This site hosts discussions and articles on everything ped/bike. The committee will post information on bicycle safety, Safe Routes to School, Rules of the Road, pedestrian access for the disabled, public transportation, the future of pedestrians and bicycles in Coeur d'Alene, and upcoming issues. The site also has links to many sites related to ped/bike issues. Feel free to post comments, questions or suggestions about Coeur d'Alene's pedestrian and bicycle facilities here.
Here's a great article from this morning's Coeur d'Alene Press shedding some light on the myth that bicyclists don't pay for their right to use public streets.
To stay in the loop on local bike events and much more, check out our friends at Rubber Tire Adventures. There is a link at the bottom of the page to join their email list. Tom and Jamie Lynn Morgan have been great supporters of the bicycle community in Coeur d'Alene. Check them out!
One of the busiest intersections in Austin, Texas, has gotten a makeover. White stripes adorn the barren pavement that once made pedestrians hesitant to cross, poles separate pedestrian space from the roadways, and stop signs now sit at every corner. Then there are all the polka dots, painted in green and baby blue.
They aren’t there just for decoration, says Anna Martin, traffic engineer for theAustin Transportation Department. The whimsical polka dots at the corner of East 6th and Waller Streets in East Austin are curb extensions, or “bulb outs,” designed to “give space back to the pedestrians.” Evenings and on weekends, the area, known for its walkability and bustling night life, is teeming with people.
Yet residents have complained that the intersection there is anything but friendly to pedestrians due to a lack of crosswalks ormeasures to slow down traffic. This specific intersection has seen dozens of crashes in 2015, according to local news channel KXAN.
(City of Austin)In response, the city council decided to install four-way stop signs and dedicate what Martin calls “wasted no-man’s land” to pedestrians. But instead of building out the curb with concrete, Martin says they opted for a low-cost option using what they already had handy. And instead of regular white paint, they took colorful inspiration from various parklet and pedestrian plaza projects in New York City and Los Angeles.
The blue and green dots Austin is using, she adds, clearly define the pedestrian space, and they stand out just enough to make drivers slow down without causing a distraction. The upgrades debuted Wednesday, and so far the feedback has been positive. “It's a testament to the character and energy of Austin,” says Marissa Monroy, public relations specialist for the city of Austin. “People are really excited to see a project that emphasizes safety but, at the same time, really shows that we like to have a little bit of fun.“
The City of Coeur d’Alene
is in the process of applying for Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant funds
through the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. The proposed
project is located at the City-owned East Tubbs Hill Park property. The scope of the project includes installing an accessible
non-motorized watercraft launch, a walk-in non-motorized watercraft launch, an
unloading area, and a water trail for non-motorized craft users around Tubbs
Hill. The project will complement the Tom McTevia memorial area planned
in this area. To comment on the project proposal or for further
information, contact Bill Greenwood at the Coeur d’Alene Parks Department at
(208)769-2251 or bgreenwood@cdaid.org.
BACK STORY He didn’t take a giant leap for
mankind, but Thomas Stevens took a giant spin, becoming the first person to
complete a trip around Earth by bicycle, on this day in 1887. Considering that
71 percent of the planet’s surface is covered with water,
an explanation is in order. Mr. Stevens moved to the United States from England
in the 1870s. He bought his first bicycle, a penny-farthing with one large
wheel, in San Francisco and dreamed of becoming the first person to cross
America on a bicycle.When he felt ready, he donned a jacket that doubled as a
tent and headed for the East Coast on April 22, 1884. He made it to Boston 103 days later.
Plans for a global journey began to take shape. The next spring, Mr. Stevens
started in England and headed east through Europe and the Ottoman Empire.
He continued on to Persia, Afghanistan, India, China
and Japan, before returning to San Francisco. Throughout the trip,
he sent letters to Harper’s Magazine, which were compiled in the best-selling
two-volume book “Around the World on a Bicycle.”
But wait: How did he make it across two oceans? He was a passenger on steam
ships. It is not known if he rode his bike on deck. Victoria Shannon
contributed reporting.
Researchers at King’s College London have found that muscle fitness as measured by power in the legs is strongly associated with an improved rate of ageing in the brain.
