BMAC Believes Cycling in SA is on a Roll!

After years of pedaling up a steep incline, many members of the MPO’s Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee (BMAC) feel they are finally nearing the summit and that was evident in the buzz and excitement of last week’s Bike Night meeting.

With support from the MPO’s Transportation Policy Board, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, City Manager Sheryl Sculley and a US Department Health and Human Services health grant to San Antonio of $15.6 million in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funding, the committee believes San Antonio is now at a tipping point for adopting healthy lifestyles and moving to active transportation including bicycling, walking and transit.

Some of the current bicycling initiatives helping fuel this momentum include:

BMAC is holding three Bike Night public meetings a year in April, July and October.
The MPO’s recent “Road Diet” study identified up to 350 miles of potential bike lanes.
San Antonio City Council recently adopted safe passing and bike light ordinances.
The City’s Bike Master Plan Update and Implementation plan is underway with completion scheduled in Spring 2011.
CoSA approved a downtown Bike Rental/Share Program with 140 bikes in 14 locations and a central hub in HemisFair Park. The program is expected to be operational by early 2011.
MPO is conducting a Bike Travel Route Study to be completed by October 2010.
VIA Metropolitan Transit is actively pursuing bicycle facilities, accommodations and amenities in their Fredericksburg Road “Primo” Bus Rapid Transit project as well as in their Long Range Comprehensive Transit Plan, “SmartwaySA”
San Antonio is funding a “Get Cyched” Share the Road Public Education Campaign for motorists and cyclists in English and Spanish. Media to be used includes billboard, print, radio, online, social media, and public relations.
The MPO recently adopted a Complete Streets resolution strongly encouraging local municipalities to do likewise. San Antonio currently has a group studying the policy with recommendations due to City Council next Spring.

With all this happening, it’s easy to understand BMAC’s optimistic view that San Antonio will soon be a much more bike-friendly community. For more information on this, contact Lydia Kelly at Kelly@sametroplan.org or call 210-230-6911.

MPO’s Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee Seeks

Economic Development Community Representative

The San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is seeking qualified candidates to fill an Economic Development Community position on its Bicycle Advisory Committee (BMAC). If you are a member of an Economic Development organization and interested in cycling, please consider applying.

The MPO is responsible for an urban transportation planning process required by federal law that brings metropolitan area over $200 million annually in federal, state and local funding for pedestrian, bicycle, roadway, rideshare and transit improvements. BMAC advises the MPO’s Transportation Policy Board on bicycling issues and its mission is to create a safe and effective bicycle system to promote cycling as a viable transportation and recreational option throughout the metropolitan area.

BMAC currently meets at the MPO offices at 825. S. St. Mary’s on the second Wednesday of the month. Meeting locations may vary and three times a year the meeting is held in the evening rather than at the usual time of 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Applications and any additional supporting materials must be submitted by 5:00 p.m., Friday, July 23, 2010. The Nominating Committee may conduct interviews as part of this process. Applications are accepted by mail, e-mail (sabcmpo@sametroplan.org), fax or hand delivery.

Applications are available online at www.sametroplan.org or from the MPO. For more information, please contact Lydia Kelly at 230-6911 or at kelly@sametroplan.org.

Getting Around Guide

AARP has produced this new publication to help seniors understand the benefits and ways to take advantage of fun and healthy transportation options. The 16-page brochure encourages walking, biking, and taking public transportation instead of a car. It includes how to find these transportation choices and use them. It also highlights how to advocate changes in your community, small town, suburb, or big city.

The publication can be downloaded free at the link below. To order hard copies, call 1-888-687-2277.

http://www.completestreets.org/webdocs/resources/aarp-gettingaroundguide.pdf

Follow the MPO on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Antonio-TX/San-Antonio-Bexar-County-Metropolitan-Planning-Organization/120046188709?ref=mf

Mobility 2035 – the MPO’s Transportation Plan

Need a program speaker for your college, church, business, civic, or neighborhood group meeting?

The MPO’s transportation planning process brings our community over $200 million annually in federal and state funding to improve roadways, transit, rideshare, bikeways, and sidewalks.

Ask for the presentation to learn how improved transportation access and mobility can make your community a better place to live, work, breathe and play. Please contact Scott Ericksen at 210-230-6902 or at ericksen@sametroplan.org to schedule your event.

For more information on the MPO, please visit www.sametroplan.org.

San Antonio – Bexar County MPO

825 S. Saint Mary’s · San Antonio, TX 78205

Telephone 210- 227-8651 · Fax 210- 227-9321