The 8-80 Rule

Vibrant Cities - Healthy Communities - Great Places - Happy People

Last month I was introduced to something called the 8-80 Rule thanks to @T_Starry....who found out through Gil Penalosa and 8-80cities.org.

What is the 8-80 Rule, you ask?  Well it's all about road infrastructure, and it comes down to 3 steps:

Step 1:  Think of a child that you love and care for who is approximately 8 years of age. This could be a child, grandchild, sister, brother, cousin etc.

Step 2:  Think of an adult, approximately 80 years of age who you love and care for. This could be a parent, grandparent, friend etc.

Step 3:  Ask yourself: Would you send that 8 year old along with the 80 year old on a walk, or a bike ride on that infrastructure? If you would, then it is safe enough, if you would not, then it is not safe enough.

This rule may seem overly simplified, but it is a great way to determine the safety of our roads.  Now, think about the road around you...the ones you travel to work, the store, school.  Do they pass the 8-80 Rule?

I know that they sure don't where I live, but I wish they did.  If we're going to get more people out there riding their bikes, we need city planners to adopt the 8-80 Rule.  If we're going to have safer roads for cyclists, we need the 8-80 Rule.

The mission of the 8-80 organization is:

• Our goal is to contribute to the creation of vibrant cities and healthy communities, where residents live happier and enjoy great public places.
• We promote walking and bicycling as activities and urban parks, trails and public spaces as a way to fulfill our goal.
• These activities and public spaces improve our environment, advance economic development, boost and complement our transportation systems, make better recreation for all, and enhance our personal and public health.
• We believe safe walking and cycling infrastructure, and vibrant public places are key symptoms of a more people-oriented and socially equitable city.

I really like the great vision of this non-profit Canadian organization.  They are doing great things and I invite you to find out more about the 8-80 rule at 8-80cities.org.

#saveacyclist

With the introduction of social media, there came an incredible avenue to deliver the message such as "Please BE KIND to Cyclists".  We're not alone in our plea to promote safe cycling and increase the harmony and tolerance between drivers and cyclists....and #saveacyclist is another message that needs to be heard.

Transportation in itself is risky, with as many as 50,000 driver fatalities every year in the U.S. alone, but cyclists are particularly vulnerable on the streets. Despite existing laws protecting cyclists, and driver education that anyone with a driver’s license has undergone, many still don’t take care to watch out for cyclists on the roads. The tragedy is that so many of these deaths are preventable.
@bikinginla recently posted a great piece on the vulnerability of cyclists, and just how avoidable car vs. bike collisions really are in a blog posted on @KCRW: I Trust You with My Life. No really.

The truth is that collisions are actually hard to have. If you obey the law, pass and turn safely, and pay attention to the road in front of you — and I do the same — it’s virtually impossible to come in contact with one another.

That’s why, if you’ve noticed, I don’t use the word accident to describe a wreck. Because very few accidents actually are. In order to have one, someone has to do something stupid, careless or illegal to cause it.
And that’s why I have trust in you.
Because I can only control what I do on the road. The rest is your hands.
And I’m counting on you to make sure we both get home safely.

Along with too many others, the new year brought news of the deaths of two promising and accomplished cyclists. Carla Stewart of the HTC-Highroad women’s team was hit and killed by a truck while training in South Africa earlier this year. Lewis Balyckyi , a 2008 national youth circuit race champion who would’ve gone on to compete in the 2012 olympics, was killed just miles from his home after a collision with a van.

These deaths prompted cyclist Kathryne Brown, race administrator for the Tour of Britain and Tour Series, to take to Twitter. She started the hashtag #saveacyclist to help raise awareness and hopefully prevent these completely avoidable and unnecessary deaths.

The #saveacyclist tag is a terrific example of how just taking a moment to share your concerns with others online can have a great impact. What started as a simple tweet resonated around the web reaching potentially thousands of others to take note.

If the sum of all these Tweets and Facebook status updates amounts to inspiring X number of drivers to pay just a little more attention and learn what it means to share the road.....mission accomplished.

Round Rock Express Ride

Our first big fundraiser of the year is coming up!  We're partnering with Jack and Adam's Bicycles and High Five Events to put on a fantastic ride and start to the spring cycling season.  April 10th is the Round Rock Express Ride, with 77 and 27 mile distances starting and finishing at the Dell Diamond.  The race will be fun, but the best part is after: your participation in the race gets you into the game!  Beer, burgers, BBQ and even a pool party- bring your suit!- will kick off at 2:05 PM.

Check out the details (and register) here: Round Rock Express Ride.

You can also preview the course at Course Info.

Make sure to sign up before March 1st for discount registration.
Thank you for all of your support as we work towards making Austin a safe cycling community.  Looking forward to seeing you all on the course and at the game!

Holiday Party with Active Life Clinic and the Spring

Come join us as we partner with Active Life Wellness Clinic and The Spring, Center for Natural Medicine for our very first holiday party!

The party is Thursday, December 16th from 5-8 PM at 809 S Lamar (map). Stop by after work (it is Thursday, quite close enough to Friday!) and enjoy drinks and appetizers as we celebrate healthy living. Special deals include 50-75% discounts when you sign up for a Full Consultation at either Active Life Wellness and/or The Spring. Raffles and give-aways for all participants!

Full Consultation: Active Life Wellness
Initial Consultation, Stress Evaluation and Xrays - Full Consultation (Valued at $250) will be discounted to $60 and donated to Please BE KIND to Cyclists!

