Health Dept Weighs in on Road Diet, and Separated Bike Lanes

Dear [North Avenue Corridor Study Advisory] Committee members:

The Burlington District Office of the Health Department was asked by the Advisory Committee to conduct and submit a desktop Health Impact Assessment (HIA) as part of the North Avenue Corridor Study. This type of HIA draws from existing data such as local reports, public meetings, and published literature about similar scenarios. Garnering and evaluating any new data was beyond the anticipated timeline.

Consideration of the public’s health in the planning process ensures that the potential impacts on the physical and mental well being of residents is evaluated and addressed.

The strategies for making the North Avenue Corridor provide safe, inviting, and convenient travel for all users of all ages and abilities overlap with those that promote health by increasing prospects for safer physical activity and by improving access to services and opportunities for users of all transport modes.

AARP NEW LIVABILITY FACT SHEET TACKLES "ROAD DIETS"

Leave it to AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) through their second "Livability Fact Sheet" released this month (June 2014) tackling "Road Diets" just as Burlington's North Avenue corridor study planning nears completion.   A short term and long term option being considered by the Advisory Committee is a "road diet"--four lanes to three lanes with a bike lane on each side from Shore Rd./Heineberg Rd. to VT 127.  

http://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/info-2014/road-diets-fact-sheet.html

Like the first Fact Sheet ("Roundabouts") "Road Diet" tackles the myths with carefully referenced responses to: "Road diets divert traffic...increase congestion...increase crashes...aren't good for public transit...bad for business..are being reversed...slows down emergency responders...people don't like road diets."  Plus examples of three road diets--Seattle, Orlando and Athens, GA--along with possible cross sections are included.

One Fact Sheet suggestion on "how to get it right" is undertaking a pilot project, one of the very options before the North Avenue Advisory Committee a their July 1 meeting.

AARP's Vermont office continues to work on livability issues in the Champlain Valley and Burlington in particular. 

           

Some Early Returns on the Corridor Online Survey--Take the Time to Add Your Voice!

 The Early Returns on the North Avenue Online Survey—Take the Time to do the Survey and Encourage Others in the Neighborhood Too!

It is important that everyone takes the time to do the online North Avenue survey.

 http://www.ccrpcvt.org/transportation/corridors/north-avenue-corridor-study/

More on Up and Running Public Participation North Avenue Survey--Open to Anyone Interested!

Anyone interested can take the North Avenue "Likes and Dislikes" public participation survey following the public workshop on Tuesday this week.  The Regional Planning website has the survey right at the top of the page as well as access to all the documents of the study to date.

Here is the website address:  http://www.ccrpcvt.org/transportation/corridors/north-avenue-corridor-study/

By taking the survey, your input helps put the finishing touches on public involvement as the Advisory Committee meets on June 10 at the Miller Center to complete the discussion as study goes to final draft.  Whether work, reside, own a business or reside on the corridor or nearby--all are welcome to check over the choices for improvement for each major intersection and road section from Plattsburgh Ave to North St.

One can do a thumbs up (or down) on every single alternative as well as make a comment on the intersection or road segment (feel free to disagree!).

The survey took this writer about 15 minutes because of the large number of items and making comments in many cases.

Everyone gets a say!

Take the survey and comment and "Where are we now?"

NORTH AVENUE CORRIDOR STUDY: 

YOU CAN PARTICIPATE FULLY AND EQUALLY IN VOTING/COMMENTING ON THE IMPROVEMENT OPTIONS BY TAKING A SURVEY TODAY!

Each of us from North End (roughly Wards 3, 4 and 7) can participate through an online survey just like the last Public Workshop (May 20) participants did—the online survey instrument is set for use starting at some point on May 21 (go to the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission [CCRPC] website where the survey can be accessed when up and running:  http://www.ccrpcvt.org/transportation/corridors/north-avenue-corridor-study/  ).

BURLINGTON WALK BIKE DECLARATION

THE BURLINGTON, VT WALK/BIKE  DECLARATION  --  MAY 2014

For the first time in a landmark document, the Burlington Walk Bike Council in what I term the “Burlington Declaration” sets roundabouts and a cycle track network as part and parcel of a safe walkable and bikable City. 

