(forwarded part:)
Mark your calendar for June 21st from 6 to 8 p.m. at Monona Terrace for the
City of Madison's Streetcar Opportunities Forum!
As you know, the City of Madison has begun to study bringing a streetcar
system to the region. Streetcars can provide key transportation, economic
development, and quality of life benefits. Hosted by the Madison Streetcar
Study Committee, this forum provides a great chance:
* to learn more about the benefits streetcars can provide in Madison,
* to ask questions of experts from regions with streetcar systems in
operation, and
* to show your support for modern transit.
The evening will consist of 1) presentations by Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and
Charlie Hales, project manager and architect of new streetcar systems; 2) a
panel discussion of experts from Portland, OR, Little Rock, AR, and Tacoma,
WA; and 3) opportunities for your questions and interactions with experts.
We will also have a table at the event providing information about
streetcars and their benefits, as well as how you can get more involved in
the effort to bring streetcars to Madison.
(end of forwarded part)
Bob H., downtown resident/bike commuter/randonneur explains the importance
of bikies folks weighing in on streetcars:
"Project 20/20 which is intended to provide access to and from downtown is
being studied now. The options include dedicated, express buses as well as
light rail. The light rail comes in two main flavors, one, following
existing rail right of way and two, going down existing streets. 20/20
presumes local service feeder services. This too comes in two flavors, rail
and non-rail. After talking with bike shop operators in Portland, OR, It
became apparent that rails running along streets pose problems for bikes,
with bike wheels getting caught in embedded tracks running parallel to the
paths of the bikes. For this reason, if these systems actually look
economically and socially feasible, I believe selecting soft tired vehicles
that do not require tracks would be best. A track option running along an
existing rail right of way would probably be safe enough, although crossings
have proved hazardous to people in some cities."
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