Graduate students in urban affairs and planning conduct study for Capital Bikeshare

by Barbara Micale
 
NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION, Feb. 28, 2012 – Eleven graduate students in an Environmental Planning Studio taught by Ralph Buehler, assistant professor, Department of Urban Affairs and Planning,Virginia Tech National Capital Region, have completed a study of 340 short-term users of Capital Bikeshare, currently the largest bike sharing service in the United States.

The study is intended to provide Capital Bikeshare with a better understanding of short-term users who purchase either a 24-hour or five-day pass and to help the bike sharing service better focus its efforts to increase ridership and improve functionality.

Read more

Surveying in the rain

Several VT student teams braved the damp autumn chill of this past weekend to collect more surveys from the bike-sharing public. However, said public did not show up in droves, except for some hardier sorts — notably many from countries along the North Sea, who probably found the weather balmy. Therefore, we’ll be back out on the streets this coming (sunny!) weekend for one last round of surveys.

~ Read more here.

Volunteers needed for NPS bike count

Dear Urban Affairs and Planning students,

Our former student Thomas Sheffer, now Community Planner for the National Park Service/George Washington Memorial Parkway, has asked for help. The National Park Service is coordinating a major bike/pedestrian trail counting event along the Mount Vernon Trail in mid September and is in need of volunteers. While the final dates have not been finalized as of yet, counts will likely take place on Saturday, September 10th and Tuesday, September 13th.

Please take a look at the attached flyer and the email below.  Please also note that Thomas thinks that the count data could be used for a capstone project.

Please send you emails about the count directly to: Timothy Bevins or Thomas Sheffer:
Timothy_Bevins@partner.nps.gov or Thomas_Sheffer@nps.gov

Thanks,

Ralph

Here is Thomas' email:

Hi Ralph,

I hope the first week of classes is going well!

As I mentioned in our conversation last week, the National Park Service is coordinating a major bike/pedestrian trail counting event along the Mount Vernon Trail in mid September and is in need of volunteers. Working collaboratively with Arlington County, the data from these counts will contribute to a national bike and pedestrian survey (http://bikepeddocumentation.org) as well as ongoing planning efforts to help improve the safety, capacity, and connectivity of the Mount Vernon Trail. Time commitment would only be for a few hours in addition to a training run by Arlington. Attached is a flyer with additional information.

This a great opportunity for students – data collection, transportation planning, pedestrian/trail planning, agency cooperation, National Parks, volunteer experience – it really covers a lot of bases!  Additionally, the NPS planning efforts connected to this count have a range of potential opportunities for capstone projects for students that have a particular interest in these areas.

While the final dates have not been finalized as of yet, they will likely take place on Saturday, September 10th and Tuesday, September 13th. If you can pass this on to students you think may be interested, I would greatly appreciate it. This is only a couple weeks away, so please have those interested contact Tim Bevins, the coordinator for this count, asap at timothy_bevins@partner.nps.gov.

Thanks!

Thomas

Thomas Sheffer
Community Planner
George Washington Memorial Parkway
office 703-289-2512
mobile 202-320-6282

Invitation to Mia Birk Book Launch

Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet

By Mia Birk

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

German Marshall Fund of the United States
1744 R Street NW, Washington, DC
2^nd Floor Conference Room

RSVP to Casey Kuklick at ckuklick@gmfus.org or by phone at 202 683 2650

---

The German Marshall Fund (GMF) is pleased to invite you to a book launch party on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 from 6-8pm in celebration of “Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet,” by Mia Birk. The book “tells the dramatic and enlightening behind-the-scenes story of how a group of determined visionaries transformed Portland into a cycling mecca and inspired the nation.” The event will be in the 1744 R Street, NW building in the 2^nd floor conference room and will include drinks and light hors d'oeuvres.

GMF played an important role in Ms. Birk’s early professional career and that connection is described in this book. In 1996, GMF awarded Ms. Birk a research fellowship to Europe, which not only helped to change the face of Portland, but also demonstrated to the rest of the United States that American cities can incorporate bicycling into daily life, reduce their carbon footprint, improve their health, and still be economically viable. The lessons learned have permeated through Ms. Birk’s involvement in numerous national organizations, including co-founding the Association for Bicycle and Pedestrian Professionals, the Cities for Cycling Project of the National Association for City Transportation Officials, and the Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation.

Select praise for Joyride

"Anyone interested in the future of our communities is going to appreciate Mia Birk's personal account of how we transformed Portland, OR, into the standard for bicycle-friendly cities – and subsequent odyssey in spreading the benefits of bicycling to communities throughout North America."

The Honorable Earl Blumenauer, Member of Congress, a.k.a. the Johnny Appleseed of Livability

“Mia Birk a tireless go-getter who’s driven by her passion for sustainability. There are some people who love bikes. Mia loves what bicycling does for a city. She loves the impact that accommodating bicycles has on a neighborhood, a city and the way people live in it.”

Catherine Ciarlo, Transportation Director, Office of Mayor Sam Adams, Portland, OR and former director, Bicycle Transportation Alliance

"The creation of a bicycle-friendly Portland helped spur a $100 million local bicycle industry, bringing 1500 green, sustainable jobs. Take note: bicycling isn't just good for your health and community, it's good for the economy. Mia Birk's delightful Joyride is one you all want to go on."

