Sustainability

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.

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You tell’em Council Woman Thomas!

Las Cruces Council Woman Sharon Thomas appears in front of Congress speak on behalf of Livable Communities.

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Bike to Work Day 2011

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Ride of Silence 2011

ROS_2011_poster

The Ride of Silence will be held this evening, May 18th 2011 at 6:15pm at the Mesilla Plaza.

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Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 Bike Advocacy, Sustainability No Comments

National Bike To Work Week

Bike week is upon us and there are plenty of rides this week in the Mesilla Valley to celebrate bike month.
  • This Wednesday evening is the Ride of Silence, ceremony at 6:15 p.m. and bike ride starting at 6:30 p.m on the Mesilla Plaza. it is a 8 – 10 mile route, 1- 12 mph and no speaking while we ride. there is a one mile walk also starting from the Plaza 6:15 p.m.
  • City of Las Cruces will be celebrating Bike to Work Day on Friday May 20 with a welcome address, short ride (~2.5 miles), t-shirt and bottle give-aways. It starts at Pioneer Women’s Park at 7:15 a.m. from 8 a.m.
  • The next Visibility Ride is Monday, June 6, 7:15 a.m. at the RRM.
  • For more info:

    http://visibilityride.blogspot.com/

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    Urgent Action Needed-Take Action!

    Governor Martinez Only Has Until Friday to Sign the 5 Foot Passing Law!
    Take Action!

    Governor Susana Martinez

    To date Governor Martinez has only signed a small portion of the 300 bills passed this legislative session, and only has until Friday to do so. Please contact her today and ask that she sign SB 124- the nation’s first 5 Foot safe passing law! If you’ve already sent an email, please follow-up with a phone call. The Governor’s office line is (505) 476-2200.

    This bill clarifies to motorists what a safe passing distance is and will provide a safe operating space for cyclists across the state, provide a better tool for law enforcement when responding to aggressive drivers and crashes, as well as an opportunity to educate motorists on how to safely pass cyclists. Contact Governor Martinez today and urge her to sign SB 124 into law!

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    Godspeed Triviz Bike Lanes

    thx Sun-News

    The Las Cruces city traffic engineers are at it again!  The bike lanes on the north-end of Triviz have been removed based on what only looks like driver stupidity.  An increased number of accidents has be cited as the reason the city will spend $25,000 for sand blasting the bike lanes.  Thats a shame and a waste of money because those same traffic engineers always claim that removing lines is way too expensive if it is for new bike lanes. Should I also mention that the City of Las Cruces has contracted a company in Albuquerque…

    What’s worse than the actions of removing a bike lane for driver carelessness, is perpetuating the notion that bikes need to ride on the pedestrian walking path adjacent to Triviz. They might claim it is safer, but thats just because they have never ridden a bike on the walking path with the dogs, strollers, skateboarders, rollerbladers, joggers, and fat peds.

    You can read all the bullshit here: http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_17669856
     
    There will be a protest ride up and down Triviz sometime in the near future, stay tuned!
     

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    SB 124 — Email the Governor

    Having passed through both the New Mexico Senate and House, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez now has twenty days to sign SB 124 in order to make this bill into law. This would be the first statewide 5 foot Safe Passing law in the nation.

    SB 124 clarifies to motorists what a safe passing distance is, provides a safe operating space for cyclists across the state and creates another tool for law enforcement when responding to aggressive drivers and crashes; as well as an opportunity to educate motorists and cyclists on how to share the road safely.

    Cyclists in New Mexico should contact Governor Martinez through our Advocacy Center and urge her to sign SB 124 into law.
    ~JEFF PEEL -STATE & LOCAL ADVOCACY COORDINATOR

    The League of American Bicyclists has set up an easy way to email our Governor to sign the new bill.

    Click here:
    Support Safer Cycling in New Mexico- Tell Governor Martinez to Sign the 5 Foot Passing Law!
    or here:http://capwiz.com/lab/utr/2/?a=36444516&i=109498544&c=

    It works, its easy, try it out, and let your voice be heard.

    You can also visit: bikesantafe.org for more info and more ways to reach the Governors office

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    Raising Awareness

    Dr. Okerblom and his Son

    From the Mesilla Valley Bike Coalition:

     

    Please join us tomorrow morning, March 16th,  at The Bean in Mesilla at 8:30AM to ride a few miles with Dr. Bob Okerblom.  He is riding across the country to promote awareness of the dangers of driving while texting.  Dr. Okerblom’s 19 ear old son was hit and killed in 2009 by a texting driver. Let’s all join him tomorrow, Wednesday, as he leaves Las Cruces to ride to El Paso. You can read more about it at the link below.

    www.eofoundation.blogspot.com

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    MVBC Lights up the Holidays!

    Courtesy of KVIA

    After the recent death of Ricardo Duarte, the Mesilla Valley Bike Coalition held a fundraiser to purchase bicycle lights for the Community of Hope in Las Cruces. This past Saturday, coalition members were on hand distributing lights to those in need. Hopefully this will become an annual event and minimize the possibilities of another tragic incident from occurring. We to go MVBC!

    KVIA Article & video: http://www.kvia.com/news/26042925/detail.html

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    Tuesday, December 14th, 2010 Bike Advocacy, Charity, Sustainability No Comments

    Another Cyclist Hit – In stable condition

    This time in El Paso. A 19 y/o woman has been citied for failure to yield after drifting to the right side of the road hitting and breaking Gabriel Perez’s back. Our condolences go to the family and the rider!

    http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_16798945

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    Wednesday, December 8th, 2010 Sustainability No Comments

    Advocacy Volunteers Needed!

    The Las Cruces Metropolitan Planning Organizations is looking to fill two community member positions on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Advisory Committee (BPAC) board.  Deadline to submit application letters is December 31, 2010 and can be mailed to Andy Hume.

    Press Memo:

    Hello.

    The Las Cruces MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Advisory Committee (BPAC) is seeking two community members to serve on the board.

    The MPO is looking for two community members to fill the following positions:  City of Las Cruces Citizen Representative and Pedestrian Community Representative.  Anyone interested in the City of Las Cruces position must live inside the city limits.

    The BPAC is made up of members of the bicycling and pedestrian community, City of Las Cruces, Dona Ana County, Town of Mesilla Staff, NMDOT, and NMSU representatives.  This committee provides input to the Policy Committee regarding bicycle and pedestrian facilities within the MPO and how they can be improved and expanded to serve residents better.  The BPAC meets bi-monthly on the third Tuesday of the month at 5:00 pm.

    Please submit your letter of interest to Andy Hume by December 31, 2010 to be considered for either position.  Include your experience with bicycle or pedestrian issues.

    All of the letters will be submitted to the Policy Committee for consideration at their meeting on January 12, 2011.

    Please forward this invitation to anyone you feel may be interested.  Thank you.

    Andrew Hume

    Planner

    LCI #2837

    Las Cruces Metropolitan Planning Organization

    PO Box 20000, Las Cruces, NM, 88011

    phone – (575) 528-3047, fax (575) 528-3155

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    Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 Bike Advocacy, Meeting No Comments