US Bicycle Route System - Corridor Plan. Click for larger image.
The US Bicycle Route Corridor Plan has been updated, with two new corridors — 50-mile wide areas where a USBR may exist or be developed. Adventure Cycling Association has the full story, but here’s the part we love most:
We are very excited about the addition of USBR 11 to the US Bicycle Route System. This corridor was proposed by the Virginia Bicycling Federation as a way to connect five National Parks into a regional bicycle network. Numbered in honor of the Great Valley Road, the corridor will begin at the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath (C&O Canal) in Maryland and will integrate the Byron Goodloe Bridge, part of the Appalachian Trail (cyclists are allowed to use this bridge if they dismount and walk their bicycles across), then connect Harpers Ferry National Park, Shenandoah National Park and the scenic Skyline Drive, and align with the Blue Ridge Parkway. Approximately 475 miles in length, this corridor will also make another important regional connection on its southern end to North Carolina’s Mountains to Sea Route. The corridor touches four states, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina all of which support the addition of USBR 11 to the National Corridor Plan.
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From Dave Harrison of Roanoke’s BRBC:
In response to comments from cyclists, VDOT has agreed to meet with the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission’s Bicycle Advisory Committee to discuss how the I-81 exit 150 redesign project may include improved bicycle accommodations. It is anticipated that meeting will occur within the next couple of weeks. Thank you to those who submitted comments. They made a difference.
Indeed, thanks to everyone who wrote with their concerns, and to Adventure Cycling and the Bikeleague for their support. We look forward to working with VDOT to resolve this issue.
In response to everyone who wrote, VDOT is working with bike advocates to resolve this issue.
The existing I-81 Exit 150 redesign project at Cloverdale does not include bicycle accommodations. This is a critical interchange for cyclists. The project includes portions of U.S Route 11 which is heavily used by local cyclists as well as by cyclists on U.S. Bike Route 76 to access Roanoke and other accommodations. [continue reading…]
For their support of bicycling in the Virginia General Assembly, Senator Adam Ebbin and Delegate Alfonso Lopez have been honored with VBF’s Bicycling Friendly award.
Champe Burnley, Sen. Adam Ebbin, Bud Vye
Champe Burnley, Del. Alfonso Lopez, Bud Vye
Representing Virginia’s 30th Senate District, Sen. Ebbin sponsored from SB 264 , the following cyclists too closely bill.
Del. Lopez’s , represents the 49th House District and sponsored HB784 , drivers due care legislation and HB 785 a bill to prohibit following too closely.
It’s been a tumultuous several months in Congress, coming up with a new federal transportation bill and funding reauthorization.
The House wasted everyone’s time, in my opinion, with a bill that was never serious, but pure political theater. For us, it would have eliminated all support for biking & walking, and programs like Safe Routes to School.
The Senate bill was far more realistic, but still lacked support for biking and walking — until the Cardin-Cochran amendment was added last week. Thanks to everyone who wrote in support. It really did make a difference. [continue reading…]
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