I played in traffic this weekend. I rode my bike in some of the busiest intersections in the state of Alaska, such as Minnesota and Benson, Northern Lights and Spenard, Tudor and C St. I wasn’t in the crosswalk, I was in the lane, lined up with cars and trucks and all the other traffic. Oh, and it was raining really hard.

It was fun. It was liberating.

Let me back up. By now you are probably thinking I’ve finally gone off the deep end.

Preston Tyree, Director of Education for the League of American Bicyclists, was in Anchorage certifying Bike Education instructors. One of the requirements is that candidates demonstrate full knowledge of traffic laws and the ability to safely merge with traffic, even at busy intersections. And you know what? Once you learn how simple it is, and how to do it right, it’s easy. It’s liberating. I now understand that I don’t need to be intimidated by busy intersections or fast moving traffic. I now understand that I don’t need to stay confined to the crosswalk when crossing at Benson and A Street, where I was hit several years ago.

I have often heard cyclists complain about Anchorage drivers. I’ve heard stories of cyclists getting things thrown at them, and getting yelled at. But this weekend, drivers were polite. One said he was an avid cyclist and wanted to know how to get in the class. Another offered us a ride.
Several pulled up and politely asked what we were doing, and one complimented us on how nice we looked. We did not get honked at once.

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Over the weekend, two BCA board members, Kristi Wood and Brian Litmans, participated in the League of American Bicyclists educational training program to become certified League Cycling Instructors (LCIs). So what is an LCI and what does this mean for Anchorage?

LCIs are experts in bicycle education and safety. As LCIs, Kristi and Brian can now offer courses within the League’s Smart Cycling curriculum. These classes can be suited to meet the needs of any cyclist. LCIs are certified, insured and equipped to teach anything from basic skills to college level courses. League courses offered include: Traffic Skills 101 and 201, Confident Commuting, Bicycling Skills for Youth and Adults, Safe Routes to Schools and Share the Road. LCI’s can also offer modified versions of these courses and design bike clinics as well as provide general safety consulting.

The class, organized by BCA’s Kristi Wood, included 12 students in total, 7 of whom are from Anchorage. 2 students were from Cordova, while the remaining 3 students were from Juneau. Currently, there are only 3 LCI instructors in the entire state, 1 in Cordova and 2 in Stika.

Through this class, BCA has been able to significantly enhance the number of LCIs across the state from 3 to now 15. The class was taught by Preston Tyree, Director of Education for the League and Linda Crider, an LCI from Cordova.

We look forward to offering this level of education to the Anchorage community. You can learn more about the classes offered here.   If you are interested in a class contact us at info@bicycleanchorage.org

This notice came from muni traffic department.

“Please note that tomorrow’s (August 5) Title 9 Rewrite meeting for sections 9.20 and 9.38 has been CANCELLED due to scheduling conflicts with several key attendees.  We will try to reschedule for a later date.”

Thank you,

Municipal Traffic Department

ADVOCACY
The BCA has received numerous responses to the Title 9 notification we sent out last week. Thank you for your support and commitment to bicycle safety! A big Thanks to the people who contacted the Public Safety Committee and the Assembly to share your feelings on this important subject! The muni Traffic Department requested BCA notify folks Thursday’s Title 9 meeting (August 5th from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM at the Municipal Planning and Development Center in the first floor conference room #30, 4700 Elmore Rd), is not an opportunity for public testimony. It is rather a work session and an opportunity for the Traffic Department to explain their position on the subject. Bearing that in mind, if you are a cyclist interested in becoming, or are already well versed, in Traffic law, and understand the practicalities and challenges facing Anchorage’s cyclists, BCA would like you to attend this meeting. We’ll be sure to send an update after the meeting to notify you all of the results of the meeting.

A reminder of the wording BCA is objecting to in Title 9.38.060

“Persons operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk, recreational trail or bike trail must yield the right-of-way to traffic before crossing a roadway, street, or driveway.”

and section 9.38.020

“A person propelling a vehicle by human power upon and along a sidewalk, trail or pathway, (or across) except when crossing a roadway or driveway intersecting a sidewalk, trail or pathway, shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances.”

