Brent Hugh

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Rogersville’s Anti-Harassment Ordinance Protects People Who Walk, Bike, and Wheel

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Officials in Rogersville, near Springfield in southwest Missouri, recently contact us to let us know that the city passed an anti-harassment ordinance.The ordinance, passed in July 2010, is one of the first to be passed in Missouri. Anti-harassment policies are a top priority of MoBikeFed membershipRogersville City Attorney Jason Krebs wrote:Rogersville is a major cycling hub in the Springfield and Southwest Missouri area.  It is a destination for many cyclists.  Mayor Jack Cole and Aldermen Jon Hill, Dale Reaves, Terry Thompson and Leon Roderick and the City staff all strongly support the protection of wheel chair users, cyclists and pedestrians and recognize their positive impact on the community and economy."These things are community assets--having safe places to bicycle is one of the things that attracts people to live in this area," said Krebs.  "Our city leaders really see the value in that."Missouri now has eight cities that have adopted anti-harassment ordinances, covering over 1.15 million Missourians.  Anti-harassment ordinances have been passed in large, medium, and small cities and in urban, suburban, and rural communities.  Freedom from harassment is a value that all Missourians, in all types of communities, value.When MoBikeFed surveys our members and supporters, we find that anti-harassment rises to the top of the priority list every time. That is why we so strongly support anti-harassment ordinances at the city, county, and statewide levels.We encourage all cities and counties across Missouri to pass an anti-harassment law.  You can find the resources you need to do this, including sample legislation from many communities, on our Anti-Harassment page.What does Rogersville's law do?The Rogersville ordinance provides for penalties for any who harasses or endangers a person who is bicycling, walking, running, or operating a wheelchair.  Specifically, the ordinance bans: Jason Krebs, Rogersville City AttorneyThrowing an objectThreatening for the purpose of frightening or disturbingHonking a horn, shouting, or otherwise making noise to frighten or disturbEndangering or creating a risk of death or physical injuryWhen roadway users take any of these actions towards people who are walking, running, bicycling, or operating a wheelchair on our roads, sidewalks, and trails, it creates a dangerous and intimidating environment.  The right of citizens to feel safe as though go about their daily business on the public streets and ways is one of the most important and highly valued.The details of Rogersville's anti-harassment lawThe text of Rogersville's ordinance reads:Section 385.055. Harassment of a Bicyclist, Pedestrian or Person in a Wheelchair. [Ord. No. 691, 7­5­ 2010]A. A person commits the offense of harassment of a bicyclist, pedestrian or person in a wheelchair if the person:1. Knowingly throws an object at or in the direction of any person riding a bicycle, walking, running or operating a wheelchair for the purpose of frightening, disturbing or injuring that person; or2. Threatens any person riding a bicycle, walking, running or operating a wheelchair for the purpose of frightening or disturbing that person; or3. Sounds a horn, shouts or otherwise directs sound toward any person riding a bicycle, walking, running or operating a wheelchair for the purpose of frightening or disturbing that person; or4. Knowingly places a person riding a bicycle, walking, running or operating a wheelchair in apprehension of immediate physical injury; or5. Knowingly engages in conduct that creates a risk of death or serious physical injury to a person riding a bicycle, walking, running or operating a wheelchair.B. Harassment of a bicyclist, pedestrian or person in a wheelchair is a Class A misdemeanor.Visit MoBikeFed's Anti-harassment Campaign page for sample ordinance language and other helpful information for bringing an anti-harassment ordinance to your community. Improving safety for all road users is one of the top goals of MoBikeFed's Vision for Bicycling and Walking in Missouri. Support laws that ban harassment of people who walk and bicycle is an important part of that effort, and a priority that has been rated very highly by our members and supporters.Your ongoing membership and generous financial support helps turn our Vision into reality! Link:  Rogersville Missouri's anti-harassment ordinance protects people who walk, bicycle, and wheel
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Witness: Sunset Hills Mayor “Attacked Bicycle Rider” Then “Floored It”

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TheToday Missouri media is reporting on the ongoing trial of Sunset Hills Mayor Mark Furrer, who is accused of hitting cyclist Randy Murdick with his car, then driving off. The Lake Expo has a summar of the testimony of witnesses who saw the incident: Cyclists rally in support of cyclist Randy Murdick, who was struck by Sunset Hills Mayor Mark Furrer Freeman was the first witnessed called Tuesday morning. Questioned by assistant prosecutor Al Key, Freeman said he was behind the car and cyclist, all headed westbound, and saw the car and the cyclist rolling alongside each other, "within six inches.""The driver was leaning over talking to the cyclist," Freeman testified. "When the conversation concluded, the driver of the red convertible attacked the bicycle rider with the automobile in an abrupt maneuver ... He thrust the car into the cyclist (who) went up into the air and came down onto the automobile and fell onto the concrete."Later Freeman said the driver "gunned it, floored it and took off."Furrer is charged with second-degree assault and property damage, both felonies. If convicted of either, he would forfeit office.The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the testimony of another witness:A second witness, approaching from the opposite direction, also saw the driver and the cyclist yell at each other.“I was nervous for the guy on the bike,” Randy Spaethe said. “They were evidently hollering, and the red Mercedes turned into the cyclist and knocked him off the bike.” The Call has more details about Spaethe's testimony: Cyclist Randy Murdick testified that hwas threatened, then struck by Sunset Hills Mayor Mark Furrer. Furrer then fled the scene. "Why were you so angry?" Key asked during re-examination."I just saw an intentional accident — it wasn't even an accident, it was an intentional hit," Spaethe replied.In the police report, more than one Sunset Hills officer vouched for the veracity of Randy Spaethe and said they had known him for years. Key noted that Randy Spaethe met the officers through his former job as the service manager of Sunset Ford, where he serviced the city's police fleet.The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has more details about the testimony of the investigating officer:The officer said Murdick told him the car swerved and hit him. The car drove off but quickly returned to the scene. Under questioning from assistant prosecutor Al Key, Senior said it made him uncomfortable to have the mayor involved in the incident.  