Shore Drive Community Coalition

Bike safety video from VBF

From On Video: Same Roads, Same Rules, Same Rights at VBF:

Boater dies near Ches Bay Bridge

From Pilotonline.com article:

Both men were thrown into the water, he said. The survivor clung to the boat for several hours before grabbing a fishing line and being pulled to the shore of First Island by a fisherman, Bernstein said.

Same Roads, Same Rules, Same Justice

The following editorial appeared this week in the Virginian-Pilot.

By WES CHENEY

ON Sunday, April 19th, Daniel W. Hersh, 54, retired Navy SEAL and father of two, was on his usual morning bike ride. He rose before dawn and pedaled east on Shore Drive in Virginia Beach. A few minutes before 6 a.m., and less than four miles from home, Dan’s ride abruptly ended. He likely never knew what hit him.

A Ford Explorer, also headed east on Shore Drive in the morning twilight, struck Dan from behind at about 40 mph. Dan’s helmet was shattered, his skull crushed . Dan was declared dead three hours later. The SUV had some body damage .

The driver who killed Dan said she didn’t see him. The police took the driver at her word. They declared alcohol and speed were not factors, and they have thus far declined to press charges.  According to a police spokesman, “an investigation is still ongoing.”

We bicyclists ride the same roads as motorists, follow the same rules and have the same right to expect justice.

In Virginia, bicyclists have “all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle.” Yet in Virginia Beach and neighboring cities, bicyclists have come to expect that they are second-class citizens, at least in the eyes of those sworn to “protect and serve.” A bicyclist may be struck by a car and severely injured, but unless the driver was intoxicated or speeding, the Virginia Beach Police Department doesn’t usually press charges, even when witnesses say the driver was clearly at fault.

Just as there are law-abiding drivers, there are law-abiding bicyclists, who dutifully signal all turns and use headlights after dark. Just as there are drivers who run red lights and pass on the right, so are there cyclists who run red lights and ride against traffic. We do not, however, prejudge all based upon the misdeeds of a few.

With greater power comes greater responsibility: We hold commercial truck drivers to higher standards of qualification and safety than the common driver, mainly because they operate vehicles that are larger, more powerful and capable of inflicting more damage. If a dump truck on Shore Drive overtaking a sports car ran over it from behind, crushing the occupants, we would expect the truck driver to be charged and brought to trial — even if he wasn’t drunk or speeding.

According to the Tidewater Bicycle Association, the Virginia Beach Police Department responds to 130 bicycle-motor vehicle accidents per year, with fault equally split between drivers and bicyclists. Yet the perception of the bicycling community is that equal justice is the exception rather than the rule.

Rick Young, manager of the local BikeBeat, has the rare privilege of knowing that justice was served: In 2006, Rick suffered fractured vertebrae when hit by an intoxicated driver, who was subsequently charged and convicted.

Frank Stapanowich was not so privileged. Four years ago, Frank was riding home with his 14-year -old son, Rick. A Ford F-350 pickup truck turned left into the road, hitting Rick, breaking his leg in several places. The driver told the police that he couldn’t see Rick and Frank because he was blinded by the sun. No charges were filed.

It will take a cultural shift for Virginia Beach and neighboring cities to see bicycling as transportation, and not just recreation; a cultural shift that gives both equal protection under the law and proportional infrastructure funding to bikes and cars.

The geography and climate of Hampton Roads offer the potential for our area to equal or surpass traditional cycling metropolises such as Amsterdam or San Francisco. With just two wheels we can address our national obesity epidemic, global warming and the energy crisis — as long as cyclists are respected on the road.

Wes Cheney, of Norfolk, is a member of the Tidewater Bicycle Association and rides his bicycle daily to and from work in Norfolk.

Visit him on the web at Fotobywes.blogspot.com.
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Bikeways & Trails Plan from 2004 revisited

To establish connectivity throughout the City with the designation and implementation of a safe, continuous, and coordinated system of bikeways and shared use facilities that provide access to recreational, employment, educational, and commercial activity centers.

  To provide a variety of facilities to satisfy the transportation and recreational needs of different user types and abilities.

Link at VBGov.com.

Be sure to check out Related Documents list in right column, one in particular, Citizen & Stakeholder Input states, in part:

Bicycle Commuting

The most important considerations to commute by bike were ranked as (1) convenient on-road facilities, (2) convenient off-road facilities, and (3) travel distance.
Desired Bicycle Routes
Approximately 90% of all rider types desire a bicycle route in their neighborhood.
The Northampton Boulevard/Shore Drive corridor was ranked #1 more than 2 to 1 over other routes listed.

