Open Streets Hartford

Hartford, the city proper, has an unreasonable amount of potential.  Situated in the middle of a very wealthy ring of suburbs and corporate titans, the city has beautiful buildings and wide streets.  The riverfront paths offer spectacular views and a sheltered piece of nature right next to the bustle of downtown.  The cultural amenities and restaurants are varied and world class.  Our neighborhoods are diverse and rich in restaurants, retail, and housing.

What's holding Hartford back, is the lack of feet and bikes on the street.  The transit system isn't up to snuff - yet.  The current street system is set up as a sluice and sewer system for cars.  A flood of suburban employees drive in each morning and flood back out each evening.  If this flowed smoothly like water, we would never have a chance to move to a different solution.  Fortunately cars flow like chaotic gravel being shaken through a funnel.  When the number of cars gets too high, the funnel clogs up and the cars stop.  Stop and go.  Stop and fume.  It's frustrating, and these suburban commuters are waiting for a better solution.  The continuing growth of downtown living options and healthy occupancy rates are evidence of the pent up demand for options to the suburban norm.

In order to reach the economic bustle needed to support the city's overall budget, we need to radically change the script.  How can a city expose suburban dwellers to the wonders of urban living?  Can we demonstrate to the transportation planners a radically different streetscape with humans at the center instead of cars?  With the slow moving changes to infrastructure, it is difficult to imagine levels of improvement that leapfrog out of the car-centric paradigm.  How can Hartford make that jump?  How can the city share the vision widely, before the infrastructure has actually changed?

With vision, and buy in, very significant changes have happened before.  In 1973 the Netherlands banned cars on Sundays.  The ban was due to the oil embargo and only lasted a couple of months, but they never looked back.  The alternative mode share in the Netherlands that exceeds 50% leads to a much more pleasant and human scale built environment.  Everyone that visits the Netherlands comes back changed, and asking questions.  Why can't the US (the really sad bar on the far right) move away from single occupancy vehicle travel?  In Hartford we can't change the entire country, but we can effect local change.  The urban centers are leading the way because we have the most to gain economically from moving to a greater share of transit, biking, and walking.

Source: Todd Litman, Victoria Transport Policy Institute, IETT Professional Development Workshop, Istanbul, June 14th, 2015

After cycling through Philadelphia during the recent Pope visit and the resulting unplanned Open Streets day, I can see the leap.  It was a magical experience.  The streets were chock full of pedestrians and cyclists enjoying all that the city had to offer - and spending their money locally.  Transportation advocates are rightly calling on additional Open Streets (AKA Ciclovia) days in Philadelphia.  Cities across the country are incorporating Open Streets events, and inviting humans back into the roadway.  Here is a short list.  The list is not inclusive.  There are over 80 Open Streets events in the US.  There is an Open Streets guide and there was a national training and summit for cities looking to hold events based on this model.

• Chicago - Bike the Drive - Started in 2004
• Los Angeles - CicLAvia - Started in 2010.
• NYC - Summer Streets - Coordinated by the NY DOT!  Started in 2014.
• Fargo, ND - StreetsAlive!
• Boston - Circle the City

Here's the vision.  I-Quilt and Envisionfest have coordinated an action packed weekend to promote the dense activities on a Saturday in Hartford.  Let's combine Envisionfest, the CT Cycling Festival, and an Open Streets event to take that vision one step further, a leap really.  Close down a significant number of Hartford streets to through traffic on the day of these events and invite our neighbors to experience the city on a human scale.  Coordinate with the businesses and cultural institutions along and near the route to remain open on the weekend day (or days).  Bring all our city's amenities and connections to bear and lets have Open Streets.  It will take some planning and a boatload of publicity.  Target Envisionfest 2017.  Bring in state and regional funding, because we know that many of the attendees would be coming in from the burbs.  NYC Summer Streets is partially funded by the DOT! 

Once Hartford and the region has "flipped the script" by exposing diverse folks to the beauty of a walkable, bike-able, and car-light urban environment, it will be a much easier discussion when we talk about reduced parking requirements for apartment buildings.  Deleting a parking lane and implementing road diets will be championed as progress.  Reducing the cost of development (less parking cost) along with raising the tax rate on surface parking lots will fill in Hartford's vast parking deserts.  Let's do this!

Thursday, Nov 12th - There is a CT Rides Business Forum.  Send this link to your suburban coworkers and corporate human resources directors.  Breakfast is included and you'll learn about the multiple, enjoyable transportation options available for Hartford employees.  The forum was organized by CT Rides.  By spreading the word, you're doing your part to make change in Hartford's mode share.

