Sponsored by Ride Solutions, the Roanoke Valley Regional Commission and the New River Valley Planning District Commission, the Roanoke Bike Summit will be held Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 27-28, at the Roanoke Higher Education Center. The purpose is to help area municipalities, universities and businesses work toward achieving a Bicycle Friendly award from the League of American Bicyclists. Target audience is officials and staff from these entities, and key citizen volunteers. But all are welcome, and the Summit is free of charge.

Three sessions will be offered:

• Bicycle Friendly University, Monday, Feb. 27, 9:00am-noon
• Bicycle Friendly Business, Monday, Feb. 27, !:30-3:30pm
• Bicycle Friendly Community, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 9:00am-noon

Again — all are welcome, but advance registration is requested. Register online.

Download the official announcement (PDF).

Also check out Bike Roanoke.

Skills park - accessible via local trails & East Coast Greenway

Richmond MORE (Mid Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts) is announcing today the planned building of an Off Road Bicycle skills area on Belle Island in the City of Richmond Virginia’s James River Park. This skills facility will be an addition to the 18 miles of urban single track trails nestled into the James River Park, Forest Hill Park and Byrd Parks located in the city. This entire system of trails has been built by volunteer labor and donated funds side by side with the City of Richmond Trails Division. Like the trails, this skills area will be built in collaboration with the following volunteer groups: The Friends of James River Park, JROC (James River Outdoor Coalition) the City of Richmond Trails Division, the James River Park System, Richmond MORE and IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association). This facility valued at $100,000 will be located under the Lee Bridge on the south east corner of Belle Island. This area is an unused portion of the island that was used for staging of mulch and materials. Construction will begin in April 2012 and the grand opening is scheduled for Memorial Day Weekend.

The concept for the skills area was formed by a committee of stakeholders: Richmond MORE, The Friends of James River Park, JROC, IMBA, James River Park and The City of Richmond Trails Division. The goals for this area are to enhance the park and embrace the sport of off road cycling. The skills area was endorsed and recommended by the Mayor’s Bicycle Pedestrian Commission. The learning curve for mountain biking is steep and this area will help beginners and intermediate cyclists practice new skills in a safe and controlled environment. The design features will mirror the existing trails to aid in learning how to navigate the entire trail system. This area will be accessed by bicycle from all parts of the city. The key features of urban trail design are access to trails and natural areas to all city and local residents without getting in a car to enjoy them. This skills area will expose citizens to a lifetime sport and a mode of transportation that is not only fun, but also cost effective and environmentally conservative.

###

Download this press release, and the accompanying concept drawings. (PDF files)

VBF has been awarded a Department of Motor Vehicles Highway Safety Grant - the purpose of the grant is to provide bicycling traffic skills education on college and university campuses in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Virginia Beach / Norfolk region. On October 24th VBF partners with Virginia Commonwealth University for the first of these courses. College and University campuses are prime targets for cyclist education, thousands of students, leave home to live on or near campus with a bike to get to and from classes and other locations. The problem, many of these new college students haven’t ridden a bike in urban areas, are fearful of traffic, and as a result ride unpredictably in their efforts to “staying out of the way.” VBF will conduct courses will be based on the classroom portion of the League of American Bicyclists Traffic Safety courses. The University of Georgia has recently conducted similar classes - BikeAthens. To register for the VCU course go to www.vabike.camp8.org/events

Wednesday, March 30, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. EDT

Register here: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/852395306

Attend this free webinar if you want to learn how to increase the number of women cycling for transportation in your community.

This webinar builds on last year’s session, “Writing Women Back into Bicycling.”* Five speakers offer compelling insights about cycling projects run by inspiring women, illuminate what women told APBP they want in a cycling environment, and suggest best practices to help you make a difference in your community. Don’t miss the stories of some of the wonderful women leading the cycling movement, and results of APBP’s 2010 survey on Women Cycling.

