Book Review - Pedal Power

Just finished reading "Pedal Power - The Quiet Rise of the Bicycle in American Public Life" The author J. Harry Wray has been teaching a "Politics and the Bicycle" class at DePaul university

Vauban - Realistic Experiment?

Yesterday's New York Times reported on a town in southwestern Germany, nestled between the French and Swiss borders that has made a civic commitment to go car-free or more realistically as car-lite as possible.  Titled "In German Suburb, Life Goes On Without Cars", the article (along with photos) describes a suburb of Frielberg, Germany (Google - My Maps).  The Times also featured a discussion page about going "Carfree in America?". 

Comparing Sunnyvale to Vauban

After reading the article take a look at the pictures that I have linked above and also my map created on Google Maps to get an idea of the scope of the car-free village.  I am always curious the amount of land devoted to roadway.  In a previous blog post I took a look at a corner of Sunnyvale, California (which due to the square mile grid pattern makes it a little fun and easy).  In that post I estimated that this purely residential area devotes about 20% of its land area to road way (not counting the concrete used for driveways on private lots).  In Vauban I calculated that less than 4% is used for auto roadways!

Here are some additional links on Vauban
Bike Portland - "Germany's Car Conscious Community"

The Christian Science Monitor - "New German Community Models Car-Free Living"

Also this article is linked to in the New York Times article - "Students Give Up Wheels For Their Own Two Feet"



Vauban Photo courtesy of Ecofaubourg at Fickr



View Vauban in a larger map

Victorville, California - Foreclusure Amongst The Sprawl

After seen the national attention given to the recent demolition of a semi-completed suburban development I decided to look further into the town of Victorville.  From the air you can see where it has taken on the characteristic look of sprawled out suburban living.  The Mall at Victor Valley is remarkably noticible even and a distance almost resembling the oribital path of geosychonos satellites.

• 4-30-07: Bear Valley Road Traffic
  I lived in Victorville for many years and recently moved to Jess Ranch in Apple Valley. Now that I live in Apple Valley, I realize that some of the traffic is coming from Apple Valley drivers trying to get to the freeway or the Mall. I know Victorville is responsible for Bear Valley Road, but does Apple Valley give Victorville any money to improve Bear Valley Road?
  
  Brian's Answer:
  The average daily traffic (ADT) on Bear Valley Road (number of vehicles in a 24 hour period) from the fall of 2005 was as follows:

Location	Highest day	7-day Average
At the Mojave River	58,200	52,200
West of 2nd Ave	53,100	49,100
Between Mariposa Rd & the I-15 northbound ramps	73,500	69,300

The ADT at the Mojave River was about 75% to 79% of the ADT near I-15. Victorville is responsible for only part of Bear Valley Road, because it lies within four different jurisdictions. Each of the local governments are responsible for maintaining the road within their respective jurisdiction. In general, they do not pay one another for improvements or maintenance outside of their limits.

The jurisdictional limits are as follows: From the Mojave River to the east, it lies within Apple Valley (to the Town limits). Between the Mojave River and I-15, the north half is in Victorville, and the south half is in Hesperia (although because the road curves, the City limits are not always at the center of the road). From I-15 to the City limits (two miles west of US 395) it lies within Victorville. It is called Duncan Road west of US 395. Beyond the Town or City limits, it lies within the unincorporated County of San Bernardino.

There is a cooperative agreement between Victorville and Hesperia for maintenance and timing modification of the traffic signals for twelve shared intersections. Apple Valley, Hesperia and Victorville also completed a joint federally funded project that rehabilitated pavement and improved a number of intersections from I-15 to Kiowa Road, on about eight miles of Bear Valley Road. The local governments matched the federal grant with some of their local funding.

Tragedy in the South San Francisco Bay This Weekend.

This weekend the Bay Area lost two 16 year olds to tragic traffic accidents this weekend; one in Union City and One in Half Moon Bay. Not only is the coincidence of the events striking, but the young age that they were taken from us should not go unnoticed.

Juan Rodelas Jr . was killed and his passenger was injured after Rodelas lost control of his speeding Corvette on Central Avenue in Union City.

An unidentified 16 year old male was struck by a car while crossing Highway 1 in Half Moon Bay just before midnight on Friday (Google Maps ).


View 2009 Fatal Vehicular Accidents in South San Franciso Bay in a larger map

Santa Clara County Sheriff Pleads Guilty in the Death of Two Cyclists

Sentencing Set for June 25

Deputy James "Tommy" Council pleaded guilty yesterday (May 8, 2009) in the deaths of two local cyclists Matt Peterson and Kristianna Gough. 

