Cyclists to give back this weekend in Topeka

‘Tis the season of giving! This year marks the 7th annual Cranksgiving in Topeka. What is 

Cranksgiving? It’s the perfect combination of a fun bike ride and a charitable food drive, and it isn’t just a Topeka thing.

Every year cities across the U.S. host their own version of a Cranksgiving event, helping to stock pantries and provide other much needed supplies for their communities. In 2018, more than 150 cities participated in Cranksgiving to support local food banks, helping to feed thousands of families.

While the overall purpose of Cranksgiving is the same in each city, the individual events take on their own identities.

In Topeka, participants can compete in a race against the clock to pick up as many grocery items that will fit on their bike or they can take part in a non-competitive, family-friendly, slow-paced group ride called “The Haul” for a one-stop shop to purchase grocery items with donated funds. In the last three years, Topeka’s Cranksgiving participants have continued to increase the amount of food collected by bike:

2016 - 310 pounds

2017 - 540 pounds

2018 - 720 pounds

 

Come support Topeka and help reach a new record weight! This year’s Cranksgiving event is on Sunday, Nov. 17 at The Burger Stand at College Hill. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. and race will begin at 1pm. For more details, and ways you can get involved, visit: https://biketopeka.com/2019/10/31/cranksgiving-topeka-sunday-nov-17th/

Topeka’s Cranksgiving is brought to you by Topeka Community Cycle Project and The Burger Stand at College Hill. All donations will be used to support the Doorstep Topeka: Topeka’s Home for Hope.

Second week of KDOT Local Consult Meetings begins

KDOT officials traveled 491 miles and visited four different communities during the first week of the Local Consult Meetings. More than 500 Kansans and stakeholders attended the first round of meetings and provided input for how Kansas can move forward.

Together, attendees and KDOT staff were able to discuss what a modern transportation system requires and how to make sure jobs and opportunities will be available. Other topics, like safety, healthcare, technological needs and changes, investing in multi-modal transportation and the partnership required for both urban and rural communities.

As we turn our focus to the next half of the local consult meetings, there will be even more important conversations. As we look forward to the future of Kansas, we know that collaboration will continue to make our state strong.

Here is the schedule for this week’s Local Consult Meetings, we hope to see you there!

Northeast Region

Monday, Aug. 26, 2019
1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Capital Plaza Hotel
1717 SW Topeka Blvd.
Topeka, Kansas

Wichita Metro Region

Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019
9 a.m. - noon
Eugene Hughes Metroplex
5015 East 29th Street N
Wichita, Kansas

Southwest Region

Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019
9 a.m. - noon
Dodge House Convention Center
2409 West Wyatt Earp Blvd.
Dodge City, Kansas

Northwest Region

Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019
9 a.m. - noon
Fort Hays State University
Memorial Union
700 College Drive
Hays, Kansas

You can catch up on all of the blogs from last week at the following links.

North Central Region

South Central Region

Southeast Region

Kansas City Metro Region

Local Consult meetings begin

We need your voice! Plan to attend a series of Local Consult meetings hosted by the Kansas Department of Transportation. KDOT will provide Kansas an opportunity to help set the vision for transportation for the Sunflower State.  

The discussion begins this afternoon in Salina followed by meetings in Hutchinson, Independence, Overland Park, Topeka, Wichita, Dodge City and Hays.

“This is a transformational time in transportation,” said Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz. “We need your help to chart our success into the future.”

At each meeting attendees will review facts and trends and explore alternative future possibilities through scenario planning. There will also be time to present information about transportation projects that were not discussed during last fall’s Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force meetings.

Check back here each day for updates and summaries of the Local Consult meeting discussions in each region. Look for a recap on the northcentral Kansas Local Consult Meetings in Tuesday’s blog. 

For more information check out our webpage: http://www.ksdot.org/LocalConsult/LocalConsult.asp

Stakeholders can discuss future transportation priorities at Local Consult meetings

A series of Local Consult meetings hosted by the Kansas Department of Transportation will give citizens a chance to discuss regional transportation priorities and participate in scenario planning for the future.

