Homeless in Gadsden The homeless: Our neighbors

In every place that some call home, there are others who have no home, and the experience for those who don't can vary from place to place, said Gene Champion.

“That's the thing about being homeless: You have to travel a lot,” said Champion, who lives under a bridge on U.S. Highway 431 and carries all his ragged worldly belongings — blankets, clothes and a tent — in the baskets of a bright pink bicycle.

More than 80 years old, Champion has lived the homeless lifestyle periodically throughout Alabama. He thinks some cities are more conducive to that life than others. His favorite is Dothan, where he plans to return by Christmas since he thinks he'll find work there. He hasn't had much luck finding employment in Gadsden the last three months.

“If your work plays out in one (city), you have to go to the next (city),” Champion said.

The lack of work isn't the only reason he's leaving, though. He said it's hard to find a good place to camp without being disturbed and asked to move. He's also been struck three times by moving vehicles while riding his bike.

Although job markets, camp sites and attentive motorists may be more abundant in some places than others, Champion's hand-painted “HELP” sign on the back of his bicycle seat evokes assistance from people in Gadsden and “coast to coast,” he said.

read more here

US states could make it illegal to harass cyclists

Laws forbidding the harassment of cyclists could make it into the statute books if plans in Mississippi and Los Angeles come to fruition – following in the wake of similar legislation passed in other US states and cities in 2009.

Mississippi cyclists have been pushing for such bike-friendly legislation for three years, and next year they anticipate success at last. Meanwhile in Los Angeles, a similar law seems to be making steady progress ahead of a crucial vote in January 2010.    

If passed, the Mississippi bill will give riders protection from harassment by motorists, but it will also set out responsibilities for cyclists, such as using hand signals, having the proper equipment (ie. lights) and not riding more than two abreast.

Rich Adair, former president of the state's Jackson Metro cycling club, said harassment was common. "We're competing for the same space, and cars see us as competition," he said. "We have a problem with cars swerving at us or having items thrown at us."

One criticism of the proposed law is that it would fail to define a legal minimum passing distance – something that is already in force elsewhere in the US  (see below).

Los Angeles City Council's transportation committee has also been considering a 'bicyclist anti-harassment ordinance', which is likely to be voted on in January 2010. read more here

Risky cycling rarely to blame for bike accidents, study finds

Cyclists disobeying stop signal or wearing dark clothing at night rarely cited in collisions causing serious injury

A tiny proportion of accidents involving cyclists are caused by riders jumping red lights or stop signs, or failing to wear high-visibility clothing and use lights, a government-commissioned study has discovered.

The findings appear to contradict a spate of recent reports speculating that risky behaviour by riders, such as listening to music players whilecycling, could be behind a near 20% rise in cyclist deaths and serious injuries in the second quarter of this year.

The study, carried out for the Department for Transport, found that in 2% of cases where cyclists were seriously injured in collisions with other road users police said that the rider disobeying a stop sign or traffic light was a likely contributing factor. Wearing dark clothing at night was seen as a potential cause in about 2.5% of cases, and failure to use lights was mentioned 2% of the time.

read more here

Please sign Complete Streets Petition For Huntsville

Please consider signing this petition to have the City of Huntsville adopt the Complete Streets Policy. As you may or may not know Huntsville is the 2nd most deadly city in Alabama for pedestrians.  Lets make the streets here safe for all!! http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/adopt-complete-streets-policy-in-city-of-huntsville-alabama

The streets of our cities and towns are an important part of the livability of our communities. They ought to be for everyone, whether young or old, motorist or bicyclist, walker or wheelchair user, bus rider or shopkeeper. But too many of our streets are designed only for speeding cars, or worse, creeping traffic jams.

Now, in communities across the country, a movement is growing to complete the streets. States, cities and towns are asking their planners and engineers to build road networks that are safer, more livable, and welcoming to everyone.

Instituting a complete streets policy ensures that transportation planners and engineers consistently design and operate the entire roadway with all users in mind - including bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

more info can be found here http://www.completestreets.org

Huntsville's Green 13 Council hears suggestions at town hall meeting

HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Like the space projects Huntsville is best known for, Saturday's town hall meeting with the Green 13 Council included a historically successful approach  getting a lot smart people in one room to figure out how to solve a complex problem.

The problem in this case is finding sustainable approaches to building, transportation, energy and the environment and developing an education and communication strategy to spread the word.

The Green 13 Council was established by Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle in May. It is charged with producing a report by February for the mayor and City Council with recommendations on how Huntsville can become a national leader in green initiatives.

The town hall meeting Saturday at the City Council chamber drew nearly 100 people. Rodney Pennywell, who chairs Green 13, and members of the group outlined the steps they have taken to have their report ready by February.

Along with plenty of research and meetings, they have looked at plans other cities have adopted. The plans drawn by the City of Chattanooga drew special praise from several Green 13 members, who also stressed they were committed to providing ideas that can be implemented.

The second half of the two-hour session was a public comment period. Several cyclists thanked Battle for making a commitment to promoting cycling and protecting cyclists. Their ideas included more bike racks in public places, a revision to the city ordinance that bars cycling on city sidewalks and adoption of a "Complete Streets" policy. read more here

Mayor President Melvin “Kip” Holden Baton Rouge

Green Council Town Hall that needs to hear from the Biking Community

We need to have a big turnout to this. Most people here think we need more recreational facilities for cyclist instead of addressing commuter cycling issues. The fact that they are talking about Complete Streets is a good start and the Mayor is much more involved with this council. Otherwise you can wait another 20 years for the current plan.

From Robin Cox

I am forwarding an invitation and asking you all (those that have the ear of the cycling community here in Hsv) to come along and/or send representatives to the upcoming town hall meeting next Saturday at 1pm at City Hall Auditorium. Its an opportunity to make/reiterate points of improving cycling and walking in our city as a function of the sustainability council's recommendations that are being formulated and will go to the mayor's office in February 2010.

There is a transportation sub-team working on those recommendations now and they need to hear from the bike community in a unified voice. See http://www.hsvcity.com/green/ for background. It is my opinion that we need some benchmark data on the numbers of cyclists - commuters vs. recreational riders and some goals for the future. Infrastructure to support those numbers will need to come through planning/engineering efforts. The Built environment team is proposing smart growth/code changes and I would like to see complete streets suggested/adopted or at least mentioned!!

Please feel free to contact/call me if you have questions or need further assistance. Please note the new address here in the heart of Hsv. One day I hope to be able to safely cycle for all my needs! Meridian street and Oakwood leave a lot to be desired at this point, though!

rdc

BASC Meeting Tonight 5pm

Come on out and see where we are with the public input and other issues.
What: BASC Meeting
When: Tuesday, 08-December, 2009
Where: 308 Fountain Circle (in GIS Building meeting room)

Xmas Parade 2009

Thanks Jacqy and Greg!!!!

