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

Thursday, Jun 1
- 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":1685689140,"formatted":"Thursday, Jun 1","midnightTimestamp":1685602800,"dayOfWeek":"Thursday"}}
Saturday, Jun 3
- Velo Melo Ride 6/3
 
 9:00am: Meet at Upper Table Rock Parking area in White City
 
 33 Miles, Moderate (11-14 mph), Some Hills
 
 Contact: Robin Dressler - robincdressler@gmail.com
 
 {"id":1582,"title":"Velo Melo Ride 6\/3","description":"Meet at the Upper Table Rock Trailhead on Modoc Road at 9 am for a 33 mile 1100 ft elevation tour around the Table Rocks. Open ride with GPS link below We are starting early to minimize traffic exposure. Much of the ride is on very low traffic rural roads with shoulders with occasional short stretches on busier roads. \r\nRestrooms at the start and around mile 15 where we will take our break. Bring all desired food and drinks. \r\nIt would be helpful for those joining to download this ride. Riders who choose to go in front of the leader will assume responsibility for finding their own way on this circuitous route. \r\nRespond to this email if you\u2019d l like to come. I will limit the ride size so I\u2019ll let you know if you\u2019re in. \r\n \r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/ridewithgps.com\/routes\/43119763\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/ridewithgps.com\/routes\/43119763<\/a> \r\n","start_location":"Meet at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/maps.google.com\/?q=Upper+Table+Rock+Parking+area+in+White+City+OR\">Upper Table Rock Parking area in White City<\/a>","unprefixed_start_location":"<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/maps.google.com\/?q=Upper+Table+Rock+Parking+area+in+White+City+OR\">Upper Table Rock Parking area in White City<\/a>","pace":"Moderate (11-14 mph)","terrain":"Some Hills","distance":"33","ride_leader":"Robin Dressler","phone_number":"robincdressler@gmail.com","email":"robincdressler@gmail.com","formatted_time":{"hour":"9","minutes":"00","meridiem":"am"},"time":"9:00am","date":{"timestamp":1685808000,"formatted":"Saturday, Jun 3","midnightTimestamp":1685775600,"dayOfWeek":"Saturday"},"encoded":"{\"id\":1582,\"title\":\"Velo Melo Ride 6\\\/3\",\"description\":\"Meet at the Upper Table Rock Trailhead on Modoc Road at 9 am for a 33 mile 1100 ft elevation tour around the Table Rocks. Open ride with GPS link below We are starting early to minimize traffic exposure. Much of the ride is on very low traffic rural roads with shoulders with occasional short stretches on busier roads. \\r\\nRestrooms at the start and around mile 15 where we will take our break. Bring all desired food and drinks. \\r\\nIt would be helpful for those joining to download this ride. Riders who choose to go in front of the leader will assume responsibility for finding their own way on this circuitous route. \\r\\nRespond to this email if you\\u2019d l like to come. I will limit the ride size so I\\u2019ll let you know if you\\u2019re in. \\r\\n \\r\\n<a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/ridewithgps.com\\\/routes\\\/43119763\\\" rel=\\\"nofollow\\\">https:\\\/\\\/ridewithgps.com\\\/routes\\\/43119763<\\\/a> \\r\\n\",\"start_location\":\"Meet at <a target=\\\"_blank\\\" href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/maps.google.com\\\/?q=Upper+Table+Rock+Parking+area+in+White+City+OR\\\">Upper Table Rock Parking area in White City<\\\/a>\",\"unprefixed_start_location\":\"<a target=\\\"_blank\\\" href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/maps.google.com\\\/?q=Upper+Table+Rock+Parking+area+in+White+City+OR\\\">Upper Table Rock Parking area in White City<\\\/a>\",\"pace\":\"Moderate (11-14 mph)\",\"terrain\":\"Some Hills\",\"distance\":\"33\",\"ride_leader\":\"Robin Dressler\",\"phone_number\":\"robincdressler@gmail.com\",\"email\":\"robincdressler@gmail.com\",\"formatted_time\":{\"hour\":\"9\",\"minutes\":\"00\",\"meridiem\":\"am\"},\"time\":\"9:00am\",\"date\":{\"timestamp\":1685808000,\"formatted\":\"Saturday, Jun 3\",\"midnightTimestamp\":1685775600,\"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":1685861940,"formatted":"Saturday, Jun 3","midnightTimestamp":1685775600,"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":1685861940,"formatted":"Saturday, Jun 3","midnightTimestamp":1685775600,"dayOfWeek":"Saturday"}}
Monday, Jun 5
- Monday Coffee Ride
 
 9:30am: 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":"9","minutes":"30","meridiem":"am"},"time":"9:30am","date":{"timestamp":1685982600,"formatted":"Monday, Jun 5","midnightTimestamp":1685948400,"dayOfWeek":"Monday"}}

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