Bike trails pump $42M into Central Florida economy, study says

[tufsu1]

trails are generally better for recreational riders....most open road bikers like the road itself (hence the name)

[dougskiles]

I haven't seen the Talbot trail, but if it twists and turns so much that you can't see far enough ahead when going 20+ mph to avoid slower riders, then it is best if the road cyclists stay on the road.  Even on the very straight and flat Baldwin rails-to-trails, this can be an issue.

[Anti redneck]

I believe the long funded Hogans Creek Greenway will stretch from 8th Street to Liberty Street.  To make the connection to the riverwalk through downtown, Liberty (4 lanes now) would need to be restripped.

Is this part of the Mobility Plan?  I looked at the spreadsheet you posted a few weeks ago and couldn't tell.

No, a bike facility down Liberty Street is not in the mobility plan.  However, facilities down Jefferson, Broad, Laura and Newnan/Hubbard are in the plan and would provide direct connections between the Hogans Creek Greenway, Springfield and Downtown.  Nevertheless, you don't need mobility plan dollars to restripe Liberty.  That can be as simple as coordinating the next asphalt repaving job with Public Works.  As a matter of fact, with proper coordination, nearly every wide street in the urban core could become a bike friendly corridor via routinely scheduled Public Works street repaving projects.

When will the effects of the mobility plan be noticeable?

[Charles Hunter]

I believe the long funded Hogans Creek Greenway will stretch from 8th Street to Liberty Street.  To make the connection to the riverwalk through downtown, Liberty (4 lanes now) would need to be restripped.

Is this part of the Mobility Plan?  I looked at the spreadsheet you posted a few weeks ago and couldn't tell.

No, a bike facility down Liberty Street is not in the mobility plan.  However, facilities down Jefferson, Broad, Laura and Newnan/Hubbard are in the plan and would provide direct connections between the Hogans Creek Greenway, Springfield and Downtown.  Nevertheless, you don't need mobility plan dollars to restripe Liberty.  That can be as simple as coordinating the next asphalt repaving job with Public Works.  As a matter of fact, with proper coordination, nearly every wide street in the urban core could become a bike friendly corridor via routinely scheduled Public Works street repaving projects.

When will the effects of the mobility plan be noticeable?

Since the City Council "temporarily" suspended the Mobility Fee for a year, it will be awhile.  Especially if they continue the moratorium to "spur development".

[peestandingup]

^The Baldwin trail is good.  It could be great if it were extended into the urban core and the rest of the city.  The trails in the Orlando area extend into pockets of good residential and commercial density, which increase their usage.

I'm with you. I tried the Baldwin Trail once, and while I'm glad it's there, I didnt care for it. It's just long & straight, and well, boring. But I'm not an open road cyclist, so maybe that's who it's supposed to appeal to.

I've come to learn I prefer urban trails that actually go places & are meant for connectivity, with interesting stops along the way.

[vicupstate]

Bike/Multi-use trails contribute very significantly to quality of life and are a good alternative to auto transit.  That latter point will increase as more trails are created.  This goes hand in hand with the 'keeping/attracting young professionals' issue.

Show me a city that has a substantial trail system, and I will show you a city that is a magnet for growth and the creative class.  This is one area Jax should really go gangbusters on, IMO.  Balwin is a good start, but there needs to be an urban equivalent, and bike lanes added throughout the city.   

Where I live, Greenville SC, there is a 14 mile primary trail that runs through the heart of the city, including DT and it has been very popular and a magnet for new business.  It terminates in a small town North of Greenville proper.  The town is called approprately enough, Traveler's Rest.   The 2,500 population town has re-made it's Main Street to fully embrace the trail , which runs right alongside for a considerable distance.  Storefronts that were vacant are now occupied for the first time in 10-15 years.  Businesses opened second entrances that open directly to the trail.   What once was a deserted-looking,  small town Main street that no one stopped for, is now the showplace and icon of the entire town. 

It use to be that no one drove to Traveler's Rests, only through it, but that has completely changed now.         

[Anti redneck]

I believe the long funded Hogans Creek Greenway will stretch from 8th Street to Liberty Street.  To make the connection to the riverwalk through downtown, Liberty (4 lanes now) would need to be restripped.

Is this part of the Mobility Plan?  I looked at the spreadsheet you posted a few weeks ago and couldn't tell.

