Are You Green?
3 December, 2008
I got an interesting email from a close acquaintance yesterday. He came across this website and among other things, had this to say:
I had to suppress my vomit when I went to bikeuv.org and saw all that commuter rail crap neatly framed behind a picture of a beach cruiser. Man oh man. And the post about the NYT and more efficient cars? Oh, and what’s the link “sans automobiles” something or other? Are you in the Al Gore (we’ll be extinct in 10 years) camp or the Sheryl Crow (you can only use two squares of toilet paper) camp? Consider your answer carefully, because you might offend me and never ride on my V12 Malibu pulled to the lake by my V12 pickup truck when I rent a gas guzzling, CO2 emitting air conditioned house boat on lake powell
Considering his personality, the smiley, and taken in light of a previous conversation we had, I don’t think he was 100% serious. But his comment does highlight what I think are real misconceptions about cyclists and proponents of things as vomit-inducing as commuter rail. It got me thinking.
1. We’re not all tree-huggers — I have never watched “An Inconvenient Truth” or taken seriously anything Sheryl Crow says or sings.
2. We don’t all have a personal agenda against automobiles — I own two cars, but I do think a disproportionate amount of government money goes to car-centric transportation (how much did GM ask Washington for yesterday?).
3. We’re not all liberals — I don’t claim membership in either party. The truth is, I wish all railroad and highways could be privatized. It’s true, UTA and FrontRunner are state-sponsored, but in light of #2 above, I’ll take any alternative the state will give me.
4. We’re not all poor — Just because an adult in the U.S. chooses to get around on two wheels instead of four, or chooses commuter rail over driving alone in a car, doesn’t mean that he or she is not well off. For some reason people, Americans mostly, have the notion that a nice car equals wealth.
Here is the truth. I like the word “sustainable” a lot more than the word “green.” I like the thought of less cars on the road (that equals more room for V12 pickups which certainly have a place if you wish to drive one). Finally, there are a lot of people in the world who depend on bikes for transportation. I want to be one of them. I don’t think that’s weird.
If you’re reading this, you probably got here because you believe in bikes. But what are your thoughts? Have you ever been cast as a weirdo because you get around on a bike?
Happy Thanks Digging
24 November, 2008
I had to run to Wal-Mart tonight and I took my wife’s Schwinn Breeze. I was delighted to see crews hard at work on the new FrontRunner South line at 2000 S Orem / 2000 N Provo. Dump trucks were cruising up and down the new line, and men were laying cable. Happy Thanks Digging indeed!
UTA FrontRunner South Construction at 2000 S Orem
It’s nice to see the development unfolding right before my eyes. And it’s a great way to anticipate my next purchase — a folding bike would go quite well with a FrontRunner, don’t you think?
Frontrunner South Update
17 November, 2008
Greetings,
Construction is progressing on UTA’s FrontRunner South Provo to Salt Lake Commuter Rail line. Below is the FrontRunner South quick construction
update for the week of November 9. For a more comprehensive construction update, click here.
| Area 16 — Downtown Salt Lake City to 4500 South (Murray) |
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Construction Activity: A lot of progress has been made with fiber optic relation in Area 16 between Murray and Salt Lake City along the eventual FrontRunner trackway. The fiber optic work is currently 50% completed in this area.
Traffic Impacts: There are currently no traffic impacts in this area.
Salt Lake Central Station: Station complete. |
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Area 15 — 4500 South (Murray) to 7800 South (Midvale) |
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Construction Activity: Significant progress has also been made with fiber optic relocations taking place in Area 15. It is anticipated that the fiber optic relocation work is also 50% complete in this area.
Traffic Impacts: None.
Murray-5300 South Station: No station construction activities to report. |
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Area 14 — 7800 South (Midvale) to Bangerter Highway (Draper/Bluffdale) |
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Construction Activity: Progress continues in Area 14 behind Salt Lake Community College’s campus at 9800 South in anticipation for work on a flyover bridge to be built in this area. Crews are currently driving steel pile into the ground for the flyover in this area and are building the base of this structure.
Traffic Impacts: There are no traffic impacts to report at this time.
