One more picture
Turning Point Park
Does everyone know about this?
We took an extraordinary ride on an exquisite bike trail at the Northern End of the Rochester Riverway Trail (Charlotte, north of the Greenway) on the West Side of the River.
How did this gem of a trail and boardwalk come to be built? And why isn’t it celebrated? It is a world-class marriage of natural beauty and low impact civil engineering.
Who did this?
* here http://www.pbase.com/joldfield/image/79518178
* here http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=rochester%20turning%20point%20park&w=all
and still more by using the embedded google earth tour at http://RochesterGreenway.org
Behold the Bike!
Few inventions have the efficiency, health benefits, affordability, urban design potential, safety features and environmental friendliness of the modern bike. It’s not your grandmother’s bicycle; it’s a revolutionary component in our future transportation portfolio. There have been bikes. There will be bikes.
Bikes started as glorified hobby horses (the walking machine), then got pedals (the velocipede or boneshaker), then rose up and sped up (the high wheel bicycle), then began settling down for speed and safety (the hard-tired safety), and now they are fast, sleek and efficient. It was a long (and sometime dangerous) haul; and, if you are quick about it, you can see the entire history of bicycles at the Pedaling History Bicycle Museum in Orchard Park, NY before it closes. (If enough visitors go, maybe it won’t close.) [http://www.pedalinghistory.com/]
Now, in many modern urban communities the bicycle is more than an old contraption made new and glorified by bike clubs and enthusiasts. Bicycles are not simply hangers-on, like horse-riding or Model T driving on Sunday. Bicycles are becoming an integral part of planned transportation systems throughout the country. Note how cities like Portland, Oregon and Boulder, Colorado are retrofitting their vehicle-dominated streets into bike boulevards (BTA: Bicycle Boulevards Campaign) where commuters and even kids off to school can get to their destinations year-round and safely.
Year-round and safely? In New York State? In the rain, the snow, heavy traffic, though the mud, across busy bridges, to grandmother’s house and still be presentable?
Become a believer. When more people bike more drivers accept them on our streets—which, of course, they have every right to be. In official studies: under 6.5 miles, the public prefers bicycling over mass transit. Bicycling produces zero greenhouse gas emissions, has relatively inexpensive repair bills, and because of the soaring cost of road and bridge maintenance our regional planners consider bicycles a serious component of our future transportation.
If we make our streets more bike accessible, protect bicyclists from fast-moving traffic, create innovative all-weather bike corridors, [http://rochestergreenway.org/]and provide convenient and comprehensive bike parking, the public will bike. Already, many cities have found a way to bicycle-friendly their streets, not because it is trendy, but because there is no faster, more efficient, environmentally and urban-friendlier way to get around than the bike. [http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/communities/]
Too expensive, too radical, too dangerous, too slow, and just too much darn trouble? As opposed to what? Billions of dollars on maintaining our existing vehicular dominated streets? An obese society that spends zillions of bucks for insurance, parking, fuel, repairs, and the vehicles’ price (the ‘Clunkers for Cash’ program is drying up)?
The real impediment to creating a Rochester, New York that moves around in massive numbers on bicycles and renews our sense of community from our too expensive isolation tanks is Attitude. Everything else is there, the technology, the know-how, and the vivid examples of bike/transportation modes across the spectrum of world cities. Behold a healthier lifestyle.
Frank J. Regan [RochesterEnvironment.com]
Montreal Exports Its Bike-Sharing Program – Green Inc. Blog – NYTimes.com
Montreal Exports Its Bike-Sharing Program
Montreal Exports Its Bike-Sharing Program
By IAN AUSTENFrom the beginning, Montreal officials had ambitions for the new Bixi bicycle-sharing system that went beyond the borders of that Canadian city. On Wednesday, Gérald Tremblay, the Montreal’s mayor, announced that the Bixi system will be implemented in Boston and London.
It is not clear at this point if the roll-out in Boston — where local officials are mounting a push for more bike lanes as well — will be on the same scale as Montreal’s system, with hundreds of parking stations and thousands of bicycles. (An alternative model would be SmartBike D.C. in Washington, which uses a different docking technology and has only has 10 stations.)
Boston’s Metropolitan Area Planning Council confirmed that it has selected Bixi to put in place a bike-sharing program. But Amanda Linehan, a spokeswoman for the council, said that Boston and other municipalities must now negotiate contracts for the service.
In a statement, the Public Bike System Company, Montreal’s marketing operation for Bixi, indicated that the Boston system will initially offer 2,500 bikes at 290 stations in downtown Boston.
In England, Bixi’s partner, the Serco Group, said that it has a six-year contract to install 400 docking stations holding about 10,000 bicycles in central London.
Until now, the only other Bixi system was a modest, four-station demonstration project in Ottawa, which is about two hours by car from Montreal.
