Columbus should apply for Protected Bike Lanes funding « Columbus Underground Messageboard

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Columbus should apply for Protected Bike Lanes funding

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Started 3 months ago by johnwirtz
Latest reply from byJody

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bikes belong

johnwirtz
Evanston, IL
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Get the Video Plugins

Streetsblog reported yesterday (see below) that Bikes Belong will be providing financial and technical resources to six cities around the US to implement protected bike lane pilot projects. They are calling it the Green Lane Project. Columbus was listed as one of the cities invited to apply, although applications are open to all. I think Columbus should apply for this (I'd even be willing to help). Where would you like to see protected bike lanes?

Bikes Belong to Help Six Cities Build Protected Bikeways
by Angie Schmitt

Six cities will adopt innovate street designs for safer cycling over the next two years as part of a new program from Bikes Belong.

The Green Lane Project will provide financial and technical assistance for cities to develop physically protected cycling infrastructure. The six to-be-determined cities will then serve as models for other American cities looking to incorporate street designs that make cycling appealing to residents of all ages.

READ MORE: http://dc.streetsblog.org/2012/02/08/bikes-belong-to-help-six-cities-build-protected-bikeways/

Posted 3 months ago #
columbusmike

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Yes, Columbus should apply....a no-brainer in my opinion.

I would target the highest profile streets (or even just one street). It will promote the city as bike friendly and will spur more bike investment.

Posted 3 months ago #
Cole
Hilltop
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johnwirtz said:

Streetsblog reported yesterday (see below) that Bikes Belong will be providing financial and technical resources to six cities around the US to implement protected bike lane pilot projects. They are calling it the Green Lane Project. Columbus was listed as one of the cities invited to apply, although applications are open to all. I think Columbus should apply for this (I'd even be willing to help). Where would you like to see protected bike lanes?

Bikes Belong to Help Six Cities Build Protected Bikeways
by Angie Schmitt

Six cities will adopt innovate street designs for safer cycling over the next two years as part of a new program from Bikes Belong.

The Green Lane Project will provide financial and technical assistance for cities to develop physically protected cycling infrastructure. The six to-be-determined cities will then serve as models for other American cities looking to incorporate street designs that make cycling appealing to residents of all ages.

READ MORE: http://dc.streetsblog.org/2012/02/08/bikes-belong-to-help-six-cities-build-protected-bikeways/

I'm surprised that this wasn't a more discussed topic. John, I submitted a request to Columbus 311 and I volunteered to help. If they contact me and are interested with help, I'll let you know because bike design is kind of your thing.

Posted 3 months ago #
LocalMusicMike
Blacklick
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I live in Blacklick off Broad Street and would love it if I could bike to work downtown via Broad Street. Doing so right now would be a death wish due to the traffic, but having protected bike lanes would be pretty cool. Not sure how that would work logistically though...

Posted 3 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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If you really want to bike to work Downtown, then why not live closer to Downtown? ;)

Anyway, I would love to see better bike infrastructure all over the entire region. We'll get there eventually, but it's going to take years to build it all out.

Posted 3 months ago #
ohiojimmie
Westgate
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I see a problem with educating the public on bike lanes and bike laws. I see many people bike on the left side of the street and don't realize they're doing anything wrong.
A green lane would look like half a lane for drivers to swerve in if they're not educated on it.

Posted 3 months ago #
johnwirtz
Evanston, IL
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Walker said:
If you really want to bike to work Downtown, then why not live closer to Downtown? ;)

Anyway, I would love to see better bike infrastructure all over the entire region. We'll get there eventually, but it's going to take years to build it all out.

We're doing it in four years in Chicago. It's not all that expensive compared to most transportation infrastructure. Mostly it takes political leadership and commitment.

Posted 3 months ago #
bldng4jstc
Downtown
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As a note, most places in Columbus should pursue the Bike Bvlds/Greenway concept. Most areas of the city are perfect if we'd prioritize them as neighborhood streets (with infrastructure & not just signs). Many of these are the sharrowed streets and/or streets just off major ones.

