Category Archives: City Review

by Lorenz M. Worden | August 15, 2013 · 3:37 pm

Riding in Albany – August 2013

There was quite a variety on the streets today – and here’s the proof.
Two in “super hero costumes” going north on S. Lake Ave.

A gaggle of “youth” bicycles at a Ridgefield Park event – a nice sign of urban living and children using their bicycles for “local-motion.”

Basic city transposition on Lark St. – mountain bike and back pack.

Three enjoying a slow ride through Washington Park.

A “city bike” complete with basket, horn, rack, fat white tires, and a coffee holder – but being carried on a car instead of ridden. (Don’t know about that squishy Huffy Seat!)

Couple on a tandem cruising past the Downtube Bicycle Works clearly loaded for travel and having a great time

Going east on the wilds of Madison Ave. on a “lady’s cruiser” – probably looking for some air for that rear tire.

A “knitted bicycle” in the window of the Madison Theater along with beautiful framed bicycle photos from around the world.

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by Lorenz M. Worden | August 15, 2013 · 10:55 am

Campaign Goals of the Albany Bicycle Coalition – “New York State’s Capital of Cycling”

In anticipation of the upcoming Albany elections for mayor, common council, and other offices, the Albany Bicycle Coalition stats its “campaign platform” as follows. ABC will promote its positions with selected candidates so that they will have an opportunity to specify how they, if elected, will devote their energies to converting Albany into to “New York State’s Capital of Cycling.”

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Campaign Goals of the Albany Bicycle Coalition
8/15/13

The Albany Bicycle Coalition would like candidates for public office in Albany to embrace the following positions (details follow):

– Implement the Albany Bicycle Master Plan
– Build Cycling Infrastructure
– Educate Cyclists, Motorists, and Pedestrians
– Embrace Complete Streets and Bicycle Friendly Community Designation

Albany Bicycle Master Plan – We want and need a “right here, right now” approach. We do not want a plan with a 20-year horizon (as proposed on page 38 and Map of the December 2009 Albany Bicycle Master Plan). If Albany is to be a Mecca for those who want urban living, shopping, working, and entertainment, we need to provide one of the key features that accompany these goals – bicycle friendly streets. Currently, most of our street dollars go exclusively to motor vehicle functions, including miles upon miles of publicly financed, free on-street parking. Cyclists and other non-motorized travelers are required to finance roads that are unwelcoming to them.

Cycling Infrastructure – Bicycle travel should not require bravery. Studies reveal that roughly 90 percent of potential cyclists either refuse to ride on the street or want to do so but are concerned for their safety.

As pleased as we are with progress on bicycle amenities in the city, we still lack any infrastructure to encourage hesitant cyclists to take to the streets. In 2009, at the time the Albany Bicycle Master Plan was released, we had less than one-quarter mile of city bicycle lanes. Since then, the increase has been about one mile (0.83 on Clinton Ave. from Ten Broeck to Lexington). We desperately need east-west and north-south dedicated bicycle routes. These routes would have protected lanes (buffered lanes, cycle tracks, or “green” lanes) not shared lanes or conventional bicycle lanes. Cyclists need to get safely on routes made for them from Bethlehem to Menands and from Colonie/Guilderland to the river. (While they are a step, the shared lane pavement markings are advisory in nature and depend on the courtesy or patience of motor vehicle operators for success.)

If Albany develops these welcoming avenues, suburban governments will have to follow suit. Anecdotally, the mayor of Chicago has challenged the mayor of Seattle that he will steal their workers (and jobs) by making his city more attractive to tech workers who cycle. New York State and the SUNY system have poured untold millions into a real “tech valley” enterprise – the “nano” college – and yet it is inaccessible to all but the most intrepid cyclists. Testimony from across the country suggests that we are frustrating our own goals.
The feasibility study for Madison Avenue Traffic Calming project is complete. It remains now to configure this street as a signature achievement for Albany and a model for other cities and surrounding communities. Albany must then embrace this success by reconfiguring other streets, designating bicycle priority streets, looking at bicycle boulevards, and so on.

Education – We need to embrace an aggressive program of education for adult and youth cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians. The Capital District Transportation Authority’s Capital Coexist program (now being re-energized) and the efforts of PAL are a start. ABC has offered to work with the Albany Police Department on Chief Krokoff’s “city-wide traffic safety assessment.” We have and will continue to work with the Office of Planning, the Mayor’s Office of Energy and Sustainability, and the Division of Traffic Safety within Albany Police Department – but these efforts are dependent on strong and consistent leadership from City Hall. While the leadership must come from the city, it is possible that a private organization would embrace this as a worthwhile community service. We have the certified trainers; we need the administrative support.

