USDOT has a new action plan that directs all 50 states to increase walking and biking and to decrease pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities. I am concerned, however, about its emphasis on biking networks. It sounds like what Dan Gutierrez calls the designated routes mindset. The summary report is 12 pages long. Here is the conclusion: --- Conclusion This new Initiative recognizes the need to work in a coordinated, multimodal fashion, not just across the U.S. Department of Transportation, but throughout America’s states, regions, towns and cities. The growing interest in bicycling and walking needs to be encouraged and supported through continued investment in safer infrastructure, and through new resources and tools to ensure that we choose the safest designs and promote safer behaviors. We look forward to engaging the public and practitioners in a conversation about pedestrian and bicycle safety. Your input and contribution is essential to making progress on bicycle and pedestrian safety, because everyone has a role to play in improving the safety of our communities. At the State and regional level, we’re asking officials and practitioners to commit to enhancing walking and biking networks, promote laws to reduce risks to bicyclists and pedestrians, and ensure that resources are allocated to solving this problem. At the community level, we’re asking individuals to start a safety dialogue, get involved in local, regional, and state transportation planning efforts, and identify critical gaps in multimodal transportation networks. Throughout the Fall of 2014 we will be engaging local officials, safety organizations, State, regional, and local planners and engineers, and advocacy groups in helping us plan innovative ways to spread the word about these resources and develop a comprehensive approach to pedestrian and bicycle safety. When safe and convenient transportation opportunities are available to every American, regardless of age, ability, or income, we all benefit from safer communities, a stronger economy, and a cleaner environment. ---
Posted on: Sun, 18 Jan 2015 20:49:45 +0000
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