[MissoulaGov] Committee Update 3-17-10

[Jim McGrath]

Okay I'll bite. This is an old argument. 
Side streets are 'great' -- and if they are truly connecting, I encourage riders to use them. However, mature riders expect and deserve infrastructure routes that allow them to directly travel through the community. (I have been --years ago-- directed a route that added several miles to my bike route, to be safe. My sense is that it is better for cars to take an extra mile or two and let bikes have the direct route.) Bike lanes provide several things. They signal to cars that bikes are going to be there. They provide excellent space for bikers who use them. I have found in Missoula that cars respect bike lanes. So a biker who is somewhat shy of traffic can begin to take advantage of the direct routes available to cars. 
We need as a community to have bike lanes on all major streets and we need to expect many of of folks to travel by bike. I just saw gas prices go up again. As a community we need to make sure our citizens have the infrastructure in place to make choices. Bikes lanes are easy-- way less challenging than separate off-street paths. 
...I advocated for years for bike paths, and I use them frequently... so there's a whatever. I love em.


-----Original Message-----
From: missoulagov-bounces at cmslists.com on behalf of Steven Allison-Bunnell
Sent: Fri 3/19/2010 6:57 PM
To: missoulagov at cmslists.com
Subject: Re: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 3-17-10
 
When there is such heavy traffic down Brooks, and very pleasant side streets on both sides (Blaine & Woodford), what do we want or need bike lanes on Brooks for, especially when the bile lane on Higgins from the bridge to Brooks is also very dangerous and undesirable and the side street bike route goes down Myrtle/Woodford?

It seems far more useful to make sure there is side street route connectivity down to Tremper's than a main arterial bike path on Brooks that peters out below Mount and is horrible on Higgins.

Steve Allison-Bunnell



On Mar 18, 2010, at 9:23 AM, 4065449619 wrote:


> I would completely agree with Steve's comments on Brooks' tree-lined boulevard, eventhough it's not easy to forfeit bike lanes. But if it's designed well, I believe we can have both future trees AND bike lanes; and then continue the boulevard design further down Brooks.

> 

> Tim Skufca

> 

> Sent from my phone.

> 

> -----Original Message-----

> From: Steve Adler <adler at bigsky.net>

> Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 8:37 AM

> To: Bob Jaffe <BJaffe at ci.missoula.mt.us>; missoulagov at cmslists.com <missoulagov at cmslists.com>

> Subject: Re: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 3-17-10

> 

> Bob,

> 

> I'm a bit vague on this one, but isn't Brooks a "Boulevard Zone"? - with some special considerations?  (I believe that designation was actually a legal tool to prevent a formerly proposed street-widening project from taking out the trees.)  It is a special little stretch famous for it's tree-lined character which frames the view of Lolo Peak.  I know that trees do reach the end of their lives much as we all do.  But is there any way to make sure that trees get replaced as they are taken out?  If possible, it would be preferable to plant trees earlier - in anticipation of the ones that will have to come out.  

> 

> Thanks,

> Steve Adler

> 

> 

> 

> 

> From: Bob Jaffe 

> Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 9:43 PM

> To: missoulagov at cmslists.com 

> Subject: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 3-17-10

> 

> 

> Some details on the Brooks street project are that the road will be widened about three feet on either side. There will be parking on both sides, bike lanes, and one driving lane each way. This section does not currently have curbs so most of the intrusion into the boulevard is already worn and parked on.  Most of the trees on this stretch are very old and nearing the end of their lives. There are a few that may need to be taken out as part of the project. 

> 

> 

> 


_______________________________________________
-----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. 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://www.cmslists.com/pipermail/missoulagov/attachments/20100319/6dbe5105/attachment.htm>