Swine flu update from CDC & others

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however, human infections with swine flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses has been documented.

Direct link at Center for Disease Control.
Direct link at Virginia Department of Health.
Direct link at World Health Organization.

Google News. Yahoo News.

Donations in Mr. Daniel Wayne Hersh’s name can be made to the VBF

From the Virginia Bicycling Federation:

The Virginia Bicycling Federation (VBF) announces the creation of a bicycling education fund in remembrance of Daniel Wayne Hersh, an avid Virginia Beach cyclist who was killed by an overtaking motorist while bicycling locally on April 19.

Donations can be made in Hersh’s name to:

Virginia Bicycle Federation
P.O. Box 5621
Arlington, VA 22205

To properly direct their contribution, donors need only include a simple note on their check stating “Hersh Memorial”. The Virginia Bicycling Federation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and all contributions to the Hersh Memorial Fund are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Memorial Ride scheduled for Sunday.
An update including placement of a ghost bike.

Video Tribute to Mr. Hersh.

Further information on Donating/Joining the VBF.

Previously at SDCC.info:
Bicyclist killed on Shore Drive this morning
Cyclist killed was hit before
Over 50 comments at Pilot article about cyclist killed on Shore Drive

Over 50 comments at Pilot article about cyclist killed on Shore Drive

The article as of the time of this post has ~50 comments.

According to Virginia’s Department of Motor Vehicles Manual, Section 2, page 23 it clearly states:

Bicyclists: Bicycles are considered vehicles
and have the same rights-of-way as motor
vehicles. Bicyclists are also expected to
obey the same traffic rules and regulations
as vehicle drivers; however, many are
children who may not know or obey the
rules. Slow down when you approach
bicyclists. Give them plenty of room when
passing and be prepared to stop suddenly.
Look for bicycles on all public roads except
where prohibited by a sign.

How to FOIA video from VCOG

From the Virginia Coalition for Open Government.

Cyclist killed was hit before

From Pilotonline.com:

Hersh rode 20 to 30 miles a day, including to and from his workplace on General Booth Boulevard, and was on a 30-to-40-mile ride when he was hit from behind in the Sunday morning twilight along Shore Drive, his son said.

And…

While pedaling along Pleasure House Road, a vehicle abruptly turned, and the cyclist slammed into the passenger side…

Previously at SDCC.info.

Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) General Meeting Agenda Monday April 27, 2009

SDCC General Meeting - Monday April 27th, 7:30pm to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall (parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Print this Agenda and bring it with you. [2pg pdf]

Program/Presentation – Lillie Gilbert, of Wild River Outfitters, will take us on a virtual tour of the Lynnhaven River. Discover some of its secret spots and the best places to put in a kayak or canoe.

The general agenda for the evening will be:
Officer’s Reports - Brief Reports
Secretary - Todd
Treasurer’s Report - Leslie
Vice President & President –Introductory Remarks

Old Business-

Indigo Dunes Project – Update to the status of the USACE review of the application for renewal of the existing, but soon to expire JPA. Also, there has been no date set for the State Water Control Board hearing or the circuit court appeal by the City of Virginia Beach.

Update on Lesner Bridge Replacement – The City has run into some unexpected snags with regard to a southern alignment of the replacement. Fully aware of the objections of residents who would be negatively impacted by a northern alignment, the City is revisiting all alternatives, including the possibility of a more centered alignment, even though it could mean nearly a year of two lane traffic across the span.

Pound Pole Fishing Nets – The Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) has approved the siting of three pound nets in the area between Ocean Park, Baylake Pines, Chesapeake Beach and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The Board of Ocean Park Civic League has elected to appeal this decision and is presenting a motion to that effect at the next general membership meeting on May 7, 2009. Chesapeake Beach Civic League and Baylake Pines Civic League are being asked to do the same.

Beach Replenishment – Status of city negotiation with property owners along the affected beaches, if available.

New Business –

Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC) Update – SDCC and the Bayfront Advisory Committee are jointly addressing two issues of interest to residents along the Shore Drive Corridor. Those issues are the complaints by neighbors adjacent to Chick’s Oyster Bar concerning disturbances to their peace and tranquility; also, the safety of the intersection of Shore Drive and Kendall, where speed and reduced visibility pose a hazard to pedestrians and to ingress and egress from Cape Henry Shores and, to a lesser extent, Cape Story by the Sea.