APBP encourages individuals to gather colleagues and friends together to watch the webinar and discuss and plan afterwards. Build your team. Check out the Women Cycling Project here: https://apbp.site-ym.com/members/group.asp?id=63197

Presenters:

Andrea Garland, Alta Planning + Design, presents women’s viewpoints on three of the open-ended questions from the 2010 Women Cycling survey: “What would cause you to start or increase your cycling?”, “What reaction do you get when cycling for transportation?” and “Why do you use your bicycle for trips?”

Kristin Gavin founded the Gearing Up program in Philadelphia, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide women in transition from drug and alcohol addiction, domestic violence and/or homelessness with the skills, equipment and guidance to safely ride a bicycle for exercise, transportation and personal growth.

Fionnuala Quinn, PE, Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling, offers up a brief history of APBP’s Women Cycling Project which she helped to inspire, points to resources we can use, and suggests next steps for the project.

Anna Sibley, Masters in Public Health candidate at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, summaries the results of the 2010 APBP Women Cycling Project and survey.

Carolyn Szczepanski, Communications Coordinator, Alliance for Biking & Walking, and columnist for Bicycling Times magazine, profiles some of the women leading the bicycling movement. Her talk is inspired by http://blog.publicbikes.com/2011/03/fifteen-women-who-rule-the-biking-world/

*View the recording of “Writing Women Back into Bicycling” here: https://www.filesanywhere.com/fs/v.aspx?v=897166865e5e76b2a06a

Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals
PO Box 93 • Cedarburg, WI • 53012
262.375.6180 • info@apbp.org
www.apbp.org

A League Cycling Instructor’s class in SW Virginia is being held in Roanoke, VA on Friday evening April 8 and Saturday and Sunday April 9 and 10. Eight people have committed to taking the class. Instructors are certified to teach Kids 1, Kids 11, Commuter Cycling, and Traffic Skills.

The minimum for the class is 10 participants. If you know of someone qualified to participate, please encourage them to register through the League of American Bicyclists’ website by MARCH 8, 2012.

Together we CAN,

Barbara Norris Duerk
2607 Rosalind Ave. S.W.
Roanoke, VA 24014

barbgary@cox.net
540-343-1616 H.
540-580-1621 C.

The Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional Commission will host the following webinars from the APBP Professional Development Webinar Series in 2011. All webinars will be held at the Regional Commission (upstairs conference room) located at 313 Luck Avenue, Roanoke, VA 24010. All webinars are offered free of charge for participants, but RSVP is requested. Please contact Shane Sawyer at 540.343.4417 or ssawyer@rvarc.org to reserve your seat. Directions to the Regional Commission are available at http://www.rvarc.org/contact.htm.

Complete Streets: State of the Practice
Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Design Manuals and Guides
Wednesday, March 16, 2011, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Using Social Media to Improve Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities
Wednesday, May 18, 2011, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Design within a Constrained Right-of-Way
Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Crosswalk Policies, Designs and Signals
Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Designing and Retrofitting Bridges for Active Transportation
Wednesday, August 17, 2011, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Multimodal Level of Service
Wednesday, October 19, 2011, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Parking: Buffers, Bikes and Cars
Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Additional information on the APBP Professional Development Webinar Series is available at http://apbp.site-ym.com.

Shane Sawyer
Regional Planner
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
P.O. Box 2569
Roanoke, VA 24010
Voice: 540-343-4417, Fax: 540-343-4416
Email: ssawyer@rvarc.org
www.rvarc.org

Learn to ride safely and confidently in traffic, and to teach others do to the same, with these League of American Bicyclists’ courses being offered in Roanoke.

Any bicyclist, from rank beginners to experienced club cyclists and racers can benefit from Traffic Skills 101. Many aspects of bike safety are counterintuitive. Start off on the right foot or unlearn your bad habits, and be able to deal with any road or traffic situation safely and confidently.