“These meetings are an important opportunity for stakeholders to help set the vision for transportation in Kansas,” said Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz.  “This is a transformational time in transportation, and we need you to help chart our success into the future.”

At the meetings, stakeholders will review facts and trends and explore alternative future possibilities through scenario planning. Stakeholders will also have the opportunity to present information about transportation projects not discussed during last fall’s Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force meetings.

“I strongly encourage you to attend KDOT’s upcoming local consult meetings, so we hear your thoughts and create a transportation system that works for all Kansans, regardless of where they live,” said Gov. Laura Kelly.

The Local Consult meetings are scheduled to take place in August in Salina, Hutchinson, Independence, Overland Park, Topeka, Wichita, Dodge City and Hays. A list of the dates, times, locations and a map are below.

To view an invitation to the meetings from Gov. Kelly and Secretary Lorenz, click https://vimeo.com/351478294/033c1e70dc

If possible, please contact Mike Moriarty, KDOT Chief of Transportation Planning, at 785-296-8864 or Michael.Moriarty@ks.gov to let us know which meeting you plan to attend.

Meeting schedule -

uSalina - Monday, Aug. 19

1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Kansas Highway Patrol Academy, 2025 East Iron

 

uHutchinson - Tuesday, Aug. 20

9 a.m. – Noon, Atrium Hotel & Conference Center, 1400 North Lorraine St.

uIndependence - Wednesday, Aug. 21

9 a.m. – Noon, Independence Civic Center, 410 N. Penn Ave.

uOverland Park - Thursday, Aug. 22

9 a.m. – Noon, Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty Street

uTopeka - Monday, Aug. 26

1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Capital Plaza, 1717 SW Topeka Blvd

uWichita - Tuesday, Aug. 27

9 a.m. – Noon, Eugene Metroplex, 5015 East 29th Street N

uDodge City - Wednesday, Aug. 28

9 a.m. – Noon, Dodge House Convention Center, 2409 W. Wyatt Earp Blvd.

uHays - Thursday, Aug. 29

9 a.m. – Noon; Fort Hays State Union, 700 College Drive

STEM camp empowers students to build the future

Students will have an opportunity to build a solar powered car like this from last year's STEM camp. 

By Mallory Goeke
KDOT Communications Specialist

Building the future of our country may begin at a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) camp such as the one that the Kansas Department of Transportation and Washburn University are sponsoring during the next two weeks in Topeka.

Robyn Dudney, a program consultant for KDOT, said that each week, about 25 middle school students will learn about different STEM careers, including transportation industry opportunities.

“The campers will do various hands-on activities and tour local facilities,” Dudney said.  “Some of the activities include building and programming robotics, building solar cars, tinker computer aided devices, developing solid fuel rockets, design and build electric boats, which will be tested in the Washburn pool.”

Students will build robotic cars. 

At the end of the week, each camper will showcase their projects to family and friends. Secretary of Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson will speak to the students and their families at the end of the first week.

Students also will have opportunities to learn from experts when they tour the KDOT materials lab and Washburn Tech. Dudney said they will have the chance to explore how construction equipment is operated.

“This is the second year for the camp,” Dudney said. “Last year the camp lasted two weeks with the same students. This year we decided to hold two one-week camps, so we can reach out to more children.”

The program is funded by KDOT in conjunction with Washburn University. KDOT’s Office of Civil Rights Compliance plays an active role in the day-to-day activities of the camp.

Cranksgiving collects food for those in need

Earlier this month more than 20 bicyclists gathered to participate in Topeka's Cranksgiving event. 
Courtesy photo: Bike Topeka

The majority of holiday books, songs and movies have one message: It is better to give than to receive. Donating food to those in need is a great way to spread goodwill to others, especially during the holiday season.

That is just what happened recently in Kansas’ capital city. Last week in Topeka, more than 20 bicyclists of all ages took to the streets to spread holiday cheer. The cyclists collected more than 500 pounds of food during the city’s 5th Annual Cranksgiving.

More than 500 pounds of food was gathered during the
Cranksgiving event. Courtesy photo: Bike Topeka
 

Karl Fundenberger, an Cranksgiving event organizer for Topeka, said that the event is designed to be a Thanksgiving food drive powered by bicycles.

