47 replies to this topic

[Galley]

Some downtown residents have requested bike lockers.  These may be a better alternative.

Also, expect to see more bike racks downtown in the near future.

[GvilleSC]

I'm not sure where this should go, but here comes a rant:

The Journal recently ran a story about "Parkins Mill Residents say 'No'" to the Swamp Rabbit Trail coming through their front yards. They think their property values will go down. It seems that the route will probably be taken down Pleasantburg.

Here's my issues with this:
-it's a glorified sidewalk. Very few people are going to be taking it as a long distance trip "cutting through" the neighborhood. Due mainly to the extreme hills that they would have to traverse. So the transient argument that was mentioned in the article seems like crap.
-Secondly, the great aspect of the trail is that people can USE it. However, if it runs along Pleasantburg, VERY few people are going to be able to safely reach it from the Parkins Mill area. There is a large population cluster that could potentially tap into the trail for exercise and transit, but will be ostracized by the means by which they would be asked to use to reach the trail. Basically, NO one in their right mind is going to ride a bike on Cleveland Street to reach Pleasantburg. Much less on East Parkins Mill. They could use the sidewalks in stead of the streets, but that becomes dangerous for the many walkers who also share those routes.
-Additionally, if the trail ran alongside Parkins Mill Rd, it would pass by Sara Collins Elementary, providing access to hundreds of children safe access to school. Any doubts? Take a trip up to TR, and watch the number of children using that portion of the trail to reach their homes.


If we want people to use the trail, we need people to have easy access to it.

[Galley]

Well said, GvilleSC.  My sister lives in a suburb of Minneapolis.  They have a bike trail that runs through their back yard, and it is a joy to see so many folks use it (year-round).  It also passes by an elementary school. No one there has had any complaints about it.

[GVLbikeNboard]

That sucks, here I am just wishing and hoping that someday I have part of the Swamp Rabbit or similar trail run right beside my home (or through the yard, I don't care) and there are folks out there who don't want it. Some of the trails around the Charlotte area run through backyards of pretty nice neighborhoods, I wonder if they had similar problems with residents not wanting it? Aren't snobby rich people typically the ones you see the most out exercising with their fancy gear and all? I'm kinda shocked they don't want this.

My favorite quote: “One of our main concerns is that it will change the very fabric of the neighborhood,” said Parkins Mill resident Tim Williams. “We like our neighborhood the way it is and we don’t want our neighborhood to change.”

[GvilleSC]

p2y2r7o, on 27 July 2011 - 12:56 PM, said:

That sucks, here I am just wishing and hoping that someday I have part of the Swamp Rabbit or similar trail run right beside my home (or through the yard, I don't care) and there are folks out there who don't want it. Some of the trails around the Charlotte area run through backyards of pretty nice neighborhoods, I wonder if they had similar problems with residents not wanting it? Aren't snobby rich people typically the ones you see the most out exercising with their fancy gear and all? I'm kinda shocked they don't want this.

My favorite quote: “One of our main concerns is that it will change the very fabric of the neighborhood,” said Parkins Mill resident Tim Williams. “We like our neighborhood the way it is and we don’t want our neighborhood to change.”

Their arguments are VERY weak. Unfortunately, the Mayor is the neighbor of many of these residents and seems to not want to upset them.

[GVLbikeNboard]

I just stumbled-upon a really cool product from a company in Minneapolis/St. Paul that makes these bicycle self-service repair/tune-up stations and has them around their metro area. It would be awesome to see some of these installed around town and along the Swamp Rabbit! Bike Fixtation ( http://www.bikefixtation.com/ )

[gsupstate]

Palmetto Peloton Project seems to be operating illegally.........
http://www.wyff4.com...122/detail.html

[scgubers]

gsupstate, on 14 March 2012 - 06:44 PM, said:

Palmetto Peloton Project seems to be operating illegally.........
http://www.wyff4.com...122/detail.html

Except not really, and I'm not too sure how this relevant anyways.