[MissoulaGov] Safe Routes to School- Bike Boulevard?

[Bob Giordano]

An option for a more complete 'safe routes to school' network is the
'bicycle boulevard.'  This is a lower volume neighborhood street that is
converted, with little money and time, to a bicycle, pedestrian, wheel
chair (and other non-motorized modes) priority street.

Imagine Gerald, which parallels Higgins, having more landscaping/play
areas/traffic calming, allowing residences to have car access onto the
street, but it would not be a thru street for motor vehicles (physically
prohibited).  Stop signs would be re-oriented to favor the 'boulevard'
when crossing other local streets. The presence of Paxson elementary and
Hellgate High makes Gerald Avenue a good candidate.

While 'bicycle boulevard' may not be the best name- others use the terms
'Home Street' or 'Green Street'- the point is a safe and livable route,
not just spot calming, without much impact on the motor vehicle system.

Imagine each neighborhood in Missoula having one mostly car-free street,
and these connect into a network.  Imagine these local streets being part
of a network along with trails, sidewalks and bike lanes, to further
Missoula's bike/walk system.  We've done some preliminary surveys and find
strong support among especially home-owners.  We are willing to help
anyone do something like this in their neighborhood.

Good further info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_boulevard

http://www.bta4bikes.org/at_work/bikeboulevards.php

-- 
Bob Giordano
Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation
www.strans.org, mist at strans.org, 406.880.6834



Bob Jaffe wrote:
> Just got some news on the safe routes to school grant.
> The proposal for FY11 is being put together and will be submitted
mid-december. If folks have ideas for things they would like to see in the
> program they can post them here or send them on to Phil Smith
> psmith at ci.missoula.mt.us<mailto:psmith at ci.missoula.mt.us>.
>
> There is a SR2S workshop planned for Dec. 1 6:30-8:30 at Lewis and Clark
school.