Bicycling Advocacy in New Hampshire 2010

Bike-Walk Alliance of NH Update - March, 2010

BWA-NH helps promote bike-ped programs and activities throughout NH

Visit the BWA-NH web site for more details

BWA-NH Membership Application

NH “Commute Green” program, May 15 to June 25. BWA-NH is pleased to again partner with NH-DOT on a statewide program to encourage less use of single occupancy vehicles and more walking, bicycling, carpooling, and use of public transit to reduce pollution and develop a healthier lifestyle. What started eight years ago in NH as just a single Bike/Walk to Work Day in mid-May has expanded into a six-week program promoting active and intermodal transportation whenever possible, not just commuting to work. Short trips to the store, library, a friend’s home, etc. can often be accomplished by bike or foot with the resulting exercise and cost savings making a big difference. For longer distances, combining cycling and walking with public transit, carpool, or even using a car can be a practical alternative to driving alone from door to door. This 2010 program will have a drawing upon completion in June. An on-line survey, provided by BWA-NH, will be used to capture some information about trips taken, problems encountered, the enjoyment factor, etc. Details about the program and a link to the survey will be posted on the BWA-NH web site www.bwanh.org.

New for 2010 will be a series of Bicycling Awareness Rides to be conducted in all regions of the state over the six-week period. Multiple loop rides starting with family-friendly short routes to more challenging loops for experienced cyclists will highlight rail trails, scenic and historic locations, helmet use (a state law for those under 16), proper cycling techniques, compliance with the rules of the road including the “3 foot rule”, and how cyclists and motorists can safely share our roadways. Some giveaways, snacks, etc. are planned for each ride location. The complete schedule and details will be available on the BWA-NH web site.

Rail trail development and planning continues, even in the winter. Federal grant applications, local fundraisers, hearings with town and state officials, and increased public support for rail trails as transportation corridors have kept many BWA-NH members and the NH Rail Trail Coalition very busy. The Salem-Concord Bikeway plan as approved by NH-DOT in 2003 has seen a lot of activity along the Salem-Manchester section. Three Regional Planning Commissions met with all area rail trail organizations and supporters on January 25 to review funding options, connectivity plans, and to promote better communications between state agencies and the rail trail groups. Key presenters at the meeting were Representative Jane Beaulieu, Nancy Mayville from NH-DOT Bureau of Planning and Community Assistance, and David Preece, Executive Director of the Southern NH Planning Commission in Manchester where the meeting was held. A lot more is needed to see the Salem-Concord Bikeway (and beyond) to become a reality but at least people are talking and we have the attention of the state. Of course, funding is another matter.

Distracted drivers: a bicyclist’s biggest risk? Multiple nationwide studies have proven that using a cell phone while driving effectively impairs the driver to a level greater than the legal limit for a DWI conviction.  That applies to simple voice calls while, for most users, texting while driving provokes a higher level of distraction thus an even greater risk to other road users, bicyclists and pedestrians in particular. Currently the new NH law banning texting while driving is viewed as a joke by many NH residents, drivers in many states, and it even made Associated Press headlines on January 2, 2010.  One resident of Warner, NH stated she has no intention to stop texting while driving, despite the $100 fine she could receive.  Her comment:  "I'd better start saving my money."

Bottom line, "distracted drivers" seem to be the biggest hazard bicyclists encounter on the roads these days.  What can we do to address this issue?  How about if some of those people who believe they can multi-task so efficiently that the texting-while-driving ban does not apply to them, be given public tests in a driving simulator alternately using and not using a cell phone, voice and/or texting.  If given some publicity via the media, maybe the reasons behind the nearly unenforceable law would make sense to the present non-believers.  A demonstration booth in a large mall would be sure to attract a lot of attention. None of us want to be "taken out" by a distracted driver.  There are certainly many ways to be distracted other than by cell phone calls and texting but that appears to be a leading factor these days. Remember, you could be the next victim.