In selling Bixi, Montreal has emphasized that its solar-powered, WiFi-enabled docking stations are self-contained, eliminating the need for construction or utility work. The design also enables operators to remove the stations for winter, and to relocate them easily in accordance with demand.
CBSM/forums/index.lasso
Fostering Sustainable Behavior
Installing Bike Parking at Schools and the Impact on Student BehaviorJune, 08 2009 at 10:52 AM posted by 7 comments »
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Looking for University Bicycle StationsMarch, 19 2009 at 06:12 PM posted by Archie Phillips 1 comment »
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January, 21 2009 at 07:22 AM posted by jmarkelj 5 comments »
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Bicycle Fleets – Carbon-Free Transport Options for OrganisationsDecember, 08 2008 at 06:57 PM posted by ldalehallett 2 comments »
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Ponoko Blog
This sounds to be an excellent project especially as this would expand your successful business model to support access to affordable 3D fabricating for many of us creatives.
Shain Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I think this is a brilliant Idea! Makers of the world uniting. Let everyone tap into the resources once only accessible to the elite. Manufacturing for the masses.
I can’t wait!
Ponoko and the Fabrication Network Says:
July 15th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
[…] me this is pretty huge news (Fabbaloo found it for me): Ponoko is creating a fabber network. This to me is an absolute thrill.� This will monetize fabricator ownership.� This will […]”
Rochester Bicycle Ecology
The RCA’s first venture could be to bring the Bicycle Film Festival to town (and use it to build a constituency for other initiatives on this map).
I think I’m convinced. How about you?
Add comments or more information, and I’ll update the map!
Biking Rochester
Let the Huffington Post know about biking in Rochester. If the RochesterGreenway were a reality, I think we’d be number one in this poll. Check it out.
–The Top 10 U.S. Cities For Biking Americans overwhelmingly continue to drive alone to work. With more than nine out of 10 workers favoring driving. But these 10 cities are definitely taking the initiative to change that. Here are the top 10 U.S. cities for bicycling commuters. And remember to send us a photograph of your favorite biking city. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/05/the-top-10-us-cities-for_n_252092.html
Another Affiliation
People are talking. Excitement builds. The Rochester Greenway is entering a new phase: a steering group (maybe, the “The Rochester Greenway Steering Group”) who will be focusing on moving the project from conceptual stage to something more concrete—or macadam, or plastic, or a new composite altogether. At this point, interested groups are offering their time to see this unique concept get funding through grants, get endorsements from various groups, and provide presentations of this all-weather, carbon-free transportation system.
“I just want to point out to you that this isn’t just about biking. This is truly about a grander purpose happening here. I would just urge you to think about what you want to do. I think it’s important to consider options for the future.”
“There is an opportunity for capitalizing on new materials and ideas and how this will relate to communities. We want to have a plan for some type of sustainable plan in the longer term sense. I think that we should also get students from other regions interested from other campuses. There are many things, which could be woven into the goals. There
is great potential here.”
“This could be a steering group for a future Charrette meeting. There is a reality about a certain threshold for numbers of people working together. I think you bring up
a good point that we should all be in contact with each-other. We should also think about people in the working group. I think it’s very important that there would be a shared vision going in multiple directions. I think we should think of ourselves as being a Greenway Steering group.”
People are talking.
More to come:
RochesterGreenway.org wins Rochester Environmental Site Award!
The Roc City Park – Location & Design
This is a volunteer effort, so 100% of donated money goes directly to the skate park.The planned location (pending New York State Department of Transportation approval)is beneath the east side of the iconic and award winning Susan B. Anthony/Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge. This location provides excellent shelter from often adverse elements of the region. There is plenty of room for the varied disciplines of skateboarding and BMX. There is also room on either side of the bridge for a more outdoor feel.
Town of Brighton Proposed Multi-Use Trail Public Meeting July 27
Town of Brighton Proposed Multi-Use Trail Public Meeting
Tom Low, Town of Brighton Commissioner of Public Works
585.784.5225, thomas.low@townofbrighton.org.
Brighton, NY, July 3, 2009 – The Town of Brighton will hold a Public Meeting to review the concept of a multi-use trail connecting Town Hall and the Erie Canal. The meeting will be held on July 27th from 7pm-9pm at the Brighton Town Hall, 2300 Elmwood Ave. The I-590 Bicycle / Pedestrian Bypass Trail Feasibility Study is nearing completion, and the Town wishes to gather additional feedback on the preferred trail alignment identified in the Draft Report.
In its 2000 Comprehensive Plan, the Town identified a concept for a trail connecting the Town Hall Complex on Elmwood Avenue to the Erie Canal at Meridian Centre Park. This Feasibility Study explores the viability of the whole corridor of the I-590 Bicycle / Pedestrian Bypass trail, with consideration given to location alternatives, design recommendations, funding sources, and phasing strategies.