SAVE THE DATE, Slow Roll, Dec 6th - The last Slow Roll of 2015 is planned for Sunday, December 6th.  Yes.  You can ride a bike in December.  Put gloves on and have a great time!  We'll be rolling to a local establishment after the ride to warm up and socialize.  Put it on your calendar now, and keep an eye on the BiCi Co Facebook page for additional details.

Important side note - As Hartford moves forward with developments, we need to be aware of the negative effects of gentrification.  There are ways that Hartford developments can serve our entire population, not just the new, well-heeled arrivals.  Here's a good article on countering the negative effects of gentrification - 9 Ways Privileged People Can Reduce the Negative Impact of Gentrification.  The article makes some good points, but it doesn't include the requirement (or set asides) for "affordable housing" in new developments.  As we approach gentrification in Hartford, it can happen quickly, new projects should be looked at critically as a system if they create a core downtown where service workers can't live.  If you look at downtown rents, we are already there.  When that exclusive rent level reaches the neighborhoods, it will push thousands into the suburbs where their access to jobs and services will be degraded.  Transit sucks in the suburbs.  Jobs are further apart.  Cars are expensive and not affordable on a minimum wage full time salary.

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How Much Bike Can Connecticut Handle?

A veritable fire storm of bicycle events in September.  Toss some logs on would ya?

I've been off the radar lately, largely due to mandatory Saturdays at my employer.  Depressingly my last post about the death of Paul Hughes graced the Beat Bike Blog pole position for an extended time.  With corporate responsibilities on a three day weekend, I'm able to catch up and provide Hartford with a deluge of upcoming bicycle (and pedestrian) events this Fall.  As a BBB reader and all around good person, it is now incumbent on you to further spread the word - either by voice, Facebook share, email, text, tweet, fart... whatever your preferred methods.

• Discover Hartford Bicycle Tour.  Sadly.  One event that isn't happening this September is the Discover Hartford Bicycle Tour.   Here's why.  I'm listing the non-occurrence of this event to head off questions about, "When is the Discover Tour this year?"
• Slow Roll.  Gladly - there are other rides in Hartford that you should know about.  The first is a "Slow Roll" happening on Monday, September 8th (corrected) and organized by Transport Hartford (www.transporthartford.org).  Meet at 6PM at the Bushnell Park Carousel for a short and slow ride around Hartford.  Transport Hartford is filling the active transportation (bike/walk/transit) void in Hartford.  The organization treats bikes like transportation, with a side of recreation.  For years motor vehicles have been the sole design driver of our infrastructure, even in dense cities served poorly by the resulting space hungry (and resource heavy) designs.  It's past time to get organized and push back for Complete Streets and high quality transit service across Hartford.  Sign up for Transport Hartford's email list to stay informed about upcoming events and advocacy opportunities in our transitioning city.  Spread the word via this Facebook invite.
• Pedal and Path: Hartford & the Bicycle.  From September 3rd through October 7th, the Hartford Public Library "will showcase vintage Connecticut bicycle maps and images from Hartford’s past association with the bicycle, as well as a 1924 velodrome track bike, featuring components manufactured by famous African-American cyclist [] Major Taylor."  Hartford was home to Columbia Bicycles started by Colonel Pope and can claim many significant moments in bicycle history.  Get over to the library to learn more about Hartford's bicycle roots.  The exhibit is up on the 3rd floor.
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts.  On September 9th through 14th the Hartford metro region planning organization (CRCOG - Capitol Region Council of Governments) is gathering volunteers for bicycle and pedestrian counts at intersections across the region.  I'll be traveling that week for work, so I set up an alternate count day on Sept 28th for an intersection in Hartford.  More data leads to more action, and data driven action is harder to ignore.  It only takes a couple hours of sitting in a lawn chair.  Contact Mike Cipriano  (860-522-2217 x223) with your preferences for count times/locations.  Map of locations here.
• Riverfront Cross Fest.  Get your bike dirty or yell dirty things at the cross racers on Sunday, September 14th.  Starting at 8:30AM and the pro race starts at 3PM.  The racing starts at the boathouse in Riverside Park, the northern part of the Hartford riverfront.  You can walk or ride there from downtown.  If you drive there, I'll make fun of you.  That's because cross racing includes a healthy dose of heckling ('cross heckling is de rigueur) - and therefore I'll heckle the wankers that drive to a bike race.
• Connecticut Cycling Festival and Hartford Envisionfest.  A weekend of awesome events with arts, music, and fast bicycles.  All within walking or biking distance of downtown Hartford.  On Saturday there is a "Gran Fondo" with 45 mile and 100 mile distances.  For some reason, they time the riders, and I'm guessing that leads to pretty irresponsible behavior at intersections (if you get creamed blowing intersections it's your own fault).  On Sunday a closed course criterium zips around downtown and is surprisingly fun to watch.  All over Hartford on Saturday there is a rolling festival at your own pace - Envisionfest.  Check out the day full of events and formulate a plan, or just wander around finding fun stuff willy-nilly.
• Nightfall at Colt Park.  An evening of music, dance, spoken word, and GIANT puppets to mark the seasonal transition.  This event embraces sustainability with valet bicycle parking.  Bring your bike or walk over from the nearby Hartford neighborhoods.  Nightfall has several community outreach arts events leading up to the main performance on Saturday, October 11th.  Nightfall starts at 5:30PM (get there early for a good spot) and seating is on the hill near Wethersfield Avenue.  BYO blankets, chairs, and refreshments.  I'll be organizing an informal neighborhood and park cleanup that same morning, meeting at 9AM at the Sam Colt statue (also near the Wethersfield Ave entrance).  
• Interstate Multi-use Trail Summit.  From New Haven to Northampton, MA there is a paved trail that is almost all the way complete.  I've ridden all of it and am excited to see this non-motorized trail connection close the gaps.  On Saturday, October 18th there is a summit in Simsbury, CT for this this cross state (and multi-state) trail.  You should register now.

