tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62547626611967338082023-11-16T06:24:42.340-08:00Walk Bike MemphisWorking for a walkable and bikeable Memphis.Anthony C. Siracusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619769469849846781noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254762661196733808.post-63357658842564985662011-04-13T13:25:00.000-07:002011-04-13T13:25:20.013-07:00Re-Paving Madison Avenue Fact Sheet<link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Csiracusa%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Csiracusa%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Csiracusa%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1107304683 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoFootnoteText, li.MsoFootnoteText, div.MsoFootnoteText
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-link:"Footnote Text Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.MsoFootnoteReference
{mso-style-unhide:no;
vertical-align:super;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-unhide:no;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
span.FootnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Footnote Text Char";
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Footnote Text";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-footnote-separator:url("file:///C:/DOCUME~1/siracusa/LOCALS~1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fs;
mso-footnote-continuation-separator:url("file:///C:/DOCUME~1/siracusa/LOCALS~1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_header.htm") fcs;
mso-endnote-separator:url("file:///C:/DOCUME~1/siracusa/LOCALS~1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_header.htm") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("file:///C:/DOCUME~1/siracusa/LOCALS~1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_header.htm") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:40.5pt 1.25in 40.5pt 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style> <br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>Madison Avenue Re-paving Fact Sheet<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>The Impact of Re-paving<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>The construction process for repaving and restriping the roadway is not comparable - in any way- to the construction process for the trolley. Temporary lane closures may limit turning movements, availability of on-street parking, and loading zones, but <b>traffic will continue to flow</b> during the construction process. Construction will be completed in a matter of months.<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>The Impact of a Road Diet <o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Madison vehicular traffic is currently operating at 35-38% of its designed capacity.<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Traffic models indicate that the proposed road diet will change the capacity to 45-49%. On a Road Diet, Madison will still be able to handle twice as many cars as currently use the street.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6254762661196733808#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">[1]</span></b></span></span></a> <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Other Potential Bike Routes<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Creating a single east/west route for cyclists to use is unrealistic. Parallel routes are being closely analyzed as additional east/west routes to Madison - not as alternatives. These routes are part of a 500 miles system of bike routes planned since 2005. A city’s traffic system is only as good as the ability to move a variety of mode shares (bikes, cars, pedestrians, and trucks) equitably, efficiently, and safely throughout the entire city, and Broad Avenue is a great local example of how bikeable/walkable infrastructure results in increased sales, new businesses, and renewed investment.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6254762661196733808#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">[2]</span></b></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Sharing the Road<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Bicycles are currently allowed to use Madison and are required by law to share the right-most lane with cars. However, the current traffic speed, traffic volumes and adjacent land uses make bicycle lanes the most context sensitive option for bike traffic along Madison Avenue. Bike lanes have been proven to increase safety by removing cyclists from the same travel lanes as motor vehicles, and such safety factors encourage more people to use bicycles rather than motor vehicles.<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>We should not “gamble” on the backs of business owners with this “experiment”.<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Since the 1970’s, cities have been converting four-lane undivided roadways to a three-lane road with a two-way left turn lane. The practices, techniques, and results are well documented in numerous studies. Madison Avenue meets many of the criteria of a roadway that should be considered for “road diet.”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6254762661196733808#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">[3]</span></b></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For more information, please contact Anthony Siracusa 901-843-3401 or Sarah Newstok <a href="mailto:sarah@livablememphis.org">sarah@livablememphis.org</a> </div><div><br />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /><div id="ftn1"><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6254762661196733808#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">[1]</span></span></span></a> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Case studies from Kirkland, WA, Lewistown, PA, East Lansing, MI, Toronto, ON, Bellevue, WA, Santa Monica, CA, Long Beach, CA, Del Ray Beach, FL and Seattle, WA, indicate no loss in traffic volumes; In some cases the research shows increases in traffic volumes as economic activity increases</span><i><o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoFootnoteText"><br />
