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The weakest link in my local system right now is a bridge that was taken out by an ice jam in March 2019. This bridge is the missing link from my community’s trail system to much of the rest of the metropolitan area’s bicycle system including the main north south route to downtown. Unlike if this were a major auto bridge which would have been replaced quickly, bicyclist will have to wait until at least 2021 (2 years+) to have this missing link fixed.
https://goo.gl/maps/KL8rSUYHTovDHoQt5
Hello Shannon,
I agree with Nick’s comments. Perhaps to better separate cars and tourist buses from the bike lanes movable planters could be used that would provide some better aesthetic most of the year, but could be removed in winter to better accommodate snow removal. The type of storm sewer intake grate might also be reconsidered as well since the one in the photo isn’t bicycle friendly.
According to iowabikeroutes.com, Des Moines area trails consist of over 550 miles cycling including 170 miles of on-street cycle paths, which include 89.5 miles of bike lanes and shared markings, 23.2 miles of paved shoulders and 58 miles of quiet on-street riding and off street 224.5 miles of shared-use paths, both paved and unpaved. I chose to photograph the only protected two-way bike lane built in the northern part of Johnston, Iowa, USA, just north of the state capitol city of Des Moines. This lane connects residential neighborhoods along the west side of a large federal flood reservoir to the main city of Johnston. https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6919644,-93.6991181,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s37hXfMsgjNJPBpe6AopBYw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Hello. My name is Jeff Geerts. I am a program manager/planner with the state of Iowa’s Economic Development Authority in Des Moines, Iowa, USA.
1) What areas of expertise do you identify with? I work with several technical assistance and financial assistance programs that help communities with developing and implementing policies and projects to improve local quality of life. My background is in public administration and program development and not so much in the technical engineering or design field. I am the person that helps identify the resources and connects communities to the resources to help their community’s vision become reality.
2) How do you think your unique perspective will enhance our collective understanding of designing for cycling? When working with communities on approaches to revitalization, especially downtown revitalization, we stress taking a holistic approach integrating multiple topics such as historic preservation, transportation, upper-story housing, stormwater management, public art, energy, policy, etc. I may be able to bring some perspectives on thinking creatively about partnerships and leveraging financial resources. It will be interesting to explore the similarities and difference between continents. I’ve helped plan 20 years of study abroad trips to Europe on green urbanism topics for a graduate public administration class at Drake University, so looking forward to getting to know the many European participants in this course.
3) If you wish, leave your name & contact & social media information here so other course members can get in touch with you. Not a big social media user so far, but am working to be more active. Email: [email protected], LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-geerts-04585667/, https://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/Community/green.
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