Buffalo Rising Online

Jun 16th, 6:09pm By BRO Reader Submission

By Larry V. Snider

I think deep down we all know it is healthier to slow down and to get regular exercise. One of the most practical ways I’ve recently discovered to do this is to ride my bicycle to work. Currently, I ride my bicycle to work from Northern Cheektowaga to Downtown Buffalo, two to three times a week. It is about 7.5 miles each way.

I came across this idea in my search for more meaningful ways to help the environment (and in the process myself). Sure, I’ve been taking the bus off and on depending on my schedule. Yes, my wife bought the treadmill last Christmas - but I hardly used it. It was not until I truly felt the environmental problems that we all collectively contribute to each time we get into our automobile, that my real search began.

My search for other independent modes of transportation actually began with a search for compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. This included Internet searches and inquiries with Chinese companies that supplied CNG vehicles. I was actually looking into importing one from China and working with a local cub scout leader on how to do this, as well as prepare the vehicle for use in the U.S. My son, whose first spelled word was FORD, surely would have loved it. I also considered mopeds, however, an unexpected visit to Bert’s Bikes changed my whole course of vision. Within 2 hours on a Sunday afternoon I was riding home five and half miles on a new bike with my son in a bicycle carriage that I was towing, with my wife in the family car, carefully passing and stopping all the way back to home to make sure we made it there safely.

Now my family and I ride our bikes to the local convenience store, scout meetings, church and other local meetings. Riding my bike works on so many levels. I feel healthier and more productive at work. I’m truly helping the environment and saving money at the same time. In a little way, I feel like I am making the streets of my community more vibrant. Personally, I really feel liberated.

Now I am more excited than ever about promoting bicycling in Western New York. The Complete Streets program recently implemented in the City of Buffalo is a great step in the right direction. However, I do not believe our streets can be complete without re-educating our automobile dominated society that our community roads need to be shared with slower moving vehicles (SMV’s). And this can only be done with continued legislative action on behalf of our community leaders.

I would like to propose the concept of Greenways on city, town and village roads for certain days and hours. Basically, this would involve slow moving lanes designated only for slower moving vehicles (SMV’s) on selected city, town and village streets for certain hours of the day. For example, travel in the right lane on Genesee Street from the intersection of Genesee and Union in Cheektowaga to the intersection of Genesee and Oak Street in downtown Buffalo from 6:00 to 8:00AM and again from 3:00 to 6:00PM, Monday through Friday. We could also alternate the days of the week between two parallel streets, if desired. Traditional cars and city buses would be able to traverse the rights lanes at significantly slower speeds with standard right-of-way rules as needed. The streets signs would be well marked for Genesee and all intersecting streets to clearly designate the special streets designation – Greenway.

To be successful, the program could be tested on a few streets to start. Coordination with city officials and adjacent municipalities would be essential. The program would need to be well publicized as an exercise in wellness and community building in all its aspects.

With all change there will be objection. But it really can be done, however, we must have the political will to make a bold, yet simple change. A wish list of advocates for such a program would include Buffalo Common Council members, Buffalo News reporters, leaders of local bicycle clubs and general concerned citizens of the Environment. How about it Buffalo – Can we be leaders to make our community even more vibrant and our Roads More Complete?