Positive developments on Senate Bill 468 have been announced by Georgia Bikes. Visit Georgia Bikes at: http://georgiabikes.org/ to learn the latest. Thanks to Georgia Senator Butch Miller of the Senate Transportation Committee for determining to pursue safe shared use of Georgia's roadways through alternative measures.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
GEORGIA SENATE BILL 468 – SINGLE-FILE RIDING ONLY?
Georgia cyclists have been reminded over the last
few days just how fragile our rights to the road remain in the eyes of many of
our fellow citizens – and at least some of our legislators. Introduced by Senator Butch Miller (District
#49, Gainesville), Senate Bill 468 proposed to prohibit cyclists from riding
two-abreast on Georgia’s roadways.
Following a quick response from Georgia Bikes and our sister cycling
advocacy organizations in metro-Atlanta however, the bill was amended and
appears to be much less ominous than the original to the rights of Georgia
cyclists. Once approached, Wheel
Movement understands that Senator Miller was very accommodating to the concerns
of the cycling lobby and agreed to make adjustments. Georgia Bikes has
posted a full synopsis of SB 468 and events surrounding it over the last few
days on their home page at: http://www.georgiabikes.org/
Locally, we were disappointed to learn that Senator
Bill Jackson (District #24, Appling) was a co-sponsor of the original SB
468. Attempts by Wheel Movement to reach
Senator Jackson regarding his support for the Bill were unsuccessful. We will continue to reach out to Senator
Jackson’s office in an attempt to understand his reasons for support of the
Bill, and to offer our assistance in addressing these concerns through
alternative measures.
As currently written (As of: 02/27/12), the amended Senate Bill 468 no longer
prohibits riding two-abreast on Georgia’s roadways, and should not warrant
much concern in its current format. The
current Bill can be found at:
We will remain vigilant however as the issue
remains under consideration by our legislators in Atlanta. Should our friends at Georgia Bikes notify us
that SB 468 has once again taken a disagreeable turn, we’ll let you know – and make
some suggestions on what you can do in the effort to maintain cyclists’ rights
to Georgia’s roads.
WHEEL MOVEMENT AT THE AUGUSTA HALF MARATHON
A special thanks to those Wheel Movement members
who took time out of their busy schedules to staff a booth at the Augusta Half
Marathon expo on Saturday, February 25. Robert Jackson, Andy and Karen Lesko,
and Bill Waters all took their time at the table creating awareness about
metro-Augusta’s unified cycling advocacy voice.
Our presence at the expo would not have been possible however, if not for the leadership and dedication of Dave Clarke. Business was brisk. We even ran out of membership forms to distribute. Thank you Dave for throwing it all together - and for maintaining Wheel Movement's public face.
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| Bill (left), and Dave want you! |
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| Wheel Movement volunteers argue with... Oh, never mind, its just Randy, our Prez. |
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Ride America for Safe Routes - Thank You Wheel Movement Members
Wheel Movement wants to thank those of you who were able to support the ladies of Ride America for Safe Routes (RASR) during their recent visit to the CSRA this week. Whether taking the opportunity to ride along with the ladies, or coming to hear them speak, you made your presence felt. Take a look at their latest post at www.rideforsaferoutes.com for their first-hand impressions of their visit to the CSRA.
A special thanks goes out to Gator Cochran for coordinating all of the local RASR events and logistics. Gator dedicated a significant amount of his personal time planning and hosting our RASR guests. He is a wonderful ambassador not just for local cyclists, but for our community in general. Next time you see Gator, give him a pat on the back - or a slap on the butt. Thanks also to those who were able to ride with the RASR ladies and see them safely through our region including: Dave Willis, Judy Speck, Mark Philyah, Brett Ardrey, Conner Ardrey, Phil Cohen, Doyce Johnson, and Dicky Thompson. Further appreciation is due the North Augusta Greeneway Trust and those Wheel Movement members who came to participate in the RASR presentations.
Of course, whether through material support or simply a continued presence throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, it is necessary to recognize the time and energy spent by representatives of Andy Jordan's Bicycle Warehouse, Chain Reaction Bicycles, and Outspokin' Bicycles in supporting our guests. Including 6 Degrees, our bike shops continue to be selfless leaders in supporting active transportation in the CSRA. Wheel Movement knows that their commitment extends well beyond business.
Finally, we thank the police escorts provided by the Aiken, Columbia and Edgefield County Sheriff's offices ensuring the safety of our guests as they traversed some tricky roads into and out of the metro-area. Let's remember that these public safety officers are committed to the well-being of the entire populations they serve - including those of us on the bike.