Chair Massage: $1 per Minute Donation
Active Life Wellness will provide chair massage - we will donate $1 for every minute of massage to Please BE KIND to Cyclists!

Full Consultation: The Spring, Center for Natural Medicine

Full Consultation including BioMeridian Assesment, Heart Rate Variability Test, Nutrition Response Testing and Applied Kinesiology - Full Consultation (Valued at $120) will be discounted to $60 and donated to Please BE KIND to Cyclists!

Please BE KIND to Cyclists: Bumper Stickers & T-Shirts
Donate to Please BE KIND to Cyclists through your purchase of a bumper sticker or t-shirt and help us spread awareness for the organization across the city of Austin!Bring a Friend!

Receive an extra raffle ticket for bringing a friend and win fabulous prizes at the Holiday Party!

Looking forward to seeing you all there- don't forget to RSVP at our Facebook event!

JB & Sandy's Bike for Kids

Are you looking for a charity to support this holiday season?  What about Bikes for Kids?

Mix 94.7 and the JB & Sandy Morning Show are raising money for the 14th Annual JB & Sandy’s Bikes for Kids. Each year, the morning show raises funds to purchase brand new Trek Bicycles, bike locks and helmets to distribute to underprivileged kids throughout Central Texas.

By participating, you can either donate to Bikes for Kids -- $150 will cover the full bike, lock and helmet for one child.  If this is more than you can donate, any amount is generously accepted.  You can also nominate a specific child to receive the bike package.  Either way, you are helping Austin's kids become more active and providing transportation for these kids to and from school. 

Distribution Day will be Friday, December 17, 2010 from 6am - 9am at Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop (400 Nueces St., Austin, Texas 78701). The JB & Sandy Morning Show will be broadcasting live during the event. 

Deadline for Nominations: Sunday, December 12, 2010 at Midnight. Nominators will be contacted by Wednesday, December 15, 2010 by phone. Nominators will be responsible for picking up the bike for their nominated child.

The JB & Sandy Morning Show have dedicated the past 13 holiday seasons to outfitting children with new bikes.  Help them reach their goal this year!  Learn more at the JB & Sandy Bikes for Kids webpage. 

To see pictures from the 2010 Bikes for Kids Distribution Day at Mellow Johnny's click here.

Questions about Bikes for Kids:

Contact Lauren Phillips: lphillips@entercom.com (512) 329.6211

Bike-Share Program in Central Austin

Please see below the information we received from the City of Austin regarding a Bike-Share Program in Central Austin.  We hope that you can attend the meeting next Tuesday, November 9!

Many American cities are considering bikeshare systems similar to those of Paris, France; Minneapolis, MN; Chicago, IL; Denver, CO, and more. Bikeshare systems allow residents and visitors to check a bike out from a network of automated bike stations, ride to their destination, and return the bike to a different station. An automated solar-powered bike sharing program may reduce traffic congestion and create healthier places. For more information on bikeshare programs worldwide, CLICK HERE.

As you may know, the City of Austin is currently preparing to implement a Bike-Share program within Central Austin. We would like to invite you to an overview of Bike-Sharing THIS TUESDAY 11/9/10 at 6 PM at this month's Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) meeting at City Hall. Your input on Bike Share is needed and welcome at this public meeting. If for some reason you cannot attend the meeting, please feel free to e-mail your comments or feedback to: Annick.Beaudet@ci.austin.tx.us.

Safe Routes for Children in Austin

As I was driving to work this morning, I heard a commerical on the radio for Safe Routes Austin.  Sponsored by the City of Austin, this program promotes safe routes for children walking and biking to school and outlines ways that parents, educators and drivers can work together to protect children while they are commuting.  What a great program that could have far-reaching impacts on the community!

Below are a few of the highlights from the Safer Routes iWalk/iBike Website.  Check out their website for more details: www.saferoutesaustin.org

PARENTS:

Take time to walk or bike with your child to school today! 
- The Austin Safe Route To School Project encourages you to slow down and spend the moments that matter with those who matter most: your children!
- Walking or biking to school with your child gives you a few extra moments to spend together each day.
- You are also being physically active, creating a safer community, and reducing the traffic and pollution around your neighborhood.

Tips for walking and biking to school safely with your child:
- Always role-model safe behaviors such as walking on the sidewalk, crossing at a crosswalk or a corner, wearing bright colors, looking both ways before crossing, and wearing a bicycle helmet when riding.
- Teach your child safe behaviors when you walk or bike to school together. Ask your child what they are supposed to do when they come to the end of the sidewalk or what they need to wear to be visible to motorists. Walking or biking to school together can be a fun activity that also teaches your child skills they need to stay safe.
- Walk in groups with other parents and children. A group of people is always more visible than two people.

DRIVERS

We need your help to make Austin safer for children to walk and bike to school!
- Try to avoid school zones between 6:30 AM and 9:00 AM as well as 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
- When driving through neighborhoods or school zones follow all traffic laws and be patient! Speeding and other traffic violations in a school zone can cost you up to $600.
- Do not stop or park in a pedestrian crosswalk. It is safest to stop a few feet before the stop sign and look for people who may be crossing.
- Use your turn signals and be cautious when turning onto another street. Children may not see you when they are trying to cross the street.

RESOURCES:National Center for Safe Routes to School:
http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/


SRTS Online Guide:
http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/guide/index.cfm

Walking School Bus Guide:
http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/encouragement_walking-school-bus-guide.cfm