For those of you who couldn't join us on Tuesday, here's what you missed:

*I have our new membership software all up and running on our new laptop.  GiftWorks will allow us to easily keep our member information current, send out reminders to renew memberships, send out "thank-you" and "welcome" messages, and track all kinds of other organizational information. 

*The mt. bike skills park and pump track still needs a good bit of work, but that work has been delayed thanks to the ridiculously hot weather.  As soon as we come up with a water source or get a break from mother nature, work will resume.  Signage for the track is being ordered and will be installed as soon as possible.

*We'll also be purchasing a few more Share the Road signs that will be installed in Jonesboro taking advantage of some empty sign posts that were left when JETS did some rerouting.

*Harvey Howington of the Sunken Lands Chamber of Commerce gave us a quick presentation about a really exciting project that he and our own Dr. Jeff Graham are working on in the Sunken Lands.  There is approximately 4 miles of old Hwy. 63 between Marked Tree and Tyronza that is very lightly traveled, has three historic bridges, and is in desperate need of restoration.  Harvey and the Chamber are looking to turn this section of road into a bike and pedestrian only area and have already done much of the legwork in getting the ball rolling.  The Clinton School of Public Service is currently considering taking on this project for the next school year.  Once completed, this stretch would tie into a larger bicycle route.  Stay tuned for further developments.

*The Alliance for Biking and Walking are currently working to address state rumble strip policies (those noisy strips cut into road shoulders), and have targeted Arkansas as a key state for improvement.  Last year, the state highway dept. received stimulus money to add rumble strips across the state.  Because there is no written standard for installation in Arkansas, rumble strips were installed in such a way that many cyclists lost their favorite routes.  They went in on narrow to non-existent shoulders and right down the middle of wide shoulders.  Fortunately, work has stalled due to broken equipment.  After a call from the Alliance, I am helping them to round up advocates around the state to address the issue and get some bicycle-friendly installation guidelines in place.  While the Alliance will be available for guidance, this will be a locally led campaign so if anyone is interested in helping, please let me know!  I'm meeting with the Alliance again this week to begin some strategic planning and will have more information then.

*Finally, there are two City of Jonesboro items.  First, the Transportation Management Board met for the first time this month.  The board has been given the task of prioritizing the city's transportation projects and will hear all new project proposals.  The next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 10th at 3PM in the Craighead County Library's round room, and the public is welcome to attend.  Second, please take a moment to fill out this bicycle and pedestrian survey.  The data collected will be used for future bike/pedestrian planning including a master bicycle plan.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/G65LB6J

Tailwinds till next time,
Sally Broadaway
NEABC president

Next meeting: Aug. 17th, 6PM, The Spot