Why not?

You are what you measure

May 21, 2013 Leave a comment

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Counting traffic

Seattle-90

2-3 pm May 15 on the Fremont Bridge, Seattle Washington.

A friend likes to say, you are what you measure. She also typically attaches a warning to it, “so be careful.”

If we only measure cars, we will only get cars. Instead, what else can we measure?

The instant feedback counter (above) in Seattle went mainly unnoticed by daily commuters, but a high number of people, both people on foot and on bike (it only counts the latter) did take notice; they smiled when the count went up…then up again.

40 second clip of rush hour

I never made it down to the bridge at midnight to check the final number. My guess is it approaches 6,000.

For the record, on my ten-day trip to Seattle and Vancouver I spent a lot of time walking, a bit on bike, some critical connections made by bus, and some necessary car riding, mostly to visit a friend outside of the city, but also a taxi or two.

  • Walk: 53 miles *
  • Bike: 56 miles
  • Bus: 202 miles
  • Car: 81 miles
  • Train: 165 miles
  • Ferry: 12 miles

* An equation needs to be developed for walking miles in major urban centers vs. more rural settings. For each mile walked in a city, there are so many offerings for the senses, interactions, opportunities, and general input that one mile in the city is easily equal to one and half miles, if not more. It’s a thought. Anyone have a better exchange rate? 

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Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are that of the author and do not represent the opinions of writers previously published here or any of the organizations, committees, commissions or other affiliation the authors may belong to, unless so stated.

A little paint provides a DIY connection

May 20, 2013 Leave a comment

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Proceed with caution

A MyWHaT reader sent this image of a DIY bike lane on Bunker Hill Rd. in Acme Township.

IMG_0386

The corner (map) is a particularly unfriendly one with high speeds, no shoulders, and blind spots further down the hill. Yet, Bunker Hill Rd. is the only connection from the TART Trail at the bottom of Bunker Hill and the Vasa Trail off of Bartlett Rd.  In addition, the just over a half-mile  stretch connects nearly a hundred homes to several local businesses (i.e. a hardware store, convenience store, post office) at the bottom.

From this vantage point, it looks pretty good.

It’s my first day back from a two-week trip, so that’s about all the comment I can muster. I gave up riding to the Vasa Trail from here long ago because of this section of Bunker Hill. I might have to take a spin to check this out.

What say you? Look good? Needed? 

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Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are that of the author and do not represent the opinions of writers previously published here or any of the organizations, committees, commissions or other affiliation the authors may belong to, unless so stated.

No. 7…

May 17, 2013 Leave a comment

Things that happen when it doesn’t rain in Seattle.

No. 6…

May 16, 2013 Leave a comment

Waiting for bus along busy roadway in the rain, Seattle,WA.

(It can’t all be sunshine and traffic calmed streets)

No. 5…

May 15, 2013 Leave a comment

Leaving Vancouver, across the Cambie Bridge in style.

NOTE: Downtown Vancouver is in the background. And although I posted a multi-modal bridge image from Seattle last week, this design consideration here is pretty…in technical terms…awesome.

No. 4…

May 14, 2013 Leave a comment

Pedaling Green, Hornby St. cycle-track Vancouver B.C.

NOTE: Not all the bike lanes are green, separated, and intuitively connected in Vancouver…but there is certainly some good stuff going on here.

No. 3 of my pedestrian vacation

May 13, 2013 Leave a comment

Sharrow and a door, Vancouver, B.C.

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