Issue #29 / October 2008
IN THIS ISSUE :
- StreetTALK: A night of StreetFILMS! Premere of LivableStreets "Park(ing) Day" film short, and exciting advocacy film shorts (and commentary) by NYC filmmaker Clarence Eckerson - Thu. Oct. 23, 7:00 - 9:00 pm >>>
- Action Alert: BU Bridge Reconstruction Public Hearing - Thu. Oct. 16, 6:00 - 8:00 pm >>>
- Kudos to Boston Transportation Department: Plans for Boylston St and Audubon Circle will better for all users >>>
- Interactive Public Workshop: Transformation of Mass Ave in Arlington - Thu. Oct. 23, 7:00 - 9:00 pm >>>
- Cambridge Bicycle, Pedestrian Committees seek new members >>>
- Weekly StreetNEWS: Have you ever wanted to skim the news headlines every week for articles on the subject of livable streets? Now you can! LivableStreets Alliance board member and Director of Advocacy Charlie Denison compiles them weekly. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Either scroll to the very bottom of this email and click "Update Profile/Email Address", or Click Here to sign up and follow instructions to update your profile.
STREET TALK!
A night of StreetFILMS. Premiere of LivableStreets "Park(ing) Day" film short, and exciting advocacy film shorts (and commentary).
Thu. Oct. 23, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
by Clarence Eckerson, NYC Filmmaker
@ LivableStreets office space, 100 Sidney Street, Central Square, Cambridge [ map... ]
free and open to the public, donation suggested, beer/sodas provided compliments of Harpoon Brewery!
Get ready to be inspired by the possibilities for livable streets in/around Boston!!
Come out and watch the premiere of our first LivableStreets StreetFilm about Park(ing) Day 2008 by George Zisiadis! Then watch the films that inspired our new project, and hear from the filmmaker himself, Clarence Eckerson! See pedestrians in Melbourne, Ciclovia in Bogota, Summer Streets in New York City, and more.
The mission of StreetFilms is to document livable streets best practices throughout the world and show citizens that their streets can be better places for all users. The ultimate goal is to encourage more human-friendly cities and rethink how our streets can better foster walking, bicycling, and transit.
Clarence has nearly one hundred StreetFilms to his credit and has been called "the hardest working man in transportation show biz" for his years of dedication to create videos that are enlightening, entertaining and inspiring.
This event is sponsored by LivableStreets Alliance
Click here for more information
Action Alert: BU Bridge Reconstruction Public Meeting
Thursday, October 16, 6 - 8 pm
Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
@ Boston University College of General Studies
871 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston
Jacob Sleeper Auditorium (room 129 on lower level)
Click here for DCR press release
....................................
Click here for a PDF of the handout below
Citizen Information Sheet
Prepared by LivableStreets Alliance, October 10, 2008
www.livablestreets.info, 617.621.1746, jackie@livablestreets.info
Q: What’s happening?
A: The BU Bridge will be reconstructed and the DCR wants your input!
Q: Why attend this meeting?
A: Because many more pedestrians and cyclists are using the bridge and improvements are needed to improve safety.
Q: What would an ideal redesign include?
• On-street bicycle lanes.
• 3 lanes instead of 4, enabling the inclusion of bicycle lanes.
• Widened sidewalks/ped-bike paths using cantilevers.
• Coordinated traffic signals for more efficient traffic flow.
• Improved rotary and paths on the Cambridge side for bicyclists and pedestrians.
• Improved street crossings on Boston side.
• New access from the bridge to the Charles River Path on the Boston side.
Finally, be sure to thank the DCR for taking the time to consider your input.
Come Express Your Views!
Click here for more information
Kudos to Boston Transportation Department
Plans for Boylston St and Audubon Circle will better for all users
On September 17, Vineet Gupta from the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) and consultants HNTB presented their final conceptual plans for a redesigned Boylston St and Audubon Circle. Based on previous feedback from the Fenway/Longwood/Kenmore community as well as a wide range of advocacy groups, the latest designs put a strong emphasis on non-motorized users while preserving traffic capacity.
