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Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday Movie: Celebrating America's Most Livable City.
The transportation discussion engendered by a recent 8664 posting raised several interesting reader responses including mass transit advocacy, questions as to how other cities are melding their transportation needs with urban design and environmental principles, and, perhaps above all else, frustration with our region's continuing inability to imagine and explore better possibilities.
This particular video answer, with its spotlight on Portland, Oregon, is provided by the folks at Streetfilms which, like its siblings Streetsblog and StreetsWiki, are projects supported by the Livable Streets Network, "an online community for people working to create sustainable cities through sensible urban planning, design, and transportation policy." Combined, they represent a sort of urban geek heaven.
The video is roughly 30 minutes long but is so stuffed with good ideas that it's easily worth it, even if a few different viewings are required.
I have two friends from high school who now live in Portland and both have told me that they can't imagine living anywhere else. I think my wife and I are going to go out there to visit in the fall, I'm really looking forward to it!
is that the car/train bridge Matt? if they'd turnt the car/train bridge, it could really improve the safety of commuting to lousiville...because i know from experience that i seem to have a target on my back when i go over the 2nd street bridge. not a lot of fun...then, if you ride on the sidewalk, i get the stink eye from the runner/walkers..
Tommy, if you are riding your bike on the sidewalk of the Clark Memorial Bridge, that is against the law. Use your own judgement with bike lane and road rage motorists.(wink)
The more folks that start the gonzo approach of the K & I Bridge, it will show that cyclists really desire this and will go to any length to have that right to do so.
This is one way that cyclist finally won over the rail folk in Portland,OR for cyclists being allowed on duel lane/rail bridges.
The last I heard "officials" were trying to get permission to inspect the K & I for possible Bike use but the owners were balking for national security reasons.
I personally think the Big Four plan is not that great. It will be a little steep for the casual rider and I don't think it is wide enough for safe walking and biking.
Ed... I once had the pleasure of meeting Dirk L. Gowin, PE, PLS the Executive Administrator For Public works and Assets. He assured me that if I get a ticket for riding my bike on the sidewalk of the second street bridge that he would take care of it.
Even Louisville's own admin for Bike Louisville does not want people riding on 2nd street bridge. He had no eta on the pedestrian bridge but as Matt said the "officials" are looking into it.
In case of ticket contact: Dirk Gowin Transportation Planning Administrator (502) 574-5925
I drive on the 2nd Street bridge just about every day and it frightens me to see bike riders in the shared lane, even though they have the right to be there. During rush hour it's suicidal. Cyclistst sorely need a safer option.
Before my bike got stolen (and I'm waiting for spring to replace it) I navigated the Clark Memorial Bridge; to me it's a common sense issue.
I would never brave the passenger car lanes. It's much safer and more practical to ride on the sidewalk, legal or not. I go to work before dawn in the winter and have seen folks in the shared lanes (well, sort have seen them, it's difficult). I'm all for cyclists' rights, but it's not safe to cross on the main pavement.
I'd rather stay alive than be a two-wheeled martyr. Let's hope the Big Four plan happens sometime in, well ... sometime.
Thanks Jeff.
ReplyDeleteI have two friends from high school who now live in Portland and both have told me that they can't imagine living anywhere else. I think my wife and I are going to go out there to visit in the fall, I'm really looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteI saw in the paper yesterday that they are having a Louisville Bike Summit.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.louisvilleky.gov/BikeLouisville/bike_summit_II/
I just wish they would open the K & I bridge so that we could cross the river safely.
is that the car/train bridge Matt? if they'd turnt the car/train bridge, it could really improve the safety of commuting to lousiville...because i know from experience that i seem to have a target on my back when i go over the 2nd street bridge. not a lot of fun...then, if you ride on the sidewalk, i get the stink eye from the runner/walkers..
ReplyDeleteTommy, if you are riding your bike on the sidewalk of the Clark Memorial Bridge, that is against the law. Use your own judgement with bike lane and road rage motorists.(wink)
ReplyDeleteThe more folks that start the gonzo approach of the K & I Bridge, it will show that cyclists really desire this and will go to any length to have that right to do so.
This is one way that cyclist finally won over the rail folk in Portland,OR for cyclists being allowed on duel lane/rail bridges.
The last I heard "officials" were trying to get permission to inspect the K & I for possible Bike use but the owners were balking for national security reasons.
ReplyDeleteI personally think the Big Four plan is not that great. It will be a little steep for the casual rider and I don't think it is wide enough for safe walking and biking.
Ed...
ReplyDeleteI once had the pleasure of meeting Dirk L. Gowin, PE, PLS the Executive Administrator For Public works and Assets. He assured me that if I get a ticket for riding my bike on the sidewalk of the second street bridge that he would take care of it.
Even Louisville's own admin for Bike Louisville does not want people riding on 2nd street bridge. He had no eta on the pedestrian bridge but as Matt said the "officials" are looking into it.
In case of ticket contact:
Dirk Gowin
Transportation Planning
Administrator
(502) 574-5925
I drive on the 2nd Street bridge just about every day and it frightens me to see bike riders in the shared lane, even though they have the right to be there. During rush hour it's suicidal. Cyclistst sorely need a safer option.
ReplyDeleteBefore my bike got stolen (and I'm waiting for spring to replace it) I navigated the Clark Memorial Bridge; to me it's a common sense issue.
ReplyDeleteI would never brave the passenger car lanes. It's much safer and more practical to ride on the sidewalk, legal or not.
I go to work before dawn in the winter and have seen folks in the shared lanes (well, sort have seen them, it's difficult).
I'm all for cyclists' rights, but it's not safe to cross on the main pavement.
I'd rather stay alive than be a two-wheeled martyr. Let's hope the Big Four plan happens sometime in, well ... sometime.
Best, Shea.