Bloomington Indiana Lemmy! Come stay for the fun, or snark at students, or yell at clouds!
Councilmember Dave Rollo speaks about how this is an unneeded greenway and is too expensive. Disapproves of narrow lanes. Thinks the process is broken.
Claims the existing greenways are decrepit - true if you count everyplace where there's a biking sign as a greenway. Wants the council to have final say over greenway projects.
Greg Alexander says drivers go too fast when he bikes with his kids - but feels much safer on a greenway.
Greg also thinks the process is broken, but because rich people are overrepresented.
(Missed the name) she complains about the process and feels that a fast one was pulled on them. Thinks bikers have sufficient accommodations as is, and there are hardly any cars anyway. Then something about annexation and the former administration.
Wendy says she can't bike anymore - hate when people say that. Doesn't know if poor people cycle. Will this project really increase safety?
Wendy also thinks bumpouts are more dangerous than not having them and that the neighborhood beauty will be ruined.
The amount of time people can talk when you give them a chance!
Jeff Richardson disapproves of the process, although he says he's pro-greenway. Did they do the project to avoid losing out on federal dollars? Complains about another intersection and thinks we should deal with other safety issues first before building.
Next speaker doesn't give a name, but would prefer that safety on the three problematic intersections on Hawthorne be dealt with first. Says Bloomington's planning process is crazy. His only source of information is the newspaper (Somebody introduce him to @chronicallydave )
William Coulter thinks greenways aren't as cost effective as sidewalks. He also won't ride, blames cyclists for being dangerous. Would prefer more pedestrian infrastructure.
Chuck Livingston is concerned about whether everything is ADA compliant. Do bumpouts force people to walk in the middle of the street? 🤨 Points out that the transportation plan doesn't discuss wheelchairs. Something about putting in a stop sign and being attacked because of it?
Mayor Thomson interjects that she wants everyone to feel safe expressing an opinion - also that some people wouldn't come to this meeting because of hate.
Stephanie (I think) asks about an MTP, not sure what that meant. Says she has data showing bumpouts are not needed. Would like the Atwater intersection improved, I think. Worried about people writing about her online 🙂
Next speaker used to feel safe walking to campus but doesn't any more. Worried about how dangerous speeding bikers will be when she backs her car out of her driveway.
Someone interjects about the steep decline from Weatherstone to Hawthorne.
Leslie Hobbs-Ramsey doesn't think the straightening of the path is necessary. Thinks bikers shouldn't complain about having to ride an extra two blocks. Considers the stop signs to be sufficient traffic calming devices. Doesn't feel they were heard in the process - says all the feedback was negative and the city should have paid attention to that, and some stuff about nepotism and being blindsided by cost increases. Is really upset that project was approved by unelected folks.
Isabel Piedmont-Smith points out the transportation plan was approved by the city council, elected officials, and disputes the nepotism charge. Doesn't want the council to have veto power.
Jenny from Sherwood Green would have liked their neighborhood to have been more involved, wants traffic calming on Hillside. And fewer bumpouts. And says cyclists really hate bumpouts and speed bumps and traffic calming.
Next guy complains about the process, but the mayor will be leaving
Mayor leaves. Hopi Stosberg points out that stop signs aren't really traffic calming.
Somebody said that we don't need traffic calming, we need traffic control. An ebiker agrees that stop signs are easy to blow through, I think.
Okay, people are continuing to talk even though we're way over the meeting time. I think I'll stop here!