JCBC -

The following letter was submitted by JCBC at the Lone Elm Interchange Public Meeting on April 21, 2004. Please take this opportunity to protect a popular cycling route south of Olathe. We need you voice to be heard by May 5.

Please feel free to use this letter to create your own comments, but an exact copy will not be as affective. Please take a few minutes to ask for 5' bike lanes in both direction on Lone Elm Road as justified in JCBC testimony.

April 21, 2004

Shane Swope, Project Manager		Mike Hess, Project Manager
City of Olathe		HNTB Corporation
100 East Santa Fe		7450 W. 130th Street, Suite 400
Olathe, KS 66051-0768		Overland Park, KS 66213

Dear Sirs,

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Johnson County Bicycle Club (JCBC) and as their Advocacy Chair, I attended the 2003 Kick-Off Informational Meeting for the Lone Elm Road/I-35 Interchange project and am submitting these comments to explain how critical this project is to the bicycling community. At that meeting several other bicyclists and I expressed the need to adequately accommodate the existing on-road bicycle use in this project. As I recall, that meeting was also an informal "Open House" format and I noticed few, if any, verbal comments were recorded. Thus I am submitting JCBC's comments in writing in order to document our needs and concerns as users and stakeholders in the future of Lone Elm Road.

The Environmental Assessment Report does not reference the existing use of bicyclists on Lone Elm Road, even though such use was documented in the Mid America Regional Council's 1996 Johnson & Wyandotte County Bicycle Transportation Plan prepared by HNTB. This is a critical oversight of the report and has contributed to the lack of on-road bicycle accommodation within the proposed roadway cross sections. Also missing from the report and the public information on the web site is any reference or mention of the use of or accommodation for on-road bicyclists in the design of the proposed interchange and accompanying roadway improvements. This project will have a significant impact on the safety of on-road bicyclists if accommodation is not properly and adequately provided for and should be reflected in the Environmental Assessment Report, Section C, Impacts of the Proposed Actions, Paragraph 1, Social Impacts. Methods of on-road bicycle accommodation should be included in Section A: Purpose of and Need for Project, Paragraph 3: Project Description-Proposed Action.

Lone Elm Road is a critical component of the routes available to bicyclists south of Olathe. There are only two other viable, safe routes for bicyclists travelling north-south from Olathe; Pflumm Road and Ridgeview Road, 5 miles and 2 miles east respectively. (Black Bob/Lackman Road south of 159th is not currently safe due to excessive traffic generated by Heritage Park's massive soccer complex.) Lone Elm Road is currently the only viable north-south route west of US 169/K-7 in Olathe, even with the increased traffic from Lone Elm Park’s sports fields. Its current overpass provides a safe crossing over I-35 and has seen frequent bicycle use for the 18 years I personally have lived in Olathe and was used prior to that for many years by bicyclists. Lone Elm Road is a connecting bicycle link between the Dennis Avenue Bike Lanes to the north and 175th Street to south with its wide paved shoulders. These are the primary reasons Lone Elm Road is listed as a route for bicyclists in the Johnson/Wyandotte County Bicycle Transportation Plan.

The information provided on the project web site appears to indicate on-road bicyclists are expected to use the "bike/hike trail" or wide sidewalk on the west side of the road. While this facility will provide a needed connection between two major city parks for pedestrians and novice bicyclists, it is a misconception to presume on-road bicyclists will exit the road to use the trail. Northbound on-road bicyclists would additionally have to cross multiple lanes of traffic twice to use the wide sidewalk on the west side of the road. Maneuvering of this type greatly increases the risk of accidents for on-road bicyclists and results in the on-road bicyclists giving up their legal right-of-way status within the roadway to use the trail.

It would seem apparent to JCBC bike lanes should be incorporated in the ultimate configuration for Lone Elm Road to assure its continued use as a connecting bicycle link between 175th Street and Dennis Avenue. Based on the projected auto traffic volumes, design speed and truck volumes in excess of 10%, JCBC recommends the use of 5' wide bike lanes in both directions in the ultimate design of Lone Elm Road from Dennis Avenue to 175th Street, including the interchange area. The Kansas City Chapter APWA also recommends 5' bike lanes in their standard for roadways with bicycle accommodation at the proposed design speed and truck traffic volumes. A 5' width for bike lanes is also recommended width established by AASHTO.

As presented on the web for Phase 1, JCBC recommends providing 14' wide outside lanes in both directions with "Share the Road" signs to safely accommodate on-road bicyclists and provide an encouraging message for all users to respect the safety and rights of others on the roadway. If any portions of Lone Elm Road are built to the ultimate configuration in Phase 1, bike lanes should be provided through those sections. Bike slots at left and right turn lanes should be coordinated to define the bicyclist's space in the roadway at intersections where such movement would be expected, such as on 159th Street, at Cedar Lake and other intersections outside this project scope. All traffic signals should be designed to detect a bicyclist's presence at the intersection.

