Comments on: Indianapolis Paves the Way for Bikes and Pedestrians http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:39:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: John Goodman http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-39773 John Goodman Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:38:19 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-39773 It was the large office tenant, a state government agency, that, I think, asked for such a room to accommodate the very few employees that ride. And the building had an extra room available that was not easily rentable. It was the large office tenant, a state government agency, that, I think, asked for such a room to accommodate the very few employees that ride. And the building had an extra room available that was not easily rentable.

]]> By: Mitch http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-39769 Mitch Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:02:15 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-39769 <blockquote>I help manage a 700+-person office building in the center of downtown and there are, at most, 1 or 2 bikes stored in our dedicated bike room each day. </blockquote> You have a dedicated room for secure bike parking?!!! In a city where people don't commute by bike, that's pretty impressive. What motivated the building owners to get so far ahead of their tenants? The next step is to get people to use the facility.

I help manage a 700+-person office building in the center of downtown and there are, at most, 1 or 2 bikes stored in our dedicated bike room each day.

You have a dedicated room for secure bike parking?!!! In a city where people don't commute by bike, that's pretty impressive. What motivated the building owners to get so far ahead of their tenants?

The next step is to get people to use the facility.

]]> By: John Goodman http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-39761 John Goodman Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:33:35 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-39761 I live in Indianapolis and I think the Cultural Trail MAY work as a combined bike, pedestrian trail. It will at least make the downtown streets prettier. What was not mentioned above is how few daily bike commuters there are in Indianapolis. VERY FEW. I ride my bike to work almost every day from 40th & Meridian, via the Monon Trail, and see almost no bike commuters. I keep a second bike downtown for when I drive from home and see almost no other worker-cyclists when I bike from building to building downtown. A businessman or woman on a bike in downtown Indianapolis is still a freakish thing. I help manage a 700+-person office building in the center of downtown and there are, at most, 1 or 2 bikes stored in our dedicated bike room each day. Whatever the aesthetic and technical aspects of the Cultural Trail, getting conservative Hoosiers to ride bikes to work will be a major, major job. This isn't Portland, Oregon. I live in Indianapolis and I think the Cultural Trail MAY work as a combined bike, pedestrian trail. It will at least make the downtown streets prettier.

What was not mentioned above is how few daily bike commuters there are in Indianapolis. VERY FEW. I ride my bike to work almost every day from 40th & Meridian, via the Monon Trail, and see almost no bike commuters. I keep a second bike downtown for when I drive from home and see almost no other worker-cyclists when I bike from building to building downtown. A businessman or woman on a bike in downtown Indianapolis is still a freakish thing. I help manage a 700+-person office building in the center of downtown and there are, at most, 1 or 2 bikes stored in our dedicated bike room each day.

Whatever the aesthetic and technical aspects of the Cultural Trail, getting conservative Hoosiers to ride bikes to work will be a major, major job. This isn't Portland, Oregon.

]]> By: Indy Guy http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38971 Indy Guy Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:46:20 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38971 As an Indianapolis resident, downtown worker and cyclist, overall I look at this project as a positive BUT when I am wearing my cyclist hat I look at it this way: If I am cycling as a commuter or with the intent of getting from one place to another quickly, I intend to continue to exercise my right to ride on the street and follow the same rules of the road as motorists. However if I am leisurely riding downtown, just cruising around taking in the sights, stopping for coffee here, dinner there etc I'll give the trail a try. I may change my mind after I see it completed, but I have the same reservations that some of the others have voiced about the potential crossover between cyclists and pedestrians... As an Indianapolis resident, downtown worker and cyclist, overall I look at this project as a positive BUT when I am wearing my cyclist hat I look at it this way: If I am cycling as a commuter or with the intent of getting from one place to another quickly, I intend to continue to exercise my right to ride on the street and follow the same rules of the road as motorists. However if I am leisurely riding downtown, just cruising around taking in the sights, stopping for coffee here, dinner there etc I'll give the trail a try.

I may change my mind after I see it completed, but I have the same reservations that some of the others have voiced about the potential crossover between cyclists and pedestrians...

