MyWHaT

Why do I want bike boxes in Traverse City? First and foremost, they are bold statements that bicyclists and pedestrians are receiving priority attention. Bike boxes accomplish that quickly and inexpensively.

Two other reasons for wanting bike boxes are for drivers. Bike boxes, unveiled properly, improve visibility and positioning of cyclists. This makes it clear and simple when the light goes green and it relieves the right-turn turning lane of bikers waiting to go forward.

As a biker, it gives you a safe zone at the head of the pack. Typically, when the light changes to green, most bicyclists are through the intersection by the time cars reach the middle–bikes belong in front. Confident and safe.

From the New York Times January 10, 2008 Issue

Bike boxes are experimental in the United States, but that is no reason not to give them a try. Each downtown intersection should have them and  the redesign of the south NMC entrance scheduled in the next few years would be a perfect location, at least for traffic going North/South.

More to come in future posts.

Do you see any natural locations for bike boxes in Traverse City?

Have you ridden in a city with bike boxes?

Garfield Ave. to be moved 140 feet west of present location along airport property to increase capacity for the Cherry Capital Airport, if approved by the Grand Traverse County Commission.

Garfield Ave. is one of the most unfriendly roads in Grand Traverse and one of the most heavily used by non-motorized commuters. The evident social trails along the side of it make that clear.

Although there are several possible environmental (increased emissions) & social (closer to homes) reasons to oppose this extension, it does provide an opportunity to redesign one of the worst roads in Grand Traverse county. Is a true county/city collaboration possible for the entire length of Garfield? A new Garfield Ave. that is based on the airport’s proposal to include “a divided road with a median with sidewalks or a paved bike path“.

Airport Director Stephen Cassens recognizes that Garfield Ave. is used by more than just automobiles from the social trails worn in the property adjacent to the road. “I think people use those paths not just for recreation but for commuting purposes and this project would help to rectify a problem,” Cassens said.

Will the county and the city coordinate for a simultaneous redesign of the entire length of Garfield Ave?

Hardy Parking Deck in Traverse City does have Bike Locker's to use, for free. Who knew?

I was corrected yesterday. Indeed, there are amenities for bike commuters at the Hardy Parking Deck in Traverse City.  Under utilized, promoted and not that attractive, but bike lockers and some old school bike racks are provided. The Downtown Development Authority can provide you with more information. Just send an email or stop in the office, as information wasn’t available online. Lockers are free, but it is a $15 deposit.

Have you ever used one of these lockers? Is it something you’d consider? How about lockers just for your other gear?

Just beautifully done and has nothing to do with how we get around other than riding bikes in the rain, developing a empathy for the world & changing our perception on life.

Caution, heart wrenching.

Two quotes that stuck out:

• “I don’t think I showed him how to love, he showed me how to love”
• “If you’re sitting on my couch, your my friend.”

__

My back story: From Saturday to Monday, I spent about 40 hours waiting & searching for my 7-year-old beagle. Lima is an ocean of tranquility, and is pretty popular-to-boot. Finding her hit on the side of the road was not an option. She found us unscathed and is sleeping off the adventure while I get back to work. I’m reminded though, that nothing is to be taken for granted. And that brought me to this video.

Lima the Beagle.

Of course, it’s not without difficulties & issues, but Portland, Oregon’s year in review as posted by its mayor Sam Adams is impressive. Read the accomplishments in transportation at his BLOG. Notice the second sentence in the introduction.

We’re ahead of the national curve thanks to planning and investment in a system designed to move people – not just cars.”

I want this type of leadership.

Let’s loosen up a little with the Rwandan Grand Prix with cameo by the Where the Hell is Matt guy.

From the Orphans of Rwanda school in Kigali, Rwanda.

Extra:

I visited Rwanda in 2007 and these type of organizations for orphans, widows, HIV/AIDS patients, economic development…are numerous and contributing to the country’s rebuilding.

One of my favorites was Bikes to Rwanda

Their mission:

Bikes To Rwanda’s aim is to provide cargo bicycles to co-operative coffee farmers in Rwanda. The goal is to improve quality of life in these communities through a bike workshop and maintenance program that provides transportation resources for basic needs and enhances production of quality coffee.

The need for cargo bikes was evident in the coffee growing regions (where I was) as Rwanda only has a few main roads and even side roads are often difficult. Farmers need a means to get their harvest to the highways to get picked up by trucks and to the market. A sturdy cargo bike saves an enormous amount of time and energy. The bikes are designed and developed by Project Rwanda.

A cargo bike is the primary mode of moving products to market through-out Rwanda.

An article in Posted Toronto has a list of pet peeves by cyclists that were collected by an officer who stopped them on their commutes. Great idea and such a good use of a police officer’s time. Really.

Having been pulled over while riding on my bike for some minor acts, I’d love to get pulled over to be asked, “What bothers you most when riding (or walking) around?”

The number one pet peeve?

Infrastructure: By a landslide! Lots of responses for this in many forms from bike lanes that lead nowhere, to lanes that aren’t cleared of leaves and snow along with not enough bike lanes and poor road maintenance and street car tracks

Under valued & maintained bike racks in high flow areas, like downtown is one of the author's pet peeves.

Read more and comments at Cyclists’ Pet Peeves

In many neighborhoods in Chengdu, China there is no clear definition between Active Modes of Transportation and motorized. But, traffic is calm and there is a recognizable flow. (Photo: May 2009)

Yet another new term, Active Modes of Transportation, to introduce into the livability & infrastructure discussion.  Basically, any form of human-powered transportation.

A useful term when asking that planners give priority to humans and the human-powered, before providing for machines.

What are some Active Modes of Transportation that you’d like to see in your neighborhood?

There is a group I know who would petition for cross-country skiing corridors to get across town. All the city would have to do is leave a section unimproved. At least when the snow is right.