[MissoulaGov] Safe Routes to School- Bike Boulevard?

[Geoff Badenoch]

When I was in Hellgate High School last year, I saw some plans posted on a
wall that showed a re-working of the two blocks that border Hellgate on the
east.  The plans were both for beautification and improved circulation.
Don't know what became of them.  

School bus circulation is a big problem to address if motor vehicles are
prohibited on Gerald.  That moves bus circulation and drop-off deeper into
the neighborhood.

As a cyclist, I love using Gerald as an alternative to the Brooks/Higgins
intersection.

Geoff Badenoch

-----Original Message-----
From: missoulagov-bounces at cmslists.com
[mailto:missoulagov-bounces at cmslists.com] On Behalf Of Bob Giordano
Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 11:20 AM
To: missoulagov at cmslists.com
Subject: [MissoulaGov] Safe Routes to School- Bike Boulevard?

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.




_______________________________________________
-----Please delete extra content when replying to messages------

Note: This list is NOT an official service of the City Of Missoula. But
posts to this list may be entered into the public record.
Subscribe or view archives at Missoulagov.org
List Serve hosting provided by www.CedarMountainSoftware.com.