Very well-put, Terri, and I know your and your husband's observations are true.
I was very surprised when I crossed Capital Circle at Mahan that drivers didn't start any of the behaviors you site, and, I did the best I could to let the motorists know I appreciated their courtesy and obedience of the White Cane Law.
BTW, do you two know of a captain looking for a stoker? I would sure love to get out and ride more.
Darla----- Original Message ----- From: "Terri" <tblmt@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 3:11 PM Subject: [tabi] Re: my object to Nova 2010
As a cyclist who spends many, many hours out on the road; I must express my belief that having more bus riders crossing the intersections is not going to encourage the drivers to drive with more caution. My husband, Rick, who captains our tandem, has been a cyclist for over 25 years. I cannot begin to tell you how many times, thanks to his ability to see and anticipate the unexpected out of these drivers, that we have barely escaped being plowed down by an inatentive driver. A little over 2 years ago, a close friend of ours was hit and then drug several feet by a car full of teenagers . Thank goodness, he did finally recover from that terrible accident. Because of the fact that Rick and I spend so much of our time out there on our bike, we are being constantly reminded of the dangers on the road. The drivers are distracted by cell phone conversations, text messaging, and all types of other distractions. And believe it or not. . . . there are also angry and frustrated people driving those cars who actually try to do things on purpose to scare the pedestrians and cyclists. I still find it incomprehensible that this type of thing goes on. But it does.Sight or no sight, there will be much risk involved for those bus riders who have to cross these busy intersections. And of course this risk is definitely much higher for those persons with visual or physical disabilities. It is not a display of weakness or helplessness to express concern and also expect special consideration when it comes to the matter of safety. This is merely facing reality and making others aware of what is necessary to responsibly facilitate the independence of the disabled members of our community.Terri Bowen----- Original Message ----- From: <ericamccaul@xxxxxxxxxxxx>To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 11:47 AM Subject: [tabi] Re: my object to Nova 2010 I so appreciate the spirit of cooperation Darla expresses. I applaud it for its nobility. I am not at all convinced, however, that it serves us best, at least in the short term. To be blunt, courtesy will not mend the injuries that will surely occur "while the bugs are being worked out." For surely it is not a matter of IF a bus rider-- disabled or not (though, practically speaking, more likely disabled)-- gets hit by a motorist while making a transfer, but WHEN. In fact, I had an exchange which went something like this at a listening session I attended a couple of weeks ago: FELLOW CITIZEN: I hear a lot of FEAR being expressed about these crossings. I'm wondering if this is just fear of the unknown. I'm wondering if you even have TRIED to make these crossings. ME: I have had the amount of vision I now have for my entire life. I can assure you that I am most able to assess of both my abilities and my limitations. I have been at many of these intersections, either on foot or in a car, and have considered them from my personal perspective. As a responsible adult, making some of these crossing attempts is not a reasonable risk for me to assume. Then, Mr. Scheib advanced the idea that as more pedestrian/bus riders became apparent "out on the streets", drivers would take note and become more aware and cautious, to which I remarked, "That's a fine THEORY, but I personally do not want to be in the crosswalks beta testing it. Who will do that?" FELLOW CITIZEN: "I will" Good luck to him. Perhaps his estate can bequeath money to finance paratransit for those forced off the fixed bus route. The golden opportunity mentioned reeks of Ivory Tower thinking. The REAL opportunity is that of being struck by a car, all in the unfounded hopes that StarMetro will garnish increased ridership. Erica -----Original Message----- From: Darla J. Rogers <djrogers0628@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Mon, Nov 9, 2009 11:14 am Subject: [tabi] Re: my object to Nova 2010 And, this can't all come together at once; it isn't fiscally or physically possible, at this time, but I believe we in TCB definitely have Star Metro's ear and that Star Metro has demonstrated a willingness to work with us and learn from us, but to make this all work seamlessly is going to take time, especially in these times of limited budget. The city can probably apply for grants, as well, so if any one of you knows grants that might further the Nova 2010 project, please let Star Metro, your city and county commissioners know and do it in a respectful and logical manner, as we may never have an opportunity like this again--at least not anytime soon. Darla ----- Original Message ----- From: "blindwilly" <blindwilly@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 9:58 PM Subject: [tabi] Re: my object to Nova 2010Chip, I agree that we are all in a different place. Even though I think Ihavepretty good mobility, I know that there are many that don't and Ineverforget that. That is why early in the year, I started a dialogaboutaccessibility and I have stayed in the race. One thing that I wanttoaddress is, really we are on the same side. We both want to havegoodaccessibility and safe transfers: it is just a difference in our approaches to achieve that goal. Think of this, if one way doesn'twork,maybe the other will. We are going to do just fine, \ William ----- Original Message ----- From: "Allison and Chip Orange" <acorange@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 9:10 PM Subject: [tabi] Re: my object to Nova 2010Lynn, I think Charles is right; we should be brave enough to tell peoplewhatwe cannot *safely* do; especially if, *if*, there's an alternative;transferpoints where riders don't have to leave that point, and the plannertoldme that was possible. And one more thing Lynn; you're playing with other people's lives;justbecause you're willing to take the chance on crossing a busyintersectionevery day, should not mean that you argue so that others are alsoforcedto do that. I just talked to a blind person in the last week, who has been blindover5 years, and does not yet feel confident in independent travel. he isalsototally blind, which does make a *big* difference. so, I don't feel bad in asking them to do things differently. I'mnotdoing a "blackjack" and saying I won't