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For BikeTexas (no longer Texas Bicycle Coalition), you might contact Susan Wilcox (susan at biketexas org).
FYI, the official response from the BAC reads thus:
"The BAC approves the current design for the Guadalupe cycle track and appreciates City staff's commitments to bring these types of projects to the BAC in the future and to handle detours more proactively."
To my understanding, bicycle program staff thought that the BAC did not need/want to weigh in on the cycle track since it's not an incredibly disruptive design. It's a one-way cycle track on only one side of the street, and of course they don't bring every bike lane in the city to the BAC before implementing. Having recognized their mistake, they've committed to bringing all cycle track designs to the BAC "until the BAC gets sick of them." After the discussion about the design, nearly everyone in the room agreed that it's a reasonable design.
The commitment to handle detours more proactively was a plus, since that was what started the conversation for me in the first place. This may be a conversation that needs to happen between city staff and consultants/contractors, to make sure contractors have a detailed enough plan for signs and detours. I'll be satisfied when all projects that affect cyclists have very well-thought-out detours, no matter the duration of construction or the speed limit on the street. But that's just me. :)
You can email bike program stafff if you have further input on the design, which can be viewed here: http://austintexas.gov/sites/default/fi … 3__Web.pdf
Allison
so I'm curious Tom, what is it the BAC thinks it can do...construction is done...fait accompli
1. Capital Metro needs to know that their new facilities require more public involvement with the BAC as stakeholders. So, we can give them feedback that they need to share their designs with the BAC before going to construction in the future. We can also ask them about their decision criteria, coordination with the City, and any other questions we or citizens decide to ask. Ask questions and give feedback - that is what the BAC can do.
2. This facility is a cycle track, not a painted lane. http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/faqs/answer.cfm?id=3962
The BAC did not get wind of either the new design or the interim arrangement. As far as I'm aware, the UTC did not either. Seems to me that Capital Metro needs feedback on their public input/planning process.
Someday. Someday everyone will understand that driving a car is like operating a gun, and that the risk of someone else getting hurt is inherently very high, and that means the responsibility to watch out for all others outside the vehicle rests with the operator. (Someday everyone will understand that about guns too, for that matter.) That someday is not today, but I think it's coming slowly, especially with gen Y and their demanding ways (blush).
See their blog post from fall 2012: http://capmetroblog.com/2012/09/10/capi … -new-rack/
They tested out the 3-bike racks last year and are maybe using them on unspecified routes. I couldn't find any more recent information.
Yes! I'm glad the media is finally covering the fact that drunk/hit-and-run motorists who kill others frequently get only slaps on the wrist, if that. I banged the drum on that one for years and finally gave up. I've still got all my old research archived.
Many people are calling for tougher laws, but I'm not sure that's going to help. The problem isn't a lack of laws, it's that the existing laws either aren't enforced, or that juries either decline to convict or hand out trivial sentences. I've got a big article on that, too.
I'm also glad about the media coverage.
Here's something I read in one of the articles that I believe needs more air time: whereas jurors can see themselves in that driver's position, they cannot see themselves as that pedestrian or cyclist, because they do not generally walk or cycle. For this reason, jurors hand out lenient sentences to someone who "accidentally" hit and killed a person and feels remorse. The only solution to this is for more people to walk and cycle more often. Then they will be able to see things from the cyclists'/walkers' perspective, rather than from the drivers', and then they will be more likely to side with the victim and hand out a tougher sentence (license revocation should be available).
People don't see driving as an inherently dangerous activity that carries with it the responsibility to take enormous care of everything around you. People see walking and cycling as inherently dangerous activities during which you need to protect yourself in every way possible. This perverse mindset is what has to change. I think the wheels are slowly turning. When we educate more children to walk and cycle (by using Safe Routes to School and cycle tracks), we are training a generation of people to love active transportation. They will be the ones to demand infrastructure and stricter legal protection.
I'm curious how others feel about these cycle tracks. I'm seeing them go in at Mueller, and they concern me -- particularly those with curbs separating bikes and cars.
Seems like traffic entering the street will treat these like sidewalks and block them when pulling out. Also feels like the risk of right hooks will be much greater.
McCann-Adams presented the designs for the Mueller cycle tracks a few times at the Bicycle Advisory Council, and we sifted through them with a fine-toothed comb to make sure fears like yours were addressed. I'm assuming they also worked very closely with the COA Bicycle Program to make sure they'd be acceptable to all ages. I'm really excited to go ride on them. As for left turns, I would say if you plan to turn left somewhere that's not at an intersection, you'd join the car traffic - which in Mueller is pretty slow, right? - and make your turn. What I remember most vividly from their presentations were the box left turns at intersections (like this http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8202/8244 … c02a9.jpg). Super safe!
