“Open streets initiatives temporarily close streets to automobiles, allowing residents to walk, bike, skate, dance and utilize the roadways in countless creative and active ways. From Los Angeles to Ottawa, and Missoula to Miami, open streets have become a way for cities to build community, promote active transportation and reconnect neighborhoods divided by traffic.

“The website, www.OpenStreetsProject.org, showcases dozens of current initiatives across the continent and allows municipalities and advocacy organizations to share information and resources on their open streets initiatives as they evolve and expand.”

Read the full press release here.

“At a time when Montanans are biking, walking and taking transit more than ever, it’s vital that Congress maintain the current modest level of support for these transportation choices,” said Jim Sayer, executive director of Adventure Cycling Association, based in Missoula, Montana and the largest cycling membership group in North America. “Many Montanans are alarmed that after 20 years of bipartisan support, Congress is on the verge of eliminating inexpensive and effective programs like safe routes to school, recreational trails, and transportation enhancements.”

The current House bill (HR 7) would eliminate dedicated federal investment in biking, walking, and trails and would make transit ineligible for funding from the Highway Trust Fund, a move that could undercut growing transit systems in small and large Montana communities. “Amendments will be offered to restore bike, walk, trail and transit programs,” said Ginny Sullivan, special projects director of Adventure Cycling and also the co-organizer of a new bike/walk organization for Montana. “We urge Congressman Rehberg to support these amendments for biking, walking and transit.”

The current Senate bill (S. 1813) would significantly reduce funding for biking and walking programs, and allow states to opt out of the programs altogether. Currently, states are required to spend a tiny share (about 1.5%) on biking and walking. The Senate bill would also eliminate dedicated funding for the Recreational Trails Program, vital to improving outdoor access in Montana and across America. “There will be bipartisan amendments offered to ensure Montana communities’ access to federal investment in biking, walking, and trails. We urge Senators Baucus and Tester to support the Cardin-Cochran and Klobuchar amendments,” said Sullivan.

Some observers have noted that Montana’s small communities and rural character make it an unlikely state for cycling, walking and transit. But the opposite is true. A new report by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy found that small communities are as interested as large cities in utilizing biking and walking. Another new report by the Alliance for Biking and Walking reveals that Montana is fourth in the nation for per-capita biking and walking levels (for example, statewide, 5.4% of Montanans commute by walking and 1.5% by biking). In communities from Billings to Bozeman to Missoula, there has been a strong surge in biking, walking, and transit ridership.

For more information, contact Jim Sayer [e-mail or 406-721-1776 x201] or Ginny Sullivan [e-mailor 406-721-1776 x229], Helena: Melinda Barnes (406-495-0713), Big Sky Cycling and Bike/Walk Montana, Billings: Darlene Tussing (406-860-6121), Active Transportation Alternatives, Bozeman: Penelope Pierce (587-8404 x5), Gallatin Valley Land Trust.

The full text of the letter follows:

The Honorable Max Baucus
The Honorable Jon Tester
The Honorable Denny Rehberg
United States Congress
Washington, DC

Dear Senator Baucus, Senator Tester, and Representative Rehberg,

As Montanans, we are writing to urge your strong support for federal funding for biking, walking, and transit programs in the next long-range transportation bill.   We are alarmed by recent actions in Congressional committees to eliminate dedicated funding for biking, walking and transit or to make it optional on a state-by-state basis for biking and walking.  If these actions are affirmed in final long-term transportation legislation, they will undercut the enormous progress being made to enable more Americans to travel by bike, foot or transit.  They will also severely curtail or eliminate the opportunity for Montana communities to directly access federal funds to invest in (and leverage local resources for) bike, walk, and transit projects.

This is especially cause for concern in Montana, where more people than ever are using these transportation modes for work or other purposes. Transit systems are experiencing record demand. Montanans are riding and walking in growing numbers year around (and in a new report, Montana has been found to be one of the highest per capita walking and biking states in the nation). It does not make sense for the Congress to eliminate the most cost-effective transportation investment available (and at only 1.5% of transport spending, one of the smallest investments) at a time when Montanans in cities large and small are seeking more affordable and healthier transportation options.   Moreover, new research from AASHTO shows that recent bike and pedestrian improvement projects create substantially more jobs per million-dollars spent than other kinds of highway investment.

