KCFit.Net

Masterpieces May, 2008

by Chris Culbertson, posted Aug 25th 2008, 17:51

Guest Post by Dave Schieffer

First, let me say a few words about Dave and the ‘Masterpieces’ article we will be featuring every other month. Dave represents Kansas City runners in several bicycle groups in order to help them (runners and bicyclists) work together. He is a Board member of the Missouri Bicycle Federation (MoBikeFed); Member, Kansas City Track Club; Member, Mid-America Running Association; active in the Kansas City running community for over 10 years.

I met with Dave last week and we talked about a lot of different things from running to bicycling to transportation in general and even just lifestyle choices and the importance of wellness. He had lots of helpful insight on KCFit.net and great ideas that I will be exploring over the next few weeks and months.

Dave writes this article, ‘Masterpieces,’ for the MARA (Mid-America Running Association) newsletter and agreed to allow us to post them here on the KCFit blog as well. This first article is from May and I will be posting the July article next Monday. From there on, you will be able to find the ‘Masterpieces’ article once every two months. Please feel free to send Dave feedback or leave comments here for either Dave or myself to read and respond to.

Missouri Bicycle Federation gives the state a “D” for being walker and bicycle friendly.

The Missouri Bicycle Federation (MoBikeFed) has released the first annual “Bicycling and Walking in Missouri–A Report Card”, and the results are not pretty. The detailed report card grades the state in over 40 specific subject areas tracked by MoBikeFed.

“The overall grade for Missouri’s walking and bicycling environment for 2007 was a D,” says Missouri Bicycle Federation Executive Director Brent Hugh. “We are quite frankly behind most other states in accommodating for safe walking and bicycling. With gas prices near $3.50 a gallon and rising, it’s hitting us right in the pocketbook.”

Here are some of the highlights and lowlights from the report:

Highlights

• The first annual Tour of Missouri brings Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, attracts over 350,000 spectators, puts Missouri bicycling in an international media spotlight, and generates over $25 million in economic development for the state.

• Katy Connections: 46-mile Katy Trail Connection to Kansas City area; 11 miles to be added to trail’s eastern end; new Bond Bridge connects Hermann to Katy Trail; funding secured for Katy Trail connection to Jefferson City; connection from Washington to Katy Trail under discussion.

• The National Bike Summit and Bicycle Day at the Capitol in Jefferson City bring out the largest Missouri delegations ever.

• Kansas City, MO, hires bicycle/pedestrian coordinator; moves forward with bicycle plan and citywide trails plan; obtains partial funding for first safe bicycle/pedestrian Missouri River crossing on the Heart of America Bridge.

• Bicycle Friendly Communities initiative gains momentum in Missouri.

Lowlights

• MoDOT stops meetings of Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee for over 18 months; essentially shuts down bicycle/pedestrian program for most of the year; fires bicycle/pedestrian coordinator; halts Missouri Complete Streets bill; over 95% of MoBikeFed supporters disapprove of MoDOT’s handling of bicycling and walking.

• Numerous important transportation projects statewide continue to move forward without needed bicycle and/or pedestrian accommodations or with facilities that do not meet ADA requirements–including Hanley Rd in St. Louis County, Hwy 45 in Parkville, and Hwy 150 in the Kansas City area, and many others.

Mixed

• The quarter billion dollar Paseo Bridge project moves forward without bicycle/pedestrian accommodations, leaving the densely populated Kansas City downtown area without a safe way for bicyclists and pedestrian to cross the Missouri River. Upside: Kansas City and MoDOT are currently in discussions to remedy the problem.

• MoDOT’s 800 bridge project moves forward, providing connectivity on numerous rural and lower traffic rural roads; apparently bicycle and pedestrian use has not even been considered in planning this project and the secretive design/build process makes it difficult to find information or provide public input. Upside: Very little is needed to reasonably accommodate bicycling and walking in this context (bicycle-safe drain grates and expansion joints, for instance). It may still happen.

view full report card

Plans are in place within MBF to expand the report card to cities within Missouri.

Happy Trails!

-Dave

*Dave Schieffer represents MARA on the Missouri Bicycle Federation. If you have any comments or suggestions for Dave, please send an email to schiefferus[at]yahoo[dot]com.