Bikes in the news and other updates

I have just a few things to quickly pass along today, mostly national level news. The House Congressional Resolution 305 (H.CON.RES. 305) sponsored by Representative Earl Blumenauer of Oregon is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today. The National Bike Bill as it is know passed the House in May and you can follow its status right here. I am late in passing this news along, but you can still contact your Senator to let him know that this is something you support.

I want to mention the feature story on CBS News Sunday Morning this week about bicycling. It is great to see this kind of attention to cycling as a form of transportation. As fuel prices rise and more people turn to bicycles, I expect that we will see more stories like this one. I guess it is kind of pointing out the obvious, but I want to say that with new riders taking to the streets in the coming months and years, the need to educate drivers and cyclist about safety and sharing the road will continue to become more important. I would say more than infrastructure, education should be the primary focus of bike advocacy groups right now.

Finally, I want to pass along a recent email that Natalie sent to the PCC membership about commenting on revisions to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. I am in too big a hurry to paraphrase, so see her entire message below:

It looks like the deadline will be extended for comments, but please share with anyone that might be interested. This is an opportunity to provide feedback on bike design and the rules that guide engineers in best practices. I realize this is technical but I know some of you might be interested in viewing the proposed changes and learning more on what is happening in regards to new bike infrastructure, signaling etc.

Members (or anyone) wishing to make comments regarding the proposed revised Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices have until Thursday to do so.

Apbp member Richard Moeur has placed much of the needed information on his website at http://www.trafficsign.us/npa.html . Richard chairs the Bicycle Technical Committee of the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD). Here one can view the proposed new MUTCD text and view new tables and figures. There is also a link to view submitted comments for docket Federal Highway Administration(FHWA)-2007-28977, plus advice on submitting comments. Part 9 deals with Bicycles while Pedestrian matters are interspersed throughout--- This link will take you directly to bicycle issues--- http://www.trafficsign.us/npa/part09compl.pdf.

Apbp president Seleta Reynolds has prepared an overview Powerpoint presentation which is posed on our website at http://www.apbp.org/pdfsanddocs/mutcd_bpdg_6.20.08.ppt which summarizes some of the changes, as well as information relative to the California MUTCD, in case you need a quick familiarization.

To submit a comment, simply go to the www.regulations.gov website and search on "28977" (the regulatory number assigned to the new MUTCD). Then follow the instructions on the webpage.