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See what we're missing
Author: subverita :: Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:35 pm (2) Replies

What's threatening our planet
Author: subverita :: Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 7:55 am (0) Replies

Bike racks at schools
Author: rich :: Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 12:57 pm Does anyone know of any programs to help schools obtain bike racks? I seem to recall that the City had some to distribute but that opportunity may have passed by long ago. Thanks. (3) Replies

Instead of spending gabillions on a rail line...
Author: subverita :: Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:48 am We are so behind the curve on innovative thinking. Check out what's up in L.A. [url][/url] (5) Replies

My meeting with city transportation officials and MORE!
Author: Columbusite :: Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:46 pm Got back from a meeting with transportation officials Nick & Steve with the city of Columbus about improving visibility for cyclists on the bridge north of Nationwide and the hill south of it. Hoping to get some signage up, since large "bike route" stencils on the road itself would have to go through a dozen bureaucracies, but could be done if you want to wait a decade. The signage would advise drivers that cyclists use this road (standard "share the road" signs), and surprisingly several cyclists were using the road while we were discussing it. I suggested signage advising traffic not to pass approaching the incline, since you can't see traffic coming over the hill very well on the two-way stretch of Front. Hopefully we'll get something. I suggested grooved speed humps on the inclines which would slow cars but not bikes or EM vehicles, but that's an ODOT controlled road, so there's no way. In the vast majority of cases only residential streets can have those installed, despite this road being a bike route. If you know of any roads that could use improvements and know what you'd like to see, I'd suggest contacting Nick: NJPopa@columbus.gov or just call 645-3111 for the transportation division. FYI, we're not going to see sharrows until sometime in 2010 and any traffic calming measure requires several studies before implemented, which after a bit of thought makes no sense really. Just follow a formula like roads that are X ft wide + X number of lanes which are X ft wide + length of road without a stop = traffic going at an average of X MPH. Do we have some upside-down roads or loop-de-loops that I don't know about which would throw that equation off? I was also struck by just how many roads ODOT has control over. Virtually all streets Downtown along with several other streets. That means Downtown will never become a cyclist and pedestrian-friendly place. Ever. Period. Unless, of course, city officials were to gasp oppose the all-mighty ODOT. Based on their actions however, that's not at all likely. The only hope would be grassroots. Even streets that are residential, like King Ave. as I was told, function as arterials (they connect to the highways, you see) so my desire for traffic calming on King likely won't be considered until a permanent speed limit is finalized. ODOT wants all of King to be 35, because drivers should be able to at least run over a couple of cyclists on their rush to 315. The city is trying to appease their bloodlust by compromising at 30 while residents want to maintain the current limit of 25. So this means it is ODOT who dictates urban development on their streets, not city planners, and if they want to lower property values on a street like King and make streets attractive only to car oriented development, they can if they want. After all, an ODOT rep explained that the reason they're tearing down Carabar and ET Paul is because there would be traffic. I guess it makes sense. Let's spend lots of money so that drivers don't have any traffic (hah!), even though it is well-known that drivers choose to put up with insane amounts of traffic at no additional cost. To summarize; the most cyclists will get on bike routes is a bigger, more visible sign, which is better than nothing, and on any of ODOT's roads you can forget about 25MPH speed limits, traffic calming, basically anything that would provide a safe environment for cyclists and pedestrians, since the city lets them have the final say in designing this city. And we wonder why east and west coasters aren't flocking to Columbus. http://columbus-ite.com/2009/03/12/my-meeting-with-transportation-officials-and-more/ (15) Replies

My meeting with city transportation officials and MORE!

Author: Columbusite :: Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:46 pm

Got back from a meeting with transportation officials Nick & Steve with the city of Columbus about improving visibility for cyclists on the bridge north of Nationwide and the hill south of it. Hoping to get some signage up, since large "bike route" stencils on the road itself would have to go through a dozen bureaucracies, but could be done if you want to wait a decade. The signage would advise drivers that cyclists use this road (standard "share the road" signs), and surprisingly several cyclists were using the road while we were discussing it. I suggested signage advising traffic not to pass approaching the incline, since you can't see traffic coming over the hill very well on the two-way stretch of Front. Hopefully we'll get something. I suggested grooved speed humps on the inclines which would slow cars but not bikes or EM vehicles, but that's an ODOT controlled road, so there's no way. In the vast majority of cases only residential streets can have those installed, despite this road being a bike route.

