There’s a conversation in Eagle Rock, the key phrases to describe the conversation are ‘”Colorado Boulevard” and “bad for traffic”. What’s the discussion about? It could be on a few topics but in recent months, chances are that discussion is about taking space from cars to dedicate space to pedestrians and bicyclists. But what exactly is ‘bad for traffic’ or simply ‘bad traffic’? Naturally ‘good’ and ‘bad’ are subjective terms when discussing traffic, but let’s look at some pictures of Colorado Boulevard and you, the reader, can determine what you would want to see more of– what’s good traffic?
Photo #1: Good traffic?
Photo #2: .... is this good traffic?
Photo #3: Perhaps this is good traffic?
Photo #4: ....
Photo #5: Good traffic? Bad traffic?
I don’t drive, so perhaps I lack perspective, but in my experiences when I want to go from place to place in Eagle Rock, car traffic looks, and feels like, photo #1 and pedestrian traffic like photo #2. Are these good situations for traffic? The question is rather broad, let’s make a more specific one– what does good traffic look like along this commercial corridor? Does it really consist of fast moving cars and empty sidewalks, as Colorado Boulevard currently exists?
Here are my observations of each photo.
Photo #1: A relatively empty street, superfluous space dedicated to cars. A street that permits excessive speeding. Does not appear conducive for a vibrant, enjoyable street life.
Photo #2: A sidewalk with the right ingredients to encourage walking– awnings, big windows, attractive storefronts, trees lining the sidewalk
Photo #3: Plenty people walking, a lively shot. The kind of traffic store owners like to see
Photo #4: Many people on this historic street, using to get elsewhere as quickly as possible by car. Yet somehow, space dedicated to cars still seems excessive. One man luckily finds parking.
Photo #5: Attractive outdoor seating, and a couple walking by.
All these photos show one or more forms of traffic, and collectively as a community, we can decide what kind of traffic we want to encourage.
