THE SUMMER OF DEMOS: ONE-DAY PROTECTED BIKE LANES SWEEP ACROSS AMERICA

Michael Andersen, Green Lane Project staff writer

A temporary demo during StreetsAlive! in Fargo, N.D., on July 15. Photo: Dakota Medical Foundation.

This is what a tipping point looks like.

Around the country in the summer of 2014, community groups across the United States have been using open-streets events and other festivals to give thousands of Americans their first taste of a protected bike lane.

From small-town Kansas to the middle of Atlanta, communities (many of them inspired by last summer's successful $600 demo project in Minneapolis) have been using handmade barriers and relatively tiny amounts of money to put together temporary bikeways that spread the knowledge of the concept among the public and officials.

"Every traffic engineer who touches a street in Oakland, they were all out on their bikes checking it out," said Dave Campbell of East Bay Bike Coalition, who led the creation of maybe the year's most beautiful demo on Telegraph Avenue there. (Click to enlarge -- it's worth it.)

"We wanted this to look awesome," Campbell said in an interview. "People would see this and go,That's f------ awesome. I want that on my street."

Here are some of the results from around the country:

Lawrence, Kan.: 9th Street, April 25

Photo: Matt Kleinmann.

Oakland, Calif.: Telegraph Avenue, May 8

Photo: Bike East Bay.

That's Oakland Mayor Jean Quan having a great time riding a bike share bike in a protected bike lane.

Advocacy group Bike East Bay also created a video of their impressive Telegraph setup, which used traffic chalk for the shark-tooth yield markings, plus one gallon of exterior green paint and a homemade bike stencil to mark the lane's entrances. (Paint was possible because the local business district was already planning to pressure-wash the street afterward.) Here's a full manual on how Campbell and friends did it.

Minneapolis, Minn: Lyndale Avenue June 8

Photos: Nick Falbo, Alta Planning and Design.

In Minneapolis, the advocacy campaign Bikeways for Everyone not only created a sequel to last year's project, they added a demonstration of a protected bike lane intersection laid out personally by designer Nick Falbo of Alta Planning and Design:

Atlanta, Ga.: Auburn Avenue, June 21-22

Photo: Robin Smith.

Denver, Colo.: Arapahoe Street, June 25

Photo: Bike Denver.

Mountain View, Calif.: California Street, July 24

Photo: Great Streets Mountain View.

St. Paul, Minn., Wabasha, July 24

Photo: Matthew Dyrdahl.

Oakland, Calif.: Temescal Street, July 6

Photo: Bike East Bay.

On both Temescal and Telegraph, Bike East Bay created simple, attractive barriers by flattening cardboard boxes, rolling them into cylinders with binder clips at the top and bottom and setting them on top of standard orange traffic cones. They also used 600 feet of four-inch-wide reflective white traffic tape, which cost 29 cents a foot, and (in lieu of green paint to mark the entrances) two 4' x 20' x 5 mm black rubberized floor mats, spray-painted green, for $170 each.

A few tips from the experts

Give people a reason to enter the demo lane. This is especially important at an open-streets event that doesn't have car traffic on the street in the first place.

"Many people ignored the lane and stayed on the street," wrote Alyssa Gullekson of the Dakota Medical Foundation in an email about a July 15 pop-up in Fargo, N.D. "At the next event in August, we will route bicycles into the lane so that that is the route is assumed most appropriate. We will also have an individual directing people into lane to draw more attention to it."

Try to encourage conversations as well as the demo itself. In Mountain View, Calif., Safe Mountain View engineered longer conversations by offering a bike raffle, a free ice cream voucher for people who completed surveys and bike-themed coloring pages to entertain children "so the parents could talk to us with fewer distractions," organizer Cherie Walkowiak wrote.

Do everything you can to get city staff there. For Campbell of Bike East Bay, the most rewarding moment of one of his demos was when a city engineer working on a permanent protected bike lane came by to watch people using the temporary one.

