Outcome of SV’s Petition Drive in Support of Bicycling and Walking

by Harlan Bittner on Dec, 1 2022

Earlier this year, the City of Medford approved funding to study improvements in bicycling, walking and other modes of active transportation in the downtown region bordered by Riverside, East Main, Central and Court Streets (see Multimodal Enhancements Study). The study resulted in six options that would vastly improve cycling and walking in this area while maintaining adequate traffic flow, and included a variety of separated bike lanes and increased pedestrian crossings.

As part of the Multimodal Enhancements study, the city conducted a survey to determine pubic response to the options developed. The city received a surprising 700 responses. While 200 responses were positive for the changes, we were disappointed to learn that 500 of the responses were against any changes.

So Siskiyou Velo created a petition to show support for the improvements under consideration. We gathered 337 signatures in a short period of time through canvassing at the Heart of the Rogue Festival and placing information in bike shops, coffee shops, libraries and RCC. We also wrote a guest opinion on this topic published October 23 in the Mail Tribune. Lisa Brill, president of Siskiyou Velo, spoke to the Medford City Council on November 3 and presented the petition to the Councilors.

We are told by city planners that the proposed improvements along East Main Street will likely be implemented in 2023 when regular maintenance of that section of road is planned. The proposed improvements along Court, Central and Riverside are being further studied by the city. We will keep you informed about the future plans for this area of Medford.

Thank you to all of you who took the time to read and sign the petition.

