On Feb 8, 2008 2:48 PM, Troy Thiel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Not sure if it can get on the Ped Bike Committee agenda, but it seems to > me that the arguments against not having automatic walk cycles are > sufficient enough to review the policy. > [snip]
> > Robbie, you've been on the Council for 5 years now...and your on Ped > Bike...how 'bout showing some leadership on this? Seems like a very > winnable thing, or at least worthy of introducing as a review item. > I have brought it up many times, and have continuing discussions with Traffic Engineering about the timing of many lights - both car oriented and bike/pedestrian oriented - on so many occasions that I lost count. We have discussed it at PBMVC many times. Traffic Engineering is not inclined to delay the cross traffic if there are are no walkers or bicyclists - who need more time to cross than a driver - if there are no walkers and bicyclists present. While we are making progress, the Bikies are correct, the driving public still gets preferential treatment over walkers and bicyclists. Until there are a majority of Madisonians demanding that walkers and bicyclists get the lights to change to aid them without pushing a button, it will remain thus. The vast majority of alders and city staff still get more bitching from drivers than people complaining about needing to push a button. At least our walk button DO work. New York disconnected them decades ago, but never removed the buttons, so people don't realize they don't do anything. Unnoticed by some, we have gotten some lights changed to improve bike/pedestrian access. That was one of my first successes, the first week I took office: getting the light to change for bicyclists on Breese Terrace at University Ave. I am also very proud about getting countdown timers are University and U Bay Dr, since that was a top request from the neighborhood my first six months in office. And those who don't commute by bike, or even some who do, may not realize that most intersections do indeed pick up bikes and change the light appropriately. There are even places where there are specially places sensors that ONLY pick up bikes. (This isn't news to many of the old-line Bikies, but might be news to others.) Let me know if you want a tour of where these are located. Can things be better? Of course! But turning around an oil tanker at sea takes a long time, and I'm not the only one controlling the steering (appropriate analogy intended.) Make sure that all the alders that AREN'T so inclined to make life easier for walkers and bicyclists get as much communication as those who are your allies. Robbie -- Note that I am consolidating email addresses (personal and work.) Except for City of Madison business and correspondence, please send all email to the address above.
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