He said his supervisors instructed him to consider the case an accident. But pressed by Key on what he thought it really was, Senior replied, "If I were the supervisor on the scene, I would conduct an investigation and complete a report for an assault."Sunset Hills police soon handed the case over to St. Louis County police for an investigation that resulted in the charges.Defense attorney Dan Bruntrager pressed Senior on whether Murdick admitted rolling through the stop sign, a point of dispute. Bruntrager noted that Murdick said in an audio statement that he had "slowed down." Bruntrager asked, "He didn't tell you he stopped, did he?" Senior said that was correct.Murdick told the jury Tuesday that during the incident the mayor, whom he did not then know, repeatedly told him to "Get off my (expletive) roads."The cyclist said he had several injuries, including bruises and a torn Achilles tendon, and that his $12,000 racing bicycle was badly damaged. He has filed a civil suit against Furrer.Last year, MoBikeFed presented a petition signed by over 400 people from the Sunset Hills area and around Missouri, asking Sunset Hills to take the appropriate action in regard to the Mayor and also to take positive steps to become a more bicycle friendly city.Cyclists rally in support of MurdickWe appreciate and support the work of St. Louis County police and prosecutors to bring appropriate charges in this case and prosecute the case vigorously.More on the Mark Furrer situation in MoBikeFed News here and here.  Making Missouri streets safer for people who bicycle and walk is one of the top priorities of MoBikeFed's Vision for Bicycling and Walking in Missouri.Your ongoing membership and generous financial support helps turn our Vision into reality!  Link:  Trial of Sunset Hills Mayor; Witness: "Mayor 'attacked the bicycle rider' then 'floored it and took off'
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Cities & States Both Want Control of Federal Bike/Ped Funding

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Work to complete the federal transportation re-authorization bill continues in Washington, DC.  The so-called "DRIVE Act" sets federal transportation policy and funding levels for the next several years. Bicycle and pedestrian funding within the bill, primarily through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) makes this the largest single source of bicycle and pedestrian funding in the U.S. Congress continues to debate federal transportation funding, including the largest single source of bike/ped fundingIn addition, the bill includes funding for billions of dollars of roads and highways annually--with the potential to positively or negatively impact bicycle and pedestrian connectivity across the U.S.Current the House & Senate have both passed versions of the bill.  Currently the bill is in conference committee, with House and Senate Transportation Committee leaders working out differences between the two bills.  Congressional leadership expects a final vote as early as the first week of December.On pedestrian and bicycle issues, the good news is that most major issues and funding levels are in agreement (or close to it) between House and Senate versions--meaning that major issues are decided and only a few (relatively) minor details remain to be worked out in Conference Committee.Recently both the National Governor's Association and a coalition of cities, counties, and regional transportation planning organizations have both weighed in on the details of TAP implementation.The very positive note here is that both of these influential groups see bicycle and pedestrian funding as important for America and worthy of continuation. There is something of a tug-of-war going on here, as both groups see the TAP funding as something so important that they would like to have more control of it.The Governor's Association writes:Flexibility. Governors support providing states with sufficient decision-making discretion to help advance a national surface transportation system. Federal funding for highway and transit programs should provide maximum flexibility to the state for implementation and innovation because of our diversity of geography, population, and priorities. . . .[We] support maintaining current state discretion over 50 percent of the Transportation Alternatives Program (STRR at §1106). The association of local groups and agencies writes:Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP): TAP funds represent a modest but powerful resource to advance innovation and promote better network connectivity. We urge adoption of the following:Allocate 100 percent of TAP program to local areas, allowing local areas increased flexibility in the use of these funds; andEnsure that TAP funds are made available like other STP funds allocated to local areas by including proportional obligation authority.So should cities or local municipalities have control of the funding? We have definitely found that with local control of funding come better pedestrian and bicycle projects.  One of the major successes MoDOT has had with its federal bicycle and pedestrian funding is that from the 1990s, it is distributed most of the TAP fundin to local regions under local control.However Congress decides to move forward, we urge MoDOT to continue and accelerate this approach to federal bicycle and pedestrian funding.  In particular, funding decisions in rural MoDOT districts should concentrate more of the funding and more of the decision-making over the funding according to population rather than land area.  For example, small MPOs should have their own sub-allocation of TAP funding (large MPOs like Kansas City, St Louis, and Springfield already do).On the flip side, it makes sense to reserve at least a portion of TAP funding at the state level, where it can (and should) be used for major statewide projects and projects that connect regions--and which have few or no other potential funding sources.More about this year's federal transportation reauthorization:12 Nov 2015: 6-year transportation funding bill in Congress: 2015 looks SO much better than 201210 Nov 2015: Success: U.S. House passes 6-year transportation funding bill - preserves funding for biking & walking  Link:  Federal Transportation Bill: Cities & states both want control of bicycle & pedestrian funding