This is placing the burden of responsibility on the must vulnerable users, children riding their bicycles on the sidewalk.

ENCOURAGEMENT
This Saturday from 11AM – 9PM is the Renewable Energy Alaska Project Fair on the Memorial Block of the Downtown Parkstrip. We’ll have our Free And Secure Bike Parking available, so you can leave the car at home, get some exercise and fresh air, and enjoy a front row parking spot at the Fair. We’re looking for volunteers to help park bikes, so if you have a spare couple of hours on Saturday to lend a hand, please email bikemoredriveless@hotmail.com.

Our city is considering changing a law – Title 9 of the Anchorage Municipal Code – to make cyclists liable for accidents if they are hit while crossing a roadway. No other place in the country gives the right of way to a motorist over a bicyclist. Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage (BCA) is teaming up with citizens to make sure Anchorage, Alaska, will not become the first.

Here is what you can do to help:
1. Tuesday, July 27th, 8pm attend the Anchorage Assembly meeting to support BCA when we speak out against this potential change.
2. Contact Public Safety committee members, and let them know the proposed change is a bad idea.
• Paul Honeman, chair, HonemanPS@muni.org, 947-0500
• Chris Birch, chrisbirch@gci.net, 346-3265
• Mike Gutierrez , gutierrezm@muni.org, 382-5972
3. Join us from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Thursday, August 5, for an important meeting of the city Traffic Department at the Municipal Planning and Development Center (First Floor Conference Room Number 30 at 4700 Elmore Road).

Title 9 of Anchorage’s Municipal code handles traffic law, including the rights and duties of cyclists. Since last Spring when Title 9 rewrites were proposed, BCA has strongly objected to changes in the law which hinder public safety protections for bicyclists.

Giving cars the right of way is unintuitive. Most people instinctively give the right of way to the most vulnerable. Bicyclists give the right of way to pedestrians and cars give the right of way to cyclists and pedestrians. Does the city really want to make a child riding their bike on a sidewalk liable if that child were to be hit by a car while crossing a driveway? The proposed law defies common sense.

The evidence is on our side.
1. According to the Anchorage Bicycle Plan, crash statistics for bicycle versus car accidents in Anchorage went down by 40% since 2004 when Title 9 was originally changed to ensure cyclists have the right of way when crossing a street.
2. BCA researched traffic law in all 50 states, and did not find any other communities give the right of way to the motorist over the cyclist. In most communities, the right of way is granted to the cyclist, for the obvious reason that cyclists can be put at risk when crossing the street.

This change is dangerous because of the increased number of bicyclists.
1. Bicycle ridership, according to Anchorage 2010 Bike to Work Day observational counts, nearly doubled since 2007.
2. Anchorage has more bicycle shops, bicycle rental businesses, and more money being spent on bicycles and bicycling gear than ever before.

This change is dangerous to children
1. Children ride their bikes 40% more than adults
2. Bicycle crashes are the leading cause of hospitalization and fatalities of children
3. Children ride their bikes on sidewalks. This new law puts the burden of responsibility on children whether they are riding or walking their bicycle across a driveway or intersection.
4. Many motorists are driving while talking or texting, this distraction can lead to a motorist hitting a cyclist and still it will be the bicyclist’s fault.

BCA recommends
1. Maintain the same language as 2004, as the rewrite reduced crashes.
2. Start a campaign to educate motorists to stop at red lights and not roll through stop signs.

What BCA is already doing
1. BCA holds education clinics nearly every two months, educating bicyclists on following the rules of the road and bicycle safety.
2. BCA designed a bicycle safety curriculum and taught the week long bicycle safety to 60 youth, age 8-14 this summer through Camp Fire USA.
3. BCA is hosting a three day bicycle certification clinic to teach instructors how to teach bicycle safety.

Please join us in our efforts to keep Anchorage’s cyclists safe! If you have any specific questions about the Title 9 re-write, please contact Kristi Wood at bikemoredriveless@hotmail.com

Great meeting tonight! We took a big step forward for safety on Spenard Road. More than 70 people packed the Mayor’s Conference room to testify on a sunny summer evening. Most were supporters of bicycle and pedestrian improvements in one of Anchorage’s favorite business districts. Bike lanes, separated sidewalks and Complete Streets traffic calming measures will be good for business on Spenard Road!