If you know of any roads that could use improvements and know what you'd like to see, I'd suggest contacting Nick: NJPopa@columbus.gov or just call 645-3111 for the transportation division.

FYI, we're not going to see sharrows until sometime in 2010 and any traffic calming measure requires several studies before implemented, which after a bit of thought makes no sense really. Just follow a formula like roads that are X ft wide + X number of lanes which are X ft wide + length of road without a stop = traffic going at an average of X MPH. Do we have some upside-down roads or loop-de-loops that I don't know about which would throw that equation off?

I was also struck by just how many roads ODOT has control over. Virtually all streets Downtown along with several other streets. That means Downtown will never become a cyclist and pedestrian-friendly place. Ever. Period. Unless, of course, city officials were to *gasp* oppose the all-mighty ODOT. Based on their actions however, that's not at all likely. The only hope would be grassroots.

Even streets that are residential, like King Ave. as I was told, function as arterials (they connect to the highways, you see) so my desire for traffic calming on King likely won't be considered until a permanent speed limit is finalized. ODOT wants all of King to be 35, because drivers should be able to at least run over a couple of cyclists on their rush to 315. The city is trying to appease their bloodlust by compromising at 30 while residents want to maintain the current limit of 25.

So this means it is ODOT who dictates urban development on their streets, not city planners, and if they want to lower property values on a street like King and make streets attractive only to car oriented development, they can if they want. After all, an ODOT rep explained that the reason they're tearing down Carabar and ET Paul is because there would be traffic. I guess it makes sense. Let's spend lots of money so that drivers don't have any traffic (hah!), even though it is well-known that drivers choose to put up with insane amounts of traffic at no additional cost.

To summarize; the most cyclists will get on bike routes is a bigger, more visible sign, which is better than nothing, and on any of ODOT's roads you can forget about 25MPH speed limits, traffic calming, basically anything that would provide a safe environment for cyclists and pedestrians, since the city lets them have the final say in designing this city. And we wonder why east and west coasters aren't flocking to Columbus.

http://columbus-ite.com/2009/03/12/my-meeting-with-transportation-officials-and-more/

(15) Replies

Tripping signals
Author: djeffords :: Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:46 pm Nice URL on positioning to trip various demand-actuated traffic signals, and proposed road marking for a cyclist specific detection area (possibly coinciding with a "bike box"): http://www.humantransport.org/bicycledriving/library/signals/green.htm Just realized the above URL is referenced by Fred Oswald's article in Andrew's previous post. The "Stencil for marking location of most sensitive portion of traffic sensor" is used at intersection of Indianola and Morse Rd. Perhaps bordering on TMI, is the definitive article on inductive, demand-actuated, traffic detection loops: http://www.humantransport.org/bicycledriving/library/signals/detection.htm (20) Replies

Tripping signals

Author: djeffords :: Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:46 pm

Nice URL on positioning to trip various demand-actuated traffic signals, and proposed road marking for a cyclist specific detection area (possibly coinciding with a "bike box"):

http://www.humantransport.org/bicycledriving/library/signals/green.htm

Just realized the above URL is referenced by Fred Oswald's article in Andrew's previous post.

The "Stencil for marking location of most sensitive portion of traffic sensor" is used at intersection of Indianola and Morse Rd.

Perhaps bordering on TMI, is the definitive article on inductive, demand-actuated, traffic detection loops:

http://www.humantransport.org/bicycledriving/library/signals/detection.htm

(20) Replies

MORPC Bike Map Project
Author: Rod Rudinger :: Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:52 pm There is an open house on the bicycle user map put together by MORPC, City of Columbus, and Consider Biking. The purpose of the map is to show how comfortable or suitable a roadway is for bicycle riding. The map will include the City of Columbus and nearby, more densely populated communities Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 Time: 5:30 to 7:30 PM Place: MORPC Scioto Conference Room 111 Liberty Street, Suite 100 Columbus, Ohio Liberty Street runs west off Front Street in the Brewery District. Please RSVP Bernice Cage at bcage@morpc.org or at 614-233-4157 (0) Replies

MORPC Bike Map Project

Author: Rod Rudinger :: Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:52 pm

There is an open house on the bicycle user map put together by MORPC, City of Columbus, and Consider Biking. The purpose of the map is to show how comfortable or suitable a roadway is for bicycle riding. The map will include the City of Columbus and nearby, more densely populated communities

Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 PM
Place: MORPC
Scioto Conference Room
111 Liberty Street, Suite 100
Columbus, Ohio
Liberty Street runs west off Front Street in the Brewery District.

