Reclaiming a Community's Pedal Identity
TC Ciclovía--exercise & socialize
Ciclovía just means "bike lane" in Spanish, but it has grown to mean much more with the success in Bogotá, Colombia's extremely successful ciclovía events every Sunday. They consistently attract 1.5 million people to play in the over 70 miles of highways and main roads that are closed from 7AM-2PM. Every Sunday.
I've seen it. It is impressive.
A group of 3 met to "vision" the possibilities of holding a Ciclovía event in Traverse City in 2009.
Our goal: Close a meaningful network of roads to automobiles for a few hours, on a Sunday in 2009. Create events and incentives (the main one being the closing of streets) for people, of all ages and ability, to walk, bike, dance, skate...and more importantly, socialize--people come out to see people.
If successful, aim for more miles and more days in the following years.
We need to know how much traction this has in the community, and who would be willing to put some energy into it. The main obstacle will be political will of the community from multiple sectors. Than, we need "doers". Lots of them. There is a far larger Return on Investment than reasons not to do this.
Please express your interest, and ideas here by mid-January, and encourage others you think may be interested to do the same.
News and Information about Ciclovía events sprouting up around the United States.
* CS Monitor Article
* American Trails Article
Short video on Street Films about the Bogotá event:
* Video on Street Films
The Route:
This is the first idea. We'd like to create a clean and well thought-out package to the community, so you're input is desired.
Using the Library and Hull park as the center, "opening" all of Woodmere Ave, crossing 8th St. and connecting to a an "opened" Railroad Ave. all the way to Front St. Then, "open-up" Front St. from Grand View all the way to Union St., with Union St. "open" from Front to the Open Space. Also, we inlcude the "opening" of Cass St. from Grandview to 10th St. (w/ a crossing at 8th St.) and 10th St. to Oryana open to connect the route back to the TART trail and the bridge back to Hull Park.
It is about a 4 mile loop. We will need a nice map of it sometime--if you have the skill.
Other thoughts:
* closing some of 8th St.
* Having a larger loop of biker priority that goes out Cass to Keystone and back to Woodmere
NOTE: I'm using "open" the streets, instead of "closing" the streets. Yes, we are closing them to automobiles, but more importantly we are opening them to people. This, is obviously a point for discussion.
I've seen it. It is impressive.
A group of 3 met to "vision" the possibilities of holding a Ciclovía event in Traverse City in 2009.
Our goal: Close a meaningful network of roads to automobiles for a few hours, on a Sunday in 2009. Create events and incentives (the main one being the closing of streets) for people, of all ages and ability, to walk, bike, dance, skate...and more importantly, socialize--people come out to see people.
If successful, aim for more miles and more days in the following years.
We need to know how much traction this has in the community, and who would be willing to put some energy into it. The main obstacle will be political will of the community from multiple sectors. Than, we need "doers". Lots of them. There is a far larger Return on Investment than reasons not to do this.
Please express your interest, and ideas here by mid-January, and encourage others you think may be interested to do the same.
News and Information about Ciclovía events sprouting up around the United States.
* CS Monitor Article
* American Trails Article
Short video on Street Films about the Bogotá event:
* Video on Street Films
The Route:
This is the first idea. We'd like to create a clean and well thought-out package to the community, so you're input is desired.
Using the Library and Hull park as the center, "opening" all of Woodmere Ave, crossing 8th St. and connecting to a an "opened" Railroad Ave. all the way to Front St. Then, "open-up" Front St. from Grand View all the way to Union St., with Union St. "open" from Front to the Open Space. Also, we inlcude the "opening" of Cass St. from Grandview to 10th St. (w/ a crossing at 8th St.) and 10th St. to Oryana open to connect the route back to the TART trail and the bridge back to Hull Park.
It is about a 4 mile loop. We will need a nice map of it sometime--if you have the skill.
Other thoughts:
* closing some of 8th St.
* Having a larger loop of biker priority that goes out Cass to Keystone and back to Woodmere
NOTE: I'm using "open" the streets, instead of "closing" the streets. Yes, we are closing them to automobiles, but more importantly we are opening them to people. This, is obviously a point for discussion.
- Attachments:
-
-
ciclovia-11.jpg, 166 KB -
3092716530_0d621a362a_b.jpg, 420 KB
-
About
Events
Videos
© 2009 Created by lostgears on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