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St. Charles County Tries to Prevent O’Fallon From Upgrading Its Own Main Street

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Recently, the city of O'Fallon decided to take some major steps to upgrade its main street--making it friendlier for walking, bicycling, businesses, visitors, and motorists via a so-called "Road Diet". Things got ugly when St. Charles County stepped in with a $2.5 million threat if the city implements the project. Now St Louis regional advocacy group Trailnet is stepping up now to defend better communities for walking & biking. Main Street in O'Fallon. Would you want to visit or walk here?An unbelievable scenerio, as a county pressures a city to take a big step backwardsThis is, frankly, one of the most unbelievable scenarios we have seen in many years of advocacy for better communities for walking and bicycling. The city, which is close to the situation and knows its own needs, had gone through a detailed planning process for improving its main street.  The process included public meetings, interviews, and many other forms of public outreach to find out what O'Fallon citizens and businesses really want and need from the project.After all of that, the County--without doing any similar research or public outreach--stepped in and, attempting to exercise bald political power, issued a threat: If the city goes through with its citizen-supported plan, the County will withhold $2.5 million in funding from the city.This is not the first time St. Charles County has used a similar a threat to derail a city's work to make its city center more walkable and bicycleable.  St. Charles County recently pressured the City of St. Charles to remove planned bike lanes from a project.It is unfortunate that St. Charles County is taking these steps backward at this important time.  Because cities around Missouri, around the United States, and around the world are increasing taking dramatic steps to improve their city centers for bicycling and walking.And this is not just an issue about who is going to prevail in a political tug of war.  The reason advocates and community members are so passionate about implementing road diets in the streets that run through the hearts of their communities is that road diets save lives.At the cost of (at most) a few seconds delay in travel, many severe injuries and deaths are prevented. Why are elected officials in St. Charles County prioritizing a few seconds travel time over saving severe injury and death of the citizens they are elected to represent and to protect?We are at a point now where citizens in O'Fallon and St Charles County can stand up an make a difference.  St. Louis regional advocacy group Trailnet is leading the charge.O'Fallon makes a plan to improve its old, outdated, ugly Main StreetThe letter Trailnet sent to St Charles County has details about O'Fallon's plan to improve its Main Street: TrailnetEarlier this year, as part of a planning study for the Highway K, Main St. and Highway M corridor, the City of O'Fallon did something important: it asked residents to help develop a vision for a revitalized downtown Main Street.In a series of focus group meetings, surveys, individual interviews and public workshops the people of O'Fallon spoke loud and clear. More than half believe the four-lane Main Street thoroughfare is declining; 82% said they do not take visitors there. Words commonly used by participants to describe Main Street included "old," "outdated" and "ugly." They said Main Street needs a greater variety of businesses to draw residents and visitors; that the streetscape, aesthetics, functionality and walkability of Main Street all need to be improved.Increasingly local governments in this region and around the country are hearing what O'Fallon heard from its residents: the public desires better main streets with balanced traffic flows, improved aesthetics, and new businesses that attract more customers and provide a great destination.St. Charles County makes a power play to stop Main Street improvementsFox 2 News tells what happened after the city started moving forward with its plan to improve walkability and calm traffic in the city center.  Local business owner Joe Cronin is on the St. Charles County Council: Joe Cronin, St. Charles County Council[L]ast week, Cronin convinced the County Council to give O`Fallon an ultimatum; pass a resolution promising to abandon the proposed road diet, or face losing county money for two other city road projects.O'Fallon city officials are not too pleased about this turn of events:O`Fallon Councilman Jim Pepper finds the county`s threat outrageous. . . .The county is giving O`Fallon until November to pass a resolution promising not to put Main Street on a road diet, or else.'I think that`s bullying at its highest,' said Pepper.What O'Fallon was doing to improve its Main Street--and why communities around Missouri and the U.S. are doing the sameO'Fallon citizens wanted to improve Main Street, making it more accessible, more usable, and more valuable for citizens, business, local neighborhoods, and the community. Road diet - note how the large expanse of blacktop is narrowed and the street brough to a more human scaleThey want to make a Main Street that is a destination, not just a thoroughfare.And they wanted to prevent the many injuries and deaths that are inevitable when fast-moving traffic is moving through populated city centers.  These injuries and deaths affect everyone, but they disproportionately strike the vulnerable in our population:  Children, the elderly, people with disabilities, pedestrians.And they are completely preventable.Projects designed to address these serious issues head-on are often called "road diets," because they take wide expanses of unecessary road space, reserved for fast-moving motor vehicle traffic, and change it, making the entire streetscape more inviting, pleasant, and safe for the people and businesses who use the area. At the same time, a well-designed road diet actually improves safety and traffic flow for motorists as well.  The road diet is one of the few types of road treatments that actually improve the experience for all  road users, including people who drive, walk, bicycle, and use transit.Since downtown is a place people come to visit and shop, it is very much in the interest of business owners to improve the pedestrian experience in the area.At the same time, businesses want to encourage drive-by traffic and hate to divert traffic from flowing through the area.  The good news for them is that a well designed road diet--including optimal design of turns lanes and traffic signals--can carry all the traffic the previous ill-designed four-lane road can. A road diet actually improves business along the corridor, because the area becomes an inviting destination  that attracts visitors to come downtown and stay there once they have arrived.  