We urge you to support federal transportation legislation with the strongest possible funding and policy support for biking, walking and transit programs. We also urge you to ensure that Montana communities have continued direct access to these programs to invest in complete transportation systems.

Sincerely,

End of letter

Of course, the mission of BWAM is to promote better facilities and programs to “make Missoula one of the best cities in North America for biking and walking”. BWAM grew out of a community interest to mobilize and focus community energies and efforts to make a real difference.

It is interesting, rewarding and fun to work on an issue or concern and positively impact it.  BWAM makes it easy for you to have that experience and find a way to help through its Advocacy Committee.   Check us out Wednesday, February 1, at 4:30-6 PM at the Liquid Planet. We meet once a month on the first Wednesday.  Learn about what is hot, the current status of activities, and what needs help.  We can match your interests and time with great volunteering that will be manageable and satisfying for you.

This year there are high profile issues such as the Russell St project and the sidewalk funding alternative.   New proposals like a treatment of the Van Buren Interstate 90 intersection or new trail sections are already in the design stage and there will be more.

Every day, city and county departments consider proposals and make decisions that affect the way we get around Missoula.  And they don’t come to BWAM and say, “We are having a meeting to discuss possible changes that will have an impact on the bike/ped community”.  It falls to us to discover what’s in the pipeline at any given time.

We do this in several different ways.  BWAM volunteers monitor the city and county websites for meeting agenda items that need our attention.  Other volunteers attend meetings of some city and county committees, such as City Council’s Public Works Committee, Transportation Planning Coordinating Committee and Transportation Technical Advisory Committee, as watchdogs to gather information about issues that are pertinent to the bike/ped community.  BWAM members serve as BWAM reps on special city and county committees, like the Long Range Transportation Plan-Community Advisory Committee, Active Transportation Plan  Implementation Committee, the Pedestrian Connection sub-committee of the City Council.  In addition, some BWAM members also serve on boards or committees as private citizens, like Bike Ped Advisory Board and the Community Forum.

Finding out what is going on takes a lot of volunteer time and effort, but that is only the beginning.  Because, after information gathering, we must decide if we want to take action on a particular issue, formulate a plan to do so and implement that plan.  The BWAM Advocacy committee is the facilitator for this work, but we need you to get it done.

We will be offering training in March for all volunteers. “Advocacy 101″ will give you the tools to monitor city/county meetings for bike/ped related projects and policy changes, speak in support of BWAM positions, and report your results to the BWAM board.

When the public meetings for the Russell St design are held, BWAM volunteers must be ready to support a complete street with access for all modes of transportation.  Not just one or two of us, but all of us.   When the city council puts the new sidewalk funding proposal on the agenda, BWAM volunteers must be there to support a plan that is fair and will increase the rate of sidewalk construction.  Not just a handful of us, but the entire membership.   And whenever there is an issue that effects the bike/ped community being discussed, debated, proposed or implemented, BWAM volunteers need to be prepared to lobby for our interests.  It is time to ask not what BWAM can do for you, but what you can do for Missoula.

BWAM has had great success in bringing about positive changes over the last several years.  And BWAM’s effectiveness is directly proportional to BWAM volunteers like you who get involved in efforts to influence decisions that shape Missoula.

Robin Spaziani, Advocacy Chair; Greg Oliver, Advocacy vice Chair

Friday will start with a free workshop on cutting edge bicycle facility design followed by the Annual Members Meeting complete with inspiring presentations, end-of-year review and board elections.

Friday will start with a free workshop on cutting edge bicycle facility design followed by the Annual Members Meeting complete with inspiring presentations, end-of-year review and board elections.