Two Year Anniversary - Two Year Experiment

Well it's been two years now. What started as a one year experiment is now entering its third year;to be, to live car free in the Silicon Valley. It was two years ago today that a car ran a red light seriously injuring a family of three and destroying my own car. Since I was preparing to leave on a summer cycling trip through Quebec, Canada, I decided to wait until returning to look into getting a new car.

After cycling through Quebec that summer, I reflected on just how far behind we are in our own here in California in terms of a cycling culture, public health, the livability in our cities, and in general just enjoying what we have here in this state. Here was an area with over 4,000 km of some of the most beautiful cycling trails, known as La Route Verte. The organization and investment evident in the trail was superior to anything I have seen in the states.

Bay Area and Silicon Valley

The Silicon Valley lies between two mountain ranges, the Santa Cruz mountains and the Diablo range of mountains. From ridge to ridge its about 26 miles and from foothills to foothills (using highway 280 as a guide from west to east) its about 17 or 18 miles across. The valley contained by these two ranges and the San Francisco Bay is generally flat.

With a Mediterranean climate that makes for livable area I always wonder; why aren't their more cyclists in this area? Why are their more cars in the bay area then the population of Sweden (9 million), or Quebec, Canada? Why are there more cars (vehicles) in California than the poulation of Iraq (31 mil vs. 29 mil). With a population of 36 million and total vehicle registration of 31 million there is a car for just about every resident (86% of residents) of the state! This is over the U.S. vehicle penetration rate of 84%.

So what started as a one year experiment is slowly evolving beyond that initial goal. Who knows how long I will keep this up. I have tried to highlight the state of cycle transportation in the valley, along with other topical and current issues such as; traffic safety, livability, public health, community, and non-auto advocacy. With the recent and continual decline of automakers, auto dealers, and the other industries that feed off of Detroit, I hope to continue to highlight and tell the story of others that choose not own a car. Although I choose, at this time not to be a "car-nivore", that doesn't mean I do not ride or drive in cars. I do occasionally and have rented a car for the weekend on one occasion. I like to consider myself an "Omni-tran", one who does not exclusively seek out transportation options by automobile.

Along the way I have met some great people in Portland (thanks Meghan and Elly), New York (Clearance), San Francisco (Dave), and Brazil (Thiaggo). Also others out there who advocate for transportation options; Katie Alvord - "Divorce Your Car", Donald Shoup- "The High Cost of Free Parking", Jonathan Maus - "Bike Portland", Clarance Eckerson - "StreetFilms.org"and James Kuntsler - "The Geography of Nowhere".

Anyway thanks to all of you who have made this experiment a fun one!

Population and Vehicle Density Correlation

This was a little fun I had playing with a graphical representation of the amount of land converted to parking; assuming a density of 6,000 residents per square mile (Sunnyvale, CA). I came up with just under 25% of the land would be needed to park cars, on average. This does not assume land needed to move those cars. I haven't gotten there yet.

The land here in the Silicon Valley only 50 years ago used to be full of orchards now parking lots have taken there place.

Parking Requirement Calculations (Google Docs)

The larger square represents one mile square. Notice how the old orchard roads were one mile distant. Now these "one mile roads" make for perfect suburban arterial roads. The smaller red square represents one quarter of a square mile.




View Asphalt Jungle in a larger map

James Howard Kuntlser - TED.org Talk

This is a great talk by James H. Kuntsler author of "The Geogarphy of Nowhere", "Home from Nowhere", and "The World Made by Hand".

Thinking of the Current Transportation System as a Health and Safety Issue

All I know is that first you've got to get mad.

You've got to say, 
"I'm a HUMAN BEING, Goddamnit! My life has VALUE!" 


Three vehicular events in the Silicon Valley area this weekend highlight the fact that we are all subject to property damage, trauma, critical injury and even death from vehicles.  With this weekends death of a solo driver in Los Altos, a hit and run pedestrian accident in downtown San Jose, and a hit and run accident involving two cyclists, we need to stop and seriously consider the pain and suffering these events cause.