And yet, the road can still carry all needed motor vehicle traffic.Communities who have implemented road diets have found that they do all of these things--improve traffic safety, carry the needed traffic flow, and greatly improve the experience for residents who visit and shop in the area.The end result is a Main Street that is far more attractive to residents and visitors, and far more valuable to the city and to businesses in the area.Road diets work across the country and in MissouriKansas City, Missouri, recently identified 130 streets that are candidates for road diets, and is working to implement the highest priority candidates.St. Louis, Missouri, recently implemented road diets on no less than 10 city streets as part of its extensive Bike St. Louis Phase III, and results so far are excellent--an improved experience for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.The video above, showing a planned road diet in the city of Camden, South Carolina, gives a good idea of what the O'Fallon road diet would look like.  It is a complete upgrade in every aspect of the road--the sort of main street every city wants.Road diets work and work well. O'Fallon businesses and citizens should support them, and so should St. Charles County.Road diets--what are the benefits?The Federal Highway Administration studied road diets and found these benefits for communities that implement them: A downtown area that invites visitors, improves safety, and welcomes all forms oAn overall crash reduction of 19 to 47 percent.Reduction of rear-end and left-turn crashes through the use of a dedicated left-turn lane.Fewer lanes for pedestrians to cross and an opportunity to install pedestrian refuge islands.The opportunity to install bicycle lanes when the cross-section width is reallocated.Reduced right-angle crashes as side street motorists must cross only three lanes of traffic instead of four.Traffic calming and reduced speed differential, which can decrease the number of crashes and reduce the severity of crashes if they occur.The opportunity to allocate the “leftover” roadway width for other purposes, such as on-street parking or transit stops.Encouraging a more community-focused, “Complete Streets” environment.Simplifying road scanning and gap selection for motorists (especially older and younger drivers) making left turns from or onto the mainline.Why leaders shouldn't delay in implementing road diets: Lives hang in the balance; Benefits far outweigh costsCity leaders in New Brunswick, New Jersey were recently facing a decision similar to the one that currently faces St. Charles County and O'Fallon officials.  Citizens proposed a road diet to improve safety and save lives, but city leaders balked, hesitant to slow traffic flow by even a minor amount.The Atlantic outlines what happened next:In May 2014, three school kids in New Brunswick, New Jersey, were hit by a car on Livingston Avenue while in the crosswalk. They were each injured—one seriously—and rushed to the hospital. A cell phone video taken at the scene is pierced with anonymous screams.Fortunately, according to news reports, the kids recovered. Unfortunately, the trauma they and their families endured is all too common on the streets of U.S. cities. What makes the situation in New Brunswick so much more regrettable is that city leaders knew about the safety hazards on Livingston Avenue but hesitated to change traffic patterns for fear of offending drivers.That’s the frustrating conclusion one gets from a new case study about implementing a road diet on Livingston. The analysis finds that the safety benefits of reducing automobile space and speeds on the street would far outweigh any losses from driver delay. But the report’s authors state that officials were concerned from the start about upsetting the car-centric status quo.After this devastating incident, public outcry led the city to commission a report to determine the full cost and benefit of implementing the road diet.  The report concluded:Our results have shown that implementation of a road diet, consistent with a complete streets policy along Livingston Avenue will result in some extra delay to traffic both along and within the corridor. However, the costs of the delay to traffic are less than the large benefits associated with the reduction in traffic crashes, based on a cost/benefit analysis.In fact, the report found that the benefits of the road diet--improved mobility, reduction of injury and fatality--massively outweight the cost--which amount to a few seconds travel delay.  Using standard measures of the cost of time and the cost of injuries and fatalities, the report found the net benefit of the road diet ranges between $2.6 million and $37 million over a twenty year period.So it's not even a close call. What you can doWherever you live: Help us spread the word about this unfortunate county power play in social media. If you live in the St. Louis area: Please support Trailnet, your local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy group.  They are leading the work to improve bicycling and walking across the region. If you live in St. Charles County: Contact your St. Charles County Council member and politely and persuasively let them know that you strongly support the work of cities like O'Fallon and St. Charles to improve the walkability and bikewability of their cities, you support the O'Fallon road diet proposal, and you oppose the County's interference in the local decision-making and local priorities of these cities. If you live in O'Fallon or St. Charles:  Contact your city council member (O'Fallon - St Charles) and mayor and let them know that you support making the city better for walking and bicycling, you support the O'Fallon Main Street road diet proposal, and you hope they will work to oppose the County's interference in local affairs and decision-making.The simplest way to help if you live in St. Charles County and/or the cities of O'Fallon and St. Charles, is to send your elected representatives a copy of Trailnet's letter about this situation, and include a note telling your elected officials that you support the points outlined in the letter.More information:Trailnet's letter supporting the O'Fallon Main Street proposal All the technical details about road diets, traffic studies, and information on how road diets can carry traffic flow while greatly improving walkability along the corridor and increasing property values all along the street Road Diets: What they are and why they are good for your community - BikeWalkKC FHWA report on road diets MoBikeFed's Complete Street information center Among the top goals of MoBikeFed's Vision for Bicycling and Walking in Missouri are improving safety for all road users in Missouri and creating a world-class bicycle and pedestrian network. Projects like the O'Fallon road diet help accomplish both of those objectives.Your ongoing membership and generous financial contributions help keep the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation healthy so that we can continue to pursue our statewide bicycle and pedestrian advocacy goals and turn our Vision into reality.  Image CreditsMain Street: City of O'Fallon, Main Street planning handoutJoe Cronin: St. Louis County CouncilComplete Street: National Complete Streets Coalition  File:  memo.stcharles.ofallon-ocr.pdf
