Last week, the Temple Alumni Review published a nice article about my focus on making bike maps.  I’ve gotten lots of comments from people that I didn’t know were connected to Temple University.  Thanks Temple Review!

Related to work, I’ve been busy in New Jersey, working on a revision of the Burlington County Map and the New Jersey State Bicycle Map.  Public input is really important on the state map, so we’ve developed a user input website that I’m pleased with.  It will allow registered users to download drafts, comment, and then upload them.  There’s also a google map wiki for people to place points like bike shops and challenging intersections into an online database.  When the website is given the “OK” to go live, I’ll post something here.

Coming up later this month, I’m very excited to do some exploration of a bicycle tour route from Philadelphia to Washington DC.  I’m planning a fully supported bike tour for the week of September 12, 2011.  The daily mileage will be about 45 miles, giving cyclists lots of time to stop and enjoy national parks and sites along the way.  Just researching this is going to be wonderful.  I’ll spend a few days trying to find the most scenic, calming country roads.

This coming weekend is Jenkintown’s Arts and Brew Fest.  This should be the best Jenkintown Festival ever, and I’m looking forward to it.  As President of the Jenkintown Community Alliance, I get to work with some great people.

Coming up in October, I’ll be speaking about designing bicycle maps at the North American Cartographic Information Society’s annual meeting.

Bicycle PA map panel layout

I want to put our Bicycle PA Route maps into perspective – i.e. Why I’m investing time and money  into something that is going to be available to anyone for free.

Vision for the maps:

This map series (to be available for download as pdfs) will highlight the Bicycle PA signed bicycle routes and nearby roads and amenities.  I’m making it free because I want to encourage bicyclists, local communities, and individuals to provide input to the on-going development of this series.

Phases of the mapping:

1. Develop an efficient, standardized process for mapping (and editing) the routes.
2. Develop a distribution and collaborative input process through bikemap.com.
3. Develop information specific to individual map panels that will include photos, illustrations, essays and notes.

How the maps fit into my unofficial vision for the Bicycle PA system

I decided to create my own mission statement and framework for this system – something simple that I can use to guide me.  There’s probably something official, but it’s still helpful for me to internalize a vision, so here it goes…

Bicycle PA Mission Statement:

A Pennsylvania bicycle route system where cyclists of all ages and parts of the world will come together to meet, explore, and share stories while engaging in a physical challenge amidst a beautiful landscape that is our Commonwealth.

Bicycle PA Implementation:

Phase 1: Plan and sign the Bicycle PA Routes (This is done)

Phase 2: Map the Bicycle PA Routes (We are doing this now)

Phase 3: Market the route opportunities to Pennsylvanians (Outreach)

Phase 4: Identify and purchase or get agreements to use small properties to be used as Hiker/Biker sites.

Phase 5: Develop Hiker/Biker Campsites with the following features:

• 1/2 to 2 acres, or designated areas of existing campgrounds
• No reservations are needed
• Covered Pavillion with a table, with solar lighting system
• Composting toilet
• Water source
• Kiosk to services, rules, and local host contact info
• Log book

Phase 6: Continued maintenance, expansion, evaluation and promotion of the routes.

Where to go from here:

I’m focused on what I want to focus on (currently phase 2) and have no intention on managing Bicycle PA.  I believe that capable people and organizations who know their own skill sets (and resources) and are internally motivated will figure out how to contribute to the realization of this vision.

Got this T-shirt at a wedding.

What do you get your brother-in-law who met your sister on a bike ride?  Mine gets me waterproof clothing, rear-view helmet mirrors, etc.

I got my brother-in-law a membership to Adventure Cycling Association because I think ACA has an awesome mission and succeeds in fulfilling it everyday.

From the ACA Website: Our mission is to inspire people of all ages to travel by bicycle. We help cyclists explore the landscapes and history of America for fitness, fun, and self-discovery.

Adventure Cycling has first-rate publications, so even if my brother-in-law rarely gets on his expensive custom painted feather of a bike, I think he’s going to  enjoy this gift.  Actually, I think he’s already inspired to travel by bicycle.