I am acquainted with Ashley (Ashleigh), through work and we share several mutual friends.  Ashley was riding with her boyfriend  this weekend when she was struck by a car that drove into the bike lane.  As I have written before, death and injury has visited family members, a favored author (David Hallberstam's tragic death near the Dumbarton Bridge), three high school friends, a college friend, and bike riding buddies.  Many years ago, while riding my bike, I witnessed a accident victim's final seconds as the blood from his head flowed onto the asphalt, on that early spring morning.  I was stunned and helpless.  Unable to move the truck that had just slammed his head to the ground and was now pinning his body to the roadway, all  I remember was the color of  his face, and how it seemed to change color the more his blood drained from his motionless head.

Several years after witnessing speeding and erratic behavior by a driver on a southbound San Diego Freeway, I came upon the prostrate body of the driver in the middle lane; motionless as we drove by, suddenly making the connection that the driver had met his end in his own horrific way.

With almost two years of a car free lifestyle under my belt, people often ask me; "isn't bike riding dangerous?  I'm to afraid to ride my bike.  I think I'll just go to a spin class instead."  First, bikes can be dangerous, but not many people fail to consider the large number of car accidents every year; whether classified as solo vehicular accidents, alcohol related accidents, accidents due to youth and inexperience, or just sheer and utter stupidity.  We seem to just accept, "as if that's the way it's supposed to be.   

"We know things are bad - worse than bad. They're crazy. It's like everything everywhere is going crazy, so we don't go out anymore. We sit in the house, and slowly the world we are living in is getting smaller, and all we say is, "Please, at least leave us alone in our living rooms. Let me have my toaster and my TV and my steel-belted radials and I won't say anything. Just leave us alone." 

Ask anyone who rides or walks and they will tell you horror stories of the streets.  Freeing yourself from the cocoon of your car you notice more.  In the two years since my own accident, I have witnessed four accidents involving a car running a red light ( myself  a victem as well).  Of those four, I was the first responder on three of them.  One involved a person trying to flee the scene.  Six victims required medical attention.  

 In the two years since giving up my car in favor of a lifestyle involving cycling, walking and public transportation as a means of mobility, I have kept tract of most of the accidents involving cars, whether solo, with other cars, with bicycles, or pedestrians.  Also motorcycle accidents; which seem almost to be predictable in rider age and accident location are document.

We strikes me and also troubles me the most however is the continued increase in hit and run accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists.  I have read somewhere that it may approach 50%.  That would be one out of two accidents involve a vehicle leaving the scene; an absolute disgrace on any measure of moral, ethic, or civic responsibility.

Anyway here are three Google Maps so far that I have put together.
(Blue - Vehicle, Red - Pedestrian, Yellow - Motorcycle, Green - Cyclists) Dot in the marker represents a fatality.

2007

2008 

2009

Car Wash for Car Crash Victims

This isn't the first time I have seen car washes held to raise funds for car crash victim's. The article states that the young victims loved cars, only to die in a car.
Friends, family pitch in to aid young San Jose crash victims-San Jose Mercury News

with permission from A. Singer

2008 State of the Valley - Traffic Safety

A while ago I asked a friend why they drive to the gym to "spin" instead of cycling and experiencing all of the joy and fun that comes along with it. They responded that cycling is dangerous. So that got me thinking if cycling is dangerous, just how dangerous is it compared to other modes of transportation. At the time one of my favorite authors, David Halberstam was killed in a local traffic accident near the Dumbarton Bridge in Menlo Park, CA. I also had 3 high school classmates (those that I have heard about) killed in separate traffic accidents. Strangely enough one was killed in New Zealand and the other in South Africa. Additionally two family members have been severely disabled due to car accidents.


When I was 17, I started studying for my private pilot's license and I always heard the reply, "Why do you fly? Its so dangerous". I began to notice that an aircraft accident; even if it only resulted in one or two fatalities, the event would make regional or national news headlines. Conversely, automobile accidents where usually buried on the 4th page of the local section, sometimes only involving one or two paragraphs.

So after the tragic accident involving Mr. Halberstam, I wondered - what if I monitored the news using new internet tools to highlight and document the tragic nature of auto accidents. After keeping track of such grim statistics, it made me conscious of just much, we as a society tend to ignore the violent costs of automobile traffic.

However it is not just vehicular fatalities that are sobering but the sheer number of pedestrian fatalities highly skewed to the most vulnerable part of the population; those due to age or financial circumstances that must walk in a culture designed for high speed auto traffic. In looking at the many cases of pedestrian casualties, three key characteristics stand out. Pedestrian casualties generally victimize the elderly, occur in the poorer areas of the valley (where massive arterial roads are not uncommon), and generally fall upon victims who were born outside the United States and its culture of cars.

