Just found out the Greenways vote will not show up on the City Council's agenda until their April 7th gathering. Not sure why - but it was confirmed.
That being said - it is time to start thinking about restarting the monthly Friday night rides for 2010. This past weekend brought us the blessing of more daylight and we should take full advantage of it. It looks like the 2nd or 3rd Fridayin April will work out well. Our monthly BikeAllentown meeting is March 23rd at 7pm - feel free to come join us - we should have an April ride date figured out that night. I will post it as soon as I know it.
All I wanna know is - who'll stop the rain? Ride on.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Greenways Vote Rescheduled
Due to unforseen circumstances - namingly Greg Weitzel undergoing surgery - the Greenways vote had to be scratched from the agenda last evening. They have pushed the vote back to the March 17th meeting - same time - 7:30pm - at City Hall. Feel free to contact the Council members to share your thoughts on the plan.
On a separate note - Council did vote in favor of a cell phone ban last evening. Using a cell phone while driving is now prohibited unless you are using a hands free device - this applies not only to motorists but also to cyclists, skateboarders and rollerbladers. While I agree with this - I feel that using a cell phone is really just a microcosm of distracted driving in general. It unfortunately does not address applying makeup, shaving, reaching for cigarettes or spilled coffee, turning around to yell at the kids, reading a book or newspaper, putting in contacts or driving with a dog on one's lap. It might sound absurd - but I unfortunately see these things all too often in my travels. The ordinance will actually read that even if using a hands free device - one cannot dial a phone while driving - which means one must pull over to the side of the raod - dial the phone - then pull back into traffic and proceed on your merry way. Hazardous unto itself. Again - I do not have a problem with this law - I just do not know how they are going to enforce it when there are so many other more egregious infractions going unpunished throughout the City. I also have an issue with the fact that there will be no warning issued - it will be punishible by a fine on the first offense. No offense to the Council - but not everyone will see news about this - some cannot afford or choose not to read the local paper - the same goes for television. Unless there are going to be signs posted throughout the City - which I do not know who will pay for them as the City has no money - I do not know how they feel they can enforce this law. Guess we shall see.
That's all for now. Ride on.
On a separate note - Council did vote in favor of a cell phone ban last evening. Using a cell phone while driving is now prohibited unless you are using a hands free device - this applies not only to motorists but also to cyclists, skateboarders and rollerbladers. While I agree with this - I feel that using a cell phone is really just a microcosm of distracted driving in general. It unfortunately does not address applying makeup, shaving, reaching for cigarettes or spilled coffee, turning around to yell at the kids, reading a book or newspaper, putting in contacts or driving with a dog on one's lap. It might sound absurd - but I unfortunately see these things all too often in my travels. The ordinance will actually read that even if using a hands free device - one cannot dial a phone while driving - which means one must pull over to the side of the raod - dial the phone - then pull back into traffic and proceed on your merry way. Hazardous unto itself. Again - I do not have a problem with this law - I just do not know how they are going to enforce it when there are so many other more egregious infractions going unpunished throughout the City. I also have an issue with the fact that there will be no warning issued - it will be punishible by a fine on the first offense. No offense to the Council - but not everyone will see news about this - some cannot afford or choose not to read the local paper - the same goes for television. Unless there are going to be signs posted throughout the City - which I do not know who will pay for them as the City has no money - I do not know how they feel they can enforce this law. Guess we shall see.