Please RSVP Bernice Cage at bcage@morpc.org or at 614-233-4157

(0) Replies

Meeting with the Transportation Division
Author: Columbusite :: Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:58 pm I'm having a meeting next week with a city official about the horrendous bike routes we have in this city and what will be done to improve them. Some suggestions include: traffic calming elements, large "bike route" stencils on the road itself, larger, better-placed signs,etc. Anything else I shouldn't miss? (3) Replies

Online Bike Maps
Author: mike reed :: Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:02 pm For the online columbus bike map project: I created a small working group site online. I want to keep it a reasonable size, but if you want to be on it and I haven't PMd you, please PM me your email. If I forgot you it is because I'm busy and forgetful, not because I don't want you at the table. Also: Join the facebook group here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52543327778 - invite your friends. The facebook site is for wider input outside of the smaller working group. The goal is make a state of the art, up-to-the minute, comprehensive and usable online bike map for safe, short, preferred routes by bicycle in Columbus. I would like to have a prototype to unveal moments after the paper bike map is presented. Time/resources will tell, but that would be ideal. (1) Replies

Online Bike Maps

Author: mike reed :: Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:02 pm

For the online columbus bike map project:

I created a small working group site online. I want to keep it a reasonable size, but if you want to be on it and I haven't PMd you, please PM me your email. If I forgot you it is because I'm busy and forgetful, not because I don't want you at the table.

Also: Join the facebook group here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52543327778 - invite your friends.

The facebook site is for wider input outside of the smaller working group.

The goal is make a state of the art, up-to-the minute, comprehensive and usable online bike map for safe, short, preferred routes by bicycle in Columbus.

I would like to have a prototype to unveal moments after the paper bike map is presented. Time/resources will tell, but that would be ideal.
Very Happy

(1) Replies

Neighborhood Mobility Plans
Author: Columbusite :: Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 6:05 pm There's a mobility plan for the Hilltop the 28th-29th of January (specifics in the link). If you're a resident or a visitor this is a chance to voice support for cycling infrastructure throughout the neighborhood. There are other mobility plans in the works including Linden, Franklinton, and Weinland Park, but the main page isn't working. Also remember that you can always make suggestions for particular streets in your own neighborhood. E-mail 311@columbus.gov and for "subject" put "Transportation Division Inquiry". (1) Replies

Neighborhood Mobility Plans

Author: Columbusite :: Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 6:05 pm

There's a mobility plan for the Hilltop the 28th-29th of January (specifics in the link). If you're a resident or a visitor this is a chance to voice support for cycling infrastructure throughout the neighborhood. There are other mobility plans in the works including Linden, Franklinton, and Weinland Park, but the main page isn't working. Also remember that you can always make suggestions for particular streets in your own neighborhood. E-mail 311@columbus.gov and for "subject" put "Transportation Division Inquiry".

(1) Replies

Elect Catherine Girves
Author: austinkocher :: Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 2:30 pm Catherine Girves loves bikes! Help get her on City Council. Join the Facebook group, " Elect Catherine Girves" and send all e-mails to "electcatherine" at gmail dot com. Austin Kocher (1) Replies

Downtown Bike Boulevard System
Author: Columbusite :: Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:45 pm On my blog I posted about improving the bikeways infrastructure Downtown by including a complete bike boulevard system instead of a couple of isolated ones on the east half. I'm not asking for much, just a handful of bike boulevards that get you in, out and around Downtown. I think it's rather well-balanced. (0) Replies

Bike exec creates social media primer

Author: mike reed :: Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 5:02 pm

The Global Marketing Integrations Manager at Specialized in the US has written a 45-page guide on social media for IBDs. (Text borrowed from the Bik Biz story on this)

Quote:

Unlike posting comments to forums, posting content on social media websites is more dynamic as the sites are often integrated and data shared. Matthews shows how to integrate Twitter on to Facebook.

