Well, I’ve discovered the cure for that. It’s called The Long Emergency by James Howard Kunstler. Warning: Do not drink alcohol while reading this book.

Also on my reading list this summer was Richard Florida’s The Great Reset. The differences between these two books are much like the differences between problems and opportunities or between the glass being half full or broken on the floor — the liquid rapidly spreading in a sticky mess that fouls the kitchen, invites pests, and ruins your morning.

The Great Reset is about periods of upheaval “when new technologies and technological systems arise, when the economy is recast and society remade, and when the places where we live and work change to suit new needs.” It is essentially an optimistic book meant as something of a practical guide for understanding our epoch and how to thrive as things change.

The Long Emergency is about the same things only the upheaval is a downward spiral into civilization destroying deprivation caused by the end of cheap energy, i.e. oil.

Hmmmmmm…

One thing seems clear to me: We’re all going to be leading more local lives in the near future. Whether this is good or bad depends, in the short term, entirely upon our individual perceptions of what it means to downsize. For example, I am completely jazzed about my family’s active program of downsizing that will lead in the near future to a smaller home (perhaps in a multi-family building) in a denser urban environment. I know a lot of people for whom that sounds like Hell.

And the price of gas? I have no idea what it is right now.

Technorati Tags: sustainability

With the news that the government has failed to produce an energy/climate bill, it appears we the people are on our own once again. If we are to break our addiction to oil and mitigate the damage we are doing to our environment, then as individuals and families we are going to have to make the kinds of choices that may help us prosper as oil runs out and the earth’s climate changes.

Once again, the bicycle is a wondrous invention that can help.

(Actually, the whole “on our own” thing doesn’t really work. In a democratic republic such as ours, the government is us. We don’t have a climate/energy bill in large part because we failed to demand it.)

It is clear to me, even without hard data, that more people in Springfield are riding bicycles for all kinds of reasons. My hope is that new riders come to learn these things quickly:

1. Springfield’s urban core is a great place to ride a bicycle.
2. Riding a bicycle is safe, fun, convenient, healthy, and economical .
3. Using a bicycle as basic transportation here is very easy if one is not stuck in some hell-and-gone, car-centric, sprawling suburb.

Technorati Tags: bicycle advocacy, bicycle culture, bicycle politics, cycling, green transportation, sustainability

• Many Ways to Reimagine Suburbia takes a look at the finalists in a contest to figure out what to do with Long Island. That is, BTW, the home of Levittown — kinda the start of it all. There’s much to read and ponder in the 23 entires left standing. The question for me, however, is: Should we try to fix the ‘burbs or encourage people to flee while they still can?
• Road Diet Crash Reduction Variations Studied by DOT takes a look at the range of data showing that road diets reduce crashes — but by how much? Springfield has put a couple of roads on diets recently and created a much nicer traveling experience for bicyclists.

Technorati Tags: bicycle advocacy, cycling, sustainability, traffic design, Transportation Planning, Urban Planning

“I’d like to join in on the blame game that has come to define our national approach to the ongoing environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. This isn’t BP’s or Transocean’s fault. It’s not the government’s fault. It’s my fault. I’m the one to blame and I’m sorry. It’s my fault because I haven’t digested the world’s in-your-face hints that maybe I ought to think about the future and change the unsustainable way I live my life. If the geopolitical, economic, and technological shifts of the 1990s didn’t do it; if the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 didn’t do it; if the current economic crisis didn’t do it; perhaps this oil spill will be the catalyst for me, as a citizen, to wean myself off of my petroleum-based lifestyle. ‘Citizen’ is the key word. It’s what we do as individuals that count. For those on the left, government regulation will not solve this problem. Government’s role should be to create an environment of opportunity that taps into the innovation and entrepreneurialism that define us as Americans. For those on the right, if you want less government and taxes, then decide what you’ll give up and what you’ll contribute. Here’s the bottom line: If we want to end our oil addiction, we, as citizens, need to pony up: bike to work, plant a garden, do something. So again, the oil spill is my fault. I’m sorry. I haven’t done my part. Now I have to convince my wife to give up her S.U.V. Mark Mykleby.”

I think the tricky part here is deciding what “our part” is. I say tricky because we can do anything that seems green and crow about it. For example, you can build a 5,600-square foot LEED certified house on 2.7 acres for two people and call yourself green. But you’re just kidding yourself. Mark Owen argues this same couple would be way greener just moving to New York City and living normally.

I had a few green inclinations in mind when I decided to walk and bicycle for basic transportation. But my real goal was simply to live what I hoped would be a better life and, perhaps, to get around town with less stress. That’s all worked out. And the greeness of it is just a bonus.