That's all for now. Ride on.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
City Council Tonight
It has been a hectic few weeks for me since the last Greenways meeting and fortunately there has not been much to muse about in the bike world due to the continuing wrath of Mother Nature. Adopting the Greenways plan is is on this evening's City Council agenda. There are rumblings that Fox News will be wandering about to try and paint the Greenways Plan as a waste of Stimulus Funding. Not sure how that can be as this is only being adopted as a plan and not yet funded. Online social networking and blog sites are buzzing with input from both those who support and those who are against the plan. Maybe I am biased - but I think of this as a great way to link Allentown's existing beautiful parks. I can only see benefit to making the streets that link our parks safer so that people do not feel as if they have to use an automobile to get to the parks as walking or riding a bike is just unsafe. I think getting more people into our parks would justify designating additional funds for the maintenance issues that currently exist. No one is saying this is going to be a miracle cure for Allentown - but it surely cannot hurt to adopt the plan so that we have the opportunity to apply for funds that other cities that have a Master Plan are already receiving. I will try and provide an update of this evening's meeting tomorrow. Ride on.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Greenways Update
The Greenways Plan is moving towards adoption by City Council slowly but surely - at least I hope surely. There was not nearly the crowd that I anticipated seeing last evening and most in attendance were in favor of the plan. The Council voted to move this plan forward so that it can be voted upon - passing with a 5-2 vote (Councilpersons Donovan and Eichenwald were the no votes). It seems the Council will vote on adopting this plan at their March 3rd meeting.
Most of the negative comments against adopting this plan had to do with poor economy and existing problems in our parks that are not being addressed. Strangely - this plan proposes not only to fix many of those problems that exist but to make it safer to get to the parks via walking or biking. I think one of the hidden benefits of the plan would be that if more people start using the park system - it will justify appropriating additional funds for maintenance and repair of the parks. Not to be cliche but - if you build it they will come.
The bottom line is there are significant funds being awarded specifically for the purposes outlined in the Greenways Plan. Philadelphia was just awarded 23 million dollars for such projects. Allentown applied for a 5 million dollar grant but did not receive it - a large reason being they do not currently have a Master Plan in place for such projects.
Allentown has a fantastic opportunity to start making itself a more pedestrian and cyclist friendly destination. All signs seem to point towards the Greenways Plan being adopted - but nothing in life is guaranteed. If this is something you care about - I encourage to reach out to the City Council and let them know how you feel. Most importantly - come out to the City Council meeting on March 3rd and show your support. I will post additional details in the near future.
Ride on!
Most of the negative comments against adopting this plan had to do with poor economy and existing problems in our parks that are not being addressed. Strangely - this plan proposes not only to fix many of those problems that exist but to make it safer to get to the parks via walking or biking. I think one of the hidden benefits of the plan would be that if more people start using the park system - it will justify appropriating additional funds for maintenance and repair of the parks. Not to be cliche but - if you build it they will come.
The bottom line is there are significant funds being awarded specifically for the purposes outlined in the Greenways Plan. Philadelphia was just awarded 23 million dollars for such projects. Allentown applied for a 5 million dollar grant but did not receive it - a large reason being they do not currently have a Master Plan in place for such projects.
Allentown has a fantastic opportunity to start making itself a more pedestrian and cyclist friendly destination. All signs seem to point towards the Greenways Plan being adopted - but nothing in life is guaranteed. If this is something you care about - I encourage to reach out to the City Council and let them know how you feel. Most importantly - come out to the City Council meeting on March 3rd and show your support. I will post additional details in the near future.
Ride on!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Think Warm Thoughts
Blustery again - is there no end to this madness? On yet another 37 layer day - my thoughts drift to warmer weather and single layer rides - where my sweat does not freeze. We are in the process of planning our 2010 BikeAllentown ride schedule. As last year was our first year of existence - things did not always go smoothly - the weather was often not cooperative - and our route was often the same.
In 2010 we are looking for more participation and some more interesting dates - heck we are even going to consider rain dates to spite Mother Nature and her apparent lack of compassion for our love of riding. Have any ideas? Anywhere you have wanted to ride - but have not had enough confidence to set off on your own - or possibly just felt it would be better sharing that ride with others? Let us know. We have a few ideas on the table but we would love some suggestions/input. Heck - we would love some more participants to boot.
Feel free to share your thoughts here or send an e-mail to info@bikeallentown.com - we hope to see you on the ride. In the interim - think warm thoughts. Ride on!