Scheduled Rides

View All Scheduled Rides

Saturday, Dec 9
- Velo Melo Ride 12/9
 
 12:00pm: Meet at Twin Creeks Park in Central Point
 
 30.3 Miles, Moderate (11-14 mph), Some Hills
 
 Contact: Julie MacDiarmid - juliemacdiarmid@gmail.com
 
 {"id":1582,"title":"Velo Melo Ride 12\/9","description":"Weather permitting, I will lead a Velo Melo ride on Saturday, December 9. There is a slight chance of snow in the early morning and then a chance of light rain during the day. I guess we\u2019ll see. Meet on the south side of Twin Creeks Park in Central Point, near the restrooms, ready to ride at 12:00 noon. I will cancel by 10:00am if the weather and road conditions look to be unacceptable. \r\nThis 30.3 mile ride with 1335 feet elevation gain, average speed of 11-14 mph, will take us to Fichtner-Mainwaring Park via Jacksonville, and then on city streets and Old Military Rd. back to Twin Creeks Park. We will take a break at Fichtner, which is about the halfway point. Please bring your own water and snacks. \r\nFaster riders are welcome to go ahead, but are responsible for knowing the route. Also, we ask that faster riders wait for the rest of the riders at re-group points. Please let me know either directly or through another rider if you are leaving the ride early. \r\nFirst-time guests are welcome. Guests must sign the club\u2019s Release of Liability at the start, acknowledging that each rider is responsible for their own safety, and must agree to follow our group riding procedures. \r\nThe link to the ride map and cue sheet is below. Please print or import route information to your smart phone or other device. \r\nLink to the ride: <a href=\"https:\/\/ridewithgps.com\/routes\/45032673\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/ridewithgps.com\/routes\/45032673<\/a> \r\nPlease RSVP to me by email if you plan to join the ride. \r\n","start_location":"Meet at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Twin+Creeks+Park\/@42.3774945,-122.92908,16z\/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xcb5ed57dde215fba\">Twin Creeks Park in Central Point<\/a>","unprefixed_start_location":"<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Twin+Creeks+Park\/@42.3774945,-122.92908,16z\/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xcb5ed57dde215fba\">Twin Creeks Park in Central Point<\/a>","pace":"Moderate (11-14 mph)","terrain":"Some Hills","distance":"30.3","ride_leader":"Julie MacDiarmid","phone_number":"juliemacdiarmid@gmail.com","email":"juliemacdiarmid@gmail.com","formatted_time":{"hour":"12","minutes":"00","meridiem":"pm"},"time":"12:00pm","date":{"timestamp":1702152000,"formatted":"Saturday, Dec 9","midnightTimestamp":1702108800,"dayOfWeek":"Saturday"},"encoded":"{\"id\":1582,\"title\":\"Velo Melo Ride 12\\\/9\",\"description\":\"Weather permitting, I will lead a Velo Melo ride on Saturday, December 9. There is a slight chance of snow in the early morning and then a chance of light rain during the day. I guess we\\u2019ll see. Meet on the south side of Twin Creeks Park in Central Point, near the restrooms, ready to ride at 12:00 noon. I will cancel by 10:00am if the weather and road conditions look to be unacceptable. \\r\\nThis 30.3 mile ride with 1335 feet elevation gain, average speed of 11-14 mph, will take us to Fichtner-Mainwaring Park via Jacksonville, and then on city streets and Old Military Rd. back to Twin Creeks Park. We will take a break at Fichtner, which is about the halfway point. Please bring your own water and snacks. \\r\\nFaster riders are welcome to go ahead, but are responsible for knowing the route. Also, we ask that faster riders wait for the rest of the riders at re-group points. Please let me know either directly or through another rider if you are leaving the ride early. \\r\\nFirst-time guests are welcome. Guests must sign the club\\u2019s Release of Liability at the start, acknowledging that each rider is responsible for their own safety, and must agree to follow our group riding procedures. \\r\\nThe link to the ride map and cue sheet is below. Please print or import route information to your smart phone or other device. \\r\\nLink to the ride: <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/ridewithgps.com\\\/routes\\\/45032673\\\" rel=\\\"nofollow\\\">https:\\\/\\\/ridewithgps.com\\\/routes\\\/45032673<\\\/a> \\r\\nPlease RSVP to me by email if you plan to join the ride. \\r\\n\",\"start_location\":\"Meet at <a target=\\\"_blank\\\" href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.google.com\\\/maps\\\/place\\\/Twin+Creeks+Park\\\/@42.3774945,-122.92908,16z\\\/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xcb5ed57dde215fba\\\">Twin Creeks Park in Central Point<\\\/a>\",\"unprefixed_start_location\":\"<a target=\\\"_blank\\\" href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.google.com\\\/maps\\\/place\\\/Twin+Creeks+Park\\\/@42.3774945,-122.92908,16z\\\/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xcb5ed57dde215fba\\\">Twin Creeks Park in Central Point<\\\/a>\",\"pace\":\"Moderate (11-14 mph)\",\"terrain\":\"Some Hills\",\"distance\":\"30.3\",\"ride_leader\":\"Julie MacDiarmid\",\"phone_number\":\"juliemacdiarmid@gmail.com\",\"email\":\"juliemacdiarmid@gmail.com\",\"formatted_time\":{\"hour\":\"12\",\"minutes\":\"00\",\"meridiem\":\"pm\"},\"time\":\"12:00pm\",\"date\":{\"timestamp\":1702152000,\"formatted\":\"Saturday, Dec 9\",\"midnightTimestamp\":1702108800,\"dayOfWeek\":\"Saturday\"}}"}
- Velo Melo
 
 Start time Varies: Start Location Varies
 
 25-30 Miles, Mellow (11-14 mph), Some Hills
 
 Contact: Lisa Brill -
 
 {"id":6284,"title":"Velo Melo","description":"Start time and location vary. 25-30 miles, Mellow pace (11-14 mph). Some hills.","start_location":"Start Location Varies","unprefixed_start_location":"Start Location Varies","pace":"Mellow (11-14 mph)","terrain":"Some Hills","distance":"25-30","ride_leader":"Lisa Brill","phone_number":" ","email":"lisa4bikes@gmail.com","time":"Start time Varies","date":{"timestamp":1702195140,"formatted":"Saturday, Dec 9","midnightTimestamp":1702108800,"dayOfWeek":"Saturday"}}
- Brisk Ride
 
