Local Motion Blog

There was a great posting last week  on the VTNordicSkating listserv about a recent drill some skaters did in Shelburne Bay to practice how they’d handle falling through the ice.  (I wasn’t there.)

It’s great to have the list serv — I get a thrill out of following the escapades that get reported on it (though it’s nothing compared to the thrill of actually getting out on the on the ice!).   We had a record breaking skating year since there was such a long period without snow – over 5 weeks of skating in January and February 0n Mallet’s Bay and the Inland Sea (the area between Milton and the Lake Champlain Islands), as well as many other places on Lake Champlain,  on clear, smooth, often black ice.  Heaven!  There were reports of folks skating for 15, 20, 30 miles in a day.

About the safety training:  first, a short video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCjPsIg7hAQ

Here’s a summary of how it went, written by Pam, Bob and Dave, three of the listserv organizers:

“Eight intrepid “plurrövare” (”plurrning” loosely translates to “bathing”, but you won’t find it in a Swedish dictionary. The Swedes seem to use it to describe falling through the ice) and about three times as many observers gathered at Shelburne Bay on a warm, sunny day March 7, 2010 Sunday from 11-2 for Vermont’s first (so far as we know) skating immersion exercise, with a heavy emphasis on general safety methods. Bob provided background and posters on safety and clothing, including wetsuits (and also supervised and carried out hole-cutting and closing); Dave provided background on the body’s reaction to immersion in cold water and hypothermia based on his experience as an emergency room physician; and Pam provided a run-through of safety rules and equipment from the now 100-year Swedish experience of “långfärdsskridskor, ” demonstrating what to carry and how to pack the safety backpack and the steps to follow if one does go through the ice. (A summary of all this information will be available on the list serve as a link, and eventually on the Vermont Nordic Skating webpage Bob hopes to put together this summer.)

All eight “bathers” got out under their own steam, in what we plan to become an annual training event along with other land-based seminars focused on basic safety and “ice knowledge.”

Both Shelburne and Charlotte Rescue were present, and also demonstrated their procedures for rescuing those unable to get out on their own, using the brave Bob who went in twice as a result!

Many thanks to everyone who assisted (including Vince who helped with hole-cutting activities Saturday, and Sasha who sold coffee and chocolate to passersby as well as observers). Special thanks also to all who clearly “donated big” for their coffee or hot chocolate (because we didn’t bring that much yet ended up with $50 for the rescue crews); and of course a huge thanks to Shelburne and Charlotte Rescue for coming and for the demonstration!”

Info about Nordic Skating in Vermont at www.nordicskater.com.

696Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2010/03/falling-through-the-ice/Falling+Through+the+Ice2010-03-13+03%3A12%3A39Charlene

We’re now sending our blog posts directly to Twitter, so you’ll have yet another way to stay close to the action. If you’re not already, please follow us on Twitter and look for posts that start with [Blog Run].

688Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2010/03/catch-our-blog-on-twitter/Catch+our+Blog+on+Twitter2010-03-12+18%3A42%3A45Todd

Click to see larger map

The Champlain Parkway (aka the Southern Connector) has been an ongoing issue for Burlington’s South End for over 40 years. After all this time, it is anyone’s guess as to whether it will ever be built. However, the project recently reached a major milestone with regard to approvals from the Federal government and is probably as close as it has ever been to becoming a reality. The bottom line is, we as a community do not want to be caught unprepared if it does in fact get built this time around.

To this end, three Burlington organizations — the South End Arts and Business Association (SEABA), the Ward 5 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA), and Local Motion — are working together to convene a ”Citizens Committee on the Champlain Parkway.” This informal group will meet over the next few months to review the plan for the Connector with three questions in mind:

• How can the project be made to protect and restore neighborhood quality of life throughout the South End?
• How can the project be made to enhance the local business climate and increase commercial property values along Pine Street and surrounding commercial areas?
• How can the project be made to improve safety and create a more attractive environment throughout the immediate project corridor for people on foot, on bike, and in wheelchairs?

The first step in the process will be two South End-wide meetings, one focused on neighborhood issues and one on local business concerns.

MEETING REGARDING NEIGHBORHOOD ISSUES

Monday, March 15, 6:30 to 8:00 at Champlain Elementary School (in the cafeteria)

MEETING REGARDING LOCAL BUSINESS ISSUES

Tuesday, March 16, 6:30 to 8:00 at the Soda Plant, 266 Pine Street (between Recycle North & Conant Custom Brass)

There will be three items on the agenda of each meeting:

1. To provide a very short overview of the current design for the Connector
2. To identify the full range of issues and concerns that people in each meeting would want to see addressed if the project were to move forward
3. To identify up to three representatives at each meeting who will participate onthe Citizens Committee

Anyone is welcome at either meeting; however, each meeting will focus on one topic (business or residential), so people who have just one main concern should attend that meeting.

