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Subject: Restroom Advocacy for Bicyclists
Virginia Bicycling Federation
Attn: Allen Muchnick, President
Ref: Jan 30, 2002 email note (attached below)
Dear Allen;
Thank you, for your thoughtful response.
As mentioned, while
not a major
bike issue, the availability of public restrooms is a concern for some
bicyclists, particularly women. Cold weather shortens the interval
between
needing a “pit” stop. Winter is also the time when most
public restrooms
are closed. Men, often at variance with 'civility
laws", can get by, but
for women the option is to not ride.
The last paragraph of the web page http://www.americanrestroom.org/pr/problem.htm
asks for portable toilets to be
placed by park restrooms that are closed for the winter.
This concept
should be an element on the agenda of all caring bicycle, pedestrian and
non-motorized advocates.
Additionally, publishers of bicycle route and trail maps should be
encouraged to include public restroom location icons. Where
relevant,
seasonal and time-of-day restrictions should be noted.
Certain commercial
establishments, such as fast food outlets and bike shops, ‘might’
agree to
be listed as a bicycle friendly ‘restroom resource’.
Those responsible for heated facilities near bicycle commuter routes
should
be encouraged to keep them open year round. Similarly,
facilities that
must be closed should have a portable toilet placed near-by.
(Chemical
toilets require significantly less service in the winter months)
Having the ‘Friends of the W&OD Trail’ use portable toilets to
shorten the
gap between permanent facilities is encouraging. Hopefully the
Regional
Park Authority will take notice.
When it comes public restrooms, the oft-maligned National Park Service
is
the year-round cyclists best friend. Having bicycle and pedestrian
advocacy
organizations identify and thank the appropriate individuals would be a
win-win action.
Thank you for the opportunity to address this issue.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Brubaker
Email
www.metroped.org
--- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002 5:46 PM
Subject: Re: Restroom Advocacy for Bicyclists
Dear Robert,
I agree that the availability of public toilets is important for
bicycling.
I often need them myself while riding. Please let me know how the
Virginia
Bicycling Federation can raise awareness of the issue or can support
public
toilet facilities at specific locations.
In response to surveys and in unsolicited comments, users of the
Washington
& Old Dominion Trail have identified public toilets as an important
park
amenity. Consequently, the Friends of the W&OD Trail is
placing rented
porta potties at new locations along that 45-mile trail to eliminate
long
gaps without public toilets.
Allen Muchnick
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