Pedal Economics

November 3rd RVA Downtown forum on biking

http://jrnh.net/2011/10/rva-biking-forum-at-virginia-war-memorial/5442

Virginia Wins Bid for International Cycling Event

BikewalkVirginia.org has a post about the upcoming 2015 international cycling event that Richmond will host thanks to http://richmond2015.com/

http://resources.bikewalkvirginia.org/blog-posts/virginia-wins-bid-for-international-cycling-event/

Ride in the "Sharrows", avoid hazards

Anew markings ma be coming to Richmond that will guide bicyclists through the city more safely.
Link:
http://jrnh.net/2011/08/4868/4868

New Bicycle and pedestrian coordinator for Richmond, VA

http://rvanews.com/news/richmond-hires-bicycle-pedestrian-trails-coordinator/49210

This is a well needed development for Richmond! Go Richmond!

New Virginia law allows bikes, moped and motor cycles new rights at intersections with sensors § 46.2-833

http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+ful+HB1991

Virginia Bikes, mopeds and motorcycles have a new option when stuck at a traffic signal that does not automatically sense their presence, such as a red light or a red left-turn signal. Riders must wait two cycles of the light or 120 seconds and then may treat the red signal as a stop sign and proceed with caution through the red signal, at great risk I might add...

§ 46.2-833. Traffic lights; penalty.
A. Signals by traffic lights shall be as follows:
Steady red indicates that moving traffic shall stop and remain stopped as long as the red signal is shown, except in the direction indicated by a lighted green arrow.
Green indicates the traffic shall move in the direction of the signal and remain in motion as long as the green signal is given, except that such traffic shall yield to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection.
Steady amber indicates that a change is about to be made in the direction of the moving of traffic. When the amber signal is shown, traffic which has not already entered the intersection, including the crosswalks, shall stop if it is not reasonably safe to continue, but traffic which has already entered the intersection shall continue to move until the intersection has been cleared. The amber signal is a warning that the steady red signal is imminent.
Flashing red indicates that traffic shall stop before entering an intersection.
Flashing amber indicates that traffic may proceed through the intersection or past such signal with reasonable care under the circumstances.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a driver of a motorcycle or moped or a bicycle rider approaches an intersection that is controlled by a traffic light, the driver or rider may proceed through the intersection on a steady red light only if the driver or rider (i) comes to a full and complete stop at the intersection for 120 seconds, (ii) exercises due care as provided by law, (iii) otherwise treats the traffic control devices as a stop sign, and (iv) determines that it is safe to proceed.

C. If the traffic lights controlling an intersection are out of service because of a power failure or other event that prevents the giving of signals by the traffic lights, the drivers of vehicles approaching such an intersection shall proceed as though such intersection were controlled by a stop sign on all approaches. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to: intersections controlled by portable stop signs, intersections with law-enforcement officers or other authorized persons directing traffic, or intersections controlled by traffic lights displaying flashing red or flashing amber lights as provided in subsection
A.
CD. The driver of any motor vehicle may be detained or arrested for a violation of this section if the detaining law-enforcement officer is in uniform, displays his badge of authority, and (i) has observed the violation or (ii) has received a message by radio or other wireless telecommunication device from another law-enforcement officer who observed the violation. In the case of a person being detained or arrested based on a radio message, the message shall be sent immediately after the violation is observed, and the observing officer shall furnish the license number or other positive identification of the vehicle to the detaining officer.
Violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $350.

Nice anti-car song by XTC

River Of Orchids
by XTC

Play Now

Heeeey!
I heard the dandelions roar in Piccadilly Circus
I heard the dandelions roar in Piccadilly Circus
Take a packet of seeds, take yourself out to play
I want to see a river of orchids where we had a motorway

Push your car from the road
Push your car from the road
Just like a mad dog you're chasing your tail in a circle
Just like a mad dog you're chasing your tail in a circle

It's all in your back yard
You've the whole world at your feet
Said the grass is always greener when it bursts up through concrete
Push your car from the road
Push your car from the road

River of orchids winding our way
Want to walk into London on my hands one day
River of orchids the road overgrows
Want to walk into London smelling like a Peckham rose

Just like a mad dog you're chasing your tail in a circle
Yeah!
Just like a mad dog you're chasing your tail in a circle
You know you can do it

I had a dream where the car is reduced to a fossil
I had a dream where the car is reduced to a fossil
Take a packet of seeds, take yourself out to play
I want to see a river of orchids where we had a motorway

It's all in your back yard
Push your car from the road
You've the whole world at your feet
Said the grass is always greener when it bursts up through concrete

Take a packet of seeds
Push your car from the road
Take yourself out to play
I want to see a river of orchids where we had a motorway

River of orchids winding my way
Want to walk into London on my hands one day
River of orchids the road overgrows
Want to walk into London smelling like a Peckham rose

I heard the dandelions roar in Piccadilly Circus
River of orchids winding my way
I heard the dandelions roar in Piccadilly Circus
Want to walk into London on my hands one day

Just like a mad dog you're chasing your tail in a circle
River of orchids the road overgrows
Just like a mad dog you're chasing your tail in a circle
Want to walk into London smelling like a Peckham rose

I had a dream where the car is reduced to a fossil
River of orchids winding my way
I had a dream where the car is reduced to a fossil
Want to walk into London on my hands one day

I heard the dandelions roar in Piccadilly Circus
River of orchids the road overgrows
I heard the dandelions roar in Piccadilly Circus
Want to walk into London smelling like a Peckham rose

These are River Of Orchids Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com

Everybody Rides a Bike

EverybodyRides_web_version_slideshow.pdf

I have to admit this video about bike traffic crossing makes a lot of sense.

I refer to a fellow blogger for this, a great example of intersection design with bike traffic, cars and even pedestrians safety all considered.

Check out the link here: