Careless Driver Penalty Bill

Efforts to have a bill introduced that would increase the penalty options for “careless” drivers who actions cause the death or great bodily harm of another road user are receiving more attention, boosting the chances of having the bill heard in the Legislative session that starts January 17.

KOB-TV story on Heather Reu’s death
Santa Fe New Mexican Op-Ed

To keep pushing this issue forward though, your help is needed.  If you haven’t contacted Governor Martinez’s office about adding this bill to her call list for the 2012 session, please do so today.  Contacting your NM Senator and Representative is the next step.  These contacts are vital to educate our elected officials about the importance of this legislation.  A huge Thanks to those of you who have already contacted your elected officials.

As obvious as the problem seems to us, others have no idea.  Bike ABQ is making good progress so lets help them keep it up.

Federal funding for bike and pedestrian safety is on the chopping block again

Senator Rand Paul has seized upon the very serious T4 America reports examining the woeful condition of our country’s bridges to force Americans to make an unnecessary choice: safety in our cars while crossing bridges or safety while walking or biking in our communities.

Tell your Senators that we don’t have to choose. Protect bike and pedestrian funding against this misguided attack.

Senator Paul’s amendment would also change the TIGER program  — competitive grants awarded to all kinds of transportation projects — so that projects to make walking or biking safer won’t be eligible. The amendment would also redirect a relatively small amount of funding — 10 percent of the TIGER program — into bridge repair. At the cost of safety for everyone else who uses a road, states would gain enough money to repaint a few bridges.

This amendment will be offered on the floor of the Senate tomorrow (Tuesday).

Write or call your Senators and tell them that this proposal will do almost nothing to fix our bridges while making us less safe.

GM Blunders onto Campus

If you are a student looking to add tens of thousands of dollars of long term debt, care little about the environment, and want to lump two tons of steel around campus while paying through the nose for insurance, gas, and parking…General Motors has got a perfect deal for you. Bonus: it’ll make you fat and unhealthy! All you have to do is give up that dorky bicycle that’s easy to use, practically free, gets you some exercise and is actually fun to ride.

In one of the more remarkably ill-conceived car ad campaigns of all time, good corporate citizen GM is heading to campus to actively stop you from riding a bike by trying to make it look like it sucks. Obviously it’s been a while since GM execs and their creative teams set foot on campus. Anyway, I’m sure the campus facilities people will love having to add thousands of extra car parking spaces on campus at $30,000 a pop (who needs more buildings to learn in anyway, lets fill campus with parking structures); and University Presidents will have a little bit of explaining to do when it comes to those end of year climate and greenhouse gas targets… Maybe it’ll generate more business in the gym where students can drive in to go and ride on stationary bikes. Hope there’s enough parking.

In case you were wondering, GM has a fine-sounding corporate responsibility statement – carefully crafted by the best in the business, I’m sure. One sample quote: “As a responsible corporate citizen, General Motors is dedicated to protecting human health, natural resources and the global environment.”  http://www.gm.com/vision/our_vision.html

And if you wanted to send a quick note to Chevrolet or GMC, there are instructions on how to do that.

Traffic Skills 101-Las Cruces Edition

A Comprehensive Road Skills Course
Sponsored by the City of Las Cruces, the Southern New Mexico Bicycle Educators & The Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico

Sunday, October 30, 2011/On-Bike Portion
City of Las Cruces, City Hall, 700 N. Main
October 5 through 25/Classroom On-Line
Upon reservation instructor will provide link to on-line classroom

Beginner, returning and seasoned cyclist benefit from this comprehensive course that includes: on-line classroom instruction; bike maintenance; tire repair; a reflective triangle & ankle bands; and a set of tire levers with a patch kit. Learn avoidance maneuvers and how to ride with traffic. Individuals 15 + years old are welcome to reserve a place in the class. What to bring Sunday, Oct. 30: a bike helmet; a bicycle in good working condition; a pen/pen; riding clothing/shoes; a water bottle; and a snack.

Fee: $25.00  Pre-Reservation required at http://www.BikeNM.org

League of American Bicyclists
League Cycling Instructor
Tammy Schurr, M-LCI #1294
twowheeltammy@yahoo.com

Look Ma…no hands!

“Golden Tree” by Martin Brooks from Ninian Doff on Vimeo.

The Scrabble Ride!

Come join us for a Scrabble Bike Ride!
Meeting at 1401 N Alameda (Corner of Alameda and Ethel) @ 6:00. Enter through the backyard on the side (look for the glow-sticks).
Ride starts @ 7:00…Tiles will be presented at the start/finish of the ride and at each stop.

Check the map out below!

There is a $5 entry for the event and we will be having a backyard party with beer( 21+) and water pre/post ride.
Trophies, which were donated by Cruces Trophy (thanks guys!!!) will be presented for the top 3 words!
CYCLISTS AND NON-CYCLISTS WELCOME!

We are also proud to host the debut performance of Bourbon Legend, who will be playing a live set after the ride and Scrabble games conclude.

ALL PROCEEDS TO BE DONATED TO NMSU ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS!!!

