Brazos Valley Cyclists

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Veloway

The idea, I have for the velo way, is for it to circle the outer perimeter of park approximately 2 miles. It would have to be 12 foot wide, with a asphalt surface (cement cracks) with a white line painted down the middle to split the slower cyclist from the faster cyclist with everyone going clock wise. At any of the intersection with cars, the velo way would have to be raised at least 6 inches so to create a speed bump for the cars that travel through the intersection plus a stop sign giving the cyclist the right of way.

Before the intersection, designing a curve in the velo way to naturally slow down the cyclist would also help. Any pedestrian traffic would have to yield to the cyclist also. With the park having only one egress and one entrance, I don’t think this idea should be much of a problem.

The velo way will be for cyclist only and or maybe in line skaters but no pedestrians, no skate boards or any kind of motorized vehicle. Cyclist traveling at plus 25 miles an hour can not be playing dodge the people walking at 2 miles an hour.

I know this sounds like a dream but I think it is a good place to start. One of the important points is trying to make velo way as close to 2 miles as possible, smaller loops are much more monotonous becoming more of a criterion course with too many sharp turns in it.

Robert VAN BRUNT

 

TXDOT – Public Hearing – Active Transportation Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning

Where:

Stella Hotel
4100 Lake Atlas Drive
Bryan, Texas 77807 (Map)

When:

Monday April 9, 2018
Open House: 5:30 p.m.
Public Hearing: 6:30 p.m.

Purpose:

The purpose of the public hearing is to discuss planning and development of Active Transportation facilities in the TxDOT Bryan District and to gather public input to assist future projects.

Description:

The meeting will begin with an open house. The public is invited to view bicycle and pedestrian displays, visit with officials and technical staffs, make verbal and written comments and ask questions. Among agencies on hand will be representatives from the Bryan/College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization, Texas A&M University, the City of College Station, the City of Bryan, and Texas A&M Transportation Services.

Formal presentations will be made describing recent changes to local Active Transportation policy, updates on current bicycle and pedestrian projects, projects planned or funded for the near future and long range unfunded planning projects. A formal comment period will follow the presentations.

Special accommodations: If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation to attend this meeting, please call the Bryan District at (979) 778-2165. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate these needs.

Sí desea información en Español, puede llamar al (979) 778-9615.

The environmental review, consultation and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 16, 2014, and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and TxDOT.

Comments received before Tuesday, April 24, 2018 will become part of the Hearing record.

See here for the official post.
http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/about/hearings-meetings/bryan/040918.html

City of College Station Bicycle, Pedestrian and Greenways Advisory Board

The City of College Station is seeking volunteers to serve on the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board. The primary qualifications are that you live in College Station, are a registered voter, and can represent a specified field or profession as described below to fill a position. Four positions are open. The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, December 1st. The City Council will make appointments at its January 11th meeting.

The BPGAB advises City Council, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and other appointed boards and commissions on all matters concerning bicycling, walking, and greenways within the City of College Station. The Board provides recommendations on adopted plans, policies, and standards as well as have a role in setting priorities, programs, and advocacy.

Meetings are held at 3 p.m. the first Monday of each month.

The four positions include:
A – this member shall represent one of the following fields or professions:
• Real Estate
• Banking, finance or economics
• Law
B – this member shall represent one of the following fields or professions:
• Recreation
• Health
• Kinesiology
C – this member should demonstrate a specialized knowledge and experience regarding:
• Running
• Walking
F – this member shall represent one of the following fields or professions:
• Environmental/Ecological Sciences
• Stormwater /Floodplain Management
• Natural Resources

For complete details and to apply, visit http://cstx.gov/index.aspx?page=3602. Please specify on the application which position you are applying for.
City of College Station
Home of Texas A&M University ®

FM2818 – We all know how bad – come out and see what’s planned to fix it!

The Bryan District of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will be holding an open house meeting regarding proposed corridor improvements along FM 2818 (Harvey Mitchell Parkway) from 0.5 miles north of FM 60 (Raymond Stotzer Parkway) to FM 2154 (Wellborn Road), including widening, intersection upgrades and shared use paths.
This meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 14, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Larry J. Ringer Library, located at 1818 Harvey Mitchell Parkway South in College Station.
The plans under consideration will be on display and TxDOT staff will be available to discuss the proposed project.
Since this is an open house format, no formal presentation is planned. Instead citizens are invited to attend and may come and go at their convenience.
Comments may be made at the meeting or in writing by Nov. 24 to Mr. Chad Bohne, P.E., Bryan Director of Transportation Planning and Development at: TxDOT, 2591 North Earl Rudder Freeway, Bryan, TX 77803. E-mail comments may be sent to Ms. Allison Kurwitz, P.E., with the Bryan District Advance Planning Office at Allison.Kurwitz@txdot.gov.
Any person who has special accommodation needs is encouraged to contract our office at (979) 778-9788.