"He's been designing this and analyzing it and talking to other people," Campbell said. "And all of the sudden he's standing there living it for a moment. You could see his facial expression has changed."

Click here for the original article

For entrepreneurs, cycling is the new golf

In Southern California, Michael Marckx spearheads a group of cyclists who regularly ride and network.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

Across America, entrepreneurs and seasoned executives are sidelining a popular networking activity -- golf -- in favor of a different group sport.

"Unlike golf, cycling is also a great equalizer," said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists. "You're the same as the person riding next to you. So it makes people more approachable. "

Entrepreneurs also gravitate toward cycling because it's a better way to stay in shape, said Clarke. It's also less time consuming and relatively less expensive.

"The trend is gaining momentum in bustling business centers," he said. "But it's also taking root in the heartland of the country, in places like northwest Arkansas."

In 2007, Jason Kayzar founded the Midwest Cycling Network for those who enjoyed the outdoors but wanted a change from 18 holes.

"I wanted to draw decision-makers, business owners, c-level executives who are in charge of their own schedules," said Kayzar, the founder and president of Milwaukee, Wis.-based MC2, a telecom service provider.

The rides started with just a few people he knew. But today, the group has 500 members and meets once a month for a two-hour, 35-mile ride. It usually attracts between 10 and 40 people -- architects, web designers, builders and small business owners -- most from the the Milwaukee area, but some from cities like Madison and Chicago.

Kayzar actually struck one of his firm's most lucrative deals on a ride five years ago when he signed one of the largest scaffolding firms in the country as a client.

While Kayzar said there's a little chit-chat as they ride (it's legal to ride two abreast in Wisconsin), the big chance to network comes at the end when they stop at a Mexican restaurant for chips and salsa and a round of drinks.

"Unlike golf, we're not committing to a couple of hours and all kinds of expenses just to network," said Kayzar. "This is a free gathering, very informal and you're done in 2 hours."

Because the monthly rides are mostly male dominated, Kayzar recently launched a second group in the hopes of attracting more women.

"It's half the speed and half the distance," he said.

There's no escaping golf's influence in the Southern California city of Carlsbad. It's home to Callaway, the world's largest maker of golf clubs, Cobra Golf, a top maker of golfing equipment, and a number of top-notch golf courses.

But even here, many entrepreneurs are choosing cycling over golf.

But even here, many entrepreneurs are choosing cycling over golf.

"It's a better cardio workout. You can get a great ride done in one to two hours as opposed to hours on a golf course," said Michael Marckx, CEO of eyewear company Spy Optic. "And you can actively network with more people."

Marckx is the driving force behind a cycling group of 60 people who gather every Tuesday and Thursday for a 30-mile trek.

"We get CEOs, entrepreneurs, and division heads of biotech and pharmaceutical companies joining in," he said. "Cycling is absolutely becoming the go-to activity for 40- and 50-year-olds who find it's a better compliment to their lives."

Sometimes the rides result in business deals and new hires. On a January ride, Marckx met a fellow cyclist who he hired to run performance marketing at Spy Optic.

Brad Swope recently broke several ribs in a cycling accident, but he's itching to rejoin his cycling group in Louisville, Ky., which he says is a "phenomenal cycling town."

"You see people from all professions -- doctors, lawyers, firemen, business folks -- getting together for rides," said Swope, a marketing director.

Swope said many riders in his group have ditched golf for cycling because it keeps them more active and is easier on the wallet.

And sometimes a ride can turn into a networking bonanza. It was on a group ride a decade ago that Swope befriended John Schnatter, founder of Papa John's. Their conversations during the rides eventually inspired Swope to enter the restaurant industry. He and his wife are now partners in a local chain called Wild Eggs.

"It's ironic that I gave him cycling tips years ago and he would give me tips about the restaurant industry," said Swope. "Cycling can be very effective for networking." 

