Much of the discussion at the Ozarks Greenways Sustainable Transportation Committee meeting last night centered on what we might be able to do with federal stimulus plan money.
Sidewalks — fixing and building — remain a priority for the city. Another priority is building connections between existing infrastructure such as the greenway trails and the Springfield Bicycle Route system.
I like to dream big. Take a look at this map of the current infrastructure. And review the video of the South Creek Greenway. Now imagine a bicycle/pedestrian beltway around Springfield — one big greenway. The feeders to such a beltway already exist in the bicycle route system, the bicycle lanes, and the MSU Bikeway. A beltway would create a safe and efficient loop and thus create a large recreational and active transportation system with few equals in the United States.
What this will take: political will and a plan.
In other news from the committee:
1. The Bike Springfield event will be on 25 April. A series of rides for all skill levels will take participants through downtown to visit Springfield’s historic sites and hear talks by experts in city history. Yours truly will be one of the ride leaders.
2. The Missouri Bicycle Federation Legislation Day — a day of lobbying for Missouri’s cyclists — is set for 24 February in Jefferson City.
3. The new commuter/utility booklet is moving right along. I’ll be posting drafts of some sections of the booklet on Carbon Trace very soon. My goal is to have a finished draft to present to the committee at the March meeting. And we have a graphic design student from MSU helping with the project.
4. I’m speaking with one of the video production classes at MSU today about producing a public service announcement for the 1-mile Solution.
Even more news:
From the President Obama’s Urban Policy statement at whitehouse.gov:
Build More Livable and Sustainable Communities: Our communities will better serve all of their residents if we are able to leave our cars to walk, bicycle and access other transportation alternatives. President Obama will re-evaluate the transportation funding process to ensure that smart growth considerations are taken into account.
(link via Kansas Cyclist)