Texas, Brazos County, Bryan and College Station use Strava Heat Maps

TXDOT licensed Strava data (near real time) for the entire state and is conducting training so our local municipalities can leverage this data.

Just last week the MPO sponsored our local governments to draw out the near and long range cycling routes that connect the cities and Brazos County. We used the 2016 Strava Heat map for that first pass.

While there are limitations (i.e. mostly represents recreational distance cyclists who use Strava) it is a larger set of geo-coded data than they could get any other way.

 

Strava Heat Map - B/CS/Brazos

(C) 2017 Strava

Heat Map – B/CS/Brazos

College Station asks us about parking our bikes!

Hello!

The City of College Station is conducting a short survey to evaluate bicycle parking requirements around town. Bike racks are currently required for non-residential developments but we are hoping to fine-tune specific requirements. Please take a moment to fill out THIS SURVEY by Tuesday, August 29th.

Thanks so much for your time and please let me know if you have any questions. Please feel free to forward to others who might be interested.

Venessa Garza, AICP
Senior Program Manager
Bicycle, Pedestrian & Greenways Program
Planning and Development Services Department
Mailing Address: P.O. BOX 9960, College Station, Texas 77842
Physical Address: 1101 Texas Avenue
Office 979-764-3674 | Fax 979-764-3496

 

BICYCLISTS – BE ROAD WISE

Under Texas law, a bicycle is a vehicle. So, a person operating a bicycle has the rights and duties applicable to a driver operating a vehicle. All laws and signs that regulate the movement of vehicles on the roadway also apply to bicycles. Therefore, a bicyclist should be road wise and obey all traffic laws, signs, and signals.  This includes stopping at all stop signs and all top (red) lights.

Bicyclists must use hand signals to signal their intent to stop, turn left or turn right. These signals are expressed in the following way:

  • Stop: extend the left hand and arm downward.
  • Left turn: extend the left hand and arm horizontally.
  • Right turn: extend the left hand and arm upward, or extend the right hand and arm horizontally.

A bicyclist traveling on a roadway moving slower than other traffic must ride as near as possible to the right curb or edge of the roadway. There are a few exceptions. Bicyclists can take the full lane of travel when:

  • passing another vehicle moving in the same direction,
  • preparing to turn left at an intersection or onto a private road or driveway,
  • there are unsafe conditions on the roadway that prevents the cyclists from safely riding next to the curb or edge of the roadway, or
  • a lane is less than 14 feet in width with no designated bicycle lane adjacent to that lane, making it unsafe for a bicycle and a motor vehicle to travel safely side by side.

bike_light
Where Can I Ride?  Operate bicycles on streets, roadways, bike paths, routes, and areas specifically designated for bicycle riding.

Can I Ride Side by Side?  You can ride side by side with another cyclist as long as it does not impede traffic and you keep to a single lane.  Do not ride more than two abreast unless you are on a bike-only road or trail.

Do I really need lights? 

Yes. The law requires that, when riding at night, your bicycle must have:

  • A front headlamp that can be seen from at least 500 feet away, and
  • A red reflector (visible from 300 feet away) or red lamp (visible from 500 feet) on the back of the bicycle.

The truth about bike lanes.

  • While cars must stay out of bike lanes, bicyclists do not have to stay in the bike lane.

A bicycle is a vehicle.

  • Bicycles can and should ride on streets and roadways, not on sidewalks.
  • At intersections, follow the same right of way rules that you would with other road users.

MOTORISTS – BE BIKE WISE

  • Don’t crowd a cyclist when passing.  A good rule of thumb:  leave at least 3 feet between your car and the cyclists.
  • Don’t “tailgate” a bicycle.

Look for bikes on the right (mostly).

Cyclists mostly ride close to the side of the road payement, but can take the full lane when:

  • Passing another bicycle,
  • Preparing to turn left,
  • The right side lane is blocked, and
  • The travel lane is too narrow for a bicycle and a car to travel side by side.

Source: Share the Road Texas