Complete Streets Meeting....

Well, I headed out to the meeting last night.  It was the regular RTC crew and a bunch of the regular cycling advocates.  RTC had maps for the entire region with post its to add comments about what we'd like to see.  The maps were covered before an hour was up.

The work flow on this chart kind of bothers me.  The Level of Service (LOS) analysis happens before the analysis for Complete Streets!?  Level of service is a measurement of how long cars have to wait to get through an intersection....an ancient standard that takes only vehicle traffic into account.  This diagram suggests that Complete Streets analysis can only take place if the LOS is currently acceptable.  However, the modern logic is if we had a complete street that serviced alternate travel modes better...then there would be less vehicle traffic and the LOS would improve!  See the problem!?

Not the busiest meeting, but still well attended.

Interestingly, our favorite Junkie owner was in attendance (and yes, I do genuinely like her on a personal level) and stayed at the table with the Midtown map.  One of my friends joked that she was guarding it....  However, when another cyclist added some comments, she and Jessica began to talk.  Since we're currently looking at only Sharrows through midtown, the topic of what speed limit the region will get is still up in the air.  To my pleasant surprise, Jessica is pushing for the lowest option on the table (15mph)!  This is great news because I suspect that RTC and City Council aren't really planning for it to be that slow.  Perhaps if Great Streets Coalition plays it's cards right and gets the other business owners to realize the slower limit will allow people to "find" their stores and use all that on street parking, we might just get it pushed through.

Anyway, that was the first meeting.  So far so good.  Hopefully, RTC and City Council members truly have the vision to build out a complete set of complete streets in our city!

Come tell City of Reno we want Complete Streets Everywhere!

Complete Streets meeting is tonight at the Discovery Museum from 5-7 pm!!!!

City Council just decided that Virginia Street would not be designed as a complete street because a couple business owners think ~30 parking spots are more important than the benefits listed below.  Let's make a showing at the meeting tonight and remind council members that they are doing our community a disservice every time they let a street get build without these benefits!!!

Want a Great Street in Midtown....Get to the Council Meeting tomorrow!!!!

Well folks....it time for the final showdown.  The vote to see if we get a truly Great Street in Midtown is tomorrow. The agenda item is J3 (see below) and will have the option for public comments if you fill out a comment card ahead of time (slated for a presentation time of 3:30 pm).

I'd make a joke about the fact that it's less important to council than J2 (the shade of grey we're going to paint the new Virginia Street bridge....but it just depressing that it might be true).

The Players...

The previous discussion from the July Meeting:

Discussion ensued regarding Option B as presented by RTC, and how it could be
refined during the design process to provide additional parking, perhaps on nearby
surface lots or on side streets; having the City provide guidance to RTC with
respect to the City's priorities; turn lanes and bicycle safety; lane sharing with
automobiles and bicycles; time lines associated with RTC's 2017-2018
construction plans; the possibility of replacing the parking spaces eliminated by
the project; and lowering the speed limit in the project area to15 or 25 miles per hour.

Council Member Duerr requested that RTC bring back displays depicting the entire project.

It was moved by Council Member Jardon, seconded by Council Member
Duerr to select Option B as the preferred alternative with: 1) an evaluation
of off-street surface parking lot availability and side-street diagonal parking possibilities; 2) an increase in the number of street trees and reconsideration of their spacing; 3) direction to RTC to bring back large displays of the entire project that will highlight the continuity of the bicycle lanes and how traffic will flow; 4) an analysis of lowering the speed limit without adversely affecting traffic or causing other safety issues; 5) working with the Great Streets Coalition; and 6) doing all of
these things within a reasonable amount of time that will allow RTC to stay within the federal grant application time frames.

