New signs will highlight U.S. Bicycle Routes 76, 66 across Kansas

Officials unveil the new U.S. Bicycle Routes 76 and 66 at the event on Thursday. There will be more than 900 new signs installed along the route throughout the state.  

Highway signs that will help show the way for U.S. Bicycle Routes (USBR) 76 and 66
throughout Kansas were unveiled today at an event along Historic Route 66 in Riverton as part of the sign initiative currently underway.

“Signage is beneficial because it provides wayfinding for cyclists and it alerts motorists to
diligently be aware of and respectful to cyclists sharing the road,” said Kansas Department of Transportation Planning and Development Director Chris Herrick. Other speakers included Bourbon County Economic Development Director Jody Hoener, Cherokee County Sheriff Groves and Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Patrick Tuttle.

More than 900 new road/highway signs will be placed across Kansas marking the two bicycle routes. These routes in Kansas were approved by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), as a result of collaborative efforts between KDOT and the Adventure Cycling Association (ACA), beginning in 2015. The USBR system connects bicycle routes across the country for safer, long-distance cycling.

USBR 76 is also known as the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail. It extends more than 480 miles and runs from Greely County on the Colorado border to Crawford County on the Missouri border. The Kansas stretch of USBR 66 is 13 miles long and runs through the southeast corner of the state.

“Thousands of cyclists ride these routes through Kansas every year offering great tourist
opportunities for the over 30 communities they pass through, especially rural towns,” said

KDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Jenny Kramer. “Many towns take advantage of this opportunity for economic growth and development by making their towns more bicycle-friendly and creating attractive resting and overnight spots for travelers.”

Sign installation will begin in spring 2020 and should all be placed by June. KDOT has
developed signing plans to assist with installation along the state and local systems. In
addition, KDOT plans to release the 2020-21 Kansas Bicycle Map by next summer.

For more information on KDOT’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program and resources on cycling in Kansas, go to: https://www.ksdot.org/burRail/bike/default.asp.

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.

Class is in Session: Pedestrian and bicycle safety

Many students will be walking and biking to school as they head back to calls this fall.  Both are fun, healthy ways for children to get to school every day, especially when children understand their responsibilities as pedestrians and bicyclists.  Here are some simple tips to keep them safe as they head out:

•  Be aware of your surroundings.
• Always walk on the sidewalk if one is available; if a child must walk on the street, he or she should face oncoming traffic.  Bicyclist should use the sidewalk when appropriate and ride with traffic.
• Cross only at crosswalks and intersections.
• Look left, right, then left again before crossing the street.
• Always walk with a responsible adult or in a group.  If bicycling in a group, ride single file.
• Students should practice walking or bicycling the route to school with an adult until they are comfortable with the route.

While walking and bicycling are fun and healthy, pedestrian/bicycle crashes are on the rise.  This is due in part to distracted drivers, as well as distracted pedestrians and bicyclists.  When walking or bicycling it is important for pedestrians and bicyclists to take responsibility for their safety.  That begins with being aware of your surroundings and ditching the distractions:

• Never walk or ride your bike while texting or talking on the phone.
• If texting, move out of the way of others and stop on the sidewalk.
• Never cross the street while using an electronic device.
• Do not walk or ride your bike with headphones on.

Desert your cars and go on an adventure at the Sand Hills State Park

By Laurie Arellano,
Interim Communications Director and District 1 Public Affairs Manager

Just off the TransAmerica bike trail in Hutchinson, drivers on Old K-61 will see “Share the Road” signs as bikers head to Sand Hills State Park to experience over 14 miles of trails on the 1,123 acres of preserved sand dunes, grassland, wetland and woodlands

For those who love the look and feel of desert sand but want all the humidity that Kansas is famous for, Sand Hills State Park is where you want to hike or bike.

Sand Hills State Park proudly proclaims it has more sand than most deserts. Dunes between 10 and 40 feet high were formed by wind-deposited sands from the Arkansas River at the end of the Ice Age and are now covered with native grasses and plants.

A total of eight trails, one of which is an interpretive trail and a total of four of which are designated equestrian trails, weave across the prairie, along water features, and among native flora and fauna.  Biking and hiking are allowed on all trails, but the hiking trails are more suitable for biking unless riders have fatbikes to conquer the very soft, loose sand on the equestrian trails.

The 14 miles of trails run deep into the park. In the heat and humidity of central Kansas, carrying water is going to be a must, as the workout walking, riding or pushing a bike through the loose sand is harder than it looks.  But the view of the natural prairie from the top of the dunes is worth the trip in and up to the top.  Some trails offer a cooler trip through primarily woodland sections of the park.

Transport yourself back to untouched prairie sculpted by natural forces from long-ago and take a walk or a ride through Sand Hills State Park. 

KDOT calls for Transportation Alternative projects

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is pleased to announce the Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program Call for 2020 Projects.

KDOT's TA program helps fund public transportation for people who need a way to get around. 

KDOT’s TA Program provides funding for a variety of alternative transportation projects. These include the construction of pedestrian and bicycle facilities and infrastructure for non-driver access to public transportation, projects that enhance safety and mobility for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders, projects that improve scenic or environmental assets in our state, Safe Routes to School projects, and more. An estimated $7 million in federal funds are anticipated to be available to award for Federal Fiscal Year 2020. All selected projects will be required to meet a minimum 20% local cash match.

Safe routes to school is one of may programs that receives funding from KDOT's TA program.