Traffic volume on Bailey Cove Road raises question about bike route

From Al.com

HUNTSVILLE, AL - A couple of safety issues are on Carolyn Respess’ mind when she's driving in Jones Valley.

“I have driven Four Mile Post for twenty years and it seems the last ten I have noticed a rusty, curled up cable sticking out on the Aldridge Creek bridge concrete roadway on the north side and do not know what its purpose is there,” Respess said in an e-mail.

“My big concern is now that the road is a bicycle pathway, should a biker have to ride so close to the bridge curb, the person's bike would get tangled in the cable, and injured or fall into the path of a car going west. I am surprised that a biker has not written you about this.” read more

Cycling the Christmas Parade

Saturday Dec 5th is cycling the Christmas Parade we are meeting at the parking lot across from the Clinton Street Post Office @ 11am.

We are also looking for people who can ride with a kid. If you have a trailer this would be good too.

Ian's bike stolen

Ian's bike was recently stolen. It's a sorta metallic blue Schwinn road bike from the 70s. It has nice tires, I think Continental. I don't remember the specifics on the bike. It was last in the Olde Towne/5 Points area.

Protect Insurance Companies PSA

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

Community Bike Day II

Mayor Tommy Battle plugs "Shop Huntsville First" campaign for the holidays

Kind of like "Buy Local Huntsville" ,but not really. "Please support Giant Box chains" as long as they are in Huntsville and drive your cars to them. At least these stores are not recieving a generous tax break at the expense of schools, roads, bike lanes, sharrows, public transportation,sidewalks and all those luxury items the dead beats of Talabama don't deserve. Another 20 years and it will be bearable here. As a local busines owner I would be highly insulted by your Mayor not mentioning :
Lee's Car Wash
Bicycles Etc.
Trailhead
Outdoor Omnibus
Garden Cove
Partners
Pane e Vino


From the Huntsville Times, Which I am so glad for all the front page news on twilight or moondogs or whatever movie that is. We are a serious country with serious movies.

HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Mayor Tommy Battle is urging local residents to do all their holiday shopping in the city.

Local stores "hire your friends, they hire your neighbors," he said at a morning news conference. "They're the ones who support this community, and we want to invest back in those who invest in us."

Battle made his comments hours before tonight's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Bridge Street Towne Centre, which marks the beginning of the local holiday shopping season.

He also urged people to "get away from Internet shopping" and spend their money in brick-and-mortar stores across the city.
"This is the only time you'll ever hear in Huntsville, Ala., that we say cut off your computers," Battle said.

Veronica Moss Visits Times Square

11.8% of all traffic fatalities in America are pedestrians. You think they give a shit about bikes?

Bicycle Education: So Much More than Safety

Wow!!!!! I can hear the heads exploding now:)

Published November 16, 2009 by C.I.C.L.E.
By Shay Sanchez

C.I.C.L.E.’s latest workshop, Creating Great Places to Bike!, marks the first in a series of workshops that will take a look at the bicycle facilities and policies that make our cities pleasant (and safe) places to live and ride.

C.I.C.L.E. has targeted education programming as one of our primary strategies to boost the rate of city bicycling in the Los Angeles area. There’s a good reason for this too. In our many outreach efforts, we’ve learned that many of the barriers that keep people from getting on their bikes are easily addressed through hands-on and personalized instruction and education. read more here

Monte Sano resident worried about safety of bicycles and cars on Bankhead Parkway

From Huntville Times

HUNTSVILLE, AL - Bankhead Parkway is a popular route for local bicycle riders, but it has Ruth Ann Haymes worried about how safe it is for cyclists and motorists sharing the road.

Haymes, who is 82 and lives on Monte Sano, said that several times she’s had to stop her car to avoid a head-on collision with another car passing a bicyclist on the mountainous, curvy road.

“I’m 82 years old and really don’t want to get hit head on,” she said.
Bankhead Parkway has a double-yellow line from about Tollgate Road to the top of the mountain, which means passing is prohibited. Many a motorist going up the mountain behind a bicyclist will be waved around by the biker, Haymes said.
But, she said, the yellow line makes that illegal and blind curves make it hazardous.

There are few, if any, places for a bicyclist going up the mountain to pull off to the side to let vehicles pass.
Haymes wants to know what the police have to say about the situation.

Lt. Mark McMurray, supervisor of the Police Department’s Special Services unit, which includes the Traffic Task Force, said police can ticket a motorist for passing with the yellow line on Bankhead.

“If we’re there to see it,” he said.

Bicyclists have a right to be on the road, he said, and are supposed to ride as far to the right as possible.
McMurray said the Bankhead lanes are only about eight feet wide, and have no place to pull off the road because of a deep ditch on the side.

He said a motorist who passes a bicyclist on Bankhead should stay at least 3 feet from the biker.
“Use common sense and good judgment,” McMurray advised.

An Open Letter To Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Department of Transportation

Has anyone considered starting a letter writing Campaign here?

Dear Governor Crist,

As you may know a recent report produced jointly by the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership and Transportation for America has shown that the following four metropolitan areas within Florida are the most dangerous cities for pedestrians in the United States.

1. Orlando-Kissimmee, FL

2. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

3. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL

4. Jacksonville, FL

The report titled “Dangerous By Design” concludes that Florida roads are dangerous for pedestrians because they have generally been designed to speed up -not slow down-traffic. read more here

William Lind: A Conservative Voice For Public Transportation

From Streetfilms
Political conservative, transit advocate, William Lind provides his views on how "liberal transit advocates" can build bipartisan support for public transportation (okay, just rail) in terms that conservatives can relate to. read more here

Rebel Without a Car

Whistleblowers Say Oil Reserve Numbers Deliberately Inflated to Avoid Panic, Appease the US

Apparently the IEA was concerned that reporting the true reserve numbers would trigger a buying panic.

World oil reserves are far lower than officially reported, the situation far more serious than publicly admitted, and we're already past peak oil. That's the word from two anonymous IEA whistleblowers, The Guardian reports. To add insult to industry, the figures were deliberately massaged, at least in part, to appease the United States:

Apparently the IEA was concerned that reporting the true reserve numbers -- and keep in mind that determining oil reserves is as much art as science -- it would trigger a buying panic.

The US enters the picture encouraging the IEA to underplay the rate at which oil fields are being depleted -- something which the IEA has admitted in recent months is occurring more quickly than previously acknowledged -- while at the same time overplaying the possibility of new large discoveries.

Indeed, when one does the math on how much recent new oil finds, touted as 'huge', actually add to world reserves, the result is usually in days or weeks of additional world supply, not months, still less years. read more here

L.A.’s Draft Bike Plan Enters “Civic Enragement” Phase

From Streetsblog Are they being negative or are they concerned citizens?