Mr. Gibson summarized by saying that RTC should work to keep some level of
on-street parking, work to minimize conflicts, look at the speed issues, look to capture and utilize off-street sites for parking as well as looking at side-street parking opportunities, and attempt to put it all together in drawings that seek to demonstrate that we can have effective access for businesses, maximize pedestrian opportunities, and handle the parking question. We need to reiterate that we have reached out and talked to developers who own off-street lots, and they have plans to put buildings on those sites. There is a set number today, but there will likely be an increase in the demand for parking over time because Midtown is a regional asset that will continue to grow. We will do our engineering work, flesh out Option B, examine the cost/benefit of off-street parking sites, and report back.
 
Council Member Brekhus asked if a bike lane or lanes were included in the motion, and Council Member Jardon stated that they were not included in the motion.  Council Member Bobzien discussed his preference for exploring the opportunity of removing additional parking and finding side-street parking opportunities now.

Council Member Jardon said that Option B reduces on-street parking by 50%, which is the compromise the Midtown merchants prefer.  Motion carried with Council Members Bobzien and Brekhus voting nay.

There are a number things wrong with the discussion and with what was voted on and I'll point out just a few.

OPTION B isn't really an RTC design to start with and was originally designed by the originators of the Great Streets Coalition at my kitchen table.  It was only to be implemented in the section north of Vasser St. where bike lanes are hard to fit.

It was added by the Great Streets Group as a compromise option to both cyclists and business owners... loosing ~30 % of the on street parking (Naoma Jardon is once again wrong on facts stating a 50 % reduction) in exchange for wider sidewalks, street trees, benches, and a 15-20 mph speed limit with Sharrows in the lanes and pocket turn lanes. RTC modified option B and dropped the reduced speed limits and extended this design (in place of bike lanes) much farther south.

Item 4 (from highlighting above)... lowering traffic speed limits NEVER causes safety issues!?...it always helps for vehicles, bikes, or just pedestrians!  And since when is slowing traffic down in a business district that whats people to stop and shop a bad thing?

Item 5 (from highlighting above)... RTC hasn't interacted with Great Streets for design ideas since that time....or BPAC for that matter.

Mr. Gibson (Head of RTC) states there will be an increase in demand for parking in the future (with the implied note we should address it now).  WORST statement by Lee in a while!  If this were true all new roads in Reno every city should be build as 4 lanes with center turn lanes (veritable highways) to accommodate "future" traffic growth (which in reality isn't really occurring).  The real facts are that RTC (and cities all over the country) have been reducing traffic lanes through road diets (complete streets) and they carry traffic just as effectively or better than before, and make our neighborhoods and cities more walkable, bikeable, and enjoyable!

Anyway...that's just a few of my pet peeves.

Here's my guess on how the vote for "Option B" will fall...
(No = Vote for a true Complete Street, Yes = Vote against a true Complete Street)

Mayor Scheive:  Yes
Bozien:  No
Brekhus: No
Buerr: Yes
Delgado: Yes
Mckenzie: Yes
Jardon: Yes

So really, no change since the meeting in July despite months of work, a series of public meetings that showed the people who use Midtown want bike lanes, business developers who ask for bike lanes, and repeated documentation that parking is currently only a perceived problem in Midtown.

Its unfortunate, but due to a few business owners (not even building owners in most cases) who have council members ears....we'll end up with a missed opportunity to build a truly Great Street to live with for the next 50 years.

If you still want to try to force their hands....please make an effort to get to the council meeting and put in your two cents!

Midtown Design Options....my point of view.

It's really not that hard folks.  Here's what I came up with in about 20 minutes using streetmix.net.  It fits protected bike lanes, bus stops, trees, and parking.  Yep, we give up some parking.  And we make the whole road work better!

One lane each direction....center island...that would have turn lanes at "significant" intersections.  Still room for protected bike lanes and 6-14 foot sidewalks.  And the six foot "narrow" sidewalk is only at bus stations.

Where there aren't bus stops....put in a tree, parklet, benches, or wider sidewalks!

Or heck....even add back in some parking.  Yes, I realize the car would have to cross the bike lane to park. 