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Bike Commuting Up in Missouri, St. Louis, Kansas City, Says Census

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The League of American Bicyclists recently released its annual analysis of bicycle commuting in the United States, as measured by the U.S. Census Bureau.Though the Census measures only a relatively small portion of the bicycling that happens in communities across the United States--the minority of trips that are to or from work or school--it is still some of the best available data on the amount of bicycling and walking, especially in terms of detecting long-term trends.The League writes:In our third edition of “Where We Ride: An Analysis of Bicycling in American Cities” we take a look at the growth of bicycle commuters throughout the country, based on new data from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.We dissect broad trends, like where among large cities bike commuting is growing fastest, and take on and more granular analyses, like which cities are exploding with bike commuters by region and size. Summary of data from Missouri and its largest citiesMissouri is ranked 42nd among the 50 states in the percentage of bicycle commuters.  The amount of bicycle commuting across the state has increased 41% since 2005. St. Louis is ranked 22nd among the 70 largest U.S. cities in the percentage of bicycle commuting.  Bicycle commuting in St. Louis city increased 280% since 2000--5th fastest of any large city in the U.S.--and an amazing 380% since 1990.The continually high level of increase in bicycle commuting in St. Louis over the years is certainly due to a steady and ever-improving level of on-street bicycle routes provided by the various phases of the Bike St. Louis plan over the years.  During the years covered by the data, the Bike St. Louis plan has gone through three phases, with increasingly improved routes and quality of facility with each phase.The steady increase in the amount of bicycling across the city over that time period proves that this approach works and works well.  Percentage of bicycle commuters in St. Louis over the years:  2000: 0.35%  2004:               (Bike St Louis Phase I)  2006: 0.74%    (Bike St Louis Phase II)  2007: 0.48%  2008: 0.72%  2009: 0.68%  2010: 0.92%  2014: 1.3%     (Bike St Louis Phase III)  Kansas City is ranked 66th of 70 the largest cities. Bicycle commuting has increased 67% since 2000--40th fastest growing among large cities in the U.S.--and 84% since 1990.Percentage of commuters who commute by bicycle in the Missouri jurisdictions covered in the report:Missouri (state): 0.3%St Louis city: 1.3%Columbia: 1.3%Springfield: 1.1%Kansas City MO: 0.2%St Joseph: 0.2%More information:Read the full reportSummary of census data on bicycle and pedestrian commuting in Missouri through 2010Summary of census data on commuting in Missouri through 2009 Link:  Bicycle commuting up in Missouri, St. Louis, Kansas City according to Census data
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Jackson County & KCATA to Acquire Final Piece of Cross-State Rock Island-Katy Trail System

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Today Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders, the KCATA, and other local partners announced a historic partnership designed to fund acquisition of the final piece of a statewide trail system that has been decades in the works: The 17.7-mile section of the Rock Island Trail that brings the trail into the heart of the Kansas City metro area. The trail segment announced today (orange) will make the final connection in the cross-state trail system connecting St. Louis and dozens of Missouri communities to the Kansas City metro area (click for full-sized version)Jackson County's press release gives the details:Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders and Kansas City Area Transportation Authority President and CEO Joe Reardon announced a cooperative agreement today that will provide the financing necessary for the future acquisition of the 17.7 miles of the Rock Island Corridor from Union Pacific Railroad."This is an historic step forward for our entire community. The significance of this announcement, and its potential to shape our county's growth for generations to come, cannot be overstated," said Sanders.So is this a final deal to purchase the final stretch of trail to make the statewide connection?  Not quite.  But it is a major, historic step.  It is perhaps the most important step in the final dealmaking that will end in acquisition of the corridor and construction of the trail, because it provides the needed funding for corridor acquisition, which has been the major obstacle to completing the deal with Union Pacific to acquire the corridor. The County's press release indicates that the deal is very, very close to complete: While discussions with Union Pacific continue, the parties announced that they are nearing a final agreement."All major issues involving the acquisition of the Rock Island corridor have been agreed to. We anticipate having a final agreement very soon" said Sanders. “In addition, $10 million in federal funds has already been set aside to help clear the way for future construction on the trail.”Our understanding is that Jackson County, Kansas City MO, Raytown, Lee's Summit, and KCATA have committed funds to help acquire the corridor.  In addition, Jackson County recently received a $10 million federal grant towards trail construction and have other major grant applications in progress.  Congressman Emanuel Cleaver issued a statement in support of the project. At Arrowhead Stadium near the terminus of the Rock Island corridor, Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders joins local and agency officials and partners to announce the Rock Island corridor fundingThe last--and most difficult--piece of a trail linking the entire state from east to westSince the Katy Trail was created in the early 1990s, state and local leaders--under the urging of MoBikeFed and our many allies--have been working to connect the trail system across the state and to the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas.  