LA's Draft Bike Plan is a huge document of thin ambition, that relies on controversy over process to distract from the fact that it lacks vision, it lacks substance, and it lacks the teeth necessary to bring about any change

The Draft Bike Plan was released last week, an hour before the end of day on the eve of furlough Friday, giving city staff the opportunity to "drop and run" and providing a three-day cooling off period before they had to answer for the long overdue, hotly contested and controversial document.

Commissioned in December of 2007, the Bike Plan is part of LA's Transportation Plan which is an element of the city's General Plan. As the consultants so eloquently explained during the community workshops during March of 2008 that kicked off the Bike Plan process, the Bike Plan is a critical funding document that must be updated in order to qualify for funding. As for positioning it as a powerful visionary document with implementation teeth, city staff have never expressed such ambition. read more here

Dangerous By Design

Huntsville 2nd most dangerous city in Alabama for pedestrians

Yesterday I went for a walk and within 1 block of where I live in 5 points I was almost side swiped by a student driver. Then two blocks later I was almost backed into by a motorist who could not take the time to turn her head around. I slammed my hand on her trunk to startle her and hopefully wake her up.

This is a bit unrelated,but I would like to say to those who want to focus their time policing the homeless, working poor and veterans who ride their bikes. Why not start with your kids, parents and friends and when you teach these entitled motorist how to use a turn signals, not run over pedestrians, not drink and drive, not speed through my neighborhood and not drive while talking or texting, then you can go and comment on others who really pose no threat to you.

Since tuesday is Veterans Day maybe take a minute and ask yourself why a city that profits so much from the arsenal and war can not find the know how to provide usable sidewalks for those who come back disabled. Is the solution in this city to just act like they are invisible too? I have a hint putting a yellow ribbon on your car is not the answer.

Solving the Epidemic of Preventable Pedestrian Deaths (and Making Great Neighborhoods)
In the last 15 years, more than 76,000 Americans have been killed while crossing or walking along a street in their community. More than 43,000 Americans – including 3,906 children under 16 – have been killed this decade alone. This is the equivalent of a jumbo jet going down roughly every month, yet it receives nothing like the kind of attention that would surely follow such a disaster.

Children, the elderly, and ethnic minorities are disproportionately represented in this figure, but people of all ages and all walks of life have been struck down in the simple act of walking. These deaths typically are labeled “accidents,” and attributed to error on the part of motorist or pedestrian. In fact, however, an overwhelming proportion share a similar factor: They occurred along roadways that were dangerous by design, streets that were engineered for speeding cars and made little or no provision for people on foot, in wheelchairs or on a bicycle. read more here

Cyclists' rights focus of city ad campaign

Council to consider $158K DOT grant to fund most of effort

Bicyclists have rights, too.

That's the message behind a yearlong advertising blitz the city of Huntsville plans to roll out in early 2010.

Largely financed by a $158,000 Alabama Department of Transportation grant, the educational campaign comes on the heels of three cycling fatalities in the city since September 2008.

The City Council will consider the grant agreement at tonight's meeting, which starts at 6 in City Hall, 308 Fountain Circle.

Jamie Miernik, who commutes by bike to her job on Redstone Arsenal, said she hopes the ads promote more respect and understanding for cyclists who ride in traffic.

Rolling billboards attached to city buses will try to hammer home the point "that bicycles are vehicles, they're allowed on the road," Miernik said Wednesday.

"There's a percentage of drivers out there that really think bikes are not safe to be on the road with them."

James Moore, a senior planner with the city, said the ads need to be compelling enough that drivers can't ignore them.

"I'm hoping to make the buses loud, so to speak, so that it generates some interest," he said Wednesday. "It's trying to bring awareness and wake the drivers up."

Brookside housing

To be fair, I was very harsh.
From Huntsville Times

I am writing this letter in response to the article "Housing Authority shows plans for Lowe Mill area" published Oct. 28.

I am concerned about the impression this article gives when linking Lowe Mill - the artist community - with the Huntsville Housing Authority's plans to tear down the Brookside neighborhood.

I have worked at Lowe Mill for over three years and have driven my car or ridden my bike down Brookside Avenue hundreds of times on my way to work.

I have been greeted with waves and smiles by neighbors who are peaceful, quiet and longtime residents. I feel these lovely people are becoming the victims of injustice and gentrification.

I, myself (a white woman), have been asked if I would move to a house in the Lowe Mill neighborhood. In the past, I would have answered in the affirmative. It would be great to live close by and I enjoy working in the neighborhood.

However, as to whether I would move into a house in a newly developed Brookside - even if it meant convenience and being closer to my community - "NO!" I don't want to be a part of a "development" that will cause the exact opposite to occur to the majority of the former residents - inconvenience and loss of community and their homes.

Please note that there are those in the Lowe Mill community that seriously object to the plans for the Brookside community.
Grace E. Billiter
Huntsville, 35801

Physician accused of deliberately injuring two bicyclists is convicted

A physician accused of deliberately injuring two cyclists by slamming on his car's brakes on a narrow Brentwood road was convicted Monday of mayhem, assault with a deadly weapon and other serious criminal charges.

Dr. Christopher Thompson, 60, slumped forward and held his face in his hands after the verdicts were announced in a courtroom packed mostly with supporters and cyclists.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Mary Stone, who prosecuted the case, asked for Thompson to be jailed immediately, calling him a flight risk and a safety threat to cyclists. read more here

Victory for Omaha Cyclists!

From Bike Omaha

Great news from Ben about his court appearance today!!

The man that physically assauled Ben after a car vs. bike road rage incident last spring was conviced today of FELONY assault and ordered to serve 90 days in jail. He is also required to complete anger management training.

The man's son (who was actually driving the car, following the orders his dad was giving him to force Ben off the road...and to pull over so that dad could get out and confront Ben) was ordered to get drivers ed training.

The man charged tried to get away with lying about Ben's reaction and tried to claim that he was provoked, but thankfully all of the witnesses were able to clearly refute that.

Here is the icing on the cake ... and bless Ben's heart, he totally gets that this is the biggest victory of all, even though he had to endure what he did ... the judge totally affirmed Ben's rights as a cyclist and actually referred to his preferred mode of transportation as a "two-wheeled vehicle." AWESOME!!

So - first and foremost: major kudos to Ben for keeping his cool in the first place in the face of felony behavior. Kudos to the witnesses that came forward and to OPD for understanding his rights as a cyclist that day; and kudos to the judge. A victory for all Omaha cyclists today!!