To memorialize those that we last last year.

Silicon Valley Youth who died tragically in 2008.
6-13-2008, Breanna Slaughter-Eck, 12 (pictured)
1-9-2008 12:20am Jessica Stevens, 16
2-28-9 Alexander Moran Cabrera, 2
4-22-2008, 9:38 PM, Trieu Dinh, 19
8-2-2008, 4:50 AM Chrishtiana Acevedo, 18
10-10-2008 6:00 PM Moses Florez, 5 (killed on Razr Scooter)
10-12-2008, 9:15 am, Fernando Valencia, 18
10-12-2008, 9:15 am, unidentified passenger of Fernando Valencia, 12
12-18-2008, 12:05 PM, Matthew Mikaelsson. 17


See Map Below
Cyclists (Green)
1-10-2008 6:25PM, Hsien Tsun Wan, 77
2-28-08 Andrew Hale, 54
3-9-2008 Matt Peterson, 30 of San Francisco
3-9-2008 Kristy Gough, 31 of Oakland
6-13-2008, Breanna Slaughter-Eck, 12
10-5-2008, 9:45AM Bruce Finch, 58


Pedestrians (Red)
1-10-2008 as Estella Manalo Bacong, 50
1-4-2008 Randy Walke, 50
1-22-2008 1:55 AM, Leonardo Par Tzoc, 29
1-23-2008 2:40am Unidentified Hispanic Male 35-40
2-8-2008 Guoliang Chen, 76
2-15-2008 Douglas Carr, 61
2-21-2008 6:20 PM unidentified female
3-26-2008 Panfilio Prado, 51
2-21-2008 6:20 PM unidentified female
4-1-2008 6:30PM, Souang Athetsanathip,66
4-25-2008 11:30 Jose Del Carmen Cauigh-Medina, 51
8-2-2008 5:20 PM, Kenneth Stewart pedestrian, 69
8-10-2008, 8:45 PM, Oralia Puga-Ramirez, 73 of San Jose
8-10-2008, Enedina Oliva, 70
8-30-2008 8:40 AM, Maria Dolores Acosta Dereyes, 69
9-9-2008, 2:15 PM, unidentified male pedestrian, Capitol Exp. San Jose
9-13-2008, 9:30, unidentified pedestrian, 91, McLaughlin Ave. & Spokane Dr., San Jose
9-14-2008, 8:45 AM, Rodolfo Escurial, 68
9-14-2008, 8:45 AM, Aproniano Siruno, 71
10-10-2008 6:00 PM Moses Florez, 5 (killed on Razr Scooter)
10-11-2008, 1:20 PM, Margaret Garza, 45
10-26-2008, 7:00AM,Gary Ray Hedges, 66
12-2-2008 3:15 PM, Phyllis Seidman, 66
11-27-2008 7:40 PM , Jose Perez Rivera, 39
12-12-2008, 8:15 PM, Manuel Velasquez, 73


A noticeable but disturbing trend is evident in Pedestrian fatalities in the valley, with regard to age, ethnicity, and location.


Pedestrian Fatalities Age Breakdown (only those whose age is known)
Amt. %
Under 18 years of age 1 - 5%
18 - 30 years of age 1 - 5%
31- 40 years of age 2 - 9%
41- 50 years of age 1 - 5%
51- 65 years of age 5 - 22%
65+ years of age 12 - 54%

Note: These are not audited or verified traffic statistics but just a compilation of traffic casualties that have been reported in local newspapers.



View Larger Map

Le Route Verte

Originally Posted August 14, 2007 on Velo Quebec 2007

I originally heard about Le Route Verte in an article in Bicycling magazine which is ironic because I rarely read Bicycling magazine. In the article it mentioned that after ten years of planing and constructing Le Route Verte is was soon to be inaugurated. Much of the trail is typical "Rails to Trails" conversions.

After cycling touring around British Columbia two years ago (photos) I was really impressed with the state of cycling in Canada. The bike trails were good to excellent. They were well marked, well maintained, and well used for everyday life near urban centers. Motorists are a lot more tolerant about sharing the road with cyclists and pedestrians. So after such a wonderful experience two years ago I thought I would try the East Coast. I had traveled extensively through French and Atlantic Canada 10 years ago and thought I would try it this time by bike.

Through an association of small tourist and argicultural villages called l’Association des plus beaux villages du Québec, (or the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec) I did some research on some small picturesque villages to visit. The goal is to use parts of le route verte and some country backroads to find some scenic small towns.