I think what I’m saying is: We not going to get more people burning calories instead of carbon by preaching green living (a few perhaps — those already inclined toward living car-lite in densely populated places, i.e. young people). I think we have to make walking and bicycling convenient enough so that people try these methods and then discover on their own all the other nifty benefits.

I’m not suggesting we should not try to live greener lives. I do think we ought not kid ourselves about what is really green living. Owens makes an excellent case that New Yorkers are the greenest of the green simply because they live in a dense urban environment. Taking re-usable grocery bags to the store is more than offset by, say, driving your Hummer to get there. Using energy-saving light bulbs is more than offset by your HD TV.

Making walking and bicycling a convenient transportation choice takes the sting of apocalypic fear out of going green. Who wants to give up their SUV because the world is going to hell so we all have to sacrifice to save it? Kiss your American lifestyle goodbye. Bummer, man. That’s a loss. Compare that to: Who wants to walk or ride a bicycle because it’s a great way to move around town and you’re life will be better? Hello new American lifestyle. Cool, man. That’s a win.

Technorati Tags: bicycle advocacy, bicycle culture, bicycle infrastructure, bicycle politics, cycling, green transportation, sustainability, walking

Describe The Link. What will it be? How will it work? What is its purpose?

The Link will be a series of direct routes that will connect greenways in Springfield’s core. The routes will be on existing streets with minimal vehicular traffic. There will be very recognizable, color-coded signage to inform users and motorists alike of the routes. There will be a different color designation for each link between greenways. For example, the link between the future Pea Ridge Creek Trail (Doling Park) and the Jordan Valley Trail could be designated the Green Link and the link between Jordan Valley Trail and the future Fassnight Creek Trail (Phelps Grove Park) could be designated the Orange Link. Where each link connects a greenway or crosses a transit route, user facilities such as shelters and bike racks could be installed. There is also the potential to demonstrate innovative storm water solutions to reduce localized drainage issues and improve the environment along The Link.   In addition to providing links between the greenways, there will be improved walker and bicyclist access to retail, service, and educational facilities in Springfield’s core. These facilities may include: Central Bible College, Commercial Street, Drury University, Ozarks Technical Community College, the IDEA Commons, Downtown, Missouri State University, St. John’s Hospital, Battlefield Mall and Cox South Hospital. The experiences of walkers and bicyclists on The Link will vary along different routes; however, the ultimate goal is to develop a system of shared-use routes that creates an experience of comfort and safety. While the experience will not be the same as walking or riding on a greenway trail, the landscaping, fixtures, and materials along The Link are planned to ultimately be better than along a typical city street. The Link, like the greenway system, will take a number of years to complete.

What is the genesis of this project?

There has been discussion for a number of years about constructing a bicycle boulevard and creating pedestrian/bicycle links between the existing and planned greenway trails. This project grew out of those conversations.

How much will it cost? Where is the money coming from?

We have not estimated the costs because we are in the initial planning phase. We have $500,000 from the Neighborhood Assessment program in the  1/4 -Cent Capital Improvements Program that has not been allocated to projects because we ended the Neighborhood Assessment Program. We had considered using the funds to build sidewalks throughout the community but decided it would be better to concentrate it into one project that could have a significant impact community wide. It will also be difficult to estimate the total cost because The Link will grow and evolve over time. Initial work will just involve placing signs along the routes, but we hope to enhance the routes over time with landscaping, shelter facilities and innovative storm water solutions to localized drainage issues. We believe we can get a good start on two segments of the link: 1. Doling Park to Jordan Valley and 2. Jordan Valley to Phelps Grove Park with the funds we have.   We are applying for a $2 million HUD grant using the funding we have already identified.   The grant funding will be used to plan the remainder of the system and further development of the routes. We also hope to get additional funding from local institutions and companies.

When might work begin? When might it be finished?

We would hope to begin marking the initial routes this fall after we have received comments from the public. Construction of intersection improvements at major street intersections, shelters and other facilities would not occur until the spring and summer of 2011.

What role has the recent naming of Springfield as a bicycle-friendly community played in the decision to consider The Link?

The discussion of this concept pre-dated the recent designation as a bike-friendly community, but the efforts that went into the designation certainly had an impact. If the community had not gotten to where it is today with greenways, bike routes and sidewalk facilities, it would not make sense to begin to develop The Link.

Technorati Tags: bicycle advocacy, bicycle infrastructure, bicycle politics, bicycle trails, cycling, sustainability, Transportation Planning, Urban and Regional Planning, urban design, urban development, Urban Planning, walking