Update 2/24: Meetings, activities, and recap

Hello PedalSafe ROA,

Thanks to all who showed up to our recent public meeting on February 12.  It was great to see some new faces! Let us know what you think of our new meeting location at the Kirk YMCA downtown. We hope this is a convenient location that will work for the future.

RVARC Active Transportation Plan

Thanks to Jonathan Stanton of the Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional Commission (RVARC)  for his presentation on the process for updates to the region’s  Active Transportation Plan, which is just in the initial stages. This plan will be a guideline for localities for future planning. You can see:

In addition, the RVARC is soliciting input on the following questions:

  • What Vision and Goals would you like to see for the Regional Active Transportation Plan?
  • What areas would you like to see connected by the Regional Active Transportation Plan?
  • What do you think is important for the Regional Active Transportation Plan to accomplish?

You can respond at jstanton@rvarc.org. 

Note that a formal public survey to capture broad public input will be coming out in late spring. 

Support VA Bike Legislation

There are several bills currently before the VA legislature that impact cycling. You can learn more about them and follow their progress through the Virginia Bike Federation here: https://www.vabike.org/blog/ 

And use this form: Urge your Senator to support safer bicycling!

May is Bike Month

Bike Month in May is coming up soon, and we’re focusing on planning several events. If you would like to help out, let us know! Currently we have formed the following committees. Much of this organizing can be done asynchronously via Slack, Zoom or email. 

  • Bike/Roll to School Day, on May 8. This will focus on promoting and organizing volunteers around selected schools/neighborhoods, in collaboration with the city of Roanoke. Stay tuned for emerging details.
  • Bike to Work Day/Mayor’s Ride, on May 17. This will be devoted to organizing Bike to Work day stations, staffing them with volunteers, soliciting other businesses to participate in Bike to Work Day, and creating publicity for this event. Contact: Beth Gross at gross.beth@gmail.com
  • Public Speaker or Movie Night. This will be either a live public speaker who can speak about improving bicycling or a Movie night featuring a bicycle-related documentary with the goal of informing and inspiring. Contact: Ken McLeod at kenmcld@gmail.com

Save the Dates!

Monday, March 11; Next PedalSafe Public Meeting

6:00 – 7:30pm, Kirk YMCA Community Room, 520 Church Ave SW, Roanoke

Public advocacy updates and planning for Bike Month in May

Monday, March 18, Roadway Cleanup in memory of Tabitha Thompson

5:30pm, Green Hill Park, Salem

This is the next planned Adopt a Highway Cleanup for the Tabitha Thompson memorial sign in Salem.  An official event will be created closer to time once we get a look at the weather forecast.

Sunday, May 5, Tab’s Cleanup Crew, Lee Hwy, Troutville. 9:00am. 

This roadway clean up should finalize the official adoption of Tabitha Thompson’’s last bike ride and home of her Ghost Bike. From Brughs Mill Road to Trinity Road in Troutville. We’ll have vehicles to escort the group to ensure the safety of volunteers. We’ll also focus on one side of the road at a time. For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1436833760602123/ 

Social Media and Website Help

We need it! If you’re interested and might be able to help devote even a little time to help publicize Bike Month events, let us know! Contact PedalSafe secretary Beth Gross at gross.beth@gmail.com, and we’ll get you connected.

Beth Gross