My view this morning.

In other news, I took the opportunity on this extended weekend to do a quick overnight camp - within city limits.  It can be done, and done well.  Rather convenient to camp within a 10 minute ride of your home.

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How much awesomeness can Hartford handle?

In a previous post, I waxed on about the overwhelming bicycle packed weekend approaching in September.  In this post I'll break it down a little and focus on Saturday, September 21st.  The weekend has become so saturated that I can only process it one day at a time.  We start with the Discover Hartford Bicycle Tour, the best way to pedal around Hartford and take in the history, beautiful parks, and diverse neighborhoods.  10  mile and 25 mile routes stay within Hartford proper, and the 40 mile includes a loop over into Windsor, South Windsor, Manchester, and East Hartford.  South Windsor was particularly keen on getting into the tour, as they are now a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community.  All three routes include updates, improvements, and route changes from previous years.  Bike Walk Connecticut is looking to far exceed 1,000 riders this year. The success of the tour is key to BWCT's 2014 state-wide advocacy and education efforts, as this is their biggest annual fundraiser.

Lot's of Discover Hartford Bicycle Tour links and info below:

• The tour is Saturday, September 21st and starts at 9AM.  I recommend arriving by 8:30 AM if you've registered online and by 8:00 AM if you are registering that morning.
• To save $15 and avoid the chaos of day of registration I recommend registering beforehand online.
• The tour is also registering event volunteers.  Those that want to make that extra effort to make the tour amazing can pitch in.
• Are you a local or regional business that would be interested in presenting at the event Expo in Bushnell Park?  Expo Registration is now open.

Following the bike tour, cultural institutions and creative leaders of Hartford take the ball and run with Envisionfest.  What is Envisionfest?  Straight from the website - 

• "Envisionfest Hartford is a free one-day festival on September 21st and a unique opportunity for people of all ages to discover and celebrate the capital city’s transformation.  Every aspect of the free city-wide event will showcase Hartford’s abundance of innovative history, arts and extraordinary cultural assets. Hundreds of live entertainment and hands-on activities will stimulate the senses, from free live musical entertainment and dramatic performances on six stages, to free admission to more than eight museums, landmark building tours, and lawn games in Bushnell Park."

And what's better, all of the Envisionfest activities are within easy biking and walking distance of Bushnell Park.   Check out this exhaustive list of ways you could spend your afternoon after the bike tour.  Last year post tour I just wandered around clueless and was amazed by how many different events and activities were available.  Perhaps this year I'll be more prepared.

And the cherry on the sundae.  Wait for it.  Are you ready?  THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS.  Free concert at 6:30PM in Bushnell Park.  What the Hell?  TMBG has fans from teens to folks in their 40's and 50's and they keep pumping out music.  I saw them seven or eight years ago at a free show in Boston, and it was great.  Looking forward to sitting on the lawn and unwinding (and maybe bouncing around a bit) while listening to the diverse grab bag of tunes that TMBG might pull out.  FYI - There is liberal BYO activity in Bushnell for concerts.  Great opportunity for a picnic.

On Saturday, September 21st my head is going to explode.  Apologize ahead of time for the mess.

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