Take it one step further, and become a League Certified Instructor. From the League’s website:

Becoming a League Cycling Instructor (LCI) certified to teach Smart Cycling is a great way to help cyclists in your community. Certified instructors can teach Smart Cycling classes to children as well as adults. Help bring the joy of safe cycling to others. If you are an experienced cyclist and would like to teach others please consider taking the next step towards certification. Becoming a League member and taking Traffic Skills 101 are prerequisites for a certification seminar. Instructors are trained at seminars held periodically throughout the year.

Cyclists in southwest Virginia have also found this training helpful in being able to discuss bike safety issues with local governments.

The courses will be offered as follows:

Smart Cycling Traffic Skills 101

Date: Thursday, March 10 & Saturday March 12, 2011
Instructor: Barbara Duerk
Location: Roanoke City Public Library – Main, CYCLOWARD
Fee: 35

The 9 hour vehicular cycling course provides cyclists the confidence needed to ride safely and legally in traffic. Thursday is from 6-9 pm. Saturday is a combination of parking lot and on road positioning drills. The course covers bicycle safety checks, fixing a flat, on-bike skills, parking lot drills, and crash avoidance techniques. A student manual is included in cost. This course offering is for cyclists wanting trainer certification. This fast-paced, nine-hour course prepares cyclists for a full understanding of vehicular cycling.

To Register for this course, contact:

Barbara Duerk
Phone: 540-343-1616
Contact Email: barbgary@cox.net
Website: www.pointforwardcoaching.com/smartcycling.html

Signup required in advance?: Y

Special Signup Instructions: Thursday’s class is from 6-9 pm. No bike is necessary for Thursday. Saturday’s session is from 9 am – 4 pm+ This course offering is for experienced cyclists wanting trainer certification.

Equipment Required: Bike in good working condition, clothing appropriate for the weather, lunch and drink. Pin and pencil

Directions: Downtown Roanoke, Virginia From 581, take the Elm Avenue Exit. Turn right on Jefferson Street. Library is on the right.

LCI Certification Seminar

Date: Friday, April 08 through Sunday, April 10, 2011

Instructor: Barbara Duerk

Location: Roanoke City Public Library — Main

Fee: $200

The LCI training seminar is normally one evening and two full days. The registration fee is $200 and includes the League Guide to Safe and Enjoyable Cycling book, Enjoy the Ride DVD and Smart Cycling trainer materials. All registration information and payment MUST be received at least 30 days prior to the seminar. There must be a minimum of 10 instructor candidates in each seminar. REQUIRED:League of American bicyclist membership and successful completion of Traffic Skills 101. *Applicants, if authorized, can schedule a TS 101 class between application for seminar and seminar date.

To Register for this course, contact: Barbara Norris Duerk, local contact. Glen Harrison, instructor
Phone: 540-343-1616; c: 540-580-1621
Contact Email: barbgary@cox.net
Website: League of American Bicyclists website

Signup required in advance?: Y

Special Signup Instructions: DEADLINE for seminar registration is March 7th. All registration information and payment MUST be received at least 30 days prior to the seminar. There must be a minimum of 10 trainer candidates in each seminar. Required: League of American Bicyclists membership and successful completion of Traffic Skills 101. *Applicants, if authorized, can schedule a TS 101 class between application for seminar and seminar date. TS 101 is scheduled in Roanoke for March 10 and March 12. If you have a concern about completing a TS 101 class, please inquire before completing LAB registration for the seminar.

Equipment Required: Bike in good working order, clothing appropriate for the weather, favorite snacks and non-alcoholic drink for sharing, equipment for teaching assignment, and a desire to learn and share.

Directions: Roanoke City Public Library auditorium. From #581, take the Elm Ave exit toward the hospital. Turn right on Jefferson St. The Library is on the right. Use the Bullitt Street entrance. Parking is on street.

NOTE: The deadline to register for the LCI Seminar is March 7, which is before the TS 101 course will be conducted. With advance permission, you may register for the LCI Seminar in advance of having taken the TS 101 class, but you must satisfactorily complete the TS 101 course before attending the LCI Seminar.

