Studies Show Interesting Conclusions About Cell Phone Use

Two new studies regarding cell phones and texting have come out this week, with some very interesting conclusions.

The first says that laws banning texting have actually caused collissions to increase because people are hiding their phones while texting, causing them to look down, instead of at the road. Here's more on that study.

The second study says that more young people are waiting to get their drivers license- because of their phones. Teens apparently spend so much time talking, texting, twittering and Facebooking each other anymore that they don't need to drive to each other's homes or the mall to hang out. You can read more here.

Photo Red Program Extended Three Years

On Monday night, Spokane's City Council voted to extend the current Photo Red program to 2013 to correspond with the end of the current vendor's contract. That doesn’t mean the city will actually use the program until then. It's slated to be evaluated next year to see if it’s attaining it's goal of increasing safety.

Councilman Jon Snyder blogged on the subject yesterday. I've already gotten one email against Photo Red this morning, so lay it on me. What've you got to say about Photo Red?

Letter Writer Says Studs Are Worth The Damage They Cause

Spokesman-Review Letter to the Editor
Studded tires worth it

After reading The Spokesman-Review editorial (Sept. 15) on studded tire damage, I just had to comment. The article states that it costs Washington taxpayers $15 million per year to repair the state roads. Now think of your younger sons and daughters driving to Schweitzer Mountain, 49 Degrees North, Mount Spokane, Lookout Pass or Silver Mountain to ski or snowboard.

Are any of your children worth the cost of repairing the roads at $15 million, or is the cost of a set of studded snow tires too much? I think not! I believe that it is a small price to pay for the security of knowing your children may be safer, given their inexperience in winter driving conditions.

I drive to Silver Mountain 40-plus times a ski season on studded tires and will not change my opinion. Studded snow tires have saved my 64-year-old behind several times. What is the worth of your children or loved ones?

Chic Burge
Coeur d’Alene

Hey Chic Burge, I've been in the parking lot at Silver Mountain and there are thousands of other people who drive there too- without studs. Many of them in small cars without four wheel drive. Just saying.

Downtown Delays To Get Worse & There's More Construction Due To Bad Economy

Update: I was contacted by the Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP) about the first article reference below. Understandably, they have some concerns about the statement attributed to Ann Deasy of the City of Spokane regarding avoiding downtown altogether during this time of construction. Turns out, Ann didn't specify avoiding downtown in her interview, but said to avoid the construction area in general on the days cited for intersection closures.

The DSP wants to encourage you to patronize downtown businesses, especially during times like this when business may be slow due to construction. And Ann herself has an idea for how to help out: “If you have a favorite restaurant downtown in the work area, try to get there and support the business during the work." You heard her. Get out there and eat some food. I keep hearing good things about Wild Sage so I'm going to head down ASAP. Will report back.

Here's the original post:
For those of you that have been complaining about construction on Second Avenue in downtown Spokane, looks like conditions are going to get worse before they get better. Some major intersections will be closed today, tomorrow and Thursday for paving. City of Spokane Public Information Coordinator Ann Deasy actually said, “I would suggest avoiding the downtown area entirely.” Hmmm.. my office is downtown. Wonder if the boss would take this into consideration and let me stay home the rest of the week.

Here are details from the Spokesman-Review on which interesections will be closed and when.

And speaking of construction, the economic downturn hasn't necessarily been a bad thing for projects in the City of Spokane. Several projects are being moved forward in order to take advantage of low construction prices stemming from the poor economy. Here's more information on that story.

Bike To Work Barb: How Bikes Can Save The World

Bike to Work Barb has been selected to be one of the speakers for Ignite Spokane tomorrow night (Thursday).

The fast-paced presentation formation takes as its theme “Enlighten us—but make it quick!”. Each speaker talks for 5 minutes, with 20 slides that automatically advance every 15 seconds.

Barb's talk is titled “How Bikes Can Save the World." Check it out and let me know if you are convinced that bicycling will avert nuclear disaster (okay, that's probably not Barb's angle, but they can help with the obesity epidemic, reduce pollution, etc. etc.)

Tickets are $10 at the door or you can purchase them online for $5 at the Ignite Spokane link above.