No, a bike facility down Liberty Street is not in the mobility plan.  However, facilities down Jefferson, Broad, Laura and Newnan/Hubbard are in the plan and would provide direct connections between the Hogans Creek Greenway, Springfield and Downtown.  Nevertheless, you don't need mobility plan dollars to restripe Liberty.  That can be as simple as coordinating the next asphalt repaving job with Public Works.  As a matter of fact, with proper coordination, nearly every wide street in the urban core could become a bike friendly corridor via routinely scheduled Public Works street repaving projects.

When will the effects of the mobility plan be noticeable?

Since the City Council "temporarily" suspended the Mobility Fee for a year, it will be awhile.  Especially if they continue the moratorium to "spur development".

Honestly I never saw anything wrong with the plan. Brown should tell this city council to lift the suspension. Like I said in another post, take stuff away from them (like cancelling the trip to Cincinnati) if they want to continue taking from us.

[tufsu1]

^ how would the Mayor have any ability to cancel a Chamber of Commerce trip?

[cline]

I believe the long funded Hogans Creek Greenway will stretch from 8th Street to Liberty Street.  To make the connection to the riverwalk through downtown, Liberty (4 lanes now) would need to be restripped.

Is this part of the Mobility Plan?  I looked at the spreadsheet you posted a few weeks ago and couldn't tell.

No, a bike facility down Liberty Street is not in the mobility plan.  However, facilities down Jefferson, Broad, Laura and Newnan/Hubbard are in the plan and would provide direct connections between the Hogans Creek Greenway, Springfield and Downtown.  Nevertheless, you don't need mobility plan dollars to restripe Liberty.  That can be as simple as coordinating the next asphalt repaving job with Public Works.  As a matter of fact, with proper coordination, nearly every wide street in the urban core could become a bike friendly corridor via routinely scheduled Public Works street repaving projects.

When will the effects of the mobility plan be noticeable?

Since the City Council "temporarily" suspended the Mobility Fee for a year, it will be awhile.  Especially if they continue the moratorium to "spur development".

Honestly I never saw anything wrong with the plan. Brown should tell this city council to lift the suspension.

That ain't going to happen because Council would have to lift the moratorium.  And don't expect them to lift it anytime soon because City Council is owned by developer lobbyists (Builder's Association et.al.) that pushed for the moratorium in the first place. 

[Anti redneck]

And let me guess, after the year is up, they will resuspend the plan and keep doing so until it is dead in the water, right?

[Anti redneck]

I believe the long funded Hogans Creek Greenway will stretch from 8th Street to Liberty Street.  To make the connection to the riverwalk through downtown, Liberty (4 lanes now) would need to be restripped.

Is this part of the Mobility Plan?  I looked at the spreadsheet you posted a few weeks ago and couldn't tell.

No, a bike facility down Liberty Street is not in the mobility plan.  However, facilities down Jefferson, Broad, Laura and Newnan/Hubbard are in the plan and would provide direct connections between the Hogans Creek Greenway, Springfield and Downtown.  Nevertheless, you don't need mobility plan dollars to restripe Liberty.  That can be as simple as coordinating the next asphalt repaving job with Public Works.  As a matter of fact, with proper coordination, nearly every wide street in the urban core could become a bike friendly corridor via routinely scheduled Public Works street repaving projects.

When will the effects of the mobility plan be noticeable?

Since the City Council "temporarily" suspended the Mobility Fee for a year, it will be awhile.  Especially if they continue the moratorium to "spur development".

Honestly I never saw anything wrong with the plan. Brown should tell this city council to lift the suspension.

That ain't going to happen because Council would have to lift the moratorium.  And don't expect them to lift it anytime soon because City Council is owned by developer lobbyists (Builder's Association et.al.) that pushed for the moratorium in the first place.

If I was in charge, I'd tell that city council what it is I want done. If they didn't comply, I'd cut their pay; I'd take away some of their fringe benefits; I'd hang something over their heads that would for sure get them to lift some things, change some things, or just get some work done.

[cline]

I'm with you man, but that isn't how it works unfortunately.

[tufsu1]

If I was in charge, I'd tell that city council what it is I want done. If they didn't comply, I'd cut their pay; I'd take away some of their fringe benefits; I'd hang something over their heads that would for sure get them to lift some things, change some things, or just get some work done.

but our governmental structure has something called separation of powers....the Mayor is in charge of the executive branch...Council is the legislative branch....I'm quite comfortable with this structure as it allows checks and balances