</div></div><div id="ftn2"><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6254762661196733808#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">[2]</span></span></span></a> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Research from San Francisco, CA, Toronto, ON, London, UK, Baltimore, MD, Outer Banks, NC, Lodi, CA, , indicate that higher levels of bicycle and pedestrian activity generate positive economic outcomes along the stretch of roadway where changes were made to promote more bike/ped activity and calm motor vehicle speeds.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoFootnoteText"><br />
</div></div><div id="ftn3"><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6254762661196733808#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">[3]</span></span></span></a> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Criteria include: Moderate traffic volumes (8-15,000 ADT), Transit Corridor, Popular or essential bicycle route/link, Commercial investment zones, Economic enterprise zones, Entertainment district, Main street<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoFootnoteText"><br />
</div></div></div>Anthony C. Siracusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619769469849846781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254762661196733808.post-75758171653066448002011-04-13T13:23:00.001-07:002011-04-15T08:39:54.676-07:00The Facts about Re-Designing Madison Avenue<link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Csiracusa%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Csiracusa%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Csiracusa%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1107304683 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-parent:"";
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style> <br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Facts about Re-Designing Madison Avenue<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Memphis needs vibrant places for people to live, work, shop and recreate. The Madison Avenue corridor can be exactly that – <i>if we build it right</i>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>What truly drives economic activity?</b> People are attracted to vibrant, lively public spaces. Study after study concludes that safe, walkable and bikable places are a high priority in attracting and retaining the desirable young professional class. Communities accessible to children, the elderly, families, pedestrians, cyclist, and automobiles are proven to be the kinds of places that attract more people. They have a bustling and welcoming street life and attract more visitors.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>What is a “Road-Diet”?</b> A road diet transforms an underutilized roadway into a more efficient roadway. On Madison, the proposed road diet will convert two automobile lanes in each direction to one automobile in each direction, one bike lane in each direction and a center left hand turn lane. The optimal average daily traffic (ADT) for successful road diet projects is between 9,000-20,000. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b> <o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>How will a road diet effect traffic counts on Madison?</b> Currently Madison’s ADT is 12,000, which is 35-38% of its designed capacity. Traffic models indicate the proposed road diet will increase efficiency to 45-49% of its designed capacity. The Road Diet will make increase the number of users, reduce collisions, and spawn economic development.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Collision deduction benefits of a road diet?</b> Road diets benefit all users - specifically automobiles. Rear end crashes, left turn multiple-threat crashes, and sideswipe crashes are the most common crash types that are reduced by such a roadway treatment. A number of studies below show that the road diet scenario reduces vehicle collisions by more than 50%.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>What about speeding?</b> Road diets tend to bring traffic speeds down to their posted speed limits. This is safer for all users. An added benefit of slower traffic is economic development: People viewing the street at a slower pace (in cars, on bikes or on foot) are potential new customers for any business because they can really see and experience the street. True - you may not want to put your helmet on just after you got your hair done, but new potential clients will pass by your business on bike and come back later in a car. Madison becomes DESTINATION: MADISON.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Why striped bike lanes?