Poll: St. Louis’ “Open Streets” Events a Good Idea?
Yesterday I did the Open Streets event in Old North. I saw people I knew, enjoyed the beautiful weather, etc. But as I wrote yesterday, these just highlight the fact that many of our streets aren’t good for walking or cycling.
In terms of cycling, most city streets are more than fine though. If anything, they are too wide which encourages motorists to drive too fast. But events like Open Streets does encourage people to get out where they might not otherwise do so.
The sidewalks in Old North can be iffy but I know those along North Market are good — I only had to go two blocks east from the bus stop at N. Florissant Ave. However, I barely had enough room to get around the SUV shown above.
I did manage to take quite a few pictures on my hour round trip. That’s not sufficient reason to close streets for four and a half hours. The poll question this week wants to see what you think of Open Streets — a good idea? The poll is in the right sidebar.
– Steve Patterson
I like the idea of “Open Streets” but have found some problems in the implementation, especially regarding public transit. In the past the promoters did not give Metro sufficient time to announce their re-routes – in my neighborhood (CWE) this severely impacted regular shoppers and employees at Lindell MarketPlace. Â The promoters tout Metro access byut do not provide bus information – seeming to overlook that Metro is a system, not just a train. Â
Some attendees on bicycles have treated “Open Streets” as new opportunities for racing, rather than for meeting new people or learning about a neighborhood, to the detriment of mere pedestrians. Â (I hope this was not a problem in Old North.) Â
I brought these issues to the promoters’ attention last year. Â
But any chance to really participate in our New/Old Urbanism, without an automobile, is worth the effort. Â Keep “Open Streets” but keep the City functional for all its residents, not just the ones free to go out and play during a sunny weekend.
I like the idea of “Open Streets” but have found some problems in the implementation, especially regarding public transit. In the past the promoters did not give Metro sufficient time to announce their re-routes – in my neighborhood (CWE) this severely impacted regular shoppers and employees at Lindell MarketPlace. The promoters tout Metro access byut do not provide bus information – seeming to overlook that Metro is a system, not just a train.
Some attendees on bicycles have treated “Open Streets” as new opportunities for racing, rather than for meeting new people or learning about a neighborhood, to the detriment of mere pedestrians. (I hope this was not a problem in Old North.)
I brought these issues to the promoters’ attention last year.
But any chance to really participate in our New/Old Urbanism, without an automobile, is worth the effort. Keep “Open Streets” but keep the City functional for all its residents, not just the ones free to go out and play during a sunny weekend.
Open Streets are a great idea. It builds community awareness and neighborliness (is that a word?) in a world lacking both. But as captioned in the picture above…some people just don’t get it. And how fracking rude is that to just think they can park anywhere?
Open Streets are a great idea. It builds community awareness and neighborliness (is that a word?) in a world lacking both. But as captioned in the picture above…some people just don’t get it. And how fracking rude is that to just think they can park anywhere?
 Thanks for posting such material. Really interesting post
you got here. It would be nice to read more about this topic.