mobility

There has been a lot happening on the mobility front, ranging from a plethora of bike land and trail projects to a new state budget (public transportation).

Cycling

The Network

Related to our previous coverage of the expanding north-end bicycle network, progress has been made related to the River East Trail.

There is a lot, very quietly, happening in the transportation space. On the surface not much is changing, other than related to ride-hailing / car-sharing, which I will cover first. Meanwhile, down below in the civic forges the bellows are pumping; we are either shaping the beginnings of a different future, or at least witnessing the death gasps of the status-quo. If voters choose wisely next month the stage is set for change; but we’ve been here before, don’t count those chickens just yet.

There has been a great deal of mobility news in the past few months; 2024 is shaping up to be a big year.

Micromobility

Use of micromobility service (scooters and e-bikes) has increased 201% between 2022 and 2023. 2022 was a total of 163,690 rides, and 2023 January - August has already seen 262,155 rides.

One item on the 2023-08-08 City Commission Agenda is to set the date for a public hearing regarding the rezoning of "210 Fairbanks St NE, 628, 636, 638, 644 and 646 Coit Ave NE which was recommended by the Planning Commission on 2023-07-13.

The City's Strategic Plan sets a transportation mode shift goal of 55% by 2035; meaning that 55% of commuter trips would be made via a mode other than by a single occupant vehicle [aka: a car, or in the 21st Century, more accurately: "a massive SUV or pickup"].