March 1st, 2010

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Final Decision on Anchorage Bike Plan Delayed until March 23rd.

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Dear Bicycle Enthusiasts,

I apologize for multiple emails about the upcoming hearing and creating
confusion about the process. Unfortunately, developments today have resulted in
the Assembly continuing the hearing to March 23rd.

Around 2:00pm today the  e-mails started flying regarding last minute questions
raised by the Mayor’s office concerning the Plan. On Friday afternoon, the
Mayor had acknowledged that he supported the Bike Plan. This afternoon we
learned that the Mayor has new questions for the drafters of the plan and would
like to conduct further “senior staff” review.  Consequently, the Mayor has
requested that the Assembly continue the public hearing to March 23rd.  The
Assembly will still hold a public hearing on the Plan tomorrow but BCA will not
testify until the 23rd, so we can be fully apprised of the outcomes of the
“senior staff” review and respond as necessary. That said, BCA will attend the
hearing tomorrow and provide bicyclists with answers (to the extent we can).

We are disappointed by this latest development. To hear of this at the 11th
hour is disconcerting from a public process standpoint. It is sure to create
confusion and frustration with the public. It is unclear why the Mayor’s office
elected to wait until the 11th hour to continue the hearing to the 23rd.  The
Plan has been available for review for many months and all questions or
concerns could have been addressed in a timely manner to avoid this unneeded
delay that only frustrates the public and raises questions about how the public
can be meaningfully involved.   However, we still remain encouraged by the
support the Assembly has shown for the adoption of this Plan.

If you are unsure about whether you can make the 23rd Assembly meeting, please
come tomorrow and testify (you can only testify once). We will be on hand if
you have any questions.  Due to the change in events, BCA encourages any
interested party to testify before the Assembly to show their support for the
Plan and its implementation.

Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage
www.bicycleanchorage.org
info@bicycleanchorage.org

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ABC Board Letter to Support Anchorage Municipal Bike Plan 2010

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Arctic Bicycle Club

A Non-Profit Corporation

P. O. Box 230130

Anchorage, AK 99523

Hotline: 566-0177

Web Site: www.arcticbike.org

Feb 25, 2010

Anchorage Assembly

C/O Municipal Clerk

P.O. Box 196650

Anchorage, AK 99519-6650

Re: Anchorage Bicycle Plan

Dear Members of the Assembly:

The Arctic Bicycle Club submits these comments in support of the Anchorage Bicycle Plan (the “Plan”). The Arctic Bicycle Club is the oldest and largest cycling organization in Alaska. Formed in 1982, The Arctic Bicycle Club averages over 400 members annually. The Club organizes and supports a variety of cycling events in South Central Alaska each year, including over 35 road bike races, 20 mountain bike races, and 70 touring events. The Club organizes Alaska’s largest bicycle event — the Fireweed 400, and the largest women’s bike event in Alaska — the Bike for Women. Our members are dedicated to enjoying the sport of cycling, and supporting every effort to make cycling a safe, accessible activity in our community. The proposed Plan promotes these same goals.

The Plan will promote bicycle safety and encourage a healthy lifestyle through recreational and utility (commuting) cycling. A primary goal of the Plan is to increase the number of bike lanes, and join together the “gaps” in the existing bike infrastructure. Cyclist are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident while riding on a sidewalk or multi-use path than in a bike lane. Other safety measures in the Plan - including education, improved signage, and maintenance - will help reduce bicycle and pedestrian/traffic encounters, and make bike routs safer for everyone.

The Plan will encourage a healthier lifestyle for many Alaskans by increasing the number of, and access to, bike routes. There are several obstacles currently facing Anchorage residents when they consider riding their bike to work, or riding around the neighborhood for exercise. It is difficult to get from some parts of Anchorage to midtown and downtown locations because cyclists are often forced to ride in heavy traffic, often with no shoulders, and endure scowls and profanity from motorists. In spring, cycling is discouraged because existing bike lanes and trails are not swept of winter gravel (very hazardous to cyclists) until late June or July! By creating clearly marked bike lanes and providing easy access to them, and maintaining bike routes, more residents are likely to ride their bikes.

Several of our members have been involved in the drafting of the Plan. We appreciate the opportunity to provide input on the Plan, and encourage the Assembly to give it full support.

Arctic Bicycle Club

Board of Directors

by

Ed Sniffen

President

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