BIKE: Vote for Commuter Rail [bike and RwT accommodations]

[Eric Anderson]

Bike friends:

Jay Paulson did not cite the source of the flyer, but to clarify, this
sounds like the "Vote Yes for commuter rail" (Right Track Pac), or may be
from the Texas Community Project. This is not Cap Metro's material, but
does accurately reflect the information they are presenting to the
community. The radio ad he mentions may be from Cap Metro.

I am for this commuter rail starter line for many reasons, but I wish to
comment on the cited bicycle accommodations:

> -Build trails along the commuter rail tracks where feasible
The words: "includes hike and bike trails along some rail rights of way"
are actually in the legal language accompanying the ballot measure. Cap
Metro will be obligated to fulfill this provision, and in fact, is ready
to hire a qualified planning firm to conduct a masterplan for such
Rails-with-Trails along the 32 mile Austin-Leander line.

> -Accommodate bikes on all trains and at all stations
Cap Metro has a long record accommodating bicyclists, including rolling
out the first in Texas service-wide bus bike racks. For some time, Cap
Metro has funded bicycle and pedestrian improvements related to their
operations (such as South Fifth St. in S. Austin). Cap Metro continues to
roll out bike racks and lockers at park and ride locations, and has
pledged to accommodate bikes on commuter rail trains.

> -Provide new recreational opportunities for residents
Rails-with-Trails (RwT) pathways along Austin-Leander rail corridor would
connect neighborhoods, bisect future transit-oriented developments, and
link Brushy Creek and Walnut Creek trails with the Lance Armstrong
Bikeway.

> Rails-with-trails will help close the gaps in Austin's bike routes and
> trail networks and allow cyclists to pass beneath barriers such as I-35,
> 183 and Mopac.
Cap Metro's All Systems Go long range transit plan also includes proposed
future commuter rail lines along the UP row, the TXDOT owned Mokan (MKT)
row, and the City of Austin owned (UP) Bergstrom Spur. Any of these could
host Rails-with-Trails (RwT).

I would suggest that we will first see a barrier crossing of IH35 at
+/-42nd St., and under 183 near Burnet. The Walnut Creek Trail
under-crossing of 183 would likely be merged with RwT improvements,
enhancing connectivity. A Lance Armstrong Bikeway extension east of
Pleasant Valley along Cap Metro and Mokan row would connect downtown with
Freescale, LBJ High School, and Samsung. A cross-town path on the
Bergstrom Spur is conceivably also likely given its City of Austin
ownership.

Other potential barrier crossings in North, East and South Austin include
183 at Mopac -Shoal Creek Boulevard/Pickle connection- (UP), 183 at Boggy
Creek (Cap Metro), Ben White near Garden Villa (UP), IH35 at Ben White (UP
spur), and potentially, 183 at ABIA (extension of UP spur to ABIA).

These improvements could net upwards of 100 miles urban bikeways over
time. They will take some time to plan, approve, fund and build. Voting
for Commuter Rail, though a small step toward building rapid transit in
Austin, may prove to be a huge step toward building a far-reaching network
of bicycle and pedestrian connections.

Eric Anderson <bikeeric>
(512) 476-7304

--- Jay Paulson <jay> wrote:

> Anyone else get the flier on their door today about Commuter Rail?  If
> you didn't get it here's what it says.
> 
> Front of flier:
> "Vote for commuter rail on November 2
> 
> Take the first step.
> A vote "for" commuter rail is a vote for a common sense plan to help
> manage Austin's growth.  We need to do all we can to address our
> transportation needs.
> 
> Keep Austin Austin!
> We need transportation choices that protect our neighborhoods and our
> quality of life.
> 
> Envision a long-term transportation plan.
> Urban Commuter Rail is the beginning of a comprehensive plan that will
> include regional commuter rail that runs along the Union Pacific track
> between San Antonio and Georgetown, also serving South Austin.
> 
> A Vote For Commuter Rail Is Also
> A Vote For Bicycle Transportation
> Capital Metro's commuter rail plan will:
> -Build trails along the commuter rail tracks where feasible
> -Accommodate bikes on all trains and at all stations
> -Provide new recreational opportunities for residents
> 
> Rails-with-trails will help close the gaps in Austin's bike routes and
> trail networks and allow cyclists to pass beneath barriers such as I-35,
> 183 and Mopac.
> .....
> Did you know Central Texas is projected to add 1.25 million people in
> the next 20 to 40 years? *Source: Envision Central Texas (2003)
> This means more cars on our roads and significant impact on how you
> live.  Urban Commuter Rail provides transportation choices for Austin
> residents.
> 
> Bumper-to-bumper, Central Texas will have enough new cars to form a line
> 2,960 miles long: from LA to Austin and on to Washington DC. *Source:
> Envision Central Texas (2003)"
> 
> Back of flier:
> "Austin's Future: A City With Transportation Options
> 
> Vote For Commuter Rail On Nov 2
> 
> -Hybrid diesel trains will run on existing track already owned by
> Capital Metro and can travel up to 60 miles per hour.
> -The urban commuter rail will operate between Leander and Downtown
> Austin with 9 stations along the way and fast shuttle buses waiting to
> take you to popular destinations.
> -The proposal encourages more pedestrian-and transit friendly
> development in desired growth areas.
> -The proposal will give people from all walks of life more choices and
> easy access to places they need to go every day.
> -The proposal includes bicycle trails along the commuter rail tracks and
> provides bicycle accommodations on rail cars and parking at rail
> stations.
> -Both the stations and shuttle bus routes will be designed by committees
> with community input and neighborhood representation."
> 
> At the bottom of the flier is a list of several organizations and people
> endorsing the proposal.
> 
> I also heard a commercial on the radio the other day that said the rail
> plan was entirely budgeted in cap metro's budget and not one bond or tax
> dollar is going to be spent on this.
> 
> Just thought I would post this to see what you all thought.  I think
> there are a lot of things they aren't telling everyone, like the rail
> cars can go 60mph but will they ever go that fast?  Just were are these
> trails with rails going to be and how are they going to "close the gaps
> in Austin's bike routes and trail networks"?  Among other things.
> 
> jay> 
> _______________________________________________
> Get on or off this list here:  http://BicycleAustin.info/list






=====
Eric Anderson <bikeeric>
(512) 476-7304


		
_______________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today!
http://vote.yahoo.com