There is also an open book pre-test that must be completed prior to the seminar. After you register for the seminar, these materials are sent to you in the month prior to the seminar.

Here are important dates in the month prior to the LCI Seminar:

• 30 days, March 9 — Go/no-go date, need 10-16 qualified* Candidates (League Coach (LC) emails assistant LCI)
• 21 days, March 20 — LAB send Candidate materials to Candidates (welcome Candidates email from LC)
• 14 days, March 25 — Candidates return tests to LC (LC emails Candidate teaching assignments, drill and ride instructions)
• 10 days, March 29 — LAB ship Seminar materials to site/Site Facilitator (final Candidate reminder email from LC)
• 0 days, April 8 — Seminar begins

Here is additional information about the LCI seminar:

• http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/instructors.php
• http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/lcistudyguide.php

LTAP workshops have been a convenient and low cost way for municipality staff, elected officials, planners, contractors, and bike advocates to get up to speed with bike-ped safety issues and infrastructure improvements. Now UVA is combining LTAP with their other professional development program under a new name, The Transportation Training Academy, or The Academy.

So keep an eye out for The Academy’s bike-ped workshops. All bike advocates should try to attend these, along with their local engineers, planners, elected officials and citizen volunteers. The networking can be as valuable as the training, if not moreso. There’s an upcoming workshop Jan. 20 in Charlottesville.

From the email announcement by the TTA’s director, Bill Kelsh:

The Center for Transportation Studies (CTS) at the University of Virginia (U.Va.) is pleased to announce the launch of the U.Va. Transportation Training Academy (The Academy). The Academy’s mission is to impart the required knowledge and skills to Virginia’s transportation workforce to perform their jobs more productively, safely, and effectively so as to: (1) enhance traveler mobility and safety, and (2) improve the design, construction, and maintenance of transportation facilities in the Commonwealth. The Academy is a result of the merger of two previous training programs offered through CTS: the Virginia Local Technical Assistance Program (VA LTAP) and the Transportation Professional Development Program (TPDP). By merging these two programs, we are uniquely positioned to support the workforce training and professional development needs of Virginia’s state and local transportation agencies and private sector companies by offering more workshops across a broad range of topics at very affordable prices. Our curriculum is designed to address the training needs of a wide array of participants including road maintenance personnel, technicians, inspectors, planners, transportation engineers, public works directors, road builders, and consultants. We offer practical and relevant instructor-led classes taught by U. Va. faculty and other leading experts in the transportation field at locations all over the Commonwealth. Our workshop catalog presently consists of over sixty 1, 2, and 3-day classes but new offerings are being developed and added continuously. Presently participants can choose from a wide range of courses in the following areas:

o Transportation Facility Design & Operation

o Infrastructure Management

o Traffic Engineering

o Highway Safety

o Information Technology

o Planning

o Work Zone Safety

o Project Management

o Communications

o Materials

o Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs

o Legal

o Workplace Safety

The Center for Transportation Studies is a joint partnership between the University of Virginia’s School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Virginia Transportation Research Council, the research branch of the Virginia Department of Transportation. With over six decades of technical innovation and experience in transportation, today the Center oversees a comprehensive program that includes education, research, and professional training.

Just in time for spring — do you want the confidence to ride in traffic? Would you like to learn techniques to teach your child to ride a bicycle safely? Are you interested in learning to change a tire, or other basics of bicycle maintenance? Take the Traffic Skills 101 course being offered in Roanoke, May 4, 5 and 6, 6-9pm at Sharebike in downtown Roanoke (corner of Jefferson & Elm). Cost is $30. Contact Barbara Duerk at (540)343-1616 or BarbGary@cox.net. Download a registration form, and a flyer.

Traffic Skills 101 is part of the Smart Cycling program by the League of American Bicyclists, taught by certified League Cycling Instructors.

