Launching of the Indiana Complete Streets Campaign

A number of associations from across the state have joined together to launch the Indiana Complete Streets Campaign today. Here's a quick bit of info from the site, and I figure Jamison can sound off on this with more details a bit later, since he's an inside guy at Health By Design, one of the primary associations pushing this campaign.

What are Complete Streets?

Complete streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users; pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users of all ages and abilities are able to safely move along and across a complete street.

Proposed Indiana Complete Streets Policy

Statewide legislation has been proposed to the current Indiana General Assembly session with the purpose of ensuring that the entire right of way is consistently designed and operated to enable safe access for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users of all ages and abilities. More specifically, the bill requires accommodations for all users (pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users) to be a routine part of the planning, design, development, construction, and operation of any transportation projects, facilities, plans and/or programs that use state and/or federal funds.

Click here for more info, and to see how you can voice support for the campaign and join in on the shenanigans.

A few quick callouts from today's Health by Design newsletter

I know there are some talented photogs who follow this blog and love bikes, so check this out:

People Powered Movement Photo Contest from AllianceBikeWalk on Vimeo.

You could win an all-expense paid bike trip to Tuscany and a year's supply of Clif Bars. Two runners-up will win great new commuter bikes – a brand new Breezer Uptown 8 or a Dahon folding commuter. There are also first, second, and third place prizes in each of seven categories: Biking, Walking, Biking and Walking, Complete Streets, Advocates in Action, Youth, Inspirational.
Winning images will be published in the 2010 March/April issue of Momentum Magazine
Just for entering, you can receive a trial subscription to Momentum Magazine and Bicycle Times Magazine.

More info, including submission guidelines and such, here.

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Register now and spread the word about the Inaugural Bicycle Indiana Summit!

Seriously, everyone who rides a bike in Indy should be at this. I can't, because I'm getting married that day, but if you ride a bike, and you're not going to be at my wedding, you should be at the Summit.

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Lastly--

As you may have heard through other affiliations, earlier this week there were several amendments proposed to the transportation funding bill currently before the US Senate which would have undermined transit, bicycle, pedestrian, and high-speed rail projects. One amendment in particular (S. Amend 2371) would have allowed states to ignore the requirement that 10% of their surface transportation budgets be spent on Transportation Enhancements (TE). Both Indiana Senators Bayh and Lugar voted FOR this amendment, though luckily it failed overall. This seems to be a clear demonstration of the tremendous amount of work we have to do to create a balanced and sustainable transportation system for Hoosiers!

I find it sad that Indiana cyclists didn't have a single voice in their corner on this bill. Basically, we need to get on the phone with those dudes and say, "Hey! Stop voting against a strong, vocal part of your constituency!"

Mayor's Bike Ride Officially NOT Canceled

We heard a rumor through our comments section that the Mayor's Bike Ride had been canceled due to inclement weather forecasts, so I got an email out for more information before I posted anything.

I just received a reply from Kim Irwin over at Health By Design who confirmed that the Mayor's Bike Ride is still a go, and they wouldn't actually make a decision to cancel probably until that morning.

So, no worries. As of right now, you can still plan on seeing Ballard out on his bike braving the bike lanes on Saturday. Please let anyone who might have heard the rumor of its being canceled know that they should still show up Saturday.

If you haven't yet registered for the ride, you should go here and sign up. It'd be great to see a huge mass of cyclists show up in support of the Mayor's.. um.. support for cyclists.