Posts Tagged ‘Missoula’
January 5th, 2013 | 
Author: Introducing the Norman Maclean Trail
Like many a fly fisherman in western Montana where the summer days are almost arctic in length, I often do not start fishing until the cool of the evening. Then in the arctic half-light of the canyon, all existence fades into a being with my soul and memories and the sounds of the Big Blackfoot River and a four-count rhythm and the hope that a fish will rise. Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
Many a Missoulian can relate to this passage from local author Norman Maclean’s beloved novel, A River Runs Through it. Whether you fly fish or bike or rock climb, if you live in western Montana its wild landscape holds some part of you captive, drawing you into the outdoors again and again to explore a new trail or rock wall or part of a river. For those of us who have lived elsewhere, we know that access to a wild ‘playground’ in our backyard is what makes Missoula unique. And soon outdoor enthusiasts and explorers will have access to a new trail route through the forested backyard that connects the Rattlesnake to the west side of Seeley Lake. The Missoula Community Foundation and the Seeley Lake Community Foundation have teamed up to bring the new trail to life and are naming it in honor of Norman Maclean’s local legacy. Read the rest of this entry »
Missoula’s Downtown Bike Den
Open For Use
With the ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, Nov 15, 2012 the new Bike Den at the Mountain Line Transfer Station has officially opened. This great new facility provides covered parking for bicycles, a self-service bike repair station with tire inflator and display cases for bike commuter information. Stop by and check out this facility on Pine Street between Ryman and Woody Streets.
Vending machine has snacks plus minor parts including replacement inner tubes.
Convenient stand to hold your bike while you make adjustments
Convenient stand to hold your bike while you make adjustments
Basic bike repair tools tethered to the bike stand.
Basic bike repair tools tethered to the bike stand.
Air compressor with both Presta and Shrader connections and pressure indicator.
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9With the new 3-bike racks on the Mountain Line buses this Den makes for biking and busing in perfect harmony. These improvements were funded through a Federal Livability Grant obtained by Mountain Line to improve transportation services for Missoula.
Tuesday evening, October 2, 2012, at Meadow Hill Middle School approximately 30 local enthusiasts attended an open house showing the latest renditions of possible trail alignments between Missoula and Lolo. View the handout from this meeting in PDF format (1.8MB).
This potential trail would complete the link from Missoula to Hamilton with linkages to additional bike friendly routes across the country. DJ&A, P.C. is the consulting contractor performing the feasibility study.
See the KPAX-TV report.
Jean Belangie-Nye, Board Member of BWAM has been a primary participant for BWAM and the community moving this project forward. Jean continues to work with Missoula County staff, MDT staff, and DJ&A staff to keep this project on track and in progress.
Additional detail files are now available as of Oct. 26, 2012. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Advocacy, Missoula-Lolo Trail, Transportation | 
Tags: BWAM, Missoula, Missoula-Lolo Trail | 
1 Comment »
The new website for the Open Streets Project includes Missoula as one of 65 sites around the US setting aside time for citizens to enjoy their streets. Thanks to Missoula in Motion for being the prime organizer for this event in Missoula.
“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.”
Montanans delivered a petition with more than 1,000 signatures (gathered in less than a week – petition text) to Montana’s federal elected representatives, urging them to support the continued and dedicated funding of biking, walking, trail and transit programs. All of these programs are at risk of total elimination or severe cutbacks in legislation that will be considered this week in Congress.
“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.” Read the rest of this entry »
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!
Now is your opportunity to comment on what you think Missoula needs in the way of bus service. I just attended the first of 3 public workshops by Mountain Line. The next two are Wednesday 10/26/11 at 6:00pm in the Southgate Mall Community Room and on Thursday 10/27/11 at 6:00pm in the Holiday Inn Downtown Ballroom. During today’s 12 noon meeting we were informed that Mountain Line has also created an OnLine Survey to reach out to those who may not currently ride the buses. Follow this link to the Mountain Line website to take the survey and let them know what would encourage you to use the bus or use the bus more.
Lots of great suggestions as well as positive affirmation of the successes of Mountain Line in Missoula. This is the data gathering phase leading to a report by the consultant in six to eight months on both short term and long term transit issues for Missoula. Contact them now to help make Missoula’s transit the best it can be.