Despite the irresponsible driving of Gabrielle Nestande, Courtney Griffin would probably still be alive and well if there had been sidewalk on the side of the street where she was walking. In this and in many of last year's 28 pedestrian deaths, the city is partly to blame for not providing sidewalk on both sides of every street. This is criminal negligence.
It's also possible that even a sidewalk wouldn't have helped. Remember last year when a driver ran up onto the sidewalk on Guadalupe near Wheatsville, killing one person and injuring another? Cars are just as dangerous no matter what kind of infrastructure is present, and I believe the City cannot be held responsible for someone driving impaired and distracted at exactly the wrong moment.
In some other previous cases, you may be right that a sidewalk could have saved lives.
11th and Waller? Because 11th and Waller is such a high-risk intersection where walkers die when they get hit by cars? You're right, savanni, and I think it's not too cynical to say it: much of this article again focuses on walkers' behavior very specifically, without giving much specific information about dangerous driving behavior. I don't know who they think is actually going to be safer because of this "new" initiative. And can anyone tell me why APD has not yet given up the terrible name of PEST?
It just seems so simple to me. The car has a larger potential to kill, thus it needs more enforcement and regulation. How does this get lost in translation?
Wholeheartedly agreed, bizikletari.
And there should be consequences. Al Bastidas is right: drivers should face consequences if they hit a cyclist, and especially if they kill a cyclist. Not to say that this driver even had ill intentions. But as you say, MB, their license should be suspended. Drivers should be held accountable for their actions.
At any rate, it's very sad.
Please BE KIND to Cyclists, an Austin nonprofit, is proud to announce its first annual Fundraising Gala.
With former Austin Mayor Bruce Todd as Master of Ceremonies and outstanding live music by local musicians, this will be a night to remember. In addition to an exquisite dinner accompanied by Texas wine and beer, there will be a silent auction. The auction will include an array of exciting items such as a Colorado vacation get-away, a custom Giano Fabricata bicycle frame, a one-year membership to Pure Austin Fitness, a cruiser-style bicycle, an Austin fine dining weekend vacation, and lots more.
The number of cyclist deaths and injuries on the roads of America continues to grow as more people continue to get on a bicycle. Please BE KIND to Cyclists is taking a proactive approach.
The funds raised at this gala will help to produce a cycling-specific video that shows motorists how to behave around today's cyclists. This video will be introduced to motorists who take a defensive driving course. Auto drivers will learn about the old and new rules of the road and will meet some cyclists who will talk about their fears and the dangers of riding with traffic. This groundbreaking video will also show motorists how to drive around children biking to school, citizens commuting to work or training, and people out for a ride around the block. It will address expectations from cyclists and motorists when sharing the road.
Ticket prices are $75 for an individual, $125 for two, and $500 for a table of 8.
Please BE KIND to Cyclists' mission is to raise awareness and increase the harmony and tolerance between drivers and cyclists; to provide educational material and resources to both automobile drivers and cyclists—for promoting safe cycling—and to create stronger and healthier communities.
For more details of the event, visit our website: www.bekindtocyclists.org.
Please spread the word to your friends and benefactors! (This is a great occasion to interact with your fellow cyclists while wearing nice duds instead of spandex, and possibly winning some sweet prizes!)
A FREE organized ride with 20 mile, 40 mile, and family routes. All rides leave from Pure Austin Fitness at 8:30 and upon returning we'll have free food and fun. This is the 4th annual ride just for the love of being on a bike! Donations are, of course, welcome.
No official registration is required, but we appreciate you signing up on facebook so we have an idea of how many riders will be taking part (link below). We are expecting 200 but would love to see many more come out for this ride. Come Celebrate Bicycles With Us!
Event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=246829955354525
Talk to Dave Sullivan, the chair of the planning commission. He's been working on this issue for years. He and others tried to get an anti-cul-de-sac law in place but could not. The code only says that there must be at least two connections between subdivisions, one motor vehicle and one ped, and something about 1200-feet block length. But it sounds like you and your neighbors are doing everything you can to fight it. Keep it up. Even without strong code backup, it may be that through a neighborhood association resolution or talking to the right people at the city, you can change the closure.
Thanks for the detailed explanation. So, what is the City's Bicycle Program doing when the City regularly violates the Complete Streets policy? Anything?
The policy is not an ordinance, it's just a City Council resolution. So, it's not really enforceable. The Bicycle Program adheres to the resolution whenever and wherever possible. I don't know of any violations (which wouldn't really be violations, since it's not a law). Can anyone tell me about a specific case?
While it is your responsibility to contact the police (not their responsibility to contact you), calling them to ask about the report is not enough. APD loses police reports. You need to go to the station and ask for it in person. If you can't get it within a month, you need to ask for the officer and the officer's sergeant. When I was hit by a car in 2009, I called countless times and went to the station in person 4 times, twice with my mother, before I got a report in my hand. It took 4 months.
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