Advocacy

Breaheart Trail

Current Issues

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Cycling is fun and healthy and reduces the number of cars on the road. What can you do to make cycling fun, and safe for yourself and others?

Click on the alert to find cycling related alerts provided by the League of American Cyclists.

What can a community do to make cycling safe? Watch this video.

 

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Walkable/bikeable Communities in Lewiston.

Current Local Advocacy Issues

• Breakheart Trail
  • Breakheart Trail
  • 10/29/2009 Seeds are sewn
    • A second meeting with Hennessy and Joe Stegner results in effort to railbank the trail. Read More Here.
  • 3/31/2009 The first pale signs of a trail
    • Leo Hennessey of the Idaho State Department of Parks and Recreation met representatives of Nez Perce and Lewis counties, the City of Lewiston, Winchester State Park, the Nez Perce tribe and Bill Mannschrek, Mike Warnock, Carol Ellis and Corrie Rosetti of the Tiwnrivers cyclists at the Brammer building.
    • Leo detailed advantages of having a trail system: economic and health benefits were among them.
    • Leo and Lynn Moss of the Lewiston Parks and Rec visualize a trail system not just on the Camas Rail line but connecting to the Latah Trail through Kendrick, the Camas line all the way to Grangeville pulling in the parks at Spalding and Winchester. All of this is, of course, pipe dream but the point is if we have a group visualizing the concept someone will be ready to step in and make it happen--not tomorrow, but sometime. I may never ride the trail but Leo and Doug Zenner were very excited about the power such a system would have to attract hikers and syclists.
    • The Tribe is on board and has contacted the rail owner and manager. Right now the line near Lapwai is used for storage of rail cars which is generating negative comment to the tribe.
    • Lynn spoke of multiple funding sources including watershed protection funds since preserving a corridor prevents developments and feedlots that might interfere with water flow.
    • Lynn proposed a coalition made up of representatives of the multiple stake holders which would have some authority to coordinate efforts across city, county, tribe to create a rail system. It would be the first step in having a group available to take over the corridor should it be abandoned.
    • Lynn will research The National Parks Tenchnical Assistance group to get us started in creating a coalition. Leo will contact an attorney with expertise in the area to help us get a handle on the status of the line now. It is not clear that it has been abandonded yet though tracks have been removed on the prairie.
    • If we can railbank the corridor rather than let it revert back to the indivdiaul landowners on abandonment proceding will be much easier. Read more about the trail and rail bank from Breakheart Trail.
  • Bill Mannschreck has asked the club to get behind efforts to be ready should the Camas Prairie rail line become available for conversion to a Rails to Trails facility similar to the Hiawatha Trail.
  • Bill led a hike on this trail on July 19, 2008.
• Cherry Lane Bridge
  • If you ride over Hubbard Gulch to Kendrick, you'll be interested in progress on the new bridge. Here's a page from the newsletter I got on 7/19/08.
  • CherryLane Bridge Newsletter in PDF
• Southway Bridge Interchange with 129 to Asotin
  • Second CAC Metting at Asotin County Aqatic Center on March 10, 2009
    • Five plans will be presented at an open house from 4:30 to 7:30 on March 24th.
    • Four of the five plans involve one or more roundabouts that have proved both statistically safer than conentional intersections and more controversial.
    • Does this impact cycling?
      • Yes. We should have complete streets legislation so that any new work or rework of roads provides support for all users including pedestrians and cyclists.