Perhaps a bi-directional bike lane.  Then the bus stop/tree/parking spots on the left side are more accessible?

 So....come on RTC.  Let's put some options on the table like this!

Virginia Street Design Throwdown and Great Streets Coalition!

As I rolled up to the Virginia St. meeting last night I saw what is starting to be a very regular sight at public meetings when street planning is on the agenda....piles of bikes!

You know it's going to be fun when the bike racks are full and bikes are locked up to every pole in sight!  The meeting itself was no less entertaining. 

Over a year ago we saw "design options" for Midtown and we were to post stickers on the options we liked.  The strongest sentiment by far showed up on the designs with bike lanes and expanded sidewalks.  And it wasn't even close....like 75 percent of the stickers were biking and walking favored option.

Last night we were presented with three updated design options.....not a single one included a bike lane (although wider side walks were there)....but have no fear not a single parking spot was lost.  The response during comment time was rather pointed.  Well over an hour of continuous comments basically all requesting the bike lanes and a large number of comments asking for a Great Street not just a complete street.  Even better these comments came from both cyclists and business owners!

This leads us into the Great Streets movement.  A coalition was recently formed to hold the City of Reno and RTC to the right path on this project.  After all....we won't get a shot at it again for 20+ years.  The Great Streets Coalition is just getting off the ground....but if you want to join in and help make Reno a great town to live in please check out the statement and links below:

Help shape the future of Virginia St. (Midtown to UNR).

**From RTCWashoe.com**

COMMUNITY INVITED TO PROVIDE COMMENTS AND IDEAS ON VIRGINIA STREET’S FUTURE

The RTC is inviting the community to provide comments and ideas on the future of Virginia Street as part of the Virginia Street Bus RAPID Transit Extension Project.  Two meetings will be held for the public to review preliminary designs for Virginia Street.  The designs feature proposed improvements for Virginia Street from Maple Street to 15th Street near the University of Nevada, Reno and from Liberty Street to Plumb Lane in Midtown.

The proposed enhancements include: wider sidewalks, new bike lanes and extending RAPID bus service north to UNR with new transit stations and intersection improvements.  The project is also intended to better connect the University to Downtown Reno and Downtown to points south including Midtown.  The extension of RTC RAPID would eliminate the need for a transfer at RTC 4TH STREET STATION to UNR, saving travelers’ valuable time.  The project will also support economic growth and redevelopment along Virginia Street and throughout the region.  Additionally, it will help create a safer community that is accessible to everyone under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

While the same information will be presented at both meetings, the public is welcome to attend one or both events.  Free parking is available at both meetings.

For more information on this project, go to http://rtcwashoe.com and click on Streets and Highways, then Road Projects.

Community Information Meeting One (served by RTC RAPID)
Tuesday, April 14
5 to 7 p.m. with a brief presentation at 5:30 p.m.
The Discovery Museum
490 South Center Street
Reno, NV 89501

Community Information Meeting Two (served by RTC SIERRA SPIRIT and RTC RIDE route 7)
Wednesday, April 15
5 to 7 p.m. with a brief presentation at 5:30 p.m.
University of Nevada, Reno, Raggio Building, room 4001
1664 North Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89503

Complete Streets / Road Diets make safer streets!

The article below is taken from Bikeportland.org, but the numbers from road diets here in Reno (and anywhere for that matter) show similar results.  So with this type of data and local examples like California Ave., Plumas St., Holcomb Ave., and 1st St., why are we still dragging our heels on Keystone Ave.

So wake up Reno City council.  Make the changes.  Make Reno a safer, more people friendly city!

 

4th Street and Prater Corridor is going to be getting some bikey (and bus) improvements!!

This project has been in the works for a couple years.  Basically to give 4th St. / Prater way corridor a remake with complete streets in mind and improve bus service along the route.  The planning has been done and public input was conducted (on mass)....but the funding for such a large project kinda left it swinging in the wind.  I just came across the article below over on KTVN's page, which says the grant $$$ have come in and we'll be moving forward on the project!!

