MyWHaT

The Grand Traverse Commons has a bold vision for creating a pedestrian friendly space, but are still losing the battle when it comes to keeping cars from parking on sidewalks. Unfortunately, this isn't an issue just during the winter months. (Photo: Gary L Howe)

The Traverse City commission will be voting on the Grand Traverse Commons Master Plan tonight. There will be public comment or you can voice an opinion at Plan for TC.

The master plan can be found at the following link: GT Commons Master Plan

What is the vision to connect city and county pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure with that of the GT Commons?

Restore human legs as a means of travel.  Pedestrians rely on food for fuel and need no special parking facilities.

~Lewis Mumford (1895-1990) historian, philosopher, commentator of cities and urban architecture

Crosswalk in West Hartford, Connecticut by Photographer Dan Burden / www.pedbikeimages.org

Let’s call it The Mumford. This quote is found in several transportation books and Web sites. Remains poignant.

If you can do it, get out and walk today. Throughout human history, the average acceptable commute has been 30 minutes one way. Now-a-days the majority drive it. 

Where can you walk in 30 minutes?

More importantly, who can you meet in that 30 minutes that you might otherwise have driven past?

The Tour de TART is a 19-mile bike ride that ends with a picnic in Suttons Bay. We are going to need more celebrations like this to break the habit of the automobile. (photo: Gary L Howe)

Welcome to the BETA version of My Wheels Are Turning.

This is an idea born out of necessity for an outlet of ideas around the central theme that our transportation choices define not only the physical space around us, but also how we interact as a community.

Are we designing the region with a goal of increasing social exchange and neighborhoods?

Or, are we designing to first and foremost facilitate the ease of movement of automobiles (in addition to providing ample parking)?

I’d argue that we are still making infrastructure choices based on the latter.

This site is to serve as a source for innovative ideas & advocacy that will challenge while also entertaining, educating and stimulating discussion. I don’t claim to have any answers, however, I do believe that the time is now for the community to implement creative solutions to future designs for the region. This is particularly true for the City of Traverse City. As the urban hub for a surrounding region that is set to continue to grow, it is crucial that it make the right decisions today.

I want to ask questions. Do some research. Offer possibilities.

Certainly there will be room for the automobile for the next 30 years, but I share a desire with many people that when I’m in my sixties that I want to have ample transportation choices. If we begin to prioritize pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users today, the needed infrastructure design and urban planning will follow. If we delay, other places will pass us by and the Traverse City region will lose any claim to being forward looking.

It is with this that I begin. December was the soft-launch, and 2010 is the serious beginning.

Let’s have some fun.

_____

NOTE: The publishing schedule is a work in process. The intention is to be a consistent source of 1-3 posts a day M-F, with possible weekend entries. I recommend subscribing via an RSS reader or via email subscription.