Bike/Walk Alliance for Missoula

Bike Lanes and Beers in Stevensville

More good news for bike/walk facilities outside of Missoula. The separated bike path that starts in Lolo now runs all the way to Stevensville, paralleling Highway 93 and altogether more than 12 miles of car-free riding. There’s even a separated bike path running from 93 to downtown Stevensville. An intrepid BWAM field researcher cycled to downtown for the grand opening of a new attraction there: Montana’s latest brewpub, Blacksmith Brewery. (Montana is now second in the nation for number of brewpubs per capita.) The owners, Eric and Pam, will be installing a bike rack and have done an incredible job of restoring an historic brick building at the north end of downtown. Our field researcher also reports that the five to six locally brewed beers on tap were quite wonderful. (He was careful to balance intake with the need to return safely to Missoula. Thank goodness for that bike path!) It is great to see all of these new bike/walk facilities throughout the Missoula area, including the amazing new bike/ped bridge in Milltown. There is also a group working to extend the Highway 93 bike path from Lolo north to Missoula – E-mail BWAM for more information on how to get involved.

The Missoula Independent ranks 10 most frightening bike intersections

Did you see the MIssoula Independent with the big cover story on the 10 “most frightening” bike intersections in Missoula? Here’s the link. What do you think? E-mail BWAM with your ideas if they’re not on the Independent’s list. And here’s another list of hotspots, regularly maintained by the Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation. Most important: let’s find ways to fix these intersections. Many of them have been big concerns for cyclist for years.

BWAM submits extensive comments on Russell St. project

On November 3rd, BWAM joined the Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation and Missoula Advocates for Sustainable Transportation in submitting extensive comments on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Russell Street re-building project. The 14-page document, prepared by a number of BWAM members but especially John Wolverton (a member of BWAM's Policy Projects, and Program -- or 3P -- Team), highlights numerous problems with the DEIS and the so-called "preferred alternative": a proposed wide and fast 5-lane corridor from W. Broadway to Mount Streets. You can access BWAM's comment letter here (99KB PDF file).

Federal and state officials will evaluate all the comments received by November 4th and respond with changes in the DEIS, probably in the next few months. You can continue to get friends to sign our petition calling for the more neighborhood-friendly 3-Plus alternative here. We need to let officials at all levels know about strong public opposition to the 5-lane option and the strong public support for 3-Plus, see the Missoulian article.

With fond memories – Len LaBuff

UPDATE: SERVICE ON 11/9: Open Road has announced that there will be a memorial service for Len LaBuff on Sunday, November 9 at Marshall Mountain from 12-4. There will be remembrances of Len beginning around 12:15, followed by a potluck celebration. Reportedly, there will be a bike ride to get to Marshall from Missoula. If you'd like to ride along, contact Open Road at 549-2453 during regular business hours.

We received sad news this weekend that Len LaBuff, co-owner of Open Road Bicycles on Orange Street, passed away on Friday night after a long fight against cancer. In his usual low-key way, Len did not make a big deal out of his situation, but instead focused on his family, his business, and his passion for cycling and community. Len was part of Bikecentennial, the 1976 event with 4,100 riders nationally that launched a new surge in bicycling and bike travel, and also launched the group that is now Missoula-based Adventure Cycling Association. Len and his business partner, Dan Dahlberg, were also among the first supporters of Bike/Walk Alliance for Missoula; in fact, they hosted a reception at their store that kicked off the Bike/Walk Summit for Missoula in October 2006, which launched BWAM. Look for more about Len later this week in the Missoulian newspaper. We will miss Len and extend our deepest condolences to his wife Nancy and their children. Dan Dahlberg says there will likely be a service for Len on Sunday, November 9. Look here for more information here or contact Open Road at 549-2453.

Milltown has a new pedestrian bridge!

Exciting news in Milltown, with the dedication of a new pedestrian bridge across the Blackfoot River as it runs into the Clark Fork River. The span – known as the “Black Bridge” was originally built in 1921 and has been in the process of refurbishment since last December as part of the ongoing EPA Superfund cleanup project, which included removal of the Milltown Dam in March 2008. Go out to Milltown and enjoy the Missoula-area’s latest facility for people-powered transportation! 

Click to see the Missoulian article.                               

Great turnout for the Ribbon Cutting ceremony on  Nov 3, 2008.

Including Senator Max Baucus, Senator Jon Tester, and Governor Brian Schweitzer 

A great way to cross the historic Blackfoot River!

Russell Street: The Hits Keep Coming

Thanks to everyone who is helping oppose the proposed 5-lane Russell Street and supporting the neighborhood friendly 3-Plus for Russell plan. A lot happened in the last week. Advocates – including BWAM – delivered more than 1,100 signatures on petitions in support of 3-Plus to the Mayor and City Council. We held several rallies that were covered in the local media. And BWAM and others asked the officials crafting the new Long-Range Transportation Plan to steer money away from the big 5-lane Russell Street proposal – which they did! Here are some links to the stories in the media, in print and on TV:

Out in force: Opponents of Russell Street reconstruction plan gather signatures, protest (Missoulian).

$13.5M pulled from Russell Street project (Missoulian).

Missoulians oppose 5-lane Russell St. project (KPAX TV).

Comment Time Extension For Russell DEIS

The comment period for the Russell 3rd DEIS has been extended till Nov. 4. Be sure to get your specific comments submitted before this new deadline.

Imagine $50 Million for Bike/Walk Projects!

BWAM has joined with other local groups and the City of Missoula to support a proposal to secure as much as $50 million for bike and walk facilities in the next federal transportation bill. It’s been a long time since significant money was spent on creating new bike/walk facilities. With $50 million, we could build a world-class biking/walking/trails network. Check out these great stories in the Missoulian and the Independent:

City eyes $50 million from feds for biking, walking trails

Pedaling legislation

Bike Theft – Stay Alert

Be careful out there. As this dispatch in New West notes, there are people out there who might snag your bike if it’s unsecured. Make sure you keep your bike locked up when you’re on the town – and make sure it’s in a secure place or locked up outside when you’re at home. You don’t want that funny feeling in your stomach when you find your trusty steed missing. Story of a Stolen Bike

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