Bicycles in America Talk tonight at UNR (4pm and 6pm).

I almost missed this one (yes, it's today)!  Isn't it just terrible when the bicycle based events overwhelm! 

New Bike Lanes on Evans!

Click to see the video.

Looks like they are finally putting in some separated bicycle bicycle infrastructure in Reno!  Evans Ave. (which runs from downtown by Louie's Basque Corner up to McCarren along the East edge of UNR) will now have bike lanes from 2nd St. to Highland Ave. and separated multi-use path from Highland Ave. up to McCarren.  A really nice addition to tie UNR to downtown for anyone on bike.

While I'm glad to see this project happening....I'm a little embarrassed for the RTC / UNR as this is a project that was proposed back when I was the Chair of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) almost 4 years ago.   Projects like this still represent the low hanging fruit...meaning there was no opposition to the project itself....we're just really slow to get the ball moving!

I hope that we can rebuild the crew that pushed for these projects several years ago and really turn Reno into a bicycle metropolis that it has the potential to be.  If your interested in helping drop me a line!

UNR gets Bike Friendly Status!

From KTVN:

Click for a full sized version.

Help shape the future of Virginia St. (Midtown to UNR).

**From RTCWashoe.com**

COMMUNITY INVITED TO PROVIDE COMMENTS AND IDEAS ON VIRGINIA STREET’S FUTURE

The RTC is inviting the community to provide comments and ideas on the future of Virginia Street as part of the Virginia Street Bus RAPID Transit Extension Project.  Two meetings will be held for the public to review preliminary designs for Virginia Street.  The designs feature proposed improvements for Virginia Street from Maple Street to 15th Street near the University of Nevada, Reno and from Liberty Street to Plumb Lane in Midtown.

The proposed enhancements include: wider sidewalks, new bike lanes and extending RAPID bus service north to UNR with new transit stations and intersection improvements.  The project is also intended to better connect the University to Downtown Reno and Downtown to points south including Midtown.  The extension of RTC RAPID would eliminate the need for a transfer at RTC 4TH STREET STATION to UNR, saving travelers’ valuable time.  The project will also support economic growth and redevelopment along Virginia Street and throughout the region.  Additionally, it will help create a safer community that is accessible to everyone under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

While the same information will be presented at both meetings, the public is welcome to attend one or both events.  Free parking is available at both meetings.

For more information on this project, go to http://rtcwashoe.com and click on Streets and Highways, then Road Projects.

Community Information Meeting One (served by RTC RAPID)
Tuesday, April 14
5 to 7 p.m. with a brief presentation at 5:30 p.m.
The Discovery Museum
490 South Center Street
Reno, NV 89501

Community Information Meeting Two (served by RTC SIERRA SPIRIT and RTC RIDE route 7)
Wednesday, April 15
5 to 7 p.m. with a brief presentation at 5:30 p.m.
University of Nevada, Reno, Raggio Building, room 4001
1664 North Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89503

UNR Farm rezoning meeting results.

A quick recap of the meeting via KTVN channel 2 (sorry about the commercial):

UNR Farm under pressure....if you want to see improved local food programs please attend!

Contrary to what you might think...I don't jump on every bandwagon that rolls past me.  However, being into bicycling means being into what I eat.  I'm not a huge fan of power bars, gels, cliff bars and the like.  Rather, I like to garden and produce as much good organic food as I can.  There aren't a lot of opportunities for farming around Reno and the UNR farm is one of them.  While they don't do a lot on the local food front yet, we should protect this land so we can expand this effort in the future!  

What we certainly don't need is more light industrial (there is plenty of vacant light industrial all over town).  Besides Kimlick Lane (or Clean Water Way) is a great little ride through the farm and there is almost no traffic since it dead ends at the water treatment plant!  Come out and join us to help protect the UNR farm.  Details below:

                                                           

                                                                

Contact:          Ann Louhela                                                          

                        775-351-2551

                        louhela.ann@gmail.com

                       

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        

Community Forum Scheduled to Discuss Future of

UNR Main Station Farm & Wolf Pack Meats

Local food advocate Shelley Brant plans to attend the Community Forum regarding the UNR Main Station Farm re-zoning proposal, and she has a list of questions for University officials. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 21, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., at Joe Crowley Student Union, University of Nevada, Reno. Doors open at 5:00 p.m.

UNR will host the public forum at the request of the Reno City Council. University officials submitted a request to re-zone 104 acres of the farm from agricultural to light industrial for potential development at the Council meeting in December. UNR officials asked the Council to delay the vote as a result of public outcry over the re-zoning request.

Flooding, public education, further erosion of open-space, and the future of Wolf Pack Meats located near the property are among public concerns. More than 200 citizens attended the December meeting to voice opposition, and an online petition received more than 10,000 signatures.

The future of agricultural education at the University is one of Brant's main concerns. The 104 acres proposed for re-zoning are among the most fertile on the farm. Additionally, Wolf Pack Meats, a facility for research and teaching, is located directly across from the acreage, and the slaughterhouse would likely be labeled undesirable, rather than a community asset, as development encroaches.

"Colleges across the country are expanding ag education because of the growth of the local food industry. UNR is perfectly situated to offer a unique and highly valuable ag program, and I would like to see the administration rebuild the College of Agriculture to suit 21st century needs," Brant said. She added that Nevada students are leaving the state for education elsewhere and that Utah State University attributes increased enrollment to Nevada's lack of agricultural programs.

Free parking for attendees to the Forum will be available on the third and fourth floors of the Whalen Parking Garage, and directional signage will be posted on North Virginia Street. Additional parking is in proximity to the Student Union.

Brant encourages the public to attend. More information about local food can be found at her Local Food Northern Nevada blog, http://lfnn.blogspot.com/.

Just a reminder.... this event is tonight from 5-7pm at Lawlor.

From the RGJ:

Public input sought at UNR forum on pedestrian safety Posted by MarkRobison at 1/17/2012 1:17 PM PST on rgj.com

Condensed from a press release:

The University of Nevada, Reno will host a Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Forum for both the campus community and the community at-large 5-7 p.m., Feb. 6, in Lawlor Events Center’s Silver and Blue Room. The public forum will allow for discussion of laws, problem areas and what local agencies are doing to promote safety on the University campus and its surrounding community. Public concerns, suggestions and input will be encouraged.

In addition to University Police and a number of University departments, other agencies involved with the forum are the City of Reno Neighborhood Advisory Boards, Nevada Department of Transportation, Nevada Highway Patrol, Nevada Office of Traffic Safety, Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), Reno Police Department and others. Wendy Damonte, KTVN Channel 2 news anchor, will moderate the forum.

Agencies represented will briefly present information on their safety efforts during the past year, current projects and future plans. The RTC will present plans for area streets and additional crosswalks. Troopers from the Nevada Highway Patrol will discuss their concentrated enforcement efforts on pedestrian and crosswalk violations over the next several weeks. The University Police Department will share its partnership with the 11- to 17-year-old gifted students at the Davidson Academy, located on campus, to improve pedestrian safety around campus. The motto of this program, created by the Davidson students is, “Look Up, Unplug, Stay Safe.”

There will be informational displays and handouts, and agency representatives will be on hand to answer questions. Public parking will be available on the top two floors of the Brian J. Whalen Parking Complex on North Virginia Street.

Reno Bike Project offers free valet bike parking at UNR homecoming!

The Reno Bike Project will offer free bicycle valet service for Saturday's University of Nevada, Reno homecoming came.  Bikes can be checked in front of the Joe Crowley Student Union beginning at noon.  

For more information: www.renobikeproject.com.