My Latest Way Of Pushing The Vision Project

Those of you who watch City Cable 5 may have seen this awesome video that's airing right now. Those of you who haven't can watch it now. Check out that awesome script. And the videography is amazing. Okay, you're on to me. I wrote the piece and my buddy Eric from Cable 5 produced and editted it. Can't sneak anything past you. Here's a link in case you want more info on the Vision Project.

Bike & Pedestrian Master Program Workshop

You're invited to attend a City of Spokane Valley Bike and Pedestian Master Program workshop this WEdnesday, SEpt. 29 from 5:30 to 7 pm.

The meeting is in the Spokane Valley Council Chambers at 11707 E. Sprague Avenue.

The goal of this workshop is to confirm a preliminary map identifying potential bike and pedestrian facilities based on the community’s input at a workshop earlier this year. In addition, staff would like the community to help prioritize the potential bike and pedestrian facilities to ensure improvements are in line with the community’s vision.

Bike and Ped Counting Volunteers Needed

Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts will be taking place next week (Oct. 5,6 & 7) and volunteers are needed to count bicyclists and pedestrians in our area.

The Cascade Bicycle Club is in charge of these counts. If you're interested in volunteering or looking at count locations, here's a link to the club's website to do so.

Bike Facilities and Winter Driving- It's What's Happening

Downtown Spokane is getting a bunch of new bike lanes and 'sharrows' and the Idaho State Patrol is teaching people to drive in winter weather. Here's what's happening this week from the Spokesman-Review's 'Getting There' column.

Potholes For Poverty Program

So there's a giant pothole on your route but the jurisdiction in charge of it hasn't gotten around to filling it. What do you do to save your car's allignment and your bike's front tire? If you live in Tigard, OR, you call the 'Potholes for Poverty' program and a private company will come out and fill it, as long as you make a donation to charity.

Read more about this program and tell me if you would make a donation to charity in order to get your favorite pothole filled.

A Shameless Plug For The Transportation Vision Project

I haven't mentioned our Transportation Vision Project in a couple days, so to keep it top of mind, here's an article the 'Down to Earth Spokane' magazine ran in their fall issue. It won't let me link directly to the page, so it's page 16 in the magazine.

And for those of you waiting for our 'Thousand Visions' transportation planning game to come out on the interet, it's been pushed back a little and won't be launched until Oct. 15. I know, you're excited and we're making you wait. Someone actually told me last week that they're going to invite their friends over and make a drinking game of it. While I can't encourage drinking, I can encourage you to invite your friends over to play it with you.

TIP Meeting This Wednesday. I'll Be Hanging Out So Come Visit and Make Comments

Have you all read the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) 2011-2014 yet, as assigned? Well you better get on that because we have a public meeting this Wednesday, Sept. 29 to gather feedback from you. The meeting is from 4-6 p.m. here at SRTC, 221 W. First Ave., Suite 310. We'll have copies of the TIP for you to review if you don't get it done in advance and you can let us know if you have any input on the projects included in the document. Here's a link to look at now. Hint, hint.

Airport Board Needs Member

The joint City/County Airport Board has a vacancy it's looking to fill. The Board is charged with providing airport administration, facilities and services while staying within budget. Members of the Airport Board must possess proven leadership qualities, experience in business, finance, construction, administration and civic affairs, knowledge in the field of aviation and a willingness to devote a substantial amount of time and personal expense.

If you're interested, here's more information. Applications are being accepted until Friday, October 20, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.

Editorial Supports TBD For City Of Spokane

Here's an editorial in today's Spokesman-Review supporting the proposed Transportation Benefit District.

I've blogged extensively on this in the past couple weeks so am not going to ask if you support a TBD or not. Feel free to comment though.

Reatreat Done, It's Back To Business

I'm happy to report that we're all back from our staff retreat and there was only one injury. Sylvia suffered some road rash on her elbow during the 'Office Olympics' but is expected to recover just fine.

Apparently being outside on a sunny day turned us all into kids, as the chase to catch this uninvited guest ensued. Unfortunately for Hoppy here, it ended up with him minus one leg. If you're worried about us squandering your tax payer dollars though, don't worry. That was just during break time. We did discuss our work plan for next years, as well as goals and priorities.

