Wed, 27 Jul 2011 09:19:13 -0800WeeblyWed, 27 Jul 2011 07:52:01 -0800http://designed4bikes.weebly.com/1/post/2011/07/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit1.htmlThoughts on Bike Plan Update

I met with several enlightened folks in town (Jeff and Doug) earlier this month to go over the status of the update to the Bike Element of the Salem Transportation System Plan.  Here's a summary of that conversation and several others since then:  

Process
The plan should contain a vision, goals, and a cohesive strategy to help the community attain that vision.  The plan update process to-date has included a lot of public input, and while that is good to a certain point, it is proving difficult to create a vision, goals, etc. out of so many different and often conflicting comments.  I'd like to see a cohesive higher-level vision in the plan for how we might make Salem a great city for bikes.  The community is more likely to rally around a visionary plan that paints a vision (e.g., a city where biking is a safe and attractive option to anywhere in the city) then presents achievable goals (e.g., a bike facility within a quarter mile of every household) and effective strategies (e.g., bike boulevard, buffered bike lanes, cycle tracks) to make the vision become a reality.    

I feel that, right now, we are looking at a list of proposed improvements that may or may not have a lot of value or benefit.  We all have some idea of what seems to be a priority, but, I contend, those are mostly gut feelings.   I fear the tragedy of averages and popularity contests.  I am looking to the project team to provide that expertise, that assurance that an improvement fits a long-term vision and provides long-term benefits.  I subscribe to the theory that a machine designed by committee is doomed to failure, where as one designed by an expert will perform well.  Of course, the expert needs to make sure the machine meets the needs, budget, maintenance resources, etc of the user.  

One of the key components to adopting and implementing a planning document such as this is "buy-in" from the affected city/state officials.  Management at affected agencies (City of Salem, ODOT, Salem-Keizer Schools, etc) need to be engaged early and often.  The City of Eugene hosted a bike-ped work session for staff from the public works and transportation divisions.   I thought this was a highly effective means to inform and engage decision makers.  Engineers and planners (and management) are more likely to support new ideas when they can have a discussion with their colleges, ask questions, see examples, etc.   So far, I haven't seen much in the way of engaging decision makers at the city or ODOT, Salem city council, etc.  I'd like to see this happen before the plan is presented to council.   

Vision and Community Support
I'd like to see the plan include a statement of support from the city council or the mayor in regards to the importance of promoting bicycling in Salem.   A short listing of the numerous benefits to a high bicycle ridership would be appropriate. 

Strategies and Policies
The focus on bike boulevards seems appropriate for some corridors (North downtown, near east side).  Bike lanes on higher speed or higher volume major arterials (State Street, Trade/Ferry Street, etc) do not seem attractive to potential bicyclists.   Plan should acknowledge that simple bike lanes on busy or high speed streets are not going to attract many cyclists.   We should consider focusing efforts on one or two key north-south streets through town and one or two east-west streets.  Church and Chemeketa come to mind.  Goal should be to create several very good bicycle boulevards that are inviting to all potential users.  Low auto speeds and low auto volumes are key to making this happen.  These streets can serve as good examples for similar projects on other streets. 

Notes on a few Specific Projects 

• The circuit around the airport seems unlikely to draw many users.
• The project to add bike lanes on Broadway Street should be moved up to Tier 1 due to all the urban renewal currently happening.  The section between Highland and Salem Parkway should be converted from 4 lanes to 3 lanes with bike lanes.  Raised bike lanes would be even better.   

What we can do now
You may comment on the preliminary draft of the Bike Element Memo (http://www.cityofsalem.net/Departments/PublicWorks/TransportationServices/tr_planning/BikeWalkSalem/Draft%20Memo%2011%20-%20Preferred%20Bicycle%20Plan%20Alternative%20rev1.pdf) now thru August 2nd.  Comments may be emailed to Julie Warncke (jwarncke@cityofsalem.net) at the City of Salem.  Comments should be entered into the spreadsheet provided by Julie if possible:  http://www.filedropper.com/copyofsaccommentspreadsheettemplate 
Gary ]]>Sat, 11 Jun 2011 22:29:54 -0800http://designed4bikes.weebly.com/1/post/2011/06/should-you-always-ride-in-the-bike-lane.htmlAnother video I just had to share....

]]>Sat, 23 Oct 2010 14:46:23 -0800http://designed4bikes.weebly.com/1/post/2010/10/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit.htmlNext time I drive by a cyclist, I will smile!  I'll smile because I know that there will be one more open parking space where I'm going, my next trip to the gas station will be less expensive, the air I breath tomorrow will be cleaner, the street will be less crowded, my health insurance will be cheaper (because bicyclists have fewer health problems like obesity and diabetes than inactive foks), the street will be less noisy, and the planet will be cooler.   I may hug the next cyclist I see!
Here's a link to my inspiration for these thoughts:

copenhagenize
 
 

]]>Sun, 18 Apr 2010 17:05:23 -0800http://designed4bikes.weebly.com/1/post/2010/04/first-post.htmlHello Cyberspace!

This is my very first voyage into the world of website design - but I just have to do it to bring you the latest and greatest about all things bikes.

Stay tuned as this website grows and gives you information about road design to promote safe bike transportation, bike parking that keeps your bike safe and sound, and bike safety education materials that make the ride safe for all.

I look forward to spreading the word and sharing all I know about a world designed for bikes.
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