Riverside Arts Market Opens

[Deuce]

As someone who bikes to work, I believe the onus to avoid pedestrians lies with the biker. At the same time, people do need to pay attention to where they are going. That being said, there's no reason that peds and bikers can't coexist peacefully on the same path. The idea of creating markings sounds like a good one.

Fantastic ideas about coordinating this event with other downtown businesses. With crowds this large, we need to seize on this. Perhaps when someone buys a work from an artist, they get a coupon for a restaurant downtown or riverside that's redeemable for only that day (or a week). This would help bring cash to the artisans and the downtown businesses.

Overall I was both happy and sad to see this. Happy that it's such a success and is bringing more people downtown and sad that we can't have event of this size in Sfield yet.

[vicupstate]

Good question about whether or not The Landing was affected. Speaking of Hogan's Creek between the St. John's River and Church St., wouldn't trying to make a second RAM type project take away from the novelty and customer/patron base of the fledgling RAM? Wouldn't the best idea be to establish a tradition with RAM before spreading?  

I wasn't advocating a second RAM, but some other draw that would allow good use of what is currently an eyesore.

[Lunican]

Maybe on Saturdays someone can use spray chalk to create bike lanes.

[TPC]

I rode my bike to the RAM from Avondale via Riverside. After some time at the RAM I headed Downtown for a bit (which was dead as usual). On the ride back (around 5) two friends and myself decided to take the Riverwalk. It didn't seem that much more crowded then usual.

I agree that some cyclists may be a bit reckless on the Riverwalk, but then again so are some walkers. All parties need to be aware of there surroundings. The easiest solution for now would be to have some signs throughout informing users of the Riverwalk that it’s for walkers, joggers, and cyclists and that the slower should stay to the right.

I did see something interesting though, some workers were assembling a sculpture between the YMCA and Haskell building. Although the aesthetic of the sculpture isn't up my ally, I am glad to see more art in public spaces.

[BridgeTroll]

That was the Tillie Fowler sculpture...

[blizz01]

That was the Tillie Fowler sculpture...

Anyone have any shots of that yet?

[JeffreyS]

A bike like as part of the riverwalk is badly needed. I wonder what kind of logistics it takes to implement is it just paint?

[thelakelander]

That was the Tillie Fowler sculpture...

Anyone have any shots of that yet?

[Johnny]

I see both sides, but I think it's important to recognize what I actually witnessed. There was a small child, maybe 2 years old walking with her family and a biker went by and whipped around them at a high speed. Though, I don't think he came extremely close, all that needed to happen was that little girl to move a bit to her right and she'd have been clipped. Which as any parent of a toddler knows is highly possible and can be done very quickly. Something to think about before we blame the pedestrians. These are little children that we are talking about. Both bikers & walkers can share the Riverwalk, but go at a slow pace when riding with the pedestrians and for crying out loud, give some thought when riding near a small child like that.

[BridgeTroll]

There were plenty of dogs on leashes also... they have a tendancy to dart in random directions.  I have also wondered about joggers with headphones... the biker cannot warn them he his coming from behind...

[TPC]

One problem with a bike lane is you would need to make it wide enough for at least 2 cyclists coming at opposite directions to pass safely, or two lanes on each side. either options would take up a few feet or the Riverwalk which isn't that wide to begin with.

I think this issue goes back to the cities lack of forward thinking. When it was built, a separate bike lane should have been made. Now with more people using it, especially with RAM the flaws are showing.

[Shwaz]

This will do more long-term for the vitality of DT, than hosting the Super Bowl ever did, all without the multi-million dollar price tag. Sometimes the best ideas aren't the most expensive and flashy ones.

Yeah couldn't believe all the fortune 500 companies that flew in and sponsored the RAM event + the national stage it put the city on.... wait a minute 

[chris]

This will do more long-term for the vitality of DT, than hosting the Super Bowl ever did, all without the multi-million dollar price tag. Sometimes the best ideas aren't the most expensive and flashy ones.

Yeah couldn't believe all the fortune 500 companies that flew in and sponsored the RAM event + the national stage it put the city on.... wait a minute 

The Super Bowl and Fortune 500 companies are great ways to infuse the local area with money and talented people. But in the long run, they are fickle and will not be as dedicated to the community as the local sponsors. Look at major metro areas in the north and you'll see the carcasses of many of those major corporations that one day decided it was cheaper to relocate, killing local communities. Events like this, and community groups like RAP are invested in the local area, both economically and socially. They help build community, establishing relationships that nuture social networks, strengthening all of our support structures.

[heights unknown]

Is this a once a year event or is this ongoing annually?  Did this take the place of the Riverside Arts Festival that used to take place in the park near Five Points?  Someone please answer this post and educate me.  Thanks.

Heights Unknown

[BridgeTroll]

Weekly... every saturday.