Vehicular Cycling (VC) - For the vc'rs, Iowa Smart Plan

Because I get the feeling the vc folks would love to discuss/debate this and know better than to do so outside this forum, I am doing you a favor, don't say I never do anything for you.

Here you go: Iowa Smart Plan (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?682291-Iowa-Smart-Plan)

So have at it. Pick it apart, debate it, what have you.

For those that answer questions: I do ask you keep responses under 2 paragraphs and as short as possible. Please no long drawn out replies. Unless someone asks why or for a more complicated answer with an answer that should normally be yes/no, a one word or one sentance answer please do not volunteer information.

For those asking, if you want to know why or need further explanation please indicate as much.

For anything from a web site, post it verbatim, use the quote function, do not edit or change it and post a link. You can interprite what you think it means, but back it up with what is actually provided directly from the web site. For example the Sierra Club or IBC sites.

Have fun and discuss at will.

Two points

* most discussions are not started by VC advocates, rather by a few Infrastructure supporters who have a propensity to attack the VC philosophy

* Good luck on getting posters to follow requested reply formatting.....the terms herding cats and managing programmers come to mind :)


ps: you have to click about a million times to find the proposal which i think is here

http://www.rio.iowa.gov/smart_planning/assets/2010-09-15_Iowa_Smart_Planning_Task_Force_Draft_Recommendations.pdf


and in looking at this there is one paragraph that mentions bikes or paths out of 43 pages so I am not really sure how the whole thing applies to VC or why just not the pertinent details were supplied in the original post


Goal 3: Livable Communities and Quality of Life
To promote livable communities and maintain a high quality of life through housing and transportation diversity.
Strategy 3.1- Promote housing diversity.
Benchmarks
3.1.1
Increase in housing diversity through adaptive reuse of existing structures (e.g. granny flats, accessory apartments, lofts, etc.).
3.1.2
Increase in the number of affordable housing units.
3.1.3
Decrease in the number and percentage of residents who spend more than 30 percent of their household income on housing, including utilities.
Strategy 3.2- Encourage multimodal transportation.
Benchmarks
3.2.1
Decrease in the number of vehicle miles (or vehicle hours) traveled per capita.
Iowa Smart Planning Task Force – Draft Recommendations, Sept. 15, 2010 20
3.2.2
Increase in the number of trips made by carpool, public transportation, bicycles, walking or working at home.
3.2.3
Increase in the number of trail, pedestrian or bike plans and and paths built

From what I have readi I support this, especialy if the language is changed. I hope to support it even more and be of the opinion and belief this is progress for Iowa after I attend the meeting on Sept. 28 in Spencer, Iowa.

On a side note I did pick up my copy of Pedalling Revolution today from Barnes and Noble. I am thinking I will stop reading a book on the American Civil War, read Pedalling Revolution then go back to reading about the Civil War after. I also picked up the most recent copy of Bicycle Times magazine.

I got frustrated after clicking on the link that sends me to another forum page that has a link to another page that has a number of links. Web design 101 states that you get your audience to the stuff they need to read in the least number of clicks possible. Also, the audience shouldn't have to guess which link leads where they need to go. How difficult would it be to just link directly to the stuff you want us to be commenting on. I just don't have the inclination to indulge you when you're sending me on a wild goose chase.

As for my comments on any 'smart' plan - as long as they let me drive my bike on the infrastructure that we've been using for 120 years (by which I mean the road), I really don't care what acronyms, warm and fuzzy buzzwords, organizational structure or infrastructure tweaks they come up with. All I want is to be left alone to cycle the way I like - as safely as possible and within the law.

As for my comments on any 'smart' plan - as long as they let me drive my bike on the infrastructure that we've been using for 120 years (by which I mean the road), I really don't care what acronyms, warm and fuzzy buzzwords, organizational structure or infrastructure tweaks they come up with. All I want is to be left alone to cycle the way I like - as safely as possible and within the law.

Right on!

.....sounds like both ian and highroller, VC acolytes, are okeydokey with Class II and Class III bikeways.

".... really don't care what acronyms, warm and fuzzy buzzwords, organizational structure or infrastructure tweaks they come up with."

Two points
Goal 3: Livable Communities and Quality of Life
To promote livable communities and maintain a high quality of life through housing and transportation diversity.
Strategy 3.1- Promote housing diversity.
Benchmarks
3.1.1
Increase in housing diversity through adaptive reuse of existing structures (e.g. granny flats, accessory apartments, lofts, etc.).
3.1.2
Increase in the number of affordable housing units.
3.1.3
Decrease in the number and percentage of residents who spend more than 30 percent of their household income on housing, including utilities.
Strategy 3.2- Encourage multimodal transportation.
Benchmarks
3.2.1
Decrease in the number of vehicle miles (or vehicle hours) traveled per capita.
Iowa Smart Planning Task Force – Draft Recommendations, Sept. 15, 2010 20
3.2.2
Increase in the number of trips made by carpool, public transportation, bicycles, walking or working at home.
3.2.3
Increase in the number of trail, pedestrian or bike plans and and paths built
3.1.2 will likely work against 3.2.1 and 3.2.2, depending on how they plan on encouraging affordable housing. It's not really anything to do with bikes, but it's just interesting.

3.1.2 will likely work against 3.2.1 and 3.2.2, depending on how they plan on encouraging affordable housing. It's not really anything to do with bikes, but it's just interesting.

I'm guessing you don't know anything about Iowa cities. Our largest city is Des Moines, population 198,682according to the 2000 Census, don't know what the 2010 Census says. If the surrounding communites are included, Urbandale, West Des Moines, Clibe, Windsor Heights and other areas the population of Central Iowa is about 250,000 to 300,000 people. The city I live in, 5th largest in the state has about 80,000 people. We are not something the size of NYC, Chicago, LA, etc. and don't want to be. Affordable houseing, increase in trips made by carpool, bicycle, etc. and decrease number of vehicle trips made per capita is very possible and will not work against each other.

Web design 101 states that you get your audience to the stuff they need to read in the least number of clicks possible.

Just be glad it doesn't have a completely useless page with an "Enter Here" link.

Have lived in IC, also dated women in Mount Vernon and Des Moines;

Urban communities in Iowa would benefit from forward thinking urban planning.

Urban space design for the 21st century should unwaveringly include transportation infrastructure that fairly considers bicyclists, walkers, the disabled, the transportationally disadvantaged, and those that cannot or do not drive (seniors, addled, soused, kids...).

For those asking, if you want to know why or need further explanation please indicate as much.

I want to know why and need further explanation.

I've only glanced through the "Smart Plan." In general, I have found organized Iowa cyclists way, way too smart to get divided on imaginary VC v Infrastructure issues. Over the border in Illinois we learned from their ability to find allies and build coalitions.

In exchange, we provided them with a fine minor league ball team known for beating up on their big show compatriots.