The Auto-Mind Monopoly grips our Cities and Fate.

By FuMa, New West Unfiltered 1-15-06

What options have we from within this framework that we continue to spend our lives in? Meanwhile in Bozeman the parking crunch takes priority over, buses and trail networks.

They say it will be like Dever here someday.
We are still worried about a place to park without a bus to ride.
Simple solutions widley applied can give some form of hope.


www.strans.org
Bob in Missoula has a vision....from his site.."
What is a green street?
A green street is a corridor of movement primarily for people on foot, bike, wheelchair, and other low-impact modes of transportation.

What are the options?
We have divided green streets into 4 categories:share streets, bicycle boulevards, half streets, and pedestrian streets.

share street car is a guest, follows Dutch model
ped street car-free area in downtown (cyclists dismount)
bicycle blvd. mid-block 'live-ends' give bicycle priority
half street a median down the middle divides uses

How do green streets fit into an overall transportation system?
Green streets connect people to each other. They allow a safer journey for non-motorized transportation users. These types of streets should strive to connect schools, parks, work places, and other high-use destinations.

Feasibility
The feasibility of this network relies on willingness of residents to change some of their driving and parking patterns. In Missoula, our grid and alley network allows most residents to have several options for parking.

Some of these transportation tools are very appealing because they require little change in infrastructure. Signage, landscaping, and an awareness campaign may be all that's needed in many instances.

What is the process to make it happen?
Missoula's policy is that a neighborhood street can be redesigned if at least 60% of an affected area agrees to the proposal. This policy has mainly been applied to the process of installing traffic circles in neighborhoods- 9 such circles are now in the university neighborhood area.

We suggest trying to get consenus on any of these types of changes instead of simply trying to get 60% approval. This may take longer but will be worth the extra effort in the long run. Once residents understand that this is simply shifting driving and parking patterns- for the benefit of walking, cycling, kid's play space, recreation, etc.- the process will be successful.

A coordinated system
If several neighborhoods are interested in gaining designation for a greenstreet, it makes sense to have these streets connect. Imagine moving through your city on a network of safe walking and cycling facilities- for play, work, or whatever your heart desires. MIST is available to help neighborhoods set up a green street.


Other Important Factors to Consider

Links:

www.carfree.com
a great resource for car-free living, city design, and so on

www.streetswithoutcars.com
about a documentary on the pedestrian corridor in Madison, Wisconsin
...."


Thanks Bob [End of article]