Alabama has Lowest Taxes in the Nation

Could this also be why Alabama is last in every other category?
From Leftinalabama

Alabama has Lowest Taxes in the Nation

Yep. We're 50th! Even though we're already the lowest in the nation, mark my words, Republican candidates next year will be running on a platform of lower taxes. What goes along with being 50th in taxes is being at the bottom in every measure of public services, too. Schools, roads, public health -- you name it, we're at or near the bottom. It isn't because Alabamians are too dumb to do better, it's because we collectively don't have the resources to do better. We're holding our economy together with the equivalent of baling wire and duct tape.
Bob Riley says the low tax rate is a big draw to get retirees to move to Alabama. That's true, but is it really a good thing? Especially when you consider that many who graduate from college in Alabama leave the state to pursue careers. Retirees don't have much interest in schools or jobs. I'd rather have those young people stay in this state, work and raise their families here, myself. And I totally agree with Rep. John Knight:

read more here

Other Alabama Facts:

1:5 Alabamians Live Below Poverty
Nearly one in five Alabamians live below the federal poverty line, which is $21,203 in household earnings for a family of four. US Census Bureau

2nd Largest Income Gap

The gap between Alabama’s richest and poorest families is the second largest in the nation. Our richest families’ income increased 43.7 percent from the mid-1980s to the mid-2000s, while middle-class families’ income only went up 25.3 percent, and the poorest families did not see a significant increase at all. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

41.4% High School Dropout Rate

Alabama ranks 42nd in the nation in per capita income. And nearly 60 percent of the state’s income gap with the nation can be attributed to our high school drop out rate, which was 41.4 percent in 2007. Southern Education Foundation

3rd Most Obese State

Alabama is the third most obese state in the country and has the fourth highest rate of diabetes among adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Kaiser Family Foundation

Wireless Phone Company Launches "Don't Text & Drive"Ad Campaign

From WHNT

Verizon Wireless launched a new "Don't Text & Drive" ad campaign.

The last week, or so has been tough for so many people after several car accidents. Some were caused by speeding, some by alcohol, and some just by not paying attention to the road. Verizon, a company that serves close to 90 million customers, is now dialing your number to talk safety.

Read more here

Bicycle safety rolls to forefront in aftermath of Huntsville cyclist's death

HUNTSVILLE, AL -- A group of local cyclists is determined to make automobile-obsessed Huntsville safer for people on two wheels.

The year-old Bicycle Advisory and Safety Committee met Tuesday at City Hall to hear concerns and gather ideas from the public. And there was plenty of concern in the wake the city's third bicycle traffic death in 13 months.

Around 2:15 a.m. Saturday, 49-year-old cyclist Henry James Luhana was found dead near Oakwood Avenue.
Police first described it as a hit-and-run, but Capt. Rodney Baker said doubt remains until an autopsy is done. No witnesses have come forward, he said.

Much of Tuesday's discussion focused on rude drivers who don't like sharing the road with bicycles.
Savannah Clark, 15, said she and her friends have been tailgated and honked at while pedaling around Five Points.
"We're following the laws, but a lot of people in cars are yelling and cussing at us," she said. "So many times I've heard, 'You're supposed to be on the sidewalk.' "

City Administrator Rex Reynolds, a former city police chief, said Alabama should consider making it illegal for a driver to come within three feet of a bicyclist. Several other states already have a "three-foot rule," he said.

Mayor Tommy Battle created the task force on the heels of Sarah Chapman's death. The UAH student was killed while riding her bike on Technology Drive in September 2008. The driver of the sport utility vehicle that hit Chapman was never charged.
Baker said bicycle-car wrecks are fairly rare. There have been 16 reported so far this year out of about 7,000 total accidents citywide, he said.

Reynolds credited Battle with making bicycle safety a priority since taking office last November.

In recent months, the city has earmarked $5,000 for "Share the Road" signs, printed 10,000 bike route maps and had every police officer take a refresher course on bicycle laws.

Another person from our community has been killed by a car

In another fatality, Henry James Luhana, 49, was riding his bicycle near Washington Street and East Arbor Drive at about 2:14 a.m. Saturday when he was struck by an unknown vehicle, Webster said.
Luhana is the third bicycle rider killed on city streets in the last 13 months.
Horace Fletcher, 59, was killed in November when the bicycle he was riding collided with a van on Pulaski Pike.
In September 2008, Sarah Chapman, 20, was killed when the bicycle she was riding collided with a sport utility vehicle on Technology Drive.

Let's hold the media responsible too. This is where the "public" gets some of there twisted ideas from.
Now instead of just bitching do something. The reporters name and number is: You can contact Keith Clines at 532-4236 or at keith.clines@htimes.com.

After the Billionaires Plundered Alabama Town, Troops Were Called in ... Illegally

"We have to tolerate the inequality as a way to achieve greater prosperity and opportunity for all," says one Goldman Sachs adviser. But tell that to the people of Samson, Ala.

Editor's Note: The shocking transfer of public wealth to Wall Street's pockets is illustrated vividly in Mark Ames' article below, which covers some very disturbing recent events in Alabama, where billionaires and banks are squeezing the locals so hard that they're literally going bankrupt just for flushing their toilets, where violence and the threat of violence are reaching a boiling point and where even the Posse Comitatus Act is under threat.

One of this year's more disturbing stories that were ignored was the illegal Army occupation of Samson, Alab., in March following a shooting spree that raged across two towns by a disgruntled worker, leaving 11 people dead.

As I wrote at the time, Michael McLendon, 27, went on a killing rampage following years of relentless corporate exploitation and harassment against him, his mother (whom he mercy-killed), and the entire rural Alabama region, which suffered like so many parts of rural America at the hands of billionaire goons like chicken oligarch Bo Pilgrim of Pilgrim's Pride notoriety. read more here

BASC public forum

Open Forum Coming up on Wednesday October 28th

This is just a reminder that Huntsville's BASC (Bicycle Advisory and
Safety Committee) is hosting a public forum.

This is your opportunity to brainstorm and think of cycling-related issues
we can discuss. List problems you have encountered as a cyclist in
Huntsville; think of ideas that may be solutions to these problems. We
want your constructive input on how BASC can work to better meet cyclists’
needs.

We are here to represent you - the cycling community of Huntsville. It is
our job to listen to your concerns and work to make Huntsville a more
bicycle-friendly city. In order for us to effectively do this, we need
your valuable feedback.

You can also post comments/ideas on the BASC blog at hsvbike.com.

I hope to see you all there!

—————————————————————————————————–

What: Public Forum Meeting

Who: Hosted by BASC and open to all citizens concerned with bicycling
issues in the Huntsville area.

When: October 28th, 5:00 PM

Where: City Council Chamber

League Announces Bike Friendly Areas

League Announces Bike Friendly Areas
What the hell? We can go to the Moon ,but we can not achieve Bicycle Friendly status? WTF can we not do better?