The plan for Boylston St calls for wide sidewalks, bike lanes, many more trees, and curb extensions at intersections to reduce crossing distances. The vision for Boylston St is that of an urban boulevard, one that complements the many redevelopment efforts taking place to replace car-oriented businesses with mixed-use pedestrian-friendly buildings. The plan for Audubon Circle calls for expanding the sidewalks and closing in the corners, creating mini-plazas. It also calls for realignment of lanes, the addition of bike lanes, and the retiming of signals to improve the intersection's safety and operation.
Based on the consensus from the meeting, the Boylston St plans will be the finalized conceptual plans. The crowd also thought favorably of the Audubon Circle plans, although BTD will be holding an additional meeting near Audubon Circle to ensure that nearby residents are fully informed and have a chance to give feedback if they have not done so already. Once consensus is reached on the Audubon Circle plans, BTD will move forward with having detailed technical plans created from both conceptual plans, with a goal of starting construction in 2010.
Meeting notes and conceptual plans can be found on BTD's website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/transportation/flk/
LivableStreets commends and applauds BTD and the consultants for creating plans that truly serve the needs of all users. Boylston St and Aububon Circle will without a doubt serve residents and visitors better as these designs become reality, contributing to the economic and social vitality of the neighborhood.
Click here for more information
Interactive Public Workshop: Transformation of Mass Ave in Arlington
Thursday - October 23, 2008 at 7:00 PM
Town Hall Auditorium, 730 Massachusetts Avenue
The transformation of Mass Ave from a transportation corridor to one of Arlington’s GREAT pedestrian friendly streets is beginning. Join us to envision and plan the future! Hear more about what’s happening and tell us your ideas! Improvements will strive for a healthy balance between automobiles, bikes and pedestrians to create a truly livable, pedestrian friendly street - where people feel safe and comfortable meeting, shopping and strolling - and a vehicular traffic system that is safe, efficient and easy to understand. Improvements we may consider include:
• Shorter and more visible crosswalks that can be used safely and easily
• Traffic calming on neighborhood streets
• Clearly marked and dedicated bikeways and travel lanes
• Changes in street width and sidewalk width that offer options for seating, cafés and landscaping
• Improved on-street parking to support healthy retail in the East Arlington commercial district.
• Improved and coordinated traffic signals
• Pedestrian scale lighting for safety at key locations and a consistent character
• Site furnishings that make life more comfortable - benches, bike racks, trash receptacles, bus shelters and street trees
• Unmistakable gateways into East Arlington from Cambridge and Arlington Center
Click here for more information
Click here for updates on the Town of Arlington's website
Cambridge Bicycle, Pedestrian Committees seek new members
Deadline to Apply November 24, 2008
The City of Cambridge is looking for people who enjoy walking or bicycling to join its pedestrian and bicycle committees. Pedestrians and cyclists of all ages are encouraged to apply.The two committees work on a variety of issues. They review major development and roadway plans from a pedestrian or cyclist perspective. They work with city staff on both general policies and specific projects. Both committees are concerned with such issues as enforcement of traffic laws, traffic calming, improving city facilities, public education, and promotion. Both include citizen members and representatives of city departments. Committee applicants should be enthusiastic walkers or cyclists who live in Cambridge, can attend monthly meetings, and are willing to work on projects. The pedestrian committee generally meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The bicycle committee meets on the second Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Both groups usually meet at City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway, Cambridge.To apply for appointment to either one of the committees, send a letter by November 24, 2008 describing your interest in pedestrian or bicycle issues and the kinds of projects or issues you would like to work on to Robert W. Healy, City Manager. The email address is randers@cambridgema.gov. The postal service address is c/o Rosalie Anders, Environmental and Transportation Planning, 344 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139. Appointments are for two years. For more information, call 617-349-4604.
[ Click here for more information ]