Opinion: The bicycle is the vehicle to transform a community
Publisher’s note: The following is Ty Polastri’s speech from the Aug. 16, 2011, environmental summit at Homewood.
By Ty Polastri
How many of you have ever ridden a bicycle?
How many continue to ride today?
The No. 1 reason people no longer ride is because they don’t feel safe. They don’t feel safe riding a bicycle to work, school, running errands or going to the beach out of fear they will be injured from an automobile.
And we need to change that.
From 2005-07, over 2000 residents took magic markers to aerial photos and laid out the communities they would like to see during the 
placed-based workshops of Pathways 2007 – the outcome from that process was a consensus for a more people-centric, multi-modal, and sustainable community.
What is people centric?
The way I look at it is when people ride their bike or walk they become more intimate with their surroundings:
• They become more aware of the air they breathe
• They make eye contact and connect with one another
• They move their bodies and happy neurotransmitters are released
• They see businesses for the first time and stop to shop, eat or drink.
• It’s a slower pace that allows the world to penetrate us.
How do we plan a more people centric community?
One way is to begin changing the context of how we see the downtown. What if we saw the roadway as a life-way, and the life-way as an avenue for livability? From this context we begin looking beyond the limits of the curbs and see the streetscape full of people, businesses, schools, parks and residences. There are children at play, adults at work, shoppers strolling, and elderly and the disabled moving with ease and safety. The streets are a streetscape of aliveness full of vitality and commerce, rich in color and texture, with places for people to commune with nature and each other.
Another way is at the planning table with highway engineers, behaviorists, economic development specialists and local government representatives speaking about the uses of the buildings on the streetscape and reframing the design parameters to include a more humanistic approach to the mobility of people, goods and services.
For example, an area of the streetscape has several restaurants, wouldn’t it be cool to provide space so they could set up sidewalk dinning. Or another section of the streetscape has a senior’s housing complex. We will need to consider their needs as for some of them may be hearing, sight and mobility impaired. We may need to design their streetscape to aid their safe mobility and use of public transit. What if a vacant lot was turned into a public meeting place with benches and landscaping that could provide a convenient time out from our busy lives.
When we begin to look at people’s needs and activities, and the uses of the buildings on the streetscape, we begin re-humanizing ourselves and we set the stage for reclaiming our community where the automobile no longer is the dominate user of the streetscape – but rather one element of a more multi-modal mobility plan.
Another phrase that is being used to describe this streetscape is complete streets.
Complete streets are consistent with the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact mandate to reduce dependency on the automobile and green house gas emissions, meets Pathways 2007 thresholds, the Prosperity Plan, and is under mandate by the state of California.
We know what needs to be done.
We need leadership and collaboration among federal, state, local agencies and the private sector to work together to co-design our communities, develop cost effective investment strategies, and efficient policies that enable us to begin reshaping our communities for the 50 million California residents who will descend upon us in the coming decades — with the intent of restoring their spirits, reconnecting with family and friends, and giving a go at a new challenge that may include of biking, skiing, hiking, shopping, and all the other activities that make up the Tahoe Lifestyle.
So, you see it’s not really about the bicycle alone.
But when a community accommodates for the bicycle it becomes the vehicle that sets in motion a transformation for accommodating all users on the streetscape, and sends a clear message that we care about the long-term health of our communities, the environment and the economy.
At the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition we are doing our part to help promote, educate and move toward a more livable and sustainable Lake Tahoe.
Ride with us as we move to restore the heart, vitality and safety of our communities for generations to come.
Thank you.
Ty Polastri is president of the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition.
Right on, Ty! I so wanted to ride to work all summer, but with both highway 50, and pioneer trail dug up, there is not a safe place to ride. I am hopeful, though, thatu ultimately these projects will make it safer for all to ride!
It’s a shame the TRPA must get involved in the construction of a bike trail. They seem to take pleasure in saying a bridge must be built here, or over there. And yes, it’s only going to cost a million more dollars. Absolutely ridiculous. There are so many unconnected trails around town as well which need to be connected. Just heard SLT lost out on $500,000 grant for bike trail improvement. There has to be a better way folks. What are we paying these folks in gov’t to do? Keep their jobs?
I’m not a real good bike rider and I’m extemely nervous about riding on some of the streets here. I love to ride, but have to stay on the side streets for now.
I commmute by bike nearly every day. Either you commit to it or you don’t. I don’t buy the excuse of bad roads or poor routes.