Congrats to all the hard work by the RTC!!

RTC Receives Grant To Improve 4th Street/Prater Way Corridor Transportation

Posted: Sep 09, 2014 11:34 PM PST Updated: Sep 09, 2014 11:38 PM PST

By Adam Varahachaikol - email

 

Regional Transportation Commission Media Release:

Reno, NV (September 9, 2014) – The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County was notified it will receive $16 million for transportation and transit enhancements for the 4th Street/Prater Way RAPID Transit Project in Reno and Sparks. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had a major role in securing the funding from the US
Department of Transportation under the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program.

The RTC 4th Street/Prater Way RAPID Transit Project will better connect downtown Reno and downtown Sparks and revitalize the 4th Street/Prater Way corridor. The project will extend the RTC RAPID service to the 4th Street/Prater Way Corridor between RTC 4TH STREET STATION and RTC CENTENNIAL PLAZA transit terminals. Four new all electric buses will also be purchased to serve this route. The improved transit service will create ladders of opportunity for the financially disadvantaged, connecting people to employment centers and educational institutions.

“This funding is critical in moving this project forward. When it begins, the new transit service will link people to nearly 39-thousand employment opportunities in the area already served by RTC RAPID transit and improve mobility access in the corridor for everyone,” RTC Executive Director Lee Gibson said. “We very much appreciate the support from our congressional delegation and Senator Reid's leadership as well as the support from our community partners,” Gibson added.

“Investing in and further developing Nevada's infrastructure will create jobs and promote economic growth, said Reid. “I am pleased southern and northern Nevada have been awarded more than $29 million in TIGER grant funding, which will allow us to update our transportation network,” said Senator Reid. “We must be able to meet the demands of the ever-increasing amount of travelers coming to our state. I remain committed to improving transportation in Nevada and will continue to fight for federal funding to improve our roads, bridges, highways and other infrastructure needs.”

“Congratulations to the RTC for being the first to bring a taxpayer-funded grant of this kind to Northern Nevada,” said Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2). “At a time when our regional economy is poised for big things, these funds will help to grow transit options between Reno and Sparks,” Amodei added.

The project includes features to accommodate all modes of transportation. There will be wider sidewalks for pedestrians and dedicated bike lanes. The project will support businesses – many of which are taking root in historical buildings. As part of the project, RTC partnered with the University of Nevada, Reno and Nevada Humanities to
chronicle the stories of long-time residents of the corridor. Information on the rich history of 4th Street and Prater Way, which contributed to the early growth of the region, may be viewed at: http://RenoHistorical.org.

Planning, preliminary engineering and environmental clearance for the project have been completed. Final design will be completed in December 2015, and construction can begin as soon as early 2016.

More information on the project may be found at: http://4thprater.com.
Letters of Support for the project were sent by: US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the City of Reno, the City of Sparks, Washoe County, Washoe County Health District, Nevada Department of Transportation, The Chamber, Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living, Northern Nevada Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, University of
Nevada, Reno, Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency, Washoe County School District Police Department, Truckee Meadows Tomorrow.

In addition to the funding for the 4th Street/Prater Way RAPID Transit Project, $13.3 million dollars in TIGER funds will go toward upgrades to the Flamingo corridor in southern Nevada.

Keystone Complete Street Meeting.

Sorry, busy at work today.

The meeting was super well attended.  They had 3 separate projectors running with side by side computer generated displays of the before traffic and after traffic.  Turns out traffic flow is actually better after the redesign with fewer lanes.  Go figure!  The mood was really positive....didn't hear one negative comment about the designs.  And in past meetings there was certainly an opposition.  Not sure what that means, but I'll take positive any day!

Here's a few pics.

Blurry panorama of people!

Side by side on the North Keystone complete street.

