Candidate for State Representative
What does "Complete Streets" Mean for Newton?
Many have heard me talk about transit and traffic safety, basically transportation in general. Newton needs to take a proactive approach to handling our transporation issues, especially about how State level decisions will affect our city.
The Newton Board of Alderman just heard a presentation from the Transportation Advisory Group (TAG) regarding the concept of Complete Streets.
Two things struck me about the foundation of this concept:
- Local residents and "context" of the street are key to determining how to form the solution for the particular street.
- The goal is to address and improve ALL modes of movement that share a street: pedestrians, bicycles, cars and public safety vehicles. This requires getting all the stakeholders involved from the beginning.
I would love to hear your thoughts and experience with "Complete Streets". Are you familiar with communities already implementing them? Do you have concerns?
schlock
7:37 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
Originally I was a member of TAG, however after some time it became apparent to me that Newton's vision of Complete Streets fell short by the same 'all modes' as you yourself Greer fall heir to. Pure 'Complete Streets' envisioning would also include motorcycles, motorscooters, mopeds, nopeds, sidecars, etc. Why do I bring this up? Because the specific safety related issues left unadressed by the Newton Plan further amplifies the problems with Newton's plan. But it goes deeper than just the safety issues; for it has become a cultural matter whereby the schools do not offer education and awareness for student preferenced minority vehicle use. The standard fare for student vehicle evolution has become the family car, lending a backseat of sorts to alternative environmentally efficient modes. Why are two wheel slower moving motorized vehicles be exempted from roadway bicycle only zones? Why does so many other countries allow it and we do not? Why do other countries have such a lower per capita accident incidence rate? These are questions asked of our leaders, if only they might step out of their preconceived teachings and upbringing..
Greer Tan Swiston
12:25 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
Hey schlock, you are right, I forgot to list motorcycles and other slower two wheeled slower motorized vehicles. I wasn't trying to provide an exhaustive list, but it is good to remember ALL modes of transportation.
Schlock, if you recall, my husband rides a motorcycle (or rode one). I am not against them at all and absolutely agree that they should be taken into consideration. My apologies for having forgotten to mention them in my list.
Greer Tan Swiston
12:29 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
Oh ... and I totally agree that better education about these modes of transportation, especially at the elementary school level would be key in promoting the safe operation and transportation by these methods.
I remember when I was growing up that AAA used to run obstacle courses and clinics at our school on a fairly regular basis ... encouraging kids to get "licensed" to ride so that we would learn how to ride our bikes, scooters and such, safely.
I am concerned that you experienced exclusion on the TAG with regard to these other modes of transportation. I would like to hear more about that.