]]> By: Andy B from Jersey http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38931 Andy B from Jersey Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:43:19 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38931 Call it the Indianapolis DEATHWAY! Cycletracks can be dangerous for cyclists because often they relegate cyclists to what is essentially a glorified sidewalk. So when cyclists enter intersections drivers just don't expect them. Much of this collision hazard can be remedied with good design like was done for the 9th Avenue cycletrack design in NYC. This project is even worse than most cycletracks from what I could tell from the 5 minute review we were given up top. First and foremost! It puts two-way bicycle traffic on one side of the road. BIG BIG NO NO!!! If it weren't bad enough that cycletracks tend to hide bicycles behind parked cars so they just "mysteriously appear" at intersections, now they will be popping up in intersections from the WRONG DIRECTION where drivers REALLY and justifiably don't expect them. Second: As someone else noted, the pavers will limit the appeal to other users like rollerbladers, etc. Third: The use of pavers to delineate the centerline follows no design standards for a cycletrack / bicycle trail that I have ever seen, in the US or abroad. It is confusing and does not clearly indicate anything about this being for two-way traffic. It merely looks like a pretty geometric design. From what little I have seen this is a very bad design for cyclists and SHOULD NOT be supported by Streetsblog nor New York Streets Renaissance. This design will get people killed and since it so badly designed will only give fuel to the fire to people who see any bicycle transportation project as a waste of taxpayer dollars. Just because it is a bicycle transportation project doesn't make it a GOOD bicycle transportation project! Andy B PS - If you think this like the Hudson River Greenway, it's not. The Hudson River Greenway is much more separated from the Westside Highway and is really a bike trail and not a cycletrack. It is the proper design approach for that application. Call it the Indianapolis DEATHWAY! Cycletracks can be dangerous for cyclists because often they relegate cyclists to what is essentially a glorified sidewalk. So when cyclists enter intersections drivers just don't expect them.

Much of this collision hazard can be remedied with good design like was done for the 9th Avenue cycletrack design in NYC. This project is even worse than most cycletracks from what I could tell from the 5 minute review we were given up top.

First and foremost! It puts two-way bicycle traffic on one side of the road. BIG BIG NO NO!!! If it weren't bad enough that cycletracks tend to hide bicycles behind parked cars so they just "mysteriously appear" at intersections, now they will be popping up in intersections from the WRONG DIRECTION where drivers REALLY and justifiably don't expect them.

Second: As someone else noted, the pavers will limit the appeal to other users like rollerbladers, etc.

Third: The use of pavers to delineate the centerline follows no design standards for a cycletrack / bicycle trail that I have ever seen, in the US or abroad. It is confusing and does not clearly indicate anything about this being for two-way traffic. It merely looks like a pretty geometric design.

From what little I have seen this is a very bad design for cyclists and SHOULD NOT be supported by Streetsblog nor New York Streets Renaissance. This design will get people killed and since it so badly designed will only give fuel to the fire to people who see any bicycle transportation project as a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Just because it is a bicycle transportation project doesn't make it a GOOD bicycle transportation project!

Andy B

PS - If you think this like the Hudson River Greenway, it's not. The Hudson River Greenway is much more separated from the Westside Highway and is really a bike trail and not a cycletrack. It is the proper design approach for that application.

]]> By: John Wirtz http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38869 John Wirtz Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:35:02 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38869 This appears to be an installation of what are known as cycle-tracks in Europe and in the bicycle community here. There was a recent study in Copenhagen on the effects of cycle-tracks. While they did increase cycling by approximately 20%, crashes increased by 18% at intersections: http://www.trafitec.dk/pub/Road%20safety%20and%20percieved%20risk%20of%20cycle%20tracks%20and%20lanes%20in%20Copenhagen.pdf Bike lanes are safer for cyclists than cycle-tracks. John Wirtz Transportation Engineer/Planner This appears to be an installation of what are known as cycle-tracks in Europe and in the bicycle community here. There was a recent study in Copenhagen on the effects of cycle-tracks. While they did increase cycling by approximately 20%, crashes increased by 18% at intersections:

http://www.trafitec.dk/pub/Road%20safety%20and%20percieved%20risk%20of%20cycle%20tracks%20and%20lanes%20in%20Copenhagen.pdf

Bike lanes are safer for cyclists than cycle-tracks.
John Wirtz
Transportation Engineer/Planner

