Vision Zero program debate begins today; more Thursday
Q
When I was a defense attorney, I was very much opposed to unattended radar cameras to catch speeders. Now I wish for them as a Porsche whizzes past my bicycle at 50-plus mph in a 35 zone.
— Craig T.
A
The Vision Zero program is designed to make city streets safer for all users with lower speed limits, narrowing and reducing traffic lanes, adding bike lanes and widening pedestrian crossings. It has generated a huge reaction. But unlike Craig, almost all are from drivers who are steamed with
the changes. So today is the first of back-to-back Roadshow columns on the debate.
Q
This is a long-overdue discussion of pros and cons of deliberately slowing urban traffic. I have some strong opinions about this.
Civic operations improve when cities make life more pleasant, not less pleasant. Most efforts to discourage driving backfire in various ways. People move to the suburbs, where they drive thousands of extra miles every year.
The Berkeley flatlands are an extremely unpleasant and stressful place because of driving and parking frustrations. I lived there for 40 years, and only when I moved away did I realize how much stress I had been under. I rarely go back here. I notice that wherever possible, people drive as fast as they can in Berkeley to make up for all the time lost from barriers and parking.
— Sharon Hudson, Oakland
A
And just down the highway …
Q
Contrast that with Alameda. There, people drive slowly, calmly and considerately. Alameda has nice wide, free-flowing streets that let people get around efficiently. Driving in Alameda is logical and pleasant, greatly reducing the urge to speed.
I now drive on Fruitvale Avenue between Interstate 580 and Interstate 880 several times a week. It used to take me about 10 minutes, but since the bulb-outs were installed, it takes about 20 minutes.
This isn’t because I am driving slower. It is because traffic is backed up because if anybody wants to turn either right or left off Fruitvale, usually only one or two cars can get through an intersection on each green light. Drivers engage in dangerous maneuvers to get around vehicles blocking traffic, so I really wonder if it is doing anything to make pedestrians any safer. I don’t think that was ever its intent. I think the intent is to make driving as difficult as possible. And of course, drivers just use other streets when they can.
— Sharon Hudson
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And…
Q
And bicycles? The last place bike lanes should be is on major arterials. Duh! They should be put on nearby side streets.
— Sharon Hudson
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For more from Sharon, go to www.sharonhudson.com/urban_planning/urban_rights.html.