Complete Streets and Bicycle Friendly Community Designation – Our new Complete Streets ordinance calls for development of guidelines for planning street resurfacing and reconstruction. We need those guidelines – developed with careful consideration of all street users – now, not later. Aggressive implementation of meaningful complete streets guidelines is not only fair to the citizenry but mandated if we are to move forward. As a city, we now are challenged with rising from the “honorable mention” category in the League of American Bicyclists’ “bicycle friendly community program” to bronze, silver, gold, platinum, and diamond designation. Our city agencies have to become bicycle friendly community businesses, as do those firms that want to do business in and with the city.

As a hallmark of its bicycle friendly community status, Albany should host its own Ciclovia (or Cyclovia) as is being done elsewhere (Kansas City, Los Angeles, Winnipeg, Seattle, San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, El Paso, Tucson, Portland, Miami, Los Angeles, and Durham). Moving such an event into the streets (e.g., Central Ave. or Broadway), would take the pressure off Washington Park for yet another event. The Ciclovia could be combined with other events such as Art on Lark or Alive at Five and would feature exercise programs, demonstrations, music, food, strolling, riding, and so on.
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by Lorenz M. Worden | August 4, 2013 · 12:49 pm

APD Chief Krokoff’s Traffic Safety Initiative.

Albany Bicycle Coalition calls for safe cycling and offers support for APD Chief Krokoff’s “Traffic Safety” initiative.

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August 3, 2013

Steven Krokoff, Chief
Albany Police Department
165 Henry Johnson Blvd.
Albany, New York 12210

Dear Chief Krokoff:

Thank you for your briefing at the July 17, 2013 meeting of the Safety Committee of the Albany Common Council. We found your planned approach to be both enlightening and encouraging. We are most interested in your plans and in working with the Albany Police Department to help on them.

We in the Albany Bicycle Coalition are concerned about cyclist behavior as it relates to their safety and to that of transit riders, pedestrians, motor vehicle operators, and, in fact, other cyclists. Our observations and those of other experienced cyclists suggest that much of the flagrant behavior is not malicious or intentional but rather derives from ignorance, lack of training, and a lack of appreciation of the impact on other road users. Our particular concerns are these:

– Riding against traffic – that is, on the left side (usually in the erroneous belief that this is safer)
– Racing (as opposed to coasting) through red lights and stop signs
– Riding on the sidewalk by those 10 years of age and older
– Riding the wrong way on one-way streets

As cycling increases in the city, and as more and more untrained or inexperienced cyclists take to the streets, we can expect an increase in the incidence of these adverse behaviors. As mentioned, we look to the Albany Police Department to develop a non-punitive way of addressing these issues.

We in the Albany Bicycle Coalition would like to support and, in fact, participate in this effort. To that end, would you consider meeting with the leadership of ABC this coming fall to brief us on your ideas and to outline how we might contribute?

Sincerely,

Albany Bicycle Coalition

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Filed under Activism, City Review, Feature, Meetings, Support the Cause

by Lorenz M. Worden | July 18, 2013 · 3:12 pm

COMPLETE STREETS – Albany Passes Ordinance – June 3, 2013

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
CHAPTER 323 – STREETS & SIDEWALKS, NEW ARTICLE VI IN – COMPLETE STREETS

Passed: June 3, 2013

Council Members Golby, Calsolaro, Conti, Fahey, Konev, O’Brien, and Sano introduced the following, which was approved:
Ordinance Number 2.11.13 (As amended) – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 323 (Streets And Sidewalks) of the Code of the City of Albany by Repealing Article VI (Street Improvements) in Its Entirety and Replacing it with a New Article VI in Relation to Complete Streets
The City of Albany, in Common Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact:

Section 1. Article VI of Chapter 323 of the Code of the City of Albany is hereby repealed in its entirety.

Section 2. Chapter 323 of the Code of the City of Albany is amended by adding new Article VI to be entitled “Complete Streets.”

Section 323-88. Legislative Findings – The City of Albany Common Council finds that the mobility of freight and passengers and the safety, convenience, and comfort of motorists, cyclists, pedestrians – including people requiring mobility aids, transit riders, and neighborhood residents of all ages and abilities should all be considered when planning and designing Albany’s streets. Integrating sidewalks, bike facilities, transit amenities, and safe crossings into the initial design of street projects avoids the expense of retrofits later. Streets are a critical component of public space and play a major role in establishing the image and identity of a City. By encouraging good planning, more citizens will achieve the health benefits associated with active forms of transportation while traffic congestion and auto related air pollution will be reduced. The goal of this law is to improve the access and mobility for all users of streets in the community by improving safety through reducing conflict and encouraging non-motorized transportation and transit.

Section 323-89. Complete Street Design.