      • There is no good cycling route between Lewiston and Clarkston now and I'm sad to report this work will not provide one. The best we can hope for is to maintain access to the north sidewalk from both the bike trail and from 129. The latter would probably involve riding into a roundaout briefly and then under the overpass. This would be a bit of improvement since north bound traffic would no longer be turning behind us as we tried to cross the off ramp.
      • I'll have the five plans available at the Spaghetti feed on the 19th of March at the Clakrston Methodist Church on Highland.
      • Do attend the Open House at the Aquatic Center on March 24th at 4:30. WSOT will be there to do a presentation on roundabouts and the engineers will be around to answer questions.
      • Website doesn't seem to be updated regularly
  • First CAC Meeting at Asotin County Aquatic Center on Nov. 17th 5:30-7:30
  • 11/29/07 Stakeholder meeting at Asotin County Aquatic Center
    • Partnering Agreement
    • Process, process, process. It turns out these things don't move quickly. This intersection was on the Asotin County 6 year plan in 1999. Money for the planning and desgin stages is in place. Funds for the actual construction have yet to be found. That doesn't mean they won't be found. My impression is that barring something unforseen, an alternative will be presented to the county commissioners in the fall with final design in the spring of 2009 with construction in 2010.
    • Something Unforseen: That's our job--to make sure nothing is unforseen. Lots of fingers in this soup. Here're some
      • Asotin County
      • Clarkston
      • Wash State Department of Transportation
      • the Army Corp of Engineers
      • Palouse Economic Development
      • Nez Perce County
      • Lewiston
      • Valley Transit
      • Rep Cathy McMorris Rogers
      • Hey, and the TRC club.
    • Community Advisory Committee: a smaller group which may have some of this stakeholders groups members but will likely have others as well. If you are interseted in serving or know of someone you think would be good, please let me know. I hope be on the CAC as well but that is not for sure. We'll be selected.
    • The alternatives
      • This is what interests me and probably you. While you won't see paths specifically on this pdf, be assured that bike and pedestrian access is high on the list of priorities.
      • Fleshman129.pdf
  • 10/26/07 Letter from Bryant Kuechle
    • Dear Stakeholder:
    • Thank you again for meeting last week to discuss the Fleshman Way/SR 129 Interchange Safety Improvements project. The input received will help guide our process with a thorough understanding of the issues and concerns tied to this interchange.
    • As we discussed, the next step in this project process is to, among other things, share that input amongst all area stakeholders in the form of a kickoff/partnering meeting.
    • This meeting will be held on Thursday, Nov. 29 from 2-5 p.m. at the Asotin County Family Aquatic Center, 1603 Dustan Loop.
      • Our goals for this meeting are to...
        Provide project background and history
        Describe the project process and schedule
        Discuss the project team's goals for this project
        Discuss your goals for this project
        Share input to build a better understanding of the issues
        Avoid project delays and confusion by fleshing out all issues and concerns early
        Foster participation amongst all agencies, groups and individuals with an interest in the project outcome
        Develop ground rules that will produce productive communication and effective coordination amongst stakeholders
    • Achieve a commitment by stakeholders to mutually agreed upon project goals and objectives
      As a primary stakeholder your attendance and participation is crucial to this project's success. Please RSVP via email or telephone or if you are unable to attend, please let me know if you will be sending someone in your place.
    • If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me on my cell phone.
      
