The next meeting of the CBC will be Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 7:00
p.m. in conference room A on the 4th floor of Union Station, south
side (CT Dept. of Transportation, Office of Rail Ops.)

Thank you , Paul, for making the arrangements.

Linda

Sheila Carmine just reminded me that I forgot to mention the city --
it's Union Station in New Haven. Linda

The next meeting of the CBC will be Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 7:00
p.m. in conference room A on the 4th floor of Union Station, south
side (CT Dept. of Transportation, Office of Rail Ops.)

Thank you , Paul, for making the arrangements.

Linda

Richard's posting was truncated, but the full Transportation Strategy report
can be downloaded as a pdf file from
http://www.opm.state.ct.us/igp/TSB/tsbinfo.htm

I've pasted the Bicycle and Pedestrian section below:



BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN

The 2006 transportation strategy includes a significantly increased
emphasis on bicycle and pedestrian travel. Effective bicycle and
pedestrian networks result in a reduction in vehicle trips. The
reduction in vehicle trips then results in a reduction in emissions,
need for roadway infrastructure and parking facilities

There are three major roles the bicycle and pedestrian modes can fill:[22]

As a primary mode, directly accessing a job or other site.
As a feeder mode, accessing transit services that will complete the trip.
For circulation through an activity center.

Important factors that influence the choice of bicycle or pedestrian
commuting include:

Trip Distance
Perceived Traffic Safety
Travel Cost - surveys suggest that financial incentives could make a
difference in the choice of this mode.[23]
Physical environment, including terrain, climate, circulation within
activity centers and availability of alternative modes.
Demographics - bicycle commuting generally declines rapidly in the
segment of the population over age 45.

Bicycle use in Connecticut as a mode for commuting remained fairly
constant between 1990 and 2000, at approximately 0.2 percent of all
commuters. Walking to work declined as an option in the State between
those same years, from 3.6 percent to 2.7 percent. Compared to
national averages, Connecticut has a lower percentage of bike
commuters (0.2% vs. 0.4% nationally), and roughly the same percentage
of pedestrian commuters (2.7% vs. 3% nationally).

In 1999, the Department of Transportation developed a Connecticut
Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan, the focus of
which is recreational cycling and walking. The plan discusses current
policies and regulations relating to bicycle and pedestrian
facilities, presents planning and design guidelines, goals, funding
strategies and completed and planned projects. It also includes the
bicycle and pedestrian plans of all the Regional and Metropolitan
Planning Agencies in the State.

Recommendations presented in the plan include:

Review of the Connecticut Bicycle Map and Long Range Bike Map when
evaluating the suitability of providing sidewalks, shoulder widening,
etc., and multi-use trails within projects.
Inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian facility planning in the highway
planning and design process.
Provision for bicycle/pedestrian access in all bridge design and
reconstruction process.

The Department of Transportation has worked to provide bike racks on
buses; specifically the full equipping of CTTransit buses in the
Stamford and New Haven areas has been accomplished. The equipping of
CTTransit buses in the Hartford area is scheduled as part of the
upcoming fleet replacement. In addition efforts to provided bike
racks at train stations are being addressed on a continual basis.

In recognition of the role that bicycle and pedestrian strategies can
play in accomplishing the State's transportation strategy, the
Transportation Strategy Board recommends:

Provide dedicated bike space on passenger trains at all times of the day.
Identify and support bike routes to transportation centers.
Identify and remedy existing bicycle storage and parking deficiencies,
especially in urban centers and transportation centers.
Adopt a policy of allowing bicycles to be carried on state funded bus
routes. As new buses are ordered equip them to permit the carriage of
bicycles.
Encourage municipal and regional officials to work closely with DOT to
include expanded bicycle and pedestrian facilities as a part of all
roadway projects.
Support the development and implementation of the Federal Safe Routes
to School program.




Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
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Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ctbike/join
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http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Sat. May 26 & Sun. May 27, 2007

AngelRide is a 2-day/130 mile charity cycling event held annually on
Memorial Day Weekend that travels through the beautifully scenic
roads of Connecticut, organized by the Angel Charitable Trust, a not-
for-profit 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to serve children with
cancer and other life threatening diseases by sponsoring "Camp in a
Suitcase", a hospital outreach program that entertains and supports
children during their periods of hospitalization. The "Camp in a
Suitcase" program, administered by the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp,
connects these children's extraordinary spirit with the magic of a
summer camp experience.

Unlike many other charities, 100% of the monies raised by the riders
goes directly to benefit the children and The Hole in The Wall Gang
Camp, a camping retreat for children with cancer and other life-
threatening diseases a camping retreat that enables children with
such life-threatening diseases to spend their summer like no other.

We are looking for bicycle riders to participate in this year's event
and are hoping you'll distribute our information to anyone you know
who may be interested.

Please visit our website at: http://www.angelcharitabletrust.org/ or
contact Lynn McCarthy at (860)227-0658 for more information.  Any
assistance you can provide in helping us make a difference in a
child's life is greatly appreciated!

AngelRide. . . Powered By Kids!

Richard's posting was truncated, but the full Transportation Strategy report
can be downloaded as a pdf file from
http://www.opm.state.ct.us/igp/TSB/tsbinfo.htm

I've pasted the Bicycle and Pedestrian section below:



BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN

The 2006 transportation strategy includes a significantly increased
emphasis on bicycle and pedestrian travel. Effective bicycle and
pedestrian networks result in a reduction in vehicle trips.  The
reduction in vehicle trips then results in a reduction in emissions,
need for roadway infrastructure and parking facilities

There are three major roles the bicycle and pedestrian modes can fill:[22]

As a primary mode, directly accessing a job or other site.
As a feeder mode, accessing transit services that will complete the trip.
For circulation through an activity center.

Important factors that influence the choice of bicycle or pedestrian
commuting include:

Trip Distance
Perceived Traffic Safety
Travel Cost - surveys suggest that financial incentives could make a
difference in the choice of this mode.[23]
Physical environment, including terrain, climate, circulation within
activity centers and availability of alternative modes.
Demographics - bicycle commuting generally declines rapidly in the
segment of the population over age 45.

Bicycle use in Connecticut as a mode for commuting remained fairly
constant between 1990 and 2000, at approximately 0.2 percent of all
commuters.  Walking to work declined as an option in the State between
those same years, from 3.6 percent to 2.7 percent.  Compared to
national averages, Connecticut has a lower percentage of bike
commuters (0.2% vs. 0.4% nationally), and roughly the same percentage
of pedestrian commuters (2.7% vs. 3% nationally).

In 1999, the Department of Transportation developed a Connecticut
Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan, the focus of
which is recreational cycling and walking.  The plan discusses current
policies and regulations relating to bicycle and pedestrian
facilities, presents planning and design guidelines, goals, funding
strategies and completed and planned projects.  It also includes the
bicycle and pedestrian plans of all the Regional and Metropolitan
Planning Agencies in the State.

Recommendations presented in the plan include:

Review of the Connecticut Bicycle Map and Long Range Bike Map when
evaluating the suitability of providing sidewalks, shoulder widening,
etc., and multi-use trails within projects.
Inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian facility planning in the highway
planning and design process.
Provision for bicycle/pedestrian access in all bridge design and
reconstruction process.

The Department of Transportation has worked to provide bike racks on
buses; specifically the full equipping of CTTransit buses in the
Stamford and New Haven areas has been accomplished.  The equipping of
CTTransit buses in the Hartford area is scheduled as part of the
upcoming fleet replacement.  In addition efforts to provided bike
racks at train stations are being addressed on a continual basis.

In recognition of the role that bicycle and pedestrian strategies can
play in accomplishing the State's transportation strategy, the
Transportation Strategy Board recommends:

Provide dedicated bike space on passenger trains at all times of the day.
Identify and support bike routes to transportation centers.
Identify and remedy existing bicycle storage and parking deficiencies,
especially in urban centers and transportation centers.
Adopt a policy of allowing bicycles to be carried on state funded bus
routes. As new buses are ordered equip them to permit the carriage of
bicycles.
Encourage municipal and regional officials to work closely with DOT to
include expanded bicycle and pedestrian facilities as a part of all
roadway projects.
Support the development and implementation of the Federal Safe Routes
to School program.

cyclists,
i am forwarding the draft final of the TSB's January 2007 Connecticut
Transportation Strategy report and recommendations.
another important address:
Ralph J Carpenter
Commissioner of Transportation
P.O. Box 317546
2800 Berlin Turnpike
Newington, CT 06131-7546

e-mail him a letter expressing support for the following
bike-on-trains recommendation:

• Provide dedicated bike space on passenger trains at all times of the day

and the other bicycle friendly recommendations

• Identify and support bike routes to transportation centers
• Identify and remedy existing bicycle storage and parking
deficiencies, especially in urban centers and transportation centers.
• Adopt a policy of allowing bicycles to be carried on state funded
bus routes. As new buses are ordered equip them to permit the carriage
of bicycles.
• Support the development and implementation of the Federal Safe
Routes to School program.
• Encourage municipal and regional officials to work closely with DOT
to include expanded bicycle and pedestrian facilities as a part of all
roadway projects.