A. For all street construction, reconstruction, or resurfacing projects (as per Section C(2)) that are undertaken by the City and not covered under the New York State Complete Streets Law contained in Section 331 of the Highway Law, the department planning such project shall consider the convenient access and mobility on the street by all users of all ages, including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation users through the use of complete street design features in the planning, design, construction, reconstruction and resurfacing, but not including maintenance or emergency projects.

B. Complete street design features are roadway design features that accommodate and facilitate convenient access and mobility by all users, including current and projected users, particularly pedestrians, bicyclists and individuals of all ages and abilities. These features may include, but need not be limited to: sidewalks, paved shoulders suitable for use by bicyclists, lane striping, bicycle lanes and improved bicycle parking and storage, share the road signage, street and sidewalk lighting, crosswalks or median refuges, road diets, pedestrian control signalization, bus pull outs and improved pedestrian access to bus stops, curb cuts, raised crosswalks and ramps and traffic calming measures; and recognize that the needs of users of the road network vary.

C. This section shall not apply if it has been determined and set forth in publicly available documents that one of the following exists:

(1) use by bicyclists and pedestrians is prohibited by law, such as within interstate highway corridors; or

(2) the cost would be disproportionate to the need as determined by factors including, but not limited to, the following: land use context; current and projected traffic volumes; and population density; or

(3) demonstrated lack of need as determined by factors, including, but not limited to, land use, current and projected traffic volumes, including population density, or demonstrates lack of community support; or

(4) use of the design features would have an adverse impact on, or be contrary to, public safety.

Section 323-90. Development of guidelines; Reporting requirements.

A. Guidelines will be developed by the Department of General Services, Division of Traffic Engineering, and the Division of Planning with stakeholder input and shall include street typologies, design guidance, and implementation.

B. No later than two years after the final adoption of Complete Streets Guidelines and biennially thereafter, the Department of General Services shall publish a report showing how it has complied with this Article and improvements made to the roadways of the City.

Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect January 1, 2014.

APPROVED AS TO FORM
December 28, 2012

_____________________
Deputy Corporation Counsel

TO: Nala Woodard, City Clerk
FROM: Leah Golby, Council Member
RE: Request for Common Council Legislation Supporting Memorandum
DATE: June 3, 2013

ORDINANCE NUMBER 2.11.13
TITLE: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 323 (STREETS AND SIDEWALKS) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF ALBANY BY REPEALING ARTICLE VI (STREET IMPROVEMENTS) IN ITS ENTIRETY AND REPLACING IT WITH A NEW ARTICLE VI IN RELATION TO COMPLETE STREETS
GENERAL PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION: This ordinance adopts a “Complete Streets” program for the City of Albany requiring that roadwork be planned to consider all users of City streets and not just automobiles. It is consistent with Albany 2030, the City’s Comprehensive Plan which references “Complete Streets.”

NECESSITY FOR LEGISLATION AND ANY CHANGE TO EXISTING LAW: This legislation insures that complete street design principles are utilized throughout our City. In 2011, Governor Cuomo signed similar legislation that applies to all City projects that are funded with state and federal dollars. This legislation expands the New York State law to cover all road projects of the City.

FISCAL IMPACT: Dependent upon the number of street projects and necessary improvements.

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Tagged as advocacy, complete streets

by Lorenz M. Worden | July 16, 2013 · 2:22 pm

The Third Great Awakening – Main-Stream Media Discovers Cycling

While one would expect quite a bit of press about bicycles in the New York Times because of the advent of the CitiBike share, it was surprising to have The Christian Science Monitor Weekly and The Wall Street Journal speaking out recently.

On July 6, 2013, The Wall Street Journal featured cargo bikes in its article “The New Station Wagon.” The article led off with a homey little report on a family of four going to dinner in Brooklyn coming from Manhattan on a Yuba Mondo (with one adult on a second bicycle). The article had accompanying stats on the Yuba Mondo’s carrying capacity and on cargo cycles in general. The article also presented features of the Extracyles Edgerunner and the Milano Bakfiets (literally, “box bike”).

While cargo cycles form the backbone of the article, there was also a run down on the spread of cycling across the USA: 73 % increase in cycling commuters in Minneapolis (2000-2011); new bicycle share program in NYC and Chicago; and massive new trails/paths in Indianapolis (8 miles) and Atlanta (33 miles).

The Christian Science Monitor Weekly for July 1, 2013 introduced its cover article, “Ride On! Cycling Surges in American Cites,” with a lead-in editorial “The Bicycle Spring” whose main point was that “. . . urban planners increasingly see bikes as an integral part of a transportation system” and which closed with the challenge “Bikes are no longer marginal enjoyments. They are in the mainstream and staying there.”

The main article hit cycling highlights in Boston, Washington, San Francisco, New York, Long Beach, and Portland and provided a raft of encouraging growth statistics.

Thanks go out to alert cyclists Frank, Beverly, and Keith for flagging these articles.