Comments on: The Elevated Bikeways of Minneapolis? http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/23/the-elevated-bikeways-of-minneapolis/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:31:30 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Flyby http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/23/the-elevated-bikeways-of-minneapolis/comment-page-1/#comment-61329 Flyby Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:07:59 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5175#comment-61329 The shweeb is up for franchise overseas apparently. Anyone with some spare cash??? The shweeb is up for franchise overseas apparently. Anyone with some spare cash???

]]> By: gecko http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/23/the-elevated-bikeways-of-minneapolis/comment-page-1/#comment-61247 gecko Sat, 03 Jan 2009 08:41:30 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5175#comment-61247 . . . and, it would be great fun to see Christine Quinn riding one of these things! . . . and, it would be great fun to see Christine Quinn riding one of these things!

]]> By: gecko http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/23/the-elevated-bikeways-of-minneapolis/comment-page-1/#comment-61213 gecko Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:16:04 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5175#comment-61213 There's alot I could say about Shweeb but won't, except that it is real exciting, the mayor should invite the inventor here, give him a key to the city, get the funds to build it as a real high-profile demonstration tourist attraction that would pay for itself overnight just like Christos Gates in Central Park . . . There's alot I could say about Shweeb but won't, except that it is real exciting, the mayor should invite the inventor here, give him a key to the city, get the funds to build it as a real high-profile demonstration tourist attraction that would pay for itself overnight just like Christos Gates in Central Park . . .

]]> By: Pete http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/23/the-elevated-bikeways-of-minneapolis/comment-page-1/#comment-61211 Pete Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:00:24 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5175#comment-61211 The shweeb in NZ has been designed exactly for a mass urban transit system. The theme ride was only a proof of concept per the inventor whom i met when i rode it. Its efficiency is amazing ie so little energy to move. Even an 85yr old has shweebed apparently. See their tech page! The shweeb in NZ has been designed exactly for a mass urban transit system. The theme ride was only a proof of concept per the inventor whom i met when i rode it. Its efficiency is amazing ie so little energy to move. Even an 85yr old has shweebed apparently. See their tech page!

]]> By: J. Mork http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/23/the-elevated-bikeways-of-minneapolis/comment-page-1/#comment-61075 J. Mork Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:38:14 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5175#comment-61075 Here's a Schweeb gallery. Looks like fun. http://www.shweeb.com/Shweeb/gallery_IDL=105_IDT=2189_ID=12890_.html Here's a Schweeb gallery. Looks like fun.

http://www.shweeb.com/Shweeb/gallery_IDL=105_IDT=2189_ID=12890_.html

]]> By: gecko http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/23/the-elevated-bikeways-of-minneapolis/comment-page-1/#comment-61069 gecko Sun, 28 Dec 2008 14:19:49 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5175#comment-61069 It's amazing how many people say this stuff is impossible, even top supposedly forward thinking designers. And, of course we will never fly! It's amazing how many people say this stuff is impossible, even top supposedly forward thinking designers. And, of course we will never fly!

]]> By: gecko http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/23/the-elevated-bikeways-of-minneapolis/comment-page-1/#comment-61068 gecko Sun, 28 Dec 2008 14:01:39 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5175#comment-61068 #6 Eli, Actually, elevated bikeways have been proposed here in the US for many years also. Hope this is built and is really successful so we can get there here as soon as possible. Personally, I think similar vehicles on elevated monorails are a lot better where Shweeb in New Zealand is the first modern proof of concept in an actual adventure park. #6 Eli,

Actually, elevated bikeways have been proposed here in the US for many years also. Hope this is built and is really successful so we can get there here as soon as possible.

Personally, I think similar vehicles on elevated monorails are a lot better where Shweeb in New Zealand is the first modern proof of concept in an actual adventure park.