By bringing folks from all over the South End together to review the Southern Connector plans in detail and give one coordinated set of comments to the City, our hope is that – if the project moves forward – public officials can make the design as good as it can be within state and federal constraints.

679Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2010/03/local-motion-to-convene-citizens-committee-on-the-champlain-parkway/Local+Motion+to+convene+%22Citizens%27+Committee+on+the+Champlain+Parkway%222010-03-12+01%3A57%3A28Jason

Our office was abuzz this morning with some very exciting news from the Google. Partnering with the Rails to Trails Conservancy, Google Maps now offers biking directions! The announcement has some pretty big implications for our Trail Finder project, all of which will enhance your experience when searching for trails.

With the addition of biking directions to Google Maps’ swiss army knife of tools, users will be able to plot routes that incorporate bike paths, bike lanes, and bike-friendly streets. Bike routes even take into account elevation by routing you around unruly hills! These new features can potentially be integrated into the Trail Finder, which utilizes the Google Maps API.

A blog post from the Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) highlights their new partnership:

The release of this long-awaited feature allows Google Maps users to type in their destination and receive directions for the best bicycling route. Previously, Google was able to provide walking, driving or transit directions. Now, RTC is providing its extensive trail-map data to Google Maps for the seamless integration of safe, accessible and fun bicycling routes into daily travel.

Local Motion is exploring ways that we can share our trail data with RTC and Google. Currently a few major paths, like the Island Line, are included in their data. We’d like to see all 113 individual trails from Northwest Vermont added, plus many more that are coming soon as part of our collaborative expansion with three trail groups from across the state.

Curious to see what the buzz is about? Hit ‘Go’ on the gadget below or visit maps.google.com and turn on the Bicycling layer in the More menu.

658Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2010/03/exciting-news-from-google-means-big-gains-for-trail-finder/Exciting+News+from+Google+Means+Big+Gains+for+Trail+Finder2010-03-10+19%3A17%3A42Todd

Hinesburg Rides, an energized group of residents, business leaders and public officials, is working to provide better transportation options for their town.

The group successfully championed a 2010 Town Meeting vote to get Hinesburg to join CCTA.  There are three components of Hinesburg Rides: Volunteer Driver program, Rideshare program, and Employer Partnership / Public Transit program.

640Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2010/03/transportation-vision-in-hinesburg/Transportation+Vision+in+Hinesburg2010-03-04+21%3A11%3A06Chapin

All over Chittenden County, residents are clamoring for more sidewalks and crosswalks. Unfortunately, getting them built is proving difficult.  In Hinesburg and Colchester, tight budgets have put sidewalk projects on hold.

Last week in Burlington, nearly 20 residents packed a Burlington Public Works Commission meeting to voice their support for a critical sidewalk connection between their homes and Edmunds School (see map).  The sidewalk (see picture) currently deadends onto South Willard Street – aka US Route 7.

Parents, children, and transportation planners supported the position of DPW staff to build this 100 foot section of sidewalk along South Willard Street.  The Commission 4-3 against moving forward with staff’s recommendation to build the sidewalk because of one neighbors’ concern over losing one on-street parking space in front of their home. Neighbors and Local Motion are determined to get the sidewalk project moving again.

Hill section neighbor and Local Motion member Daniel Scheidt says “My children would like to walk to school more than they do.  The biggest obstacle is a mid-block crossing of Willard Street that requires kids to cross without benefit of a stop light, stop sign or crossing guard.  Although this is a designated ’safe route to school’ and DPW has been studying the project for at least three years, the sidewalk needed to correct the problem hasn’t been built.  We urge the City to build the sidewalk this year.”

Want to help?  Contact Charlene Wallace.

627Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2010/03/where-the-sidewalk-ends/Where+the+Sidewalk+Ends2010-03-04+14%3A49%3A30Chapin

Come tell the Burlington Dept of Public Work’s Commission how important two new sidewalk projects are! They will be early on the agenda of the BDPW Commission meeting this Thursday 2/18 at 6:15 pm.

• Flynn Ave between Pine and Shelburne: Completing the sidewalk on the North side of Flynn. There are various configurations of this stretch of sidewalk.  Just last summer,  parking was eliminated in the South wind condo neighborhood, and parking was allowed on Flynn; this made the entrance to Oakledge Park treacherous for walkers, since the parking essentially narrowed the street, and there is currently no sidewalk for people to use.
• Willard St. sidewalk connecting existing Deforest sidewalk to the Cliff and Willard intersection. There are several design alternatives; one being proposed accommodates a neighbor who would lose on-street parking if the preferred plan is built. The alternative would use a mid-block crosswalk which is much less safe than crossing at a stop sign.

The Commission needs to hear your voices to know how important good sidewalks are in Burlington!

623Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2010/02/sidewalk-advocates-needed-in-force-this-thursday/Sidewalk+Advocates+Needed+In+Force+This+Thursday%212010-02-17+18%3A10%3A39Charlene

Local Motion Note: Thank you to everyone who spoke up on this project and to NY Bicycling Coalition, VT Bike/Pedestrian Coalition and Lake Champlain Bikeways.

By Ivan Vamos, Director, NY Bicycling Coalition

The Lake Champlain Bridge Study Advisory Committee met on 2 / 9 / 10 in Addison Vermont, including New York Bicycling Coalition’s representative in attendance. Several very important items that are good news for bicyclists and pedestrians were confirmed at the meeting, however a few of our suggestions were not successful. The old 1928 bridge at Crown Point had to be demolished because of failing abutments, and a new “signature design” bridge with adequate provision for bicyclists and pedestrians is being fast tracked for design and construction.

A ferry system was recently opened up and will continue to serve this strategic lake crossing on a continuing basis until the new bridge is again opened. The ferry is free and is virtually at the same location as the bridge, so plan your Champlain valley bike trips to include an enjoyable ferry crossing this year, and a safe bridge crossing in the years thereafter.

The bridge dimensions that were confirmed at the meeting include 5’ road shoulders that will safely accommodate bikes. Occasionally, the shoulder will also help to get oversized farm equipment across on the 11’ motor vehicle lanes. 5’ sidewalks on each side of the bridge will accommodate pedestrians, or those who walk their bikes across. The high point of the bridge will have more room for a wider sidewalk near the cables holding up the central arch. The new bridge will have a 5% grade; this will be a ½% less steep than the former bridge.

Conversations with DOT staff confirmed that though 4’ shoulders were considered for cost savings, the advisory committee’s input and public comments helped to decide for the safer 5’ shoulders. Marking the shoulders with bike route decals was rejected however, since constrains on land on both sides of the bridge did not allow the pavement markings for continued bike routes. A low guardrail will run the length of the bridge located between the shoulders and the sidewalks. A request to open this guardrail to allow bicyclists to easily stop near the bridge crest to view the scenery and see planned inoperative information could not be satisfied however because of car safety, so bicyclists who wish to stop will have to step over this barrier and lift their bikes over the guardrail to where the sidewalk widens at the cable supports.

We are delighted with NYS DOT and Vtrans response in selecting an excellent team of consultants and in listening to advice and public input that will make the Crown Point Bridge crossing a safe highlight for many bicyclists and pedestrians who visit the region.

607Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2010/02/607/Victory%21+Sidewalks+%26+Shoulders+for+Champlain+Bridge2010-02-10+15%3A51%3A03Chapin

The first weekend was a smashing success.  There was black ice to skate on for as far as the eye could see.   Hundreds enjoyed the skating, free nordic skate rentals, the bonfire and other festivities.  Come join us for the next three weeks.  Next weekend is the F-F-Frozen Chosen race on ice!

Thank you to the Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce, Hero’s Welcome, the Town of North Hero and many others!

593Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2010/02/great-fun-at-great-ice/Great+Fun+at+Great+Ice2010-02-08+14%3A03%3A21Chapin

Hello Fellow Winter Cyclists and Cycling Enthusiasts:

I wanted to start a diablog about cycling safety. I was hit 2 weeks ago by a drunk driver. I was hit directly from behind and thrown up into the air. I spun in the air several times before coming back down in a snow bank. No broken bones, but a hole the size of a fist in the back of my helmet. I have some major muscle mass tearing in my quads. And my heart rate is 50% higher than my normal heart rate. Other than that, I am pretty much myself. OK, I’m a little hyper.

Eventually, I want to look at some ways to make the bike lane on North Ave. north of BHS, safer for cyclists. I was hit by a drunk driver, my first collision with a moving vehicle for my whole riding career of close to 50 years. Even if the bike lane on North Avenue was totally unambiguous, I would have still been hit by a driver out of control. I am told that drinking and driving violations are dealt with more harshly in other countries. Does this account for lower drinking and driving violations in these countries? Does anyone have numbers?

The driver who hit me left the scene but turned himself in later that night. He has been charged with DUI and leaving the scene. I did not find out about the driver turning himself in until 24 hours later. It was a rough day and still I am plagued with the after shocks of the blindsided collision.

Happy to hear your responses to the questions about a safer bike lane on North Avenue and how to deal with people who drink and drive and cause major upheavals in individuals’ lives and the community at large.

Thanks!
Mark Rowell

590Commentshttp://www.localmotion.org/blog/2010/02/hit-by-drunk-driver-brv-manager-mark-rowell-seeks-safer-roadways/Hit+By+Drunk+Driver%2C+BRV+Manager+Mark+Rowell+Seeks+Safer+Roadways2010-02-04+15%3A15%3A17Mark