Both the Annual Meeting and workshop will feature Joe Gilpin of Alta Planning and Design. Alta was the lead agency for the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) Urban Bikeway Design Guide and Joe is one of Alta’s leading experts in bicycle facility design and has worked both as a project designer and as a planner analyzing network connectivity and corridor planning. He also has a past career in bicycle advocacy in California.

Workshop:  The NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide – a Tour of Cutting Edge Design
Where: City Council Chambers, 140 West Pine Street
When: 2:00-4:30 pm
This workshop is free and is open to all BWAM members, city county officials, staff and all relevant organizations,  agencies, and citizens interested in making the Missoula region the best place to live! Invite your friends and associates by sending them a link to this page!

RSVP for the workshop on-line!

74 are attending the Workshop!

This presentation will introduce atendees to the ins and outs of the recently released NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide, a design tool for state-of-the-art practice bikeways by and for cities throughout the United States. Participants will learn how the need for the NACTO Guide was identified, get a tour of its contents, and review further needs in design guidance for bicycle and pedestrian professionals. This overview will include a preview of enhancements and additions for the 2012 version of the Guide.

BWAM Annual Members Meeting: What does Bike Culture Look Like?
Where: Downtown Dance Collective, 121 West Main Street
When:

• 5:00 pm appetizers & beverages;
• 6:00 pm Presentation;
• 7:00 pm Board Business

The Annual Meeting is open to all BWAM members and non-members! Invite your friends and associates by sending them a link to this page!

RSVP for the Annual Meeting on-line!

59 are attending the BWAM Meeting!

This presentation will focus on what bike culture looks like and what makes a community bicycle friendly. Joe looks at top-notch bicycle friendly communities and shows what can work for cities big and small.

Bob does use gloves!

What better time to avoid being overheated. Missoula in the winter can be a great place to get around via active transportation. Personally I concur with Kevin Hyde that bicycling is the preferred way to go. Having been a year round commuter during my working years I became quite comfortable riding in most any weather. Finding the right streets can be a challenge but is well worth the effort to help keep the body in shape during the down winter months. What is your active method for commuting during the winter; bike, bus, walk, run? Add your comments!

Basic Curb and Sidewalk Infrastructure Needs
These projects are recommended to improve pedestrian safety, aesthetics, property values, parking, drainage, street cleaning and maintenance. These include curbs and sidewalks that are missing or in poor condition, curb extensions, and median refuge crossings.
Transportation Network Improvements
These projects are recommended to improve connectivity and circulation within Midtown and to destinations outside the district. These include trail connections, bike routes, new traffic signals or roundabouts, street improvements, and new street connections.
Streetscape and Aesthetic Improvements
These projects are recommended to improve the identity, aesthetics, and character of Midtown. These include gateway signing, wayfinding, landscaping, and pocket parks

WGM is asking for feedback on the plan. Visit the WGM Midtown site to check out the details and consider weighing in on what you think is most important. They need to hear from you by December 2.

BWAM is pleased that the Pedestrian Connection Subcommittee of the City Council has been formed which furthers a specific priority implementation goal of Missoula’s recent Active Transportation Plan. This subcommittee is scheduled to meet two more times in December and then submit its recommendations to the Public Works Committee.

Please consider contacting the City Council subcommittee members by email or phone and expressing three things (it is great timing for them to hear briefly from you):

1) Appreciate that they are tackling the unsexy topic of sidewalks. Belief that sidewalks are important, particularly for the most vulnerable. Consider the 8 and 80 principle: how safe is it for 8 and 80 year olds to walk out on streets that you know about that don’t have complete sidewalk system?

2) Support for revamping how we fund sidewalks so that there is much less of a burden on individual property owners. Bob Jaffe is leading the charge with a good new approach that is like health insurance, with the city as a whole paying the bulk of the costs.

3) Support for going beyond the status quo of what is currently invested annually in sidewalks to generating additional funds. We need to complete the sidewalk system sooner than in one hundred years. This could be done with Jaffe’s model and it could be done by aggressively pursuing some other promising funding ideas as well.
• Marilyn Marler (chair)
• Cynthia Wolken
• Dick Haines
• Bob Jaffe
• Pam Walzer
• Ed Childers