I haven't abandoned this blog.

I haven't abandoned this blog. It's just that I've been preoccupied with so many different things lately and posting here just got pushed down on the totem poll. It also hasn't helped my posting since I don't have a computer desk at the moment. I'm literally sitting on the floor with my computer propped up on a box and end table. The keyboard tray on my old desk broke off during the move to the new house and it is now serving as a work table for the garage.

Hopefully I'll be able to catch up on my posting soon. I also plan to expand posts to subjects beyond cycling. This blog is about the "evolution of a mountain biker" and that implies change.

Supervisors Vote to help Walkers & Cyclists

12/8/09 - County supervisors vote to help walkers, cyclists
Alyssa Schnugg
Staff Writer

Enjoying a walk or bike ride through the county is about to get safer.

On Monday, the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a new law that requires drivers to create a three-foot buffer zone from pedestrians on one-lane roads or to switch to the passing lane on two-lane roads.

As more people walk and bike around Lafayette County, the need for laws granting them protection has also increased.

“It’s a common sense thing I’d like to see the county move forward with,” Lloyd Oliphant, a supervisor and board president, said at the meeting.

The ordinance is being considered by the Oxford Board of Aldermen and will see its second reading on Dec. 15. The county is not required to have public first and second readings of new laws before the supervisors can vote to approve them.

The new law requires all drivers to use care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian, anyone on horseback, any person who is working in or near the road or right-of-way, any person driving a motorcycle or similar vehicle and any person on a bicycle, scooter or farm equipment by moving to another lane when possible or to make sure they move over three feet if traveling on a narrower one-lane street.

Drivers of commercial vehicles will be required to move over six feet. Drivers are allowed to drive to the left side of the center of the roadway to pass the cyclist or pedestrian if passing would normally be permitted on that road.

Motorists caught violating the ordinance could face a fine up to $500 or be sentenced to up to six months in jail.

Tom Lombardo, president of the Oxford Cycling Club, said he appreciates the county passing the new law.

“This ordinance will increase motorist awareness of cyclists and will hopefully encourage others in the community to consider cycling for health and recreation,” Lombardo said. “Along with Mayor (Pat) Patterson’s endorsement of the city ordinance last week, this shows Oxford and Lafayette County leaders share the vision for boosting the sense of community as well as the economic development potential that goes along with cycling-friendly roads.”

Karen Mogridge, executive director of Bike Walk Mississippi and former president of the Oxford Cycling Club, said there’s no room on Mississippi’s roads for the “Mississippi squeeze.”

“It’s better used with the ketchup bottle than on the road,” she said.

Mogridge believes the three-feet ordinance boils down to educating the public on how far is a safe distance to pass bicyclists and pedestrians using a common measure.

“Think — arms-length,” she said. “Currently, the language uses ‘safe distance,’ so moving to three-feet will help define and give common measures that can be used for education and awareness by officials, officers and civic groups like Oxford Cycling. It’s simply alerting drivers that bicyclists and pedestrians need more room and giving them a frame of reference which everyone can understand.”

Other actions

In other business Monday, the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors:

— Approved an interlocal agreement with the city of Oxford and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program to offer transportation on an “as needed” basis to county residents who are 65 years and older and disabled persons.

RSVP already provides the service to the elderly and disabled within the city limits and will handle the management of the program within the county. RSVP will be applying for a grant from the Mississippi Department of Transportation that would cover all but $7,000 toward the purchase of two mini-vans. The county would also pay to hire two to three part-time drivers. Details for the program are still being worked out, according to supervisor Mike Pickens.

— Approved spending $2,000 to purchase Alert FM receivers and administrative access that will allow emergency officials to broadcast emergency messages digitally to all county residents and officials. Small receivers can be purchased for $35 by all individuals. Emergency officials can elect which channel to broadcast messages over — whether it’s something to be sent to the general public or law enforcement only. The city of Oxford paid the initial $25,000 to start up the program and is allowing the county to use 20 out of the 100 channels that are available with the system. The receivers are available at Sneed’s Hardware.

— Approved charging the Drug Court $2,000 a month for use of the Lafayette County Courthouse. The Drug Court is reimbursed by the state for any rent expenses, according to the supervisors.

http://oxfordeagle.com/news3.html

Back in the Saddle

I'm back in the saddle to a point. I've unpacked most all of my belongings and am reestablishing a daily routine. Right now, I'm in the process of changing my phone and internet service to my cable company to see how that goes. I hope the package deal will save me a few dollars each month, but that remains to be seen. My big issue is changing my email over and it is more cumbersome then I imagined. I will hopefully be back to "normal" in a few days. Wish me luck.