Two Northern Virginia adult education programs are separately sponsoring
three cycling skills and bicycle maintenance courses taught by Allen
Muchnick, a nationally certified League of American Bicyclists (LAB)
Cycling Instructor. Except as noted otherwise, all classes meet on
weekday evenings from 6:30-9:30 PM. If the schools close due to the
weather, classes will be automatically rescheduled for the same time
period exactly one week later.

The three courses are:

* Smart Cycling Traffic Skills 101, the League of American Bicyclists’
essential, comprehensive, and very practical 9-hour cycling skills
course for *all* bicyclists;

* Bicycle Maintenance & Repair, a 3-hour lecture and demonstration; and

* Bicycle Mechanics Workshop, a 3-hour hands-on sequel to any course
listed above.

TO REGISTER, enroll with the local course sponsor IN ADVANCE:

* Fairfax County Adult & Community Education (703-658-1201 [or
703-658-1225] or [http://www.aceclasses.org] . Search “bicycle” and
“cycling” to find all classes, or go to [http://tinyurl.com/2kmm4g] .

* Arlington Adult Education (703-228-7200 or
[http://www.arlingtonadulted.org] . To view all bicycle classes, go to
[http://tinyurl.com/2dv57s] .

For questions about the instruction, contact the instructor, Allen
Muchnick, at or 703-271-0895.

=====

COURSE SPECIFICS:

SMART CYCLING–TRAFFIC SKILLS 101 (Cycling with Confidence!). Learn the
craft of cycling with on-bike and classroom instruction in key bicycling
skills for roads, paths, and groups: equipment use and care, breakdown
repairs, efficient pedaling, bike handling, training, vehicular (street)
cycling, and crash prevention. Bike and helmet REQUIRED at the second
and final 7-hr class session on Saturday (bring or buy lunch). One
weeknight and one Saturday session (10 hrs total).

Fairfax County Course, $119 ($75.40 for resident seniors):
* TI05302-10: Tu, Mar 23, 6:30-9:30 PM, plus Sat, Mar 27, 9 AM-4 PM,
Pimmit Hills Ctr

Arlington County Course, $85 residents/$109 non-residents, seniors
$65/$85:
* GI-816: W, Apr 7, 6:30-9:30 PM, plus Sat, Apr 10, 9 AM-4PM, Arlington
Career Ctr

* * *

BICYCLE MAINTENANCE & REPAIR. Lecture/demonstration on bike fit,
breakdown repairs, and the inspection, adjustment, lubrication, and
renovation of diverse components. Bike not required. One 3-hour session.

Fairfax County Sessions, $42 ($25.20 for resident seniors), plus $17 for
optional “$25″ textbook:
* TI05300-11: Tu, Feb 16, Plum Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM
* TI05300-12: Th, Mar 18, Pimmit Hills Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM
* TI05300-13: M, Apr 19, Pimmit Hills Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM

Arlington County Sessions, $39 residents/$50 non-residents, seniors
$29/$39:
* GI-813B: W, Feb 10, Arlington Career Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM
* GI-813C: W, Mar 17, Arlington Career Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM
* GI-813D: Tu, Apr 20, Arlington Career Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM

* * *

BICYCLE MECHANICS WORKSHOP. This self-directed, hands-on sequel to any
other bicycle class lets you tune up, fix, or modify your bicycle or
practice inspection, maintenance, or repair procedures. Bring bike(s),
supplies, and inspiration. One 3-hour session.

Fairfax County Sessions, $49 ($29.40 for resident seniors):
* TI05301-11: Tu, Feb 23, Plum Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM
* TI05301-12: Th, Mar 25, Pimmit Hills Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM

Arlington County Sessions, $39 residents/$50 non-residents, seniors
$29/$39:
* GI-814B: W, Feb 17, Arlington Career Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM
* GI-814C: W, Mar 24, Arlington Career Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM
* GI-814D: Tu, Apr 27, Arlington Career Ctr, 6:30-9:30 PM

====

Allen Muchnick
League of American Bicyclists Smart Cycling Instructor (LCI) #538-M
allenmuchnick@yahoo.com
703-271-0895
Arlington VA