Tennessean Reports On MPO Bike/Ped Study

The Tennessean ran an article on Saturday, February 7, 2009 on the bicycle/pedestrian study being conducted by the Nashville Area MPO.

Click to read the article.

Daily Commuter Takes Train and Rides Bicycle

Rails & Trails: One Commuter Shares Her Multi-Modal Experience

Monday through Friday Sally Robertson rises at dawn to begin her daily commute into downtown Nashville. Sally’s commute is a multi-modal experience, a story set on rails and trails.

She rides her bike one and a half miles to the station in Mount Juliet where she boards the Music City Star. When the commuter train arrives at the Downtown Station, Sally straps her helmet back on, takes her bike off the train, rolls up her pant leg, and starts peddling down Demonbreun towards Music Row. From there, Sally bikes another seven miles to Nashville State Tech Community College where she is a librarian.

With gas prices at all time highs, Sally Robertson is one of many Nashville-area residents looking to alternative modes of transportation. In fact, the Music City Star has seen a 27 percent increase in ridership since May 2007; 700 to 800 passengers are now aboard each day. For Sally, the combination of commuter rail and bicycling makes the ride into work not only more affordable, but much more enjoyable.

“I do it for more than just the savings,” Robertson states. “I ride because it is fun, and is good for my health and the environment. The money I save is an added bonus. ”

Sally, age 52, has been getting to work through different means of public transportation since she moved here from Chicago. She and her bike have been riding the Music City Star since it first began service in 2006. Before using the train, she and her bike rode MTA buses. Her favorite mode of transportation, however, is her bicycle.

“Riding my bike to work gives me the opportunity to really experience Nashville,” Robertson claims. “Instead of staring at the car’s bumper in front of me, I’m seeing, smelling and breathing Nashville. I’m interacting with my city.”

“The last two miles of my ride are my favorite part,” Robertson explains. “Riding on the Richland Creek Greenway is very relaxing.”

Multi-modal commuting is working well for Sally and for many other people whose daily travel combines the Music City Star, bus, walking and bikes, of course. Sally is convinced that she will soon have more company on the rails and trails as more commuters recognize the convenience, savings and fun of traveling the multi-modal way.

From Star Tracks Newsletter, Courtesy of Varallo Public Relations

Bicycle Safety - 8 Minute Video

The full-length bicycle safety video is now available. Click below to view the video.

TN Health Dept Hosts Bicycle Safety Poster Contest

Tennessee Department of Health
Traumatic Brain Injury Program
Bicycle Safety Poster Contest for grades K-8

The purpose of this contest is to decrease the incidence of traumatic brain injuries by promoting the use of bicycle helmets.

Contest Rules and Entry Form

10 Tips for Cyclewise Kids

New Bicycle Safety Video for Nashville

Nashville has a new video on bicycle safety guidelines produced by the Renaissance Center in cooperation with Music City Moves and Active Living by Design. The video is being distributed on DVD to local bike clubs and schools. The eight-minute video covers bike maintenance, riding rules, and proper use of helmets and other safety equipment.

To request a copy of the video, email music.citymoves@nashville.gov.

Click here to view a shorter version of the video in a Public Service Message.

11-Year Old's Dream Comes True of Owning a Bicycle

(from News Channel 5)

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -

Like any father, Scott Monteiro simply wanted to make his son's dreams come true.
For years, money and a debilitating illness got in the way of 11-year-old Josh Monteiro's greatest wish. That is - until this week.

As NewsChannel 5 photojournalist Nathan Sharkey and reporter Jeff Tang show us, a few kind teachers and a group of bikers changed one boy's life forever. Scott Monteiro makes his living explaining things as a 7th grade social studies teacher at West Creek Middle School in Clarksville.

But Mr. Monteiro explains no map, no battle, no story of history better than he explains his son's love of bicycles. "It's a dream of his. It's something he's always wanted just like any kid since he was three, four years old.

A bike never quite fit into Josh Monteiro's life.

"He has an illness called Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2," Scott explains. "He has no use of his legs anymore from the waist down." His disease does not change the fact that he still wants the same things other boys his age want.

"You know, every time we go past the bikes he still looks at them. He doesn't' mention them but he still looks at them," Scott says.

Josh did not know, but a visit to his dad's school Wednesday had something to do with his dream. All he knew was that a surprised waited for him. While waiting, Josh didn't talk much - nor did he ask for much. Maybe it's because he already knows exactly what he wants.

"What would be the one thing that would be a wish come true?" he was asked.
"Having a bike," he replied. "I've been having that dream almost every night."

Josh had no idea it was coming, but at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, his one dream came true.
Everyone gathered around Josh as a surprise pulled into West Creek Middle School.
A large smile found its way onto his face when the bike was unveiled. Tears soaked his eyes as he gave his dad a big hug. His one wish came true.

Scott Monteiro makes his living explaining things, but there are some things that hardly need explaining at all. "That smile... I have never seen him smile as big as today. This is the happiest day of his life. Thank you... thank you... thank you," Scott told those who made his son's wish a reality.

There is no cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Many with Josh's condition do not live past the age of 20. His family says exercise can help improve his quality of life. They're hoping the new bike does just that.

Several of Scott's co-workers donated money to help purchase the specialized bike. The group "Bikers Who Care" covered the rest.

View the video.

Local Scout Troop Builds Greenway Connector in Mt. Juliet

Boy Scout Troop 150 in Mt. Juliet recently worked on earning merit badges for surveying as part of a greenway connector project. The troop is assisting Josh Tuttle in constructing a greenway connector for Tuttle's Eagle Scout project. The connector is between Old Mt. Juliet Road and New Mt. Juliet Road near the Mt. Juliet Church of Christ.

The greenway will cross Stoner Creek using an old bridge built in 1930.

Bicycle Track Riding Now at Nashville Motor Speedway

The Harpeth Bicycle Club has signed a one-year lease with the Tennessee State Fairgrounds to allow recreational bicycling on the Motorsports race track. Separate areas will provide opportunities for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders to ride on the track.

For more information, visit the Harpeth Bicycle Club website.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Survey

The Nashville Area MPO is conducting a survey to obtain a better understanding of the walking and bicycling needs in the greater Nashville Region. The survey asks questions about current walking and bicycling habits as well as improvements that could be made to make these modes more appealing, safe and enjoyable.

The MPO seeks to gather input not just from those who already walk and bicycle but also those who do not. These answers will help to assess what the region is already doing to address walking and bicycling needs and what improvements could be made to encourage more people to use these modes.

Click here to take the survey.

City Paper Reports On Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator

Toks stands in front of his new office talking to Glen Wanner of Walk/Bike Nashville during the 2008 Great Commuter Race.

The City Paper reports on the appointment of Toks Omishakin as the Nashville Mayor's Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator.

Read the article.