Last week, Governor Nixon announced that an important piece of the statewide trail, 47 miles from the Katy Trail at Windsor to Pleasant Hill, will be completed and open in 2016.  Today's announcement is major progress in putting the final piece of that statewide trail system in place--the piece that will bring the Rock Island Trail to the heart of the Kansas City area.Together with local trail systems planned and in place at the eastern and western ends of the trail, the system will finally reach across the entire state from east to west, from the Arch to Liberty Memorial, from state line to state line. 17.7 mile section of the Rock Island corridor Jackson County and partners are working to acquire (click for full-sized version)Imaging being able to bicycle from downtown Kansas City to downtown St. Louis.  With these new trail connections, we'll be taking this ride in just a few short years.A 450-mile statewide trail loopBut that's not all.  Advocates first envisioned a statewide trail in the 1990s, but as work has progressed, many more options have opened up. Work on the Rock Island portion of the trail opened up the possibility of adding another 144 miles to the system (Section 3, in red, in the map above).  That will allow the Katy and Rock Island Trails to connect in two places--Clinton and Washington--to create a statewide trail loop system over 450 miles in length. In 2014, a flurry of events culminated in Ameren agreeing to transfer this 144 mile section ot the Rock Island corridor to Missouri State Parks. Legal work to transfer this 144-mile section to Missouri State Parks is now underway and should be completed by early next year.A 1000-mile seamless multi-state trail systemThe 17.7 mile segment that is the subject of today's announcement, together with the 47-mile segment recently promised for completion in 2016 by Governor Nixon, connect the Katy Trail to the heart of the Kansas City metro area. But they also form a potentially more important connection: This section of trail is the keystone of a planned multi-state trail system that will integrate thousands of miles of trails in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois into one massive, interconnected regional trail network.Imagine being able to bike or hike from Kansas City, Columbia, Jefferson City, St. Louis, and dozens more Missouri cities and towns along the trail, to Council Bluffs, Omaha, Lincoln, Topeka, and many more locations in the Midwest.  That's what we'll be able to do when this trail system in complete--and it's a LOT closer to completion now that the key Katy-Kansas City link is in place. Potential multi-state trail system. The Katy-KC section is the linchpin of this entire system. (Click for full-sized image.)Thanks to supporters and partnersMany thanks to trail supporters and partners across Missouri who have worked hard to make the cross-state trail system possible. Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders and a whole coalition of mayors, city staff, agencies, and organizations in the Kansas City area--now prominently including the KCATA--have pulled together to acquire this portion of the Rock Island Corridor.Governor Nixon, Missouri State Parks leadership and staff, many city officials, elected leaders, agencies, and organizations across Missouri have spent countless hours working to make the Katy Trail and now Rock Island Trail State Park a reality.It has taken all of those people working together towards a common goal to make today's announcement possible.  Many thanks and congratulations to one and all! More information:Sept 2015: Cross State Rock Island & Katy Trail System: Where are we? What remains to be done? Sept 2015: Governor Nixon agrees to complete/open 47-mile section of Rock Island Trail State Park that will connect Katy Trail to the outskirts of the Kansas City metro area by 2016 Oct 2014: Deal announced to transfer 144 miles of Rock Island corridor to Missouri State Parks for Rock Island Trail State Park - making 450-mile cross-state trail loop possible Kansas City Star article by Mike Hendricks gives details about the press conference and agreement today Jackson County Press Release with information and details about today's announcement  One of the top goals of MoBikeFed's Vision for Bicycling and Walking in Missouri is building a world-class bicycle and pedestrian transportation system in Missouri.  The addition of the Rock Island Trail to Missouri's statewide trail system is the biggest single advance we have seen in Missouri in over 20 years.Your membership and generous financial contributions help turn our Vision into reality--building the statewide public support for bicycling, walking, and trails that make major advances like the Rock Island Trail possible. File:  Jackson County Press Release
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43 Bicycle, Pedestrian, Trails Organizations Ask Missouri Legislators to Support Bicycling and Walking

By Brent Hugh | | No Comments
This summer, forty-three pedestrian, bicycle, trails, health, disability, and community organizations came together to send a united message to more than 400 Missouri elected officials and decision makers. Missourians who walk and bicycle have a voice at the Capitol in Jefferson CityThe sign-on letter went to Missouri legislators, members of Congress, Governor Nixon, MoDOT leadership, and transportation decision-makers across the state.The letter makes the case for improving walking and bicycling as an important part of any transportation funding plan:Missouri does not need extensive new or greatly expanded roads or highways. But Missouri does need to:Maintain the road and highway system we have Improve safety for all users of the road system Add transportation choices--such as walking and bicycling--that far too often are simply not available to Missouri residents.The letter makes specific requests to each official who received the letter, including:Make access, connectivity, safety, and funding for people who choose to bicycle and walk an integral part of any solution to Missouri’s transportation funding problem.  Funding for roads and streets must include funding for safe, connected access for people of all abilities who choose to or need to walk and bicycle along and across those roads and streets. Bring groups who represent the Missourians who walk and bicycle to the table and include us in the discussion about solutions to the funding issue.  We want to contribute to proposed solutions to the Missouri’s transportation funding problem.Stay tuned as discussion on the Missouri transportation funding situation moves forward in coming months and years.  