One train of thought is the need for protected bike lanes should focus on connecting existing assets and bridging dangerous sections especially related to crossing our highways.

Places that come to mind:
Grant Ave: GV with extension to 670 Trail
Long St: Front St to East Side
Park/Front St: Connect VV to Long St/Arena
3rd St: GV to IV
Rich St: Connect Main St to Rich to Town
3rd Ave in Grandview

The other is to allow for cycling on "main streets".
Parsons Ave Corridor
3rd St in GV
W Broad (Yes Replace the Painted Lanes)
Front St in BD
Long St Bronzville/KLD
5th Ave in Grandview

I prefer the connections idea as most things in Cbus are divided. Getting rid of the most dangerous sections would enable people who feel safe on most side streets to get around. Any lanes won't be encompassing enough to not ride on the street as some point so I prefer to start there.

Posted 3 months ago #
johnwirtz
Evanston, IL
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^Agree

Posted 3 months ago #
LocalMusicMike
Blacklick
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Walker said:
If you really want to bike to work Downtown, then why not live closer to Downtown? ;)

Anyway, I would love to see better bike infrastructure all over the entire region. We'll get there eventually, but it's going to take years to build it all out.

I'm heavily involved in my Church out in Blacklick so it helps to stay involved if I live close. I HAVE to go to work everyday (and it would be nice to bike) but if I'm going to be involved in other things in my spare time, I find that I need it to be convenient for me or else I won't stick with them.

Posted 3 months ago #
Cole
Hilltop
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Not much of an update, but the Columbus Bicycle Subcommittee meeting being held tomorrow (2/22/12) at 5:00-7:00 at 109 N. Front Street has the Green Lane Project as an agenda item. Hopefully the update is that they've submitted a notice of intent e-mail/letter because it's due on Thursday (2/23/12).

Posted 3 months ago #
subes222
Harrison West
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Yes, for sure! But even if Columbus doesn't get funding, I think the community here can work together to paint bike lanes without help from this project or the city. I saw an example online where a biking group repeatedly tried to work with their city to paint bike lanes. The city never did anything and the organization just got fed up, so they raised enough money over 2 years to paint a substantial amount of bike lanes just using volunteers and donations. The result was bike lanes and the city didn't even know about it until it was completed. The lanes are still there. I'll have to find the story online.

Posted 3 months ago #
Cole
Hilltop
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Columbus is going to apply for the project. They didn't mention anything about needing help for the application but if I ever hear otherwise, I'll let you know, John (et. al).

Posted 3 months ago #
johnwirtz
Evanston, IL
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It's more of an online survey than an application. It's not that complicated, and I'm sure they can handle it. I'd love to be involved in any future design phases though.

Posted 3 months ago #
johnwirtz
Evanston, IL
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I guess Columbus didn't make the cut.
http://dc.streetsblog.org/2012/04/04/bikes-belong-selects-six-cities-to-fast-track-protected-bike-lanes/

Posted 1 month ago #
byJody
Rural NW Columbus
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Bikes Belong’s Green Lane Project selects six focus cities

April 03, 2012
Bikes Belong’s Green Lane Project has selected six focus cities that will become national leaders in creating comfortable spaces for people on bikes over the next two years:

Austin, Texas
Chicago, Illinois
Memphis, Tennessee
Portland, Oregon
San Francisco, California
Washington, D.C.

http://www.bikesbelong.org/news/bikes-belongs-green-lane-project-selects-six-focus-cities/

Posted 1 month ago #
byJody
Rural NW Columbus
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subes222 said:
I saw an example online where a biking group repeatedly tried to work with their city to paint bike lanes. The city never did anything and the organization just got fed up, so they raised enough money over 2 years to paint a substantial amount of bike lanes just using volunteers and donations. The result was bike lanes and the city didn't even know about it until it was completed. The lanes are still there. I'll have to find the story online.

Wikilane- How Citizens Built their own Bicycle Network

http://thisbigcity.net/wikilane-how-citizens-built-their-own-bicycle-network/

http://streetsblog.net/2011/11/11/mexico-city-activists-draw-the-line-with-diy-bike-lanes/

Posted 1 month ago #