Jay Graves, President, National Bike Dealers Association

Pedestrian Forum

Fall 2010

* FHWA Focused Approach to Pedestrian Safety Proving Effective
* FHWA Launches Walk Friendly Communities Initiative
* Safety Effectiveness of HAWK Pedestrian Crossing Treatment Evaluation of Shared Lane Marking
* New! Livability in Transportation Guidebook: Planning Approaches that Improve Livability

Safety and Operation of Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (HAWKs)

Thursday, December 2, 2010 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM EST

The Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon or HAWK beacon is a pedestrian-activated beacon located on the roadside and on mast arms over major approaches to intersections. The HAWK head consists of two red lenses over a single yellow lens. It displays a red indication to drivers when activated, which creates a gap for pedestrians to use to cross the major roadway. The beacon was created in Tucson, AZ, and is currently used at 114 locations in that city. It is also being used in a number of other cities throughout the United States.

Panelists will discuss the origin, installation, and operational experience of the HAWK. This webinar will also explore the results of research on the device including a motorist yielding study and a before-after study of the HAWK's safety performance. The before-after safety evaluation found statistically significant changes in crashes after installing the HAWK: total crashes were reduced by 29 percent and pedestrian crashes reduced by 69 percent . . .

More information on the website.

Policy to Practice: Planning for Bicycles

Where: Aurora Hills Community Center, 735 18th St., Arlington, VA 22202
When: 4:00-6:00 pm on 18th November 2010
Includes demonstration of a Capital Bikeshare station.
Please join us for Happy Hour after the session.

Approved for 2.0 AICP Credits
Free and open to the public, RSVP required
RSVP to Sonali Soneji preferably by email: sonalisoneji2@gmail.com or call: 703-867-6042

Bicycling as a mode for commuting and recreation has made great strides in recent years in the Washington metro area. Recently approved policies and implementation of innovative solutions to provide infrastructure for bicycles have helped promote this mode of transport. The new partnership between Arlington, VA, and Washington, D.C., has helped the region to launch the largest bikeshare program in the country. Three speakers will discuss the importance of various facets of transportation planning that help programs to achieve success: Policy Development; Implementation and Infrastructure provision; as well as Marketing and Community Outreach. The session will conclude with a demonstration of a Capital Bikeshare bike station near Pentagon City Metro station.

Jim Sebastian will discuss integration of bicycle infrastructure with urban planning and development, and innovative bike lane design. Mr. Sebastian is a Supervisory Transportation Planner at the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), Washington D.C., where he manages the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Transportation Demand Management Programs.
Paul DeMaio will speak about planning and launching of Capital Bikeshare, including how station locations were determined, the RFP process for the program, and expansion plans. He will also touch on the history of bikesharing and different models for provision of service. Paul DeMaio is the founder of MetroBike LLC, a company that assists organizations in implementing bike-sharing programs, and writes The Bike-sharing Blog, an international news resource about the field.

Chris Eatough will discuss increasing bicycle use for transportation through encouragement and education of the community, as well as the activities and structure of BikeArlington and the impact of the program. Chris Eatough, program manager for BikeArlington, has an engineering background and was a professional endurance mountain bike racer, winning six 24-hour solo world titles and five US 24-hour national championships. He also has extensive experience as a mountain bike coach and product tester.

Sat 9/25: Bike Swap and Fix Fest next to Blacksburg Farmer’s Market

The NRVBA's Fall Bike Swap is on for Saturday September 25, 2010 from 9:00am to 12:00 noon.  This is open to all.  A great opportunity to sell, buy, swap, or give away any unused bicycles or bicycle related items.  We will be located across from the Farmer's Market in the parking lot of the National Bank on the corner of S. Main and Roanoke St.

East Coasters Bicycle Shop has committed to being on site to check your bicycles and assist you in any way.  Other local bicycle shops may also be present.   

New at this event will be a T-shirt/bike jersey swap/giveaway.  Bring any of your old T-shirts and/or jerseys and donate them to a give away or swap them for a different one.  We'll have bins for the various sizes.  Hey, it will be just like going to Goodwill, without paying!!!!

Thanks,

Ed Hokanson, NRVBA Program Director

540-552-7825

edh@email.com

Fri 9/24: Blacksburg Clean Commute and Walk/Bike to School Day

WHEN: Friday, September 24
LOCATION: Market Square Park and Farmer’s Market, Hospitality Tent
TIME: 7:30 – 9 am

Do your part to improve our air by taking the pledge to commute clean during Sustainability Week! On Clean Commute Day, Friday September 24, choose a clean commute option to get to work, school, or your location – biking, walking, carpooling or public transit. Mix and match modes to see what best fits your schedule!

A hospitality station will be set up at the Farmer’s Market during Friday’s morning commute. Stop by, say hello, and enjoy a cup of coffee and a pastry.

Thurs 9/23 in Blacksburg: VA Bike/Walk Cyclist Commuter Confidence Pres

On Thursday, September 23, 2010, Virginia Bike Walk representatives will be hosting a talk at the YMCA at 1000 North Main Street, in Blacksburg.   The discussion will provide tips on how to bike and walk confidently in your community.  The event runs from 7:30 - 8:30 pm.

If you have any questions, please contact Jeanne Duddy at (540)344-4803 or jeanneduddy@yahoo.com.