South Jordan/Sandy Station: No station construction activities to report. |
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Area 13 — Bangerter Highway (Draper/Bluffdale) to Thanksgiving Point (Lehi) |
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Construction Activity: Crews continue to establish access in this area and prepare the site along the railroad corridor in Bluffdale and Lehi and throughout the Jordan Narrows. Crews have started work on the South Jordan Canal in this area as well as embankment improvements.
Mainline earthwork is expected to begin at the end of November.
Traffic Impacts: Impacts to motorists should be minimal as work proceeds along the railroad right-of-way.
Draper/Bluffdale Station: No station construction activities to report.
Lehi Station: No station construction activities to report. |
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Area 12 — Thanksgiving Point (Lehi) to Main Street (American Fork) |
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Construction Activity: Extensive excavation work has taken place at the Lehi Park and Ride Lot near Thanksgiving Point as crews have completed clearing and grubbing the area and have started work on drainage improvements. Construction is also taking place along the rail corridor in this area just south of 11000 North in Lehi.
Crews are also beginning to construct a pedestrian tunnel underneath the Union Pacific trackway that leads to the eventual park and ride lot at Thanksgiving Point.
Traffic Impacts: There are currently no impacts to motorists in this area.
American Fork-Main St. Station: A temporary entrance has been established at this station so work can proceed. |
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Area 11 — Main Street (American Fork) to 800 South (Orem) |
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Construction Activity: Drainage improvements are currently taking place along the Union Pacific Railroad tracks from Orem to American Fork.
Mainline earthwork is expected to begin the beginning of November.
Traffic Impacts: There are currently no impacts to motorists in this area.
Orem Station: No station construction activities to report. |
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Area 10 — 800 South (Orem) to Center Street (Provo) |
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Construction Activity: A lot of progress is being made in Area 10 along the Union Pacific Railroad corridor between University Parkway in Orem and West Center Street in Provo. Crews continue to prepare a path for FrontRunner by grading and clearing the right-of-way and relocating water lines. Since an additional track is being constructed for FrontRunner to operate on, any existing box culvert or waterway must be extended under the newly built trackway.
Mainline duct bank installation also continues in Area 10. This duct bank will hold the fiber optics for the FrontRunner System.
Crews have removed old railroad ties and rail all the way from 500 West in Provo to University Parkway in Orem. Old materials removed from this area are either reused or recycled.
Traffic Impacts: Impacts to motorists are currently anticipated to be minimal as most work in this area is taking place along the rail corridor.
Provo Station-University Ave. Station: No station construction activities to report. |
Hobble Creek Wetlands Project — Springville, Utah |
| Description:
Although FrontRunner’s terminus is located in Provo, crews have finished construction on a floodplain south of Provo in Springville, Utah, to offset wetlands impacts related to building commuter rail in Utah County. In cooperation with the June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program and other agencies, this project was constructed adjacent to a new Hobble Creek channel which is a tributary to Utah Lake and will replace major wetlands functions and vegetation and provide a protected nursery habitat for newly hatched June sucker fish. For more information on this wetlands project, please visit UTA’s Web site at www.riduta.com. Click on the Programs tab and then Projects. Additional information can also be found at www.junesuckerrecovery.org.
Construction Activity: Construction on this 21-acre site located between I -15 and Utah Lake in Springville, Utah, is completed. Crews have accomplished extensive excavation of the site to prepare a stream for the eventual release of the endangered June Sucker fish. The stream located to the north of this site is anticipated to be cutover the last week of October 2008.
Ribbon Cutting Event: On November 12, 2008, the June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program hosted a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the completion of the Hobble Creek Wetlands Project.
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Hobble Creek- June Suckers were released to celebrate the completion of Hobble Creek project.
Area 11- Crews are working to install new storm drains in Lindon.
Area 10- New storm/ irrigation system is installed near 820 north.
General Construction Information
Access during Construction
UTA is committed to maintaining access to all of the businesses and residences along the construction corridor.
Construction Hours
Construction on the project is permitted to take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday each week. Additionally, specific activities may require different working hours depending upon the conditions and will be coordinated with city officials.
Please note that construction information is subject to change
Thanks again for your interest in the FrontRunner South project. If you have construction related questions, please call our 24-hour construction hotline number at 1-888-800-8854. If you have specific questions about the FrontRunner South project, my contact information is listed below.