View Scrabble Bike Ride in a larger map

Check out and like us on Facebook…more info and maps will be provided at the event!

Bike Lanes Benefit Drivers

Facebook

Just in case you didnt know, Urban Aggression is also on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Urban-Aggression/138635652847875

Check it out.

Also, Plan on a Poker Run August 21, 6pm. More info to come.

Save our important transportation funding!

Lawmakers threaten to end Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and Rec Trails Programs. Take Action!

Contact your Senators and Representative today!

Key Congressional leaders are attacking Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, and Recreational trails and are taking steps to cut off dedicated federal funding for bicycling and walking.  House Transportation Chairman John Mica (R-FL) announced today that his transportation bill will eliminate dedicated funding for bicycling and walking, including Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and the Recreational Trails Program, and discourages states from choosing to spend their dollars on these activities that are “not in the federal interest.”  Chairman Mica’s statement that these programs remain “eligible” for funding is worthless; without dedicated funding for these three programs, they are effectively eliminated. Things on the Senate side are not much better. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), the lead Republican negotiator on the transportation bill, declared that one of his TOP THREE priorities for the transportation bill is to eliminate ‘frivolous spending for bike trails.’ This is in direct conflict with Senator Barbara Boxer’s (D-CA) commitment to maintain dedicated funding for biking and walking.  However, the Senate is working towards a bi-partisan solution, and Senator Inhofe’s comments mean funding for bicycle and pedestrian programs is at risk of total elimination. Help protect Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and Recreational Trails. Contact your Members of Congress and tell them to reach out to Senators Inhofe, Boxer, and Congressman Mica to urge them to continue funding for these important bicycling and walking programs. Need some good facts to bolster your argument?  Read on: Not in the federal interest?  Biking and walking make up 12 percent of all trips in the US – even as funding for biking and walking projects only accounts for 1.5% of the federal transportation budget. That is more than 4 billion bicycle trips and 40 billion walking trips a year, including trips to work, school, shopping and for recreation and tourism. Frivolous?  Two-thirds of all pedestrian deaths are on federally funded highways.  One-third of children’s traffic deaths happen when children are walking or bicycling and are struck by cars.  Bicycling and walking programs build sidewalks, crosswalks and bikeways—improving accessibility and saving lives. The Facts Biking and walking are important forms of transportation, and funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements is a very efficient use of federal transportation dollars.  Portland, OR built 300 miles of bike lanes and trails for the cost of one mile of highway. These projects create jobs and build local economies.  Building bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure creates 46% more jobs than building road-only projects per million dollars spent.  Cities that invest in bicycle and pedestrian projects turn downtowns into destinations, and capitalize on increased business activity. Eliminating the 1.5% of transportation funding spent on bike/ped would have no meaningful impact on the federal budget, but instead, decreases transportation options for American families in a time of rising gas prices and an uncertain economy. Why Act Now?  Both the House and Senate long-term transportation bills are being written as we speak.  We still have a chance of influencing the outcomes.  Let’s make sure that funding for biking and walking programs don’t disappear for many years. We need every Senator to tell Senators Boxer and Inhofe that bicycling and walking are vital parts of our transportation system, and that there must be dedicated funding for sidewalks, bike lanes and trails to ensure that bicyclists and pedestrians are safe.  And we need every Representative in the House to tell Chairman Mica the same. Please contact your Senators and Representatives TODAY to tell them that bicycling and walking are a critical part of a safe and equitable transportation system.  Ask them to tell Representative Mica and Senators Boxer and Inhofe that a federal transportation bill must continue dedicated funding for bicycling and walking.

Bicycle Friendly Community?

According to the League of American Bicyclists, the City of Las Cruces has recently been awarded a much-sought-after designation of a Bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community.

Despite recent set-backs, such is the de-stripping of a bike lane on north Triviz Ave., the City assures that other present and future strives will eclipse it. I know I can speak for many when I say, I HOPE SO.

As with any ‘victory’, there will be a brief back-patting session at the next City Meeting…

The City of Las Cruces has been designated a Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) by the League of American Bicyclists, bronze level status. An official presentation for the City to receive its certificate and a BRC sign will take place at the city council meeting on Monday, June 20th, 1 p.m. at City Hall, 700 N. Main St.

Making the presentation will be Tom Trowbridge, Bicycle, Pedestrian and Equestrian Coordinator, Transportation Programs Division of the New Mexico Department of Transportation.

Cities chosen for this recognition must show remarkable commitments to bicycling. Bicycle Friendly Communities welcome cyclists by providing safe accommodation for cycling and encouraging residents to bike for transportation and recreation.

The City’s bronze status is good for four years. The City has shown to encourage cycling with the hopes of improving health, reducing traffic and improving air quality. The League of American Bicyclists says Bicycle Friendly Communities are places with a high quality of life, where people want to live, work and visit. These communities can give a more connected, physically active and environmentally sustainable community that enjoys property values, business growth, increased tourism an more transportation choices.

Tags: City Meeting, planning, Rights and Duties, Sustainability, Transportation, Urban Aggression