Community Affairs

Overview

Community Affairs Officer

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The Spring City Cycling Club promotes and endorses highway, road, street planning, etc. that provides continued access and routes for bike travel and recreation in the Huntsville, Alabama area and across north Alabama.

Adopt A Mile Program

2010 Litter Patrol Along Cecil Ashburn

Each year, since February 2000, the Club adopts responsibility for the mile of roadway at the top of the Cecil Ashburn extension. We pick up litter on this section of road and are recognized by the City of Huntsville with signs marking the adopted mile.

For 2010 The project season begins March 30th with 12 volunteers pledged to work. It’s a beautiful place, it is good company, and it is an adult Easter egg hunt in action. There will be 2 additional sessions; in July and November. The March and July pickups will be evening sessions with a full moon howling picnic party afterwards. Our November Saturday morning session remains as popular as ever for seeing the sights in the brisk fall air, plus a lunch together compliments of the club. We have acquired the pledges needed to start this project. Thanks to everyone who pitches in 2 hours of their time for each pledge.

Wanna know more? Read the Adopt a Mile Project, view the current schedule/volunteer list, or contact Marjorie Holderer at mjholderer(at)knology.net, 256-883-9982

Draft FY 2008-2011 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program

The new AL Statewide Transportation Plan is now on-line. Check it out here. There are some words about “Complete Streets” in the new policy.
Safe Routes to School grants have been signed by the governor and Huntsville is among over twenty communities in Alabama to receive funds for SRTS improvements around schools. $295,000 of federal funds will be spent in the next year to build paths, sidewalks, improve and add signals and crosswalks, and install driver feedback signs near several Huntsville city schools.

Gurley Traffic Management Plan

The Alabama DOT will host a public meeting on May 21 for the engineering firm hired to propose a plan to better manage traffic on U.S. 72, Sain Associates Inc., to present the plans to the public. The meeting at First Baptist Church of Gurley at 175 Joplin St. will be from 5:00 to 7-00p.m. Residents and other interested parties are encouraged to attend to give their views and comments on the proposed plans. Officials with Sain and the DOT will be present to answer questions. Plans and exhibits will be on display.

Bicycle Commuting

So, you’re interested in riding to work? It’s a great way to get those miles in, it beats traffic especially on the Arsenal, and it reduces the wear and tear on the family wagon. Take a look at these websites for information and suggestions about bicycle commuting. These links also have great information about how to ride safely!!!!

Just how safe is cycling? Take a look at the these fatality statistics:

Other interesting statistics can be found at the NCSA Fact Sheets. Also see Safe Kids and National Bike Safety Network.

Sidewalks

Many of the links listed here have information about the dangers of sidewalks to cyclists. Accident statistics show that sidewalks are more dangerous than riding with traffic in the roadway Local cyclists have been injured while riding on sidewalks because motorists do not see them Alabama state law requires cyclists to use an adjacent path next to the roadway. However, sidewalks are not considered usable paths. Remember, where sidewalks cross roadways, cyclists must yield to traffic.

Bike Parking

As part of the new Huntsville Bike Plan, we are looking for businesses and offices to approach to install bike parking.

Riding on the Arsenal

Current security regulations and policies limit access to the Arsenal to those that have a Redstone Arsenal Badge (This includes NASA). An employee can escort guests if you a riding in a group. However, the last information provided by the Arsenal was that BIKE STICKERS are not required for access. Bike stickers are for residents living on the Arsenal to prevent theft. Club access may be available in the future, but will not looked at until the security posture relaxes.

So what is going on around Huntsville?

Take a look at the City of Huntsville Bikeway plan. And the Huntsville Greenways Plan.

What to do if you are involved in an accident

  1. Make sure you are okay!
  2. Get out of the road!
  3. Call police and 911.
  4. Fill out police report complete with witness statements.
  5. For insurance get forms from state and City, Motor vehicle report.
  6. Register with state for claims
  7. Get estimate of value of bike-repairs-parts-cost.
  8. Get advice from a bike friendly lawyer.
  9. Do not settle personal injury before a month ahs passed, as some injuries do not appear immediately.
  10. Do not let the insurance company take your bike. It is evidence.
  11. Only sign parts of release forms that apply to your case.

Other resources: Jason & Fischer, Attorneys at Law, specialized in cases involving bicyclists.

What to do if you are harrassed by a motorist

If you are involved in an accident, we would like a copy of the police report for our files. It allows us to track and understand accidents in our community so we can lobby local officials effectively.

Who to contact if you get attacked by a dog while riding

Because animal control laws vary widely in North Alabama and southern Tennessee, it's important to know the contact agency in each city and county.

Road Maintenance

Within the City of Huntsville, if you see dirty streets, you have the power to request a street sweep. See junk on the paved roads or shoulders within the City of Huntsville? Call Public Works Department to schedule a road sweep. 883-3945 is the number and Rita is the contact. She will put it into the database. Supervisors will review and schedule. If you are NOT satisfied, within two weeks, call again. No need to suffer in silence.

See streets that need repainting or repaving within City of Huntsville limits? Call Public works 883-3944 to add a street to their list. Each November, the city investigates inventories, assesses, and prioritizes these projects for the coming year. Projects and costs are evenly divided between the 5 city council districts. Source: Keith Clines article Huntsville Times 11-13-04

Bicycling and The Law

There have been several email discussions about bicycling and the law. Here are some resources that folks unearthed:
Alabama State Code online (check out Title 32, Chapter 5A, Article 32)

Advocacy

Are you interested in helping out with advocacy? Looking for information about what advocacy is, the issues involved, or other information? Check out the related links page.

© Copyright , Spring City Cycling Club – Huntsville, Alabama