All-
I would like to thank everyone who came out to the council meeting, expressed support, emailed the appropiate people, or contacted their councilmen in regards to Rails to Trails. As many of you know, the two issues that were of concern for the trail users were the hours of avaliability and the proposed speed limit of 10mph.
I am pleased to inform you that both issues were resolved in the manner in which we hoped.
The park ordinance 20-12.5 which reads "no person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent in the conditions exisiting" will stand true to the new trail. It was also agreed that the trail, since it is considered a linear park, will maintain the standard Columbus Park hours of 5am-11pm as stated in ordinance 4-41.1.
Again, thank you to all that showed their support. Remember, that although the police are out their doing their jobs to the best of their abilities, if you see anything suspicious or of concern, take the appropiate measures. Let's make this project more of a success than it is already.
Please take the time to send a note of gratitude to council.
Thank you!
Joanne Cain
President
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
IMPORTANT RAILS TO TRAILS
Dear fellow cyclists, fitness enthusiasts, and those who just enjoy being outside:
As you probably know, the City will soon complete the new Rails to Trails Project. When completed this project will add 11 miles of paved trail between the Riverwalk and Flat Rock Park (Psalmond Road).
As with any new project there are issues that arise. The issue we face as cyclists and fitness enthusiasts are two items of concern in the proposed new rules for this project. The proposed city ordinance can be found here http://ccga1.columbusga.org/e-cap.nsf . The two proposed rules that are of concern are:
"Observe a safe speed"
Be aware of the trail's 10 mile per hour speed limit
" Don't use the trail at night"
Park is closed from dusk to dawn
Here is what has happened so far. At this past Tuesday's City Council meeting they had the first reading of this proposed ordinance. Several of cyclists went to that meeting and expressed concerns that the speed limit was too low and the dawn to dusk time frame was too limiting - especially this time of year when it gets dark at 5:30 pm. Council seemed very open to concerns and discussed these two issues at length. There hopefully will be no issue in removing the 10 mph speed limit. In fact, the City already has ordinance 20-12.5 which reads no person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent in the conditions then exisiting, and Council seemed to agree that was appropriate. There was more discussion about the time frame the trail is to be open. Apparently some of the residents near the trail have expressed concern about people using the trail late at night. Council seems willing to alter this time frame, but no consensus was reached on just how late to keep the trail open. During this time of the year, the majority of people who would enjoy the trail during the week do not get off work until after "dusk." This ordinance would also eliminate Columbus State University students from commuting after their 6pm classes. The simple solution seems to be to use the same ordinance 4-41.1 that is used for public parks in Columbus - open from 5 am until 11 pm. There was some discussion about the Trail not having lights like a lot of parks, but we can use our own lights to cycle, jog, and walk after dark.
Here is where we need your help. The second reading of the proposed ordinance is scheduled for the next Council meeting which is at 9 am, Tuesday, December 15th at the Government Center. This is the meeting where the ordinance becomes a law. We need everyone who can to attend this meeting to come and express support for the changes outlined above. There will be staff from the local bike shops attending, but we need more people to get noticed by Council. You can be sure the residents opposed to changing the dawn to dusk time will be there. If you cannot attend, at a minimum please contact city council, the mayor, and the city manager to express your support for the changes above. Please contact them in a positive tone - they seem willing to make the changes - and we want to keep the momentum in our favor. The more people they hear from, the more likely the changes will occur. You need to contact them before close of business Monday since the meeting is first thing Tuesday morning.
Here is the link to the Council contact information http://www.columbusga.org/counc.htm http://www.columbusga.org/citymanager/ http://www.columbusga.org/mayor/
Please pass on the information to others who will support these changes.
Thank you,
Joanne Cain
President
As you probably know, the City will soon complete the new Rails to Trails Project. When completed this project will add 11 miles of paved trail between the Riverwalk and Flat Rock Park (Psalmond Road).
As with any new project there are issues that arise. The issue we face as cyclists and fitness enthusiasts are two items of concern in the proposed new rules for this project. The proposed city ordinance can be found here http://ccga1.columbusga.org/e-cap.nsf . The two proposed rules that are of concern are:
"Observe a safe speed"
Be aware of the trail's 10 mile per hour speed limit
" Don't use the trail at night"
Park is closed from dusk to dawn
Here is what has happened so far. At this past Tuesday's City Council meeting they had the first reading of this proposed ordinance. Several of cyclists went to that meeting and expressed concerns that the speed limit was too low and the dawn to dusk time frame was too limiting - especially this time of year when it gets dark at 5:30 pm. Council seemed very open to concerns and discussed these two issues at length. There hopefully will be no issue in removing the 10 mph speed limit. In fact, the City already has ordinance 20-12.5 which reads no person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent in the conditions then exisiting, and Council seemed to agree that was appropriate. There was more discussion about the time frame the trail is to be open. Apparently some of the residents near the trail have expressed concern about people using the trail late at night. Council seems willing to alter this time frame, but no consensus was reached on just how late to keep the trail open. During this time of the year, the majority of people who would enjoy the trail during the week do not get off work until after "dusk." This ordinance would also eliminate Columbus State University students from commuting after their 6pm classes. The simple solution seems to be to use the same ordinance 4-41.1 that is used for public parks in Columbus - open from 5 am until 11 pm. There was some discussion about the Trail not having lights like a lot of parks, but we can use our own lights to cycle, jog, and walk after dark.
Here is where we need your help. The second reading of the proposed ordinance is scheduled for the next Council meeting which is at 9 am, Tuesday, December 15th at the Government Center. This is the meeting where the ordinance becomes a law. We need everyone who can to attend this meeting to come and express support for the changes outlined above. There will be staff from the local bike shops attending, but we need more people to get noticed by Council. You can be sure the residents opposed to changing the dawn to dusk time will be there. If you cannot attend, at a minimum please contact city council, the mayor, and the city manager to express your support for the changes above. Please contact them in a positive tone - they seem willing to make the changes - and we want to keep the momentum in our favor. The more people they hear from, the more likely the changes will occur. You need to contact them before close of business Monday since the meeting is first thing Tuesday morning.
Here is the link to the Council contact information http://www.columbusga.org/counc.htm http://www.columbusga.org/citymanager/ http://www.columbusga.org/mayor/
Please pass on the information to others who will support these changes.
Thank you,
Joanne Cain
President
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Legend continues.......
The time of year has come for reflection and remembering the important things in life ..... and that must mean it is Elvis time again! Join the throngs (no exaggeration) who turn out in lycra and sideburns each winter for this amazing event of spontaneity, reunion and new-year fun. No organizer, no fee, no nothin' ... it just keep 'happening' year after year.
The time of year has come for reflection and remembering the important things in life ..... and that must mean it is Elvis time again! Join the throngs (no exaggeration) who turn out in lycra and sideburns each winter for this amazing event of spontaneity, reunion and new-year fun. No organizer, no fee, no nothin' ... it just keep 'happening' year after year.
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