In 2010 we are looking for more participation and some more interesting dates - heck we are even going to consider rain dates to spite Mother Nature and her apparent lack of compassion for our love of riding. Have any ideas? Anywhere you have wanted to ride - but have not had enough confidence to set off on your own - or possibly just felt it would be better sharing that ride with others? Let us know. We have a few ideas on the table but we would love some suggestions/input. Heck - we would love some more participants to boot.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Molovinsky Loves Us
We must have arrived as BikeAllentown has received a shout out on Molovinsky's blog - http://molovinskyonallentown.blogspot.com/2010/01/spread-word.html - and apparently we are being referred to as clowns. I am hurt - not really - as there is no better example of the pot calling the kettle black. I have tried to address the embellishments and half-truths that appear on his blog to no avail. His minions have drank the koolaid and any attempt to reply to his accusations is met with vitriol and name calling. Moving forward I shall make all replies here. I invite the comments of Mr. Molovinsky, his followers and any of you anonymous folks - I will not even filter them first. Let it rip. That being said -
-That is apparently not THIS bunch of clowns in Molovinsky's post as we do not have any bike lanes in Allentown and although my clown wig is yellow - I have NEVER had it in ponytails
-BikeAllentown did not co-sponsor the meeting nor did the City come to us for support. We became involved in the plan simply because we were looking for bike racks so that we could safely lock our bikes when using them to travel throughout the City. We offered our support to the City as we feel this plan makes sense - for runners, walkers, hikers, - I know it makes me a bad person - but yes cyclists, and anyone else who cares not to jump behind the wheel of a car to travel a mile - or ten
-The planning committee consisted of folks from the Wildlands Conservancy, School Board, AEDC, PENDOT, Trexler Trust, Allentown Health Bureau, Allentown Hiking Club, CAT, West End Alliance/Road Runners (one person who wears many more hats than those two but gave balanced input throughout), I am sure I am missing some - for which I apologize - but that is off the top of my head from Wednesday's meeting, AND yes you got us - the cat is out of the bag - members from BikeAllentown. Seems like a fairly diverse group to me
-If someone receives a notice for this plan and throws it away (that is the first mistake - as it was paper it should have been recycled - shame on them) because they are too lazy to read it - they have no one to blame but themselves. Laziness a conspiracy does not make
-Many folks on Molovinsky's site need a hug
-If you take the time to make such angry and misguided statements which make it apparent you know nothing about the actual plan - you should give the public the chance to share your wisdom or lack thereof - if it really does make you "throw up" - we will understand - at least we will know it is real passion and not just the long awaited window for you to use "throw up" in a sentence (ironpigpen - I said it before - that is just silly)
-While there has been much smack talk and thumping of the chest on Molovinsky's site - I really did not hear much opposition at the meeting last evening. I understand there was not unlimited time for public comment - but that effects those in favor as much as those opposed. I feel that once seeing that the proposed improvements focus more on improving the existing infrasturcture via shared lane markings for dreaded cyclists and pedestrian improvements in the form of higher visibility crosswalks and curb cuts that do not drop you out into oncoming traffic - the fear of this embellished "paving all the parks" hysteria suddenly lost much of its credibility
-Part of this plan is to establish a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission - Molovinsky - you have my nomination for that committee - hopefully you can get it pointed in the right direction
-THE GREENWAYS PLAN IS JUST THAT - A PLAN. ANY PART OF THE PLAN THAT IS TO BE IMPLEMENTED MOVING FORWARD NEEDS BOTH PUBLIC INPUT AND CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL. IF YOU HAVE AN OPINION TAKE IT OFF THE BLOG AND INTO COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
My last note of this post:
-Molovinsky sure is passionate about the WPA Fountain Steps - apparent as there is a mention in his every post about this plan - and many other plans for that matter. I propose he start a group of volunteers specific to preserving and highlighting these gifts that the City is blessed to have. He could set up periodic excursions for those that are not familiar with them and while there the group can not only learn about the history of that specific site but spend some time clearing and beautifying those areas. I know that my BikeAllentown friends would be on board to help - I would even volunteer to haul tools out there on my bike trailer
Ride on!