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRAIN)—The League of American Bicyclists has unveiled 15 new Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) and three renewing BFCs.

Notably, 10 out of the 15 new award winners are from the Midwest to the East coast, disproving the myth that building great cities for cycling only works in the West. Three new states, Arkansas, Louisiana, and South Dakota have their first BFCs with this designation cycle.

"This round of applications had more communities in the east and Midwest than ever before that are investing wisely in bicycling," said League president Andy Clarke. "All areas of the U.S. are realizing the importance of bicycling."

Additionally, the American Community Survey (ACS) recently released their 2008 report, which includes community bicycle mode share percentages from 2000 to 2008. League BFCs had higher levels of bicycle commuting than cities not participating in the program. The average BFC bicycle commuter share is 1.5 percent, 2.5 times the national average.
read more here

and here is the list in case you are too lazy to read more

2009 Fall Bicycle Friendly Community Winners:

Breckenridge, CO - New Silver
Anchorage, AK - New Bronze
Baton Rouge, LA - New Bronze
Calistoga, CA - New Bronze
Grand Rapids, MI - New Bronze
Greensboro, NC - New Bronze
Greenville, SC - New Bronze
Indianapolis & Marion County, IN - New Bronze
Iowa City, IA - New Bronze
North Little Rock, AR - New Bronze
Riverside, CA - New Bronze
Sioux Falls, SD - New Bronze
Sonoma, CA - New Bronze
St. Louis, MO - New Bronze
Tallahassee, FL - New Bronze
Boca Raton, FL - Renewal Bronze
Chandler, AZ - Renewal Bronze
Eugene, OR - Renewal Gold

"Race Across The Sky"

Huntsville Premier and one night only Thursday Oct 22rd 7pm Hollywood 18 (Next to Joe Davis Stadium)

5 million that could have been used for.....

Public Transportation, Schools, I think you get the point. I wonder if Ms. Moon is against relocating these people to South Huntsville? Seems like the bigger crime here is with the corporations that are poisoning people. I guess blaming it on the poor is sexier. Check out the comments on al.com the fucktards are at it again.

HUNTSVILLE, AL. -- State agents found potentially hazardous fuel byproducts near public housing downtown, launching a cleanup that could take a year and cost up to $5 million.
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management this month found the contaminants in the soil around seven buildings at Searcy Homes, which sits downtown near the old railroad depot.
The property, once home to the Huntsville Manufactured Gas Plant, now belongs to the Huntsville Housing Authority. On Monday, during a board meeting, the authority made public the findings and announced a three-way agreement to clean up the area.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will supervise the cleanup. Alagasco, which long ago merged with the company that had operated the plant, will hire the cleanup crew and foot most of the bill. The authority will handle public relations and relocate families during the cleanup.

Susan Delenne, spokeswoman for Alagasco in Birmingham, said the investigation could continue for some time, but that removal of the contaminants is expected to be completed by the end of 2010. more here

‘Urban Acupuncture 101’ – Mobility and cycling in New York with Janette Sadik-Khan

She is and Engineering Genius!!!!!!!!

October 19, 2009. In a room full of Vancouver’s planning and transportation elite, Gordon Price (director of SFU’s City Program) introduced an event from SFU’s public lecture series, evoking New York City’s gritty and dangerous history, comparing it to a “fallen empire.” He feels that the success in recent years give it reason to be called “a resilient city” – acting as proof that cities can rebound – and aptly referencing the Gaining Ground conference this week. Our guest this evening, Janette Sadik-Khan is the commissioner for New York City’s Department of Transportation (DOT). An engineer by training, she is largely responsible for this transformation, rigorously analyzing ways to make streets more people oriented in one of the world’s largest most congested city. “It’s a war out there,” she said a few times. read more and learn something new

Stop Means Stop

How do we get bikers to obey traffic laws?
By Christopher Beam
Posted Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, at 12:44 PM ET

Heading home from work yesterday, I ran five red lights and three stop signs, went the wrong way down a one-way street, and took a left across two lanes of oncoming traffic. My excuse: I was on a bike.
I'm far from the only menace on two wheels. A colleague was recently slapped with a moving violation after breezing through a stop sign. My roommate was pulled over 30 feet from our house for the same infraction. And driving around Washington, D.C., recently, I saw a cop scribbling out a ticket to a bewildered biker. read more here

Think you can text and drive?

From the NY Times click here to play.

A few key facts about the relationship between transportation policy and health:

In the United States traffic fatalities kill just over 40,000 per year, costing the nation $230.6 billion, or 2.3 percent of the gross domestic product, since 2000.

People in more compact metropolitan areas suffer from significantly fewer chronic medical conditions than their counterparts in more sprawling regions. For example people who live in neighborhoods with a mix of shops and businesses within easy walking distance have a 35 percent lower risk of obesity.

Each year air pollution triggers over a million asthma attacks, more than 47,000 cases of chronic bronchitis in adults and 540,000 cases of acute bronchitis in children and kills 70,000 people.

Vulnerable populations, such as seniors and minorities, who cannot or choose not to drive have a higher risk of being killed as a pedestrian. African-Americans make up approximately 12 percent of that population, but they account for 20 percent of pedestrian deaths. Native Americans are 1.5 times more likely to die from traffic crashes than anyone else.

read more here

another pedestrian killed

A person was killed in a hit and run on Max Luther Drive overnight, police said.

Police said the victim was crossing Max Luther Drive just after midnight this morning and was apparently struck by a vehicle traveling eastbound on Max Luther. The victim's name is being withheld until family is notified.

Police said the person who hit the victim left the scene and police don't currently have a suspect.

Cyclist Hit Last Night

First off he was ok just a bruised shoulder.

From Ken Kobayashi :

I was going eastbound on Old Madison Pike, just west of Diamond Dr, around 6:20 pm. I was on the right side of the outer lane, and with my taillights on. I was hit from the rear. By the time I noticed the headlights rapidly approaching in the rearview mirror, it was too late to do anything.

The driver said she didn't see me until the last second, when she tried to swerve but didn't make it. She didn't say *why* she didn't see me, I can't think of any good reason as the road had good visibility and my vehicle has large reflectors in the rear in addition to the taillight.

The police officer did say the car driver was at fault, but also made comments about how he'd seen me on the road many times and it's hard to see me because I'm so low. He also knew that I'd been hit before, and made sure I gave him the same vehicle information that I gave "to the other officer", which made me rather uncomfortable.

New Aldridge Creek Greenway design moving forward, but money needed for construction

Strangers in their backyard????? I like that MS. Moon uses the word "extreme" so much. Seems fitting that some in south huntsville might be extremists. I think some of Ms. Moon' aggression might be tempered if she got out and exercised.

