Is MODOT Bicycle Friendly?
xYet, in recent years, MODOT has fought adamantly against a Complete Streets bill brought forward in the Missouri legislature. The bill is not complicated. In fact, it's very simple. It would require MODOT to "provide full consideration for the safety and contiguous routes for bicyclists, pedestrians, disabled persons, and transit users of all ages and abilities" in plans, projects, and programs. MODOT maintains that they already do this in all their projects. The bill's sponsor, Representative Mike Sutherland, introduced the bill for a second year in a row because he felt that MODOT had not convinced him or the rest of the legislature that they are in fact committed to creating Complete Streets in Missouri. For a second year in a row, MODOT fiercely opposed this bill. If MODOT is already factoring in cyclists and pedestrians in the design of their roadways, why are they so opposed to a Complete Streets bill?
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
How do you think MODOT is doing in your community? Post a comment and tell us what you think. Is MODOT creating streets that help or hinder pedestrian and bicycle travel?
Posts
Ever tried walking to the Arch from Downtown? There are no curb ramps and it has been that way since the Arch was built. That's the pedestrian-friendly MoDot we all know.
ReplyDeleteMODOT may consider bicycles and pedestrians in their plans, but they are clearly not a priority. I hope their propaganda efforts on the Facebook page are an indication of a true shift in policy and future action.
ReplyDeleteI think MODOT is slowly but surely learning to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians -- in part out of the agency's own self interest. My office is on Lindbergh, and for the third time MODOT is having to tear up and replace more than 100 curb cuts. The slope is too steep and/or the placement is wrong. I think after this project they will have a far better understanding of the needs of the disabled, or at the very least, someone will think to ask whether a design is ADA-compliant.
ReplyDeleteOn another front though, MODOT has taken a major step backward. There used to be a state bicycle/pedestrian advisory committee and it has not met for several years. Since Amendment 3 passed, we all pay for transportation improvements through sales taxes, and it seems only fair that since non-motorists pay for the roads, that they be represented.
These are institutional challenges though. I think at the individual level, there are many engineers, planners and others who want to do the right thing, and consult with cyclists, pedestrians and disability advocates before the project commences.
Bob, can share what happened to the bike/ped advisory committee? When it was meeting regularly, do you think it was effective in producing results?
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Am I the only person who feels that the current statutes requiring bicyclists to ride as far to the right and share a lane with other traffic simultaneously is not only stupid but also DANGEROUS for cyclists?
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