</b> Providing safe, clearly marked places for people to ride bikes brings new users to the streets. Bike lanes will increase Madison’s travel lanes to five: 2 for cars + 2 for bikes + 1 center turn lane. Bike lanes also further separate pedestrians from moving automobile traffic and create a more pleasant sidewalk experience. Striped bike lanes are used by cyclists who currently don’t feel welcome on the street: traditionally, these are women, children, new riders and intermediate riders. True, this stretch of bike lanes might not be most appealing to the fast, spandex-clad cyclists, but for Memphis’ growing cycling class in response to wildly successful facilities like the Shelby Farms Greenline and the Wolf River Greenway, bike lanes provide new access to the public streets.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Why not a shared route?</b> In this scenario, Madison Ave would be essentially left as is with new signs to indicate that bikes might be there. Bicycles are currently allowed to use Madison and are required by law to share the right-most lane with cars. However, the current traffic speed, traffic volumes and adjacent land uses make bicycle lanes the most context sensitive option for bike traffic along Madison Avenue. Bike lanes have been proven to increase safety by removing cyclists from the same travel lanes as motor vehicles, and such safety factors encourage more people to use bicycles rather than motor vehicles. A “shared route" is appropriate application for other scenarios, but in a wide, commercial district like Madison, bike lanes are the only SAFE and APPROPRIATE option.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>How will this stretch of Madison Ave connect?</b> The Madison Ave lanes are planned to connect to a new bike route on McLean and provide safe bike access in to trails through Overton Park. Via McLean, Madison will also connect to lanes on Chelsea, Cooper and Southern - all in this next year! These stretches are part of a planned and growing connected network of bicycle facilities that are being designed and built to make our streets safe for bicyclists and pedestrians outlined <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=xtz5umdab&et=1105093174861&s=867&e=001eo-W5jkurJJS8talApMBmWjxorfFQ2-ULDf9-qFQsQi6ManxAcU22xvQ7U6VpTKk7t-QQJMuj3LddfC3uU-FTFGhdJZw1ZV4zxOeJE0FoX7oq1FvcdxBJf0kL0o3SsUMsS7lqj1FnHh0o5lOHbkSp3XM0BBH6_rxN9hkMkXOde19dVIFjZ0KqENW9LiwD5xLHdGkjMTPyYzm7lbM8GEiFvPwVqJ_7Y8B" target="_blank">Mayor Wharton's 2010 Bicycle Facility Plan outlining 55 miles of routes</a>. And there are plans for another 50+ miles to follows this initial set in the next few years as well! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>What about parallel routes?</b> Creating a single east/west route for cyclists to use is unrealistic. Parallel routes are being closely analyzed as additional east/west routes to Madison - not as alternatives. All of these routes are part of a 500 miles system of bike routes planned since 2005. Different routes meet different needs. Madison Ave offers a unique opportunity to integrate new users into a commercial corridor while boosting economic development. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Where these routes properly announced?</b> YES, the city has gone beyond the outlined protocol for announcing routine maintenance project like Madison. These routes were first announced publicly nearly one year ago. There have been multiple public meeting attended by hundreds of people, and various articles in all forms of new media.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>How will this compare to other construction projects on Madison?</b> This is routine maintenance. Madison is in dire need of repaving and has been in the repaving line-up for a while. Repaving is the most efficient time to alter the street design because stripping can be altered. The construction process for repaving and restriping the roadway is not comparable <i>-in any way- </i>to the construction process for the trolley. Temporary lane closures may limit turning movements, availability of on-street parking, and loading zones, but traffic will continue to flow during the construction process. Construction will be completed in a matter of months.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>What are some useful resources and data that make the case for a road diet<u>?</u></b> These resources support road diets for safety, livability, operational efficiency, and transportation equity benefits, all of which are vital elements to healthy, active and vibrant community.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Crash Modification Reduction Factor Clearinghouse - Road Diets. <a href="http://www.cmfclearinghouse.org/detail.cfm?facid=2841">http://www.cmfclearinghouse.org/detail.cfm?facid=2841</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Road Diets: Fixing the Big Roads. Dan Burden and Peter Lagerwey's report on the use of road diets to create more livable streets. While nearly 11 years old now, it's still a vital resource for advocates, planners, engineers, etc. <a href="http://www.walkable.org/assets/downloads/roaddiets.pdf">http://www.walkable.org/assets/downloads/roaddiets.pdf</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Presentation: Road Diets Handbook: Setting Trends for Livable Streets. Jennifer Rosales' presentation on the basics of her manual of the same name. Very useful facts and background information on why road diets are key building blocks of livable communities.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://lcmpoweb.las-cruces.org/Training/Road%20Diet/Road%20Diet%20Presentation.pdf">http://lcmpoweb.las-cruces.org/Training/Road%20Diet/Road%20Diet%20Presentation.pdf</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">APBP Road Diets Webinar - Peter Lagerwey. Peter Lagerwey managed dozens of road diets and the implementation of miles of bike lanes while with the City. A great presentation from just a few months ago on the benefits of road diets, along with a few useful case studies.