Thank you for this second opportunity to express the needs of bicyclists in the design of the Lone Elm Road/I-35 Interchange. I cannot express strongly enough the importance this project has on the future for and safety of bicyclists in Olathe. The opportunity exists for Lone Elm Road and its new interchange to inclusively integrate the needs of all legal users of the roadway. We hope the City of Olathe, HNTB, KDOT, and MARC will respect our needs and agree to our requests to be safely and adequately accommodated to the standards adopted by MARC and the KC Chapter APWA.

Sincerely,

Dale Crawford, R.L.A.
JCBC Advocacy Chair
512 N. Curtis
Olathe, KS 66061

cc:
JCBC Board of Directors
Olathe City Council
Rick Biery, P.E., Olathe Public Works Director
Mell Henderson, P.E., MARC Transportation Director
Aaron Bartlett, MARC Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator
J. Michael Bowen, P.E., FHWA Division Administrator
Jim Kowach, P.E., KDOT Chief Bureau of Design
Paul Alhenius, P.E., KDOT Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator

If you've already sent in comments, great. All bicyclists in Johnson County thank you. If you haven't, JCBC urges you to do so. It's your safety and the safety of those you bicycle with that's in jeopardy.

LOBBYING YOUR KANSAS STATE LEGISLATORS

This is an Election Year!! Now is the time to get to know the Legislative Candidates in your area, and allow them to know you. Contribute to their campaigns (hand them a $100 dollar bill and you have their attention) put up yard signs, drive in parades, attended political rallies and get on a first name basis. If you don't, not much hope you will be effective as a lobbyist. If your Candidate loses the winner will respect you for being involved and work to get your support in the next election.

Something to think about --- If the candidate of the party you belong to has no opposition in the primary and the other party has two or more running change your registration to the other party and encourage your friends to do the same. Then vote for the Candidate who supports trails in the primary. You can always go back to your old party for the general election. Nasty politics maybe --- but we are fighting for our lives. Word of caution if you are planning on running for any public office any time in the future don't do it.

Remember hundreds of lobbyists will be in Topeka, in an effort to advocate their, or their employers, special interests. Legislators are usually more interested in the opinions of their constituents back home than those of associations, which lobby in Topeka. Particularly “hired guns” that don't have a dog in the fight but are just talking for pay. The most effective communications come from folks back home who the legislator knows personally.

Surprisingly, few people ever contact their Legislators. This reluctance usually results from the belief that Legislators have no time or inclination to answer their phones or read their mail, and that one single contact will not make a difference. In most cases, these views are wrong. Thoughtful and persuasive contacts can change a Legislators mind and bring about a review of her or his positions. They want to do the will of the people, make sure they know what it is. They want good information that will help them make good decisions.

Although a phone call can be productive, personal face-to-face contact is the most effective. Written communications can be effective, and many times a letter should be used to follow up a personal discussion of a policy issue or as a reminder. Remember they are busy and have a tight schedule. Respect their time and be brief and to the point, in person and in print. Remember to state specifically what action you want the Legislator to take on the issue. When working with the Governor, Speaker of the House, President of the Senate or other leaders get to know their staff and work through them. The appointment secretary is someone you must know.

Try to talk to your legislators when they are back home: they are more relaxed and have time to listen and interact with you - on your turf. Be sure you call for an appointment don't just drop in.

Any time you communicate with your Legislator be sure you give the number of the bill and information on the content of the bill. There are hundreds of bills introduced early in the session, over 1,000 by the end. A Legislator cannot be expected to recall every one of them merely by a number or vague description. Communicate your views, not someone else's. A personalized letter is far better than a form letter. Form letters often receive form replies and go to “file 13”. Use background material provided by a knowledgeable source as a basis for your letter but be original in your presentation. If you present yourself as a spokesperson for any organization submit you comments in writing to the Chairman of the Board for review.

Just because a bill is introduced is no guarantee it will become law. The majority do not. An absurd law usually dies of its own inertia, and it may be unwise to attract too much attention to it. Don't go in to often, if your Legislator supports trails most of your battles are won.

