A bridge would be quite nice. I heard gossip that WVU couldn't install a bridge without an elevator because of ADA regulations. I really hope that's not true, as it would be crazy, although it would sort-of explain the uselessly inconvenient bridge further down the road. I imagine that the existing bridge is even more irksome to the handicapped than to the bipedal--what an insult to be forced to go a 1/8-1/4 mile out of the way to span 15 feet of pavement from one side of the road to the other. I think I've seen handicapped people crossing right there alongside the "island" in addition to the pedestrians.
I have no ideas that don't involve a big wide bridge without an excess of stairs (preferably none). I guess this would mean funneling the cars through a short tunnel. You'd have to lower road, but it sure would be nice.
Wait, maybe a zipline?
here's an interesting note on herd behavior and street crossings. everyone crosses there because everyone else does!
http://www.physorg.com/news/2010-11-pedestrians-herd-instinct-road.html
aira
On Fri, Jan 28, 2011 at 2:37 PM, Frank Gmeindl fgmeindl@gmail.com wrote:
Bicycle Board Members,
Any ideas for improving Grumbein's Island for cycists?
Frank
Begin forwarded message:
*From: *Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board walkmgw@yahoo.com *Date: *January 28, 2011 2:15:48 PM EST *To: *Frank Gmeindl frank.gmeindl@comcast.net, Christiaan Abildso < cgabildso@mail.wvu.edu>, Bob Anderson randerson@hsc.wvu.edu, Jon Bond < jbond3@mix.wvu.edu>, Ilana Chertok ichertok@hsc.wvu.edu, Stan Cohen < Stanley.Cohen@mail.wvu.edu>, Chuck Coole ccoole@hsc.wvu.edu, Jan Derry < jderry@nwvcil.org>, Dave Harshbarger harshbargerd@wvuh.com, Dwight Harshbarger dwight.harshbarger@gmail.com, George Lilley < mgranlil@verizon.net>, Regina Mayolo reginam@verizon.net, Jon Miltenberger kokiri4ever@msn.com, Jennifer Noori < thenoorinater@gmail.com>, Bill Reger-Nash wreger@hsc.wvu.edu, Jonathan Rosenbaum freesource@cheat.org, Jimmie Simmons Jsimmons2642@yahoo.com, David Small dsmall1@mix.wvu.edu, Maria Smith mariasmith@busride.org, Don Spencer dspencer36@comcast.net, Martha Summers msummers@hsc.wvu.edu, Angela Wiley wileya120@gmail.com *Subject: **Grumbein's Island meeting*
Fellow pedestrian advocates. I have been invited to attend a meeting with many constituencies to discuss the future of Grumbein's Island (pedestrian area in front of Mountainlair) next Friday at 10:00 AM. The invitees include: Terry Hough - City Don Spencer - City Roy Nutter - City Christaan Abildso - City Bryan Radabaugh - State Alanna Slack - State Perry Keller - State Bill Austin - Mgtn/Mon MPO Rick Colebank - Alpha Assoc Chuck Branch - Alpha Assoc Charlie Luttrell - Alpha Assoc Rob Moyer - WVU Nelson France - WVU Student Bob Merow - WVU Hugh Kierig - WVU
Please submit any suggestions prior to that meeting. Frank, I could especially use some bicycle design ideas for that area (I've also requested that you be invited). Best, Christiaan
*Walk more, safely*
*Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board*
*Christiaan Abildso, Chair*
*Bill Reger-Nash, Vice Chair*
*http://www.morgantown.com/ped-safety-board.htm*http://www.morgantown.com/ped-safety-board.htm
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