Transportation

Transportation Feedback:

Reflecting on the conversation from the Thursday in which Transportation was discussed, I have the following thoughts to share.

• Two years ago, I cycled from Calais, ME to DC. I followed the East Coast Greenway for the most part and traveled on many bike paths. Three were worth noting:

1. Southington, CT to New Haven CT – Long enough to be worthwhile. Many places to stop and rest. Pavilions are key.

2. Baltimore, MD to Annapolis, MD – This was almost a full-days ride with more pavilions and places to stop and enjoy the surroundings.

3. Arlington, VA to Leesburg, VA – Another full ride and most of it on flat terrain.

• Cost to build a bike trail = $1,000,000 per mile average.

• Consider Biking Calculus. Rates of Change, etc… It become easier to travel a longer distance on a flatter route. E.G. cycling around and up Grove Street is easier than pushing up Main Street.

• Intregrate building development and active transportation. I like to think in 50 mile grids. That is my most comfortable biking distance per day.

• Road Policy: In a city with multi-modal transportation, where might we see different modes of transport. Leg-Powered traffic is much different in behavior than motor-assist traffic. Across the width of a typical road, what policies are in place to protect slower kinds of traffic.

• I’m still wishing to see a pedestrian way between Priscilla Lane and School Street.

• Destinations: Where does the active transportation wind up? The local shopping center? With bikes going an average of 15-20 mph and cars doing 25 – 30 mph, should they really be using the same lane?