Author Archives: Lorenz M. Worden

Bike Share in NYC and Albanys’ 3rd Annual Bicycle EXPO 2013 + Bicycle Friendly Communities

BicingBarcelonaweb Providentially, the Times Union chose Sunday, May 5, the day of Albany’s 3rd Annual Bicycle EXPO 2013 to run an AP story on NYC’s long awaited (and Sandy delayed) bike share program. Scheduled to begin this month, the scheme will feature 6,000 3-speed bicycles and 330 docking stations. Planned growth will be to 10,000 cycles with 600 stations.

According to the report, there are 534 bike share programs worldwide. Follow the link to red more . . .

On the home front at the Bicycle EXPO, Albany’s own Kate Lawrence from the Mayor’s Office of Energy and Sustainability appeared in a Times Union (5/6/13) photo story. Cyclists are shown being briefed on Albany’s Bicycle Master Plan (see Map 1, pg. 5).

The Mayor’s Office of Energy and Sustainability was responsible for applying for and receiving designation in 2012 of Albany as a bicycle friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists. While Albany, with an honorable mention, does not appear in LAB’s current bronze-silver-gold-platinum listings, it is still in an elite group as there are only two cities, NYC and Rochester, in the rankings. This leaves NYS as a dismal 43 out of 50 states with only one way to go – up.

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Downtube Bicycle Works Again Promotes Bicycle EXPO 2013

DT Metro Ad 5-2-13 001

For a second year running, the Downtube Bicycle Works has sponsored a nice big Bicycle EXPO ad in the 5/2/13 Metroland.  In addition to ad sponsorship, the Downtube will celebrate its third year at the EXPO with a booth featuring its products and maintenance services.

Come to Bicycle EXPO 2013 in Washington Park on Sunday, 5/5/13 from 10-4 to visit with the Downtube and the 30+ other vendors.

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Promoting Bicycle EXPO 2013 –or- On the Road with Jim Bob

ImageThe tireless core of Albany Bicycle Coalition never rests, using every opportunity to promote the upcoming (5/5, Sunday, 10-4) Bicycle EXPO 2013.  Here’s the hard working staff posting mini-posters on the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail.

 

 

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BIKE FEST – Sat, May 18, 3:00 – 11:00 PM

Bike Fest 2013 TBR 5-18-13 001

Troy Bike Rescue – Sanctuary for Independent Media, 3361 6th Ave., Troy, NY 12181

All around celebration and FUNdraiser with

  • 3:00 – Tour de Troy ride
  • 3:00 – Children’s’ bicycle rodeo
  • 5:00 – Doors and cash bar
  • 6:00 – Burrito dinner buffet community meal
  • 7:00 – Cake auction and raffle
  • 8:00 – Bands

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Pine Hills Embraces Option 5A

(After the City of Albany’s recent public meeting on the Madison Avenue Traffic Calming study, the Pine Hills Neighborhood Association put forth the following statement in support of Traffic Calming.  Some slight editorial changes made by ABC.  This statement seems consistent with opinions expressed by many at the April 16, 2013 presentation.)

 The Pine Hills Neighborhood Association’s strong preference is for Alternative 5, which includes both restriping from 4 to 3 lanes (including a turn lane) AND traffic signal coordination.  The association believes that both components must go together in order to produce a design that has the best chance of being funded.  In terms of options, we also support Option A, which calls for sharrows [shared lane bicycle markings].

We understand that the next stage of this road diet project includes Phase 3 (design phase).  In anticipation of the Albany Common Council’s passing of its Complete Streets legislation, would it not make sense for Phase 3 to include an entire Complete Streets design for Madison Avenue?  Having a fully worked out plan for Madison Ave. will put Albany in a good position to apply for grants that are earmarked for Complete Streets and other public safety transportation funds.

 In anticipation of getting to this point in the process, we approached our NYS representatives a couple of years ago about implementation funds.  Once we have a design, we will remind them of their support and commitment.  We will continue to work with state and federal agencies to advocate for funds necessary to make Madison Avenue safer for all users.

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