Pedestrians and cars, it goes both ways

I read Isthmus' cover story on pedestrian safety a couple of weeks ago, went on a work trip to DC, and came home to a speed trap on Packers Avenue. All this churned together in my head, and helped me realize that our problem in Madison isn't just one of big steel cars with careless, malicious drivers.

Ruskin BB update...and what else is going on?

I emailed Ald. Rhodes-Conway for an update on the status of the Ruskin Street bike boulevard. She said that she asked Traffic Engineering to revise the project based on comments at the August public meeting, but didn't mention any reaction to the neighborhood's opposition or other feedback. She also said it's "likely" there will be another public meeting or a formal hearing once the revision is complete.

Meanwhile, there are developments on Sherman Avenue...

Neighborhood opposes bike boulevard

Tonight, the Sherman Neighborhood Association voted to oppose the Ruskin Street bike boulevard proposal, which falls within its boundaries. The association could be the first in Madison to express such an opinion on a proposed bike boulevard. Instead, it called for the City to maintain the current posted bike route, and to organize an overall Northside bike plan with community participation.

Mind the gap...the City replies

Two days after I started this blog and posted about the Ruskin Street bike boulevard proposal, City Traffic Engineer David Dryer replied to the email I sent his office over a week ago. I appreciate the reply, but I don't think it really answered the questions that were asked.

What's the big deal? It's just a few signs

Early feedback on yesterday's post about the Ruskin Street bike boulevard proposal falls into two camps: residents who feel the City isn't particularly concerned about what the neighborhood thinks (one reader called it "cramming down our throats") and folks who wonder what the problem is. "It's just a few signs, you'll hardly notice."

Really?

The Bike Boulevard

About a month ago, my neighbors and I got a postcard from the City inviting us to a meeting at the library, where we'd be presented with the City's proposal to turn Ruskin Street into a bike boulevard.

So what's the plan?