Like this was hard to predict:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_bicycling_in_la
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
transportation and land use
A societal change of our car culture can only be accomplished with a viable alternative to the automobile. A change enacted by bureaucratic procedure runs counter to the government juggernaut. The procedure of the governmental planning is to maintain the status-quo.
The only known possibilities of automobile alternatives within the system of traditional transportation planning is to re-implement the old technologies. This includes 150 year old technology of rail travel with trains, trolleys and streetcars. These are wonderful examples of man's ingenuity and entrepreneurial fortitude; in the 1800s.
It is time to realize this is 2010 and move past the mobility options of the past. To even discuss implementation of archaic transportation technology is a vivid example and statement to the foolishness, greed and corruption of politics. Land use follows mobility access. Major urban growth decisions regarding transportation made by political favors and paybacks reveals a broken system.
The only known possibilities of automobile alternatives within the system of traditional transportation planning is to re-implement the old technologies. This includes 150 year old technology of rail travel with trains, trolleys and streetcars. These are wonderful examples of man's ingenuity and entrepreneurial fortitude; in the 1800s.
It is time to realize this is 2010 and move past the mobility options of the past. To even discuss implementation of archaic transportation technology is a vivid example and statement to the foolishness, greed and corruption of politics. Land use follows mobility access. Major urban growth decisions regarding transportation made by political favors and paybacks reveals a broken system.
Monday, August 2, 2010
transit options
The product of a transportation system built by politicians is a network connected by favors instead of a system built to serve the populace who's money is spent.
An update of the CA HSR:
http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/08/01/2025627/investors-shy-from-california.html
An update of the CA HSR:
http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/08/01/2025627/investors-shy-from-california.html
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
LA Mayor
When affected by personal events, politicians are confronted by reality. The phony speeches about trendy subjects that tickle people’s ears and raise campaign coffers actually create a realism of changed attitudes when those in a governmental position of power are pushed by personal motivation.
Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, had a revelation that Los Angeles is designed for cars. Last Saturday Mayor Villaraigosa took a bike ride to the beach. While he was riding in the bike lane on Venice Boulevard, a taxi pulled out in front of him. The Mayor swerved, fell off the bike and broke his elbow.
Will this lead to sweeping change to motorist’s laws regarding bicycle safety?
Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, had a revelation that Los Angeles is designed for cars. Last Saturday Mayor Villaraigosa took a bike ride to the beach. While he was riding in the bike lane on Venice Boulevard, a taxi pulled out in front of him. The Mayor swerved, fell off the bike and broke his elbow.
Will this lead to sweeping change to motorist’s laws regarding bicycle safety?
Friday, July 23, 2010
US rail
An article from The Economist:
http://www.economist.com/node/16636101?story_id=16636101
The article begins by talking about LA's Union Station being a fine example of rebuilding architecture; which is true as a remarkable show of craftsmanship. The need, however, is to build a modern transportation system that adheres to society's mobility demands in the year 2010.
http://www.economist.com/node/16636101?story_id=16636101
The article begins by talking about LA's Union Station being a fine example of rebuilding architecture; which is true as a remarkable show of craftsmanship. The need, however, is to build a modern transportation system that adheres to society's mobility demands in the year 2010.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Fresno's history
Fresno's history is steeped in agriculture and transportation; in the early 1870's Leland Stanford designated a train stop in the center of the San Joaquin Valley to be called Fresno Station. The area exploded in wealth and population, making Fresno the 4th largest area in the State of California during the 1920's. The history of Fresno's vibrant life, financial strength, and success as the regional commerce hub for Downtown Fresno was found in the ease of its mobility. Photos of Downtown Fresno in the 1920's show Fresno covered in pedestrian traffic.
The missing piece of all the downtown attempts to recreate a vibrant commerce hub is the mobility component which makes it convenient and easy to get around. In the early 1930s the transit system was removed. That piece has never been replaced. In the early 1930's Fresno's phenomenal growth stopped. A study of old photos and maps reveal Fresno was designed as a big city destination. Fresno County was the 'Ag' center of the universe.
The privately funded Edison hydro-electric facility that fed Los Angeles power was built in Fresno County. Fresno was huge; doorway to three National Parks, halfway between LA and San Francisco, close to the mountains and a couple of hours away from the ocean, it is conveniently located in the middle of everything.
The missing piece of all the downtown attempts to recreate a vibrant commerce hub is the mobility component which makes it convenient and easy to get around. In the early 1930s the transit system was removed. That piece has never been replaced. In the early 1930's Fresno's phenomenal growth stopped. A study of old photos and maps reveal Fresno was designed as a big city destination. Fresno County was the 'Ag' center of the universe.
The privately funded Edison hydro-electric facility that fed Los Angeles power was built in Fresno County. Fresno was huge; doorway to three National Parks, halfway between LA and San Francisco, close to the mountains and a couple of hours away from the ocean, it is conveniently located in the middle of everything.
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