Review and comment of City’s website regarding Shore Drive issues – The BAC and City staff would like the resident of Shore Drive to review and provide feedback on the City’s website regarding Shore Drive related items. How easy are the sites to use, What is missing? What works and what doesn’t work? The SDCC will be sending an email out with more specifics asking for your input, so stay tuned.

Possible changes to the bike path intersections in Cape Story – City Councilman Wood and City Staff continue to work with Cape Story and Cape Henry Civic Groups to discuss safety improvements to the bike path intersections in their neighborhoods.

Adopt-a-Muster - SATURDAY NIGHTS AT 5:30 PM, 2ND POLICE PRECINCT, 820 VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD 385-2700. Citizens have an opportunity to show their appreciation for those who serve. Civic leagues can provide refreshments to officers. Muster begins at 5:30 P.M. Details available from Empsy Munden. Approximately 50-60 OFFICERS on a typical Saturday evening shift, 100 OFFICERS +/-on a holiday such as Memorial Day, July 4th or Labor Day.

Next Meeting: May 25, 2009: Program TBA. Please check http://www.sdcc.info for updates.

Poisoned Waters, PBS Documentary airing April 21

More than three decades after the Clean Water Act, two iconic waterways—the great coastal estuaries Puget Sound and the Chesapeake Bay—are in perilous condition. With polluted runoff still flowing in from industry, agriculture, and massive suburban development, scientists fear contamination to the food chain and drinking water for millions of people. A growing list of endangered species is also threatened in both estuaries.

More at PBS’s Frontline.

Found puppy in Cape Story

From Cape Story Neighborhood Watch:

A lost puppy has wandered into our yard (see attached photo).  There are no tags, so we do not know where his home is.  Please call at 373-2652.

...or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

eNewsletter sent April 19th

We sent it Sunday Apr 19th ‘09 3:29pm EST.

LBR&BF will not have dredge spoils transfer station

Official Page at VBGov.com:

...Based upon feedback received at the Public Meeting, alternate sites for a dredged material transfer station were evaluated.  The proposed transfer facility has been moved from the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp Facility to a site located near the crossing of Thalia Creek and Virginia Beach Blvd.

Thank you.

Bicyclist killed on Shore Drive this morning

Update from Cape Story neighborhood watch [6:08pm 4.19.09]:

Police identify him as 54-year-old Daniel Wayne Hersh of the 2300 block of Windway Lane in Virginia Beach.
From WAVY.com.

Tragic.

From Pilotonline.com:

A bicyclist was killed this morning when he was hit by an S.U.V. while riding on Shore Drive.

From WAVY.com:

WAVY.com has learned that the Ford Explorer, driven by a female, was traveling eastbound on Shore Drive when the right side of her vehicle struck the bicyclist.

From WTKR.com:

At 5:45 am Sunday morning a Ford Explorer traveling east bound on Shore Dr. near the intersection of Starfish Lane struck a bicyclist traveling in the right side of the lane.

From WVEC.com:

The driver of the Ford truck veered to the right and struck the bicyclist. He was transferred to a local hospital where he later died.

At the time of this writing, Police at 385.5000 refused to release additional information on the phone.

Discover secret places to kayak or canoe in the Lynnhaven River

Mark your calendars now for the April 27, 2009 meeting, when Lillie Gilbert of Wild River Outfitters takes us on a virtual tour of the Lynnhaven River.

Discover its secret places and the best spots to put in your kayak or canoe.

Ocean Park Volunteer Fire & Rescue Station

(intersection of Shore Drive & East Stratford Rd.)

April 27, 2009

7:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the Shore Drive Community Coalition

Secrets of the Lynnhaven Printable Flier to post. [1pg pdf]

City Budget Hearings

Give a hoot about where your tax dollars are spent?

Virginia Beach City Council will hold two public hearings on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2009-10.

More at VBGov.com.

First Landing State Park gets marker recognizing Chesapeake Indians tribe

From Pilotonline.com article:

The highest natural ground in the city is a 30-foot bluff on the south shore of Broad Bay, across the water from First Landing State Park.

It was here, where the Pleistocene-era landform known as the Pungo Ridge crests in today’s Great Neck, that much of the region’s native population lived - and died - before the arrival of Europeans.

Black dog finds his owners, thanks to everyone who helped!

From Cape Henry Shores neighborhood watch:

The black dog has found his owner!  Thanks to everyone for passing the word!

Black dog found on East Admiral

From Cape Henry Shores:

A black dog with an orange bandana was found on East Admiral.  The dog has been recently groomed.  If anyone has any info, please call Chuck or Liz at 754-4245.