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Register for the NJ Bike Walk Summit on February 26, 2011

Chester County Schuylkill River Trail Update

Historic Chester County Bridge get friendly bike treatment

Cynwyd Heritage Trail Gets Full Funding to start construction in February 2011

Bicyclist Killed on River Road

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Bucks County Bicycle Task Force, January 24

Delaware County Cycling ycling Coalition, January 25

BCGP Volunteer Night, January 5th

Chester County Cycling Coalition, January 18

Philadelphia City Committee, January 18

County Advocacy Conference, February 12 (watch for agenda announcement in January)

SPINZONE

Highlights from Greater Philadelphia Bicycle News

DVRPC launches $10 million Regional Trail Network Program

Forbidden Drive to Reopen Before New Year's

Tom Branigan returns to move East Coast Greenway through Northeast Philadelphia

What a difference 20 years makes (the 2010 design of the South Street Bridge versus the Walnut Street Bridge in 1990). South Street Bridge reopening morphs into Philly's first unofficial cyclovia

Bill passes City Council with technical fixes to pedicab rules that will allow out of state operators

Going Green at Lincoln Financial Field doesn't include bike racks

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Greetings!

Do you need a moment of non-holiday, bicycle cheer in the midst of the cold weather? Check out our new Safe Routes Philly video featuring Mr. Cy teaching elementary school students about the importance of bike helmets. Sounds dry but it will bring a smile to your face -- and it represents the kind of success the Safe Routes Philly team has had in making bike and pedestrian safety fun.

Are you interested in suburban advocacy? We are hosting our first County Advocacy Conference on February 12. (For more information, email sarah@bicyclecoalition.org.)

Our education and advocacy work are all about making bicycling better. My goal is to make your ride better! How are we doing? Let me know -- send me a reply but just as importantly support the Bicycle Coalition with a year-end membership gift.

Thanks for your support!

Alex Doty
Executive Director

CAMPAIGNS

Ben Franklin Bridge Walkway Ramp Delayed (again)

Months of advocacy appeared to be bearing fruit when Bicycle Coalition staff met with Delaware River Port Authority CEO John Mathussen on November 30th. During that meeting, Mr. Matheussen and DRPA Engineers Michael Venuto and Daniel Cosgrove reported that the 2011 capital budget included $50,000 for designing the walkway ramp so that construction could start in fall of 2012. We were heartened that DRPA was following through on the commitment it made at a July 2010 Board meeting following the release of the Coalition's report on how to improve bicycle/pedestrian access on the Bridge. Unfortunately, despite this personal commitment, the DRPA Board decided to shift all non-safety capital projects to 2012.

2010 Clears the Way for 2011 Schuylkill River Trail Groundbreakings

There are over 20 trail projects along the Schuylkill River Trail from the John Heinz Refuge up through Chester County. A number of them will be under construction in 2011 and many others are proceeding forward through the feasibility and design process. Read more about the hard work of many agencies and organizations that are contributing to Complete the Schuylkill River Trail.

EDUCATION

Coming to an Elementary School Near You: Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Education!

The Education Department is making Philadelphia youth safer and healthier through Safe Routes Philly.

· Mr. Cy, our Safe Routes Philly youth instructor, has taught over 3,000 students since he began in March! Would you like Safe Routes Philly at your school? Lessons are FREE to 5th grade classrooms in every Private, Parochial, and Charter School in Philadelphia. If you, or someone you know would like us to visit a school, please contact Cy@bicyclecoalition.org

· The NEW Safe Routes Philly Website is finally here! Learn about our two programs and discover some fun games, information and new videos created by our Education team.

· The Safe Routes Philly "train the teacher" program had their first, in-service, Professional Development Day with the Philadelphia School District on November 2. Physical Education teachers from 111 public elementary schools were trained and received our teachers guides to start implementing the Safe Routes Philly Pedestrian (2nd Grade) and Bicycle (5th Grade) Safety Lessons at their schools. Learn more about our upcoming training sessions here.

· Please continue to read our Education Blog. We keep our followers updated on the latest every week.

NOMINATE BOB THOMAS AS A TRAIL CHAMPION

Bob is a regional livable communities treasure. He helped create the Schuylkill River Trail over 30 years ago and has worked on numerous trail and historic preservation projects since then. Nominate him as a Rails to Trails Conservancy trail champion!

Bob recently took a spill on some ice in Center City and is recuperating at home for a few weeks. You can send him a get well wish at rthomas@campbellthomas.com

VOLUNTEER AT THE BICYCLE COALITION

Got some time to help us out during the off season? The Bicycle Coalition always needs volunteers. Please contact Caroline if you would like to have fun and help the Coalition at the same time.