Traffic
We Get Press Clippings – Star Phoenix Letter
Jun 15th
Today the Star Phoenix kindly published a letter-to-the-editor that I submitted last Friday. The crux of the letter focuses on the recently completed Transportation Demand Management study received by City Council last evening, and the news media’s focus on one of the hundred or so recommendations.
In my letter I attempt to bring context to the recommendation that parking rates should be increased in the downtown core. Here is the letter as printed in the Star Phoenix:
For the record, here is the letter as submitted:
A LITTLE CONTEXT PLEASE! City Council will be receiving a consultant’s report that details how to better manage our transportation system, including walking, cycling, parking, and bus service.
Within that report are over 100 recommendations that, if implemented as a whole, will assist the City in providing a better system to its residents.
The report recommends hiking rates in prime locations to encourage higher turnover, while another recommendation suggests providing increased parking at lower rates on the edges of downtown. Finally yet another recommendation instructs the City to ensure that walking, cycling, and buses are easily accessible for that short travel into the heart of downtown.
If implemented together, these recommendations will result in increased parking downtown, more shoppers More >
Altering Car Culture Not Easy – But Necessary
Jun 10th
Earlier this week a report was submitted to the P&O Committee of City Council and will appear at the regular City Council Meeting on Monday (June 14). The basis of the report was to present a $60,000 study conducted on the current state of Saskatoon’s transportation system and recommendations on how to improve it over the coming years and decades.
As Gerry Klein points out, the one portion of the recommendations that received some ink was the suggestion that parking rates downtown be raised, the Star Phoenix article can be found here and some good discussion can be weeded out amongst the comment section of a local blog here.
What has been lost in the higher parking rate recommendation is it’s intent. Coincidentally, what I believe the intent was is nicely summed up in a short video that I posted here on Friday.
The argument goes, increased parking rates lead to a higher turnover in cars (longer stays cost $$$, an incentive to not stay long), which increases the absolute number of people accessing the area and decreases traffic because there are less people driving around looking for a parking spot. Given that argument, raising parking rates in the downtown core (between 23rd and More >
Video Friday: Sunday Streets & Parking Reform
Jun 4th
It’s Friday and that means it’s time for the weekly break from intense blog posts and, instead, time for a film – or two.
The first film highlights a growing movement in cities called Sunday Streets. The concept is simple, a city (such as Portland in this video) closes down a stretch of road to cars and encourages residents to get out to walk, run, bike, roller blade, and generally mingle with each other, with some food, festive events, and music thrown in for good measure. Think Broadway during the FringeFest or Street-fair, but double the length of closed road.
What do you think? Would this be something you would be willing to participate in here in Saskatoon?
The second film “Parking Reform” focuses on the argument that a good chunk of traffic consists of drivers looking for parking and that by increasing the cost of parking you can reduce this type of traffic. The video is centered on parking in New York City; however, the concept is readily transferable to Saskatoon. Really? your probably thinking…but wait, stop and think when was the last time you drove around the block a few times to find that perfect spot? You know the one, within More >
Bike Valet Comes to Saskatoon
May 31st
This past Sunday I attended the Saskatchewan Marathon, only this year I wasn’t a runner. Instead my wife and I rose relatively early to help staff a new initiative in Saskatoon, the Roadmap Saskatoon Bike Valet.
What is a Bike Valet? It is a place that cyclist can leave their bike under a watchful eye while they enjoy many of Saskatoon’s great summer events. You simply park your bike in a fenced off area, leave your contact info with the Valet volunteers, much like you would a car. Each festival or event sponsors the Bike Valet, meaning that the service is free to cyclists.
The Bike Valet will be set-up at a number of events around Saskatoon this summer, including the Jazz Festival and the Bridge City Boogie. Additional festivals should be added as the summer goes on.
So, no more having to decide if it’s safe to leave your bike unattended at large events, no more having to find a pole or a chain linked fence to lock up to, no more having to worry that someone is vandalizing or stealing your bike when you should be enjoying yourself.
The aim of the Bike Valet is to encourage you, your family, and your friends to More >
Saskatoon Cycles – A New Cycling Advocacy Group
Jul 25th
Posted by Sean Shaw in Commentary
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Over the past few months I have been spending some of my limited free time helping start-up a cycling advocacy group here in Saskatoon.
In June the group launched its website – www.saskatooncycles.org – a facebook page, and started holding bi-monthly meetings. Over the past month membership has grown to over 60 cyclists, while the regular meetings draw between 15 and 20 members.
The group is dedicated to advocating for cycling in Saskatoon through positive interactions with local decision makers. The group’s mission statement, vision statement, and priorities are listed on their website. In addition, there is a place to add your name and email to the membership list.
This past week, David Kirton of NewsTalk650 contacted the group in order to set-up an on air interview. I was able to join David on-air on Wednesday morning and spent about 5 minutes detailing what Saskatoon Cycles is about and how people can get involved.