At key times, we'll be asking our members and supporters across the state to contact their own legislators with messages that support the goals outlined in the letter.Organizations signing on the the letterMany thanks to the organizations from across Missouri who united to sign the letter:  What is in the letter?Below is the full text of the letter as sent to Missouri state legislators:Weare a united coalition of organizations representing millions of Missourians who use our state’s transportation system to walk, run, hike, and bicycle.Missouri’s transportation funding shortfall is a critical challenge in need of a solution.  As solutions are considered and developed, we want policymakers to recognize walking and bicycling are an important part of Missouri's transportation system. Walking and bicycling should be included in any transportation funding solution.Walking and bicycling bring quantifiable economic benefits to Missouri. Recent research shows that bicycling and walking brings over $2.8 billion in consumer direct spend to Missouri’s economy, supports over 28,000 jobs, and brings $219 million in local and state tax revenue to the state. Attention to creating and maintaining safe and pleasant walking and bicycling environments makes our communities better able to compete for business development and human resources on a national and global scale. Cities and states around us are prioritizing safe connected access for the millions who regularly walk and bicycle. They are better positioned to attract businesses and individuals who value active living and a range of transportation. Including safe spaces to walk and bicycle on existing corridors through our cities and towns is one of the most cost-effective transportation investments that can be made and adds incredible value to these existing transportation corridors. Providing safe, connected places to walk and bicycle for people of all abilities creates opportunity and freedom of choice in transportation—opportunity for Missourians of all ages, levels of ability, and income levels to reach work, school, health care, shopping, and recreation using the form of transportation they choose. Missouri does not need extensive new or greatly expanded roads or highways. But Missouri does need to:Maintain the road and highway system we haveImprove safety for all users of the road systemAdd transportation choices--such as walking and bicycling--that far too often are simply not available to Missouri residents.These goals were identified and received broad mainstream support throughout the very comprehensive statewide public outreach effort undertaken by MoDOT during its Missouri On The Move public outreach effort.The lack of safe, accessible places to walk and bicycle in Missouri communities is serious.  A recent Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services survey showed that:45.6% of Missourians have no sidewalks at all in their neighborhoods 76.5% of Missourians have no safe place to bicycle in their communityAs you are working to address Missouri’s transportation funding problem, we ask you to:Make access, connectivity, safety, and funding for people who choose to bicycle and walk an integral part of any solution to Missouri’s transportation funding problem.  Funding for roads and streets must include funding for safe, connected access for people of all abilities who choose to or need to walk and bicycle along and across those roads and streets. Bring groups who represent the Missourians who walk and bicycle to the table and include us in the discussion about solutions to the funding issue.  We want to contribute to proposed solutions to the Missouri’s transportation funding problem.Thank you for considering this important issue.Additional requests to specific leadersDifferent groups of legislators and officials received additional asks, depending on their exact responsibilities.  For example, Governor Nixon and his staff received this additional request:As you prioritize filling the open positions on the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, make support for an integrated multi-modal transportation system, meeting the needs of all Missourians, including those who drive, walk, bicycle, and use public transit, and accommodating Missourians of all levels of ability and disability, as one of the top selection criteria.MoDOT leaders received this additional request:Continue moving forward vigorously with MoDOT’s stated goal to give Missourians better transportation choices by expanding and improving bicycle and pedestrian options for people of levels of ability and disability throughout the state.The Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission, which oversees MoDOT and is in the process of selecting a new MoDOT director, received this additional request:As you choose the next MoDOT Director and other top MoDOT leadership positions, include support for an integrated multi-modal transportation system, meeting the needs of all Missourians, including those who drive, walk, bicycle, and use public transit, and accommodating Missourians of all levels of ability and disability, as one of the top selection criteria.Missouri members of Congress and their staff, who are currently working on renewal of the multi-year federal transportation transportation re-authorization, received these additional requests:Support increasing funding for pedestrian and bicycle programs back to SAFETEA-LU levels in the reauthorization bill.    Support the unified agenda of national bicycle and pedestrian groups for the transportation reauthorization bill, including:Specific provisions to improve safety for people who walk and bicycle.A fix-it-first approach that makes better and more efficient use of our existing network of highways and public transportation. Making these systems more efficient includes making them safe and accessible for all users, including those of all ability levels who walk and bicycle.Increasing multimodal choice throughout the transportation system; encouraging a Complete Streets approach at all levels of government, which creates accessibility for all roadway users including people of all abilities who choose to walk and bicycle.Increasing local, community-level choice and control in setting transportation priorities. A top priority of MoBikeFed's Vision for Bicycling and Walking in Missouri is to create a strong, unified movement in support of bicycling, walking, and trails across Missouri.  Another top goal is to work to create a world-class bicycle and pedestrian transportation system across Missouri, including working towards needed funding to create a complete, safe, and accessible system than can be used by all Missourians.In our regular surveys of our members and supporters, securing a fair share of funding for bicycling and walking in any transportation funding proposal has been repeatedly identified as among our members' very top priorities.Your ongoing membership and generous financial support help turn our Vision into reality!