]]> By: Eli http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/23/the-elevated-bikeways-of-minneapolis/comment-page-1/#comment-61063 Eli Sun, 28 Dec 2008 02:38:11 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5175#comment-61063 Hah! In more...civilized countries, this is actually real. e.g. here is a link to a brochure about a proposed bicycle highway in the rural Twente area of the Netherlands that I studied in, connecting the city centers of that area: http://www.regiotwente.nl/images/stories/Folder_Fietssnelweg.pdf (It's all in Dutch, but there's Google Translate if you don't speak it.) Hah! In more...civilized countries, this is actually real. e.g. here is a link to a brochure about a proposed bicycle highway in the rural Twente area of the Netherlands that I studied in, connecting the city centers of that area:

http://www.regiotwente.nl/images/stories/Folder_Fietssnelweg.pdf

(It's all in Dutch, but there's Google Translate if you don't speak it.)

]]> By: shishi http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/23/the-elevated-bikeways-of-minneapolis/comment-page-1/#comment-60965 shishi Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:44:00 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5175#comment-60965 Great job Matty, keep up the good work. Great job Matty, keep up the good work.

]]> By: Chris in Sacramento http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/23/the-elevated-bikeways-of-minneapolis/comment-page-1/#comment-60957 Chris in Sacramento Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:37:42 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5175#comment-60957 This Who fan loves the Happy Jack-like soundtrack connoting whimsical progress. Sacramento has freeways knifing through the heart of the city for which the closure is my dream. This Who fan loves the Happy Jack-like soundtrack connoting whimsical progress.

Sacramento has freeways knifing through the heart of the city for which the closure is my dream.

]]> By: Michael Rhodes http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/23/the-elevated-bikeways-of-minneapolis/comment-page-1/#comment-60951 Michael Rhodes Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:12:58 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5175#comment-60951 Actually, the real elevated bikeway of Minneapolis looks somewhat more like this: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2306/1925173099_551e561018.jpg?v=0 ...though most of the Midtown Greenway is actually in a railroad trench, like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/voidoid21/500892113/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/paytonc/1890917632/ Actually, the real elevated bikeway of Minneapolis looks somewhat more like this: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2306/1925173099_551e561018.jpg?v=0

...though most of the Midtown Greenway is actually in a railroad trench, like this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/voidoid21/500892113/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paytonc/1890917632/

]]> By: gecko http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/23/the-elevated-bikeways-of-minneapolis/comment-page-1/#comment-60946 gecko Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:04:53 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5175#comment-60946 The gospel according to reality. The gospel according to reality.

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/23/the-elevated-bikeways-of-minneapolis/comment-page-1/#comment-60943 Larry Littlefield Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:46:37 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5175#comment-60943 Perhaps not so fanciful in some places. I was looking at the map of Detroit, which has a massive highway infrastructure to funnel people from outlying areas into the CBD, where no one works anymore. My guess is within the borders of Wayne County about 2/3 of the highways could be eliminated, leaving just enough capacity. I'd basically keep I-75 and Highway 39, and ditch most of the rest within the City of Detroit. (The regional beltway could be widened at the same time, since most of what is left is in the suburbs -- I-696 north of the city, I-275 to the west). Now you have all these six-lane limited access highways, plus certain arterial roads, that are mostly empty. You could throw down a serious grade-separted BRT network, with stations and express service, with grade separated bikeways adjacent, for virtually nothing, allowing a "new city" complete with transit to be built on the foundation of the old, dying City of Detroit. Perhaps not so fanciful in some places.

I was looking at the map of Detroit, which has a massive highway infrastructure to funnel people from outlying areas into the CBD, where no one works anymore. My guess is within the borders of Wayne County about 2/3 of the highways could be eliminated, leaving just enough capacity. I'd basically keep I-75 and Highway 39, and ditch most of the rest within the City of Detroit.

(The regional beltway could be widened at the same time, since most of what is left is in the suburbs -- I-696 north of the city, I-275 to the west).

Now you have all these six-lane limited access highways, plus certain arterial roads, that are mostly empty. You could throw down a serious grade-separted BRT network, with stations and express service, with grade separated bikeways adjacent, for virtually nothing, allowing a "new city" complete with transit to be built on the foundation of the old, dying City of Detroit.

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