What do you think would happen if a politician announcing their candidacy for mayor held their press conference in the middle of a major road? How do you think drivers would react to such an intrusion to their rush hour commute?
Today Jacksonville's General Counsel Rick Mullaney did just that. While not a major road, Mr. Mullaney seemed to have no issues with interrupting the commute of those that use the Riverwalk which is the busiest cycling and pedestrian path in Jacksonville. I being one those commuters, I was not happy about having to lug my loaded bike thru the landscaping alongside the riverwalk to get around the blockade and back onto the path. And with today be the first Wednesday of the month, traffic was even heavier than usual with the addition of people headed into Downtown for Art Walk.
This is a perfect example why Jacksonville was recently named one of the top 3 worst cycling cities. Our leaders and leaders-to-be either don't know or don't care about alternative transportation in this city.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Mayorial Candidate Blocks Riverwalk
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12 comments:
They don't care. They KNOW, they just don't care. They've had ample opportunity over the last couple of decades to improve mass transit and alternative transportation opportunities in this city and they've done nothing but make it more difficult for cyclists by building more highways and further dividing and segregating our neighborhoods, thus increasing traffic congestion and increasing our commute times and encouraging sprawl.
Hmmm, wonder if they got a permit to block a public row
If he wrote the permit it is worthless anyway. He can't write a contract. Shipyards, ed ball building, stadium advertising, if there is a deal that an idiot can screw up your man is mullaney.
Waaaahh, I have to wide my bike 10 feet out of the way, waaaaahh!
So, can i get outraged at the Arts Market for blocking a large chunk of the Riverwalk when I am trying to run or ride my bike? Where's your post about that?
Adam, I'll be at the Bike Valet this Saturday. Please stop by and you and I will will take a look at the "Large chunk" of the Riverwalk that you claim is blocked.
I am alway the first one that lets Arts Market management know if any artist or vender is causing an obstruction to the path.
it's not just mulaney. it's the whole effin' circus. silly and naive to expect anything better than Peyton. he is the "cream of the crop" apparently around here. and that's saying quite a little. the idiot mayors are just products of the idiot culture.
Mr./Ms. Anonymous (who ridicules us having to ride a bike 10 feet out of the way),
We had to lift out bikes to cross a hedge, go through grass and people, then another hedge and finally back on the Riverwalk. Everyone approaching the blocked section was unhappy. There was no convenient alternate route.
We represent a group of bicyclists who use their bikes for transportation, not just recreation. This group is comparable to the group of motorists who drive from home to a place of business (which includes everybody unless one is called Ricky Bobby).
It is not a question of going 10 feet out of ones way but a question of directness. If a direct route for pedestrians, bicyclists or cars is blocked for a press release, it sends a message that their transit is not considered important. Let a mayoral candidate block one lane of Riverside Ave for a press release during rush hour and see the bad press that generates.
This could have been done behind the stage under the Fuller Warren bridge. It would have left an easy alternate diversion for pedestrians and bicyclists.
At least Mr/Ms.. Anonymous, we have the spine to sign our names under the criticism we provide.
Anonymous 1 is on to something. I wondered the same thing about the couple who had their wedding on the Riverwalk on Saturday.
Anonymous 3 probably has never been on the Riverwalk and so doesn't understand why it is indeed difficult to maneuver off the path -- especially in a bike with smooth tires.
Adam, the Arts Market is held at the terminus of the Riverwalk. The only blocking I've experienced has been from pedestrians, usually in groups, who think they are the only folks using the Riverwalk. They tend to walk in groups of three or more and take up the entire path, then expect cyclists to stop or go around. (Go around where, in the bushes? Over the benches? Jump the fence? Maybe swim through the river.)
well at least somebody got the bikes to finally slow down.
I've been trying to find the article on bicycle.com where it rates Jacksonville so unfavorably, and I'm having trouble. Do you have a link to it?
Adam, It doesn't seem to have made it to web yet. It's only in the print version so far.
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