So many highly anticipated bike facilities finally deliver only to fall short of real game changing status. Seattle provides the latest example of the phenomenon in the wild.
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) recently started construction on a protected bike lane "across the Dr. Jose Rizal Bridge on 12th Avenue South between Little Saigon and north Beacon Hill," reports Ryan Packer.
The new protected bike lane is both a significant improvement and a missed opportunity, according to Packer's assessment: "This will be the first segment of a safe bicycle connection running throughout Beacon Hill expected to be completed by 2023, but the 12th Avenue South segment going in this year will stop short of making some tantalizingly close connections to existing facilities."
The street configuration on the ridge was improved during consultation with the public, reports Packer, resulting in a reduced number of automobile lanes and bike lanes on both sides of the street. But the lack of a connection to the rest of the city's protected bike lane network irks Packer, and there are no plans to bridge the gap.
The article includes a lot more detail about the new bike lane, including both additional positive assessments and a level of analysis rarely seen in discussions of planning and infrastructure on the Internet.
Read the full story: Construction Starts on Beacon Hill-to-Downtown Bike Connection
Better Bike Plan 2025 Adopted in San Jose
California's third most populous city has a new plan to add hundreds of miles of protected bike lanes.
Seattle Hoping to Extend a Successful Traffic Safety Project
After repainting the lanes on Rainier Avenue in Seattle, the street works better for everyone. If it's that easy, why isn't the model implemented more widely?
Checking in on Two of Seattle's Bike Infrastructure Plans
The city of Seattle is moving through the planning and design stages on two important bike infrastructure projects located at the south end of Downtown.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority