house567 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Lawmakers File "Complete Streets" Bill02/03/2011by Becca Aaronson, The Texas TribuneLawmakers today filed a bill they hope will help drivers, cyclists and pedestrians safely share the roads. State Rep. Linda Harper-Brown, R-Irving, and Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, filed so-called "Complete Streets" legislation, which would require the Texas Department of Transportation to "recognize that bicycle, pedestrian, and transit modes are integral elements of the transportation system," and develop safer streets for people to walk, bike or drive.http://www.texastribune.org/texas-transportation/transportation/lawmakers-file-complete-streets-bill-/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
house567 Posted February 11, 2011 Author Share Posted February 11, 2011 For more on Complete Streets see http://www.completestreets.org/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 For some reason this sounds like another way to spend money.Also, anyone know where they make these street signs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 This is common sense in most states and cities, and actively promoted. The fact that a law has to be passed shows how out of touch TXDOT is. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 This is common sense in most states and cities, and actively promoted. The fact that a law has to be passed shows how out of touch TXDOT is.Are you familiar with most of other states' law regarding how a state transportation agency collaborates with empowered local entities with regards this sort of infrastructure? Please cite 26 examples from state law. And why does there need to be a national organization promoting this kind of policy if most states already operated as they suggest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 (edited) Because they are all incompetent. I mean... come on... it's Senator Ellis for crying out loud. Edited February 11, 2011 by LTAWACS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J008 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Are you familiar with most of other states' law regarding how a state transportation agency collaborates with empowered local entities with regards this sort of infrastructure? Please cite 26 examples from state law. And why does there need to be a national organization promoting this kind of policy if most states already operated as they suggest?The above website has a pretty good atlas of the laws (see below) seems 23 states have laws in place so you are right on calling him out on the "most" states part probably should have said "many" states. Nonetheless, it is a common sense bill.http://www.completestreets.org/complete-streets-fundamentals/complete-streets-atlas/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samagon Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 The above website has a pretty good atlas of the laws (see below) seems 23 states have laws in place so you are right on calling him out on the "most" states part probably should have said "many" states. Nonetheless, it is a common sense bill.http://www.completes...-streets-atlas/common sense and government aren't on the same page.I think this is in direct response to the initiative that the transportation secretary passed down last year...http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/26/transportation-department-embraces-bikes-and-business-groups-cry-foul/so yeah, they just want to ensure federal funding, so are creating their own rules that mirror what the transportation secretary has asked for. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J008 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 common sense and government aren't on the same page.I agree, much like the safe clear bill that was inexplicably vetoed this law will be much harder to pass in TX than it should be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesL Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 For some reason this sounds like another way to spend money.I see it this way. Our streets are payed for by everyone. They should be safe and convenient for everyone, too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Are you familiar with most of other states' law regarding how a state transportation agency collaborates with empowered local entities with regards this sort of infrastructure? Please cite 26 examples from state law. And why does there need to be a national organization promoting this kind of policy if most states already operated as they suggest?Another example of treating HAIF as your unpaid research staff. We're not interns. Get your own damn coffee. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Lawmakers File "Complete Streets" Bill02/03/2011by Becca Aaronson, The Texas TribuneLawmakers today filed a bill they hope will help drivers, cyclists and pedestrians safely share the roads. State Rep. Linda Harper-Brown, R-Irving, and Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, filed so-called "Complete Streets" legislation, which would require the Texas Department of Transportation to "recognize that bicycle, pedestrian, and transit modes are integral elements of the transportation system," and develop safer streets for people to walk, bike or drive.http://www.texastribune.org/texas-transportation/transportation/lawmakers-file-complete-streets-bill-/I cannot quote studies, laws or precedents but my experiences as a pedestrian count for something. Houston can be terrifically frustrating for pedestrians. If I have business in an unfamiliar neighborhood, I check with Metro to find the closest bus route. I then consult a city map, and get some idea of the surrounding streets, and various ways in which my destination can be reached. I don't like being late, or lost.But maps are designed to help drivers, not bicyclists or pedestrians. You might be surprised at how often sidewalks abruptly end in the middle of nowhere. What initially looks like an easy walk suddenly becomes a slog through mud and unmown vacant lots. Worse, sidewalks can lead one into a 'cars only' zone, where one is faced with the choice to dodge traffic, or retracing ones steps. And when it's a hot summer day, an additional mile or so of walking is not pleasant. There's a reason that so-called 'idiotic' pedestrians are struck by cars on freeways. A desperate dash can save a mile of walking. Unfortunately, a moment's error in judgement can be fatal.The Great Wall of China was built to prevent access. The freeways of Houston weren't built with that in mind, but have much the same effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 (edited) Another example of treating HAIF as your unpaid research staff. We're not interns. Get your own damn coffee.I don't like my coffee. I want a sample of yours and everybody else's, and then I will buy into the one that I like. It's why I'm here. Edited February 12, 2011 by TheNiche 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 The Great Wall of China was built to prevent access. The freeways of Houston weren't built with that in mind, but have much the same effect.Each was intended as a component of the national defense infrastructure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 (edited) Each was intended as a component of the national defense infrastructure.An irrelevant point, but true.The Great Wall was constructed to keep the invading hordes out. The Interstate system's military value was to defend our country from within. Interstate highways have had a detrimental effect. They were designed for the efficient travel of motor vehicles, with no regard for the effects they had on local communities. Neighborhoods were literally split. That's the source of my Great Wall reference. Historically, highway construction has not given much thought to the needs of pedestrians or cyclists. I meekly suggest that with a little forethought, highways could have been more sympathetically designed, and hope we don't repeat the mistakes of the past.edit: 'hordes' not 'hoards'. Edited February 12, 2011 by dbigtex56 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 (edited) Another example of treating HAIF as your unpaid research staff. We're not interns. Get your own damn coffee. LOL! You made me spit out my coffee.... who wants to get me another cup? Edited February 12, 2011 by LTAWACS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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