Bike Change « Bike Friendly Richardson

January 20, 2012 • 9:10 am 6

New Bike Route Signs On Collins

I noticed these last night and thought I would share. The new signs – that I’ve seen so far – are placed on Plano Road (approaching Collins) and on Collins, between Plano Road and the Central overpass.

I wonder if these are place holders until they get money to finish out the painted bike lanes on Collins.

View From Plano Road Facing South (to Collins intersection)

View of Collins - Westbound

Filed under: Bike Change, Bike Trails and Routes, City Stuff, Bike Route Signs, Collins Blvd

December 13, 2011 • 10:21 am 0

Way To Go, Plano!

I saw this NBC video on Facebook, talking about the city’s new bicycle signs. Click below to see the news report.

Filed under: Advocacy, Bike Change, Bike Friendly, Bike Signs, NBC News, Plano

December 9, 2011 • 6:20 pm 1

City of Richardson Receives “Safe Routes to School” Funding Grant

Again, if you get the City’s newsletter, you’ve probably already seen this:

The City of Richardson has been awarded federal funding through a Safe Routes to School grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for two schools in Richardson: Richland Elementary and Yale Elementary.

At Monday’s work session, the City Council was briefed by staff on the City’s efforts to acquire this funding, the status of the programmed projects and the improvements that will be made around the schools.

The work that will be funded by the grant includes installation of barrier-free ramps, sidewalks, bike routes, bike lanes and bike racks.

The City Council will consider a resolution to approve funding agreements with TxDOT at a future meeting. Click here to view the work session presentation.

This is fantastic news for families with kids going to these schools. This is especially good news to me, since one of these schools is in my neighborhood. We’re grateful that the City kept up with this, even after not getting selected the first time.

Filed under: Advocacy, Bike Change, City Stuff, Good Causes, City Of Richardson, Richland Elementary, Safe Routes To School, Texas, Yale Elementary

December 6, 2011 • 6:40 am 0

Coming February 1-3, 2012 – Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference

We met some of the Bike Texas folks at BFOC‘s Bicycle Fair last October and they were promoting an event that they helped organize in San Antonio next year. It’s the biennial Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference, aka the Texas Bike/Ped Summit.

Here is the info from their site:

Register Now! The biennial Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference, aka the Texas Bike/Ped Summit, is coming up fast! Engineers, planners, advocates and anyone interested in active transportation is invited to join us in San Antonio February 1-3, 2012, at El Tropicano hotel downtown on the Riverwalk.

Organized by BikeTexas and the Texas Trails Network, we have the strongest line up of Keynote Speakers in our history.

Former congressman Jim Oberstar, a true champion for bicycles over his 36 years in the U.S. Congress

The renowned Danish architect and urban design consultant Jan Gehl, who prioritizes bicyclists and pedestrians in his designs

John Burke, President of Trek Bicycles and life long dedicated bike advocate

Senator Rodney Ellis, Houston, a cyclist, and a friend of all Texas cyclists

This conference has something for everyone: Bike/Ped Coordinators, Advocates, Cycling Enthusiasts, Trail Builders/Advocates, Safe Routes to School Coordinators, Traffic Engineers, Public, and Private partnerships, Urban Planners, Teachers, and more. Earn education credits! For more details, click here to check out the conference website for daily updates, and “like” the conference Facebook page.

The full registration price is $350 and includes all meals and access to dozens of on- and off-site workshops, breakout sessions, and keynote speakers – everything you need to recharge your batteries and be inspired to make Texas a great place for trails and active transportation. I’d really like to make it out to this conference just to get a glimpse into what’s happening for cycling in Texas. I just hope that I can get the time.

Filed under: Advocacy, Bicycle Events, Bike Change, Bike Education, Advocacy, Bike Texas, Texas Bike Summit, Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference, Texas Trails Network

September 14, 2011 • 4:56 pm 0

Federal funding for bicycling is under serious attack

This is a message from PeopleForBikes.org. Below is a link to an easy online form that helps you contact your local US Senators.

Federal funding for bicycling is under serious attack. Today or tomorrow, Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma will introduce an amendment to eliminate dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements, which is the main source of funding for bike projects of all types. We need you to take action today by emailing your U.S. Senators to urge them to oppose and defeat Mr. Coburn’s amendment.

If Senator Coburn’s amendment succeeds, bicycling in the U.S. will become less safe and more difficult. Twenty years of consistent, cost-effective investment in beneficial bike projects will stop.

When we launched peopleforbikes.org, we promised you that we would only ask for your help when we really needed it. This is one of those times.

We need every U.S. Senator to hear from hundreds, if not thousands, of their constituents who value government support for bicycling. A strong vote against Coburn’s amendment will be a convincing statement of how much Congress and Americans value bicycling, and will influence all future votes on bike and pedestrian programs and funding.

Please email your U.S. Senators today and tell them to oppose Coburn’s amendment and preserve funding for bicycling. (You can find your Senators, review basic suggested text for your email, and send your note directly from this link.)

