(Image from Copenhagencyclechic.com)

Earlier in the week, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) released a report called “Recommended Community Strategies and Measurements to Prevent Obesity in the United States”. In the report, they recommend the following strategies:

Communities Should Enhance Infrastructure Supporting Bicycling

Enhancing infrastructure supporting bicycling includes creating bike lanes, shared-use paths, and routes on existing and new roads; and providing bike racks in the vicinity of commercial and other public spaces. Improving bicycling infrastructure can be effective in increasing frequency of cycling for utilitarian purposes (e.g., commuting to work and school, bicycling for errands). Research demonstrates a strong association between bicycling infrastructure and frequency of bicycling.

The CDC report also notes evidence that “improving bicycling infrastructure is associated with increased frequency of bicycling.” or as Roger Geller in Portland stated, “Build it and they will come.”

Combine this with Secretary of USDOT Ray LaHood’s recent comments on Portland being the 21st century model for all US cities to follow, and his quote: “the upcoming reauthorization of DOT’s surface transportation programs provides an opportunity for us to feature bicycling as part of a new American mobility within livable communities.”, you can sense a sea change occurring in transit policy…one that embraces “complete streets”.

We’ve heard the message loud and clear in the OC, and are working with city council members, local engineers, and planners to begin rolling out plans for infrastructure redevelopment programs. Not only is there a health mandate, but now numbers are showing major increases in economic development surrounding complete streets, increased safety, as well as the benefits of reduction in CO2 emissions. Also, historically speaking, down economies are prime times for infrastructure projects and exactly what the federal government looks to use to reinvigorate jobs, and the economy. For examples, look no further than the incredible WPA parks, dams, schools, and highways programs during the 1930’s. Similar examples are noted through every major recession in US history.

Our new council woman, Delia Jasso, is very excited about “Complete Streets” programs, and has set to work in looking at revisioning Tyler Street from a One-Way, to Two-Way, with the addition of cycle tracks. An example of a potential model for revisioning can be seen here:

In the 1970’s, Tyler and Polk were converted to One-Way only, as were many other streets in the US. While traffic flowed faster on these routes, business immediately dried up on all retail frontage due to the lack in visibility. Residents also noted increases in potential accidents due to constant wrong-way turns. Fortunately, several property owners throughout the corridor recently noted this degradation of economic development and looked around the country for models like the above to replicate. Another interesting note, the “complete street” shown has greater traffic volumes, yet it’s only two lanes.

BFOC is leading the charge with help from the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Avenue Development Group, and Mrs. Jasso to develop a North Oak Cliff bicycle infrastructure map, which would include dedicated bicycle paths along certain streets with speed limits in excess of 30mph, Bicycle Boulevards (ie. Bicycle priority streets/shared vehicle) on 30mph and under streets, completion of OC bicycle trail networks to the Katy Trail/Whiterock/etc, and connection points from Light Rail stations, schools, Methodist Hospital, and major retail corridors:

Stay tuned!