]]> By: Downtowner http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38794 Downtowner Sat, 20 Oct 2007 15:31:44 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38794 Just addressing some of the worries that pedestrians and bikers will run into each other. I've lived and biked downtown for years, and I've attended several Cultural Trail presentations. I think the majority of the trail won't be shared use. It will be in some places, but not most. Also, there's not much pedestrian traffic downtown except for a few blocks around the Circle/Mall, so I don't expect bikers to be hindered by pedestrians except in the limited congested areas where it's simply unavoidable, whether you ride on sidewalks, the road, or a trail. The benefits of this project far, far outweigh any design flaws that may be revealed (though I don't expect many). Connecting the different areas of downtown (technically walkable already, but not enticingly so), drawing Fountain Square into the downtown identity, linking downtown with the other greenways, and taking a major step away from motorized transporation all in one project is genius. I was trying to move out of downtown recently and decided to stay largely because of the Cultural Trail. I don't want to miss living near this amenity. Just addressing some of the worries that pedestrians and bikers will run into each other. I've lived and biked downtown for years, and I've attended several Cultural Trail presentations. I think the majority of the trail won't be shared use. It will be in some places, but not most. Also, there's not much pedestrian traffic downtown except for a few blocks around the Circle/Mall, so I don't expect bikers to be hindered by pedestrians except in the limited congested areas where it's simply unavoidable, whether you ride on sidewalks, the road, or a trail.

The benefits of this project far, far outweigh any design flaws that may be revealed (though I don't expect many). Connecting the different areas of downtown (technically walkable already, but not enticingly so), drawing Fountain Square into the downtown identity, linking downtown with the other greenways, and taking a major step away from motorized transporation all in one project is genius. I was trying to move out of downtown recently and decided to stay largely because of the Cultural Trail. I don't want to miss living near this amenity.

]]> By: Bill http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38763 Bill Fri, 19 Oct 2007 19:55:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38763 The Cultural Trail will link six "cultural districts" that give Indy further distinction and uniqueness. One of those districts is White River State Park and the Central Canal. They taken an area that not long ago was abandoned warehouses and turned it into an urban park that includes the Indy zoo, a botanical gardens, a baseball park, the NCAA headquarters and its Hall of Champions, the state museum and a museum for American Indian and Western Art. The Canal is 1-1/2 miles long and is an ideal walking/running area. The trail also will link trendy Mass Ave (restaurants, shops, comedy clubs, pubs), Indiana Ave (jazz district with roots to the African American community), Fountain Square (another area being quickly revitalized), the Wholesale District (basically, downtown with pubs, restaurants, shopping and sports venues) and finally Broad Ripple, a trendy area six miles north that's linked via the Monon Trail. As a life-long Indy resident, our city is on the move and the Cultural Trail will be an amazing amenity. But yes, at some point, we've got to take a serious look at mass transit. The Cultural Trail will link six "cultural districts" that give Indy further distinction and uniqueness. One of those districts is White River State Park and the Central Canal. They taken an area that not long ago was abandoned warehouses and turned it into an urban park that includes the Indy zoo, a botanical gardens, a baseball park, the NCAA headquarters and its Hall of Champions, the state museum and a museum for American Indian and Western Art. The Canal is 1-1/2 miles long and is an ideal walking/running area.
The trail also will link trendy Mass Ave (restaurants, shops, comedy clubs, pubs), Indiana Ave (jazz district with roots to the African American community), Fountain Square (another area being quickly revitalized), the Wholesale District (basically, downtown with pubs, restaurants, shopping and sports venues) and finally Broad Ripple, a trendy area six miles north that's linked via the Monon Trail.
As a life-long Indy resident, our city is on the move and the Cultural Trail will be an amazing amenity.
But yes, at some point, we've got to take a serious look at mass transit.

]]> By: Maggie http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38754 Maggie Fri, 19 Oct 2007 17:33:44 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38754 "Indy - a wonderful surprise every day," could be our tagline. Yes, there is still much to be done here, but that just means there are great opportunities for those who get juiced about being part of a creative process like building a better city. Anyone who still says there's nothing going on here, has either been away for a while or is staying holed up in a cellar without communication. "Indy - a wonderful surprise every day," could be our tagline. Yes, there is still much to be done here, but that just means there are great opportunities for those who get juiced about being part of a creative process like building a better city. Anyone who still says there's nothing going on here, has either been away for a while or is staying holed up in a cellar without communication.

