MyWHaT

Northwestern Michigan College’s campus is an under-utilized and under-appreciated walkers delight. The towering pines in front of the library are the obvious attraction, but have you taken the time to explore the  collection of outdoor sculptures?

Me neither. But, I have noticed them when I’ve seen them and I didn’t realize there was a map available. Nice touch.

Outdoor Sculptures at NMC Site Map (PDF)

Where are some other potential walking tours that are ready to go?

Other ideas in need of a little help… for walking, biking or bus tours? Historical markers? Centennial homes?

Quick report back from the Traverse City Commission study session on Monday night. There were two things that concerned this BLOG on the agenda, discussion about another parking deck on West End of Front St. and Asset report for transportation.

The quick take: Fairly disappointing Study Session last night from the perspective of walkers and bikers. Although nothing was voted on, staff presentations were uninspiring and offered nothing new for 2010/2011 and the commission, for the most part, lacked leadership in terms of representing walkers and bikers.

Same story: City staff presents very limited choices to the commission, regarding both the West End parking deck and Transportation Infrastructure improvements. Then, concerns are raised (mainly over the costs associated with that or this) and then the answers are vague or coupled with a “if we don’t move on these now, we will miss our opportunity” or “it will cost us more if…”.

So, its City Planning by reaction to and opportunity presents, instead of taking the time to lead and to design streets that will actually make a difference.

When the staff was asked by commissioner Maryann Moore and Mayor Chris Bzdok about bike lanes or other Complete Street technology implementations, both city manager Ben Bifoss and Department of Public Services manager Bob Cole were both vague, evasive and admittedly noncommittal. Asked when discussions about implementations could take place, the answer was that “it was possible, though not likely, in the spring of 2010″

So, perhaps I’m missing something, but it doesn’t look like the transportation element of the master plan is worth anything. No new bike infrastructure, let alone street calming technology.

Today at least. Maybe tomorrow.

Do you think your city commission and staff are taking walker and biker concerns seriously?

Advocates for safer streets will paint their own bike lanes and pedestrian crossings if politicians and bureaucrats fail to lead, or act too slowly. It’s happened before.

It will happen again.

It may happen in your neighborhood.

Sparked an idea.

What if: Just before a municipality is set to tear up and re-build a road, any road, doesn’t matter, they gave pedestrians and bikers (who typically are drivers as well) an opportunity to redesign and actually paint the crosswalks and lanes they want. How closely would the new markings match that of the municipality plan?

If someone gave you some street paint and said, “it’s up to you”, what would you change in your neighborhood?

It all began with:

“@ohaijoe RT @FunctionalCycle: Let’s promote cycling by tweeting about riding or why we ride. #whyweride“

Personally, the best hashtag (#) trend I’ve ever been in on.

You don’t have to be on twitter to read the ongoing list… #whyweride

If you are on Twitter, I’m @glhjr

Why do you ride?