Last week I posted a list of 50 things that Mia Birk (largely responsible for Portland's bikability) put forth in her Book, Joyride. Here's the list of the items I think Reno (and / or RTC) is making the grade on. My comments on each item in
italics.
Oh, and for those of you keeping track. I'm saying we have had some success on 19 of the 50 items in Mia's list. Not bad as a start....however, 19/50 on a test gives you a 38%. That's an F on a flat grading scale any way you slice it. However, if you're grading on a curve this might just be a passing grade.
I'd argue that when evaluating bicycle infrastructure in the U.S. you pretty much have to grade on a curve or we (the students) might lose faith in the cause. So think of this as 38% better than we were even a few years ago. Take the improvements and run with them. If you like the improvements, get involved and help us push for even more. And remember to enjoy the ride!
1. Look beyond the bike: bicycle transportation succeeds best when combined with investments in compact development, transit, and walking. Engage in and support various efforts to help shape your sustainable community.
Ok, this one is tough....but I think Reno has it's heart in the right place. There are condos downtown that stalled but they are trying to get people back downtown. The river front and "central" downtown are definitely improved for walking and plans are in the works for Virginia st. Bus transit is improving (the rapid on Virginia St.) and bike access on buses is pretty good.
3. Develop and adopt a robust, visionary, comprehensive bicycle transportation plan. Use the planning process to engage your community in a deep conversation about the future of transportation.
Check...thanks to our BPAC Committee!
4. Develop a network of bikeways that is connected, comprehensive, and gets people from where they are to where they want to go. It should be a combination of off-street paths, on-road separated bikeways, and low-stress neighborhood greenways and must appeal to a wide variety of ages, cycling skill levels, and trip purposes.
Well, we are at least building bike lanes.
7. Start with the low-hanging fruit: easy-to-implement projects.
The road diets and bike lanes are exactly this...let's see if we can keep the ball rolling.
10. Adopt “Complete Streets” policies and/or legislation, then execute! Unenforced policies and plans that sit on shelves gathering dust are worthless.
The Mill and Terminal and the 4th and Prater Way studies are working towards this goal.
11. Backlash is normal. Expect it, prepare for it, but don’t back down. Changing built infrastructure and deeply ingrained habits is really hard stuff.
We've seen this on the Mayberry bike lanes and on California Ave. So far so good.
28. See the bicycle as a tool for empowerment and social change, not just sport or transportation.
Ok, I might be jumping the gun on this one. There are people in Reno / RTC who have this vision though.
29. Foster community groups to recycle and reuse bikes for the good of underprivileged youth.
I don't know if Reno is fostering them...but we have the Reno Bike Project. If you haven't checked them out, head down. They are a nice group of people.
30. Don’t let weather challenges dissuade you from creating bicycle friendly infrastructure.
It's Reno, our weather is pretty much made for bicycles.
32. Put away the Lycra for short trips; embrace cycle chic.
Ok, Reno might never be chic...but the bike lanes aren't for the roadies, they're in locations that allow us all to move around the city.
33. Encouragement key #5: integrate bike safety education into schools and invest in comprehensive Safe Routes to School programs. Start now.
We have a safe routes to schools program. It's not well publicized and I'm not sure how robust it is. I sure don't see many kids riding or walking to school.
34. Face the naysayers with solid research and facts.
RTC does this....the problem is the City of Reno often contains the naysayer.
39. Wherever you are, that’s where you start. Tailor solutions to your community’s unique topography, urban layout, demographics, and growth patterns.
Let's hope we have this type of vision.
40. Have hope: even the most closed minds can open.
I don't think we'd have any bike lanes if many people in "the system" didn't already have some. Let's get involved and bolster them.
44. Collect data on the number of people on bikes, estimate and project usage, measure your success, continually report back.
We're doing this on our complete street studies.
45. Design your bikeway network not for those who are already cycling but those you would like to attract - those interested in bicycling but concerned about safety and desire low-stress bikeways separated from motor vehicle traffic or shared in low-speed conditions.
Again, our recent road diets are a good start on this.
48. Have patience, persistence and faith.
49. No matter what obstacles you encounter, keep going.
There are a couple red-necks around Reno. We're going to get some blow back. We will have to fight to keep moving forward.
50. Open your streets to people on foot or bike and celebrate every success. Most of all, enjoy the ride!
Ok, Reno hasn't done this. But there are those of us who are believers in progress...and I for one do enjoy the ride!