]]> By: Indy Urban http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38752 Indy Urban Fri, 19 Oct 2007 17:27:05 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38752 Live downtown and ride my bike to the Ymca daily. Go out of my way to ride on the few blocks that are completed. Can't wait for more blocks and also excited to see the lights standards at night. Live downtown and ride my bike to the Ymca daily. Go out of my way to ride on the few blocks that are completed. Can't wait for more blocks and also excited to see the lights standards at night.

]]> By: Joe G http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38751 Joe G Fri, 19 Oct 2007 17:00:19 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38751 I live in an Indy suburb and I'm as excited as anyone about the Trail. I can't wait until some of the bike trails in Indy and the suburbs interconnect, and this is a big step in that direction. I do have one question: Why don't we make these trails with asphalt or concrete? The bricks are prettier but they limit who can use the trail. The brick surface stinks if you want to rollerblade, rollerskate, skateboard, ride a scooter, etc. I love to run, bike, walk, AND I love to rollerblade and (it seems like) it would be less expensive to install and easier to maintain an asphalt or concrete trail and it would suit more trail users. After all, aren't we trying encourage more people to be physically active? I live in an Indy suburb and I'm as excited as anyone about the Trail. I can't wait until some of the bike trails in Indy and the suburbs interconnect, and this is a big step in that direction.

I do have one question: Why don't we make these trails with asphalt or concrete? The bricks are prettier but they limit who can use the trail. The brick surface stinks if you want to rollerblade, rollerskate, skateboard, ride a scooter, etc.

I love to run, bike, walk, AND I love to rollerblade and (it seems like) it would be less expensive to install and easier to maintain an asphalt or concrete trail and it would suit more trail users. After all, aren't we trying encourage more people to be physically active?

]]> By: Jim http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38748 Jim Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:45:04 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38748 I grew up in Indy and have been gone only for educational reasons, all the way to Bloomington, Indiana. When I was a 'wee lad' Indy was not so car oriented as it is today, along with the rest of the USA. We had a wonderful public transit system and a vibrant downtown. The City has reversed the city center decline remarkably over the last 25 years. The Cultural Trail is one of the many positive steps. Excuse this off subject but, GO COLTS! I grew up in Indy and have been gone only for educational reasons, all the way to Bloomington, Indiana. When I was a 'wee lad' Indy was not so car oriented as it is today, along with the rest of the USA. We had a wonderful public transit system and a vibrant downtown. The City has reversed the city center decline remarkably over the last 25 years. The Cultural Trail is one of the many positive steps. Excuse this off subject but, GO COLTS!

]]> By: Tyson http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38745 Tyson Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:23:16 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38745 The Cultural Trail is truly a stunning accomplishment. My dog and I walked the loop this morning, some portions of which are nearly completed. The unfinished portions of the route are marked with a green stripe, which is also genius. Absolutely energizing. One of the best attributes of the Cultural Trail is that it will serve to link several other trails (Monon rail-trail, Pennsy rail-trail, White River Trail, Pleasant Run Trail) which in turn link to wider regionsl trail networks, such as the National Road Heritage Trail (US 40 alignment.) Thank you Brian Payne. The Cultural Trail is truly a stunning accomplishment. My dog and I walked the loop this morning, some portions of which are nearly completed. The unfinished portions of the route are marked with a green stripe, which is also genius. Absolutely energizing.

One of the best attributes of the Cultural Trail is that it will serve to link several other trails (Monon rail-trail, Pennsy rail-trail, White River Trail, Pleasant Run Trail) which in turn link to wider regionsl trail networks, such as the National Road Heritage Trail (US 40 alignment.)

Thank you Brian Payne.

]]> By: Catherine http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38699 Catherine Thu, 18 Oct 2007 21:00:53 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38699 As a Hoosier who grew up in Indy, I am thrilled to see the Cultural Trail moving forward in Indy. A sincere thank you to Brian Payne, the Central Indiana Community Foundation, the Glick family, and all the others who made this project possible. Excellent to read all the positive comments about Indy as I hope to move back "home" from Austin in the next several years. Indianapolis is a terrific city with great amenities, having some of them linked by this trail will hopefully expose more people to all the city has to offer. As a Hoosier who grew up in Indy, I am thrilled to see the Cultural Trail moving forward in Indy. A sincere thank you to Brian Payne, the Central Indiana Community Foundation, the Glick family, and all the others who made this project possible. Excellent to read all the positive comments about Indy as I hope to move back "home" from Austin in the next several years. Indianapolis is a terrific city with great amenities, having some of them linked by this trail will hopefully expose more people to all the city has to offer.