    • Bryant J. Kuechle
      The Langdon Group, Inc.
      www.langdongroupinc.com
      
      
  • Asotin County is opening a period of public input regarding changes to this central intersection.
    • Look for announcement of public meetings.
    • If you would like to become involved you can contact Bryant Kuechle at 800 252-8929.
  • 10/16/2007 Conversation with Bryant Kuechle of Landon Group
    • Among the objectives of this project is improve "bicycle and pedestrian movements in compliance with local and regional land use and transportation plans.
    • Look for a Public Open House this winter with another next summer
    • Report to County Commissioners in the Fall of 2008.
• Scenic Way Pedestrian/bike path lane from Clarkston to the Heights
  • Surveying has taken place. Construciton should begin in 2009.
  • 12/18/07 CAC meeting and field trip
    • The second meeting of the CAC was held on Tusday, Dec. 18. The Clarkston School district provided a small bus and driver so that members could see first hand some of the issues regarding the four options under consideration.
    • Funding has been secured for work to begub ub 2009
    • A Public Open house to present the four alterantives will be scheduled in January probably the 22nd or 24th. It will be publicized and you can come back here. I'll post the date, time and place as soon as I know.
    • The CAC as a preliminary recommendation prioritizing the four routes: Be sure to attend the public open house or send me your thoughts at treasuer@twinriverscyclists.org. Alternatives in PDF
      • Plan A: Scenic Way Shared Use Path a shared use path with striping seems to be the best plan. The path would be on the southside. Putting it on the north would require building road bed as well as trail bed--too costly. So, this wonn't be a scenic path on Scenic Way. This plan also has the only separator between traffic and path.
      • Plan C: Scenic Way with path and 2 bikelanes Bikelances on both sides might encourage down hill traffic in an uphill lane.
      • Plan D: North Hill Route A costly plan that does serve the heights but presents maintenace issues.
      • Plan B: Canyon Route: This plan is costly and doesn't serve the heights community as well as the others.
      • Table comparison of the four plans
    • Additional Information:
      • In a separate project this spring the Valley View Intersection at the top of the hill will be revised.
      • Plans A, C, D include a pedestrian crosswalk at Andreason including a pedestrian refuge and turn lanes. It is a bit out of the way for pedestrians and cylcists coming from Rolling Hills but should reduce the risk of crossing Appleside. Joel Ristau, county engineer, says the traffic revision will be pretty discouraging to those seeking to cross at Valley View.
  • 10/29/07 Citizen Advisory Committee meeting at the Aquatic Center
    • Overview
      • 600,000 dollar project with Phase 1 design using 100,000.
      • Riedesel Engineering, inc has been hired to work on the design.
      • Design stage includes a public meeting in January and presentation to the county commissioners inFebruary with designs beign finalized in July of '08. All dependent uon the evironmental study and right-a-way acquisition using the Federal Criterion Right-a-way process.
      • Funds for beginning construction are expected to be obligated in 2009. Constrcuction to begin shortly after.
    • Proposed Routes
      • The north side of the existing Scenic Way.
      • The south side of the existing Scenic Way.
      • The 3rd street to Asotin County PUD.
      • Other possibilities will be considered.
    • What's Next?
      • The CAC will take a field trip to examine the several routes before discussing a recommendation at the next meeting in December.
      • We need to collect public input regarding the project. You can give us feedback here.
• Grouse Road Bridge (Old Spalding Bridge viaduct.
  • 5/16/08 Conversation with Doug Zimmer of Spalding Park
    • State funding for this trail has been withdrawn. The first stage from Spalding to Lapwai likely will be completed but not paved.
  • Scheduled for demolition, this bridge has been on the route of Bicycle Idaho and has made a beautiful transition from the Lapwai Valley to old highway 12 on the Southside of the Clearwater.
  • 10/18/2007 Conversation with Kevin Poole
    • "I expect some morning for the railroad to call me demanding I get my bridge off their railroad."--Kevin Poole
    • Kevin Poole of the Nez Perce County Road Department says the bridge is structurally unsound and will be demolished but has no idea when. Removing a bridge takes money.
    • Good News: Nez Perce County has plans for a pedestrian/bike path all the way from Spalding park to the WebRidge Waha intersection.
      • Phase 1: Grouse Road to Paradise Avenue (Southside of Lapwai). Co-location with new sewer line. Scheduled to be completed by 2010 but might be done a year earlier.
      • Phase 2: Grant applied for Grouse Road to Watson Store Road. This is what will give us access to the park with out going out on 95.
      • Phase 3: Continue trail on west side of 95 to Web Ridge Road. 2012
      • No plans afoot yet for going over WebRidge.
    • Among future projects:
      • A trail adjoining the existing trailon Snake River Avenue and going up Tammany to the Waha junction.
      • Paving Lapwai Road and connecting it to Reservation Line.
    • Poole says once the path is built, they'll be irritable about anyone still using the bridge.
• Latah Trail
  • 10/2/2008 The bridge has been set in place and the paving should be done by the time you read this.
    • 95% of the paving was finished by yesterday evening, and the Poe Asphalt folks said they would finish the last little stretch this morning. The ride coming out of Troy is very gradual on trail, no more than a 3% grade at any point. Now that it's paved, you'll have to try it out and then decide for yourself if you prefer the trail or taking the Lamb/Driscoll cut-off.
  • 9/30/2008
    • I'm glad you were able to check out the Wallen Rd. bridge. As of 5:00 last night (9/29) the bridge was installed and ready for paving. Poe Asphalt should be out working on paving the final 1.7 miles of trail, including over the bridge, starting tomorrow and finishing by the end of the week.

       

  • 9/28/2008 The bridge is on site in two pieces. I'm told both the bridge and the remaining couple of miles of pavement will be done this fall. Latah Trail Website.
    • 
  • 10/19/2007 Sean says: I recently spoke with the "first man of Moscow". That is the mayor of Moscow's husband. He assured me that the trail would be finished late spring early summer of 2008. However, we've heard that before so we shall see what happens but he seemed to think that it would really happen this time.
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Organizations

 

International Bicycle Fund A non-governmental, nonprofit, advocacy organization, promoting sustainable transport and international understanding. Major areas of activity are non-motorized urban planning, economic development, bike safety education, responsible travel and bicycle tourism, and cross-cultural, educational programs.

