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Features &
Articles : Inside DOT Updated 11/04/02 Latest FHWA Spending Numbers TEA-21 spending on bicycle and pedestrian projects jumped to $416 million in FY 2002, up from $339 million the previous year. The FHWA's Fiscal Management Information System (FMIS) records projects for which funds have been obligated and which have been coded as bicycle and/or pedestrian projects - the $416 million figure does not include NHTSA or FTA funding programs and doesn't count projects where bicycle and pedestrian improvements are an incidental part of a larger project. NHTSA Publishes Safe Routes to School toolkit NHTSA has teamed up with the Marin County Bicycle Coalition's safe routs to school project to produce an 88-page toolkit for use by educators and others to promote walking and biking to school that includes sections on mapping the routes to school, activities and outreach, and classroom lessons. The toolkit also includes sample Safe Routes to School forms, press releases, posters, and other resources. HTML and pdf versions available at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/bike/ Excellent Highway Projects include Bike/Ped FHWA's 2002 Excellence in Highway Design award winners included several bicycle and pedestrian projects in the "Highway Related Projects" category. Recipients announced on October 13 included · Broadway (Diamondback) bicycle/pedestrian bridge in Tucson, AZ (http://www.huntercontracting.com/projects_complete.html) · Timber pedestrian bridge in Salem, NC (http://www.doh.dot.state.nc.us/preconstruct/biennial_awards/category6.htm) · North County Trailway, NY (http://www.trailsfromrails.com/north_county_trail.htm) · Bicycle and pedestrian facilities in Tucson, AZ (http://www.ci.tucson.az.us/hottopics/bicyclecity.html) · Crabtree Creek Greenway Connector, NC (http://www.doh.dot.state.nc.us/preconstruct/biennial_awards/category6.htm) Calls for Papers · Deadline for abstracts for the Velo City International Cycle Planning Conference in Paris (France) is November 18. · The call has just gone out for papers for the National Bike Summit, March 5-7 2003, hosted by the League of American Bicyclists. Ride Smart "Funky" Video Now Available NHTSA has produced a "funky fast-paced" video on bicycle helmet safety, featuring a "raw egg drop" sequence and hilarious out-takes. Contact Marietta Bowen for more information: mbowen@nhtsa.dot.gov. Come to the next SHARE meeting to see the video. FHWA's Peters Represents Secretary Mineta at Bike Summit FHWA Administrator Mary Peters delivered the keynote address to the 2nd National Bike Summit, March 6. Peters spoke on behalf of Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta who was unable to attend. The Summit, organized by the League of American Bicyclists, brings more than 200 leaders of the bicycle community to Washington DC for three days of meetings and visits. Go to www.bikeleague.org for more information on the schedule and registration. State Bike/Ped Coordinators Get AASHTO Role The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials has established a Joint Task Force on Non-motorized Transportation under the Subcommittee on Design. This sub-committee in turn reports to the Standing Committee on Highways and membership will comprise the state bicycle and pedestrian coordinators. The Chair of the Joint Task Force has been designated as Ms. Susanne Martinovich, Chief Engineer of Nevada DOT. Bike Education and Safety Resources on-line FHWA has published a compilation of 16 "good practices" in bicycle safety education. The Good Practices Guide is a useful resource for educators who plan to develop bicycle safety education programs, or selecting the most effective existing bicycle safety education program for their curriculum needs (link to guide). The new guide adds to the extensive bike education resources available at the Bicycle Safety Education Resource Center and at the NHTSA web site. Pro Bike Pro Walk Conference Registration Open The bi-annual Pro Bike Pro Walk conference is the largest gathering of bicycle and pedestrian advocates, agency staff, researchers, and other experts. Registration for the 2002 meeting is now open at www.bikewalk.org and the early registration cut-off is July 31. Both NHTSA and FHWA are sponsors of the conference and may have some registration spaces available - contact John Fegan or Maria Vegega for more information. NHTSA Represents DOT at HHS Fitness Expo Maria Vegega and Marietta Bowen were on hand at the White House for a "Fitness Expo" hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services. The Expo reflects a strong emphasis on promoting physical activity from the White House on down — the event was also used to announce new members of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. John Burke, President of Trek Bicycles Inc. is one of the new Council members. International Walk to School Day Wins Prestigious International Award "On June 5, the 30th World Environment Day, 14 final winners were announced and received the Stockholm Partnerships Award from His Majesty, the King of Sweden, at a ceremony in Stockholm City Hall. The winners represent innovative solutions for sustainable development in metropolitan areas from thirteen countries around the world: The Stockholm Bouquet." Go to www.partnerships.stockholm.se/news_index.html to find out more. Walk to School Day is scheduled for October 2, 2002. |