Comments on: LOBV releases proposal for Nueces Bike Boulevard

By: elliott

elliott — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:13:32 +0000

M,
This plan is the first part of a potential network of bike boulevards. The 3rd to MLK segment is a first chunk to try and to tweak the concept in Austin. If it’s successful here, it could be extended and repeated elsewhere in the city. Please come out tonight to the open house at 6 PM if you can to learn more and support the Nueces Street Bike Blvd.

By: M

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:10:57 +0000

This is exciting!
What are the options once you hit MLK if you need to go further North, like say up near the Hancock Center. I dont get up there much, so I’m not sure whats available these days.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:40:54 +0000

I was at the first meeting and it looks like a lot of adjustments/planning went on since then, which is great. My concern is that SO MUCH time in the Dec. meeting was taken over by “property owners/drivers” complaining about this & that, etc. and very little time was available to actually work on the project and get input from bicycle riders such as myself. Hopefully the next meeting won’t be so dominated by those “The sky is falling!”, closed minded bodies inside gas guzzling steel and glass boxes!

By: D'Amico

D'Amico — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:11:39 +0000

Believe me I’m well aware of the problems with entering with a compromise, which is why we also were so upset that COA did the same on Exposition (e.g. time blocks for parking).

That said, I think we all really understood the problems AFD could face without southbound access for a good stretch of Nueces. However, I’m still not convinced that there isn’t a way to do a southbound diversion that still wouldn’t accommodate AFD. Maybe we just haven’t found the creative solution yet. Also, realize that having “any” traffic calming is undesirable to public safety. So our extensive use of it seems to me to be nowhere near entering with a compromise. And I’m not of the mindset to give up anything right now without a good reason, which seem to be in short supply on the opposition’s side right now.

As for leading with a plan…I didn’t hear anyone objecting to that. Shoal Creek? I think it’s different now, as has been noted here before, but then again I’m crazy enough to not mind another brouhaha like Shoal Creek. It certainly would be a yardstick to see where we’re at.

By: M1EK

M1EK — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 01:41:58 +0000

After thinking about this for a while, there’s a bit of a problem here, and again it’s from the Shoal Creek scenario. Basically, LOBV has led here with a compromise (from the ideal, with bollards or diverters affecting both directions of car travel) – which is then likely to be compromised further. Similar idea to how the bike/ped program APPEARED to lead with the 1-side-only parking plan on SCB (we all know this was a compromise ahead of time – but it looked like the opening position to the ‘neighbors’).

I almost think it would have been better to develop this plan but keep it under wraps, and instead lead with the opening position of “here’s what it looks like BEFORE we compromise with the fire department”.

By: parkerdevin (Devin)

parkerdevin (Devin) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:10:32 +0000

RT @austinon2wheels: LOBV releases proposal for Nueces Bike Boulevard: http://tinyurl.com/yzgvqak

By: elliott

elliott — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:57:32 +0000

Otis,
The courthouse and fire departments have already been involved in this process by providing input on what traffic calming they could live with on the street. LOBV is supporting the decision of the Bicycle Advisory Council to push for Nueces over Rio Grande. It is already used by many cyclists and provides the best terrain for the most novice cyclist, the type of user that this must be built for. That is why it was adopted as part of the Master Bicycle Plan passed this last year.

If Rio Grande is considered, that opens a whole new process including involving those owners and amending the Master Bicycle Plan with a City Council vote. I think its best to move forward and see if Nueces can be made into a fully functioning bike boulevard before resetting a lengthy process my moving to Rio Grande.

By: Otis

Otis — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:50:58 +0000

My guess is that the businesses, and particularly the courthouse and fire department will put a damper on any plans to upgrade Nueces. Did the LOBV also make a similar map for Rio Grande?

While Rio Grande is a tad more difficult to ride, it’s not prohibitively so, and I think the current uses (more residential/small business) make it a slightly better option. That way we could also throw in some more traffic calming measures, because as of now between MLK and 6th, we actually made it easier for cars to travel (at least southbound). Putting the bike boulevard on Rio Grande, you have to go up 20 ft more of hills, but we could truly protect the bikes, and with a little bike bridge into Shoal Creek, you could easily hook up with the Lance Armstrong Bikeway. Plus it’s a prettier ride.

Nueces is nice, but I really think Rio Grande will be the best compromise for all parties…just my 2 cogs.

By: Rob D'Amico

Rob D'Amico — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:46:49 +0000

And another note, we’ll have a full “report” in text version with the map included soon…hopefully today!

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:19:53 +0000

Great Job! I was just riding Nueces on Sunday heading back from REI & Whole Foods. I saw a mother and her young son riding home with groceries as well. Here’s hoping our bike blvd will generate more of that.