The Preferred Trail Alignment map, along with the full Draft Report, is available on the Town’s website; http://www.townofbrighton.org/CivicAlerts.aspx.
CenterLines #229
— Lawrence Frank, University of British Columbia
http://tinyurl.com/ngwhxa
About StreetsWiki – Streetswiki – Livable Streets
About StreetsWiki – Streetswiki
treetsWiki . . .
What Should You Write on StreetsWiki?
- Profile: your street, city, or neighborhood.
It doesn’t have to be famous! Just share what makes it tick (or not) like these articles on Portland, Oregon and the Cross-Bronx Expressway .
- Define: Livable Streets design elements, policies, and people.
- Expand: upon your area of expertise.
- Share: best practices in advocacy and planning process.
Like this article on DOT Appeals Process.
Like these articles on David Ganttand Bike Bus .
Like these articles on Quartier Vauban and the 1939 World’s Fair Futurama exhibit.
is a community-created, online encyclopedia for transportation, urban environmental, and public space issues.
It’s a place for ordinary people, planners, and academics to read and write about our cities and
how we can make them more livable.
Cyclists slow down to avoid crater-sized 'hole' – Telegraph
Cyclists slow down to avoid crater-sized ‘hole’ – Telegraph
Cyclists were encouraged to slow down thanks to this crater-sized “hole” in the middle of a towpath.
But the hole is an optical illusion, a three-dimensional drawing of a canyon, in an attempt to make careless cyclists hit the brakes rather than ride dangerously and ignore pedestrians.
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Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2008 – Seattle, Washington
Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2008 – Seattle, Washington
1) RTP Trails Nov 2008:
Presentation: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/fundrec_pres.htm
2) RTP and TE Summary: includes both briefs listed below.
Recreational Trails Program Brief: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/brief.htm
Transportation Enhancement Activities Brief:http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/te/brief.htm
3) New Approach for Transportation
USDOT Reform Proposal: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/reauth_reform.htm
Christopher Douwes
The (National) Recreational Trails Program–NRTP
Greg Lovelady (155Kb PowerPoint Presentation)
A Public Bicycle System in Metro Vancouver?
Eileen Kadesh and Andrew Curran (605Kb PDF Format)
Bike Sharing in North America
Eileen Kadesh and Andrew Curran (968Kb PDF Format)
SmartBike DC and How it Happened (for Free)
George Branyan (444Kb PowerPoint Presentation)
The Neighborhoods on Foot Map Series
Seth Schromen-Wawrin (13.6MB PowerPoint Presentation)
- #22. Encouraging Corporate Cycling Programs (Grand Crescent)
Healthy Commute Choices at Chicago Public Schools
Suzanne Carlson (388Kb PDF Format) - #23. Bikes and Transit: Why and How (Vashon I & II)
Bikes and Transit: Why and How
Michelle Poyourow, Jessica Roberts and Carolyn Young (575Kb PDF Format)
- #37. Working With Youth (Cascade IC)
Getting Your SRTS Project Funded
Ryan Snyder (1Mb PDF Format)
- #52. Working With Local Governments (St. Helens)
Local Government Action Infiltrate, Inspire, Influence
Karen Messmer (5MB PowerPoint Presentation)
- #55. Connecting the Dots: Biking, Public Health & Safety and Economic Development(Cascade IC)
ProWalk /ProBike Seattle September 2008
Malisa Mccreedy (2.5Mb PDF Format)
- #60. Bicycle Zone Analysis: A New Bicycle Planning Tool (Vashon I & II)
Cycle Zone Analysis (CZA): A New Bicycle Transportation Planning Tool
Developed for the Update of Portland’s Bicycle Master Plan
Roger Geller, Denver Igarta, Mia Birk and Mike Rose (5MB PDF Format)
- #64. Understanding Tort Liability Challenges – (Cascade IC)
Understanding Tort Liability and Challenges Presented by Bicycles
Michael E. Tardif (413Kb PowerPoint Presentation)
Thinking (and Building) Outside the MUTCD/AASHTO Box
Joshua Benson (3Mb PDF Format)
- #70. Safe Routes to School (St. Helens)
Safe Routes to School
Ellen Pillsbury (548Kb PowerPoint Presentation) - Promoting Bicycle Transportation in a Rural County
Ellen Barton (1MB PDF Format)
- #81. Comparing Small Area and Regional Scale Plans (Cascade IB)
Walking and Biking the Busiest Roads Around Atlanta: a Bike/Ped Plan that establishes non-motorized transportation among regional-scale priorities.
Regan Hammond (3.2Mb PowerPoint Presentation)