In response to Martha’s request, Manfred Schwoch of BBC has written the following draft for club approval during the January meeting:

Dear Mr. Wykle:

We, the members of Bolder Bicycle Commuters, an organization working for the promotion of safe and efficient bicycling for transportation, are very concerned about the proliferation of rumble strips on our nation’s highways. While cyclists would welcome some protection from motor vehicles straying onto highway shoulders where cyclists ride, such protection is out-weighed by the current milled-in design, which is inconvenient and even dangerous for cyclists. Cyclists riding to the right of the rumble strip may find themselves in a position where in a split second they must choose between avoiding glass on the right and the wheel-jarring rumble strip on the left, leaving little or no room to maneuver and avoid a crash.

We urge the FHWA to:

1. Research, identify, and promote a bicycle-friendly rumble strip design; and
2. Limit rumble strip installation to those interstate highways where bicycles are prohibited until this bicycle-friendly design is developed.

Manfred Schwoch, Chair, Bolder Bicycle Commuters
 

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Addresses for cc's on rumble strip letters:

Congressman James L Oberstar
2366 Rayburn House Office Building
US House of Representatives
Washington DC 20515
(Oberstar (D-MN) is the ranking member of the House Transportation Committee and has been very helpful in pushing the FHWA to address bicyclists' concerns).

League of American Bicyclists
1612 K St NW, Suite 401
Washington DC 20006
(The League will deliver copies of your letter to other important FHWA and Congressional contacts.)

Colorado's congressional delegation: Send letters to both Senators, and to your Representative. None of Colorado's congress people sit on Transportation Committees, but it doesn't hurt to let them know our concerns:

Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell
380 Russell
Washington DC 20515

Senator Wayne Allard
716 Hart Senator Office Building
Washington DC 20515

Representative Mark Udall (Boulder & Westminster)
128 Cannon House Office Building
Washington DC 20515

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Martha is also notifying bicyclists:

GOVERNOR OWENS RE-UPS COLORADO BICYCLING ADVISORY BOARD, CONSIDER APPLYING.

Governor Owens has decided to re-authorize the Colorado Bicycling Advisory Board to advise the Gov. and state agencies on bicycling issues. Applications are now being accepted by the Governor’s office of Boards and Commissions. BC encourages interested cyclists to apply, as we want good bicycling voices on the board. At the very least, we will show Owens that the bicycling community is interested! Download an application form from http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/govnr_dir/bc/applctn.pdf or call the Governor's office at 303-866-6328. They didn't say how long they'd be accepting applications so don't delay...

Return to BBC January 2000 Newsletter