The Helena City Commission Supports Bicycle Friendly Community Designation at Last Night's Meeting

When Commissioner Ellison gave his report of items going on the city, he mentioned that Helena was recognized with two exceptional designations. The first designation was Helena is ranked in the top 100 best places to live in America by Livability.com. Helena is also designated as a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Commissioner Ellison continued that these designations indicate what the citizens of Helena already know, that we have any exceptionally high quality of life here. 

I was able to say a few words before the Commission as one of the contributors of the Bicycle Friendly Community application. My statement included:

Mayor, Commissioners, it has been an honor serving as a Volunteer In Service to America in Helena. I’m proud to have played a role in working on this application with City and County staff, NMTAC, and other proponents of cycling. Helena as a Bicycle Friendly Community is a well-deserved designation demonstrated by investments in: bicycle facilities, educational and enforcement campaigns, and community events. I want to thank the City for this opportunity and all the contributors of the application. It has been a highlight of my service. Congratulations Helena!

To learn more about the Bicycle Friendly Community designation click the link below.  

http://www.bikeleague.org/content/communities

Helena Awarded Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community Designation

Helena Awarded Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community Designation

Helena will soon receive Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community status from The League of American Bicyclists. All of the advancements in cycling made by the City of Helena, Lewis & Clark County, Montana Department of Transportation, support of education efforts, community organizations, and other proponents resulted in the award.  In my role as an AmeriCorps VISTA, I assisted in the coordination of the application with Sarah Sadowski, Chair of NMTAC, City and County Staff, Elected Officials and other leading advocates. Other Montana Bicycle Friendly Communities include Bozeman (silver), Billings (bronze), and Missoula (gold). For more information about the Bicycle Friendly Community designation click the link below. With the installation of a city wide trails network including Centennial Trail, new street separated crossings and paths-such as the Broadway tunnel, the Transportation Update, and other efforts, high designation should be in the works!

Transportation Coordination Committee Selects Consultant for the Helena Transportation Plan

Robert Peccia & Associates of Helena, and Alta Planning of Bozeman were selected as the consultant team for the Helena Transportation Plan. The plan is a comprehensive blueprint for all of Helena's future multi-modal construction and maintenance projects . Robert Peccia and Associates prepared the last plan in 2004, and Alta specializes in active transportation. This update and the future public process was features by Beartooth NBC!

Inclusive Transportation Planning Project 
The Current Transportation Solutions, the consultant team that produced the HATS Transit Development Plan, has undertaken the Inclusive Transportation Planning Project. This project will assess the transit needs of residents living Lewis and Clark County. Some stakeholders for the project include, aging populations, the disabled community, and veterans. The insights gained from the study will inform decision makers how to improve any unmet transit needs to maximize inclusivity. For more information about the project click the link below. I will be assisting with this process, especially in regards to Veterans outreach!

More about this national project:
http://web1.ctaa.org/webmodules/webarticles/anmviewer.asp?a=3265

Final Touches on Broadway Tunnel

The Broadway Tunnel will possibly open as soon as next week.  Nonmotorized priority road, separated from the highway will connect hundreds of residents, employees, and guests to the Hospital medical area, large employment center of MDT, and a for recreational purposes.

Lewis and Clark County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Links Public Transit and Active Transportation to Public Health

Lewis and Clark County has released a comprehensive plan known as the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) to systematically improve public health. This plan identifies a range of public health concerns such as mental health, chronic disease, and substance abuse  and offers synergistic solutions for stakeholders. Active transportation, public transportation, and the built environment or referenced throughout the report as leverage points to improve the health of our community.  Please click the link below to access the report.

http://www.lccountymt.gov/health/health-department/health-improvement-chip.html

City of Helena Engineer Ryan Leland Webinar "Transportation Engineering and Public Involvement"

Ever wonder how a Transportation Engineer thinks while designing our roads, sidewalks, bike lanes? Ryan Leland, Engineer of the City of Helena discusses the full spectrem of nonmotorized facilities and how citizens may become involved in shaping active communities. Check out this webinar below.

http://healthinfo.montana.edu/Webinars/2013-10-07%2011.59%20Transportation%20Engineering%20and%20Public%20Involvement.wmv

To view additional Building Active Communities webinars click the link below

http://healthinfo.montana.edu/RHI%20Webinars.html

Bike Walk Helena Releases 4 New PSAs

Bike Walk Helena released their second series of PSAs. They include:

1. "Bike 2 Be Seen"- visibility clothing, lights, and reflectors

2. "Bicycling through intersections"- , coming to a complete stop at stop signs and red lights, ride with flow of traffic, use hand signals to indicate a turn

3. "Pedestrians: know where to stop"  directed more towards motorists so they don't encroach upon bike lanes or cross walks

4. "Pedestrians Road Crossing" - safe crossing habits for all pedestrians 

Click the link to view the PSAs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nisutxgRrD0&list=PLuu3AUAe9zgL_9WQeTHsfxY7LX1HU-fN1

Revised HATS Transit Development Plan to be Discussed at Today's Admin Meeting

 The revised and potential final draft of the HATS Transit Development Plan will appear before the Helena City Commission during today's Administration Meeting. The consultant took the Commission's previous comments and well as Official Public Comments strongly into consideration for the improved current version.

The Administration Meeting will be held today, at 4pm, in room 326 of the City County Building (316 N. Park).

The revised HATS Transit Development Plan  is now available on the City of Helena webpage in the Public Works Department section. The document may be accessed by following the link below.
http://www.helenamt.gov/public-works/hats/transit-development-plan.html