How We Get Around - Transportation

Unless GPD is able to enforce current laws (speeding, red light running, failure to yield) then none of this is going to make a difference.

I would like to see an effort to connect unconnected subdivisions with small bike paths to create bicycle corridors through less-traveled streets. For instance at NW 28th Pl, Gainesville, FL there is a gate dividing Brywood from Edgewood Hills but it has an opening for pedestrians and bikes to pass. This one connection provides a safe route to get from Glenn Springs Road to NW 16th Avenue and can save a cyclist 1-2 miles of additional riding. This could be done all over the city at a much lower cost than creating dedicated bike lanes. The use of these lower-traffic streets likely is safer than creating bike lanes on high-speed throughfares like NW 43rd St and makes cycling more accessible to new or inexperienced cyclists who would never use bike lanes on major streets.

Bike lanes should be protected by a physical barrier. That keeps bikes off the sidewalks - making pedestrians safer - and increases the likelihood that individuals will use their bikes rather than their cars. Most importantly, it will reduce bike accidents and fatalities.

I like this awareness. I recently rode the bus to see for myself where I could get to and how many transfers it would take, the timing of those transfers (wait times between buses), how long it might take, how on-time the bus actually was, and could I get there without getting soaked or baked. The experience was a Fail on all of the above. People designing the bus routes need to RIDE THE BUS "as if" they had a place to go and a time required in which to arrive safely and in a presentable condition!

On a recent bus ride attempt I got soaked in the Gainesville torrential rain because there was no sufficient shelter at the bus stop. I would think people using the bus to get to work would have to bring a change of clothes on most days. Paying attention to this detail (creating more weather friendly stops) would be appreciated. And it's not just rain, sometimes it's just blazing sun!

Coupling the climate crisis and the high emissions from transportation with planning could include the provision of basic needs (nutritious food, health care, child care) within walking distance of neighborhoods that would contribute to social justice and enviornmental goals. Additionally, small businesses providing basic needs would foster local business ownership and minority business ownership.