BikeWalkNC

Autonomous Driving and Collision Avoidance Technology

Implications for Bicyclists and Pedestrians Will autonomous cars and automatic braking systems live up to their promise to improve public safety? Or will a rush to market flawed technology create greater peril for pedestrians and bicyclists? by Steven Goodridge, Ph.D. As I pedaled my bike along the road, Mercedes driver Farhan Ghanty approached me from behind at 45 mph, engaged the self-drive function of the E-Class luxury car, and took his hands off the wheel. It was December 4, 2017; BikeWalk NC Director Lisa Riegel and I were attending an autonomous vehicle demonstration held … [Read more...]

Support Bicycling & Walking in NC – Make a Year End Donation to BikeWalk NC

  Please make a year-end donation to BikeWalk NC (BWNC)  -  your statewide voice to our NC legislature and NCDOT.This year we worked with our partner organizations, heard from many of you and talked to our state representatives and senators about what matters to us – safe infrastructure for walking and cycling near our homes and businesses.  Whether you walk or cycle for commuting, exercise, social or recreational purposes, we need our roads to be as safe as possible.    With your help, we’ve had many successes: Protected the NCDOT Bike & Pedestrian Planning Grant Program; … [Read more...]

Interested in Serving on BikeWalk NC Board?

  BikeWalk NC is currently looking for new members to join our board.  To be considered, you must first be a member in good standing.  The best path is to contact us and first get involved in a subcommittee.  We are looking for board members to help with Fundraising, Membership, Events (Bike/Walk Summit planning and Safety Awareness Ride), Information Technology (website), accounting (treasurer), communications (writers, editors, social media), etc.  We typically have a 1.5 hour conference call each month in the evening, a one-day strategic planning session in the Triangle each year, and then … [Read more...]

ACTION ALERT – CONTACT SENATOR BURR TODAY TO KEEP BIKE COMMUTER BENEFIT

ACTION ALERT from League of American Bicyclists: The Senate tax reform plan, released on Thursday, eliminates the bike commuter benefit while keeping commuter benefits for driving and riding transit! The Senate Finance committee plans to vote starting on Monday and an amendment is needed to reinstate the bike benefit. Senator BURR is one of the Senators on the Finance Committee who can take action and reinstate the bike benefit and we need your help to reach out to them this weekend. We need to move fast- and your help is critical! Please act this weekend - Ask Senator BURR to … [Read more...]

Businesses Urge RDU Airport Authority to Consider “The Solution”

  Dear RDU Airport Authority (RDU AA), CC: Michael Landguth, President As employers and representative of businesses in the Triangle, we recognize that quality of life is a key factor in attracting and retaining skilled workers. The Triangle’s connected network of greenways, sidewalks, trails and bike lanes not only provide the obvious health benefits, but also provide recreational and transportation opportunities.   However, the easy access to forested trails at what has become known as RDU Forest, is a key quality of life asset that sets this region apart and allows us to … [Read more...]

Revised Budget Language Fixes Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Provision

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...]

Legislative Alert – Legislature Deciding Fate of Bike/Ped Provision this Week

Legislative leadership is busy hashing out our state's budget as we speak.  The bike and pedestrian planning grant provision is up for debate.  Here is  full text of the provision.  The House took it out and the Senate put it in.  Contact the chairs if you know them and are able to speak against this provision.  Here is the list: 2017 Budget Conference Committee Members We contacted Senator Jim Davis' office to get an explanation for the provision.   Here is our response to why they put the provision in the budget. … [Read more...]

House Budget – Planning Grant Provision Removed

Happy to report that the House budget does not contain the Senate provision that threatened the NCDOT Planning Grant program that benefits our communities, especially the smaller towns. This issue will now be part of the Conference Committee discussions between the House and the Senate budget.  Stay tuned to see the Conference Committee appointments and we will need your help in talking with these legislators to shore up support to protect the planning grant program. As a reminder, the Senate Budget Bill, SB 257, has a pedestrian provision that concerns the planning grant program.  It … [Read more...]

Tour de Fat Bike Ride and Concert Events NEXT WEEK!

Tour de Fat Charlotte  is coming next week!    Here is a link to your complete Tour de Fat Guide.  It has a ticket discount coupon link.   We are doing a PROMOTIONAL BIKE RIDE  at 6:45 on Wednesday May 24 from Spoke Easy - Women on Wednesdays (Bethanie's ride) is joining forces with Dread's biweekly ride and Sustain Charlotte.  Plan on being at Duckworths Uptown for New Belgium Beer and ticket giveaway to Tour de Fat among other fun festivities. Launched in 2000, Tour de Fat is New Belgium Brewing’s philanthropic festival of bikes, beer and fun. Proceeds from the Tour benefit cycling … [Read more...]

Additional Comments on SB257

BikeWalk NC is contacting legislators regarding the Bike and Pedestrian Planning Grant provision in Senate Bill 257.   Here are additional comments to support the letter: ADDITIONAL COMMENTS/CONCERNS WITH SB257   136-41.5. Return of Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant funds.   Project Implementation Timeline: The 6 year project window is a best case scenario in that it takes two years for the SPOT process, two years for design and two years for construction if the project is selected and immediately funded. It will likely take a community/firm around two years to … [Read more...]