-That is apparently not THIS bunch of clowns in Molovinsky's post as we do not have any bike lanes in Allentown and although my clown wig is yellow - I have NEVER had it in ponytails
-BikeAllentown did not co-sponsor the meeting nor did the City come to us for support. We became involved in the plan simply because we were looking for bike racks so that we could safely lock our bikes when using them to travel throughout the City. We offered our support to the City as we feel this plan makes sense - for runners, walkers, hikers, - I know it makes me a bad person - but yes cyclists, and anyone else who cares not to jump behind the wheel of a car to travel a mile - or ten
-The planning committee consisted of folks from the Wildlands Conservancy, School Board, AEDC, PENDOT, Trexler Trust, Allentown Health Bureau, Allentown Hiking Club, CAT, West End Alliance/Road Runners (one person who wears many more hats than those two but gave balanced input throughout), I am sure I am missing some - for which I apologize - but that is off the top of my head from Wednesday's meeting, AND yes you got us - the cat is out of the bag - members from BikeAllentown. Seems like a fairly diverse group to me
-If someone receives a notice for this plan and throws it away (that is the first mistake - as it was paper it should have been recycled - shame on them) because they are too lazy to read it - they have no one to blame but themselves. Laziness a conspiracy does not make
-Many folks on Molovinsky's site need a hug
-If you take the time to make such angry and misguided statements which make it apparent you know nothing about the actual plan - you should give the public the chance to share your wisdom or lack thereof - if it really does make you "throw up" - we will understand - at least we will know it is real passion and not just the long awaited window for you to use "throw up" in a sentence (ironpigpen - I said it before - that is just silly)
-While there has been much smack talk and thumping of the chest on Molovinsky's site - I really did not hear much opposition at the meeting last evening. I understand there was not unlimited time for public comment - but that effects those in favor as much as those opposed. I feel that once seeing that the proposed improvements focus more on improving the existing infrasturcture via shared lane markings for dreaded cyclists and pedestrian improvements in the form of higher visibility crosswalks and curb cuts that do not drop you out into oncoming traffic - the fear of this embellished "paving all the parks" hysteria suddenly lost much of its credibility
-Part of this plan is to establish a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission - Molovinsky - you have my nomination for that committee - hopefully you can get it pointed in the right direction
-THE GREENWAYS PLAN IS JUST THAT - A PLAN. ANY PART OF THE PLAN THAT IS TO BE IMPLEMENTED MOVING FORWARD NEEDS BOTH PUBLIC INPUT AND CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL. IF YOU HAVE AN OPINION TAKE IT OFF THE BLOG AND INTO COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
My last note of this post:
-Molovinsky sure is passionate about the WPA Fountain Steps - apparent as there is a mention in his every post about this plan - and many other plans for that matter. I propose he start a group of volunteers specific to preserving and highlighting these gifts that the City is blessed to have. He could set up periodic excursions for those that are not familiar with them and while there the group can not only learn about the history of that specific site but spend some time clearing and beautifying those areas. I know that my BikeAllentown friends would be on board to help - I would even volunteer to haul tools out there on my bike trailer
Ride on!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Shout It Out Loud
As some of you may know there is an important presentation occurring on Wednesday
January 13th at the Allentown Library. Greenways Inc. will be holding a public meeting
to unveil their draft for connecting Allentown's parks and trails to promote a “green”
infrastructure for our community. We at BikeAllentown are very excited about this plan
and what it can mean to our community.
This is a wonderful opportunity for all of our organization's and our community, and we
would like to see everyone involved. Please inform your organization's members and
see how many would be interested in attending. All BikeAllentown members will be in
attendance that evening as well as providing refreshments for the event.
Your presence and support is also needed as we expect representation from factions who
are opposed to this plan. Please come out and show your support for this great
opportunity to make Allentown greener and healthier!
January 13th at the Allentown Library. Greenways Inc. will be holding a public meeting
to unveil their draft for connecting Allentown's parks and trails to promote a “green”
infrastructure for our community. We at BikeAllentown are very excited about this plan
and what it can mean to our community.
This is a wonderful opportunity for all of our organization's and our community, and we
would like to see everyone involved. Please inform your organization's members and
see how many would be interested in attending. All BikeAllentown members will be in
attendance that evening as well as providing refreshments for the event.
Your presence and support is also needed as we expect representation from factions who
are opposed to this plan. Please come out and show your support for this great
opportunity to make Allentown greener and healthier!
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