HUNTSVILLE, AL -- South Huntsville residents could be getting another pretty place to break a sweat.
Last week, the City Council hired the Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood engineering firm to design a 2.5-mile extension of the popular Aldridge Creek Greenway.

The walking/jogging/cycling path currently runs from Mountain Gap Road south to the Tennessee River -- about 3.5 miles. The new piece would follow Aldridge Creek from Mountain Gap north to Valley Hill Golf & Country Club.

All that's missing is money to build it.

Assistant City Planning Director Marie Bostick said Huntsville has not had any luck attracting a transportation grant to help cover the estimated $500,000-per-mile construction cost.

But city officials decided to go ahead and pay $108,000 to have the greenway designed so the project would be ready to go once money becomes available, she said.

City Councilwoman Sandra Moon said several Todd Mill Road residents whose homes back up to Aldridge Creek are "extremely unhappy" about the new greenway.

"They see it as strangers in their backyard," she said Thursday.

However, Moon said she thinks most people in her south Huntsville district support the proposed exercise path.

There are already 15 miles of paved greenway scattered across the Rocket City. Several more segments are under construction, including major extensions of the Indian Creek, Flint River and Little Cove Road greenways.

Officials hope to eventually connect the pieces to create an exercise loop around the city.

Huntsville's 2010 capital budget includes $250,000 for greenway construction, Bostick said.

Tyler Council Members Move To Expand City Bike Routes

Populations
Tyler Texas 108,772

Huntsville AL. 176,645

How were they able to get someone to the moon from here?????

The Tyler City Council approved extending existing bicycle routes and creating exclusive bicycle lanes along city streets to address traffic congestion and enhance opportunities for alternative, multi-modal transportation.

The council approved improvements will extend the existing bicycle route on Amherst Street, create new routes on Sunnybrook Drive, Copeland Road and Grand Street from the intersection of 29th street to the intersection of Mims Street and create exclusive lanes for cyclists on Amherst Street and Sunnybrook Drive. The project will be completed internally at an expected cost of $1,500 for 26 expected signs and striping.

"Traffic was the number one concern identified by our citizens during the Tyler 21 comprehensive planning process," said Mayor Barbara Bass in a statement. "We have taken several decisive actions since the plan's adoption two years ago to mitigate traffic congestion."

Mayor Bass said the new lanes and routes are part of the city's effort to develop alternatives to single vehicle trips.

The new bicycle routes are designated roadways where cyclists share the road with vehicular traffic and will be identified by striping.

Signage, warning vehicles of the likely presence of cyclists, has been placed along the routes for safety.

The additional routes were recommended by the city's Traffic Safety Board.

The expansion is based on the city's master street plan to incorporate multi-modal transportation, including cyclist and pedestrian routes, within future thoroughfare projects. The street plan will also identify current streets where additional routes are viable. Connectivity is the long-term goal of creating multi-modal routes, said Communication Director Susan Guthrie. Ms. Guthrie said the plan calls for connecting major employment and recreation areas with multi-modal transportation opportunities for the public.

Traffic Safety Board Chairman Butch Willingham said there has been an increase in bicycle traffic within the city and that providing lanes for cyclists will promote bicycle use and enhance safety.

"Our goal is to put an infrastructure in place that will encourage cycling and provide a measure of protection," he said in a statement. "This is a long range goal that will take years to accomplish; however these new routes are a big step."

Drivers Behaving Rudely

Can you say ASSHOLE

Jon Stewart slams Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions on Daily Show over rape amendment vote.

Comedy Central's Jon Stewart fired a broadside at Mobile Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions Wednesday on "The Daily Show" over Sessions' vote against a Defense spending bill amendment that would have barred the federal government from doing business with companies that ask employees to forgo their right to sue.

The amendment, which was put forward by Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., stems from a 2005 incident where Haliburton/KBR employee Jamie Leigh Jones was gang-raped at a Baghdad work site and then left in a railroad container car for more than a day. Jones had signed a contract waiving her right to sue in court but instead take any claims to an independent arbiter.

The Huffington Post Web site reported on the on-air pounding from Stewart over the vote.

Sessions, and Tuscaloosa Republican Sen. Richard Shelby, were among 30 Republicans who voted on Oct. 6 against the amendment. Sessions said during a floor speech that the government should not be in place to decide "such disputes."

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Rape-Nuts
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

Car-loving Portland area families take 'drive less' challenge

Think of it as “Survivor: Gas Pump Island.”
This week, four on-the-go Portland area families “fed up with fueling up” are facing off in the 2009 Drive Less Family Challenge and you can tune in on FaceBook.
“Drive Less. Save More.,” a punctuation-challenged group promoting reduced car trips in Oregon and Southwest Washington, sets the challenge up like this: “Jam-packed work and family schedules won't make the challenge easy, but our competitors are ready for the task!”
Whoever reduces the most miles this week wins the grand prize: a Samsung Mondi and 6 months of CLEAR Mobile Internet. They will also get a $300 stay at the Inn at Spanish Head on the Oregon coast, which we assume will require the winners to drive even more.
Ironic. read more here

Sunday Night Oct 18th

The Alabama Bicycle Coalition Announces a Special Event:

Please help AlaBike cast a Long Shadow!

Sunday October
18

Ride, Dinner and a Movie at The Flying Monkey Arts
Lowe Mill, Huntsville, AL
2211 Seminole Dr 35801

Ride with World Champion Mike Olheiser !
Registration includes: Bike ride, Event T-shirt, Dinner at the Lowe Mill,
Olde Towne Beer,
AlaBike 2010 membership, and
A Movie - North Alabama Exclusive Premier of
Veer, the Movie
A feature-length film on Bike Culture

Registration at 2:00 pm
Rides roll out at 2:30 and 3 pm
Dinner and social from 5 to 6:30 pm
AlaBike Annual Meeting at 6:00 pm
Movie at 6:30 pm

Long Shadows Rally Registration Fee $40

Expanded fee schedule:

AlaBike member in good standing : $30

New or renewing (2010) student member: $35

New or renewing (2010) member: $40

Rally Registration, AlaBike membership and a little extra: $50

*** Movie (“Veer”) Only: $10

New or renewing (2010) family membership (1 person attending): $50

New or renewing (2010) family membership (more than 1 person): $70

Limited number of Volunteer Stipends (email: alabike-volunteers@alabike.org)

Please RSVP Eddie Davidson: (email: alabike-volunteer@alabike.org) to estimate food!

Or mail registration to: AlaBike P. O. Box 18984 Huntsville, AL 35804

OR Pre-register at: http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1800368

For more info: www.alabike.org

Protect and Serve or Protect and Ridicule

From the Mayor all the way down to this cop. If we dont have the city on board nothing will happen. BASC please start representing us!!!!!

