Think about going tomorrow and checking out all the futuristic (but it is NOW) “rides” that are/will be appearing on our/your street(s)! Ruth
From: "Kelley, Craig" <ckelley@cambridgema.gov> Date: June 18, 2019 at 12:19:56 PM EDT Cc: "Gutierrez, Mark" <mgutierrez@cambridgema.gov> Subject: Relevant to Seniors: Saturday's event on future use of our roads & sidewalks
Hi Everyone:
I was at the Brookline Scooter Pilot review last Wednesday. Especially among seniors, the speakers expressed a level of concern and confusion that I think all of us share. These discussions about emerging transportation options are very challenging, all the more so because there is a limit to how much road and sidewalk space is available to accommodate everyone who wants to use it. As a full-time cyclist, I feel squeezed by cars and trucks, faster and more aggressive cyclists, jaywalkers, road hazards and, increasingly, electric ‘stuff’ like skateboards and scooters. My older church friends are terrified at the thought of being knocked over by a cyclist or a scooter on the sidewalk. And the list of potential conflicts goes on.
Figuring out how to make our often chaotic streetscape as efficient and safe as possible is something I think we need to pay a lot more attention to. Even seemingly mundane issues like moped registration, rider insurance and operating hours can completely flat-line a discussion about the future of these new mobility platforms. Complexities like the transportation concerns of our disabled neighbors, seasonal snow & ice and where these new uses should “park” make my head hurt.
But these new uses are here now and they are expanding in number, type and capabilities. Much discussion has been around ‘fleet’ ownership like Bird and Lime, but private ownership of all of these platforms, especially electric bikes, is skyrocketing and we need to figure out how properly plan for them. To help guide related policy making, my assistant Mark Gutierrez and I have put together a Micromobility exposition in Kendall Square next Saturday, 22 June, from 12-5 PM that I hope you all can make. There will be both hands-on and static displays of New Urban Mobility options as well as short talks by various transportation experts. There will also be refreshments (based on the number of people who sign up, so make sure you sign up!).
These new ways to get around town pose a lot of opportunities and challenges for our entire region and Mark and I are thrilled to help everyone better understand them. You can sign up for the event at Eventbrite. Please pass on this invite to anyone you think might be interested- the more people who show up, the better.
Also, I’ve got a small collection of Micromobility videos you can check out here.
Feel free to contact me or Mark (on the cc line) with any questions or concerns.
Thanks a lot.
Craig Kelley, JD, MPA Cambridge City Council
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