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.walkinginfo.org/training/pbic/dps_webinar_11-03-2010.cfm">http://www.walkinginfo.org/training/pbic/dps_webinar_11-03-2010.cfm</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This information was prepared by Livable Memphis, Revolutions Community Bike Shop and engaged citizens wanting safe, healthy vibrant place to live, shop, work and recreate. For more information, please contact Anthony Siracusa at 901-843-3401 or Sarah Newstok at <a href="mailto:sarah@livablememphis.org">sarah@livablememphis.org</a></span>Anthony C. Siracusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619769469849846781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254762661196733808.post-73457421500665691432010-11-09T09:57:00.000-08:002010-11-09T09:57:08.904-08:00Local Media Covers the 4th Annual Neighborhood SummitThis past Saturday, community leaders from around the Memphis area gathered for the 4th Annual Neighborhood Leaders Summit sponsored by <a href="http://www.livablememphis.org/">Livable Memphis</a>. <br />
<br />
In today's Commercial Appeal, Mr. Tom Bailey <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/nov/09/vital-to-success/">wrote about</a> the event, calling it "an information buffet provided to participants from neighborhoods that include Frayser, Hickory Hill, Balmoral, Annesdale Park, Normal Station, Richland Acres, Cooper-Young, Whitehaven, Sherwood Forest, Cordova, Downtown, South Memphis, Glenview-Edgewood Manor, Evergreen Historic District, Park-Moor, Vollintine- Evergreen and South Main."<br />
<br />
The Memphis Flyer's Mary Cashiola <a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/InTheBluff/archives/2010/11/08/vancouver-deputy-manager-focuses-on-environmenteconomy-overlap#more">wrote about </a>the keynote address delivered by Mr. Sadhu Johnston, Assistant Deputy City Manager for the City of Vancouver. Ms. Cashiola cited Mr. Johnston's comments about Vancouver's commitment to bicycling: <br />
<blockquote>"The car comes last. We don't design anything exclusively for the car anymore," Johnston said. <br />
<br />
After installing protected bike lanes, the city saw a 400 percent increase in its morning bike commute within two months. </blockquote>Mr. Bailey reported on local consultant John Lawrence's talk about the economic importance of walkable neighborhoods: <br />
<blockquote>"The changes in house values over a recent 10-year period show Cooper-Young's values rising 32 percent, compared to Collierville, 23 percent; Germantown, 17 percent; Millington, 11 percent; Arlington, 11 percent; Bartlett, 8 percent; and Memphis as a whole, 3 percent, (consultant John) Lawrence said. </blockquote>According to Mr. Bailey, Lawrence<br />
<blockquote>projected a photograph of an ice cream shop -- surrounded by parking lots and devoid of sidewalks -- on suburban Germantown Parkway and remarked, "If you wanted to walk to Baskin-Robbins, you can't."</blockquote>Cashiola points to the ecomic advantage that Vancouer now enjoys as a result of its emphasis on envrionmental sustainability and livability. <br />
<blockquote>All the changes have given Vancouver the lowest per capita emissions in North America, and that, in turn, means a competitive advantage.<br />
<br />
"By making our cities more livable, we make them more competitive," Johnston said. "This isn't just about making our cities beautiful." </blockquote>Livable Memphis was proud to host such an exciting and inspiring event for leaders from around our great city. Stay tuned for information about our next event, the Broad Avenue Facelift.Anthony C. Siracusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619769469849846781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254762661196733808.post-53785708765308287302010-11-03T07:28:00.000-07:002010-11-03T07:28:52.431-07:00Walk Bike Survey from the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)<div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #285685; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #285685;"><div align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span> <div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span><strong>Bicycle/Pedestrian Survey</strong></span></div></span><span> <div align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The Memphis MPO is gathering feedback on local bicycle and pedestrian issues, concerns, and habits from local residents to use in the update of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. Please click on the link below to complete the survey. It will take you just a few minutes and is a great way to be sure YOUR voice is heard.</div></span> </div><div align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=aqtfrycab&et=1103862482178&s=981&e=001SBc6kyNT_7gr9aOZXxctA3Gm5W7E7R9h9ELs7yttNXEonI3v2okCJADIAB2xfBF-i2jfYiapt1yMwndLqGXigRMLY8tHGf7t9AnVFMs89oqITHzvr0ZENtb3vsKVfiOT-FjIs_rvmoZje4GY431ddA==" shape="rect" target="_blank">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/<wbr></wbr>BikePedUpdate2010</a></div><div align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span>After completing the surey, please forward the link to as many friends, family, and co-workers as you can. The more responses we have, the better our ability to plan for the unique and diverse needs of our region's bicycle and pedestrian users.