]]> By: Ashley http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38652 Ashley Thu, 18 Oct 2007 05:20:00 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38652 Thank goodness for visionaries such as James Gange bringing an urban and healthy new paradigm to Indianapolis. Thank goodness for visionaries such as James Gange bringing an urban and healthy new paradigm to Indianapolis.

]]> By: Tony S. http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38606 Tony S. Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:10:53 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38606 I was born in Indianapolis and have returned here to live after several years living in Chicago. I can say that without a doubt Indianapolis is moving in the right direction with projects such as this. I miss the ability to walk out of my door and have endless restaurants, shops, attractions like I enjoyed living in different neighborhoods around Chicago. That being said, I love Indianapolis and this project gives me hope that there is a movement here to recreate some of those advantages to living in a big urban/pedestrian city but also the understanding that it’s important to mitigate the disadvantages that also come from that type of urban environment. I truly believe that it takes bold vision by a city to move in this direction and this will help with the grassroots efforts to make Indianapolis a more sustainable urban environment. If you were to visit ten years ago and come back now, the changes are really dramatic. Indianapolis continues to move to be a big city with a vibrant downtown. I was born in Indianapolis and have returned here to live after several years living in Chicago. I can say that without a doubt Indianapolis is moving in the right direction with projects such as this. I miss the ability to walk out of my door and have endless restaurants, shops, attractions like I enjoyed living in different neighborhoods around Chicago. That being said, I love Indianapolis and this project gives me hope that there is a movement here to recreate some of those advantages to living in a big urban/pedestrian city but also the understanding that it’s important to mitigate the disadvantages that also come from that type of urban environment. I truly believe that it takes bold vision by a city to move in this direction and this will help with the grassroots efforts to make Indianapolis a more sustainable urban environment. If you were to visit ten years ago and come back now, the changes are really dramatic. Indianapolis continues to move to be a big city with a vibrant downtown.

]]> By: Michael Stout http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38581 Michael Stout Tue, 16 Oct 2007 22:40:25 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38581 To the above comment; Isn't that what a city is all about? You would be surprised how well the human body can adjust and predict where it needs to go in order to avoid collision. Try checking out William Whyte's studies on NYC's public spaces sometime. To the above comment; Isn't that what a city is all about? You would be surprised how well the human body can adjust and predict where it needs to go in order to avoid collision. Try checking out William Whyte's studies on NYC's public spaces sometime.

]]> By: Dianna Abdala http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38554 Dianna Abdala Tue, 16 Oct 2007 19:13:44 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38554 I live in greater Indy and, assuming these sidewalks are even used extensively, can't get too excited about a project which will have pedestrians and cyclists running into each other. I live in greater Indy and, assuming these sidewalks are even used extensively, can't get too excited about a project which will have pedestrians and cyclists running into each other.

]]> By: Michael Stout http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38484 Michael Stout Tue, 16 Oct 2007 03:36:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38484 Having grown up in Indy it is amazing to me how quickly projects like these are being implemented. There is It seems like each time I have a chance to visit I am in a different place, both in terms of physical planning and general attitude towards planning. While this is certainly only one side of the story, highways are probably receiving more statewide attention, there is a definite attempt to provide more opportunities for leading a respectable urban life, which is relatively hard to find in other cities in the Midwest. Having grown up in Indy it is amazing to me how quickly projects like these are being implemented. There is It seems like each time I have a chance to visit I am in a different place, both in terms of physical planning and general attitude towards planning. While this is certainly only one side of the story, highways are probably receiving more statewide attention, there is a definite attempt to provide more opportunities for leading a respectable urban life, which is relatively hard to find in other cities in the Midwest.

]]> By: Marty http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38471 Marty Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:25:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/15/indianapolis-paves-the-way-for-bikes-and-pedestrians/#comment-38471 This is truly a great project. Downtown Indy is really starting to put the pieces in place to be a major player in urban living in the midwest and US. Now, if they can get mass transit off the ground they will be in very good shape. This is truly a great project. Downtown Indy is really starting to put the pieces in place to be a major player in urban living in the midwest and US. Now, if they can get mass transit off the ground they will be in very good shape.

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