RECOGNIZE THEIR PROBLEMS

Statewide "Safe Routes To School" training workshop April 25th

The Mid-America Regional Council and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services have teamed up to host a Safe Routes To School (SR2S) training workshop April 25. This is your opportunity to join others from around the region to learn about Safe Routes To School, a growing movement to improve opportunities for youth travel to school by bike or on foot. The renewed interest in non-motorized travel is the result of increased concern over student health, including childhood obesity and diabetes, dwindling budgets to transport students by bus, and concern about traffic safety for children walking or bicycling to school.

This is a one-day workshop that provides a clear blueprint for how to create a SR2S program in your community. Some of the topics that will be covered in the hands-on program include encouragement and education approaches, enforcement and engineering approaches, and how to map routes to schools in your community using the interactive Safe Streets Toolkit.

Our presenters are Wendi Kallins, Marin County Bicycle Coalition, author of the National Highway Traffic Safety Association Safe Routes to School guide and David Parisi, PE, who has 17 years experience in multimodal corridor design and recently developed a toolbox of solutions to common school-related issues titled Transportation Tools for Improving Children's Health and Safety. He will present this plus other state-of-the-art developments related to SR2S at several upcoming national conferences this year. Kallins and Parisi will present the four-pronged approach that SR2S uses: engineering, encouragement, education, and enforcement.

As part of the workshop, participants will receive a guidebook and a packet of SR2S information, including the names of those who participate locally and from across the state.

The SR2S workshop will be held Friday, April 25, from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM at the Doubletree Hotel, 1301 Wyandotte, in downtown Kansas City, Mo. Parking is provided beneath the hotel. Training costs $55 and includes lunch, a guidebook and other program materials.

To register call Beverly Werden at 816/474-4240 ext. 234, fax to 816/421-7758 or e-mail gti@marc.org.

[Organizers have indicated that videotapes of the workshop may be available for those who cannot attend the session in person.]

Kansas City isn't exactly Bike City, USA. Not only will the sewer grates swallow you and your bicycle whole, but also we've got drivers who think those "Share the Road" signs are part of a commie plot.

That's why area bicyclists were so enthused with Bike KC, otherwise known as the Kansas City Bicycle Initiative. Here was a plan to replace the killer grates, install signs alerting motorists to the presence of cyclists and -- get this -- make bike lanes part of new road construction plans in KCMO.

Larry Frevert, No. 2 in the Public Works Department, felt it was the city's responsibility for something like Bike KC. Bicycle transportation, as an alternative to using your car, is mentioned throughout the city's planning document, FOCUS Kansas City. Similar ideas are working well in some suburbs.

Two years of work went into it. Meetings. Hearings. Frevert and Paul Mohr at the Housing and Community Development Department found federal funds to pay 80 percent of the costs. Kansas City politicos even seemed supportive when preliminary plans were unveiled last spring and summer.

Yet just as this proposed network of bike lanes seemed to be tooling along in high gear, Bike KC ran smack into a Ford.

That's Ford as in Ed Ford. He is a city councilman from north of the river and is chairman of the committee through which Bike KC must pass. He has this teensy problem with marking off bike lanes along the city's main thoroughfares.

Ford is no expert on bike safety. In fact, he doesn't own a bicycle and wouldn't ride one if he did.

"Not for years," Ford replied when I asked him the last time he saddled up a 10-speed.

But Ford has it in his head that Bike KC is a bad idea, if it puts more bicyclists on the streets. He'd sooner bikes stick to the off-road trails, even though most serious cyclists say trails are worthless for getting to work or the store.

Set aside the city's short-term concerns about the costs -- it's a lousy time to be asking for money to stripe bike lanes when the city can't even afford to keep the rest rooms clean at Kemper Arena. Forget for a moment that developers will scream when asked to donate more land for street rights of way to allow for 4-foot bike lanes.

It's this argument over safety that has been the big show-stopper in Ford's Plans, Zoning and Economic Development Committee, even if cyclists tell Ford he doesn't know what in the heck he's talking about. They want bike lanes.

"Here's one," Ford says of one of the 50 e-mails he has received. "It says, `Where were you when I was held up in Westport if you're so concerned about my safety?' "

Ford says he is concerned, what with all the speed demons zooming down the streets, gabbing on cell phones, fixing their makeup or losing track of who and where they are because they're drunk or hopped up on drugs.

Still, Ford won't kill the bike plan outright. It will be showcased at a City Council work session in the coming weeks, to see whether there's support from other council members.

That would seem to be a cue for supporters to let their council member know how they feel. Be polite and you'll score more points.

Meantime, I'm thinking of taking up a collection. We now know what to give Ed Ford for Christmas.

We Need You Bicyclist Voice!

LOBBYING YOUR KANSAS STATE LEGISLATORS

RECOGNIZE THEIR PROBLEMS

Statewide "Safe Routes To School" training workshop April 25th