Riding north on Whitesburg at 4.10pm on Saturday a car barely made it past me from behind. I think it must have cut in front of a pickup to get by me because the individuals in the pickup yelled at me as they passed by, then the pickup got in front of me in the right lane and slowed down and started braking in front of me. Another vehicle got inbetween the pickup and myself and the pickup and other vehicle turned right onto Lily Flagg.

I continued north on Whitesburg and just before reaching the light at Sherwood the same pickup came speeding up from behind me and swerved towards me then continued north on Whitesburg. I noted the time (4.20pm) and pulled over to the sidewalk and called the accident report number at HSV police department (722-7100) to give them the description of the vehicle (blue pickup with tinted windows, appeared to have 3 persons in vehicle) and tag number (Alabama 52A8255). When I asked to get a case number to file report I was given 427-7114 where I was told they could file the report. I continued to bike to my destination at the Lowe Mill and called the police report number given to me. When I called this number I was told to call the 722-7100 number and see if they would send someone out to my location to take the report. I called the number back and the individual that answered the phone seemed puzzled why I was told to call that number back, and when I asked if I was getting the runaround being told to call the different numbers, he said 'no, you're not getting the runaround', and put me on hold then told me to call 427-2009 and they would take the report there. When I called this number and said I wanted to file a report I was told that 'due to no contact involved, they could not file a police report.' I asked for the name of the officer who told me he was Officer Tucker and hung up.

Hi Five NYC

Bike Polo and Derby Saturday!!!!!

Drake Ave.

Saw this sign this morning as I approached the
intersection of Hastings and Drake an area with
a lot of bicycle traffic and place of complaint for
many cyclist.

Armed bank robber escapes on bicycle

We all remember the serial bank robber from the Atlanta area who evaded police on a bicycle now another clever bank robber is cleaning up and cashing-N in Houston.

Authorities say the thief put an undisclosed amount of cash into a paper bag bearing a Starbuck’s logo. He then escaped on a bicycle. The bicycle was recovered by investigators near the scene

I think they are sure to catch him. How many people can there be in Houston walking around with a Starbuck's bag full of cash?

From khou.com

Community Bike Day Video

Bike Day from Derek Johnson on Vimeo.

Community Bike Day big hit with kids, volunteers

From the Huntsville Times

HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Aubrey Langford, 11, was busy tearing strips of yellow, green and purple duct tape and putting them on her bicycle handlebars and seat while Leela Pahl was wrapping the spokes with tin foil.

The two had teamed up Sunday on the first Community Bike Day, which drew some 80 participants and 17 volunteers to the Seminole Boys and Girls Club on Clinton Avenue.

"It's fun," said Aubrey, a sixth grader at Westlawn. She also decorated her helmet to match her bike.
It was difficult to tell who was having more fun - the kids or volunteers such as Pahl, who pedals to work each day at Alabama A&M University.

"This is a great neighborhood for riding bikes and the kids are really excited," said Pahl, who also rides each Sunday with other area cyclists for pleasure and exercise. "What better thing to do than to help kids with their bikes? It's a perfect fit for the bikers."

Boys and Girls Club Director Starrett Archie was ecstatic over the turnout, especially with threatening skies. But the rain held off long enough for the kids to get old broken bikes repaired and newer ones souped up.

"The No. 1 reason we wanted to do this was because childhood obesity is so rampant and we need to get kids more active," he said.

Archie, 34, rides his bike to work to set a good example for the children. He said the children have been "enthusiastic" and many invited friends who do not usually attend the Boys and Girls Club events.
But even more important than bringing friends, said Archie, is bringing their parents and getting them more involved in their activities.

Olivia Jefferson, was beaming while watching her 9-year-old son, Jaren Jefferson, with the bicycle he had been given.
"He had a bike, but the tube was busted," said Jefferson. "It's a real good thing, them coming out to help the children. I'm very thankful they would take up their time to do this."

For one volunteer, it was not just about helping the kids with their bikes, but teaching them how to live a greener lifestyle.
"A lot of us ride through here and see the kids on bikes and we want to support them," said Jim Garvin, a native New Yorker who moved to Huntsville three years ago. "Kids should be able to ride their bikes to school. It's a quality of life issue."
Bikes of all shapes and sizes, including a bicycle-built-for-two, a double-decker and one which uses solar power, were scattered in the parking lot, along with bent wheels, old inner tubes, loose chains and all types of tools to make repairs.
DeMarco Thompson, a seventh grader at Chapman Middle School, proudly showed off the like-new Nitro 26 green bike he had just received.

He said he was "grateful" for his new bike, but would be thankful for what everyone is doing to help out his community even if he hadn't gotten the new wheels.

Archie and the volunteers hope to make Community Bike Day a regular event and to expand it to other Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the city.

October 7 Ride a bike to school

Wednesday is International Walk and Bike to School Day. By organizing my sons' Pinecrest school to participate, I am shaking up a lot of parents' drive-up and drop-off routines.

At least a dozen families of the 230 students at Temple Beth Am Day School are planning to hoof or pedal to school that morning. Many will break up their drive by parking in a nearby park and walking the rest of the way as a group.

We'll be joining about a dozen Miami-Dade schools, almost 200 schools statewide and more than 6,000 schools across the country. Almost four million people participate in more than 40 countries.

Seeing groups of kids walking to school is something I grew up with. It's strange to me that the streets are generally empty of pedestrians in much of South Florida.

But Miami is in line with national trends. In 1969, 42 percent of students walked or biked to school. The most recent National Household Travel survey showed that less than a quarter of students between ages 5 and 15 walk or bike to school. That makes sense when only about a quarter of students live less then a mile from their school.

My motivation for organizing bike-and-walk day at my sons' school? To build community by increasing interactions between parents and students that driving prevents.

It is a chance to get more exercise, teach safe walking and biking skills to children, raise awareness about whether the neighborhood has a safe route to walk and bike and where improvements might be needed. It shows our concern for the environment, reduces traffic congestion and pollution and brings children, parents and community leaders together.

The University of Miami trauma prevention program WalkSafe provides a free, ready-made three-session safety curriculum available to all public elementary school students. Yet less than half of the schools participate.

WalkSafe officials say it's not enough to teach students safety skills and encourage them to take to the streets. It's equally important to assess accident sites and engineering.

While the number of child pedestrians hit by cars continues to decrease in Miami-Dade, a recent incident where a student was hit by a car while crossing the street after exiting a school bus may give parents pause. But those fears and fears of strangers need to be put into perspective.

Walk and Bike to School Day observances can take many forms -- from a walk around the neighborhood to a kick-off event advocating for slower speed zones or more crosswalks or bike lanes around your child's school.

Many communities around the country and the world have taken the experience a step further and extended it through the whole month of October or one day a week throughout the year. Some schools have instituted walking or biking instead of school buses, and parents take turns supervising neighborhood children on their walk to school.

