Thanks to Gary for taking such an approach to this topic. I hope this post can be read by everyone who lives near the greenway & the 35W/Lake projects, not just the dtwn & northloop folks.
Previously on the list we've talked about health & safety (traffic accidents & usability), the environmental & small business concerns, but no one has shined the spotlight directly on the public health issue. Does anyone one know of ANY studies on this topic that have been done in Mpls.? Is anyone planning on running any numbers on this? What governing body or associated advisory committee would address such a request or information? mandy tempel NE (W1 P6) Message: 8 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Fri, 6 Sep 2002 10:39:26 EDT To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] Bikes, Busses, Cars, and Public Health When we think about accomodating various forms of transportation downtown -- or anywhere in Minneapolis, it seems to me that we need to consider the impact of that transportation on public health Passive transportation contributes to obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, lung disease, asthma and other resperatory illnesses. The pollution emitted from cars and such -- benzene, carbontetrachloride, and many other chemicals -- is harmful to us all, especially to children, the elderly, and those who are already ill or weakened. If we model for increased auto traffic, we need to carefully note the amount of increased pollution we are planning for. We need to allow people who live in heavily-trafficed areas the right to put limits on the amount of traffic and pollution they are willing to tolerate in their neighborhood. At very least, we need to put powerful incentives in place to encourage "active" zero-emission transportation options and least-polluting, least congestive, most-affordable forms of public tranportation. Combine with this powerful disincentives on auto use, and we may be able to create a healthier city and metro area. Folks in the London, England area have considered putting GPS systems on board metro -area cars, and then adding a tax as these vehicles travel about. The tax can be heavier during rush hour, and lifted during light-traffic times. This is a simple example of a "disincentive" -- may not be the best, but it is one idea. The government often taxes behaviour which it tries to discourage due to health risks and such, so why not tax congestion and pollution? I prefer taking a more positive approach, such as modeling new, healthy patterns of behaviour. That is why I ride a cargo trike and pedicab HPVs for work, play, and family use. Also, I am starting a "Sustainable Transportation Project" here in Minneapolis, which will provide safe, affordable, zero-emmission and low-emission options for people to use. It is based on the idea that the days of owning all the vehicles that you use is past. We need to have access to an array of vehicles best suited for specific uses, rather than to one car for everything. It makes no sense to drive the SUV that puls the boat to the cabin for trips such as going to the video store, or to work. Check out Corbinmotors.com for an excellent example of terrific urban commuting machines, or even the GEMCars for urban neighborhood errand-running. There are many other options -- human powered, electric assist, and electric. Combined with clean electric energy sources (solar and wind) these can help us all to live longer, happier, healthier lives. I hope to put together a fleet of sustainable vehicles, an educational program for safe use of these vehicles in the city, and a program for members of a "co-op" or "network" to mchoose a vehicle to try for a day, a week, or a month at a time. This way folks can finds the options that fit best for them, and can adjust as things change We need make plans and programs for the future which are truly innovative and helpful! Let's do it! If you are interested in my ideas, feel free to e-mail me off list with the topic "Sustainable Tranportation Project" in the subject line. I've been meeting regularly with a group of interested citizens for several months, and have enlisted the support of two City Council members, one State Legislator, and at least one city planner. We citizens need to take the initiative. This breathes life into democracy, and into our civic life! -- Gary Hoover -- Pedaling for a better future for us all in King Field _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
