Around here, you have to worry about inattentive drivers, dogs, and poor road conditions when you ride your bike to work. In Missoula, one man had to worry about hitting a bear.
That's right, the man rode his bike right into a bear, travelling at about 25 miles per hour! Here's the story.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Spokesman Spokefest Slideshow
If you didn't make it to Spokefest this past weekend in downtown Spokane, or if you did and would like to see pictures of the event, the Spokesman-Review website has a cool slideshow of photos from the event.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
More Bikes On The Road For Several Reasons
If you haven't noticed an influx of bikes on area roads lately, you've had your head in the sand. The Inlander has noticed the increase of riders too, and devoted their cover story from last week's edition to investigating what, besides high gas prices, is behind the move to this particular form of alternative transportation.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Give STA Your Thoughts And Opinions
Want to get involved in STA’s planning process? Your chance is this Wednesday, Sept. 10 when Spokane Transit Authority hosts a Community Forum to teach you more about transit system planning, the budget process and the use of tax and grant monies to fund your local transportation system.
STA officials will be on hand to answer questions and listen to recommendations.
Click here for 'where, when, and why' info.
STA officials will be on hand to answer questions and listen to recommendations.
Click here for 'where, when, and why' info.
Buses Causing Bad Road Conditions?
Spokesman-Review Letters to the editor
Cars emptier than buses
I pondered my response to Harley Frank's rant about empty STA buses ("Empty buses cruise bad streets," Sept. 4) as I rode the standing-room-only 27-Crestline yesterday morning.
He posited that roads are in poor condition due to spending on buses and suggested slashing service by half. Looking from the bus window, I noticed all the commuters traveling single-occupancy along crowded streets.
I realized if we slashed spending on roads, there would be more money available for buses! Then, bus service could be expanded and routes scheduled at 15-minute intervals. Ridership would increase, reducing dependence on foreign oil and the need to constantly expand highway capacity. Funds spent on public transport pale in comparison to the massive subsidies facilitating automobile travel.
I submit that the problem isn't empty buses; it's nearly-empty cars.
Mr. Frank, if you care to know how the bus system works, try riding a bus. Nearly all routes operate at 30-minute intervals. The buses are often full as they leave the Plaza and park-and-ride depots. They empty as they progress along their routes. Traveling against traffic, they might be empty. For example, that empty Liberty Lake Express returning downtown in the evening was packed when it left the Plaza.
Doreen Fox Kelsey
Spokane
From your experience, how full are the STA buses the majority of the time? The route I ride is packed in the morning and evening, to the point where I often have to stand, but pretty light on riders during the day.
Cars emptier than buses
I pondered my response to Harley Frank's rant about empty STA buses ("Empty buses cruise bad streets," Sept. 4) as I rode the standing-room-only 27-Crestline yesterday morning.
He posited that roads are in poor condition due to spending on buses and suggested slashing service by half. Looking from the bus window, I noticed all the commuters traveling single-occupancy along crowded streets.
I realized if we slashed spending on roads, there would be more money available for buses! Then, bus service could be expanded and routes scheduled at 15-minute intervals. Ridership would increase, reducing dependence on foreign oil and the need to constantly expand highway capacity. Funds spent on public transport pale in comparison to the massive subsidies facilitating automobile travel.
I submit that the problem isn't empty buses; it's nearly-empty cars.
Mr. Frank, if you care to know how the bus system works, try riding a bus. Nearly all routes operate at 30-minute intervals. The buses are often full as they leave the Plaza and park-and-ride depots. They empty as they progress along their routes. Traveling against traffic, they might be empty. For example, that empty Liberty Lake Express returning downtown in the evening was packed when it left the Plaza.
Doreen Fox Kelsey
Spokane
From your experience, how full are the STA buses the majority of the time? The route I ride is packed in the morning and evening, to the point where I often have to stand, but pretty light on riders during the day.
