Guest Series: Carmen Godwin

[thelakelander]

As for the transit spine, what is the likelihood that that will happen given the current politics and organizations involved. What would it take to make it a reality?

There's funding for it in the recently adopted mobility plan and the mayor has been saying "LRT" in his stomp speeches.  Although there is a mobility fee moratorium right now, I still don't see any reason why something can be up and running in five to ten years, which happened to be the original schedule.  To make things happen faster, the moratorium needs to sunset in 2012 and the mayor needs to be on board.  So basically, lots of lobbying for not extending the moratorium.

[thelakelander]

As for the transit spine, what is the likelihood that that will happen given the current politics and organizations involved. What would it take to make it a reality?

Perhaps this would be a good time for TransformJax to give us an update.  I understand that a streetcar is next on their radar.

Transform Jax gave a presentation to Habijax on New Town, this past Tuesday.  Part of that presentation included taking advantage of the S-Line as a way to spur TOD, economic development and job creation in that community. Look for an update on that early next week.

[Dashing Dan]

I am personally not a big fan of bike lanes. But I can see where they work. The problem I have with bike lanes are twofold: First of all they tend to slow down the "commuter biker". Secondly, they remove the bicyclist from the view of the car traffic, leading to dangers at the intersection as the bike enters the car lane and is hard to see. Some of this can be mitigated by designing the lanes well (for example, just marking a lane on the right may work). The biggest safety issue around here is that there are not enough bike riders so cars don't look for them.

Sharrows are coming to Riverside, and that should solve the problems that you have with bike lanes.  Where bike lanes are impractical or infeasible, sharrows are meant to warn motorists that a bicycle may be directly ahead of them.

[thelakelander]

Riverside is blessed to have a good grid street network, which helps disperse automobile traffic.  Sharrows will be a great addition to the neighborhood.

[thelakelander]

^More than that. Support for the moratorium ending should come from as many as possible. 

[JeffreyS]

^More than that. Support for the moratorium ending should come from as many as possible. 

+1

[JeffreyS]

^More than that. Support for the moratorium ending should come from as many as possible.

Bet the King's Street Merchants would also support for ending the Moratorium , but Moratorium or no, we can make the clear message to the Mayor known.

+2

[tayana42]

I believe that the more riders we have in the neighborhood, the more noticeable we'll be, and we will begin to earn respect from car drivers.  At the same time, riders need to ride single file when there is no bike lane; perhaps even then if traffic is heavy.

[Dashing Dan]

It may not seem intuitive but the key to bicycle safety is to "ride big."   

If there's no bike lane then a driver should have to change lanes to get around you.  The driver should be able to see you ahead of him (or her) in time to change lanes safely and smoothly.

So there are times when it's actually safer to ride double file rather than single file.

[jaxlore]

Did someone say they are expanding the Riverside Ave bike lane? As someone who rides from Riverside to San Marco several times a week, the most dangerous part of trip is down streets with street parking, I always wonder when someone is going to back out, open a door, etc. Once I hit Riverside ave I either go to the riverwalk and sidewalk it to san marco or over the acosta. 

I am not a big fan of the whole side by side rider thing most riverside streets, are to crowded and it makes me feel like a bigger target for drivers that dont pay attention to begin with.

[NoCarMan]

I don't think they are making any street improvements but merely painting a sharrow lane on Riverside Avenue, from south of the Fuller Warren Bridge to Post Street.

[cline]

^More than that. Support for the moratorium ending should come from as many as possible. 

I've lost hope that the administration and council will support the Mobility Plan.  Lobbyist groups (read: Builders Association) has too much influence.  The Plan is effectively dead.  Pretty sad actually.

I'm pretty stoked about the sharrows though.

[Dashing Dan]

Did someone say they are expanding the Riverside Ave bike lane? As someone who rides from Riverside to San Marco several times a week, the most dangerous part of trip is down streets with street parking, I always wonder when someone is going to back out, open a door, etc. Once I hit Riverside ave I either go to the riverwalk and sidewalk it to san marco or over the acosta. 

I am not a big fan of the whole side by side rider thing most riverside streets, are to crowded and it makes me feel like a bigger target for drivers that dont pay attention to begin with.

Use Oak Street.

[mtraininjax]

My wife and I ride around Avondale and we know the laws, yet it is amazing how many DOPES, and you know who you are, ride around at night without flashers in the front and back of their bikes. JSO could pay for Zone 4, by patrolling RAP and handing out 100 buck tickets for not having flashing lights in the front and back of bikes.

Don't be a moron, get your flashers and get legal. Don't get hit because you were too cheap to buy a 5 dollar set of white and red flashers.

[Dashing Dan]

+100