Sunday, September 27, 2015

Rally for safer roadways in Vermont

From WCAX:
WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-

MONTPELIER, Vt. -
They came on foot, under pedal power and via both kinds of horsepower. Users of Vermont's roadways rallied in Montpelier Friday night to keep their shared space safe.
"So we're coming together as users of the road in so many different ways, and we're coming together to say that we can make a difference today, the very next time that we sit on a bike, the very next time that we turn the key in the ignition, we can make a difference for the safety of everyone on the road," said Emily Boedecker, the executive director of Local Motion.
This year, Vermont's roadways have been the scene of 10 fatal motorbike crashes, an additional two with pedestrians, and another four involving bicycles-- that's the driving force behind the rally for road safety. For perspective, the state saw only one fatal crash involving a bike in the previous 10 years, according to bike safety advocates.
"It's the fatalities that make headlines, but the story is much larger than that. It's about the serious injuries, the minor accidents, the near misses, the stories that so many people have," Boedecker said.
VTrans spokesperson Kevin Marshia says Vermont lost 690 people to crashes in the last 10 years, while 3,873 suffered temporary or permanent physical injury over the same period.
"That's like the population of Waterville or St. George being lost to highway fatalities in a 10-year period, or the population of Bristol or Brandon being, suffering incapacitating injuries in a 10-year period. This is a serious issue," Marshia said.
Those organizing the event say they hope to convince those on the roads of the importance of knowing the rules, respecting others and sharing that knowledge with others. They say spreading knowledge like this on the Statehouse lawn can be more powerful than any law passed up the hill.
It's unclear if legislation will come out of the event, but those in attendance Friday evening said if they hear good ideas, they'll share them with lawmakers, too.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Pop-up bike lanes and Sharrows happening in Montpelier

For tomorrows Bike Safety Rally in Montpelier from the State House at 5.30pm there is a bunch of new Sharrows and a pop-up separated bike lane being installed today and tomorrow! Thanks for the volunteer help and DPW for cooperating this. Hopefully see lots of folks tomorrow.




Safe Roads Rally for Vermont! Fri 9/25 5.30pm Montpelier State House



Meet up and ride to the event. 
Parking available in DOL Park and Ride on Green Mountain Drive, and in DMV parking opposite the State House.

Join us by car or on foot, by bike or motorbike, on horse or by tractor. If you use Vermont's road, this event is for you!

Come out and hear Lt. Gov Phil Scott, legislative leaders, representatives of AAA, Vermont State Police, Local Motion and many others talk about how we can make our roads safe and welcoming for everyone. You'll have a chance to talk to your elected officials and share your ideas for making our roads a safer place. At the event we'll be launching a new PSA, and the Vermont Road User Pledge…http://highwaysafety.vermont.gov/TakeThePledge

Friday, September 11, 2015

Protected Bike lanes in Burlington?


This weekend -- two days only! Experience protected bike lanes right here in Burlington. See what it's like to bike safe and easy -- and speak up for more all around the city.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

New Study Confirms: “Share The Road” Is a Problem

From BikeDelaware

“Comprehension of the familiar “Share the Road” signage as a statement of bicyclists’ roadway rights has been challenged, based on arguments that it is ambiguous, imprecise, frequently misinterpreted, and not designed for that purpose…In fact, the US state of Delaware discontinued use of the “Share the Road” plaque in November, 2013.”
In November of 2013, Delaware formally discontinued the use of the “Share The Road” sign, the first (and so far still the only) U.S. state to do so. The sign was interpreted in diametrically opposite ways by cyclists and motorists and failed to prevent conflict and hostility between motorists and cyclists. Arguably, the sign may actually have been causing conflict.
Now a study published on Friday by researchers at North Carolina State University (NCSU) has confirmed what Delaware already knew: “Share The Road” is a problem.
The authors of the new study – both NCSU faculty – surveyed nearly 2,000 people and found that there was “no statistically significant difference in responses between those who saw ‘Share the Road’ signage and those who saw no signage” whatsoever in terms of their comprehension that cyclists are permitted in the center of the travel lane; that cyclists do not have to move right to allow motorists to pass within the same lane; or that motorists should wait for a break in traffic before passing in the adjacent lane.
In sharp contrast to the complete uselessness of “Share The Road”, survey respondents who were shown the “Bicycle May Use Full Lane” sign showed uniformly high understanding of permissible cyclist lane positioning and appropriate safe passing behavior for motorists.
Large study from North Carolina State University confirms that "Share The Road" is a problem.
Large study from North Carolina State University confirms that “Share The Road” is a problem.
It’s been almost two years since Delaware discontinued any new installation of “Share The Road” signs. Perhaps this brand new study, with its unambiguous results, will now encourage some other states to finally follow Delaware’s lead. Hey, heads up Washington and Minnesota


  James Wilson is the executive director of Bike Delaware.




RELATED:
• Here They Come (“Bicycles May Use Full Lane” signs in Newark)
- See more at: http://www.bikede.org/2015/08/29/share-the-road-is-a-problem/#sthash.4tM0opLa.dpuf