“It happens in communities all over the U.S.,” Fundenberger said. “All food was donated to the pantry at the Center for Safety and Empowerment at the YWCA of Northeast Kansas.”

Fundenberger said that the event is a perfect combination of recreation and transportation.

“It requires navigational skills, cargo-carrying skills, and quick thinking – and it shows riders how capable they are on just two wheels,”
Fundenberger said. “It also demonstrates to the community how effective bikes can be for transport of people and cargo and how important it is to provide bicycle facilities as a part of the transportation network.”

Andy Fry, another event organizer, said that Cranksgiving has another reason for existing.

“For participants, Cranksgiving also helps identify challenges in a population’s ability to find food in a human-powered perimeter and food desserts or a lack of food distribution points or resources in a community,” Fry said.

Fundenberger said that riders had 90 minutes to collect food items from eight different categories. To visit more stores, participants were only allowed to pick up two items per location. If they hoped to complete the list and win, they would need to visit four different stores.

A group ride and shopping trip, dubbed, “The Haul” took place simultaneously to the Cranksgiving event. The group rode together to local grocery stores and to some nearby donors’ homes to pick up more items.

“Some of the riders and teams in the competition were sponsored by friends and family, and The Haul ride was totally sponsored by donors,” Fundenberger said.  “Beyond cash sponsorship for groceries, prize sponsorships came from PT’s Coffee, Jerry’s Bike Shop, Capp’s Bike Shop, Kaw Valley Bicycle Club, Hazel Hill Chocolate, and others.”

Want to get involved next year? Contact any of the host organizations or send an inquiry to info@biketopeka.com or like the Bike Topeka page on Facebook.

For more information on how you can participate in Cranksgiving in your community, check out www.cranksgiving.com  

Walk this way: Shunga Trail addition celebrated

KDOT's Division of Planning and Development Director, Chris Herrick (Center) and other Topeka and Shawnee County officials celebrate the completion of a one-half mile extension of the Shunga Trail. Photo courtesy of WIBW-TV.

Outdoor recreation fans in Topeka have a huge reason to celebrate. A ribbon cutting marking the completion of the newest extension of Shunga Trail took place on Thursday. The new, one-half mile addition to the trail will provide patrons with direct access to a portion of the city that was previously difficult to reach on foot. It runs west of Fairlawn Road underneath I-470 and S.W. 29^th Street to a sidewalk along S.W. McClure Road.

Chris Herrick, KDOT’s Division of Planning and Development Director, said the City of Topeka completed this project with a Transportation Enhancement grant from KDOT.

“We are pleased to have been able to assist with this project, which is important to the public,” Herrick said. “This project is a great example of the different levels of government working together for the common good. The whole community can enjoy and benefit from this trail addition.”

Matthew Messina, KDOT’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, said that this project made a safe connection to the city’s trail network by bypassing barriers that aren’t safe or legal for pedestrians and bicyclists to use.

“The main benefit is creating the connection with the southwest Topeka community and continuing the development of a safe trail network that people can use to recreate or access daily essentials like school, work, church, grocery stores, restaurants, shops, healthcare centers and more,” Messina said.

Topeka Mayor Larry Wolgast said that although the extension only creates an additional one-half mile to Shunga Trail, it provides a safe route for school students attending French Middle School and McEachron Elementary.

“Students walking to school will no longer have to cross a busy intersection at S.W. 29^th Street,” Wolgast said.

Shawnee County Commissioner Bob Archer said that the extension of the Shunga Trail was significant.

A shot of the Shunga Trail's new addition. Photo courtesy of WIBW-TV

“It opens direct access to the trail to an entire new area of our community south of S.W. 29^th Street,” Archer said. “The Shunga Trail is the largest trail within Shawnee County Parks and Recreation, now totaling 8 1/2 miles, with park patrons using it to walk, jog, bicycle and even commute to and from work.”

There are multiple benefits for this new addition, one of them being an economic development angle.

“Our parks and recreation department asked that the trail be located along the south side of Shunganunga Creek where it will enhance the planned Wheatfield Village retail and residential development at 29^th Street and Fairlawn Road,” Archer said.