First Published: April 29, 2014: 5:56 AM ET

AAA extends roadside service to bicyclists

National Bike Month may be winding down, but that doesn’t mean you should stop bike commuting, especially since AAA bike service is now on the table for certain clubs.
That’s right, in some states, AAA has extended its service to help bicycle riders in distress. 

What AAA Bike Service Includes
AAA members get 2 bike calls a year. The AAA bike service covers transportation of the rider and the bike within 10 miles. So, you can be taken to a nearby bike shop or back home if you're within the 10 mile parameter. Transportation over 10 miles will result in a mileage fee. 

What AAA Bike Service Doesn't Include
There are some instances when bike service won't save the day:

• You're riding a tandem bike.
• You need a lift from your home to a bike shop.
• You're a member of a AAA club that doesn't offer bike service.
• You're stuck out in the boonies, meaning you're not located near a normally traveled road or street. 

And, don't forget, not all AAA clubs are offering bike service. So far we’ve only seen it advertised in a handful of areas, like Washington, Minneapolis, Southern New England, Oregon, Colorado, and parts of Idaho. Check your local club’s site to see if they offer AAA bike service in your hood.
Don't want National Bike Month to end? Set up a bike commuting program at your company. Our 5 Things to Consider Before Launching a Bike to Work Program can help you get rolling. 
Happy Commuting!

Source: http://blog.commuterbenefits.com

Rear-end collisions cause a huge number of cyclist deaths

 

Would Protected Bike Lanes Encourage You to Bike More?

This article was originally published in the May-June 2014 issue of Arlington’s The Citizen.)

In the last few years, bike-lane design has seen big changes in cities across the United States.

The most notable change is the emergence of protected bike lanes. This relatively simple layout option is based on the concept that streets should be designed for safe use by all people – not just for cars – and that physical separation is the best way to accomplish this.

Since Arlington, Virginia is committed to a Complete Streets policy (streets should be planned, designed, operated, and maintained for all users) and providing safe streets for a broad range of users, protected bike lanes are a perfect fit!

What is a protected bike lane?

Protected bike lanes, also known as cycletracks, green lanes, and separated bike lanes, go above and beyond the painted bike lanes that we typically see on Arlington streets and provide physical separation between people on bikes and motor vehicles. The separation can be provided in a number of ways, including:

• Plastic bollards or “flex posts”
•  Landscaping and large planters
• Curbs
• Car parking

There are some examples nearby in the District of Columbia, such as 15th Street, which uses car parking as the separator, and L Street which uses plastic bollards. There are many other successful examples around the country, including in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Austin, Memphis, and Indianapolis.

Why do we need them?

Protected bike lanes are a big upgrade over traditional painted bike lanes because they provide all road users with more confidence and reassurance. This is especially important to the many people that fall into the large “interested but concerned” category (see graphic at right and click on it to zoom in).

They go a long way towards making getting around by bike a realistic option for the majority of people, including those who are not experienced cyclists.

Protected bike lanes contribute to making our streets safer, calmer, easier to understand, and more useable for people from age 8 to 80. You shouldn’t have to be young, brave and athletic to get from A to B on a bike.

Well-designed protected bike lanes have also been shown to create more order and predictability on the streets. Cyclists tend to behave themselves and do a better job of following the rules when they are using properly designed and separated facilities. Drivers also appreciate a sense of order and clarity that the separation provides. In fact, recent studies from New York and Chicago found that adding protected bike lanes had little to no effect on vehicle travel time.

In Arlington, there is a great framework of off-street trails for biking and walking, but the trails can’t go everywhere. Protected bike lanes bring the separated trail-like experience to the streets and extend the network of comfortable, easy-to-use bike facilities to more places that people want to go.

Protected bike lanes are good for the local economy. Money talks – so this is a benefit of protected bike lanes that everyone can appreciate. Recent studies by the New York City Department of Transportation and the Clean Air Partnership show that when an area becomes more bikeable and walkable, there is an economic boost to local business. Local stores become more accessible and appealing, plus saving on gas and parking costs means people have a few extra dollars to spend. Companies like to locate in areas that are walk- and bike-friendly because it improves their ability to recruit and maintain talented employees. In general, protected bike lanes are quality-of-life improvements for everyone, and this leads to a strong local economy.

