Videos Watched:
Roundabouts in the Netherlands, Traffic in the City, Rides Through the Tunnel at Amsterdam Station.
Responses:
Bogota’s urban happiness movement, Charles Montgomery – Response
Montgomery’s article did a good job of outlining the key problems that Bogota’s urban structure faced, including the key pitfalls the personal car dominance created. The political climates that lead to the changes that solved some of the important problems was also well explained. I felt that the discussion of urban happiness and the connection to urban mobility was an interesting angle to explore but could have been better elaborated. For example, it was not exactly clear how the improved mobility was thought to have improved the murder rate; just that after the new programs were implemented the murder rate fell.
A cyclists Mecca, with lessons for our town, Martine Powers – Response
Powers’ commentary on the experience of other North Americans in Dutch, bike-friendly cities did a good job of highlighting all of the key differences and pit-falls of the North American approach to cycling. I liked that there was acknowledgement of a prior culture that extended beyond simply infrastructure. Indeed, I think it is often too simplistic for planners or enthusiasts to say that if the infrastructure is there people will use it. However, I do think that the current state of cycling in North American cities, with only the braver bikers attempting it will create a difficult transition even if the infrastructure is transferred. My experience with mixing accomplished and experienced cyclists and inexperienced cyclists are not much safer than cars and bikes, so even the most thought out bike paths and lanes will experience some initial turbulence. I agree that the most important part of any cycling infrastructure plan relies on the foundation of education.
Consumers are driving ‘light’ by choice and by accident, Micheline Maynard – Response
This article did a good job highlighting the different circumstances that drive people to choose the bicycle over the car. Cities such as Long Beach transform from car-based cities to more bike and ped dominated based on the shift in the economy; it is no longer viable for every person to have a vehicle. This offers a good example of how bike and pedestrian changes are not always a planning issue. Shifts that are more natural, rather than orchestrated can be as successful and perhaps more accepted.
Build it and they will come – Response
This case study of the City of Portland offered a great reporting the numbers that are affected when bike infrastructure does not exist compared to when it does. I liked that they provided good images of the exact changes that were made so that it was clear what kind of infrastructural changes caused what kind of changes in bicycle ridership. The comprehensive study in before and after also provided a comparison of changes not always available. I liked that they addressed that the increase of cyclists was usually in conjunction to multiple projects also, which enhanced the idea that a complete network is required to make a truly successful bicycle project.