Miami's First Car Free Event

Bike Miami: Car-Free Under the Palm Trees

This posting from Streetfillms.

Yesterday Miami became the latest American city to pull off a big car-free event, when an estimated 2,000 people (including mayor Manny Diaz) took to the streets for Bike Miami.


And from Bike Miami:

By all accounts Bike Miami was a total success! Some estimates claim nearly 2,000 bicyclists, joggers, walkers, dogs, dancers and skaters in attendance. I have a feeling it may have been a little more, but regardless, downtown was full of smiling people enjoying their city in a new way.

The two hot spots were undoubtedly Mary Brickell Village and Bayfront park, the two bookends of the route where people flocked in droves. In fact, South Miami Avenue was much more like an urban plaza than a street. Did you notice how the cafe seating and active retail edges allowed people to watch the active participants promenade through what became more a stage than a street? It was a beautiful event and instructive. Indeed, I have never seen such an exercise of urbanism within downtown Miami. The event clearly demonstrates the wonderful potential of downtown Miami and I think the event’s organizers and participants now understand what livable streets can mean for the health of downtown Miami.

At 11am Miami Mayor Manny Diaz gave a short speech about making Miami a more bicycle friendly city. His commitment to such a goal has been more than evident in the past 9 months and we should all thank him, his staff (especially Kathryn Moore!) the Bicycle Action Committee and all the other city departments who made Bike Miami so successful. As Mayor Diaz also pointed out, yesterday’s event would not have been possible without the volunteer effort of the city’s police force who were wonderful, if not a bit surprised at the masses of people using the city’s streets in such an innovative way. Thanks to all!

Please know that all those involved in organizing the event are now aiming to make Bike Miami occur on a regular basis, perhaps even monthly as the mayor mentioned to me yesterday. However, before doing so, we would like to hear from you. What did you like? Did you have any problems? Do you have any suggestions for a route change or possible extension? Share your feedback by visiting the Bike Miami homepage and filling out a quick survey.

We will do our best to make Bike Miami even better for you in the future. All we ask in return is that you contact your local representatives, the Mayor’s office and/or your local news outlets etc (Especially the Miami Herald who ignored the event in today’s coverage!). to share your support and positive feedback. This is a grassroots event. Be the roots.

All bike routes lead to SLO

All bike routes lead to SLO
Kylie Mendonca

San Luis Obispo cyclists got some good news from the City Council on Tuesday, with the approval of two bike-friendly traffic projects.

Funding to complete the Bill Roalman Bike Boulevard, which runs the length of Morro Street between Upham and Marsh streets, was approved after dozens of cyclists and neighbors showed their support for the project. It will cost the city an estimated $436,000, of which more than half is to cover the cost of scheduled maintenance.

Although the money for the project had already been allocated, the city has had to reconsider many projects in the city in light of a worsening budget outlook. Council members considered cutting certain safety and ornamental features, such as “bulb-out” curbs at the Pismo Street crossing, and a roadblock at Leff Street. Ultimately, however, the council passed the total project with a 5-0 vote. When it is completed, the boulevard will be closed to cars, except to allow them to cross the boulevard and to allow access to arterial streets.

Bike Coalition Executive Director Adam Fukushima said the strong show of biker support for the path led to its approval.

The Bike Boulevard is just one of several trails that will someday link-up and connect Cal Poly to the south side of town and the downtown area, as well as the Bob Jones Trail to Avila Beach.

Earlier this year, the city opened up a portion of the Bob Jones Trail, a sort of disconnected but beautiful path, which begins at Prado Road and winds around the back of SLO’s water reclamation facility before dead-ending at Highway 101 near Los Osos Valley Road. The council approved plans to build an overpass at that site, and many cyclists hoped that it would also include an underpass for bikes and pedestrians to access the path from Los Osos Valley Road. It didn’t, but the council did approve 12-foot-wide sidewalks, which can accommodate bike lanes in the future.

The Land Conservancy, a nonprofit organization devoted to preserving green space, hopes to connect the newest section of the trail to the historic Octagon Barn on South Higuera. The eventual goal is to connect the trail all the way to Avila Beach. Land Conservancy Executive Director Brian Stark said that while money is an issue right now, he was optimistic about the eventual completion.

“When the Bob Jones Trail is finally finished,” Stark said, “and bikes can get from downtown to Avila without having to get on a road, it’s going to be a priceless experience.”

For now, priceless seems a little steep for county and city budgets.