Dog Guy

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 1:48 p.m.

"The city of Ann Arbor has launched a new blog dedicated to promoting the city's non-motorized transportation culture." A ukase has established that non-motorized transportation is no longer simply a necessity for the impecunious or those with DUI convictions, but is a moral virtue in the arborverse (as opposed to the obvious viciousness of motorized transport). Monitoring non-motorized compliance is made more difficult by the universal human propensity to lie about the magnitude of one's own virtuous conduct. Until all the cameras and non-motorized recognition software is operational, the mayor, council members, and members of various bicycle and velo touring societies and clubs should step into the gap and monitor non-motorized activity by sniffing sneakers and bicycle seats to determine use levels. As noted above, the city's culture is in the balance.

Alan Goldsmith

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 1:42 p.m.

Any word on the City starting a blog discussing topics like mowing parks, fixing roads, resolving neighborhood flooding issues, replacing dead trees, etc.?

Patricia Lesko

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 1:37 p.m.

This blog is a great idea. However, it's purpose is to "prove" something, not to promote alternative transportation, or even solicit feedback (no comments allowed). Perhaps it's a way to justify continuing to allocate $750,000 for alternative transportation—money that gets siphoned off. It funds the six-figure salary of Transportation Manager Eli Cooper. Another chunk of this money has gone toward planning and studies for trains. I rode 8 miles this morning down rubble-filled bike lanes where the stripes have been worn away. Drivers (thank you) were generous in sharing Barton Dr. (no sidewalks), as I dodged car-sized patches of broken pavement and poorly patched potholes. I believe non-motorized and alternative transportation is about getting people to bike and walk. Today, some 1,570 Ann Arbor residents commute to work by bike, according to census data gathered by the National Bike League. In 2000 when John Hieftje took office, 1,520 people commuted to work by bike. After having spent over $5 million dollars on alternative transportation since 2003, in addition to the approximately $1.5-$2 million dollars spent on planning and installing the bike lanes while resurfacing streets, only about 50 more people commute by bike. Conversely, Vehicle Miles Travelled in Ann Arbor increased by 48,000,000 between 2000 and 2010, according to WATS. In similarly-sized Boulder, Colorado 6,570 people commute to work on bike. While the Ecology Center's Michael Garfield trumpets Hieftje as having "the strongest environmental record of any Mayor in the Midwest," the city completely failed to meet national PM-2.5 air quality standards (since 2005). In 2008, when the Michigan League of Conservation Voters awarded Hieftje an "Environmental Leadership Award" the city also made the EPA's list for areas that failed to meet the agency's 8-Hour Ozone standards.

Brad

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 1:28 p.m.

Hey - if we're already the 14th best walking city in the ENTIRE COUNTRY I say we call that good and start worrying about something else.

pbehjatnia

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 1:23 p.m.

While I used to enjoy reading how Ann Arbor had made it onto this list or that certification or award roster- anymore I just don't. Titles and ranking are nice but the perceptions and realities of the citizens making up this community are more important. The drive to be on lists is a just a cheap coat of paint on a house with no floors. Our elected officials need to focus on recreating and rehabbing our infrastructure. Bike lanes with potholes and neighborhoods to dangerous to walk in, especially as a woman, at any time of day don't need national recognition. They need local change. Listings are for John Hieftje to wear like cubic zirconia necklaces to prove how great he and his cohorts have been for this city. Vote them out. Don't forgo what your taxes pay for - insist that the Mayor and council start delivering.

RUKiddingMe

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 12:21 p.m.

Can we get an accounting line item here? Is this just hidden in the overall "IT" bill? Since AATA put in their budget $200,000 for a website, I'd like to know how much was allocated to this particular nonentity. Not newsworthy?

Ron Granger

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 12:17 p.m.

Listen to all the entitled whining by drivers who don't want to share the infrastructure we all pay for and must share. "How dare our government try and accomodate people who aren't in a car! It's all about me! Me and my car!" "How dare they create a blog to inspire discussion! Now they've gone too far!"

Barzoom

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 11:46 a.m.

This is just more nonsense from our mayor and city council. Vote. Take our city back.

Goober

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 11:41 a.m.

I wonder if they are hiring a director position to manage this blog.

Will Warner

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 11:07 a.m.

"Progressive Utopia" magazine still finds Ann Arbor woefully lacking, especially compared with Boulder, Co. In Boulder, the pedestrian/bicyclist is god's own athlete, radiating vigor and good-health engendered by a life of exercise and a diet of organically-grown local fruits, vegetables, grains and hormone-free meat (in moderation). He has his life in balance, has found his center; clearly he has for he has the leisure to walk/pedal. He is a superior form of being. Conversely, drivers of automobiles are pitiable creatures, people so un-centered and driven by aggressive ambition that they actually have places they need to be and appointments to keep. They must yield, naturally, even on streets of fast-moving traffic. Any number of two-ton vehicles must completely squander their kinetic energy (and thus the fuel that created it) so that a lone pedestrian can be spared the indignity of having to walk to a corner and wait for a traffic light to change.

motorcycleminer

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 10:47 a.m.

Just another example of the " we do s...w you " additude of city council and government..you get what you vote for....

KeepingItReal

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 10:45 a.m.

I'm a walker and I have a couple of suggestions to make to the City who are encouraging citizens to use non[motorized transportation. Please educate drivers about the danger of making turns at intersections or pulling out into the street while using their cell phones completely ignoring the pedestrian who is about to cross the street. Unless there is an emergency, there is absolutely no reason for drivers to be on their cell phone while trying to enter a busy street. Secondly, please educate bikers who use the sidewalk to warm a walker when they are approaching from behind. There was a time when bikers would yell out or ring a bell to alert a walker of their approach from behind. I can't tell you how often these sidewalk bikers come barreling up from behind startling one in the process. Its very rude.

InsideTheHall

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 9:39 a.m.

This is folly and more evidence of government over reach. Eliminate this and you can probably fund a cop or fireman for a year.

Itchy

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 8:33 a.m.

Just plain dumb, but I guess it makes them feel all warm and gooey inside.

Dog Guy

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 4:43 a.m.

"City officials said it's time to take a look at how much infrastructure has been built and how much the city's culture around walking and bicycling has changed." "Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;" promises Luke. Also, per @Ash, the transparent dome protecting Ann Arbor must be climate-controlled.

Linda Peck

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 2:57 a.m.

Get some police on the streets so we can feel safe to walk, those of us who still can walk.

Ash

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 1:58 a.m.

The weather has been too hot for many people to safely walk or bike. More people die of heat stroke each year than from the cold. I think rising temperatures should be factored into the plan as well.

antikvetch

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 1:10 a.m.

There is such a fine line between cutting edge and delusional -

Homeland Conspiracy

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 1:06 a.m.

How much is this going to cost?

a2roots

Mon, Jul 23, 2012 : 11:44 p.m.

Hopefully some people with common sense will overhaul the plan. It was passed quietly and under the radar previously. Please residents of Ann ARbor jump up and try to fix this plan.