Roundup For the Week of September 8
Statistics show that motorcyclists are increasingly at fault in the case of fatal collisions. And an informal poll of law enforcement officers shows that most people are abiding by the law that requires them to use hands-free devices if talking on the phone in the car. Here's what's happening this week from the Spokesman's 'Getting There' column.
Here's my own informal poll: have you switched to hands-free? I've personally seen a surprising number of people talking on their phones while driving.
Here's my own informal poll: have you switched to hands-free? I've personally seen a surprising number of people talking on their phones while driving.
'Spokefest' A Huge Success
The first annual 'Spokefest' this weekend was a huge success and 'beyond all expectations,' according to organizers.About 1,200 bicyclists showed up Sunday morning for the event. That's over 500 more than had pre-registered in advance of the bike ride. Here are the numbers
Maple Street Bridge Traffic Moving Again
The Maple Street Bridge is open again and photo-red camera installation begins today (you know, the cameras that take a picture of your license plate if you run a red light). Here's the details.
Friday, September 5, 2008
I90 Pedestrian Bridge Closed
The Washington State Department of Transportation has closed the pedestrian bridge over I-90 near Regal Street as a precaution after it was struck by an overheight load last night (Thursday, September 4).
Engineers from the WSDOT bridge Preservation office in Olympia will inspect the structure on Monday to determine if it can safely be reopened to the public and what repairs may be needed.
Engineers from the WSDOT bridge Preservation office in Olympia will inspect the structure on Monday to determine if it can safely be reopened to the public and what repairs may be needed.
New Car Prices Plummetting
New vehicle prices are falling at the fastest rate recorded, according to a team of analysts that includes auto and economic researchers.
A research report released this week says the average price of a new vehicle fell 2.3% from a year earlier to $25,632. That's the steepest drop recorded since new car sales tracking began 41 years ago.
The price decline expected to lead to better affordability and could translate into a big recovery for auto sales by the second half of 2009.
A research report released this week says the average price of a new vehicle fell 2.3% from a year earlier to $25,632. That's the steepest drop recorded since new car sales tracking began 41 years ago.
The price decline expected to lead to better affordability and could translate into a big recovery for auto sales by the second half of 2009.
Maple & Ash Street To Reopen Sunday
It's been a long time, but Maple and Ash Streets will reopen to traffic this Sunday, Sept. 7!
Work on Maple and Ash streets, a $4.2 million project funded by the 10-Year Street Bond, federal sources and Spokane Transit Authority, began in April. This project rehabilitated Maple and Ash streets from Broadway Ave. to Northwest Blvd. and paved the intersections of Maple and Ash streets at Northwest Blvd. and Boone Ave. with concrete. The project also included the installation of a fiber optic communications system (ITS), including new cables for traffic signals and cameras.
There will be a grand opening celebration next Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. in the parking lot located on the corner of Ash St. and Boone Ave. Join Spokane Mayor Mary Verner to recognize the completion of the largest 10-Year Street Bond project in 2008.
Work on Maple and Ash streets, a $4.2 million project funded by the 10-Year Street Bond, federal sources and Spokane Transit Authority, began in April. This project rehabilitated Maple and Ash streets from Broadway Ave. to Northwest Blvd. and paved the intersections of Maple and Ash streets at Northwest Blvd. and Boone Ave. with concrete. The project also included the installation of a fiber optic communications system (ITS), including new cables for traffic signals and cameras.
There will be a grand opening celebration next Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. in the parking lot located on the corner of Ash St. and Boone Ave. Join Spokane Mayor Mary Verner to recognize the completion of the largest 10-Year Street Bond project in 2008.
Don't Say We Didn't Warn You
Watch out while driving next week folks, traffic obstructions and possible lane closures will take place while Photo Red Light (a camera system that takes photographs of license plates of motorists running red lights) will be installed at:
o Division St. & Francis Ave.
o Browne St. & Sprague Ave.
o Nevada St. & Mission Ave.
And watch out after next week so you don't get caught running reds at those locations.
o Division St. & Francis Ave.
o Browne St. & Sprague Ave.
o Nevada St. & Mission Ave.
