Health Report Released for Lewis and Clark County

http://www.co.lewis-clark.mt.us/fileadmin/user_upload/Health/Documents/2011-health-assessment-insides.pdf

Herein lies this year's figures for residents of Lewis and Clark County. There is quite an extensive range of public health concerns addressed, which provide for some great insight into our health relative to the rest of Montana and the country. It is sobering that we score worse than many national averages on chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Furthermore, it is shocking to see just how many youth are lost each year in motor vehicle accidents (with or without the presence of alcohol) and other avoidable fatalities. This suggests a need for some introspection on the part of our communities to address root causes of these problems. It won't be easy to change ingrained norms (such as tacit acceptance of drinking while driving), but people do know the consequences of their lifestyle choices and for those wanting to improve their health, we should provide them with as many means to do so cheaply and conveniently.

Troubling News for Cyclists Across America

A new bill being pushed through Congress entitled "MAP-21," or Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, has given cycling associations cause for concern. A Clause in the bill would disallow bicycles from roads with posted speed limits of 30 mph or greater on federal lands and relegate them to side paths. Furthermore, programs that encourage cycling such as Safe Routes to School would have their support cut. Read more about it here.

Bozeman Survey Reveals Surprising Level of Cycling

This article in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle brings to light some encouraging news on the state of cycling in Bozeman. This September, the Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board (BABAB) hit the trails with surveys and returned with better figures than anticipated: 4,700 cyclists were counted! The surveys were conducted at 12 intersections for two-hour periods over three evening rush hours. When extrapolated, this data suggests that as many as 8,000 cyclists pass through the intersections on any given day. Numbers like these are a strong argument for constructing and maintaining bicycle lanes, shared roads and developing further non-motorized infrastructure. Consider this: the manufacture and transportation of a bicycle leaves a carbon footprint a fraction of the size of a car's. Bicycles don't run on fossil fuels, don't require insurance payments, cost less to maintain, provide excellent exercise, are easy to store, and present a far smaller safety liability than cars do.

Making a Game of Public Transit

A new app is making the rounds in London as a way for public transit commuters to liven up their daily journeys. People can play as individuals or join teams, collecting points each time they use their transit cards to move through the turnstiles. Perhaps the most interesting feature is that the app stores your data so that you can track your movement around the city, encouraging you to discover new places or rethink your established transit routines. Check it out here.

Gas Mileage of the Future

The race is on to reach the gas mileage standard of 55 mpg by the year 2025. In this NPR article, we are taken to the labs at the Automotive Research Center at the University of Michigan to learn just how this will be accomplished, and the results are surprising. Much is being learned from rapidly developing new technologies such as electric battery power and computer regulated engines, but it turns out that fuel efficient cars have been around for years, and while there are still innovations being made to the traditional internal combustion engine, much of our mileage is reduced by the extra features of our cars, such as power windows, air conditioning, and power outlets for G.P.S. and music players. The question is, until the tinkering on engines is done, are people willing to give up their extra amenities to save money?

Transitioning Away from Suburbs

This recent article in the New York Times offers an interesting glimpse into the changing landscape of the real estate market. It appears that the US is on course to swing back toward an urban-focused metropolitan area instead of suburbs, as has been the norm for the past 60 years. Today's most expensive housing is located in city centers and inner suburbs where there is easy transit/pedestrian mobility and access to mixed use construction. This trend has no doubt been accelerated by the housing collapse earlier in the decade, and hopefully this rediscovered style of living stays, as it offers less dependence on vehicle ownership and a greater and closer sense of community for residents not hidden behind picket fences.

Helena Public Transit

The public bus service in Helena is known as the Helena Area Transit Service (HATS). It is comprised of fixed routes in Helena and East Helena and also includes curb to curb service for the disabled. I encourage you to support the bus system when possible and use it as a means of exploring the town! Fare is cheap, about a dollar a ride, and the service reaches most areas of town. More information, including bus routes and schedules can be found at the HATS website.

Carbon Nation Film Screening Sunday, December 4

The Carroll College Green Team will be co-sponsoring a screening of the film at 7 p.m. in Simperman Hall 101. The film will be followed by a moderated discussion. A preview can be found here: http://www.carbonnationmovie.com/

Support the Centennial Trail!

Friends of Centennial Trail has released order forms for paver bricks. For a donation, you can leave a message to future trail enthusiasts! A donation of $100 will earn you a 4"x8" brick with up to three lines of text. A donation of $200 will net you a 8"x8" brick with up to six lines of text. All proceeds are tax deductible and directly support the upkeep of Centennial Trail. Further details can be found on the forms, which can be downloaded here.

Transportation for America Conference in Helena

Transportation for America hosted a statewide conference in Helena this past Tuesday, the 15th of November, addressing the logistics, application, and conceptual design of new transit initiatives. The emphasis was primarily on local and state level campaigns, with special detail given to rural efforts such as the North Central Montana Transit. These programs have several benefits, including the improved health and wealth of communities, as well as a safety net for those in need. Here's an interesting fact: there are over 50 groups working with Transportation for America in Montana alone, and our efforts are being watched by other states to set examples for self-sustaining rural transit. For more information on how you can be involved, and a helpful tool kit with talking points and advocacy tips, visit the American Public Health Association.

Hello and Welcome!

Welcome to the S.A.V.E. Foundation's transit issues blog! There are multiple initiatives that are gaining momentum here in Helena and across the state, and they will be open for discussion and sharing here. If you have news that has not been posted, please feel free to email S.A.V.E. at savepolicy@gmail.com.