On top of all that, Arlington needs protected bike lanes because people want them – even the drivers! BikeArlington recently went out into the community to interview drivers and ask them what they think of all the cyclists in Arlington. What we heard repeatedly was “I think it’s great, they just need their own space.” Protected bike lanes do this, to the benefit of all road users.

What are Arlington’s plans for protected bike lanes?

The first protected bike lanes in Arlington County are planned for the Crystal City area. These include Eads Street (you can also take a survey about the project here), Hayes Street, Clark Street, and Army Navy Drive. They will be carefully studied to evaluate their impact on safety, the local economy, traffic flow, and mode choice (drive, transit, bike, or walk). If the results are favorable, expect to see more protected bike lanes on county streets in upcoming years.

If you can ride a bike, you should be able to use that bike to get around, go shopping, go to school, go to work or run errands easily and comfortably. Protected bike lanes help make this possible for more people. Look for them coming soon to an Arlington street near you.

Conventional Bike Lane. Only a painted white line separates cyclists from moving vehicles. Adjacent parked cars create a dangerous door zone.

 Protected bike lanes. Physical separation between cyclists and moving vehicles, in this case by planters and parked cars.

Click here for the original article

What If You Behaved Like an Obnoxious Road Hog at the Supermarket?

I've often thought "what if people acted like drivers when standing in a line for the movies...tailgating, honking, yelling, cutting, etc?" I always assumed they would get punched. This Norwegian PSA speaks to that message...without the punching.

14 WAYS TO MAKE BIKE LANES BETTER (THE INFOGRAPHIC)

May 16, 2014
Michael Andersen, Green Lane Project staff writer

Modern bike lanes call for modern reference guides.

With so many different methods being used to physically separate bike and auto traffic, the tradeoffs can seem countless. That's where this infographic comes in. One part inspiration and two parts catalog, it's intended for anyone who wants to quickly get up to speed on the most popular tricks being used by cities around the world to improve bike lanes.

Feel free to share or republish this image in any way you'd like.

It's based primarily on research by Austin engineer Nathan Wilkes, whose work on this issue we published in March in the form of a less web-friendly (but much more detailed) spreadsheet.

Some details  to keep in mind: first, there's judgment wiggle room in a lot of these ratings, especially the one for aesthetics. Your mileage may vary, in large part based on what a street looks like. Also, the cost figures include various assumptions. You can learn more about each by downloading Wilkes's full spreadsheet and clicking the "cost estimates" tab. You can also download a print-quality PDF of this infographic and hang it to your cubicle wall. As cities everywhere prepare to install more of these, would there be any better way to proclaim the nature of your infrastructural nerdiness? We submit to you that there is not.

The Green Lane Project is a PeopleForBikes program that helps U.S. cities build better bike lanes to create low-stress streets. You can follow us on Twitter or Facebook or sign up for our weekly news digestabout protected bike lanes. Story tip? Write michael@peopleforbikes.org.

Coeur d'Alene's First On Street Bike Parking Corral

Coeur d'Alene has it's first Bicycle Parking Corral! It's located in front of Calypso's on E Lakeside Ave between 1st and 2nd street.

Why cyclists should be able to roll through stop signs and ride through red lights

If you've looked around the city lately, you might've noticed that many cyclists don't obey many traffic laws. They roll through stop signs, instead of coming to a complete stop, and brazenly ride through red lights if there aren't any cars coming.

research and common sense say slowly rolling through a stop sign on a bike shouldn't be illegal
Cyclists reading this might be nodding guiltily in recognition of their own behavior. Drivers might be angrily remembering the last biker they saw flout the law, wondering when traffic police will finally crack down and assign some tickets.
But the cyclists are probably in the right here. While it's obviously reckless for them to blow through an intersection when they don't have the right of way, research and common sense say that slowly rolling through a stop sign on a bike shouldn't be illegal in the first place.
Some places in the US already allow cyclists to treat stop signs as yields, and red lights as stop signs, and these rules are no more dangerous — and perhaps even a little safer — than the status quo.