Our reward for our hard work? Not only a free lunch, but also these 'medals' (to tie in to the office olympics of course) that Jenny, Steve and I made with Jenny's shrinky dink kit. That thing on the right is the first medal I attempted. Turns out the toaster oven was turned up too hot.

Downtown Getting Bike Loop

I've been meaning to post this for a couple days now, so most of you have probably already heard about it. The streets of downtown Spokane are getting a 'bike loop' as several streets are being painted with bike lanes and 'sharrows.'

The new lanes loop around the downtown core from 4th Avenue to the south, Spokane Falls Boulevard to the north, Howard Street to the east, and Jefferson Street to the west. Here's the story from KXLY News.

'Council Connection' Will Discuss STA Service Reductions

Tonight's edition of “Council Connection” will cover expected service reductions at the Spokane Transit Authority (STA). Council Connection is a cable television program featuring Spokane City Council members as hosts. Tonight's show will be shown live at 7 p.m. on CityCable 5 and hosted by Council Member Jon Snyder.

Spokane Transit's Director of Operations and an STA rider will join Mr. Snyder for the conversation. You can join in too. If you have a comment regarding the reductions, call the live call-in line at 625-6337.

For more info on Council Connection, click here.

Reminder: WTP Meeting Tomorrow

A reminder that tomorrow is the public 'listening post' meeting for the Washington Transportation Plan. The WTP is now available for review and comment, and as it's a statewide document, you may want to take a look at it to make sure it represents our needs on this side of the state.

The WTP is a comprehensive plan that establishes a 20-year vision for the development of the statewide transportation system, from state highways and ferries to sidewalks and bike paths, county roads, city streets, public transit, air and rail. The WTP identifies the total unfunded statewide need over 20 years, significant statewide transportation issues, and recommends transportation policies and strategies to the legislature and Governor.

You can view it here. Then attend tomorrow's public meeting to learn more about the plan and make comments. The meeting is from 1-3:30 p.m. on the first floor of the downtown Spokane Library, 906 W. Main Ave. Here's a link to a flyer for the meeting.

Parking Tax Workshop Tomorrow

The City of Spokane City Council members will get together for a study session tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 to discuss the proposed downtown commercial parking tax.

The tax would be on all for-pay commercial parking in greater Downtown. It would apply only to parking paid for by the user and would not apply to businesses which appear to provide "free" parking as in suburban retail or business districts. No other neighborhood in the city or region would face a similar tax.

The tax rate could range anywhere from $10 to $100+ per year, per space. Funds would be allocated for use in the operation and preservation of city streets, implementation of the Complete Streets concept, and other transportation improvements.

The meeting will be on the first floor of the downtown Spokane Library. It will be open to the public but no public testimony will be taken.

What do you think of this proposed tax? Some proponents for downtown are against it becuase they say downtown is already at a disadvantage due to the pay parking situation. Some people aren't willing to pay and will go to outlying malls and shopping centers instead.

Writer Doesn't Support TBD

Spokesman-Review Letters to the Editor
Car tab hike? No way

Here we go again. The big brains running Spokane County have come up with another creative new fee (up to $100) proposed to be added to our car tabs. Just watch, next up, higher taxes (sales and property). Now that’s a sure-fire answer to Spokane County’s financial woes. Not!

Yes, Spokane County is in a pickle. But, commissioners, how about putting some gray matter to work and come up with a smart, long-term plan we can all live with? One that might even cut some costs (there must be some government waste you can uncover?) and encourage new businesses with good jobs to move to Spokane (not Post Falls). But first, read my lips, no new taxes or fees.

And while you’re at it, add my name to the list calling for that bottomless pit, better known as Spokane Raceway Park, to be put on the auction block so it can be back where it belongs, in the hands of private enterprise. Just what were you thinking?

When the best and the brightest should be leading Spokane County, why do we settle for dwindle de and twiddle dumb? Take care voters, or we could be back to having the Three Stooges running this place. Three guesses as to what’s wrong with this picture, but the first two don’t count.

Peter Ice
Spokane

I could be mistaken, but I believe Mr. Ice is saying he doesn't support the proposed Transportation Benefit District (TBD). Not surprising, considering the state of the economy. Here's an earlier post I did on the proposed TBD. Read it then let me know how you'll vote if it goes to a public vote. Keep in mind that if you want better roads, we have to pay for them somehow.