April 2011 Advocacy Update

Advocacy Update from Aaron Golub, TBAG Advocacy Director:

1. Communication with ADOT regarding Alameda bike bridge and 202 underpass.

We did hear back about our letters to ADOT, and we met with an ADOT representative at the CAzB meeting in January. The bridge is in their plans for the freeway expansion, but there is a debate about the source of the funds for the bridge and underpass. Hopefully, we can assist the City of Tempe in working with ADOT to come up with a solution.

2. Tempe Streetcar. Several members of the Tempe multi-modal (bike/ped) committee have been attending the streetcar meetings, and vice-versa – members of the bike/ped committee have been getting reports from the Tempe Streetcar team. We are being vigilant about bike access, impacts on existing bike lanes, and bike/ped safety as the project is being planned. They are still in early stages, so detailed designs are yet to be produced, but we are keeping our eye on everything. If you want to lend a hand with this – we need more folks concerned about cyclists and pedestrians at these planning meetings. Here is the official project website with upcoming meeting dates: http://www.tempe.gov/tim/TempeStreetcar.htm

3. Bike count. TBAG volunteers and friends and about 30 ASU students did tremendous job on the bike count. Over 75 volunteers counted bikes over two shifts at 50 intersections. Look for upcoming updates on the TBAG website concerning data analysis and other results from the count.

4. Regional meetings: We still have not secured a regular TBAG rep for the monthly MAG bike/ped meeting. I have been attending the Livable Cities Coalition meetings (we are official members of the coalition) and the coalition is giving two workshops at the annual AZ state public transit conference next week in Mesa. We need help with representing TBAG at regional meetings – let us know if you are interested in helping – it just takes a few hours per month.

5. City of Tempe ‘3-Foot Rule’ Public Information Campaign. TBAG members spoke in support of the ‘3-foot Safe Passing rule’ campaign being proposed by City of Tempe staff to bring attention to cyclist safety. Hopefully, this can broaden awareness about safe passing among drivers. We also hope it can improve awareness among law enforcement that endangerment of cyclists by drivers is a crime and should be punished. Look for this campaign to start this summer and during ASU back-to-school.

Do you have any advocacy ideas you’d like to pursue? Let’s discuss them over beer! Our next advocacy meeting is Monday, April 25th at 7pm at Boulders on Broadway. We hope to see you there!!