The Bicyclist Safety Act has been signed by the governor, and will take effect July 1.
In case you haven’t heard, Sen. Rand Paul’s amendment to kill Transportation Enhancements funding, and divert the money to “bridge repair,” was defeated today, 60-38. Virginia cyclists should be pleased that both Sen. Warner and Sen. Webb voted to defeat the amendment.
Many thanks to our national bike advocates for lobbying Congress, and rallying cyclists to write to their legislators. Read some of their reports:
Mia Birk - photo by Heather Higgins via Charlottesville Tomorrow
Charlottesville Tomorrow has the full audio of Mia Birk’s Oct. 27 talk, as a stream or for download. Definitely worth a listen!
An important theme in her talk, and in her book, is that Portland, Oregon didn’t become bike friendly overnight. When she started as bike coordinator there, she faced the same obstacles we’re all facing now. But they can be overcome.
Read the story about Wyse Cycles of Harrisonburg, Virginia at Gizmag.
As any touring cyclist can tell you, finding a place to pitch your tent is often the issue that drives your daily ride. The distance between camping facilities may mean a forty mile day, or it may mean a hundred. Finding a safe place to camp is a major daily blessing — or curse.
There never seems to be enough places to camp along the Parkway. With the constant climbing along the crest of the Blue Ridge, campsites always seem to be spread out farther than a rider would like.
Located at milepost 120, the Roanoke Mountain Campground has, for years, offered a respite to the tired cyclist. In an area that has become more urbanized each year, camping options are scarce; and riding into Roanoke to find a hotel room can be treacherous on the busy urban roads.
The National Park Service is considering closing this camping facility, unless they receive input from citizens requesting it stay open.
The VBF recommends that that the Roanoke Mountain campground be maintained (option A) or upgraded (option C).
Please take a moment to ask that we not lose this facility, which is an oasis to cyclists and hikers.
Post your comments at the NPS website or visit the ROANOKEOUTSIDE.COM blog and ask to keep the campground open.
Roanoke’s Cityworks XPO, “a festival conference” of “big ideas for small cities,” takes place this week, Thursday through Saturday, October 27-29.
One of those big ideas is bicycling. To help further that cause, Mia Birk will present her “Joyride” talk. Southwest Virginia cyclists, and especially planners, should not miss this. The rest of the program looks great too.
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