Bicycle Austin forum

Having attended my first Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) meeting last night, I'd observe:

- The presentation by two city staff members was strongly supportive of the bike blvd on Nueces, though it seemed to me to "start in the middle" rather than explain how a bike blvd on Nueces fit into any larger plan
- Pre-registered community commenters numbered about 15, with ~ 11 opposed, ~ 4 in favor.
- There appear to be a large, articulate group of property owners and commercial property renters on and near Nueces, and most of the speakers were attorneys
- All (or all but one?) were strongly opposed to the planned bike blvd on Nueces, based on concerns that their customers/clients, employees, and delivery agents would be hampered seriously by reductions in traffic flow and parking. Speakers expressed concern about loss of rental revenue and reduced property values
- Another critique focused on whether bike blvds on commercial, as opposed to residential, streets have been or are likely to be successful. Numerous speakers emphasized that Nueces is a commercial street, albeit with some handsome former residences converted to commercial use
- A more generic critique addressed the cost-benefit of this project, and of bike facilities generally -- especially in light of current shortfalls in city services and facilities budgets. A rejoinder was that bond funds have been approved by the voters for this purpose.
- A final concern was that property owners and residents hadn't been consulted into the plan was quite well developed
- The supporters of the bike blvd were less prepared, less articulate, and less persuasive, in my opinion
- Commission members asked a set of not-very-penetrating questions, though they requested more study in some areas
- The Commission chair (name?) closed the session with what appeared to me to be a firm statement in support of changes in the Austin transportation status quo, if not in this particular project. As a long-time bicyclist, I found his comments not only unpersuasive but borderline absurd: (1) Austin adds 70 cars per day, and something must be done -- if this is true, I strongly suspect the additions are in the suburbs were new development occurs and where teenagers come of age; not clear what this has to do with a downtown bike blvd said to have primary benefit for UT and ACC students; (2) Downtown condo development is increasing residential density (all to the good, I believe), but the new residents need bike blvds to make downtown living viable -- seems to me that residential density, and the shopping and services density that follows, would be strongly supportive of walking and transit, rather than a bike blvd or two.

As an Austin resident and taxpayer, I would not be persuaded to support the Nueces bike blvd based on what I heard last night at UTC.