BikeWalkNC

North Carolina’s advocate for safe cycling and walking

Lisa Riegel

The Transit and Cycling Connection – BWNC and the Wake County Referendum

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As you consider the Wake County transit referendum that is on the ballot this November, we would like to point out the connection between walking, biking and public transportation.

People of all ages are expressing interest in getting around without a car. Many urban areas are recognizing that to be prepared for the future, they need to build a modern public transportation system that relieves traffic congestion, grows their economy, and provides new and better transportation options for everyone. With greater investments in transit, improvement in bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure will also need to be made as “first and last mile” solutions.

We need to be able to walk and/or bicycle safely to access transit and likewise, transit expands the destinations that bicyclists and pedestrian can access without a car. BWNC supports greater transportation choice, enhanced investment in infrastructure and a lessening of auto dependence.

For more information visit the Wake County Transit plan.

BWNC Bids Farewell to Don Kostelec

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One of our most active board members, Don Kostelec, is moving to Boise, Idaho, to work for Alta Planning & Design.  A big loss for BWNC and North Carolina.   For the past four or so years, we have valued and benefited from his technical expertise, creative ideas and extensive network of contacts. He is amazing at identify issues and provide examples to illustrate change needed – he sees things that most of us overlook. We will miss his voice advocating for the underserved, under-represented populations in our state. We will also miss his sharp wit that always brightened our day when he shared with us. The state of North Carolina and BikeWalk NC in particular will be losing an important and knowledgeable advocate for walkable, bicyclist-friendly development. Idaho is winning big with his move!  We will miss you Don!

NC Bike Summit in Asheville – Register and Get Lodging NOW!

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On SEPTEMBER 16-17, 2016 we are excited to be hosting the 5th Annual NC Bike Summit in collaboration with Asheville on Bikes.  The planning committee has been hard at work and has developed an amazing two days (up to four with the Traffic Skills class and Cyclovia Open Streets event).  Our main message is please register now and please get your lodging now.  It is a wonderful time to be in the mountains so rooms are filling up fast.  We’ve put alternative lodgings on our summit website and can work to arrange home stays.   We want you all there when state leaders kick off the summit Friday at 1pm talking about policy, safety and funding now and in the coming legislative session.  On Saturday we are pleased to announce Mike Lydon of StreetPlans (internationally renown author on Tactical Urbanism, Open Streets).  Want some fun?  Friday night we’ll have a networking reception at New Belgium’s brand new eastcoast brewery.  So, join cycling experts and advocates, health practitioners, planners, engineers, and more from NC and the southeast as we pedal toward economic development!

Visit here to learn more.

Register Here

ADVOCACY SUCCESS – NEW LAW ALLOWS MOTORISTS TO CROSS SOLID CENTER LINE TO PASS BICYCLISTS

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On October 1st it will be legal for motorists to cross the solid center line to pass slower-moving bicyclists.   This is a big advocacy win for BWNC and the NC bicycling community as we have been advocating for this change for many years; read the BWNC discussion here.

This provision is contained as Section 5.5a of House Bill 959: DOT Proposed Legislative Changes and reads as follows:

(e) The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake and pass another on any portion of the highway which is marked by signs, markers or markings placed by the Department of Transportation stating or clearly indicating that passing should not be attempted. The prohibition in this section shall not apply when the overtaking and passing is done in accordance with all of the following:

            1) The slower moving vehicle to be passed is a bicycle or a moped.

            2) The slower moving vehicle is proceeding in the same direction as the faster moving vehicle.

            3) The driver of the faster moving vehicle either (i) provides a minimum of four feet between the faster moving vehicle and the slower moving vehicle or (ii) completely enters the left lane of the highway.

            4) The operator of the slower moving vehicle is not (i) making a left turn or (ii) signaling in accordance with G.S. 20-154 that he or she intends to make a left turn.

            5) The driver of the faster moving vehicle complies with all other applicable requirements set forth in this section.

This new law is great for motorists especially as many pass in this manner already and now can do so legally. As bicyclists, we want motorists to pass us – and of course the motorist still needs to have assured clear distance ahead and only pass when safe.

The newly stipulated four-feet distance between the faster moving vehicle passing the slower moving (bicycle) vehicle in this scenario is an improvement over the current requirement for all vehicles to pass with a minimum two-feet distance clearance, which for bicycles is unacceptably too narrow to be safe. We believe that these new passing stipulations open the door to considering changing lanes to pass as the preferred default passing mode on all public roadways, including those with solid centerlines.

Viewers can read the full version of the bill here.

 

TOUR DE FAT – In Just 2 Weeks – JUNE 25TH in DURHAM!!!

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Tour de Fat Durham 2015
Tour de Fat Durham 2015

TOUR DE FAT

On Saturday June 25th at Diamond Park in Durham, join thousands of your friends for a costumed bike parade and nationally touring and locally loved musical acts, peppered with interactive fun like a 1,000 Person Dance Contest (to win a bike!) a Slow Ride competition (how slow can you go?), and the inspirational car-for-bike swapper series in which brave souls hand over their car keys and commit to commute by bike. (Interested? Apply to be a Car for Bike Trader now.)

We’ll see you for bikes, beer and bemusement. In the meantime, read the Tour de Fat 10 Commandments.   And check out this Tour de Fat Video!

Tour de Fat is New Belgium Brewing’s traveling celebration of all things bicycle, honoring humankind’s greatest invention. Born in Fort Collins, Colorado, to increase awareness and participation in cycling as a sustainable form of transportation, Tour de Fat has grown into a national rite of passage for cycling advocates and bon vivants alike.

For more information go to the Tour de Fat website.

Proceeds benefit Bike Walk NC, Triangle Spokes Group and the Durham Bike Co-op

 

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