ANOTHER Area Pedestrian Killed By Car

Police have identified a pedestrian hit by a car and killed while trying to cross U.S. 395 last Friday. 60-year-old Edgar G. Trantum was trying to cross the highway at Westview Court in an unmarked crosswalk about 7 p.m. when he was struck by a southbound vehicle. No charges have been filed against the driver in the crash, although police say the investigation is still ongoing.

Here's a Transportation-Related Joke I Heard

Q. Why don't penguins and ostriches fly?

A. Because they can't get through airport security.

Pantless In Seattle

Those crazy Seattlites! They take their clothes off at the drop of a hat. Here's one reason to get light rail in Spokane; we could have a 'No Pants! Light Rail Ride' like they did in Seattle over the weekend. Here's the video and don't worry, I previewed it to make sure there's no gratuitous nudity that will make your eyes bleed.

Freya Street Closure

Freya Street is closed from Wellesley to Olympic avenues. City Water Department crews are repairing water service in the area today from 9 a.m. to noon. A detour and signs are in place but you can expect delays.

Good Job On Wearing Your Seatbelt!

Here's some positive news about transportation in Washington- our state continues to have the second highest rates of seat-belt use in the country. According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, 96.4% of drivers in Washington buckle up.

Here's more on this story from the Seattle Times.

Fernwell Building Teams Up With Garage To Provide Bike Parking

Thanks to the people behind the Fernwell Building in downtown Spokane who have taken it upon themselves to provide indoor bicycle parking.

As part of its participation in Spokane’s Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) program, the Fernwell Building was researching secured bicycle parking for its tenants. The solution they came up with was to join forces with the City Ramp Garage to create indoor bicycle parking. The City Ramp Garage is providing a ride-in, secured bicycle storage room in the basement of its Building, for around $1 per day. And the best part- it's not just for Fernwell Building tenants, but also the public at large.

For more information, stop by the City Ramp Garage at 430 W. 1st Ave. And for more information on the CTR program click here.

Busy Week For STA

Spokane Transit is busy with ice skating shuttles, their transit development plan, and the possible revision of Browne's Addition bus routes. Here's what's happening in transportation this week from the Spokesman-Review's 'Getting There' column.

Meeting To Discuss Complete Streets With Public

So how do you feel about bike lanes, street trees, street lights, raised medians, curb extentions, etc.? If you like them and feel that Spokane streets need more of them, there's a meeting you should attend this week. On Wednesday, a coalition of area agencies and interest groups will host a meeting to teach members of the public about the 'complete streets' concept, hear what they have to say about the current condition of Spokane streets, and talk about what it would take to get complete streets policies implemented in Spokane. The meeting is from 5:30- 7 p.m. on January 13 at the Central YMCA, 930 N. Monroe St.

Here's an article the Spokesman-Review ran on Complete streets.

Rising Gas Prices Slow Improvement Of Economy

I noticed on my way to work this morning that gas prices are on the rise again. Then I saw this article from the Washington Post when I got here. It talks about how gas prices are headed back toward $3 per gallon, which is up 67% from this time last year. The article also says demand is down- so why the rise in prices? Take a look at the article then let me know if you've been feeling the pinch from increased gas prices.

Locals Team Up For 'Cash For (Bike) Clunkers' Program

Here's something cool. I just got a press releas that says a couple local non-profits and an area bike shop are teaming up to put unused bikes back on the road with a 'Bike Cash for Clunkers' program.

People are asked to turn their unwanted bikes into The Two Wheel Transit at 1405 W. First Ave. Shop staff will assess bikes for safety and serviceability and give the donator credit (in the amount of $25-$100)toward a new bike. The bike shop will then turn the used bikes over to either Union Gospel Mission or Pedals2People.

Some differences in this program than the real 'Cash for Clunkers' program: it only pertains to bicycles, it is not funded by the government and bikes that are mechanically sound will not be destroyed, but reused by the two non-profit organizations. The program ends on February 15.

Victim Blogs About Being Hit By Car

So I learned a couple new things today. One is that the Spokane business 'Rings & Things' has a blog, and another is that one of their employees was hit by a car recently. And he blogged about it. Here's the story from the victim's perspective.

Anyone else out there ever been hit by a car? My dad was when he was a kid but he said he was reading a book at the time and not paying attention so I don't have a lot of sympathy :)

You Asked About Bike Lanes On Crestline- Here's The City's Answer

An update on bike lanes on Crestline. Below is what the City's new Bike Plan says should or will eventually be on Crestline:

Crestline runs the length of the City and has several different bike facilities;

- Crestline from Magnesium to Francis is designated as bike lanes
- Francis to Empire is designated as Marked/Shared Roadway
- Empire to Illinois is designated Bike Lane
- Crestline between 37th and 57th is designated Shared Roadway.