Thanks,
Richard

Recommendation for bikes on trains at all times of day noted in red
below. More detail is found deeper in the document, on page 52 in
printed version.

Best,

- Kate

CONNECTICUT'S TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY
Report and Recommendations of the Transportation Strategy Board
January, 2007
"Not later than January 1, 2007, and biennially thereafter, the board
shall review and, if necessary, revise the strategy adopted pursuant
to subsection (a) of this section. A report describing any revisions
and the reasons for them shall be submitted to the Governor and,
pursuant to section 11-4a, the General Assembly. Such report shall
include a prioritized list of projects which the board, in
consultation with the commissioner, determines are necessary to
implement the recommended strategy, including the estimated capital
and operating costs and time frame of such projects. Not later than
January 31, 2007, the joint standing committees of the General
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation,
finance, revenue and bonding and planning and development shall meet
with the Commissioners of Transportation and Economic and Community
Development, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, the
chairperson of the Transportation Strategy Board and such other
persons as they deem appropriate to consider the report required by
this subsection".

  Public Act 06-136 and Section 14(j)

Table of Contents

Section
                                                 Page
Transmittal Letter
Transportation Strategy Board Recommendations
            5
-          Implementation of Transportation Initiatives
                          6
-          Responsible Growth
                                      6
-          Highways
                                              6
-          Public Transportation
                                       7
-          Rail Freight
                                               11
-          Aviation
                                                 11
-          Maritime
                                                12
-          Electronic Tolls and Congestion Pricing
                          13
-          Transportation Systems and Demand Management              13
-          Evaluation
                                               13
Introduction
                                                   14
Guiding Principles and Strategies
                                16
Transportation and Air Quality
                                   18
Responsible Growth
                                         20
-          Executive Order on Responsible Growth
                       21
-          Planning Coordination
                                      23
-          Pre-approved Development Areas
                          23
Interstate Cooperation
                                          24
Highways
                                                   26
-          Overview
                                               26
-          Highway Projects and Funding
                   28
-          Major Roadway Projects
                                   29
-          Town Aid Roads
                                        31 \
-          Highway Safety
                                          32
-          Highway Capacity
                                        33
Public Transportation
                                          34
-          Coordinated Service
                                      34
-          Employee Transit Incentives
                                  35
-          Commuter Rail
                                          36
-          Bus Transit
                                               45
-          Bicycle and Pedestrian
                                     54
Rail Freight
                                                    56
Aviation
                                                       57
-          Airport Funding
                                           58
-          Bradley International Airport
                                    59
-          Other Airports
                                             60
Maritime
                                                      67
-          Connecticut's Ports
                                        67
-          Dredging
                                               70
-          Movement of People
                                     74
-          Other Issues
                                              74
Electronic Tolls and Congestion Pricing
                          76
Transportation Systems and Demand Management
          77
-          Transportation System Management
                        77
-          Transportation Demand Management
          81
Funding and Finance
                                         84
Evaluation
                                                    86
Transmittal Letter
To Come

TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS
IMPLEMENTATION OF TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES
l      Establish detailed project schedules leading to the timely
implementation of 2005 and 2006 transportation initiatives
l      Ensure adequate staffing and resources for the Department of
Transportation.
l      Monitor and report on project status and implementation
RESPONSIBLE GROWTH
l      Support and facilitate implementation of the Governor's
Executive Order on Responsible growth, with special emphasis on
Transit Oriented Development (TOD)

l      Ensure that the strategic actions and tactics included in the
Transportation Strategy support the growth management principles of
the Plan of Conservation and Development.

l      Ensure the coordination of state and regional transportation
planning with other state planning efforts, including economic
development and housing plans;

l      Foster the integration of transportation and land use planning
at all levels of government

l      Provide funding to regional planning organizations and councils
of governments to support improved local and regional transportation
planning

l      Facilitate Transit Oriented Development by providing
legislative authority for pre-approved development areas, including
processes for:

o       establishing site nomination or eligibility processes and
evaluation priorities;

o       evaluating such properties in advance of the receipt of
specific development proposals;

o       determining the types and size of the activities appropriate
for the site;

o       identifying the project specific permits and approvals
required in order to utilize the site; and

o       providing grant funding for a significant portion of the cost
of site remediation for brownfield sites located near transit hubs.



HIGHWAYS



l      Undertake a comprehensive review and analysis of electronic
tolls and congestion pricing as a means of both raising revenue and
managing transportation demand. The review should include, but not be
limited to: (1) identification of opportunities for tolls and
congestion pricing in

Connecticut; (2) analysis of the steps required to take advantage of
those opportunities; (3) type, location and operation of tolls; (4)
pricing strategies; (5) potential operating costs and revenues; (6)
impact on traffic congestion and patterns of travel; (7) regional
equity; (8) environmental impact; (9) safety; (10) economic impact;
(11) public/private partnerships; (12) impact of federal requirements
on identified options; and (13) implementation strategies, costs and
timelines.

l      Expeditiously implement the safety and operational improvements
authorized and funded by Public Act 05-4. Identify and implement
similar improvements on other state highways.

l      Finalize and implement a plan to increase available truck rest
stop parking spaces, to increase the safety of Connecticut's highway
system. Include support systems necessary to comply with state
anti-idling laws.

l      Develop a master plan for the maintenance, capacity and future
operations of the State's Interstate highway system

l      Continue to support and fund the capacity expansion of the I95
between Branford and North Stonington consistent with on-going
environmental study of that project.

l      Complete Route 11, and the associated greenway, from Salem to
I95 consistent with on-going environmental study of that project.

l      Continue to support and fund the capacity expansion of I84 from
Danbury to Waterbury consistent with on-going environmental study of
that project.

l      Increase the town aid road grant and include incentives to
encourage Transit Oriented Development and sound maintenance and
pavement management practices.

l      Support and fund the feasibility and environmental studies for
the reconstruction of the Interchange of Routes 8 and I84 in
Waterbury.

l      Support the funding and construction of the Route 6 Expressway
from Bolton Notch to Windham and urge DOT, DEP and federal agencies to
resolve outstanding issues.

l      Plan and support improved north/south connections between
Interstate Routes 95 and 84.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

l      Identify a statewide Strategic Transportation Network linking
rail and transit services and determine the basic level of service
necessary to provide statewide mobility.

l      Enhance state employee transit benefits and encourage private
employers to provide transit benefits to their employees.

l      Ensure coordination of all state funded transportation services
regardless of the program or agency responsible for administering
and/or funding such services.

l      Require that, in locating state facilities, the State give
priority to those locations on or near rail and bus lines. Consider
the availability of rail and bus service and facilities when making
other state investment decisions.

l      Support the development and implementation of a "smart card"
based transit pass program that can be utilized across the entire
public transportation network.



Commuter Rail



l      Implement commuter rail service between New Haven and
Springfield by 2010

l      Improve integration of New Haven Line, the branch lines, Shore
Line East and the New Haven to Springfield Line so that seamless
service is provided regardless of the entity responsible for operating
a particular line.

l      Develop a statewide rail operations plan

l      Purchase 24 M8 electric rail cars for use on Shore Line East by 2013.

l      Purchase additional electric rail cars for use on the New Haven
Line to increase reliability and support additional service.

l      Specify, fund and purchase new rolling stock for use on the New
Haven-Springfield rail line.

l      Support cost effective proposals for Metro North access to Penn
Station and intermediate stops.

l      Work with the Department of Environmental Protection, the
United States Coast Guard and other responsible entities to address
bridge issues limiting, or potentially limiting, rail service,
especially on Shore Line East.

Rail Stations

l      Support and fund, as provided in Public Act 06-136, the
development of a new Metro North rail station and transit oriented
development in the City of West Haven. Evaluate and plan for a new
Metro North rail station in the Town of Orange. Maximize Transit
Oriented Development (TOD) associated with both projects.

l      Develop stations and station improvements on Shore Line East,
as required by Public Act 06-136.

l      Encourage Transit Oriented Development (TOD) at and near rail stations.

Rail Station Parking


l      Develop, in consultation with local officials and commuters, a
uniform policy concerning rail station governance and implement as
existing leases come up for renewal. The policy should provide for
centralized oversight of rail stations and parking; uniform policies,
permits and fees and should ensure adequate...

