BikeWalk Virginia has updated its website. Designed to improve the ease and utility of finding biking, pedestrian and trail-related information for Virginia, the new website has the following features:

• Pull-down navigation menus
• Resource pages dedicated to specific user groups
• Pages for our existing chapters
• Online membership form

Alexandria has launched a new campaign, "Spin City 2009" with the goal of encouraging more bicycle use for transportation and recreation.

The city is looking for input on a new logo to reflect their new mission.The logo is an important component of the Spin City 2009 campaign, because it will be used on the program web site, t-shirts, event promotional items, and other materials related to the bicycle-friendly community effort.

Even if you don't live in Alexandria, you can submit your vote for the "Spin City 2009" official logo.
Vote by September 8 - One vote per person, please.

With the reconstruction of the Keysville Depot well underway, the next stage of "community building" in Southside is in the works. The Rails to Trails program has been widely successful throughout the country, turning unused railroad tracks into trails that bikers, runners and sightseers alike can enjoy.

Spearheading the efforts to turn a two and a half mile stretch of abandoned rail line just south of the Depot into a community asset is The Friends of the Fort Mitchell and Keysville Depots (FFMKD).

Photo courtesy of the Friends of the Fort Mitchell and Keysville Depots.

The Virginia Department of Conservation (DCR) and Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) have announced the availability of travel maps for Capt. John Smith's Trail, a boat and auto tour along the James River.

"Capt. John Smith's Trail is a great way for boaters and motorists to discover the beauty of Virginia that inspired John Smith," said DCR Director Joseph Maroon. "Along the way they will see verdant marshes and towering forests, and they will learn about the native Algonquians who first canoed the James River. This is also the first segment of what we hope will become a national water trail."

Maps of the trail are available at sites along the route and from Virginia Welcome Centers and regional visitor centers.

"Whether you explore the trail from a car or a kayak, you'll discover unspoiled river views, eagles, heron, osprey and a variety of other wildlife," said VTC President Alisa Bailey. "You can also experience a diversity of interpretive experiences from the archaeology at Historic Jamestown and the recreated ships at Jamestown Settlement, to 17th Century plantations and a variety of museums."

For FY2006, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) allocated a portion of its 402 funds for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) projects. BikeWalk Virginia has learned that many of the districts still have funds available for FY2006 which runs through September.

If you are planning on conducting an event for Safe Routes to School, contact the Community Transportation Program Manager in your district!

For more information on the SRTS mini-grants, visit our website.

Virginia has the dubious distinction of having the fastest growing percentage of residents classified as obese. The CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) found that 23.7 percent of 1,027 Virginians surveyed by telephone qualified as obese. That's up from 9.9 percent of 170 respondents in 1990, classifying the Commonwealth as the "nation's fastest growing waistline."

A 2005 federal survey of health-risk behaviors noted that 70 percent of Virginians surveyed reported that they do not get the recommended 20 or more minutes of vigorous physical activity three or more days per week.

Last year, officials at the Virginia Department of Health held a series of public meetings to gather input on how to control and prevent obesity. Comments and strategies from those discussions will be issued in a report undergoing final review.

On October 17-19, the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) will host the inaugural Energy Virginia Conference.

The goal is to bring together a broad spectrum of stakeholders from the public and private sector to exchange ideas and technology to help remove roadblocks to collaborative solutions and opportunities.

The mission is to help Virginia position itself so that businesses, governments, and citizens anticipate the energy challenges ahead and make wise decisions for a bright future.

BikeWalk Alexandria, our first chapter, is tackling energy issues with a new T-Shirt stating “We’re On A Low Carbon Diet.” Two websites that may be of interest are www.relocalize.net and www.oilde pletionprotocol.org.

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board has announced that it will be sponsoring a Safe Routes to School National Course in Arlington on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 from 9:30 am to 5:00 p.m.

Communities around the country are using Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programs to make it more safe and appealing for children to walk and bicycle to school. SRTS Programs grow from community’s concerns about safety, health and traffic. A combination of education, encouragement, engineering and enforcement strategies are used to address these concerns and make Safe Routes to School a reality. This course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to develop sound SRTS programs based on community needs and conditions, best practices and responsible use of resources. The day concludes with participants developing an action plan.

This course is offered free of charge, with lunch provided. Use the registration link below, or contact Michael Farrell at 202-962-3760 or e-mail mfarrell@mwcog.org by September 8, 2006, to register.