tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37888568.post2622153515448827601..comments2023-12-10T07:53:40.265-06:00Comments on KC Bike Commuting: Arterial Observation Redux: Metcalf Ave.Noahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15271155305943176738noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37888568.post-55424076927438214552007-08-24T12:54:00.000-05:002007-08-24T12:54:00.000-05:00I filled out the Metcalf survey awhile back. I to...I filled out the Metcalf survey awhile back. I took every opportunity to lean towards hidden parking, more greenery, and larger bike/ped routes.<BR/><BR/>After reading this post and the comments, I'm agreeing with the general feeling that we have too little to be truly useful for bikes. I've been thinking about biking to work, but I'm at a loss as to how to do so without being in danger for quite a bit of the ride.<BR/><BR/>-TG from DDRKCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37888568.post-59929178095860744612007-08-22T16:06:00.000-05:002007-08-22T16:06:00.000-05:00Overland Park is the poster child for suburban spr...Overland Park is the poster child for suburban sprawl. As northern and even southern shopping centers (including 119th St.) empty out, they are still hell-bent on annexing another 15 square MILES to the south. How much f-ing shopping do we need?<BR/><BR/>I live at 159th and Metcalf and have had motorists yell at me to get off the road because I was only doing 14 MPH. None of them are paying attention, talking on the cell, screaming at the kids. Much worse than when I was a bike commuter in Columbia in the 80's and 90's.<BR/><BR/>Re: Metcalf. I have been watching this "redevelopment" closely since it is just the development du jour that they are interested in. They don't care and are totally in the pockets of the developers. They plunked a Wal Mart on our corner despite adamant protest.<BR/><BR/>One good thing they could do is put a light rail line the entire length of Metcalf. Doesn't do much for biking, but could tie into KC line, if they ever get around to building one, and ease congestion for bikes. <BR/><BR/>They should also definitely put wide bike lanes on Metcalf. I don't mind crossing the interstates if I have my own lane.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37888568.post-56326542588369830862007-08-22T14:07:00.000-05:002007-08-22T14:07:00.000-05:00OK, I have embarrassed myself. I just re-read my p...OK, I have embarrassed myself. I just re-read my post and need to clarify that (contrary to my poor wording) my issue is not with you guys. Noah, you are a pioneer and you are doing a remarkable service for our community. Seriously, I do admire what you are doing. <BR/><BR/>As you say, our thoroughfares do need a huge makeover. Metcalf is the central commercial corridor for not only OP, but Johnson County. And because of Vision Metcalf, this is where we can change the way we build streets. The implications are huge for non-auto transportation because the city is (hopefully) starting to get a clue. <BR/><BR/>It won't be easy to convince the council that widening streets only enables more sprawl, which creates more traffic, which begs for still wider streets. <BR/><BR/>The new vision that is evolving is to add a dedicated transit lane, bike lanes and walkable sidewalks within the existing right-of-way. Future buildings would be pulled up to the sidewalks and parking would be more hidden in smaller lots and decks. Buildings would typically have storefronts downstairs and offices or condos upstairs. <BR/><BR/>I'm really encouraged by the new momentum, but we need people to stay involved so the city doesn't fall back into a sprawl mentality as soon as the consultant leaves town. <BR/><BR/>FYI, the OP Planning Commission and City Council (www.opkansas.org) have email sign ups so you can receive agendas before their regular meetings.Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04614999038761532322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37888568.post-65006473835105094072007-08-22T11:34:00.000-05:002007-08-22T11:34:00.000-05:00Nice of Bill to exhort you to attend then failing ...Nice of Bill to exhort you to attend then failing to let you know the where and when of it.<BR/><BR/>I found the info here:<BR/><BR/>http://www.opkansas.org/_Gov/Vision_Metcalf/index.cfmYokota Fritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04808661100114872654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37888568.post-21148865425995446972007-08-22T10:27:00.000-05:002007-08-22T10:27:00.000-05:00Bill, pardon me for "taking it the wrong way" but ...Bill, pardon me for "taking it the wrong way" but if you wade through my posts here (I know there are several hundred) you will find that in my short time as an adult cyclist (11 months), I've been anything but lethargic when it comes to getting out there to show my support and voice my opinion in person.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure there are plenty of bellyaching bloggers who are content to sit in their cozy chairs and whine about stuff, but I'm definitely not one of them.<BR/><BR/>I'm a busy guy, so I can't keep up with all the goings-on in the Greater KC area, much less actually show up to every city hall meeting where transportation is discussed. I've definitely showed up to as many as I'm able to, though.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, Fritz' post is the first I'd heard of the Metcalf study. It's pretty sad when I live in a town that shares a border with Overland Park and I have to read about it from a blogger in Silicon Valley.<BR/><BR/>I digress, though. Post another comment or e-mail me through the form on the right side of my blog. Let me know the schedule for Overland Park's meetings. If transportation is on the docket, I'd like to show up to them. I just don't have the time to aggregate and prioritize all of the JoCo suburban cities' meetings.<BR/><BR/>I agree, more people my age really need to make an appearance.Noahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15271155305943176738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37888568.post-9255524645181338822007-08-22T08:19:00.000-05:002007-08-22T08:19:00.000-05:00Noah, I've been involved in the Vision Metcalf stu...Noah, <BR/>I've been involved in the Vision Metcalf study since the beginning of this year and I believe it is a ray of hope for OP to learn to think like a city instead of out-of-control sprawl. <BR/><BR/>The vision that is developing for Metcalf is one that integrates transit, bikes, pedestrians and cars in a higher density, walkable and heavily landscaped boulevard.<BR/><BR/>I have been really disappointed that almost everyone attending the citizen input meetings has been middle-age or older. (By the way, my wife says the same thing about the Sierra Club meetings)<BR/><BR/>It is time for the 20- and 30-somethings to start getting personally involved. OP is listening. Please don't take this the wrong way - I think your blog is becoming a needed voice for bikers - but all I hear is a bunch of laptop belly-aching. <BR/><BR/>Let's see some young folks at the council meetings! <BR/>BillBillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04614999038761532322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37888568.post-9024663282268425362007-08-21T22:32:00.000-05:002007-08-21T22:32:00.000-05:00Lamar is what i use. i'll go a mile out of my way...Lamar is what i use. i'll go a mile out of my way to use that instead of Roe.<BR/><BR/>i solve the whole Metcalf / arterial problem by never going west of Metcalf or south of College. works pretty well. :PAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37888568.post-38637312771956157072007-08-21T22:18:00.000-05:002007-08-21T22:18:00.000-05:00That's a good point. Another one that I forgot ab...That's a good point. Another one that I forgot about was Mission road. <BR/><BR/>Also, while I bellyache about arterials a lot, I am pleased with the way Olathe/Lenexa tries to keep highway junctions on I-35 down to one every other mile. For the most part, this means there's safe passage east-to-west on I-35 every other mile as well. 159th, 143rd, 127th, College. !03rd is kind of part of the Pflumm mess though, and all bets are off north of 103rd though. I wish they'd build a ramp-free viaduct on 79th.Noahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15271155305943176738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37888568.post-9433366144569764852007-08-21T21:02:00.000-05:002007-08-21T21:02:00.000-05:00Lamar is not a bad way to get across I-435. Of cou...Lamar is not a bad way to get across I-435. Of course, it kind of dead-ends at the big honkin' Sprint campus, but it's a better choice than Pflumm, Quivira, Antioch, Metcalf, Nall, or Roe...Randy Rasahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01419152942813174874noreply@blogger.com