| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Sande Snead 804-225-4491 Sande.Snead@VDOT.Virginia.gov |
CO-0534 Aug. 4, 2005 |
VIRGINIA’S BICYCLING / PEDESTRIAN COORDINATOR NAMED
Former VDOT cartographer is biking, walking enthusiast
RICHMOND – He doesn’t bike to work every day, but former Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) cartographer David Patton is a bicycling and walking enthusiast who found his “perfect job” as the agency’s new State Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator.
A long-time advocate of cycling and pedestrian issues, Patton is writing a dissertation on the social and cultural aspects of cycling. He hopes to complete his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge in England in 2007. While attending school there from 1992 to1996, he planned the 1994 International Cycle History Conference in Cambridge that drew 80 people from a dozen countries.
“Cycling and walking are tremendously useful and efficient ways of getting around, and yet they are underappreciated,” Patton said. “It’s healthy to ride a bike. Bikes are economical, don’t pollute and take less space to park. Walking can be rewarding on many levels, as I learned while participating in the development and maintenance of walking trails out west. Both deserve a strong advocate.”
VDOT’s designated State Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator oversees and coordinates activities related to the program. Patton’s primary responsibilities effective Aug. 10 will include providing guidance and education on bicycle and pedestrian planning and design issues; assisting with the development of promotional and educational materials about bicycling and walking in Virginia; and serving as primary liaison on bicycling and pedestrian issues with other agencies, planning organizations, localities, and the public.
According to the Policy for Integrating Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations adopted by the Commonwealth Transportation Board in 2004, VDOT will initiate all highway construction projects with the presumption that the projects shall accommodate bicycling and walking.
VDOT recently broke ground on the Virginia Capital Trail, a 54-mile bike and walking path that will follow Route 5 from Richmond to Williamsburg.
For information on bicycling and walking in Virginia, visit http://www.virginiadot.org/programs/bk-default.asp and
http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/newcaptrail_welcome.asp
A long-time advocate of cycling and pedestrian issues, Patton is writing a dissertation on the social and cultural aspects of cycling. He hopes to complete his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge in England in 2007. While attending school there from 1992 to1996, he planned the 1994 International Cycle History Conference in Cambridge that drew 80 people from a dozen countries.
“Cycling and walking are tremendously useful and efficient ways of getting around, and yet they are underappreciated,” Patton said. “It’s healthy to ride a bike. Bikes are economical, don’t pollute and take less space to park. Walking can be rewarding on many levels, as I learned while participating in the development and maintenance of walking trails out west. Both deserve a strong advocate.”
VDOT’s designated State Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator oversees and coordinates activities related to the program. Patton’s primary responsibilities effective Aug. 10 will include providing guidance and education on bicycle and pedestrian planning and design issues; assisting with the development of promotional and educational materials about bicycling and walking in Virginia; and serving as primary liaison on bicycling and pedestrian issues with other agencies, planning organizations, localities, and the public.
According to the Policy for Integrating Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations adopted by the Commonwealth Transportation Board in 2004, VDOT will initiate all highway construction projects with the presumption that the projects shall accommodate bicycling and walking.
VDOT recently broke ground on the Virginia Capital Trail, a 54-mile bike and walking path that will follow Route 5 from Richmond to Williamsburg.
For information on bicycling and walking in Virginia, visit http://www.virginiadot.org/programs/bk-default.asp and
http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/newcaptrail_welcome.asp
Page last modified: April 3, 2007