[Message clipped]

The Danbury News-Times published this article last week about the new
Transportion Strategy Board recommendations for bikes and pedestrians. The
author uses some fuzzy math and mentions "bus racks for trains" (I think it
means "bike racks"), but it's good news overall. I attended the Wed. night
meeting of the CT Commuter Rail Council in Stamford and picked up a draft of
the TSB report. It has some excellent recommendations - let's hope they get
funded and implemented.

(The Dave in this article, is, of course, Dave Bonan. Keep up the gadfly
work!)

David Bedell

http://www.newstimes.com/storyprint.php?id=1027838

Jan 08 2007 4:15 AM
Bicycle riders are commuters, too

I get a steady drumbeat of requests for articles about commuting by bicycle
from Dave, who rides his bike around Danbury full time.

He tells me I waste too much ink on I-84, cars, and more traditional modes
of transportation. He wants more rails and bikes.

As annoying as he is, I like him when we meet. Knowing him is like having a
conscience.

I do have a tendency to focus on cars and trains, a traditional approach to
commuting. He asked for something about bicycles, and here it is.

The world is probably heading more to bicycles than car advocates might
choose to think.

For instance, the statewide Transportion Strategy Board, which studied the
state's transportation needs for the last three years and is about to
publish a priority list of needed projects, wrote:

"The 2006 transportation strategy includes a significantly increased
emphasis on bicycle and pedestrian travel. Effective bicycle and pedestrian
networks result in a reduction in vehicle trips."

The study recommends:

# Bike space be created on all trains.
# Bike racks be installed on all buses.
# Bike routes to transportation centers be identified.
# Bike storage and parking areas be created or fixed.

In Danbury, the Housatonic Area Regional Transit system, HART, has 12 buses
with racks to carry bikes.

The system, which serves eight towns including Danbury, New Milford,
Ridgefield, Bethel and Norwalk, will expand into other towns. It plans to
have bike racks on all of its large buses by the end of October.

"In a few years' time, the vast majority of buses in the state will have
bike racks," said Richard Schreiner, director of service development with
HART.

"It used to be bike racks were found in warmer areas and in resorts, but
they're very inexpensive. Pretty soon they'll be on all buses."

A bike rack might cost $700 on a bus that costs $330,000. That's about 2
percent of the total cost.

"We see it as an inexpensive way to attract more people to the bus,"
Schreiner said.

Schreiner said bus racks for trains are more complicated and costly.

The statewide Transportation Strategy Board said in its draft report that
all trains should dedicate space for bike riders. The final report is
expected within a week or so.

It also suggests improving bike storage options in cities and at any
transportation center.

The draft report asks the state Department of Transportation and local towns
to consider making bike and pedestrian paths a part of all road projects.

"Bicycle use in Connecticut as a mode for commuting remained fairly constant
between 1990 and 2000, at approximately 0.2 percent of all commuters," the
board wrote in its draft.

"Walking to work declined as an option in the state between those same
years, from 3.6 percent to 2.7 percent. Compared to national averages,
Connecticut has a lower percentage of bike commuters (0.2 percent vs. 0.4
percent nationally), and roughly the same percentage of pedestrian commuters
(2.7 percent vs. 3 percent nationally).

The Danbury News-Times published this article last week about the new
Transportion Strategy Board recommendations for bikes and pedestrians.  The
author uses some fuzzy math and mentions "bus racks for trains" (I think it
means "bike racks"), but it's good news overall.  I attended the Wed. night
meeting of the CT Commuter Rail Council in Stamford and picked up a draft of
the TSB report.  It has some excellent recommendations - let's hope they get
funded and implemented.

(The Dave in this article, is, of course, Dave Bonan.  Keep up the gadfly
work!)

David Bedell


http://www.newstimes.com/storyprint.php?id=1027838

Jan 08 2007 4:15 AM
Bicycle riders are commuters, too

I get a steady drumbeat of requests for articles about commuting by bicycle
from Dave, who rides his bike around Danbury full time.

He tells me I waste too much ink on I-84, cars, and more traditional modes
of transportation. He wants more rails and bikes.

As annoying as he is, I like him when we meet. Knowing him is like having a
conscience.

I do have a tendency to focus on cars and trains, a traditional approach to
commuting. He asked for something about bicycles, and here it is.

The world is probably heading more to bicycles than car advocates might
choose to think.

For instance, the statewide Transportion Strategy Board, which studied the
state's transportation needs for the last three years and is about to
publish a priority list of needed projects, wrote:

"The 2006 transportation strategy includes a significantly increased
emphasis on bicycle and pedestrian travel. Effective bicycle and pedestrian
networks result in a reduction in vehicle trips."

The study recommends:

# Bike space be created on all trains.
# Bike racks be installed on all buses.
# Bike routes to transportation centers be identified.
# Bike storage and parking areas be created or fixed.

In Danbury, the Housatonic Area Regional Transit system, HART, has 12 buses
with racks to carry bikes.

The system, which serves eight towns including Danbury, New Milford,
Ridgefield, Bethel and Norwalk, will expand into other towns. It plans to
have bike racks on all of its large buses by the end of October.

"In a few years' time, the vast majority of buses in the state will have
bike racks," said Richard Schreiner, director of service development with
HART.

"It used to be bike racks were found in warmer areas and in resorts, but
they're very inexpensive. Pretty soon they'll be on all buses."

A bike rack might cost $700 on a bus that costs $330,000. That's about 2
percent of the total cost.

"We see it as an inexpensive way to attract more people to the bus,"
Schreiner said.

Schreiner said bus racks for trains are more complicated and costly.

The statewide Transportation Strategy Board said in its draft report that
all trains should dedicate space for bike riders. The final report is
expected within a week or so.

It also suggests improving bike storage options in cities and at any
transportation center.

The draft report asks the state Department of Transportation and local towns
to consider making bike and pedestrian paths a part of all road projects.

"Bicycle use in Connecticut as a mode for commuting remained fairly constant
between 1990 and 2000, at approximately 0.2 percent of all commuters," the
board wrote in its draft.

"Walking to work declined as an option in the state between those same
years, from 3.6 percent to 2.7 percent. Compared to national averages,
Connecticut has a lower percentage of bike commuters (0.2 percent vs. 0.4
percent nationally), and roughly the same percentage of pedestrian commuters
(2.7 percent vs. 3 percent nationally).

----Original Message Follows----
From: "Richard Stowe" <bike.rail.politics@...>
To: r_stowe@...
Subject: Alert!!! Bicyclists shortchanged in commuter council annual
report... Attend meeting!!!
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2007 02:19:22 -0500


CT Commuter Rail Council meeting today Wed. 1/17/07 7:00 p.m.
location: Business Council of Fairfield Cty 1 Landmark Square Ste. 230
Stamford, CT

This is an important meeting to attend.  Why?
1) The Commissioner of Transportation will dialogue with commuter
council & public.
2) The commuter council's annual report short changes bicyclists,
bicycling, bike parking on trains and bicycle parking at train
stations... concluding that driving "a car is the only option."
That's unacceptable and outrageous!  We can't let them get away making
automobile dependence a self-fulfilling prophecy any more.  Not one
more day!!!
3) The TSB draft recommendations will be discussed.  And those
recommendations (see below) are extremely good - very bicycle
friendly.  Number one on that list is bicycle access to trains at all
times!!! We need bodies and voices to defend those recommendations at
this meeting.
4)  $30 million state-owned Stamford parking garage project -
a) for that price we should be paying commuters to bicycle to the
Stamford Transportation Center
b) we need to insist that they the parking garage project be more than
just a rebuild of the existing parking garage - that's the equivalent
of a dead zone surrounding a train station
here are some ideas:
- its needs to be a green designed, smart growth transit oriented
development type of project - with residential, office and a
substantive retailer (like Nordstrom's or Whole Foods Market)
- lease the development rights and as a condition make the developer
pay for the replacement parking spaces
- then use the $30 million to fund covered and secure bicycle parking
spaces in a number of New Haven Line stations.

Here's the AGENDA

COUNCIL  BUSINESS:

1).      Remarks by and discussion with C-DOT Commissioner Ralph Carpenter

2).      Review of December Operating Report                    Mr.
Lydecker / MNRR

3).      Review of TSB Draft Recommendations                  Mr.
Cameron / Ms. Prosi

4).      Mainline  Issues
         All
          - Fairfield/Westport rail-truck collision and emergency response

5).      Danbury / Waterbury / New Canaan Branch Issues
All

6).      Stamford Garage – Update
Mr. Colonese / Council

7).      Other such business as shall be appropriate

can't make it tonight - the next meeting is: Wed. Feb. 17, 2007  -  6
pm CDOT Offices – Union Station New Haven CT

(the section below is an attached document)
Update:

Ran into Jon Orcutt, executive director and Kate Slevin, associate
director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, on an Amtrak train
to Hartford on Wednesday January 10th.

