Report from DC/Railvolution 2011
Posted by Curt Ailes in Bicycling, Pedestrian, Transit on Oct 21st, 2011 | 19 comments
This year, I had the privilege of speaking at Railvolution in Washington DC. I was selected to a panel that included David Alpert & Matt Johnson of Greater Greater Washington and was moderated by Jeff Wood better known on the web & in blogging circles as, The Overhead Wire. For me, it was an honor to be sitting at the same table as these folks considering that they have all been at it longer than me and are generally who I have looked up to when it came to forming my blogging voice.
I was only able to attend the conference the day that I was speaking. The rest of my stay was spent playing...
Shelby Street Bike Track under construction
Posted by Curt Ailes in Bicycling on Jul 5th, 2011 | 15 comments
Earlier this year, Chicago elected a new mayor; Rahm Emanuel. Upon entering office, he wasted no time going to work on his campaign promises of improving mobility for citizens. Among his first visual changes, were the introduction of a new cycle track along a half mile stretch of downtown street; Kinzie Ave from Milwaukee Avenue to Wells Street.
Upon being in office for only a few short weeks, Emanuel has demonstrated his firm commitment to transportation alternatives.
When you look at what “IT” actually was, bike lanes were striped to create a reasonable barrier between...
Monument Circle Going Car Free For 2012 Super Bowl
Posted by Greg.Meckstroth in Pedestrian on Feb 8th, 2011 | 27 comments
In a fitting turn of events, the decision to pedestrianize Monument Circle has come full circle with the announcement that Indianapolis’s premiere public space will be closed off to auto travel during the week-long run-up to the Super Bowl next February. According to Super Bowl Host Committee CEO Allison Melangton, the Committee is trying to raise money for a major entertainment endeavor on Monument Circle prior to the Super Bowl that would close the space to vehicular traffic, turning the Circle into a pedestrian mall. According to Melangton, the Circle would be used for music...
Pedestrianizing Downtown Indianapolis
Posted by Greg.Meckstroth in Pedestrian on Nov 18th, 2010 | 16 comments
It’s no secret that Ray LaHood and the current Department of Transportation believe that cities ought to be for people instead of cars. In late October, the Department’s $600 million Tiger II grants drove home this point, as 55% of the funds are going towards mass transit or pedestrian oriented transportation improvements across the country (16% went to ports and 29% went to road projects). Perhaps the most interesting project that received funding is Downtown Crossings in New Haven, Connecticut, which is getting $16 million to remove the limited-access Route 34. As New Haven...
The New Georgia Street: An Urban Design Crit.
Posted by Greg.Meckstroth in New Development, Pedestrian on Oct 28th, 2010 | 10 comments
In case anyone hasn’t noticed, Georgia Street in downtown Indianapolis is currently getting an extreme makeover and turning large portions of its right-of way over to the pedestrian.  Announced in early May of this year, this project has been touted as the latest example of Indianapolis taking positive steps in turning their downtown into a more pedestrian friendly environment. Taken together, the Cultural Trail and the Georgia Street makeover prove that Indianapolis is on the forefront of the pedestrianization acceleration movement sweeping across the United States. New York has...