This is called the "Idaho stop"

There are already a few places in the US that allow cyclists some flexibility in dealing with stop signs and red lights. Idaho has permitted it since 1982, which is why this behavior is known as the Idaho stop.
Idaho's rule is pretty straightforward: for bikers, a stop sign is a yield
Idaho's rule is pretty straightforward. If a cyclist approaches a stop sign, he or she needs to slow down and look for traffic. If there's already a pedestrian, car, or another bike there, then the other vehicle has the right of way. If there's no traffic, however, the cyclist can slowly proceed. Basically, for bikers, a stop sign is a yield sign.
If a cyclist approaches a red light, meanwhile, he or she needs to stop fully. Again, if there's any oncoming traffic or a pedestrian, it has the right of way. If there's not, the cyclist can proceed cautiously through the intersection. Put simply, red light is a stop sign.
This doesn't mean that a cyclist is allowed to blast through an intersection at full speed — which is dangerous for pedestrians, the cyclist, and pretty much everyone involved. This isn't allowed in Idaho, and it's a terrible idea everywhere.

For the entire Article click here

Bike to Work Week

We are halfway through Bike to Work Week!!!
Still more upcoming events


Bike to Work Week 2014

will start Monday, May 12th and end Saturday, May 17th
2014 INFO & EVENTS:

Monday the 12^th: Kick-Off Ride. We will meet at 7:30am in the Home Depot Parking Lot and ride down Government Way to City Hall, where we will gather for coffee and doughnuts to talk about the upcoming bike events.

Wednesday the 14^th: Moonlight Ride. We will meet at Vertical Earth on Sherman Avenue at 8pm and ride out on the Centennial Trail to Higgins Point and back. We will gather at Moontime afterwards for refreshments. Bring a bike light and wear reflective clothing.

Thursday the 15^th: Beer Tasting and a Movie. We will meet at Pilgrims market for beer tasting and a movie about cycling. Beer tasting starts at 6:00pm and the movie starts at 6:30pm.

Saturday the 17^th: Roots Pursuit & Awards Ceremony. The event begins at the Community Garden on the corner of 10^th and Foster Ave at 10am. After party and awards are from Noon to 2pm. PRIZES AND GIVE-A-WAYS TO PARTIPANTS!!!

 

Bike Enthusiasts Unite!

Imagine waking up, enjoying a cup of coffee and a hearty breakfast, then strapping on a helmet and jumping on your bike for a nice commute to work. The sun is shining as you wave to the shop owners opening up for business. You look at all the disgruntled drivers stopping and going at every light, rushing to work while you pedal along unwittingly invigorating your body for the day ahead. This has been my experience on many occasions but with few options to avoid speeding traffic and the constant worry of being pegged by a texting driver (ashamed to admit I’m guilty) many would-be bicycle commuters defect to gas guzzling, fury invoking, automobile travel.


Well Stuck in North Idaho fans, I am pleased to announce that there is a bike group gaining some momentum in Coeur d’Alene. Their call sign Bike CDA, ringing out like a manifesto to the wellness warriors such as myself. I met with this group on Saturday morning at Calypso’s. The congregation was filled with bikers of all sorts. Mountain bikers, road riders, beach cruisers and pub crawlers. And the person who is bringing everyone together for the cause of making Coeur d’Alene more bike friendly happens to be one of our city’s finest, John Kelly.


I sat down with John at Java Monday and we discussed what it takes for a community to make a social movement, such as alternative transportation, a reality. The idea is connectivity, creating corridors for bikers to commute and then having a place to store your bike safely when you get to your destination. It’s a complex task indeed because of the logistics of connecting say Coeur d’Alene to Hayden. The challenge is getting all the respective cities on the same page. Now to be honest local government is a bit over my head but I believe we can still make a difference just by joining the conversation and being heard.