My destination was the Legislative Office Building at the State
Capitol for a rally organized by the Connecticut Citizens
Transportation Lobby. There I saw Karen Burnaska, Coastal Corridor TIA
member of the Transportation Strategy Board.

Jon told me (Karen confirmed it) about some great recommendations
contained within the Bicycle and Pedestrians section of the draft
report of Connecticut's Transportation Strategy: Report and
Recommendations of the Transportation Strategy Board released in
January 2007.

And the best news is first recommendation listed in the Bicycle and
Pedestrians section:

• Provide dedicated bike space on passenger trains at all times of the day

TSB's second recommendation directly pertains to one of our other
priority goals.

• Identify and support bike routes to transportation centers

Translation: transportation centers = train stations + centralized bus
loading areas
Example: Stamford Transportation Center

Other bicycling goals adopted by TSB:

• Identify and remedy existing bicycle storage and parking
deficiencies, especially in urban centers and transportation centers.

Rail TEC goal: covered and enclosed bicycle storage at train stations
or transportation centers

• Adopt a policy of allowing bicycles to be carried on state funded
bus routes. As new buses are ordered equip them to permit the carriage
of bicycles.
• Support the development and implementation of the Federal Safe
Routes to School program.
• Encourage municipal and regional officials to work closely with DOT
to include expanded bicycle and pedestrian facilities as a part of all
roadway projects.

Rail TEC goal: Monitor road edge striping re-striping projects
carefully so that lanes are narrowed and shoulders (for bicycling are
widened.)

A special thanks to those who signed the bikes-on-trains petitions and
attended and spoke up at TSB meetings or wrote the TSB letters.

Thanks to bicycle commuter advocate Franklin Bloomer, whose presence &
voice as a Coastal Corridor TIA member, gave cyclists standing in
setting statewide transportation policy.

I have attached excerpts from a TSB public hearing in New Haven last
August as an example of your invaluable advocacy.

Your voice was heard!

Contrast this with the short shrift bicycling gets in the CT
Metro-North Rail Commuter Council's annual report for 2006.  According
to bicycle commuting advocate David Bedell, there are a total of two
references to bicycle commuting, bicycle access or bicycle parking in
the 2006 CTMNRCC annual report.  And neither is bicycle friendly.

p.3:
STATION PARKING:
To be able to take the train, commuters must first get to the station.
Most stations have no bus service and bike racks are scarce, so a car
is the only viable option.

Parking is in short supply and is expensive.

Many towns have a four to five year waiting list for annual permits
which range in price from $250 to $600 per year. In most towns,
limited daily parking is available on a first-come, first-served
basis, but can cost $3 to $6 per space per day. Those who can't find
legal parking at the station often occupy nearby merchants' spaces or
park illegally.


p.45:
MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. Stowe suggested that storage space for bicycles ought to be
provided in the new M-8s.

Mr. Colonese said that he did not see demand for bicycles on trains.


Another goal advocated by RailTEC is the removal of caps on the number
of trains, which are allowed to travel east of Old Saybrook.  Our
recommendation is to replace 100-year old drawbridges with high-level
bridges.

Here's what the TSB recommended:

• Work with the Department of Environmental Protection, the United
States Coast Guard and other responsible entities to address bridge
issues limiting, or potentially limiting, rail service, especially on
Shore Line East.

Finally a third goal RailTEC is promoting – seamless rail service (a
proposed act has been introduced by Rep. Hetherington in Hartford) -
made into the list of recommendations.

• Improve integration of New Haven Line, the branch lines, Shore Line
East and the New Haven to Springfield Line so that seamless service is
provided regardless of the entity responsible for operating a
particular line.

Thanks,
Richard Stowe
Rail Transport Excellence Coalition

_________________________________________________________________
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CT Commuter Rail Council meeting today Wed. 1/17/07 7:00 p.m.
location: Business Council of Fairfield Cty 1 Landmark Square Ste. 230
Stamford, CT

This is an important meeting to attend.  Why?
1) The Commissioner of Transportation will dialogue with commuter
council & public.
2) The commuter council's annual report short changes bicyclists,
bicycling, bike parking on trains and bicycle parking at train
stations... concluding that driving "a car is the only option."
That's unacceptable and outrageous!  We can't let them get away making
automobile dependence a self-fulfilling prophecy any more.  Not one
more day!!!
3) The TSB draft recommendations will be discussed.  And those
recommendations (see below) are extremely good - very bicycle
friendly.  Number one on that list is bicycle access to trains at all
times!!! We need bodies and voices to defend those recommendations at
this meeting.
4)  $30 million state-owned Stamford parking garage project -
a) for that price we should be paying commuters to bicycle to the
Stamford Transportation Center
b) we need to insist that they the parking garage project be more than
just a rebuild of the existing parking garage - that's the equivalent
of a dead zone surrounding a train station
here are some ideas:
- its needs to be a green designed, smart growth transit oriented
development type of project - with residential, office and a
substantive retailer (like Nordstrom's or Whole Foods Market)
- lease the development rights and as a condition make the developer
pay for the replacement parking spaces
- then use the $30 million to fund covered and secure bicycle parking
spaces in a number of New Haven Line stations.

Here's the AGENDA

COUNCIL  BUSINESS:

1).      Remarks by and discussion with C-DOT Commissioner Ralph Carpenter

2).      Review of December Operating Report                    Mr.
Lydecker / MNRR

3).      Review of TSB Draft Recommendations                  Mr.
Cameron / Ms. Prosi

4).      Mainline  Issues
          All
           - Fairfield/Westport rail-truck collision and emergency response

5).      Danbury / Waterbury / New Canaan Branch Issues
All

6).      Stamford Garage – Update
Mr. Colonese / Council

7).      Other such business as shall be appropriate

can't make it tonight - the next meeting is: Wed. Feb. 17, 2007  -  6
pm CDOT Offices – Union Station New Haven CT

(the section below is an attached document)
Update:

Ran into Jon Orcutt, executive director and Kate Slevin, associate
director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, on an Amtrak train
to Hartford on Wednesday January 10th.

My destination was the Legislative Office Building at the State
Capitol for a rally organized by the Connecticut Citizens
Transportation Lobby. There I saw Karen Burnaska, Coastal Corridor TIA
member of the Transportation Strategy Board.

Jon told me (Karen confirmed it) about some great recommendations
contained within the Bicycle and Pedestrians section of the draft
report of Connecticut's Transportation Strategy: Report and
Recommendations of the Transportation Strategy Board released in
January 2007.

And the best news is first recommendation listed in the Bicycle and
Pedestrians section:

• Provide dedicated bike space on passenger trains at all times of the day

TSB's second recommendation directly pertains to one of our other
priority goals.

• Identify and support bike routes to transportation centers

Translation: transportation centers = train stations + centralized bus
loading areas
Example: Stamford Transportation Center

Other bicycling goals adopted by TSB:

• Identify and remedy existing bicycle storage and parking
deficiencies, especially in urban centers and transportation centers.

Rail TEC goal: covered and enclosed bicycle storage at train stations
or transportation centers

• Adopt a policy of allowing bicycles to be carried on state funded
bus routes. As new buses are ordered equip them to permit the carriage
of bicycles.
• Support the development and implementation of the Federal Safe
Routes to School program.
• Encourage municipal and regional officials to work closely with DOT
to include expanded bicycle and pedestrian facilities as a part of all
roadway projects.

Rail TEC goal: Monitor road edge striping re-striping projects
carefully so that lanes are narrowed and shoulders (for bicycling are
widened.)

A special thanks to those who signed the bikes-on-trains petitions and
attended and spoke up at TSB meetings or wrote the TSB letters.

Thanks to bicycle commuter advocate Franklin Bloomer, whose presence &
voice as a Coastal Corridor TIA member, gave cyclists standing in
setting statewide transportation policy.

I have attached excerpts from a TSB public hearing in New Haven last
August as an example of your invaluable advocacy.

Your voice was heard!

Contrast this with the short shrift bicycling gets in the CT
Metro-North Rail Commuter Council's annual report for 2006.  According
to bicycle commuting advocate David Bedell, there are a total of two
references to bicycle commuting, bicycle access or bicycle parking in
the 2006 CTMNRCC annual report.  And neither is bicycle friendly.

p.3:
STATION PARKING:
To be able to take the train, commuters must first get to the station.
Most stations have no bus service and bike racks are scarce, so a car
is the only viable option.

Parking is in short supply and is expensive.

Many towns have a four to five year waiting list for annual permits
which range in price from $250 to $600 per year. In most towns,
limited daily parking is available on a first-come, first-served
basis, but can cost $3 to $6 per space per day. Those who can't find
legal parking at the station often occupy nearby merchants' spaces or
park illegally.


p.45:
MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. Stowe suggested that storage space for bicycles ought to be
provided in the new M-8s.

