Today’s KC Star features a “walking school bus” in Overland Park.  The idea is very simple – a group of parents and volunteers get together and escort kids to school.

The idea is part of the Safe Routes to School movement that encourages safe ways for kids to walk and bike school, something that has declined drastically over the years as new neighborhoods have been geared towards automobiles and kids are increasing driven to school by parents.

The Star features Pawnee Elementary in Overland Park, but school districts all over the metro area participate – KCMO, Park Hill, North Kansas City, KCK, Shawnee Mission, and many more.

• KC Star: More kids walk to and from school thanks to “walking school bus” program.
• KC Star video of walking school bus at Pawnee Elementary in Johnson County.
• KC Healthy Kids has info about regional Safe Routes to School programs, including how to get a walking school bus started at your child’s school.

On March 9th at 4:00 p.m. the city’s new Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee will hold its third meeting.   On the agenda this month are a presentation on the Bike Friendly Communities program, bike/ped counts, and discussion of the committee’s action plan for 2009-2010.  While no public testimony will be taken, the meeting is open to the public.  Location is the Garrison Community Center in the Columbus Park neighborhood, 1124 East 5th Street, Kansas City, MO.

On Tuesday, March 3rd the Missouri House Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on HB 642.  This bill would direct MoDOT to develop a policy for fairly accommodating all road users – bicyclists, pedestrians, transit users, the disabled, in addition to motorists.  HB 642 is a second attempt to pass a Complete Streets bill in Missouri.  Last year Complete Streets passed the House overwhelmingly, but was killed in the Senate after personal lobbying by MoDOT Director Pete Rahn.

Click here to send an email to the House Transportation Committee and tell them that you support HB 642.

Read the text of HB 642.

Learn more about Complete Streets.

Members of the House Transportation Committee.

Over the next few weeks the Kansas Department of Transportation is holding public meetings about the future of the transportation system on the Kansas side of the metro area.

Attending one of these meetings is a great way to let public officials and transportation planners know that citizens want more  choices for getting around – including public transit, bicycling, and walking.

Johnson County
Tuesday, February 24, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
MidAmerica Nazerene  University Bell Center
2030 East College Way
Olathe, KS 66062
JO Bus Route B

Wyandotte County
Tuesday, March 24, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
KCKS Community Colleges Conference Center
7250 State Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66112
Bus Route 101

More info, including meetings in outlying counties.

On Tuesday, February 17th several environmental groups from across Missouri will host the 2009 Conservation Lobby Day, and this year they are including transportation as a topic.  This is an excellent event for those of you who are interested in the environmental benefits of transit, bicycling, walking, passenger rail, etc. More information

And don’t forget Missouri Bicycle Federation’s 3rd Annual Bicycle Day at the Capitol on February 24th.  Bicyclists from all over Missouri will come to Jefferson City to talk to legislators about the recreational, health, transportation, and environmental benefits of bicycling. More information

I hope to see some of you in Jefferson City talking to our elected leaders about better policies to give Missourians real transportation choice!

Kansas City is feeling the crunch of the national recession, and needs to cut at least $80 million from the upcoming 2009-2010 budget.  This makes it more important than usual to speak up for transportation choice.  Over the next six weeks there will be a public hearing in each of the six City Council districts.  This is your chance to ask your elected representatives to make sure that transportation choice remains viable in Kansas City.

Here some specific items that are either in danger of cuts and/or things that are competing for funds:

• Bus service – The City Manager is proposing a 15% cut from the KCATA budget, just as more people are using and relying on public transit.
• Crosswalks – Paint for crosswalks was cut from the 2008-2009 budget and should be restored to protect pedestrian safety.

Find your Council District.

Budget Hearings:

Next week the KCMO City Council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will have three open houses around the city to get citizen input on the committee’s work.   This committee deals with things like roads, bridges, trails, bike routes, sidewalks, transit, etc.

During tight budget times it is especially critical for us to speak up and let the City Council know that bicycle, pedestrian, and transit funding are important and deserving ways to spend money.  It’s pretty easy, and all you have to do is briefly state your desire for the city to fund bus routes, sidewalks, bike routes, trails, or whatever else you want to see built.

Monday, January 26, 6:00 p.m. – North
Northland Neighborhoods, 3015 Vivion Road(map)
Tue, January 27, 6:00 p.m. – Central
Gregg-Klice Community Center at 18th & Vine, 1600 East 17th Terrace (map)
Wed, January 28, 6:00 p.m. – South
Baptiste Education Center, 5401 East 103rd Street (map)

Our pledge campaign has done very well! We have pledges from 380 individuals, families and clubs for a total of $22,121. That is an average of more than $58.00 per pledge. I want to thank everyone for their support!

Continue reading ‘People on Paseo Update’ »

The City of Kansas City is considering funding for four priority trail and bicycle projects, and public input is needed to let the city know that these projects are worthy of being funded.

• Update the Bike KC master plan
• Connect the Trolley Track and Indian Creek Trails
• Extend the Riverfront Heritage Trail along the Missouri River levee
• Build a new Shoal Creek Trail between KCMO and Gladstone

If you are a resident of the City of Kansas City, MO then please take a couple of minutes to send a letter to your representatives.