That's why we're planning lots of interesting things in 2009 for Yay Bikes! Facebook Connect integration. Twitter API integration. A fuller platform and site beyond the message board. Bike Maps like Ride The City in NYC. A cloud based app to support B2WW total reporting (with a sweet web site). You know, good stuff.

story on Bike Biz a site for people in the business of bicycles.

read the document

(0) Replies

CB & The Peach District
Author: Columbusite :: Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:42 am As part of an effort to give an identity and focus to this neighborhood between the Short North and OSU, supporters of the Peach District (such as myself) are putting works in motion for some neighborhood pride and the chef of Dragonfly Neo-Vegetarian Cuisine & On the Fly Street Food has a great idea worth pursuing and would be great if we can implement it next spring, maybe Earth Day. The idea is to close down a portion of King Ave, from Neil to maybe Worthington or Forsythe, and have a little "Bikes and Bands" festival where there'll be like a bike trick competition and music (getting a band together specifically for songs about the district is in the works and if you already have a band but would like to do a song let me know). We have a large number of resident cyclists already, some of which live here, and therefore I think this would just naturally work well. We're also working on spokecards, so if anyone can come up with one (we're leaning more to just the text to associate with and let people have their own image in their mind of the "Peach District"). In any case, we're having a meeting on 1/10 Sat. @ 12:00 in On the Fly Street Food, 249 King Ave. I should have put this out for the 1st meeting (20/20 hindsight), but yeah just feel free to chime in. (0) Replies

CB & The Peach District

Author: Columbusite :: Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:42 am

As part of an effort to give an identity and focus to this neighborhood between the Short North and OSU, supporters of the Peach District (such as myself) are putting works in motion for some neighborhood pride and the chef of Dragonfly Neo-Vegetarian Cuisine & On the Fly Street Food has a great idea worth pursuing and would be great if we can implement it next spring, maybe Earth Day.

The idea is to close down a portion of King Ave, from Neil to maybe Worthington or Forsythe, and have a little "Bikes and Bands" festival where there'll be like a bike trick competition and music (getting a band together specifically for songs about the district is in the works and if you already have a band but would like to do a song let me know). We have a large number of resident cyclists already, some of which live here, and therefore I think this would just naturally work well. We're also working on spokecards, so if anyone can come up with one (we're leaning more to just the text to associate with and let people have their own image in their mind of the "Peach District").

In any case, we're having a meeting on 1/10 Sat. @ 12:00 in On the Fly Street Food, 249 King Ave. I should have put this out for the 1st meeting (20/20 hindsight), but yeah just feel free to chime in.

(0) Replies

Two Bridges Too Many

Author: Columbusite :: Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 3:21 pm

When our cycling infrastructure is is virutually non-extistant and due to be completed in phases over a perdiod of several years, does anyone else find it outrageous that city officials are seeking $6 million to pay $48 million for another bridge to be built right next to the new Main St. bridge, literally one block away? Short of a demonstration of some sort, what avenues can we take to make our voices heard by the city, county, and ODOT? It's all part of a stimulus package. At least Grove City will get a fancy new $30 million interchange, just what we need when the Federal Highway Trust Fund required and emergency $8 billion bailout jut a few months ago in September.

Quote:

Bridge replacement

Columbus’ Rich Street bridge project on the Scioto River was ranked the top project in District 3. City officials applied for $6 million to help pay for a $47.9 million replacement for the crumbling Town Street bridge, which was closed in July for safety concerns.

Among the factors that went into the rankings, Yoder said, were the physical condition of the infrastructure, number of traffic accidents, daily traffic counts, traffic congestion and other sources of public and private funding. A local match covering at least 10 percent of the cost was required, she said.

The Rich Street bridge project – so called because it will be realigned to connect Town Street on the west side of the Scioto River with Rich Street downtown – is getting $17 million from the state Department of Transportation and $250,000 from Franklin County, said Megan Blackford, deputy director of Columbus’ Public Service Department. The rest will come from the Ohio Public Works Commission and city bonds, she said.

The bridge also had the top local ranking for money coming from a penny-per-gallon gasoline tax earmarked for road and bridge projects in Franklin County. That means it likely will receive $6 million from that program, freeing money for other projects that applied for the state capital improvement funding, said Ted Beidler, projects engineer in the Franklin County engineer’s office.

“They can only get funded from one pot,” he said. “They would drop out of the other one.”

Should that happen, street, sidewalk and utility improvements in the Riversouth district downtown would rise to the top of the state rankings. The city has applied for $5 million for that project, with the rest of the $24 million to come from a mix of city and county funding, Blackford said.

(12) Replies

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