Islands to nowhere
As a follow up to the 8/80 rule, I’d like to share an email sent yesterday.
After seeing the launch of Wheels, Traverse City resident Erin Eriksen was compelled to send me an email that reflects the point of an earlier post on why women/mothers need to be at the forefront of street design (And, Why it Matters What She Wants).
With her permission, here are portions of her email:
The TC commission just approved the master plan for the commons. The following has been bothering me since I found out about the new entrance at Franke Rd. I’m all for an entrance that is pedestrian/bike oriented. YAY! But I’d like to know how the pedestrians and bikes get to the entrance safely.
(www.pedbikeimages.org/Dan Burden)
I would LOVE to bike my kids into the commons. I live just off of Barnes Rd. I WILL NOT bike my girls down the side of the road on Barnes or Silver Lake Rd, or up to and down North Long Lake Rd. If I want to bike about town with the girls, I need to pack-up the bikes and trailer and drive into town. Which really sucks, as I live so close and it should be completely possible for me to bike right out the door without having to worry about some jackass going 70, as I try to hug a slushy shoulder. Is it trust? Should I just be able to trust that the drivers would see that I’m towing a kid and trust that they would slow sufficiently? Yes… wouldn’t that be ideal? But it’s not a chance I can take.
So… my point is… that entrance is kind of like the bridge to nowhere for me and all other moms up my way. We are all still living on islands…stranded and isolated in our little subdivisions (where we stay in houses we can afford) not for lack of gear, lack of fitness, or lack of heartbreaking desire to bike to get the groceries, bike to pick the kids up, bike to piano lessons, bike to the library, and give our minivans the boot, etc. But because the ocean surrounding us is too dangerous to risk our kids. So, my kids STILL won’t be biking from my house to the commons. Regardless of how safe the ENTRANCE and DRIVES within it are.
This bothers me EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE. As soon as I’m done with nursing school, we are moving into town. But I almost feel as though I’m a refugee who experiences that guilt over leaving all the others behind.
Please tell me if you think I’m full of shit. In other words, if you think I’m just being a wuss…
There is so much in that email.
Erin isn’t alone. People are voicing similar sentiments everyday. Typically, grumbling to themselves, but more and more in public, like on the Plan for TC web site, on this BLOG, and at commission meetings when the opportunity presents. For the most part, lip service and vague master plans have been the response.
Motorized circulation plan for the GT Commons Franke Rd. Extension
Even the Master Plan for the Grand Traverse Commons, which passed unanimously at Monday night’s city commission meeting, is intentionally vague. It’s full of “potential traffic calming” measures and “special and unique entry ways” selling points.
Why not be bold?
Too often the public is sold on grand ideas, only to have them go through staff interpretation and become watered down, unimaginative and lacking in many of the core values.
Citizens are left feeling like we have no avenue for meaningful input. As Erin asks, am I full of shit? After all, roads are for motorized vehicles, right? Pedestrian and bike infrastructure are extras to be considered and occasionally implemented, right?
Not exactly. Roads are one of the largest expenses of local governments. We build them, maintain them, provide parking for their users and clean up the mess they leave behind. The current model in Northern Michigan is to prioritize moving & providing for motorized vehicles. It’s been this way since about 1910, plus or minus a few years.
Automobiles will be a part of our future, but let’s help local governments make 2010 the end of the 100 year dominance of the automobile in our lives. If a mother wants to tow her children along on a bike, she should have the freedom to do so with out fear or intimidation from inadequate engineering and design.
Note: (Updated 3;30PM) Citizen’s will have an opportunity to voice concerns over Division St. and 8th St. at Monday Night’s Traverse City commission study session. The city is following up on the call to revisit the original proposal by MDOT and will seek a 3rd party consultant.
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