While no roundabouts or cycle tracks (protected/separated bike lanes) exist on a busy City thoroughfare today, these treatments remain indispensable to a safe walk/bike urban street network usable by all residents.  This Declaration, an “advisory” document, calls for a demonstration roundabout and demonstration cycle track (protected/separated bike lanes) in short order. 

NPA May 28: Burlington College Students' Vision for the North Avenue Corridor

WELCOME BURLINGTON COLLEGE

http://wards4and7npa.blogspot.com/ 

Wednesday, May 28, North End NPAs welcome Burlington College Students who will tell us their vision for the North Avenue Corridor. We will look at plans for the campus, and welcome Burlington College to our North End Community.
  

NORTH AVENUE BIKE ADVOCATES MEETUP

When:  Wednesday, May 14, 5:00 to 6:30 PM -- Pizza & healthy snacks provided

What:  A gathering of bike riders of all stripes to review options for dedicated, protected bike facilities on North Avenue -- and figure out together what option we want to throw our collective weight behind

Where:  Train Station, Main St Landing, lower level, 1 Main St, Burlington. Entrance off the bike path.

Why:  Because some really important decisions will be made at the North Avenue Corridor Study Public Workshop

MEETING MAY 12 FOR BICYCISTS TO PREPARE FOR MAY 20 PUBLIC WORKSHOP

The meeting notice below was circulated in a message from Local Motion last Thursday evening:

NORTH AVENUE BIKE ADVOCATES MEETUP

When:  Wednesday, May 14, 5:00 to 6:30 PM -- Pizza & healthy snacks provided

What:  A gathering of bike riders of all stripes to review options for dedicated, protected bike facilities on North Avenue-- and figure out together what option we want to throw our collective weight behind

Where:  Train Station, Main St Landing, lower level, 1 Main St, Burlington.

 Entrance off the bike path.

Why:  Because some really important decisions will be made at the North Avenue Corridor Study Public Workshop

 on May 20, and we will get much better bike facilities if we go into that meeting clear and united!...

As an Alternate Member (Ward 3) to the North Avenue Corridor Study Advisory Committee I can report the approach of the Committee developed to date insures the safest form of infra (infrastructure) for every mode.  For cyclists this means cycle track (separate/protected bike lanes) from end-to-end along the corridor, and roundabouts with separate/shared pathways for cyclists at key intersections. The infra proposed expands the opportunity to bicycle along the corridor from mostly young adults today to everyone regardless of age, gender or skill.  In addition we call for  upgrading connectivity to schools, the Bikeway, etc. as an integral part of the corridor plan. 

Note the next Public Meeting open to all on the North Avenue Corridor Study is Tuesday, May 20 at St. Mark's Church 7-9 p.m. 1251 North Ave.

                Tony Redington

              

Does Burlington, VT reflect a tipping point for roundabouts and cycle track?

The [report] below, reflects [Tony Reddington]'s view of the two really stunning meetings over the past week. Note the North Avenue Task Force (group of citizens known as "The Corridori") has contacted the Department of Public Works about a demonstration roundabout/cycle track at a North Avenue intersection using cones for part of a quiet day so we can all visualize a roundabout on the corridor and give emergency personnel, police, the neighborhood, etc. a chance to participate first hand--the Advisory Council unanimously endorsed the demo last night.  The Walk Bike Council action included a priority for a demonstration roundabout (probably on an all-way stop intersection), a demonstration cycle track, and re-design of the Champlain Parkway which lacks quality walk/bike facilities on this decades old $39 million project which involves only a 2% City match. Tony

Does Burlington, VT reflect a tipping point for roundabouts and cycle track?

Two public meetings in Burlington, VT within the last two weeks give strong evidence both modern roundabouts and cycle track (protected bike lanes) may have reached a tipping point and now comprise major elements in making urban streets both truly walkable and bikable for all users with the highest level of safety and comfort.