Mr. Colonese said that he did not see demand for bicycles on trains.


Another goal advocated by RailTEC is the removal of caps on the number
of trains, which are allowed to travel east of Old Saybrook.  Our
recommendation is to replace 100-year old drawbridges with high-level
bridges.

Here's what the TSB recommended:

• Work with the Department of Environmental Protection, the United
States Coast Guard and other responsible entities to address bridge
issues limiting, or potentially limiting, rail service, especially on
Shore Line East.

Finally a third goal RailTEC is promoting – seamless rail service (a
proposed act has been introduced by Rep. Hetherington in Hartford) -
made into the list of recommendations.

• Improve integration of New Haven Line, the branch lines, Shore Line
East and the New Haven to Springfield Line so that seamless service is
provided regardless of the entity responsible for operating a
particular line.

Thanks,
Richard Stowe
Rail Transport Excellence Coalition

Thanks David

Ray

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

Thanks David

Ray

Very clever. Thanks for sharing. Linda
-----Original Message-----
From: ctbike@yahoogroups.com [mailto:ctbike@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
David Bedell
Sent: Saturday, December 23, 2006 1:12 AM
To: ctbike@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ctbike] bicycle safety video

Here's a fascinating 1960s bicycle safety video with a catchy new soundtrack

"Lost in the Zoo":
http://www.goddamnelectricbill.com/video/zoo

If you watch it, you won't easily forget it.

_________________________________________________________________
Dave vs. Carl: The Insignificant Championship Series.  Who will win?
http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwsp0070000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://dav
evscarl.spaces.live.com/?icid=T001MSN38C07001




Yahoo! Groups Links

Here's a fascinating 1960s bicycle safety video with a catchy new soundtrack
"Lost in the Zoo":
http://www.goddamnelectricbill.com/video/zoo

If you watch it, you won't easily forget it.

_________________________________________________________________
Dave vs. Carl: The Insignificant Championship Series.  Who will win?
http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwsp0070000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://davevsc\
arl.spaces.live.com/?icid=T001MSN38C07001

Richard Stowe of New Canaan published this op-ed in the Hartford Courant, as
well as the Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time.  After reading, please
sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/getoff95


http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/commentary/hc-plcstowe10903.artsep03,0,73242\
50.story

Make Room For Bikes On Rail Cars


By RICHARD M. STOWE

September 3 2006

Last month the State Bond Commission approved $459 million toward the
largest purchase of rail cars in state history - 300 new M8s (with an option
to purchase 80 more) from Kawasaki Rail Car Inc. and $25 million toward
refurbishing existing rail cars. Initial delivery for new cars is due in
2009.

The good news is that these cars are designed to run not only on Metro-North
Railroad's New Haven line, but also on the state Department of
Transportation's Shore Line East corridor.

The bad news is that the design for the M8 cars does not yet include
dedicated space for bicycles.

Connecticut should formulate a statewide transportation strategy in which
the bicycle replaces the automobile for many short trips and commuter rail
replaces the automobile for many longer trips.

This transportation strategy will help reduce our addiction to oil and
mitigate its unwanted effects - blood-stained fields in the Middle East,
oil-soaked waters in the Mediterranean, global warming, the coming global
peak oil crisis, unacceptably high numbers of motor vehicle-related deaths
and injuries, air pollution, continued gas price increases and mind-numbing
congestion on our highways.

To increase rail safety and speed, we should invest in infrastructure, such
as signal upgrades, double tracking and grade separation projects, as well
as the new rail cars. Similarly, we should improve bicycle safety by the
judicious development of multi-use trails and by using bicycle-friendly road
design. Car lanes may be narrowed and shoulders widened by simply repainting
roadway edge striping. Narrower car lanes calm traffic and wider shoulders
improve safety for bicyclists.

Finally, bicycles and trains should be coupled in an intermodal strategy, in
which cyclists are encouraged to bring their bikes on trains.

Nationally, this was once discouraged by requiring riders to buy bicycle
permits and by keeping bikes off peak-hour trains.

When these impediments are removed (Gov. Christine Todd Whitman eliminated
permits in New Jersey), and separate bicycle parking areas on new train cars
are established, more bicyclists commute by train.

Examples of rail lines that have dedicated bicycle parking on their train
cars include Tri-Rail (from West Palm Beach, Fla., to Miami), Caltrain (from
San Jose, Calif., to San Francisco), Altamont Commuter Express (Stockton,
Calif., to San Jose), Metrolink (a six-county Los Angeles metro region),
Coaster (San Diego County), Pacific Surfliner (San Diego to San Luis Obispo,
Calif.) and Capitol Corridor (San Jose to Sacramento). Central Florida
Commuter Rail will provide bike parking on its train cars when the 61-mile
commuter rail line serving the Greater Orlando area opens in 2009.

And in Europe, bicycle parking on trains is the rule, not the exception.

It is time for Connecticut to join the parade by providing bike parking on
the new M8 train cars.

The new and refurbished cars will give Metro-North's New Haven Line excess
capacity for the first time in its history. With a larger inventory of rail
cars, Metro-North can not only provide dedicated space on its new rail cars
for bicycle parking, but also more frequent train service.

Letting cyclists bring their bikes on trains will reduce demand for scarce
motor vehicle parking spaces at stations. Bicycling becomes a feasible way
to commute to work without a car.

Including bicycle parking in the final design of the rail cars is a
cost-effective investment in our public transportation system. Bypassing
such an investment now may lead to much more expensive retrofits at a later
date.

Connecticut will soon see the benefits. And it will likely be emulated by
other state rail agencies on the Northeast Corridor. Let's encourage
Connecticut legislators and officials to provide safe, sensible, efficient
and health-minded transportation for residents, employees and visitors.

Richard M. Stowe of New Canaan is director of Rail Transportation Excellence
Coalition of Connecticut and president of the New Canaan Environmental
Group, an environmental education organization.

Copyright 2006, Hartford Courant


Sign the "Bicycles-on-Board MTA Metro-North Trains" petition at
http://www.petitiononline.com/getoff95 !

Following is the draft Bike/Pedestrian chapter of the Long Range
Transportation Plan being developed by South Western Regional Planning
Agency (SWRPA).  It includes a lot of good recommendations for Greenwich,
Stamford and Norwalk; can you think of more?  Ray Rauth is collecting
comments from cyclists and pedestrians to pass on to SWRPA.

David Bedell

-----------------------------------

BICYCLING AND WALKING

The region’s vision for bicycling and walking echoes the state’s vision and
goals at a regional level:  ‘To enhance the bicycle and walking environment
throughout the South Western Region (Connecticut) by providing for the safe,
convenient and enjoyable use of these modes of transportation in an effort
to meet the publics’ demand for improved mobility and a better quality of
life.’  (ConnDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, 1999).  Safe and connected
pedestrian and bicycle facilities are essential elements of the
comprehensive multi-modal transportation system envisioned for the South
Western Region.  These modes provide personal transportation choices that
are alternatives to the single occupant vehicle.  They are
environmentally-friendly and benefit air quality and reduce energy use and
traffic congestion.  They can be relatively low cost, and contribute to a
better quality of life.  The challenge is to develop a ‘bicycle and
pedestrian friendly’ region and state.

The issues and impediments are varied, ranging from regressive state
policies that prevent or restrict access to available funding for sidewalk
projects and enhancements, to lack of knowledge about the ‘rules of the
road’ by both motorists and bicyclists, to the lack of routine road
maintenance to clear debris off road so that cyclists may travel safely.
Other issues include: funding for new projects; maintenance of new
facilities; design standards for bicycle and pedestrian facilities;
adequate, secure bicycle storage at key intermodal facilities and public and
private activity centers; safety and education; and, involvement of
stakeholders in the planning process.

The response is to develop a more detailed regional bicycle and pedestrian
plan, to include the regional bicycle and pedestrian advisory group in the
transportation planning process, to continue to seek a change in the
Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT)  sidewalk policy so that
new sidewalks are possible and bicycle and pedestrian projects are funded
through all eligible federal programs and provided state funding, and to
work cooperatively with ConnDOT’s bicycle and pedestrian advisory group.

Developing a regional plan for bicycling and walking is an essential
building block.  Previous requests for funding for a discrete plan have not
met with success. This plan proposes development of a regional transit
strategies plan, which would include bicycle and pedestrian modes. Until the
regional transit strategies plan is funded, SWRPA will work with
municipalities, the state, and bicycling advocates to inventory current
facilities, policies, practices and funding.  This in-house SWRPA effort
will develop a framework for bicycle and pedestrian systems and projects,
and build a coalition that will work to gain recognition and funding to
implement selected projects.