Plans for bicycling education in the public schools continued with a “Train the Trainers” program scheduled for the Concord Conant/Rundlett schools in March and April plus individual classes for students planned for other schools, usually part of their Safe Routes to School grant. To implement a more comprehensive and sustainable bike-ed program in the schools, BWA-NH applied for a SRTS grant to “Train the Trainers” via a pilot statewide program. Certified League of American Bicyclist instructors will be able to train school and bike shop staff in the standardized national bike-ed principles with the staff earning the LAB Youth or Skills Cycling Instructor certification. A similar program in Maine and other states has been very successful. Awareness, training, compliance, and enforcement together will make our shared roadways safer and more enjoyable when motorists and bicyclists interact properly by following the rules of the road.

The “3 Foot Rule” is one of the laws stressed during all training sessions conducted by BWA-NH, schools, bike shops, Department of Motor Vehicles, the Police Academy (PSTC), and driver training instructors. To help make more people aware of this law, BWA-NH has a new jersey and bumper stickers to go with the “3 Feet Please” T-shirt that was made available in 2009. The bumper stickers are free in limited quantities. For the jerseys and T-shirts, please see the merchandise page on the www.bwanh.org web site to order any item.

Safe Routes to School: This federally-funded SRTS program for children in grades K-8 living within two miles of their schools provides for both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects, up to $250,000 each. After the applications are reviewed and scored by the Regional Planning Commissions, the applicants presented their requests to the Statewide Advisory Committee (SAC) at NH-DOT on February 11. Recommended grant applications will be forwarded to NH-DOT Commissioner George Campbell for his review by March 29. At last count, a little more than $2M was available for qualified projects and programs. BWA-NH is pleased to be one of ten voting members on the SRTS SAC. For more details about this 100% reimbursement program, please visit the NH SRTS web site.

http://www.nh.gov/dot/org/projectdevelopment/planning/srts/index.htm.

Looking Ahead
We encourage all interested parties, cyclists or not, to speak up in favor of improved bike-ped policies, education, and facilities. GSW members can renew their membership for just $20.00 more than the basic GSW rate of $15.00 if they wish to help financially with a tax deductible donation as our organization is 501(c)(3) certified by the IRS. Anyone can join the free BWA-NH email list serve (E-Group) to learn what is going on then take action as desired. BWA-NH strives to be the voice for bicyclists and pedestrians across the whole state.

Together we can make a positive difference!

Want to help the Bike-Walk Alliance?

Join the Alliance as an individual or a sponsor, help with the bike-ed programs, and get involved with local planning issues affecting bicycling in your area. The more people who know what is going on in our NH bicycling community, the sooner the better, then everyone can express their opinions in a timely manner to help make a positive difference for all bicyclists.
Did you know that by joining the Alliance your payment includes a full GSW membership with all the benefits? Present GSW members are encouraged to join the Alliance when your current membership is due for renewal. For more details

Please visit our web site at www.bwanh.org or to join now use the membership application on this web site.

BWA-NH Focus

The Bike- Walk Alliance of NH is the only statewide advocacy group for bicyclist and pedestrian activities including legislation, safety and education programs.

BWA-NH Goals

To be the voice for bicyclist and pedestrians in New Hampshire.

To promote bicyclist and pedestrian safety, education, and access.

To ensure streets are bicyclist and pedestrian friendly.

To provide resources and support for bicyclist and pedestrians of all ages.

To act as a clearinghouse for bike/ped literature, resources, and curriculum.

To promote bicycling and walking as a means of transport, physical activity and exercise.

To be a statewide liaison for all bicycling and pedestrian organizations.

Walking and bicycling instead of taking short trips in the car improves air quality, increases rates of physical activity, and may help people to maintain a healthy weight.

Making bicycling and walking safer and easily accessible to more people, may reduce the burden of chronic disease and injury and improve the health of New Hampshire citizens.

Please check this advocacy page frequently as new developments and announcements will be posted here even if not in our newsletter. Time and space contraints prevent everything from appearing in print. Use of this web site to convey detailed information in a timely manner for those interested seems like a good idea to us, and we hope you agree. As always, comments are welcome!

Granite State Wheelmen