Submitted by Boundary on Mon, 02/14/2011 - 21:31
This is a great article about
how to get involved in bicycle advocacy. There are probably as many ways to get involved as there are cyclists. So really, the article describes one way to get involved.
Another way to get involved is to try to change a speed limit after a horrific wreck scares the living daylights out of you.
Submitted by Boundary on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 20:28
I took advantage of the recent snow days to count up signatures. We have 139 signatures. 114 of these are actual signatures on a piece of paper. There are 28 signatures on the e-petition, but 3 of these also signed the paper one so I subtracted that.
There are still some copies circulating, collecting even more signatures.
I am preparing for discussion with the Airport & Transportation Commission, if Ron Winkler, the Chair of the Commission, will allow us that opportunity.
Submitted by Boundary on Thu, 01/27/2011 - 11:18
With well over 100 signatures, nearly 100 on the paper petition plus 28 on the e-petition, and I keep hearing that the petition is now being circulated by others, it is time to talk to the city. I really want to go through the right channels on this. When I asked the director of PedNet what, if anything, he wishes they had done differently on any of their activities, he predictably cited the anti harassment policy which stirred up a lot of anti cyclist sentiment. ("We can't honk at cyclists for no good reason?
Submitted by Boundary on Fri, 01/21/2011 - 16:45
You might have noticed that not all of the attention generated by media coverage has been positive. This is something I'm struggling to deal with, particularly those which blame the girl's mother for allowing her to bike on a highway. That one resonates with me because I feel guilty. Logically and rationally I know I am not to blame, but any parent blames herself, no matter how much control she had over the incident. I failed to stop the truck.
That doesn't mean that folks should anonymously attack me online.
Submitted by Boundary on Sun, 01/16/2011 - 23:04
MoDOT's speed study
Speed Study - Route H - Adair County (1)
Feel free to circulate a paper version of the petition:
Boundary petition
The paper version reads the same as the
e-petition, with spaces for name, address, indicate whether you are a Kirksville resident, and how you use Boundary (by foot, bike or car).
Submitted by Boundary on Sat, 01/15/2011 - 18:40
Today I walked north on Boundary, trudging through snowy yards and knocking on doors. I've never done a petition, I rarely sign petitions, so I practiced my speech: "I'd like to talk to you about speeding traffic on Boundary." I needn't have worried. Most people were extremely nice and as soon as I'd gotten that sentence out they were signing. The residents on Boundary are vehement about this issue. 92% of the people I spoke to signed. Two people I didn't speak to signed (their husband or wife signed for them).
Submitted by Boundary on Sun, 01/09/2011 - 23:11
Petitions are for showing citizen support for an action, such as reducing a dangerously high speed limit on a narrow busy road. We need to show citizen support so that we can get the support of the City and County. We need to show MoDOT that we have City and County support and the support of the community to lower the speed limit on Boundary, in order to protect the residents who live on this road, and the bicyclists and pedestrians who use it. This is the recommended "three legged" approach.
So let's show some citizen support.
Submitted by Boundary on Sun, 01/09/2011 - 22:22
The Campaign for Safer Boundary/ Highway H states that we want city, county and state officials to work with area residents to find a real solution to the problem of traffic driving too fast for safety on Boundary. Here are some possible solutions.
Residents who live on Boundary within the 35 mph zone complain that motorists continue at 55 mph all the way through the 35 mph zone up to the stop sign and the end of Boundary at Michigan. An interim 45 mph zone will encourage drivers to slow down as they approach the residential area.
Submitted by Boundary on Sun, 01/09/2011 - 22:20
The traffic study was done at 2:00 p.m. on Nov 22. On one hand it was awfully nice that they got it done so early, about two weeks after the wreck. On the other hand-- Nov 22? Right before Thanksgiving, and at 2:00 p.m.? How about when everyone is coming home from work, which is when my daughter's bicycle vs. truck wreck occurred. And how about a day when people are actually at work? A lot of people take that whole week off, and students go home.
The results of the traffic study: 46% of the drivers were traveling at less than 50 mph. But 85% of the drivers were driving at or below 55 mph.