Currently, the only bike lane actually in place on Crestline is between Magnesium and Francis. The rest are waiting for funding. And the City is actively seeking funding- both for on Crestline and many other streets within the City. It's usually based on a project-by-project basis though, so even if money does become available, it doesn't mean Crestline will be first up to receive its' bike lane.

For any follow up questions regarding bike lanes in the City of Spokane, contact Bike and Pedestrian Coordinator Grant Wencel through email by clicking here.

Passenger Causes Airliner To Turn Around

I'm going to preface this next article by saying that had I been on this flight, this man would have been beaten to death. A disruptive passenger yesterday caused a commercial jetliner bound for Hawaii to return to the Portland airport- 90 minutes into the flight.

The man refused to store his carry-on bags and made some suspicious remarks. Okay, it's understandable that the pilot was concerned about possible terrorism issues, but if I was a passenger on that plane and was THAT close to Hawaii when the plane turned around, they would have had bigger problems. Here's the story.

Just To Give You A Mid-Week Laugh

Two Random Things

- I had a near death experience this morning, caused by one of the people who is supposed to protect us. A police officer in an unmarked car swerved into my lane, almost hitting me, then continued to cross two other lanes of traffic narrowly missing a couple cars. I was pretty angry until I realized his tire had blown and he was out of control! He managed to get onto the shoulder on the right hand side and finally stop but it was scary for a minute there.

- I was at the Spokane Teachers Credit Union in Liberty Lake recently when I noticed that, not only do they have a disabled parking spot right in front of the building, but also one marked something like 'Reserved for alternative fuel burning vehicles.' Hey cool- the people driving electric cars get a head start on their banking!

Red Light Cameras- How Are They Doing?

Intersections around Spokane where red light cameras were installed do not appear to have had an effect on drivers' behavior. In fact, the number of accidents at those intersections are up. Here's the story from the Spokesman-Review.

I know this is opening a can of worms, but what is your opinion on the cameras? They are admittedly catching a lot of red light runners, so they're doing their job there. But do you think they will eventually help to make intersections safer?

Would You Prefer A Tax Based On How Much You Drive?

Don't like paying a gas tax? Would you prefer a tax based on the number of miles you drive per year?

That's what the Texas Transportation Commission is considering, and the idea has come up around here in recent years too. The tax would be a way to fund transportation projects in a time when a lot of funding options are going away.

Here's more on the proposed Texas tax. What's your opinion on a tax based on how much you drive each year? Good idea or bad and why?

Bike To Work Week Prep Underway

Bike to Work Week isn't until May, but preparations for it are already starting. The Bike To Work Spokane Committee will meet weekly to organize this year's events, from 7:30-8:30 a.m. every Tuesday morning (I know- I'm late getting this out there so yes, you missed today's meeting).

Everyone is welcome to attend. The meetings will be at Coffee Social, at 113 W. Indiana Ave. The committee is looking to fill a couple key roles still, so if you have the skills required for these jobs, they need you: PR/Publicity Chair, Fundraising Chair, Commute Challenge Picnic Chair.

Liaisons (serve as lead contact in your town and recruit local helpers to distribute posters, find an Energizer Station spot or two, and get Bicycle Benefits info packets out to businesses that may participate)are also needed for the following cities: Airway Heights, Cheney, Spokane Valley, Mead, any of the smaller towns outside metro Spokane; Liberty Lake has a liaison

City of Spokane neighborhood liaisons are needed to do the same thing. One liaison is desirable in each Neighborhood Council area.

Complete Streets Public Meeting

A group of several area agencies and individuals has formed to push for the creation of 'Complete Streets' policies in Spokane. If you're not familiar with complete streets, they are roadways designed and operated to enable safe, attractive, and comfortable access and travel for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and public transportation users of all ages and abilities are able to safely and comfortably use a complete street. Amenities that may make up a complete street include sidewalks, bike lanes, bus lanes, accessible transit stops, frequent crossing opportunities, median islands, pedestrian signals, curb extensions, and more.

The group behind this movement is working with local politicians and policy makers to reach their goal, but also need the support of the public behind them as well. In an effort to gather that support, Kitty Klitzke of Future is hosting a Complete Streets Spokane organizing meeting this month.

It will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13 at the Central YMCA, located at 930 N. Monroe. Everyone is welcome to attend. And by the way, Kitty has started up a Complete Streets Spokane Facebook page. Check it out here.

WSDOT Improves Website

It's Monday, which means the Spokesman-Review is running its 'Getting There' column today.. So what are today's subjects? The Washington State Department of Transportation is working to speed up its web site, due to its high demand and the Sheriff's Department is warning people to be careful getting off buses, as there have been a couple departure injuries recently. Check it out.