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Major Katy/Rock Island Progress: Gov Says Connection to KC on Track for 2016

By Brent Hugh | | No Comments
An important multi-decade initiative to connect the Katy Trail system across the state, from state line to state line and to St. Louis and Kansas City on each end of the state is close to reaching a major milestone, according to an announcement by Governor Jay Nixon today.Governor Nixon spoke to trail supporters at the North Jefferson Katy Trailhead at 1:45pm today, with the news that the major portion of the Katy Trail connection to Kansas City, along the Rock Island railroad from Windsor to Pleasant Hill, is on track for completion by the end of 2016.  The Governor's press release said:Gov. Jay Nixon today announced that by the end of 2016, Missouri State Parks expects to complete the extension of the Katy Trail from Windsor to Pleasant Hill along the Rock Island Trail State Park. The 47.5-mile-long extension will allow hikers and bicyclists greater access from the Kansas City region to the 240-mile long Katy Trail, which runs from Clinton to St. Charles County.Katy Trail Connection to KC under development since 2007--recent developments will improve trail quality and add an additional 144 (!) miles of trailThe 47.5 mile section has been under trail development since 2007, when the state reached an agreement with Ameren--who owns the underlying railroad line--to build the trail.  The agreement was part of the negotiations over reparations for the Taum Sauk disaster. Inclusion of the trail as part of the settlement was in doubt; MoBikeFed and our allies across the state help generate thousands of citizen signatures, email messages, and phone calls in support of the trail--support that was absolutely vital in making the Katy-KC connection a reality.The 2007 agreement, however, was for a rails-with-trails arrangement, and Ameren retained ownership of the railroad tracks.  Since Governor Nixon took office in 2009, Missouri State Parks and Ameren have been through several years of intense negotiations.  The end result was that Ameren abandoned all rails use and gave the 47.5 mile section of the Rock Island Corridor to Missouri State Parks for use as a trail.Those lengthy negotiations and legal work wrapped up in early 2014.  Since that time, salvage operations and preliminary trail development have taken place on the corridor between Pleasant Hill and Windsor.And even more encouraging, in 2014 Ameren and Missouri State Parks started working on a new agreement to extend the 47.5 mile trail another 144 miles of the Rock Island line that will run from Windsor to Washington.  The legal work for this extension--still underway and on track for completion next year--will eventually allow creation of a cross-state trail loop system totalling over 450 miles.Governor support trails, state parks, and the 100 Missouri Miles ChallengeGovernor Nixon's press release has more details about the trail and the state's work to support trails and state parks:“One of my top priorities as Governor has been to improve and expand our outstanding state park system and give Missouri families and visitors even more ways to enjoy the outdoors,” Gov. Nixon said. “At a time when other states were closing state parks or charging entrance fees, here in Missouri we worked hard to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities by expanding access to affordable outdoor recreation. This extension of the nationally-recognized Katy Trail will continue to provide Missourians and visitors alike with an outstanding opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Show-Me State.”This year marks the 25th anniversary of the 240-mile Katy Trail. As the longest developed rail-trail in the United States, the Katy Trail has been inducted into the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s Hall of Fame. The Katy Trail has also been nominated for various awards that recognize its outstanding recreational opportunities and role in making communities quality places in which to live.“Katy Trail State Park provides a national and international destination to hike and bicycle through the varied landscapes of our state,” said Bill Bryan, Director of Missouri State Parks. “Thanks to the support and generosity of Ted and Pat Jones and all of the trail's supporters 25 years ago, this recreational asset continues to provide economic impact and outdoor opportunities to thousands each year. The Rock Island extension to the west will only enhance these benefits.”Since taking office in 2009, Gov. Nixon has made increasing access to state parks for Missouri families a top priority.  Under the Governor’s leadership, Missouri has also been named the best camping state, the best trails state, and its state parks have consistently ranked among the best in the nation.Missouri trails and state parks are important drivers of tourism and economic activity. An economic impact study found that visitors to state parks produced an overall economic impact of $1.02 billion and supported more than 14,000 Missouri jobs.  Another study found that Katy Trail State Park alone generates nearly $18.5 million a year in economic impact for the state, supports 367 jobs, and makes an overall economic impact of $8.2 million to the local trail communities.Missouri State Parks saw record attendance in 2014 with more than 18.5 million guests, representing a nearly 25 percent increase since 2008. Parks also saw a 5.1 percent increase in camping occupancy at the 40 state parks and historic sites that offer almost 3,600 campsites. Youth camping also increased, with 26 percent of campers staying the night in a state park being under 18.Gov. Nixon has also made a significant investment in the existing state parks and historic sites that make up the park system.  During fiscal years 2014 and 2015, approximately $18 million was invested in improving and maintaining facilities in the park system. An additional $10 million in investments in improvements to state parks and historic sites throughout Missouri will be made through a strategic bond issuance, made possible by the state’s strong fiscal discipline.In 2013, the Governor launched the 100 Missouri Miles Challenge to celebrate Missouri being named the “Best Trails State” in America. The Challenge encourages Missourians to complete 100 miles of outdoor physical activity in one year. Over the last two years, more than 25,000 participants have logged over 4.3 million miles, including 431 miles by the Governor and 383 miles by the First Lady, in 2015 alone. In May, American Trails recognized Missouri with the Outstanding Media Award for the Governor’s 100 Missouri Mile Challenge initiative.Congratulations and thanks go to Governor Nixon, Missouri State Parks, Ameren, and the local advocacy group Missouri Rock Island Trail, Inc. (MoRIT), which has worked steadily to unify Rock Island communities around the idea of the trail and to keep pressure on Ameren and Missouri state agencies and officials to keep the momentum moving forwad.  
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