By Lisa Hardy, Environmental Planner

May is National Bike Month, and there is no shortage of great reasons to choose to bike: get exercise, save gas money, avoid the stress of driving, cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, and receive a Bike Commuter Tax Benefit. For 56 years, National Bike Month has been a movement to get people biking more and more safely. Yet, the US bike movement has been around longer than that! Back in 1880, the League of American Bicyclists was founded as the League of American Wheelmen. Over time the Wheelmen became the League of American Bicyclists, all along advocating for cyclists’ rights.
 
Next week, May 14-18, is Bike to Work Week, and next Friday, May 18, is Bike to Work Day. For more information about the benefits of biking to work, check out this booklet which includes helpful tips for bike commuters.
 
Virginia has a very active bicycle advocacy group, the Virginia Bicycling Federation. The VBF website has great information about road rides and trail rides in Virginia, safety tips, and advocacy work. You can also check out the Tidewater Bicycle Association for rides in Hampton Roads.
 
Locally, the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization staff is working to research best practices in bike and pedestrian planning across the United States and worldwide. The research scan will be expanded to develop a comprehensive inventory of existing non-motorized facilities in the Hampton Roads region. The development of the inventory will also include an objective analysis of the existing facilities and an understanding of the users of the system. The broad review and subsequent analyses will help develop multi-modal strategies for a safe, efficient and sustainable transportation system. The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission staff is participating on trail planning committees which aim to overlap or connect biking, walking, boating, and horse riding trails within and beyond the region.
 
Review these six Rules of the Road from the League of American Bicyclists to help prepare yourself for a safe and fun bike ride. For more educational resources, visit the League’s Ride Better page or sign up for a Smart Cycling class.
 
1. Follow the law.
Your safety and the image of bicyclists depend on you. You have the same rights and duties as drivers. Obey traffic signals and stop signs. Ride with traffic; use the rightmost lane headed in the direction you are going.
 
2. Be predictable.
Make your intentions clear to motorists and other road users. Ride in a straight line and don’t swerve between parked cars. Signal turns, and check behind you well before turning or changing lanes.
 
3. Be conspicuous.
Ride where drivers can see you; wear bright clothing. Use a front white light and red rear light and reflectors at night or when visibility is poor. Make eye contact with drivers. Don’t ride on sidewalks.
 
4. Think ahead.
Anticipate what drivers, pedestrians, and other bicyclists will do next. Watch for turning vehicles and ride outside the door zone of parked cars. Look out for debris, potholes, and utility covers. Cross railroad tracks at right angles.
 
5. Ride Ready.
Check your tires have sufficient air, brakes are working, chain runs smoothly, and quick release wheel levers are closed. Carry repair and emergency supplies appropriate for your ride. Wear a helmet.
 
6. Keep your cool.
Road rage benefits no-one and always makes a bad situation worse.

By Sara Kidd, Senior Environmental Planner

Saturday, June 2, 2012, will mark the 20th anniversary of National Trail Day. Each year, the American Hiking Society presents this celebration with events taking place in all 50 states. The purpose of National Trails Day is to increase national awareness of trails and celebrate all of the hard work that has gone in to creating over 200,000 miles of trails in America. Typical events include activities such as hiking, dog walking, bike riding, trail maintenance, birding, wildlife photography, geocaching, paddle trips, trail running, trail dedications, health-focused programs, and children’s activities.

Currently, one event is scheduled in Hampton Roads for June 2 at 9:00am to clean up the beach and trails at Back Bay Wildlife Refuge. Individuals and groups can still register an event at http://www.americanhiking.org/NTDRegisterYourEvent.aspx

By Sara Kidd, Senior Environmental Planner

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) recently released the results of the 2011 Virginia Outdoors Demand Survey which is conducted every five years in order to prepare the Virginia Outdoors Plan (VOP). The survey is designed to gauge the attitudes of Virginia citizens regarding outdoor recreation resources, estimate participation in recreational activities, estimate demand for recreational activities, and provide a means for citizens to supply input into the 2012 VOP. The survey asked questions on approximately 50 outdoor recreation activities as well as future planning for parks and natural preserves. The survey results are used to strategically plan future facilities, help improve existing facilities, and identify ways to help protect Virginia’s natural resources.

Statewide, the results show that nearly 9 out of 10 respondents believe that access to outdoor recreation is “very important” or “important.” Also, a majority of respondents across the state felt that the most needed recreational opportunities in Virginia are trails for hiking and walking (68%), public access to state waters (60%), and access to natural areas (55%).

Listed below are the top 20 recreational activities enjoyed by residents of Hampton Roads as compared to residents across the state.

To learn more about the 2012 Virginia Outdoors Plan, visit http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational_planning/vop.shtml

By Benjamin McFarlane
Regional Planner

Climate Central, a non-profit climate change research and journalism organization, has released a new report, titled “Surging Seas”, which aims to show the combined risks of sea level rise and storm surge to coastal areas of the contiguous United States. The analysis estimates the amount of land, housing, and population in areas vulnerable to flooding and sea level rise. The project also includes a website featuring an interactive map showing vulnerable areas and the likelihood of inundation and fact sheets for each state included in the study. The same organization also produced a short video including interviews with Virginians living on the Middle Peninsula who are already having to address flooding and sea level rise. The video can be seen here: http://vimeo.com/38473953. The project website is http://sealevel.climatecentral.org/.

By John Carlock,
HRPDC Deputy Executive Director

State law and regulations implemented through the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) require that each city, county and town or a region achieve an annual recycling rate of 25%, and achievement  toward that goal be reported annually.  Regional reports are required to include recycling information for all residential, commercial and institutional activities within the region.  Each city and county in Hampton Roads has enacted an ordinance requiring the reporting of recycling rate information.

The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission staff prepares the annual recycling rate report for the Hampton Roads’ jurisdictions served by the Southeastern Public Service Authority of Virginia (SPSA). This area includes the cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach; the counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton; and the towns of Boykins, Branchville, Capron, Courtland, Ivor, Newsoms, Smithfield and Windsor.

On February 10, 2012, HRPDC staff requested recycling data from a broad range of public and private organizations and companies in the SPSA service area. The accuracy of the information reported to the HRPDC is very important in determining the amount of recycling that occurs in the region and to ensuring that the region complies with state requirements.  To comply with state deadlines, these entities were requested to provide this information by March 30, 2012. 

If your company or governmental agency did not receive a request, please contact John Carlock, HRPDC Deputy Executive Director at 757-420-8300 or jcarlock@hrpdcva.gov.