2/24/08 trail work day

Where: Laurel Mountain

Why:  Numerous (20-plus) tree blow-downs.

When: Meet at Yellow Gap at 10am.   Leaving cars by 10:15.

Why:  It has to be done.  Every mountain biker should contribue one day a year to trail work- why not this one? 

How:  We need three crews, two with chainsaws and one advance crew with loppers.  I plan on leading the advance crew, moving fast, Laurel as an out and back.  So, should be a fun ride too.

What to bring: Good attitude. Bike and usual gear.  Loppers if you have them.

thanks!-Mike

Help Shape the Future of Bicycle Access in Asheville

If you care about bicycle transportation in Asheville, this is the time to make your voice heard. And if you read on, I’m going to tell you how. The Bicycle Master Plan for Asheville has been drafted and is ready to go to the Asheville City Council for adoption. Here is the link to it.

Eric K. of BioWheels along with several other people working in the transportation & cycling industries were on the Steering Committee that helped to shape the Plan. About 175 Asheville area residents came to the public input sessions about the Plan. And about 830 people took the online survey about the Plan.

This Comprehensive Bicycle Plan contains bicycle network maps and recommendations for implementation. You can view the document and supporting maps here. We at BioWheels believe the Plan is solid and will eventually provide residents the infrastructure needed to safely use bicycles as transportation in Asheville. Continue reading Help Shape the Future of Bicycle Access in Asheville…

WNC Trail Happenings

Advocacy Updates and Changes:

First, I would like to thank Ben Blitch for the recent increase in his involvement with PAS.  Ben will be serving as the coordinator of trail work at Bent Creek.  Ben brings years of experience as both a volunteer and professional trail worker; most recently, he was working on a traveling trail crew for IMBA.  We are truly lucky that he’s here.  Watch our website and forums for news regarding Thursday evening Bent Creek work days and a HUGE National Trails Day project.

Mark Allmond will be continuing his involvement with coordinating Pisgah District trail work.  PAS currently has responsibility for the following trail corridors:  Laurel Mountain from 1206 to Pilot Mountain Connector.  Squirrel Gap from Laurel Creek to Horse Cove.  Vineyard Gap.  These trails represent some of the finest mountain biking in the district and we are proud of the work we’ve done on them.  Hopefully, will be expanding our responsibitlies to include some of the more heavily used trails around the Fish Hatchery. 

Richmond Hill continues to plod along.  The city has completed a Habitat and Species Assessment for the first phase of trail building and PAS is currently soliciting support for this document and our proposed trail work from local environmentalists.  We are also still finalizing our Memorandum of Understanding with the city.  This process has been extremely difficult as the city and PAS learns the complexities of land managers and trail volunteers working together.  Hopefully, we will have reached a point that we will be having a trail building day at Richmond Hill in March or  April.  To remind everyone, Richmond Hill represents 80-plus acres of undeveloped city land that we are trying to build a premiere urban trail system on.  Located less than 10 minutes from downtown Asheville, it would provide another after work riding locale that could be ridden to.  Personally, this last point is especially important to me; I would love to not be contributing to air pollution as I drive my car in order to ride my bike.  Everyone’s involvedment in this process will be needed. 

Thanks, and, as always, COME OUT AND WORK.  If you want to know when work days are, sign up for our forum through the link at www.pisgahareasorba.org.  All trail work days will be posted there. 

Mike Brown

City Council: Looking for citizens to make a difference

City Council can’t do everything alone.  They need your help to influence the recommendation that they hear.  Please consider serving one of the City Boards and Commission.
Below are some of the boards that currently have vacancies. February 14, 2008 is the application deadline. Please call 232-4579 to request an application.*

For a full list of opening and details on each, go to : http://www.ashevillenc.gov/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=10344

Specifically bike related:

GREENWAY COMMISSION - The Commission’s responsibilities include: recommend steps for implementation and periodically updates of the Greenway Master Plan; foster the communication and coordination among the citizens of the City that would provide the needed support for acquisition and development of greenways within the City; identify potential sites or land parcels which should be acquired or reserved for open space or greenway purposes and recommend methods of acquisition for such parcels; and conduct continuing research, planning and feasibility assessments required to support the Commission.

Specifically transportation related:

TRANSIT COMMISSION
SUSTAINABLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Other openings:

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
CITIZENS-POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
CIVIC CENTER COMMISSION
COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL
FAIR HOUSING COMMISSION
FILM COMMISSION
FIREMEN’S RELIEF FUND
METROPOLITAN SEWERAGE DISTRICT BOARD
PUBLIC ART BOARD
TREE COMMISSION

Please do apply, if you don’t someone else will and we know you have better ideas!