We need to work out some parking solutions and protect our local businesses from suffering losses during construction, but we can get this done. Thanks to Assembly Members Ernie Hall and Harriet Drummond, and all the business owners who showed up including Jae Shin (architect), Matt Jones from Beartooth and Rebecca and Corwyn from Taproot. Thanks to BCA’s John Hettinger for making the meeting, as well.

Cheers to BCA and the Spenard Complete Streets Coalition! More to come…

Call Jay Stange for more details: 907.891.1971

When I am on a bike, my spine tingles when I see a motorist on the phone. Even worse, when I see their head bowed down as they type a message. Things can happen quickly out on the road. So I try to keep as close an eye as I can on what motorists are doing behind the wheel. It influences where and how I ride. Texting is my biggest concern.  And for those that don’t know, texting is unlawful in Alaska.

AT&T has just unveiled a campaign to raise awareness.  Here are some of the ads:

While it turned out to again be a long night, those that stuck it out were greeted with a great cap to the evening. The Assembly first voted 10 to 1, rejecting an amendment to withdraw the proposed route that would parallel the railway from Westchester lagoon to south Anchorage. It is a great uninterrupted route and we were happy to see it stay in the plan. While it will no doubt require a lot of work to make it a reality, BCA is certainly up to the challenge and hopes that the Railroad and the City can find a solution. Rails along trails can be tricky but there are many successful examples from across the country.

Then to top the night off, the Assembly showed 100% support for the Bike Plan. We extend our thanks to the Assembly for their patience. There were a lot of bicyclists who came out to let the Assembly know how important this is to the bicycling community. BCA is excited that the Plan has the Assembly’s full support. And, assuming AMATS approves the plan, that we can all move forward with its implementation.  It no doubt will make Anchorage safer and more convenient for bicyclists, but it will also make Anchorage a more livable city for everyone.

BCA thanks the entire bicycling community for all the support you have shown. The broad support was critical to getting unanimous support from the Assembly. Thank You and keep riding – and for those that have not been riding this winter, today is a pretty great day to pull the bike out of the garage!

Hey bike enthusiasts,

the word in the halls is pretty positive. looks like we have the Assembly in support for the plan. we will still testify to let the Assembly know the importance of this plan to bicyclists and all of Anchorage. If you want to come on down, it looks like they will be getting to the Plan around 7:3opm or so – they just started their break.. You can show just through your presence that there is strong support from the community. if you do testify let the Assembly know that you support the rail route. The Mayor has introduced an amendment to pull the route out. It is an important north/south connector for Anchorage that allows bicyclists to get north/south without going through lots of intersections.

Photo by Mark Lester, Anchorage Daily News

ADN published a good article about the Anchorage Bike Plan in Sunday’s paper. Author Lisa Demer interviewed quite a few people for the story, including the Mayor, Assembly chair Pat Flynn, a representative from the Alaska Trucking Association, and transportation planners and municipal workers from other northern cities where cyclists have to deal with snow. Our own Dawn Groth, Brian Litmans and Kristi Wood were interviewed, and Brian was even pictured on the front page! You can read the entire story here: http://www.adn.com/2010/03/20/1192613/two-wheeled-travelers-pumped-for.html

This Tuesday the Assembly will continue the public testimony on the Anchorage Bike Plan. Many bicyclists came out on March 2nd, to testify about why the Bike Plan is important to them. We hope we again get large numbers of bicyclists out to the Assembly meeting this Tuesday to let the Mayor and the Assembly know how important this Plan is to the Anchorage bicycle community.

We don’t know when we will be on the agenda so stay tuned. This go-around, BCA will also be blogging live from the Assembly through our website and our Facebook page to let everyone know when in the evening the Bike Plan will be heard. So you can follow along from home and come on down when we know when the Assembly will get to the Plan.

If you want to see some talking points about the Anchorage Bike Plan, or just want to look the plan over, check the Bike Plan part of our website, http://bicycleanchorage.org/wordpress/?page_id=798.