People and infographic.

More people.

Meeting Alert!! Keystone Complete Street Conversion....Tonight!!

In case you wanted to attend....here's the flyer with the details:

Bicycle BBQ report.

Saturday afternoon I hosted a little BBQ via the Nevada Bicycle Coalition, in support of complete street designs on Keystone Ave.  We had a decent turn out with 15 or so people making an appearance.  Given the fact that we had free beer on tap, 3 dutch ovens cooking, and the grill going, everyone ended up staying all the way until about 5pm.  It looked a little something like this.

While bikey stuff was discussed, we mostly just had a good time getting to know one another.  So if you just need an excuse to ride your bike and enjoy good food and beer, think about joining us in the future.  I'm pretty sure we'll be making this a monthly thing this summer.

Keystone Complete Streets Meeting.

The meeting kicked off last night with a capacity crowd.  I mean 100 plus people, so it's obviously getting the attention it deserves.  In my opinion the crowd was weighted 70% for,30% against the project.  We got some additional details in terms of traffic counts, accident stats, etc., but don't have the various design options.  So the funny part is neither side really knows exactly what they are for or against. 

 RTC wisely doesn't have an open comment section in these meetings.  Instead you fill out a question/comment card and hand it in.  They are then read by the project leader and answered by the RTC, City of Reno, or NDOT person best suited to be knowledgeable about the topic.  The questions/comments ranged from Bicycles are dangerous and shouldn't be allowed on our roads.....and RTC is ruining Reno, to why aren't we doing this to every street.  So really full circle....

I added my own comment:  For North Keystone (Raley's North to McCarren), City of Reno only plows one lane in each direction during the winter.  Even this year during a light winter, this has meant that for 2 weeks after the December storm the outside lanes were only marginally drivable.  Yet somehow traffic flowed just fine (no delays)....so why don't people think 1 lane in each direction with a turning lane will work!?

I didn't even note that in big snow years the outside lanes are unusable for MONTHS at a time!!

So anyway, that was the meeting.  Hopefully, it's going the right direction.
 

Keystone Complete Streets Meeting in 2 Days!!!!

Keystone Complete Streets Meeting!

Another big meeting to help get complete streets pushed through on Keystone.  Come give your two cents if you don't want the status-quot for 4 lane roads through small neighborhoods!

Here's the details:

I've plugged this one before....and here it is again.  Please come if you can.  This project faces real opposition from some vocal folks who don't actually live in the neighborhood.  So the more supporters we get from folks in and out of the neighborhood the better!  Hope to see you there!

Keystone Complete Streets Meeting!

Another big meeting to help get complete streets pushed through on Keystone.  Come give your two cents if you don't want the status-quot for 4 lane roads through small neighborhoods!

Here's the details:

Keystone Corridor Study Meeting.

Ok, since councilwomen Neoma Jardon derailed the Keystone and Arlington restriping that was planned for earlier this fall, we (local bike advocates and RTC) have fallen back to the trenches.  Fortunately, the southern section of Keystone was already slated for a corridor study.  So, we added the northern section of Keystone to this, so we can positively refute the fictitious "statistics" the councilwomen stated to the rest of the council.

The first public meeting took place two nights ago and was quite the shindig!  RTC brass was out in force including executive director Lee Gibson, Patrice Echola (planner), Michael Moreno (Public relations) Amy Cummings, and Scott Gibson (RTC engineer).  The public also made quite a display with ~40 people showing up and actively filling out question and comment cards.  Out of the crowd I'd say 99 percent were there in support.

RTC Executive Directory Lee Gibson (dark suit) speaking to local bike advocate Scott Hall.

Bad photo documenting the early turn out....20 members of the public by 5:20!

Amy Cummings discussing the known issues within the southern portion of the study area.

Brian Gant (project engineer) discussing the project with one of the attendees.

Look!  We even made the news!

