ODOT Places Hold on Freeway Bike Ban
Posted by: ScottAug 16 2006, 2:05 pm
In April, Karla Keller, the ODOT Region 1 Maintenance and Operations Manager, made a presentation to the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee where ODOT was proposing to ban bicycle riding on all metro area freeways. The proposal to the Bike and Pedestrian Committee (also knows as OBPAC) seemed to come out of left field, and it sparked a large reaction from the bicycle community, one that ODOT did not expect.
Since April, ODOT and the BTA have been meeting to discuss ways of making bicycling safer and easier in Region 1 (ODOT Region 1 includes all of the Portland metro area.) This morning the BTA received a letter from Jason Tell, the new Region 1 Manager, stating his desire to rethink how bicycles are accommodated in the region (we've met with him several times).
Jason writes:
"I am initiating a review of Region 1's bicycle/pedestrian program. As part of this initiative, I will be seeking input from the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and other stakeholders this fall…"
As part of this process, ODOT is shelving the bicycle ban proposal on regional highways for more constructive safety measures. Thanks to all of you who helped testify against this ban!
The BTA will continue to meet with Jason, his new Policy and Development Managers, and other ODOT staff to ensure that bicycles and pedestrians are prioritized in order to travel safely and conveniently along the ODOT state highway system and on other corridors in the region.
Please share your comments here.
Speaking of regulations on cycling, see this from RoadBikeRider.com Newsletter
Issue No. 258 – 08/17/06: Recovery Recommendations
ISSN 1536-4143
Something's Rotten in the Big Apple
In New York City next Wednesday, a public hearing will help determine if 20 or more cyclists riding together can be cited for parading without a permit or approved route. We're not making this up. It's a proposed change to the city's parade regulations, spearheaded by the police department.
It gets crazier: Two or more cyclists who violate any traffic law on a public street could be arrested for parading without a permit. (Pedestrians, in different numbers, would be liable too.)
As reported by cyclingnews.com, the potential ramifications of the proposed regulations have raised the ire of the NYC advocacy group Transportation Alternatives, as well as the city's racing and recreational cycling clubs. They're urging members to fight the proposal at the hearing or by contacting elected officials.
The NYPD's rationale for the parade policy: Groups of cyclists have "the likelihood to significantly disrupt vehicular and pedestrian traffic and adversely affect public health and safety, unless subject to regulatory control via the permitting process. The amendments to the rules will permit the Police Department to adequately preserve the public peace and prevent obstructions of public streets and sidewalks."
Key target: critical mass rides.
The public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. at One Police Plaza in Manhattan. More information, including suggestions for contacting Mayor Bloomberg and other officials, is available on Transportation Alternatives' website: http://www.transalt.org