You're Invited! I Am, Too!

Invitation Courtesy of the City of Salem

More evidence that the City of Salem is taking steps to make this little corner of Planet Earth a little more livable. They're inviting you to an Open House. 

I honestly believe this is the sort of thing that distinguishes the Top 20 Bicycling Cities in the U.S. from all of the runners-up. There is a process where the City listens to its constituents.  So....are you telling them what's on your mind?

Up for conversation are the pedestrian and bicycle components of Salem's Transportation System Plan. They are wanting to show you what they've heard from "over 800 questionnaires" gathered recently, what they're proposing they'll do about it, and listen some more. "This is what we heard you say, this is what we're doing...what do you think?" So, if there's anything about the plan that raises further questions, curiosities, or challenges, now is the time to bring them up.

If the invitation is hard to read, click here for the information.  Or, just plan on making it to one of these sessions:

*Tuesday, January 25, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM at Center 50+ (2615 Portland Rd NE)
*Tuesday, January 25, 5:00 to 7:00 PM at West Salem Library (395 Glen Creek Rd. NW)
*Wednesday, January 26, 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Main Library, Anderson Rooms (585 Liberty St. SE)
*Thursday, January 27, 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Houck Middle School, Media Room (1155 Connecticut St. SE)

To prepare, I'm going to go back and read some of the recent posts from Breakfast On Bikes, the quintessence of civic engagement cycle blogging. Yes, that's what I meant to say.

Another option, if you wish to meet and hear from other like-minded-bike-riders would be at the upcoming meeting of the Mid Willamette Valley Bicycle Transportation Alliance at 6:30pm on Sunday, Jan 23rd at Venti's.

One topic I'm especially interested in is calming down some of the scary intersections we have here. I could take you to five really dangerous intersections, just in the downtown core. Go in any direction away from town and you'll encounter more of these problem spots. My blogger friend Daniel has done some good video and narrations to describe a few of them. It's going to take a lot to correct these areas. 

We must be realistic about what can be accomplished with a finite amount of resources. I get that. At the same time, I know that a good vision can help people to optimize those resources.

And folks who are willing to listen well.