In a very short time, Wheel Movement member participation in events, and responses to "calls for action," is increasing local recognition of the organization - and increasing the public's consciousness of our goals to ensure that facilities and policies which support safe cycling are an integral part of metro-Augusta's transportation system. Our measured tone and unified voice continue to make inroads.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Welcome - Ride America for Safe Routes - Feb 21-22
Four
ambitious women are undertaking a cross country endurance ride that kicked off
in Key West on February 5, 2012 and culminates in San Francisco in late April.
Two sisters, Jeanie and Chelsea Ward-Waller, their mother, Jane, and close
friend Stephanie Palmer are riding across America to benefit the bicycle safety
advocacy efforts of the League of American Bicyclists and the Safe Routes to
School National Partnership.
Dubbed
"Ride America for Safe Routes" (RASR), their ride follows a route
traversing 13 southern states and 20 major cities, logging over 5,000 miles
between Florida and California. The mission of RASR is to raise $50,000 for the
League’s Bike Friendly America program and for Safe Routes to School (SRTS)
programs in local communities. In addition, the RASR Team will advocate the
critical need for bike safety and promote the public health benefits of
bicycling through events with local bicycle groups and SRTS programs in
communities along their route. For all
of the details on the Ride America for Safe Routes – including how you can
donate to the cause - see the RASR website at http://rideforsaferoutes.blogspot.com or contact rideforsaferoutes@gmail.com.
The
RASR team rolls into the CSRA in the late-afternoon on Tuesday, February 21,
and Wheel Movement is asking for your support in welcoming them to the
metro-Augusta area. There are many
opportunities to join the RASR ladies and Wheel Movement ride escorts on the
road, or come hear them speak about their cause and story. We encourage you to take part in any of the
following opportunities:
Tuesday, February 21:
1.A. Ride with the RASR Team “Long” (Trenton, SC to
Augusta, GA) #
Start Time: 2:15
pm (Be ready to ride)
Start Location*: Douglas Elementary School
215 South E. Diggs Rd.
Trenton, SC
Details:
Mileage between 25 to 30 miles. Edgefield
and Aiken County Sheriffs escorts from Trenton to the North Augusta Greeneway. Join us into downtown North Augusta, or all
the way to the 300 block of Greene Street in downtown Augusta. Expected arrival in downtown Augusta around
or before 5:30 pm.
(*Shuttle to the Trenton starting point being
offered. Contact Martin Cochran at gator@gatorcochran.com or
Bill Waters at wheeliamwaters@hotmail.com.)
1.B. Ride with the RASR Team “Short” (North Augusta,
SC to Augusta, GA) #
Start Time: 4:30
– 4:45 pm (Estimate)
Start Location: North Augusta Greeneway, Bergen Road
Trailhead
Details:
Leisurely trail ride between the Bergen Road and Riverside Drive
trailheads,or join us all the way to the 300 block of Greene Street in downtown
Augusta. Arrival at the Bergen Road
trailhead will vary. Allow flexibility
in our arrival time.
2. Meet the RASR
Team
Time: 7:45 - 9:00 pm
Location: Riverview
Park Activities Center, Crafts Room
100 Riverview Park Drive
North Augusta, SC
Details:
Join the RASR and the North Augusta Greeneway Trust Advisory Committee
as the ladies speak about the RASR Safe Routes to School program initiatives.
Wednesday, February 22:
3. Ride with the RASR Team “First Leg” (Augusta, GA to Evans, GA) #
Start Time: 10:00
am
Start Location: Outspokin’ Bicycles
1904 Walton Way
Augusta, GA
Details: Following the RASR teams’
morning presentation to Richmond Academy, Brett Ardrey (Outspokin’ Bicycles)
will escort the RASR team down the Augusta Tow Path to Fury’s Ferry Road
terminating at the Circle K convenience store.
Ride one-way is around 10 miles.
4. Ride with the RASR Team “Second Leg” (Evans, GA to Washington, GA)
#
Start Time: 11:15
am
Start Location: Circle K (Corner of Evan’s to Lock and
Fury’s Ferry Roads.
Details:
Ride segment of roughly 50 miles concluding in Washington, GA. The RASR team will be escorted by Phil Cohen
(Chain Reaction Bicycles), David Willis and Gator Cochran – and will enjoy the
support of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department to the GA/SC state
line. Contact Phil, Dave or Gator at: chainreaction4bikes@yahoo.com Dave
at davidwillis@wildblue.net or Martin
Cochran at gator@gatorcochran.com, respectively to
arrange to ride with them (and discuss possible transportation back to
Augusta.)
(# For RASR
route maps through the CSRA, go to: http://g.co/maps/tujyq [Columbia,
SC to Augusta, GA], and http://g.co/maps/4gr2n [Augusta,
GA to Washington, GA].)
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