June 2007 BAC News & Digest





Hello Members and Supporters of the Bicycle Access Council.



It’s a beautiful day in Pennsylvania!



This issue of the Bicycle Access Council News & Digest is a monthly
communication with members and supporters. It’s being sent in HTML format.
Previously it had been sent in text-only format to minimize difficulty in
opening the e-mail and reduce virus exposure. If you have difficulty
opening or reading this e-mail, let us know and another version will be sent
to you. A PDF copy is also posted on the BAC website and you may also
request a hard copy mailed to you. You may view past issues that started in
January 2005 by going to the BAC website.





RED LIGHT CAMERAS...



Will detect a motor vehicle entering an intersection during the red phase of
a traffic signal. These are not full time surveillance or speed detection
cameras. Automated Red Light Cameras are meant to be used to improve safety
at intersections with high incident rates through violation enforcement.
Knowing how they work and the limits of these devices should be of interest
to bicyclists and pedestrians.



At this time, only the city of Philadelphia is permitted to install these
devices at six designated locations as listed in the Pennsylvania Vehicle
Code, §3116. The enforcement is administered by the Philadelphia Parking
Authority, although the police department issues the citations once they
receive the identified violators and review the photo evidence.



The owner of a vehicle (which may not be the driver) is liable for the
violation, which is a non-criminal fine of $100. No points may be charged
against a driver’s record or affect an insured’s automobile insurance rate.



Each camera is a “wet film” type (35mm)—not digital, although digital
information is overlaid on the print (date, time, etc). Only the rear view
of a vehicle is permitted to be taken to capture the registration plate.
Detectors in the roadway activate the camera. They are not sensitive to
detect bicycles, which is unnecessary since there is no registration plate
to photograph.



The effectiveness of these red light enforcement cameras is still being
evaluated and debated before allowing their use in other areas of the
Commonwealth. They are a benefit to bicyclists in Philadelphia who are
vulnerable to red light running motor vehicles on multi-lane roadway
intersections.





YA GOTTA KNOW WHEN TO FOLD ‘EM...



“Folding Bikes” that is, when taking the train. The AMTRAK policy allows
folding bikes onboard, but not all conductors and personnel were aware of
this. They are now thanks to the persistence of a bike commuter when he was
denied access. A change to the Conductor Service Rule Book now documents
the policy clearly. When in doubt, carry a copy of the policy with you,
which may be found at: http://tinyurl.com/2m9lhl



A story about what it took to make this happen was written by John Boyle and
appears in the May-June issue of the American Bicyclist, published by the
League of American Bicyclists.



Other transit modes may also present problems, such as, Philadelphia’s SEPTA
and DC’s METRO. It’s best to plan ahead and check the policies beforehand
to minimize the chance of being denied access to one of these transit
services at a very inconvenient time and location.





AN IRONIC PICTURE...



Appeared in the The Evening Sun (Hanover, York County) newspaper featuring
the BAC executive director at a rail trail groundbreaking. The irony? He
was the only one who brought a bike and rode twenty miles to get to the
ceremony. Check out: http://tinyurl.com/32lfl4





BIKE PHILLY...



Will close some streets to motor vehicle traffic Sunday, September 9, 2007
for this event sponsored by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.
According to the Bike Philly organizers, “A family friendly bike tour
celebrating the freedom of car-free Philadelphia streets. Bicyclists will
ride through historic neighborhoods, taking over the parkway, passing
through Old City, and exploring hidden corners of Fairmont Park.” The ride
start is 8:00 am at the Art Museum steps. To register and for more details,
see www.bikephilly2007.com





PA BIKE CLUB SPECIAL EVENTS RIDES...



May be listed on the BAC website. Submit your club ride with dates,
location, fees etc. to the BAC webmaster at: < info@... >
Charity rides requiring pledges and other fundraising rides not sponsored by
a Pennsylvania bike club are not listed.





DIRECTOR CANDIDATES...



The Bicycle Access Council is accepting letters of interest for future
director positions. Send a narrative letter indicating your desire to
become involved in bicycling advocacy in Pennsylvania. Include your
education, any experience serving on a board of directors, fund raising
experience, and a summary of your bicycling experience. All letters
received will be kept confidential.



Send all letters to:

Bicycle Access Council, P.O. Box 92, Dallastown, PA 17313, or

E-mail to: ED@...





Dates to remember:

June 7, PPAC (Pedalcycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee), Harrisburg, 1
PM.

Contact BAC for meeting location and agenda

July 12-14, LCI Seminar (League Cycling Instructor
certification), Bethlehem, PA

Contact Steve Schmitt at CAT:
director@...



Mission Statement...



The Bicycle Access Council is a non-profit advocacy organization that serves
as a forum for Pennsylvania bicyclists and as an ombudsman for bicycling
issues.



It is the objective of the Bicycle Access Council to make bicycling on roads
throughout the Commonwealth safe, respectable and a transportation choice by
educating its members and the motoring public.



All funding for the Bicycle Access Council comes from memberships and
donations. Annual membership is $20 per year. BAC does not share
membership information.





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Joe Stafford, Executive Director

Bicycle Access Council

Dallastown, PA

www.BicycleAccess-PA.org

(717) 417-1299