Either get on the bike and commute or keep driving your car, but please stop blaming external things for your own limiters.
I used a bicycle to go to school, little league, soccer (AYSO),a little fishing ect… as a child. Then a little commuting, and some recreational cruising, lift assisted riding at winter resorts on the same runs pro downhillers use as an adult. Now I’m AARP eligible and use a bicycle to get groceries, mail, take a class or so at Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC), and even rode the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) and downhilled from Star Lake back to the City of South Lake Tahoe. I showed a video of my offroad riding to a person the other day, it scared the person so bad the individual refused to look at the video at times.
I ABSOLUTELY REFUSE TO RIDE A BICYCLE IN THE CITY OF SOUTH LAKE TAHOE FOR SAFETY REASONS AT TIMES. The bicyclist needs to be separated from the 3000 Lb or so to 10,000s of Lb. vehicles for peace of mind. Wonder how many bicyclist have been hit by autos here?
There are no simple answers. Bikes are AN answer but not THE answer. Widespread support of bicycles will not happen until the out-of-control bikers are brought under control by their peers. Further increases in bike traffic at this behavior level would devastate vehicular traffic as well as public attitude towards bicycles.
Well froggy, if you get a real job ,have Barton pick you up ,it be a lot easier in the ER when they try find your small family jewels you left back at home FOR YOU BUDDY to service the little lady of the house while you pump your pedals.
Bikes,boats,jet skis,and wagons, on the washed up roads of paradise are nothing short of taking a chance.
I’m riding everyday but it might be your momma choice, to take the long way Home.
I have a question about bikes on the road. (This a question not an attack!!) Due to a family illness I need to drive to truckee 3 sometimes 4 times a month for treatment, and when we go for the most part everybody is really good about sharing the road. Like everything else in life there are nice/polite mean/rude drivers/bicycle people. Why are there some bicycle riders (always in full outfit on pretty expensive bikes I would guess)riding on the street when there is a bike path next to them or on the other side of the hwy? I have seen them endure yells,taunts,and fingers of drivers and yet still refuse to use the paths. Why? Wouldn’t it be easier just to get on the path? I wonder if it’s an equipment issues or what? Anybody know??
Nice one Clear Water.
Lisa, couple reasons;
The paths are discontinous. Constant crossings and gaps in the system make for a long slow ride.
The paths are in bad shape, four inch cracks every 30 feet and carbon or light weight wheels don’t mix. In most cases, the road edge offers a better ride.
I ride both. There are paths that are in good shape and lead me pretty far along, but ultimately, I need to get back onto the road to get to the destination.
In conversations about this exact subject, I have been told that the crowding on the bike paths cause the bikers to have to slow down too much and it is troublesome for them. If that is true, I guess an increase of bike traffic would not go well for vehicular traffic. Of course, this does not encourage any support for more bike trails. If the bikes won’t use them, why build them? One of the little problems with the bicycle advocates that needs to be addressed.
Bicycles on the highway scare the h*ll out of me. I really don’t want anyone to get hurt, but there is so little room along some parts that between the biker on the edge of my lane and the oncoming traffic in the other lane, I feel trapped. If I slow down to stay behind the bike, the people behind me lean on their horns. I would hate to see the highway widened, since that would mean more trees coming down, but if it would mean providing a continuous bike lane that meets the needs of commuters on bikes, it would be worth it.
I only ride for recreation; I’ve ridden the bike path, and it’s definitely not a comfortable or convenient route. At least I’m not on a schedule. I’m sure it has to be frustrating for commuters on bikes.
Froggy, I think you must be in very fine physical condition. For those of us with waning eyesight, diminishing hearing and arthritic hips, it’s really frightening to ride amid traffic. I don’t want to get hurt and I don’t want others to get hurt because I’m not as strong or as quick as I used to be.
I could get a big tricycle, but then I suppose the bicyclists would complain about my wide load. Can’t win!
The reality is that road riding here in Tahoe is dangerous, no doubt about it. six inches of asphalt beyond the white line is not much for someone to navigate. Factor in that the edge is crumbling and jagged, the excessive speed of vehicles, and texting drivers, compounding the danger.
Most of my commutes have been uneventful, I typically take the quieter route even if that adds time to the trip. Side roads over main roads. Over the years I have become much more cognizant of my surroundings, my peripheral vision and hearing have adapted somewhat. But I am getting older, slower, less fit, and struggle some mornings just to motivate for the ride.