Thanks for your support and your quick response to this call to action.

Tim Blumenthal
Director, Peopleforbikes.org

Filed under: Advocacy, BFR Misc, Bike Change

August 4, 2011 • 7:45 pm 1

Way To Go, Plano!

Ohio Drive Under The PGB Tollway

Here’s some great news from our neighbors in Plano. Bike Friendly Richardson friend Howard M, posted this on the BFR Facebook page.

Fwd: City of Plano City Council to approve On-street Bicycle Signage project 8/8 7 PM

From: “Renee Jordan”
Date: August 2, 2011 2:37:09 PM CDT
To: Plano Cyclists
Subject: City of Plano City Council to approve On-street Bicycle Signage project 8/8 7 PM

Hello,

I wanted to let you know that on Monday 8/8 our City Council has on its agenda 2 items that might be of interest to you.

1.) Bid No. 2011-194-B for the Citywide On-street Bicycle Route Signage, Project No. 5858

This is a project to install bicycle route signage along 168 miles of roadway in the City of Plano.

2.) To approve an Engineering Services Agreement by and between the City of Plano and BW2 Engineers, Inc. for the design of the Preston Ridge Trail connection.

This is a project to place trail in the right of way of Ohio Drive from the Bush Tollway north to Tradition Trail making an off road connection to Preston Ridge Trail in Dallas at the Tollway.

On the close of business Thursday, the City Council meeting agenda will be posted here:
http://plano.gov/City_Hall/agendas/Pages/CityCouncilAgendas.aspx

Additionally, the City of Plano has launched a new program called Fix It Plano. It is a tool to report problems such as pot holes. Problems can be reported by phoning in, texting in, using the web portal or a smartphone. Here is a link:
http://plano.gov/Pages/fixit.aspx

Please share with your contacts. Thanks!

Renée Burke Jordan, AICP
Plano Parks & Recreation
Trail System Planner
972-941-7168

www.planoparks.org

This is GREAT NEWS for those of us who use the Preston Ridge Trail or ride through Plano. The missing link under the PGB Tollway (between Dallas and Plano) is probably one of the biggest misses in the north Dallas trail system. Making this connection will get cyclist closer to a complete multi-purpose trail that will run from North Plano (almost Frisco) all the way into Dallas.

There is still a trail gap at Tradition Trail, but it’s all side streets from there to Plano’s Preston Ridge Trail (to the north). There’s also a gap at the southern end of Dallas’ Preston Ridge Trail, where it doesn’t quite connect with the Cottonwood Trail.

The signage will be a nice plus as well. Hopefully, they will remind drivers to share the road with cyclists.

Start Of A Multi-Purpose Trail Under The PGB. Looks like the tollway planners took into account a need for a MPT. Now it's just a matter of continuing it up Ohio Drive.

Filed under: Bike Change, Bike Signage, Ohio Drive, Plano, Preston Ridge Trail, Trail Connection

July 28, 2011 • 6:06 am 5

Trail Under Renner Road – Progress

Just wanted to post a quick pick of the progress on the trail that will go under Renner Road (just east of Central). I doesn’t look like much, but there is actually quite a bit being done here.

Filed under: Bike Change, City Stuff, Richardson Trails, Trail Under Renner Road

May 11, 2011 • 5:21 am 1

Finally, Bike Parking At The Cottonwood Art Festival

We really enjoy going to the Cottonwood Art Festival. It’s probably one of the best artisan events in the Metroplex and it happens in one of our own neighborhood parks. Our only complaint about the festival is the insane automobile traffic and limited car parking during the event. There is no reason an event like this couldn’t have bicycle parking available to help ease some of those issues. Personally, I can’t think of a better way to attend a local, outdoor event, than to arrive on my bike. Reader and bike enthusiast, Brad M. also sent in the suggestion for a bike rack last year.

Well, it looks like event coordinators feel the same way. This year, at the front of the festival, there was a bike rack that was in full use. It was the only one, but it’s a great step in the right direction.

If you feel that bike parking is a good idea at this event, please contact the event coordinators and let them know. While you’re at it, tell them you would like more.

Filed under: Bike Change, City Stuff, Bike Parking, Cottonwood Art Festival

May 9, 2011 • 5:48 am 0

Dallas Kicks Off – ‘Happy Trails’ Safety Campaign

Page From The Dallas Morning News - Please Visit Their Site

We ran across an article in the Dallas Morning News‘ Metro section on Friday about Dallas’ new trail safety campaign, ‘Happy Trails’. Apparently, as the city’s trail network becomes more popular, overcrowding and safety are becoming a major issue. Read more here.

Having been on these trails, we think this is a fantastic idea. Whenever you bring together a huge mass of people (and pets), with different ages and experience, traveling at different speeds, you have to learn how to co-exist – safely. We also feel that, although safety education and awareness are always a good idea, common courtesy and respect for each other on the trail can make a huge difference.

Be nice. Be safe.