I don't think you have heard, but the City of San Antonio is planning to use money that is set aside for bicycle lanes and other cool bicycle related infrastructure to remove the best job that they ever did, the
S Flores Bike Lanes.
 |
| 4.1 |
Stuff like this goes to the saying I've used over and over again,
Keep San Antonio Lame (Image 4.1) because I know of no other way to express my disgust at the stupidity this city does to something that's real cool. There's tons and tons of examples that I have yet to write about on how lousy this city is when it was comes to providing pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. But the blame should not go entirely to the government organizations that built the infrastructure, but the people who use the sidewalks and bicycle lanes on not speaking out against this travesty that has been built for you.
Over the years, I've attended a number of planning meetings ranging from parks to highway to general MPO long range planning meetings. Most of the time, I've been the only one showing up by bicycle and the Via bus thus been your de-facto voice for these issues, but no longer. Now being ever present and punctual to these meetings have come to a end. My job at the airport prevents me from attending these meetings that normally take place at 6pm. It is up to the people reading this blog. to take my place and represent those who walk, use Via, and ride bicycle in this city. If you don't think you have the power to make a difference, think again. I've seen the changes and a lot of time it was because I attended these meetings.
The S Flores meeting will take place
on May 19th at 6 pm at Morrill Elementary cafeteria. 5200 S Flores St, San Antonio, TX 78214 The CoSA is Presenting an Alternative to the existing bicycle lane which I guarantee you has nothing to do with a cycletrack down S Flores but useless sharrows. (Image 4.2)
 |
| 4.2 |
When you go to these meetings do the following....
- Be courteous and polite
- When speaking to the meeting holders keep it short and sweet. Do not go off on tangents and stick to the points. The last thing you want to look is dumb, stupid and angry.
- Also bring handouts of pictures and facts to more clearly get your message out. A good example of this is what the Toll Party hands out at Streetcar planning meetings
- Just follow these simple rules and your message will be heard. And be patient for the results.
From now on I'll be posting these meetings that cyclist and friends of cyclist should attend. And if you don't know what to say, contact me and I'll help.
I also need people to go to these meetings to take pictures and get me information on what is going on. With your help, I can write the stories and provide you with a point of view that you'll not hear anywhere else unless you live in a place New York or any where else
Streetblog is representing a community because I am your streetblog here in San Antonio, TX. This blog is my way of being that voice for cyclist and pedestrians.
Image 4.1: The Classic Keep San Antonio Lame Sticker from Flight Gallery
Image 4.2: A car parked over a Sharrow on Ashby next to the Temple Beth-El.
Up Coming Bicycle Events
Ride of SilenceWhen: Thursday, May 15, 2014 6:30pm
Where:
Halcyon/BlueStar Art Complex
Description: A Bicycle ride honoring those who lost their lives.
Frankenbike #48
When: May 17, 2014 10am to 4pm
Where: Red-D Bikes~ 120 Playmoor Suite B ~ 78210
Description: FrankenBike (n) A free bike swap meet held once a month in San Antonio,
Texas that is open to anyone who wants to buy, sell or trade bicycles
and bicycle related gear or parts.
Bike Beat Festival
When: Sat, May 17, 3pm – 11pm
|
|
|
Where: Main Plaza, San Antonio, TX
Description: The 2nd Annual BIKE|BEAT features bike demos, live music, roller races, food trucks, giveaways and much more! |
Up Coming Important Meetings
If you want to make a difference, please attend.
Walk & Roll Night (BMAC & PMAC joint meeting)
Where:
VIA Metro Centre, 1021 San Pedro Avenue, San Antonio, TX
When:
Wed, May 14, 5:30pm – 8pm
Description: The MPO Bicycle Mobility Advisory Committee and the Pedistrain Mobility Advisory Committee talking about the current projects related to pedestriand bicycle related.
Open House - Improvements to US 90 from Loop 1604 to I-410
Where: Mary Lou Fisher Elementary School Cafeteria, 3430 Barrel Pass, San Antonio, TX 78245
When: Tuesday, May 27, 2014, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Description: TxDOT invites you to an open house on proposed improvements for US 90
From Loop 1604 to I-410. The project staff will be on hand to answer
questions and provide information. No formal presentation will be given.