 Start time Varies: Start Location Varies
 
 50+ Miles, Brisk (>18 mph), Hilly
 
 Contact: Dennis Cramer - 541-773-5804
 
 {"id":674,"title":"Brisk Ride","description":"Brisk rides are for strong riders who want to ride at a brisk *average pace, with occasional sprints, and brisk climbs. The route and starting point will vary - expect some climbing and, in fact, on most days, a lot. Riders should know how to make repairs. Riders are expected to review online and understand the planned route. The Brisk group is NOT a no-drop group, slower riders are discouraged. \r\n*Average Speeds \u2013 The speeds listed are average speeds maintained for the entire ride, not the minimum or maximum speeds. To maintain the average ride speed, riders will ride far faster and far slower at times. While not required, a cycle-computer is helpful to judge average speed. In some situations, leaders may feel the conditions justify a slower average minimum speed.","start_location":"Start Location Varies","unprefixed_start_location":"Start Location Varies","pace":"Brisk (>18 mph)","terrain":"Hilly","distance":"50+","ride_leader":"Dennis Cramer","phone_number":"541-773-5804 ","email":"scramer5804@charter.net","time":"Start time Varies","date":{"timestamp":1702195140,"formatted":"Saturday, Dec 9","midnightTimestamp":1702108800,"dayOfWeek":"Saturday"}}
Monday, Dec 11
- Monday Coffee Ride
 
 10:30am: Meet at Colver Park in Phoenix
 
 25-30 Miles, Moderate / Brisk (14 - 18+ mph), Some Hills
 
 Contact: Dennis Cramer - 541-773-5804
 
 {"id":676,"title":"Monday Coffee Ride","description":"The ride includes moderate to brisk riders who travel along a fairly flat route from Phoenix to Jacksonville. The route includes mostly lower volume roads without shoulders or those with moderate traffic with moderately wide shoulders. The exception is on ODOT's OR238 (i.e. Hanley Road) where there are no shoulders and the volumes are moderate. \r\n \r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/ridewithgps.com\/routes\/19152561\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/ridewithgps.com\/routes\/19152561<\/a> \r\n \r\n","start_location":"Meet at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/oNb33UeC755DmBmd8\">Colver Park in Phoenix<\/a>","unprefixed_start_location":"<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/oNb33UeC755DmBmd8\">Colver Park in Phoenix<\/a>","pace":"Moderate \/ Brisk (14 - 18+ mph)","terrain":"Some Hills","distance":"25-30","ride_leader":"Dennis Cramer","phone_number":" 541-773-5804","email":"scramer5804@charter.net","formatted_time":{"hour":"10","minutes":"30","meridiem":"am"},"time":"10:30am","date":{"timestamp":1702319400,"formatted":"Monday, Dec 11","midnightTimestamp":1702281600,"dayOfWeek":"Monday"}}
Thursday, Dec 14
- Thursday morning Ride
 
 Start time Varies: Meet at Jacksonville Library
 
 20-40 Miles, Moderate / Brisk (14 - 18+ mph), Hilly
 
 Contact: John Fries - 541-973-1586
 
 {"id":6916,"title":"Thursday morning Ride","description":"Tony Hayes and I are starting a regular Thursday ride for vaccinated members who like to climb hills. Routes will be 20 to 40 miles ridden at a brisk-light pace with 1500-3000 feet of elevation gain. \r\nUnless specified, rides will start from the Parking lot across the bridge from the Jacksonville Library. The planned starting time for September 1st is 8:00 AM, however, starting times may be delayed or canceled due to poor weather or air quality conditions. I will endeavor to send an email notice by 7:00 AM when these situations occur. Although this is a \u201cshow and go\u201d ride, initially I will appreciate notification by email if you plan to participate.","start_location":"Meet at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Jacksonville+Public+Library\/@42.3151272,-122.9694233,825m\/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x54cf78f236921923:0xc6d49959ea1e3a9e\">Jacksonville Library<\/a>","unprefixed_start_location":"<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Jacksonville+Public+Library\/@42.3151272,-122.9694233,825m\/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x54cf78f236921923:0xc6d49959ea1e3a9e\">Jacksonville Library<\/a>","pace":"Moderate \/ Brisk (14 - 18+ mph)","terrain":"Hilly","distance":"20-40","ride_leader":"John Fries","phone_number":"541-973-1586","email":"friesj@sbcglobal.net","time":"Start time Varies","date":{"timestamp":1702627140,"formatted":"Thursday, Dec 14","midnightTimestamp":1702540800,"dayOfWeek":"Thursday"}}

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