staff is in Washington DC right now for the National Bike Summit - a few days where we get to trade strategies with over 700 other advocates from around the country, then storm the capitol building to talk with our Representatives and Senators about bicycling issues.  One of the big news items (so far) at this year’s summit was Google’s announcement of a “bike there” option on their online maps.

According to Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists “we know people want to ride more, and we know it’s good for people and communities when they do ride more – this makes it possible. It is a game-changer, especially for those short trips that are the most polluting,”

The directions feature provides step-by-step, bike-specific routing suggestions – similar to the directions provided by our driving, walking, or public transit modes. Simply enter a start point and destination and select “Bicycling” from the drop-down menu. You will receive a route that is optimized for cycling, taking advantage of bike trails, bike lanes, and bike-friendly streets and avoiding hilly terrain whenever possible.

Stay up-to-date with the most recent news from the National Bike Summit by following our Twitter feed.  We’ve been making frequent updates from the Nation’s Capitol about important developments.

Trees will be the real winners if City Council approves the Bicycle Parking Ordinance

NEW DATE ON MARCH 9, 2010 – Show your support!!

At long last, the City’s proposed bicycle parking ordinance, that would require all new and changed-use buildings to install secure bicycle parking, will see its day in Council Chambers. Councilman Doug Shields called a special Public Hearing on the subject where people can express why this is an important development for Pittsburgh, as it has been in other cities with similar ordinances.  This hearing was originally scheduled in early February, but due to the unprecedented snow, it was canceled and rescheduled for March 9.

A little history: In September, the Planning Commission unanimously passed the ordinance, and now it’s time for City Council’s vote before heading to the Mayor’s desk.  The Planning Commission’s vote garnered national press attention that presented Pittsburgh as a forward-thinking, green minded city.

We need you, the people that this will directly benefit, to show up in Council Chambers to show your support for this important ordinance. Feel free to bring your helmet in as well. We also encourage you to sign up to speak, details are below.

Unfortunately, this hearing was rescheduled at the same time as the 10th annual National Bike Summit in Washington DC – which means that all of BikePGH’s staff will be joining bike advocates from around the country to talk to our elected officials about livable streets issues.

Please take some time and show that there is a strong support for bicycling improvements in the City of Pittsburgh.  It’s so simple, yet so utterly important.

Event details

Public Hearing on Bike Parking Ordinance
3.9.2010
1:30 pm
City Council Chambers
5th Floor City-County Building

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you would like to speak at this event (which we encourage, especially if you are a developer), then you must call ahead to have your name placed on the speaker’s list. You need to call Linda Johnson-Wasler, City Clerk, at 412-255-2138 prior to the meeting.

If you can’t make it, please take a moment to email your council members.  We even made it really easy for you.  It’s the last chance to show your support!

What is the Bike Parking Ordinance?

Ever ridden to a shiny new building and had nowhere to lock your bike?

Of course you have. Basically, buildings are often erected or refurbished without any thought put in to where residents, employees and customers can safely park a bicycle. There are, however, lots of rules in the big zoning book that say how many automobile parking spaces must accompany buildings. The book also has a page for Bike Parking, however this page is currently blank. We’ve been working for the past two years with the Mayor’s Bike/Ped Coordinator, Steve Patchan and Senior Planner, Corey Layman to get this amendment written – similar to what other bike-friendly cities have.

The photo above is from Whole Foods in East Liberty, and shows what happens when bike parking is treated seriously and is incorporated into the design of a building, as opposed to an after-thought retrofit.

This ordinance is integral to continue on the road toward a green, sustainable, and active city.

What this proposed ordinance states is that anytime a new building is built, or there is a change or expansion in use, building owners must put in a bike parking, just like they need to for cars. There is also an incentive component to the ordinance, whereby a developer can replace up to 30% of their car parking requirement with bicycle parking, making it easier for them to meet the car parking requirement as well. The cost-savings for developers, especially the smaller ones, is huge. Symbolically it’s important because it is legislation that recognizes the bicycle as the serious mode of transportation that it is.

Every city that is serious about promoting this green, healthy transportation choice has already enacted similar ordinances. This simple, cost-saving measure has been a boon for cycling in these cities, as it will be in Pittsburgh as well.

Given that the City was a bit out of its league in its face off with Snowmageddon, it’s understandable that it might take a little while for DPW to clear all of the streets and trails. However, many of us felt that three weeks was too long to wait for the Eliza Furnace Trail to be plowed. The City needed to set expectations for us. For example, in the article below, DPW states its priorities for snow removal: Arterials, secondary streets, tertiary streets, and finally trails.  Fine, trails come after streets…. but when, exactly? A lot of the complaints resulted from too little communication with the citizens of Pittsburgh — we did not know when to expect the plows to get to our streets and trails, and that made us a little upset. So I would  like to put forth a solution based on amount of snowfall in a given time frame. The following amounts are arbitrary because I have no clue what the actual thresholds might be, but you get my drift:

1-6 inches of snow in a 12 hour period — trails will be cleared within w days

6-12 inches of snow in a 12 hour period — trails will be cleared within x days

12-24 inches of snow in a 24 hour period — trails will be cleared within y days

24+ inches in a 48 hour period — trails will be cleared within z days

The City could publish something along these lines for arterials, secondary, tertiary streets and bike lanes/trails. It would help the City because, this way, the City would have communicated to its citizens a time frame and set our expectations accordingly. The result would hopefully be fewer complaints being called and emailed in (If I know a plow will get to my secondary street within three days, I’ll wait three days before I call 3-1-1). I can foresee the City arguing against publishing such information in order to protect itself in case of extenuating circumstances resulting in it not being able to meet its stated objectives. However, in that case I suggest the City either A) calls in reinforcements to stay on schedule or B) call in the cameras and tell the people, “We are X days off our schedule because of Y, we are working around the clock and will get your street plowed out as soon as we can. Thanks for your patience.”

