Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force releases June 28 meeting agenda

This is a reminder that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force’s next meeting is this Thursday, June 28, at 5:30 p.m., at our normal spot, the Buncombe County Training Room, 199 College Street. I hope you will be able to join us.

The preliminary agenda items are:

Strive Not to Drive wrap-up
26 June City Council meeting (BFC announcement + Complete Streets + Charlotte Street study)
BFC application feedback from LAB & action plan (find the feedback at ftp://ftp.ashevillenc.gov/Transportation/Transportation%20Planning/BPTF/BFC/BFC_feedback2012_AshevilleNC.pdf)
Asheville PD bike light giveaway – let’s make a plan!
LCI group – plans for more classes
“Bike There 2016” campaign – initial discussion

The task force meets the fourth Thursday of the each month except in November and December, when it meets the first Thursday in December instead. Our remaining meeting dates this year are: June 28, July 26, August 23, September 27, October 25 and December 6.

There are two opportunities for your involvement between now and Thursday’s meeting:

On Monday the NC Department of Transportation will be having a Citizens Information Workshop on the proposed Diverging Diamond interchange at NC 280 (Airport Rd) and Interstate 26. The drop-in session will be Monday, June 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the WNC Ag Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd in Fletcher. I saw an article in the B section of the Sunday Asheville Citizen-Times that included an illustration of a diverging diamond interchange, and there are videos about this new kind of interchange on You Tube. Especially if you walk or bike in this area, it is important to share your thoughts about the proposal. If you can’t attend, you can still get your comments considered. To find out how or for more information, contact Dre Major at NCDOT by phone to (919) 707-6028 or by email at ujmajor@ncdot.gov. I scanned the meeting announcement and have attached it to this email.

On Tuesday, the city will be receiving the Bicycle Friendly Community award at the City Council meeting, shortly after the meeting begins at 5 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Whether you choose to come or not, please take a moment to celebrate and to reflect on how far your hard work has brought us. The city’s proposed Complete Streets policy is also scheduled for consideration at the meeting. This is the policy the task force reviewed and approved in April, and it is another outcome of your work to make the Asheville area a better place to walk and bike. Consideration of a traffic study for Charlotte Street (north of I-240) is on the agenda, too. You can see the meeting agenda and link to more information on each item at http://www.ashevillenc.gov/Departments/CityClerk/CurrentMeetingAgenda.aspx

Your Help is Needed: Claudia is looking for volunteers for the bike rodeo at Hillcrest on Saturday, July 7th from 11-3 with set up at 10 AM. Several Asheville Police Bike Patrol officers are participating, but she needs many more people. Email claudianix@libertybikes.com to volunteer or for more information.

Some other good news: North Louisiana Ave sidewalks near Emma Elementary School are under construction and we expect them to be completed within a few weeks!

Thank you for what you do to make Asheville and the surrounding area better for walking and bicycling.

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About Jake Frankel
Jake Frankel is an award-winning journalist who enjoys covering a wide range of topics, from politics and government to business, education and entertainment.

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