In the News   Rio Grande Boulevard  Corridor Update Plan July 8, 2010 Rio Grande Boulevard Corridor Plan - Update Councilor Debbie O’Malley is pleased to announce the beginning of a community planning effort to update the Rio Grande Boulevard Corridor Plan. Meetings Councilor O'Malley invites all interested persons to the Rio Grande Boulevard Charrette July 9-14at the Los Duranes Community Center at 2920 Leopoldo Road NW. The Charrette will include meetings, workshops, and presentations hosted by Dover, Kohl & Partners, Hall Planning & Engineering, Wilson & Company, and the City of Albuquerque. Please come provide input about the vision, goals, and future of the Rio Grande Boulevard Corridor Plan. Attend any or all of the following upcoming events: ·         Kick-Off Event - 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. on July 9 ·         Hands-On Design Session - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on July 10 ·         Open House - 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on July 12 ·         Work-in-Progress Presentation - 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. on July 14 Background The current Rio Grande Boulevard Corridor Plan was adopted in 1989. According to the original plan: The corridor plan was requested by North Valley residents concerned about Rio Grande Boulevard losing the historic, residential and landscape characteristics of its river valley location. The boulevard passes by historic buildings and through historic districts and village sites... The boulevard has the potential to make a tremendous visual impression on the many tourists and Albuquerque residents who travel on it to Old Town, the Museum of Albuquerque and New Mexico Natural Resource Museum, the Rio Grande Nature Center and the rural North Valley, while better serving those who live and work along it. Charrette History Charrettes are a method of planning involving intense periods of collaborative design over several sessions or days. They are organized to encourage participation and mutual authorship by all interested parties. The creative brainstorming and negotiation between parties in a charrette facilitate unexpected ideas and new solutions to problems. Charrettes are a forum for ideas and immediate feedback, so we encourage everyone to participate in this effort. Contact Information The update promises to be equally successful through the cooperation and input of residents and businesses. If you have any questions don't hesitate to email Kelly Sanchez-Pare @ 768-3159 or Tom Menicucci @ 768-3126. Ride Your Bicycle In Honor Of Gail Ryba Day, March 4, 2010 Santa Fe, February 17, 2010 New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has proclaimed March 4, 2010 as Ride Your Bicycle In Honor Of Gail Ryba Day, to pay tribute to New Mexico's foremost bicycle advocate. For more than a decade, Dr. Gail Ryba has been New Mexico's leading voice in promoting bicycling for transportation, highlighting its many benefits including reduced auto congestion, preservation of the environment and increased physical fitness for those who ride, said the proclamation signed by the Governor. The Proclamation honors Dr. Ryba for her bicycle advocacy work in New Mexico as well as her encouraging New Mexicans to incorporate bicycles for all transportation needs. In addition, the Proclamation notes that Gail has worked to educate motorists and cyclists alike to promote mutual awareness and safety. We're both proud and pleased that Gail Ryba's work is honored through this Proclamation and we urge all New Mexicans to ride bicycles on March 4th, added the Board Members of the Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico. For those citizens who are unable to ride a bicycle, the Board asked that they choose a mass transportation alternative or carpool on the fourth. Ryba, who has a Ph.D. in Chemistry from California Institute of Technology, first came to New Mexico to work for Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque. She co-founded the Sandia Bicycle Commuters Group, then founded Albuquerque's first bicycle advocacy group, the Greater Albuquerque Spokes People (GASP), which is now BikeABQ. In 2001 after moving to Santa Fe, Dr. Ryba went on to form the Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico (BCNM), the statewide bicycle advocacy organization. Additionally, she has served on the New Mexico Department of Transportation's Bicycle, Pedestrian and Equestrian Advisory Committee. Her role as a bike advocate is one part of her complete commitment to sustainability in a broad range of concerns. As Executive Director of the New Mexico Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy, she promoted renewable energy and fair practices in energy development for the state, said Elena Kayak, Energy/Environmental Specialist for Rio Rancho Public Schools. New Mexico is a much better state for bicycling as a result of Gail Ryba's tireless efforts, said Diane Albert, the current President of BCNM. New Mexico bicyclists are safer and enjoy a much greater acceptance on the part of motorists than ever before, thanks to Gail. I join Governor Richardson in asking all New Mexicans to ride a bicycle on March fourth for Gail to honor her hard work that truly benefits all of us. For more information on Ride Your Bicycle in Honor of Gail Ryba Day, contact: Diane Albert at 505.235.2277 or president@bikenm.org Vehicle-Free Thursdays in Nob Hill  Posted October 5, 2009 Enjoy a special car-free night on the first Thursday of the month in Albuquerque's historic Hob Hill. StartingThursday, Oct. 1, part of East Central Avenue in Nob Hill will close to vehicle traffic. The closure will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Central from Dartmouth to Carlisle. The City of Albuquerque and the Nob Hill Main Street Community invite everyone to enjoy and stroll in this colorful neighborhood.     GARTC Members Needed Posted May 5, 2008 Do any of you know of a person who would be interested in becoming a member of the Greater Albuquerque Recreational Trails Committee? GARTC provides input to the city about off-street trails, e.g. the Bosque Trail, etc. The following representative positions are open: 1. Pedestrians and Hikers 2. Runners and Joggers (Cyclists can walk, run, jog, or hike too) Applicants will need to fill out a nominee form that I can send via e-mail. Theresa M. Baca Baca, TBaca@cabq.gov Associate Trails Planner Transportation Division Department of Municipal Development Phone #505-768-3649     Otero Canyon Military Withdrawal Boundaries Still in Effect Posted July 25, 2007 Recent newspaper articles have led some hikers/bikers to believe that DOE/Kirtland officials have relaxed their regulations regarding the Military Withdrawal boundaries. Be advised that the boundaries are still intact and the signs posted along the boundaries provide up-to-date information. A decision has been made (by the military officials currently in command) to not construct a fence, but again, boundaries are intact, and safety and liability issues continue to be a concern. Negotiations are in progress with the Forest Service to determine if a portion of the withdrawal can be returned to the Forest Service, but no decisions have been made. Military officials continue to patrol the area and will cite trespassers who violate the regulations as posted on the signs. USFS, Sandia Ranger District     Child Helmet Safety Act Effective July 1st, 2007. Posted July 16, 2007 New Mexico law requires all minors under age 18 operating or passenger on a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, skates and tricycle wear a well-fitted protective bicycle helmet, fastened securely upon the head with the straps of the helmet. This law takes effect on July 1st, 2007 and helmets will be required at all Skate Parks, Bicycle Paths, Parks, and Public Roadways. See the law.     City of Albuquerque Jerseys Available from Parks and Recreation Posted July 16, 2007 Jersey Front Cool new City of Albuquerque jerseys are available from Parks and Recreation for $79.95. This will be the only time the City will offer them so get them now. Made by Primal. Full length zipper and 3-pocket back. Sizes: men's S, M, L, XL. XXL will be available August. Women's S, M, L, XL XS and XXL are coming. Sizes run a little small. Also available in some bike shops whose stock is from the City. Contact: Chuck Malagodi Bike Safety Educator Bike Safety Education Program 1801 4th St. NW, Building A ABQ, NM 87102 505-768-2453 cmalagodi@cabq.gov www.cabq.gov/recreation