A number of the bicycle and pedestrian projects identified in the 2004 long
range transportation plan have been implemented or are underway, including:
the Stamford Washington Boulevard pedestrian improvements; Safe Routes to
Schools programs in Greenwich, Stamford and Norwalk; and, bike racks on CT
Transit and Coastal Link buses. The initial phases of the Norwalk/Route 7
and Stamford Mill River trails are in design or rights of way phases. Future
extensions of both the Norwalk River and Mill River trails are proposed.
Funding for the next phases was requested in November 2000.

The most ambitious multimodal project for the region, the Stamford Urban
Transitway, includes sidewalks and a dedicated bicycle lane, along with bus
and road improvements. Construction has begun on the first phase between the
Stamford Transportation Center and Elm Street. The next phase of the
Stamford Urban Transitway will extend the project east from Elm Street to
Route 1/East Main along Myrtle Avenue.

Stamford continues to develop and implement comprehensive bicycling, walking
and traffic calming plans and programs. The Stamford Master Plan 2000
Traffic and Transit Report (2002) reinforces the Stamford Bicycle Plan
(2001) goal to maximize a full range of bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
Wherever possible, major capital projects are to include bicycling and
walking elements. In 2006, Stamford completed the initial phase of the Mill
River multi-use Trail between Tresser Boulevard and Broad Street.  This
project is a unique collaboration of public (Stamford and USDOT Surface
Transportation Program Enhancement funding), private, and non-profit
efforts. The first phase of the Washington Boulevard Pedestrian Safety
Improvement Plan (Tresser Boulevard to Broad Street) was completed in 2005.
Funding has been requested to extend the improvements south from Tresser
Boulevard to Division Street. Improvements in the North State Street
pedestrian crossing the Stamford Transportation Center to the “Rail Trail”
to the east of Washington Boulevard are planned. Additional improvements
have been identified in the Stamford Multimodal Services Study (2004), and
the Stamford Long Range Transportation Plan (2004).

Norwalk continues to expand its bicycle and pedestrian improvements. The
Norwalk Heritage Trail linking the Maritime area with Matthew’s Park was
opened in 2000.  The Norwalk River (Route 7) Multimodal Trail will connect
with the Heritage Trail at Mathews Park and extend north to Route 123.  This
project, also funded through USDOT Surface Transportation Program
Enhancement funding is in design, with construction expected in 2005.

Greenwich has installed count-down pedestrian signal heads and audible
pedestrian-activated traffic signals at downtown locations.  Cross-walk
striping has been enhanced at key locations to calm traffic and support
pedestrian movements. An established sidewalk program enables sidewalk
improvements, most recently on Hamilton Avenue.  In 2001, Greenwich
completed its Bicycle Master Plan, which recommends developing a network of
bicycle routes with specific construction treatments for bicycles.  New
Canaan’s 2003 Plan of Conservation and Development recommends a number of
pedestrian and bicycle improvements including the requirement for sidewalks
in the downtown, town assumption of responsibility for downtown sidewalk
maintenance and repair, and preparation of an overall concept plan for a
bicycle route system in the town.

In addition to the proposed Route 7 linear trail, which is being implemented
in phases by the City of Norwalk, there are two proposals for multi-use
trails along the Merritt Parkway (Route 15).
A demonstration project on the south side of the Merritt between High Ridge
Road (Route 137) at Exit 35, east approximately a mile to Newfield Avenue
was proposed in 2001 by the Regional Plan Association. A joint application
for STP-Enhancement funding was developed by the City of Stamford and
Regional Plan Association in 2002, and awaits ConnDOT decisions on
STP-Enhancement program priorities. The Merritt Parkway Trail is the
proposed routing for the East Coast Greenway through the region.  Completed
sections of the East Coast Greenway can be found in other parts of the state
around New Haven, Hartford, and Willimantic.

Safe Routes to Schools is an increasingly important element of the region’s
non-motorized transportation system.  Safe Routes plans have been developed
for a number of primary schools in Greenwich, Norwalk, and Stamford.  In
2006, Norwalk and Stamford were each awarded grant funds from ConnDOT’s Safe
Routes to School Infrastructure Program to make improvements to pedestrian
and bicycle facilities in the vicinity of schools.  These improvements will
encourage more students to walk or bike to school by improving the safety
and quality of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.  Greenwich, which has five
schools with Safe Routes plans, is actively seeking funding for its
improvements though the Surface Transportation Program.

The USDOT Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Recreational Trails program
provides grant funds for construction of new motorized and non-motorized
trails, maintenance and restoration of existing recreational trails, access
to trails by persons with disabilities, purchase of equipment to construct
of maintenance trails, acquisition of land or easements for a trail or rail
corridor, and funding for promotion, education, and interpretation. Funding
for the program is approximately $500,000 a year, beginning with FFY2003.
In 2005, Stamford was awarded grant funds that will be used towards the
completion of the Mill River multi-use pathway.  In 2006. Stamford was
awarded grant funds that will assist in the Barrett Park pedestrian trail
establishment project.

Because the South Western Region has been incorporated into the
Bridgeport-Stamford Urbanized area, FTA Enhancement funds are now available
for transit enhancement projects. Through the FTA enhancement program, bike
racks will be installed on Route 7 Link buses (Norwalk Transit District and
Housatonic Area Transit), and bike racks will be added to Glenbrook and
Springdale rail stations in Stamford as well as the East Norwalk and South
Norwalk rail stations in Norwalk. Additional bicycle and pedestrian projects
are being developed for future use of this funding source.

Recommended Strategies

Near Term
• Recognize that bicycling and walking are essential modes in the
transportation system and that they are viable transportation options for
many travelers.
• Build bicycle and pedestrian elements into transportation and community
facilities and develop bicycle and pedestrian systems and intermodal
connections.
• Promote bicycle and pedestrian safety and education programs targeted at
vulnerable groups such as seniors and youth.
• Construct and maintain secure bicycle storage at intermodal and community
facilities.
• Develop safe walking and bicycling routes to schools (Safe Route to
Schools).
• Promote bicycling and walking as ways to improve health.
• Secure funding for selected bicycle and pedestrian improvements identified
in the Stamford Multimodal Services Study (2004).
• Advocate for revision of the ConnDOT sidewalk policy so that new sidewalks
are possible and bicycle and pedestrian projects are funded through all
eligible federal programs and provided state funding.
• Support ConnDOT’s statewide bicycle and pedestrian advisory group
• Enact appropriate legislation that requires consideration of bicycle and
pedestrian supporting elements in all USDOT and state funded projects and as
a part of State Traffic Commission review of major traffic generators.
• Provide technical assistance to municipalities and advocacy groups
regarding bicycle and pedestrian issues, projects, programs and plans.
• Meet regularly with the regional bicycle and pedestrian working group and
encourage them to participate in the regional transportation planning
process.
• Advocate for and secure funding for additional bicycle and pedestrian
improvements that are consistent with the vision, goals and objectives of
the regional transportation plan.
• Support recreational trails projects developed to use USDOT Recreational
Trails Program funding and administered by the CT Department of
Environmental Protection.
• Determine the feasibility of the March 2001 Regional Plan Association and
City of Stamford proposal for the ‘Merritt Parkway Trail Demonstration
Project’ along the Merritt Parkway between High Ridge Road (Exit 35) and
Newfield Avenue, Stamford.

Recommended Projects

Near Term
• Develop a South Western Region Bicycling and Pedestrian Plan as a SWRPA
staff effort.
• Include bicycling and walking as components of the Regional Transit
Strategies Plan.
• Implement the current phases of  the Norwalk River Valley Linear Trail
• Continue to support and promote bicycle racks on buses (near term, FTA
Enhancement funding, and in-house support from involved agencies and
organizations).
• Install secure bicycle storage at train stations, community and government
facilities, and institutions. Specific projects are identified in the
Stamford 2004 Long Range Transportation Plan project listing.
• Complete the second phase of the Washington Boulevard Pedestrian
Improvements (Tresser Boulevard to Division Street)

Longer Term
• Seek funding for future phases of the Norwalk River Valley Linear Trail
through Norwalk and Wilton.
• Implement the Stamford Mill River Multi-use Trail Phase 2 (near term,
$1,950,000).
• Seek funding for future phases of the Stamford Mill River Multi-use Trail.
• Implement the Stamford Harbor Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
• Continue Washington Boulevard Pedestrian Improvements to extend
improvements beyond the first two phases (Broad Street – Tresser Boulevard,
Tresser Boulevard –Division Street.)
• Install secure bicycle storage at rail stations, community facilities, and
major institutions.

