[BikeLongmont] Multi-Modal Transportation Plan

[Richard Masoner]

Craig Smith is Bicycle Longmont's representative for
the city Multi-Modal Transportation Plan Task Force
(MMTP TF). Craig was out of state for the first
meeting, so he asked me to take his place. (Craig, let
me know when you get back).

The purpose of this TF is to enhance the
transportation portion of the Longmont Area
Comprehensive Plan (LACP) to better define what kind
of interconnections there will be among the different
modes of transportation over the next 25 years.

The first meeting contained a lot of introductory
matter, discussing issues that are important today and
so forth. The most interesting part was the process of
creating the Vision of what Transportation will look
like in 25 years.

Most members of the TF seem to have a vision of
compact, walkable "New Urban" style communities. A
statement was made that we all should be able to
easily walk across the street at any location. Another
statement was made envisioning Longmont as a regional
hub -- a gateway to the mountains and to Boulder. A
transit station in Longmont would be essential part of
this "hub" function. I think in our support letter
about the St. Vrain trail, we should mention the
possibility of Weld County commuters parking at
Sandstone and biking in the rest of the way into
Longmont.

I myself envision something similar, walking and
biking short distances, augmented perhaps with
shuttles and personal mobility devices (electric
scooters, golf carts, "Segways" and so forth) for
intermediate distances. Bike Lanes would become "slow
vehicle" lanes for these scooters plus bikes. Larger
vehicles would be used for longer trips and for
hauling things. I believe economic realities over the
next 25 years (increased oil prices, prohibitive
expense of large vehicles) will lead to the
free-market adoption of some of these ideas. Increased
concern about environment and health issues may also
contribute to some of these changes.

I believe motor vehicles will still be an important
part of the transportation mix in 2031, especially
with the growth in Larimer and Weld Counties. Whether
FasTracks passes or fails this November will have a
large impact on what Longmont will look like in the
future.

Mention was made of bypasses around Longmont to direct
regional traffic away. This would be a mistake, as
commercial entities would be drawn out of town and to
the bypasses. The result is a dead downtown, bedrooms
within town, a declining tax base, and big box retail
on the fringes of town.

The public at large will have the opportunity to
provide their input to this "Vision" process. The
public meeting will take place Wednesday, September
29, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Library. I urge you to
attend this meeting and to invite your friends.

Richard Masoner



		
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