So I just got back from the Shifting Gears bike ride sponsored by BikeTexas. It involved a ride around downtown to look at the bike infrastructure that is or will soon be built. About 50 cyclists joined in with everyone from spandexed roadies to plain clothed hybrid riders.
I had a chance to talk briefly one on one near the end of the ride with Dr. Enrique Peñalosa about his thoughts on how Austin is doing to make the city a better place. He thought the moves we are making towards increased density are positive in addition to admiring Lady Bird Lake and the hike and bike network. This is in keeping with something he said at the luncheon, ” Waterfronts are gifts from God that make us happy and should never be private.”
I also asked him what we could be doing to make Austin better for its citizens. He suggested dedicated bus lanes and bikeways on our busiest transit corridors would do a lot to get people out of their cars (We discuss the route of Capital Metro’s #1 bus which passes within walking distance of 40% of Austin’s employers.)
It was a lovely day for a ride and a great chance to think about building on what we’ve already done to make a better Austin.
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on Jan 22nd, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Hey Elliott – great wrap-ups of the day! Just a request to fix one small typo – our name! At the top of the post, can you substitute BikeTexas? A link to our site would be great as well. (I’ll try to embed the link below but i’ll probably mangle it). So glad you could make it yesterday, and that you had as much fun as I did!
-Emma
BikeTexas
on Jan 22nd, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Wow, my link worked. I’m impressed with myself
on Jan 22nd, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Emma,
Sorry for the error. I’ve fixed it.
on Jan 22nd, 2009 at 1:09 pm
no problem, thanks for the quick response!
on Jan 22nd, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Elliot,
I second Emma’s comments, great wrap up.
I’d also like to thank and congratulate Bike Texas for organizing an outstanding event. There is no doubt a great deal of time and work went into this event. Those of us attending simply attended a well organized, terrific event- cudos to Bike Texas and their entire staff and volunteers!
Mr. Peralosa was billed as an outstanding speaker- they did not oversell this guest speaker. He engergized a group, but even more, he provided new perspectives and things to truely take with us and consider. It was also good to see Senator Davis from our own district as co-host and ride leader.
The luncheon and later bike ride were very worth our drive down from Fort Worth. As the President of the Lockheed Martin Recreation Assn. (LMRA) Bicycle Club, myself and our V.President are thrilled to tell our membership about the day’s events and pass along many of Mr. Peralosa’s insights.
The vast array of attendees greatly added to the event. I’m afraid I’m not from Austin and am not sure which of the riders you were… myself and Kyle were in the Red, White & Blue club jerseys from FW (Kyle’s the taller of us).
We brought a senior planner from FW – he’s heading up our city’s planned Bicycle Comprehensive Plan (I understand Austin is working on their 10 year re-write… FW is far behind). I know many complain about cycling access in Austin, and they certainly should strive for greater and safer access but, coming from Fort Worth I can say you’re well ahead of many. I enjoy cycling in Austin- and Wednesday was a great weather day to show off the city! Thanks for the hospitality.
Jim Wilson
LMRA Bicycle Club
Fort Worth, Texas