</span></div><div align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span>For additional information on the Memphis MPO's bicycle/pedestrian program, please contact Kyle Wagenschutz, Bikeway/Pedestrian Coordinator at (901) 576-6710 or </span><a href="mailto:kyle.wagenschutz@memphistn.gov" shape="rect" target="_blank">kyle.wagenschutz@memphistn.gov</a></div></span></span></div>Anthony C. Siracusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619769469849846781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254762661196733808.post-23239452469052745392010-10-22T09:02:00.001-07:002010-10-22T09:02:57.993-07:00Copenhagen (through North American Eyes)Thanks to our friends at www.Streetsblog.org for this wonderful film shot in and around Copenhagen during the 2010 Velo City Global Conference this past June. <br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vyrTx9SXkVI?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vyrTx9SXkVI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Anthony C. Siracusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619769469849846781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254762661196733808.post-59255129718439529592010-10-21T12:39:00.000-07:002010-10-21T15:12:57.956-07:00Southern Avenue Bike Lane: Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Southern Avenue bike lane is moving towards completion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVJUy31YrVd-ZBoNf9Cd9avtn_4w4VJYgb1PIz-rICS9CN9CO8gJmEbC4Ht99AzM_BkRilDOb2KsCyK0xetPQoLzdnzsyV5gf9ZhO0DH0YtgeMtiLJ0ILkgT7uU0BGnO9PA4juLt5LF0/s1600/Southern+and+Perkins.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVJUy31YrVd-ZBoNf9Cd9avtn_4w4VJYgb1PIz-rICS9CN9CO8gJmEbC4Ht99AzM_BkRilDOb2KsCyK0xetPQoLzdnzsyV5gf9ZhO0DH0YtgeMtiLJ0ILkgT7uU0BGnO9PA4juLt5LF0/s320/Southern+and+Perkins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the intersection of Perkins Extended and Southern--on the far eastern end of the road improvement--the roadway has been primed for repaving. Because the process of re-paving requires a "scouring" of the the street, the roadway becomes pretty rough before it's repaved. But it's a small price to pay for the super smooth asphalt that follows. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTZ1VXMsz9abuDQNdz-Rwzw8aN-tZTMAk2lU6YaB1t3NgfmF75negNMZWiTOHVg1OHaMCzjcrwkgceDG5SRX3P8GFfGoX3X5_dLemNuo7wzjMOjqU4oSj8D4cLZdnKr6q3jdwtw9detM/s1600/Torn+up+pavement.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTZ1VXMsz9abuDQNdz-Rwzw8aN-tZTMAk2lU6YaB1t3NgfmF75negNMZWiTOHVg1OHaMCzjcrwkgceDG5SRX3P8GFfGoX3X5_dLemNuo7wzjMOjqU4oSj8D4cLZdnKr6q3jdwtw9detM/s320/Torn+up+pavement.jpg" width="240" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(This stretch of rough asphalt currently stretches from Goodlett to Perkins on Southern. By the end of next week, most of Southern between Cooper St and Perkins should have new asphalt.)</i></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88vKDT5KqCkTXsyiC4QBD25GRhFQH2nFk53sPzud43jdLJKaQwMDzrNyNtdLSsoGj3bMg9nmfk54qEvEbEJsvgkga8jkqiwYekPl3vxLBb_ri24q6NEF8isZyesnqNoQZNeCckhqjm2c/s1600/Southern+and+goodlet.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88vKDT5KqCkTXsyiC4QBD25GRhFQH2nFk53sPzud43jdLJKaQwMDzrNyNtdLSsoGj3bMg9nmfk54qEvEbEJsvgkga8jkqiwYekPl3vxLBb_ri24q6NEF8isZyesnqNoQZNeCckhqjm2c/s320/Southern+and+goodlet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Heading westbound on Southern this morning, we found the street closed for re-paving beginning at Goodlett. Most of Southern between Patterson and Goodlett has been repaved. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeSazAGctHjZEj2DvbgbFzFD-15HM2lZg7FB_kWV9iZ1xfwp9hw3fGJDtO9xWBYbzCcN4rUia0LJFOAonPRDvpfeYab5ONzSSzMX2DsKfL4y1DGuKpO-JYoGGgaUg3ZIllYyzSHW5fAk/s1600/Southern+Patt+to+Good+no+stripes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeSazAGctHjZEj2DvbgbFzFD-15HM2lZg7FB_kWV9iZ1xfwp9hw3fGJDtO9xWBYbzCcN4rUia0LJFOAonPRDvpfeYab5ONzSSzMX2DsKfL4y1DGuKpO-JYoGGgaUg3ZIllYyzSHW5fAk/s320/Southern+Patt+to+Good+no+stripes.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Paving crews are putting on the finishing touches today. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaZxjF1XJ005E8F2qHjOo_TmnWGLDM3j162XWVQwXhy_yC9Yi6HorUko4L1oQ04yxUHhnyRcgV_WK9aZF6zai8TDaGqz68PVUr6i-sCBxQO2hPcnneW0eBstTVHoi5Qb7AmhlhvtqGFA/s1600/Patterson+to+Goodlett.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaZxjF1XJ005E8F2qHjOo_TmnWGLDM3j162XWVQwXhy_yC9Yi6HorUko4L1oQ04yxUHhnyRcgV_WK9aZF6zai8TDaGqz68PVUr6i-sCBxQO2hPcnneW0eBstTVHoi5Qb7AmhlhvtqGFA/s320/Patterson+to+Goodlett.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiY6RqXjD9xddnpAy2JlTxughW9NAUl5XddcWWaybDXcBRU3oBIZVlR1jQuvKI5y88eWegjxjVPlOGwAa_2XX-JQiW_PgN0R8BhJi8a_1oj-5fqYk9m_jNj_LYzHuEDUZh-g7fMKH4ns/s1600/Paving+Machine+Near+Goodlet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiY6RqXjD9xddnpAy2JlTxughW9NAUl5XddcWWaybDXcBRU3oBIZVlR1jQuvKI5y88eWegjxjVPlOGwAa_2XX-JQiW_PgN0R8BhJi8a_1oj-5fqYk9m_jNj_LYzHuEDUZh-g7fMKH4ns/s320/Paving+Machine+Near+Goodlet.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pedestrians will notice that along most of Southern, the City of Memphis has completed "curb cuts." The curb cuts are just as they sound: they are areas where concrete has been cut out of the curb at street crossings to provide handicap accessibility on the sidewalk. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RO7TiW2dfHIm8ecN8ERYRoj7UwC_ID70Vp5S3AjzoB6N47iMue0rzTOBflhN3HkuCJFDj-tFcLsksErxlH4ZZEGzz84IgjZz5PkZw_hMZKD6wZxK_xb3bbsjSA0ytoFEzAU2hngPYFo/s1600/Curb+Cut+Southern.