{"id":936,"date":"2014-11-03T00:26:21","date_gmt":"2014-11-03T05:26:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/safetga.org\/?p=936"},"modified":"2014-12-04T20:32:39","modified_gmt":"2014-12-05T01:32:39","slug":"petition-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/safetga.org\/?p=936","title":{"rendered":"Petition Update"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our petition requesting bike lanes on Tower Grove Avenue<\/a> has received over 640+\u00a0signatures and\u00a0local TV\u00a0coverage<\/a>. \u00a0More than 230\u00a0people shared their thoughts on why a safe Tower Grove Avenue is important to them, and the comments make for compelling reading (see below).<\/p>\n

Update: Alderman Conway opposes City proposal for Tower Grove Avenue.<\/h3>\n

We shared the petition signatures and comments, together with the conclusions from a recent SafeTGA meeting<\/a>, with Alderman Conway<\/a>,\u00a0who represents many of the petition signers. \u00a0Here’s what we learned.<\/p>\n

Alderman Conway does not support installing buffered bike lanes before Kingshighway closes<\/a>, but he will\u00a0oppose the City proposal to paint a “bikeable shoulder”<\/a>, which at the meeting<\/a> was widely regarded as unsafe. Instead, he supports making no changes to the roadway striping\u00a0on Tower Grove Avenue during the Kingshighway closure (“Alternative 1” in the\u00a0meeting report<\/a>). \u00a0Like in the City proposal,\u00a0“no parking” restrictions will\u00a0be imposed\u00a0on Tower Grove Avenue\u00a0during rush hours (7-9am northbound, 4-6pm southbound). Importantly,\u00a0“bikeable shoulder” lanes in the City proposal\u00a0will not be painted. \u00a0Also,\u00a0signage indicating bicycle detours will be installed.<\/p>\n

We appreciate Alderman Conway’s position, which addresses a significant concern we had with the City proposal. \u00a0Nevertheless, both Alderman Conway’s and the City proposals\u00a0will\u00a0put two lanes of traffic during rush hour on Tower Grove Avenue, and encourage driving in the right lane whenever parked cars permit. \u00a0As we explained<\/a>\u00a0elsewhere, this will create real hazards\u00a0for riders,\u00a0and will effectively dissuade people from\u00a0riding what today is the busiest cycling route in St. Louis. \u00a0Rather than using the closure of Kingshighway as an opportunity to promote alternative transit, the City is poised to take steps which will\u00a0discourage alternative transportation.<\/p>\n

Who Signed the Petition?<\/h3>\n

As of early December 640 people signed the petition<\/a> asking for buffered bike lanes on Tower Grove Avenue before Kingshighway closes, and 230 of them left comments. \u00a0Here\u00a0is\u00a0where they live and what they have to say.<\/p>\n

\"Petition\"<\/a>

Petition<\/a> signatures per zip code as of 12\/2\/14.<\/p><\/div>\n

Of the 640 signatures, half of the signatures\u00a0came from\u00a0zip codes 63110, 63116, and 63118 (Shaw and Forest Park SE, Tower Grove South, and Tower Grove East, respectively\u00a0– see here<\/a> for a detailed map of zip code areas.) \u00a0These are the three zip codes closest to Tower Grove Avenue. \u00a0Clearly, it is the St. Louis locals who care about safe cycling and good infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Why do they care? \u00a0Here\u00a0is a short selection of the 200+ comments shared by petition signers:<\/p>\n

\n

Cycling use along Tower Grove Avenue is at an all time high. These individuals who are engaging in alternative transportation methods are a hallmark of a progressive and livable city. This form of transportation deserves special consideration due to the unsafe proposal currently offered by the city engineers. –Lowell<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Our office is on Tower Grove Ave. Cycle and vehicle changes proposed by the City will destroy walkability, impact on-street parking and create safety concerns. –Jim<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I am proud of Saint Louis, and want it to shine. As a frequent and conscientious bike commuter, I believe that creating an infrastructure to support alternative modes of transportation is essential to building a progressive, appealing city. Please don\u2019t take our wonderful city many steps backward by allowing increased car traffic in our of our most beautiful, bikable neighborhoods! –Betha<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I’m signing because my sons bike to school using Tower Grove & I need to know that we are making their route as safe as possible. –Elizabeth<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u00a0drive that route to work every morning and most afternoons, as I am not an on-road cyclist BUT everyday I observe at least 10-12 folks, during my mere 15 minutes on Tower Grove to Manchester, who are using that as a safe bike route to work and\/or school at City Garden. At night, not only do I see many bike commuters, but also folks using Tower Grove as a connector to City Greens on Manchester, the Botanical Garden & Tower Grove Park, and to Olio\/Elia, a restaurant. –Kathleen<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I bike with my children every school day. Tower Grove Avenue is an important route for transportational and recreational bicyclists of all ages. It is not and should not be a throughfare for auto traffic when there are so many other alternatives. –David<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Many children and adults use TGA to bike to work, school, restaurants, and recreation.\u00a0 <\/span>This will hurt our neighborhoods appeal to attract young professionals and their families. –Nancy<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I work at a business on Tower Grove avenue and regularly bike along the street as part of my commute. Currently the street has a slower, more pedestrian feel to it. Encouraging more traffic and higher speeds will make the road perilous for bikers and bring unwanted noise and danger to the neighborhood. Please proceed with putting in dedicated bike lanes! –William<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I am an top University graduate, a young professional and a cyclist. The bright minds of my generation cycle, and we will go where we are wanted. If Saint Louis wants to ensure a healthy happy population and attract global business and talent, then bicycle accessibility should be a priority. I love my home state and believe in it’s progress. \u00a0–Anna<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The Bike St. Louis lane markings will formalize the de facto cycling practices on this stretch of Tower Grove Avenue. I support this as the best option for preserving the quality of life that citizens have come to treasure in this neighborhood of St. Louis. \u00a0–Karen<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our petition requesting bike lanes on Tower Grove Avenue has received over 640+\u00a0signatures and\u00a0local TV\u00a0coverage. \u00a0More than 230\u00a0people shared their thoughts on why a safe Tower Grove Avenue is important to them, and the comments make for compelling reading (see…<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more ›<\/a><\/div>\n

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