All of KDOT’s TA Program materials, which includes the TA Program Guide, the project application form, frequently asked questions with answers, and more, are available for download at: http://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burtransplan/TransAlt.asp

KDOT crews improved sidewalks as part of the Safe Routes to School program in Erie last summer. 

Important Dates:

• Wednesday, June 13, 2018 – Call for 2020 Projects announced, and website will be live with program guidance materials and the project application form.
• TA Program Workshops – KDOT will host two workshops to inform applicants about program requirements and expectations. Attendees will also review a demo application packet, cover any changes from previous rounds of TA funding, and participate in open and one-on-one Q&A session. Space is limited so please RSVP by 4 pm on Friday, July 6, 2018 to Matthew.Messina@ks.gov or (785) 296-7448 and indicate which workshop you would like to attend.

Topeka: Tuesday, July 10, 2018 – 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm – TA Workshop at Eisenhower State Office Building’s 4^th Floor Auditorium, 700 SW Harrison, Topeka, KS 66603. 

Salina: Wednesday, July 11, 2018 – 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm – TA Workshop at KDOT’s District 2 Headquarters’ conference room, 1006 N. Third, Salina, KS 67401.  

• Monday, September 10, 2018 at 4:00pm local time – Applications are due. Please submit 1 paper copy and 1 digital copy in PDF format on a USB flash drive, mailed to KDOT headquarters:
• Attn: Matthew Messina, 700 SW Harrison St. 2^nd Floor, Topeka, KS 66603.
• October 2018 – November 2018 – KDOT staff will conduct Site Visits for all eligible projects.
• December 2018 – Project selections and public announcement of awards

For more information, please contact Matt Messina at Matthew.Messina@ks.gov or call (785) 296-7448.

New Kansas Bicycle Map available

The 2018-2019 edition of the Kansas Bicycle Map is now available. Whether you’re looking to ride a bicycle from one county to the next or across the entire state, this edition has a lot to offer for those planning a short trip or a long ride.

“This map is a great resource for those who are already familiar with cycling in Kansas and for those who are interested in trying it for the first time,” said KDOT’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, Matt Messina. “It’s full of resources and information that will help people plan ahead to find a route that suits their needs, make connections to our state byways system, and even discover bikeshare programs.”

Some of the newest features to this year’s map include existing Kansas bikeshare programs; the 2016 and 2018 routes for the annual Biking Across Kansas (BAK) events; the East-Central Kansas Gravel Routes inset, where riders can learn about and explore some of the state’s off-road cycling routes in the Flint Hills and Osage Cuestas regions; and information on navigating roundabouts appropriately.

All state and local roadways where bicycles are permitted are color-coded by traffic volume and indicate where paved shoulders exist. No traffic volumes are shown on the map on Interstate routes as cycling on Interstates in Kansas is against the law.

Maps are available free of charge and can be requested by emailing bikeped@ksdot.org or by calling (785) 296-7448. For more information on cycling in Kansas, please visit www.ksdot.org/bikeped.

Bicycle refresher 101

Photo courtesy of the Lawrence Unchained Bike Coop. 

Our friends at the Topeka Community Cycle Project have passed along some great tips for cyclists. It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or a long time cyclist there are good facts to know. 

A basic bike check when leaving every time:

ABC QUICK CHECK

A is for Air

B is for Brakes

C is for cranks and chain

Quick is for quick releases

Check is for check it over

 

Photo courtesy of Bike Walk Wichita

Helmet fitting:

To find the right size helmet, put one on your head without fastening the straps.
The front of the helmet should be level and two-fingers width above your eyebrows.
Shake your head from side to side: There should only be a little movement.

Share the road

Bikes are vehicles and should act and be treated as such

Laws that apply to motorists also apply to people on bikes

In choosing a route to ride an errand or go on a ride with the family, choose roads that parallel main streets, slower neighborhood roads that will be just as efficient, but without the amount of traffic main streets have. It may be a slightly farther distance, but it will be a higher quality, less stressful riding experience!

When first riding to work, or trying a route you plan to use frequently, give it a try on a weekend afternoon or a time of less traffic. This way you can get a feel for the distance and other factors. Plus you won't be feeling stressed in case something comes up and you can't make it to your destination by a certain time.

Bike to School 2016. Photo courtesy of Bike Walk Wichita. 

Don't forget to bring a lock if you intend to place your bike outside at your destination. Try and bring the bicycle inside if you plan to be there overnight.

If you are commuting by bike to work, try bringing an extra set of clothes the first couple times you try it. If you find you don't sweat to a point where you're uncomfortable wearing those clothes, just ride in your work clothes and take a more leisurely pace. 

A front or rear rack you can get at a local bike shop can make any short trip more enjoyable depending on your preference for riding with items or bags on your back.

A front and rear reflector are required in Kansas. A front headlight is required at dusk, but a taillight is great idea for your own visibility as well!

To try and avoid flats while out riding, check the appropriate air pressure on the side of your tires and refill every few weeks!

#TBT getting around with a bicycle

Topeka Daily Capital delivery boys in front of the office in 1900. 

This month is bicycle awareness month, and we found a few photos that show bicycles being used as transportation not just for recreation. The photos were found at the Kansas Memory section of the Kansas Historical Society.

A boy in Logan County taken between 1940 and 1949 with two dead skunks.  

Wichita Beacon newspaper carrier wearing a dust mask in Ness City in 1935.

A photograph of hunters and their ducks taken between 1910 and 1930.