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RO7TiW2dfHIm8ecN8ERYRoj7UwC_ID70Vp5S3AjzoB6N47iMue0rzTOBflhN3HkuCJFDj-tFcLsksErxlH4ZZEGzz84IgjZz5PkZw_hMZKD6wZxK_xb3bbsjSA0ytoFEzAU2hngPYFo/s320/Curb+Cut+Southern.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(A curb cut near the repaving zone at Goodlett and Southern)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> </i><span style="font-size: small;">Near the</span><i> </i></span> University of Memphis, where today the street was closed between Patterson and Goodlett, re-paving crews were hard at work. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuEXVgLtTNwDhcOBIBZgQ1-Xs7EIVmkD5t9FQ_wmaBEiq-D8fiAc0CiABM25HXpwygN7Nr35Bl9v9_O7njwyVyu-OJrpGl9o7EDDc4zOOWTudJgXEgSlPY5O2Troz-d62hIXQI-6N7F0/s1600/Paving_sign_UofM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuEXVgLtTNwDhcOBIBZgQ1-Xs7EIVmkD5t9FQ_wmaBEiq-D8fiAc0CiABM25HXpwygN7Nr35Bl9v9_O7njwyVyu-OJrpGl9o7EDDc4zOOWTudJgXEgSlPY5O2Troz-d62hIXQI-6N7F0/s320/Paving_sign_UofM.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Heading west from Perkins, repaving along Southern Avenue will end at the intersection of S. Highland and Southern Avenue. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqudv14WGuupNvEyGPuo1iSm_jxNCo0t79c2YfrQPQb4uXPH99dRpr3IFAmChbYRV6tMw0hkpD1e3JkEb5Xjw4feyd3yVhgIsLM56aW-XxhYk4jc1IiMB0Z4tYDcWtLDTTgCC7ONYv68/s1600/Southern+and+Highland.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqudv14WGuupNvEyGPuo1iSm_jxNCo0t79c2YfrQPQb4uXPH99dRpr3IFAmChbYRV6tMw0hkpD1e3JkEb5Xjw4feyd3yVhgIsLM56aW-XxhYk4jc1IiMB0Z4tYDcWtLDTTgCC7ONYv68/s320/Southern+and+Highland.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Readers will remember from <a href="http://walkbikememphis.blogspot.com/2010/10/southern-avenue-set-for-bike-lanes.html#comment-form">our last blog entry</a> that Southern will not receive new pavement between S. Highland and Semmes during this fiscal year's repaving cycle. The City of Memphis hopes this stretch of Southern will be re-surfaced during fiscal year 2012. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkcXomcDV8wjFGYYgcCkeHQsr9VG5wB_7kZk295sK2Bwwc36VsgEmBrrOGoXWfjYDAgX1PK-_kbS6M6EePPmn5alDhDI3lJ4hJdvPjEeS_e0PC0_3bUS3f4O5qnBGpor_lnro11wg88g/s1600/Prescott+and+Sthrn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkcXomcDV8wjFGYYgcCkeHQsr9VG5wB_7kZk295sK2Bwwc36VsgEmBrrOGoXWfjYDAgX1PK-_kbS6M6EePPmn5alDhDI3lJ4hJdvPjEeS_e0PC0_3bUS3f4O5qnBGpor_lnro11wg88g/s320/Prescott+and+Sthrn.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(The intersection of southern and Prescott is within the .8 mile stretch of Southern that will not be repaved this year)</span></i> </div><br />
Beginning at Semmes heading west, bicycle riders will enjoy smooth sailing all the way to S. Cooper St. New pavement has been poured and smoothed. Best of all, the beginnings of a bike lane are now striped on the road. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-3iMIrnIk8LSZVgmZYsuGDICh6Et2Jjc74EW9puNYlW4TIwqrGhaBOBtgtS0xhxLeGs7M31R9wsGtnWmUUz30hVZ9LTkEDrU0Gu-u8RIfE19YBmIPu7b4m6qUoNb6bQGlhb7su6z3IA/s1600/Semmes+and+Southern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-3iMIrnIk8LSZVgmZYsuGDICh6Et2Jjc74EW9puNYlW4TIwqrGhaBOBtgtS0xhxLeGs7M31R9wsGtnWmUUz30hVZ9LTkEDrU0Gu-u8RIfE19YBmIPu7b4m6qUoNb6bQGlhb7su6z3IA/s320/Semmes+and+Southern.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The bike lane actually begins at Goodwyn, one block west of Semmes. This bike lane is part of <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmayoracwharton.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F15%2Fgiving-memphis-the-bike-friendly-city-you-deserve%2F&ei=isdiTJTMCYWclgfruKCDAw&usg=AFQjCNFH7qO7BM7kbl9Pofi-Lm3mWBVe5g">Mayor A.C. Wharton's 2010-2011 Bicycle Facilities Program</a>, which began with striping <a href="http://anthonysiracusa.blogspot.com/2010/07/memphis-update-horn-lake-bike-lanes.html">bicycle lanes on Horn Lake Road </a>in July of this year. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpaHBms0hHHGG-wLQLKm7PtLP-TyGgIN5TTT_hU1D8IbiaVVmCKi8uGTPpWcf7_nZNKStZXLHazoOQZxmkgubr2uMkawuZycBfr48AoYI8BbYLA96HPEGY8JzBS8_RH_nHi3xqCGhXLA/s1600/Goodwyn+and+Southern+BL+Begin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpaHBms0hHHGG-wLQLKm7PtLP-TyGgIN5TTT_hU1D8IbiaVVmCKi8uGTPpWcf7_nZNKStZXLHazoOQZxmkgubr2uMkawuZycBfr48AoYI8BbYLA96HPEGY8JzBS8_RH_nHi3xqCGhXLA/s320/Goodwyn+and+Southern+BL+Begin.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>Here's a shaky and hazy but continuous video of the bike lane from Goodwyn to Cooper.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_vJxyKdnLE0?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_vJxyKdnLE0?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><br />
Note that "bicycle lane" signs have not been erected by the side of the road and bicycle emblems have not been installed inside the bike lane. These features should be done, along with crosswalks on the newly repaved Southern Avenue, within the next week or two. We'll keep you up to date. <br />
<br />
