Jerry Hinnefeld
Henry Scott
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Jeff Nixa
memooney
Adam Bee
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Nate Barnett
Paul Taylor
Danny Graber
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Phil G-E
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Jim Moffitt
Judy Lee
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I’ve been asked by a number of people how they can help get this bill passed. I’ve put together an advocates toolkit that will make citizen involvement easier. Click TOOLKIT to get started. If you have a problem with the links not working as expected, you can download the toolkit by clicking the “Download original” button at the top of the screen. That will make the toolkit more friendly.
Archive for the ‘Advocacy’ Category
SB 0101 – Three Feet Please advocates toolkit
Posted by Paul Taylor on January 6, 2012
Posted in Advocacy, News | 3 Comments »
Senate Bill 101 – Three feet please
Posted by Paul Taylor on January 3, 2012
Senator Broden has sponsored a 3 foot passing bill in the Indiana General Assembly. It is slated to be assigned to the Committee on Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters.
Here’s the legal synopsis of the bill: “Provides that it is a Class C infraction for a person driving a vehicle overtaking a bicycle to not allow at least three feet of clearance between the vehicle and the bicycle and not return to the original lane until the vehicle is safely clear of the bicycle.”
If you want details, or want to follow the political wrangles of the bill, you can do so at http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo?year=2012&session=1&request=getBill&doctype=SB&docno=0101.
This is the third year that Senator Broden has sponsored a bicycle safety bill. Two years ago there was an ombudsmen bill with many minor provisions. It nearly passed but died in the reconciliation process between the two chambers of the legislature. Last years bill never got to the assembly floor, probably because it included a mandatory helmet provision and received little or no support from the bicycling community.
This year’s effort is a single issue bill: 3 feet please. Tim Maher said “Hopefully this is our year.” Tim has been among the strong supporters of Sen. Broden’s bike safety efforts.
As a follower of biking issues, I am reminded of the state of Maine. They introduced bicycle safety bills for seven (count ‘em 7) consecutive years before a bill was passed. Maine is now one of the most bicycle friendly states in the U.S.
Posted in Advocacy, News | Tagged: Legislation | 6 Comments »
Granger Paths meets opposition
Posted by Paul Taylor on December 7, 2011
Another biking and walking issue is brewing. The NIMBYs (Not in My Back Yard) and BANANAs (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything) are flexing their muscle in Granger, Indiana: even considering legal action.
Since 2005, plans have been underway to build multiuse paths in Granger. In recent years, most residents were happy to see their area get new schools and new libraries, but they realized that kids couldn’t get to these places unless Mom or Dad drove them. What a downer! So the push for a walking and biking infrastructure was on. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Advocacy | 2 Comments »
South Bend: Riverside & Angela Ribbon Cutting
Posted by Paul Taylor on November 8, 2011
What: News Conference and special ribbon cutting
When: Thursday, November 10, 2011 10:30 am
Where: Corner of Riverside and Angela
Purpose: Environment, Transportation, Bicycling, and Recreation are the winners. The event will mark the completion of Phase 1 of the Diamond Avenue Storm Sewer project and the official opening of the city’s newest and greenest roundabout. Those arriving by car will be able to park in the new off-street parking area at Brownfield Park which also received a number of upgrades during this project. Please enter the area from the west – Portage/Angela or Woodward/Angela.
Cyclists can simply arrive via either Riverside Trail, Angela, or the North Shore bike lanes. Bicycling advocates are hoping there will be a large contingent of cyclists on hand, which will increase cycling awareness.
Posted in Advocacy, Events, Infrastructure | Leave a Comment »
Juniper Road Bike/Ped Path to be extended
Posted by Paul Taylor on October 10, 2011
For bicyclists, one of the most useful county roads is also one of the most intimidating. Local officials recognize that, and hope to do something about it, possibly as early as 2012. Juniper Road is the logical northside route to and from the Notre Dame campus. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Advocacy, Facilities, Infrastructure, News | Tagged: bike paths, commuting | 2 Comments »
South Bend and Mishawaka government forums
Posted by Paul Taylor on August 26, 2011
It’s a job interview for the candidates running for Mishawaka and South Bend mayor and common council. It’s a chance for cyclists to meet & greet the candidates, learn their views, and let them know yours. The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County and the Young Professionals Network (YPN), in partnership with the South Bend Tribune and WSBT Stations, will present two Mayoral Candidate Forums.
South Bend Candidates – 9/8/2011 – 6:30 – 8 PM @ College Football Hall of Fame
Mishawaka Candidates – 9/14/2011 – 6:30 – 8:30 PM @ Riverside Terrace
Get to know the candidates and how they stand on important issues. This may be your only chance
to see the candidates at one time. There is no admission charge, and reservations are not required. For more invormation click http://stjosephchamberincoc.weblinkconnect.com/cwt/External/WCPages/WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=808 for South Bend or http://stjosephchamberincoc.weblinkconnect.com/cwt/External/WCPages/WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=807 for Mishawaka.
Posted in News, Events, Advocacy | Tagged: South Bend, Mishawaka | Leave a Comment »
2011 Bicycle Indiana Commuter Challenge – “Ride Your Drive” and win
Posted by Paul Taylor on July 30, 2011
Hoosier cyclists (and Wolverines making trips in Indiana) are taking to the road in a new commuting competition. You can earn bragging rights and win cool stuff by registering for the Challenge, “riding your drive” and logging your miles at www.BicycleIndiana.org.
