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Permalink Reply by ChristopherMCA on June 13, 2011 at 9:07am

I felt the same way after reading this article. I think Gabe Klein is gonna help chicago's trans systems

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Permalink Reply by dan brown on June 13, 2011 at 9:13am

nice article gin. yes this is encouraging. fuel prices that continue to rise cannot hurt either.

 

Dan

 

p.s. happy belated birthday

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Permalink Reply by Gin on June 13, 2011 at 9:19am

Another quote I like:
CTA: "I was on the Brown Line yesterday, and we had to go very slow in certain areas. We are going to have to put a lot more money into transit. All transportation is subsidized, most of all, roads. The pendulum will shift. We'll end up investing in transit. We'll have to borrow, but we'll need to do it."

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Permalink Reply by Gin on June 13, 2011 at 10:44am

I hear you, Howard. My sense from the MBAC meeting is that there will be public input, and that there is a lot of listening already going on. But now is not the time to be complacent.

 

What is so risky about using a Vespa? I reckon those same people would shake their heads at him being on a bicycle too.

 

H3N3 said:

Watch for Vespa symbols to start appearing on city bike racks . . .

 

In the meantime, Klein said he won't shy away from riding his Vespa motor scooter, which arrived from Washington last week with a few dings, on Chicago streets, even though some locals have told him he'd be crazy to take the risk, he said.

Klein said he is not anti-automobile, but he makes it clear that cars are not the solution to Chicago's transportation problems.

 

Seriously, there are reasons to be optimistic.  But I can't help feeling a twinge of dread.  For one, these new folks are plowing ahead doing what they feel like with no public input.  Am I happy that what they're doing agrees with my own priorities thus far? Sure. But it means they could just as easily do something completely horrible, and we'd all have just as little say.

Is that any different than life under King Richard? No, but I guess I did have a twinge of hope of a more representative government.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 13, 2011 at 10:45am

I'm with Howard on this.  It's encouraging that some key new folks share our sense of priorities, at least for now, and that their first words/initiatives are encouraging.  I hope that they will be open to public input.  Last week's MBAC meeting suggested to me that they would be.

H3N3 said:

Watch for Vespa symbols to start appearing on city bike racks . . .

 

In the meantime, Klein said he won't shy away from riding his Vespa motor scooter, which arrived from Washington last week with a few dings, on Chicago streets, even though some locals have told him he'd be crazy to take the risk, he said.

Klein said he is not anti-automobile, but he makes it clear that cars are not the solution to Chicago's transportation problems.

 

Seriously, there are reasons to be optimistic.  But I can't help feeling a twinge of dread.  For one, these new folks are plowing ahead doing what they feel like with no public input.  Am I happy that what they're doing agrees with my own priorities thus far? Sure. But it means they could just as easily do something completely horrible, and we'd all have just as little say.

Is that any different than life under King Richard? No, but I guess I did have a twinge of hope of a more representative government.

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Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on June 13, 2011 at 11:11am

I don't know if he still is, but at least as of a few weeks ago Klein was responding to emails. I agree with Howard's point about the structural problem here, but I'm confident that Klein is going to engage.

 

If I worry here, it's because the guy doesn't know the town and isn't backed by anyone who doesn't have an office in City Hall. It's nice that he's saying the right thing, but that's going to make him some serious enemies, and he doesn't have the power base he'll need to go head up with them.

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Permalink Reply by jennifer james on June 13, 2011 at 11:30am

Very doom and gloom Dr.! We rode the some of the new lanes in D.C. this spring - two of them completely protected lanes in the city center along the White house to the Mall and then from the Capitol building towards Georgetown. We also rode some of what were traffic calmed streets. There were many commuters out cycling. He got alot done there in a short time.

I was really excited by the MBAC meeting and have been riding the new lane as it emerges. We really need this thinking in Chicago. We are way way behind on transit in general and cycling specifically. New York and Minneapolis have left us long in the dust and it will take plenty of work to try and get close to where these cities are now. I am amazed to hear the things the mayor and Gabe Klein are saying to frame changes they are promising. I am really hoping they drag us finally into the future. As Gin and Anne said it seemed to me also at the MBAC meeting that  they are developing the plan and will be seeking input. Thanks very much for the article Gin!

Dr. Doom said:

I don't know if he still is, but at least as of a few weeks ago Klein was responding to emails. I agree with Howard's point about the structural problem here, but I'm confident that Klein is going to engage.

 

If I worry here, it's because the guy doesn't know the town and isn't backed by anyone who doesn't have an office in City Hall. It's nice that he's saying the right thing, but that's going to make him some serious enemies, and he doesn't have the power base he'll need to go head up with them.

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on June 13, 2011 at 3:29pm

A Vespa and two positive mentions of Europe in one article? That worries me. Glen Beck will soon unmask him as another one of George Soros's marionettes...

 

Seriously though... He should tone it down with the Europe references. Most Americans might think of Europe as a nice vacation destination, but they definitely don't want to live in country styled after European countries.

H3N3 said:

Watch for Vespa symbols to start appearing on city bike racks . . .

 

In the meantime, Klein said he won't shy away from riding his Vespa motor scooter, which arrived from Washington last week with a few dings, on Chicago streets, even though some locals have told him he'd be crazy to take the risk, he said.

Klein said he is not anti-automobile, but he makes it clear that cars are not the solution to Chicago's transportation problems.

 

Seriously, there are reasons to be optimistic.  But I can't help feeling a twinge of dread.  For one, these new folks are plowing ahead doing what they feel like with no public input.  Am I happy that what they're doing agrees with my own priorities thus far? Sure. But it means they could just as easily do something completely horrible, and we'd all have just as little say.

Is that any different than life under King Richard? No, but I guess I did have a twinge of hope of a more representative government.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on June 17, 2011 at 3:41pm

I met the commissioner tonight at the Bike To Work Week closing party at ING.  He's a really nice, laid back guy with great ideas.  We got lucky Chicago. Mayor Emmanuel picked a good one.

 

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 17, 2011 at 4:06pm

Now THAT is funny -or maybe too close to the truth not to strike a nerve...

H3N3 said:

I don't think Ron Huberman has headed CDOT yet-- doesn't he deserve a turn?

 

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