Once again, thank you for helping make this bicycle lane a reality. Advocacy works.Anthony C. Siracusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619769469849846781noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254762661196733808.post-30298329720506858312010-10-20T12:45:00.000-07:002010-10-20T12:45:47.512-07:00Updated City of Memphis Bicycle Ordinannces and Spoke Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This year, Livable Memphis' Walk Bike Memphis program organized volunteers to conduct a re-write of the local bicycling ordinances governing Memphis and Shelby County. Sponsored by Councilman Shea Flinn, the new ordinances passed through the City of Memphis City Council and the Shelby County Commission unanimously. We hope you'll <a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13545734/Bike%20Ordinance.pdf">download</a> a PDF file of the updated ordinances for your own files. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Part of the work involved in having new bicycle laws is ensuring that both citizens and officials are aware of the updated laws. To that end, Livable Memphis created these handy spoke cards for Memphis cyclists. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The front highlights the new ordinances for Memphis and Shelby County: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRylML7h1nD0O4uirYo76MPtMPxDnx_gYFV2biRZQs7UVZroEJY8DBvD9F2mxPMQwcVNT35ImLjcapVJe7zOfUT52QqIdu8WIXxLdMNI2e9tJj_6vGWNRT60QF_xANAyouCzXAZY-bNVI/s320/Spoke+Card+1.jpg" width="202" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The backside of the card provides some helpful information about what to do if you've been in a collision with a motor vehicle. After a crash, most riders are quite shaken. A quick list of points to follow is often helpful in figuring out the best procedure for dealing with an accident. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnQcco4QqBOad5UpOBu5SvlHKmGnlU_Bd1weFhZCTN8eBL_FUHexnlV71_cn2C9sd4MQBou8zAS7-XVaBYuJzdHr3PRClld6_LyG3wl9cGHmouLl1krDYgeQM2_Fks9IXq-0xDQG70H8/s1600/Spoke+Card+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnQcco4QqBOad5UpOBu5SvlHKmGnlU_Bd1weFhZCTN8eBL_FUHexnlV71_cn2C9sd4MQBou8zAS7-XVaBYuJzdHr3PRClld6_LyG3wl9cGHmouLl1krDYgeQM2_Fks9IXq-0xDQG70H8/s320/Spoke+Card+2.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>If you're interested in having Livable Memphis do a presentation on the new laws for your riding club, community association, or any other public gathering, contact Anthony at anthony@livablememphis.org. <br />
<br />
<br />
We hope to pass updated pedestrian ordinances through the City Council and County Commission in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!Anthony C. Siracusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619769469849846781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254762661196733808.post-53011840608780873712010-10-18T13:07:00.000-07:002010-10-18T13:34:41.597-07:00Southern Avenue Set for Bike LanesIf you've been on Southern Avenue between Perkins and Cooper in the past month you probably had a bumpy ride. But soon enough Memphis bicyclists will enjoy some smooth sailing. <br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=35.112607,-89.95657&spn=0.073722,0.152435&msid=112543852481371414480.000492e5c3d8707b51bf4&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=35.112607,-89.95657&spn=0.073722,0.152435&msid=112543852481371414480.000492e5c3d8707b51bf4&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Southern Avenue Bike Facility</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<br />
The City of Memphis has been working this month to re-pave most of Southern Avenue. The process began last month with a prohibition of on-street parking between Patterson and Normal St. on Southern. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhho3kmzY-_E73gZVtCSmhgmmjKwAT-sohIMa7lIcXZ1x0Db_UQawCo895mSMIU7JGlxEeRbYUw1U_G3wQubeveMMef0nNDtJT4ESAm2SredoZXInoglYpHMw0qzIewnO5J-vbzn1-g6HE/s1600/On-Street+Parking+prohibited.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhho3kmzY-_E73gZVtCSmhgmmjKwAT-sohIMa7lIcXZ1x0Db_UQawCo895mSMIU7JGlxEeRbYUw1U_G3wQubeveMMef0nNDtJT4ESAm2SredoZXInoglYpHMw0qzIewnO5J-vbzn1-g6HE/s400/On-Street+Parking+prohibited.png" width="400" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (On-Street Parking is Prohibited between Patterson and Normal St. on Southern Avenue)</span></i><b><br />
</b></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Parking Woes</b></span> <br />
Many students at the University of Memphis <a href="http://media.www.dailyhelmsman.com/media/storage/paper875/news/2010/09/03/News/Um.Students.Lament.Lack.Of.Parking.Lots-3927423.shtml">responded</a> negatively to prohibited parking in The University's paper, The Daily Helmsman. In early September, Darrell Katoe recalled arriving "at 8:20 a.m. for a 9 a.m. class and was late because I was looking for parking. I was thinking, 'I'm going to be early and eat breakfast,' and couldn't get it because I was late. I was pissed.<br />
<br />
"Parking sucks," said student Joseph Smith. "I get tired of getting tickets everyday for trying to get to class on time. You have to drive around campus for an hour to find a spot.""<br />
<br />
Kirby Luigs, a sophmore at the University, believes students need more roadside parking. <br />
<br />
"Why can't we park on the streets?" she said. "They put up those stupid 'No Parking' signs, and people still park there anyway. It's hectic." <br />
<br />
<b>Bikes Help the Parking Problem</b><br />
Luigs' question, "Why can't we park street?" has a simple answer: Southern Avenue will soon have bike lanes, and the roadway is too narrow to accommodate both on-street parking and bicycle lanes between Patterson and Normal St.<br />
<br />
The University, however, didn't lost any parking in the deal. Two additional lots have been created for students near the intersection of Patterson and Southern. <br />
<br />
Most importantly, bicycle lanes stretching from the Cooper/Young neighborhood to the University of Memphis will encourage more commuters to leave their car at home as they travel to class. <br />
<br />
