The Conference Committee's released budget (here) has replaced the original Senate budget provision with an annual progress reporting requirement. The original provision would have decimated the NCDOT's Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant program by requiring a pay-back of grant funds if projects weren't implemented in a timeframe over which they had limited control. See here for a previous discussion of the potential impact of the provision, especially on small, rural towns. We identified the concern - that funding plans that just sit on a shelf without project implement is a … [Read more...]
BikeWalk NC hosts Our First Lobby Day
The General Assembly is back and ready for business! Since meeting for the long session on Jan. 11, the Assembly has been coming together for regular meetings and to work on the budget. Currently, one bill, H.B. 135, addresses the need for bike safety to be added to the public school curriculum. The General Assembly asserts that the public school community upholds the responsibility to ensure that each child is able “to learn, to achieve, and to fulfill his or her potential.” The bill, short-titled “Technical Changes to Courses of Study Statute,” will ensure that the state Board of Education … [Read more...]
Bike Law Changes in House Bill 959 Improve Public Roadway Safety
In addition to the important provision that allows vehicles to cross the solid center line to pass slower moving vehicles (a big win for the BWNC and the NC bicycling community), House Bill 959: DOT Proposed Legislative Changes modifies other bicycle safety laws. These new laws will become effective October 1st, 2016: Allowing vehicles to pass slower-moving bicycles and mopeds in a no-passing zone when all safety requirements are met (and with a very good four foot distance specified- read more here) Legalizing the commonly-used right-hand turn signal for right turns … [Read more...]
Praise for a Successful 2016 Tour de Fat Event
BikeWalk NC is happy to announce that the 2016 Tour de Fat celebration in Durham, NC on June 25 was a tremendous success. Sponsored by New Belgium Brewing Company, the Tour de Fat is an annual beer and bicycle festival that travels to various locations around the country. Durham’s Tour event is the biggest fundraiser for BikeWalk NC; proceeds from the event benefit BWNC, Triangle Spokes Group, and the Durham Bike Co-op. BikeWalk NC would like to thank New Belgium, the many volunteers (over 200!) and other bicycling organizations, and everyone who attended the event for helping to make the … [Read more...]
Recognition of Lauren Blackburn
BikeWalk NC recognizes Lauren Blackburn, the previous director of the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation, for her contributions to improving the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians on public roadways. Lauren served as the Division’s director for four years, during which various regional infrastructure plans were developed with the intention of prioritizing access and safety of pedestrians and bicyclists. Under Lauren’s leadership, the state revised the framework of North Carolina’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan to improve various … [Read more...]
Bike Safety Law Changes Proposed in House Bill 959
House Transportation Committee Chairs John Torbett, Frank Iler, and Phillip Shepard and HB232 bill sponsor Representative Jeter are working to improve bicyclist safety and reduce conflicts between motorists and bicyclists by proposing the adoption of many of the valuable recommendations from the HB232 Bicycle Safety Law Study conducted this past fall. We believe that implementation of House Bill 959: DOT Proposed Legislative Changes will add to the safety of all bicyclists and motorists on public roadways. Readers can view the entire proposed committee substitute here, but a … [Read more...]
Present at 2016 NC Bike Summit
You're invited to submit a proposal to present at the 5th annual NC Bike Summit held in Asheville, NC September 16-17. The theme of this year's summit is "pedaling toward economic development." Proposals for presentations should address these issues: * Funding strategies for bicycling * Advancing bicycle advocacy * Economic benefits of bicycling - job creation & business stability. There are two presentations format options - Traditional Breakout Session w/ Q&A or Tours and Mobile Workshops.The presentation committee may group individual presentations into one … [Read more...]
BikeWalk NC works on Vision Zero Taskforce to eliminate road fatalities
Lisa Riegel, executive director of BikeWalk NC, joined the North Carolina Vision Zero Taskforce. In 2014, the North Carolina Strategic Highway Safety Plan adopted the NC Vision Zero Vision Zero is a proven, data-driven approach to reducing transportation-related injuries and saving lives. Vision Zero’s goal is to work toward the only acceptable number of traffic deaths and serious injuries: zero. Vision Zero works to protect all road users, including bicyclists and pedestrians. Between 2010 and 2014, bicyclists and pedestrians represented 14 to 17 percent of all traffic fatalities in … [Read more...]
NC Bike Summit 2015
October 15-17, 2015 UNCC Center City, Uptown Charlotte. Please save the date for the next Bike Summit! Planning is well underway. … [Read more...]
Tour De Fat
Bikes, Beer, and Bemusement! Music, bike parade, beer and food sales. June 20, 2015 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Diamond View Park @ American Tobacco Complex, Durham, NC Schedule: 10 a.m. - Parade Registration 11 a.m. - Bike Parade Launch 12 p.m. - Best costumes of TdF show Printable poster in PDF format: Tour de Fat 2015 … [Read more...]