It’s that time again. WAD Bikeway meetings are the first Monday of the Month. Tomorrow is February 1st.

If anybody attended I would like a synopsis of the meeting. I was unable to attend.

I did attend this meeting, my first one. Brett Allen told us that the route of the bikeway (7 miles) is owned by one person who is asking $7M for the land. The owner bought the land from Conrail in 1998 for $700K, expecting to resell the land for light rail use. Brett proposed raising money to buy the land by donations to “adopt a foot”.
There is a lot of information on the WAD website, including this short summary:
http://wadbikeway.com/Documents/MORPCwrite-up.pdf

I hope the private ownership hassles won’t hold this up. At least the owner has come down in price.

Whatever you do, avoid using Google’s how to get from the AD to Westerville by bike suggestions.  I ended up on some of the worst roadways in Franklin county

Kind of off the general WAD topic (sorry)

but pertinent to subverita’s complaint against Google:

http://westpalmbeach.injuryboard.com/automobile-accidents/google-made-me-do-it-google-sued-for-giving-directions.aspx?googleid=281946

Thanks for posting that link!  The whole thing should, of course, be moved to the Google Maps thread, but it needs to be pointed out wherever possible that the Google service is downright hazardous when it comes to giving directions.

I use Google maps quite often, but I DON’T take their suggested routes at all seriously.  They simply do not have sufficient local data for their software to make sensible judgemnts.

I forgot about the WAD Bikeway meeting being the first Monday of the month, which I believe was yesterday.  Did anyone attend the meeting and what was discussed?

Not sure if WAD is still meeting? I was recently informed by their leader that they’re defunct.

The WAD bikeway website and blog are still online but have not been updated in a while.

I think the need to secure funding and lack of progress there is reason not much is happening with this initiative.  That was the story from Brett Allen when I last saw and talked to him about it six months ago.  I suggested that he borrow an idea from the Casino industry and get a petition drive started to put an initiative on the ballot.  Don’t know how practical that idea is.  I’d be willing to stand in front of a public library and collect signatures for free (the folks collecting signatures for the casino industry are paid).

Buying the land for $700K and then wanting to resell for 10 times as much?  Give us a break.  Anyone know the local Eminent domain laws?  How are bikeway purchases generally negotiated?  Certainly some opportunistic investor can’t hold the public hostage on the price.

Maybe a peletonia-style fundraiser?  It would be nice for a mega fundraiser which used cyclists to actually raise money to support cycling.

To “actually raise money to support cycling” and health -why not participate in July’s Bike Columbus Festival?http://www.bikecolumbusfestival.com
Entry fees only $25/ride event-Friday eve & Saturday morn (includes meals & other perks).  Very family friendly.
WAD latest update, read below email received today from Brett, WAD head:

I would love to hear about the specific programs the ride fees will be going towards.