I hope that students and parents regard it as an energizing event, reminding everyone of the simple joy of walking to school and the need for safe places to walk and bike.

New York Mom Fights Middle School That Banned Her Bike Rides With Son

Does anyone know a Mom or Dad who rides with their kids to school in Huntsville Quality of Life sorry Fear? No names please.

New York mother is fighting back against her school district after administrators and officials told her she and her son didn't have the right to bike to school together — and that his safety, even beyond school walls, was out of her hands.

Janette Kaddo Marino said their 3-mile rides to and from school in Saratoga Springs have been met with stiff opposition from officials and even a state trooper who claimed it was unsafe — and illegal — for her 12-year-old son Adam to travel on his own pair of wheels.read more here

Sands Street Gets a Sassy, Center-Median Cycletrack

Another good idea from NYC
From Streetfilms

Petition - Americans Want Clean Cars AND Savings at the Pump

Americans want to reduce global warming, but in this tough economy they don't want to spend more to do it.

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, strong new fuel efficiency standards for cars could save drivers $32 billion in 2020, even after we pay the cost of vehicle technology improvements.

But we must insist these new vehicle standards are as strong as possible and loophole-free.

Thanks for all you do!

Bob Fertik

Dear EPA & DOT,

Thank you for your efforts to implement a national clean car standard of 35 miles per gallon by 2016.

The final clean car rule must guard against any potential loopholes or other efforts to weaken these standards.

Past loopholes let gas guzzlers (like the Hummer) evade all fuel economy regulations. These loopholes helped create the current environmental and economic predicament the auto industry finds itself in.

A strong, loophole-free national standard would give consumers more clean vehicle choices, save drivers money at the pump, reduce global warming pollutions from cars, and let the struggling auto industry emerge as the model for a clean energy economy.




Please sign this very important petition!

Americans Are Still Buying Gas-Guzzlers, But Here Are 7 Signs That the Market for Green Transport Is Exploding

Americans get a lot of flack for their big cars. And often for good reason.

After sales figures for the first half of 2009 came in, it's looking like Ford's F-Series pickup trucks are set to make their 28th year at the top of the charts, with nearly 180,000 sold in the first two quarters.

With gas mileage near the bottom of the heap -- 15 miles per gallon in the city and around 20 on the highway -- the trucks are icons of America's suicidal obsession with gas guzzlers. read more here

Hoover General Contractors

Thsi morning I was harassed by the middle aged white male driver of a Hoover General Contractors truck. He got too close, honked at me, then passed right before a red light when I had signalled to get in the turning lane. At the red light he told me that I don't have a right to the road, and he was not hearing it about what the law really is. If you don't know the law for driving, you shouldn't have a drivers license. I wished they were more easily revoked and tested at least every 5 years. I plan to call Hoover later and complain about their driver's reckless driving, honking, and making the company look bad.

Commuter Routes?

Vancouver Cycling Route Planner from Peter Smith on Vimeo.

Here is Vancouver's Cycling Route Planner

Critical Mass Tonight

C.A.R.S. gets $197,600 to help cyclists, drivers

From The Huntsville Times

The death of two bicyclists in Huntsville in the past year didn't spur the city to initiate a traffic safety campaign, but they do remind city officials that more awareness is needed to help make bicycle riders and motorists safer.

The city will spend almost $200,000 in the Bicycle/Pedestrian Education: Operation C.A.R.S. (Citizens Advocating Rider Safety) campaign with the aim of making streets safer for bikers and automobile drivers.

The Metropolitan Planning Organization amended its transportation plan Wednesday to add the $197,600 project to the plan. The MPO had to put it in the plan because any transportation project using federal highway money must be in the plan.

Read more here

Taking back the streets one bicycle at a time

Here is the best quote "All it would take is some paint, new signs and a little cash, said Scott Clein, who heads the Detroit office of Giffels-Webster Engineers." I mean if Detroit gets it why cant this town.

In Detroit, there are cars. And then there is something known as “non-motorized transportation.”

That means bicycles, y'all.

Believe it or not, people in the Car Capital of the World love their bikes. And there is a huge movement to create a culture here that is friendlier to two wheels than four.

One such project would develop about 400 miles of bicycle lanes throughout Detroit. All it would take is some paint, new signs and a little cash, said Scott Clein, who heads the Detroit office of Giffels-Webster Engineers.

The firm, along with other key partners, mapped out every one of those miles with the city's cooperation and a Michigan Department of Transportation grant. Clein and a support staff spent 18 months on the project, studying Detroit and trying to connect its waterways, landmarks and neighborhoods.

These paths have the potential to draw the creative class – artists, singletons and young couples – to the city, Clein said. It also might improve our collective health (Detroit typically ranks as the Top 1or 2 on obesity lists).

“Bikes are all about freedom. It's about access. And that's what makes a city great,” Clein said. read more here

Madison Police Charge Man In Wreck That Killed Pregnant Woman, Unborn Child

MADISON, AL - The Madison Police Department has arrested a Bob Jones High School student in a deadly wreck that happened August 22. A woman who was pregnant was killed, and so was her unborn child.

Police have charged David James Mears with two counts of manslaughter. Mears, who is 16, is being charged as an adult due to the nature of the crime.

The wreck happened at the intersection of Wall Triana Highway and Gooch Lane, killing Cynthia Sandefur and her unborn child. Sandefur was in the third trimester of her pregnancy.

"We at the Madison Police Department want to impress to all drivers and parents of young drivers what a huge responsibility it is to operate vehicles safely on our roadways," said Madison Police Chief Larry R. Muncey. "It's not just your life you endanger, but others as well."

David Mears is out of jail on a $40,000 bond. No court date has been set. He is being charged with two counts of manslaughter because of the Brody Bill, which Governor Bob Riley signed into law in 2006. The bill is named in memory of Brody Parker, an unborn baby whose mother, Brandy, was shot and killed in Albertville. That crime happened on July 27, 2005. Police have not found the killer.

Colorful lights will 'enhance' downtown Huntsville power substation

Not one word from me on this one, I got this from the "Bus Stops Here" section of HSV Times Online.

HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Big Spring Partners, the downtown development group, has contracted Theatrical Lighting Systems for $2,500 to color the power substation in red, blue and green lights in the hopes of beautifying Huntsville.

Staring Thursday night, that big, ugly power substation located near the corner of the Heart of Huntsville Drive and Monroe Street will be made beautiful thanks to colored lights.

“We’re always looking for enhancements for downtown,” said Big Spring Partners president Mary Jane Caylor.

The goal, according to an announcement from Caylor, is to “attract individuals to the downtown area to see another beautification area of interest. read more here

Grow Alabama

more info here