Monday, March 7, 2016

Burlington Voted NO on 4 Lanes, North Avenue

BURLINGTON VOTED NO.  The majority of residents want to try the pilot, and we want bike lanes everywhere in the City. Read all about it: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/2016/03/01/btv-residents-split-north-ave-pilot/81153894/


Tuesday, February 16, 2016

VOTE NO on #2

Ballot Question #2




VOTE NO TO EXPERIENCE THE PILOT, WITH TWO THROUGH LANES FOR CARS, A CENTER TURNING LANE, AND TWO BIKE LANES.






Friday, February 5, 2016

North Avenue Task Force Meeting #11

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 February 9, 2016 6pm – 8 pm @ Miller Center

Planning North Avenue for the Future
1. Review statement from the City about the North Avenue ballot item
2. Review the Task Force talking points
3. Review the DPW Memo on preliminary survey questions and bring suggested changes
Meeting Goals:
1. Discuss City Council decision re: ballot
2. Determine how/if the Task Force can inform neighbors about the ballot; and,
3. Agree on activities (if any) between now and March meeting.
Housekeeping Items (5 minutes): 
· NATF Member and public introductions;
· Review and approve tonight’s agenda;
· Review and approve notes from January 12 meeting;
Public Comment Period (10 minutes)
Councilor Comments (as needed)
Discussion about the revised ballot language and the Task Force’s role (30 minutes)
-Packet: Guidance for the Task Force from the City Attorney’s Office
Update and Discussion of DPW Implementation Plans (15 minutes)
• Schedule for design and selection of contractors
• Public outreach plans
• Measuring public input
Discussion about Public Input (30 minutes) 
• Update on Measuring Public Input 
• Packet: DPW memo on Before/After survey questions o Include separate questions about different pieces of the project?
CCRPC Technical Updates (15 minutes)
-Corrections to Local Motion’s crash data
Discuss Task Force talking points for community meetings about the pilot (10 min)
-Packet: draft presentation and talking points for Task Force members
Update “To-Do” List (5 minutes)

Monday, December 28, 2015

AVENUE FOR EVERYONE!

Information HERE! http://www.avenueforeveryone.com/

Here are some of the myths that have been circulated to persuade residents to sign a petition calling for four vehicular lanes on North Avenue. Some claims are obviously false or silly, but others could be substituted for reliable information. Get the facts.

FALSE
  • EPA bike lanes --  Claiming that bike lanes are a conspiracy between the Environmental Protection Agency and Burlington is silly, but it's really code for liberal ideas, claiming that people who ride bikes are liberals, and they most likely support environmental protection. .
  • They are trying to take away our cars -- b/w 4 Lane signs are recycled Gun Rights signs, and this claim connects guns with cars, code for the idea that people who want to take away your guns (gun control) also want to take away your cars.
  • It will cause congestion and delays when people are trying to get to work. Congestion is present now, and two through lanes, with a middle turning lane and separate bike lanes, will bring consistency and smooth flow to the Avenue. And, it will be much safer, for everyone.
  • Even if you support a road diet, you should sign the petition to prevent the pilot project. Say what?

Friday, December 11, 2015

CAGARY CYCLE TRACK PROGRAM - 95% increase in riders!

The Calgary experience:

"They noted an increase in bike traffic on roads shared with cars, up to an average of 7.6%. However, on certain routes such as 8th Avenue, west of 3rd Street, during the peak hour the percentage of bikes on the road is as high as 46%.
“People[…] are giving it a try over the course of the pilot,” says Glowacz. “[They’re] seeing if they can bike to different destination in downtown, or bike the their workplaces.”
To learn more about the cycle track pilot program, visit the City of Calgary website.
http://calgarybuzz.com/2015/12/calgary-cycle-track-see-increase-in-riders/
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Friday, December 4, 2015

BURLINGTON BETTER BY BIKE!

BE PART OF THE FIRST THOUSAND! SIGN THE PETITION TODAY!


Burlingtonians of all ages want our city to be “Better by Bike.” We want riding on our city's streets to be just as safe as riding on our beautiful lakeshore bike path. We want to be able to send our kids off on their bikes without worry. More broadly, we want a city with a 21st century approach to mobility that puts safety and choice first.
A 2015 survey conducted by AARP Vermont showed that a majority of Burlingtonians 45 years and older would be extremely to very likely to walk or ride a bike more if there were better crosswalks and separate bike lanes. And only 29% feel that there are currently enough bike lanes for safe biking. Burlington clearly needs better streets for biking and safer crossings for walking!
Even with broad support, change never comes easy. There will be pushback from people who think that our streets are only for cars. Too often, people underestimate the positive impact that investments in walking and biking have on the local economy and community.
Will you speak up for change? Will you speak up for vibrant streets that are safe and welcoming for everyone?

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

North Ave Corridor Design is a Model for the City.

North Avenue will be re-engineered to prioritize safety of all modes -- cars, trucks, buses, bikes, and pedestrians. There will be safer ped crossings, protected bike lanes, and through lanes for motorized traffic with a center turning lane. Eventually roundabouts will replace four signalized intersections. As residents learn the value of safe streets design, they are taking a fresh look at old projects like the Southern Connector aka Champlain Parkway.

MONDAY NOV 30, 7PM, CHAMPLAIN SCHOOL


Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Don't waste time and transportation funding on old projects, old designs.

Nov. 5, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a long-term surface transportation bill that prioritizes funding for multi-modal projects.

The time for Burlington to expand active bike transportation options is now. Highway building is passe, road diet and safe protected bike lanes are the future. We mustn't waste money on old project designs that are stuck in the funding pipeline, We need to move on -- put old car-centric thinking away,  and make roads that safer for everyone.