Regards,
Marc Bowman
UTA Community Involvement Specialist
www.rideuta.com
801.236.4784
1972
17 November, 2008
I was looking at the editorial section of the New York Times yesterday when I saw an op-ed about transportation entitled “Have You Driven a Bus or a Train Lately?” Of course I have not driven either lately, or ever, though I have ridden on both, so I clicked on the link and enjoyed very much what I read. It was fascinating! There seems to never be any ideas that are new, just recycled. It turns out that former Secretary of the Interior, Stewart Udall, wrote an article in 1972 for The Atlantic entitled “The Last Traffic Jam” that this current op-ed is based partly upon. Both are great reads and I highly recommend them, especially in light of the current crisis that GM is going through and the higher gas prices of this last summer. I’ll sum up for those who don’t have a lot of time. Basically, the argument goes that we should wean ourselves from big heavy inefficient cars and retool to produce smaller, more efficient ones, as well as investing not on more roads but on transit, particularly rail transit, and more compact development patterns that foster walking and transit use. That also means better for bicycles as a given. All I have to say is AMEN! These ideas are far from new. Mr. Udall was advocating this all in 1972! Give them a read and let me know what you think.
Dutch in Orem
15 November, 2008
I had to run a quick errand at lunch today, and while stopped at a red light saw a cyclist on the other side of the intersection riding the opposite direction. I immediately noticed his bike because it looked very similar to mine. I yelled across the intersection to ask him what it was and he yelled back that it was a Dutch bike. It looked very much like an Azor from Henry Workcycles. I don’t know if it was or not, but it was very refreshing to see someone other than me riding such a dignified bike around the streets of Orem. I hope I see more of that kind of thing in the future. I also hope I see this man again soon. I’d like to talk with him and see his bike!
Utah FrontRunner South Public Hearings
13 November, 2008
It’s time to let your voice be heard. UTA is providing a forum for questions surrounding FrontRunner South station sites. Want bike lockers or covered parking? Want to sneak in a plug for extra bike space on the train cars? Here is your chance. From the UTA FrontRunner South team:
Come to the UTA Public Hearings on Re-Evaluation of the Future Draper/BluffDale FrontRunner Commuter Rail Station Site:
· Monday, Nov. 17, 2008 at the Bluffdale Elementary School (14323 South 2700 West, Bluffdale) and
· Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008 at the Willow Springs Elementary School [13288 South Lone Rock Drive (465 East), Draper].
The hearings will begin at 5 p.m. and end at 7 p.m. with a brief presentation at 5:30 p.m.
At the hearings, UTA staff will be available to answer questions on the benefits and impacts of four potential station sites. The public can make written or recorded comment at the hearing or may submit comments to: Utah Transit Authority, c/o FLHQ FrontRunner Station, 3600 South 700 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84119. Comments can also be submitted online at www.rideuta.com. All comments will become part of the public record if received or postmarked by November 21, 2008.
Livin’ Car Free
13 November, 2008
A few months ago, a guy rides/walks into the shop. That is not an unusual occurence in a bike shop, but this guy was different. He was riding a bike equipped with an Xtracycle. Around here, that is unusual. We chated a bit and quickly became friends. Two people with similar interests seem to be able to develop friendships fast. We talked a lot about Xtracycles, Rivendell bikes, and that kind of utility bike stuff that I love. I rarely meet someone who knows what I am talking about with all that stuff, so I keep my mouth shut most of the time where that is concerned. A few days later my new friend, Zac, showed up with his wife, Krysta and daughter Ren in tow to ride the new Gary Fisher Simple City. We chatted some more and they decided to come to the corridor priority openhouse with UDOT. Afterwards, they came over to our place to ride the bakfiets. Recently, Zac commented here on a couple of posts and I thereby discovered a few things about these friends of mine. They are car free as I suspected, and they have a blog. You can check it out here. I have added it to my RSS feed and I hope you will take the opportunity to follow a car free family living here in Utah Valley. They are proof positive that it can be done, even here!
Frontrunner South Status Update
1 November, 2008
The following email from UTA in my inbox this week:
Greetings,
Construction is progressing on UTA’s FrontRunner South Provo to Salt Lake Commuter Rail line. Below is the FrontRunner South quick construction update for the week of October 16. For a more comprehensive construction update, click here.