John Knight, Director of Shawnee Parks and Recreation, said connectivity of the trails is important.

“In our research for our Master Plan, the public told us that the number one amenity they desire in our parks and recreation system is trails and nature areas,” Knight said. “People can now ride a bike from south of S.W. 29^th Street all the way to N.E. 2^nd Street where the Shunga Trail connects with the Deer Creek Trail.”

“KDOT looks forward to developing more trails like this in the future, in Topeka and other Kansas communities as well,” Messina said.

Riding for those who can't: Run for the Wall stops in Kansas

More than 300 Run for the Wall participants enter the service area under the American and Kansas flags. 

They ride for those who can’t. The 29^th annual Run for the Wall began last week in Ontario, Calif., and more than 300 motorcyclists rolled through Kansas, making several stops along I-70. The Kansas Turnpike Authority’s Topeka  EZ-Go service area hosted riders yesterday where they were welcomed by the  KTA, Kansas ABATE chapter and KDOT and the riders were able to refuel and were given water with the  KTA donating $500 of gasoline to the riders. Check out a video of Monday's stop that also features some of the participants -

https://youtu.be/UG9zV1haKb8

The KTA donated $500 of gasoline to the riders. 

Run for the Wall recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of veterans who served our nation. According to the Run for the Wall website, www.rftw.us,  the ride promotes healing among all veterans and their loved ones.

Vietnam War Veteran Billl Zimmerman said that part of the reason for the ride is to pay respects to the Vietnam Wall and what it represents.

“It means personal feeling toward the veterans that give up their lives for the country,” Zimmerman said. 

More than 300 Run for the Wall participants stopped at the KTA service area to refuel on their journey across country. 

Dallas Hageman has participated in the Run for the Wall for 10 years and said that the ride exists to honor and recognize those who were Killed in Action, Prisoners of War, or who are Missing in Action.

“We ride for those who can’t,” Hageman said. “So up at the front of the pack we have an open spot we call, ‘The Missing Man Spot,’ and we are all there for that one guy or gal that can’t be there.”

Hageman said that while some riders are not veterans, they ride as a way to say, “thank you,” to those who have served.

 “This is the best way I have found, as a civilian, to give back a very, very small  portion of what they have given to me and that’s my freedom,” Hageman said.

A Run for the Wall participant stops at KTA's Topeka service area.

Ron Maston said that this ride also exists to provide all veterans the opportunity to get their own “welcome home.”

“We are making sure they realize that we appreciate them, that their service meant something and that we are standing behind them all the way,” Maston said.  “It’s an amazing experience for those that participate. To see the healing and the impact on our veterans as we go across the country and to see the outpouring of patriotism, which is still a very strong item in this country.” 

Ride for the Wall began in 1989 and was started by two Vietnam Veterans, James Gregory and Bill Evans, who raised awareness about the thousands of men and women who are still unaccounted for from all wars.

“We don’t give political speeches or stage demonstrations,” the website said. “RFTW gets its message to the public by riding across the United States: coast to coast. “

Bikes line up after receiving fuel before returning to the road. 

The trip is a 10-day journey consisting of three different routes. Each route will come together at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., where the Run for the Wall officially ends.  Along the way, riders are able to stop at various memorials, veteran’s hospitals, schools and parades. 

Run for the Wall riders leave KTA's Topeka service area and return to the road. 

SAFE students visit Capitol

Over 100 high school students visit with the legislators at the Capitol during the SAFE Day at the Capitol.

Around 100 Kansas students visited with legislators in Topeka yesterday for the SAFE (Seatbelts Are For Everyone) Day at the Capitol event.

Students met with state representatives and shared how their local SAFE program has benefited their communities.

According to the organization's website, SAFE is peer-to-peer program located in 142 schools across 62 counties in Kansas. Students educate their peers and classmates on traffic safety issues like distracted driving and impaired driving. They also encourage each other to buckle up every trip, every time. 

In the nine years since the program was implemented, the seatbelt rate for teens 15-17 has increased 25 percent. Today, 86 percent of teens are using their seatbelts. 

For more information on the SAFE program check out their website:
www.ktsro.org/safe