Inaugural ‘Share the Road….Every Life Counts’ Procession

 Advocacy, Events, Group Rides: Special, News  1 Response »
Apr 152012
 

Wednesday, May 2nd

Call for Riders, Walkers, Drivers and Wheelchair Users in South Bend, Indiana


A coalition of local citizens seeking to promote road-sharing awareness and enhance area transportation safety announces its inaugural Share the Road….Every Life Counts procession, Wednesday, May 2. This event is the first of its kind featuring a positive, proactive approach to urge road-sharing awareness. All citizens are encouraged to join the Share the Road….Every Life Counts procession.

The procession can be joined by bicyclists, motorcyclists and motorists at the Medical Plaza parking lot immediately north of the Indiana 23 Toll Road overpass at 5:30 p.m. Citizens wishing to walk, parents with strollers and wheelchair users will meet at Howard Park at 6:15. Continue reading »

South Bend gets bicycle marching orders

 education, News  No Responses »
Dec 012010
 

The city shows off its new BFC sinage. Soon these signs will dot the highways and byways of South Bend.

The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) has given South Bend very specific guidelines on how to maintain and enhance its designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community. In all, there were some 41 recommendations, but five stand out as being the most important. Currently, The City has a Bronze Level rating. By incorporating some of these suggestions, South Bend could advance to the next level, which is Silver. Here are the suggestions from the LAB:

1.       Continue to expand public education campaigns to promote the share the road message and the rights and responsibilities of all users. There are some new tools for you to use. See a new motorist education video at http://www.bikelib.org/safety-education/motorists/driver-education/ It is vital to make motorists and cyclists aware of their rights and responsibilities on the road. Also, see the excellent Look Campaign from New York City: http://www.nyc.gov/html/look/html/about/about_us_text.shtml and use the valuable information from the League’s Ride Better Tips in your outreach education and encouragement efforts. See the Ride Better Tips pages at http://www.bikeleague.org/resources/better/index.php

 2.       Make stronger connections between bicycling community and law enforcement. Ensure that police officers are educated on the “Share the Road” message and have general knowledge regarding traffic law as it applies to bicyclists. The city should implement regular training for officers on this like an Enforcement for Bicycle Safety seminar. This is a great continuing education opportunity for law enforcement. http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/bikesafe/case_studies/casestudy.cfm?CS_NUM=801

 3.       Adopt a Complete Streets policy and offer implementation guidance. Every street should accommodate bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists and transit users of all abilities and ages. http://www.completestreets.org/

Continue reading »

Bike South Bend committee is formed

 News  No Responses »
Nov 242010
 

Mike Divita (left) & Chris Dressel updating new committee members on biking status

Twenty-three people attended the first meeting of a new committee being organized by the City. Under the leadership of Chris Dressel, the South Bend Bicycle Coordinator, the attendees reviewed the status of the City’s biking and walking infrastructure as well as plans for future upgrades. The twenty-three represented business, school, health, government and civic groups throughout greater South Bend. As members were introducing themselves, each was asked to identify the best and worst thing about cycling in South Bend. Worst things seemed to be safety and the weather. Best things were the progress that has been made, the cooperation of many people and organizations, and the potential for further improvements.  Continue reading »

Tribune publishes opinion of Bicycle Indiana in VIEWPOINT

 Advocacy, Commentary, News  No Responses »
Nov 122010
 

Nancy Tibbett, Executive Diretor of the statwide bicycling advocacy group submitted the article, which was published earlier this month. She submitted the piece to several newspapers around the state, and the South Bend Tribune was one of the media where it was published. The article follows…

“In recent weeks, Indiana has experienced an unsettling spike in the reports of bicyclists and pedestrians struck by automobiles. Last week’s crash involving a team of cyclists in Bloomington was only the latest in a string of incidents resulting in everything from minor injuries to fatalities.   Continue reading »

IN-MI River Valley Trail inches forward

 Facilities, Infrastructure, News  2 Responses »
Oct 222010
 

The Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail, is an assemblage of separately built and managed trails. It will someday extend from Mishawaka, IN to Niles, MI and developers continue to make herky-jerky progress toward its completion. Some futurists envision the day when it will run from Elkhart, IN to Berrien Springs, MI, and even all the way to Lake Michigan.

Notable progress has been made recently.

Dead end? Yes, but progress is being made.

A section in Niles has just opened which extends the trail southward from downtown Niles to the Fort/3rd Sts. intersection. A ribbon cutting will be held October 30th at 10:00 am at Niles’ River Front Park.

In South Bend, IN, extension of the section known as the Northside Trail is in the planning stage. A public hearing was held a few months ago. Based on public comments, planners have fine tuned the plan and a second public hearing will be held at 6:00 pm on October 27th at the River Park Branch Library at 2022 Mishawaka Ave. The extension will more-or-less parallel Northside Blvd. from 21st Street to Logan St. where it will link up with Mishawaka’s Riverwalk. Continue reading »

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