And watch out after next week so you don't get caught running reds at those locations.
Another One Down...
The City of Spokane's Belt Street residential construction project is complete. The project was a full-depth rehabilitation of Belt St. northbound from the alley at Augusta/Nora to Montgomery avenues, and Cannon St. southbound from Nora to Montgomery avenues; a grind and overlay of Belt St. southbound and Cannon St. northbound as well as the remaining streets; and included replacing a 12-inch water line.
The $1.2 million project was funded with money from the 10-Year Street Bond.
The $1.2 million project was funded with money from the 10-Year Street Bond.
Wheelchairs ARE Available At The Fair
In answer to a blog reader's great question- yes, wheelchairs are available at the Spokane Interstate Fair, but you have to rent them.
Wheelchairs are available for rent at the Main Gate for $5 per day for non-electric chairs. Small electric scooters (250 lb weight capacity) rental rates are $10.00 for the first two hours and $5.00 per hour after the first two hours (or $35.00 per day).
Large electric scooter (250+ lb weight capacity) rental rates are $15.00 for the first two hours and $5.00 per hour after the first two hours (or $40.00 per day). All rentals are subject to availability and reservations are not accepted.
Have fun at the Fair folks!
Wheelchairs are available for rent at the Main Gate for $5 per day for non-electric chairs. Small electric scooters (250 lb weight capacity) rental rates are $10.00 for the first two hours and $5.00 per hour after the first two hours (or $35.00 per day).
Large electric scooter (250+ lb weight capacity) rental rates are $15.00 for the first two hours and $5.00 per hour after the first two hours (or $40.00 per day). All rentals are subject to availability and reservations are not accepted.
Have fun at the Fair folks!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Check Out 'SpokeFest' This Weekend For Something To Do
This could be one of our last weekends to enjoy the nice weather, so if you don't already have plans for Sunday, grab your bike and join 'Spokefest.'The fun ride (like a fun run only on bikes) will take riders through some of the area's most scenic riding, and includes music, a pancake feed (can't get a good day of riding in without a good breakfast first), a cycling expo, and health fair.
This non-competitive event encourages kids to participate too. Here's more info on Spokefest and how to register.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Visit SRTC At Spokane County Interstate Fair
Start the countdown: only two days until the Spokane County Interstate Fair kicks off on Friday, and SRTC will be there.We'll have a table, along with some other government agencies, in the 'Go Green' area of the plaza, which is between the main building and the annex. And since 'Green' is our theme, bike and pedestrian info will be our focus.
Altamont Ramp Closures
Starting tomorrow morning, the eastbound Altamont on and off freeway ramps will be closed for approximately a week for paving work on Third Avenue. You will have to use alternate ramps to exit or enter eastbound I-90 in this area.
The Roads Have Eyes
It's not exactly big brother who's watching when you speed through some areas of Washington's highways, it's the actually roadway.
The WSDOT has installed nearly 150 electrical circuits underneath some stretches of highways to measure the speed of every car that goes by. Here's what they do with that info, and don't worry, it's not used to give you a speeding ticket.
The WSDOT has installed nearly 150 electrical circuits underneath some stretches of highways to measure the speed of every car that goes by. Here's what they do with that info, and don't worry, it's not used to give you a speeding ticket.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Slow Down Around Schools, Class is Back In Session
Speed limits go back up around area parks this week, but down around schools.
Here's what it will cost you if you if you're caught speeding in a school zone.
Here's what it will cost you if you if you're caught speeding in a school zone.
Road Closure Alert
Starting tomorrow morning (Wednesday) morning, through Wednesday, September 17, Strong Road, from Five Mile Rd. east to Maple St., will be closed to traffic for water and sewer work.
Motorists will be detoured to Maple St. and then onto Johansen Rd. to Five Mile Rd.
Motorists will be detoured to Maple St. and then onto Johansen Rd. to Five Mile Rd.
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