At BikePGH, we’re not merely trying to get the City to plow a trail or bike lane only when we ask. What we are trying to do is to make sure the trails and bike lanes get plowed each and every time and within a reasonable time frame.

Much work must be done on region’s bike-hike trails

In an urban area, a lot of people are using these trails for commuting, and not just recreation, so it is important to clear these trails – Tom Baxter, Friends of the Riverfront

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10060/1039359-455.stm#ixzz0gxPaaFH6

PITTSBURGH — Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, and Friends of the Riverfront today announced a series of public meetings to discuss the Allegheny Valley Community Trail Initiative, a trail and riverfront development plan that will connect 17 municipalities along the Allegheny River between Millvale and Harrison Twp.

The Allegheny Valley Community Trail Initiative is a coalition of municipal leaders, trail groups, greenway advocates, and elected officials from Aspinwall, Blawnox, Brackenridge, Cheswick, Etna, Fox Chapel, Frazer Twp., Harmar Twp., Harrison Twp., Millvale, O’Hara Twp., Pittsburgh, Shaler, Sharpsburg, Springdale Borough, Springdale Twp. and Tarentum.

Residents in the communities along the proposed 32-mile trail may learn more about the trail study conducted in 2009 at three public meetings in March:

· Tues., March 2, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Millvale Community Center, 416 Lincoln Avenue, Millvale

· Wed., March 3, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Alle-Kiski Museum, 224 E. 7th Avenue, Tarentum

· Sat., March 6, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Boyd Community Center, 1220 Powers Run Road, O’Hara Twp.

The project is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Allegheny County, Allegheny Rivertown Enterprize Zone, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Friends of the Riverfront, and the 17 riverfront municipalities. O’Hara Twp. and the Fox Chapel District Association are also assisting with community outreach and fiscal responsibilities.

Once completed, the Allegheny Valley Trail will tie into the Erie-to-Pittsburgh Greenway and the Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg Mainline Canal Greenway, which follows the 320-mile path of the historic Pennsylvania Mainline Canal.

For more information about the Allegheny Valley Community Trail Initiative and to download plans, please visit the Trail Status page of www.friendsoftheriverfront.org.

Check out the great results and be sure to thank the folks who made this happen!

VOILA!

Thanks to everyone who organized this event and helped clear the Hot Metal Bridge!

The hearing was supposed to take place in City Council Chambers tomorrow, Feb 9.

The new date has yet to be rescheduled, but we’ll make sure to keep you informed.

You can still act to make sure this important green-minded piece of legislation gets passed.

If you haven’t done so, send an email to your Council Person today, and tell them to support the Bike Parking Ordinance.  We even make it easy for you.

What is the Bike Parking Ordinance?

Ever ridden to a shiny new building and had nowhere to lock your bike?

Of course you have. Basically, buildings are often erected or refurbished without any thought put in to where residents, employees and customers can safely park a bicycle. There are, however, lots of rules in the big zoning book that say how many automobile parking spaces must accompany buildings.  The book also has a page for Bike Parking, however this page is currently blank.  We’ve been working for the past two years with the Mayor’s Bike/Ped Coordinator, Steve Patchan and Senior Planner, Corey Layman to get this amendment written – similar to what other bike-friendly cities have.

The photo above is from Whole Foods in East Liberty, and shows what happens when bike parking is treated seriously and is incorporated into the design of a building, as opposed to an after-thought retrofit.

Click here to find out more

In Pittsburgh, you might soon see less of this. Image by Ollie Crafoord via flickr.

I’ve locked my bicycle to trees, trashcans, stop signs and street signs, fences, gates and benches. These impromptu bike-parking methods are common in most American cities, as the number of cyclists multiplies at a rate exceeding the still-modest increase of bike parking spaces available. But there are encouraging signs that cities are beginning to address the growing demand for secure bike parking as greater numbers of city dwellers choose the bicycle as their primary form of transportation.

Tom Vanderbilt argued in Slate magazine that safe, secure bike parking is the number one improvement that could make the transition from car-friendly cities to bike-friendly cities, and Pittsburgh has been on the move in the past year to increase the amount of bike parking available. It’s easy to spot the official nods to the city’s cyclists: iconic bike racks that demonstrate Pittsburgh’s strong connection to the three rivers that define its landscape.

Read the rest of this article

IMPORTANT: On Tuesday, February 9 at 1:30, there will be a Public Hearing to discuss the Bike Parking Ordinance.  We need you to show up and show support for a bike-friendly Pittsburgh.

Click here for more details

The Snow Slinger of Copenhagen from Copenhagenize on Vimeo.

The art of redding up the bike lanes in Copenhagen’s winter

• The Port Authority opens up transit data for app developers
• Is it even possible to fight state DOT’s?
• The Alliance for Biking and Walking releases the annual Benchmarking Report that collects and analyzes data on bikeing and walking trends
• The League of American Bicyclists reviews Obama’s Federal Budget
• Dirt Rag announced Dirt Fest Dates, May 21-23 at the Allegrippis trails at Raystown Lake
• GOOD examines turning a city street into a bikeway