Coeur d’Alene is my home and I love it here. I can’t help but feel we are on the brink of something really big that will create opportunities for local entrepreneurs, develop safe routes for bikers and reduce the amount of car traffic.  So what I’m really saying is that I endorse Bike CDA and I encourage all Stuck in North Idaho followers to find out more about them whether you are a bike enthusiast or not.

• Kyle

Update: You can check out more information about Bike Cd’A via this Cd’A Press story, on their website or this article from Coeur d’Alene Living Local. 


For the original article with pictures (since blogger isn't letting me upload pictures lately) click here.

MAY IS BIKE TO WORK MONTH!

National Bike Month

May is National Bike Month, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to giving biking a try.

Promotional materials for National Bike Month are now available to use! Click here.

Whether you bike to work or school; ride to save money or time; pump those pedals to preserve your health or the environment; or simply to explore your community, National Bike Month is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride.

As a national sponsor, the League provides resources to help you plan an event in your area, and each year the number and diversity of Bike Month celebrations continues to grow, accelerating the momentum around bicycling nationwide.
 
And don’t forget: May is the start of the National Bike Challenge; learn more here.


For the originating page click here

Young people in Indianapolis want low-car lifestyles almost as much as young people in NYC

In the business world, it's called "first mover advantage." It's the head start Apple got in the smartphone market because it invented the device.
The more we learn about young Americans' priorities in where they want to live, the more it's looking like a few cities that happened to start investing in low-car transportation options years ago have been enjoying a big head start in attracting young workers over the last 10 years, even if their local job markets are ho-hum at best.
It's old news by now that young Americans are far more enthusiastic about urban life than their parents were. But a 10-city survey released this week shows something interesting and new: this attitude seems to be nearly as common among young people in Indianapolis or Tampa as it is among those in New York or San Francisco.

Click here for the rest of the story...

Funny! We don't have this problem here, thankfully.

Bike to Work Month is Coming!

Cycling's Catching On In Texas, For A Very Texas Reason

How to Bike to School

Did you ride to school as a kid? Pass the fun to your own children with these tips.
ByChristine Mattheis

 



Teach Your Kids to Bike to School
Do you have fond memories of riding your bike to school as a kid? Chances are, you do—30 years ago, half of all children biked or walked to school regularly. Today, it’s just 13 percent. But biking is making a comeback. First Lady Michelle Obama has advocated biking and walking to school as part of her Let’s Move initiative. And schools and communities across the country are achieving impressive results, using both simple and high-tech methods to get kids back in the saddle.

Use the following tips to bring the joy of biking to school to your own children.

Stock Up on Bike-Safety Essentials
Your children should have these items on each ride to ensure a safe trip to school.

Helmet: A properly fitting bike helmet has been shown to reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85 percent. Bring your kids to your local bike shop with you so they can pick them out—they’ll be more likely to wear them if they helped choose them.

Lights: Front and rear lights will make your child more visible to motorists. Teach your kid to store the lights in his or her backpack during the day—they’re easy to yank off, and you’ll want to make sure you won’t have to replace them.

Bike Lock: To be sure your child’s bike will still be at the rack at the end of the school day, buy a lock. Read Bicycling’s lock reviews to decide what to buy.

Bell: A quick ding of a bell alerts pedestrians that a cyclist is coming their way on a shared-use path.

Arrange a Ride-Pool
Worried about your kid riding to school alone? Arrange a group ride with other children in your neighborhood. Parents can take turns leading the group.

Practice Traffic Skills
Even kids who live too far from school to bike should learn the rules of the road. Teach your children how to signal and how to anticipate possible bike-car collisions.

Let Them Goof Off…Safely
The best way for your kids to learn bike-handling skills? Just let them ride. Take them to a grassy field or BMX park where they can fall without worrying about cars and road rash. They’ll build balance and confidence while having fun.