Best of all: students, faculty and staff can park their bikes next to the front door of their building, eliminating the need to walk 20 minutes from some distant outpost to a destination on campus. <br />
<br />
Students and advisers from the University of Memphis Cycling Club have confirmed a desire among students to ride to campus, citing full bike racks at the University as evidence that many commuters will use the bicycle to commute. The Southern Avenue bicycle lanes provide another incentive for bicycle commuters based in midtown. <br />
<br />
<b>Railroaded </b> <br />
Careful observers may note that not all of Southern Avenue is slated for bike facilities this year. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsL5EwmNcIYLD2is7gRwdA0uAbFOFozURdC7huxODU-lXIhnsnuYdpIzjnHR1Bh-SB9lwyEjSLQhmtsBcYtVCBS1U8knxvUNFtorq5kOGgaLkBmfAKHVddxVBfdGiV2jG2Iaw8iUcpShg/s1600/Southern+Incomplete.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsL5EwmNcIYLD2is7gRwdA0uAbFOFozURdC7huxODU-lXIhnsnuYdpIzjnHR1Bh-SB9lwyEjSLQhmtsBcYtVCBS1U8knxvUNFtorq5kOGgaLkBmfAKHVddxVBfdGiV2jG2Iaw8iUcpShg/s640/Southern+Incomplete.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Southern Avenue Bike Lanes, October 2010)</i></span> </div><br />
The stretch of Southern between Semmes and Highland will not receive bike lanes during the current re-paving cycle. This stretch of road will not receive bicycle lanes during this round of re-paving because there are four railroad crossings along this .8 mile section of roadway, and by federal law, whenever repaving is completed within proximity of a rail crossing the crossing must be upgraded. <br />
<br />
The catch is this: municipalities cannot use federal money to complete the upgrade.<br />
<br />
Since the Southern Avenue re-paving project and bike facilities were paid for with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) federal stimulus dollars, The City of Memphis Engineering Division has opted to re-pave this section of Southern and add bike lanes next year using municipal dollars. <br />
<br />
<b>Pedaling in the Right Direction</b><br />
The bike lanes on Southern are important. Practically speaking, they connect midtown to the University area--which is a perfect example of prime connectivity. They also put Southern Avenue on a road diet by reducing the right of way for motor vehicles from two travel lanes in each direction to one travel lane in each direction (this is the case for most of Southern, anyway). The new lanes also pass by Tiger Lane at the Mid-South Fairgrounds, and they carry riders past the <a href="http://www.peddlerbikeshop.com/">Peddler Bicycle Shop</a> at the intersection of Highland and Southern. The connectivity along this corridor is superb. <br />
<br />
Maybe most significantly, the Southern Avenue bike lanes are the first bicycle lanes within the 240 loop.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnh-5RhK7Nr92nGClZyfeYumb52ElzWgkT4-yROG9FuG8GIF2hjW_2MsGOdOexKkX8UsWloP8Ic5WZ5fElyJj4EZ0tL21alVCBWR-ob8_R8hzIAnzKyjvV9cJmWKhfAPR00ul2FnBtd4/s1600/Current+Bicycle+Facilities.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnh-5RhK7Nr92nGClZyfeYumb52ElzWgkT4-yROG9FuG8GIF2hjW_2MsGOdOexKkX8UsWloP8Ic5WZ5fElyJj4EZ0tL21alVCBWR-ob8_R8hzIAnzKyjvV9cJmWKhfAPR00ul2FnBtd4/s640/Current+Bicycle+Facilities.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(A map of Memphis' Current Bicycle Lanes, October 2010)</span></i> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>While a small section of the Shady Grove bike lanes fall inside the eastern edge of the 240 loop, the Southern Avenue bike lanes stand as the first significant investment in bicycle infrastructure within the inner urban core of Memphis. <br />
<br />
Advocacy works. We're beginning to see results here in Memphis, but while we're headed in the right direction I'm not sure it's a tailwind yet.Anthony C. Siracusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619769469849846781noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254762661196733808.post-12250991684024748302010-10-11T12:46:00.000-07:002010-10-11T12:46:34.879-07:00The Opening of the Shelby Farms Park GreenlineMayor Wharton talks about Memphis' new "baby" on this ABC 24 clip covering the opening of the Greenline. About half way through, Livable Memphis' Sarah Newstok and Anthony Siracusa present a new bike to Mayor Wharton with Victory Bicycle Studio owner Clark Butcher. <br />
<script language="JavaScript" src="http://wpty.img.entriq.net/dayportcore/dpm/DayPortPlayers.js" type="text/javascript">
H
</script><script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript">
DayPortPlayer.newPlayer({articleID:"564167",bannerAdConDefID:"30",videoAdObjectID:"29",videoAdConDefID:"10",playVideoAds:"true",categoryID:"12",accPos:"CCTVI.NEWS.LOCAL",accSite:"WPTY",playerInstanceID:"27574A89-06D1-CD92-4444-22719C5099EC",domain:"wpty.web.entriq.net"});
</script>Anthony C. Siracusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619769469849846781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254762661196733808.post-45448387707624592422010-10-11T09:09:00.000-07:002010-10-11T09:32:38.254-07:00Mayor Wharton's Address to the Bicycling CommunityOn Monday, September 20 2010, Memphis Mayor AC Wharton shared his vision for bicycling in Memphis with a crowd at Otherlands Coffee Bar in midtown. This clip shows us his introductory remarks. <br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eTdTuGBrf_4?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eTdTuGBrf_4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Anthony C. Siracusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15619769469849846781noreply@blogger.com0