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.

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.

Now, according to a WSBT news report, some Granger residents are pushing back against safer biking and walking. WSBT lists their objections:

• it’s going to wreck a lot of front yards
• where does this fall in the luxury vs. needs …
• a small group of homeowners weren’t able to get their questions answered, so they are pursuing another alternative course of action. Legal actions? Maybe.

The WSBT report didn’t mention the obesity epidemic, the air quality, global warming, traffic congestion, or danger to people who walk or bike along the narrow Granger roads. It did itemize the efforts of a group of Granger residents and St. Joseph County to keep homeowners and the public informed.

• “…regular public meetings and publicized their [Friends of Granger Paths] fundraisers”
• notified homeowners three times
• ‘legal notice went out to the affected homeowners in September [2011] and stresses that the vast majority of changes will be within the county-owned “right-of-way.”’
• It’s being funded in part by a federal grant with an additional $150,000 coming from local donations. Disclaimer: The Bike Michiana Coalition (manager of this web site) has donated $2,500 to the project.

To combat this BANANA reaction, another informational meeting is being conducted by the Friends of Granger Paths:

• Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 6:30pm at the Northpoint Elementary School Cafeteria, 50800 Cherry Road, Granger.
• There will not be a public comment session, but bike and walk advocates are encouraged to attend.

Thanks to WSBT for the above photo.

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.

“St. Joseph County … has identified this area for consideration of a future bicycle facility enhancement project. St. Joseph County, in partnership with the University of Notre Dame and Clay Township, is currently surveying and collecting the necessary information to design a bike lane on Juniper Road between Douglas Road and Cleveland Road.

We have not scheduled the project for a construction date as it is subject to available funding and [we] will continue to work out the details with the parties involved. If sufficient funding is secured, the project may start in the spring of 2012. County officials are working hard to help make this project happen as quickly as possible.”

The operative word here is ‘funding’. Clark used the word twice, and of course funding is dependent on many issues: more than most cyclists can fully grasp.

In the second photo, Ms. Jo Duke passes under the I-80 toll road bridge, which is the choke point of the Notre Dame Northside route. Duke is on a recreational and fitness ride on a fine October afternoon. During rush-hour, the road is heavily used by Notre Dame bike-commuters.

Hopefully, Duke will have a safer route next October.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.