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From Peter Norton, via Pricetags via Portland Transport:

A hundred years ago of course roads were not for cars, because cars were rare, and to make roads places where cars could go, they had to be redefined.

It helps us understand what the street was like to city people then, if we think of what a city park is like to us today. It’s a place where we think of everybody as welcome, provided they don’t get in the way of others, don’t make a nuisance out of themselves, and don’t endanger other people. And it was in the nature of cars to be nuisances and dangerous, and so the early response was to blame the car and to restrict the car.

Looks like the city is actually picking up a stick on the RR bridge: "City to press on for access to K&IT Bridge for a pedestrian/bicycle path". Go Team! Ra! Ra!

Jon is leaving his position as Bike/Ped coordinator for Louisville. The position has not been eliminated. CART is sad to see him go, and wishes him success in his next endeavor.

Via Centerlines #201, the the newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling & Walking:

According to a May 1 news release from Barbara McCann and the National Complete Streets Coalition, there are some important developments in the US House and Senate on Complete Streets bills.

The Ped Summit has been realized. A big round of applause for the Built Environment Committee and especially Nina Walfoort for seeing this through.

Now brace for random rambling...

During the course of the many break out sessions, I finally realized something about the "public participation process", which is the most important part of the process is not the power-point, or the brainstorming. The most important part is making lateral personal connections at water fountains and doorways. Many such opportunities arose today.

Another big advantage we had today was getting officials to sit down and listen to Mark Fenton gently nudge them in the right directions on stuff. He's good with language and speaks with experience that more insular residents of Louisville can't summon.

9AM-3PM, Gheens Academy, 4425 Preston Highway. It sounds like there were a lot of cancellations, so you might be able to squeeze in even if you didn't have a ticket.

The Kick-off Reception with Mayor Abramson is on Friday, May 9 at the Kentucky International Convention Center from 5:30-7pm. This reception is free and open to the public, and will take place in room 110; enter off of Third St. in the Trackside doors.

Whether you are attending the Summit or not, please join us for this informal celebration of walking, running, and rolling in Louisville!  Share your ideas with Mayor Abramson and other officials, get a preview of the Summit, and enjoy refreshments and a cash bar.

A pedestrian-friendly community is one that accords the same priority and respect to pedestrians as to other travelers. Walking is transportation, and it is a vital part of our economy and our city. The time of considering pedestrians as second-class citizens on our roads should end now.

Ped summit registration is full. To be placed on the waiting list, call 574-6209.