In a follow-up to yesterday’s post seeking supportive contacts to Senate Commerce Committee members considering an amendment concerning Complete Streets to be considered today, the Commerce Committee unanimously approved the language.
Now, of course, it will move on to the full Senate, where it will be subject to the ongoing Legislative Theatre that all transportation discussion has been subject to in the recent past. By Legislative Theatre, I am making reference to all recent transportation proposals, counter-proposals, ‘urgent calls for advocacy!,’ regularly scheduled Coburn/Paul amendments, and etc., all of which have resulted in pretty much jack-squat except for some hyperventilation and continued extensions of the old transportation bill.
But it’s nice to have something positive endorsed for a change, even if it won’t come to anything in the current session.
December 13, 2011
by julie Comments Off on Senate Committee to Consider ‘Complete Streets’ Language Wednesday
This Wednesday, December 13, 2011, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will consider an amendment offered by Alaska Senator Mark Begichto provide safe and adequate accommodations for all users in all federally-funded street projects.  The Amendment is S. 1950, “safety for motorized and nonmotorized users.â€
You may recognize this language as a phrasing much like Complete Streets language.
Most of what Congress has considered lately has been language that removes funding for active transportation from federal projects, so this is good. The League of American Bicyclists says this will be the first time in six years the Senate considers something with Complete Streets language.
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is a member of this committee. Minnesotans who are in favor of Complete Streets are strongly urged to visit her web site and use the contact button to e-mail her, or phone her office, to express your support of this amendment and encourage her to vote in its favor. Phone or e-mail is the best bet, as consideration will begin tomorrow. Complete Streets, as cyclists are aware, help to build community, add jobs, and help people get to jobs in cost-effective ways that help their families. I’ve written about Complete Streets and its value plenty of time, and more info can be found at the National Complete Streets Coalition.
Please contact Senator Klobuchar today in support of this amendment!
Edit: A stellar outline of why mixed-use communities are good, and how reducing auto trips for kids is good, from Strong Towns, is part of the case for integrating active transport options in development.
MnDOT, via the MinnesotaGO project, has been working on a draft vision for transportation over the next 50 years in Minnesota. Following the state-wide MinnesotaGO public meetings for the project, they have now released the draft statement for the vision.
Now that the vision has been drafted, MnDOT has invited participants in the process and interested bystanders to a public hearing to be held on October 4, 2011, from 4:00-5:30 PM. Participants can get involved in one of three ways:
Live, at the Transportation Bldg., 395 John Ireland Blvd, Room G15, in Saint Paul.
Online, using Adobe Connect. To participate, go to http://mndot.adobeconnect.com/minnesotago/ The Adobe Connect meeting will be open beginning at 3:30PM Â on the date of the meeting.
This is an interesting exercise in public feedback. It will be interesting to see how this hearing influences the current draft — and what the actual outcomes of having this vision will be.
September 14, 2011
by julie Comments Off on St. Paul Named a Bicycle Friendly Community
Enough about Minneapolis. Let’s talk about Saint Paul, baby.
At Interbike in Las Vegas, Saint Paul, Minnesota, was named to the League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly Community list for the first time. They check in with a Bronze designation, which is an excellent first-time recognition for the city.
As a sometime Saint Paul resident, I will testify to the city’s bikeability. While everyone knows Summit Avenue and the Gateway Trail, the city is also full of hidden gems, like the Battle Creek MTB trails, and the creek-level paved trail. The trails in Hidden Falls and Crosby Farm are often missed by cyclists who know the River Road routes. And let’s not forget the mighty climbs of the city — Ramsey Hill, Ohio, and Springside all come to mind, with the last being the steepest hill in Ramsey County. And can you bike past the House at Pooh Corner in Minneapolis? Nope. Saint Paul, bay-bee. Some of the best rest stops in the city can also be found in the capitol city.
The city’s been working on improving things for cyclists as well — everything from median tests to designating some new bikeways. The Saint Paul Bicycle Coalition has been growing more active as well.
And, in a rare statement, I’ve always been impressed with the knowledge city law enforcement has of bike laws and their enforcement.
I should also mention that La Crosse, Wisconsin, also received designation as a Silver-Level Community, and River Falls received an honorable mention. Hooray for them too. But Saint Paul is home, and I’m glad to see them finally request the recognition they deserve.
September 2, 2011
by julie Comments Off on Comments, Clarifications & Curmudgeonliness
So, there have been quite a few comments on my contrarian post from a few days back. it’s motivating me to clarify a few things relative to my curmudgeonliness.
I don’t oppose the bike/ped coordinator. I think timing makes it a challenge, because the firefighters have some awesome soundbites, and people love firefighters. And it’s pretty indisputable that Minneapolis has some issues relative to fire staffing — CityPages has done coverage on it previously, well before this round of budget kerfuffle.
If anything, ongoing budget issues make the coordinator a good investment. While good planning is important, it’s easier to make a lot of impact when you have buckets of money to spend. When dealing more in existing funding, a Complete Streets approach, and trying to stretch what you have, having the right skillsets in place helps a lot.
There is also a lot of stuff that can be done for cyclists that will cost almost nothing. Take, for instance, this post at Twin Cities Sidewalks. How about ticketing trucks in the bike lane? Revenue stream!
I do think that calling the bicycle boulevard in Minneapolis a bicycle boulevard unfortunately trivializes it to a lot of people, which is an extended problem around the perception of biking, but also around the actual impact of such a project. The RiverLake Greenway calms neighborhoods, reroutes traffic to appropriate through-streets, and allows for better allocation of enforcement and maintenance funds. Parking and speed can be more appropriately dictated along routes. It actually helps pretty much everyone.
The Minneapolis City Council did manage to save 4 firefighter positions and voted 11-2 to preserve the new bike coordinator/engineer job today. So hopefully this round of chest-pounding is over.
This Wednesday, December 13, 2011, the 