· Area 16 — Downtown Salt Lake City to 4500 South (Murray)
Construction Activity:
Fiber optics will continue to be relocated between Murray and Salt Lake City.
· Area 15 — 4500 South (Murray) to 7800 South (Midvale)
Construction Activity:
There are no construction activities to report in Area 15.
· Area 14 — 7800 South (Midvale) to Bangerter Highway (Draper/Bluffdale)
Construction Activity:
Construction is gearing up in Area 14. On Sunday, October 19th, a crane was set up at the track crossover near 144th South and the Union Pacific Railroad. A construction fence has also been installed behind Salt Lake Community College’s campus at 9800 South.
· Area 13 — Bangerter Highway (Draper/Bluffdale) to Thanksgiving Point (Lehi)
Construction Activity:
Crews continue to establish access in this area and prepare the site along the railroad corridor in Bluffdale and Lehi and throughout the Jordan Narrows. Work on the South Jordan Canal and embankment improvements will begin toward the end of October. Earthwork along the Union Pacific Railroad is also scheduled to begin in this area during the first part of November.
· Area 12 — Thanksgiving Point (Lehi) to Main Street (American Fork)
Construction Activity:
Extensive excavation work has taken place at the Lehi Park and Ride Lot near Thanksgiving Point as crews continue to clear and grub the area and begin drainage improvements. Construction is also taking place along the rail corridor in this area just south of 11000 North in Lehi.
· Area 11 — Main Street (American Fork) to 800 South (Orem)
Construction Activity:
Drainage improvements are currently taking place along the Union Pacific Railroad tracks from Orem to American Fork. Crews are also clearing and grubbing along this area in preparation for earthwork scheduled to begin the first part of November.
· Area 10 — 800 South (Orem) to Center Street (Provo)
Construction Activity:
FrontRunner construction continues to take place in Area 10 along the Union Pacific Railroad corridor between University Parkway in Orem and West Center Street in Provo. Drainage and irrigation structures are being improved by extending existing box culverts and waterways to accommodate the new FrontRunner track. Existing signal poles located in the right-of-way have also been removed in this area.
Crews have removed old railroad ties and rail all the way from 500 West in Provo to University Parkway in Orem. Materials removed from this area are either reused or recycled.
Thanks again for your interest in the FrontRunner South project. If you have construction related questions, please call our 24-hour construction hotline number at 1-888-800-8854. If you have specific questions about the FrontRunner South project, my contact information is listed below. To unsubscribe to this list, please click here.
Sincerely,
Marc Bowman
UTA Community Involvement Specialist
www.rideuta.com
801.236.4784
801.867.4573 (mobile)
3 Feet
29 October, 2008
Share the road, give 3 feet or more!
My friend Travis sent me this photo today that he took near Moab. It seams that Grand County respects cyclists enough that they are willing to let drivers know of their responsibility. I wish I could see signs like this all over, and drivers obeying this law. What will the future bring?
Something
28 October, 2008
So, I did get to go to the City Council meeting after all. I spoke up about a lack of public input on road stripping projects. I think the council agrees with me. The city engineer came up to me during a break and told me that he disagrees with me. I expected nothing less to be honest. Old engineers like him were trained and have grown up with the idea that the way to solve all of our transportation problems is by adding more lanes, and citizen involvement isn’t necessary, or even wanted I’d expect.(Us citizens don’t know what we are talking about generally speaking anyway.) Traffic flow is the all important goal! As most current thinking and studies show, that is absolutely not the case. Anyway, then the city council tackled a mixed use development proposal. I won’t go into details here, but sufficeth to say, I cheered inside when my favorite Council member, KM, voted against it. Don’t get me wrong, I love mixed use. This one was all wrong. Wrong look, wrong concept, etc. Perhaps someday, we’ll get things figured out. I’m really interested in what Provo does with their plans near the intermodal center there. To conclude the evening, I spent a very interesting hour speaking with the mayor and the aforementioned city council member about development and transportation in Orem. It was very enlightening for me and has given me some serious food for thought. So, today there was something. I can’t wait to see what I’ll write about tomorrow. A new blog perhaps?