The findings, published in Gerontology, suggest that simple interventions, such as increased levels of walking, targeted to improve leg power in the long term may have an impact on healthy cognitive ageing.
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee teamed with Susan Nipp, the creator of Mudgy and Millie, to create a public service announcement to teach children how to ride their bikes safely. After lots of hard work with an enthusiastic group, the video is finished! We plan to air the video on CDA TV as well as in local elementary schools.
Thank you so much to all those who contributed, especially the Sorensen Elementary students featured in the video.
It’s that time of year again, the winds start to pick up, the leaves are turning, and you can feel the seasonal shift towards winter. While there might be a chill in the air, this doesn’t mean you need to put your bike away. The trick is to be prepared, and to do a few simple bits of bike maintenance to keep you rolling comfortably and efficiently.
Check your tire pressure as the temperature drops.
As the temperature drops, so will your tire pressure. Check and top up your tires more often.
Seat height: be good to your knees and bits – your seat may have shifted so it’s a good time to make sure it’s at the right height and position.
Shorter daylight hours and grey, rainy weather means having lights at full strength are essential. Check your batteries to make sure your lights shine bright. Consider installing dynamo lights for added convenience & reliability.
Wipe and re-lubricate your chain to help protect it from rain/rust.
Consider adding some mud guards if you don’t already have them — and not just the clip-on ones that are easily stolen.
Keep a scarf, hat, gloves and an extra top layer in your bag as front-line protection against unexpected chilly fall winds.
Fall riding is comfortable with the right accessories.
A rain poncho and waterproof pannier are totally worth the investment. Make sure you bring them along if there’s even a chance of rain.
Don’t get cocky: You’ve been riding all summer, but stay sharp and alert.
Dusk coming sooner makes you harder for other road users to see during the busy evening rush hour. Also, in early fall the sun ends up in westbound drivers’/riders’ eyes during evening rush hour. Ride predictably, signal your intentions, make eye contact when possible, and use extra caution.
Rainy windshields combined with earlier darkness make bicyclists and pedestrians even harder to see. Wearing lighter-colored clothing, a reflective safety vest, sash or clothing, and always using lights will keep you visible.
Avoid puddles and piles of wet leaves.
Piles of leaves are slippery when wet, and you never know what’s underneath them. Avoid them when possible, and use extra care at reduced speed if turning on them.
Wet streetcar tracks can bite. Cross them carefully at a right angle when possible and don’t lean into a turn since wheels can slip.
If you’re not already in the habit, shift into lower gears when you slow or stop to be kind to colder muscles as you get moving again.
Cover your mouth with a scarf to help protect your lungs from the burn of colder air.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides great tips for both pedestrians and drivers to remain safe while sharing the road.
When you are walking:
Photo credit: Seth Nenstiel
Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
If there is not sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
Keep alert at all times; don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes and ears off the road.
Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections whenever possible. This is where drivers expect pedestrians. Look for cars in all directions – including those turning left or right.
If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a time gap in traffic that allows you enough time to cross safely, and continue to watch for traffic as you cross.
Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach you to make sure you are seen.
Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day, wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.
Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.
Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and judgment.
When you are driving:
Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times. Safety is a shared responsibility.
Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or in bad weather.
Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too.
Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing that you can’t see.
Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street.
Follow slower speed limits in school zones and in neighborhoods where there are children present.
Be extra cautious when backing up- pedestrians can move in your path.
By an overwhelming margin, citizens responding to Coeur d’Alene’s September online “CityPoll” support expanding the city’s bike lane system. As of Wednesday, 95 percent of voters (1,570) favored a continued focus on improving the trail system, while 5 percent (86) did not.
Trail expansion is expected to continue, according to city officials. “With the addition of the recently purchased BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad) property, the city has a great opportunity to extend trails west toward Huetter Road,” said Coeur d’Alene Parks and Recreation director Steve Anthony.
To cast your vote in the September poll, visit cdaid.org and click on the City Poll button on the bottom of the homepage.
Each month, a CityPoll question is posted on the city’s website. Responses are carefully reviewed by city staff and considered in the strategic planning process to assure the city is being responsive to citizens while providing the best possible services.