Complete Streets is short hand for laws which require new and rebuilt road construction to account for egress for all, cars, pedestrians, and cyclists. This website explains it all.

Bicycle Friendly Community This is theone that recorgnizes Portland.

International Bike Fund IBF's objective is to create a sustainable, people-friendly environment by creating opportunities of the highest practicable quality for bicycle transportation.

Bicylinginfor.org This page has lots of information regarding pathways and communities. I like this Bikeability Chelist pdf. It is part of the PEdestrian and Bicycle Information Center and has a companion site for walkers at walkinginfo.org.

Ride of Silence Learn about the history of this organization which sponsors rides in memoriam of cyclists who have lost their lives or been injured while cycling. The group seeks to raise awareness of cyclists and to encourage sharing the road.

Safe Routes to School National Center

Mobility Education Foundation Engage teens in driver's ed to consider alternative transportation. Pilot project in Federal Way.

Bicycle Alliance of Washington

League of American Bicyclists

Adventure Cycling

Bicycle Watchdog Report road hazards. Okay, this is mostly aimed at the west side of WA but you get the idea.

Bicycling in Washington Rich site with laws, tips, routes

Ride Safely

Safe Streets from the Gristmill Blog. Excellent article with lots of links exploring the question of just how safe cycling is. The author uses his son as his touchstone.I posted this on Nov 27th on New at Twin Rivers Cyclists (the front page)

Bicycling Street Smarts An online text book for safe cycling with clear illustrations for handling difficult traffic situations inclluding what do when the bike lane comes to an intersection. It's not staying in the lane.

Wear a helmet: A discussion about the value of helmets spurredby a study in Austin, Texas

Bicycling 101 for non-cyclists from the Bike Nazi in Boise

Cycling Rights post from TRC

Wikipedia's Bicycle Safety Articles

How to Not get hit by cars Tips for in-town cycling. Hint: don't ride on sidewalks and get lights and a mirror. This entire site, BicycleUniverse.info, is fun and fact filled. For example, this page on cycling statistics will get you thinking.

Children's Cycling Safety

American Society of Pediatrics gives us these TIPPs (The Injury Prevention Program). Perusade your child to wear a helmet, learn the rules of the road

• About Bicycle Helmets
• Bicycle Safety: Myths and Facts
• Getting Your Children to Wear Bicycle Helmets
• Safe Bicycling Starts Early
• The Child As Passenger on an Adult's Bicycle
• Bicycle Helmets: AAP's policy statement.

 

Buying a First Bike

Bike Shaped Object Should you buy from the big-box stores? What to look for.

 

Commuting

 

Video from Trek's 1 World 2 Wheels Site

Follow these blogs:

Commute By Bike covers big city commuting and has lots of info on gear.

Bike Hacks: More for the Do It Yourself-er, this site will give you all sorts of ways to do things on the cheap using zip ties.

 

 

Know the Law

Downloadable Resources for the police to use in enforcing and educating cycling law from the League of Illinois Bicyclists.

Idaho Cycling Law

Idaho Bicycling and Pedestrian Transportation Plan

Washington Cycling Law

All State Bike Laws

Contact officials

State

Federal

State of Idaho

If you can't find what you are looking for at Idaho Transportation Department, please contact the state

Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, Maureen Gresham

Bicycle / Pedestrian Coordinator
Idaho Department of Transportation
Box 7129
Boise ID 83707-1129
208-334-8272; Fax 208-334-4432
maureen.greswham@itd.idaho.gov

Nez Perce County Road and Bridge Department

Road Director: Kevin Poole
Address: 0105 33rd Street
Lewiston, ID 83501
Phone: (208) 799-3062
E-mail:kevinpoole@co.nezperce.id.us

State of Washington

Paula Reeves, Local Planning Liaison
Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator
Highways and Local Programs

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/default.htm
WSDOT
310 Maple Park Ave SE
P.O. Box 47390
Olympia, WA 98504-7390
360-705-7258; Fax 360-705-6822
E-mail: ReevesP@wsdot.wa.gov

Asotin County Department of Public Works

Questions or concerns regarding street maintenance or repairs can be directed to the Public Works Department by calling 509-243-2074 from 7:30 am until 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

 

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