Mailing Lists - FACILITIES-N-PLANNING

This is one of the preponderance of US based mail lists, with about 150 subscribers, all but 16 being US based. Its purpose is as a forum for discussion about bicycle safety, facilities design, such as bike paths, policies affecting cycling, and lobbying strategies. Like many US lists it takes life pretty seriously, and the sort of trivia which makes up much of MTB-OZ would not appear here.

A look at August’s (1997) postings showed a satisfactory level of activity, with 85 messages being posted by 44 subscribers - enough to get some interesting discussions going. Topics of the month were of interest to cyclists on both sides of the Pacific and included a debate about the value of on-road bike lanes - do they make cyclists complacent and not able to deal with traffic, or are they helpful in helping beginners to ride in traffic. Another interesting post informed the list that a bill was to be presented to Congress to ban all cyclists from interstate highways. This exposed a commonly held motorist’s view that cyclists shouldn’t be allowed on roads like the Monaro Highway, Hume Highway, Tuggeranong Parkway etc, despite their wide breakdown lanes, which are ideal to ride in. This view contrasts with Australia, where many States are encouraging freeway cycling by providing signs and linemarking to alert motorists about cyclists.

Summary: Despite discussing mostly US subjects, this is an interesting list, with lots of relevance to bike planning in Canberra. Postings are generally serious and informed, and discussions progress well. It is not too busy for those who collect their mail only once or twice a week.

Verdict: Recommended

How to subscribe to this mailing list

1. Make sure you have an e mail connection on your computer.
2. Type this message to (don’t type the ), in the ‘body’ of the message (leave the ‘Subject’ line blank)

SUBSCRIBE FACILITIES-N-PLANNING
END

3. Within a day or so you’ll get confirmation that you have joined the list and information about how to leave the list or post messages. You will start receiving messages that other subscribers have posted on the list. From here on you can be a passive ‘lurker’ and just read what other people post, or you can join in the discussion.
4. Have fun!

For more information look at the Cycling.org site

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