_________________________________________________________________
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----Original Message Follows----
From: Linda Hoza <lhoza@ optonline.net>
Reply-To: lhoza@ optonline.net
Subject: Sikorsky Bridge Bike/Walk Day Postponed
Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2006 16:24:22 -0400

Everyone,

The Sikorsky Bridge Bike/Ped Day has been postponed until the spring.  The
bike/ped path is basically finished except for some minor tweaks but because
of liability issues, the ConnDOT will not allow use until it is completely
finished. I will be in touch about a new date.


Please note:

The Merritt Parkway Conservancy will still have their Merritt Lobby Museum
opening on October 22nd.  from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ryders Lane Shopping
Center in Stratford, In addition to the museum opening, the Coastal
Chordsmen will entertain and antique cars will be in the parking lot in
front of the museum for your viewing pleasure. Please plan to attend and
support their day!


Linda



Linda Hoza

Connecticut Forest & Park Association

Coordinator, Merritt Parkway Trail Alliance

203-371-9925

203-371-4046 (F)

203-685-1100 (Mobile)

----Original Message Follows----
From: Linda Hoza <lhoza@...>
Reply-To: lhoza@...
Subject: Sikorsky Bridge Event
Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2006 12:07:23 -0400

Dear CBC Members and Friends:



On October 22, 2006 The Merritt Parkway Trail Alliance, CT Forest & Park
Association and the Merritt Parkway Conservancy will host “Bike/Walk the
Sikorsky Bridge Day” to celebrate the opening of the new bridge’s multi-use
path.

The event will be held between 1 and 4 in the afternoon with the ribbon
cutting ceremony for the bicycle/pedestrian path opening scheduled for 1:30
p.m.

Please contact me if you are available or interested in helping that day. We
will need monitors stationed at various points on the bridge path which is
approximately 2 ½ miles long from the Stratford end of the path to the
Milford end of the path. The monitor’s would answer questions, assist anyone
having a problem, request bikers to walk their bikes if the bridge gets too
crowded (we hope!) and just generally keep an eye out for safety issues.

The Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club has also been asked to provide monitors. If
we get enough volunteers, we can divide the shifts into hour long sessions.

Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Ralph J. Carpenter
will officiate at the ceremony and Department of Environmental Protection
Deputy Commissioner Amey W. Marrella, City of Milford Mayor James L.
Richetelli, Jr., and Town of Stratford Mayor James R. Miron will
participate.

Planned events include an antique car show (including the Locomobile built
in Bridgeport in thru the 1930s), performances by the Milford Fife & Drum
Corps and a Barbershop Quartet and a bicycle safety demonstration. Rental
bikes will be available from Rent A Ride and the restaurants of Ryders
Landing Shopping Center will be open to provide refreshments.

The event will also serve to commemorate the opening of the Merritt Parkway
Lobby Museum housing a 10 foot map of the Parkway depicting nearby
attractions and points of interest and a continuous loop slide show of
historical significance.

It should be a fun day! So, PLEASE, come out and show state and local
officials your support and enthusiasm for this new bicycle/pedestrian
facility.

The ribbon cutting ceremony will be at the Stratford end of the path.
Parking will be available at Ryder’s Landing Shopping Center and the State
Commuter lot at Exit 53 of the Merritt Parkway in Stratford.

Rental bicycles and other activities will be on the Milford side with
parking available at the Boy Scout Headquarters, 60 Wellington Road. North
on Merritt to at Exit 55A (Wheelers Farm Road). Take a left off the ramp and
right on Wellington road. South on Merritt to Exit 55 towards Wheelers Farm
Road. stay straight to Wellington Road.



Linda Hoza
Connecticut Forest & Park Association
Coordinator, Merritt Parkway Trail Alliance
203-371-9925
203-371-4046 (F)
203-685-1100 (Mobile)

----Original Message Follows----
From: Richard Stowe <r_stowe@ yahoo.com>
Subject: IMPORTANT!!! TSB public hearing in New Haven on Aug. 9
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2006 06:59:58 -0700 (PDT)

Dear Friends of the cycling, rail & environmental
communities,

I have attached a letter above because I want to be
sure that a dedicated bicycle parking area is included
on NEW Metro-North train cars and to see that future
Metro-North service becomes a reality on Shoreline
East corridor east of New Haven and Old Saybrook.

Please attend and speak out at an upcoming
Transportation Strategy Board (TSB) public hearing on
Wednesday August 9th at 7 p.m. to be held at Gateway
Community College, 60 Sargent Drive in New Haven.

Thank you,
Richard Stowe
Rail Transportation Excellence Coalition

__________________________________________________



Dear Bicycle, Commuter Rail & Environmental Advocates:

With global warming at our doorstep, global peak oil era looming,
unacceptably high numbers of motor vehicle related deaths, air quality
non-compliance in Connecticut’s most populated corridors, continued gas
price increases and vehicular congestion on our roads, it is time for us to
actively engage the State of Connecticut to seek out a new cost-effective
course in its transportation strategy and transportation investments.

We need to let elected and appointed state officials as well as Connecticut
Department of Transportation (C-DOT) officials know that simply widening a
highway or enlarging a signalized interchange is no longer a viable
transportation solution option.  That includes building a 9.4-mile concrete
freeway (New Britain to Hartford) designed exclusively for buses on top of
invaluable railroad right-of-way.

Instead, we need to formulate a comprehensive statewide transportation
strategy, in which commuter rail and rail freight are primary drivers of the
state’s economy and the bicycle supplants the automobile for many short
trips. With an emphasis on safety and health to improve the quality of life
for residents, employers and visitors, this strategy includes safer
on-street cycling through bicycle-friendly road design, improvements in rail
connectivity with neighboring states and railroad corridor upgrades so that
safety, capacity and track speeds are increased.

Bicyclists must also be accorded unfettered intermodal access to the state’s
trains and buses.

I am writing to you because I want to be sure that a dedicated bicycle
parking area is included on NEW Metro-North train cars.

The State of Connecticut will soon make its largest purchase of passenger
rails cars in over 30 years—new M8s from Kawaski Rail Car Inc. - a minimum
of 210 train cars with an option purchase 170 more.  Initial delivery for
the cars is set for 2009.
The Good News is these cars are designed not only to run on Metro-North’s
(MNR) New Haven Line, but also Connecticut DOT’s Shore Line East corridor.
The Bad News is that the current design for the M-8 cars does not yet
include dedicated space for parking bicycles.

The following commuter rail or state-subsidized Amtrak lines in the United
States now have dedicated bicycle parking on their train cars:
Tri-Rail (West Palm Beach to Miami FL)
Caltrain (San Jose to San Francisco CA)
Altamont Commuter Express,  (Stockton to San Jose CA)
Metrolink (six-county Los Angeles CA metro region)
Coaster (San Diego County CA)
Pacific Surfliner (San Diego to San Luis Obispo)
Capitol Corridor (San Jose to Sacramento).

And in Europe, dedicated bicycle parking on trains is the rule, not the
exception.

It is now time for Connecticut’s Metro-North New Haven line to commit to
providing dedicated bicycle parking areas on its new M-8 train cars.

So I strongly urge you to attend and speak out at an upcoming Transportation
Strategy Board (TSB) public hearing on Wednesday August 9th at 7 p.m. to be
held at Gateway Community College, 60 Sargent Drive in New Haven.  (This
meeting is preceded by an I-91 Transportation Investment Area meeting at
5:00pm that also seeks public comment). This meeting will also provide an
opportunity to speak in favor of quality, secured and covered bicycle
parking at train stations, and safer on-street conditions for bicycles.

Charles Clarke, a C-DOT official who oversees the rail car design process,
says DOT officials discussed providing bicycle parking on train cars, as a
multi-modal enhancement, but Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
requirements already result in new cars with fewer seats. DOT’s reasoning
for NOT providing the dedicated space for bicycle parking, was that it
maximizes the number of seats per train car.

The logical counterargument is to purchase more train cars, which include an
area for bicycle parking.  That way the state attains an equivalent number
of seats and dedicated space on the cars for bicycle parking, and more train
cars will ultimately allow for more frequent train service.

Bicycle commuting is a “win-win” scenario—it’s good for individuals and for
our state. Bicycling does not contribute to motor vehicular congestion or
air and noise pollution. Its attendant health benefits cannot be denied, and
commuters who bike to work are more productive.

Dedicated bicycle parking on trains allows for bicyclists to commute to work
without a car to locations too far to feasibly bicycle commute to and
bicycle on both ends of the train trip.

