August 2006
HELP!!! We need your help NOW if the work of the Hendersonville Greenways Committee is going to continue. PLEASE read more . . .
Your Participation is Important
We need your involvement in expanding this grass roots movement throughout our city. Please email this newsletter to your friends and family and encourage them to participate. BikeNwalk is our communication to list of friends of the community who are interested in Greenways in Hendersonville. Also visit our Web Site
where we share activities of our Committee. For more information and to sign up to receive this newsletter, contact Doug Depew at BikeNwalk@comcast.net
David Hardin has put together a petition. Please visit it at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/375611123
BikeNwalk Newsletter is edited and distributed by Tom Evans.
LOCAL SPONSORED RIDES
Click on the title for links to Web Sites with more information:
8/19,Heavenly Hundred
9/02,Sunrise Century
9/09,Makin Macon Fit
9/16,BRAT 2006
LOCAL GROUP RIDES
Team Biker’s Choice
Stinkin’ Fish Thursday
Every Saturday morning a group of us leave Hendersonville between 6AM to 7AM and ride various routes in Sumner County. We try to match the ride to the skill of the participants. For more information, please contact us at
We would enjoy your company.
Have Bike; Will Travel
A Biker's Paradise is what I thought as I rode along the trails and bike lanes in Northwest Indiana and Chicago this weekend. How far off the mark Hendersonville is was my second thought. I rode as many as I had time during my short three day visit - about a hundred and fifty miles. I contacted and talked with the road engineer who build many of these trails and the community leader responsible for their implementation to get answers and suggestions for our projects.
Unfortunately I don't have time to share what I learned in this issue of Bike-n-Walk. I will include the details with picture in September's issue.
Tom Evans
HENDERSONVILLE TOMORROW
Missoula, Montana
Missoula, Montana is in the Golden Triangle for Fly-fishing. For that reason many of us make a trip from Tennessee. However, this year I noticed Missoula had an extensive bike and pedestrian trail infra-structure. The streets were properly marked for bike traffic and trails were every where. What really caught my attention was the 8-foot wide asphalt bikeway that ran 20 miles along US 93 between Lolo and Hamilton, Montana. Upon returning to Hender-sonville, I decided to do some research about Missoula, a city not much larger than Henderson-ville, and I was surprised at what I found. Read more . . .
On July 18'th, David Hardin and Frank Bowyer met with the Hendersonville Planning Commission to propose implementation of standards for shoulders/ shared space on new and improved Hendersonville roads.
While my (Frank) presentation was mainly born from the concern over safety, we did discuss pedestrians and sharing the road... The Commission was very receptive and participated with compliments, constructive criticism, suggestions and even an offer to help present our proposal to the Public Works Department. Overall, I came away with the impression that they understand and agree with our concerns and are willing to help us where they can. Our next step is to meet with the Hendersonville Public Works Commission to discuss our ideas. Jamie Clary has graciously volunteered to help set up and participate in the meeting.
One important message we need to start getting out to the general public is that motorists and pedestrians (which would include cyclists, walkers, joggers) have a place on our public roads. The most important area we as a committee can concentrate on is educating the general public on how motorists can share the road with pedestrians "and vice-versa." I highlight the "vice-versa" because it is truly a two-way process. Our goal with this whole process is to make Hendersonville a better place to live by helping make pedestrians feel comfortable on our road system.
This campaign would, of course, be in addition to our work for greenways and shared paths. Imagine a Hendersonville where there is less motorized traffic due to increased commuting by bike/foot to work, the store, a neighbor's house, a place of business, to school, to the park, etc. Less motorized traffic means better air quality, less congestion on the streets, more space for pedestrians. All of this contributes to a better economy overall by attracting or retaining tourism, attracting or retaining better quality employers and promoting stronger real estate values. While we work on getting the physical infrastructure in place, we should also work on getting the citizens of Hendersonville to understand what's hopefully coming and ask for their support. Perhaps at some point, we can discuss ways to implement an educational campaign.
The essay contest was a brilliant example of getting participation from the community while at the same time educating the general public. I think we can continue on the heels of the success of that idea to keep the momentum going for our cause.
. . .Frank Bowyer
Hendersonville Star News had a great interview of David Hardin and Frank Bowyer with a picture of David on the front page.
Jeremy Johnson, City Streets need to be pedestrian, bike friendly, Hendersonville Star News, July 26, 2006, Page 1.
Regarding the presentation of Hendersonville Tomorrow to BOMA, the plan is to conduct a series of work sessions on the 3rd Thursday of each month starting in August. We will start with Infrastructure and then probably Planning and Growth Management. Greenways is a part of the Character and Culture chapter. We hope to complete all 8 chapters in about 4 to 5 months.
. . . Fred Rogers, 7/17/06
On 7/13/06 a meeting was called by Jamie Clary with Fred Roger, Timothy Whitten, and Tom Evans to review the request of the Greenways Committee to provide a focal point for future Greenway Projects and assistance from State Resources to be facilitated through Joyce Hoyle. Read the minutes of the meeting
