July 8, 2013 · Exit133

Conversations Re: Crosswalks

The latest chapter in the story of Tacoma’s appearing and disappearing guerrilla crosswalks is a pair of interview in The News Tribune this weekend.

Depending on who you ask, the individuals who painted the unsanctioned street markings are either community activists championing pedestrian and bicyclist safety, or misguided renegades illegally defacing public property and putting drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians at risk.

The TNT asked them both.

Over the weekend the paper ran an interview with a few of the individuals behind the markings, detailing the events and reasoning behind their actions.

The paper also ran an an interview with City of Tacoma staff explaining the City’s position in a little more detail than we got from the brief press release on the topic.

Reading both side by side does give a little more insight into the specifics on each side, but on a broader level, the basic question has yet to be answered.

The closest thing to a potential amicable resolution might involve some sort of grassroots fundraising campaign for bicycle and pedestrian improvements - but that would require the City and the painters to work together…

These things are rarely, if ever, as simple as buying a can of paint and agreeing on a location, but might there be a middle way that doesn’t involve either prosecution or vigilante painting?

Filed under: Transportation, Walkable Tacoma, Biking, Roads

8 comments

Chris K. July 8, 2013

I believe a solution would be more funding, via a suite of new taxes that the state allows the city to raise. Seattle accomplishes this with their "bridging the gap" levy every few years. Tacoma hasn't asked its voters for more street funds since 2005. Back in 2005 the iPhone didn't exist, neither did Android. The Bush Administration was still in office. Surely enough time has been wasted. Let's come up with a transportation master plan and get it out in front of the voters.
- fred davie July 8, 2013
  
  So if we pass a new transportation master plan and start paying higher taxes then the bicycle activists will stop vandalizing our city?
Bob B July 8, 2013

I'm all for crosswalks, and maintaining and improving sidewalks. I'm all for vigorous police enforcement around crosswalks, too. But safety for bicyclists? Come on. Have you actually watched bicyclists in transit? They carry out their guerilla war against transportation rules, daily! When was the last time you saw a bicyclist actually obeying existing laws? Signaling direction, and lane changes; failing to stop at marked intersections; travelling in vehicle lanes until reaching a stop light, then switching to the sidewalk/crosswalk to travel through without stopping; terrorizing pedestrians as they ride on the sidewalk at hi speed as though they have every right to. I could go on. I have no problem with Share the Road signs, but as a pedestrian, I object to the idea of sharing the sidewalk, unless the bicyclist is walking their bicycle.
- Aaron P July 9, 2013
  
  Every day I see plenty of bicyclists obeying the traffic laws. Who are you to characterize all bike commuters as "Guerilla" bicyclists? On a bike I follow all the traffic rules and simply try to avoid all of the cars that never actually stop at a crosswalk marked or not. They instead roll into the intersection. I have had a number of close calls the last few years.
Jane M July 8, 2013

The New Tacoma Neighborhood Council is hosting the Downtown Tacoma Crosswalk Forum this Wednesday, July 10 at 5:00 pm, Tacoma Municipal Building Room 708. This is a chance to let city officials know your concerns about pedestrian safety and crosswalks. The city manager is scheduled to attend.
Janet Higbee July 8, 2013

Tacoma has an award winning Mobility Master Plan that is slowly but steadily reaching our roads, making T-town more walk and bikeable. Tacomans, walk and pedal more. Show Tacoma officials that you need infrastructure. Participate in Pierce Trips, City sponsored walking tours and Tacoma Wheelmen Bike Club. Let's make our streets ped user friendly!
- fred davie July 8, 2013
  
  I walk the sidewalks around town and ride the streets on my bicycle, Janet. The infrastructure is sufficient for me. And everything is user friendly. Nothing is preventing Tacomans from "walking and pedaling more," except, perhaps, lack of ambition. Blaming one's failure to get out and exercise on the the street conditions is kind of like blaming your pants because they are too tight.
Sid July 8, 2013

Interesting how most topics here are about Stadium and the North End roads. There are plenty of cyclists in the South End that come and go all day long. They need a safety net on the Yakima Ave. Bridge into the Lincoln District also. Our city is an embarrassing disaster when it comes to our roads. Can't put new shoes on the clown, but we can fetch 10k to figure out what to do with a wooden pole.