An eligible “trip” is any ride that replaces an automobile trip (in other words, one in which you “ride your drive”). Cyclists can compete individually and/or as part of a team for honors in the top mileage and most commuter trip categories. The Competition started July 1, but it’s not too late to sign up and join in the fun. If you know the trips and mileage you have done since July 1, enter those miles retroactively. The contest ends on Sept. 30. While you don’t have to be on a team to participate, if you select Bike Michiana as your team and allow your mileage/trips to count in with others, Michiana cycling efforts are more likely to be recognized.
Bicycle Indiana will award prizes to the top three individual mileage and trip achievements and to the top club/group for mileage and trips. The top teams will win a “virtual trophy” that will remain on Bicycle Indiana’s Web site for one year. Club/group winners will be determined by the combined mileage or trips of the overall club/group members and not the registered competitors.
For the competition, a trip is defined as one leg of a ride. For example, a ride to work and back home is considered two trips; a ride to the store, then to dinner and then back home would count as three trips.
For more information and to register, visit Commuter Challenge. South Bend is a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community. Goshen is an Honorable Mention Bicycle Friendly Community. I encourage everyone to join the Bike Michiana team to show that we deserve those awards.
Posted in Advocacy, Events | Tagged: bike-to-work, commuter challenge, commuting, virtual trophy | Leave a Comment »
3rd Annual Bike Michiana for Hospice: Sunday, 9/11/2011
Posted by Henry Scott on July 23, 2011
Bike Michiana for Hospice will be held Sunday, September 11th at St. Patrick’s County Park, South Bend, IN. Participants can register online at bikemichianaforhospice.org. The cost for riders who register before August 31 is $30; beginning September 1, the registration fee is $40. Riders 12 and under ride free.
The ride features scenic routes through country roads, live entertainment at each support and guidance (SAG) stop as well as a post-ride party at St. Patrick’s County Park with pulled pork, live music and a beer tent.
Courses include a 3.5 to 11.5 mile family ride (riders can choose the distance) as well as longer rides from 25 miles to 200 K (124 miles). Helmets are required for all riders. SAG stops will feature some of the area’s leading restaurants including Fiddler’s Hearth, LaSalle Grill, Indulgence Pastry Shop & Cafe, Yesterday’s and Grande Mere Inn.
Registration proceeds benefit The Hospice Foundation and Bike Michiana Coalition. Riders may also use an online donation form to raise funds for The Hospice Foundation. One hundred percent of those funds will go to support the Center for Hospice Care’s mission to provide quality, compassionate care for anyone in need of hospice or palliative care services, regardless of their ability to pay.
The information and text for this post were provided by Debra Mayfield, and she can be contacted at 800-413-9083 for more information regarding the event or registration.
Posted in Advocacy, Events, Group Rides: Special | Leave a Comment »
Safe Cycling Course in June
Posted by Henry Scott on May 29, 2011
The South Bend Parks and Recreation Department is partnering up with Paul Taylor of the Bike Michiana Coalition to offer a safe bicycling course this June.
“Traffic Skills 101” is created and endorsed by the League of American Bicyclists. It is a nine-hour course (three evening classes of three hours each) and covers bicycle safety checks, fixing flats, on-bike skills, rules of the road for cyclists and crash avoidance techniques.
This will be a pilot program run as a zero-profit service. The cost to the participant will only cover the expenses of the manual, required testing materials and park resources.
If all goes well and there is interest for continuing instruction, we will consider soliciting grants or sponsorships to help defray this cost and possibly look at more locations and times throughout the year.
More information, including cost, specific dates and times and location can be found at the parks’ website (http://sbpark.org); on-line registration will be available.
Special thanks to Matthew Moyers, the Special Project Coordinator for South Bend Parks and Recreation for his efforts in arranging the course and for preparing this announcement.
Posted in Advocacy, education, Events, Maintenance | Leave a Comment »
May is Bicycle Month
Posted by Paul Taylor on May 6, 2011
In recognition of the bike, cities and towns across the nation have proclaimed May as Bicycle Month, and May 15 through 21 as Bike to
Work Week.
Michiana is no exception. South Bend Mayor Luecke and bicycle enthusiasts gathered in the Morris Performing Arts Center on April 28 for special recognition and announcements.
The highlight of the event was the presentation to the city of the Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award. Nancy Tibbett, a representative of the League of American Bicyclists and Executive Director of Bicycle Indiana made the presentation. Several community leaders offered congratulatory comments preceding the unveiling of the official BFC signage which will be seen around the city in coming weeks.
To complete the event, Luecke issued a proclamation making May a Bike Month in South Bend. This is the second year the mayor has issued this proclamation. Pictured above are Judy Lee, President of Bike Michiana Coalition; Steve Luecke, Mayor of South Bend; Nancy Tibbett, Executive Director of Bicycle Indiana; J.V. Peacock, chair of Michiana Bike to Work Week; Glenda Lamont, Director of Bike the Bend; Chris Dressel, South Bend Bicycle Coordinator; Laurie LaDow, Realtor, Cressy and Everett; and Rob DeCleene, Executive Director, South Bend / Mishawaka Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Posted in Advocacy, Events, News | Tagged: Bicycle Friendly Community, Bike Month, bike-to-work, South Bend | Leave a Comment »