Attendees are invited to come and go at their convenience.
Proposed improvements along US 90 from LP 1604 to I-410 on the west side
of San Antonio are designed to improve operations and safety along this
section of US 90. The proposed improvements include:
- Conversion of the two-way frontage roads to one-way operations
- Relocation of entrance and exit ramps
- Intersection improvements
What Should you say? Ask for bicycle lanes/Shoulder or a mix use sidewalk along the proposed Frontage roads and Safe bicycle lanes that stay to the right of the lane intersection.
Open House: Improvements to I-35 (I might be able to attend this meeting.)
Where: Central Catholic High School Elizondo Center (corner of Wilmington Avenue and Dallas Street) 1403 St. Mary’s St. San Antonio, TX 78215
When: Wednesday,
May 21, 2014 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Description: TxDOT invites you to an open house on proposed improvements for
Interstate 35. The project staff will be on hand to answer questions and
provide information. No formal presentation will be given. Attendees
are invited to come and go at their convenience.
TxDOT proposes improving I-35 between North Flores and New Braunfels
Ave. and between AT&T Parkway and Binz-Engelman Road. The proposed
project includes auxiliary lanes, ramp adjustments and other
improvements to improve mobility and enhance the operation and safety of
I-35 in this area
What Should you say? Ask for Bicycle lanes along the the frontage roads and make sure they use the City of San Antonio Bicycle Master Plan when making improvements.
Upper Woodlawn Drainage Project Public Meeting
When:
Tuesday, May 13, 2014 6:00 PM
Where: Joe Ward Community Center 435 E. Sunshine, San Antonio, TX
What Should you Say? Ask for a hike and bike trail along the drainage all the way too Woodlawn lake as well as any increase size in the sidewalks that cross over the drainage.... Contact: Peter Rodriguez at 207-8154
Skyplace Boulevard Extension Project Public Meeting
When:
Thursday, May 15, 2014 6:00 PM
Where: Northeast Service Center, 10303 Toolyard, 78233
What Should You Say? Ask that the city makes sure that there is sufficient access to the Salado Creek Trail and 6 ft bicycle lanes on each side of this street. Contact: David McBeth at 210-207-6342 or david.mcbeth@sanantonio.gov.
Bronco Lane Bridge Project Public Meeting
When: Tuesday, May 20, 2014 6:30 PM
Where: Virginia Gill Community Center, 7902 Westshire Drive, San Antonio, TX
What Should You Say? Ask that the Bridge has a minimum 6ft width sidewalks across with 25mph speed limits. contact: Peter Rodriguez at 207-8154
Shaenfield Road Bridge Public Meeting
When:
Wednesday, May 28, 2014 6:00 PM
Where: Burke Elementary School Cafeteria, 10111 Terra Oak, San Antonio, TX
What Should you Say? Ask that the Bridge Contain 6ft bicycle lanes on either side with extra stripping between the bicycle lane and the traffic as well as 6ft sidewalks. Also ask them to remove the Turn Center lane and add that space to the sides of the rd for bicycle lanes. Also Ask that they abide by the Bicycle Master Plan as well. contact: Peter Rodriguez@ 207-8154
Frio City Sidewalks Public Meeting
When: Thursday, May 29, 2014 6:00 PM
Where: Collins Garden Branch Library 200 N. Park, San Antonio, TX
What Should you Say? Ask that the Sidewalks are at least 6ft wide with neckdowns at every intersection on the streets that connect with Frio City Rd. Demand that a protected Bicycle lane is also added and that they abide by the Bicycle Master Plan. If parking is added, demand that they put in the parking as a barr.ier so that the bicycle lane is along the curb, and the parking is a natural barrier to the bicycle and sidewalks
contact: Peter Rodriguez at 207-8154
West Huisache Project Public Meeting
When: Monday, June 02, 2014 6:00 PM
Where: Young Women's Leadership Academy 2123 W. Huisache, San Antonio, TX
What Shold you Say? This time, no bike lanes, this is a neighborhood street. It should have neckdowns to keep traffic flowing slow with islands and speed humps. It should also have 25MPH on this street. Putting a bicycle lane down this street is just a waste of paint.
Contact: Peter Rodriguez@ 207-8154 or David Pulido @ 207-8128