Make a Route Map
Sometimes, the most direct route to school isn’t the safest. Help your kids plot a route that has bike lanes, wide shoulders, and low traffic.

Ride With Your Kids
The best way to encourage your children to learn to love cycling: Ride with them! If they’re resisting, offer a reward—a 2-mile spin will suddenly seem fun if there’s an ice-cream shop along the route. Bonus: You’ll get fitter, too.

Click here for the original article

Supreme Court Ruling Jeopardizes >1,400 Bike Trails

USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court's ruling in an obscure Wyoming land dispute Monday could result in the loss of thousands of miles of bicycle trails or cost the government millions of dollars in compensation.

The justices ruled 8-1 that government easements used for railroad beds over public and private land in the West expired once the railroads went out of business, and the land must revert to its owners.

Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, said the case was decided based on an 1875 act of Congress and a 1942 Supreme Court decision involving Great Northern Railway.

That ruling confirmed that the government merely had received easements without any long-term land rights, he said. The establishment in 1983 of the federal "rails to trails" program didn't change the court's interpretation for easements that expired earlier.

"We're going to stick with that today," Roberts said from the bench.

The decision could jeopardize the "rails to trails" program, responsible for creating more than 1,400 bike and nature trails, many of them built along railroad rights-of-way.

The ruling prompted a lone dissent from Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

"The court undermines the legality of thousands of miles of former rights of way that the public now enjoys as means of transportation and recreation," Sotomayor said. "Lawsuits challenging the conversion of former rails to recreational trails alone may well cost American taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars."

The ruling came in a case brought by Wyoming landowner Marvin Brandt, whose 83-acre property is crossed by an old railroad line. Brandt's victory has implications for about 80 other cases involving about 8,000 claimants.

"Thousands of claims pertaining to 1875 Act rights-of-way have been filed," the Justice Department said in its brief to the court. "The United States will be obligated to pay just compensation on many claims in which ownership of the right-of-way is often a determining factor."

The Rails to Trails Conservancy had warned that a loss would block completion of the Medicine Bow Rail Trail that cuts through Brandt's property and would "threaten existing rail trails across America that utilize federally granted rights-of-way." Included are the George S. Mickelson Trail in South Dakota, the Foothills Trail and John Wayne Pioneer trails in Washington, the Weiser River Trail in Idaho and the Rio Grande Trail in Colorado.

The federal government or its state and local counterparts could exercise eminent domain proceedings to keep trails in operation and pay adjacent landowners, said Kevin Mills, senior vice president of policy and trail development for the conservancy. In other cases, trails could be shut down if landowners go to court.

"There probably will be an increase in litigation," Mills said. "At a minimum, it creates uncertainty and/or expense."

During oral arguments in the case in January, justices had a hard time getting information on the overall acreage or miles of trails involved. It "strikes me as pretty unusual that the government doesn't know what it owns," Roberts said at the time. Justice Antonin Scalia, who cast his lot with the landowners early on, called that "incredible."

Justice Stephen Breyer, who has had three bicycling accidents since 1993 — the last of which in April resulted in a shoulder replacement — envisioned a future in which landowners could be besieged by bikers.

"I certainly think bicycle paths are a good idea," he said, but "for all I know, there is some right-of-way that goes through people's houses, you know, and all of a sudden they are going to be living in their house, and suddenly a bicycle will run through it." - USA TODAY
(You'd think a Supreme Court Justice would be more intelligent than that - thinking a bike bath would materialize in your living room....I despair for humanity)

10 Principles for Building Healthy Places

Click here for the complete document

What Snow Tells Us About Creating Better Public Spaces

Here is an awesome article about creating better public spaces. It's too long to recreate so here is a picture and the link. Enjoy...

http://www.thisoldcity.com/advocacy/photos-what-snow-tells-us-about-creating-better-public-spaces-e-passyunk-avenue#.UvLZRvmwKGz