Texas Trails Network Solicits Trail Info for Database at TRAPS Conference
Do you have a favorite off-road or on-road bike trail that you want to share online? Texas Trails Network (TTN) gave a live demonstration on how to submit trail info online to add to their 620+ trails database at the 2008 Texas Recreation and Parks Society (TRAPS) Conference in San Angelo this past March 27.
The online database currently carries 150+ off-road and 130+ on-road cycling opportunities in parks, greenbelts and private properties across Texas. TTN Administrator John Rath walked an audience-member through the process, taking less than 10 minutes.
The trail entries feature driving directions, maps, photos and other graphics. All registrations are previewed by TTN staff prior to publication. Once geo-oriented and published, full descriptions, trailhead maps and driving directions are available to TTN website visitors.
TTN depends heavily upon input from trail providers, such as Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, City and County Parks departments and trail enthusiasts for current information. The TTN link is at www.texastrails.org.
Register for the Capital Area Bicycle & Pedestrian Summit
On-line registration is free, and is open through April 30, 2008. Space is limited to the first 350 registrants.
When: Saturday, May 3, 2008 9 – 4 pm Where: University of Texas Jester Center (21st & Speedway, Austin)
What: The Capital Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Summit is an event to promote improvements in bicycle and pedestrian transportation in the region by sharing ideas and bridging disciplines. Confirmed speakers include Austin Councilmember Brewster McCracken, Street Smarts Task Force Chair Sara Krause, and Texas Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Robin Stallings. Bicycle and pedestrian transportation planners from the City of Austin, CAMPO, and TxDOT will host public input. Lunch will be provided by the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority.
Professional Engineers may be able to count this activity toward their annual Continuing Education requirement (3 PDHs suggested). The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification Maintenance (CM) credits are pending application. AICP Members must be in attendance the full morning session to receive CM Credit.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions on the Summit.
Greg Griffin, AICP
Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
512 974 2084
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TBC/BikeTexas Named Finalist for Regional Planning Award
Texas Bicycle Coalition / BikeTexas has been named a finalist for a 2008 Envision Central Texas (ECT) Community Stewardship Award. ECT is a regional non-profit planning organization established in 2001 which brings together a broad array of elected and public officials, neighborhood advocates, business leaders, land developers and transportation groups together into one process to develop a solid foundation for transportation and other planning decisions over a five-county area.
Texas Bicycle Coalition was nominated by Dick Kallerman, ECT Board Member and Save Our Springs Alliance Chair. “Texas Bicycle Coalition has played a pivotal role in making Central Texas a better place for cycling,” said Kallerman. “Their efforts resulted in tens of millions of dollars for trails and bicycle facilities in the region. They have played a key role in bringing Safe Routes to School monies to Texas. I am pleased that they made the finalist list.”
The awards jury making the finalist selections consisted of leaders in urban planning from around the nation. From a pool of 47 nominees, Texas Bicycle Coalition joins 17 other individuals and organizations selected for five different categories and faces stiff competition from five other finalists in the Pioneer Category, including State Representative Mike Krusee, Chair of the Texas House Transportation Committee.
Join us in Austin for the Civic Bicycle Cruise (formerly known as the Political Pedal) and Bicyclists Happy Hour!
Civic Bicycle Cruise
On Friday, May 2, 2008, bike advocates will ride with elected officials and enjoy the common denominator of two wheels. Join your elected officials and community leaders on this convergence of politics and the joy of cycling. Explore Town Lake Park bikeways and environs.
Location:
City Hall Plaza
Time: Gather at 4:45 pm: ride at 5:00 pm
Contact: Scott Johnson (512) 389-2250
Bicyclists Happy Hour
Follow the Civic Bicycle Cruise to its final destination, or join the group after the ride, for snacks, libations and lively conversation.
NCTCOG Hosts County Meetings to Review Regional Veloweb
ByJen Ebel
Transportation Planner
Sustainable Development
The North Central Texas Council of Governments is hosting the second in a series of county specific meetings to review the Regional Veloweb, a 644 mile off-street trail network planned for the Metroplex.
At the Denton County Regional Veloweb Review meeting, NCTCOG staff will give a presentation about the history of the Regional Veloweb and long term goals for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Program. City planners, government staff, and interested Denton County residents will then have an opportunity to:
review maps
identify priorities for the county
provide NCTCOG with feedback about planned and existing trails
Florida cyclists are cheering the news today that the State Department of Transportation is, according to a ruling of the First District Court of Appeals, unambiguously obligated “to establish bicycle and pedestrian ways in conjunction with the construction, reconstruction, or other change of any state transportation facilities.”
The ruling goes on to say that bicycle and pedestrian ways shall be established “unless the Department exercises its discretion not to establish [them]” according to one of three conditions described in the statutes, and that the “Department’s discretion is limited.”
The ruling arises out a lawsuit brought by Palm Beach cyclist Bruce Rosenzweig, the Boca Raton Bicycle Club, and the League of American Bicyclists, in response to the failure of the Florida DOT to follow the agency’s own policies and manuals in the reconstruction of State Route A1A in Palm Beach County.
The City of Austin Bicycle Program is updating its Master Plan. In order to collect feedback and comments from cyclists and other stakeholders regarding bicycle facilities and programs they will be holding four public meetings (see flyer).
These meetings will allow you to directly affect cycling in your community and to learn about the process of planning bicycle facilities.
Submitted by: Greg Griffin, AICP
TxDOT
