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Good points about the bicycle boulevard
I have been out of action for much of the time that the bicycle boulevard debate has been raging. But here are some important points about the project provided by the Bicycle Sport Shop. …
DOWNTOWN BICYCLE BLVD
Are you interested in seeing Austin become a world class city for bicyclists, a city that bicyclist’s of every skill level can navigate safely and comfortably? Then please let Austin Mayor Leffingwell and City Council know how important it is to you that they support the Bicycle Boulevard that is currently proposed for Nueces and/or Rio Grande streets.
Why is a downtown bicycle boulevard on Nueces or Rio Grande important?
The bike boulevard will support the increased use of an already important bicycling corridor connecting UT with downtown, one that hundreds of cyclists already use every day. The bike boulevard’s safer and more convenient facilities will attract new and inexperienced riders, an important addition to making Austin a bicycle friendly community.
Removing time- and energy-wasting stop signs for bicyclists and calming the traffic by discouraging “through” auto traffic will attract scores of new riders.
It’s confirmation that Austin recognizes the importance of maximizing the benefits of bicycling-climate and air protection, healthy activity, reduced traffic congestion and increased mobility for people, not cars.
The bike boulevard will have a negligible impact on accessibility for automobile drivers to businesses and residences on Nueces and Rio Grande.
Both the Downtown Austin Plan and Bicycle Plan list Nueces as a bike boulevard and its implementation is an important demonstration project for future bicycle infrastructure.
Contact the Mayor and City Council to let them know that you support the creation of a downtown bicycle boulevard by emailing them here.
You can learn more about the Bike Boulevard and the facility that will be proposed for implementation by the City Transportation Department at the Bike Boulevard Open House, Wednesday, February 24, 6pm - 8pm at Pease Elementary School, 1106 Rio Grande St., Austin, TX, 78701 (map).
Comments
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By Ride a bike
February 4, 2010 1:05 PM | Link to this
You know, I heard the same arguments against the bike boulevard as when they narrowed Riverside Drive through the park. Things like: It will back up traffic, it will be dangerous when people have to brake for bicyclists in the middle of a “major” thoroughfare, it takes away people’s rights to drive to businesses, etc. etc. As you can see, nothing like that happened, it just gave equal room for cars, peds, and bikers, and kept cars at a reasonable speed, and also INCREASED parking. Having a bike boulevard at Nueces is important and will not be detrimental. And as someone who also drives a car, I go out of my way to support businesses that are bicycle friendly. Have a good day!
By Shawn
February 4, 2010 2:58 PM | Link to this
Bikes are the future of transportation in an energy deficient world. Austin should cater to bicycles as much as possible, they’re not just for kids anymore.
By Tom Wald
February 7, 2010 2:48 PM | Link to this
Hey Jason, thanks for re-posting this.
These are good points. We at the League of Bicycling Voters put them together, and they’ve been forwarded around quite a bit.
You can find that information, and more at our Nueces Bike Boulevard section of our web site: http://lobv.org/nueces/
And, there is a petition for a more family friendly Austin with streets more accessible for all Austinites. Austin’s next step is to create a network of bicycle boulevards to provide real transportation choices: http://tinyurl.com/nuecesbikeblvd