SHORELINE EAST CORRIDOR:

In the 1990’s Amtrak went through a Federal consistency review process to
gain approval for its  $1.7 billion Northeast Corridor electrification from
New Haven to Boston. As a result Amtrak and the Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) Boating Division signed an agreement in 1996, which limited
the number of trains traveling east of Old Saybrook to 34 trains per day.
In 2003, an enforcement action was taken against Amtrak for exceeding that
limit.  As a result of that action, Amtrak agreed to reduce Shoreline East
service to New London, but was granted permission to operate 38 trains per
day east of Old Saybrook.  In 2004, that number was increased to 39.  A rule
of thumb measure for an economically viable electrified corridor requires
operating a minimum of 90 trains per day

The limit on train service is based on a coastal access provision in the
Connecticut Coastal Management Act of 1980. When trains cross the five
movable railroad bridges, which span the Connecticut River, Niantic River,
Shaw’s Cove, Thames River and Mystic Harbor, boating use is impeded between
Long Island Sound and the rivers or harbors north of the drawbridges.

With drawbridges Metro-North’s new M-8 cars are confined to running its
service only as far as Old Saybrook.

By replacing drawbridges with high-level bridges Metro-North’s new M-8 cars
can operate frequent service from Grand Central Terminal to New London and
Providence - optimizing the electrification investment on the Northeast
Corridor. With high-level bridges, boaters will have unimpeded access
between the rivers and the Long Island Sound. Tri-Rail recently
double-tracked its corridor and replaced a drawbridge with a $70 million
high-level bridge over the New River in Fort Lauderdale FL.  In the 1990’s a
drawbridge in Bridgeport was replaced with a high-level bridge.  Interstate
95 has high-level bridges why shouldn’t the Shoreline East corridor?  Why
widen I-95 when you can significantly upgrade the Shoreline East corridor by
building high-level bridges and carry people and goods much more efficiently
by train?

Amtrak has already started construction on a lift bridge over the Thames
River.  The replacement of the Niantic River Bridge is in its final design,
but has no funding. We must change Amtrak’s current course of action so that
drawbridges are replaced with high-level bridges.  Otherwise, train service
will be severely constrained on the Shoreline East corridor east of Old
Saybrook for the remainder of the century.

There are many other transportation issues of concern I would love to share
with you, but I am confining this letter to time sensitive issues.  If you
have questions or seek additional information please contact me at (203)
594-9097.

If you are unable to attend the TSB public hearing in New Haven on Wednesday
August 9th, but you wish to submit written comments, address the letter to
the Chairman of the TSB – Kevin J. Kelleher and e-mail
robert.hammersley@... (TSB-DOT), governor.rell@...,
trains@... (Jim Cameron, Chairman, Connecticut Rail Commuter
Council) , your congressman and Senator Dodd or Senator Lieberman, state
senator & state representative and please copy me at the e-mail address
below.

Finally, if you or your organization would like to join the Rail
Transportation Excellence Coalition, please e-mail me at r_stowe@....
Feel free to forward this letter to other bicycle clubs and environmental
organizations.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Richard M. Stowe
Rail Transportation Excellence Coalition

Dear Mr. Hammersley:

On July 13, I understand that you chaired a public hearing of the CT
Transportation Strategy Board at Norwalk Community College.  Leslie Weinberg
of Stamford alerted me to this, and although neither of us was able to
attend, I believe Leslie emailed you some extensive comments and suggestions
arising from her experience as a pedestrian and user of public
transportation in and around Stamford.

The tragic irony is that a few days later, on July 16, Leslie was struck and
knocked unconscious by a car as she was walking across High Ridge Road in
Stamford.  She ended up on a respirator in the critical care unit of the
hospital.  Fortunately, she survived and is recovering from her injuries.

It should not have taken a tragedy like this to call our attention to the
dangers of our increasingly congested roads in CT and especially Fairfield
County.  As the number of automobiles increases at a higher rate than our
human population, and the average size of automobiles increases (despite
gasoline prices), the roads are becoming more and more hazardous to
pedestrians and bicyclists, not to mention the drivers themselves.

We need a long-range transportation plan that invests in mass transit and
encourages people to walk and cycle by making it safe, pleasant, and
convenient to do so.  An emphasis on building more highways or widening
roads will only erode our quality of life, and will do nothing to help those
of us who do not drive on a regular basis.  It ignores the transportation
needs of children, the elderly, the disabled, new immigrants, those of us
who cannot afford a car, and those of us who choose not to drive because we
want a healthier lifestyle and a cleaner environment.

We need to slow down the cars on local residential roads by using proven
traffic calming methods, and we need to speed up inter-city mass transit by
having more frequent trains and buses and coordinating their schedules to
allow seamless connections.  We need to look at light rail options for
heavily-used routes.  We need sidewalks for pedestrians, we need pedestrian
overpasses, and we need downtown commercial streets open to pedestrians and
closed to motor vehicles.  We need conveniently placed bicycle racks, we
need bicycle lanes and bicycle awareness education for drivers, and we need
space for bicycles on all trains at all times of day.

We need a transportation strategy whose primary purpose is to move people,
not automobiles.  The safety of pedestrians like Leslie should not be
sacrificed to a car culture run amok.

Sincerely,

David Bedell, Secretary
Fairfield County chapter, CT Green Party
http://fairfield.ctgreens.org

----- Original Message -----
From: "Linda Hoza" <lhoza@...>
Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2006 10:56 AM
Subject: FW: [CTEnvL] Drivers and commuters: Have your say while it counts!


> Everyone,
>
> Below is an email from the League of Women Voters of Connecticut with a
list
> of Transportation Strategy Board public hearings where you can comment on
> your ideas and suggestions for improving Connecticut's transportation
> system.
>
> As we are well aware, getting people out of their cars and onto their feet
> is one solution. This is a perfect opportunity to share your views on the
> need to make our communities more bicycle and pedestrian friendly with
> improved facilities and enhanced safety laws. Some talking points:
>
> 1) Improve laws to protect bicyclists and pedestrians
> 2) Bicycle lanes required on new roads where feasible
> 3) Bicycle lanes considered when roads are improved or repaved
> 4) Roads designed with traffic calming features for pedestrian/bicycle
> safety
> 5) Safe off-road trails for bicyclists and pedestrians for recreational
and
> commuting needs
> 6) Bicycle racks at train stations and on buses
> 7) Bicycle accommodation on rush hour commuter trains
> 8) "Share the Road" signage and safety education programs
>
> As stated below, if you are unable to attend any of the public comment
> sessions, you can also submit your comments by email. So attend a session,
> email your remarks or copy and forward this list to --
>
> robert.hammersley@...
>
> But do not miss this opportunity to make your voice heard. And please
> forward this message.
>
> Thank you,
> Linda Hoza
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: CTEnvLeader@yahoogroups.com [mailto:CTEnvLeader@yahoogroups.com] On
> Behalf Of Cheryl Dunson
> Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2006 12:15 PM
> To: Environmental Advocates; CTEnvLdr
> Subject: [CTEnvL] Drivers and commuters: Have your say while it counts!
>
> Add your thoughts to Transportation Deliberations -
> Please forward this email far and wide
>
> Hello All -
>
> The Transportation Strategy Board (TSB), created by
> the Connecticut General Assembly, is responsible for
> developing, revising and implementing a Transportation
> Strategy for the State of Connecticut. The TSB is
> hosting a series of public hearings in the coming
> weeks to get citizens thoughts on how to improve the
> state's transportation system. The League of Women
> Voters urges you to have your say!
>
> For example, how can we make non-auto travel
> alternatives safer and more convenient? What can be
> done to improve the commuter rail system to encourage
> more riders? What about ideas for better bus service?
> Do you think that increased truck inspections or more
> enforcement would make the highways safer? Should we
> try to get freight off the roads and onto barges to
> reduce the number of trucks on the roads?
>
> You can email your comments to Bob Hammersley, Manager
> of the TSB  at robert.hammersley@... or you
> can attend one of the following public hearings:
>
> . Thursday, July 13th, 7 p.m. Public Hearing, Norwalk
> Community College, East Forum Room, 188 Richards
> Avenue, Norwalk, CT.
>
> . Wednesday, August 9th, 7 p.m. Public Hearing,
> Gateway Community College, Long Wharf Campus, 60
> Sargent Drive, New Haven, CT.
>
> . Wednesday, August 23, 7 p.m. Public Hearing, Three
> Rivers Community College, Mohegan Campus, 7 Mahan
> Drive, Norwich.
>
>  For more information about the current TSB board,
> plans or projects visit
>
http://www.opm.state.ct.us/igp/TSB/tsbinfo.htm#Implementation%20Activities.
> Note: Please don't get discouraged by all the
> information provided on the site NOR come to the
> conclusion that everything is "under control" so you
> don't need to weigh in. Our officials need to hear
> citizens' thoughts on how Connecticut can improve the
> ways people get to and from destinations within our
> state.
>
> Sincerely,
> Cheryl Dunson
> LWVCT Vice President Public Issues
>
>