Amtrak’s Main Street Station – Richmond, VA

Amtrak and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation have announced pilot bike service to downtown Richmond’s Main Street Station (RVM).

This is a major announcement for cyclists who may want to spend a weekend visiting the River City or surrounding area with their bike.

This new service is particularly convenient for cyclists in the Northeast who want to ride Virginia Capital Trail from Richmond to Williamsburg.  Mountain bikers can also take Amtrak to Richmond to ride the 35 miles of urban single track in the James River Park’s trail system 

Main Street Station is also a convenient connection point for cyclists riding the East Coast Greenway, US Bike Routes 76 and 176, US Bike Route 1 and Adventure Cycling’s Atlantic Coast Route.

Riding the Capital Trail

This multiuse trail, traces the colonial history of the United States, passing stately plantations, a winery, the homes of three presidents and Civil War Battlefields.   It also connects the three Virginia Capitols – Jamestown, Williamsburg and Richmond.

The Capital Trail is also part of USBR 76 and the East Coast Greenway. [continue reading…]

Become a more confident cyclist by advancing your knowledge and skills for staying safe on a variety of road conditions. This class will teach you how to ride confidently in traffic! You will have the opportunity to practice what you learn in the classroom. Expect to refresh and expand your knowledge of traffic laws and the rights and responsibilities of cyclist on the road; learn 5 “layers of safety” that you can put to use on every ride (it’s not just about the helmet), learn emergency handling skills and riding techniques that can prevent motorists’ mistakes and allow you to avoid trouble, and much more!

This course is divided into two parts:  1. Classroom; 2. Parking lot bike handling skills, and road riding with instructors. The classroom part will be held Monday evening, May 14,  at the Glen Allen library.  Then choose one of the Saturdays, either May 26 or June 2, for the parking lot bike handling skills and road riding. Participants must attend the classroom session in order to participate in the Part 2 On-Bike.  The On-Bike session will be held at:

Laurel Park Shopping Center
2312 Hungary Rd
Richmond, VA 23228
United States

Registration price: $24

Ages 14-17 welcome with participating parent or guardian. Proceeds minus costs donated to promote cycling. [continue reading…]

As the Legislature’s website notes “No further action taken. Failed to pass House”

Just as we thought something positive might come out of the Conference Committee, apparently everyone dug in their heels, insisted on their version of the bill, came to an impasse that couldn’t be resolved, and left the bill without their approval in any form.

Thus ends HB 181‘s circuitous journey. Close to the finish line, but not quite across it, the victim of too many amendments attempting to improve it, but with a number of legislators vowing to be back with a similar bill next year.

One incremental step forward, as the bill banning the use of hand held devices in work zones did pass.

Early in today’s discussion of the bill, Chap Petersen proposed an amendment which stated —

2. “That by July 1, 2018, the Dept. of Criminal Justice Services, in consultation with the Dept. of State Police, shall develop a set of best practices for law enforcement agencies regarding the stopping of vehicles for alleged violations of the provisions of this act so as to (i) avoid profiling certain drivers based upon demographic characteristics and (ii) promote the even handed administration of justice.”

3. That the Dept. of State Police shall monitor and record all of the citations issued pursuant to the provision of this act and the relevant demographic characteristics of those persons cited. The Dept. shall submit a report with the results of such monitoring and recording to the Governor by Dec. 1, 2018.

Petersen’s amendment was obviously in response to opposition to the bill that had been reported to be expressed by the Black Caucus back while it was being heard in the House, who was concerned that it would give law enforcement an excuse to pull motorists over on the basis of racial profiling.

Sen. Carrico (a retired State Trooper) stated in discussion that this looked like another “unfunded mandate” being handed to the State Police who already are under staffed, under paid, and underfunded.

After some discussion, the Petersen amendment passed by 29-11.

Then some time later, after the bill had been “Passed by Temporarily” at the request of Sen. Obenshain, when discussion of it resumed, Sen. Norment proposed his amendment in obvious response to Sen. Carrico’s concern about an “unfunded mandate.” With Sen. Stanley surprisingly joining the the D’s, the vote on the amendment was 20-20, whereby Lt. Gov. Fairfax broke the tie with a nay vote, rejecting the amendment.

Than came a request to reconsider (Sen. Stanley apparently voted mistakenly) which was granted, and this vote was 21-19, along party lines, to accept the amendment.

Now with the amendment, the bill passed on the 29-11 vote .

At some point soon now, the fiscal impact of the bill will have to determined by the State Police and others, the result fed in to one of the budgets, and we will see if that kills the bill or not. If it is too high, it may. We shall see.