play; not when I'm only asking forachange in design. and it's not just blind people who are effected; it's anyone in a wheel-chair, or anyone who's elderly and may not walk as fast astheyonce did, or is mobility impaired for any number of reasons. so, I hope you'll think of all these things, and understand I'maskingthem to plan for all of these people, not cancel the entire project. thanks for writing and telling us how you feel. Chip -----Original Message----- From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]OnBehalf Of Lynn Evans Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 7:21 PM To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [tabi] Re: my object to Nova 2010 You are correct in saying there are no guarantees when it comes tolife.it is a crap shoot. A person steps out boldly from the curb of lifewith themobility skills we have and takes their chances. You are asking for a guarantee for city services? You mean like the electricity wantnever goout? The water will never be turned off? The trash will always bepickedup? Look at the changes Star Metro has made to their plan so far. Weaskedfor a route description and they gave it to us. Robert asked for theVillageSquare change and they did that. Let us not do a "Blackjack" here and tell Star metro if they wantplay byour rules then we will not play,. the intersections where thetransferpoints are, need to be made as safe as humanly possible forEVERYONE.This is what we need to tell the city commission. It scares me to tell anyone, what I can't do. That puts me in a vulnerable position in their eyes. We need to work with Star Metro or we are going to be left on thecurb asthe bus passes us by. ----- Original Message ----- From: Easy Talk <mailto:easytalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 2:40 PM Subject: [tabi] Re: my object to Nova 2010 Chip, After much consideration and Soule searching, I am with you 100 percent. I am one who has been hit at an audible crossing. I am certainly for decentralization but more work needs to be done and as Heather said Star Metro does transportation/buses not Sidewalks, Audiblesignalsor Police Safety. They can only educate but it is up to otherdepartmentsto do there part and so far there are no guarantees. Robert ----- Original Message ----- From: Chip Orange <mailto:Corange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 11:54 AM Subject: [tabi] my object to Nova 2010 hi all, I spoke with a StarMetro planner yesterday, and he said only 2 intersections of the possible 41 proposed for transfer points, currently have audible signals. (I think Lynn did tell us that). perhaps, just perhaps, they'll be able to add 10, even 20, in the next year, but by no means all of them will get audiblesignals.the point I made to him, and the one I intend to make to the city commission unless there is a dramatic change in the plan, isthat nointersection, even with an audible signal, is safe for a blindperson tocross. audible signals only make it somewhat safer, but many of ourlocalblind residents can testify about being hit. I don't think evenourbest, most skillful, independent travelers, can say that crossing an intersection such as many of those proposed by StarMetro is safe; and, a numberof ourblind residents do not fall into the class of our "most skillful" independent travelers. I intend to urge the city commission to deny the entire plan until the safety of disable riders can be assured by never requiringatransfer through an intersection; StarMetro has got to be forced tocomeup with another way to handle transfers. I know others of you have other objections to the plan, and I've heard and agree with a lot of them, but this is to me, thesinglereally good one, which is good enough to warrant the city commission stopping implementation until it is worked out. I do support other objections which have been raised, including the one I just mentioned that with all the bus stopsmoving tonew locations, they are going to be hard to find, and that the routesand thelocation of stops require a lot of walking at times, which itself isalsounsafe. but when I write the commission after the plan is submittedtothem, I am only going to focus on the safety issue, as I think it'sthemost important, and I don't want to overwhelm them in my letter with les important objections. I hope all of you will consider writing to the city commission, but not until the plan has been submitted to them. any letters before then are evidently just forwarded to StarMetro, withoutengagingthe commissioners' attention. thanks. Chip ------------------------------ Chip Orange Database Administrator Florida Public Service Commission Chip.Orange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (850) 413-6314 (Any opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Florida Public Service Commission.) Check out the TABI resource web page at http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI and please make suggestions for new material. if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.orgwebinterface, or by sending an email to the address tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in thesubject.Check out the TABI resource web page at http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI and please make suggestions for new material. if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.orgwebinterface, or by sending an email to the address tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject.Check out the TABI resource web page at http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI and please make suggestions for new material. if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.org web interface, or by sending an email to the address tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject.Check out the TABI resource web page at http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABIand please make suggestions for new material.if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.org web interface, or by sending an email to the address tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject.Check out the TABI resource web page at http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABIand please make suggestions for new material.if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.org web interface, or by sending an email to the address tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject.
Check out the TABI resource web page at http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI and please make suggestions for new material. if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.org web interface, or by sending an email to the address tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject.
