Life On Two Wheels

Stimulus Proposal

Buried amongst the current Ohio stimulus funding requests is this $500,000 from Consider Biking/COBAC:

Traffic Demand Management via encouraging and supporting the mode shift from auto trips to bicycle trips. The program will encompass a mode‐shift program and a comprehensive bicycle parking / end‐of‐ride facility program.

The purpose of the Mode shift Program will be to organize, promote, and run ‐‐with numerous partners including the City of Columbus, Central Ohio Transit Authority, and Capital Crossroads an annual spring event to encourage everyone to get out of their cars and to make bicycling, walking, and busing a part of their everyday routines for getting to work, to school, to shopping, to restaurants, to entertainment, to sporting events, and everything else.

The effect of the annual spring event will be carried on throughout the year by means of a year around Commuter Challenge among institutions, businesses, as well as public and private organizations to encourage mode‐shift throughout the year. End of Ride Facilities program would entail consulting, and selling, businesses to develop and install appropriate bicycle parking and other facilities to overcome barriers to choosing bicycling as a primary form of transportation.

    Now I am all for spending money on bikes. This begs the question as to how we actually do it. As Mike Reed and others have pointed out, both on Columbus Underground and Yay Bikes!, much of what is proposed could actually be done through volunteer efforts. Further, there are issues in creating end of the road facilities for commuters when some would claim that our cycling facilities are still lacking.

    Looking through the Columbus Bikeways plan, there are a number of projects that could be funded all or in part by the 500,000 requested. In some cases 3-4 significant projects could be completed, connecting parts of Columbus that are either dangerous or psychological difficult to navigate. Infrastructure is probably the biggest key to getting people to consider cycling as a real alternative. Faced with a commute down 161 or Morse Road, it's easy to see why some shy away from cycling.

    Another issue, as one approaches the edges of the outerbelt, is the design of many newer suburbs and communities. With very few alternatives to main roadways (as exist in older sections of Columbus), many are left with little choice but a car-centric commute. I helped staff booths at several events with Consider Biking last year and never failed to hear a fair share of comments related to this difficult choice. In the face of economic issues and fluctuating gas prices (more a concern last summer), it's vital that a city like Columbus provide real, viable alternatives to commuters looking to trim the budget.

With that in mind, may I offer another solution?

Columbus takes another step forward...

Download Proposed Bike Law

I'll take a look at this myself over the next few days, but City Council has been working hard to revise the Columbus City Codes regarding bikes and bring them in line with Ohio Revised Code. A number of active, local cyclists were asked to review the initial proposals. From what Jeff has said, there were quite a bit of comments received-all showing different ideas and perspectives and all (hopefully) having a very positive effect on the changes in our city code. I'm very please to see to see the city reaching out to the people who have the best knowledge and understanding of real life conditions on the street. 

The city summarizes the proposal by saying:

The purpose of this legislation is to lay a foundation for the development 
of policy, rules and regulations pertaining to sidewalks and bikeways.  This foundation 
includes the consideration of an evolving understanding of complete streets, the 
importance of alternate means of transportation, the promotion of better community 
health, and improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.  This legislation further 
establishes a requirement for bikeways associated with the development of land and 
codifies the requirement to provide sidewalks along private streets.  Furthermore, this 
legislation creates a mechanism for a monetary donation to be made by a developer when 
circumstances preclude the reasonable and practical construction of sidewalks and 
bikeways. 

I look forward to reading through this myself over the coming week and offering some comments. 

Council is holding a meeting this Thursday, December 4, at 5:30 PM in their chambers located at 90 W Broad St. to discuss the proposed changes.

Am I Anti-Car?

I have had this thrown at me several times on a number of threads at Columbus Underground. At times I am accused of pushing some anti-car agenda, a rather unfair criticism in my humble opinion. So what do I want here, in Columbus, and on a national scale? Where do I fall on the bicycle and car debate?

• First and foremost, there needs to be major shift in our collective thinking on transportation and infrastructure, on growth and development. An auto-centric set of policies does no one any good. Cities suffer as they grow out and not up, spreading what little resources there are in a good year (let alone a looming recession) too thin. It can affect crucial city services, such as fire and emergency, when gridded street patterns become the exception to the rule. Segments of our population, many living at, below or just above the poverty level, have few options in connecting to better employment, healthcare and education. A missed bus to some is a shrug of the shoulders, to others it is the loss of a steady paycheck and meager benefits.           

• As part of this shift we need to recognize that no one option is right or perfect for anyone else. Transportation policies should have a semblance of equality, based on a cities particular needs. Car, bus and bike might work for Mansfield or Canton, but it ignores the realities of Columbus. Above all, no one means of transportation should be regarded as superior-they all play a role in our community. What is important is that an individual can make the best choice possible given their circumstances-not having those choices determined by a COTA board member who feels our freeways constitute a rapid transit system.

•   I recognize that cars will still have a role to play for a number of years. My intention is not to change by force, but rather see that we look at a variety of alternatives, each offering their own strengths and weaknesses. I want each person to make the choice for themselves and have the tools for it.   

• By no means am I attempting to push an agenda here or in any of my other writings or comments. With this blog, I hope to be a source of inspiration to others, a source of information and an advocate for a minority here in Columbus. I keep a pretty open mind and have stated numerous times that I am willing to make concessions if it means a better overall infrastructure.   

I'm happy to discuss with anyone these issues and others. If you want to grab your bike, I'm even up for some weekend or afternoon rides between work.