But with all of the dangers both real or percieved, I simply like to ride my bike. It cleanses my mind before work, keeps me fit, saves me money in gas, and allows me to decompress after work. I need my car no doubt, and I use my car a lot. But when I can, I choose to ride my bike.
Hope to see you out there sometime.
Wow, 4 inch cracks every 30 feet, where exactly is that? Perhaps that could be part of the Measure S/Measure R maintenance dollars that need to be allocated! Please identify where this is.
FROGGY, Thank You!! Makes sense.If I rode serious like these guys I’d do it too, I think.
1 more question to the riders. Best way to pass?? Tap the horn to let you know I’m gonna come around? Just go when safe? I always get scared that I will catch someone “in the zone” and not hear me come up behind them thereby causing them to swerve or something. Thanks again for the answers!
Many great comments here.
Thank you lisa for bringing up the fact that both drivers and cyclists (most of whom are also drivers) have among our ranks both those who exhibit safe/courteous behaviors and others who are willfully rude and obnoxious or just plain clueless. dumfounded also correctly points out that “out-of-control” bicyclists negatively affect drivers attitudes towards ALL cyclists. In my 55+ years of cycling and 45+ years of driving, I’ve experienced the full spectrum of those behaviors from both bike and drivers seat. Unsafe drivers can seriously injure or kill others and themselves whereas unsafe cyclists mostly only put their own dumb asses at risk…but when they ride against traffic—with a plastic grocery bag dangling precariously off the handlebars–talking on the phone—with a dog on a leash…at night with no lights they risk the safety of other cyclists riding leagally with traffic and towards these retards. Darwin Award candidates. These arent “cyclists” they’re people who for one reason or another are forced to ride and don’t appear to enjoy it so they take it out on everyone else who shares the road with them. Riding a bike is sometimes their only option (1 to many DUI’s is not uncommon). Other cyclists can’t control them. This requires more traffic enforcement by the police.
This is in contrast to the more aware and dedicated bike commuter/rider. We HAVE found those longer, back street routes to stay off notoriously dangerous Hwy. 50 as we commute to work/school/play or just to exercise. The streets…most all of them… are a minefield of gaps, huge cracks, craters and chunks of broken pavement. You have to be constantly aware of many risk factors.
Still….we ride…because of the many reasons Froggy lists in his 10:17p.m. post yesterday. And dumfounded, the 4 inch cracks every 30 ft. (and more) he mentions exist on the bike path behind Push fitness. That section has already been identified for major repair should Measure R pass. Ditto the Trout Creek / Truckee River bridges
Casual, recreational riders, families and many others only feel safe on our separated multi-use paths which also serve walkers, joggers, skaters, etc. Commuters and exercises want to keep a steady pace which can only be maintained on the road away from busy multi-use paths. That’s why you see them in the street and that’s why we need both lanes and paths in high traffic areas (ie: the whole length of Hwy. 50 and much of 89).
lisa…thanks for the question on how to pass. Please pass when it’s safe. That means either you have room to swing around the cyclist and/or the road widens enough for the cyclist to move to the right. Parked cars are a constant threat to cyclists as we don’t know when the may pull out or open a door in front of us. Cyclists are advised to stay a door width away from parked cars and to NOT move right in gaps between parked cars and then have to re-merge with vehicles 2000x our weight moving 3,4 or 5x as fast. Thanks!
Please share the road
No texting/calling while driving/riding
As a so called bicycle friendly community, I would like to call for a city ordinance that requires businesses to provide bike racks for cyclists. Have you ever ridden to Raleys at the Y and tried to park your bike? Not a rack in sight. And these racks need to be U lock friendly, like the ones at the college.
And, yes I also ride in the road as opposed to the trail for many reasons, including the poor state of the bike trails, slow riders and small children on the trails who are unpredictable, and the lack of continuity, ie stop signs, intersections, etc. It should also be noted that sometimes a cyclist will ride on the road side of the shoulder line because of glass and gravel on the shoulder, or steep dropoffs. And, we do appreciate drivers who put our safety as well as their own as a priority. Thanks for making the roads safe for ALL of us!
In an area like ours without many sidewalks, the “bike paths” are our sidewalks. They are well suited to very slow moving bicycles who must frequently navigate around walkers (3-4 across), baby stroller, kids on scooters and roller blades, runners and dogs. Anyone who wants or needs to go faster than 10mph must use the roads, with or without bike lanes. This includes anyone riding a bicycle for exercise rather than very slow leisure riding. Motorists must share the road. Most of their impatience has nothing to with the urgency to get to their destination.