MyWHaT

NOTE: You’ll have to do your homework to understand this week’s title. (See below)

As of this moment, MyWhaT posts have generated 830 reader comments since the launch date of January 4th; that’s nearly 2 comments per post. Part of the mission of the BLOG was to do exactly that, generate discussion. I take the numbers as a success. Thank you.

For the most part, comments have contributed to the discussion in a productive way. Readers have weighed-in with knowledge, experience, support, deep questioning and needed humor. Since I don’t have a “comment policy”, I wanted to let you know that I monitor comments with a very tolerant editorial eye. Basically, as long as it’s not directly attacking someone, attempting to direct market a product or completely out of context, the comments remain. Where possible, I edit for clarity, improved formatting and attaching relevant links–all in the name of facilitating the discussion. Also, it’s preferred that readers give an identity when they comment, but at this time, not absolutely required. That’s the basics.

Most visitors don’t leave comments, but comments by readers are an excellent way to encourage more people to seriously consider our public spaces and how we move about, so I encourage more of you to take part. If you don’t have a comment, simply choosing the “thumbs-up” or “thumb’s down”, or given a post a rating, all found at the bottom, helps the discussion. As well as sharing posts with friends! I look forward to more.

Thank you, again.

Weekly Chatter

• The Business News looks at some of Traverse City’s no low impact people. MyWHaT sponsor, MLUI, hosts related impact film at the State.

• Mystery bike art of Muskegon…have any clues?

• Five MI counties cash-in on TE Grants. Time to get moving TC.

• Perhaps we should follow Baltimore & go for a Bicyclist Bill of Rights first.
  

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• Note to self: help county road commission find alternative to road salt.

• Action: Rails-to-Trails petition to AAA–>Look forward people.

• A “Kinder, Gentler, 10 Rules” for commuting by bicycle.

• WI & OH newly elected governors squashing their states’ rail dreams. Didn’t they get the memo? Opens up a rail Opportunity for Michigan their loss, our gain.

• However, Michigan didn’t escape the crazy from the election. These representatives want more roads and are willing to steal to get them.

• The good news: Experts see a plateau to U.S. obesity rate…the bad news…”Our analysis suggest that while people have gotten better at gaining weight since 1971, they haven’t gotten any better at losing weight.“

• For healthier, and smarter kids, get them outside and let them run.

Twitterville

• Good Reason to Ride Bikes#3042: lady nxt to you rolls down her car window and compliments your hair! (@Sarnita)
• The #Iceman Cometh & Maketh money for Traverse City. Note “Pure #Michigan“: they are out-of-state, high-adventure w/disposable income.(@traversetweet)
• More cars on your street = a less friendly community, according to UK study out earlier this year (@completestreets)
• Placemaking needs resilient local economies & resilient local economies need Placemaking. Insprired by @nmcinroy of @clestweet (@PPS_Placemaking)
• House prices in walkable areas were less effected by the ‘housing crash’ #walkability #realestate (@walkonomics)

To Wrap (Your Homework)

Monday night the Traverse City commission will consider raising some parking rates. Good…and there’s no need for apologies. It’s crazy that it costs more to take BATA downtown then it does to store a car for 2-hours–and that’s not BATA’s fault. It’s no one’s fault; we just have a culture where we devalue public space and feel entitled to subsidized parking. Parking pricing for a downtown is a difficult science; administrators must walk a fine line that maintains circulation but also charges enough to lessen the subsidy and enough to reinvest into the community.

The following video is your homework. UCLA economist Donald Shoup has been the parking guru since he came out with his study, “The High Cost of Free Parking.” The basic premise is applying a market rate to the space to help achieve community goals and realizing that those spaces aren’t free. As he says, “just because the driver doesn’t pay for the parking, doesn’t mean the cost goes away.”

We all pay for parking whether you drive or not. If you’re inspired, consider coming to the meeting Monday night to speak in support of strategic parking rates. 

Have a weekend.