The known issues of the recently added northern section of Keystone.  A systematic study will definitely help debunk the "facts" that were put forward to city council last summer.

The turn out.....not bad for a Tuesday night at dinner time!

Keystone Complete Streets...if you want them come say so!

Ok, everyone.  Now's the time to make a big show of it.  Reno City Council voted this down on the first round and its time to show them we want this.  Come join us at the meeting tomorrow night to show support for this critical infrastructure improvement.

Notice, this is not about bike lanes.  This is about complete streets and whole neighborhoods.  Keystone Ave. was not designed as a 4 lane road. When it was expanded to a 4 lane mini-highway, sidewalks were removed, reduced, or worse, ended up with power poles dead center in the middle of them.  You can barely walk along the road without falling into it.  Not to mention the risk you take if you try to cross Keystone on foot! 

This is an attempt to rescale Keystone to the size it needs to be (two lanes with a center turn lane) and add bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.   The result will be a neighborhood reconnected and pleasant to access by means other than just an automobile. 

So come out and join us in the fight for complete streets!

What's happening with 4th and Prater.....a complete street review!

If you want to know what they're planning for this through town connector, stop by the bus station tonight!  Getting this right will help make Reno a much better bicycle town.  So make an effort to drop in and and throw your support and comments behind the program!  Here's the scoop from KTVN:

Bicycling on Kietzke....attend this meeting if you want it to be the best street ever!

I'm reporting this from the Reno Bike Project page.....it's important to get people here if you want to see the changes happen, so tell your friends and neighbors!

Help us make KIETZKE the most bicycle friendly road in Reno!

Calling all bicyclists to attend the Kietzke Lane Safety Management Plan Open House on February 21, 4-7pm at the Wooster High Gym. NDOT will be presenting their best options for improving Kietzke Lane and creating a safe, community street that connects neighborhoods in South Reno and improves travel between shopping, schools and work. This is a critical meeting to ensure that bicyclists and pedestrians demonstrate that all of the proposed improvements be kept in the plan.
These safety improvements include: Green bike boxes and bicycle signal heads at key intersections, buffered bikes lanes or cycle tracks, and possibly roundabouts at Plumb and 2nd Street intersections. Lastly NDOT is proposing to remove on-street parking and purchase right-of-way to allow space for the Complete Street components of wider sidewalks and bike lanes. This is one of the first times that this has occurred in Reno/Sparks, and it will set a precedent for safety planning and accommodating bicyclists in the community into the future. This project is also important because NDOT will consider relinquishing (trading) Kietzke to the City of Reno down the road, so we need to install these improvements now.
Please attend the Open House and submit comments supporting the improved safety proposals for Kietzke Lane. NDOT is depending on the cycling community to show support for these improvements and to show the governing agencies that we are committed to increasing the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians who will travel this corridor. The estimated cost for everything is $30 million, so they will have 3 levels of priority. We need to keep bicycling facilities at a Priority 1 or 2 to get them built within five years.
See you at the meeting!

Lego needs a road diet!

Looks like lego has fallen victim to the designing wider and wider roads!  Time for a road diet!

Complete Streets a Reno overview.

This presentation is courtesy of Michael Moreno and RTC staff via our last Regional Transportation Committee meeting.  In my option, RTC has the right mindset on making our community more livable.  While complete streets is just one aspect of this, I've been impressed with the depth of the thought process our regional planners, advisory staff, and traffic engineers (yup, these guys are even on board) are going through in evaluating and improve our infrastructure for all modes of transportation.  It's a slow process to get through all the planning and get these types of designs implemented, but the RTC is turning the corner and we're seeing the results all around town!

LOS = Level of Service (meaning how many cars it handles in a "reasonable" time.

ADT = average daily trips (I think).

p.s.  I know some these have small fonts and are hard to read.  The maps are just not up to snuff even in my "original" copy.  I will send you the whole report if you leave a comment with your email but they're still hard to read.