For the first chapter in our Moving Beyond the Automobile series we’ll take a look at Transit-Oriented Development, more commonly known by its “TOD” acronym in transportation industry circles. TOD is a high-density, mixed-use residential area with access to ample amounts of transportation. There are usually many transportation nodes within its core and contains a walkable and bike-able environment.
11 miles is just shy of 18 kms and a fairly long commute. Yet, because of constant development and political support for cycling infrastructure 90% of this journey includes streets featuring some form of cycling infrastructure.
Notice that only a small percentage of the ride is along streets with sharrows and, notice too, that NYC DOT isn’t trying to squeeze one size fits all cycling infrastructure onto a wide variety of streets.
Thinking back on my former commute, 25 kms each way and exactly 0% of my route including any form of cycling infrastructure, it’s no wonder I was often alone on two wheels. Cycling along major arterials with boulevards wide enough to play soccer on I wondered why there wasn’t a bike path there. I would cross over multi-lane bridges that themselves spanned across 400 series highways and wondered why both cyclists and pedestrians were ignored there as well.
Real cycling infrastructure influences real change. How hard is that to understand?
This is fantastic. Now, they didn’t just set these kids loose on the streets of Brooklyn. Prior to this event the school ran programs instructing them on how to safely cycle in traffic.
Is the simple act of riding a bicycle in your everyday clothes a form of advocacy? Capturing these moments and sharing them online may be more than just bicycle voyeurism. See why in the video below:
As all Toronto cyclists know, crossing over rail tracks can be intimidating at first. Over time, you build up your confidence and begin riding along Queen or King with ease. And, just sometimes, you stop paying attention long enough and the tracks take you down. And this can really hurt.
In Seattle, it seems that one awkward rail crossing has become quite the hazard. Here’s how they are dealing with the problem:
Helping cyclist navigate train track crossing is great. But, is this much paint and that many signs really necessary?
And this one is in ALL CAPS, which we all know is YELLING!
To be fair, this is only temporary while the city redesigns the area and the crossing.
Is the fear of punishment by the law the only way to curb dangerous behaviour on our streets?
While it may deter many from acting however they want, there is still a problem…
And that problem is rudeness.
As the video above demonstrates, when we get into our vehicles (whether cars, trucks and bicycles) we will put ourselves into countless situations where we could inconvenience others through rudeness. Yet, no one asks themselves when heading out on their commute, “How rude could I be today?”
Joe T.
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